Whispers of You (Lost & Found #1)(74)

“Don’t answer that,” Mr. Cushing said and then turned to Lawson. “Mr. Sullivan wasn’t even on Ms. Williams’ property.”

“But he was on private property. At the location where a shooting took place recently.”

Mr. Cushing arched a brow. “Is Mr. Sullivan under arrest for trespassing then?”

Lawson’s jaw hardened. “I can add that to the list.”

Mr. Cushing’s mouth pulled down in a frown. “That’s a fine. Not jail time. Release the boy to his parents.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible. I’ll be holding Joe for the full seventy-two hours. Or until the ballistics come back on the handgun in his possession and the rifle we found in his trunk.”

All the color drained from Joe’s face as his gaze jumped back and forth between the two men.

“This interview is over,” Mr. Cushing said curtly. “You can hold my client, but he won’t be speaking with you. I, however, would like a word with him in private. Please clear the room and observation.”

Joe jolted at that, his gaze going to the two-way mirror. I swore those dark eyes looked right into mine as if he could tell that I was there.

A tear slid down my cheek. So many lives destroyed. And for what?





Holt rolled me into him as I burrowed under the covers. I went without protest, craving the warmth that hummed beneath his skin.

“Talk to me,” he said, lips skimming over my hair.

“Can’t get warm.”

“Cricket…” He hauled me gently on top of him so we were front-to-front. More of that warmth, that life seeped into me.

“I was so scared something would happen to you tonight.”

So scared that I would lose him.

Holt’s fingers trailed along the ridges in my spine. “I hate that I put you through that.”

“I’ve been so scared to make that final leap. So terrified that you’d leave, or something would happen.”

Holt’s hand slipped under my T-shirt, the rough pads of his fingertips sending a cascade of tingles across my skin. “Just because you haven’t said the words doesn’t mean you haven’t made the leap.”

But not saying the words was my last wall of protection. The thing I thought would save me if everything fell apart. Only it wouldn’t. Grae’s voice danced in my mind, talking about missing out because I was too scared of the pain that might come. But that pain would come no matter what. And living my life in half measures would only heap regret on top of it.

I sat up, straddling Holt, my oversized T-shirt pooling around me. I stared down at the man who I’d known in every incarnation growing up. I’d worried there would be too much time lost between us now—that I wouldn’t know him anymore. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth.

I would always know Holt. Sometimes, better than I knew myself. Because I knew his soul. The very core of him. The trappings of that soul might change, but the soul itself never would.

Pressing a palm to his chest, over his heart, I let down the last of my walls. “I love you. I never stopped loving you. Not for a single breath.”

Holt stilled beneath me. Not breathing. I swore his heartbeat even halted.

He rolled me to my back in a flash, hovering over me. “Say it again.”

“I love you.”

“The next part,” he growled, his words sending vibrations across my face.

“I never stopped loving you.”

Emotion filled Holt’s eyes, the dark blue turning to a color I couldn’t identify. A single tear slipped free and landed on my cheek. “Never thought I’d hear those words again.”

I reached up, ghosting a hand over his face. I relished the feel of his stubble prickling my palm. His jaw beneath my fingers. Reveled in the knowledge that this man was mine and I was his. “Nothing could keep me from loving you.”

Not hurt or logic or an entire world separating us. We were meant to be. We would always find a way back to each other.

Holt dipped his head, his lips a breath from mine. “Are you with me?”

“I’m always with you.”

My hands came around his shoulders, skimming over smooth skin until I reached the worn flannel pajama bottoms he wore. My fingers hooked in the band.

“Wren, you have to be hurting.”

“The only thing that will hurt me is if I can’t be with you right now.”

It was the truth. I needed him more than oxygen. Had to cement this forever with flesh and bone.

Holt pressed his forehead against mine. “Promise me you’ll tell me if it’s too much.”

“I promise.” But I knew it wouldn’t be. Because it was Holt and me.

His hand slipped over my hip, his eyes flaring. “No panties?”

I grinned up at him. “Seemed like a waste.”

He chuckled.

I lifted a hand to his throat. “Do it again.”

Emotion filled Holt’s gaze, but he did as I asked. I closed my eyes and let the sound wash over me. I’d never take a single chuckle for granted.

“Wren.”

My eyes fluttered open. There was such reverence there. So much it almost hurt to take it in.

My legs encircled Holt’s waist, a silent request for my deepest need. His tip bumped my entrance, and then he was sliding inside. My lips parted with the barest sound, one Holt swallowed with his mouth.