I slowly nodded, letting that sink in.
“And if you hadn’t killed her, I would have done it myself,” he said, fury in his eyes. “For what she dared to do to you.”
Images of what she’d done flashed in my head, making me shudder.
“You’re safe,” he said, stroking the top of my head. “I promise.”
I looked up at him, hating to bring this up now, but it was important for him to know. “Knox thought I was someone called the Lady in Black.”
Surprise and worry flashed in his eyes.
“Then he realized it wasn’t me. Nicole said she knew it wasn’t me, because it would have been impossible for me to get to Fenton County with my LRPD schedule.”
His stared at me in disbelief.
I gave him a soft smile. “Nicole realized I’d figured out who the Lady in Black was. I denied it, but she saw the moment I put it together. She planned to slash me with her knife until I gave her a name.” I grabbed his forearm. “I didn’t tell her, James. And I never would have. I was prepared to die to keep her safe.”
“You couldn’t know who she was,” he whispered.
“I know,” I whispered back. “I know.”
For the first time since I’d met him, he looked like he wasn’t sure what to do.
“I will never tell, James,” I said, tightening my grip on his arm. “I’m not even saying her name now. But I know her identity, just like I know she’s the woman you loved.” I hesitated, wondering if I should confess the next part, but I was going all in. I whispered, “Just like I know she’s the mother of your daughter.”
Pure panic filled his eyes, and he started to take a step back, breaking free of my hold.
“No one told me,” I insisted, finding the strength to sit up, worried he was going to leave. Pain shot through my side, stealing my breath, but I ignored it. “I figured it out a couple of nights ago when you told me you’d loved someone.” I grimaced. “I told you I’m a good detective.”
He didn’t say anything.
“It doesn’t change anything,” I pleaded. “It doesn’t change how I feel about you. And I know why you don’t want anyone to know. I swear to you, James, I’ll keep your secrets. I will protect them.”
He was silent for several seconds, then he sat on the edge of the bed and wrapped his arms carefully around me. “Thank you.”
I rested my head on his shoulder, tears burning my eyes.
His hand stroked the back of my head. “How’d you figure out the last one?” he asked.
“The photo on your mantel,” I said, still leaning into him. “And the timing. And you said she made a decision that you couldn’t live with. That seemed like it fit the bill.”
He remained silent, but his arms tightened slightly, yet stayed loose enough to not hurt me.
“I have questions,” I said, leaning back slightly to look into his eyes, “but I’m not going to pry. You can tell me when you’re ready.” I gave him a half-smile. “And when we’re somewhere more private.”
He placed a tender kiss on my lips. “Thank you.”
“I guess the Feds are going to be all over the LRPD’s involvement in Knox’s finances.”
He held my gaze. “They don’t know about the police involvement. I took that part out of what I gave them.”
I stared at him in confusion. “Why would you do that?”
“To give us a chance to bring them down ourselves. But I only bought us a month before they start investigating the LR police. I’ll need to get an extension so you have time to heal.”
“If you didn’t tell the Feds, then who are you getting an extension from?”
He held my gaze. “It’s how I got Dani’s charges dropped.”
