Greyson held him until the storm passed. As his tears slowed, Croft knew what to do. “We’re going home.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Shhhhh. It’s okay. I have you. Let’s go pack your bags. You’re going to leave here, and tomorrow, I’ll take care of everything.”
Curtis didn't argue.
His head hurt.
His heart ached.
His whole being needed to feel something other than emptiness. “Please forgive me,” he whispered.
Greyson had weeks ago. Silently, he threw the man’s clothes into a suitcase. “Do you want to take anything of Brynn’s with you?” he asked, looking around.
“Her stuff is in her room. I don’t want it with me.”
That spoke volumes to Greyson. It didn't take a seasoned investigator to see that they had separate rooms. That was likely why Curtis never noticed she was missing.
It was a clear indicator to the state of his marriage.
“Just get me out of here,” he whispered.
He could do that.
As they closed the door, Greyson made a silent promise. He would get Curtis through this, no matter what.
He owed him that much.
When they got back to Sky Villa, Dante and Steele opted to grab showers and get to bed. They knew where Greyson had gone, and they wanted to give Curtis some privacy if he did return home. When they headed off to Dante’s room, Emma found herself pacing the floor.
She was worried.
No, she was frantic. So many visuals filled her head. If her husband was right, someone could have gotten hurt.
It had been over an hour, and she didn't know where Greyson could be. How long could it take to find the man and bring him home?
Unless…
There it was again.
That fear was making her sick.
When she heard the footfalls down the hallway, and the key in the lock, she waited for them.
When Curtis walked in red eyed, sniffling, and looking like hell, she wanted to weep for him. It had been two months since she’d seen him. He’d lost weight, his hair was growing out, and he looked like he’d lost his best friend in the entire world.
In a way, he had--until now.
“Curtis,” she said, opening her arms to him.
“Oh, Mom,” he muttered, going to her. The second she hugged him, the floodgates burst, and every emotion that was welled up had begun to break free again. “She’s gone.”
Emma led him to the couch. “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’re here. We have you.”
With that, Curtis Briggs mourned.
* * * Croft & Croft * * *
Curtis wept for hours.
At one point, he ended up with his head on Emma’s lap with her running her fingers through his hair. It was something so motherly, that it helped soothed him.
Eventually, he fell asleep.
As Greyson sat in the arm chair, drinking his bourbon, he watched over them like a hawk. The baby bird was back in the nest, and there was going to have to be a lot of repairs done to his life.
He was broken.
As Emma sat there humming, Greyson thought it was a shame. While they’d opted not to have kids, she would have made a damn good mother. Just look at their adult child.
“We’ll fix him,” she promised.
Greyson wasn’t one hundred percent sure that was going to be possible. If he lost Emma, there wasn’t any amount of love or glue that would have put him back together again.
“Have faith,” she said.
He knew the only way he going to heal was to hit rock bottom. “Emma, they were sleeping in separate rooms.”
She looked up at him. “Oh!”
See? Even she knew that was a bad thing.
“He didn't know she was missing because they worked opposite shifts and bedded down apart. I don’t think that was because of work, either.”
Emma knew where he was heading with this. “But Steele said she was having sex with someone. In fact, it was right before she was taken.”
He nodded. “Once he finds this out, he’s going to die inside even more.”
She knew it. “Curtis needs to bottom out, and we’ll fix him. I know we can do it. We have to.”
Greyson leaned back and sipped his drink. He only wished he could be as positive as his wife. Suddenly, he was very thankful his team was locking down all the files for his eyes only. The last thing he needed was to break Curtis even more.
He was already a mess.
“Maybe the semen is from the killer. He knocked Brynn out, and then he could have raped her. She might have been out cold.”
He hoped she was right. Greyson knew the killer wouldn’t likely redress her. Brynn was wearing layers, and that would have been a pain in the ass.
No, this was going to be bad.
He could feel it in his gut.
* * * Croft & Croft * * *
Wednesday
Pre-Dawn
When the nightmare tore him from sleep, he sat up from the couch with a shout. Immediately, Emma’s arms were back around him, pulling him against her side. At first, Curtis didn't know where he was, and then he remembered it all.
The people he’d hurt had come for him.
They had him safe in their home.
Greyson approached with a bottle of water and three aspirin in his hand. “Take these, son. You’re going to have a headache from the booze.”
Curtis didn't hesitate. Instead, he willingly swallowed them, and then chugged the water.
“Bad dream?” Emma asked.
He nodded. “Morgue.”
That said it all. They both understood. Neither would ever forget having to look down at Brynn like that. In fact, Emma would never forget the crime scene.
It was forever burned into her mind.
“You and Greyson should get some sleep. I’ll be okay,” he offered.
“We’re fine, Curtis,” Croft replied, taking his seat again. “You can rest. We’ve got you.”
“I can’t. I need to say something.”
Emma held his hand as he struggled to find the words. It was making it hard, especially since he’d hurt them. Now they were being kind.
