Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Becca paced her living room. The light shining in from the sun had her squinting.
No way was she agreeing to either option.
He’d stay. She knew he would. Even now, he was settled into the recliner with his hands propped behind his head, comfortable in the silence as he watched her stew.
He could stay all he wanted. Just because he was staying didn’t mean she had to.
Becca grabbed her purse from her room and slid it up her shoulder.
“Stay as long as you like.” She grinned and headed for the door. Ian didn’t make a move to get up. He just smiled as though he knew a secret she’d yet to figure out.
Becca opened her door, and all the bravado drained like sludge down a sink. Her driveway was empty, other than Ian’s SUV. “Where’s my car?”
“At the reception hall where you left it,” he answered, coming to stand behind her. He had his arms planted on the doorframe behind her. “Wherever you need to go, I’ll drive.”
Anger stirred in her belly as she rubbed the ache from the stress in her shoulders. She had things to do. Things that didn’t include Ian watching over her shoulder. Damn it. Damn him. “I need my car.”
“Afraid that one’s going to cost you, lass. The truth or the ring, which is it going to be?”
“You can’t blackmail me. I don’t have to agree to either of your stupid demands.
I can walk or call a cab or, hell, I can even call someone to pick me up.
” Not that she’d actually call Danny. The less this Highlander knew about her issues, the better.
The last thing she needed was for him to run off at the mouth and tell her sisters.
They’d never agree to her chasing after a killer to put a stop to her nightmares.
It didn’t matter that she was now old enough and could protect herself.
She’d always be the baby in the family to them.
Ian rubbed his strong palms over her tense shoulders and lightly squeezed. “I’ll compromise.”
As if she’d ever believe him. She slowly turned. “What part of…I don’t have to choose do you not understand? Is it the language barrier? Do I need to call Collin to get him to translate?”
His lips twisted into a sexy, arrogant smile. It seemed the more she tried to piss him off, the deeper the fire licked in his eyes. The damn Highlander was getting turned on with their verbal sparring.
“I’ll take a kiss, and I’ll take you to your car, but I’ll be staying the night again until you agree to one of your other options.”
A kiss she could do. A kiss between them would be meaningless. It wasn’t like she hadn’t thought of kissing him before. She wasn’t opposed to his five o’clock shadow scratching her face. A smile split her lips. “I’m never agreeing to your options, but one kiss and you’ll take me to my car?”
“A Highlander kiss.”
She moved back into the house and shut the door. “Highlanders kiss different? What do you do? Lick each other’s face like a puppy?”
“Not quite.” He wiggled his brows. “Is it a deal then, lass?”
“Sure,” she said and tossed her purse onto the hall table. She licked her lips and wiggled her brows, holding her hands out to the side in a come-get-you-some kind of way. “Give it your best shot.”
He took her hand and eased her back against the wall, lifting her arms above her head. He hovered with his lips a breath away from her skin, making her heart skip a beat. His plan was becoming clearer. He was going to torture her in anticipation.
“Highlanders are known for being rough, but I’ll be gentle with you.”
Her breath hitched, and her breasts felt full as he clasped both of her hands in one grip and trailed his finger down her arm, over her cheek, and to her neck. “The first kiss between a man and his intended should be something you’ll always remember.”
“I’m not marrying you,” she reminded him with clear determination.
He slid his large thigh between her legs and rubbed it against her damp panties. “You’re wanton. I can see it in your eyes.”
“You need glasses.” Her words came on a breath, betraying her body.
He slowly rubbed at her ache, building her need. If he kept it up, he’d make her orgasm through the fabric. “Have you changed your mind?”
Her eyes slid closed. Her head fell back against the wall. No way would she tell him to stop, as every nerve built into a crest that was ready to explode.
“Are you going to kiss me?” Her eyes slid open. “Or have you changed your mind?”
“I like my women feisty, Becca.”
“You like anything with a pulse, Ian.”
“I promised to give up my skirt-chasing ways. Or did you forget that too?”
Her brows dipped.
His lips twitched. “You’ll make a fine wife.”
“You’re a tease.”
“I’ll always give you what you need, regardless if it’s what you want.
