Dead Don't Lie

by L. R. Nicolello

  She nodded.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  THIS CHANGED EVERYTHING. Whatever this thing was or wasn’t between her and Marcus, wherever it might have been, was gone. She didn’t—couldn’t, really—expect him to feel the same responsibility for Liam that she did. And he certainly hadn’t raised his hand to parent a child. Oh, good grief, Evelyn, parent a child? You barely know the man. She squeezed her eyes tight and banished the childish daydream from her mind.

  In his uncanny way, Marcus seemed to sense her internal struggle. He reached across the central console and folded his fingers through hers. Without a word, he pulled their joined hands to his mouth and gently pressed his lips to her knuckles. Her throat closed around raw emotions as she looked out the window. The headlights of the oncoming cars flashed by as they sped to Seattle Children’s Hospital—to Liam.

  The car hugged the curves, oblivious to the rain-slicked roads. She snuck a look at her companion. If Marcus noticed, he didn’t let on.

  How was it she’d experienced so many life-altering moments in such a short amount of time...in this car, with this man? Better question. What the hell was she doing? She hadn’t had the time or emotional space for anyone two weeks ago, and she sure as hell didn’t have it now that she was Liam’s guardian. She took another peek at Marcus, took in his strong profile and, despite the emotional wasteland she currently navigated, her heart jumped. Crap. Everything about him pulled at her, enticed her to stay, to not run away but turn and embrace this.

  Whatever this was.

  Enough! Her emotionally wrecked psyche pushed at the sapling hope, latching on to the dull pain. She sighed, twisting back to look out the window at the passing lights. She rested her head against the glass and closed her eyes.

  Life could be so cruel, so incredibly cruel. She didn’t want to have to choose between the man sitting next to her and the little munchkin battling to stave off the trauma of the past few days.

  She’d fallen in love with Marcus.

  There. She’d admitted it. She loved him. His mere presence was a calming force. She couldn’t imagine her life without him in it. Didn’t want to. But, if she had to choose, if she had to decide between protecting Liam or satisfying her newly found libido, it wasn’t even a question: she’d choose Liam.

  * * *

  MARCUS PULLED UP to the hospital’s valet and threw the car into Park. He got out, tossed the keys at the attendant and ran to catch up with Evelyn. Once again, she’d sprinted toward the door without him.

  “Evelyn, stop.”

  She did, though he could see it cost her. The anguish and sorrow reflected in her eyes haunted him.

  “We do this together.” He grabbed her hand. “Besides, the guys upstairs are mine. You wouldn’t get within ten feet of Liam’s room without me.”

  “Your guys? I thought SPD was standing guard.”

  He shook his head. “I pulled them.”

  “You what?”

  “I wanted men that I knew, trusted.” He shot her a look. “Not that I don’t trust SPD. I just wanted my team.”

  “Your team of Bureau guys.”

  He cleared his throat. “Yes, my team. I trust them with my life. No one else would do.”

  She laughed, then a sad smile crossed her face. “It’ll be nice to meet them. Maybe they’ll be mine, too.”

  Marcus froze. Her team, too? Had she just said yes to his offer? His heart took off into a wild gallop. No, she’d just made an offhand remark. Right? He cast a quick glance at her. Her face was pensive. Oh, to get into that mind of hers right now.

  Marcus led her to Liam’s room. Two massive men stood outside his door, flanking it. Marcus smirked. They appeared scary as hell with their arms crossed and guns strapped to each thigh. Good.

  Evelyn’s grip tightened as they approached. Neither man moved or smiled.

  “Gentlemen, this is Evelyn.”

  The tall bald one broke his stance first. His face lit up. He grabbed Evelyn and pulled her up into a bear hug. She glanced at Marcus, eyes wide.

  The man set her down, his eyes soft. “Your little man is safe with us. Hell would have to freeze over before anyone got past us.” He turned to his partner, nodded his head and winked. “That’s Roger. He’s not very affectionate or expressive.”

