Burn

by HELEN HARDT

  These Steel men loved to pace.

  And then he shot from the kitchen.

  I looked at Jonah, who shrugged.

  “Talon?” Jade rose.

  Before she could leave the kitchen, though, Talon came back, carrying a file folder. “It’s all in here,” he said.

  “What?” Jonah asked.

  “Remember when I told you that Biker Bob had found the records of the guys he did the phoenix tattoo on between twenty-five and thirty years ago?”

  Jonah nodded.

  Talon pulled out a piece of paper and set it in front of Jonah. “Read it and weep.”

  He scanned the document. “Christopher Headley. Declan Stevens.” He cleared his throat. “And Milo Sanchez.”

  Ice filled my veins as I suppressed a shudder. “Could it be possible?”

  “Doc, did Gina ever mention to you that her uncle had a tattoo?”

  I thought back through our sessions. “No, she never mentioned it.”

  “How old was Gina?”

  “Early twenties,” I said.

  “Her abuse was well after mine.” Talon paced around the kitchen and threaded his fingers through his hair. “I can’t fucking believe it.”

  “This is Colorado,” Jade said. “Hispanic surnames are common here. This doesn’t necessarily mean anything with regard to your case, Talon.”

  Jonah rose. “This whole thing is just too close for comfort. What if Gina’s uncle and one of Talon’s abductors are the same man? It’s not that big of a stretch really. They’re both child molesters. Psychopaths. Killers.”

  “Amazing,” I said, shaking my head. “When I first started thinking about this new theory—that maybe Gina didn’t kill herself but had been murdered instead—there was still part of me that didn’t believe it was possible. But now…” Now I was the one to rise, pacing around the large kitchen. “Jonah is right. All of this is too close for comfort.”

  “But Gina died before you met Talon,” Jade said.

  “True.” But there had to be more to this. There just had to be. I sat back down. “You mind if I look at this file?” I asked Talon.

  “Of course not. Look at anything you want.”

  I grabbed the file and riffled through the papers. Just dates that fit the time frame and names. The tattoo had been done on the left forearm in each case. And there was a photograph of the tattoo.

  My eyes were drawn to the colorful illustration. This was the actual image that had been both hell and heaven to Talon during his time in captivity. The image that had taunted him, was a menace to him but was also his liberation, on whose wings he flew up in smoke, escaping his brutal reality.

  I stared at it. It was hauntingly beautiful, with colors of orange, blue, fuchsia, red, yellow.

  “I don’t suppose this Biker Bob would remember what any of these men looked like, would he?” I asked.

  Talon shook his head. “Believe me, I’ve interrogated him on everything. It took him months and lots of incentive, if you know what I mean, to find this.”

  “Have you considered the possibility that this has been fabricated?”

  “I have. But Bob seems like a pretty good guy, although I think he spends most of his life stoned.”

  “If only he could tell us whether the man had brown eyes,” Jade said. “That’s the only thing you remember about the tattoo guy, right, Talon?”

  “Yeah. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what color eyes the one with the birthmark had.”

  Blue. I said the word inside my head while looking to Jonah. He shook his head slightly at me. He didn’t have to. I would never have broken his confidence.

  But he and I would be talking later. He had to tell his brother what he knew about Tom Simpson. And soon. I turned to Talon.

  “We could always go back into guided hypnosis,” I said. “Maybe you can remember something else. Of course, I’m not supposed to be practicing at the moment.”

  “Doc, I don’t care. I want you to take me back there.”

  “Honestly, Talon, I shouldn’t do it. While my license isn’t technically suspended, I have been asked nicely to take a leave of absence from my practice for three weeks. Gina’s parents have filed a complaint against me with the medical board.”

  “Hell, Doc, I’d trust you to hypnotize me even if you didn’t have a license. Besides, you said your license is still valid, right?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Then I want you to do it. I need to find out more. Maybe I can remember something they said while they were talking. Maybe something I saw. There has to be something.”

