She huddled in the seat, shivering,her insides cold and shaking. Trey kept glancing at her, his brows lowered overhis deep-set eyes, giving him a powerfully intimidating look. She managed tochoke out directions to her home, and he pulled into the driveway momentslater.
When they walked in, the alarmsystem she'd just had installed hours ago started beeping and she staredhelplessly at the control panel. For the life of her, she could not rememberthe code. She glanced at Trey, confused.
"The code, Marli? Thecode?"
Beep. Beep. Beep.
She nodded, biting her lip. "Ican't remember it," she whispered. "Um..." She punched in anumber, her fingers trembling so badly she missed the number. The beepingcontinued, making her shake even harder. "Shit." She tried again.This time, the beeping stopped and she fell against the wall, weak with relief.
"Christ, Marli." Treykicked the door shut behind them, scooped her up and carried her into thehouse.
"Lock the door," she said,teeth chattering, as he lowered her onto the couch.
He obediently turned around and wentback to lock the door and the deadbolt.
"And put the alarm onagain," she called out to him. She heard him stop, hoping he knew whichbutton, then he appeared around the corner.
He sat down on the couch beside herand pulled her into his arms. They sat like that for a long time, while hecuddled her and stroked her hair. She swallowed hard through a tight throat,eyes stinging, breathing tightly. But then, hot and helpless tears overflowedand, to her shame, she found herself sobbing into Trey's shoulder. He held her,pressed his cheek against her hair, letting her cry, big heaving sobs that lefther exhausted, drained.
He found her box of tissues on theend table and handed her some so she could mop herself up. She sat up, notwanting to look at him. She could imagine what a mess she was. She was sodeeply embarrassed to have cried in front of him. She never cried. Only infront of Krista. She closed her eyes against the wave of pain that thoughtbrought.
"What happened last night,Marli?"
"That smoke break was a littlelong, there, Sam." Laura scowled at him.
He smiled. "Sorry, Laura. Itried to squeeze in two."
"What happened to yourface?" She looked closer at him, but he waved her away.
"I was rushing back and Iopened the door right into my chin," he told her. "I'm fine."
"Okay," she said, lookingdoubtfully at him. "Get back to work."
He saluted her and winked, and shegave him a reluctant smile.
Women. They were so stupid;he could get them to do anything.
When her back was turned, his smiledisappeared. Fuck! Nothing was going right for him lately. He slammed ahand against the wall, frustration and anger simmering inside him. Once again,she'd gotten away from him. He didn't know who the hell the bastard was who'djumped him from behind, but he was betting it was that bozo who'd been all overher last night.
He cursed again under his breath ashe went back to work. But at least he knew where she lived. Earlier today,before he'd started work, he'd gone by her place, but the damn cops had beenthere, so he'd just kept going. Soon as he finished work, he'd head over thereagain. This time he'd use the back door.
Chapter6
She still wouldn't look at him, andTrey shifted on the couch beside her, turning her, lifting her face gently withhis fingers beneath her chin. She was a mess, but still gorgeous. Those greenand gold eyes shimmered wetly, still wide with fear. Her long lashes flutteredas she closed her eyes rather than meet his gaze.
He rubbed at a smear of mascaraunder one eye with his thumb. Both hands framed her face and he leaned in andbrushed his mouth across hers.
"Come on, Marli. You have totell me now."
"How did you...why were youthere? Tonight?"
He sighed and his mouth twisted.That guilt stabbed through him again. "I had every intention of leavingtoday, but I couldn't stand the idea of you going back there alone looking fora psychopathic serial killer. Jesus." He shook his head. "I saw yougoing into the parking garage. I was in my car. I had to find a place to park,and then I followed you."
"Did you see..."
"No, but I was in there when Iheard you scream. Jesus Christ. I never--" He stopped, shook his head."I could not fucking believe it when I saw that guy on you. Fuck."His stomach cramped at the memory. The fear and rage he'd experienced hadastonished him. He barely knew this girl. Was it just his training kicking in?
"What happened lastnight?" he asked again, cupping her face in both hands.
She sighed and looked down at herfingers twisting together in her lap. Then she sat up straighter and squaredher shoulders. "Someone tried to break in here. Just after I gothome."
He sucked in a breath. This wasinsane.
"My next door neighbor camehome and scared him away before he got in. I heard the noise, though." Hervoice broke and she struggled for control for a moment.
He waited. He could wait forever.
"We called the police and theywouldn't even come. Because I was okay and Jeff was there and the guy never gotin. They came today, but they barely even looked at my door. So, I got an alarmsystem installed."
Thank Christ for that. He'd noticedall the lights blazing in her home when he'd pulled into the driveway,wondering if she lived with someone else.
"Do you live here alone?"
She glanced at him and hesitated.
"You're safe with me,Marli," he said, reading her apprehension.
She nodded. "Yes. I live alone.Jeff said I should've had an alarm system a long time ago."
"Jeff?" The little stingof jealousy again surprised him.
"My neighbor. He stayed with melast night so I wouldn't be alone."
He nodded, pushing the jealousyaside. "And then tonight some guy attacks you."He covered herrestless hands with
