by Kaylea Cross
She’d screamed. Wouldn’t stop, no matter what threats he’d hissed or how hard he’d clamped his hand over her nose and mouth to shut her up. At that time of night her screams and struggles would have carried on the air. Someone might have heard.
He hadn’t had anything to gag her with, not without leaving something of his behind. In the end he’d been forced to wrap his hands around her throat to silence her. Squeeze until she stopped thrashing, her bulging eyes turning blank and her body going lax.
As soon as she’d gone limp, he got off her and raced back to his truck, leaving her as she was. He hadn’t checked to be sure, but he thought he’d seen the pulse in her neck flutter.
He’d been wrong about that too. And now he was a murderer as well as a rapist.
The music coming from the speakers suddenly seemed irritating and high-pitched. He snapped off the radio with an angry punch of his finger and kept driving, his mind in turmoil. He didn’t know what Nina remembered. She hadn’t reported their encounter when it happened, he’d checked.
But she might have had a medical exam. He’d been careful not to leave any evidence behind with her, though it wasn’t impossible that they’d found something of his on her. Hair, maybe clothing fibers. Which meant his DNA might already be in the system.
And now Samantha…
He glanced at his reflection in the rearview mirror, his jaw tightening even as fear curdled in the pit of his stomach. The scratches on his face and neck guaranteed she had his DNA beneath her nails. He hadn’t had time to deal with it, so there might be even more evidence against him now.
The scratches and other marks on his face were impossible to hide, even with sunglasses and a ball cap. He needed to stay off the radar for another couple days until he could cover them with makeup at least.
His gaze caught on the pictures of his daughters attached to his sun visor. He snatched them down, shoving them into the center console so he didn’t have to look at them. The guilt was killing him, the constant fear eating at his insides.
Why was he like this? Why couldn’t he stop? Ignore the dark cravings inside him?
If Nina had identified him, a team would be coming to question him. Then his DNA would seal his fate.
If she hadn’t and he ran, it would make him look way too suspicious. No matter how much he wanted to flee, running wasn’t an option. He had to stay. Keep living the lie and put on the best act of his life to make the people closest to him think everything was normal.
He didn’t want to give up his life because of what he’d done. There had to be a way out of this.
As a possible answer came to him, he slowed and turned into another parking lot. He pulled into the shade cast by a large delivery truck and thought it through.
Yeah, it could work.
Nina. He had to get rid of her to protect himself. Knew just how to make it happen.
But he had to do it as soon as possible, and then cover his tracks using every trick he’d ever learned on the job if he wanted to remain a free man.
****
“You sure you don’t want to be with Rylee right now?” Nina asked him as Tate pulled up in front of Avery’s house that evening.
“Avery and Mason are both there with her. I’ll call her in a bit.” There was no way he was leaving Nina alone right now. Not after what she’d gone through today.
He wanted to be the one to take care of her. Right now, he wanted to get her settled in her own safe space, make her as comfortable and relaxed as possible. She needed it.
But there was also another reason he was staying with Nina. One that stabbed him with needles of unease.
The bastard behind all this devastation was still at large. They didn’t even have a decent description of him to go on. Only the vague details Tate had received back when he’d worked on the case. Thirty-something Caucasian male, dark hair, strong build.
Whoever he was, the monster was escalating. He’d made the jump from rape to killing a young woman. He was a predator and a killer and needed to be hunted down.
Tate knew that kind of profile well enough to know this asshole wasn’t done. The guy had gotten away with it this long. If he wasn’t brought in, it was only a matter of time before he struck again, and another innocent life taken. And if the perp was worried that either Nina or Rylee could ID him, he might get desperate and come after one of them again.
Which was why Tate wanted both Avery and Mason with Rylee tonight—a former JTF2 assaulter and a dedicated cop there to protect her.
Tate forced back the surge of anger that threatened to swamp him. He wanted that son of a bitch caught and punished for what he’d done. Wished he could be reinstated on the case but that wasn’t possible, especially now that his own niece and the woman he was seeing were both victims of what all the evidence said was likely the same attacker.
Instead he’d been forced to watch everything from the other side of the desk. He’d stayed with Nina throughout the interview with Greg.
It had been hard to watch her relive everything in detail and only be able to hold her hand in support. She’d held it together admirably well, but reliving that terrible night step by step and not being able to leave anything out had taken a toll on her.
They’d spent hours going over everything, getting her records from the hospital and then getting her official statement, having her sign various forms and legal documents to file an official police report. She’d been quiet ever since leaving the station.
He kept a hand on her waist as he walked her around the back of the house to the entrance to her suite. There was a basket sitting on the doorstep.
She stopped, and at the way she stiffened he immediately stepped in front of her to intervene, his hand flashing back to grip the weapon he’d tucked into its holster. “What’s wrong?” he asked, seeing no sign of danger.
“Nothing, it’s fine.” She pushed past him and marched toward the basket. “What on earth did they do this time?” she muttered under her breath.
Confused, Tate stood there watching her as she picked it up, lifted the cloth on top and sighed. “Blueberry scone bread pudding. Damn, they’re good.”
