He closes his eyes and takes a long, deep breath, and when he opens his eyes again, he’s more in control now. “Was Casey okay? Did she give you any problems?”
“Casey is amazing,” I reply truthfully and see his eyes soften with love and affection for his daughter. “I loved having her here.”
He nods and holds on tight when I try to shift away, off of his lap.
“Stay here, please.”
“Okay.” I frown and watch him. His eyes are tired.
“Lila, there was another murder.” He swallows hard.
“Who?” I whisper, not really wanting to hear the answer.
“Cheyenne.”
“Oh.” The tears come, falling down my cheeks unnoticed. “Oh, she was such a good kid.”
“I know.” He frowns and looks down, and I know he’s not telling me everything.
“What else happened, Asher?”
“He’s getting more violent, Lila. I’m not going to give you details because I can’t, and because you don’t need that living in your head.”
Jesus, what did he do to her?
“Okay.”
“And…”
He grows quiet again.
“And?”
He won’t meet my gaze. Finally, he closes his eyes and swears under his breath, then looks up at me with eyes that are tormented and scared as hell.
“And what, Asher?”
“And you’re a target.”
“What?” I shake my head. “That doesn’t make any sense. I’m not a student.”
“What I’m about to tell you is confidential. This hasn’t been released to the media.” He brushes my hair over my shoulder tenderly. “With each victim, the killer has left a note. Threats. He talks about wanting revenge. But he’s never specified a name before.”
“But he did this time.”
Asher nods and pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket, unfolds it, and shows it to me.
“This is a photocopy.”
I read the note and feel my blood run cold.
“Oh my God.”
I begin to shake and find myself caught up in Asher’s arms again. He’s rocking me now, holding me close. I can’t get close enough.
“Why?” I whisper. “Asher, I don’t understand. Oh my God! Those poor girls! They were all tortured and killed because of me?”
I pull out of his hold and stand, pacing the floor. I’m shaking. I can’t breathe.
“This is my fault.”
“Stop it, Lila. It’s not your fault.”
I whirl on him.
“He’s after me.” I shake my head wildly. “Who would do this?”
“Is there an ex out there somewhere that would want to hurt you?” He stands and takes my shoulders in his hands, rubs my arms firmly, trying to soothe me.
“I haven’t dated since I’ve been here,” I reply truthfully. “And I don’t have any skeletons in my closet. I’ve had boyfriends, but those relationships ended on decent terms. There are no weirdos in my background, just guys that it didn’t work out with.”
“We are going to catch this guy,” he promises me. He cups my face in his hands and looks deeply into my eyes. “I promise. Nothing is going to happen to you. I’m not going to lose you to this.”
I hug him tightly and his words hit home. I’m not going to lose you.
“Speaking of losing someone.” My voice is soft as I pull away. “Casey told me about her mom. I’m so sorry for your loss, Asher.”
His lips firm, but he doesn’t look sad or upset. He looks simply resigned.
“It’s been four years,” he says. “What did Casey tell you?”
“Just that she hadn’t had that much fun since her mom died.”
He nods. “I was investigating another serial murderer in Seattle at the time. He was an evil bastard.”
“Aren’t they all?” I ask dryly.
“Yes.” He brushes his fingertips down my cheek. He can’t stop touching me. “He decided to play with the police, specifically the men who were trying to find him.”
“No,” I whisper.
“He killed her. It was staged to look like a car accident, but he confessed later to making that accident happen. Missy died instantly.”
“Oh, Asher. I’m so sorry.”
“How do you tell a six-year-old that her mama isn’t coming home?” His voice is rough.
“How do you bury your young wife and raise your daughter alone?” The enormity of it hits me, and all I can think about is comforting him. Loving him.
I offer him my hand. “Come with me.”
He follows me silently into my bedroom. I lead him onto the bed, over the covers, our clothes still on, and snuggle up to him, holding him close.
“Is this your way of comforting me?” he asks. His lips tip up into a half-smile.
“It’s all I have,” I reply with a shrug. It’s more than I’ve ever offered to anyone else in my life.
I’m letting my walls down with this man, and as much as it scares me, I can’t stop.
“I’m okay, baby. It’s been a while. We’ve healed.”
“Yes, but I just found out, and I’m hurting for you, Asher.”
“God, you’re sweet.” He rolls me onto my back and kisses me softly, his hand resting on my jaw and neck. His lips are soft, sure. He teases me with his tongue as he eases his big body over mine and settles in to kiss the hell out of me.