  Roger smiled. “And that’s Azza. He doesn’t understand the concept of personal space or boundaries.”

  Evelyn laughed, shook her head, then grew serious. “Can I see Liam now? I need to make sure he’s okay.”

  Roger opened the door. She walked in. Marcus followed closely behind her. He stopped and put his hand on Roger’s shoulder. “No one in until she’s done.”

  “You got it, boss.” Roger crossed his arms and fell back into position. His face went blank.

  Azza looked into the room, then back at Marcus. “Has she said yes?”

  Marcus shook his head. “No, but she’s been through a lot. I’m not asking her anything yet.”

  Azza nodded. “Got it.”

  Evelyn sat next to Liam. He laid perfectly still, a sleeping angel. She reached out to touch him, then hesitated. Her face crumbled.

  “Oh, little man. I’m so sorry you had to go through this, so sorry you were alone and scared.” Her voice cracked.

  Marcus stood behind her. Close enough to remind her that she wasn’t alone, but far enough back to give her space.

  “I promise, I’ll make it up to you. You’ll never be alone again. It’s you and me, bud.” She stroked his curls and ran her fingers over his baby-soft skin. “Oh, my precious little man. We’re going to get through this.”

  She looked up. “Has the doctor said when he thinks Liam will be strong enough to leave?”

  Marcus shook his head. “Not that I’ve heard. But I can check.”

  “Thank you.” A sad smile twitched her lips. “You being here with me, with us, means more than you will ever know.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  A shadow crossed her face and then quickly vanished. But Marcus caught it and his stomach clenched. She thought he was punching out. Leaving. What? Because she’d just inherited a child? Like hell he was. He closed the distance between then, cupped her chin in his hands, tilted her chin up and locked eyes with her.

  “Evelyn Davis, I’m not going anywhere. Do you understand me?”

  She nodded. Tears sprung to her eyes and a guarded look descended. He knew she was pulling into herself, trying to put distance between them. No doubt to protect that tender heart of hers. Didn’t she know that she no longer needed to protect herself? That he would die before he let anyone hurt her? Didn’t she see that? The haunted eyes, veiled in pain and looking up at him, answered his unspoken question.

  He lowered his head and gently kissed her. The touch was light, but it still sent his pulse racing. He pulled back and smiled down at her. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  She reached up and placed her hand against his cheek. She stared at him for what felt like a million years, but said nothing.

  Marcus swallowed hard. What would it take for her to realize that she’d stolen his heart and forever changed him? Life without her—and now Liam—just wasn’t a life. Complicated? Hell yes. Anyone with half a brain could see that what lay in front of them wouldn’t be easy at all. It would be hard as hell. But was it worth it? Was she worth it? Of course. And if he had to spend the rest of his life proving that to her, he would. Because a life without Evelyn Davis was a life he didn’t want.

  She dropped her hand and turned back toward Liam. The heat from her touch vanished. He hated that.

  She sat and rested her head on the bed next to Liam, stroked his chubby little hand. Her eyelids fluttered closed. He smiled. He’d let her sleep. Then he’d take her home.

  Marcus moved into the hallway and shut the d
oor firmly behind him. Roger glanced at him and tipped his head. “Boss.”

  “When did the doctor last make his rounds?”

  Roger glanced at his watch. “About two hours ago. Why? Do you need him?”

  “Yeah. Track him down for me, will you?”

  Roger nodded and walked off. Azza filled the vacant spot flanking the door, folded his arms and settled into a don’t-mess-with-me stance. They silently stood that way for several minutes. Marcus leaned his head against the wall and shut his eyes.

  “Permission to speak freely, sir?”

  Marcus opened his eyes and looked at the tall bald man. “Of course. Go ahead.”

  “How are you holding up?”

  Marcus felt his eyebrows arch. What was this, a counseling session? “I’m holding up just fine, given the circumstances. But somehow I’m sensing there is more going on in that head of yours than concern for my emotional well-being. Am I right?”

