C

lenching my fingers into a tight fist, i breathed through another stitch being woven into my arm.

I let out the breath when the physician’s assistant stopped for a moment.

“You’re doing really great,” she said as she continued to close the wound. Thankfully she’d numbed the area around it first, but I could still feel the tightening, burning, sizzling sensation.

“Where’s my sister!” I heard my sister’s cool, don’t—mess—with—me tone demand from a distance beyond the closed curtain where I was being treated in the Emergency Room.

“My daughter? Simone Kerrighan. Please…” I heard Mama Kerri’s more seasoned and lilting, emotional voice come through.

“Over here, guys!” I hollered out.

The blue curtain was pulled away and there were my sister and my foster mother. Sonia put her hands over her mouth and tears filled her ocean blue eyes. With her white blonde hair, red painted lips and those eyes, she looked like an angel. A suit—wearing, super serious angel who was currently trying to hide her devastation.

“Oh, my goodness me, what happened to my girl?” Mama Kerri rounded the bed and cupped both of my cheeks. “Mama, I’m okay, really. I uh…” I bit down on my bottom lip trying to determine what to tell them, not wanting to worry them unnecessarily.

“I want answers. Now.” My sister had already turned toward the approaching doctor, arms crossed over her chest, her team of suits standing a reasonable distance behind her. The doc was short, Asian, and kept a flat thin line to his lips. He seemed unimpressed with my sister’s demands and ignored her completely. I needed to take notes from the man.

“Ms. Wright—Kerrighan.” He looked down at the electronic device he was holding, using my full name. “Gunshot wound to the arm, bruised hip, scratches and abrasions on the hands and knees.” He flipped a page.

“Gunshot!” My sister gasped, her hand flying to her chest over her heart, interrupting the doc.

“I’m fine, SoSo, just a graze…” I attempted to soothe her concern.

“Just a graze! How? What in the world happened?” My normally insanely calm sister petered out, her bottom lip wobbling as a tear fell down the side of her cheek. She swiped it away as fast as it appeared lest someone see her crack.

Her crying made me tear up, and I was doing damn good considering.

The doctor assessed the work the PA was doing. “Looks great. Once you’re stitched up, we’ll set you up with some antibiotics to ward off an infection. The discharge nurse will go over the cleansing and bandaging procedure. You need to follow up with your doctor in a couple weeks though the stitches should dissolve over the next ten days or so. Leave them clean and dry for the next forty—eight hours but you can take a shower like normal after that timeframe. Any questions?”

“Yes. The agent that I came in with. Is he okay?”

“Can’t say. You’re not family, but a couple of officers would like to speak with you shortly. I told them to wait until you were stitched up.”

“Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate it.” I frowned and thought about Agent Fontaine as the doctor left us. The man had saved my life. I didn’t even know his first name and he’d taken three bullets to the chest in order to keep me safe. He could have died. Thank God he was wearing that vest and the criminal took off. Not that I was thrilled he’d taken my car with him, but the alternative would have been worse.

“Sweetheart, what happened?” Mama Kerri squeezed my good hand as my sister came around to the other side of the bed and put her own on my shoulder, comforting me as much as herself. My sister had the ice princess thing down, but not when it came to me. I was her vulnerability in a big way. The weakest link in her armor. Which was also why I hated letting her down more than just about anything.

I swallowed and figured the best policy was always an honest one.

For the next half hour or so I explained what happened— from my douchebag boss, getting gas, the weird experience of the cashier trying to wave me back in that I ignored. Really wished I’d made a different choice at that moment. Then to the guy pulling me over with his gun visible, how I was scared that I was being arrested for no reason, then everything seemed to go dead silent in the room as I detailed what happened when the man crawled out of my car. It was like I was reliving it all over again.

The creak of metal from the door had me flinching.

Feeling the agent’s breath so warm and comforting against my cheek sent a wave of warmth through my body.

His scent wafting around us like a blanket being place around me.

Seeing the light from the car glinting off the shiny black gun. I winced.

Those two eyes holes cut out of the fabric and the one for his mouth flashing like a predator standing over me. I shrank back into the hospital bed on instinct.

The boom of the gun as it went off. I jerked and cried out.

When I came to, blinking away the experience and the retelling of it, Mama Kerri was sitting on the bed and I was in her arms. The PA was done, and I was in the only maternal arms I’d ever remembered. She ran her hand along my hair and back, over and over, as I cried, my face pressed to her ample chest. The smell of fresh cut flowers filled my nose as it always did when Mama Kerri held me. I trembled as she spoke quietly.

“You’re okay, my girl. Just fine. Right here with me and

Sonia. We’ve got you, my lovely. I’ve always got you.” And she did.

