A/N: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I know I've been terrible at responding, but truly, thank you all for your kind words! With that said, early chapter smut scene brought to you by reader request 3

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Patrick's weekend getaway was quite a surprise…the perfect surprise. After dinner and dancing, they went back to the villa. She didn't need to be a psychic to read the desire in his features as he kept his eyes glued to her like they had been all night. She'd never been much for cliches, but sometimes, he really made her feel like she was the only woman in the world.

She bit her lip. "Do you want to help me out of my dress?"

"Absolutely." He stepped behind her, unzipping the dress and kissing her neck. When she stepped out of her dress, he whispered to her: "Go get your toy."

That made her blush a bit. "I can't believe you actually packed my vibrator."

"Of course I did! If it makes for a better experience for my green eyed girl, I definitely want that on hand."

"But what if our bags were searched in security?"

He shrugged. "They weren't! And it doesn't matter. I'm sure they see actual weird stuff every day, not just a grown woman packing a rather mundane sex toy."

"I still can't believe I mentioned it." She laughed softly, as he turned her to face him.

"I'm glad you did. You trust me enough to tell me something you find embarrassing—but shouldn't even feel embarrassed about."

"I didn't want to imply…"

A sly grin appeared on his face. "Oh, don't worry about that. I have faith in my abilities. Besides, if you found me a worthless lover, you wouldn't have offered me a permanent place in your bed."

"I offered you a place in my heart that didn't have anything to do with our bed."

As soon as the words were out, she screamed internally. Did she have to sound so fucking sappy? When did that happen? He probably thought her a lunatic. She started to make a joke when she noticed how his blue eyes twinkled.

When he replied in barely a whisper, she knew that perhaps it was something he needed to hear. "Of course."

She loved her husband, but it didn't take long into their relationship for her to catch onto the fact that they showed love in different ways. He was very loud, while she was more reserved. Not that there was a right way to love, but she had to make sure he understood that he meant more to her than anything he could give her.

"I love my husband."

He kissed her softly. "And I love my wife." He pinched her bottom, making her jump. "And I think I told you to do something."

She met his lips briefly again before getting the vibrator from her bag. He was working on his own clothes now, so she decided to take care of the rest of her garments.

As soon as he was done, he was there with his arms around her, kissing her and touching her.

"Lie down."

She had to push back on that. It was the second command he'd issued her. "You know, you can stop telling me what to do."

"I could, but I think we both know how much you prefer a bit of firmness from me in these moments. Now, do you need me to tell you again?"

"Yes."

This time, he slapped her bottom lightly with a bit more aggression in his voice. "I said lie down."

With a blush creeping up her chest and a small grin on her face, she complied with his command. Of course, he knew her secret.

He took the vibrator from her hands before he wrapped his arm around her and started kissing her. She buried her hand deep into his golden curls, holding him close as he brought the vibrator to her pubic area. She loved these moments of intimacy with him. She always had.

When she started to moan, he pulled back, a bit out of breath. "Rollover for me."

Once again, she did as he prompted. He ran his hands along her thighs before settling behind her. She moaned deeply when the sensation of the vibrator returned with his thrusts. He was deeply skilled at this.

She wasn't sure how long it lasted—probably not that long—but she was half out of her mind when she felt the loss of his contact. Oh, that wouldn't do! She immediately rolled over and wrapped her arm around his shoulder before finding his lips. He wrapped his arm around her back. He was gasping for breath as she put her hand into his sweat-dampened hair once more.

"Happy anniversary, my blue eyed boy."

He smiled. "A happy anniversary, indeed. I guess it's a good thing I opted for a private villa."

Catching his implication, she was tempted to swat at his chest. Instead, she kissed him sweetly.

"Of course because I love being alone with my husband."

He tightened his hold on her, moving his hand to her bump and peppering kisses on her between "I love you"s.

Since their first night together, when she realized how he not only embraced all of her but embraced openness and honesty with her, she loved him. Even if it took her months to admit it to herself and say it to him out of some fear that perhaps he was only with her for a little while, she'd always appreciated what they had and the feeling of completeness she had in these little moments.

