“If he had, it would have given me an excuse to hit him back.”
She swiped her thumb over his cheek. “You wouldn’t have done that. You don’t prey on those weaker than you.”
“Probably not. But I like to think I would have.”
She leaned her head against his chest, feeling the steady thumps of his heart beneath her cheek. “I’m glad you didn’t marry Bronte. Your life would have beensoboring. Whereas at least I bring you colorful arguments and caffeine.”
He chuckled. “You bring more than that, Sunshine.” There was a small pause before he said, “I need to tell you something.”
Oh no. She pulled back. “You’re not secretly married to a princess in Japan, are you?”
“Japan has a princess?”
“Several.”
His smile widened. “I’m not married to a princess in Japan. But Iwillneed to leave at about two a.m.”
“Why?”
“My team is in the middle of a search for a woman.”
Her stomach dropped. “Another one?”
“Another one. And you’ve seen this woman before.”
Oh no… “Who?”
“Remember that woman Jonah was talking to outside the church? The one he hugged?”
“She went missing?”
“Her car was found on the outskirts of the forest. She wasn’t inside and we haven’t been able to locate her. We searched all afternoon. Ryan and Zac are still out there, and Connor and I are taking over in the morning.”
She stepped back, mind swirling. “When did Jonah get out?”
“Last night.”
“That can’t be a coincidence. Right?”
“We won’t know until we find her alive, or until he confesses.”
Jesus. “I need to call my mom.”
She stepped into the bedroom and lifted her cell to make the call.
It rang. Then it rang some more.
Come on, Mom. Pick up. Pick up and tell me you’re not with him!
But she didn’t. The call rang out.
Shit.
She moved to the front door even as she tried her mother’s number again. She’d just grabbed her keys and wrapped her fingers around the door handle when her mother answered. “Polly?”
“Mom! Where are you?”
Warmth touched her back, and she knew without turning that Joel was close and ready to follow her.
