Damn it.
How was he going to let her walk out of his life now? She was all he wanted and needed. He had to make her understand. Croft stepped out of the shower and started to dry himself off. He opened the door and went to her room to get dressed and make them some coffee.
When she finally had built up the nerve to leave the solitude of the bath, Emma was relieved to see he wasn’t waiting for her in her room. It gave her time to pull on her clothes and the façade she needed to hide behind. Running her fingers over the indentation on his pillow, her heart ached in her chest. Emma memorized the previous night, holding it close to her soul for all time.
Just in case.
Now, it was time to face the music, and the man who owned her heart.
Croft finished grinding the coffee beans and dumping them into the pot. He heard her approaching, but didn’t turn to face her. “I’m glad you don’t have one of those machines that make one ridiculously perfect cup. I like to grind my beans fresh.”
Emma swallowed the pain in her heart. “I never understood the point. I drink a pot at a time.”
“I hope you don’t mind it strong,” he asked, focusing on the task. “I need it this morning.” He needed it now because he was worried she was planning to boot him out of her life.
“I don’t mind,” she answered, wanting to run her hand down his back. Damn it! Why couldn’t she just be happy and live in the moment with him? Emma found a man who made her feel alive, why did she have to screw it up and ruin it?
She walked to the cabinet and pulled out granola. It was obvious. He was giving her plenty of space, since he vacated the kitchen to slip into his gun and holster.
He finally spoke, his back still blocking her view of his face. He wasn’t sure he managed to hide all the emotions he was certain were clearly visible. “Where’s your gun, Emma?”
“At night I hang it in my closet. “
He needed a few moments to regroup and think. “I’ll get it for you.”
She watched him walk away, and she wanted to weep. “I hope you like granola, Greyson,” she said, calling to him in the bedroom. She heard a muffled noise but couldn’t understand his reply.
Emma reached for two colorful bowls on the top shelf of the cabinet. After filling them with cereal, she turned to the refrigerator. Opening the door, she stared horrified and scrambled away from what waited inside.
“GREY!”
It was her shout of his name, which had his blood going cold. Immediately, he raced back into the kitchen. She was standing with her back against the counter, sheet white, and frozen. With a shaking hand, she pointed towards the refrigerator.
“Honey, what it is?” He wrenched the door open and saw the present inside. It turned his stomach and made him so mad that he wanted to kill.
He stared at the words.
I saw you in bed with him, and now you die!
He closed the refrigerator and turned to her, fury etched across his face that the killer was screwing with his woman.
Emma stood there, terrified and unable to speak. The killer had been in her house while they slept and while they had made love. He could have killed them both.
Croft would make him pay for putting that look on her face. “Come here, Em,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms and holding her shaking body against his.
“He was here, Grey.”
He laid kisses across her nose and cheeks. “He’s not going to touch you, ever. I’m here.”
Emma was ice cold. The killer could have hurt him. That knowledge made Emma want to cling to him even more.
“He’s trying to scare you and rattle your cage. Nothing is going to happen to you, Emma. I swear that I’ll keep you safe.”
“Grey, he was in here last night,” she mumbled into his shirt. “While we were...” She let it drop off as the sickness filled her. Emma remained against him, willing herself to stop shaking.
“Come here and sit on the sofa. I’m going to call Briggs and get him to bring the lab crew here to see what they can find.” He pulled out his cell and dialed his partner. When he didn’t answer, he assumed he was at the station and called there next. The phone was answered on the third ring.
“Sheriff’s department, this is Deputy Reese speaking.”
“Reese, it’s Greyson Croft. Is Agent Briggs there?” he asked.
“Yeah, hold on.” He heard shuffling noises and finally Briggs picked up the phone.
“Are you calling in sick this morning, Croft?” he teased, laughing into the phone.
He ignored the humor because he was a man on the edge. “The killer paid Emma a visit last night, and I need you and the lab crew here ASAP.”
