Back in the room he stripped down too, sliding under the blankets on their bed and pulling his woman against his body protectively. The scent of her hair lulled him into sleep quickly. It always did when she was near him.
Sleep came, and peace overwhelmed.
* * *
Dinner proved to be very interesting for Julian. Where he expected Tori to be chilly, she was friendly and trying to be as open as possible. When she told him they should leave and both of them go home, he dropped the big bomb. He was staying with her.
Tori’s mood changed drastically, and Julian needed to figure out what the issues she was hiding. If it was nightmares, then that was one thing, but the walls were back up, and he could feel her pushing him away- much like before.
Back at the house, Tori led him into a spare room, informing him that they wouldn’t be sleeping together, ever again. Her heart pounded in her chest. He could tell by the artery in her neck. When he agreed and didn’t put up a fight, there was obvious relief.
All through dinner, there were signals of a woman happy with his company. They teased, joked and it was the old Tori he met in Cypress Grove. Now, she looked like a scared animal, ready to bolt as far from him as possible.
Lying on the spare bed, he couldn’t sleep. Too much was racing through his mind and plaguing his thoughts to get any rest.
Opening the door to his room, Julian noticed her bedroom door was also closed. It was just one more way the woman had shut him out of her life.
Wandering out into the main part of the house, Julian wanted to get a sense of the woman that lived there. The first stop was definitely the mantle with the three flags resting there. It wasn’t lost on Julian the significance. His brother and sister were military, and he prayed that he never had their flags in his possession.
Beside flag one was a picture of her with a young man. Jealousy swelled, until he noticed the man looked like her. Looking closely at the army fatigues, he noticed they both had the same last name. This had to be her brother.
Funny, he never knew she had one. Then again, he’d never asked. On the man’s sleeve, he wore a patch that said ‘Ranger’, and it became clear who taught Tori to dive into darkened swamps. The young man in the picture had been as tough and bad ass as Tori. The way their arms were around each other, it was evident that they were very close.
That was something he understood. Julian, his sisters and brothers were all close. The importance of a strong family was something that he got completely.
Inspecting the flag case, he ran his fingers over the engraving; barely visible in the shadow was the name.
Trey Christensen
Then there was a date of birth and death. The picture made his heart clench. The peace and love clearly visible in the picture, no longer lived in Tori’s eyes. Now he understood part of the reason. The loss of her brother had a great deal to do with it.
Moving on to the next picture, Julian inspected the people forever locked in that moment of time. It was an older man and like the younger family members, Tori and her brother, he too wore fatigues and an army beret. They looked happy together. This had to be her father. Julian checked the name engraved on the flag case. Once he saw the dates he flinched for her.
Lawrence Christensen.
It wasn’t lost on him that the dates of death were two days apart. That kind of pain had to be crushing, and he could sympathize to an extent. Tori lost her brother and father within hours. Now his heart ached for her. There was no way he could even put himself in that kind of situation. He’d lost his father as a boy in a hunting accident, but he still had a slew of siblings and his mother.
Lastly, there was one final picture and Julian fully expected it to be her mother. When he discovered that not to be true, it caught him off guard. There stood in the photo, a man with his arms around Tori, smiling and holding her close. Again, the jealousy rose in his body and took over. Seeing her so happy in another man’s arms crushed his heart. Not once had she ever smiled like that near him. Reading the name on his fatigues, he checked with the name on the flag case. Quinn Laramie. They both matched, and then he felt guilty for feeling animosity to a man that gave his life, probably for his country.
Beside it was a ring box, and he debated on whether he should look or not. Flipping it open, inside sat an engagement ring, sparkling in the low light. Tori had been in love with another man and planned to marry him. The dates on the flag case told the tale. Quinn Laramie died less than a year after her brother and father. He looked healthy, and that meant his suspicion was true. He died overseas. The dates also told another story. It had been four years ago, and Tori was still suffering immensely over a dead man.
Again that feeling of pain struck from nowhere and Julian knew it was insanity to even feel it. Here she was suffering, and he was racked with jealousy, like a high school boy.
A few times in bed, didn’t guarantee him a commitment. Tori wasn’t his property or his anything. She’d made that perfectly clear.
Yet, the woman pulled at him. Leaning against the fireplace he thought about her, and how wounded she had to be inside over losing everyone. Forcing himself to close the ring box, he wandered around the room taking in the other photographs. Not one had a mother in them. It appeared Tori and her brother had been raised by her dad, or she never knew the woman that gave her life.
Which explained why she was tough and very much an army girl. Tori was bad ass like Elizabeth.
There was a sound from the hallway, drawing his attention. Moving silently towards it, there was the need to investigate. It sounded like sobs. Carefully leaning against the wall, Julian listened, and it was coming from Tori’s bedroom.
Now came the tricky part. She was an armed woman, in the throes of a nightmare. Going into that room could mean getting shot or killed. The sobs intensified and Julian knew he was an idiot, but he was opening the door regardless.
Creeping in, Julian found Tori twisted in her bed linens, hands tightened in the sheets and a fine sheen of perspiration covering her body. Whatever the dream was about, it was a brutal one. Slipping onto the bed, he touched her arm, trying to soothe her. Julian only hoped it would be enough.
