He stayed in the doorway. Youll need to pack your bags. You can stay with Gisella until we catch this guy, he said, more brusquely than hed intended.
She arched a winged eyebrow. Youre really going to tell me what to do?
Didnt she understand her life was in danger? Your safety is paramount.
Her eyes flashed. No. Finding my fathers killer is the priority.
He allowed a wry smile to tip the corner of his mouth. Both are a priority. Solving your fathers murder could take months unless we catch a break. Right now you are our best lead, which makes you a target. So the most pressing issue at this precise second is getting you somewhere safe.
Corinna considered his words, and then conceded his point with a slight incline of her head and a droop to her shoulders. Fine. Ill pack a bag.
When he didnt make a move to leave the room, she came to stand in front of him. Im safe now. You and the others are here. Theres no need for you to be so worried.
He captured her hands and held them. I cant help it. If anything happens to you, I will never forgive myself.
Though she was sure she knew the answer, she asked anyway, Why do you care so much?
Two little creases formed between his eyebrows. Because youre Gregs daughter. Hes gone. Its up to me to protect you.
Unreasonable disappointment rushed over her. Why you, specifically? Why not pass me off to one of the others?
For a second, confusion darkened his hazel eyes. I have to pass you off, as you say, to Gisella. For proprietys sake.
Hearing him confirm he was taking her protection personally gave her an unexpected thrill. She shouldnt want his attention but she did. And knowing that he wanted not only to keep her safe, but to guard her reputation made tenderness tingle in her heart. Thats very old-fashioned of you. Im sure my father would be proud.
Sadness crept into his expression. Your father taught me a lot about values. And about faith. He was a great man.
She couldnt argue with that. She just wished her father had wanted to spend more time with her. Instead, hed spent time with Ben. The old hurt throbbed. She withdrew her hands. That still doesnt explain why you feel as though you have to be responsible for my safety. Im sure any of the others would do just as well.
The corners of his mouth tightened slightly. Greg asked me to look after you if anything should happen to him.
Ah. Understanding smacked her upside the head. So she was his obligation. How idiotic of her to have harbored any thought he was taking such a personal interest for other reasons.
She was glad hed put up the barrier between them. Shed let him protect her, while she protected her heart.
Quickly, she gathered her necessary belongings into a couple of tote bags, the only thing shed need to get was a toothbrush since she left hers out in the barn, and followed Ben out of the house to his Jeep.
Oh, wait! she said when she saw Gabby on the porch. Scooping up the feline, she turned to Gisella. Is it okay if Gabby comes to your house as well?
Gisella grimaced. Im sorry. Im allergic to cats.
Then my staying with you wont work. Corinna bit her lip. She could stay at the Miriam shelter she volunteered at, but as soon as the thought formed she rejected it. She wouldnt take a bed away from someone in need. I could ask Susan or Felicia if I could stay with them.
I dont think putting your friends in danger is a good idea, Ben said.
He was right, of course. She had no family left, no one to turn to. She was alone. The need to move, to dance, washed through her like a rogue wave. Only when she was dancing did she feel whole and in control. Agitation revved through her veins, her foot began to bounce. I can stay at the dance studio. Theres a couch in the locker room and Im sure Madame wouldnt mind if Gabbys there.
Ben frowned. No. Absolutely not.
Then a pet-friendly hotel will have to do.
Id rather you stayed with Gisella. Ill take the cat.
Surprised, Corinna stared at him. Really?
Yes. Ill take care of
Gabby.
Right. Gabby. I can have pets in my apartment.
She didnt even know where he lived, let alone why hed offer, but shed take it. Thank you. Her food, dish and litter box are in the laundry room.
Relief softened Bens jaw. Thats settled then. After we go to the station house, Ill take you to Gisellas.
Corinna glanced at the female Ranger. Youre kind to offer. Are you sure I wouldnt be putting you out?
Gisella smiled. Not at all. Im between roommates at the moment. The second bedroom is furnished and unoccupied.
Its a good plan, Ben said, taking one of Corinnas hands and squeezing. Stay with Gisella. Youll be safe there.
Safe.
His hazel eyes implored her to accept the offer. Part of her wanted to rebel, wanted to say no, she was strong enough, brave enough to stay here regardless of the danger. She didnt need their help. But she really wasnt foolish, either. She nodded.
After gathering her cats belongings and stowing them away in the back of the Jeep, Ben drove them to the San Antonio Police station.
This early in the morning, with the first streaks of sunrise appearing on the horizon, the green glass and yellow-sided police department building was lit up from within. Crime didnt sleep and neither did the night shift officers.
After identifying himself, Ben explained the situation to the navy-and-gold-uniformed desk sergeant. They were led to a vacant desk in the belly of the bustling department.
Have a seat, the sergeant said. Ill bring you the books for the past five years.
Perfect, Ben said as he held out a chair for Corinna.
She took a seat on the padded task chair while Ben grabbed a nearby metal folding chair, turned it around, and straddled the seat, looking directly at her. His gaze searched her face. The way he studied her was a bit unnerving. Hed been staring ever since theyd left her home.
If her dad hadnt been killed, shed have been amused by Bens overbearing way of ordering her to Gisellas. She usually didnt take to such high-handed behavior. But her father had been murdered and the recent break-in freaked her out.
The shot shed fired off still had her ears ringing, and truth be told she was scared and feeling vulnerable. The intruder could have returned to kill her instead of searching for something. Ben had said the Rangers didnt know what the guy had been seeking. Neither did she.
Here we go, the sergeant said, depositing a stack of five photo albums on the metal desktop in front of Corinna.
Each album was three inches thick. She flipped open the cover of the top one. The page was filled with small, square photos. There were hundreds of pictures to go through. It would be like looking for a viper in a pit full of every kind of snake imaginable. Her face must have betrayed her dismay at the enormity of the task facing her.
I know this seems daunting, but take your time. Scan the photos. If anyone looks remotely familiar let me know, Ben said.
She nodded and settled herself to the task. An hour and five books later, she finally shook her head. I dont know, Ben. He could be any number of these guys.
Disappointment seeped into her tone, but she couldnt help it. Shed so wanted to find the person responsible for her fathers death. She wished she could simply point a finger to a photo and, presto, have their killer.
Ben put his hand on her arm. Dont beat yourself up about this. Youre tired. Maybe we can have you work with a sketch artist. Paige is great at coaxing details from peoples subconscious. Ill have her drive over from Austin.
Ill try anything, Corinna said, willing to do whatever it took to find her fathers killer.
Ben rose. Tomorrow after youve had some rest. He held out his hand. Lets get you to Gisellas.
She slipped her hand into his engulfing grip and allowed him to help her to her feet. His fingers locked firmly around hers. Their palms meshed together, sending waves of sensation up her arm to settle in the vicinity of her heart. There was no denying her attraction to Ben.
Old hurt and anger tightened her breathing. She still remembered the day hed walked into her life thirteen years ago. Hed been a lanky, somewhat surly nineteen-year-old whod embodied all her teenage dreams. Until shed realized he wasnt leaving. Then shed come to resent him for invading her family. For taking her fathers attention away. For being the son she couldnt be.
She jerked her hand free, ignoring his confused expression as she preceded him out of the police station into the still-dark and temperate morning air.
Attraction couldnt counteract all the years of resentment piled up in her heart like old moldy blankets, smothering in its intensity and weighing down any wayward, unwanted yearnings.
In the grand scheme of her life, giving in to her attraction to Ben would only bring her more pain.
She had to remember that.