Some time later, she fell asleep in his arms.

Despite their late night, Patrick was up early the next morning.

"Can we go to the beach?"

Honestly, she'd prefer to stay in bed for a while longer. Though, the excitement on his face and twinkle in his blue eyes indicated going to the beach was something he really wanted to do.

"Sure!" She put on the green bikini that he packed for her. She looked down, feeling a little ridiculous. She knew she shouldn't be self-conscious. She was on a private beach with her husband. Yet, here she was debating whether the world should see her pregnant belly, tempted to take one of his shirts and put it on. Well, until he came up behind her and placed his hand on her bump.

"You look gorgeous, baby."

She smiled slightly. As long as he thought so.

He drug chairs out to the beach, so they could lounge in the sand. She was thankful for those chairs. Her least favorite part of the beach experience was always the sand in places it didn't belong.

He looked at her. "Do you want to get in?"

"I guess." He took her hand, and they walked out to the ocean front, wading into the warm water.

"Oh, that's nice." Before she could respond, he picked her up into his arms and ran out into the ocean and dumped her in.

Once she rose above water, she wiped her eyes. "You are going to get it!"

He paddled toward her. "Please. You loved that little splash." She placed her hands on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. "And you still love me."

"Do I? My husband likes throwing his poor, pregnant wife around the ocean. How could I love such a beast?"

"Because she likes the thrill."

"Hmm. Do I?"

"Yes. Even now, you're thinking about what a good time you're having with me."

"Not quite what I'm thinking."

"Hmm. Interesting. You deny that you're having a good time with me?"

She kissed him. "I'm thinking that I love my husband."

Without warning she moved her hands to his shoulders and pushed him down, dunking him under water.

When he popped back up, she laughed. "And I'm also thinking that payback is a bitch!"

He laughed as he wiped his eyes. "I guess that's true."

"So, I saw a surfboard in the shed. Would you mind if I brought it out and caught some waves? It's the best time of the day for that!"

Without a doubt, it probably was. Even now, the waves brushed against them. "Do you even surf?"

"Of course, I surf! I'm a lifelong Californian."

"From northern, inland California."

"Meh. What difference does that make? I surf. I'm going to teach our girls to surf one day."

"Um, once they can sufficiently swim in the ocean, sure. But you're not putting my babies in the ocean willy nilly."

He grinned at her. "Wouldn't want to upset the safety monitor, even if she's keeping her family from having lots of fun."

She swatted his shoulder. "Shut up!"

"Oh relax, woman! It's what they make boogie boards for. I'm telling you: our girls are basically fish."

"One of them hasn't even taken her first breath yet, so we don't know that. She might hate the water."

He reached in and kissed her. "Of course, she will love water. She's my daughter."

Well, watching him surf as she sat in the sand, she could tell that might be true. He was very good at surfing—and definitely built for the beach and beach lifestyle. He also looked incredibly happy and carefree, and it made her think of when they took Annie to the beach. All three of them had such a great time.

Would it be so bad if they spent more time at the beach? What about a beach home for them and the girls? It could be their home away from home. After all, they lived in California. She still owned her old house, and she was thinking about renting it out once the baby came and she could maintain the property. On the other hand, if she sold that house and took its equity and some of the earnings basically just sitting in her account since getting married, maybe that would suffice as a downpayment on a beach home.

Though, the idea that the thought came to her seemed foreign. Sure, it might be a good investment for their growing family. She could imagine Patrick surfing with their girls, just like he'd practiced swimming with Annie. Or teaching their baby girl to build sandcastles. She smiled when it hit her that perhaps this was her husband's influence on her because she would have never thought of such a venture before him.

But her smile died on her lips when it struck her that once she returned to full duty, she wouldn't really have time for many beach vacations or weekend getaways with her family. She would have to think about it more before mentioning it to Patrick. In any case, having a place for them to go and just be a family couldn't be the worst idea, right?

On their flight home the next day, she snuggled into his side. The weekend was fun, but it was time to get back to their lives. Picking Annie up on Sunday night was a relief of sorts. As much fun as they had in each other's company, they both missed her.

