She struggled to say something, but nothing would come.
“Oh, I almost forgot to ask. Did you get your essay back today?”
Her essay. She had forgotten about that. “Yeah. She gave me an A-.”
Damon rolled his eyes. “Of course Kellerman had to throw in the minus. Can I see her marks? I’m curious what her complaints were. The last draft you showed me was practically perfect.”
Ari pulled her gaze away from him and dug into her bag until she found the essay. Normally, she’d have been annoyed by the minus, but she was also dealing with a teacher who was notorious for ruining perfect grade point averages. She handed the stapled pages to him and watched him as he read it over, flipping through the pages.
“She’s entirely too picky.” He handed it back. “You know what I think?”
“What?”
“I’ll bet she wanted to teach at the college level but couldn’t, and now she has a massive chip on her shoulder. She’s taking her frustrations out on the students.”
“Really? Sounds kind of immature.”
“Teachers are people, too.” He shrugged.
“I guess.”
He leaned back against the tree, against her. “The question is, are you happy with the grade?”
“Only because it’s her. I usually get A’s in everything else.”
Damon turned to her and held her gaze, his face only inches from hers. “I know. I just hate to think of your GPA being marred because of her. You’re one of the smartest people I’ve ever tutored.”
Her stomach flip-flopped, and her mind drew a blank. She got lost in his dark eyes.
“Do you think my tutoring has helped?”
She nodded, and silence lingered between them. “I like you a lot.”
The world froze, time stopped. Her face warmed. She didn’t really just say that, did she? She had.
Damon tilted his head. “You like me a lot?”
Think! Come up with something brilliant. “You’re an amazing tutor.”
That wasn’t much better. She swallowed.
“I’m an amazing tutor?”
She chewed on her lower lip. “I mean—”
“You’re an amazing student.” He leaned closer. Their mouths were almost touching now. All either one of them would have to do would be to move forward just slightly. “The best out of the entire study group.”
“Th-thanks.”
“I mean it.” He held her hand in his and traced circles on her palm. “Is this okay?”
She nodded.
He closed the gap between them and brushed his lips across hers. Pressed his mouth on hers for a moment that both lasted forever and just a blink. Then he pulled away, smiled with a dreamy look in his eyes, and raked his fingers through her hair. “I like you a lot, too.”
Her heart threatened to explode out of her chest. He’d just kissed her. It had almost been so quick she could’ve imagined it—but she hadn’t. She could still feel it on her lips.
“I hope that was okay. I’d never want to do anything to make you uncomfortable.”
She leaned forward and kissed him, making it last longer than the other one.
His palm rested on the back of her neck and he breathed softly before pulling away. “I take that to mean it was okay to kiss you.”
Ari nodded, her mind swirling. Not only had they just kissed—twice—but he really liked her!
He glanced at the time. “We’d better get going, but I’m definitely looking forward to tomorrow.”
Her face flamed. She tried to think of a reason to stay. “Same here, but what about the story? We never discussed it.”
“I’ll tell you everything as we drive.” He threaded his fingers through hers and held her gaze. “Your dad isn’t giving you problems, is he?”
Ariana’s mood clouded over at the mention of him. “Why do you ask?”
“Well, if he ever finds out about this …” He panned his palm around, stopping at his shirtless six-pack. “He wouldn’t be happy, and he’s a cop. Imagine what he’d do to a high school guy dating his daughter.”
She sat up straight. “I won’t ever tell him. He doesn’t need to know.”
Damon leaned over and brushed his lips across hers again. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that.”
Shock
Alex rubbed his temples as he headed for Nick’s office. He’d been in a training seminar all day and was more exhausted than if he’d been out dealing with criminals those eight hours.
Nick waved him in, on the phone as usual. Alex plopped down across from him and took a cookie from a plate on the desk between them.
When Nick ended the call, he grabbed a cookie, too.
“Genevieve make these?” Alex reached for another one.
“A church group brought in a bunch of sweets for the precinct to thank us for our service. There aren’t any left at the coffee table?”
Alex snickered. “Not a one. You think those guys would let sugar go to waste?”
“Nope.” Nick pushed the plate toward him. “Have some more.”
“Thanks, but I’m trying to watch my waistline.”
“You and me both.” Nick finished off his cookie. “You didn’t hear about the mummy, did you?”
He shook his head. “Barely had time for a bathroom break.”
“Which training was it?”
“Gender sensitivity.”
Nick nodded. “That’s an intense one. Well, we were right about the mummy being a teenager, but there was one piece of interesting information.”
Alex leaned forward. “What’s that?”
“She was pregnant.”
“Really? A dead pregnant teen in the attic of a televangelist?”
“That’s what they told me.”
“Was the baby his?” Alex lifted a brow.
Nick grimaced. “I hope not. He was in his nineties, you know.”
“She could’ve been up there for decades. If he got her pregnant, that would’ve been scandalous, and also reason enough to kill her.”
