She’d never seen that particular expression on his face before and was taken aback by it. “What?”

“Let this one go. It’s not your fight.”

“How can you say that? He might’ve shot my father!”

Pointing to the woman in the photo, he said, “Her fight is not yours. Not this week. Not this week.”

“Because of the wedding.”

He took her hands and linked their fingers. “We’re so close to having it all, Samantha. I’ve never wanted anything more than to have you as my wife. Please don’t take this on. Not this week.”

“You’re not being fair. This is my job.”

“This time it’s personal, and you know it.”

“Because of Jeannie.”

“That and your dad and a lot of other things.”

“You can’t make a habit of this.”

“I won’t.”

While the cop in her wanted to rant and rage, the fiancée understood him well enough to know he wouldn’t make a habit of it. “All right.”

“All right what?”

“All right, I won’t go after Gardner for the rape. Not this week.”

“Thank you.”

“Now can we go to bed?”

He stood, helped her up and drew her in tight against him. “So close, Samantha.”

Resting her head against his chest, she closed her eyes. The image of Gardner pressing the gun to Nick’s head made her shudder. She would get him. Maybe not the way she’d planned to. But she would get him.

Sam was strapping on her shoulder harness and turning up her nose at the oatmeal Nick had made for breakfast when her phone rang. She took the call from her stepmother. “Hey, Celia, what’s up?”

“Are you coming by on your way out this morning?”

“I was planning to. Why?”

“I don’t want to worry you, but your dad has seemed a little… off this week.”

Sam was immediately on alert. “How so?”

“Quiet and kind of morose. I can’t seem to cajole him out of it. He was just to the doctor yesterday, so I know it’s nothing physical.”

Celia sounded dejected, which wasn’t at all like her.

“I was hoping you might talk to him,” Celia added.

“I’ll be right over.”

“Thanks, Sam. I know you’re so busy this week—”

“I’m never too busy for him. Or you.”

“That’s sweet of you, honey. I’ll see you soon.”

“What’s up?” Nick asked after she ended the call.

“Not sure. Celia says my dad is in a funk.”

“When you think about it, it’s amazing he’s not in a funk more often.”

“True.” Sam downed the last half of a glass of orange juice, wishing it was a diet cola. “I’m going to head over there and see what’s up.”

“Want me to go with you?”

She bent to kiss him. “No need, but thanks for offering.”