Physical Distraction: A Sinful Suspense Novel (19 page)
Read Physical Distraction: A Sinful Suspense Novel Online
Authors: Tess Oliver
Everly’s face was pale white and stained with tears. She raced past everyone. Tashlyn pulled her arms from around me and ran to her friend. They hugged.
“Thank god, you’re all right,” Everly cried.
“Who called the state troopers?” I asked as the three men tromped slowly down the steep terrain toward us.
Everly took a deep, steadying breath. “I did.” She looked at Tashlyn. “When my uncle knew about the place you lived and I was sure I’d never said a word to him, some things started coming back to me. Mindy, the friend who died in the fire, she’d told me she was upset and that it had to do with my uncle, but after the fire and with him pulling me to safety and everything, I’d pushed it out of my head. I guess that’s why he was nearby when the fire broke out. I was at the store, thinking about everything, and I decided to call my mom. She confessed the entire horrid story to me. I saw Jem and then Dane ride through town and I figured they were heading to Phantom Curve. I knew something was wrong.” Everly looked toward the shelter and then back at us. “My uncle?”
“He’s dead,” I said.
Everly closed her eyes and absorbed the news, but there were no tears.
The troopers reached us.
I stepped forward to meet them. “Sir, there are two dead bodies inside the shelter. One of the men, Landon Gregor, is responsible for the missing girls.”
Chapter 34
Tashlyn
I stroked Jem’s hair as he slept soundly with his head in my lap. The cuts on his chest and back were mostly healed now but the scars would last both of us forever. My eyewitness testimony and a sharp lawyer had gotten any charges of murder on Jem dropped. He’d been acting to save my life and his own. Alcott Wolfe died the night before he planned on turning himself in to police. Jason Rockfield, Landon’s last remaining accomplice was arrested and is awaiting trial. In the midst of the nightmare, we’d solved the mystery of the missing girls. It didn’t bring any of them back but finding the remains helped bring closure to the families. Because of Jem, I’d been the only girl lucky enough to escape the monster, Landon Gregor. It almost seemed as if our destiny to be together had started back on that deadly curve in the road.
I stared down at the blank notepaper. A postcard wasn’t going to cut it this time. I’d kept her completely in the dark because I didn’t want to worry her but it was time. I tapped the pen on my chin. There was so much to tell her, I wasn’t sure where to start. Then Jem stretched and snuggled his head tighter in my lap and the words flowed.
Dear Aunt Carly,
I’ve met the most wonderful man. His name is Jem. But to tell you how fantastic he is, I have to start back sixteen years ago when I was seven . . . and Jem was eight.
Epilogue
Tashlyn
I pulled the tray out of the oven and waved my hand over the slightly burned cookies. I nearly dropped the entire tray as Jem’s hands wrapped around me from behind. He kissed the back of my neck as I put the cookies down on the counter. “Watching you bake Christmas cookies is making me horny as hell,” he growled against my ear.
I spun around in his arms, and he pulled me closer. “Your oven is temperamental. Half of the cookies burned.”
“Uh huh.” He kissed me. “Now let’s finish this baking session in the bedroom. And bring some of the icing along. I know just what to do with it.”
“We don’t have time. Finn and Everly will be here soon. And Dane is going to pick up Sage as his dinner guest.”
“The biter?”
I laughed. “He’s been seeing her regularly. She’s talking about moving in with him. I’m glad for him. Aren’t you?”
“Yep. So, about that quickie in the bedroom. I’ve been shoveling snow off the walk for an hour, and I’ve got quite an appetite.”
“There are cookies behind me,” I suggested.
“Cookies aren’t going to cut it.” He took hold of my hand and led me from the kitchen down the hallway. He stopped just short of the bedroom and pressed me between his body and the wall. “See, what you do to me. I can’t even make it to the bedroom.” He started unbuttoning my pants, but then took hold of my face and kissed me.
I gazed up at him. “You sure are good at those long, hard, getting down to business kisses.”
“Don’t like to waste time.” He smiled. “What the heck did I do right in my life to deserve you, Woodstock?”
“Hmm, let’s see. I think it was something you did sixteen years ago. Then it was just a matter of time until I found you again. Whatever you did in between doesn’t count.”
He lowered his mouth to mine again. “Uh, have I mentioned lately, darlin’, that I’m fucking nuts about you.”
“You have, but I never tire of hearing it.”
“Good, cuz I’m fucking nuts about you.” He pressed his mouth over mine.
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