Page 26 of More Than a Match

I can only nod. This trip to the bathroom has sapped all the energy from me, and I want nothing more than to lay down and close my eyes. He leans forward to plant a soft kiss on my forehead.

“Alright. Lift your arms.”

I obey, allowing him to gently change me into a clean shirt. Once he’s done, he scoops me into his arms and carries me to the bed, tucking me in and laying down beside me. I snuggle up to him and let sleep carry me away, safe in his arms.

CHAPTER 20: ALEX

I lie as still as I can, listening to Mina’s gentle breathing as she sleeps, her head resting on my chest. My left arm is starting to go numb, but I don’t want to move it. I can’t disturb her. She’s been through enough. Poor thing is sick and exhausted.

Here in the silence, my brain is on overdrive, replaying every scenario and asking what-if over and over.What if nothing. I was there. She’s ok.My thoughts wander to the doctor who wouldn’t stop grilling me with questions. Who was he? Why did he seem so overly protective of Mina, and so suspicious of me?

A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts.Who could that be?The knock comes again, a little louder this time. I gently untangle myself from Mina, hoping I don’t wake her.Success.

I make my way to the front door and open it. There are two police officers there.

“Mr. Guirero?”

“Yeah, that’s me.”

“We’re following up on the attack on Yasmina Abdul last night. Dispatch told us she’d be at her boyfriend’s house and gave us this address.”

Her boyfriend. Is that what I am? I remember what Mina said to the dispatcher.

“My boyfriend is here.”

In the heat of the moment, it hadn’t even fully registered, nor had the fact that I had confirmed my identity to the dispatcher as her boyfriend, and then again at the hospital.

“Yeah, my girlfriend is here,” I say, trying not to grin as the words leave my lips. “Did you need her for this? She’s asleep inside, she’s had a rough ordeal, and I’d rather not wake her if I don’t have to.”

“No, that’s not necessary. We just wanted to give you both an update that the suspect we have in custody is the man who attacked her. DNA results from under her fingernails were a match for him.”

I exhale sharply, bringing my hands to my face. “Oh, thank god.”

“Your girlfriend is a lucky lady. It seems like this guy went on a bit of a killing spree before he ran into her. We’ve been looking for him.”

It feels like a ton of bricks has landed directly on my chest. “What?”

“Yeah, he’s wanted in connection with those serial killings, I’m sure you’ve seen them on the news. There have been several victims, including the rideshare driver who was supposed to pick up your girlfriend. We think that’s how he got the car, as well as Ms. Abdul’s information.”

“Oh my god. Who is he?”

“We can’t share any additional details, as the case is ongoing. You know how these things are.” The cop chuckles, “We probably said too much already. Anyway, we just wanted to check in and make sure everything was ok and give you that update. We will be in touch once a court date is set. She will probably have to testify. Can our DA’s office mail any official subpoena’s here?”

“Absolutely. Thank you for letting me know. I’ll tell Mina when she wakes up.”

“Have a good night.”

“You too.” I close the door and lean against it, tears welling in my eyes. That man killed at least five other innocent women before coming for my Mina, if this is the same guy I’ve seen them talking about on the news. She could have been number six. She could have been taken from me forever.

I blink away the tears and straighten myself out. Thankfully, she wasn’t taken. She’s right here, and I’m not going to miss out on a single moment with her.

I make my way back into the bedroom and cuddle up next to her, planting a few gentle kisses on the side of her head. I carefully tuck my arm back under her and wrap my other arm around her. She sighs contentedly in her sleep and nestles closer. If there was any doubt in my mind before, there’s none now.No one can keep me from her.

Soft footsteps pull my attention away from my pizza. It’s Mina. She’s standing in the doorway of the kitchen, her brow furrowed.

“Hey, glad to see you up and about! Want some pizza?”

Mina shakes her head. “What time is it?”

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