“I’m sorry, Cassie.”
“Don’t be; you didn’t do this. If anything, it answers a question. I have no memory of La Luna because I was never there. But where was I?”
“We’ll figure it out. Did you ever meet Dr. Joseph Maddox?”
“After we talked the night by the river, I asked Hunter to tell me everything. You left out one fact: if you hadn’t tied that tourniquet on my thigh, I would be dead."
Ian's sapphire eyes held hers as his Adam's apple bobbed in his long, corded throat.
“I met Dr. Maddox at the Whitmans’ house. He and Adrienne worked together early in his career. What did he say when the police questioned him?”
“He denied everything. We tied the sponge and the bacteria to him.”
“When is he being arrested?”
Ian looked down. “He’s dead. Andy Blake is coming back to ask a few more questions.”
Cassie tried to shake off her growing fear. “Why does Andy need to talk to me again?”
“Sweetheart, he has eleven dead women with similar injuries.”
“They’re all dead?” Cassie repeated. Ian nodded. She shook her head wildly. “But I don’t remember anything. I don’t remember their faces.”
“I think you do remember. Caleb told me about the bookstore, and I saw your reaction when Sebastian touched you. The Russian. What happened was so terrible, it’s buried.”
“Just say the rest.” Cassie raised her voice.
“Phyllis Wilson was one of those victims. Robby Bynum overdosed. His funeral hasn’t been scheduled yet.”
The little color in her face disappeared. “Oh my god, who are you, Ian Chase? Why do you care so much? Explain to me, with all this horror and danger, how can you love me? Look at all the death and ugliness around me. I don’t deserve you or anyone.”
He turned her until their knees touched. “You couldn’t be more wrong. If I have to, I will spend every moment of every day proving that to you. Love has no timetable—it just comes. And when it does, you know. I’m thirty-eight years old. I have a successful business beyond my wildest dreams and a wonderful family. I have terrific friends, but there was always a missing piece. My mom told Kieran and me when we were growing up that one day, we’d meet a girl and our hearts would skip a beat. We’d realize we can’t live without her. She was right. Kieran found Monique, and I found you.”
“Ian, you don’t know me.”
His eyes yearned for her as he took her hand and placed it against his chest. His heart fluttered beneath her fingers as he leaned in to kiss her. “I learned the first night I met you that you are brilliant, funny, beautiful, and charming. I saw you captivate everyone in that room. Alone with the Titian, you beguiled me. The next time I met you, I saw your sense of humor and your loving and caring soul for friends, family, and pets. I heard your quick tongue. I saw your vulnerability. The third time, I got to see the sensitive soul who weathered more in a lifetime than anyone should. And now, I see a strong woman who has no idea how sweet, soft, and desirable she is.”
"Some other tidbits? I know you prefer tea over coffee. Your favorite snack is gelato. I know you have a passion for high heels. Your favorite scent is honeysuckle. I know you love art—even pig art. You crinkle your nose when you’re thinking. Christian calls you ‘bunny’ because you used to have big ponytails that looked like bunny ears. You are a capable, brave woman, the strongest woman I ever met. I know I want to spend my life getting to learn everything about you and making you happy. When you are well enough, I want to take you to my bed and love you like you deserve to be loved.” Ian placed another gentle kiss against her cheek.
Cassie trembled. “I’m … I don’t know what I want.”
Ian cursed himself. He said the one thing he knew would scare her. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to scare you. I will never pressure you, Cassie. If you want, I’ll work with you and Stephanie. I never want you to be afraid of me.”
She gave him a tiny teary nod. He touched her mouth in a sweet kiss.
“Forgive me?” As he nibbled and tasted her lips, the tension left her body. This time, she was not out of breath because of her illness.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Kieran sat with Andy Blake at the main house. “I thought this was Ian’s show.”
“He’s with Cassie. I’m not saying he isn’t involved, but I’m gonna handle the nuts and bolts.”
The detective topped off his coffee. “He’s that far gone? If he hurts her, he has Javi and me to answer to.”
“That’s after the Paulsens, my folks, my wife, and at least half the employees of Chase Group. I say half because the satellite locations haven’t heard too much about her yet. Let’s go.”
Despite the early hour, the sun beat down. Steam rose above the dampened plant life from a predawn shower. “It’s a sauna now, and it’s only seven-thirty. Seems you’ve upped the security. Ian told us about the Russian issue. Any more word on what’s going on?” Andy spotted an armed man on the path weaving around the estate, assisting another man installing a sensor.
