In that moment, he made a silent vow to do whatever it took to keep her safe. Even if it meant protecting her from herself.
“Look at it this way,” she attempted to appease him. “Now you don’t have to drive all the way to my house to pick me up for dinner.”
Knowing their first official date was only hours away did help ease his anxiety, somewhat.
Sooner we do this, the sooner we can leave.“Fine.” He sighed. “Let’s go.”
Several minutes later, after filling out the appropriate paperwork so Eden could get her official access badge, Alex escorted her upstairs.
After Zoe and the rest of his team said their hellos and welcome back’s, Alex asked her, “You want a coffee or tea or something before we get started?”
“A cup of coffee would be great. Thanks.”
“I’ll be right back.”
When he returned with her coffee a few short minutes later, Eden was nowhere to be seen.
“She’s in the room,” Rhys, Zoe’s partner, explained.
Heading that way, Alex found her standing in front of the death board.
“This is so sad,” she said without looking at him. “Do you know why he chose them?”
“That’s why you’re here.”
Eden did turn to him, then. “You haven’t found a connection between them?”
“Not yet.”
He crossed the room and handed her the coffee. Their fingers brushed against each other’s, and though the contact was brief, he still felt the electricity arching between them. From her tiny intake of breath, she’d felt it, too.
“Sorry,” he mumbled quietly.
Eden’s eyes rose to meet his. “Don’t be.”
“You ever think you’ll get used to touching me?” The question was out before he could stop it.
A slight flush filled her cheeks. “I guess only time will tell.”
Her words hinted at a future, one he very much wanted to share with her.
Remembering where they were, Alex cleared his throat and took a step back. “So, these are the women we’ve found, so far. This is the latest victim.” He pointed to the picture on the end.
Eden studied the picture more closely. “She looks familiar.”
“Her name is Chloe Howard. Her mother is Congresswoman Howard.”
“Maybe that’s why.”
Just then, Garrett entered the room carrying a clear, plastic tub. “Here’s some of the evidence from each of the five crime scenes. Just make sure everything gets put back into the correct bag, or Baker will have my head.”
Trina Baker was the officer in charge of the evidence locker, and no one—not even Murphy—dared to get on her bad side.
“Trina’s still a tough old bird, huh?”
“I sure as hell won’t cross her,” Garrett answered seriously.
This made Eden smile. “She was always nice to me.”