“It’s a possibility. Too soon for the DNA to tell us anything, though.”
“They got DNA from her? What about the baby?”
Nick nodded. “From what Wu told me, when a body mummifies quickly, it’s easier to get DNA. At least that’s what I understood. He was excited and speaking fast.”
“How much longer do we have to wait? I’m really curious now.”
“Not sure. Hopefully not long. I’d like to know what happened before bringing the kids back to the house.”
“Speaking of the kids, are you still willing to see if Ava will talk to Ariana?”
Nick frowned. “She still giving you trouble?”
Alex clenched his jaw. “I’ve never seen her like this before. You’d think I was actively trying to destroy her life with the animosity she has toward me.”
“Welcome to parenting teens.”
“I never thought Ariana would be like this. Not that I thought these years would be smooth sailing, but she’s always been so level-headed and sweet. I just assumed she’d be easier.”
Nick leaned back in his chair. “I remember her dad giving his parents trouble at that age.”
“True, but I was always a troublemaker at school. Ari’s more concerned about getting into the right college than breaking boundaries. I just don’t know what to do.”
“Keep being there for her.”
Alex scowled. “She doesn't want me anywhere near her.”
“That’s what she wants you to think. But what she needs is to know you’ll be there for her no matter what she throws at you. Think of the teen years as a repeat of the toddler years.”
“I was hardly present then.” Alex had been in high school and went over to Zoey’s house to see her, not Ariana.
It was now payback for his neglect in her early years. But he’d given her up for adoption. Valerie and Kenji had always been loving parents. It wasn’t on Alex.
Except that he was her
dad, no matter who was raising her. He could’ve been more involved—he was only one house away, and he hadn’t had to move so far away after graduation.
“I’ll talk to Ava.” Nick’s voice brought Alex back to the present. “Why don’t you get home and rest? Those lectures can be more tiring than regular work.”
“You’re right about that. Thanks, Nick.” He rose and stretched.
“Think nothing of it.”
Alex headed out and collected his things from his desk.
Wu came over. “You look horrible, Mercer.”
“Thanks.”
“Rough day?”
“Training. Hey, did you find anything about Stalker420?”
He shook his head. “I’ve done all I can, legally speaking.”
Disappointment washed through him. “The dude is threatening an officer of the law, and he’s allowed to get away with it?”
“When he’s that talented at hiding his location and identity. You know what I’d do, if I were you?”
“What?”
“Look into a private investigator. They’re sometimes more willing to skirt things, if you know what I mean. Or at least have access to things I don’t.”
“We should have more access than anyone!” Alex gestured to his computer. “We’ve got everything at our fingertips.”
“You know how it goes.” Wu shrugged. “Can’t do much if we don’t know who the tweaker is. If you need me to, I can give you the info of some PIs I know.”
“I’d appreciate that. I need to get him to stop, and I’m not going to shut down my blog to do it.”
“I’ll text you later.” Wu headed for his desk.
Alex drew in a deep breath. If only he had the legal grounds to do whatever it took to find that guy. But at least he wasn’t without options. He’d just have to wait for Wu’s text.
He headed to the parking lot, waving to everyone along the way. Just before he unlocked his car, his phone vibrated in his pocket indicating a new text.
“That was quick.” He yanked it out and looked at the screen.
But the text wasn’t from Wu.
It was a picture.
The image knocked the wind from him. He leaned against his car and stared at it. Tried to convince himself he wasn’t seeing what it looked like. But he was.
It showed Zoey kissing another man.
Confront
Alex opened the door and slunk into the driver’s seat. Stared at the photo. Zoomed in and looked for any sign of doctoring. It had to be fake. It just had to be. But it appeared to be real.
Maybe it was old. Zoey had had a number of boyfriends during their years apart, unsurprising given how beautiful she was. The man in this picture could have easily been one of those old boyfriends.
Something about the image caught his attention. Her hair. It was the new style she’d gotten only about a week earlier. She’d never had her hair that short before, not in all the time Alex had known her, which was his entire life. Also, if her new style wasn’t proof enough, there was a poster in the background for a movie that had just been released into theaters.
He swore. Zoomed in again. His stomach lurched as he studied the couple. Her wedding ring shone in the sunlight. She also wore a necklace he’d recently given her. It was like pouring salt into an already exposed wound. Like a simultaneous slap to the face and punch to the gut. The man was even groping her.
Alex’s heart pounded and his stomach continued lurching. He was going to vomit the cookies at this rate.
The phone buzzed in his hand. A new text.
Stalker420: See how easily I can ruin your life? Shut down your blog! Or you’ll be sorry…
He shook with rage, dropped the phone on his lap. After picking it up, he tapped a message with a shaky thumb.
Alex: I will hunt you down and kill you!
He stopped himself just before pressing send. That was incriminating. Could be used against him, especially as an officer. He deleted the message and thought about how to respond.
The image, now off the screen, kept reappearing in his mind making his anger swell.
No message was probably the best response, though there was much more he wanted to say.
