by Q. Zayne
“You sound like you’ve been doing this all your life, hunting killers.”
“I’ve done a lot of reading, and I watch a lot of true crime shows. I like to research things, too. There are cold cases I puzzle over. Going way back to Lizzie Borden, Jack the Ripper. This is different, though. This is personal. He abducted you twice, and he’s killing women in my town. He’s going down.”
“Good.” She swallowed and shook back her hair. “Good.”
Those shadows across her soft face were liable to stay until that serial killer was no longer a threat.
“Hold on a minute. I want to update the guys.”
I sent the details to Buck and Lyle with my phone. They’d transmit it to other truckers in code. We had a code name for the killer only the knights use. We call him DMW. Dead Man Walking, the term for a death row convict.
I kissed Shelby.
She stroked my arm, tracing my tiger stripes, her lips curving in a small smile.
“Come on. I’m cooking.” I took her hand, and she rose beside me.
I smoothed her tousled hair, inhaled her natural fragrance. Her closeness sent rushes of pleasure through me the way it always did. Only more intense, because I could never take it for granted that she was alive.
Over coffee and breakfast, she told me everything she remembered. She stopped moving food around on her plate and met my eyes.
“That’s it, Ty. That’s all I’ve got.”
“I’m impressed. You were in fatal danger, and you watched out for every detail, the intersection where he covered his face, like maybe he might be recognized there, or knew there was a security cam. Great job, my love.”
“Thanks. I guess this means you don’t only love me for my body.”
“Well, I couldn’t miss how gorgeous you are, Shelby. It’s your mind and heart that are going to keep me happy and entertained for the rest of my life. Though I suspect we might wear out a few mattresses, rocking chairs, and porch swings fucking our way through our golden years.”
She chuckled. It was good to hear in the middle of such a grim time. I laughed with her, loving the thought of us growing old together, never too old to show our love.
“Interesting he put you in the front seat, where you might be viewed on a traffic or building security camera as he drove through town.”
“He was more careful this time. He threw my cell phone in the river. I think he didn’t dare put me in the back, because I escaped before.”
“Good point. That makes sense of the risk. He wanted to keep an eye on you. And as you say, it was first thing in the morning. From what we saw from the reports, DMW abducted the other women during busier times, after five, when people get off work, get dinner, get groceries, go out for night classes or events. You’re smart, Shelby, and you didn’t expect he’d attack in the morning, no one would.”
“This was different. I think he was watching me, that I’m a loose end to him. He wanted me back.”
“Yeah. That’s what’s different.” I nodded and stroked the bristles breaking through my chin.
I thought the same thing, but it was horrible to hear her say it. I didn’t want it to be true. It meant he’d try again. “He took a big risk. Abducting you when streets were uncrowded seemed less of a threat to him than you remaining free.”
Her face tightened. “It’s me remaining alive that bothers him. I’m sure of that.” She reached across the table and took my hand. I’m sorry I broke my promise. That was a mistake.”
“Yeah, it was.” I nodded. I didn’t want to make her feel worse, yet her acknowledgment deserved to be honored.
“I didn’t mean to scare you. Not that you’re ever scared—.” She rushed to correct herself.
“Nah, I was scared. I’m not ashamed of that. One of the most helpless feelings of my life, not knowing where you were, and if I’d ever see you again.”
“I’m so, so sorry, Ty. I would have been crazy if it was you missing.” She threw herself in my arms.
She didn’t tell me she wouldn’t take any more risks until the killer was caught. I knew she wouldn’t.
“I understand, Shelby. What matters is, you escaped and came back to me. That matters the most.” Feeling her heart beating against me soothed everything.
“I know it was awful for you. I got back, and you weren’t here. I had this crazy thought that he got to you, too, what if he killed you? It was because of me, it was all my fault. I saw the whole thing, your funeral, the look on your mother’s face. Oh, Ty, I am so terribly, terribly sorry.”
