No Escape From War (Trouble for Hire #1) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,74
been.
It had taken all of War’s strength to get off that floor and go after Gary. But there was no way he would have let Rose die. “I think she didn’t want me having his death on my conscience or something like that.”
Odin made a face.
“I know. My conscience would have been just fine.” He risked a glance at the TV. She wasn’t on yet. “But there were vics the cops didn’t know about. A whole hell of a lot more. That sick freak was at this for a while.”
“I hear there won’t be any deals for him.” Odin put down the empty cup.
“Not a damn one.” He’d get life in prison or death row. A jury would decide his fate. “I wanted that yogurt.”
“Um.”
War shook his head. He saw the segment he’d been waiting on pop up. War grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.
“Gary Strom has admitted to stalking and murdering eleven women,” Rose said as she stood in front of the courthouse. Her voice was grim, sad. “His confession came following a police search of his office—a search that uncovered records of his attacks dating back five years.”
“Five years,” Odin repeated. “Jesus.”
War didn’t look away from the screen.
“Gary Strom would stalk his prey relentlessly. Document his hunts with photos. Then close in for the kill.” Her solemn gaze stared into the camera. “I was one of his victims. A victim lucky enough to survive thanks to the incredible bravery of a man named Warren Channing.”
“Aw, she called you Warren.”
“Shut the hell up.” She was wearing the ring. The ring that had been in evidence for a while, but they had just managed to get back. Lynn had pulled strings for them. He’d seriously owe her.
“Warren Channing is a private investigator with Trouble For Hire, and his help was instrumental in apprehending Strom.”
“Oh, look,” Odin sounded impressed. “She makes it sound nice. Like you didn’t nearly choke the life from that SOB in a blind rage.”
“Wasn’t blind. I could see perfectly.” He’d known exactly what he was doing. Killing to protect. Killing to destroy the threat. Killing…because Rose had to be safe.
“I’m speaking out tonight because I want the world to know what happened to me. What happened to all of those women.” Rose lifted her chin. “It is estimated that one in six women will experience stalking at some point. If you are a victim, you don’t need to suffer and fear in silence. You can get help. You can fight. You can stop the monsters out there.”
“I like her.”
War’s gaze cut to Odin.
His friend was staring straight at the screen.
“I like her, too,” War said.
“Notice she’s wearing your ring.”
He inclined his head. “Good of you to see that.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“As soon as I can get her in a church.”
“Do I get to be the best man?”
“You know it.”
Odin smiled.
And War went back to watching his favorite reporter. God, he loved that woman.
***
“You are getting way too much joy out of this whole deal,” War grumbled as his hands clamped around the arms of his wheelchair.
“Aw, someone is grumpy,” Rose announced in a perky voice.
He turned his head so he could glare back at her. “I am more than capable of walking.”
“Yes, but the lovely folks at the hospital have a policy against that, so you have to be pushed out until your sweet feet hit the curb. I volunteered to push so…enjoy the ride.” She smiled at him.
He got caught by her smile. Couldn’t look away. Didn’t want to stare anywhere else. Rose was happy. She was safe.
Everything was right in his world.
“What were the doctor’s orders?” she asked as she pushed him through the sliding glass doors that had just opened. “Are you, um, supposed to avoid any certain activities?”
Oh, that was precious. She thought he’d be avoiding his favorite activity? No way in hell. “Supposed to take things slow,” he replied as his head turned forward once more. “I figure you can be on top, and I can watch as you slowly ride—”
“War!”
Now it was his turn to smile. “You don’t like that plan?” His car was waiting at the curb. She’d driven it. Did she know that she was the only other person he’d ever allowed to drive his baby?
“I love that plan,” Rose whispered as her mouth slid against his ear. “Can’t wait to get you home so we can start enjoying that plan.”
He figured he was close enough to the curb. War shoved out of the chair.