32. Elrik

32

ELRIK

M elly loved me! I wanted to leap onto the top of the mini mall and bellow it out for the entire world to hear. I wanted to get down on one knee and offer her the ring I'd purchased for her. Ask her to make me the happiest ice lord in the world by consenting to be my bride.

But someone wanted to hurt her. That made me want to howl for a completely different reason.

And grind their face into the pavement before I called Detective Carter and told him to come arrest them.

"I didn't put money in the box, if that helps," Melly said, staring up at me with concern. She must've noticed my scowl. The gnashing of my teeth. The way I was clenching my hands into fists and aching to punch someone's nose.

"What did you put in the box?"

"Fake money I bought at the convenience store. The ten thousand dollars they asked for is all I have left of my inheritance. I'm not going to give it to someone because they took some pictures of me finding pleasure with the man I love."

My heart melted like an ice cube on a blazing hot day. My knees shook. I wanted to scoop her up and spin her around. Kiss her some more. Soon . . .

"I planned to hide in the bookstore and see who takes the box." She glanced in that direction. "It's still there, but they could be watching. We need to get out of view."

"I've got an idea." I whispered it to her.

She leaned away from me and smiled. "You're smart. I like that about you, Elrik."

"And here I thought it was my ability to produce cock-sized icicles."

"I think I prefer the real thing even more, but . . ." Her grin rose. "I might need another demonstration before I decide."

I definitely had to resist scooping her up and whirling her around.

"Wait for me," she said, staring at me with concern. "I won't be long."

I nodded, and she hurried to her car as planned, getting in and driving it out of the lot.

The blackmailer would see her leave. Did they see me in the shadows of the building? Also as planned, I went to my truck, starting it up and driving it out of the parking lot.

I pulled into the gas station across from the mall and left my vehicle. After crossing the street, I entered the woods and slowly made my way to a place where I could crouch among the bushes and watch the box from the forested side .

It remained in place, and I bet they hadn't hurried over to grab the money as soon as we left. They'd wait a while, watching to make sure we didn't return.

Movement to my left sent me spinning, but as expected, Melly crept close. A grin shone on her pretty face, and I knew why. The same heady, happy feeling was singing through my veins. We were together, and we were going to catch a blackmailer.

Was this related to the Xylitol poisoning? I hoped we'd find out.

Melly stooped down beside me and leaned against my arm. "Anything?" she asked softly.

I shook my head.

We watched. And waited.

And boy, were we surprised when we saw who left the bookstore and blithely strolled through the garden and over to the box.