“Holy shit! Is she okay?” he asked, genuine concern rushing into his voice.
Croft moved out of earshot of Emma. “She’s scared and shaken up pretty bad. I’m not feeling so good myself, Curtis. He was in her house last night and left her a warning.” Croft could hear Reese in the background asking what was wrong.
“Keep it quiet, Curtis. Bring Reese with you and two lab techs. Get here FAST!”
“Done,” and with that he hung up the phone.
Greyson moved back to Emma’s side, picking up her shoulder holster that he had dropped in his rush get to her. Sitting beside her, he took her hand in his. “Keep this beside you until the rest of the team gets here.”
“We left the door open last night, didn’t we?”
He knew they made a mistake that was incredibly dangerous and could have cost one or both of them their lives. After leaving the patio to make love, they’d left the remaining food out there, with the intention of going out later to clean up. Unfortunately, he’d forgotten. “It won’t happen again. I swear to you, Emma. You’re my first priority from here on out.”
She nodded her head, remaining silent.
Croft could see the need to run plastered across her face. “What’s going on in your head, Em?” He’d chase her if need be.
“That I’m really creeped out.”
His gut twisted in anger and hate. The killer made a huge mistake by even entering Emma’s home. He wasn’t going to leave her side. “I know, honey. Curtis and the techs are on their way here,” he added.
Pulling her into his lap, Emma wrapped her arms around his shoulders and relied on his strength.
“He’s screwing with you because he needs you to be afraid and off balance. What I need, is for you to trust me. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he promised. The memories of all the other victims flashed through his mind, and he had to push them out. “He’s sick, and he figured if he could mess with your mind you’d run. Maybe we’re getting close to something.”
Emma didn’t acknowledge or confirm if she planned to run from Celestia. Right now, she needed to hold onto him and hope he could keep them both safe.
At the knock on the door, Croft pulled his Glock and held it in his hand. “Come in, Curtis,” he called. “We’re in here.”
Agent Briggs entered Emma’s cabin and found her sitting in his partner’s lap, his arms protectively wrapped around her. She was pale and clinging to him. He approached her with nothing but concern on his face. “Are you ok, Emma?” he asked, putting his hand on hers.
Croft raised an eyebrow at his partner using her first name. He might have commented if Emma wasn’t a mess over the whole thing. Two lab techs came in carrying kits. Behind them was Reese looking furious.
The lab techs headed over to the senior agent, waiting for instruction. “Where is it, sir?” asked Gail, not happy with the scene in front of her.
“It’s in the refrigerator on the milk jug. He left us a breakfast present.” There was no point hiding his relationship from anyone in the room. The red writing said it all. Everyone would now speculate at what the killer was watching them do in bed.
Gail went to do her job, but it was hard to not keep looking back over as Greyson Croft was holding Emma in his arms. She watched him place kisses on her hair and forehead, and
it boiled her blood. A tidal sized wave of jealousy washed over her. She had at one time hoped that she and Croft could be more than co-workers, but obviously the two dates they had were far more insignificant to him than her. Gail watched the sheriff reach up and put her open hand on the day old scruff and Greyson turn his face to kiss her palm.
It was something lovers would do subconsciously.
Hope washed away as anger filled her gut.
“Croft, how did he get in?” Gail asked, standing there with her arms crossed.
“The patio door,” he answered. “I left it unlocked when we went to bed.”
Gail headed over to dust for fingerprints. She’d seen the milk jug and it made her seethe. The man of her dreams was shacking up with some small-time sheriff. What was he thinking? All she could hope was when this assignment was over, he’d head back to Philly, and she’d get another shot at him.
Reese sat beside Emma, touching her shoulder. “Em, are you okay?” His voice was laced with fear and concern for the woman he adopted as part of his family.
“I’m terrific,” she answered numbly. “Best day ever.”
They all got the sarcasm, and took it as a good sign.
