My hand begins to shake from all the strain it’s taking to not just shoot the bastard as rage burns inside of me.
The only way to stop this monster is by killing him.
Hayden first signals to Max, who took up a position five hundred yards away to come down, then looks at me. “I’ll uncuff Jamie.”
Climbing in the back of the van, Hayden pulls the door shut behind him, and I appreciate that Jamie won’t see this. She’s been traumatized enough by this fucker.
“You can’t kill me,” Little says smugly as he keeps a hand over the flesh wound Max gave him in his arm while he rises to his feet.
He terrorized the woman I love.
He strangled her.
The thoughts make my finger tighten on the trigger.
He makes eye contact with me for a fraction of a second, and the smile drops from his face.
“Go to hell, Little,” I murmur as I pull the trigger.
His body slumps backward, and blood trickles down his face. Pointing the gun at his chest, I pull the trigger twice to ensure he’s dead.
Max reaches me, and I immediately hand the gun to him. I stare at the body of the man who made Jamie’s life a living hell before I open the door. My eyes land on Jamie, where she’s cowering against Hayden.
“Is it done?” Hayden asks.
“Yeah, all clear,” Max calls over my shoulder.
Jamie moves forward, and I reach for her, wrapping my arms around her as I pull her out of the vehicle and turning her away from the body.
I move us around the side of the van before I sink to the ground, cradling her against me.
The relief of holding her and knowing the nightmare is finally over is so overwhelming it pushes emotion up my throat. I begin to check her for any injuries, and ask, “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
“I’m okay,” she whispers, her grip on me as tight as she can manage.
Her body shivers violently, and it makes me hold her tighter.
“Oh, God. I’m so glad you’re okay,” I whisper as my own emotions come crashing down around me.
Jamie lifts a hand to cover her mouth and then lurching away from me, she bends forward, and her body begins to jerk. I quickly gather her hair in one hand then use my other to rub her back as she heaves.
“Let’s get rid of the body,” I hear Hayden say under his breath. “You’re out of practice. How could you only clip his arm?”
“I didn’t aim to kill,” Max grumbles. “Grab the head.”
Jamie sits back on the ground, her face pale, which has me saying, “Just a couple of minutes, and we’ll get you out of here.”
She nods, then lifts her eyes to mine. “He was so normal,” she whispers, still caught in a bubble of trauma.
“Did he do anything to you?” I ask to make sure she’s not hurt.
Jamie shakes her head and looking bewildered, she says, “We mostly talked.”
Hayden and Max come back, and while they’re wiping the van clean of all evidence, I pick up Jamie and carry her back to where the SUV is parked.
Only Hayden climbs in the car, and says, “I’m taking you back to the hotel while Max takes care of the evidence. Make sure Preston doesn’t talk.”
“He won’t,” I assure him.
“It’s over?” Jamie whispers. She lifts her eyes to me, searching my face for the answer.
“It’s over.” I press a kiss to her forehead, holding her close to my chest.
Chapter 34
Jamie
The second we get home, I go to the bathroom, needing to wash the nightmare off of me.
If that’s at all possible.
I’m busy taking a shower when the full impact of what happened shudders through me again. My movements slow down as I rinse the suds from my body until my arms fall limply to my sides.
I keep hearing his words.
‘There’s this sensation of watching the life drain away from someone. You can almost taste the air changing.’
‘Don’t panic. It will be quick.’
‘Just go peacefully.’
The words gnaw at my frail nerves, and I sink down to the tiled floor.
“Jamie, are you okay in there?” Julian calls from the other side of the door.
“I’m not sure,” I murmur, my mind still stuck in the back of the van.
I hear the door open, and then Julian turns off the water before he crouches next to me. My head feels heavy as I tilt it back to look at him.
“I’m not sure what to feel,” I admit.
“That’s totally understandable,” he says as he slips his hands under me. Lifting me out of the shower, he takes me over to the counter and sets me down. He first dries me, then wraps me in a bathrobe before carrying me to the bed.
After he sets me down, he strips out of his damp dress shirt and suit pants, then slides in next to me.
“We seem to be meeting here a lot,” I say. Reaching for his hand, I bring it closer and press a kiss to his skin. “Thank you.”
Thank you for killing him.
“It had to be done,” he murmurs. “You understand, right?”
Not wanting him feeling any guilt or remorse for what he’s done to protect me, I nod. “I do. The world will be a better place without him in it.”
Julian glances over my face, then he asks, “How’s your head? He didn’t hurt you again?”
I shake my head and snuggle closer to him. “He tried to strangle me, but it was briefly. This time I could fight back, and y’all were there pretty quickly.”
There’s a moment’s silence, then Julian asks, “You said you talked with him?”
I nod, and wrapping an arm around Julian’s waist, I rest my cheek over his heart.
“He didn’t come across as some crazy creep. The way he spoke and his gestures – he almost seemed charismatic… friendly.” I pause for a moment before I admit, “I think that scared me more than if he had been insane and railed at me.”
