Rebecca Zanetti - Forgotten Sins

He twitched. Then gave a low moan. Pain suffused the sound.

Her heart lurched. Her mind spun.

During their brief marriage, although he’d had no clue, she’d learned how to soothe his nightmares. To help him rest and get needed sleep. It was so easy and natural—and just took a soft whisper and touch. No matter who he was, she could only be herself. If he was in pain, she couldn’t sit by and watch. She didn’t want to be a person who’d sit by and watch.

An agonized growl rumbled from his chest.

Oh, this was a bad idea. She crept forward, gingerly resting one knee on his bed. Reaching his side, she snuggled down, her head on his outstretched arm. Warm cedar filled her senses. She placed her hand over his heart. “It’s okay, Shane. Only good dreams tonight,” she whispered. With a soft sigh, she closed her eyes and let darkness take over.

Shane kept his breathing even, his body relaxed. His heart thumped against her palm. Awakening, he’d heard her move from the bed and had wondered. Would she head for the door? No. She hadn’t. The woman had cuddled up with danger to provide comfort for him. Security. Love.

His heart warmed until it hurt. Vulnerability and need filtered through him, followed by determination. He didn’t know how the hell he’d lost her before. No matter what it took, no matter who he had to walk through, he wouldn’t lose her again.

A truck passed by on the interstate, and he calculated the weight load and speed. A cricket chirped outside, and he identified the species. A woman breathed deep next to him, and he measured her heart rate. With his hearing.

He knew every way to kill a person, and he could do so without hesitating. In fact, hesitating didn’t seem to be part of his makeup. What kind of a monster didn’t feel anything when he killed? People should fear monsters. So far, nothing scared him—nobody could stop him. He closed his eyes against the reality that if his memories came back, he’d be the one thing he feared.

Josie sighed next to him, and he could hear her lungs fill with air.

Jesus. Who the hell was he?

Josie mumbled to herself, her head bent over the figures laid out on her desk. Her head ached. She needed to get dimmers on the lights in her office. The room was almost perfect with the thick desk she’d chosen to match the chairs. Prints of famous Western oil paintings lined the walls.

Although it had taken her all day and several pots of coffee, she’d found one of the problems in the Larson Corporation file—a mistake in the revenue figures. How freaking high had Billy been the last year while doing the corporation’s books? This was malpractice and not some minor math mistake. She’d have to meet with the client soon.

She tugged her gray skirt smooth. Thank goodness she’d had a change of clothing and makeup bag at work.

A blond head poked in the door. “I’m heading home, boss.”

Josie glanced up and forced a smile for her secretary. “Home or out for some fun?”

Vicki grinned and stepped inside. She’d removed her blue jacket to reveal a sleek black dress. “Out for some fun. Want to go?”

Not in a million years. They might be about the same age, but Josie felt decades older. “No, thanks.” Until Shane picked her up. While she still didn’t trust him, he could keep her safe from whoever was after him—and thus keep Tom safe. The two men who’d tried to attack Tom’s house would’ve killed him, and she couldn’t let that happen. She focused on her secretary. “I think I’ll work late.”

Vicki shrugged a curvy shoulder. “I figured.” Her thickly mascaraed eyes widened. “Was that cop mad earlier or what?”

“That’s an understatement.” Detective Malloy was no dummy. The story of how she’d gone willingly with Shane had sounded ridiculous, even to her ears. But there wasn’t anything the detective could do, absent taking her into custody. Which apparently he wasn’t ready to do. Though she wouldn’t be surprised to find herself under surveillance. The cop had even more questions about the two men Shane had left trussed up for the police. Because apparently they weren’t cooperating with Malloy.

Vicki wrinkled her forehead, concern glimmering in her eyes. “So are you really staying with Tom Marsh? I mean, now that your husband is in town?”

Josie shifted in her chair. “I didn’t tell anyone about my husband because I’m getting a divorce.” All she needed was a guilt trip from her secretary. “A clean start seemed like a good idea, you know?”

Vicki nodded. “Yeah, I get that. Though staying at Tom’s now is kind of risky, boss.”

Josie rolled her eyes. “Eavesdropping on the detective?”

Vicki giggled. “He was yelling at you. It was hard not to eavesdrop.”

