He said nothing for several moments, playing with a small ring on her finger. “Not crazy at all. I have had dreams…nightmares, for years, and you’re in the center of them.”
“Jared, I don’t think they are dreams. What happens?”
“The voice in my dreams has told me repeatedly I’m your only chance. He begged me to protect his Mo Aingeal Lómhara.”
Jennie’s heart dropped to her stomach as a sob clogged her throat. “My precious angel. It’s Gaelic, and what my dad called me. All of this is on me. How could I be so blind?”
“Sorry, sweet Jennie. You can’t hog all of it. It’s on me, too. I just didn’t understand until now.”
Sounds of the hospital seeped into the room and filled the void. She placed a light kiss at his neck, then she pulled back. “Mendoza had my parents killed separately, at exactly four-fifteen, a time that means something to him. If Louise’s medications have been tampered with, we’ll know I’m on to something.”
“Then I guess I better get these to the lab.” Emma checked her watch. “Jared, you’ve been in here twenty minutes. If someone is watching, they’ll start wondering what’s going on.”
Jared slowly lifted his arm from around Jennie’s shoulder, careful to not touch her neck. He rose from the bed and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I need to find a way to get you out of here safely, without anyone seeing you leave.”
“We need to find Danny. I’ll go anywhere with you as soon as he’s safe.”
“One-track mind,” Jared said, shaking his head.
Father Anthony interrupted. “If I could suggest an alternate idea, before Jennie goes into her ‘I can take care of myself’ mode? You’ve been giving Mendoza exactly what he wants for a long time, and it hasn’t been working for you. Maybe you should consider a complete change.”
“Go on, Father,” Jared urged.
“I was just wondering why you’re allowing Mendoza to call the shots? It seems to me that for the last several years, you’ve been staying away from each other because that’s what Mendoza wants. I think it’s time to stop playing his game and start playing your own.” He faced Jennie. “Tonight, something happened that wasn’t part of the plan. I’m sure heads are going to roll because this Greg guy got very close to you. Mendoza had to show his hand for the first time. Maybe it’s time you give him another little shock and stand back to see how he reacts.”
“What are you suggesting?” Jared asked.
“If Mendoza wants you as far away from Jennie as you can be, maybe you should be as close to her as possible. Blatantly close.”
“Father Anthony, are you forgetting about Danny? That could get him killed.”
“Maybe, or he’s part of this plan.”
“No! He used Nick…no one else I love is going to die at the hands of that monster.”
“Okay, that’s it. I’m pulling my doctor card. You two, out, now.” Emma pointed to the door.
At that moment, Noah knocked on the door and entered, without waiting for an invitation. “We need to talk.”
Jared tossed his lab coat, hospital badge, and glasses to Noah. “You’re me. Go be a doctor and flirt with the nurses.” Jared eased onto the mattress, taking Jennie’s hand in his. “I need the room, now. Get out.”
Eighteen
Jennie embraced Jared, clawed his shirt into her fist, and drew him close. “I can’t live like this any longer. If anything happens to Danny—”
She shuddered as she took a deep breath, drawing in his clean, fresh scent. “I’m surrounded by evil. It’s always there in the shadows. It spreads into every pore of my body, churning until it boils up and chokes the life out of me. I can’t make it go away, Jared. Nothing I do is right.”
“I left you alone and made you believe no one had your back, but that ended last night. I’m not going anywhere, and this will end. Mendoza will pay for all of it.”
“How? Mendoza will destroy your life, your family…”
“I’m no longer a stupid rookie detective with a chip on my shoulder.”
“I was going after him. I want him to pay for what he did to you.” She slipped her hand into his shirt between the buttons and felt the thick, puckered skin from the scars on his chest. “This is my fault.”
“These scars are a reminder of my own stupidity. It had nothing to do with you.”
“I can connect Mendoza to Quinton’s murder through Tattoo Guy, but it doesn’t matter, because he has Danny.” She met his stare. “And we both know what he’s capable of doing to him.”