“I know love. I know.” I petted her hair and soothed her against my chest the best I could. Her tears came hot through my T-shirt.
“I paced and I looked out the windows, and I called your cell phone, and I tried to think where you could be. I must have been wearing out the carpet for ten minutes before threw myself on the bed with the whole weight of what almost happened hitting me.”
“I’m so sorry. It about kills me you couldn’t reach me when you needed me.”
“Not your fault, Ty, none of this is your fault. You were the epitome of the innocent bystander. This is going to be something to tell our kids, along with the story of how we met in the cemetery.”
I chuckled and pulled her close. “It’s not your fault, either, Shelby. Yes, I wish you waited for me to get up instead of going out alone, but I’m not going to trip on that. You were being sweet thinking about my breakfast. It’s what happened, and it’s over. The blame’s all on him, love. I want you to keep that in the front of your mind.” I scanned her eyes. “There’s one wrongdoer here. One horrific criminal preying on women. You are innocent. Nothing you ever did in your life, this morning or the day of the first abduction—or any time before the first one or between the two—makes you responsible for what he did. He abducted you. That’s all him. You escaped him twice. That’s you. That’s my Shelby.” I got up and pulled her into my arms, doing my best not to squeeze her too hard.
I didn’t want to take my hands off her ever again.
We didn’t talk for a long time. We held each other, breathing.
“What scares me the most, he might be grabbing someone else. He won’t stop. I didn’t see much of him because of the hoodie, but his hands on the wheel were tight, his eyes were intense, staring at the road and cutting at me. Sitting beside him, I could see a muscle jumping in his temple, his killer focus behind the mirror shades. He won’t go away.”
“I wish this hadn’t happened, but there’s one good thing. You handed us the key to put a stop to him. Every trucker in this part of the state is watching white vans, but that’s like looking for big rigs. We needed a way to find the right van. Thanks to you, we’ve got it.” I squeezed her so hard she squeaked. “No more going undercover without me.”
“Got it.”
I grazed her forehead with my lips.
She turned her face up, rose on tip toes, and pulled me in for a real kiss. Her hands grabbed my shoulder blades as though they were wings.
Time slipped slow while we pressed close, sliding into the union that made us breathe as one being.
When I could talk, I pulled her closer. “Things are better now, so much better now, since you came into my life.” I took a breath and slid my hand along her arm, feeling her smoothness, enjoying the way she pressed against my touch like a cat. “I’m ready for more responsibility. I wouldn’t mind—it would be beautiful—do you think—?” I rubbed my brush, distracting myself with the smoothness of my haircut.
“What is it, Ty?”
I took her chin, pressed her lips with a slow, soft kiss. “Do you think about, having a baby?” I licked my lips, shy with my wish right out there.
“Oh yes. More than one. Fine babies, as fine as their daddy.”
She wrapped her leg around me, climbing me in the kitchen, making me hard as steel.
Shazam, I was ready again.
She reached for my cock, guiding me.
Her enthusiasm made a pulse go through my cock
. I moaned, so happy to feel her wanting me, so excited to feel her opening.
She squeezed me, arching, taking me deep inside.
II. The Killer
The Chase
WHEN LYLE’S CALL CAME, we headed for my rig at a run. The knights had the killer in sight. His voice had husked with excitement. ‘Possible DMW sighting on the highway. Driver caught only a glimpse.’
I boosted Shelby to the passenger seat. She flashed a small smile at me.
I got in and started the engine.
So close, too close. My balls crawled. Was he after Shelby again? We’d get him first. My hands clenched. It wasn’t a sure sighting, but I felt he was close. Everything in me coiled to catch him.
I glanced over to make sure Shelby was buckled up right. Oh, yes. The seat belt enhanced her curves. Her fresh beauty knocked me out every time. Her running suit clung to her in all the right places and her hair bounced in a ponytail. Her eyes sparkled, even though she looked as somber as I felt from our research on the crimes.
