McKenzie Cousins Box Set 3

My life started to change the moment Joshua McKenzie came through the door of my office. I’d denied it of course and pushed my personal feelings to the side. However, Joshua has a way of working his way under my skin, and into my heart, and that is where he currently is, he’s there to stay too.

The creak from someone moving closer infiltrates my wandering thoughts, and after a quick glance at Paul, I focus my gaze in the direction of the sound. My heart thumps wildly praying that she isn’t coming back because as we are, Paul and I are defenseless…and then, I recognize Josh. He moves to run forward except Samantha catches his arm and shakes her head and I catch her whispering, “We don’t know if anyone else is in here.”

“They’ve gone,” I say.

“Mallory,” Josh groans, dropping to his knees in front of me. In seconds he breaks the ties and then I’m in his arms. He pulls me so close to him that I’m sure he’s crushing my ribs. He buries his face in the curve of my neck and breathes deeply.

I slide my fingers through his short hair and hold him to me, enjoying the feel of him. His mouth brushes my neck and he works his way to my lips where he presses an all too brief kiss. “I hear the cavalry pulling up,” he whispers. His forehead drops to mine. “I’d hoped as the killer had gone off course that we’d find you before it was too late.”

Cupping his face, I kiss his lips and whisper, “I love you.” I kiss him again before I turn my face away and rest against his chest. We stay that way until the paramedics insist on taking me to the hospital to make sure I’m okay after being tranquilized.

I only agreed to go because of the worry on Joshua’s face.

42

Joshua

When Mallory was arguing with the paramedic about a trip to the hospital, I let her see how much I was worried about her. I’d been hiding my worry behind a mask the moment our team had entered the construction, but she needed to be checked out. I wanted to make sure she hadn’t been given anything that would have long lasting affect on her health. Luckily Paul and Mallory had only been given a strong sedative, and been saved by the fact that the killer knew they were cops. Apparently, they hadn’t wanted to be known as cop killers. Seems they have no remorse for killing couples though.

The SWAT team coming up the access road had apprehended the two fleeing in a brand new SUV that Liz had been given by her parents, John and Neve. A handgun filled with the same caliber bullet that had shot me was found under the drivers seat. I have my suspicions and think that the SUV was a ‘keep quiet’ kind of gift. Turns out, she was angry at her mother for never staying faithful to her father. She’d overheard them arguing and knew it was her mother who wanted the different partners, but her father had never actually participated in the swapping. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to kill her mother, so she’d gone after the other men that her mother had been with, and had decided to kill the women they were with to avoid loose ends.

The agents currently following leads weren’t sure how involved the young man, Xander, had been in the killings. So far they didn’t think he had killed anyone, just watched, until the last time when Mallory and Paul had been taken. She’d needed his strength to move them. Xander was the son of Mandy, who with her younger lover, Alex, had been heavily involved in the swinger parties. Xander was a product of one party. He’d come up in the family background check of all couples attending the retreat, but hadn’t been a possible suspect because he was thirty-four and had be

en out of the country during the first murder.

It’s a relief to have them both in custody because now I can make a final decision about which way I want to take my career. I’ve had nothing but time—and paperwork—these past twelve hours while Mallory sleeps soundly in the hospital bed. I’ve catnapped but find too much going on to fall into a deep and relieving sleep. The plastic armchair that I’ve pulled up to the side of her bed creaks every damn time I move, so my body aches from being twisted in the same position for so long.

Our boss Ritter is still around. I know this because he’d given me a look that told me he wasn’t going anywhere until Mallory had woken up and they’d spoken. He worries me because he has the clout to make problems for Mallory and I in the future, even though that doesn’t fully make sense to me. I know she’s an agent he relies heavily on, so I guess I’m going to have to trust him to protect her career. Even if it means that I have to keep my distance until she’s no longer my direct supervisor.

Leaning forward, I wince as my body aches. I drop the files to the floor and gently take Mallory’s hand into mine. I kiss her fingers and rest my cheek against the bed, my eyes reaching upward to hers. She’s awake and watching me, searching my face before a smile tilts her lips. “You’ve slept on that thing?”

“Yes.” I stretch and suck in a breath of air at the sharp pain that zings up my thigh.

“You’re hurting,” she observes correctly. “Is it your leg?”

“Right now every damn part of me is hurting, but yes, my thigh isn’t the best.” I stand from the chair and kissing her hand once more, I let it drop back to the bed. “I’ve been in the same awkward position for too long.” I limp toward the window and turn, limping back toward the bed. “I’ll be fine.” I add, “Don’t worry,” when a frown wrinkles her brow. “I promise.”

My walk gradually becomes easier, but I know I’m going to have to do something about the burning in my thigh otherwise I’m going to be out of the action for a while. Mallory doesn’t need to worry about me so I move the direction of her thoughts. “Ritter thought it was amusing that you chose the moment he’d entered your room to sleep.” I raise a brow. “You certainly had good timing.”

She blushes slightly. “I wasn’t asleep at first but then I soon drifted off.”

“I’m not surprised, you were exhausted.”

“I don’t suppose there’s anything new to tell me?”

“Not that I’ve heard.” I glance at the door, and admit, “I don’t think Ritter is going anywhere until he’s spoken to you.”

“He knows about us?”

I rub my brow. “I couldn’t let you go when I found you. He noticed.”

“It’s okay Josh.” She pats the side of the bed.

I lower myself down, wanting nothing more than to lie down and sleep beside her. Of course I don’t with our boss hovering somewhere behind the closed door of her room.

“Ritter, isn’t going to like my decision, but I know I’m making the right choice.”

“What are you talking about?”