Karen’s mouth fell open. “What?”
“You never told us that, Maddie,” Keith said at the same time.
Madeline raised an eyebrow at Donovan before facing her parents. “We talked about it, but Donovan said no.”
“Because I want a real marriage, not one we’re forced into,” Donovan corrected softly.
Karen took a sip of her water, a puzzled expression on her face. Donovan thought she would ask more about their ‘engagement,’ but she surprised him.
“So, that was enough to get the charges dropped?”
“Well, no,” Jeremy admitted. “The DA shared evidence that points away from Donovan—though I would have seen this myself soon enough and submitted it. Apparently, they found fibers on the ropes used in the crimes that they can’t link to Donovan. And trust me, they’ve been trying. The fibers don’t match anything in his car or house.”
Donovan put his arm around Madeline’s shoulders, quite content at their cozy setting. It was almost like having a real family dinner, something he didn’t have much experience with. If only Maria were with them, it would have been perfect.
He banished that thought, wanting to stay in his happy mood. “With everything else Jeremy had as far as character witnesses and the deal with my phone, Sorenson knew he’d never obtain a conviction.”
“That’s it then?” Madeline asked. “You can’t go to prison?”
“Not unless he finds concrete evidence against me and reopens the case...which he won’t, since I’m innocent.”
She sighed. “I was so sure something would go wrong. Eric scared me today.”
“You talked to Eric?” Donovan wasn’t sure why, but dread trilled along his spine at this news. “What did he say to scare you?”
“I thought Chief Stone would find a way to make the charges stick...either that or make up new charges. Eric seemed eager to help him.” Madeline shook her head. “It’s not important now.”
Eric had bothered Donovan ever since they first met. They’d never had the kind of partnership Donovan enjoyed with Henry. He’d never trust Eric with his life, and apparently couldn’t trust Eric with his girlfriend, either. “What, exactly, did he say?”
“Oh, you know. The usual. You’re a horrible person.” She kissed his cheek. “It sounds like Chief Stone filled his ears with lies and partial truths, and I think Eric wants to protect me from you.” She laughed and leaned in close to whisper in his ear. “But I don’t need his protection.” She slipped her hand beneath the table and rested it on his knee, nestling her head against his shoulder.
Donovan decided not to make an issue of it here, but he didn’t like that man hanging around. Eric had seemed jealous of his relationship with Madeline from the very beginning, almost like he wanted Maddie for himself. Donovan could only wonder what kind of things Eric told her and what the younger man’s game was.
One thing he was sure of, Donovan didn’t want her alone with Eric ever again.
***
After saying goodbye to her parents and Jeremy, Madeline drove the short distance back to her apartment. Next to her, Donovan fidgeted in his seat. She could tell he was itching to ask her more about Eric. He’d seemed restless ever since she mentioned him.
“Talk to me,” she said, pulling into her parking spot and turning off the car. “What’s bothering you?”
“Why were you with Eric?”
Jealous much? At least that means he cares. Madeline struggled to keep a straight face. “I took a walk while waiting for you all to show up at the restaurant. He came along.”
He sat silent for several moments. “Were you alone with him?”
She pursed her lips, trying to find the best way to explain things. Obviously, Donovan truly was jealous. It would be stupid to let that continue. Madeline didn’t think mind games were the way to promote a healthy relationship, even if secretly she liked knowing he didn’t want her spending time with other men.
“He saw me walking to the beach and came along to protect me. That’s it. I wanted some fresh air, but he was right, I shouldn’t have gone out alone.”
Donovan grabbed her hand in his. “You planned to walk on the beach alone? What were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t.” She shrugged. “It was stupid, and I’m sorry. I do miss my daily walks though.”
“I miss running,” he said, nodding. “How about we start going to the beach together every day?”
“Sounds like a good plan.”
“I know it’s not up to me, but...”
“What?” she urged when he didn’t continue.
Donovan signed. “I’d really like it if you didn’t see Eric anymore. I think he has a crush on you.”
Madeline laughed and squeezed his fingers tightly in hers. “Eric’s fixation is on you, not me, but I’ll keep my distance from him.”
“So, what did he say to you anyway?”
She hesitated. Eventually Donovan would go back to work with these people. Would it do him any good to know what Chief Stone had tried to do? On the other hand, it could happen again, and Donovan deserved to know he couldn’t trust Stone.
“Chief Stone shared your file with Eric and told him about Benny Stark.” She felt bad when Donovan flinched at Benny’s name. “But Eric also said something strange. I think you need to watch out for him.”
Donovan raised his eyebrows, clearly encouraging her to continue.
Madeline tried to remember Eric’s exact words. “Something about the way you treated Benny’s family. He said you were cold.”
“That I was cold to them, very cold,” Donovan whispered.
She widened her eyes, surprised. “That’s exactly what he said. How did you know?”
Donovan ran his free hand across his face and leaned against the headrest. “Stone must’ve dug up the old news reports. After Benny died, his family demanded a public apology and filed a lawsuit against me and the department. They wanted a large sum of money.”
“And did they get it?”
