by Jill Sanders
When they walked into the station, he stepped up to the desk clerk and asked if Jacob was on shift.
“He should be back”—the clerk looked at his watch— “’bout half an hour. You’re welcome to wait unless there’s something someone else can help out with.”
“No, we’ll wait,” Xtina said, then stepped back when the clerk’s eyes grew big. Mike noticed the paper sitting on the desk and released a low growl of frustration.
“It’s okay,” Xtina said, squeezing his hand slightly. “News travels fast in small towns, but you add a local paper and…” She made a rocket sound and motion with her hand, then smiled at him. “Let’s go have a seat.” She tugged on his hand until he followed the group to the chairs across the room.
They ended up waiting only ten minutes before Jacob walked in, a young kid under his watchful eye. “Stay.” He pointed to the kid and a chair. “Until I can call your folks.”
The kid moved quickly and fell into the chair obediently.
When Jacob’s eyes landed on the group, Mike noticed his eyes zero in on his parents.
“I can’t do this now,” Jacob said when he walked over to him.
“It’s about my parents’ accident,” Xtina broke in, standing up.
Jacob’s eyes moved to her and Mike noticed that they softened. Then they moved back over to him and rolled. “Give me a few minutes to call the kid’s parents, then come on back.”
They sat back down as Jacob disappeared down a hallway. The kid started to bolt towards the door, but when Michael cleared his throat loudly, he sat back down and looked at him in fear.
“What are you in for?” he asked the kid.
“Nothin.” The kid tucked his hands into his pockets.
“Tagging isn’t as much fun in a small town,” he observed, tilting his head and nodding to the fresh spray paint on the kid’s clothes.
“What would you know about it?” The kid jerked his chin up.
“Enough to know that you look like you’d be pretty talented at it.” He crossed his arms over his chest and sized the kid up. “I’ve got a few things around my house that could use some paint. If you’re interested in a job?” He glanced towards the front desk. “Might even get you out of some trouble with the folks.”
“Yeah?” The kid leaned forward a little. “What kind of stuff?” Then his chin rose slightly. “What kind of pay we talking about?”
“An old garage. How about two dollars an hour? I’ll supply all the paint.”
“Can I do what I want?” he asked.
“Sure, I was thinking of something colorful. The only one who can see it is me.”
The kid thought about it, then pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket.
“How ’bout something like this?” He handed over the paper and Mike whistled when he saw the intricate drawing of flowers, bees, butterflies, and a large dragon in the middle.
“Like I said, you looked talented.” He smiled. “That’s just what I was looking for.”
“Really?” Jacob walked back out and Mike handed the kid the paper again. He quickly tucked it back in his pocket.
“Looks like I’ve hired the kid to do some work out at my place,” Mike supplied.
Jacob’s eyes rolled. “Whatever.” Then he turned to the kid. “Your folks are on their way. Sounds like you’ve already got your community service set up.” He glanced at Mike.
“Be here early Saturday morning…”
“Damion,” the kid supplied.
He jotted down his address. “Damion, if you let me keep the drawing, I’ll make sure to have all the right colors ready for you. I’m Mike.”
The kid handed the folded paper back to him. “Thanks, Mike.” The kid’s eyes lit up as they followed Jacob out of the room.
“That was a sweet thing you did,” Xtina said, following him out of the room. He reached down and took her hand.
He didn’t know if she knew it yet or not, but the look in her eyes told him that she loved him more than any words ever could.
Chapter Eighteen
Xtina tried to hide her anxiety. She didn’t like being in such a small room with so many people. Especially people who were so full of emotions at the moment.
There was enough anxiety in the room to send her own over the edge. She had to focus on controlling things. Mike was like her rock, keeping her grounded, which helped more than she would have ever guessed.
When the door shut behind him, Jacob turned around. “I assume you’re Susan and Rusty Kincaid?”
Rusty’s arms were wrapped around his wife.
“Jacob, these are my parents,” Mike broke in. “Our parents.”
Jacob held up a finger. “First, I know why you’re here.” He turned to Xtina. “I saw the article, and I can assure you, we are not looking at you as a suspect in the investigation into your parents’ accident.”
“The fact that there is an investigation into my parents’ death is why I’m here.” She continued to hold on to Mike’s hand, but raised her chin slightly to get her point across. “Why didn’t you mention any of this last night?”
Jacob’s eyes moved to Mike’s. “You know how this works. You used to be on the force.”
Mike nodded. “Honey, they can’t talk to you because it’s an ongoing investigation.”
She dropped his hand and turned on him. “I didn’t expect him to give me all the details, just tell me they had an ongoing investigation,” she almost growled out.
“I didn’t know myself until this morning,” Jacob broke in. “Dan told me.”
“Dan?” she asked, keeping her arms crossed over her chest.
“Yeah, he’s lead investigator in the case.” He rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache.
“Well, can I talk to him?” she asked.
“No. Not about the case. Not unless he has questions for you or he has found something.”
She took a slow breath, then released it. “Well, the fact that someone talked to the local paper about the case and hinted that I was a suspect...”