Reese had enough of all this. Obviously, the FBI couldn’t keep her safe. “You aren’t sleeping here tonight. Do you hear me? You’re coming to my house and staying there until this is over. There is no way in Hell I’m leaving you here alone.”
“She wasn’t alone last night, Deputy Reese,” interjected Croft, staking his claim in Emma’s life. He looked at both Briggs and Reese. “I’m not leaving her side. She won’t be alone tonight or any other night for that matter.”
Emma leaned into him more, hiding her face in the crook of his neck to breath in the scent that gave her peace.
Greyson ran his hand up and down her back proprietarily as he glared at the deputy, almost daring him to try and get her away from him.
He’d go to war over her in a heartbeat.
Men used to get bloodied over the fairer sex. He’d fight to the death to keep what he’d just found.
Deputy Reese got the implication. Emma had made the decision to let the FBI agent into her life. He felt like a big brother having to watch his sister in another man’s arms. It stung and made him feel incredibly awkward.
“Are you sure about this, Em?” he questioned, waiting for her reply.
It took everything in Croft to not interject, but instead he waited for her to answer her friend.
Emma moved her face from the crook of his neck. “I’m safe here with Greyson.”
Croft celebrated silently on a major hurdle being cleared. Emma made the decision to trust him and not a man who she considered family.
The deputy shrugged. “Okay, Emma. If that’s what you want.” It bothered him that he was feeling replaced, but studying the FBI agent, he could tell that Emma would be watched like a hawk. Now when this was all over, and he went home, that would be a completely different story.
“Agent Croft, we need you for a moment,” Gail called from across the room.
“I’ll be back, honey,” he whispered, placing her safely on the couch. There was a delicate kiss left to get her through his absence, but it was also to mark his territory in front of the deputy. It was petty and uncalled for, but he didn’t give a damn.
Briggs followed his partner over to the tech team.
“We need to talk, Emma,” said Reese, putting out his hand and pulling her up from the sofa. He led her down the hall to her bedroom.
Emma sat on her bed right where Croft had slept the night before. She waited for her friend to sit beside her.
“So, are you really all right?” he asked.
“Not so sure how I would have been if Greyson wasn’t here last night with me,” she answered, honestly.
“I really want to talk about that too, but first I want you to stay at my house until this over,” he added. “The agent isn’t here now, and I’ll help you stand up to him and say no.”
Emma shook her head. “I want to stay with him. I’ll be completely safe by his side,” she answered. There was not one iota of worry when she was with him.
“So, you’re involved sexually with him?” he asked, feeling awkward about even bringing the whole conversation up.
If she didn’t blush, it was a miracle. “Yes, I’m sleeping with him.”
“I have to say, this is the worst conversation I ever had to have with anyone,” he stated, trying to lighten the mood.
Emma laughed. “I’m not thrilled either.”
Reese sighed and continued, “I’ve known you quite a few years, and you don’t sleep around, so that means you see something in him that’s worthy.”
“He’s a really good man. I know he looks scary on the outside, but he’s gentle, sweet, and very protective on the inside.”
“He’s an overbearing, bossy, arrogant caveman, Emma,” he pointed out. “Can you live with a man that domineering for the rest of your life? He’s going to want to be in control of your life.”
Again, she blushed at how everything he said heated her blood. “I can’t live without him. Something inside me knows that I need him, and when he gets all territorial, it makes me feel safe. I wouldn’t want him to be any other way. Maybe I like cavemen.”
Reese sighed. Who was he to judge? “This is just new for me, Emma. I feel like I need to wrap you up and protect you. I promised Gage,” he added, softly. “I just don’t want you to get damaged.”
“I know, Reese, but it’s too late,” Emma admitted, staring down at her hands.
“Has Agent Croft hurt you, Emma?” he asked, touching her chin to make her stare into his eyes.
“No, Reese. I’m afraid it’s far worse.”
He didn’t understand what could be worse than being hurt. “What did he do, Emma?” He waited patiently.