From the moment Sonia and I had walked up to her door hand in hand, Mama Kerri took care of us. Like a beautiful earthy goddess. Long, curly strawberry blonde hair. Pale pink lips. Pearly white skin. Eyes that seemed to change from blue to hazel depending on the day or the emotion she felt. However, none of that beauty could beat the sound of her voice. It resonated at a timber and lilt that brought a sense of peace and serenity that couldn’t be matched. Not ever.

“Mama,” I sobbed and gripped onto her wherever I could, letting it all out. The fear. The hopelessness of the situation while it was happening and even the worry over my savior’s prognosis.

“It’s okay. Mama’s here.” She patted my back and whispered against my temple. “You’re just fine. You. Are. Just. Fine.” Her words broke as she held me tighter. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that. It sounds terrifying. Don’t you worry though. I’ve got you. Sonia and I have you, dear.”

I sniffled through my tears and took several breaths, allowing her to comfort me until I got myself back in check.

“Senator Wright, please excuse me. I apologize for interrupting, but we just got word the story has already leaked to the press. They saw you coming into the hospital and someone confirmed it was your sister that had been targeted.”

Sonia sighed as I sucked in a huge breath trying not to cry more. “I’m sorry, SoSo. I didn’t…”

“Wasn’t your fault. This was a random act of violence and we need to be grateful that you weren’t more seriously hurt.”

“Actually, about that…” The cute man shuffled his feet and grimaced. “The news is reporting it was an attempt by the Backseat Strangler…”

“What!” Sonia screeched and her entire face went deathly pale.

“No…” I practically choked on the word.

The young assistant, I think his name was Logan, firmed his stance and lifted his chest as he glanced down at his phone. “He crawled into her car at a gas station. Hid in the back.” He was reading something as though he’d been told my story directly. “The only other woman that got away stated he was tall, thin, white, and wore all black including a ski mask.”

My hand shook as I lifted it to my mouth. Exact same thing happened tonight.

“He’s killed eight other women in this manner. One of the women he attacked got away and has disappeared off the map, and now, uh, your sister.” He licked his lips and seemed to gather himself, which if I’d been in a better mental headspace, I would have congratulated him for. Dealing with a pissed—off Sonia was no walk in the park on a good day and he was doing his best. “We’re going to need to get on top of this…” He frowned.

“Right now I need to focus on my sister. You need to call

Quinn…”

“And who’s Quinn?” He wrote down the name on notepad and I sighed. He must be really new. Sonia tended to be a hard—ass and go through assistants like she went through the Sunday paper. Quinn was my sister’s right—hand man, her BFF jack of all trades who also happened to be gay and dress fabulously. I was jealous of his abilities in all things. He even was capable of managing my sister, something no one had been able to do, not even Mama Kerri. However, I also knew he’d just gotten back from a much—needed two—week vacation. Hence the reason newbie Logan didn’t know about him.

“Head of PR,” she ground out. “He’s just come back from the Bahamas. Explain what’s happened, sparing no detail. I’ll deal with the press after I’ve ensured my sister’s safety and well—being.” She waved her hand in the air, dismissing the poor guy. “Thank you.” She added onto her instruction as if she’d realized how bitchy she sounded.

“You may leave.”

He nodded and scampered away like a long—lost puppy.

Then two uniformed officers took his place.

“Ms. Wright?”

“Wright—Kerrighan.” I held my foster mother’s hand tighter. When each of the foster girls turned of age, every one of us changed our last names, hyphenating ours with hers. Kind of like a gift to her for all she’d done over the many years she raised us. I kept the Wright because it felt wrong getting rid of every trace of our biological parents. And since that’s how Sonia kept her name, I followed along. Our other foster sisters did too. Sonia however used Wright—Kerrighan only in private. For professional reasons she chose to stick with Wright.

“Can we speak with you about what happened?” asked a man in a pair of navy slacks and an old beige sportscoat that had seen better days.

“Can they stay?” I nodded to my sister and mom.

“Oh, hello, Senator Wright. I’m sorry to be seeing you again under these circumstances.” He had a shiny gold badge clipped to his worn—out belt.

“Captain Mandle, thank you for coming.” Sonia offered a flat press of her lips as though she weren’t actually happy to see him.

“Captain?” I frowned. How many crimes came with the Captain visiting one of the victims in the hospital the night of?

“This case is sensitive, the FBI is involved, and you’re uh, well darlin’, you’re a living witness.”

And that explained it. I was alive as opposed to being dead girl number nine. Awesome. This day just kept getting better and better.

“The Backseat Strangler.” I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat.