  “When will you be back?”

  “When this case is over,” Marcus said flatly.

  “With or without the girl?”

  Marcus straightened. The hair on the back of his neck bristled. He pinned Azza with his eyes. “The girl?”

  “Sorry.” Azza’s face flushed, and he rushed to continue. “Evelyn. With or without Evelyn?”

  Marcus looked through the glass window and studied the two sleeping forms. Good question. He didn’t know what her answer would be, but he knew the only answer he’d settle for. He watched as Evelyn, without opening her eyes, reached for Liam’s hand. Marcus’s heart lurched. “With. Definitely with.”

  “Does she know that? Will she even leave this place now? And if she does, in what capacity—as a team member or something different?” Azza was peppering Marcus with questions. “I know she’s good, but—”

  “She’s the best profiler the Bureau has come across in over ten years. She’s not just good, Az, she’s the best in her field.”

  “I agree,” Azza said. “But this whole complicated mess is a cluster. Can she even be part of—”

  “I’m not rethinking my offer to join our team, Az. And I’m not leaving her. So back off.”

  Azza stepped back and raised his hands in surrender.

  “I wasn’t suggesting you take back your offer or leave her, boss. She’s good people. I was only pointing out that this—” he pointed toward Liam’s door “—complicates things.”

  “I’ve very aware of that,” Marcus said gruffly. The atmosphere in the hallway intensified as the two men stared each other down. Marcus was a tall man, but he still had to look up at his teammate. Azza didn’t blink. Marcus’s blood boiled and his temper flared. What was this? He was the boss. Not the other way around. He pushed his shoulders back and stepped closer. “Is there anything else you’d like to get off your chest? Maybe in regards to how I run this team?”

  “Shit, sir.” Azza’s face fell. “I’m not questioning your judgment. Sorry if it came across that way.”

  Marcus took a deep breath. He’d given Azza permission to speak freely, hadn’t he? No need to be an ass toward his teammate just because he didn’t like what Azza said.

  “No.” Marcus hung his head and shook it. “No, I know. I’m being an ass.”

  “I was not calling you an ass. Sir.”

  Marcus had to swallow the laugh that lodged in his throat. The giant of a man in front of him, who could kill someone with a single, deadly blow, genuinely looked like he was about to vomit. Oh, hell. He needed to fix this situation. And fast. Marcus put his hand on Azza’s shoulder and squeezed.

  “You’re a good man. There’s a reason I requested you to accompany Roger.” He winked. “And it’s not because of your good looks.”

  That broke the tension, and both men laughed. Marcus patted Azza’s shoulder and grew serious. “I trust you.”

  Azza jerked his head in quick acknowledgment and cleared his throat. “Thank you, sir.”

  Marcus dropped his hand and turned, once again studying Evelyn through the window. He was being an asshole. Azza’s hard questions were spot-on. And if Marcus was being honest with himself, he’d ask the same questions if the roles were reversed. Like it or not, Liam did add an element that could change what Evelyn contributed to the team. Maybe she could consult for him and stay home with Liam? He shook his head. No way he could see her puttering around the house with an apron on. No. He wanted—needed—her on his team.

  Complicated or not, he and Evelyn would work it out.

  * * *

  THEY WALKED DOWN the hall, Evelyn tucked under Marcus’s arm. Exactly where he wanted her. He and his team were back on the same page, all signs of the earlier tension gone. Liam quietly rested in his little bed. Satisfied with Marcus’s team and their protection, Evelyn agreed to leave Liam in their capable hands.

  Marcus chuckled.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You.”

  Her eyes widened as she pulled away to look at him. “Me? Why?”

  “I wish you could have seen their faces when you stepped up to them.”

  She shrugged. “I was just making sure that both Azza and Roger understood the importance of their assignment.”

