Chapter 16
Maverick
“A vigilante group?” While I’d been prepared for Raven Intel’s discovery since the beginning, I’d yet to come up with the right words to dispel anyone’s accusation. Especially a beautiful woman who stood with a mischievous smile on her face.
She had me wondering if we were that transparent.
This time Alexia’s nod was slow and steady while the gleam in her eyes increased exponentially. Forget amusement or even mischief. She’d caught me not only with my hand in the cookie jar but also with my pants down.
And for all the wrong reasons.
“Uh-huh,” she continued. “Handsome, dangerous dudes taking the law into their own hands. Even the Python Killer is aware of your new persona.”
“I think you’ve been reading too many fantasy books.”
After another quick glance at my bank of computers, she laughed.
“Oh, I don’t think so. There was a case almost a year ago where a man was let out of jail on a technicality.
I forget his name, but I do remember some very bad things happened around his release, including with the only witness who’d testified behind shadow screens to protect her anonymity.
Of course as soon as the bastard was released from prison, he went after her.
Fortunately, for the witness, she sought protection and assistance from a hero.
The judge who’d presided over the case.”
“I can’t say I remember.”
Her actions exaggerated, she held her hand in front of me as she curled her fingers.
I’ll be damned if the little woman wasn’t dissecting me with ease.
“You’re lying to protect me, of course. You’re still worried I’ll fall apart as additional memories float to the surface.
I assure you I’ve prepared myself for the possibility.
You mentioned your poker buddies before.
That would mean guys who get together on a regular basis.
You’d all have something in common. Like law enforcement in your backgrounds. Right?”
She had no intention of letting this go.
“Maybe so.”
“Yes, I know I’m right. And given the tone of your books, I’d say your friends share the same fury at the justice system, angered that so many criminals managed to get away with their crimes.”
As serious as the situation demanded us to be, laughing with her had become a regular occurrence and I hoped for more.
“That I will admit to. When criminals walk free of a crime where all evidence points to their guilt, but a stupid technicality caused by a single mistake destroys the case, you bet it pisses me off. When a monster is freed based on good behavior after being told by countless psychiatrists the bastard is playing them, then goes out and murders again, oh, hell yeah, I have murderous thoughts.” My blood pressure was increasing as her interest was growing.
“I understand.”
“When children are harmed—children, for fuck’s sake—after red flags were missed, that strips away any sense of belief in the goddamn system. You bet I’ve thought about taking matters into my own hands. You bet…” With a deep exhale, I looked away. So much for keeping the group protected.
“It takes an honorable man to challenge the system.”
“Or as you said, a vigilante. The less you know, the better.”
“Perhaps the more I know, the stronger the chance we can help each other. Obviously the killer, whether copycat or the great Python has figured out we’re close. Besides, I’d much rather spend my time with a vigilante any day. At least he’s a just man.”
A just man. If she only knew the things I’d done in the last year. Did I feel any guilt? In truth, hell, no. As I stood here today, I wished I’d done more. Now I had my chance. “Be careful what you wish for.”
“I’m always careful. You know,” she purred as she walked around me in a full circle, wide enough I couldn’t reach out and pull her close.
“I also seem to remember after a few mysterious deaths of several people involved who’d been on the wrong side of the law, messages were left. In dust or embers on cars.”
“Oh, really? What was said?”
When she slowly returned to being only a few inches in front of me, I didn’t allow the distance between us to get in the way, taking a single long stride and jerking her against me. Her yelp indicated delighted surprise.
“Justice served. Imagine that.”
I pulled her onto her toes, my hands remaining wrapped around her wrists. “Imagine that.” I lowered my head, allowing our lips to remain a few centimeters away. “What I’m involved in has been a long time coming and it’s vital that no one knows who we are or our missions.”
“So you’re saying you can’t trust me.”
“I’m saying I already do. But as with every mission, some aspects on a need-to-know basis could keep you alive. And God knows I don’t want you hurt ever again, Alexia.”
“Is that why you’re so protective?” Her whispered voice continued. “You somehow think you failed me before?”
