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“You’ll tell us,” Corey said. “You’ll scream and you’ll beg us to kill you. But we won’t. Not until you tell us where we can find Allyson.”
“I. Don’t. Know,” Noni repeated.
“She’s gonna be stubborn,” Corey said.
“More fun for me,” Bobby said, sounding gleeful.
Corey got in her face. “Where is Bella Butler?”
“I don’t know. I only had a phone number.”
“Where did you get the phone number?” Corey demanded.
From Allyson, where do you think, you idiot. “From the newsroom manager,” she lied. “We interviewed her last month.”
“She’s lying,” Bobby said coldly. “She knows where Bella is.”
“We’ll be back,” Corey promised. “And you will tell us.”
Noni shuddered. No one knew she was gone. No one would be looking for her.
Still, she prayed to whoever might be listening. Help me. Please.
Mid-City, New Orleans, Louisiana
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 5:15 A.M.
Normally it was soft, clean cotton that Val felt beneath her cheek as she woke. This morning was a million times better because beneath her cheek was soft, warm skin. She’d fallen asleep with Kaj spooned against her back, but she must have rolled over in the night, because she was now using his chest as a pillow. One thing hadn’t changed, though—his arms were still wrapped tightly around her.
When she’d first started therapy after her assault, she’d worried that she’d never wake this way again. But she had. Not with many men, but she’d had a few boyfriends over the years. This felt different.
This felt special.
She nuzzled her cheek into the hair on his chest. It was fine and soft and he smelled so good. Woodsy and clean. His chest expanded with a deep breath and she knew he was awake.
She propped herself on her elbow and smiled down at him. He smiled back, all sleep-mussed, his usually tidy hair tousled. He looked ten years younger like this, and she realized she was seeing a relaxed Kaj for the first time. Before, he’d been either working or worrying about Elijah.
Or me. That he’d worried about her last night was sweet. It would continue to be sweet as long as he kept his promise not to try to fix her. She wasn’t perfect, but she was not broken.
Holding her gaze, he lazily stroked her hair. “You’re a morning person, too?” he murmured gruffly.
“I am. Czar and I are usually out for our morning run by now.”
“I’m usually working out in my exercise room. Elijah will sleep for another hour, at least.”
She dragged her fingertips through his chest hair. “I could let you get up and work out.”
One side of his mouth lifted. “You could, but I think I’m already up.”
She grinned, sweeping her hand down his chest and under the waistband of his sleep pants to find him very up indeed. He was erect and hard and hot. She wrapped her fingers around him and gave him a gentle stroke, making him groan quietly.
“Is this okay?” she whispered.
He leaned his head back into the pillow, arching his throat. “Yes. Please. Feels so good. Forgot how much.”
“How long has it been, Kaj?”
“Six years.”