I probably looked bright-eyed, too. The circumstances were grim, but it was an adventure. I checked my mirrors and pulled onto the road. We were minutes from the stretch of high-way the murderer claimed for his plus-size woman hunting grounds. If this went right, his reign of terror would end today.
“Are you sure about this, love? It’s so soon. I won’t think any less of you if you’d rather curl up at my mama’s.” No way in hell I’d leave her alone.
“I feel safe with you, Tyrone.” She tugged at her hair and pushed a strand behind her ear. “I can identify him. I’m the only one who can. I feel bad about not going to the police, but I couldn’t.” She rested her hand on my thigh and squeezed. “If he grabs someone else and kills her—I couldn’t live with that.”
“I understand. You’re brave, Shelby.”
“So are you, my big, strong man.”
“It’s easier to be brave going after a bad stranger, than to go after someone who abducted you.”
Her nose scrunched in the way that showed off her freckles. She looked like she should be in a classroom studying for an exam, giving a pencil eraser a hard time, not going out looking for a killer with a group of tough-ass ex-con truckers.
It hit me maybe it was time to stop thinking of myself as any kind of con. It was over. I did my time. That shit was in the past. Shelby made my life new. Every breath we took together, we headed into new territory.
“Don’t worry about me, Tyrone. I want to do this. I’d go crazy waiting for you. I want to be right here by your side. I want to be in on taking this killer down.”
I nodded. I agreed with her there. “Yeah. I understand.” This was personal.
Online, we’d searched out everything we could find about the killings.
Weird how such a horrible thing brought us together. If she hadn’t landed in my lap... I’d still be the last of our Knights of the Road without a woman. And she might be dead.
I sighed and stretched my back. I hadn’t mentioned to Mama that Shelby’s white. It shouldn’t matter, but to some people, race made a difference. In some cases, race, gender, and size. The man who took Shelby, the man she escaped, picked plus-size Caucasian women.
The imprints of the young women abducted from this road, assaulted and killed, stayed inside me. A series of before and after shots showed young women with full faces like my beloved’s, smiling at the camera. In the next set of pictures, each one of them was in a body bag after the stranger caught, violated, and murdered them.
We found six of those before and after shots ascribed to the killer terrorizing my home town. Six women in their early twenties didn’t get to live out their lives because that monster forced them into his van and took everything from them. The police thought there might be more than six. The way he hid the bodies in out-of-the-way places, it seemed likely others would be found—eventually.
The man didn’t deserve to keep breathing.
My hands tightened on the steering wheel. A shock went through me, followed by a chill worse than when my brother threw me in the deep freeze. If she didn’t get away, again—the shit-sack would have killed Shelby.
I pulled my rig over, cut the engine, and took her in my arms. Knights were in place all along the highway. If anyone confirmed the sighting, we’d catch up. Right now, I need to feel her.
“You are such a gift. A precious, precious gift.” I hadn’t been religious much since my father’s betrayal, but gratitude filled me for her life.
“I love you all growly and tender.” She sounded breathless.
It undid me.
“I love you.” I ran my fingers over her lips and kissed along her hairline.
“I love you, too.” Her hands tightened on my back.
“I never felt this way about anyone.” I pressed my lips to the pulsing vein at her throat.
“Glad you feel it for me. I’m sticking with you.” She grinned. The sun haloed her hair and her angel face. “Not only because I know you keep the nightmares away, and you’re an amazing stud.”
“Why, then?” I scanned her face.
“You’re a good man, Tyrone. There’s precious few of those.”
She made me feel fireworks going off, and the long-summer comfort before adulthood when I rested on my belly at the creek watching tadpoles and frogs. I rocked her to my chest, breathing the Shelby scent from the top of her head, caressing her back, marveling she was mine.
“You make me need to be my best, forever, for you.”
I’d worked hard to get my life on track. I never expected anyone to notice. It was the right thing to do. Having Shelby with me inspired me to reach for the better world that lived in my heart—and become the better man she deserved.
