He tried to put her in the passenger seat, but she resisted. "No! You're not coming with me."
"Yes, I am."
This time he wasn't letting her push him away. It should have scared her, but instead she wanted to let him take charge, let him look after her.
"No," she protested again, this time more weakly. "I can't go home with a stranger. I don't even know you."
"Marli, I'm a cop. Some guy just jumped you. I'm coming with you."
She stared into his eyes. How did she know he was really a cop? But the intensity and power of his gaze comforted her. She swallowed hard, still shaking. For a long moment, thoughts ran through her head, one crazy idea chasing another until finally she knew she had to listen to her instincts. While her brain kept saying no, for a million rational reasons, her heart was telling her this man was solid and trustworthy.
"Okay." She slumped into the passenger seat. When he went around and got into the driver's seat, he leaned over and did her seatbelt up for her. Then he adjusted the driver's seat, pushing it back as far as it would go to allow for his long legs.
When he got to the exit, the gate was up and the parking lot attendant wasn't there. Trey barely slowed to leave, and Marli wasn't going to remind him that they were supposed to pay.
She huddled in the seat, shivering, her insides cold and shaking. Trey kept glancing at her, his brows lowered over his deep-set eyes, giving him a powerfully intimidating look. She managed to choke out directions to her home, and he pulled into the driveway moments later.
When they walked in, the alarm system she'd just had installed hours ago started beeping and she stared helplessly at the control panel. For the life of her, she could not remember the code. She glanced at Trey, confused.
"The code, Marli? The code?"
Beep. Beep. Beep.
She nodded, biting her lip. "I can't remember it," she whispered. "Um..." She punched in a number, her fingers trembling so badly she missed the number. The beeping continued, making her shake even harder. "Shit." She tried again. This time, the beeping stopped and she fell against the wall, weak with relief.
"Christ, Marli." Trey kicked the door shut behind them, scooped her up and carried her into the house.
"Lock the door," she said, teeth chattering, as he lowered her onto the couch.
He obediently turned around and went back to lock the door and the deadbolt.
"And put the alarm on again," she called out to him. She heard him stop, hoping he knew which button, then he appeared around the corner.
He sat down on the couch beside her and pulled her into his arms. They sat like that for a long time, while he cuddled her and stroked her hair. She swallowed hard through a tight throat, eyes stinging, breathing tightly. But then, hot and helpless tears overflowed and, to her shame, she found herself sobbing into Trey's shoulder. He held her, pressed his cheek against her hair, letting her cry, big heaving sobs that left her exhausted, drained.
He found her box of tissues on the end table and handed her some so she could mop herself up. She sat up, not wanting to look at him. She could imagine what a mess she was. She was so deeply embarrassed to have cried in front of him. She never cried. Only in front of Krista. She closed her eyes against the wave of pain that thought brought.
"What happened last night, Marli?"
"That smoke break was a little long, there, Sam." Laura scowled at him.
He smiled. "Sorry, Laura. I tried to squeeze in two."
"What happened to your face?" She looked closer at him, but he waved her away.
"I was rushing back and I opened the door right into my chin," he told her. "I'm fine."
"Okay," she said, looking doubtfully at him. "Get back to work."
He saluted her and winked, and she gave him a reluctant smile.
Women. They were so stupid; he could get them to do anything.
When her back was turned, his smile disappeared. Fuck! Nothing was going right for him lately. He slammed a hand against the wall, frustration and anger simmering inside him. Once again, she'd gotten away from him. He didn't know who the hell the bastard was who'd jumped him from behind, but he was betting it was that bozo who'd been all over her last night.
He cursed again under his breath as he went back to work. But at least he knew where she lived. Earlier today, before he'd started work, he'd gone by her place, but the damn cops had been there, so he'd just kept going. Soon as he finished work, he'd head over there again. This time he'd use the back door.
Chapter 6
She still wouldn't look at him, and Trey shifted on the couch beside her, turning her, lifting her face gently with his fingers beneath her chin. She was a mess, but still gorgeous. Those green and gold eyes shimmered wetly, still wide with fear. Her long lashes fluttered as she closed her eyes rather than meet his gaze.
He rubbed at a smear of mascara under one eye with his thumb. Both hands framed her face and he leaned in and brushed his mouth across hers.
"Come on, Marli. You have to tell me now."
"How did you...why were you there? Tonight?"
He sighed and his mouth twisted. That guilt stabbed through him again. "I had every intention of leaving today, but I couldn't stand the idea of you going back there alone looking for a psychopathic serial killer. Jesus." He shook his head. "I saw you going into the parking garage. I was in my car. I had to find a place to park, and then I followed you."
"Did you see..."
"No, but I was in there when I heard you scream. Jesus Christ. I never--" He stopped, shook his head. "I could not fucking believe it when I saw that guy on you. Fuck." His stomach cramped at the memory. The fear and rage he'd experienced had astonished him. He barely knew this girl. Was it just his training kicking in?
"What happened last night?" he asked again, cupping her face in both hands.
She sighed and looked down at her fingers twisting together in her lap. Then she sat up straighter and squared her shoulders. "Someone tried to break in here. Just after I got home."
He sucked in a breath. This was insane.
"My next door neighbor came home and scared him away before he got in. I heard the noise, though." Her voice broke and she struggled for control for a moment.
He waited. He could wait forever.
"We called the police and they wouldn't even come. Because I was okay and Jeff was there and the guy never got in. They came today, but they barely even looked at my door. So, I got an alarm system installed."
Thank Christ for that. He'd noticed all the lights blazing in her home when he'd pulled into the driveway, wondering if she lived with someone else.
"Do you live here alone?"
She glanced at him and hesitated.
"You're safe with me, Marli," he said, reading her apprehension.
She nodded. "Yes. I live alone. Jeff said I should've had an alarm system a long time ago."
"Jeff?" The little sting of jealousy again surprised him.
"My neighbor. He stayed with me last night so I wouldn't be alone."
He nodded, pushing the jealousy aside. "And then tonight some guy attacks you."He covered her restless hands with his, separated her fingers, twined them with his and held them still. Hers were small and icy-cold beneath his as his fingers closed around hers.
"Do you...do you think it was him?"
He bent his head. "Hell, I don't know. It isn't usually the way he works. Your friend Krista...that's the way he works. He meets women in bars, smooth talks them, buys them drinks, leaves with them...and kills them."
His harsh words made her flinch.
"You're in shock," he told her. "Your hands are freezing, your teeth keep chattering, your pupils are dilated. I don't know how you're holding it together." He took her hands in his and stood up, pulling her with him. "Let's get you to bed."