  “Talon,” Jade said, “are you sure you want to go back there again?”

  “I’m sure I don’t want to, blue eyes. But I’m sure I have to. I don’t think I’ll ever sleep quite right until I know I’ve done everything I can to bring those fuckers to justice.”

  “I understand,” she said. “It’s just so hard on you.”

  “I think you need to take what Jade is saying into consideration,” I said. “I’m happy to do the therapy with you if you want me to do it, but remember, as I’ve told you before, your healing is not dependent on finding these guys or bringing them to justice. Your healing has to be something you control. And unfortunately, finding these men and making sure they get what’s coming to them isn’t within your control.”

  Jonah smiled and took my hand. “She is brilliant as well as beautiful.”

  I warmed. And then it occurred to me that I had said an awful lot about Talon’s healing in front of Jade and Marjorie. But he didn’t seem to mind.

  “I honestly do understand what all of you are saying, but this is important. If they’re still out there, they can prey on other children. If I can do something to make sure that doesn’t happen, I want to do it.”

  “All right. I can’t use my office right now because technically I’m on a leave of absence. But we can do a guided hypnosis anywhere you’re comfortable. Here, or Jonah’s house. Whatever works for you.”

  “You mind if we use your place, Joe? With Brooke here all the time, I just don’t feel comfortable.”

  “Of course,” Jonah said. “Anything for you. You know that.”

  “Okay,” I said. “Obviously, my schedule is flexible at the moment. And I know you’re always busy. So just let me know when and where, and we’ll make it work.”

  “Thanks, Doc. You’re the best.”

  Jonah squeezed my hand and whispered to me, “He’s right about that.”

  His phone started vibrating on the table, and he picked it up. “Damn.”

  He must’ve gotten another text from Brooke.

  “I don’t know quite how to tell you this, Jade,” Jonah said, “but I think your mother has been sending me texts.”

  “What?”

  “This is kind of embarrassing. She came on to me the other day.”

  “What?” Jade said again.

  “Look, I’ve got nothing against her. I understand where she’s coming from. Her modeling days are over, and she wants to make sure she’s still desirable. I told her I wasn’t interested, and I thought she got the message.”

  “Shit, Joe, this might be my fault,” Talon said. “I kind of told her you used to worship her when you were a kid.”

  “Yes.” Jonah rolled his eyes. “She mentioned that. Anyway, she’s been texting me. Not anything creepy. Just stuff like ‘I want you.’ ‘You’re so hot.’ This last one says ‘We are meant to be together.’”

  “Jonah, I’m really sorry,” Jade said. “I’ll put a stop to this right away.”

  “I’d appreciate it. I figured it was her because the number has an Iowa area code.”

  “Iowa?” Jade raised her eyebrows. “The number I have for my mom has a New York area code. She’s had it for years.”

  “Really? I just assumed, because she was dating that man who said he was a senator from Iowa.”

  “She didn’t identify herself as my mother?”

  “No, not by name, but the messag
es started after she came on to me.”

  “You mind if I look at the number?”

  “Not at all.” He handed Jade his phone.

  “That’s not her number, Joe. At least not one that I know of.”

  Chapter Thirty–Three

  Jonah

  Then who the fuck had been sending me texts? It had never occurred to me to actually call the number because I thought it was Brooke. I certainly didn’t want to lead her on. I was still hesitant to call. Now this was getting kind of creepy.

  “Who the hell could have an area code in Iowa?” I asked.

  “It’s possible my mom has another phone,” Jade said. “But I’ve only ever seen her use one.”

  “Maybe she has a phone hidden somewhere,” Marj said.

  “With my mother, anything is possible. I’ll search her things.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” I said. “I don’t want you to violate her privacy or anything.”

  “All right, if you’re sure you don’t want me to,” Jade said.

  “Let me please call this number first. I’ve never tried it because I just assumed it was Brooke and I didn’t want to lead her on at all.” I left the kitchen and walked out to the living room, sitting down on the satin brocade couch. I dialed the number and put the phone to my ear.

