Secrets in a Still Life, Kari Ganske [best fiction books to read .TXT] 📗

I stilled immediately, blinking him into focus. Then, hearing a commotion behind me, bolted to my feet, grabbed his hand, and shouted, "Run!"

He gathered me in his arms to steady me and keep me still. My body was still in fight or flight mode, so I struggled to break free. He held on tighter.

"She's coming, Linc. She's right behind me," I screeched.

"Shhhh, Alex. I've got you. You're safe."

"Sh-sh-she has a knife!" I cried into his shirt. I clung to him, feeling my heart settle a little in his strong embrace.

"The police are here. Detective Spaulding," he added quickly when he felt me tense. "It's okay."

I leaned back to look up at him. "But... how? How are you here?"

"Your phone. I called earlier. You answered but didn't say anything. I heard everything," the last sentence came out on a choke. "I was afraid I wouldn't make it in time."

"I kicked out her knee," I said lamely.

I reached for my back pocket. The phone wasn't there. I must have dropped it during the scuffle with Jodie. I glanced back from where I ran. In the darkness, I could see figures emerging. I practically climbed Linc's body to get away.

"It's okay, Alex," he said again, smoothing a hand over my hair. "It's Detective Spaulding. He has Jodie in custody."

As they came into the circle of light from the house, I could see Linc was right. Jodie, spitting denials, limped along beside Detective Spaulding who had a firm grip on the cuffs encircling her wrists.

"It was her! It was all her! She attacked me!" Jodie screamed when she saw me. "I want to press charges. I think she tore something in my knee."

"We'll get it all sorted out at the station," Detective Spaulding said. He caught my eye and rolled his. I managed a small smile.

Linc and I followed them from the backyard. A large crowd had gathered on the back porch, watching the bizarre scene unfold.

Mike Vandenburg stepped forward when he saw Jodie in cuffs. "What's going on here?"

"Jodie Poledark is under arrest for the murder of Melissa Poledark Vandenburg," the detective said.

"I thought Alex was under arrest?" another partygoer called.

"Alex Lightwood is cleared of all suspicion. We have a recording of Jodie confessing. I'm not at liberty to say anything more."

"Jodie, I'll meet you at the police station," Mike said, turning to head back into the house.

"I don't want your help, Dad," Jodie spit at him. All eyes immediately turned to Mike.

"Let's get out of here," I said. "I've had about enough Vandenburg family drama to last me a lifetime."

I sat on the couch while Linc rummaged around my kitchen making tea. Once the adrenaline had worn off, I'd started trembling uncontrollably on the way home. Linc, ever the EMT, wrapped me in blankets to ward off shock and made me sit on the couch in front of the fireplace, which he'd expertly lit using the wood stacked outside. He'd wanted me to go to the hospital to get checked out, but I assured him I was fine.

Linc handed me the cup of hot tea and took the seat beside me, running his hands up and down my arms to try to stop the trembling.

"Thanks for coming to find me," I said quietly.

"Always." He turned me to face him. "Alex, when I heard her threaten you tonight, I-I've never been so scared."

"Me neither," I quipped with a wry smile.

"I'll bet," he said on a small laugh. Then his face turned serious again. He played with a strand of my hair, wrapping it around a finger and letting it slide through slowly. "I almost didn't make it to you."

"But you did. And I'm fine. A little shaky still, but okay. No silly twentysomething can take down this woman of the world." I tried again for levity, tried to bring back the signature amusement on his face. Serious Linc was much too intense for me.

"I don't doubt that. Adult Alex is pretty amazing," he said, a smile finally tugging the corners of his lips.

"Thanks. Adult Linc isn't so bad either." I stifled a yawn.

"Come on. Let's get you to bed," he said, standing and pulling me with him even though I was already pushing off the couch. The joint momentum propelled me right into his chest. His arms immediately wrapped around me. He held me there for a moment, one hand on the small of my back, the other cupping my head.

I sighed and allowed myself to lean into him. Had Rick ever just held me like this? I couldn't remember a single time. The only time he was cuddly was when he wanted it to progress to something more. And with that realization, I finally let Wreck-it Rick go completely. I'd never really loved him, I realized now. And he obviously had never loved me. We were shoved together through our jobs and acted on the convenience.

"Alex," Linc said softly. He moved his hand from my head to lift my chin. When I looked up at him, his eyes were the darkest shade of blue-gray I'd ever seen them. If I wasn't careful, I would drown there. His eyes flicked from my eyes to my lips, parted slightly as I tried to breathe, and back again.

"Alex," he repeated as he lowered his head to close the distance between us.

My eyes fluttered closed in anticipation. Did I want this? Did I want him to kiss me? Was he going to kiss me? I could feel his breath on my skin.

Then the door burst open with a bang, and we jumped apart. We stared at each other, each breathing heavily.

"Alex? Alex, where are you?" my mother's worried, loud voice sounded from the foyer. "Alex?"

I started laughing. I laughed so hard,