Page 72 of Ruined
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
“I never thought I’d see you sotakenwith a woman.”
I tore my eyes away from the hallway down which Zoe had disappeared moments ago to find Holden staring at me with a goofy expression on his face. My shoulders rose and fell in a shrug while I settled back into my seat. “Yeah, she certainly pulled the ground from under my feet in the best way possible.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “I remember feeling like that once…Feels like someone else’s memories now.”
“It’s really over?” Holden’s marriage had been strained since their daughter’s disappearance. It was expected, I guess. Their divorce, however, was not.
“Cass blamed me for what happened. She believed Mckenna was taken because I’d been the lead detective on the case. She said she couldn’t stand to look at me anymore, so she packed her bags and left.” He sighed heavily while raking his hands through his hair. The dark strands seemed a lot more unkempt than it usually was. “I can’t blame her, though; most days I can’t even stand to look at myself.”
What was I to say? No words would change the heartbreak this man had to endure. “Any new leads?”
Holden stared straight ahead while he shook his head. “Nothing. The case is colder than the devil’s heart.” His gaze met mine, determination still burning bright. “Doesn’t mean I’m giving up.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less. You know where to find me if you need anything.”
He grinned. “You mean when I want to cash in thoseIOUs?” He might’ve been joking, but I did owe him a lot. I’d come knocking on his door when Logan had landed himself in a spot of trouble that would’ve sent him to jail for a long time. With Holden’s help, my brother had gotten a hefty fine and ended up serving only three years.
And now, he was helping me out again. “Listen, man, I appreciate you doing this.”
“Don’t mention it.” He pushed to his feet. “All that matters is there will be one less asshole out on the streets thinking the law can’t touch him.” He started walking but stopped to grip my shoulder. “You just promise me you’ll take good care of your woman and your precious baby girl, and we’re good.”
He didn’t wait for me to answer, simply strolled down the hall to where I assumed his room or office was. Blowing out a breath, I stood and decided to call it a night, too. Not that I thought I’d be getting much sleep.
I was damn proud of Zoe for wanting to show John that he didn’t have a hold on her, but the mere thought of her being in the same space as that good-for-nothing piece of shit had my hackles rising. There was a strong possibility that I would need to leave my gun behind; I couldn’t be certain that I wouldn’t use it.
After taking a few steps into the guestroom, I stopped and frowned when I found the bed empty. I thought for sure Zoe would be tucked under the covers by now. I ventured further and noticed steam billowing out from beneath the closed door that led to the en suite bathroom.
A cloud of heat hit my face as I pushed the door open. Unable to see through the thick puff of steam, I waved my hand in front of me. The smell of apples filled the air, making me grin like an idiot.
I grinned even wider as soon as I reached the tub and found Zoe lounging under a blanket of bubbles, eyes closed, buds pushed into her ears. Man, she made one hell of a picture. I wondered if I could convince her to paint herself exactly like this.
With my gaze fixed on her, I toed off my shoes before getting to work on my shirt and pants. After I kicked the clothes to the side, I reached for her music player resting on the sink behind the tub and poked the pause button.
Zoe’s eyes flew open as she pulled the buds from her ears. The moment she spotted me though, a huge smile stretched across her face. Damn, she was beautiful, and she was mine. All mine. I didn’t need anyone to tell me what a lucky bastard I was — I already knew.
“Is there room in there for one more?”
She tossed the earphones over her shoulder as she sat up straight, it was damn near impossible not to stare at her exposed breasts which were covered in a bit of soap. “Mmm, I don’t know.” She bit into her lip, “You’re so big, are you sure you’ll fit?” Yeah, her smile wasn’t the only thing growing.
“It’ll be a tight fit,” I said as I climbed into the tub. “Good thing that’s just how I like it.” With a wink, I lowered myself into the warm water.
Zoe’s happy laughter filled the room and traveled straight to my heart. “You’re horrible.”
“Me?” I motioned for her to lean back. “You’re the one who started it.” Her back pressed against my chest, her head resting on my shoulder. I folded my arms across her chest and dipped my head to nibble on her skin. “Hi.”
Her hands smoothed over my legs on either side of her. “That feels nice.”
“I’ll make you feel a whole lot nicer in a bit.” Unfolding my arms, I brushed my fingers along her chin. Her lids steadily parted, revealing those hazel depths I so easily got lost in, “Can we talk first?”
Zoe narrowed her eyes. “No good ever comes after that sentence.” She tried to get up, but I held her close to me. “Eli.” I heard the warning in her voice, still, I didn’t let go.
“I promise this is the last time I’m going to ask.” I took a breath before I continued, “Would you please reconsider going tomorrow?” She was even more determined to break free from my hold. Unfortunately for her, I wasn’t having it. “I respect the hell out of you for wanting to face that asshole, but the part of me that is so in love with you I can’t think straight, that part is scared shitless of you breathing the same air as him.”
A sigh of relief blew over my lips when she relaxed into me. “I adore the way you care, but this is something I need to do.” Her hand came up to run over the scruff on my jaw. “Besides, you’ll be there.”
The determined way with which Logan had fought for Harper and Flynn finally made sense to me. That same fire I’d seen in his eyes the day he’d taken me on in my office zipped through my veins. I didn’t dare tell her the lengths I was prepared to go to, to keep harm from coming to her. If it rattled me, who knew how it would affect her.
Instead, I turned my face and pressed a kiss to her palm, then dragged my mouth to her wrist. When my hand slid down her body, the sexiest sound came from the back of her throat and she purred, “That’s more like it.”
Trying to deny her the closure that she deserved was a stupid move on my part. My palm slid lower and lower until I felt her silkiness beneath my fingertips. “Don’t get mad at me for wanting to keep you safe, sunshine.” I nipped at her skin. “You’re mine, and I protect what’s mine.”
