I let my fingers travel through his dark wavy hair. He hadn't cut it for a while, and it had started to flip up at the nape of his neck.
This was heaven, and I was about to ruin it. I didn't want to, but his talk about losing everything was nagging at me. "Reed, what did you mean about losing everything? What happened at the station?"
He closed his eyes, and shuddered slightly. "I don't want to tell you," he whispered.
"Why?" I asked in the same tone.
"Because, I'm afraid you'll blame yourself. I can't take you turning from me right now. I need you," he choked out.
All of my running and pushing him away made him uncertain that I'd be there when he needed me. Words wouldn't fix this. The only thing I could do was stay. I placed my hand on his chest, over his heart, and waited for him to continue.
"I quit my job," he said flatly.
"Why?" I asked softly.
"Because after all I've given they still hauled me in like a criminal. I don't even think the captain believes I did it. It's just easier for him if I did. Because if it was me then he doesn't have to face the fact that Pratt, with his well-connected family, is a psycho."
He placed his hand over mine on his chest, and held on. "I'm the ticking time bomb right? I served my country only to be sent home scarred mentally and physically. They will always see me as damaged."
"You aren't damaged," I seethed.
He glared at me. "Don't try and argue that this is your fault either. It isn't. You didn't make Pratt a crazy little shit, or John either for that matter."
Lovingly he brushed my hair away from my face. "Darkness feeds on the light, Katie girl. And you shine so fucking bright. None of this is your fault."
"Okay," I replied.
"Okay? Just like that, you aren't going to try and take the blame?" he asked surprised.
"I'm starting to understand that sometimes shit happens. It doesn't mean I'll always see it that way, but I'm trying. Are you okay?"
"I am now. Like I said earlier, as long as I have you, I have everything," he repeated.
I didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but I'd face it next to Reed. "You do have me," I promised.
"Is this about what I said I wanted on the drive back? We don't have to figure any of that out right now. I shouldn't have pushed."
"And I shouldn't have freaked out. It wasn't the idea of being with you, being married to you that scared me. It was the idea that I would somehow ruin us, but I realized that you wouldn't let me. I don't want to go through life without you. I'm more terrified of that than I am losing you. When you ask me, I'll say yes," I promised.
I felt his body relax underneath me. I drifted off knowing that someday this man would be my husband, and I wasn't afraid.
Chapter 31
Reed
My heart continued to thud heavily even after Kate fell asleep. I wanted to wake her up, and drive to Vegas, but I wasn't going to scare her off after she agreed to marry me. Or would agree, when I asked. The point was my ring was going on her finger soon, and I couldn't fucking wait.
My eyes started to droop, but I was startled awake by loud banging on the door. In my experience, loud knocking after eleven was always a bad sign. I slid out from under Kate, careful not to wake her, but with the medication she was on she'd probably sleep through the apocalypse.
I opened the door to find Aiden poised to knock again.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
Seeing him confirmed something was wrong. Nothing good could have pulled him away from Becca when his dad was available to babysit.
"The police are here. It's the EPD again. I don't know what they want, but I alerted my dad before I came to get you. He's waiting for you downstairs. I've got a couple calls to make, and then I'll be in there with you too," he explained.
In the foyer, or whatever the hell you call the entryway in a fancy house, stood a half dozen cops.
Frank walked to my side, presenting a united front. "I don't know why they are here, but if I tell you not to talk you listen to me. Understand?"
His posture was rigid and his blue eyes were cold. I nodded my agreement quickly. Frank Ryan was a scary son of a bitch. I'd remember to stay on his good side.
"He's here, now you can tell me why the hell you are," Frank demanded.
The captain, who I realized was in the crowd, stepped forward. "The Ellensburg Fire Department responded to a home fire this evening at Fredrick Pratt's home. By the time they arrived the entire structure was engulfed in flames."
He paced back and forth as he continued. "They found the body of a man burned beyond recognition when the blaze was extinguished. We're waiting to get dental records and DNA testing for confirmation, but given the circumstantial evidence it's pretty obvious the victim was Officer Pratt."
Aiden stepped back into the room and leaned casually against the doorframe. At least he appeared casual, when I knew he was ready to explode. "That's an unfortunate story, but it doesn't explain why the hell you came knocking on my door in the middle of the night," Aiden snapped.
"We are here to take Reed Martin into custody," the captain answered.
Frank signaled to Aiden to calm down. "When was the fire set?" he asked through a clenched jaw.
"Roughly two hours ago. And a full two hours after Mr. Martin was released from custody," the captain gloated.
"First of all, Reed wasn't arrested, therefore he was never in custody. Second, he's been here since we left the station," Frank clarified.
Aiden crossed his arms across his chest, and interrupted. "My security logs everyone that comes and goes at a facility off site. You can verify it," Aiden snapped.
A buzzer sounded on the intercom next to Aiden. Suddenly it made perfect sense why he was lounging in the doorway. He was waiting for someone.
"Mr. Ryan, the State Patrol have arrived," the security guard's voice squawked.
Aiden pressed a button. "Let them through," he replied.
He returned his focus back on the captain and smirked. "No one gets in here without someone seeing."
