He knew James wanted justice. But the captain’s speech was a little ragged, and Kyle couldn’t help but wonder if more than exhaustion was weighing on the man.
When James left, Kyle stared at the twisted mass of woods. Voices rumbled behind him. Engines growled as vehicles drove away.
They were all leaving. What if she’s out there? What if we just need to search a little longer?
“We can’t find her tonight.” Cadence’s voice was low and steady. Almost soothing. He hadn’t even heard her approach. “I know you don’t want to stop the search, but it’s just for a few hours. The men can’t see.”
We don’t even know if she’s in these woods. Cadence didn’t say the rest, but she didn’t have to.
The words hung between them.
“There’s a small motel at the edge of town,” Cadence said. “I booked us rooms there.”
He turned away from the woods and saw Cadence standing there, with darkness all around her, lit only by the light spilling from the cars’ headlights.
“We can’t do anything else out here,” she said. “Not tonight.”
She was being so careful with him. Too careful.
“Don’t,” he bit out as he stalked toward her. The others weren’t close enough to overhear, so he could lower his guard and let some of his fury out.
Cadence shook her head. “Don’t what?”
He wanted to wrap his hands around her. To pull her close.
No, I just want to touch her. To feel her.
“Don’t handle me with your damn kid gloves, Cadence.” The words were snapped. “I’m not some victim you have to coddle.”
He’d rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt—like that had done much good. He was covered with grime and sweat and plenty of insect bites.
I f**king hate summers in the South.
Insects were chirping all around them, and he’d had to dodge snakes in the bushes for most of the evening.
“I never thought you were a victim.” Cadence turned from him and headed for the car.
She knew he’d follow her. Wasn’t he always trailing after her?
Wasn’t he the one who always kept the need in check? The desire he damn well knew they both felt.
After today—after this hell—why couldn’t they turn to each other for some comfort and release? Let that desire burst free?
Replace death with pleasure.
Cadence climbed into their vehicle and pulled the door shut behind her. Not a patrol car anymore. An SUV that James had arranged for them. Cadence was in the driver’s seat.
Jaw locked tight, he jumped in the vehicle with her.
“How do you do it?” Kyle demanded as they pulled away from the scene. He couldn’t help it, he looked back. Saw the darkness staring at him.
“Do what?” Her voice was soft, but when he looked back at her, Cadence’s grip on the wheel appeared a little too tight.
“You just walk away, and don’t look back.” She’d done it, time and time again. He’d seen her do it. “I mean, you’re supposed to be the one who knows the victims so well.” A snap of anger heated his voice. “Don’t you wonder what it’s like for Lily right now? What’s happening to her? How can you just give up?”
Give up.
The charge and the anger weren’t really for Cadence, he knew that. The rage was his own. He’d given up on Maria.
Now I’m attacking Cadence. For no reason.
“I don’t need to wonder.” Her whispered words carried easily to his ears.
“Why the hell not?”
“Because I know.” The vehicle picked up speed and rushed down the old road.
Past Lily’s abduction spot.
They kept going. Going.
Past the spot where Maria’s car had been abandoned so many years before.
“You don’t know,” he growled. Because she couldn’t. Cadence and her fistful of degrees. She’d done case studies. Read victim profiles, but she’d never been a victim. “Maybe you should pray you never do.” The words were low, vicious. Don’t do this to her. Not her. He fought to pull in his fury. Kyle grabbed hard for his control. He took a deep breath. Exhaled. In. Out. The drumming of his heartbeat seemed too loud to his ears. Don’t attack her when the rage should be aimed back at you. “Hell, I didn’t mean it, Cadence.”
She didn’t speak.
The miles flew past in the thick darkness.
“I need sleep.” He needed a whole lot more than that, but he’d take what he could get. Some crash time on a lumpy bed, and he’d be good to go again at 0600.
He wouldn’t be such a bastard to her. Once he had rest, and the desperation driving him ebbed—
“You think you know me.” Her words were so soft, he wasn’t even sure they were real at first. “But you don’t.”
Stiffening, Kyle glanced toward her.
“And I don’t know you.”
They didn’t speak again, not until they were pulling up at the side of the little motel on the edge of town. Big rigs lined the full lot, and when they went inside to the front desk, the kid with acne on his cheeks apologetically told them, “Sorry, folks, we only have one room left.”
That so f**king figured.
But it wasn’t the first time he’d needed to share lodging with his partner. It wouldn’t be the last, either.
Only I’ve never been this close to Cadence.
So close to what he wanted.
“Are you sure there’s nothing left?” Cadence demanded, voice sharp. “I called earlier and was told that the rooms would be held for us.”
The boy’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “You were supposed to be here sooner. It’s almost midnight. I couldn’t keep holdin’ the rooms—”
“It’s fine.” Kyle cut through the boy’s stumbling words and swiped the key from him. “Just tell me where the room is.”
“Room two-oh-seven. Corner room on the l-left.” He glanced at Cadence, grimacing. “Sorry, ma’am. Those truckers come in heavy some nights.”
He was sure they did. The bell over the door gave a small jingle as they exited the office. Kyle grabbed Cadence’s small overnight bag and his own larger one from the back of the SUV. They headed up the narrow stairs to the second floor. Voices and the whir of traffic drifted in the air.
He opened the door to room 207, then stepped back so Cadence could go in first.
She didn’t go in.
“What’s wrong?” A demon was riding him that night, forcing him to keep pushing her when he knew he should back the hell off. “You aren’t scared of staying alone with me, are you?” A deliberate challenge.