“Well, bless your heart, that's so kind of you to think of her. I'll be sure to let her know you stopped by,” Beau said as he closed the door on a protesting voice. The bell rang again but Beau ignored it, coming out to the patio again.
“Press,” Beau said easily.
“Shit,” I groaned.
“'No comment' is all you say. This is a police investigation,” Beau observed.
“They aren't going to leave us alone,” I said.
“Well, you are just going to make them wait then, honey,” Beau said, coming back onto the porch with a stack of plates and a handful of cutlery. “Now, dig in. Y'all look like shriveled up balloons, wilting all over the place. Eat, eat.”
It felt weird to eat, after finding a dead body, but I couldn't deny that I was hungry. I held out my hand for a plate and Beau gave me an approving nod as he dished up some blackened chicken and roasted vegetables with a side of rice. Not saying a word, I began to eat, closing my eyes in pleasure as the flavors assaulted my tongue.
“Sorry, Luna. Althea told me that you had just gone on a date with him,” Trace said and Beau's head swung around, scenting gossip.
“You did? Well, all sorts of romances firing up this week,” he said and then winced, probably realizing that one romance wouldn’t be taking off. “Sorry, Luna.”
“Thanks, guys. I'm still kind of absorbing the news. It's even more shocking to realize it was a murder.”
“When did you last see him?” Trace asked and Luna blushed, quickly shoving a piece of chicken in her mouth.
“Oh.” Beau nodded knowingly.
“Aside from, ahem, all that.” Trace waved away Luna's night of passion. “Like when did you see him last?”
“When I left the boat. We made plans to have dinner this weekend and he said he would call me later that day. And then…nothing. I was so pissed at him too,” Luna said, stabbing a pepper with her fork.
“Understandably,” Beau said soothingly.
“So this was when?”
“Thursday morning.”
“It must've happened shortly after, because the body's been in the water long enough to have the fish eat some of it,” Trace mused.
Luna's fork clattered to her plate as she pushed her food away and marched into the living room. Beau immediately jumped up and shot a withering gaze at Trace.
“Sorry, I wasn't thinking,” Trace said on a sigh, running his hands through his hair, shame etched across his face.
“It's okay. We're all a little in shock at the moment,” I said.
“How are you holding up?” Trace asked, leaning back to scan my face again.
“Could be better. Stopped by Miss Elva's and had a nice cry. She said it's going to get worse before it gets better.”
Trace raised an eyebrow at me.
“Hey, don't knock it. She was right about today.”
“Do you see anything?”
“Honestly, I haven't tried. I'm pretty wiped out. I think I'll get some sleep tonight and try to center myself in the morning, come at this fresh,” I said, glossing over what I had encountered on the docks. More than half the town had been clustered on the dock; it would be somewhat impossible to pick out who had been giving off that vibe.
A knock at the door had me starting to get up, but Beau called to me to sit. I sat, nibbling on my lip in worry as I tried to sift through the impressions I had received on the dock after we had gotten off the boat.
“I'm going to stay here tonight,” Trace said, his voice firm.
“Actually, I'm going to stay,” a commanding voice said from the doorway and I swear my skin got goose bumps.
“What makes you think that?” Trace said, standing up to square off to Cash. Beau slipped quickly past the two and slid onto the couch next to me, snagging the tequila bottle in one hand.
“Drinks for the entertainment,” he whispered to me and poured a healthy dose of the clear liquid into my glass. Despite it all, I snorted at Beau, trying to contain my laughter.
“Because I've worked in security and I'm comfortable with keeping Althea safe,” Cash said evenly, crossing his arms over his chest, his biceps rippling under the gray t-shirt he wore.
“Oh my,” Beau whispered, admiring the view.
“I know, I can't even…” I whispered back.
