Free Evidence of Marriage by Ann Voss Peterson

stick together.”
    â€œOh, that. Don’t worry. I know it isn’t personal.” He was clearly making fun of her. But there was no humor in his voice.
    She couldn’t blame him. There was nothing funny about this situation. Nothing at all. Being around Reed today had made her feel empty and vulnerable and raw. And he didn’t seem to be faring much better.
    He walked toward the door and laid a hand on the knob. But instead of pulling it open, he turned back to face her. “You know, Sylvie isn’t the only one in danger here.”
    Of course she knew that. “All the women in the Madison area are in danger.”
    â€œYou should get out of town, too.”
    She held up a hand. They’d been through this before, his need to protect her, to take care of her, to control everything that happened in her life. “I don’t need to hear this again.”
    â€œEverything both you and I said to Sylvie also applies to you.”
    â€œExcept the pregnancy.” She hoped the last bit would add some levity. It fell far short.
    She folded her arms around her middle. She hadn’t eaten all day, yet she didn’t feel hungry. If anything, the nervous vibration in her stomach made her feel as sick as Sylvie had looked.
    She drew in a deep breath and forced confidence into her voice. “I’m in a position to talk to Kane, to understand the way he thinks, maybe even to find out who the copycat is and where he is holding Nadine Washburn. I can’t leave. You of all people know that.”
    â€œYou have a very optimistic view of what Kane is going to let you learn.”
    â€œOptimistic?” She threw up her hands and let them land against her thighs with a stinging smack. “I don’t know if he’s going to tell me anything. But we have to use what we can get, don’t we?”
    â€œWithin reason.”
    â€œReason? What is reasonable? Or maybe you should ask Nadine Washburn’s mother that question.”
    â€œIf Nadine has been abducted by the copycat, I want to save her every bit as much as you do.”
    â€œI don’t doubt that.”
    â€œThen what’s your point?”
    â€œI know what it’s like to be tied to a bed in the darkness, waiting to die. I know what she’s thinking. I know what she’s feeling. I’m the only one in this room who truly understands what’s within reason and what isn’t.”
    Reed’s face went rigid. “I understand perfectly. I was there when you were kidnapped, remember? I might not know what Nadine feels, but I more than understand the pain her mother is living through. I understand the worry. I understand the helplessness. I understand the guilt.”
    â€œGuilt?” Obviously somewhere in his last monologue, Reed had stopped talking about Nadine’s mother and started describing himself. “Why on earth would you feel guilty? Vincent Bertram nearly killed you.”
    He shook his head slowly, his black eyes boring into her. “Bertram was nothing. Losing you nearly killed me.”
    The weight of his look solidified and sank into her chest. “Reed, don’t.”
    â€œWhy the hell not? I’m sick of pretending that you breaking off our marriage was good for both of us. I’m sick of pretending seeing you again is just business, just part of my job. Ever since you walked into that damn diner this morning, all I can think about is how I shouldn’t be seeing the way you brush your hair from your cheek or hearing that tremble in your voice when you’re frightened. Or your scent… God, I certainly shouldn’t be leaning toward you every chance I get just to breathe you in.”
    She turned away from him. She wanted him to stop. He had to stop. She couldn’t hear this.
    â€œDamn it, Diana. When you’re around, I can’t see anything but you.”
    â€œThen why did you insist on going with me? Why didn’t you let Nikki