Breath of Malice(81)
Sam crouched beside her so their eyes were level. “You’ll always have a place in my office.”
She wanted that. A place where she belonged with Harry, Dom, Mike, Riley, and Mrs. Hendershot. Paige had hoped she could also belong with Sam. He’d told her not long ago that he was coming to feel that she did belong with him. But that was before Thames had harmed Jonah because of Paige.
Sam maintained his position beside her. He was so close she could see every feature that made up his handsome face. She longed to reach out and brush her fingertips across his skin, but she didn’t. She’d lost the privilege to just reach out and touch him at will.
That truth hurt. She looked away from Sam and said softly, “You found Thames’s grave.”
Sam’s gaze remained on her. “Yeah. We haven’t gotten to all the bodies. Once we do, we’ll be working to identify them.” He released an angry and frustrated breath. “It’s slowgoing.”
Paige hurt for the women who’d fallen prey to a madman, and for their families. A shudder coursed through her at how close she’d come to losing her life as well.
Sam said, “The Bureau issued a statement that the unlawful evidence that appeared in the Thames trial was the result of a clerical error. The earring that was entered into evidence was miscataloged.”
Paige told Sam of her conversation with Thames about the earring. “I don’t suppose it matters now. All those women dead, and it was nothing more than a game to Thames. He told me he killed Janet Lambert because he knew the Bureau would handle that investigation. Because of Mary Emerson, he already knew I was in Kirk County, and he knew I would be assigned to investigate. Janet Lambert was nothing more than a pawn Thames used to draw me deeper into his game.” Paige fastened her gaze on Sam. “I haven’t thanked you. If not for you, I would never have come out of that cave. You saved my life.” She shook her head slowly. “Even after I almost cost Jonah his.”
“What you did was save Jonah’s life. You traded yourself for Jonah. You were prepared to give up your life for my son’s life. Thank me? I’m the one who needs to thank you.” Sam’s gaze grew tortured. “I almost lost you.” His voice was raw. “When I saw you on the floor of that cave, you weren’t moving. I thought I was too late.” Sam looked as if his heart were being ripped out of his chest. He reached out and traced his thumb down her cheek, then took her face carefully in his hand. His eyes blazed. “I love you. You’re it for me, Paige. There will never be anyone else.”
Paige stared at him. Tears welled in her eyes. “I love you. You’re it for me, too.”
Sam’s hand tightened on her face, and he crushed her mouth to his. She kissed him back just as fiercely with all the love she had for him.
Paige heard Ivy and Jonah returning. She pulled back. “Ivy and Jonah are back.”
Sam brought her mouth back to his. Against her lips, he murmured, “They might as well get used to seeing me kiss you. I plan to do that for the rest of my life.”