He shook his head, not looking at her. “I was so ashamed, Maddie, so sorry for what I’d done. I did my job, but it was the worst thing I’d ever had to do. I wanted to apologize. I wanted to give them all the money I had.” He turned his head to look out the passenger window.
The silence stretched out and Madeline hesitated to break it. She wished she could help heal Donovan’s pain. Perhaps sharing the memories with her would help a little.
“Want to tell me what happened?” she asked softly.
“My Captain said an apology was an admission of guilt, and since I didn’t do anything wrong, I couldn’t do that. He said I had a responsibility to the city. A lawsuit of that magnitude would’ve bankrupted the department.” He turned back to face her and tears glittered in his eyes. “The Starks went to the press, and the papers were only too happy to report on the department’s lack of understanding. That’s what the papers reported about me. That I was cold.”
Madeline lifted Donovan’s hand to her cheek, trying to somehow send him support through her touch.
“In the end,” he continued, “the Starks got a pretty good amount of money in a private settlement from the department. Not what they wanted, but it was something. No matter how badly I wanted to, I was told not to contact them. I couldn’t apologize. I couldn’t even tell Benny’s mom that he said he loved her.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. That must have been so hard on you, all these years.” She kissed his fingers softly. “I wish I could help you.”
“You are helping. I’ve never talked to anyone about this before. It’s nice to have someone I can trust, someone I love. Thank you for caring so much. I haven’t had a lot of that.”
“It’s nice to have you, too. I’m so happy being with you.” She paused as another thought occurred to her. “You said you don’t want to marry me out of convenience, but I have a question for you.”
“Okay.”
“Will you move in with me? For real, I mean? Not just because you feel l
ike you need to protect me.” She held her breath, waiting for his response.
He drew her hand to his mouth and kissed the pulse point at her wrist. “If you’re ready for that kind of commitment, I am.”
Madeline leaned across the console, reaching for him. “I want to be with you. I’m ready for anything you want to give me.”
Donovan smiled and moved his head down to her neck. “Anything?”
His lips danced lightly across her collarbone, whispering pleasure through her body. He gently palmed her breasts, and her nipples tightened to hard buds beneath his touch.
“Perhaps we should take this upstairs,” he said, trailing his fingers down her stomach and brushing them against her crotch. “We can celebrate our new living arrangement.”
“You’d better hurry out of this car.” Madeline’s breath came in short gasps. “I’m ready for you here and now.”
A chuckle erupted from deep in his chest. “I don’t think we need to give them a new reason to throw me in jail.”
“Good point.” Madeline pulled the keys from the ignition and opened her door.
Donovan came around the side of the car, offering his arm.
She accepted it and smiled up at him, surprised by this touch of chivalry. It wasn’t something she usually associated with Donovan, but she really liked it. It seemed there were many sides to this man, and she loved all of them.
They reached the building and Donovan opened the door. “After you, darling.” A smirk crossed his face.
“What are you up to?” she asked.
He raised his eyebrows. “Not much...I just want to enjoy the view.”
Using my own words against me, huh? Madeline laughed as she stepped through the doorway, wiggling her hips suggestively on her way to the elevator.
Donovan reached her just as she pushed the button, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. He kissed her back and neck above the collar of her shirt, driving her even crazier.
She couldn’t stop the moan that came out.
“Ever made love in an elevator?” he asked, practically purring the words into her ear.
“I’d like to try it.”
The elevator dinged and the doors opened.
“There you guys are!” Brice Carter stepped out into the hallway. “I was about to call Madeline’s cell phone when you weren’t home. I’ve got great news.”
Madeline tried to slow her pounding pulse as Donovan’s body separated slightly from hers. She forced a pleasant look on her face, pretending to be happy about Brice’s presence. No matter what his news was, surely it could wait another hour or so.
Or at least long enough for her and Donovan to take a ride in the elevator.
“What did you need to tell us?” Donovan asked, keeping his arms lightly around Madeline’s waist. She could feel the hard length of him pressing into her back and figured he was keeping her in place so Brice wouldn’t guess what he’d interrupted.
Brice smiled. “The mayor heard about the charges against you being dropped and came to the station. He ordered Chief Stone to end your suspension.”
“He did?” Donovan sounded shocked.
“Ever since Suzie attacked Madeline, many of the townspeople have been upset about you being a suspect. They wanted the charges dropped and you back on the force.”
Madeline thought about her conversation with Eric. Chief Stone must not have been happy with the mayor’s visit. “So, Chief Stone sent you after Donovan?”
Brice shook his head. “Not exactly.” He clasped his hands together in front of him. “There’s been a change in our department. Stone refused and the mayor called an emergency meeting with members of the town council.”
Donovan sucked in a quick breath behind her. “What did they decide?”
“Stone can’t be impartial and hasn’t been doing his job properly this last month. He’s on suspension. As the most senior member on the force, I am acting Chief until they make a final decision about what to do with him.”
“That is great news.” Madeline wrapped her arms across the top of Donovan’s and squeezed. “You can return to work, like you wanted to.”