“I’m sorry this happened,” Julian says. “Why didn’t you tell Hayden or Max? Why did you go to CRC?”
I shift back and move my head to a pillow, so I can see Julian. “He threatened to kill you if I didn’t go.” I can see he’s going to ask another question, so I add, “He sent me photos of you. I thought if I could just get to CRC and have him focus on me, the guards there would be able to stop him.”
“Jamie,” he whispers as he turns onto his side so he can face me, “you’re so unbelievably brave.”
I didn’t expect him to say that.
“I’m glad you think so,” I try to joke. “Most people would call me stupid.”
“Why do you think that?” He lifts a hand to my face, and brushes a finger from my cheek, down to my jaw.
“I just… Hell, even Henry said I was stupid to go to him.”
He shakes his head lightly. “You came face to face with a monster, and you survived. You’re such an incredible person.” He presses a light kiss to my lips then smiles, “I should’ve known you were remarkable the night we argued, and you didn’t back down.”
Remembering the night I begin to smile, but then I freeze as a memory flashes through me.
“Oh, my God,” I gasp as I sit up.
Julian shoots up as well. “What?”
“The night we argued, and I ran after you to apologize.” I cover my mouth with my hand for a moment as I try to process it.
Julian shakes his head. “We dealt with all of that, didn’t we?” he asks, misunderstanding my reaction.
“No, I don’t mean about the argument itself. That night I ran into Henry’s cart. I smiled and apologized to him before going after you, but…” I try to think if that could be it. “Do you think that’s the moment that started this whole nightmare?”
Julian thinks back, then begins to nod. “It could be. It was your first night at Trinity.”
“Right?”
I don’t know why, but the realization makes me feel emotional. As if finding out where it all started helpe
d to make the whole nightmare come full circle.
Julian pulls me closer and wraps his arms around me, then says, “It’s over now. He will never hurt you again.”
I nod as I move my arms around his neck, and taking in a deep breath of him, I close my eyes and whisper, “Thank you so much for standing by me through it all.”
When I pull back, I see a smile tug at his mouth. “Jamie…” he tilts his head, his eyes filled with warmth as he looks at me, “will you go on a date with me?”
A grin spreads over my face. “I’d love to.”
Chapter 35
Julian
Preston has been keeping an eye on the web for any chatter about Henry Little, but luckily, there hasn’t been any.
The first three days were stressful, wondering if we might’ve missed anything, but Hayden assured me he and Max took care of the evidence.
Before they headed home to Virginia, I made a substantial donation to their foundation as a show of gratitude.
I’m busy putting on my tie for my date with Jamie when my phone rings.
“Julian Reyes,” I answer.
The liaison at reception, says, “Sir, there’s a Detective Olsen asking to see you.”
Fuck.
Knowing I can’t avoid him, I answer, “Send him up.”
I finish perfecting my tie, then shrug on my jacket.
Jamie comes out of the bathroom, putting on an earring.
“Detective Olsen is here,” I say. She freezes, and I see a flash of fear on her face. Closing the distance between us, I lift my hands and frame her face. “Don’t worry about a thing. All you have to say is that you haven’t heard from Little again.”
“Okay.”
Taking a step back, I glance down at the pale blue cocktail dress she’s wearing. “You look absolutely breathtaking.”
My compliment brings a smile to her face. “Thank you.”
Taking hold of her hand, I say, “Let’s handle this so we can go on our date.”
Just as we walk into the living room, there’s a knock. I take Jamie over to the sofa. “Sit down while I get the door.”
Opening the door for him, I move back so he can enter. “Detective, please come in.”
“Evening, folks. Sorry for coming over so late and not calling beforehand,” he says as he glances around. “We’ve linked Henry Little to twelve homicides that were previously ruled suicide. I felt you should know.”
Jamie told me he confessed to seventeen. I swallow the bitterness of the news down and say, “Thank you for letting us know.”
“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to find any leads on his whereabouts. It’s possible he fled the state.”
Detective Olsen locks eyes with me for a moment too long, and it makes unease dart down my spine.
“We’ll be careful.” I keep my reply short, not wanting to arouse any suspicion.
The Detective glances around again, then asks, “Where are your guards?”
“They left. It was only a temporary arrangement.” I see the question forming on his face, and add, “We still have our usual security.”
“Oh, good.” He glances at Jamie and asks, “How are you holding up, Miss Truman?”
Jamie smiles at the man, and her voice is steady when she answers, “I’m much better. Thank you for asking.”
The detective nods, then looks at me again. “I’ll keep you updated should we learn anything new.”
“We’d appreciate that.” I walk him to the door and reach out my hand to him.
As we shake, he stares at me again for a long moment. “I don’t reckon we’ll find him, huh? That’s alright by me. Less paperwork.”
His words catch me off guard, but I recover quickly and reply, “One can only hope.”
He smiles one last time. “You keep well.”
“You, too.”
I watch as he walks away, sure that he knows I killed Little.
Was that his way of telling me, I don’t need to worry?