“Tattoo Guy’s name is Ivan, and it matters a great deal.” Jared pulled out his cell and sent a quick text before returning it to his pocket.
“You recognize him?” Jennie asked.
“Oh yeah, we’re old buddies.”
Jennie had no trouble connecting the dots. “He’s the bastard that did this to you?” She rubbed her hands over his chest. “He then, in that bizarre twist of fate, saved my life. He’s still as evil as Mendoza, maybe even more so. Human life means nothing to him. I’m sending him to hell where he belongs.”
“Sweetheart, you’re going to have to stand in a long line for that honor.” Jared kissed her forehead and cradled her closer. “We sure are a pair.”
“I’m going after Mendoza…”
“Over my dead body! There’s a task force closing in on him as we speak.”
“This is my fight, my nightmare. It’s about me, about my family. And there’s no task force. My father’s case is an inactive file. No one is working to take Mendoza down.”
“So, Nick strikes again, I see. Your foster brother was one of the best hackers I’ve ever met, and it appears he taught you a thing or two.” Jared’s smile turned serious. “You said you trusted me.”
“Of course, I trust you.”
“Then believe me when I say people are working to take him down. You can help me find Danny, but you’re leaving Mendoza alone. Understand?” Jared’s eyes narrowed, staring hard at her. “I want your promise.”
“You and Father Anthony are members of the same domineering men’s club, right? Do you practice that look in the mirror?”
“Now, give. Promise me you’ll stay away from Mendoza.”
“Fine, but all bets are off if anything—”
“Nothing is going to happen to me. I’ve way too much to live for to let that bastard end it.”
Before she could utter a word, Jared lowered his mouth to cover hers. Instantly, he took control, deepening the kiss as he enveloped her body. The sensuous vibrations that spiked through her body were overpowering. Nothing had prepared her for the onslaught. It was only a kiss, but the fierce passion it awoke in her made her tremble.
“I’m not domineering,” Jared said, releasing her for a second, before lowering his mouth for the second assault.
It was heaven in a kiss, so soft and sweet. It fed a hunger in her she never knew existed. She wanted her hands on him everywhere. But just as they began to explore, he broke the connection.
“Hospital bed,” was the only coherent thing that came out of his mouth.
“What?”
“You’re still in a hospital bed. I’m an idiot.”
“You sure as hell are,” she replied, as heat rushed to her cheeks.
“You think I wanted to stop?”
“You’re the one who pulled back.”
Jared tried to suppress the laugh, but it burst out, echoing off the walls of the small space. Jennie wanted to punch the silly look off his face, but Jared grabbed hold of her hand and held it to his chest. “You’ve had a horrible night, and I don’t want to take advantage of the situation. You’re still lying in a hospital bed. I’m not an oversexed cretin who can’t control his—”
“Did it look like I was complaining?” With her eyes glued to the bedsheets, she whispered, “I’m not made of glass.” A smile rose within her, and the challenge was on. “I understand if you can’t man up and—”
“How is this for manning up?” His mo
uth crushed down hard on hers.
This time there was no gentleness, just pure unrestrained passion. He took what he desired, his mouth moving impatiently. What he gave, he demanded in return. His hands moved impatiently as well, touching, caressing everywhere they could reach.
The feel of his hands on her body ignited every cell in her at once. Nothing ever felt so intense…so wonderful…so frightening. She would never control this side of Jared. She wanted it to go on forever, but as quickly as the passion began, it ended.
Resting their foreheads against each other, they both struggled to catch their breath.
“I’m not going to apologize again,” he said, opening his eyes and staring into hers.
“No one asked you to.” Jennie took in a gulp of air. “Just tell me the rules, because I don’t know how to play this game.”