  It rang. A ringback tone. Classic rock.

  But no answer and no voice mail message.

  I went back into the kitchen and told them what had happened. “When I researched the number online, all I could find was that it was an Iowa area code.”

  “We could put Mills and Johnson on it,” Talon suggested.

  I shook my head. “No. I want them concentrating on what they’re doing for you and for Melanie. Those are much larger issues. Once all that is settled, maybe I’ll have them try to uncover the identity of my phone stalker.” I let out a laugh. I wasn’t nervous, exactly, just slightly on edge. If Brooke Bailey wasn’t my phone stalker, who could it be?

  Melanie yawned. “Jonah, we should probably get going.” She turned to Talon and Jade. “Was there anything else you guys needed?”

  “No, I think we’re good,” Talon said.

  “Thanks so much for dinner,” Melanie said, looking at Marj. “It was delicious.”

  “No problem,” Marj said. “You’re welcome here at our table anytime. I hope you know that.”

  Melanie blushed adorably. “That’s nice of you to say.”

  “After what you’ve done for our family?” Marj came forward and gave her a hug. “Seriously. Anytime.”

  I smiled at my sister. I was so grateful to her for welcoming Melanie to the house. Talon and Jade already had, but this was Marjorie’s house too.

  “And Jonah,” Jade added, “I’m really sorry about my mother. I’ll tell her that you’re involved with someone.”

  “No, don’t embarrass her. Besides, I think she knows.”

  Melanie was still blushing. She was so beautiful. But right now she was embarrassed, so I needed to get her out of there.

  “To echo Melanie,” I said. “Thanks to all of you for dinner.”

  “Good night, Doc. I’ll give you a call about the session.”

  She nodded.

  I took her hand, and we left.

  * * *

  Once we got back to my house, I let Lucy out and then turned to Melanie. “I don’t suppose you want to go for a dip in the hot tub?”

  She blushed again. “I don’t think so. Somehow I just know someone will interrupt us.”

  I laughed. “All right. Then, would you come to my bedroom with me?”

  She cupped my cheeks and drew me down for a soft kiss. “I will always come to your room with you. Always.”

  I fingered the diamond choker around her neck. “Someday, I hope I can tell you why I gave this to you.”

  “Why not tell me now?”

  I grinned. “Because you’re not quite ready to hear it yet.”

  “Okay. Then you’ll tell me later.”

  “Like I said, I hope I get that chance.”

  “Why would you not get that chance? I’m not going anywhere.”

  I looked into her beautiful green eyes curtained with thick brown lashes and framed with sculpted mahogany brows. She had an oval face, a perfect shape, high cheekbones tinted the slightest peach. She wasn’t wearing any makeup. She didn’t need it. Her lips were always a natural ruby red, probably from biting them so much. I smiled. If only what she said could be true. But once I told her that I had neglected to take her phone call that horrible evening, chances were good that she would leave me. Especially since I’d now waited so long to tell her. I should’ve come clean at the beginning. Fuck.

  For now, I let go of the choker and stroked her neck. “You’re so beautiful.”

  Her hands were still on my cheeks. “And so are you. Maybe that’s not the right thing to say to a man, but you are beautiful. Every part of you. And not just in the physical sense.”

  My heart thumped. So much she didn’t know. So much darkness that she hadn’t seen…and might never see. I was not beautiful. But for now, for this one moment, I let her words sink under my skin. For her, tonight, I would be a beautiful person.

  “Come to bed with me,” I said.

  I took her hand and led her to my bedroom. This time I didn’t ask her to strip for me. I removed her clothes myself, slowly, deliberately, relishing each new inch of skin I exposed. I trailed my lips over every inch of naked skin, raining tiny kisses onto her succulent flesh.

  I removed her shirt and bra, letting those beautiful peachy breasts fall gently against her chest. Her red-brown nipples were erect already, beckoning for my mouth. I licked one gently, rolling the other one between my thumb and forefinger.