And it seemed that feeling was mutual. She squeezed them tightly when she saw them. She felt her eyes get wet as she wondered if Annie really believed they'd be back—but Madeleine said she'd done well. It was a good weekend for her, too.

No sooner than they were through the front door, Annie was already curious about their trip. "What did you bring me, daddy?"

She tried to hide her own grin. Annie was absolutely spoiled, and it was all Patrick's fault. Of course, he brought her some shells, local sweets, and a t-shirt.

That night, Annie insisted they both put her to bed. So, the three of them snuggled into their bed as she read to Annie. When she woke the next morning, she noticed that neither she nor Patrick actually made it to their bed. With Annie between them and Patrick's arm draped over her belly, she wasn't sure if she'd ever felt so cozy in her life.

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Not even two full months at a desk, and she hated it with every fiber of her being. Paperwork all the time-and grunt work on top of that sometimes-was not any fun at all. While she respected that it was all a part of the job that she had to do, it didn't dull her boredom.

Though, she expected that it was a rather nice trade off for being able to maintain a set schedule. For now, evenings and weekends were specifically reserved for time with her family. And honestly, she found that even with her new found boredom at work, that made it all worth it.

When she came home on Wednesday, Patrick started talking to her about the youth soccer league information he received.

"I think we should get Annie onto a team. She's so passionate about soccer, baby."

"I know, but that is a huge time commitment. Practice several times a week and games."

"But time for Annie to do something she enjoys and wants to explore more. Besides, aren't you the healthy living authoritarian of the household? Isn't playing soccer better than so much screen time?"

"Patrick, we have a huge backyard with a double sized pool. I think she will get plenty of activity here."

He just looked at her with a slight pout on his face. "Are you really that anxious to become a soccer dad?"

He laughed. "Teresa, the only consistent objection you've raised is about the time commitment. If that's your concern, I'm happy to commit to taking Annie to practices and games."

"But she will expect me there. I know that right now I have nights and weekends free, but that won't be the case once the baby is born." Besides, she might like to attend her games.

"So, you will come to the games that you can. Working parents raise athletes all the time, Teresa. I just don't think we should let your CBI schedule dictate what activities our kids get to do. That's part of the reason I stay at home."

The next day, at work she started talking to Madeleine about it.

"We are going to get Mimi in soccer this season."

"I'm not convinced that it's a good idea for Annie to start this year."

Madeleine glared at her. "Teresa, put the girl in soccer! Her and Mimi were running around the yard all day Saturday and Sunday. She has a lot of energy."

"But the time…"

"And it's never going to be better! She loves the sport, and it's better when kids learn when they are younger. Besides, maybe she does it for a season and decides she doesn't like it. Maybe decides her lifelong dream is to become a professional player. You never know unless you let her try."

She grumbled into her tea, expecting Madeleine to agree with her.

"How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Manage time with your kids and the job."

Madeleine set her coffee down. "I won't lie. It's difficult. Sometimes, I feel like I miss things I shouldn't."

"That's…that's something I've been thinking about a lot. Missing things I shouldn't. The soccer thing…I'm afraid I'll disappoint Annie by not showing up to her games. I want her to do what's important to her, and if she wants to keep playing, that's good. I don't want her to think I don't care because I have to work. I want her to always know that she's important to me."

Madeleine sighed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Teresa, I say this only as your friend. Take it or leave it. Being a cop is what you do, not who you are. I know you, and I know your family matters more than anything. I also know you have nothing to prove to anyone anymore."

She blinked at that. "What do you mean?"

Her friend shrugged. "Well, you needed to show you could do something to help people and make a difference. It was how you grew into who you are. You don't have to prove that to anyone, including yourself, anymore. No one here doubts your impact. Your family certainly doesn't. Who do you want to be?"

They sat in silence for the rest of their little break. Madeleine squeezed her shoulder before leaving her office. "You'll figure it out."

When she got home, she caved. Limiting Annie's interests due to her own schedule wasn't helpful or conducive to a healthy family dynamic.

"Let's see if Annie wants to play on a team. We can sign her up. When does it start?"

He grinned, like he always did when she gave in to one of his schemes. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Sign ups are this weekend."