“I can keep Althea safe,” Trace shot back, crossing his arms across his chest to mirror Cash's pose. Though Trace's muscles were smaller, both men looked capable of hand-to-hand combat. As I thought more about hand-to-hand, my mind drifted into naughty places that I shouldn't be thinking about when two men were about to fight right in front of me.
“Is that so? How many intruders have you fought off? Are you armed? What do you carry?” Cash said evenly, his eyes never leaving Trace's face.
“It's time for you to leave,” Trace said, ignoring Cash's questions.
“That's not for you to say,” Cash said and turned to slide his gaze over me. I shivered just looking at him and tamped down on my inner-slut that wanted to have him protect me all night long.
“I believe it is, mate,” Trace said softly, stepping into Cash's personal space. Beau and I both drew in a breath and I immediately jumped up.
“Okay, guys, it's been a tough day all around. Cash, thank you for coming, but I don't want to see you and Trace fight right now,” I said, walking over to where Cash stood, easing myself between him and Trace. Running my hands over his bicep until I reached his hand, I tugged a bit, pulling him to follow me into the kitchen and away from Trace. I shook my head at Luna, who was sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter. Taking my cue, she got up and went out to the porch, leaving Cash and me alone.
“That guy,” Cash said, shaking his head about Trace.
“Sorry about that, he's a little protective of me,” I said softly, meeting his eyes, trying desperately to get a read on him. I just couldn't fathom Cash being a killer.
“You should have told me if you were dating someone,” Cash said, and I finally caught the undercurrent of anger in his voice.
“I…I'm not,” I said, reaching up to put my hand to his face, but he stepped back out of my reach.
“Sure looks like it to me,” he bit out.
“It’s nothing. We've just been good friends for a long time,” I rushed out, pleading with him to understand.
“I don't poach. And I never cheat. So this shit doesn't fly with me,” Cash said, moving towards the door. “I came here tonight to see if you were okay and to offer to protect you, not to find out that you were already involved.”
“Cash, wait, I swear it's not what you think,” I said, stopping him before he could walk out the door.
“Then you need to set lover boy straight, because he has a serious crush on you,” Cash said, looking down at me.
“I…I don't even know. He's never been like that before,” I whispered and I saw the tension ease in Cash's eyes a bit.
“Be careful. You don't know who the killer is and for all we know, you, or Luna…or any one of us could be the next target. Don't be alone. Close the blinds. Lock the doors.”
“Do you really think he'd come after us?”
“Or she,” Cash said.
“Shit, or she?”
“Yes, I think anything's possible. Especially if they think you and Trace had any sort of clues as to who they are…” Cash trailed off and sighed.
Tipping his head down, he bumped his forehead against mine before taking a nip of my bottom lip. Warmth surged through my body and I gasped a bit for air, feeling a bit dizzy as I leaned into his strength.
“Watch your back,” he said and opened the door, slipping out quickly but giving me enough time to see the line of people with cameras that stood outside my door. Slamming the door on the shouted questions, I leaned my forehead against the wood for a second before taking a deep breath and turning, ready to return to my friends.
And briefly wondering if I had just exchanged a kiss with the killer.
Chapter Sixteen
Hours later, I hiccupped as I watched Trace stroke Hank's back, the dog having wiggled his way up until his head rested on Trace's knee.
“Luna go to bed?” Trace asked.
“Yeah, she was done. I tucked her into one of the guestrooms.”
“I can take a couch down here,” Trace said.
“You don't have to stay, Trace. I'm sure it's fine.”
“I'm staying. At least for the night, until we see what else the police come up with in the morning,”
I rolled my head to the side, resting against the back of the couch, and looked at Trace. He had taken on a bit of a glow for me – but that was probably due in large part to the amount of tequila I had imbibed this evening. Everything seemed a little softer around the edges, and with my shields down, Trace's aura glowed gently around him.
“You're glowing,” I giggled and he squinted at me.
“Althea Rose, I do believe you are drunk,” he said on a smile and stood, gently dislodging Hank from his legs. I smiled up at him as he came to stand before me, bending down to grab my arms and pull me to my feet.