Alex was tempted to block the number, but he needed to know what messages Stalker420 continued to send him. Those were incriminating. Bad enough he was going after Alex, now his family was involved, too. There was no misinterpreting it.
How had he managed to draw Zoey away? Was it because of Alex’s long hours?
No! He slammed his fist against the steering wheel. Alex had been working those hours to give them a honeymoon, a family vacation. He’d done nothing wrong.
Heart racing, Alex started the car and exited the parking lot. A horn blared at him as he pulled into traffic. He waved an apology and took a deep breath. This was no time to fall apart. He could hold himself together long enough to get home.
The picture of Zoey kissing the other man kept swirling around in his mind. He tried to push it away, but it kept getting bigger, brighter, more realistic. He started filling in details, imagining what had led up to the relationship.
It wasn’t a relationship! What she and Alex had was a relationship. They’d been together since they were kids. Well, except for those years Alex was off screwing up his life. But they’d known each other for Alex’s entire life.
Was this his fault? Did he do something to bring this on? He’d messed up so many other things in his life, but he’d turned everything around!
And now it was all falling into the toilet. First Ariana, now this.
What next? His parents or sister? The twins? His job?
His stomach knotted, churned, knotted again. It would be a miracle if he didn’t lose those cookies.
Someone honked. Alex had veered into the next lane.
He waved another apology and squeezed the wheel.
Almost home. He could keep himself together. Needed to.
He shoved aside more images of Zoey kissing the mystery man, but now the images were animated. Detailed. They wouldn’t leave him alone.
Finally, he pulled up to the curb in front of his house. His pulse drummed in his ears so loudly he couldn’t even hear the music. Or was it even on?
Alex took deep breaths and tried to think of what to say to Zoey. Maybe there was a reasonable explanation. It might not be what it looked like.
Yeah, right. That picture was as clear as the sky in the background.
He grabbed his keys and marched inside. Looked around. Valerie was playing with the twins in the living room.
“Is Zoey here?”
“She’s in the shower. Are you okay, Alex?” Her eyes shone with worry.
Did he look that bad? He just nodded in response and headed for the apartment. The fan was on in the bathroom, but the shower wasn’t running. She was probably doing her hair or makeup.
He put away his gun then paced the room. Tugged on his hair. Practiced what he was going to say. Unbuttoned his top button, then the next. Practiced some more. Tried to get the picture out of his head.
Then the bathroom door opened. Zoey stepped out, wearing a simple floral dress and had her damp hair down. Her eyes widened. “What’s the matter?”
His heart thundered, mouth went dry. “Do you have anything you want to tell me?”
“What do you mean?” She wasn’t even going to tell when he was giving her the opportunity to explain herself.
Everything took on a red hue. He clenched his fists and stepped slowly toward her. “I mean this.” He whipped out his phone and showed her the picture.
She gasped and covered her mouth with both hands.
The photo hadn’t been doctored. Her reaction proved as much.
He gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. “Like I said, is there anything you want to tell me?”
“Alex, I—”
“Haven’t I proven myself to you yet? No, I’m not a perfect man! Far from it, but I don’t deserve this! Why? Why, Zoey?”
Her eyes filled with tears. “It isn’t what it looks like.”
Alex looked at the picture then shoved it toward her. “So, it isn’t you locking lips with Fabio here?”
“Let me explain!”
He crossed his arms. “This ought to be good. Enlighten me!”
Argue
Zoey sat on the bed, burying her face into her palms. Someone had gotten a picture of Hiram kissing her and sent it to Alex?
She really should have told him earlier. No, it wouldn’t have been easy or comfortable, but it would’ve been a hundred times better than this. She would never forget the way he was looking at her—with such a mixture of hurt and fury. Not that she could blame him.
Where should she even start?
“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” he demanded.
“Alex, I would never cheat on you!”
“Then explain this!” He waved his phone and continued pacing.
Tears stung her eyes. “He kissed me!”
He stopped and glared at her. “That’s supposed to make it better?”
“I didn’t kiss him! What the picture doesn’t show was me shoving him away and leaving.”
“So, he assaulted you?”
“Yes!”
He stopped in front of her, his nostrils flaring. “And you didn’t file a report? Tell me?”
She swallowed. “I was embarrassed! Shocked and confused. I wanted to tell you. I tried, but I couldn’t.”
“Why not?” His brows furrowed.
Zoey struggled to find the right words. Anything to make the situation better. To fix this. “There was so much going on with Ariana, it didn’t seem important.”
His eyes widened. “You kissing another man wasn’t important?”
“No! I mean, yes! That came out wrong.”
“Who is he?”
She started to say something, but he cut her off.
“Never mind. I don’t want to know. Not right now. I can’t take anymore knives to the heart.”
“Alex, I didn’t kiss him! He threw himself at me, and I pushed him away.”
“But you didn’t think it was important enough to tell me.” He folded his arms and stared her down.
Danger Zone Page 10