Yeah, Josie had lied to the detective. Was that against the law? She needed to Google “false statements to police officials.” Wasn’t it a crime only if they were federal agents instead of county officials? “I’m not staying with Tom any longer. Have fun tonight, Vicki.” Happy hunting.

Vicki nodded and then glanced to the side. “Hi ya, Tom.” She winked at Josie and headed toward the elevators.

Tom nodded absently and stalked into the room to drop into a guest chair. A rip marred the work shirt which he filled quite nicely. The guy was religious about using the building’s gym. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

Josie nodded. They’d had this discussion via telephone several times during the day. “Yes. I told you, Shane left town.” The lie fell easily from her lips. Growing up in foster care, she’d learned to lie early and well. Just to keep people happy. “Detective Malloy is setting me up somewhere safe until we know for sure.” Another lie.

Tom kicked his legs out, crossing scuffed work boots at the ankles. “Why are you at work?”

“I can’t hide. Plus, I need to fix these books.”

Tom’s grin brightened the room. “I’m pretty sure that didn’t come out right.”

Josie laughed, her shoulders relaxing for the first time that day. “Good point. I didn’t mean that, and you’re above accountant jokes.”

He shrugged. “It was an easy one. Sorry I couldn’t be here earlier—rough day. I’m bidding on three different jobs right now.”

“I know what you mean about having a rough day.”

Tom glanced at his watch, a frown settling on his handsome face.

“Do you need to go, Tom?” He had to go. Shane would be there soon.

Tom frowned. “I have a meeting with a pain-in-the-ass client who might want to build a fast-food restaurant, but I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“Why is he a pain?” Josie stretched her neck.

Tom flushed. “She. She’s a pain.”

“Oh?” Josie bit back a grin. “Is she flirting with you?”

“Yes.” Tom cleared his throat. “The woman is all hands.”

“Do you like her?”

“Maybe.” His eyes warmed. “Though I’ve been waiting for you.”

Josie shrugged, unease filtering down her spine. “I’m a mess. Don’t miss out on something because of me.”

Regret flashed in his eyes, followed by humor. “Good enough. So, when will Malloy be here?”

“He’s on his way.” She hated lying. “Also, Johnston’s office is just down the hall. He’s always the last to leave.” Which was usually the truth. But today he’d gone to meet with the board of directors of the biggest bank in town. Gaining the bank as a client would be huge for the accounting firm.

A phone buzzed. Tom grabbed his cell from his pocket, reading the screen with a frown. “Okay. I have to go. Call me tonight so I know you’re safe.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Darn it. She’d really screwed up his life. The guy had been knocked out last night. Josie sighed. Why couldn’t she have fallen in love with a great guy like Tom?

“I’ll call. Good luck with your client.”

He nodded and hustled toward the door, running into Daniel.

“Hey. I was just going to head to your floor and see if you wanted to go for a drink,” Daniel said. He’d shucked his fancy coat and had rolled his monogrammed shirt up to the elbows. Even his Burberry tie looked askew.

Tom shook his head. “I have a meeting with a client. Plus, we have a basketball game tomorrow night.”

Daniel rolled his eyes. “Drinking doesn’t affect my game, Sally.”

Tom snorted. “See you tomorrow.” He hurried down the hall.

Daniel rubbed his clean-shaven jaw, glancing at Josie. “You’re working late.”

She lifted a shoulder. “I’m trying to keep up with you. Rumor has it you got the school district account on the golf course.” Apparently playing golf with the superintendent led to business.

“Yes. A lot of business deals are made on the golf course.” He frowned.

“I don’t play golf.” Especially with men. Life sucked.

Daniel exhaled, exhaustion dimming his eyes for a moment. “So you don’t play golf with the guys. Many women own businesses in the area—join the chamber of commerce and meet some. Join women’s groups like the PTO and meet some. Use what you have, Josie.”

Why was Dan giving her ideas? She lifted both eyebrows. “That’s actually good advice.”

He shrugged. “I like the playing field level. Simple as that.” He turned on his Italian loafer and disappeared from sight.

Interesting. Maybe Dan didn’t suck as much as she’d thought. Josie grabbed her calculator, adding and reading the figures on the spreadsheet before her for Agers Hardware. Why wouldn’t they match up? She bit her lip, grabbing the rest of the file from the bottom drawer.

Her door closed.

She hissed out a breath, pushing back from the desk. “Shane. I didn’t hear you.”