  “By telling them you’d cut off their balls and shove them down their throats if anything happened to Liam?”

  She smirked. “It got the point across, didn’t it?”

  He laughed. “Yeah, I’d say you got that point across.”

  “I wasn’t that bad.”

  “You definitely made a lasting impression.”

  “I—” A yawn ripped through her and cut her off.

  Marcus pulled her close and tucked her under his arm again. “Don’t worry about it. They loved you. I could tell. Now, I’m taking you home. You need to rest tonight. We can go through your old case files tomorrow.”

  * * *

  THE SHUTTER RAPID-FIRED three frames per second, capturing Evelyn as she exited the hospital. He lowered the camera and slammed his fist into the steering wheel. Why the hell was she smiling? How could she be smiling after he’d taken so much from her?

  Stupid bitch thought she was safe. Thought the man draping his arm over her shoulder could protect her from him.

  But she wasn’t.

  She’d never be safe from him. He’d been at the funeral, only then the scope he’d used was his sniper scope. It was tempting, but no. A single bullet through the heart wouldn’t suffice.

  Not for her.

  That bitch deserved far worse. And she’d get it. When he was good and ready. And he was close.

  Those damn reporters questioned if he was done, if the killer had gone to ground or, better yet, left Seattle altogether. He gritted his teeth and brought the viewfinder up to his eye and pressed the shutter again, firing off more photos.

  Stupid people. He wasn’t done.

  Far from it.

  He was merely gearing up for the grand finale.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  LATE THAT NIGHT, Derek walked into Marcus’s apartment. Closing the door, he pulled his .45 out, checked the safety and put it on the kitchen counter. He looked around and frowned. “Where’s Evelyn?”

  “Sleeping. Where’ve you been?”

  “Really?” Derek’s eyebrows arched. “That surprises me.”

  “It’s been a long day. She was tired.”

  Derek threw his jacket over the back of the sofa, walked into the kitchen and sat. A used tea bag sat on the edge of the sink.

  “Marcus, tell me you didn’t.”

  “I didn’t.”

  “You don’t even know what I’m going to say.”

  “So then say it.”

  Derek got up, leaned over and grabbed the tea bag. He let it hang from his forefinger and thumb in front of Ma
rcus’s nose.

  “It’s a used tea bag,” Marcus said. “She wanted a cup of tea before bed. And I, being the good man I am, fixed her one.”

  Derek swung the tea bag back and forth. “Tell me you didn’t drug Evelyn.”

  “Oh, come on, Derek.” Marcus rubbed his hand over his face, then peered up at his brother. “When you say it like that...”

  Derek laughed and shook his head. “She’s going to kill you, man. And rightfully so.”

  “She’s been having trouble sleeping.” Marcus shrugged. “I’ll take my chances.”

  “And I thought I was bad—”

  “What? Sitting around studying psychos, desk-bound? Somehow I don’t think—”

  Derek tossed the tea bag in the sink and raised his hands. “Easy, tiger. This isn’t a pissing contest. Tuck it back in. Besides, being desk-bound has its perks.”

  He opened the fridge and pulled out a Guinness. “Want one?”

  “I’ll pass,” Marcus said.

  Derek went back to the table and sat. He took a sip of beer and eyed the papers thrown about. “Any progress?”

  “Actually, I was just about to call Lex.” Marcus grabbed his phone and dialed. “Here’s to hoping.”

  “MK.”

  “Talk to me, sweetheart.” He hit a button, then put the phone on the counter in between him and Derek. “I have you on speaker. Derek’s with me.”

  “D!”

  “Hey-a, gorgeous.” Derek smiled and leaned toward the phone. “We need something to break here, Lex. We’re running on fumes.”

  She sighed. “I wish I had better news for you guys, really I do. I’m still combing through files and have all the big mamas working.”

  Marcus shook his head. He didn’t know anyone else who gave their supercomputer hacker systems pet names. He rolled his eyes. Derek chuckled.