Nora Roberts Land(73)
“We have more than a problem!” He embedded the axe in the log. “We have a murder. That changes the whole situation. I told you about the warning last night. Do you think it was a coincidence Barlow stopped by to tell Jill what happened? It was another warning. There’s no way he’s not involved. We saw him arguing with Ray’s supplier just a few hours before the kid’s death. So, you’re out of it! We’re done!” Snatching his fleece up, he jogged to the house.
“What the hell are you talking about?” She grabbed his arm. “I’m in this as much as you are. That kid didn’t deserve to die. And neither did Jemma. We have to take these people down.”
He picked her up under her shoulders, carrying her effortlessly to her car. “No, I’m taking them down. You need to forget everything we’ve talked about and stay away from me. Your grandfather, too.”
She kicked him in the shin. He winced. When she raised her knee to his crotch, he dropped her and darted back. “Hey!”
“No, you ‘hey!’ Don’t pull this crap. I am not letting you do this alone, dammit! Jemma was Jill’s best friend. You still need our help.”
Why couldn’t she understand? His breath puffed out in the cold air. “It’s not worth endangering your lives.”
“I’ll keep investigating with or without you, Tanner. So will Grandpa.”
Her green eyes held his. He ran his hands through his hair so he wouldn’t grab her and simply devour her. Didn’t she understand what she was doing to him? First vulnerable and then fierce. How was he supposed to fight against that?
She took off her gloves, shoving them into her pocket. He wasn’t sure what she was doing since it was freeze-your-ass cold outside until she took his hands in hers.
“You have blisters. Let’s go inside. I’ll take care of them for you.”
He pressed their joined hands to her ribs. “Meredith, you know if you come inside, we’ve moved past the pretend stage, right?” Maybe he could intimidate her. He wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything, but he needed her to stay away from him. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
Her heartbeat increased against his palm, but her gaze stayed fixed on his. The breeze caressed her red hair like he longed to do. He’d heard people talk about having a lump in their throat when they looked at someone. He’d thought it bullshit until now.
“I’m in this all the way now. Exactly like you wanted me to be.”
As the wind rushed over the ridge, blowing through the pines, an unusual warmth caressed his heart. He wasn’t alone anymore. He was so goddamned tired of doing everything alone. He bit his lip. What was he thinking?
He gave into the irrepressible desire to trace the delicate skin of her face, its shape familiar, beautiful. Maybe he was tired, but he couldn’t push her away. He didn’t want to, he admitted to himself, regardless of how much it complicated things. He’d simply have to find a way to protect her. From the people that had killed Ray. And from himself and her ex.
“Then God help us both.”
Chapter 31
She stayed close as Tanner led her into the kitchen, really wishing he would kiss her. God, she wanted him to kiss her.
He released her hand. “I killed that kid, Meredith.”
Her wish faded. He needed comfort and reassurance now. “No, you didn’t. You know that deep down, but it’s hard to feel it.”
He dropped himself onto a bar stool. “There’s a first aid kit in the pantry.”
She retrieved it, and he lowered his hand into hers, palm up, when she returned.
“I didn’t think they’d go this far. I mean we’re in small-town USA, not fucking Kabul where no one thinks twice about shooting some punk dealer kid over heroin.”
She could tell his mind was replaying all the nightmares he’d seen, so she tried bringing him back. “Despite everything, you liked Ray, didn’t you?”
“Dammit, yes. He was just a good kid out to make a quick buck. He would have made a hell of a lawyer.” He told her how Ray had gotten into selling drugs in the first place. “When he told me, I couldn’t believe it. I know stereotypes don’t always jive, but he was an A student, for Christ’s sake.”
She cleaned a burst blister. “I’m sorry, Tanner.”
He described Ray’s voicemail. She didn’t know what to say, so she covered the raw skin with a Band-Aid. Silence filled the kitchen.
He tipped her chin up. “They know about me now. That puts you at risk. Do you understand that?”
“Yes.” Her gut slithered with unease. “But we’re in this together. Besides, there’s safety in numbers. And I’m a Hale, remember?” she tried to joke. “They won’t do in a Hale. The paper’s too strong here.”