He was sure it was a bad idea, but how could he walk away when she begged him to be here for her? She looked so small and vulnerable curled up in the big hospital bed. Her face was so haunted. She’d been hurt by who knew what kind of monster, she’d had who knew what done to her, she was scared of being alone, and she just needed some support until her family got here.
How could he say no to that?
Spending time around Chloe was going to be hard. Although, by the way she was just standing there refusing to look at him, maybe it wouldn’t be so hard after all. If they just ignored each other, then how bad could things be? And if Taylor’s family would be here soon, then surely, he could spend a couple of days around his ex for such a good cause.
If it was okay with Tom and Chloe, he would stay and support Taylor. He looked at Tom, seeking his permission. When Tom nodded, he turned back to Taylor. “Okay, I’ll stay with you until your family gets here.”
Relief washed over her face, and she relaxed back against her pillows. “Thank you.” The look of sheer gratitude in her face shook him. It had been a long time since anyone had looked at him that way.
“Taylor, can you tell us what happened to you?” Chloe asked, deliberately giving him the cold shoulder as she walked past him to the bed.
The young woman was looking exhausted. This was too much for her right now. She needed rest, she needed time to process that she was safe now and that the man who’d hurt her could never lay a hand on her again.
“I think that’s enough for tonight,” he announced, moving to stand protectively between Taylor and the agents.
Chloe frowned at him. “We need to know who hurt her, so we can stop him.”
“I know that,” he said quietly. “But upsetting her more isn’t going to help you achieve that.”
“You’re not her doctor,” Chloe retorted.
“But I amadoctor, and I know what she needs. You can interview her in the morning. At least give her tonight to get some sleep and adjust, then you’ll get more out of her.” Fin wasn't going to let his ex push him around, especially around his new charge.
“That’s fine,” Tom stepped in to smooth things over. “We just need to know one thing.”
Fin nodded. One question was acceptable.
“Taylor, do you know who the man was that took you?” Tom asked.
The young woman looked from Tom to Fin, her eyes seeking reassurance. When he gave her an encouraging smile, she took a deep breath. “I don’t know his real name.”
“But …” Chloe said when they all sensed she wasn't done.
“But he called himself The Breaker,” Taylor finished.
He just managed to contain a gasp. Neither Tom nor Chloe looked surprised. They’d both known the answer Taylor would give but needed to hear her confirm it. The Breaker was a particularly vicious serial killer who already had two victimsunder his belt. How had Taylor managed to escape from him?
DECEMBER 19th
7:56 A.M.
She swirled the coffee in the takeout cup she held in her hand. Chloe was so confused. Seeing Fin last night had been unexpected, but surprisingly, in a good way. She had missed him so much.
Chloe thought last night was a sign.
Exactly a year ago, Tom had walked into a crime scene and found Hannah. Despite everything that had grown between them and kept them apart, just the act of being thrown back together had been enough for them to realize that being away from each other didn't make either of them happy.
If it hadn’t been for the robbery at Hannah’s jewelry store, she and Tom would never have reconciled. They wouldn’t be back together. They wouldn’t have remarried. They wouldn’t be happily living out the rest of their lives together.
That case was that one thing that had changed everything.
So what were the odds that a year to the day that her partner got his second chance she would run into her ex because of a case?
Those odds had to be astronomical.
This was it.
Hersecond chance. Hers and Fin’s. Maybe they could find a way to sort things out just like Tom and Hannah had.