Read Online Silence: The Faces of Evil Christmas Prequel by Debra Webb - Free Book Online

heart attack. As the saying went, time marched on and everything changed. People grew older. Lil’s kids hardly knew their Aunt Jess.
    The surge of regret that accompanied that last thought had her wishing she hadn’t let so much time pass without spending more of it with the people she cared about.
    “Don’t do that.”
    She frowned before she could stop the reaction. “Do what?” She savored more of the wine, pretending not to know what he meant. She couldn’t change how much time she’d let slip by but she was here now, she told herself for the tenth time.
    “Don’t beat yourself up for not being around,” Dan said gently. He knew her too well. “You went after your dream and you made it happen. You did it, Jess. I guess you didn’t need me after all.”
    For about five seconds she couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. His words stabbed through her and the ability to respond deserted her.
    “This was nice, but I do have to go.” Somehow she was on her feet. She placed her glass on the table next to his, grabbed her purse and hurried across the room for her coat. Why in the world had she let this happen? This visit was about her sister and her family. Taking this unexpected detour was ridiculous and selfish. Foolish tears stung her eyes.
     
    Oh hell. He’d done it now. Dan caught her at the door. She jerked away from his touch. “I’m sorry, Jess. That was my guilt talking. It was me. Not you.”
    All this time he’d wished they could make amends and the first chance that comes along he screws it up! Had to be the wine or just plain stupidity.
    “Don’t leave like this,” he pleaded. The last thing he wanted was for another ten years to pass with these bad feelings standing between them.
    She held up a hand in a stop gesture. The anger in her eyes shouted clearly and loudly that she wanted away from him. “It was good to see you, Dan. But I really do have to go.”
    Jesus Christ. He’d done it. Hurt her all over again. He was a damned fool. “I understand.”
    She reached for the door. “Good night.”
    But he couldn’t let her go without trying to make this right. He put his hand over hers when she would have opened the door. “Merry Christmas, Jess. Seeing you tonight means more to me than you will ever know.”
    She hesitated and then looked up at him with those sweet brown eyes. His heart lurched. “Merry Christmas,” she murmured.
    Every part of him yearned to say more... to touch her... to taste her. Unable to resist, he leaned closer.
    Her breath caught, even that soft sound made him crazy with need.
    His lips touched hers and desire rushed through him. All those old feelings resurrected, made him ache for her in ways he knew would never be possible again.
    Her purse and coat hit the floor and he pulled her soft body into his arms.
    She would hate him for taking advantage of the moment but he was helpless to stop himself.
    Jess was home and that was all that mattered.

 
    10
    One day earlier...
    Ruckersville
    Jess dove for the floor, landing on her right side. She grunted with the impact. She rolled. The discharge of the weapon exploded around her. The ping of the bullet on the concrete made her cringe.
    “Don’t move!” Potter screamed.
    Jess froze.
    With eight years in the Bureau she’d finally achieved the position at the BAU she wanted. She was a profiler now. There weren’t supposed to be any more dangerous field operations.
    Damn, she didn’t want to die today.
    “Get up!” Potter grabbed Jess’s arm with her free hand.
    Jess allowed the woman to drag her to her feet. Potter’s forearm went around Jess’s neck, the muzzle of the gun she recognized as her Glock rammed into her skull.
    “Don’t think I’m going to make this easy on you.” Potter muttered curses as she hauled Jess toward the cages. “This is where you’re going to die. That’s what happens when you stick your nose in places you don’t belong. All I wanted to do was get on with my life.”
    Jess forced