“Trust me,” he said, “I have every intention of finding out who leaked the story,” Jacob said. Then his eyes turned to the couple standing in the room, still holding one another, and she felt instant shame.
Here they were, together as a family for the first time, and she was too focused on herself to allow them time alone.
“Well, I guess that will have to do for now.” She reached over and took Jessie’s hand and tugged on it. “Jess, why don’t we step out for a soda.” She winked at Mike before shutting the door behind them.
“What was that for?” Jess asked once they were in the hallway by themselves.
“I figured they needed some time alone,” she answered as she walked towards the soda machines at the end of the hallway.
“Why?” Jess followed closely.
She stopped when she realized Jessie had no clue that the two men were brothers. “Because…” She wondered briefly if she should be the one to tell her, then realized it was Jessie she was talking to, her best friend… her only friend. “Jacob is their son,” she said softly.
“What?” Jessie almost yelled it.
“Shh.” She tugged on Jessie’s hand until they stepped into a dark room near the soda machines. Xtina’s eyes darted around to make sure they were alone.
“Jacob? Jacob St. Clair is Michael’s brother?” she whispered.
“Yes.” It was her turn to rub her forehead. “His parents had him when they were young and gave him up for adoption and here we are.”
Jessie shook her head, her eyes glued to the doorway at the end of the hallway where the family was having their first meeting. “I…”
“What is it between you and Jacob?” Xtina crossed her arms over her chest.
“Nothing,” Jessie answered too quickly, making Xtina just glare at her. “Fine, he arrested me.” She rolled her eyes.
“What?” This time it was Xtina’s turn to be shushed. “What happened?”
“I locked myself out of my apartment one night and decided to try and break in through the back window. How was I to know jumping the fence was breaking and entering old man Wilson’s backyard. Either way, after a night in the cell, everything smoothed itself out. But Jacob knew who I was and where I lived, yet he still hauled me in. He’s just a mean jerk.” She could see the heat and anger behind her friend’s eyes.
“He was just doing his job,” she assured Jessie.
“Yeah.” They both jumped when the door at the end of the hallway slammed open and Jacob walked out, his face skewed with anger.
His eyes zeroed in on her as he walked by. “I don’t give a damn if they are my folks, I don’t want to see them back here.”
She nodded. “Sorry,” she said softly. He nodded, then disappeared after glaring briefly at Jessie.
“Told ya,” Jessie said under her breath.
Xtina rode with Mike and his parents back to his place in silence. She picked up Rose, who had found a perfect place to sleep on Mike’s pillow, and started walking home.
“Hey,” Mike said, catching up with her when she was halfway home. She stopped and turned to him. “Were you trying to sneak out without saying goodbye?”
“Sorry.” Her eyes moved to his house. Every light was on and she could hear his parents talking and his mother crying. “I thought they might like some time…”
Mike glanced back and nodded. “Yeah.” He rolled his eyes. “Needless to say, it didn’t go well.”
“I’m sorry.”
He took her hands in his and shook his head. “Don’t be. My parents understand. They’re just happy they have finally found their lost son. Not to mention the pressure of keeping a secret is off their chests.”
She thought about all the secrets she was holding in. It would be nice not having the weight of them on her.
“I understand.” His finger brushed her chin, tipping it up lightly until their eyes met in the darkness. “Mike, I…” She closed her eyes, but felt him stiffen when the dog started to growl softly.
Her eyes flew open as Rose took off across the yard, towards her house.
“Did you leave those lights on?” Mike asked, his hand tightening in hers.
“N... no. Just the porch light.”
“Stay put,” Mike called back to her after taking off towards her house himself.
“Wait,” she called out to him, following him.
“Xtina! I mean it,” he said in a hushed tone. “Stay. Better yet, go get my dad. Tell him my gun is in the safe, with my birthday as the code.”
She stopped, then glanced back at his house. When she looked back at Mike, he had disappeared completely in the darkness.
Fear immediately spiked through her. She wanted to rush after him, but common sense won out. They needed help.
She was out of breath by the time she burst in the front door. His parents were huddled together on the sofa; the tears were almost dry on his mother’s face.
“What?” Rusty stood quickly.
“Someone… Someone’s in my house. Mike needs his gun.” She rushed on. “His bedroom closet, the code is his—”
“Birthday,” his father called out as he rushed to the back of the room.
“Oh dear.” His mother gripped the pillow. “Should we call the police?”
“Not yet,” Rusty said as he rushed out. “It might not be anything.” He tossed his cell phone over to his wife. “Wait on the porch, we’ll call out if we need anything.”
Before she could respond, he was gone. Susan followed her out onto the front porch where they stood together, waiting. Xtina’s nails dug into the wood railing as the silence echoed in her mind.
She couldn’t even hear Rose barking anymore. Worry dominated her entire body.
She tried to shoot her powers towards her room, but couldn’t feel anything.
She thought about the night she’d sensed Laura, and knew that it had been because she’d been with Mike that her powers had extended. She glanced over at Mike’s mother.
“I want to try something, if you’re up to it?” She held out her hand, and waited.
“Are you sure?” Susan asked.
Xtina nodded.
When Susan touched her, power shot through her entire body. Focusing, she shot her mind across the tall grass, towards her house.
