Branded by Cindy Stark

Author:Cindy Stark [Stark, Cindy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-02-11T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Xander waited until he’d shut the front door behind him before he pulled out his cell phone. Sam answered within seconds.

“Is Nicole right? Are you giving back her computer? She said the police were not likely to charge her and were considering other suspects.” The tiny seed he’d kept buried in the back of his mind, wishing she was truly innocent, had bloomed like a toxic algae along the Oregon Coast. There was no going back, and only time would tell how deadly it was. “Have you found new evidence?”

Sam released a long-suffering sigh. “Yes and no. We’ve searched her computer, and it’s clean. We have no legal reason to hold it any longer. But that’s only one avenue shot down. No new evidence. Everything else still points to her.”

His newfound hope wilted. “No new suspects, then.”

“No. Absolutely nothing that would lead to someone besides her. We’ve got enough circumstantial evidence to arrest her, but I don’t want to take the chance it won’t hold up in court.” He paused for a long moment. “You’ve got to get us something, Xander. Something substantial. Something concrete. A confession would be nice.”

Damn it. He didn’t want to do this anymore. Didn’t want to push her. Didn’t want to hurt her. But if he didn’t, would more harm come to others at her hand? He had to see this through to the end. He just wasn’t sure how he’d ever let her go. “I gotta go. She’s waiting for me.”

“Good luck, man.”

Xander hung up, a heavy weight settling deep inside him. He had to get this done and over with. If he could keep his heart in check and play his cards right, he was certain he could break her this weekend.

He entered the darkened house to find she’d exited it and now stood leaning against the rail on the back deck. He placed the groceries on the counter and walked toward the windows, drawn to the beautiful sight before him. She stood, head tilted back as though facing down the winds. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted as though she was engaged in a rapturous affair with nature. Beyond her, the untamed Pacific Ocean crashed against the beach.

Desire slammed into him, low and hard.

He wanted her.

He crossed the floor in quick strides and left the house, removing one barrier between them. A tiny sliver of sun still floated on the water as he walked up behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist, trapping her between the railing and him. “Nothing like a Seaside sunset.”

She leaned into him, wrapping her arms over his. “It’s so beautiful. I can’t even begin to describe it.”

“Many have tried. Most have failed to capture its brilliance.”

“Sounds like you know something about it.”

“I should. I’ve been coming here for more than twenty years. Although not as much during the past two.” Even though he now owned it, he had too many fond memories of being there with his family. Knowing his dad could

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