“You think this is a game?” Jared raked his hand through his hair before he spoke. “When the call came in, Noah could feel something was wrong. He didn’t get one word out before I felt a rage so destructive, I went mad. That bastard went after you. Every fucking crime scene raced through my head. He did that to you. It destroyed something in me. Noah—he became Greg Scarvey. I went after him like—” Jared paused, working to get control of his emotions. “If not for Jason holding me back, I would have hurt him, really hurt him.”
“Oh, Jared.” No words could express what the man in her arms meant to her. She kissed every surface of his face, beginning with his tormented eyes, until she reached his lips. Every ounce of compassion she had in her fed the passion. She never wanted to witness that look on his face ever again. Deepening the kiss, she gave herself over to him.
Nineteen
The light tap sounded on the door to Jennie’s room. The normal hospital sounds and smells were absent. Only the woman in his arms was part of Jared’s world.
He laid partially on his side and Jennie’s body enveloped his. Since she seemed oblivious to the tapping, Jared forced himself to ease back and break the kiss, just as Noah and Emma walked into the room.
“Well, shit. If I’m blinded for life, it is going to be your fault.”
“Shut up, Noah,” Jared said, ignoring the siblings who invaded his haven. He sat up. “This, sweetheart, has been the bane of my existence from the moment I was born.”
He lifted her off him and rose to his feet. “What?”
Jared stared at his brother and sister. Emma usually had more sense than this.
“Is it safe yet?” Noah spread his fingers over his eyes and peeked through them.
Jennie laughed. “Do you guys always pick on each other like this?”
“Oh yeah, they’re moronic.” Emma rolled her eyes. “Are you ready to get out of here? I have your discharge papers and instructions for treating the cuts on your throat.” Emma reached for the folded garments at the foot of the bed. “I have a pair of scrubs you can use.”
“I’d appreciate the help,” Jennie said, lightly touching her throat. “It’s beginning to hurt.”
“That’s because the numbing meds are wearing off.” She pulled the curtain around the bed, shoving Jared and Noah to the other side.
Jared faced Noah. “Is it our guy?”
“If it isn’t the guy, it’s an amazing copycat. We’ll know more in about an hour, but we need to ask her some questions.”
“Not tonight we don’t.” Jared yanked out his phone and checked for missed calls. “Did Raúl check in? He was with me when everything went down. I’m sure Mendoza’s not happy.”
“The only text I received was yours.” Noah held his phone down at his side.
“Let me see what you got.”
“You don’t want to see them here,” he said, glancing toward the curtain. “It isn’t pretty.”
“Hand it over.”
“Fine, but just remember I tried to warn you.”
Jared flipped through the photos, viewing each one thoroughly. His stomach churned. He could taste the bile in his throat, and it took all his control to keep from slamming the phone against the wall. The images of Jennie, helpless and tied down like an animal, with a dead man lying on top of her, were horrific.
“The shooter just left Jennie…”
Jared raised his hand. He didn’t need Noah’s words. His mind conjured the image of a man lying on top of her with a knife, carving thin slices across her beautiful throat, like it was butter.
Noah’s hand rested on his shoulder, and he could hear Jennie speaking softly to Emma behind the curtain. Her voice calmed him. He had to see her, touch her, feel her. Before Emma could protest, he drew Jennie, half-dressed, into his arms, plastering her body up against his.
Jennie just clung to him saying, “I’m okay, Jared,” over again.
“Give us a minute,” he said to Emma, without looking up at her. He eased down on the bed, drawing Jennie to him.
“What did Noah say to you?”
She was safe now. The bandage covering her neck was just one more reminder of how he failed her. “I should have stopped that bastard, and Mendoza.”
“Please don’t do this to yourself.”
Resting his head on her forehead, he took in a deep, shaky breath. “God, Jennie, why don’t you hate me?”
“I have two heartbeats. One is mine, but the other is for you. It’s been like that for a long time.”
“Then you better be ready for me in your life, Jennie Nash McKenzie, because I’m not leaving you alone until this nightmare is over—maybe never again.”
The corners of her mouth curled up in a smile. “Now why doesn’t that sound like a threat?”