“Mike’s searching my bedroom. Rusty’s searching the downstairs.” Her mind spread out across the house. “No one else is there.” She took a deep breath, then felt it and stiffened. “Someone was.” She shivered at the message he’d left on her bathroom mirror for only her eyes to see.
She dropped Susan’s hand and started walking towards her house.
“Honey? Are you okay?” Susan asked, catching up with her.
“Yes,” she said dryly. “It’s okay. It was just an old friend.” She tried to smile for the woman. “I’ll have them come back. Thank you for the wonderful dinner. I’m sorry about… Jacob.”
“It’s okay.” Susan patted her hand, then dropped her arm beside her. “He’ll come around, once things have calmed down.”
“Yes, he just needs time.” She smiled. “Goodnight.” She marched towards her house and called out to the men.
“It’s clear,” she called out. Rusty met her first.
“You sure?” he asked.
She nodded to where Rose lay in her bed, fast asleep. “Yup.” She smiled. “I think Susan needs you tonight. Thank you.” She leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Goodnight.”
He nodded, then left.
“Everything okay?” Mike asked from the base of the stairs. She turned slowly as Rusty shut the front door softly behind him.
She couldn’t hold back the emotions any longer, so she decided not to. Without saying a word, she moved across the empty space and took his face in her hands and pressed her lips and body against his. She poured everything she had into the kiss. Every ounce of love she’d ever dreamed of having, she showed him now, knowing that she would never have it again.
Her body reacted to his instantly. She backed him up the stairs slowly, but his hands moved quickly over hers, pulling, tugging her sweater dress up, over her skin. He reversed their positons and she lay on the top stair, her legs spread wide as his body crushed her to the upstairs landing.
His mouth moved quickly over her, heating her until she felt every ounce of love back from him. She heard fabric rip as she tugged his shirt over his head, yanked at his jeans until they slid down his hips. Then her legs wrapped around his hips, holding him to her, taking her quickly. Speed. It was all she needed. To love him quickly as she took him into her, faster, until she cried out and heard him follow.
***
“My god!” he grunted as he looked down at Xtina. Her dark hair was fanned out on the carpet. Her legs had fallen from around his hips and were laying down the stairs.
His knees would have bruises where the stair had jammed into them as he’d pumped into her. He felt himself grow hard just thinking about it again.
“My god!” he said again and shook the image from his mind. He needed a moment to catch his breath. To think. He closed his eyes at her beautiful green eyes staring back up at him. When his eyes opened again, he smiled slightly. “Tell me that didn’t mean… what it meant.”
He watched her green eyes slide closed. “Mike…”
He growled, then pushed up from the floor, taking her with him. “Don’t give me that shit,” he said next to her ear. He was pissed now. Hell, he was tired of her hiding herself from him.
He moved until her shoulders were pushed up against the wall, her naked body tight against his.
“Feel this?” He gripped her hand to his heart. “It beats for you. For this.” He pushed inside her again and watched as those eyes turned foggy once again. “Feel it match your heartbeat?” He pumped his hips and had her moaning with pleasure. “Take it all,” he growled next to her ear, then he nipped at her with his teeth. “Everything is yours.” He felt himself slip even more
into her soul. “It’s empty without you.” He knew he was being rough when he took her hands and yanked them above her head, holding her there. Their eyes locked. “Tell me.”
She shook her head slightly, causing him to push her even harder, faster. “Xtina,” he warned, “you can’t hide it from me.” He watched her eyes soften as her hand broke free and reached for his face. When she brushed a finger down his chin, he knew he’d won. “Say it,” he repeated.
“I…” She sighed and he felt her tense around him. “I love you,” she cried out as her eyes closed.
He carried her into the bedroom and fell on the comforter, but after that, he must have clocked out for a few hours. When he woke, it was to screams. He jerked himself up, wide-awake and staring at his ghost. Non-ghost.
Feeling around, he realized the bed was empty and cold next to him.
“Damn.” He ran a hand over his face, then jerked to attention. “What are you doing here?” It still got him. Seeing her outside his house.
The dark eyes stared back at him as the mouth opened widely and closed. One of her hands rose and pointed out the window.
He could hear Rose barking in the background. “Xtina?” His eyes moved around the room.
He heard it again, a scream, and jerked up, grabbing his pants and the gun he’d left in her nightstand. He threw on his shoes and grabbed the coat hanging by the back door.
“Xtina?” He continued to call out as he ran in the direction from which he’d heard Rose. There was a light rain falling and every now and then a flash of lightning would light up the dark sky.
Reaching into the pocket, he was happy to find the flashlight she’d put there the night they’d found Rose.
“Rose?” he called out when a sudden silence cut the night. He stopped and listened but could only hear his heavy breathing. “Rose?” he called out softly, listening. Nothing. Not even a whimper.
His mind snapped to Xtina. Why would she come out here? His mind was working for the first time. She wouldn’t. Someone had been in the house earlier. Someone she’d known and been afraid of.
He thought back to how she’d reacted when she’d come in. Had she fallen asleep next to him when he’d carried her upstairs to the bed? Or had she waited for…