” He hoisted her leg around his hip and ground his body into hers as he melded his lips to hers in a kiss she wouldn’t soon forget.
He released her hands and threaded his fingers through her hair as he took what she so willingly gave.
He increased the friction between her thighs, making her grab hold of his arms as she fought her need.
She was going to lose it. Just a little more friction and he’d send her over the edge.
Ian broke the kiss. His green eyes swirled darker as he held her gaze. “Say yes.”
He slowed his motion as she fought for breath. “No.”
Ian kissed her once more and stepped back. “A deal’s a deal. Are you ready?”
True to his word, he took her straight to her car without bombarding her with a barrage of questions she wouldn’t be able to answer.
Becca let out a lengthy sigh as she slid inside her car. The sweltering heat inside smacked her in the face, making it difficult to breathe. Sweat formed on her brow as she started the ignition, glancing once more at Ian sitting patiently in the SUV.
Music blared from the radio, piercing straight to her brain with the force of a thousand needles.
Becca jabbed the button, killing the sound.
It was going to be a long day. Every muscle in her body ached, yet it wouldn’t stop her from what she needed to do.
She rubbed her neck before tossing the car into gear.
“Kiss my ass, Highlander.” She smirked and gave Ian the one finger wave goodbye, contradicting the Love and Peace sticker on her bumper.
His lips twisted into a grin as he pulled out of the parking lot behind her.
Becca didn’t need to be a detective or a cop to know he was following her.
He didn’t try to hide the fact that he mimicked every single one of her turns.
She narrowed her eyes into the rearview mirror.
He blew her a damn kiss. Becca dialed his number and shoved the Bluetooth into her ear. He picked up on the first ring.
“Your stalking skills could use some work.”
“So could your departure skills.” He chuckled. “Where are you going?”
“It’s none of your damn business. Go play head games with one of my other sisters. I’m sure they’re up for it.”
“Afraid I cannae, lass. I’ve chosen you.”
“Un-choose me. Anything I said last night was under the influence. I didn’t mean any of it.” Becca pulled into a parking spot at the police station.
“Why are you here?”
“Filing a restraining order. Have a nice life, McDougall.” She smiled, slid out of her car, and jogged up the stairs into the building.
A gush of air kissed her skin and cooled her temper, much like the thought of leaving Ian to question her real motives. It didn’t matter. He wouldn’t come inside if he thought for a minute she’d been telling the truth.
Becca walked up to the receptionist and smiled. “Hi, Ilse, I’m here to see Danny. He’s expecting me.”
“Yeah, come on back.” Ilse motioned with her head to the door that separated the reception area from the police department. The buzzer sounded, allowing her entrance.
Becca walked down the corridors she knew like the back of her hand. She slowed to the sound of Danny’s raised voice and peeked into his open office door. Danny had the phone pressed to his ear, and he was rubbing his neck with his gaze on the desk.
“I said I know, damn it,” he growled into the phone before slamming it down on the receiver.
“I don’t think they heard you.” Becca grinned as she entered, trying to lighten the mood.
Danny’s head popped up, and the tension in his body slowly eased as he met Becca’s gaze.
She’d known Danny since they were both young.
They’d always had a connection. He’d been her best friend growing up.
He’d been her everything at one time, and now they were like best friends.
He knew her family and knew they were crazy in a woo-woo kind of way.
It was one the things he said he liked best about her.
His brother, Michael, hadn’t been as outgoing.
He’d been quiet in a nerdy kind of way. Just watching everyone else play.
He’d always been reserved and quiet. Nothing she or her sisters ever did could help him to open up.
Danny’s tension was palpable, consuming the room and making it difficult to breathe. Even the plant that Becca had given him was being affected by the energy. Its green leaves had started to wilt and sag, and it was one of the easiest plants known to keep alive. Yet, it was dying too.
“Your bad mood is killing your plant.”
“I’m not surprised,” he said, standing. “I’ve never been able to keep anything alive. It’s why my parents forbid me having anything that required me to help it live.” Danny rounded the desk and smiled down at her. “How was the wedding?”
“Great. Harper officially has a new hyphenated last name.” Becca rubbed at her temples. “And I’ve got a hangover and can’t get that killer out of my head.”
