Page 125 of Fragile Sanctuary

“He killed someone in California.”

“Poor woman,” she whispered.

I pulled Rho into my arms again. “Helena thinks he may not know where I am. That another stressor got him killing again.”

Her brow furrowed as she stared up at me. “What doyouthink?”

“It’s possible. I think it would be really hard for someone like him to keep his distance if he knew where I was. The temptation would be too great.”

Rho’s muscles eased beneath my hands. “I’m glad. Maybe that makes me awful because he’s obviously going to keep killing until someone stops him, but I don’t want him to know where you are.”

I brushed my lips across her temple. “That doesn’t make you awful. It makes you human.”

Rho burrowed into me. “I can call Nora and tell her we can’t make it. She’ll understand. I could use a quiet night in to finish my book anyway.”

I arched a brow at her. “You mean read until the second to last chapter?” Rhodes had read countless books in the past few weeks, but I hadn’t seen herfinisha single one.

She stuck her tongue out at me. “It’s my process.”

I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into me. “I know, but we can save the non-finishing for another night. Family dinner is exactly where we should go.” Just saying the wordfamilywas a struggle. I hadn’t been a part of one in years, and the idea of letting those sorts of relationships grab hold had a familiar weight settling in.

Rho looked up at me. “Should we have a code word in case you want to leave?”

My lips twitched. “Code word?”

“You know, like…fuzzy pink bunny. Or the eagle lands at noon.”

I barked out a laugh. “How am I supposed to work that into casual conversation?”

“I don’t know. You could get creative.”

“How about I just squeeze your hand four times if I need out?”

Rho laid a hand over my heart. “I guess that works, too.”

“Come on, let’s go. I’ve been eating lukewarm Nora meals for a year and a half. I’m dying to have one hot out of the oven.”

We took Biscuit out one more time before leaving him with a bone to gnaw on, then climbed into my truck and headed for Nora and Lolli’s. I could feel Rho’s nerves. It was also evident in the tap of her fingers against my thigh, and the slightly increased rate of her breathing.

I laid a hand over hers as we pulled up to the massive ranch house. “I’m going to be fine.”

Rho looked over at me. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Know how I know?”

“How?”

I weaved my fingers through hers. “Because you’re with me.”

Rho’s eyes glittered in the low light of the evening. “I worked very hard on this makeup, and if you make me cry right now, I’m going to be really mad at you.”

I chuckled. “Never.” I kissed her quickly as I released her hand. “Let’s go.”

Sliding out of the truck, I rounded the hood to open Rho’s door.

“Such a gentleman.”

“Sometimes,” I said, taking her hand.

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