Tori fought hard to survive in the alley. She’d lived it practically every night in her worst nightmares. Calling to Quinn, she tried to talk him out of the path they were taking. Maybe she could change everything if she kept them away from the shadows.
Once in the alley, she heard the ‘popping’ of gunfire, her own gun returning rounds, and there it was again. Quinn hit once again and falling to the ground.
Julian pulled her close against his body, trying to keep her from harming herself in the violent movements. “Tori, come on honey, wake up for me. It’s all a dream.”
The dream played out again. It was same as always, except this time at the end, it wasn’t Quinn’s voice, it was Julian’s calling for her. Immediately, she sat up in bed, shaking and alarmed at the feeling of someone holding her down.
Julian didn’t expect the motion, and took the hit of her head against his face, splitting his lip. “Tori, are you okay?” he muttered, touching his lip, his fingers coming away with blood.
“Julian, what are you doing in here?” she asked, out of breath and feeling much like she ran a marathon.
“I heard you crying in your sleep,” he answered honestly, staring at her with unblinking eyes. Julian wasn’t going to tell her that he was prowling her house.
“I’m fine,” she lied, hoping he’d buy it. Tori was beginning to shake. Then she noticed his lip. “I’m sorry I hurt you,” she said softly. It was all too much to handle and the fear, tears and sorrow overwhelmed her. Tori Christensen began to break down.
Julian pulled her against his body, lying back on the bed, letting her purge all the pain. While she shook, Julian held on, offering her anything he could to get her through it all. “It’s okay Tori. I’m here.”
It made her sob harder, because those were the words Quinn would tell her when she
was afraid and feeling alone. Tori emptied out all of her soul while lying in Julian’s arms. He didn’t deserve this, and being here wasn’t fair to him.
Littlemoon dropped a kiss onto the top of her head. “You're safe now. I promise,” he stated with certainty. It looked like he’d just signed up for the long haul on this one. Yet, he didn’t seem to mind the baggage. Julian would carry it where ever Tori needed him to at this point.
Her sobs subsided, and unwillingly she slipped into sleep. The exhaustion was taking over and laying claim to her body. It looked like she was going to go back into the dreams again for round two. Part of her hoped Julian would stay, and part prayed he’d run for his life.
Julian held on, and knew when she slept. Only then did he close his eyes and try not to focus on the woman beside him. He was pretty sure he was falling for her. Then again, he fell for her three months ago as they walked through a vile swamp.
Now it was a matter of time to see if she pushed him away or trusted him enough to let him into her life and heart. Julian refused to think about the ring and photo sitting on her mantle. If he focused on that he’d just become jealous, and right now what this woman needed was someone to hold onto her. Someone who was willing to make sure that the dreams didn’t hurt her anymore.
“Sign me up,” he whispered, just before he too slipped into sleep.
* * *
The killer had just finished using the woman that lay beneath him. He had to give her credit, Sparkles fought hard and valiantly, but ultimately he took what he wanted and won.
Now he dressed, watching her dead vacant eyes. He wanted her alive while he lit her on fire, but she wouldn’t give up and just remain still. He was forced to place his hands around her throat and take that little flicker of life away.
It disappointed him, but there’d be more. It only took that reassurance to brighten his mood. As he went back to the trunk of his car, the killer pulled out the kit he’d brought with him.
Now it was time.
Sparkles was going to burn eternally in his mind and in the minds of all who found her.
Getting to work, he didn’t worry about the DNA evidence he was leaving. After the fire, she’d be charred and nothing would be found. Just like with the other five women, he was completely safe.
Pulling out the chain, he looked for the best tree to use, and set the scene. Sparkles was a lousy lay, but she was going to light up the damn night in all her dead whore glory!
* * *
Tori slowly came awake, and found herself in someone’s arms. At first it confused her, but mostly astounded her. There were no dreams. When she fell back to sleep, Tori was sure they would haunt her, but they didn’t.
But now there was a bigger issue. Julian was back in her bed, and Tori knew he was going to ask questions. They were inevitable at this point, and she probably owed him.
“Good morning,” he said calmly. Julian had been awake most of the night, repeatedly checking on her to assure himself she wasn’t dreaming. In fact, he’d slipped the necklace off his own body and placed it over her head, giving her a fighting chance.
The charm was one his father had worn continually, and swore it kept away the things that scared people the most. Julian wore it religiously, and now he was giving Tori a chance at peace.
“Hi,” she said softly. “I’m sorry about your lip,” again she apologized.
Julian dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “It doesn’t even hurt,” he admitted.
There was that uncomfortable silence between them. “You want me to tell you about it, don’t you?”
He weighed his options. “Yes, because I think I can help you. If you trust me enough, I might be able to help you work through it all.”
Tori didn’t speak.
“Who’s Quinn?” he asked, because he needed to know what she’d say. He had to find out the truth, before he invested anymore of himself.
She tensed. “I guess I said his name.”
“Yes, you did.” Now he began stroking her arm gently, offering peace. “I have you, Tori.”
