Secret Obsession (Carder Texas Connections #6)(26)

With a shudder, she sat on the bed cross-legged and paged through the first book. The memories overwhelmed her.

If her baby girl hadn’t been with the babysitter...the thought gave her nightmares practically every night. But the terror had given her the strength to do something she’d never believe she’d be capable of.

She hadn’t seen Jocelyn in seventeen months, twenty days and four hours. With Reid unconscious, only Jocelyn’s temporary mother and Lyssa could reveal the truth.

If Archimedes killed her, at least Lyssa would take the secret of Jocelyn to her grave. Her daughter would be safe.

Lyssa had sacrificed everything for her baby girl. She’d sacrifice her life without hesitation.

Archimedes could never ever find out about Jocelyn.

But, Noah had, in the small corner of her mind, reignited a spark of hope that Archimedes could be caught, that he would pay, so Lyssa forced herself to read on.

After hiding the journal in the bedside table, Lyssa sighted the shotgun at the picture hanging on the wall.

She could imagine Archimedes standing there, only his eyes and mouth visible.

A small squeeze and it would be over.

If Noah could find him.

A soft knock sounded. She laid down the weapon.

“Yes?”

Noah eased open the door, his muscular figure filling the entrance. He stepped into the dim bedroom. “How are you doing?”

“Like I won’t ever find the needle in the haystack.” She tugged out a box of shells hidden beneath a set of pajamas. “He’s out there somewhere. God knows what he’s doing, who he’s hurting.”

“May I?”

He held out his hands and she placed the weapon in them. He pointed the gun’s barrel to the floor, testing the weight in his hands. “Impressive,” Noah said. “Quite a recoil?”

“I’m used to it.” She shrugged. “The barrel is short. I like the front grip for stability. It’s loud, and he’ll hear it and see it coming. He won’t be getting up.”

“Where do you keep it?”

“Under my pillow.” She didn’t blink. “If he ever gets in, I’ll be ready.”

“He’s fixated on you. You realize that,” Noah said, sitting on the bed, returning the shotgun.

“I’m hoping the gun gives me the advantage. All I need is a clear shot, Noah. I won’t hesitate.”

“I don’t want him to get that close to you.”

What could she say? That she hoped Archimedes did find her, and soon, so she could end the wait.

Placing the empty weapon at her side, waiting to be loaded, she looked up at Noah. “How is your family?”

“Safe for the moment.”

Noah’s eyes darkened with worry.

“Maybe you should go to them—” The words had to be said.

“I’m not leaving you. My brother Mitch was SWAT. My dad was a cop. They know how to protect themselves.”

Lyssa twisted her fingers. “I’m so sorry they got dragged into this. If I thought it would help, I’d go back to Chicago.” She sighed. “It wouldn’t help, would it?”

“He knows I’m involved, and he’s not happy about it. I’ve got my other companies on a security alert. They’re taking all the precautions they can.” Noah scooted closer to her and placed his hand on her knee. “Count on one thing, I won’t leave your side until he’s no longer a threat.”

With a sad smile, she covered his hand with hers. He couldn’t look away from her green eyes. So much hurt, so much pain, and yet a determination that wouldn’t quit. He turned his hand and squeezed hers, offering comfort.

She gnawed on her lip, her nerves showing through. He couldn’t look away. The desire that had been flickering through him since he’d seen her again ignited into a flame. He was so close to her that if he leaned over just a bit, their lips would touch.

If he ever kissed her, he didn’t know if he’d be able to stop.

“Noah,” she said softly, her voice questioning, her eyes wide with something he didn’t want to identify.

His hand drifted down her arm, and she shivered under his touch. She leaned forward. The glittering diamond from Jack’s engagement ring against her breastbone caught the light.

Noah took a calming breath and scooted back. “Rest,” he said, rising. With a last long, slow look he left the room.

Once he closed the door of her small bedroom, away from the lavender scent that lingered, he sighed, willing his racing heart to calm.

“She okay?” Rafe walked over and nodded at the room.

Noah studied the man who’d saved his life on more missions than he could count, the man who had sacrificed more than anyone could possibly know. The man who knew him better than anyone. Even his family.

They may know he’d joined the Marine Corps., but they had no idea of the missions he’d gone on...the ones deep into enemy territory.

At first the secrets had been part of the job. Then it had morphed into protecting them from worrying, especially after his father’s accident. Now it had become a way of life—keeping that barrier up so no one could see inside him.

Who would want to?

“She’s pretending,” he admitted finally.

“Don’t we all?”