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“He was engaging in criminal activities with a prostitute.”

Her eyes slide closed. “Star.” It’s not a question, and she doesn’t give me time to speak before continuing. “And you killed him.”

We’re quiet a moment, and I can see her internal struggle. “What are you thinking?”

She shakes her head slowly. “I never understood... I guess now I never will.”

Catching her chin, I make her look at me. “Understand what?”

“How he could be so duplicitous. Smooth. Seductive even. When we were engaged, he was completely different.” Her eyes shine with forming tears, and my stomach tightens. “For the longest time I stopped trusting myself, my ability to judge people.”

I reach for her, smoothing her hair away from her beautiful cheek. A tear falls, and I touch it with my thumb. “You lived through hell.”

She sniffs and wipes her cheeks roughly. “It was all a lie. He lied to me every day.” Taking my hand, she threads our fingers. Her strength shines in her eyes. “You helped me learn to trust myself again. I’m so lucky to have you.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m the lucky one in this scenario.” She lifts her chin and smiles, and I kiss her hand. “I wanted to kill him for hurting you.”

“Shh!” Pulling it away, she lightly touches my lips. “I’m always safe with you.”

I’m ready to show her how much more than safe she is, how loved and appreciated she is as well, when her phone rings from the kitchen.

“That’s Elaine with Dex.” She’s up and heading for it before I can do anything more.

Sitting alone in our bed, my eyes drift past the light-olive colored walls, out the window and over the miles, over time, to that night. I can still hear the sounds of Star’s life being choked from her body, still feel the rage at the overwhelming knowledge that he’d touched Melissa that way. My jaw tightens, and I know I’d do it again. I’d kill him every time. Control be damned.

Patrick’s right. We have to ride this out, track down whoever’s blackmailing Star, handle that asshole, and then put this case to rest.

Melissa’s back. Her shirt’s over her head, and she goes to the dresser to pull out a fresh pair of panties. Red lace. I smile, thinking it’s only a few more hours until we’re back in bed together.

“Elaine’s bringing Dex home, so you’d better get dressed.”

Throwing back the covers, I stand and catch her by the hips, running my fingers under the elastic of her underwear. “I like where your head’s at with these.”

She gives me a little grin and a quick peck on the lips. “Later, soldier. For now we have to get dressed.”

I smile at her using Stuart’s and my favorite “diminutive.” It started when we’d first joined the Corps, and a civilian kept calling us soldier.

My pants and boxer briefs are where I quickly discarded them earlier. “It’s not like Patrick and Elaine ever worry about being discreet,” I say, stepping into them.

“Listen.” She stops in front of me, and I stand, pulling up my jeans. “I’m serious about what I said earlier. No more secrets.”

Her blue eyes are so round and beautiful. I grab her by the waist, pulling her into a hug. Her hands rest on my bare chest. “No more secrets,” I repeat.

“Promise me?”

A slow kiss, a little nip on her bottom lip, and I meet her gaze. “I promise.”

* * *

The next day, Patrick and I are in my car speeding to Raleigh. He explains the latest in our evolving case as I weave us through the morning-commuter traffic.

“Toni’s getting panicky. She wants us to find a safe place for Camille.”

My teeth clench, tightening my lips as I think. “Did you explain to her that’s not something we’re prepared to do?”

“Whoever this is knows exactly where the little girl goes to daycare, her schedule, everything.”

“And we still don’t know what this fucking ‘friend’ wants?”