I met Shelby’s eyes and kissed her, telling her with all I was that she meant everything to me.
She kissed me back, meeting me with all her goodness—and her sweet wicked streak that made my cock throb.
Breathless and smiling, right at the same time, we released each other. That feeling of being in sync with her added an ease to my life. I didn’t know anything like it with anyone I dated. My former girlfriend didn’t enter my mind much. There was no comparison. Right now, all I cared about was keeping Shelby safe—and catching the killer before he could harm anyone else.
She didn’t say much about it, but I saw shadows cross her eyes sometimes, felt her jump at unexpected sounds. He left his mark. I’d obliterate it. As soon as I could manage it, she’d sleep soundly, knowing he could never come for her again.
I checked my mirrors and turned my body for the best view, the way Lyle taught me. Didn’t have to think about it, all those actions became habit from many months on the road. I pulled out into traffic and thumbed on our CB band.
The highway stretched clear ahead of me, extending past the shopping mall into the dark. I headed for the coordinates Buck sent. We were staking out DMW’s route. Watching for him beat waiting, filled with that queasy sense he might be abducting another woman and killing again.
The turn off was a narrow, tree-lined road. I’d be washing and polishing my rig later. The truck shook over the ruts. As sleek and powerful as she was, this wasn’t her terrain. I pulled over as soon as I could, in the biggest pull-out space I found without branches overhead. Tree pitch was a bear to remove.
“What are we doing?” Shelby whispered.
The trust in her eyes melted me. Roused to protect her, I had to wrench myself back to the job at hand.
I focused on the mist hazing the windshield and turned on the wipers.
“We’re on stakeout. Back before you fell in my lap, we made a map with pins showing the abduction and dump sites. DMW’s been working within a five-mile radius. Today, all three of us have time to watch for him, and we’ve got other knights on alert. It’s a key day. Of the six known abductions, seven counting yours, four happened on a Saturday.” I stumbled over those words. It made me sick how close he came to killing her.
“You guys have put a
lot of thought into this.”
“We want to stop the killer. Lyle’s near the mall, and Buck’s at a roadhouse at the end of the highway. So far, the killer hasn’t abducted from the same site twice, so we figure if we spread out along his route, we’ve got a good shot at catching him.”
“That’s great.” She squeezed my thigh.
“Yeah. Lyle called about a possible sighting. DMW may be heading this way,” I checked my dash clock, “from about twenty minutes out of town.”
“I hope so.” Her tongue flicked over her lips.
“Two rules, love.” I took her hand to soften my words. “No more squeezing on me until this is over, then you can squeeze me all you want, and I’ll squeeze back, good and hard.” I grinned. No way I ever wanted to discourage her touch. “Right now, I need all my concentration, because this monster is dangerous—and thanks to you, we know he’s armed.”
“Yes, okay, and the other rule?”
“Please do what I tell you immediately, without questions. That’s crucial. I’m liable to say something like ‘get down’ and there’s not going to be time for discussion.”
She frowned and wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, I guess you can tell I don’t take to commands. I understand, and I will obey.” She smiled.
That smile half-killed me. Like Lyle and Buck, I was going to have to get used to functioning with less of my mind. A lot of my blood flow went into giving me an erection every few minutes from being near her. It helped that my buddies understood and were going through the same thing.
“You take the mirrors, rear-view and side-view. Watch for the van or the killer in the hoodie. It’s possible he walks or jogs to pick his targets, we don’t know.” I drummed my fingers, on edge. “Did you see him before he grabbed you?”
“No. I don’t think so.” She frowned. “No. There was no one around when I parked, no one near me when I left the mall. He must have been in the van when I walked across the parking lot, though it wasn’t parked next to me until I returned to my car.” She frowned. “If he’d been sitting near the mall in the van, I would have noticed him. It was too warm for a hoodie. That look puts me in mind of post office wanted posters. I would have avoided him.”