Hard to Handle (Caine Cousins #2)(73)

It took a tense twenty minutes to get to her house. They were walking up to the front porch when Lynx’s phone rang.

“Yeah?” he barked into the phone.

Reagan turned to look at him and the relief that settled over his features made her realize she’d been holding her breath.

“They found her,” Lynx told her, his words coming out in a rush. He turned his attention back to the phone call.

When he looked over again, she asked, “Where?”

“She walked around to the side of the building.”

Reagan frowned. The side of the building? And she didn’t hear people calling her name? Really?

“Yeah, Wolfe. Thanks. Lemme know if you need anything.” He disconnected the call.

Fully expecting him to finish the conversation, to explain what Wolfe had told him, Reagan was surprised when Lynx reached for her, jerking her into his arms. She went willingly, the stress from a few minutes ago leaving her feeling slightly dizzy as she processed everything that was going on.

When Lynx moved over to one of the rocking chairs, pulling her into his lap, Reagan went willingly, snuggling against him, resting her head on his shoulder.

They were both silent for a few minutes, the only sound the rapid thump of her heart as it tried to slow.

“When I couldn’t find you earlier,” Lynx finally said, his voice barely above a whisper, “I thought I would lose my mind.”

Reagan lifted her head and stared at him. “I didn’t go anywhere.”

“You were outside,” he stated. “Talkin’ to Darrell. I thought you were inside with Amy. When I couldn’t find you…”

It was clear he’d been worried. The hard lines on his face told her he was still reliving that moment. She slid her hand up to his cheek, trying to smooth them away.

Lynx gripped her wrist, pulling her hand to his mouth. He kissed her palm, then pulled her against him, their mouths melding together.

Reagan sighed, the events of the evening dissipating and leaving nothing but the two of them. Here. Alone.

She wasn’t thinking about the madman on the loose, not about seeing Billy and Tammy together, or even about watching Lynx talk to his ex-wife. None of it seemed to matter right then.

It all faded away, leaving her with a contentment she hadn’t known before.

This.

Being in Lynx’s arms.

It was the only thing she wanted.

Now and forever.





31


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“You scared me outta my fuckin’ mind,” Wolfe growled, thrusting his hand through his hair.

Amy watched him closely, hating that she’d put that fear in his eyes. It was true, she had slipped outside, wandered over to the side of the building, and sat on the stone wall that surrounded the air conditioning unit. It was a secluded spot where Donna would sneak out to smoke from time to time. Amy knew no one would see her from the parking lot, so she’d felt safe there, hidden. But she had only gone out there because she had needed a few minutes to herself. With so many people asking her if she was okay, she had felt like her brain was going to explode. It didn’t help that everyone seemed to be focused on her, the worry making her feel like an outcast.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. And she was. Truthfully, she hadn’t gone far and she definitely hadn’t intended to send everyone into a panic. “I didn’t realize y’all were lookin’ for me. And I couldn’t hear you because the air conditioner was so loud.”

“I know,” Wolfe said softly.

“I really am sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” Wolfe rumbled. “I’m not blamin’ you.” He took a step closer, then another until he was close enough to touch her. “I’m just tellin’ you how I felt when I couldn’t find you.”

Amy watched as his eyes locked with hers.

“I can’t lose you, Amy,” he whispered roughly. “You and Rhys… Y’all are my everything. I want you to understand that.”

She did. How could she not? The man’s emotions were written on his face. Every time he touched her, kissed her … Amy could feel it.

“I never meant for this to happen,” she told him, holding his stare. “Never wanted it.”

Wolfe pulled her into his arms. “I know that, darlin’. God, I know. And if I could make it all go away, I would.”

Wrapping her arms around him, Amy held on. She felt safe with Wolfe and Rhys. But at the same time, it terrified her that she might lose them. With Kelly out there… She knew what he was capable of. She had lived it. And he had told her that she would not live without him. She knew what that meant.

And any second now, she expected him to make good on that promise.

The worst part … Amy was terrified something would happen to Wolfe or Rhys. At that point, her life would be over.

And she feared Kelly knew that.

Which meant the nightmare would continue until they found him.

Until they stopped him.



Lynx had so much on his mind, so many things he wanted to say to Reagan, but he couldn’t make his voice work. Instead, he had settled on showing her.

Which was the very reason he had carried her inside, never wanting to let go. Even now as he stripped them both, his mouth sliding over her smooth, warm skin, he couldn’t seem to break away from her.