  She sighed beneath my touch.

  “You like that, baby?” I said against her rosy breast.

  “You know I do.”

  I continued to lick, teasing her nipples, until she finally took my head and pushed it into her breasts.

  Then I sucked harder, just the way she liked. She moaned.

  I set her down gently on the bed, removed her shoes and socks, and then slid her jeans and panties—still beige cotton—over her slim hips.

  I knelt next to the bed and spread her legs. “Lie back, baby.”

  She did, her lovely nipples still hard.

  “I want to taste you.” I started by flicking my tongue lightly over her clit.

  She trembled. I kissed her inner thighs, all the way down to her knees, and then went back the other way, to her pussy. Another quick flick of my tongue over her clit, and then down the other thigh. Her skin tasted of salt and dreams. And then, when I got back to her pussy…

  Fragrant and delicious.

  This woman was everything. Everything to me.

  How could I bear to let her go?

  No. Not going to think of that now. I slid my tongue between her wet folds, and my already hard cock throbbed.

  Here she was, naked on my bed, and I was still fully clothed.

  I wanted to make tonight about her. About what she liked. Not about me trying to introduce her to what I liked. I would be gentle. For now. I smiled against her sweet pussy. Making slow, sweet love to her would be no hardship.

  As much as I loved taking the dominant role, with Melanie, I could go either way. Making love had never been so perfect as it was with her.

  And the fact was, I might never get the chance to introduce her into my private world of pain and pleasure. So while I had the privilege of having her in my bed, I would please her. I would do what she liked.

  I slid my tongue over her wet slit once more, determined to bypass her asshole this time. But to my surprise, she lifted her thighs, pulling them upward, baring herself to me. Did she want me to lick her ass?

  I looked up. “Melanie, tell me what you want.”

  She bent her neck, meeting my gaze. “Lick me…there. Please.”

  I smiled. She was so cute. She couldn’t even say “asshole.”
Adorable.

  I had been determined to make this about her, but hey, if this was what she wanted. I slid my tongue over her puckered hole.

  She sighed.

  I took that to mean that she liked it. I lubed her up well with my saliva, forced my tongue into a point, and began to probe the tight hole.

  “Oh…” she groaned.

  I continued tongue-fucking her asshole until I couldn’t take it any longer. I needed to taste her again. I slid my tongue up her slick slit. I sucked at her, eating all that cream out of her pussy, until I had the urge to kiss her mouth. I leaned forward, still fully clothed, and brushed my lips against hers.

  “Kiss me, Melanie. I want you to taste your juice on my tongue.”

  She opened for me, and I delved in, swirling my tongue with her warm silky one.

  The taste of her sugary mouth mingled with the taste of her pussy. Was there any sweeter nectar? Her kisses intoxicated me. I had never been the kind of man who could make out with a woman for hours, but with Melanie, I felt like I could kiss her forever. My cock was straining against my jeans, but still, I didn’t want to move my mouth from hers and get undressed.

  We kissed and we kissed, for a long, long time.

  Until I realized I hadn’t yet brought her to climax. I tore my mouth from hers and trailed my lips down her sleek neck, over her shoulders, down her arms to each finger. Up again to her other shoulder and down. I gave her breasts some deserved attention, nibbling on her nipples as she arched beneath me. Then I rained kisses over her smooth abdomen, to her triangle of blond curls, to that beautiful red pussy.

  I licked her clit, and then I forced my whole tongue inside of her wet heat. She was so wet and gushing for me. I wanted her to come all over my face. I continued tongue-fucking her, alternating with sucking on her clit. She writhed beneath me, fisting her hands in my hair and pushing me farther into her heat.

  I lapped her up, savoring every drop of her juices, and then, when she started to clamp down a bit, I shoved two fingers deep inside her, pushing up against the anterior wall, her G-spot.

  And she shattered, coming all over my face and fingers.

  I sucked at her relentlessly, and when her orgasm started to subside, I gave her clit a little nip, and she soared again.