Page 118 of Shattered By the Currents

“I stayed because it was easy. Because it was what I knew. Because it was too hard in the moment to admit I’d made a mistake and wanted to run home. But look where that got me.”

“He wouldn’t have let you leave at that stage anyway. You were his fall person. He needed you.”

“You’re right. He only let me leave when he had me on a leash. My name on his business. My prints on a murder weapon. And scared—no,terrified—that he’d hurt my parents.”

“But he didn’t win.”

“He’s still out there.”

It was hard to keep the absolute fury off his face. Gently, he lifted her hand and kissed her palm, letting the warmth and softness of her skin ease just a bit of the anger. “Come on, it’s been a long day.”

Not technically true. After the book club, Raven had mostly done computer work until the afternoon clay workshop.

But itfeltlong.

They stepped into the house and Connor moved to the kitchen. “What do you feel like for dinner?”

“I could make?—”

“Nope.” He shook his head. “I’m cooking.”

“You always cook. You don’t need to do everything.”

“I don’t need to. I want to.” He slipped an arm around her waist and let his mouth hover over hers. “And while I cook, you can have a bath. A glass of wine. Maybe put on one of your shows.” One soft kiss to her lips.

She hummed. “You better be careful, Blackwood. I could get used to this treatment.”

“I’m counting on it.”

She laughed and fuck, he loved the sound.

It was only when she disappeared up the stairs that the smile faded.

His phone rang, Ryan’s name on the screen. “Hey.”

“There was a sighting of Xander.”

Connor stiffened. “Where?”

“On a traffic camera about an hour ago. He was driving a stolen vehicle. It was definitely him behind the wheel.”

So he was still in town.Fuck. “What kind of vehicle?”

“A Chevy C10.”

Connor flinched, his gaze flying to the window even though the pickup truck wasn’t in view. “Was it red?”

“Yeah. How’d you know?”

Connor pulled a Glock from his holster. “I think he’s here, on the street.”

“I’ll alert the team. We’ll be there in ten.”

Connor hung up and moved quickly to the door. He pulled it closed behind him before starting toward the Chevy.

As he drew closer, he lifted the Glock and shouted, “Put your hands up!”

There was no answer.