Some people could mask their emotions. Becca wasn’t one of them.
Hers shined through like one of the spotlights around her bed.
There was no need to guess when someone wanted a truthful answer.
They just had to watch her facial expressions.
There was no hiding the truth, and she knew it.
“I’m anxious to find this woman and warn her. Are we still going to use an artist?”
“Of course,” he said and led her out of his office and into one of the conference rooms. “We’re older now. You don’t need to be afraid. We’ve trained you in case he ever figures out you two are connected.”
“I think he has.” Saying the words out loud, for the first time, had her rubbing her arms.
“Why do you think that?”
She shrugged. “It’s kind of like my abilities. It’s nothing I can explain. I just…know. He’s on to me. It’s the little things. He’s more methodical; he kills slower. He knows. Trust me.”
“Do you still have your weapons?”
She nodded.
“Good. Don’t be afraid to use them. We have all the resources we need to stop him this time.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Becca stayed at the station for another two hours, working with the forensic sketch artist, describing in detail everything she could remember about the woman in scrubs.
When the artist turned his pad around to give her a better look, her heart dropped into her stomach.
She was looking right into the eyes of the killer’s next victim.
“Is that her?” Danny asked, coming to rest his hand on her chair.
Words escaped her, so Becca just nodded.
Danny took the picture and headed for the copy machine. The artist stared at her as if he was uneasy and had something to say.
“Are you sure you’ve never seen the guy?”
“No, I’ve never seen his face. Why?” she asked, unsure why he’d be asking.
“The girl in the picture looks a lot like you. Same eyes, same hair color. Do you know if he’s stalked anyone else?”
“Yes.” She thought back. Her eyes became unfocused as she thought about the women she’d seen before now. They all had the same color hair, the same eyes, the same build. She’d just never drawn the same conclusion. “Come to think of it, they all looked similar.”
“To you.”
Becca glanced over to see Danny standing at the copy machine. He had been joined by two men who had stared at the picture and then turned their gaze toward her.
They all headed in her direction, and the artist rose and headed for the door. He was handed his sketch pad and left as the others entered.
“Becca, this is Detective Martinez and Detective Griffin. They’re on the homicide task force.”
“Detectives.” Becca slowly rose from her seat and gave Danny a questioning look. They’d never brought in any outside help, never once letting anyone know what she could do.
He gave her that apologetic look he had when they were younger and his dog had torn the head off her favorite doll.
“Is it true that you’re psychic?” Martinez asked.
“I am,” she answered, lifting her chin.
“And how do you know Lucy?” he asked, tossing a color photo of the woman that they’d just sketched into the middle of the table.
She picked it up. Her heart raced as her gaze caressed the unknown woman. Hope blossomed in her chest for the first time since she’d been having these dreams. “If you found her, then that means you can save her.”
“Afraid not.” The detectives shared a look before they tossed another photo onto the table. Lucy’s blood-drained faced had cut marks marring her face. Any hope Becca had been feeling fizzled out of her body.
Unable to stand, Becca plopped back down into the chair. “I was too late.”
“Where were you last night?” Detective Martinez asked.
“A wedding.”
“And after the wedding?” Detective Griffin asked.
“Home,” she answered, lifting her gaze to theirs.
She probably did it. Becca heard Martinez think in his head.
Give them your alibi and leave. Becca heard Danny’s thought. She rose.
“Is that all, Detectives?”
Danny let out a resigned breath, as though thankful that she’d heard him.
“Can anyone corroborate you were home all night.”
Becca clasped her hands together. “Ian McDougall. He drove me home from the reception and stayed.”
Danny’s brows dipped in confusion, and she tried to stay out of his head. She didn’t need to read his thoughts. She could see the disappointment on his face.
“Any idea where we can find Mr. McDougall?”
Becca shrugged. “Probably out in the parking lot. Just look for the big Highlander in the black SUV. He followed me here.”
A big highlander? He could have killed these women. Maybe he skipped out of the wedding. Maybe she’s covering for him. Were they a team? Becca heard in Martinez’s thoughts.
“He’s a friend, and he was worried about me. That’s all.”