He was an asshole.
“I’m sorry about hurting you. I was so angry, and I didn't know how to handle almost losing her. I took it out on you, and I was wrong. I lashed out at you two when I had no right.”
Emma kissed him on the cheek. “We aren’t mad. You’re forgiven, Curtis.”
He looked up at his boss. “I’m…”
“You’re forgiven, Curtis. When Emma was kidnapped, I was hard to be around. I get it. You were hurting, and you took it out on us. I don’t hate you. Family doesn’t turn their back on you when you’re down. They hold out their hand and lift you back up.”
He was aware, but he didn't do any of that. “I don’t deserve your kindness.”
“Sure you do,” Emma said, brushing a curl from his forehead.
“My marriage was falling apart. Brynn and I were broken. I don’t think it was fixable.”
They knew he needed to purge. The tears were done. Now it would be about navigating through the mire of pain.
“If you want to talk about it, Curtis, we’re here to listen,” Emma offered. “We won’t judge you.” While she said the words, deep down, she was still an investigator. If he was forthcoming, maybe they wouldn’t have to beat him down in interrogation.
“We had separate rooms, we stopped being intimate, and we were on the verge of breaking up.”
They watched him.
“I know I’m the likeliest suspect, and I don’t have an alibi for last night. I’ll do whatever it is to clear myself, but I need you to know what was going on in my life. I just don’t want the world to know I was a failure.”
“You’re not a failure, Curtis,” Emma reassured. She’d like to say that she didn't see this one coming, but she did. Brynn had been myopically focused on one thing.
Capta
in bars.
She wanted them more than anything, and when they turned up married, Emma feared they wouldn’t make it. Now Curtis was going to be broken hearted like she predicted.
“We’re listening,” Croft stated.
“It all started when I forced her to leave Homicide. I didn't want her by you, Emma, and I’m sorry. I knew that day it was the first brick in the wall between us. Brynn told me that she didn't want to be with a caveman, and when she was abducted, I lost it. I really started stressing everything. I feared it was going to happen again, and it did.”
Greyson glanced over at his wife. She was listening, and he couldn’t help but be grateful she tolerated his overbearing attitude. It saved his ass many a time.
“I made us move. I forced her out of her job. I did everything she asked me not to do, and I used the abduction as my only reason why.”
He looked hesitant.
“Curtis, we’re investigating. You have to tell us everything. You can’t leave anything out. It’s not going to help you in the long run. You know that.”
He understood.
“I accused her of some pretty horrible things.”
“Like?”
“She and I stopped fooling around. It was like a cold, wet blanket was tossed on her libido. I even went as far as to accuse her of cheating.”
“Why?” Greyson asked. It was funny that his old partner had suspected it, and it was likely true. If your gut tells you it’s happening, chances are it is.
“Well, other than the no sex, she started wearing sexy girly things under her clothes--only I was sleeping in a separate room. When she’d come home, it was right into the shower, and a few times I could have sworn I heard her talking to someone on the phone from her locked door.”
Emma didn't say anything. It all sounded like she was cheating, and Curtis didn't know about the DNA found in Brynn. Hopefully, he never would.
“When did you last have sex?” she asked.
He looked at her curiously, but he still answered. “It was over a month ago. It was right after we moved into the new place. When I’d initiate, she’d tell me she was tired or had a headache. That’s code for something bad, isn't it?”
Greyson nodded.
Yeah, bad was an understatement.
Shit!
Curtis couldn’t get a break. This was going to wound him on some deep level. Not only did he lose his wife, he was going to take a shot to his ego.
“After that, we had a fight, and she kicked me out of the bedroom. I went willingly. That was my big mistake. At night, after she’d get home from work, she’d lock the door. If I tried to get in, I wasn’t allowed.”
Emma patted his hand.
“I wish I could redo everything. I’d start with how I behaved with you both, and then undo the idiotic behavior I had with her. She warned me about being a caveman, and I didn't listen.”
“Curtis, you have to be who you are,” Emma began. “Brynn might not have been a good fit, that’s all. If a woman tries to change you, she’s not the one. Look at Greyson. He’s the king of Neanderthals, but I love him for it. Brynn was wrong.”
Greyson could see his wife trying to soften the blow of what was coming. Once the man found it all out, he’d get the second sucker punch.
His wife was sleeping around.
His marriage was over. Brynn had opted to find someone else, making it all a lie.
Croft didn't wish this on anyone, let alone someone he loved.
“What about last night?” Greyson asked. “Where were you?”
“I was at home. I planned on waiting for Brynn to get out of work to talk, but me and my buddy whiskey had a few too many drinks. Before I knew it, I was fast asleep. I woke up this morning, got dressed, and headed out. Brynn works second shift in vice, and she doesn’t get up until ten in the morning.”
He shook his head.
“I meant she used to sleep until ten. Now…”
Emma squeezed his hand.
“I was going to suggest we go to counseling. I wanted to try and save our marriage. That’s what a good husband does, right?”
