Free Crave by Erzabet Bishop

dragging her around and showing her off.
    The woman in her didn’t mind, but the cop part of her brain kept churning. The Bondage Ripper was still out there.
    She tugged on a fresh pair of jeans and a Peter Murphy tee, not caring where they were going. After the day she had, it was all about comfort coming home to a cup of hot tea and maybe a warm sub to share it with.
    “Are you ready to go?” She had to get out of here. Her mind was just going crazy. Linnet reached down and scratched Niggles’s head. “You be good.” The cat stretched and gave her an irritated look before he took off down the hall to her bedroom.
    “You interrupted his tummy scratch.”
    “Sorry.”
    “Let’s go.” He held the door for her while she secured it, and they wandered out into the night.

Chapter Six
    “I have to find her.” Gage stared at the camera footage on the screen, nausea churning in his gut. What he’d been looking for had been staring him in the face, and he didn’t even know it. Linnet had been here right under his nose. Did she even know he was here? He doubted it.
    She loved him. Once. He shifted camera angles and times based on the information from Kelly’s report. There he was. Like Linnet, he’d changed his appearance. His hair was an umber shade of brown to the point of almost being black. His complexion was darker like he’d spent some time in a tanning bed and not the suburban WASP type he’d been seven years ago.
    A knock sounded on the door, and Kelly entered the office. “There’s someone here to see you.”
    “Who?”
    The male submissive he’d seen with the redheaded Domme downstairs strode in, a woman at his side with long red hair. It was when he caught sight of her face that the breath left his body. This time there was no mask to hide her from him.
    “Linnet…”
    “Gage.” The longing in her voice made his guts rip to shreds.
    “Mr. Maxwell, I’m Ryder Jamison. In your system, I’m known as R.” He paused. “I believe we’ve seen each other around the club from time to time.”
    “Go on.” Gage got up from behind his desk. He didn’t want to talk to the sub. He wanted to talk to Linnet.
    “I’m also working with Linnet and the police department on a case in which I believe you are unfortunately familiar.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “The Bondage Ripper. I presume you’ve watched the news. There are things that haven’t been presented the public at large.” Ryder glanced at Linnet.
    “You can tell him.”
    “Tell me what?”
    “I’m a psychologist working with the department because of the BDSM elements of the case.”
    “Okay.” His eyes strayed to Linnet, but she’d turned away, her gaze focused on a spot on the fish tank in the corner of the room.
    “The same person who has been committing these murders is the same man who attacked Linnet seven years ago.”
    Gage started. “How the hell do you know that?”
    “Because he wrote my name in blood at the scene.” Linnet’s eyes met his, and for a moment he could see the girl he used to know in their depths. Then the moment was gone. This Linnet was stronger, even in her fear. Her body more lush, her mannerisms more sure.
    “Linnet…” Ryder considered Gage and his eyes snapped to Linnet. “Well. I think this one’s all you.”
    “Ryder…” Her voice hitched and then he saw her stiffen her stance. “You’re right.”
    “I believe you two have things you need to say to each other. I’ll be just outside.” His eyes trailed to Linnet. “If you need me, call.” He trailed a finger down the side of her face and placed a kiss on her cheek. “You can do this.”
    He kissed her. The motherfucker kissed her right in front of him. Gage wanted to rip his head off and shove him out the office door himself. But then he looked closer and saw something else. She was scared, and that took the rage right out of him.
    She nodded, her face white and her eyes wide. The sub strode to the door and shut it behind him