Of course, when asked, Annie jumped at the chance to get to play on a soccer team. "I can't wait to play on a real soccer team!"

"Yeah, we'll have to go get you all new supplies." Patrick winked at her. When those two went on their shopping sprees, there was no telling what could happen.

She just shook her head. "Let's wait and see what your coach says you need."

They both turned to pout at her. "Okay, fine." And that's how they ended up at the sporting goods shop after dinner that night.

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Leading up to Friday, the week was rather uneventful. Around 4pm, Sam called her.

"Hey, Lisbon!"

"What's up, Bosco?"

"I wanted to talk to you about those files, but I am getting in much later than expected today. I can just catch you on Monday."

"We can talk now, if you want." It's not like she was doing anything else.

"No. This is best in person. I think there's something more here. I will wait until I see you next week."

It had already been two weeks since she gave him the files. They'd not been able to connect last week either because his team got called out. If some serial killer was out there, it was better to get ahead of this. "No! I will wait. What time are you thinking you'll be back?"

She was anxious to know his thoughts. And what exactly did he mean by something more being here? She had five unsolved cases, which was unusual for their team. Though, this wasn't about ego. It was about those poor young women.

"It probably won't be until 7 or so. Is that ok?"

She paused for a moment. She could just let Patrick know she would be a little late coming home. "Yeah, that's fine. I'll be in my office when you get here."

Immediately after hanging up, she called Patrick.

"Hey beautiful."

That made her smile. "I told you to stop doing that every time I call."

"And I told you I absolutely would not stop doing that. What's up?"

"Well, I'm calling to let you know I'll be home a little late tonight. I have to meet someone in the office, so I probably won't be home until around 9."

"Ok. Sounds good. Don't let them work you too hard."

"I definitely won't. I love you."

"I love you, too. Give her a little rub for me."

Of course, he was talking about their daughter. She smiled as she did as he directed, thinking that they'd need to pick a name for her soon.

At 5pm, she watched as nearly everyone trickled out of the CBI. After all, it was a Friday, and under no circumstances was the State paying anyone over time unless absolutely necessary.

Around 6:30pm, she made her way to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. She hoped Sam would get here soon. Maybe she should have waited to talk to him until Monday...or offered a time to talk over the weekend. This was probably easier, though.

As she made her tea, she heard shuffling behind her. Believing she was the only one here, that made her jump.

"Agent Lisbon, you're still here."

She turned to see Sheriff McAllister standing in the kitchen. He had a small grin on his face. She couldn't tell if he was being friendly or what. He was always a bit hard to read.

"I am. You startled me. Can I help you with something?"

"Well, I was hoping to talk to you. Can we go to your office?"

She wasn't sure why, but that gave her pause. There was no one here? Why did he need to talk to her in her office? She shrugged that off. It was customary to talk to people in your office. Indeed, she had spoken to him in his office. She was being overly paranoid for no reason.

She just nodded her head. "Follow me."

He sat in the chair across from her desk. A very long moment of silence passed between them. They were smiling awkwardly at each other, until her smile finally faded. Enough with the pleasantries and hospitality. She could only take so much smiling.

"You needed to talk to me?"

"How long have you been an investigator now?"

"I've been here at the CBI going on 6 years. Before that I was at SFPD for a bit. How about you?"

"Oh, a good 20 years, but I was just curious about you. You're very seasoned for someone so young…" She raised her eyebrows at that. "I meant young in their career. You landed a supervisory position at the CBI at a rather quick pace."

"Well, I was at SFPD…"

"For four years. That's a pretty rapid track to a promotion."

She blinked rapidly. She didn't remember saying how long she was at SFPD. "I guess so. What does that have to do with anything?"

"You know, I've seen guys 15-20 years into their career be nowhere near as savvy as you."

Was that a compliment? In any case, she didn't have a ton of patience for this and wished he'd make his point already. "Ok, Sheriff. Is there a point to all of this?"

"Well, there's two unsolved cases in Napa County-my jurisdiction-and I'm wondering how you're coming along at solving those cases."

"Unfortunately, there have been no new leads in either case."

