Crime Scene Connection by Deena Alexander

Author:Deena Alexander
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-09-30T22:22:10+00:00

* * *

Jace tackled her to the ground the instant she emerged, rolling her and ripping the throw from around her. He staggered to his feet and stamped out the small flare of flames closest to her. “Are you all right? Are you hurt?”

He patted her down, making sure there were no embers left to ignite, feeling for himself that she was whole and unharmed, then reached out a hand.

Her hand shook as she reached for him, let him help her to her feet. “I’m okay, Jace. Phoenix?”

“He’s fine.” He gestured toward the car parked across the lawn, where Connor held the door for Phoenix to scramble into the back seat. “Thank you.”

She captured his gaze with hers, held him enraptured. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? For what?” A black line of soot or dirt spotted her cheek. He wiped it away, his fingers lingering as he pressed his forehead against hers. They had to go, had to run. Even with Connor having their backs, they were targets out there in the open, but he couldn’t turn away from her.

“I’m sorry I brought all of this on you.”

“Addison...”

She squeezed her eyes closed and a soft sob escaped.

“Addison, look at me.” He cradled her face between his hands, tilted it up toward him and stared into her eyes. The fear shining in hers begged him to retreat, to take her somewhere safe, to... “This is not your fault. None of it. Do you understand me? I’m here because I choose to be here, to help. Before I... Well, before I resigned, I dedicated my life to protecting others. This is no different.”

Except it was. His emotions then didn’t even touch the jumble of feelings that had torn through him when he’d realized he couldn’t get to her and might not be able to reach her in time. A shiver tore through him. “Come on, now. We have to go.”

As they fled toward the car, the feeling of a giant bull’s-eye on his back was the easiest for him to deal with. At least that he understood.

Jace held the car door open for Addison to get into the back seat, then slid in behind her and closed the door.

Connor barreled down the driveway, keeping a close eye on his rearview mirror. “Is anyone hurt?”

“I’m okay.” Addison buried her head in the thick fur around Phoenix’s neck.

“We’re fine.” Jace reached his arm around her to pet Phoenix. He’d checked the dog after he’d bounded through the wall of flames, but Jace needed the reassurance.

“So...” Maris twisted around in the passenger seat to face them. “Now what?”

Jace dropped his head back and closed his eyes.

Addison stayed where she was.

Sirens blared in the distance. Connor must have called the fire department.

“All righty, then.” The sound of Maris turning back around and flopping against the seat was followed by deafening silence.

Jace tried to process everything that had happened. He bolted upright, and his eyes shot open. “Hey. What happened to the kid?”

“He took off...” Connor’s gaze met his in the rearview mirror.

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