“I’m serious, Jennie.”
“Bring it, big guy. I’m damn tired of being alone.”
Jared’s lips crushed hers, her voiced hitched and her body melted into his. His hands cupped her head, holding her to him. She sure the hell wasn’t pulling back but matched his passion with her own.
He had been damn lonely, too, and this woman could fill the void. Nothing mattered but Jennie, the feel and taste of her.
“Yo, bro, are you still alive in there?” Noah murmured from the other side of the curtain.
Jennie broke the kiss. A deep pink rose in her cheeks.
“Don’t.” He brought her chin up so their eyes met. “I promise to kill him later. Just don’t be embarrassed.”
Jennie swallowed. “Jared, I could have…we…”
“I know. You can fry my brain anytime.” Jared chuckled. He reached for the faded scrub top. He whispered hoarsely, “Maybe I should help you with this.”
Jennie nodded as he eased the top over her head, working it around her bandages. Next, he took the pants and lifted her leg.
“I can do this part.”
“Yeah, well, I want to help.” He tugged them out of her hand and raised her leg, rubbing his hand over the top of her foot. “These are some really cute toes.”
“They’re just feet.” Jennie pushed her foot through one leg hole, then the other.
Jared lifted her and slowly lowered her to the floor. As Jennie reached to grab the waistband, he brushed her hand away. After pulling the pants in place, he eased the top down over the waistband and lifted her back into the bed. “The cuts are hurting?”
“Just a little. I’m fine, Jared.”
“Like hell you are.” He ran a hand over the back of his neck. “Noah has some questions. Are you up to it?”
“Ask away, Noah.”
The air grew thick. Noah was his better half, Jennie, his life.
“I’m okay, Noah. I want to help you.”
“I’ll make this painless as possible. Will you run through your evening for me?”
Jennie rehashed everything that happened at the hospital that afternoon.
“The man who attacked you has been identified as Greg Scarvey. How much contact did you have with him at the school?”
“Very little. I remember tonight during…while he…I couldn’t even remember his name.”
Jared drew her clos
e. Noah was being as gentle as he could.
“You said he worked at your school in a temporary position as a third-grade teacher. When was he hired?”
“About four weeks ago. Mrs. Arnold went on maternity leave in February. Mr. Scarvey was hired to finish out the year. I knew him well enough to say good morning, good evening.”
“Do you have any idea why he targeted you?”
“I knew I was being watched but couldn’t figure out by whom.”
Jared brought her face to meet his eyes. “What do you mean you knew you were being watched?”
“I felt him like I feel Mendoza; the sensation was different but just as frightening. Tonight, I should’ve known he was in my apartment. I was upset, distracted.”
“When did you first feel Scarvey watching you?” Noah asked.
“I can’t believe you asked me that question, Noah. It’s like you believe me.”
“It’s a strange world.”
“Yeah, it can be. I guess about three weeks ago.”
“That fits,” Noah said, glancing at Jared. “He would have needed another woman by then. Can you think of anything else that would help us?”
“I don’t know why he picked me. I welcomed him to the school, but so did every other teacher.”
“Are you up to talking about the shooter?”
Jennie took a breath and held it before exhaling. It was as if she was building a wall to protect herself from Noah.
“I’ve seen him before tonight. From where I was lying on the bed, I didn’t get a good look at his face, but I saw the tattoo on his arm.”
“Jennie can place him at the shooting of a young boy. Quinton Torres. She ID’d this picture,” Jared said, handing it to Noah.
“Where did this image come from?”
“A camera in the neighborhood,” Jared replied.
“Yeah, but how did you get it?” Noah squinted at Jennie.
A low growl rose in Jared’s throat. “Careful.”
“I have a question.” Jennie wrapped her arms around her middle. “How did he know that Scarvey was with me?”
It was time she knew, but he was taking the chicken-shit way out by having his twin tell her.
In the Shadow of Evil Book 2 Page 11