“Whoa,” I said as I wobbled into him, brushing against his body and feeling a languid heat curl through me at his nearness.
“This way, Tequila Thea,” Trace said and I giggled again as he pulled me from the patio, stopping to lock and secure the doors, Hank two steps ahead of us. I watched as Trace walked around to all of the windows, checking that each was locked, pulling blinds tightly closed.
“Thank you,” I said.
“No problem. Go on up, I'll crash down here.”
“I have a second guest bedroom,” I said, pausing at the stairs to watch him as Hank stood between us, his head swinging to look at each person speaking.
“I'll feel better being down here. Just in case,” Trace said.
“Okay, come help with pillows and blankets then,” I said, knowing I'd probably trip on a blanket and take a header down the stairs if I tried to walk back down with my arms full.
“Yes, ma'am,” Trace said, his voice right behind me as we ascended the stairs and I felt myself grown warm at the thought of Trace bypassing the closet and following me into my bedroom.
One long narrow hallway shot to the back of the house with various doorways along the way, and a warm glow spilled from a small light in my bedroom, softly illuminating the hallway.
“Oof,” Trace said as he bumped into me when I paused in front of the linen closet.
“Sorry,” I whispered and moved to pull the linen closet open.
Hands at my waist stopped me, and I took a slow breath in, unsure of what was about to happen.
“I just want one,” Trace whispered, his breath hot at my neck, causing me to shiver again.
“One what?” I whispered, closing my eyes as his lips brushed a sensitive spot on the back of my neck.
Trace slowly turned me until I was looking at his chest.
“Look at me,” he whispered and I did, his eyes gleaming in the semi-darkness. My mouth went dry and I swallowed, waiting.
“One kiss. I know you've got something with Cash, but I just have to see,” Trace said, and bent, nibbling softly at my bottom lip before I could offer a protest.
I surprised even myself when I leaned in, running my hands up his arms and through his hair, pulling his face to mine in an epic I'm drunk and shouldn't be doing this but it feels so good kiss.
We broke apart, both of us panting a little, and my heart banged an unsteady rhythm against my chest.
“You don't get to blame this on being drunk,” Trace said, leaning in to brush his lips softly against mine again.
“Shit,” I said, my hands curling into his shirt.
“I just had to know.”
“Know what?”
“I had to know if it's there.”
“Is it?” I asked, mentally wanting to kick myself for going down this road.
Trace just smiled and stepped back, running a finger down my nose.
“Sleep tight,” he said, turning to walk down the hallway.
“Wait,” I said and he turned, a smile lighting his face.
“Your blankets,” I mumbled and the smile dropped, but he nodded.
“Thanks,” he said, grabbing them from me and moving down the hallway. Hank followed him, standing at the top of the stairs and looking down before looking back at me.
“You can go with him,” I said, though I knew I would miss his warm comfort in my bed.
With a grunt, Hank turned from the stairs and followed me into my room.
I couldn't help but smile even though I wondered if I would be able to sleep with all the thoughts whirling through my head.
But for now, Hank was the only man that needed to be in my bed.
Chapter Seventeen
I woke up to a dull pounding at the door.
Or was it in my head? My brain felt fuzzy as I squinted my eyes open to see Hank standing at the end of my bed, his head cocked at the door.
“Come in?” I asked, not sure if I had really heard the pounding or not.
“Morning, sunshine,” Luna sang, swinging into my room with a wine glass full of orange juice. Hank bounced around at the end of the bed, wanting attention.
“Is that orange juice?”
“Mimosa. Just enough to take the edge off without dulling your senses,” she said, smiling at me as she eased down onto the bed.
“You're an angel,” I said, grabbing the glass and gulping half of it down before I put it on the bedside stand.
“You don't look so good,” Luna observed and I laughed, pushing my hair back from my face.
