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“No,” I say, hating the way that her shoulders droop. I need to bring her good news as soon as possible. “But we have his name and an address. I’m going to make a few phone calls, then I’m going to head there to get him.”

“Really?” she says, her face lighting up a little. “You’re going to get him tonight?”

“I will,” I say because I’ll be damned if this bastard is on the streets for any longer.

“So, you’re going to leave,” she says, drumming her lithe fingers on the cover of the book she’s holding.

“I am,” I confirm, sliding behind my desk so I can start calling other officers. “But I’m trying to get someone here to make sure you’re safe.”

Riley nods before asking, “What if no one can come?”

“You’ll still be safe here,” I assure her as I pick up the phone. “No one can get back here. The only reason I’d want anyone posted is for my peace of mind.”

“Okay,” she says, opening her book. “I trust you.”

Having her trust is better than anything I could have imagined. I keep that in mind as I make my calls. Although, it’s hard not to feel like I didn’t let her down when I can’t even get anyone out to assist in patrols.

But Murphy’s right. No one can get back here once the doors are closed unless they have a key. Riley will be safe here.

Chapter Six

Riley

After Noah leaves, I find it hard to focus on the books I pulled off his desk. I’m well aware that it’s my nerves, that being alone after that attack is making me crazy. Still, I can’t seem to make myself sit still.

I trust that Noah’s going to take care of the man from the library. He’s competent at his job, and the determination on his face told me everything I needed to know. After tonight, I won’t have to worry about anything like that happening again.

I push myself to my feet, deciding to pace to get rid of some of my excess energy. The office is fairly bare, but there are small piles of clutter lying around. I lean over the desk to take inventory of the pages strewn across it.

Ever the professional, there aren’t any police reports or sensitive information left out here. However, he’s compiled several news articles about crime happening in the city. I glance over them, familiar with a few of the cases.

Ever since that presentation Noah gave, I’ve developed a bit of an obsession with true crime, keeping up with multiple podcasts and YouTube channels dedicated to the topic. Not to mention the fact that as I librarian I get first dibs on any new true crime book that comes into the library. It’s not that I like the violence, but I’m interested in the way that the human mindworks. Maybe it’s a morbid curiosity, but I can’t deny that I want to learn everything there is to know.

What drives a person to commit heinous crimes? Is it something that happens in their childhood? Is it a mental disorder? Were they radicalized by outside forces?

I run my fingertips over the pages, but don’t let my eyes linger for too long. If I do, the librarian part of me will kick in, and I’m likely to pick up the articles and rearrange them. Noah seems like the kind of person who has a particular way of keeping things, even if it looks like it’s a mess. There’s doubtless a method to his madness that’s on par with any librarian’s.

The rest of the office is well-organized. There’s an old picture of the original sheriff’s station hanging on the wall. Below it is a photo of the current force. Noah is there in the middle, giving the camera a serious expression. Actually, upon closer inspection, none of the men in the photo are smiling.

I feel the corners of my mouth tick upward. It’s just like these guys to put on a serious front. I don’t know any of the other men in the picture, but I’m aware of the fact that most of them are kind and a little goofy. Noah might be the only person who was accurately captured in this photo.

Somehow, I’ve been able to see a different side of him. That gentleness might be a part of him that’s reserved only for me. And that makes me feel warm all over. Knowing I’m going to see him soon helps to quell my nerves.

Taking a deep breath, I feel a little steadier. I walk the perimeter of the room, taking note of the dates on the filing cabinet drawers. They predate Noah’s time here; the oldest drawer boasts files from the 1960s. I resist the urge to pull the drawer open to rifle through the cases. Maybe if I had some kind of job here, or was doing a research project beyond the scope ofthe library’s archives, I could get away with that, but as it is, I’d just get into trouble.

I run a hand through my hair, noting the sweat collecting on the nape of my neck. Earlier, I thought I was just hot from what Noah and I were getting up to, but now I realize the lack of airflow had something to do with it as well. So, I walk over to the door and crack it open to allow cooler air to filter in.

Now that I’m feeling more steady, I settle back into what I already think of as my chair and pick up the true crime book I’d been looking at. My mind is still all over the place, but I force myself to focus on the pages in front of me. Besides, with the scent of Noah surrounding me, I can feel myself slowly relaxing.

I wonder if he’ll always have that effect on me. Surely he will. No one has ever wanted to protect me the way that he has.

As I start to tuck into the book, an analysis of a series of murders that took place in Appalachia, I marvel at the way things have worked out for me. The way Noah and I met was unfortunate, that’s undeniable. But, somehow, I’ve met the man of my dreams and he wants me just as much as I want him.

I wonder what might have happened if we hadn’t been interrupted earlier. Obviously, we were having sex, but I didn’t really get to experience it. Having just a taste wasn’t enough for me. I’m already wishing for Noah to get back here so we can finish what we started.

Crossing my legs to give myself a little bit of friction, I shift my focus to the book in front of me. Even if Noah gets back quickly, he’s going to be too busy to give me what I want immediately. It’s best if I do something to pass the time.

Besides, maybe he’s already read this book. If he has, we can talk about the case together. It’s exciting to find out that notonly is Noah’s appearance perfect, we share interests. I’m falling for him, there’s no doubt about that.