Raven's Cove - Jenna Ryan (24 page)

Jasmine studied his face when he stopped speaking. “She didn’t want to be calmed, did she? She was angry and upset and crying, and she ran off.”

“Yeah, she ran off.” Finally, he looked at her. “It was a beach party, precollege, way too much alcohol to be had. Lifeguard found her the next morning. She went into the water alive. She came out dead. I saw her in the morgue, on one of those metal tables. I’ve never been able to see her any other way since then.”

“You feel responsible,” Jasmine said softly. “Like I do about…” She motioned with her free hand.

Setting his fingers under her chin, Rogan let his thumb graze her lower lip. “We all have our demons, whether real or imagined. Victor’s alter ego murdered nine people and caused three others to be killed.”

“Because Victor was in love with me, and that threatened his existence. How can I not feel responsible?”

“Jasmine, a young girl died because I didn’t handle a situation properly. She drank too much, and she went in the water.”

“Her drowning was absolutely not your fault.”

“She couldn’t swim.”

“It was still her decision to go into the water.” But she dropped her forehead onto his shoulder. “God, we’re a pair, aren’t we?”

“Not sure what of exactly. But, yeah, we are.”

She turned to one side, rested her cheek. “How’s Cyrus?”

“Holding up. I think he knew how it would end.”

“Like it did for Hezekiah Blume in a way. Am I at least allowed to feel badly about everything that’s happened? I mean, so many people are gone.”

“A lot of others aren’t. And won’t be now that Robbie is.”

“That sounded vaguely optimistic, Lieutenant. I’m impressed.” Lifting her head, she let amusement sparkle up into her eyes. “If I told you I loved you, would you freak and be out of Raven’s Cove before I finished the sentence? You don’t have to say anything back,” she told him when his gaze narrowed. “I won’t hit you or hurt you or jump off a cliff for you. I’ll just say it and leave you to deal any way you choose.” Meeting his eyes, she smiled her first easy smile in days. “I love you, Rogan. I’ve loved you since I saw you at the safe house.”

It surprised her a little that he touched her cheek, and even more when that killer half smile of his appeared. He lowered his gaze to her mouth. “What can I say to that except—I love you, too. Pretty much since the day I met you.”

However, when he inclined his head to kiss her, she pressed a hand to his chest. “There’s something else. Something—big. That night after Gus Ballard’s funeral, we made love.”

“I know.”

Moment of truth. She took a bolstering breath. “That wasn’t the only thing we made. I’m pregnant. With your baby.”

He glanced at the mug of tea, but continued to lower his mouth. Keeping the half smile in place, he murmured an easy “I know.”

Lost in Rogan’s kiss, Jasmine didn’t notice Hezekiah take flight. Or see him vanish silently into the misty morning air.

* * * * *

ISBN: 9781459226364

Copyright © 2012 by Jacqueline Goff

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