“I went about three tequilas past where I should've last night,” I said sheepishly.
Luna glanced to where the door stood open and got up to close it quickly before settling back onto my bed. I sighed, knowing girl talk was coming.
“So, what the hell is going on with you and Trace? And you and Cash?”
“I wish I knew the answers to that,” I said, my eyes roaming to a crystal light catcher in butterfly shapes hanging in my window.
“I mean…Cash is crazy hot and I think you should ride that train as long as you can. But Trace was a surprise. I had no idea there was a history there.”
I sliced my eyes back to hers. “There wasn't.”
“Wasn't?” Luna's voice went up a note.
“We kissed. By the closet, last night, blankets,” I mumbled, burying my face in my glass again.
“You kissed him?” Luna squealed.
“Shhhh,” I said.
“Shhh what? Like he doesn't know you guys kissed?” Luna demanded.
“Well, maybe I don’t want him to know we are discussing it,” I hissed at her.
“How was it?” she whispered, excitement covering her face.
“Amazing,” I admitted, looking gloomily into my drink.
“So why the face?” Luna asked, stroking Hank's tummy as he wiggled on his back on the bed in delight.
I shrugged, looking away from her as I bit my lip, surprised when tears spiked my eyes.
“Whoa, what's wrong, honey?” Luna asked, her mouth dropping open.
“It's just that…for once I found a really great guy. And he took me on a nice date and he has a mouth that I could kiss for hours and I really want to see where it'll go with him.”
“But?”
“But, now this Trace thing came out of nowhere and he's like, moving in on my space, and I don’t know what to do because I like him too,” I said, softly, as I stared at the wall.
“Shitty timing,” Luna said.
“Yeah, really shitty,” I said, turning to look at her. “I just never meet guys like this and now I have two and knowing me, this is going to all blow up in my face in a fiery catastrophe that leaves me single and collecting cats.”
Hank tilted his head at me and I laughed.
“Or dogs. Collecting more dogs.”
“It will all work out. I promise. One thing I learned about dating more th
an one guy at a time? Always be very honest and open about your intentions. That way you don't come off as though you are trying to hide something,” Luna said.
I flashed back to Cash's anger from the night before. He had obviously picked up on the Trace thing and felt like I was hiding it from him.
“Cash thinks I've been lying to him about Trace.”
“Well, you'll need to set him straight then. If that's what you want.”
“The only thing I want right now is to get rid of this headache. Then we need to do a seeing spell,” I said, meeting Luna's eyes.
“What are we trying to see exactly?” Luna said, her eyebrows raised in question.
“I want to see if we can find out who the killer is.”
Luna blew out a breath and pushed her bangs back from her eyes.
“Don't you think we should leave this to the police?”
“Is that what you want to do?” I asked incredulously, thinking about how Dupree had tried to incriminate us yesterday.
Luna's lips pressed together in a thin line as she shook her head.
“No. No, I really don't. Okay, let's head to the shop.”
“I need to shower first.”
Luna wrinkled her nose at me and nodded.
“Come on, Hank, I bet you're hungry. Your slut of a mom needs to shower,” she said as she got off the bed.
My pillow just missed hitting her on the way out the door.
Chapter Eighteen
“What exactly are we doing here again?” Trace asked impatiently as we unlocked the door to our store.
“You didn't have to come, you know,” I said over my shoulder before I pushed into the shop, immediately moving to the windows and pulling the blinds down to discourage onlookers.
We'd narrowly avoided being run down by the press this morning, by sending Trace out as a decoy. He'd managed to shake them after a mile or so and had arrived at the shop just as we were unlocking the door.
“Yeah, like I'm going to leave you guys alone,” Trace scoffed, his manhood offended.
“ I hope you like witchcraft ,then, because we are about to do a seeing spell. Well, I should say Luna's going to use her magic and I'm going to harness my gift. Together, we should be able to figure a few things out.”
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