The same State Patrol officers, including the sergeant, walked in the front door. The sergeant walked in, removed his hat, and extended his hand to Aiden.
"Mr. Ryan, you have a very impressive security system. I've examined your logs and found no record of anyone exiting or entering the building or grounds since eighteen forty-five this evening. That is with the exception of ourselves and the EPD," he confirmed.
"That could have been tampered with," the captain argued.
"What evidence do you have to suggest that," the sergeant challenged.
"Mr. Martin has motive in both homicides," the captain stated.
"Motive isn't evidence, Captain. As of this moment, the State Patrol are taking over this investigation," he informed the captain.
"This isn't your jurisdiction," the captain seethed.
"It's pretty clear that your investigation has focused solely on Reed Martin, despite a lack of evidence. Considering Mr. Martin and Ms. Kennedy were assaulted over state lines, I could request the FBI take over the case. But rest assured, you will not be investigating it," the sergeant replied.
"That's all I needed to hear," Aiden interrupted and opened the front door. "Leave my house and don't come back unless you manage to get a warrant."
The sergeant stepped forward. "We actually do have a few questions for Reed."
Aiden shrugged. "That you'll have to clear with Reed and my dad. I was only talking to them."
The sergeant looked to me, and I nodded. "Frank and Aiden stay," I insisted.
"Of course. Kate Kennedy isn't available is she?" he asked.
"No, she's sleeping," I answered.
We followed Aiden into the living room, while the other two State Patrol officers went back to their cars. The room was comfortable and less formal than the entryway. There were a few toys and a baby swing in the room. Scott was the focus of this house and it was obvious in the simple childproof decorations.
I went to sit down on the oversized sofa, but I had to move a plastic bowl out of the way first.
Aiden laughed and took the bowl from me. "I spend tons of money on toys, but my son prefers dishes."
The sergeant sat across from us and the lighthearted mood evaporated. He leaned forward and his face was sympathetic. "I know it has been a long night, but I need as much information as I can get."
I knew the drill. I didn't think they were focused on me, but after today I wasn't willing to trust them blindly.
I looked to Frank for guidance and he gestured for me to go ahead. With his encouragement I told them everything about John, Toni's attack, the creepy doll, and what happened in Oregon.
When I finished the sergeant looked weary. "Mr. Ryan," he directed to Aiden, "if you are okay with it, I believe it would be best if Reed and Kate remained here with you. It might even be a good idea to have your other friends stay here as well."
"They're already here," Aiden confirmed.
"I'll keep you posted. The sooner we can confirm the identity of the body found tonight the better. Unfortunately the state lab had budget cuts, and the staff that remains is having a hard time keeping up with the work load," he explained, on his way out.
"No way Pratt is dead. That would be too easy," I sighed.
"Until we have proof either way we continue like he's still out there. We need to figure out where he would go and what he wants if he is still alive," Aiden suggested.
"It's obvious what he wants. He has a sick fascination with Kate. I overheard some of the guys joking about his crush on one of my nurses when I was in the hospital. I'm sure she never even noticed he had a thing for her," I theorized.
"We aren't going to solve this tonight. In the morning, I'll call the private investigator I used to find Vanessa's son when we thought he was Aiden's. He's very discreet," Frank stated.
We had the start of a plan, but still all there was left to do was wait for him to make a move. It made me feel powerless. It helped me understand Kate a little better. I can't believe she'd lived for years like this.
Chapter 32
Kate
I was going to lose my mind. It had been nearly a week since the entire gang came to stay at Becca and Aiden's, and still there was no word on the identity of the victim in Pratt's house. I had a hard time believing that it was him, but the P.I. Frank hired said that Pratt's bank account and credit cards hadn't been touched since the day of the fire.
I loved my friends, but there was a breaking point. I wasn't sure who was going to break first though. Jeremy and Cameron spent most of their time avoiding each other. That was when they weren't gazing longingly at the other when they thought no one was looking.
It was awkward, uncomfortable, and heartbreaking to watch. Jeremy was an awesome guy. Not only was he loyal, caring, and had a great sense of humor, but he was sinfully hot. The fact he was still hanging on after my brother pushed him away, repeatedly, made me like him more. Cameron was a dumbass.
Jeremy and Cam weren't the only ones acting strange. Toni was quieter than usual. I'd lived with her for nearly three years, but I'd never noticed how much she hid from us. Probably because I was too busy hiding my secrets from everyone else.
When no one was around, or she thought no one was at least, the smile fell off her face and she looked lost. She checked her phone often and appeared distracted by something. I hoped she wasn't seeing Miguel again. Every encounter with him seemed to send her a little lower. I wondered how many more times she could lift herself back up.
Scott was a great distraction. While we were all going stir crazy, he loved having a captive audience. At nine months old he was busy trying to walk. He cruised around the furniture, always with the ever-present bowl on his head.
Yet despite Scott's comedic relief, tensions were rising in the house. Becca was moody. Aiden hovered over her more than normal, and that was saying something. Reed was jumpy, but with everything we'd been through, that was understandable. I was coping. I felt safe here, and I knew my friends were safe.