“That went better than I thought it would,” Jamie whispers from behind me.
I turn to her and seeing her relieved smile, I say, “Yes, it did. How about that date?”
She walks toward me and asks, “Where are we going?”
I wrap my arm around her waist and press a kiss to her lips. “You’re going down to the restaurant. I have a table reserved for us.”
“Me? Why? Where are you going?”
The corner of my mouth lifts, “I’ll be down shortly.”
“Okay.” She gives me a confused look, then walks out and says, “Weirdest start to a date I’ve ever had.”
Jamie
When the host seats me at the same table I sat at when I met Julian, I let out a chuckle. It looks like Julian reserved the entire restaurant because all the other tables are empty.
“Would you like to order something to drink?” A waiter asks.
“A virgin strawberry daiquiri, please.” It’s the same drink I had back then.
My eyes stay on the door, and when Julian walks in, a wide smile stretches across my face. He walks to the piano and sits down before he glances my way.
For a moment, he stares at me, then he glances down at the keys and begins to play.
It’s the melody I love so much, and when the intro is done, he looks over to me with tenderness.
My heart melts for this man.
Maybe my judge of character is not off. The moment I saw Julian, I knew he was different from any other man.
His strength.
Oh, God, his loyalty.
Tears well in my eyes as emotion fills my chest.
I love him. Not because he killed for me. I love him because he never left my side.
By the time he stops playing, it’s safe to say I’ve just fallen for him all over again.
My eyes follow Julian as he crosses the floor to the table. When he reaches me, he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my mouth before he takes a seat next to me.
“I thought we could give our first night together another try,” he says.
A waiter comes to take our orders, and once he leaves, Julian reaches for my hand and wraps his fingers over mine.
“Tell me about yourself.”
Not knowing where to start, I ask, “What would you like to know?”
“Anything. Where you went to school. About your life in Saluda.”
I relax back in the chair. “Saluda.” A nostalgic smile settles on my face. “It’s a small town, but I loved it there. People greeted each other in passing. It’s something that’s lost in the bigger cities.”
Moving our joined hands to his thigh, Julian turns his body toward me, and leaning his elbow on the table, he rests his chin on his thumb.
Having his complete attention, I continue, “I didn’t know my dad, but everyone in town spoke of him with fondness. My mom…” I try to remember her and frown. “She worked a lot, and after her passing, we lived with Sue, who owned the diner my mother worked at.” My smile widens even though there’s a pang of sadness in my chest. “Sue never took anyone’s crap.” I let out a chuckle, but then my smile fades. “I miss her the most.” I let out a breath then ask, “What about you?”
There’s a soft smile playing around Julian’s mouth that never fades even though he seems to be deep in thought.
“My life,” he pauses, then shakes his head, “You know my mother has been charged with the attempted murder of Layla. The trial should come to a close in the next couple of weeks.”
I give his hand a squeeze. “That must be very difficult for you to deal with.”
He nods. “The media frenzy is the worst.” He tilts his head. “Come to think of it, that’s maybe why we managed to keep our relationship under wraps. The media is too focused on Clare’s trial to notice anything else… for now.”
“At least something good came from it. If the media had gotten wind of Little…” I shake my head as I take a deep breath, “That would’ve been catastrophic.”
�
�They’re bound to find out about our relationship soon,” Julian warns. “Especially if they see me with a woman. Are you ready for that?”
I think about his question, then say, “I don’t follow the news, but surely you’ve been seen with other women?”
Julian slowly shakes his head. “I’ve been too focused on CRC.”
Frowning, I stare at him. “So, you haven’t dated?”
He shakes his head again. “Not since Jennifer passed away.”
“You were engaged to her, right?” I ask, hoping he’ll talk about her. She had to be an amazing woman for Julian to want to marry her.
“Yes, she passed a couple of weeks before our wedding.” He shifts in the chair, and his smile fades a little. “I’ll always treasure the memories I have of her.”
I hold his hand tighter.
He lets out a deep breath, then asks again, “Getting back to the topic of the media. I’m a very private person, but they’re bound to find out. Are you ready for that?”
I hate being in the spotlight.
My eyes drift over Julian’s face. Having gotten to know him over the last couple of weeks, I learned he’s as strong as he looks. His brown eyes change shades depending on his mood. Darker for angry and looking like melted chocolate when he’s relaxed. His arms have become my shelter against the world.
Realizing just how much I love him, I say, “I’ll face all the press in the world for you.”
My words make his face light up as his smile stretches wide.
Chapter 36
Julian
While enjoying our dinner, we begin to talk about random things again, and it lightens the weight of the past month.
“Do you love the mountains or the ocean more?” I ask.
Jamie let’s out a chuckle. “Before all this happened, I would’ve said the mountains, but now it’s definitely the ocean, frizzy hair and all.”
She draws a burst of laughter from me.
“And you?”
Setting my utensils down, I move the plate to the side and first take a sip of whiskey before I answer, “Wherever you are.”
Julian (Trinity Academy Book 4) Page 16