Page 162 of Nowhere to Hide

I fumbled out of Dominic’s arms at his voice. “Locke?”

The sobs came at the sight of his ashen face. The rope burns. I touched them gently, then wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I could hear him hissing in pain, but he held me just as tightly.

“I thought I lost you,” he said against my hair. “Don’t you ever fucking do that to me again.”

I put my face into his neck. “Never.”

“Where is he?” Locke staggered to his feet, holding me against him.

“Bastian hit him with a freaking crowbar.”

“He’s getting a case of that stupid overpriced tequila he likes.” He pressed a kiss to my temple, then to my mouth. “After I break one over his head for bringing you here.” He framed my face with his big hands. “I told you to stay put.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” I wrapped my arms around his middle and he hissed again. “Sorry. Sorry.”

He held on tighter. “Nope. That’s a good pain. Keep hanging on.”

We huddled together as the wharf exploded with Kendrick agents as well as the Salem PD and feds.

I turned into Locke, holding on tighter as the click and whir of cameras dented the voices around us.

“It’s over,” he said against my skin. “Just hang on and I’ll get you out of here.”

“Hold up, Jordan.”

I glanced over my shoulder at the familiar voice. This time he was out of uniform. “Detective Stone?”

Locke held me tighter, his eyes scanning the scene.

“Priscilla—are you okay?”

I nodded. “This time it’s this guy who got hurt.”

Stone gave Locke a once over. “This was reckless.”

“It was.” He coughed a little.

“You should have pulled me in.”

Locke nodded. “But I didn’t. I respect you, but your department is shit.”

Stone huffed out a harsh laugh. “I wish I couldn’t agree with you. The feds are going to take all the credit for this one.”

“Even though it was your hard work that helped find him.” I shook my head. “That’s not fair.”

“All I care is that he’s caught.” Stone sighed. “It’s going to be a shit show. The killer is Judge Hathorne.”

Locke straightened. “Holy shit. Are you kidding me?”

We both turned and saw the man on his knees with his hands cuffed behind him. With the hood pushed back, he just looked like a pathetic old man.

Stone shook his head. “That’s why the press is losing their damn shit.”

I looked up at Locke. “Do you know him?”

“Just by reputation. He was running to be a district court justice.” Locke ran his hand down my back. “The Salem PD thought they were in hot water for ignoring a serial killer before.” He shook his head.

Stone sighed. “My captain is losing his goddamn mind. I’m glad you two are all right.” He held his hand out and Locke grasped it. “Please stay out of my district from now on.”