“’Fraid so. I’m going to need to ask you a lot of questions. Many you may not have the answers to, but just do your best, yeah?”

I nodded. “I will.”

S

Peeking down the corridor, I noted a handful of officers standing around a single door at the end of the hall.

A nudge from behind had me shuffling into the open space before I’d gotten my wits together.

“Sonia, dammit! I was going for stealth mode!” I whisper—scolded under my breath.

“For what reason?” She hooked me at the elbow of my good arm, and we walked hip to hip toward the gaggle of men.

As soon as we approached, several of the uniformed officers turned around. One super tall white guy with longish layered dark blond hair that looked windswept held a hand up, palm facing out. He was dressed more professionally in a full pitch—black suit.

“This is a restricted section of the hospital. Authorized medical personal only,” he started, but my sister stepped right up to battle.

“Hello, Agent.” She glanced down his body. He smirked. “Agent Russell.”

“Agent Russell. I’m Senator Sonia Wright and my sister was attacked this evening. Your peer, Agent Fontaine, saved her life. We’d like to inquire how he’s doing, and my sister would like to say a few words if he’s up to the company.”

My sister was a freakin’ rockstar. I held her hand, interlacing our fingers, palm to palm sharing my thanks silently.

The man’s face gentled. “You’re Simone?”

“Yes. Is he okay?”

The blond man smiled, and it lit up his face, making his already handsome one rather stunning. Though the man who saved my life was far more attractive. I always swooned for tall, dark, and handsome though several of my sisters would have dug this guy.

“He’s doing really well. A couple of fractured ribs and some serious soreness and bruising but the vest did its job. He’ll be back to work in no time. Not that he’d ever rest. And how are you?”

I reached for my bandaged arm and held onto it. “Twenty—two stitches and bumps and bruises.”

“The hand?” He glanced down at the hand that was wrapped and being held by my sister.

“Scratched up from hitting the asphalt. I’ll be good as new in a few days. Um, do you think I could see him?”

He gave us a boy next door grin. “I think he’d like that very much. He’s been asking about you. Come on.” He led us through the group of men gathered around and opened the door.

I walked in and my knight in shining hospital gown turned his head and smiled huge.

My heart stopped.

All sound disappeared.

There was nothing but him and me in that moment. No machines. No hospital. No people milling about.

Just us.

I rushed to his form and threw my arms around him the best I could. He held onto me and pressed his chin to my neck.

“Thank you. Thank you for saving my life. I can’t ever repay that gift.” I snuffled against his warm, alive form.

“Hey, hey, we’re both okay. It all worked out.” He cupped the back of my neck under my hair and kissed my temple. “It all worked out.”

For a few long moments we held one another. Me standing over his bed leaning against him, him taking my weight and holding me close.

Eventually someone behind me cleared their throat.

I inhaled against his neck, the woodsy and fresh linen scent even stronger, but now mixed with something inherently rich and masculine. Pulling myself together, I leaned back and wiped the stray tears from my eyes.

“Oh, hello there. Whoa. Senator Wright?” Agent

Fontaine said, clearly shocked to see my sister’s presence.

My sister smiled softly, her entire face softening at the sight of my savior.

“Thank you, Agent Fontaine, for saving my sister’s life. I am in your debt. If there is anything me or my office can do to assist the FBI or you with anything in the future, I am at your service.”

“Wow. Uh, okay. Thank you for that.” He shook his head as if trying to clear it before focusing on me.

I grabbed his hand and took the liberty of sitting on the side of his bed, not wanting to miss anything my living hero had to say. And honestly, the view was not bad. Even roughed up and on pain killers the man was possibly the most gorgeous man on the planet.

“Do you know when you’ll be released?”

He smiled softly and I watched his perfectly shaped lips lift and fall back into place.

Dreamy.

The man was incredibly good looking, and if I didn’t have so much adrenaline running through my system after all we’d been through, I would have been a puddle of goo at his feet.

“My name’s Jonah by the way. Jonah Fontaine.”

“Jonah.” I tried his name on for size and found I liked it very much. A little thrill of hope rippled through my already over—sensitized system.

I trembled and he narrowed his eyes. “You need to get home. Except not your home. Since the perp absconded with your vehicle, I’m assuming your purse, phone, and address were in the car too?”

My sister put her arm out and squeezed my shoulder. I glanced over to her.

“You are not going home. You shouldn’t be in that tiny box anyway. You’re moving in with me,” Sonia stated flatly, going right into Big Sister Says So mode. I hated that mode and found the off switch when I turned twenty—one, but she constantly tried to flip that sucker back on and make decisions about my life.

I shook my head. “No way. I’m going back to my house.”