That didn't mean that I didn't want to put duct tape Toni and Becca to stop their arguing in the kitchen. It was the same thing they used to do when the three of us lived together, but Becca seemed extra sensitive over the last week or so.
"Just eat the cookie dough and I'll leave you alone!" Toni shouted.
"Get that spoon out of my face or I'm going to bite you," Becca shouted back.
"C'mon, take a damn bite. You're too skinny," Toni taunted.
"You're one to talk. Why don't you eat the dough?" Becca snapped.
It was a stupid argument made ridiculous when clanging and clashing sounds started coming from there. Jeremy and Aiden ran in to break them up.
I closed my eyes and felt a tear track down my face and I laughed while I wiped it away. These crazy, temperamental, and wonderful people had become my family. It had only been Cameron and I for so long that I'd forgotten what it felt like to have a family.
Cameron sat down beside me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "Hey sis, what's wrong?"
"So much is wrong and right at the same time. We’re all here because of a psycho, but we aren't hiding. Everyone that is important to me is under this roof. Even though I'm scared, I'm really happy too. It's confusing," I answered.
"You never cry. Are you sure you're okay?" he pressed.
"I thought we lost this when we lost our parents, this feeling that we belonged somewhere to someone besides the two of us. But now..." I trailed off trying not to ugly cry.
"Now we have a family again," he finished.
I nodded, unable to speak.
“Enough of the heavy stuff,” Cameron said.
“Yes please,” I agreed.
“I think Toni shoved cookie dough in Becca's face. Then Becca threw the bowl across the kitchen before they started throwing things at each other, food mostly. Becca pulled out the hose and started spraying Toni when Aiden and Jeremy pulled them away from the kitchen," Cameron relayed, laughing.
Toni strolled into the living room, toweling herself off. "It's just a little cookie dough in her hair. Now she's pissed. I swear she's so touchy lately," Toni complained.
Reed walked into the room wiping the grease on his hands off on a rag. He liked to rebuild things, especially when he was stressed. I was proud of him that he hadn't let his experience of getting shot last year in his garage take that away from him.
Toni looked over at him, and I could see her considering what she wanted to ask carefully. "Has there been any news? I mean, don't get me wrong I love all of you guys, but I want to get back to my life."
"Okay, Demon, you know why we're all here. It isn't fair to make Reed try and guess if it's safe. Obviously he thinks we need to stay here," Cameron said to Toni.
"Cam, I'm not trying to be unsafe, but c'mon we can't hide forever. For all we know Pratt is dead," Toni responded.
"She's right," Reed interrupted. "I don't want to take unnecessary risks either, but this isn't a permanent solution."
He turned to face me. "What do you think, Katie girl?"
"I go where you go," I told him.
Reed's lips turned up in a smirk. "Let's go home."
Chapter 33
Reed
I was struggling to hold it all together. Truthfully, going home terrified me. Outside of Aiden's fortress anything or anyone could get to Kate. I'd failed to protect people before. The possibility of failing Kate made it difficult to breathe.
I pulled my car into my garage. I aimed for the clean spot where I scrubbed away my blood from the floor. Once the evidence was gone I hoped I'd be able to forget, but sometimes no matter how hard you try to cover something up or wash it away it still leaves a mark.
Chills raced across my skin. Shadows and sounds crept up on me as I opened the door, and I felt like every dark corner held a threat. When Kate got out of the car to go inside, I had to stop myself from shoving her back in the car and taking off.
Kate walked, well hobbled really, over to me and slid her hands up my chest. She was offering me comfort, and with her small hands on my body I was able to focus on something other than my fears. I wanted to lose myself in her. No. It wasn't as simple as wanting. I needed her. She was air to me.
I fumbled with the tiny buttons on her blouse. My fingers were too big and the buttons were too damn small for me to coax them through their minuscule openings. I grunted in frustration. Too impatient to continue to fight with her shirt I yanked it open scattering buttons everywhere.
Kate's eyes darkened to a molten chocolate. I'd always been slow and gentle with her, even when I wanted to take her fast and hard. With her past I was afraid I'd scare her away. I never imagined she would want me with the same fire I wanted her. The look in her eyes showed me she wanted to play.
"Take everything off," I demanded.
Without a question Kate started to remove her clothes. Each piece of fabric revealed more of her creamy skin and the freckles that made me want to play connect the dots with my tongue.
Her long blonde hair tumbled down her back in soft waves. I wanted to bury my hands in the silken strands and pull her mouth to mine. The brace on her ankle reminded me to take care of her.
I lifted her on to the table and dropped down to my knees. Her brown eyes widened with shock. Like I expected, she tugged at my hair trying to coax me back up her body.
"Lay back," I ordered gruffly.
She hesitated for a moment, before reclining on the cold wood. If she really wanted me to stop, she only had to ask. I'd never force her. The only power I had in this moment was what she was comfortable giving me.
Her body shook slightly, small tremors that betrayed her anticipation. I grabbed her right leg, careful with her ankle, and placed it gently over my shoulder. Tracing my nose up her leg, I inhaled the warm vanilla scent from her body lotion.
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