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Gage slumped inside Ursula’s living room and seeing how he hadn’t made a flirtatious comment, she knew something must’ve been wrong.
“Detective Wilks called me.” He sat on the coffee table and dropped his head in his large hands. “They got the person who killed Lang.”
“Who was it?”
“Some guy named CeCe Babbitt.” He lifted his head. “He confessed to Detective Wilks.”
“My god.” She held her silk robe closed and sat beside him. “Why?”
“He was a salesman. Met her at her home and got infatuated with her.” He scratched his head. “He killed other women too.”
“God.”
He laid his hand on hers with sorrow etched in his face.
“We have closure.” She slipped her hand from his hold. “Aren’t you glad of that?”
“I feel guilty.” He turned his diamond-studded Rolex around his wrist. “I keep thinking about you and me.”
She stood, clenching her robe. “I thought we’d settled this.”
“Did we?” His gorgeous eyes begged her. “I can’t let you go, Ursula.”
She moved to the couch. “I appreciate you telling me this but you need to go.”
“You’re afraid of me saying the words. How I feel.” He swerved his body toward her. “Why? What are you afraid of?”
She sat back, crossing her legs. “Don’t make things more complicated.”
“I love you.” He stood. “I’ve known it since the affair started.”
“Lang was my friend. I can’t betray her like this.”
“Lang’s gone.” He inched toward the couch. “I won’t give up on love just because of what happened to her.”
Ursula closed her eyes, savoring his heartwarming declaration. “She loved you, Gage.”
“I want to be with you.” He sat beside her and took her hand. “You haven’t had a serious relationship since your husband. Just empty nights with faceless men but how long is that going to satisfy you? Don’t you want love? You can have that with me.”
“It’s easier with a fling.” Her voice shook. “There're no expectations and no promises.”
He touched her chin and turned her head toward him. “Do you love me?”
“I’m afraid of being hurt.”
“So am I.” He kissed her hand. “I won’t let fear steal the happiness I can have with you. What do you say?” he whispered. “Can we give this a try for real?”
“I can’t bear thinking of life without you.” She clasped his hand in both of hers. “I’m tired of being made love to and waking up in an empty bed. I miss being held and wooed and—”
“Loved?” He kissed her nose. “You’ll have more than you can handle with me.” He smiled, pinching her cheek. “If you want it.”
“I do.” She thrust her arms around his shoulders. “I love you too.”
****
Winston waited in his vehicle for Shauna to sneak out of Jonathan’s compound.
After ten minutes, she popped up and jumped inside the car. “Just leave it alone, Winston.”
“Fuck no.” He spread his fingers against the steering wheel. “Jonathan’s fucking alive.”
She puffed out her flushed cheeks.
“I went to Detective Strickland to find out about the so-called investigation.”
Shauna jerked.
“He swears again it was Jonathan who got killed in the fire.”
“Did you tell him you suspected it wasn’t?”
“Do I look stupid? Obviously Strickland is involved in Jonathan’s scheme and you know how.”
“I can’t tell you anything.” She pouted. “I gave my word.”
“To Jonathan?” He crooked his body toward her, making the seat squeak. “So much for being my friend. Where’s Dee?”
She touched his thigh. “You can’t win this.”
“Tell me now or I’ll arrest your ass.”
“I’ve done nothing.”
“Are you kidding?” He pushed her hand off his leg. “Ever heard of aiding and abiding? You sat there while Jonathan kidnapped and assaulted Dee. You know he’s faked his death. Rena told Dee you poisoned her. You tried to kill her?”
She stared ahead, nostrils jumping.
“How could you do something like that?”
“She’s in Red Marrow in Wales.” She rested her elbow on the console. “I’m sorry for what I did to Dee. I was a different person then.”
“Right.”
“The best thing you can do is let her go because Jonathan won’t.”
“Dee is my woman, and I’m getting her back. Are you gonna help me?”
She rolled her eyes, opening the door. “I already have.” She got out. “I tried to warn you but you’re in for one hell of a fight.”
Winston started the car. “Fine with me.”
“It won’t be that easy.” Shauna closed the door. “He’s not giving her up without one hell of a fight.”
“Neither will I.”
He revved the engine and sped away.
THE END