Page 42 of Finding English

“Hmm, we’ll need to check that out. We were working with the theory Bunce saw it randomly, and it caused him to come after you again. It looks like Bunce has been in Europe for the last fifteen years. The Feds have people working with authorities in Spain and Germany who’ve had similar killings to Bunce, but the cases were never linked until now.”

“I keep the magazine in a drawer in my spare bedroom along with my diplomas.”

“I’ll let Cruz know.” Henry rubbed his bristly cheek against hers as he spoke again. “He’s escalating, Cass. That means he’ll make mistakes, and we can catch him.”

“I guess I hate that other people are suffering because of me.”

“No.” His words were harsh, abrupt but his hands were warm as they cupped her face. “This is not on you. Not a damn thing is your fault. He’s responsible, nobody else. I don’t want to hear that from you.”

“I know, but it’s hard not to.”

“I know, Cass. Have you considered speaking to a therapist about survivor’s guilt?”

“I already did, years ago.”

“Maybe it’s worth doing it as an adult with everything that’s going on.”

“Maybe.”

“Just think about it okay.”

“Okay.”

As he kissed her it, it was as if all her worries and guilt, all the pain slid away until all she knew was the feel of his body beneath her hands, the taste of his lips. He was surrounding her and acting like a shield against the despair and death around her. He was her hero, protector, and God willing, her happy ever after.

Just then, his phone rang, and he pulled away on a sigh, slipping it from his pocket. Cass moved off his lap and went to the bathroom to wash her face from the tears. She could hear him talking and guessed it was Cruz or Calder.

Coming out of the bathroom, she saw he was strapping on his gun. “You have to go?”

“I do. They think they may have a lead and I said I’d go question the woman.”

“Can you do that?”

“I can now. Cruz made me an official Consultant, along with Jack.”

“Be careful.”

Henry grinned. “Always am, but especially now I have my girls to come home to.”

His girls. She loved that. Going on tiptoes she kissed his lips. “Damn right, you do.”

“I like this possessive side of you.”

Cassie laughed as Henry ran his hand over her ass, squeezing the way he knew she liked.

“Yeah, well, you bring that out in me. I want you whole and safe so I can do wicked things to you later.”

“Oh, I like this, I wish I had time to hear more, but it will have to wait until tonight.” He kissed her hard, lashing her with his tongue as his hand brushed her breast. “I’m going to want to hear more about this later.”

“Happy to.”

The day went downhill from there, baking with Josie was terrific, but then Jerry told Mic she couldn’t see Majestic because he had to move Domino back into the barn while they waited for a mare to come in. Mic hadn’t taken that well at all and promptly burst into hysterical sobs. It had taken both Josie and her and the suggestion of planting in the garden to appease her child.

So here she was on her hands and knees planting a new border with Josie. Mic had long since decided she’d rather play catch with Bear and Ozzy. Nate was at the front of the house, ensuring nobody could get past to them through there but still giving them the illusion of privacy. He’d seemed to sense Cassie needed as much normalcy as possible today.

It took Cass a few moments to realize she couldn’t hear Mic playing anymore. Turning, she couldn’t see her child anywhere. Dusting her hands on her thighs, she stood, the thudding of her heart an echo in her ears.

“Mic?” Her call sounded calmer than she felt as she saw Josie rise from across the lawn, her eyes catching Cass.

“Michaela?” Cass was running now, searching.

Nate ran out the back door, hearing the fear and urgency in her voice. “What happened?”

“It’s Mic. She was here a second ago.” Her voice wobbled as she relayed the news to Nate. The man instantly picked up his phone, alerting Will and Aubrey.

“I’m going to call Jerry,” Josie said with growing concern that mirrored Cassie’s own.

“Call Henry,” Nate ordered.

Cass nodded as they all ran around looking under things, in things, calling her daughter’s name to no avail.

The second he picked up, she yelled the words, the sound of her voice sharp with terror and panic that was so real. “Henry, it’s Mic. She’s gone, we can’t find her.”

“I’m on my way. Give the phone to Nate.”

With shaking fingers, Cass passed Nate the phone. The sound of voices calling her child mingled with her own as every nightmare she’d ever had converged on her mind.