"Hmmm. A seasoned investigator like yourself has found no new leads in the case? Either one of them?"

"No." She could tell him about her serial killer theory, but she wasn't inclined to do so. Honestly, it was a bit odd that he was here in her office asking her these questions. This was not the usual process for this.

"You don't think they're the work of a serial killer?" She blinked rapidly. How could he know her theory? Only she and Sam had talked about that in her office.

"I'm not sure."

"So, you do think they're the work of a serial killer? Interesting, Agent Lisbon. You could share information. That's how this process works."

"I don't have any information to share."

He chuckled a bit. "Now, we both know that's not true."

"Why do you think there's a serial killer at large?" He looked at her in curiosity, but there was something in his gaze that set off every single one of her internal alarms.

How did he know about her theory? There was no one here...why was he here? Why did he want to talk to her in her office? How did he even get in the building after hours? Maybe she was being paranoid, but suddenly, she had more questions than answers for the man sitting in front of her. And each one was becoming more bizarre than the last.

"Well…"

"Lisbon! I didn't expect you to be here so late!" Oh, thank God! Haffner was still around. She'd never been so happy to see him. Even if her paranoia were extreme, it was nice to have someone else here.

"Ray!"

She took a quick glance to his waistline to make sure he had his sidearm. Hers was locked in her desk, and it would be much too conspicuous if she went to unlock the drawer and grab it.

"Working late?"

"I am."

"Well, do you want to order Chinese food or something? I'm going to be here a while longer, too." He grinned widely. "Come on! I know you're hungry! I'll cover it."

She glanced nervously at McAllister, hoping Haffner might notice. "Would you like Chinese food?"

"No."

Without hesitation, he pulled out a handgun and fired at Ray, hitting him square between the eyes. Without a doubt, that was a killshot. The surprise froze in Ray's eyes like a snapshot, he collapsed to the floor as life flowed from his body.

McAllister chuckled. "I can't stand rude people! I mean, he comes in here and starts talking to you like I'm not even here! Meanwhile, you're trying to signal to the idiot that you're in distress, but he doesn't even get it! Desperate bastard only came here to hit on you! Maybe if he'd stayed to himself he would still be alive. I really don't like competition. I already have enough of that."

She froze in place as she tried to maintain her calm and keep her wits about her. Obviously, all of her internal alarms had been right about this situation that she'd downplayed, thinking she was talking to a cop and not a killer. She had to find a way to get out of here alive.

Finally, she found courage to speak to the man who just demonstrated he would kill without hesitation or notice. "So, what is it that brings you here?"

"The same thing that brings me here every week, Teresa. I want to see what progress you've made in my case."

"It's Agent Lisbon."

She chastised herself as he laughed. For years, that was her fall back position when male colleagues presumed a closeness between them that did not exist. This was the second time she'd called McAllister on it, and he thought it was hilarious. The man was obviously a killer, and if she were beginning to read the situation correctly, he had more than just the one body on him.

"Darling, I just killed your wannabe boyfriend over there. Yet, you still want to make sure I know to call you Agent Lisbon. Believe me when I tell you this, but when I call you by your name, it's a compliment, dear. I call you Teresa because I can see you for who you really are."

"What do you mean?"

"I see you as a whole, colorful person, beyond this agent persona you want the world of law enforcement to buy. It's why I chose you."

"You chose me?"

"From the first time I met you, I could see how special you are. You are the only one who could put together that five distinct cases belonged to one man. All I had to do was learn the pattern for your rotation." That would make sense why these five cases ended up on her rotation, but how? That sounded like stalking behavior.

"The first time you met me?"

"Oh about four years ago. You spoke at the California Law Enforcement Conference on team leadership in Napa County. You have to know that half the men in the room only showed up because they were amused to see a little lady on stage talking about leading a law enforcement team. But what I saw was a brilliant mind, one almost on par with my own. That's when I knew I finally found the one. I started studying you, but then you got distracted."

"If I didn't know you were studying me, or that we apparently had started a game, I couldn't be distracted."

"Well, if you weren't on modified leave, you would be looking for me. Though, it has given me a good window to come check up on you…"

"How do you even get in?"