He didn’t have a clue what was going on. She seemed torn somewhere between amusement and irritation. “You got something against bread pudding?”
“No.” She looked up at him. “You like it?”
“I like pretty much anything that comes out of the oven.”
“Good. You can have some with me.” She reached into her purse for her keys and unlocked the back door.
She was handling everything well. So much so, he was actually a little worried about her. She’d told him she’d seen a therapist after the rape, but today had shaken her. Now she was acting like everything was normal.
“You hungry?” he asked as he shut and locked the door behind them. “I can order us something.” He wouldn’t leave her alone, not even for the short drive to downtown to pick up dinner.
“I just want bad stuff. I’ve got ice cream in the freezer we can eat with the bread pudding. That okay?”
“It’s fine.” Whatever she wanted.
“I’m gonna go have a shower.”
“Sure. Take your time.” As soon as she left, he called Rylee. “How you doing, kiddo?” he asked her.
“I’m just really sad. I know I only knew her for a week, but I felt like I was all she had here. And then I think about how terrified she must have been before she died.”
Tate winced. “I know, sweetheart, but it’s likely that she was unconscious, too drugged to be frightened. Mase and Avery taking good care of you?”
“Yeah. I don’t think he’s Avery’s favorite person, though.”
“Really? What makes you say that?”
“I think his sense of humor rubs her the wrong way, that’s all. He’s been pulling out all the stops, trying to lighten the mood, including making Ric show off all his tricks.”
“Yeah, Mase’s sense of humor takes some getting used to. You okay t
here with them?”
“Yes. Is Nina all right?”
He paused. “Did Avery tell you what happened?”
“Yes, a little while ago.” She sighed. “I feel so bad for her. You really think it could be the same guy?”
“Looks that way.”
“How is she?”
“Wrung out but putting on a brave face. I’m going to stay with her at least for tonight, Ry. I don’t want her to be alone.”
“Me neither.”
“Thanks for understanding. And you know I wouldn’t have left you with Mase and Avery unless I thought you’d be safe. I trust them both with my life.”
“I know. Thanks for checking on me. Will you tell Nina I send her a big hug?”
“Absolutely. I’ll call you in the morning. But if you need anything, you just call me, okay?”
“Okay. Love you, Uncle Tater.”
“Love you too.”
As soon as he ended the call, Avery phoned him. He told her as much as he could about what had happened without violating Nina’s privacy, since he wasn’t sure what level of detail Nina had given her about the rape, then changed the subject. “Is Mason driving you nuts already?”
She snorted. “I’m a big girl. I can handle him.”
“Oh, I know you can,” he said with a chuckle. Avery was more than capable of putting Mason—or any other man, himself included—in his place. “It’s good for him.”
“Doubt he thinks so, but I’m glad you approve. Call if you need anything.”
“Will do. Bye.”
Nina came out a minute later wearing a pair of pale pink pajamas and a fuzzy robe. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, the ends slightly damp still, and her face was scrubbed clean. “I know, I look like I’m fifteen right now,” she said as she made her way to the kitchen.
She looked adorable, and in need of some comfort. “Twenty.”
One side of her mouth turned up. “So you’re saying I at least look legal, then.”
“Exactly. I’m a law-abiding citizen and upholder of the law.”
She snickered and went to work dishing them up some dessert.
“Feel any better?”
“A little.” She scooped bread pudding into two bowls. “Just tired.”
“I’ll bet.” He watched while she heated them up in the microwave and then added big scoops of vanilla ice cream. “Does your family know?” he asked softly.
She stopped, her back to him. “No.” She put the ice cream back in the freezer. “I need to call my parents later and tell them. But not right now.”
He shifted on the couch when she came over and handed him a bowl, then settled into the opposite end, her feet tucked beneath her.
She took a bite of the dessert, made a soft humming sound. “Damn, this is good. How does she do it?”
“Who?” Tate took a bite. She was right, it was really good.
“My neighbor across the street. Bev. She and her sister live together in the big Victorian over there.” She waved her spoon. “We’ve got this competitive rivalry thing going on. And I think they just won, because I can’t think of a thing I can make out of this.”
“French toast.”
Nina looked up, blinked at him. “Yeah?”
He nodded. “Just cut it up and fry it on both sides in a little butter. It’s already got the egg in there. Then sprinkle a little cinnamon on top and add some whipped cream if you want to get all fancy.”
A slow, appreciative smile formed on her face. “Tate, that’s brilliant.”
He shrugged, intrigued by the friendly game and glad to see Nina smile. “I’ll help you make it in the morning if you want.”
Her smile faded, her expression turning serious. “In the morning. Are you coming back that early, or…?”
“I want to stay the night. On your sofa,” he added. He hadn’t asked her if she wanted him to stay, because her personality was to say no, not wanting to inconvenience him. “If that’s okay with you.”
She looked almost relieved. “It’s more than okay with me. Only I don’t want you on the sofa.”
