Behind her, the television was on low as it was every night.

"And the story on convicted, then released serial killer Todd Thames continues," a female reporter said. "A ma.s.s grave containing the bodies of Thames's victims was found inside the cave where Thames also attempted to claim the life of a federal agent."

Paige turned to the television. The screen filled with a view of the mountain location that had housed Thames's cave. The footage was live, being captured from a helicopter. Agents moved in and out of the range of the camera.

"An active investigation in Kirk County, South Carolina, led to this discovery."

The mountain view was replaced with a shot of Sam pushing through a throng of reporters in front of the Kirk Bureau office. Sam's features were drawn tight.

"Agent McKade! How many bodies have been found in the cave?"

Sam walked on.

"Have any of the bodies been identified?"

Sam didn't respond, but continued to bulldoze his way through the men and women.

"Before you took over this investigation, law enforcement and the FBI failed to find the cave where Thames had buried the bodies of his victims. How did you find Thames's burial ground? How did you succeed where everyone else failed and get Thames?"

Sam had made it to his truck and was about to climb in when he stopped abruptly and faced the man who'd addressed him. Sam's eyes flashed.

"I'm not the one responsible for getting Thames," Sam said. "The person who did that is Agent Carson. She almost lost her life going after Thames. She's the one who got him when no one else could."

Sam had likely given her back her career with those words and erased any black marks from her record. Paige closed her eyes. If she still had a career . . .

Her eyes had not suffered permanent damage from the glue. Thames had broken her ribs and punctured a lung. She was a mess of contusions and lacerations. The pain medication was still no match for the pain itself, and it left her light-headed and exhausted. But she'd been a.s.sured that those injuries would heal. She hadn't received the same a.s.surance about her foot.

An orthopedic surgeon had scheduled operations to begin to repair the ma.s.sive damage. But the surgeon had told Paige the bones Thames had broken might never be as they had been. She might never regain full use of her leg.

She needed full use of both legs if she was going to continue to work a field post. And she wanted to. She no longer needed to remain behind a desk out of fear, and she didn't want to. Harry, Dom, Mike, Riley, and Mrs. Hendershot stopped by often to see her. Paige's surprise and awe at repeatedly seeing them had been met with a simple, "We're your squad." Their support and acceptance had felt better than anything in her career ever had.

Laughter and loud, excited voices came from the hall. Paige turned her head to the door as Ivy entered. Jonah bounced along beside her wheelchair. This was the first time Paige had seen him since Thames had taken him. Sam hadn't spoken of it when she'd asked, other than to tell her that Jonah had recovered fully. Paige's breath caught thinking of all Jonah had been through. She was overcome by grat.i.tude that he was all right.

Jonah ran to her. "Hi, Paige!"

Her gaze roamed over him. He looked well. Happy. Untouched. Her throat tightened. "Hi."

Jonah was holding a framed picture. "Look what Ivy did!"

It was his superhero portrait. It looked wonderful. Jonah struck the same pose now as the portrait, spreading his legs wide and crossing his skinny arms across his small chest. Blinking back tears, Paige brought him close and held him. "You are the best superhero."

Over Jonah's head, Paige saw Sam fill the doorway. Sam had been by her hospital room every day, bringing Ivy to visit. But after that night when she'd awakened and found him at her bedside, they'd never been alone. He'd never come to her on his own.

He was distancing himself from her. She could feel him pulling away from her. Though she expected it, deserved it, the pain of it rivaled the torture Thames had inflicted on her.

Paige lowered her arms from Jonah and looked to her sister. "Congratulations on your first commission, the first of many."

Ivy's cheeks reddened a bit with the praise, then she nodded. "Yes."

Ivy's newfound confidence in her artistic ability was well deserved, and it warmed Paige's heart.

"Who'd like soda and junk food before dinner?" Sam asked.

Ivy laughed and Jonah said, "Us!"

Sam came into the room but only far enough to hand Ivy some bills. "There's a new vending machine in the waiting room. Have at it."

Ivy took the money, then turned back to Paige. Mindful of Paige's injuries, Ivy hugged her. Ivy had been doing that lately. Paige squeezed her eyes shut for an instant. They were on their way back to each other.

"Be back in a bit," Ivy said, then led Jonah from the room.

Paige watched them go. Again she thought about the fact that she and Sam were never alone. Now, he'd sent the kids away. Why? Paige could only think of one reason for that. Sam had something to say to her that he couldn't or wouldn't say in front of Jonah and Ivy.

Sam remained by the wall. "How you feeling?"

"I've been better."

Sam's eyes became murderous. "I'd like to drag Thames back from h.e.l.l and use those medieval instruments on him." Sam's voice softened. "Ivy told me about your foot."

