Dirty, Reckless Love (Boys of Jackson Harbor 3)

She holds my face in her hands. “No. And I didn’t want to. He grabbed me from behind and kissed my neck when he talked to me. Then he told me that he’s trying to make things right.”

“Why didn’t you tell me right away?”

“He’s hidi

ng for a reason.” She swallows hard. “I wasn’t sure what you’d do.”

“You’re sure you’re okay? You don’t want to call the police, or . . . ?”

She shakes her head. “No. I’m fine, but I realized . . . how can I go back to Colton when I’m so in love with you?”

Hell. I pull her down and roll her under me, kissing her hard. Slowly, I trail my lips down her jaw. “Say it again.”

“I’m in love with you?”

I laugh. “Is that a question?”

“You’re always there for me, Levi. You’ve been the steadiest thing in my life since I met you. Even when I was with Colton. He couldn’t be steady. He was too busy fighting his demons. But you . . . you were my rock. You were that for both of us.”

Not when you needed me to be the most.

She skims her fingers over my lips. “I love you, Levi. And I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

It feels so damn good to hear those words, and I hold on tight, praying she won’t run back to Colton when he returns. Praying I won’t ever have to let go. “I love you too. All that matters is you’re here with me now.”

Maybe I’m trying to convince myself more than I’m trying to convince her.

Ellie

Sunday, October 28th

My phone buzzes on the nightstand, and I grab it and answer without checking the screen. “Hello?”

“Ellie, I’m glad you answered. This is Detective Ben Huxley.”

I roll over to look at the clock. It’s almost ten, but Levi and I didn’t fall asleep until after six. When his alarm went off an hour ago for the Jackson family brunch, he left me in bed to get some sleep while he went off to play the good son. I hated to miss brunch but . . . sleep.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” the detective says.

“Nothing important.” I sit up and grin, realizing I can remember more about Ben now. “Hey, your house is at the back of a cul-de-sac just north of town, and the master bedroom has a dancing pole and floral wallpaper.” Atta girl, brain. Way to go! “Did you ever take that down?”

“The wallpaper or the pole?”

“The wallpaper,” I say. “Obviously, the pole stays.”

He chuckles. “The whole house is a work in progress. Does this mean you’re getting your memories back?”

“Some of them.” I hold the phone to my ear and stretch one arm over my head, stifling a yawn. “Nothing from the night of the assault, though. And nothing regarding Nelson McKinley’s disappearance.”

Just as I say it, I realize that might not be true. The morning I kicked Colton out, Ava got a call from Jill saying Nelson hadn’t come home. Then that night while I was at the lake with Levi, Colton accidentally sent me a text meant for Molly. What did it say? He’s gone?

No, it said, He’s gone. It’s done.

Goose bumps race up my arms, and I put my hand over my mouth. Dear God, no wonder he’s hiding. Colton, what have you done?

“Ellie? Are you still there?” Ben asks. Has he been talking? What did I miss?

Nausea turns my stomach, and I draw my knees up to my chest. “Sorry, yeah. I’m here. Just distracted.”