He laughed a bit. "See, I knew that was your first question in the kitchen. Teresa, I have a lot of friends."

"Friends?"

"Friends who help me get in and out of the places I need to be."

He had accomplices—but why speak so openly?

"Noted. So, you come by once a week to see where I am in the cases."

"I do. It's always nice to see your thoughts. Like I said, you have a brilliant mind. I just wish I had more of your attention. Well, I suppose I have it now."

Without a doubt, he planned to kill her. Not only did he kill Ray in front of her, but he was speaking too freely about things to let her get up and walk out of here. She had to keep him talking while she thought of how to get out of here. Catching a glimpse of their adoption day photo out of the corner of her eye, she knew she had to get home to them; they had to get home to them. That's all that mattered right now.

"Are you pleased with my progress?"

"Well, if you'd not been distracted, you would have figured it out sooner. But does that make you happy?" He pointed at her baby bump, which made her hands fly to cover her belly reflexively. He laughed. "We both know that if I had it in my mind to shoot through that little bump of yours, those hands wouldn't protect you. I could offer you my protection though. Would you take it?"

"Your protection?"

"Offer to not to kill you, in exchange for some promises though."

Without a doubt, he was fucking with her. He wanted to test the bounds of her desperation...and make her beg. "What kind of promises?"

"The kind where you join me."

"Join you?"

"Teresa, the kind of team we would make would be so unique...if you could learn to let yourself go. You know, if you could give in to me."

"I don't think I could do what you want me to do."

"Never took you to count yourself out of something so quickly."

"I'm not a murderer."

He shrugged. "Never said that's what I wanted from you, but not even if it meant your baby...what is it? A baby girl? Even if it meant your baby girl could live?"

If she answered yes, the game was over. He had no interest in anything other than finding a way to consume her power, making her feel hopeless and lost, before killing her. After all, he enjoyed degrading the women he killed. "No."

He shifted back in his seat and smiled. "Hmm. Have you even picked out a name for her?"

"No. Have you?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Have you picked a name for yourself?"

"You mean a serial killer name? Hell no! Why would I pick one of those? It's cheesy and in bad taste!"

She shrugged. "For the media. It makes it easier for them to talk about you. Also makes the urban legends seem more real."

He laughed again, rubbing his chin. "Very nice attempt at stroking my ego."

"So, you don't want the world to know who you are?"

"The only person I've wanted to see me has. Now, she doesn't even want my protection."

She took her cross between her index finger and thumb. "You know, my mother once told me to never take drinks from men like my father."

He looked at her in curiosity. "So? I don't recall offering you a drink."

"My father always liked making empty promises that seemed really good before unleashing all manners of hell upon me. I think she would tell me not to accept your offer."

He laughed. "Can't say I'm surprised you have daddy issues. Frankly, that's not the kind of daddy I'd like to be to you though."

She grimaced. "If you're implying what I think you're implying, I'm happily married."

"And what the hell is it with these superficial men? Hmm? He pulls up in a Porsche and you fall all over yourself and get distracted when I've put the case of a lifetime in front of your face!"

She took a pause at that. How did he know Patrick drove a Porsche? Well, it was California. Lots of people had Porches. He wanted her to pop on that. Maybe she was meant to have a meltdown and beg for the safety of her family. She wouldn't get distracted. Not now.

Distracted. He kept referring to her pregnancy as a distraction. "Why do you think my daughter is a distraction?"

"Well, she is taking your attention away from me. Even right now, you're thinking of ways to save her instead of really thinking about me and what I could offer you." He waved his gun toward their Christmas photo. "You know, I thought about killing him. Then, you could focus on me. Not the little sweetheart though. She's too precious. You know, I would've done that for you."

Her blood ran cold. Why would anyone want to hurt Patrick? Just because he was near her? "What would you have done for me?"

"Given you a family."

"A family?"

"That's what you want, right? I told you I have always been able to see you as a person. I know the little sweetheart makes you happy. You're the mothering type. She's your niece, right?"