She laughed sardonically. “He used to say the same thing to me,” Tori sighed. “I just didn’t reciprocate.”
“What happened, honey?” he asked, and then heard her phone beeping like crazy.
She rolled away from him, glad to have the space between them, until she could refocus. “They found another body. That was Detective Austin. We have to go, Julian,” she stated in relief.
“We’ll be finishing this tonight,” he said in no uncertain terms. What sat between them needed to be handled.
Somehow Tori wasn’t surprised.
* * *
Friday Morning
Elizabeth stood in her kitchen holding CJ, as Callen once again attempted to make them breakfast. It was absolutely adorable how he tried to concentrate on what he was doing. Elizabeth knew that the man wanted to be able to cook in the worst way, but he just didn’t have the ability to master it. This morning he was trying to make pancakes, but it was turning into a hot mess. She refused to laugh about it, because he was genuinely trying his best. When yet another one was burnt, she popped toast into the toaster.
“I’m sorry, Lyzee. I don’t know why I can’t figure this out,” he said dejectedly.
“Oh, sweetheart, so what?” Elizabeth placed CJ in his highchair and placed some O’s on his tray. The boy went after them like they were the best thing in the world. Yeah, he was his father’s child.
It appeared that he would be one more Blackhawk that would eventually be poaching her food.
“I feel like a failure,” he admitted.
Elizabeth went to his side, and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Callen, you don’t need to cook. You have other skills,” she said lecherously, patting him on his ass.
Now he laughed. “So you're just using me for my body?” he grinned, leaning down to kiss her. The kiss went on a little longer than he thought it would, and when Wyler cleared his throat, he pulled away laughing.
“Son, if you’d stop kissing the girl, you might master the cooking,” he offered, dropping a kiss on CJ’s head before grabbing a cup of coffee from the pot.
Now Elizabeth was laughing. “He may have a point,” she offered, and earned a slap on the ass as her reward for the comment.
Just then the toast popped, and Elizabeth snagged the piece. She was having a hard time keeping from being sick. It was the charred smell of pancakes that was getting to her. Baby didn’t like burnt anything and meat. Good to know and bad timing all around.
“I’ll master this yet. If Ethan can do it, so can I,” he insisted, as he watched her skip coffee and eat dry toast. “Stomach?” he asked again.
“I may have a bug,” she said simply, and was thrilled when her phone began ringing. “Blackhawk,” she answered.
“Director, it’s Detective Austin. We have a call in of a body, and my captain told me to alert you. It’s probably the same killer.”
Elizabeth motioned to Callen to get ready. “Okay, text me the address. We’re walking out the door in two minutes. Did you contact Agent Christensen?”
“Yes, she’s in route.”
Elizabeth was glad. Maybe she could keep the police from jacking up her scene. “Meet you there,” she replied, hanging up.
“Dad, we have to go. Another body turned up.”
Wyler just nodded. “I’m taking CJ shopping. We need to get groceries and take care of last minute presents.”
Elizabeth pulled her boots on and clipped her gun to her hip. “Thank you, Dad. I’d be lost without you,” she admitted.
“Sorry about the mess,” stated Callen, pulling on his boots and clipping his badge and gun to his belt.
“Go. I have it,” he said, looking around at Callen’s chaos. Once they both were out the door, he shook his head. “Uncle Callen needs to stay the hell out of mommy’s kitchen, CJ. He’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
CJ just screeched in delight as his granddad gave him more O’s. He
was being fed, and that was all that mattered to him.
The Denali rushed to the scene, lights and sirens screaming into the early morning air. Elizabeth drove and Callen did the navigating. If this was indeed the work of the killer, then they were going to need the entire tech team to come in and sweep.
“Call Chris and tell him step on it. I don’t want the CSI’s touching this one. This scene may be our only chance at finding trace that can help us.”
Callen dialed their ME, and told him what their boss wanted, and then passed on the directions. Hanging up, he held on as Elizabeth drove like a maniac. Generally that was common, but now it was compounded by her need to circumnavigate the scene before the police got their hands on it.
Pulling to a stop where the other cars were, they were just in time to see Julian and Tori trying to talk down the police from accessing the scene. Elizabeth jumped out of the Denali and rushed across the grass to their team.
“What the bloody hell is going on here?” she exclaimed, positioning herself in front of her agent protectively.
“We got a call and we’re here to investigate,” stated Detective Brian Leto. “You’re assuming that this woman is part of your investigation, and you have no right to claim jurisdiction until we check it out.”
Elizabeth could feel the flicker of her temper building. “Oh, so basically what you’re saying to me is that you might perhaps have a killer that’s burning victims on top of the case we’ve taken over?” She motioned over to the corpse, hanging by a chain from the tree. “You get many torched bodies as cases?”
Detective Austin put her hand on her partner’s arm. “Come on Brian, you’re just trying to ride their asses. You know this one’s FBI domain.”
Leto glared at the woman standing in front of him. “We need to secure and check the scene. Then Director Blackhawk can wait to find out if this one is her jurisdiction or ours.”
Fire Burns Hot ((An FBI/ Romance Thriller~ (Book 5))) Page 15