Captain Swan - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Chapter 14

"Okay, so, what exactly is the plan here?" Emma challenges after Killian fills David in, who seems to be on board with it. Which is a bit suspicious to Emma. Is Neal even dumb enough to fall for this hair-brained scheme? But she supposes Killian's right. It's basically all they've got right now. "Are we supposed to stroll down Main Street hand in hand, making moon eyes at each other? Have a romantic candlelit dinner? Slow dance under the stars? Or what?"

Killian, ever quick with a sly comeback, grins slightly. "Don't forget about the mauling," he quips, his eyes dancing with mischief. "I could always maul you some more."

Her cheeks heat at his suggestive remark as she turns away from him. She tries not to think about the steamy moments they shared in her bed when she was only wearing a towel and he was completely naked. She tries not to think about how hard he was or how wet he made her. Or how sweet and soft his tongue was on hers. She clears her throat, returning to their conversation. "You didn't maul me. I think we can agree we were both caught up in the moment."

His cheeks are red as he cups the back of his neck with his hand, peering down apologetically. "Sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up..."

"No, it's fine. But let's focus on our mission, shall we?"

"Of course, love."

Killian is adamant about the plan—luring Neal into a stalking charge to buy them more time to build a case against him for Tina Bell's murder and the attack on Killian. He believes heading to his place is the safest choice, a location where Neal would never be on the guest list, unlike Emma's home, where Neal could fabricate an invitation. Since Emma is still considered a suspect, it would be his word against hers. But everyone who knows Killian and of his brother's case knows he'd only ever invite that monster into his home when pigs fly.

Killian's expression turns serious as he steps closer—or rather limps—closer, cupping her cheeks in his large, warm hands. "Don't underestimate the danger you're in," he warns, his voice gentle. "David's cops and informers are circulating rumors about us. Cassidy hates my guts, so if he thinks you and I are lovers..." Killian's voice trails off, the unspoken implication hanging heavy in the air. "Tina Bell wasn't even important to him. You're very important, Emma."

"And I've betrayed him with another man." She grimaces at even the idea he thinks she's his.

"That's how he'll see it. He won't be able to stand the idea of us together. You're cheating on him, and I'm stealing his pretty plaything."

Emma's frustration bubbles to the surface. "But I'm not his anything, except his obsession."

"If he thinks you're his, you're his."

Her jaw tightens. "Over my dead body."

"That's what I'm trying to avoid." He tips up her chin so they're staring directly at each other. "Just say the word and I'll give David a call and assure him we'll find a way to get Cassidy without putting your life in jeopardy."

Emma weighs her alternatives, fully aware of the danger she's in. "That could take too much time," she concedes. "Time we don't have. Besides, I'm already in danger, Killian, with or without you."

"How soon can you be packed?"

Emma's mouth falls open in surprise. "That's not the issue here. You need to rest." Less than twenty-four hours have passed since his escape from the hospital days too soon, and he still has a lot of recovering to do.

He shakes his head. "Emma, like you said, we can't afford to wait. Neal is out there, and he's a threat to both of us and the people we love. My place is the best option to get him on a stalking charge."