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her childhood by the people who loved her, and she knew all about the callousness that was out there. Nate wanted to protect her, and this was the best way. If something happened to him, she’d have to take care of herself.
    “I know you’re there,” she said, not even turning her head toward where he was standing.
    “How did you know?”
    “I can see your outline in my peripheral. If you want to sneak up on me, you should head in from the back.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind. Have I ever told you that I love watching you?”
    “I think you’ve mentioned it a few times.”
    It was true.
    He did.
    There was something alluring about her as all that red hair cascaded past her shoulders. It reminded him of a sunset, and it was growing on him.
    “Am I doing okay with the packing?”
    He crossed toward her before staring into the suitcases. “Yes, you are.”
    When she turned to get more shirts, he tossed some additional cargo pants into her suitcase. “I’ll help. I can do mine, and you can do yours.”
    She smiled. “I love doing things with you. It’s nice to not be treated like I can’t offer something to the team.”
    “Oh, I love when you do things TO me.”
    Avalon’s soft laughter trickled across his flesh. It was music to his ears. He loved when she was happy. After years of pain, in both of their lives, nothing gave him more joy.
    “I’m excited,” she admitted. “This is going to be fun.”
    Oh, he knew she would be. He was dreading this, but he’d swallow it for Avalon’s happiness. Nate wasn’t going to keep her locked away.
    She deserved better.
    It was bad enough that they had to hide in plain sight. What he’d love to do is scream to the world that she was his.
    Hell!
    He’d tattoo it to his forehead.
    Without thinking, his fingers went to the place on his shirt right above his own tattoo. The second he touched it, Avalon did the same to the back of her neck.
    It astounded him that she was so connected to him that she’d know when he was focused on it.
    “It looks like you have everything packed up,” he offered, closing the lid to each suitcase.
    She was practically bouncing around the room. “I can’t believe how much my life has changed. Thank you, Nathaniel.”
    With that, she raced from the room, dragging her suitcase behind her.
    When she was gone, Nate closed his eyes and began praying. “Please get us through this. Don’t let anything happen to her,” he stated, before opening his eyes. “I hope I didn't just make a huge mistake.”
    Nate grabbed his gear and headed out.
    It was time to put his faith in Oracle and her visions. If she was wrong, it would be Avalon who paid the price.
     
    They were about to dangle her in front of a psychic killer. It didn't get any crazier than that.
     
     
     
                                     * * *   O R A C L E   * * *
     
     
     
     
    Crosspointe
     
     
     
    As he stood there, surveying the destruction, Sheriff Rhett Longfellow didn't know what the hell to think of any of it. They didn't have much crime or violence in his town, and now he was worried.
    It wasn’t that the house was torched to the ground. That was alarming enough, but it was about the person who would do this kind of thing.
    A rogue arsonist scared the hell out of him. It was the last thing they needed in Crosspointe. This was going to be a nightmare, and he knew it.
    Once word got out that there had been a body inside the house as it was lit up, the shit was going to hit the fan. The remains, still being pulled from the wreckage, were charred beyond recognition. That was enough to freak anyone out.
    Even worse, he likely knew who the victim was. It made his gut knot, as he pictured her before she was dead. She was no longer a happy smiling face. Instead, she was ruined.
    The woman who died was probably Mandy Ryan. She was the local party girl in town, and it was a well-known fact that she got away with practically anything that she