My entire body began shaking. Deke wrapped his arms around me, holding tight. “He actually thought I would meet him and go away with him,” I whispered.
“Yeah. He did.”
“Why is he doing this?” I breathed in his leather scent trying to calm myself.
“In his mind, you’re his. But I’m here to remind you you’re not. You’re mine. Have been since we were kids.” The spark of hope lit up inside me pushed aside all the fear. Was this really going to happen?
13
Deke
Before I could filter my mouth, the words were out, but I didn’t want to take them back. Vann was mine. Mine to keep, protect, and cherish. God, I’d missed her.
Vann’s body began shaking as I held her close. I could feel her tears begin to wet my shirt making me hold on to her tighter. I realized in that moment that I would do anything to protect her.
“What the hell is going on here?” Kinsley’s loud voice busted in through the front door.
Sawyer ran up to her. “And what the hell is she doing in his arms?” she barked.
I couldn’t help myself. “It’s where she belongs.”
Kinsley rolled her eyes. “Vann. You okay?”
Vann pulled out of my arms far enough to turn her head. As she wiped her tears, I felt her take a deep breath. “Not really, Kins. This is a mess.”
“I’m gathering.”
“Vann, I really need you to answer questions now.” Z said, looking at me. I nodded, knowing this had to happen now. He’d already given Vann quite a bit of time before drilling her.
“Fine. Better she answer them once and tell Kinsley at the same time.” I didn’t want her to have to repeat herself over and over again.
“You sure you want them to hear everything?” Z asked because most of this revolved around Gabriella.
“They know all about Gabriella. It’s fine.”
“You told him about Gabriella, Vann?” Kinsley sounded genuinely shocked.
“Yep. I did. It’s fine. I know he won’t tell anyone. Let’s get this over with,” Vann said as I led her over to the couch. I sat in the corner with my legs open wide, pulling her in between them. No way in hell I was letting her go when she needed me. She obviously agreed because she didn’t hesitate to fall right between them.
As I sat and listened to what happened to Vann, my anger was getting harder to control. I felt it radiating through every limb of my body, and I wanted to punch something. I wanted this guy. Who the hell did he think he was?
The questions went on and on. I learned more than I needed about the ‘gifts’ she’d received.
“Do you know who Gary is?” Z’s question pulled me from my murderous thoughts.
“No. I have a Facebook page, and he sent a couple of messages to me through there. I also have an email or two. The cops looked into it, but never found anything.”
They were obviously stupid. The internet had all sorts of fun ways to track—one very important thing I’d learned in my line of work. “Can I have your username and password?”
Vann turned around and looked at me, trust in her eyes. “Sure.”
Damn. How the hell did I open my mouth and spew that shit about getting her out of my system? I didn’t deserve her, but damn if I wasn’t gonna try and be the man she deserved.
“Wait!” Kinsley’s voice boomed from the kitchen. “Where did this come from?” Coming into the living room with a large manila envelope, she handed it to Z.
The front of the envelope said Savannah in the same scrawl as the letter. “Gloves,” I barked at Z.
“No shit,” he growled, pulling out another pair of gloves. “Where did you find this?”
“It was under some of my magazines on the counter.”
As Z opened it, Vann’s breathing picked up. I rubbed her back in an attempt to sooth her, but nothing seemed to work.
“What the hell?” Z gasped.
Pictures fell out, scattering all over the coffee table. Vann left my arms and moved closer. I wasn’t far behind her. “Don’t touch them,” I warned her.
“Oh my God.”
“Breathe, Vann … breathe,” I whispered in her ear.
“How did he …” Vann’s voice trailed off as she continued to look at the pictures laid out before us.
Dozens of pictures in full color spread on the table—pictures of her driving, at the bar, in her room, on her laptop, getting out of the shower … masturbating.
My cock twitched at the site, but I wasn’t a total selfish asshole, and kept that under wraps. It infuriated me that some asshole was seeing her like this.
“First thing, we get blinds for this entire house and up the security system.” My admiration for Kinsley was growing. The way she protected Vann was commendable. Now I just needed to put in my two cents and hope it didn’t backfire in my face.
“Vann’s coming to stay with me.”
Vann turned her head, eyes wide, boring into mine. “No. I’m not.”
