CHAPTER ELEVEN

– KATHLEEN –

"We are not naming any of our kids after that annoying brother of yours," I grumble and park in front of the station.

Dammit. Dean wasn't kidding when he mentioned the press getting wind of the serial killer. There are several news station trucks parked on the street and some journalists are interviewing people in front of the coffee shop.

"Marvin Junior has a better ring to it anyway." Marvin shoots me a wink and gets out of the car before I can so much as smack him upside the head.

I'm about to head straight into the station, but my attention is drawn to the people across the street. One of the news crew is harassing Mrs. Johnson who clearly doesn't want to be on TV while a drunken Mr. Hemwig is trying to get some screen time. Anger surges through me and without thinking I whirl around and cross the road.

"Hey," I snap to catch the interviewer's attention. "Quit harassing people in their own damn town. And you." I point right at the camera. "Stop filming right now."

The interviewer starts to sputter something about freedom of speech.

Ignoring everyone I give my full attention to Mrs. Johnson. "Go right in, Ma'am. I'm sure the others are waiting for you to join them."

Mrs. Johnson gives me a thankful smile and reaches out to squeeze my hand. "You're a doll, Kathleen."

Behind me, Mr. Hemwig is blabbering about his cows getting slaughtered like pigs by a serial killer. Ugh, that drunk bastard is causing unnecessary drama just to get a listening ear from someone.

"Seth," I bellow, catching the attention of the deputy walking my way. "Get Mr. Hemwig home before he starts to spout more nonsense no one likes to hear."

The camera guy keeps filming.

"Didn't I tell you to turn that thing off? You have as long as it takes me to reach for my cuffs to get your asses into your news van and get the hell out of my town. If not, I'll throw y'all in jail and leave you there to rot all damn weekend."

Again, with the freedom of speech nonsense.

"Try me," I snarl and reach for my cuffs.

Finally, they jump into action and scurry their asses into their van and speed off. Muttering a few curses I stomp across the road.

I snap my fingers at Wrench who is sprawled in front of the door. "Lazy bastard, you could have helped me out by biting their asses."

Marvin opens the door for me and when I step inside he softly says, "I thought we agreed not to draw him out."

It's then I realize my action could have provoked Davey. Though, it's hard not to provoke the fucker because I'm the damn sheriff and I'm just doing my job. Probably why Marvin doesn't look angry and simply makes an observation by the sound of his voice, along with the look on his face.

I place my palm against my forehead and sigh. "I can't even do my job without stepping on the serial killer's long freaking toes."

"I would have done the same thing if you weren't already doing it," Marvin murmurs and pulls me close.

Letting my body sink into his only lasts a heartbeat or two when both our phones start to ring. I reach for mine while Marvin answers his.

"Dammit, Kat, what were you thinking?" my father snaps.

Gritting my teeth I fire back, "I was thinking Mrs. Johnson was having a hard time getting into the diner where her sister and other neighbors were waiting to have tea. Mr. Hemwig was spouting nonsense no one needs to hear. The whole incident shouldn't have taken place and that's why I put an end to it."

My father releases a sigh. "You know what you did, right? Atticus called me with an update about the killer and his background story. You're on the fucker's radar now. Those news fuckers? They were live, Kathleen. The whole thing was captured on TV. Your face is out there now, how you lashed out at those men. A complete power position, stomping on men's dicks. Let me talk to Marvin."

I glance in Marvin's direction. "He's talking on his phone. Besides, Dad, you're not on this case: we are. I was doing my damn job without thinking that it would put me on the killer's radar because my mind was too occupied with protecting the citizens of this town. Those vultures only care about screentime minutes of entertainment, even if those folks didn't know shit. I'm gonna hang up, there's work I'd rather be doing other than getting scolded by my father."

I'm about to hang up when he says, "Be careful, Kat. We don't want to see you get hurt…or worse."

A deep sigh rips from me as I stare at Marvin who is shoving his phone into his pocket.

"I know," I tell my dad, and add, "Here's Marvin."

Handing the phone to Marvin, I stalk into my office and drop myself into the chair. What a clusterfuck. There might be a chance the killer didn't see the live feed or has left town. On the other hand, he has been escalating by dumping bodies in his hometown. He keeps returning here and it's as if he wants to end it or something.

"Your father is worried, as is my brother," Marvin states as he strolls into my office.

Without looking in his direction I grumble, "Your name is on the top of that list too."

"Yeah, well, your name on top of the serial killer's list will do that to a man when his woman's life is put at risk." He lets his ass drop into one of the chairs on the other side of my desk.

I'm getting annoyed but it's fleeting when Marvin says, "We're closing in on the fucker on all sides. We know who he is, what he looks like, his motives, and his background. It's only a matter of time until we catch the bastard. I won't be leaving your side anyway, my brother has put everyone on high alert, and your father is putting other wheels in motion. Let him fucking come for you so he'll end up dead sooner rather than later."

"So, you're not going to throw me in a cell to keep me safe?" I challenge.

The man smirks. "The way you threw me in a cell the last time I was in town?"

