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that call you investigated the other night."
    "Right." Cage breathed, then took another step down the porch to head the cop off. "Turned out to be nothing. No crime committed."
    The man named Carson paused then glanced over Cage's shoulder to me. "Don't tell me that's her."
    I saw Cage's fists clenching at his sides, the knuckles turning bone-china white. "Sure is."
    "Don't mind if I have a talk with her then?"
    "'Course I mind. She's been through a lot and she's not up for talking."
    "Been through a lot? I thought you just said—"
    "Trust me, she's been through a lot. But I can promise you she's not ready to talk yet."
    Yet. I heard the expectation in his words. I stood, my only concern was making this go away for Cage's sake. I hadn't thought about it before now, but could he be in trouble for harboring me?
    "I'll talk to you."
    "Tessa, if you're not ready—"
    "No, I'm fine." I reassured Cage by slipping my palm into his when I approached. Carson's eyes flicked down for a moment, and his face twisted with irritation.
    "You've gotta be fucking kidding me, man." His voice lowered as he addressed Cage like I wasn't there.
    "I can assure you I'm not. I'm telling you, Carson, from what I could tell, there wasn't a law broken. If anything, the system failed her over and over. The minute I find out something did happen, you can bet you'll be the first one I call."
    "I understand that perfectly well, Cage, but the problem is…" His eyes flicked to mine for a moment, then he finally spat it out, "The guy filed a missing person's report on her."

6
    Cage

    * * *
    I saw red . My fists burning at my sides, I should have hung around and pummeled that fucker with a crowbar when I'd seen him. I'd known he was good-for-nothing scum, and now he actually thought he had a chance at getting her back? As if she'd just run away?
    "Absolutely not."
    "Absolutely not what?" Carson, one of my closest friends on the force, asked.
    "She's not going back there. She's not even going to pick him out of a line-up. She's right here, fine and well, and as safe as she's ever been. Believe me."
    "I do believe you, Cage." He patted my shoulder. "But you know I need to talk to her."
    I swallowed the giant bundle of anger choking my throat, then nodded.
    "Ms. Talbot?"
    "Yes?" my girl answered, her fist tightening in my hand.
    "Can you confirm all the things Detective West just told me?"
    "I can. Cage has offered to let me stay with him while I figure things out…"
    "Can I ask…were you being held by him?"
    I watched her features crack as some unspoken voices warred inside of her.
    "She's not willing to say more. You got what you needed. She still needs more time. If I find out anything new or helpful, I'll let you know."
    Carson paused, still watching my girl, and I wanted nothing more than to take him by the neck and not-so-politely lead him off my property. I cocked my head, letting body language do the talking for me.
    "You'd better be careful, here, Cage." Carson cast me one last look.
    "You'd better make sure that useless fuck doesn't come anywhere near her. That guy is dangerous, Carson. If I know anything for sure, it's that."
    "I hear ya, bro." Carson's eyes softened. He nodded at Tessa and walked back down the driveway.
    I felt Tessa's fingers twitching in my hand.
    "I'm really sorry he showed up here. A little warning would have been nice."
    "It's okay, I knew I'd have to face this at some point." She paused, letting go of my hand to turn back to the porch. Christ, I missed her touch already. "I can't believe he filed a missing person's report. What is he trying to do to me?" She pushed a hand through her hair, and I ached at all the pain vibrating through her words.
    "Guess we should have figured he'd try to find you."
    "I guess I was naïve. I should have known I couldn't escape him so easily." Her face crumpled, the light fading in her eyes. I pulled her in for a tight hug.
    "Everything's going to be okay, little lamb. I'll make damn sure of