Stars Over Alaska (Wild River #4) - Jennifer Snow Page 0,96

were wrapped around his waist, but unfortunately, they were the wrong ones. “So happy to see you,” Selena said, smiling up at him.

He forced one of his own, squeezing her quickly with one arm then releasing her. “Happy to see you in one piece as well,” he said. She looked tired and she was dirty and wet from the hike along the highway to get cell reception, but other than that, she was injury-free.

“I knew not to trust that guy,” she said and he saw Leslie’s irritation mount.

Eddie saw it too and quickly addressed Selena. “Hey, why don’t I start taking your statement? Get you some coffee and something to eat.”

The movie star nodded, but then glanced at Leslie as though for reassurance.

“It’s fine. Go with Eddie. I’ll be there in a minute,” she said.

Selena followed Eddie to his office. Leaving the two of them alone.

Levi cleared his throat. “I want to kill him for doing that to you,” he said.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Leslie said, forever tough, forever strong. “Um, aren’t you supposed to be in Florida?”

Obviously she didn’t want to discuss what had happened. Unfortunately, that meant he had some explaining to do. “I am, yes, but Eddie called.”

She shook her head. “You were supposed to be ignoring Eddie’s calls, remember?”

“I knew something was wrong. When you weren’t answering... I just had a feeling that something was wrong, that’s all.”

She stared at him as though conflicted by his actions. That made two of them, but he couldn’t regret his decision. He wanted to give himself shit over putting his career on the line, but ultimately it was a decision he’d make over and over again. What if something had happened to her? The thought of potentially losing her for good was too much. He was glad he was there. This was the only place he should be right now.

Although standing there, not touching her was torture.

She looked like she’d been through hell that week and he was a mess, but he didn’t care, he’d wrap his arms around her, if she’d give any indication that she’d welcome that.

She didn’t. Instead, she folded her arms across her chest. “What about the assist call?”

“I can’t say I’m even thinking about that right now.” He stepped forward and touched her arms anyway. “All I care about is you being okay.”

“I’m fine. And you could have risked your job...”

“It’s a risk I was willing to make. For that matter, it’s a risk I’d make over and over again.”

She shook her head, irritated by his concern. “That doesn’t even make any sense, Levi. This is what we do. We all know there’s an element of danger in our careers. The job comes first.”

“Not for me. Not when it comes to you,” he said gently. Of course she’d feel that way. She’d grown up with a family of law enforcers who put their careers above all else. She’d been prepared to marry someone who would do the same... Who had done the same.

He wasn’t like the rest of them. He’d never had a real, solid family, anyone he could rely on, depend on...and Leslie was the person he trusted and loved the most in the world. That was worth putting above all else, even if she didn’t feel that way.

Her expression changed, softened slightly, then she looked away quickly. “I should get cleaned up and get ready to give my statement.”

He nodded slowly and let his hands drop. What had he expected? This love had always been one-sided. Thinking that things might have changed that week between them had been foolish. “Yeah. I should go too.” He was covered in sweat and soot and he smelled like a wildfire. He wasn’t exactly making it hard for her to resist him.

“Levi, I...” She stopped as though she had no idea how to finish the sentence. No matter what she said, it wouldn’t be what he longed to hear.

“Yeah, I know. Take care, Leslie.” Walking quickly, he headed down the hall and out of the station, hoping he didn’t look as pathetic as he felt.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

THE NEXT TWENTY-FOUR hours were a blur and it was only when she was in her seat on a plane from Anchorage to LA that Leslie let herself relax. The Alaska state trooper department was holding Eoghan in custody until he could be transferred back to California. Leslie and Selena had provided their statements and she’d received medical treatment for a fractured cheekbone. Her call to Federico at