I roll my eyes. "You were annoying and instead of–"

"Hey," Marvin interrupts. "I was still getting a grip on my damn emotions, okay. Give a guy a little leeway when a woman makes the ground shake underneath his damn feet."

"Are you telling me I rocked your world without realizing it?" Reaching for a file Seth must have put on my desk, I add, "Back then I would have been happy if the ground opened up and swallowed you whole."

He leans forward and places his forearms on his knees. "That's not nice, and I hope to hell you feel differently now."

I get to my feet and walk around the desk. He leans back while I move to stand between his legs.

"I might like you a bit more now," I murmur and brush my lips against his.

"Just a bit, eh?" he growls and grabs my ass, pulling me off-balance as I tumble onto his lap.

His mouth crushes against mine and he swoops his tongue into my mouth to kiss me the way he likes to fuck me; hard, rough, and all-consuming.

Glass shatters, forcing us apart as we both hit the ground to take cover. Both of us palm our guns and I move around the desk to check out the window. Throwing a glance at Marvin, I notice he's doing the same thing from the other side.

"Gunshot?" I whisper.

"Yeah." Marvin plasters his back against the desk and I do the same so we're sitting shoulder to shoulder.

"Both service weapons of the agents taken by the serial killer are still missing," I state.

"Someone just shot through my old lady's office window," Marvin grits through the phone. "Probably, yes. 10-4."

I wait till he puts his phone away to ask, "Dean?"

"Yes, he's six minutes out. We're gonna sit tight until he gets here."

"I like you a lot, Marvin," I confess. "Our ride might have started off rocky with you being an asshole and all, buying the ranch I wanted without telling me what your intentions were, but I'm rather fond of you now. I might be close to adoring you when you're giving me those lovely orgasms, and it could possibly be a foundation for love–"

"Boss lady?" Marvin grunts.

I turn to face him. "Yes?"

"You're not going to die any time soon, you hear me?"

I swallow hard to hopefully hide the panic and distress in my voice when I croak, "I hear you."

He keeps his gun in one hand and offers me the other palm up. I slide my palm over his calloused hand and link our fingers together. There haven't been many moments I've feared for my life, and most times run toward danger without thinking about the fact that my next breath could be my last.

Now? Maybe it's because everyone panicked and called a mere moment ago, or the fact that my life shifted with new goals and a promise of a bright future. Whatever it is, I feel the balance of life and death.

"Fuck, you're bleeding," Marvin growls and unlinks our hands to grab my shoulder.

With the adrenaline rush, I didn't feel anything, but when I stare down at the torn fabric of my uniform, I realized someone indeed took a shot at me.

"The bullet grazed you." Marvin's mouth is set in a tight line.

Glass crunches and Marvin's gaze locks on mine. There are no words needed between us; the look we give one another lets us know we're both aware that someone is in the room with us.

The panic and distress I felt a mere moment ago are washed away by the rush of adrenaline pumping through my veins. There's no damn way I will let anything or anyone take a future from me. Especially when I barely got a taste of what my life with Marvin can be like.

I take a breath and slowly release to gain focus on what I'm about to do. The determination on my face must give Marvin all the explanation he needs because he simply gives me a tight nod.

As if we've been working together for years, we move fluently as we aim our weapons around the desk. The face of the man comes into view, recognition sets in and I watch him pull the trigger at the same time I fire off a round.

The air is ripped from my lungs while my body jerks with the impact of the bullet. I manage to fire off another round and hear Marvin shoot at Davey as well. My knees buckle as I watch Davey crumble to the ground. Marvin runs forward to kick the gun from Davey's hand.

He takes out his phone and snaps, "We got him, send a damn ambulance, Kathleen is hit."

I must have closed my eyes for a moment to try and breathe through the burning pain in my chest because I hear Marvin rumble beside me, "Give me your eyes, boss lady. Come on, stay with me."

"I can take a damn nap 'cause we got the fucker," I grumble.

Marvin makes a sound that's a mix of half a sob, and half a laugh. "You can take all the naps once I know you don't have any critical internal damage."

Ignoring his words I wonder, "Why did Davey go on a suicide mission? We weren't close to catching him mere hours ago."

Marvin gently brushes his fingers along my temple. "When your father called you, Dean called me. He told me one of the prospects talked to the press. Davey knew he was exposed. His name along with a picture of his face was shown on TV right before you interrupted their livestream."

"I hope he kicked the prospect out of the club," I grumble.

"Sure as fuck did," Dean rumbles and squats down next to me.

I blink a few times. "Where did you come from? Ouch, stop touching my breasts."

Swatting his hand away, Dean chuckles and says, "Her Kevlar vest took the bullet, gonna hurt like a bitch."

"Dean's a paramedic," Marvin grits. "It's the only reason why he's close to your boobs."

Marvin hauls me into his arms and gets to his feet. "Ambulance out front?"

"Will be in a minute or two," Dean affirms.

"Wrap up the case, I'm going to take care of my old lady."

Dean pats Marvin on the back. "You got it, brother."

I sink into the warmth of my old man's embrace and close my eyes. It's been a long day and I could really use a nap right about now.