Greyson said nothing. He didn't think that Brynn was the one for Curtis, but that wasn’t his place. The young man needed to come to that conclusion on his own, and in his own time.
“Now it’s too late.”
Well, that boat sailed long before Brynn’s death, only they hoped Curtis didn't find out about it.
“God! What do I do now?” he asked. “I don’t know how to go on.”
Emma reassured him, “We’ll be here to help you.”
“I have to worry about her funeral, and then a burial site. She never told me what she wanted. I don’t know anything about this,” Curtis began. “I don’t really know anything about her.”
Greyson put his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “I’ll handle it. You don’t need to worry about it.”
“You can’t do that, Greyson. Not after what I did to you and Emma. I don’t deserve your help.”
He brushed it off. “We can’t release Brynn’s body yet, but when we can, I’ll make the arrangements, okay?”
He sniffled. “Thank you.”
“You should get some sleep,” Emma suggested. “That cat nap on my lap wasn’t what you needed. I have a few happy pills in the bathroom that you can take. The doctor prescribed them after I was abducted. They’ll help you sleep and chase away the bad dreams.”
She pulled him up from the couch and led him away by the hand.
“We’ll tuck you in, and if you need us, just call. Dante and Steele stayed here last night in the other room in case you need them. We’re all here for you.”
He didn't know what to say.
“Emma.”
She kissed him softly on the cheek. “Curtis, you’re home now. We’ll make sure you get through this.”
“I can’t stay here. Not after the shit I said.”
Emma took his face in her palms. “Yes, you can, and you will stay with us. We’re going to be moving soon, and you’re coming with us.”
He looked surprised. “Where are you going?”
“We had Randall’s house remodeled. You’ll have more space and privacy. You stay as long as you want. If you never want to leave, we’re okay with that. That’s going to be your home now too.”
He climbed into bed as she wandered off to get him that sedative.
It touched his heart how motherly she was with him. Curtis wished he’d had this growing up. Then maybe he’d be better with the opposite sex.
Then he wouldn’t have screwed up so badly.
“Yeah, I heard that you and Greyson are loaded now. I never saw that one coming.”
Yeah, neither had they.
She grinned. “God is loaded. We actually kicked his ass.”
Curtis laughed. “Can I have a pony?” he teased.
Emma dropped a kiss to the top of his head. “Sure thing, son. Let me get right on that.”
When she hit the lights and headed for the door, he called to her.
“Emma?”
“Yes, Curtis?”
“I love you.”
She smiled. “We love you too.”
When the door closed, he popped the pill sitting on the counter as he prayed that he wouldn’t think or dream. All he could see in his head was Brynn’s face, and it was haunting him.
So much so that he may never be the same again.
She found him in their bedroom getting changed. Immediately, she crossed to her husband and took his face in her palms to check on his nose.
“You’re lucky it’s not broken,” she stated. “He got some good hits in.”
He laughed. “Yeah, tell me about it. I didn't hit him back. Next time, all bets are off.”
Emma helped him slip out of his dress shirt. When he was free of it, she tossed it onto the chair in the corner of their room. Immediately, her mouth traced a line across his strong shoulders.
“You should get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be hell
,” he muttered, as her hands went around his waist to the button on his dress pants.
“Mmmm hmmmm,” she replied, leaving more fiery hot kisses across his flesh.
When her hand slipped into his pants, Greyson moaned. “Oh, Emma, this is exactly what I needed. After today, I want you to soothe all the rough edges like only you can.”
She loved the way her name sounded on his lips when he was lost in the pleasure. It was always amazing when she could make her caveman moan.
As she stroked his heated flesh, Emma wanted to share in the pleasure to help forget. “I need to heal tonight too, Greyson,” she whispered. “Make me feel. Claim me.”
That was all he needed.
The switch was flipped.
Gone was his very capable wife, and instead his sexy kitten wanted him. It was enough to make him melt before her. This need she had for him was all he craved in life.
Turning her around, his mouth sought hers. Immediately, he plundered, taking everything he wanted from the kiss. Tongues slid heatedly across each other in some erotic, age-old dance. His hands wandered until he found the front of her shirt. With one tug, buttons popped, material ripped, and Greyson had her partially naked.
Emma shook against him.
“Like this?” he muttered, teasing her throat and ear. The delicious taste of wife was an incredible luxury after a day of pure hell.
“Yes,” she replied, as he got her pants open and was exploring. When his long fingers slid through the wetness, further waking her up, Emma wanted to shout in joy.
This was what she needed.
To forget.
To feel.
To remember what it was to be alive.
She needed to revel in the fact that they both made it home again, and that they could take the time to make love.
Greyson was going to wake her up, take all he could, and refill all the emptiness in her body.
She couldn’t wait.
“Please,” she begged.
He loved her breathy little gasps. They were like soft purrs from his sexy kitten. It turned him on, making him want to take more and more from her.
Hell Is Burning Page 10