Darkness at the Edge of Town (Iris Ballard #2)(110)

I was at the vending machine getting coffee when Luke, Hancock, Elliot, Judith, Merrill, her husband Simon, and their son Grey accompanied Elliot as he was wheeled into the hallway. Karma had finally caught up to my father. Elliot lost a toe and had a fractured cheekbone but was still discharged hours after being admitted. Merrill stared down the hall, at first surprised to see me. But then she gave me a reverent nod. It was the closest thing to affection she’d ever given me. I’d take it. Hancock and Luke said something to the family, then shook everyone’s hands, and Merrill began wheeling Elliot away.

“They okay?” I asked Hancock as he approached me.

“As they can be. I took their statements, but they’ll be back at the station tomorrow.”

“Yes, we all have hours and hours and hours of interviews to look forward to, no?” I asked. “Can’t wait.”

“It should keep until tomorrow,” Hancock said.

“Great. Another day in Grey Mills,” I said sarcastically.

“Hopefully just the one. You stay here much longer, it’s likely to rain frogs and brimstone on us,” Hancock said with a smile. I didn’t disagree. “Your family okay?”

“Mom’s calming down. Grandparents too.” I paused. “How’s it looking for Billy?”

“The Greys confirmed what he told you. Billy never had a gun. Ken and Matthias kept theirs on him, so he was clearly under duress. Your brother even intervened when Ken shot and beat Elliot. And when I questioned Billy, he seemed to know nothing about what happened at the farm. You may still want to get him a lawyer, but I doubt we or the DEA will press charges.” Hancock’s phone rang. “Look, I have to get this. Be in by ten tomorrow morning, okay?”



“Yes, sir.”

“You two have a good night.”

“Yeah,” I said sarcastically.

Hancock nodded at Luke before walking away, phone pressed to his ear. I did not envy the man. Two crime scenes, forty-four people dead, the press already poking around. It would be national news by daybreak. I turned to Luke and sighed. “Buy you a drink?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I never say no to a drink from a beautiful woman,” he replied with a smile.

I put money in the coffee machine. “Thank you for taking point with law enforcement.”

“You’re welcome. Family’s more important than the investigation.”

I looked at him and smiled. “You really have changed.”

“As I said, I know what’s important now. What I want. What I need out of life.”

“And what’s that?”

He moved in closer, a seductive grin on his lips. My heart stopped in my chest. “Walking in and out of hell with the woman I love.”

“And who is this lucky girl? Because I’ve said the words, yet you haven’t.”

“Got kind of hectic there for a while.”

I moved in so our chests touched and lips were an inch apart. My breath caught. “Well, I think we have ten seconds before the next crisis. The window’s closing. What the hell are you waiting for, Luke Hudson?”



He laced his fingers in mine and stared into my eyes. “In that case…”

My heart began to flutter as he leaned in. I closed my eyes.

Finally.

“Iris, baby? Ir—”

My eyes flung open and we both turned toward my approaching mother. We broke apart. Mom stopped dead and covered her mouth. “Oh. Sorry. Sorry. It’s just…that DEA man wants to talk to your brother. He practically barged in.” She glanced at the embarrassed Luke, who was rubbing the back of his neck, then back at my scowling face. “I’ll just, uh…” She pointed behind her and backed away.

I closed my eyes and sighed. “Not even ten damn seconds,” I muttered to myself. I took a step in her direction. “I can’t even—”

Luke grabbed my hand and spun me back around against him. I’d barely collided with his body when he cupped my head in his hands and kissed me. Deeply. Passionately. Beautifully. Without hesitation. I wrapped my arms around his torso, feeling his heartbeat against mine. Oh, hell yes, I loved Luke Hudson.

The cad broke the kiss first and stared into my eyes down to my tarnished soul. “I love you, Iris Ballard. Always have. Always will. Forever. I love you.” He released me and grabbed his coffee from the machine before smiling and beginning down the hall. I just stood there, still tasting him in my mouth, in shock. He turned around and frowned. “Well, what the hell are you standing there for? We have a DEA agent’s ass to kick. You coming or what?”



His fake frown turned into a supernova-bright smile as he held out his hand for me to take. Damn straight, I took it. “And let you have all the fun? Hell yes, I’m coming.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist and I hugged his. “That’s my Iris.”

“Always and forever, you poor bastard. Always and forever.”