“Correct. In cases of this nature, there’s usually an attempt made, which should indicate the attorney didn’t want to waste his or her time.”
“Because of the assurances of guilt.”
As he tipped his head in my direction, a slow and steady crawl of sensations drifted all the way to my toes. With the bright shimmer of the moon, I noticed a distinct difference in the way he was looking at me. As if I wasn’t just a victim, but a woman in his eyes.
“So you’re suggesting I should drop the idea. You’re thinking a copycat found my number somehow and is now tormenting me for his own fifteen minutes of fame.”
“That’s exactly what I might be told by some colleagues.”
I inched closer. “But you believe me.”
“It’s not what I believe as much as following my instinct. How many people know about your name change? You insinuated if people at your place of employment knew it would be detrimental to your career.”
“My boss knows. She’s been a good friend over the years. Hell, she recruited me during college. I interned with her. However, none of the other attorneys in the firm know. What I endured isn’t a secret, but since I was a minor, my stepdad made certain no one knew so I could try and return to some sense of a normal life. My parents even sent me to boarding school to finish out high school. My best friend knows. She’s kept me sane over the years.”
“That’s one of my points.”
“Then I’ll play devil’s advocate.” He was right in that I was an attorney. Logic and evidence had to outweigh any fears or even the phone call. I scooted even closer. “If Samuel Wells is innocent, why wouldn’t he be screaming to the hilt about his innocence?”
“That’s the question that needs to be answered. I’ve enlisted the help of several friends of mine, people who are more connected to the database I mentioned. If there are any similar points, I’ll know within twenty-four hours.”
“Then what? What can I do?”
He laughed and took a sip of his drink. “You’re going to do nothing except take extra precautions. Keep the weapon in your purse. Keep your doors locked. Don’t take walks at night.”
“I brought this case to you, Maverick. I’m not going to suddenly back away.”
“First of all. This isn’t a case. This is merely checking on a few possible loose ends. Second, you’re going to do exactly as I tell you.”
His possessiveness was suddenly going a little too far. “And why would I do that?”
“Because I plan on ensuring your safety and to be able to do so, you need to obey me.” He closed the distance until the heat of his body created a bundle of nerves.
Obey. The single word had my pussy throbbing.
Even in the shadows of the early evening, I noticed the heated look on his face. A rush of heat curled across mine. Enough so, I glanced toward the ocean, still tingling all over.
“Not by breaking your promise, you won’t.”
He laughed and the way his eyebrows knitted together was positively infuriating. “No, sweet girl. There are other ways to protect you.”
“Which you refuse to tell me.”
“On a need-to-know basis if it comes down to that.”
“Uh-huh. I assure you that I can take care of myself. Plus, the caller was just taunting me, doing nothing more than trying to terrify me.” Maybe I was hopeful I’d believe the words dripping from my mouth. Tingling sensations tickled every inch of my body, his closeness keeping me lightheaded.
“While I appreciate your strengths, you’ve somehow become the object of his admiration. And serial killers generally do not leave a job unfinished.”
“Now you’re trying to scare me.”
His grin was noncommittal. “Just being realistic.”
“Let’s say for the sake of arguing the wrong killer is behind bars. Why would the monster suddenly come out of the shadows now?”
His shrug was thoughtful, yet the answer had already been predetermined. “Because the execution date is set and, in some ways, that means he’ll be a free man.”
“Free to kill again.” I hadn’t looked at the situation in such a way. My pulse was now sky high, every muscle taut.