He was playing mind games with her. She knew that, but it didn't didn't stop her fear. Had he followed her home? How did he know so much about her? Would he go hurt them when he was done here? She schooled her features and tried to calm herself. Of course, she worried about her family. He wanted to remind her to play his game: beg for her family's life—beg to walk out of here alive—so he could really get off on it when he shot her or did whatever he planned.

"She's my daughter. Children are precious. I'm always thinking about her and the kind of world we live in. I already know she deserves better."

"Well, I'm sure her mama will ensure her protection."

She sure would, as she reached her right hand toward her middle desk drawer and quietly worked it free, taking the handle of the hammer she kept there into her lap. It wasn't her gun, but she'd have to make due—at least to get somewhere safe and call for help. She did her best to keep her hands visible to him. This game would only work if he sensed no danger from her.

"What exactly is it you're offering me?"

"A chance to be at my side." She closed her eyes. His comments had sexual overtones. Without a doubt, that was part of his plan to rattle her. "A chance to take my protection."

"Did your mama protect you?" A look of anger grew in his eyes, and she immediately recognized her misstep. His issues were with his mother.

"No. I killed her." Without warning, he fired a round in her right shoulder, causing her to yelp in pain as she brought her left hand up to it. He grinned at her. "I think we've had enough foreplay since you don't want to take my offer."

He stood, rubbing his chin as he slowly took steps around her desk. She gripped the hammer in her left hand and held it tightly. She would have to swing the hammer with her left hand. She wouldn't get as much momentum, but she'd do what she could as soon as he got close enough.

When he was close enough, she grabbed the hammer and swung it, connecting with his jaw. It knocked him off kilter just enough for her to dash away—until he was pulling her back by her waist.

"Get off of me! Help!" She screamed as loud as she could, hoping someone was in the building to hear her. No one had heard those gunshots, but even still, she prayed they would hear her screams.

He laughed. She probably sounded pathetic. She didn't care. He brought her down to the ground, and he slammed her head against the floor. It felt wet, but she wasn't sure. She was in fight mode. She swung the hammer around again, but this time he caught her arm and slammed it back.

"My, my, Teresa, I didn't realize you're into toys!" He wrestled the hammer from her. "Let me play with it!"

In spite of her efforts to hold onto her weapon, he finally took it from her hand and immediately swung down on her knee twice. She screamed in agony as he applied pressure to her right shoulder.

"Doesn't that feel nice? That'll keep you from running from me. You're a fighter. I knew this would be good."

He leaned over and licked her neck. Without question, she knew what would come next. She wouldn't be able to fight him off. She struggled with her consciousness already. She felt the blood pooling near her neck. From which wound, she wasn't sure. Regardless, she kept hitting and clawing at him. Even if this were her end—and the end of a life not even started for her sweet, unnamed baby girl—maybe she could collect evidence.

She wanted to plead for him not to hurt her baby, but she wouldn't give him that satisfaction. Instead, she started to silently say her prayers—for herself, for her baby, for Annie, and for Patrick.

She felt air on her chest as she tilted her head slightly. Not even a full two feet away from her was Ray's lifeless body just lying there. What a fucking sight! But then she saw it: his sidearm. She had one last play to make. Running through her prayers one more time just in case it was the last time, she brought her knee up—hard—into his groin.

"Fuck!" He groaned as she half scampered, half crawled away from him as quickly as she could. Without a doubt, her leg was broken. She could tell from the pain as she tried to get away. When she reached Ray's body, she flipped his holster open and withdrew the gun, turning to face McAllister. Her vision was blurry, probably from her head wound.

"Oh, come on, sweetheart! And I thought we were having a good time!"

He chuckled darkly as she fired off one round, and another, and another—until she emptied the clip. She wasn't even sure if she hit him, but she slumped over near Ray.

"My blue eyed boy." She whispered as her brain conjured those golden curls, boyish grin, and blue eyes. She wanted to be his wife—and mother to their girls.

She saw them at their beach house as he rode a wave; at Annie's soccer game as they cheered for her; family dinners with their girls; and a promise of a life that maybe she was only ever meant to glimpse from afar as her world faded to black.

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A/N 2: Because baby, now we got bad blood...