Free In Zach's Arms (Once a Marine, Always a Marine Book 1) by Kori David Page B

This isn’t like him. Not at all.”
    “What do you know about him, Bea? I mean, do you think he’s capable of something like this?”
    “I’m aiming to find out,” she said grimly.
    “Might I suggest you let Wolfe handle this, ladies?” Zach said.
    He was right. Bea shouldn’t be snooping around Mr. McCreedy’s apartment. What if he found out and became violent? She shuddered at the thought of Bea getting hurt.
    “You might have a point,” Bea said. “I’ll give him a call back right now. You take care of Elizabeth.”
    “I will, Ma’am.”
    Tears were welling up. Just when she was beginning to feel safe again. “I’m scared, Zach. What if he comes here?”
    “If he makes it this far, I’ll take care of him. No one is going to hurt you, but you need to be more aware of your safety.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    He kissed her on the forehead. “I need to call a friend and let him know about McCreedy.”
    Elizabeth nodded, not wanting him to know how cold she felt when he let go of her. She didn’t want to be that weak clingy woman. She had to be strong. Remembering the mail scattered by the front door, she got up to clean the mess.
    That’s when she saw the package.
    She remembered that Henry had handed it to her, but she’d been so lost in her own world that she had never looked at it on the walk back to the cabin. In fact, she’d completely forgotten about it until now.
    “Hey Zach,” she said, staring at the package in a new light. “Can you look at the mail?”
    Today’s postage was on it with her name and Zach’s address. No return address or name. She was suddenly very leery of touching it again.
    “What is it?” Zach asked coming up behind her.
    “I’m expecting a couple things in the mail, but nothing that would fit into a small box,” she said, pointing at the package wrapped in brown paper. “Detective Wolfe is sending some victim’s affidavit, but that would have been in a flat envelope. And I’m sure it would have a return address.”
    “Bring me a Ziploc bag and the tongs from the kitchen drawer.”
    She ran into the kitchen and got the items he requested. She returned and watched as Zach examined the box.  
    “Fuck.” He turned the package over with the tongs. “This was mailed from right here in Flagstaff.”
    “But it was mailed today, the post office isn’t that fast.”
    He pointed to the label off to the side. “Express delivery. This is still a small community. Small enough to make sure this package made it here today.”
    He pulled a large pocket knife from his jeans and used the blade to slice open the tape. With the tongs he carefully opened the box and pulled out what was inside. It looked like some kind of silky material that was a dark forest-green color.
    “Oh God. Those are mine.”
    Bile rose up and burned her throat. In the grip of the tongs was the pair of underwear that had been stolen from her dresser during the first burglary.
    “Beth,” Zach said. “Elizabeth,” he said in a louder voice, snapping her out of her stupor.
    “Uh huh, I’m okay,” she managed. Her voice shook.
    “I need the Ziploc, honey. I don’t want to touch these, they might have evidence on them.” His tone was grim. “Let me get them in the bag and then we can put them out of sight.”
    She handed over the bag, nodding. “I’m fine, really, it was just a shock.”
    “I know. You’re doing great, and you are safe here.”
    His face was completely devoid of any emotion. He was in Marine mode and only his eyes gave away any indication of what he felt. It should have terrified her, that look in his eyes.
    That look said that he could, and would, kill anyone that threatened her.
    “I need to call the police,” she said.
    He nodded and kissed her on the forehead as he stood. “Make the call.”

    ***

    He watched from his hiding spot as she stepped outside, rubbing her arms as if she were cold. Her long blonde hair was down, wavy around her shoulders. She scanned the