“Reese, I’m in love with him, and I’m at his mercy.” At least she had someone to confess it to, getting it off her chest.
Silence filled the room at her admission.
“Already? Does he know?” he asked.
“Do you mean have I told him?” she paused. “No, I haven’t brought it up yet. I figured it out myself just last night. I’m afraid I’ll lose him in the end, Reese. What if he leaves?” With that, the dam broke and the tears started rolling down her cheeks.
“Come here,” her surrogate big brother said, as he pulled her against him and the tears fell. This was his biggest fear--that he wouldn’t be able to keep his promise. Now it looked like they had to wait and watch it play out.
Nothing pissed Agent Croft off more than a cocky criminal that wanted to screw with him. It was bad enough that he was in Emma’s home, watching them in bed together, but to lock the door behind him was arrogant.
It was going to be what got him caught. At one point, he’d think he was smarter, faster, and brighter, and they’d catch him.
“I’ll run the prints,” Gail said, her voice void of all emotion.
Briggs shook his head. “It’s damn creepy that he was watching you both in bed.”
Croft ran his hands through his hair and sighed. “It’s beyond creepy. It pisses me off that he’s screwing with her. Watching us during sex makes me want to kill someone.”
Briggs patted his arm. “We’ll get him.”
Croft had to believe it because now Emma was in danger, and it was probably because she was sleeping with him. The truth be told, he regretted placing her in harm’s way, but he knew he couldn’t go back. Croft couldn’t pretend she wasn’t his to protect from that moment on.
Gail angrily packed up her kit. She’d heard the conversation, seen the lovebirds, and the message. She wasn’t having much sympathy for the woman.
Croft looked around the room and couldn’t find Emma. “Where the hell is she?” he muttered.
Gail took this as her opportunity to stir the pot. “The sheriff and that deputy went down the hall to what I guess is the bedroom,” she smiled sweetly, loving that she co
uld give back some of the pain she was feeling. As Croft stormed away, she smiled satisfactorily at what she knew would happen. There was one thing the senior agent was well known for at the FBI--his temper--when provoked.
Briggs stared at the woman, irritably. He didn’t like the stunt she just pulled. Keeping it to himself, he walked away, or he might say something they both regretted.
Croft stormed down the hall to Emma’s room, coming to a stop in the doorway. His gut wrenched at the scene being played out in the bedroom. The woman he was crazy about was in the arms of another man and crying.
The deputy was holding her as she trembled and wept. Something inside of him snapped, even as the rational part Greyson knew he should back away until his temper had cooled. Unfortunately, it was the fiery, irate half that won out.
As usual.
“I’m sorry to interrupt this little scene, but I need to talk to you, Sheriff.” His eyes focused on the man in close proximity to his woman.
Emma backed out of Reese’s arms and wiped the tears off her cheeks. “Okay, Grey,” she whispered, mortified he’d found her weeping. She could feel the anger rolling off him, and the peaceful gray of his eyes were now the color of turbulent storm clouds. “You should go, Reese,” she said, matter-of-factly.
“No, I don’t think I should leave, Em.” Reese could hear the snap of anger in the agent’s voice, and he was worried about her safety. She might trust the Neanderthal, but he didn't.
“I really think you should leave, Reese, before my bad manners come out,” hissed Greyson, through his gritted teeth.
“Is that a threat, Agent Croft?” he inquired, moving toe to toe with the agent. “Because I was here in her life first, and I’ll be here last.”
The look on Greyson’s face registered shock and anger at his implication.
“Croft! Reese!” exclaimed Emma, trying to defuse the situation before someone got hurt.
He’d never felt so much rage in his life as the implication stung his heart. Before Croft could reply or knock the man on his ass, Emma stepped in between them and leaned against him. “Reese, go! I’ll be fine. This is asinine. Greyson would never hurt me!”
Celestia is Falling (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 1) Page 24