“I have something to show you,” he said, turning on the TV and increasing the volume on the CNN broadcast.
“… still on scene, the LA County Medical Examiner’s office has confirmed the discovery of several remains believed to be victims of LAPD Detective Devon Vonn. Authorities continue to search the forest area surrounding the cabin where Vonn’s body was found. In what appears to be a gruesome serial murder case involving deceased California District Court Judge Roland T. Matthew, and his son, Bryan Matthew, Vonn is now also the lead suspect in the murders of the Matthews’ housekeeper, Yolande Seguin, and her boyfriend, Carlos Aguiar. A former suspect in the Mexico murders, Eve Langley’s whereabouts remain unknown.”
“You did it!” Eve cried bolting upright and clutching the bedsheet to her chest. “The women! You found them.”
“No.” Adam said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into his lap. “You found them.”
“How?” Her voice cracked as her tears started to spill over. “How did…”
She didn’t need to finish her question. She’d been focused on finding the murdered women from the start. She’d risked her life for them. For him. For his team. Her courage and determination had led them to this conclusion, and he was so fucking grateful for the woman in his arms, his heart damn near exploded from his chest.
“Everything was in the briefcase.” He kissed her temple and held her tight. “Names of the victims. Dates of the abductions. The murders. The judge planned to send everything to the police before he left for Dubai. I just finished what he started and sent a copy of the evidence to a contact I have in the FBI. They connected with the LAPD and took it from there.”
“I…you…” Her tears came harder, preventing her from finishing.
“It’s okay,” he whispered, tucking her head under his chin. “You can let go now.” Her body shook with the strength of her sobs, and he felt the crushing weight of her grief down deep. “I’ve got you, Eve.” He soothed his hand through her hair and down her back. “I’ve got you.”
CHAPTERFORTY-SIX
After a whole lotof crying and a long hot shower, Eve felt hollow as she followed the rumble of voices and the scent of coffee to the kitchen where she found the entire JTT already gathered.
Over by the gas range, Cody and Zander cooked bacon and eggs while Davis gophered ingredients and dishes around the room. Butts planted on stools at the island, full plates in front of them, Doc and Jay traded salt and pepper shakers.
At the table, Chase reached for a piece of toast with Gray cuddled in his lap. And leaning against the doorjamb to his office, hands in his pockets, Adam watched Eve with a look she couldn’t decipher.
Her heart dropped and her stomach bottomed out. He’d said he loved her. She hadn’t said it back. She’d meant to. Had even tried to say the words before he did. She loved him. She did.
He owned her body, heart, and soul. Every tiny bit of her belonged to him. Burned for him. But after everything she’d been through, how could she trust herself? How did she know what she felt for him was real?
The week they’d spent together had been the best and the worst of her life. With the Matthews’ deaths, nothing from her past remained, and she had no clue who she was now, or where to even begin to put her shattered pieces back together.
“Coffee, Eve?” Grant pulled out a carafe and swirled the dark liquid around the glass decanter.
“God, yes.” She made her way around the two chefs and joined him at the counter. He reached for a cup on the second shelf, and she didn’t miss his grimace. “How long have your ribs been bothering you?” she asked.
“They’re fine,” he replied, keeping his gaze on task as he retrieved the mug and poured the steaming liquid.
Eve looked to Adam, and he tossed a lazy one-shouldered shrug. She huffed. So much for his support. But she couldn’t let the matter go. She was a physical therapist, damn it, and a good one. No. Not good. Great.
She’d healed tougher cases than his. She could help Grant, and after everything he’d done for her, including bringing Adam home safe and sound, she’d like to do something kind for him.
“Mind getting another?” She pointed to an extra-large mug on the top shelf.
“Sure.” He set the carafe back on the warming pad and reached over his head.
His rib cage exposed, she gave him a two-fingered poke that should have been annoying but not painful. He doubled over with a groan loud enough to make everyone stop what they were doing to look their way.
“Jesus!” he grumbled, sheeting white and pressing his hand to his left side. “Anyone ever tell you your fingers should be registered as deadly weapons?”
She snorted, the sound mimicking the one from Gray.
“Pretty sure you have a rib or two out of alignment. If you take your shirt off, I can have a look,” Eve offered.
He straightened and crossed his arms over his faded Wile E. Coyote T-shirt like she was about to strip him naked and crack his chest open. “I’m good. Thanks.”
“Don’t be such a lame-ass, Kincaid. If Eve can help you, let her,” Cody said.
“Other than the fact her fingers are strong enough to take down a buffalo, there’s nothing wrong with me, fucknut.”