They stared at each other across the length of the sofa, and Tate was overcome with the need to touch her. He reached out to cup her cheek, ready to draw her close, when her phone rang on the coffee table.
She glanced at it and groaned. “It’s my mom. I swear she’s got a sixth sense for when I’m upset about something.” She met his gaze. “Part of me wants to ignore it, but I really should talk to her and get this over with.”
“Want me to step outside?”
“No, I’ll just take it in my room.” She picked it up and stood, flashing him a brave little smile that tugged at his heart. “Wish me luck.” With that she answered in Spanish and retreated to her room to shut the door.
Tate hurt for her. Having to relive the horror of being raped was tough, but telling her family would be even harder.
While he waited, he made one final call to his neighbor Curt, briefly explaining the situation with the suspect and that they might have a potential security issue. “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep an eye out for anything suspicious, just in case.”
“Done. Is your niece all right?”
“She’s fine. But I’d consider it a personal favor if you could refrain from shooting anything for the next couple days.”
A pause. “Copy that. I’ll bring Reggie and his friends inside at night for the next while.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it. And I think old lady Engleman will like the peace and quiet too. I’m going there for dinner shortly.”
Tate’s eyebrows lifted. “Yeah?”
Curt grunted. “Some kind of peace offering, I’d imagine. I was thinking of cutting some flowers from my garden for her. Do you think she’d prefer roses or dahlias?”
“Really couldn’t say. I’m sure either would be fine.”
“Well, have a good night. I’ll keep an eye out here, don’t you worry.”
“I’ll sleep better now, thanks,” Tate said with a smile, and ended the call. Nina’s door was still shut. He could imagine how upset her parents would be.
He watched TV for a while, then turned when her door opened. His heart clenched. Her eyes were puffy and red. She looked so lost, standing there in her pajamas and robe. “How’d it go?” he asked softly, absently shutting off the TV.
“It was hard.”
He nodded, desperate to go to her but unsure of what she wanted. Right now he wanted to do everything in his power to protect her, help her heal, be there for her after she’d bared her soul and been forced to face her pain all over again.
“They want to get on the first flight here in the morning, but I told them no. That I’m okay, and I’m safe with you here. I just need time to decompress before I see them.”
“I get it.” And it warmed his heart that she’d told them she was safe with him here.
She ran a hand over her face. “I’m wiped. Gonna read for a bit in bed, then crash.”
“Okay. I’ll be here if you need anything.”
She hesitated in the doorway. “Will you come sleep next to me?”
His heart almost imploded. “Yeah, of course.” He was up and off the couch in a heartbeat, following her into her room.
She draped her robe across the foot of the bed, then crawled into the left side. Tate slid in the other and turned to face her on his side. Nina immediately snuggled into him. He rolled slightly to his back and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her cheek to the hollow of his shoulder.
Nina expelled a long sigh and rubbed a hand over his chest. “Thank you. I needed this.”
“Me too.” He kissed the top of her head and ran a soothing hand up and down her back, the flannel of her PJs soft beneath his palm. It felt good to hold her like this. Offer his comfort and protection. She smelled like toothpaste and shampoo.
“Tomorrow’s going to be better,” she murmured.
Even after all of this, she was still dete
rmined to be optimistic. She amazed him. “Yes. And every day going forward, it will get a little easier.”
She made a humming sound and relaxed more into his hold. “Has to.”
There was so much going on inside him, too much for him to look at all at once, but he had to tell her this or he’d burst. “I want you to know how much I admire your courage. How brave you are.”
She groaned and tucked her face tighter into his shoulder. “I’m not brave. If I was brave, I would have done the right thing in the first place.”
“No, you’re wrong.” How could she not see that? “You came forward after everything told you to stay silent and bury what happened to you before. You opened yourself up to a lot of pain and scrutiny in order to help find this bastard and stop him from hurting anyone else. That’s fucking brave, Nina.”
She cuddled in closer. “Thank you for being there for me today. And for staying now.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” He meant every word. Even if he’d never expected to feel this way and didn’t know what the hell to do with it.
Chapter Sixteen
“You sure you had enough? You didn’t eat much.”
Nina smiled at Tate’s concern as she helped carry dishes into his kitchen two nights later. After taking yesterday off for a video appointment with her therapist and more phone calls with Tate’s detective friend on the Missoula force, she’d made the decision to go back today for her Wednesday classes.
Tate had invited her back to his place for dinner so she’d driven straight here after work to find that he, Avery, Mason and Rylee had all pitched in to make the meal together. After the last frantic few days, unwinding with her friends was just what she’d needed.
“I had more than enough. It was just nice to be able to come home to you.” As soon as she said it, she cursed herself for making him uncomfortable and turned her attention to loading up the sink. But damn, it was exhausting trying to censor herself to spare his feelings on top of everything she was already dealing with.
To her surprise Tate took her by the elbows, turned her to face him, and kissed her gently. “We’ll handle the dishes tonight,” he said, nodding at Mason, Avery and Rylee, who were also carrying things in from the dining room table. “Why don’t you take a glass of wine out back and relax for a bit?”