“I’ll keep you off this particular case, of course,” Brice said. “But I need you back for regular duties. Can you start tomorrow?”
“On one condition,” Donovan said. “I don’t want to be partnered with Eric anymore.”
“He approached me today,” Madeline explained to Brice. “And let’s just say he is sympathetic with Stone as far as Donovan’s concerned.”
Brice nodded. “Eric came to me right after all this happened and we talked about that. He thought he was doing the right thing, his duty as he saw it.” He shrugged. “He’s new to this job and was following orders.”
“Yeah,” Donovan agreed. “I do understand that, but I don’t want to work with him.”
“Fair enough. You can be a lone wolf. I’ll keep Eric working this case with me so I can figure out if he’s going to cut it on my force.”
“Your force.” Donovan chuckled. “How does that feel, Chief Carter?”
“Damn good. It’s what I’ve always wanted.” Brice started for the doorway. “Don’t be late tomorrow.”
Donovan reached out to push the call button on the elevator and sucked gently on her earlobe while they waited for the door to open. “That broke my mood a little, so I think the frantic elevator ride, hoping to not get caught, is out. But I want to get into our apartment and celebrate.”
Madeline shivered at the feel of his breath against her, feeling happier than she thought possible. “I like the way you think, Officer Andrews.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Donovan sat in his police cruiser a week and a half later, watching for speeders. The summer people had arrived. Despite the notoriety of the murders and the fear of Pleasant Views’ residents, there had been no downturn in people wanting to spend their summer on the California coast.
That, of course, meant more folks committing traffic violations, which would bring extra revenue to the city. Donovan scanned cars absently as they passed. For a Wednesday, it was rather slow.
His thoughts turned to Madeline, wondering how she was doing at Woofy Cuts. Yesterday had been her first day back. The people constantly gawking at her scars made for a trying day and an even rougher night. She hadn’t wanted to go back this morning, but Donovan convinced her she should. Soon enough, things would get back to normal for her, but he wished it wasn’t such a difficult transition.
Donovan grabbed his newly-issued cell phone from his pocket. Madeline had insisted he learn how to text message so they could keep in contact during the day.
He found her number and laboriously typed a message: U ok? I luv u.
Scanning a few more cars as they passed, Donovan waited anxiously for his phone to beep, signaling her response.
Today’s easier. Thanks for asking. See you tonight.
Even though he read the message twice, she still hadn’t said what he wanted to hear—love you too. Over the past ten days, she’d expressed her pleasure at living together. She’d helped clean out his apartment and move everything to her house, making passionate love to him that night, stating it was his house-warming gift.
No matter what he said to her, though, how he phrased things to elicit a response, she never said she loved him. Donovan pictured the ring hidden in the bottom of his sock drawer. He had it sized to fit her finger while she was in the coma, never knowing if he would be able to give it to her, praying every day he would.
Now he feared she wouldn’t accept it, even if he tried to give it to her.
His cell phone rang, startling him. No matter what, he’d never get used to the damn thing. “Andrews.”
“This is your Chief speaking,” Brice Carter said with a laugh. He still hadn’t gotten over his happiness at his change in position. “I need you down at the station. I’ve got good news.”
***
The fake smile stayed on Madeline’s face as
Mrs. Duncan openly stared at her scars. “Is the dog food all you need, Mrs. Duncan?”
The older lady had been hanging around Woofy Cuts for the past hour, pretending to look at the newest selection of dog toys. The biggest shock to Madeline was that the insatiable gossip hadn’t shown up yesterday to ogle her scars. Apparently Mrs. Duncan somehow missed the message that Madeline was back to work.
“Well, dear,” the woman said, tilting her head to the side, “of course I heard all about your attack, and I just wanted to express my sympathy.” She paused as she grabbed her purchase off the counter. “If you ever need someone to talk to about it...”
I won’t be calling you. “Thanks,” Madeline forced herself to say. “Enjoy your evening.”
Mrs. Duncan took a step back, but continued to stare.
Madeline kept her hands down and away from her scars, but it took a lot of effort. She wondered if she’d ever stop feeling like a freak.
Lindsey entered from the back room where she’d been settling in two dogs spending the night in the kennel. Her eyes met Madeline’s and her mouth tightened. “Mrs. Duncan,” she called, walking briskly toward the woman. “It was so nice of you to shop here today, but it’s closing time.”
She wrapped her arm around the woman’s shoulders and all but shoved her to the doorway. After opening the door, Lindsey took a step forward, forcing Mrs. Duncan to walk outside.
“I’m sure we’ll see you next week,” Lindsey said, backing into the building. “Stop back by when Jasper runs out of food. Take care.”
After shutting and locking the door, Lindsey turned off the open sign before facing Madeline. “You okay, sweetie? I had no idea that woman was still here.”
Madeline shrugged and opened the cash register, pulling out the money and separating the checks from the credit card slips. “You know how she is. When Frank Johnson died, she couldn’t wait to hear the story directly from me and spread it around to all her little friends. My face is no different. Another freak show for public entertainment.”
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