Page 91 of Protect My Heart

She reached up on her tiptoes. Her lips brushed his ear. “I love you.”

He claimed her lips, not caring the dank basement was full of cops. With his lips still touching hers, he whispered the words back to her. “I love you, too.”

With those three little words, all was right with his world again. Doc was in his arms and she was his.

Snow-blanketed trees and lakes dotted with tiny ice fishing shacks passed outside the car window. Liz’s vision blurred as she watched the winter scene. Flashes of the last few days had her curling in on herself, building a cocoon of safety.

“Hey.” Jim’s voice cut through the haze. His warm palm stroked her arm as his heat chased the flashes of terror from his mind.

When she looked up, his eyes questioned. Was she alright? What could he do? She didn’t need to hear his words to know they were there. “I’ll be alright. I just need time to process.”

His brown eyes searched hers for a moment before he nodded. “Did you remember anything else?”

“Other than what I told you and the sheriff back at the station? No.” She closed her eyes and leaned into him. “Is it over now? Tell me it’s over.”

Silence.

She opened one eye and peeked at him. “What?”

She caught CJ’s glance in the rearview mirror. He had been quiet as he drove them back to the Twin Cities.

“Until we find the journal, we don’t know if he was telling the truth about it being just the three of them,” CJ said without taking his gaze from the road. “Warden Finden died in the holding cell last night.”

“Sampson said he took care of the warden. I’m not sure how unless he did it while I was drugged in his car.” Liz watched the two men share a look. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“CJ and I suspect there’s a corrupt cop in the precinct.” Jim tugged at his hair. “We’ve suspected it for a while but haven’t got any solid leads.”

“We’re not thinking it’s a fellow squad member of your father, but whoever it is has no problem doing someone else’s dirty work.”

“CJ’s right. So until we know there isn’t a third person calling the shots, we’re keeping you safe.”

“How can we find out?” Liz pushed away from Jim and straightened. “Did the military report mention other soldiers being on the ambassador’s guard detail?”

“The three of them so far, but until we confirm no one else was involved, CJ, I, or someone we trust will be protecting you.” Jim reached out and slid her closer, sticking her to him like Velcro. Leaning in, his voice low. “I can think of lots of things we can do in close proximity.”

Laughter burst from her lips.

His eyebrows wiggled. “But I’ll be honest, I might need a little more time to heal.”

“You think? You haven’t been off that leg for more than a few hours at a time.” She shot him a scolding look then pursed her lips. “Okay, I will agree to a bodyguard for a while, but I get to pick my guard when you’re away.”

He leaned away, his brows straightened. “Who?”

She loved the jealousy in his eyes. She pursed her lips and glanced upward. “Someone who’s intelligent. Strong. Fierce.”

CJ smirked in the mirror.

Jim’s expression grew dark.

Liz’s chest filled with love for this caveman in front of her. Her caveman. “A sexy blonde who can handle a gun.”

“Hell, no.” Jim burst out.

“Officer Larson.” Liz said at the same time.

A roar of laughter came from the front seat, “Man, she had you going.”

“What? Amy?”