Page 47 of Ultimate Justice

“Tech team’s on its way,” Deck said.

Evan nodded his thanks.

“Lakewood PD is still working on the camera footage,” Brett said.

Again, Evan nodded, this time to Brett. “I’m postponing our drive to Wyoming until tomorrow. Can you shadow us?” Given what had happened today, couldn’t hurt to have Brett and Blaze with them. He’d ask Deck, too, but the man was getting hitched next week. Tori would beat Evan with a stick if he kept hijacking her fiancé a week before the wedding.

“Of course,” Brett answered.

“Postponing?” Marlie’s eyes blazed, and her lips parted—lips he’d insanely wanted to kiss moments ago. “Try canceling. You can’t seriously still be thinking of taking Noah to Wyoming. You made me his guardian, and I won’t allow it. It’s too dangerous, and didn’t you hear what he said? He doesn’t want to go anymore.”

“It won’t be dangerous,” he assured her. “Brett will be backing us up. Besides, we’re not taking him inside the camp. We just need to find it, and we can’t do that without his help. Trust me, even if he can lead us to the front door, we’re not gonna go in there. The last thing we want is for them to see us snooping around. We also can’t risk them pulling up stakes and taking the children with them, or—” He didn’t want to say the words.

Or worse.

“Marlie?” Noah sat up straighter. A look of determination had replaced the look of fear. “I changed my mind. I wanna go to Wyoming. I need to help find Caleb and the others.”

Marlie’s lips flattened. “I can’t believe you’re considering this, especially after what just happened.”

Part of him couldn’t believe it, either. “There’s no other way to find these kids.”

Silence stretched between them, so long he was sure she’d shut him down, effectively ending his chances of finding the camp.

“Promise me you’ll protect him.”

“I will.” He meant it with every fiber of his being. Which brought him to his next affirmation. “As soon as the tech team is done here, you and Noah pack your bags.”

Her eyes narrowed on him. “Are we staying at a hotel?”

“No. You’re staying with me.”

Chapter Fourteen

Marlie watched Evan check the side- and rearview mirrors. Living with him—even temporarily and for Noah’s safety—added another layer to her uncertainty that any decisions she’d made in the last few days were the right ones.

Being Noah’s guardian. Caring for a child again and keeping him safe. Sitting less than two feet from a man who made her feel things she had no business feeling. Her actions had led to her little boy’s death. Today, her bad judgment had put Noah in danger. What gave her the right to crave a man’s touch again, and when had that started to happen? It was like someone had flipped on her libido switch. When she’d opened the door to let him in, all she could think was how wonderful it felt being in the safety of his arms, and how selfish was that?

Evan turned onto West Colfax Avenue, again checking the mirrors before stopping at a red light. Behind her, Noah sat quietly, leaning against Blue. He hadn’t said a word since they’d left her apartment. He’d crawled back into his shell, all the progress he’d made opening up over the last few days having disappeared like a puff of smoke.

When the light turned and Evan stepped on the accelerator, the Ford Explorer they were now in rolled forward.

“Why did we have to switch vehicles?” she asked.

“Somehow, they knew Noah was living with you. Either I missed a tracker under my G-ride, or I didn’t see the tail, and they followed us from the farmers market.” His hands tightened on the wheel. “I’m having the Yukon checked out.”

He turned onto 6 West, then took the exit for C-470, heading them into the western edge of Lakewood. Again, Marlie twisted in the seat to check on Noah. His eyes were closed, his head resting against the garment bag containing Evan’s tuxedo.

“When is your friend’s wedding?” she asked in a low voice, not wanting to wake Noah.

“Next weekend. It’s Deck’s wedding, one of the guys at your apartment.” He headed for the Morrison Road exit. “He’s marrying an ER doctor at North Metro.”

“Dr. Sampson?” She’d noticed the beautiful engagement ring the doctor wore.

He turned into a development. “You know her?”

“A little. They make a beautiful couple.” Literally and figuratively. Dr. Sampson was not only kind but a stunning woman, and Evan’s friends were two of the handsomest men she’d ever seen. Like him, they were tall and fit, and with that same air of undeniable, and somewhat annoying, authority.

“That they do,” he answered with a hint of sadness.