Since Paige had confided in Ivy about Thames, Ivy had shown a new level of maturity. When the surgeon had told Paige about her foot, Paige had broken down. Ivy had been there for her, lending her support, and as if their roles had reversed, Ivy became the big sister.

Paige didn't fault Ivy for telling Sam. Ivy had formed a bond with Sam and Jonah, and as her superior, for the time being at least, Sam would find out anyway when she didn't resume her duties. "I won't be coming back to work for a while. Maybe not at all." She took them back to the conversation in his office at their first meeting. "Looks like I may not be around for the next three years after all." Despite her best efforts, her lips quivered. "You may need to look into filling that position again sooner than you'd thought."

Sam crouched beside her so their eyes were level. "You'll always have a place in my office."

She wanted that. A place where she belonged with Harry, Dom, Mike, Riley, and Mrs. Hendershot. Paige had hoped she could also belong with Sam. He'd told her not long ago that he was coming to feel that she did belong with him. But that was before Thames had harmed Jonah because of Paige.

Sam maintained his position beside her. He was so close she could see every feature that made up his handsome face. She longed to reach out and brush her fingertips across his skin, but she didn't. She'd lost the privilege to just reach out and touch him at will.

That truth hurt. She looked away from Sam and said softly, "You found Thames's grave."

Sam's gaze remained on her. "Yeah. We haven't gotten to all the bodies. Once we do, we'll be working to identify them." He released an angry and frustrated breath. "It's slowgoing."

Paige hurt for the women who'd fallen prey to a madman, and for their families. A shudder coursed through her at how close she'd come to losing her life as well.

Sam said, "The Bureau issued a statement that the unlawful evidence that appeared in the Thames trial was the result of a clerical error. The earring that was entered into evidence was miscataloged."

Paige told Sam of her conversation with Thames about the earring. "I don't suppose it matters now. All those women dead, and it was nothing more than a game to Thames. He told me he killed Janet Lambert because he knew the Bureau would handle that investigation. Because of Mary Emerson, he already knew I was in Kirk County, and he knew I would be a.s.signed to investigate. Janet Lambert was nothing more than a p.a.w.n Thames used to draw me deeper into his game." Paige fastened her gaze on Sam. "I haven't thanked you. If not for you, I would never have come out of that cave. You saved my life." She shook her head slowly. "Even after I almost cost Jonah his."

"What you did was save Jonah's life. You traded yourself for Jonah. You were prepared to give up your life for my son's life. Thank me? I'm the one who needs to thank you." Sam's gaze grew tortured. "I almost lost you." His voice was raw. "When I saw you on the floor of that cave, you weren't moving. I thought I was too late." Sam looked as if his heart were being ripped out of his chest. He reached out and traced his thumb down her cheek, then took her face carefully in his hand. His eyes blazed. "I love you. You're it for me, Paige. There will never be anyone else."

Paige stared at him. Tears welled in her eyes. "I love you. You're it for me, too."

Sam's hand tightened on her face, and he crushed her mouth to his. She kissed him back just as fiercely with all the love she had for him.

Paige heard Ivy and Jonah returning. She pulled back. "Ivy and Jonah are back."

Sam brought her mouth back to his. Against her lips, he murmured, "They might as well get used to seeing me kiss you. I plan to do that for the rest of my life."

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

A tremendous thank you to Kelli Martin, Alison Dasho, Melody Guy, and to the wonderful team at Montlake, Jessica Poore, Kimberly Cowser, and Marlene Kelly, for their help. I am very fortunate to have all of you with me.

When I began writing stories featuring FBI characters, I received invaluable help with my research. My deepest appreciation to the following people remains: Ernest J. Porter (now retired), Office of Public Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Neal Schiff, Public Affairs Specialist, Office of Public Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Tim Carlton, Coroner of Aiken County, South Carolina.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

Karen Fenech is the USA Today bestselling author of the romantic suspense Protectors Series and the erotic romance Surrender Series. Her novels and short suspense fiction have received critical acclaim, and many of her stories have been translated into several languages and have been released in audio format. For information about Karen's books and to find out when her next novel is released, visit her website at www.karenfenech.com.

ALSO BY KAREN FENECH.

Betrayal.

Gone.

Unholy Angels.

Imposter: The Protectors Series-Book One.

s...o...b..und: The Protectors Series-Book Two.

Pursued: The Protectors Series-Book Three.

Hide: The Protectors Series-Book Four.

Caught (a Protectors Series novella that takes place between the Protectors books).

Three Short Stories of Suspense: Deadly Thoughts, Secrets, and The Plan.

His Touch: The Surrender Series-Book One.