Loren mulled over that in silence—but it didn’t make sense. In fact,noneof what Sonia had said made sense. The so-called mysterious murderer. Her being found wandering the woods in the middle of the night alone...
Before she could think too hard on it, the front door opened.
Pine.The scent rode a gust of cool air, more pungent than ever—preceding the exact moment a dark-haired figure entered the foyer. Hepaused, stomping mud and rainwater from his boots. He wore a thick navy windbreaker and jeans that alluded to the cold temperature outside. It must have been raining too, because his hair dripped as he slicked a hand through it. Only then did he finally glance in her direction…
And the world made sense again.
Sonia said something, her pink lips moving, but Loren couldn’t hear her. She lurched to her feet, clutching the blanket.It was an impulse as unavoidable as a heartbeat. Instinctive—Get up. He’s here.
And all along, something within her had craved him from the second she awoke. It had been waiting for him. His presence was an anchor against any doubt. She could feel the calm taking hold as his eyes flitted over her.
But then he turned away, addressing Sonia. “See if these will do.”
For the first time, Loren noticed the duffle he carried over to the counter. As he set it down, Sonia withdrew its contents, mainly clothing. Not only that…
They were hers.Herratty sweater still encrusted with mud. Her oversized T-shirt. Her one pair of jeans, and two long, shapeless sundresses. The only things missing were her white nightgown and her shoes.
“This is it?” Sonia sighed at the meager collection. “Are you sure?”
Officer McGoven followed her gaze and nodded. “Everything else was his.”
“This will have to do for now, but youhaveto get her some new clothes. If you need the money, I can give you a few hundred—”
“I don’t need your charity, Sonia.” McGoven’s eyes narrowed, and Loren felt an answering emotion ignite within her. Irritation. He was right. They didn’t need charity. They just needed…
Him. She needed him to look at her.
“It’s not charity,” Sonia insisted, while folding the clothing strewn on the countertop. “After all, if Lukka does accept her, I’m sure you’ll be compensated.”
“Compensated.” McGoven scoffed and began to pace, eyeing the floor. “That is if he doesn’t conjure some old law out of thin air that declares this a crime.”
Loren held her breath as he passed by her position, but he never looked up.
Please,a part of her whined.She twitched on her heels, possessed with the desire.Look at me. Look at me.
“Oh, Bill.” Sonia sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t be—”
“Look at me!” The voice sounded like Loren’s—but louder than she would ever dare to speak. In unison, McGoven and Sonia turned to see her standing there in her thin blanket.
Sonia gasped, but Loren ignored her. Nothing mattered but those gray eyes. Finally, they met her gaze, and her heart raced, her tongue went dry, even her palms started to sweat.
This is it,a part of her murmured excitedly.Look at me. Acknowledge me…
“This will have to do, for now,” he grumbled, returning his attention to the woman at the counter. “I’ll take her out tomorrow. Though, I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do about her school.”
“Maybe just get her assignments?” Sonia pitched, but her eyes darted warily in Loren’s direction. She hadn’t missed the outburst. Both she and McGoven seemed to be deliberately ignoring it. “At least for the first week—”
“But do you think that’ll—”
“Why…why can’t I go to school?”Bad girl, Loren,she thought as both sets of eyes turned to her again. Only Sonia’s lingered for longer than a second.
“It’s not safe,” McGoven replied, eyeing the window.
Not safe,that persistent voice in her head echoed. But no. That wasn’t all.
“Why?” she asked.
His head seemed to swivel in slow motion. Like lasers, his eyes went to hers, penetrating with a single, searching stare.