Killer Love (66 page)

Dex rushed to her bedside. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay,” Sam said. Her head, chest, and throat all hurt like a son of a bitch. Strangely, her leg didn’t hurt at all. “How did you find me?”

“I knew something wasn’t quite right by the way you acted, so I followed you.”

“The way I acted?”

“Yeah, you were nice to me.” He grinned and it made her heart do funny things. “I saw that you didn’t go toward the police station, even though you said that was where you were heading, so I was suspicious. I almost lost you, but then I saw your car pull into the mall. By the time I was able to get there, I couldn’t tell exactly where you’d gone. I cruised around until I saw Brahern come out of the building.”

“Is he...?”

“He’s in the county hospital.”

“Hospital?”

“Yeah.” Dex shrugged. “Hurt his leg. From what I understand, he’s been confessing like a Catholic on crack since they brought him in.”

“How long have I been out?”

“Only a day. You’ve actually been in and out. The fire was yesterday morning.”

“Was anyone hurt?”

“No. There were a couple of security guards in the mall at the time. The fire was contained. Everyone’s fine, thanks to you. The chief will probably want to give you an accommodation.”

“If it weren’t for you, it would be a posthumous one.” Sam felt tears at the back of her throat as the reality of how close she came to dying sunk in. She let her eyes drift shut. “I’m glad I wasn’t a bitch to you for once.”

“Me, too,” he said, squeezing her hand.

Eyes still closed, she said, “You didn’t leave me.”

“I told you I wouldn’t.”

Sam scowled, opening her eyes to look at him. “But, you...you’re...”

“I’m what? An asshole like your husband? Look at the evidence, Detective. I’m not like him. Not like the other men you’ve known. When I say I won’t leave, I mean it.”

“But why?”

He shrugged. “I guess I’ve fallen in love with you. When I saw you lying at the bottom of the stairs, my heart nearly stopped. I was terrified.”

A rush of emotion swept through her, hurting her throat, but in a good way this time. “You really mean that?”

“Hell, yeah, I thought you were dead.”

“No, I meant the other part.”

“About loving you?”

She nodded.

“Yes, I mean it. Why do you think I refused to have sex with you?” He grinned and the dimples creased his jaw. His eyes were tired and bloodshot, but they still sparkled.

She was happy, so happy, but she was also so very tired.

“I want to sleep for a little while,” she said slowly, her eyes already closing again. “But when I wake up, I’m going to tell you I love you, too. Okay?”

“Okay,” he said softly. “I’ll be here.”

And he was.

A word about the author…

Alicia Dean was born and raised in Oklahoma, but now resides in Kansas City after taking a transfer with her job. She’s a single mother of three, although she is now dealing with empty nest syndrome as her children, two grown daughters and a fourteen year old son, remained in Oklahoma.

Alicia’s passion for reading started at a very young age and is only surpassed by her passion for writing. Mystery, suspense and the paranormal have always intrigued her and she’s been inspired by authors such as Michael Connelly, Lisa Gardner and Stephen King.

Alicia is a member of Oklahoma Romance Writers of America where her friends and fellow writers have encouraged and supported her in the pursuit of her dreams.

Visit Alicia at
www.aliciadean.com