“The hell you are. I forbid it.” My overprotective older sister positively vibrated as a red flush encompassed her cheeks and chest, showing her burgeoning anger.

“SoSo, I’m a grown woman. No, I will not go home tonight. I agree it’s too dangerous.”

Her shoulders fell two inches and a sigh of relief escaped her perfectly painted red lips.

I glanced back at Jonah. “Though I’m sure Agent Fontaine and his perfectly capable crew of hundreds can tell me when it’s safe to return. I will need to go there tomorrow to pick up some things at least for the next week or so depending on what they say. I’ll just stay with Mama Kerri in our old room until all this is worked out. No muss, no fuss.”

“Damn, you’re one helluva strong woman, Simone.” Jonah ran his thumb over the top of my hand, and I felt the caress careen straight through to my heart.

“Thank you.” I smiled. I’d never been called strong a day in my life. Resilient, yes. Strong, no. Most often people saw me as the people pleaser. The sister always willing to help out with anyone’s desires or dreams but never having any of her own. I’d been pegged as reliable but not responsible. Late but always in attendance. Hardworking but never driven. I was good at a lot of things but master of none. Unfortunately, it was all true. Except hearing this man call me strong gave me a huge sense of pride when I very rarely felt that emotion.

“Simone, you can stay with me. The guest room can easily be transitioned into your room. You know I’d love to have you. And I’m rarely home anyway…”

I stood up and hugged my sister, wrapping my arms around her much taller and far more fit frame. Men considered me voluptuous and on the curvy side. My sister was elegance in motion. An athletic build she worked hard to keep. Said working out cleared her mind. I found my workouts by being on my feet slinging drinks and carrying dinner trays over my head, though I enjoyed eating and drinking far more than my sister. Hence the curves.

“You know I love you more than my own life…”

“And I you, that’s why I think you should stay with me, in my guarded and secure apartment.” She tried again.

“That’s not a bad idea, Simone. There’s a serial killer on the loose. And you don’t get much more guarded than an elected official, unless of course you’re the President or a celebrity,” Jonah added.

I shook my head. “Sorry. I’d be more comfortable back at Kerrighan House. Plenty of room. Mom’s there to feed and baby me. You know how it is. When something bad happens…”

“You just want to go home,” Sonia said the phrase that meant so much to the both of us. We’d always been one another’s safe place, but it was a bit different for me. I was only six when we arrived at Kerrighan House. She’d been twelve. It was the only home I really remembered or knew. To her, I was home. Not that she didn’t love our foster mother to pieces.

“Besides, if I didn’t go to her house, you know Mama’d end up at yours.”

Sonia smiled wide breaking up the tension that had built in the room. “That is true. You’re likely not going to get away from her for a while.”

I shrugged. “Why would I want to?” My foster mother was the coolest mom ever. Everyone that met her agreed. She was one of those people you just adored being around.

Sonia nodded. “Okay then. I’m going to talk to the men about perhaps seeing if we could secure a couple officers doing some rounds of the house during their patrols. It would make me feel safer knowing they have an eye on you and Mama Kerri.”

“Sure,” I relented. The woman would not settle if I didn’t give her something.

Sonia nodded. “I’ll leave you two to visit.” She turned and left.

When I focused back on Jonah, he was opening and closing his eyes as though he were fighting a battle to stay awake.

“I’ll take you to your house tomorrow afternoon. I don’t want you, your sister, or mother going there alone.”

“You really have done enough already…”

He pursed his lips and adjusted his position with a wince. “Promise me you’ll give him your information and wait for our call?”

I patted his hand. “I promise. It’s the least I can do. What’s your favorite cookie?”

He frowned and shook his head. Sleep trying to take over. “Chocolate chip. Why?”

“Because I’m going to make you and the other officers that helped us some.”

Jonah smiled. “Simone, you are something else.”

“Like what?”

He closed his eyes. “I don’t know, but it will be fun finding out.”

And that was all he said before his head fell to the side and his chest moved up and down in a deep breathing pattern, telling me he’d fallen asleep.

I leaned over and went to kiss his forehead but in the

last moment, strayed down and placed my lips feather light against his, stealing a tiny kiss from the man that saved my life. A man I wanted to get to know better. In every way that counted.

“I’ll look forward to that,” I whispered and cupped his cheek, soaking in his dark, beautiful features one last time before I let him go and slipped out of his room.

I couldn’t wait until tomorrow when I’d see him again.

Circumstances be damned.

Meeting this man, surviving what could have been a horrible tragedy, changed everything I knew in one evening. It was time to live for me.

Work toward what I wanted, and grab hold with everything I had inside of me.

And the first thing I wanted…

To get to know my savior, FBI Agent Jonah Fontaine.