“I did. You were forced to suffer for much longer than necessary.”
“Because your hands were tied by rules.”
A strangled laugh breached the surface. “My greatest regret.” When she cupped my face, I was taken aback. There were a dozen emotions in her eyes, feelings that didn’t need words, but dear God, I wanted to hear.
“You did everything you could.” She cocked her head, taking the time to trace lines on my face, even rolling the tip of her finger down the bridge of my nose. “You were the reason I was able to go on including emotionally. I’ll never be able to repay you.”
“There’s no reason to repay me.”
“Is there no other reason you’re so protective of me?”
“Isn’t that enough?” I brushed my lips across hers, relishing the softness of hers, the hunger ebbing and flowing through us both. The hunger was spiking off the charts. I could easily ravage her sprawled out across the computers. If only we had the time.
With a slight arch, she pushed her breasts against my chest, the pressure just enough I couldn’t control my urges.
The kiss was sweet at first, the voice inside my head allowed the time to try to convince me my actions were wrong.
The failure was instantaneous when I thrust my tongue inside.
The feel of having her in my arms was everything a red-blooded man could ask for.
Together, we explored each other’s mouths, taking our time to do so. Goddamn, I could easily quench my thirst from the taste of her lips alone.
The seconds ticked by and I knew if I didn’t stop this now, nothing would. Just breaking the kiss took everything I had. As soon as I did, she repeated the dart of her tongue across her bottom lip, the slight purr coaxing me to continue.
But I managed to refrain, pulling away and regretting it instantly. “I meant what I said. Hurting you unduly isn’t going to happen. Not if I have any control over the situation.”
“You can’t control everything, Mr. Hero. No matter how good your intentions. I need to remember so I can let go.”
Alexia had a point there. “Cautiously.”
Nodding, her sudden nervousness forced my balls to tighten. I loathed that she felt anxious around me. “Agreed.” She stepped away from me on purpose, switching to the information on the computer we’d discussed the night before.
In watching what she was doing, I could tell she was even more determined than the night before. Not that I could blame her.
“I can still see her face, the tremendous fear in her eyes.”
“Whose face?” This was the first time since she’d caught me at the book signing where she’d mentioned anyone else.
“The last girl who spent time in the cabin in the Everglades with me. The sweet girl was brought in after I was, chained near me. God, she was so young, so helpless. She cried for the first few days. He loved that and preyed on her. I did what I could to protect her. We talked when we were able, whispered thoughts after he’d left for the night, fearful he was recording us.
To this day, I know he was. Using our fear as a trophy.
” She shook her head as a bitter laugh floated between us.
“She was taken from that horrible cabin just before the thunderstorm. She was wailing, pleading with him that she’d be a good girl.
A good. Girl. Not that he cared. He needed his fucking fix. ”
I remembered. Every girl. Every name. Every face. However, the last thing I wanted to do was to interrupt her. Any doctor worth their salt would say she needed to continue working through the visions when they’d made themselves known.
Tick. Tock.
Awkward seconds ticked by.
I’d been this close to saving another victim. This close. Another wave of guilt tore through me.
Goddamn, the rage was strong, so much so I had my doubts I’d be able to control myself around him when I was a few feet away. The case was an anchor, a noose hanging around my neck.
“Do you remember the storm that day?” The quiet inflection of her tone clawed at my heart.
“Vaguely.” Which wasn’t true. I could remember every single detail about the night, including the breakout of crimes during the middle of what forecasters had called an unprecedented storm.
“It was vicious, lasting for hours. The tiny cracks in the siding of that slaughterhouse were lit up as if there were firecrackers going off outside only a few feet away. And the horrific booms of thunder rumbled under the floorboards, but for the first time in weeks, I was reminded that there was another world out there, not one controlled by a madman.” The giant, picturesque moon reflected outside the floor-to-ceiling window highlighted the shimmer on several emotions she continued to try to banish.
If Samuel wasn’t the killer, I honestly didn’t give a shit. He was part of this nightmare holding Alexia hostage.