Ember (The Seeker Series Book 1)

by Ditter Kellen

  “If you will allow me to explain—”

  “Explain what? That you’re crazy?” Tears sprang to her eyes. She had almost fallen in love with a madman. One who resembled a Greek god and smelled like heaven.

  “Ember…” He reached out to her, but she pulled away.

  “Did you enjoy fucking me and watching me suffer?”

  He flinched. “You have it all wrong.”

  “Then why don’t you tell me, Angel? Or is that even your real name?”

  He stepped closer until she could feel the heat from his body, smell that wonderful scent that made her want to sink her teeth into him.

  She stood immobile as he leaned in slowly, barely brushing her lips with his. After everything she’d been through tonight, it amazed her that she still felt attraction for him—this stranger who in all likelihood was a copycat serial killer.

  He didn’t kiss her. Instead he angled his head until his mouth was next to her ear. “I can’t expect you to trust me yet. I’m asking you to give me time to prove myself to you. There are things you don’t know. Things I can’t reveal to you right now. Just give me a week. Please.”

  “What things?” She found it hard to think with him standing so close, his face touching hers.

  The doorbell ringing hadn’t gone unnoticed by Ember, but it didn’t seem to phase Angel one bit. Now that the pounding in her heart had subsided, she could hear Laura’s muffled voice. It washed over her in warmth born of relief.

  “Don’t answer it.” His lips skimmed along her jaw to the dimple in her cheek. He dipped his tongue into the tiny groove, wrapped a hand in her hair, and took possession of her mouth.

  Between his delicious scent and the taste of him, Ember’s entire body felt liquid. She wanted him with a passion that rivaled desperation.

  She tore her mouth away as an image of the folder she’d found earlier in his kitchen invaded her mind along with the consistent pounding on the door. “You’ve been watching me. Did you send the note too?”

  A dangerous glint shone in his eyes. His body went eerily still. “Note?”

  “Don’t pretend you don’t—”

  He grabbed her shoulders and squeezed. “What are you talking about?”

  “Someone left a threatening note at Laura’s place the day after a manila envelope arrived.”

  “What was in the envelope?” He seemed so genuine she wasn’t sure what to think anymore.

  “A couple of photos. One of a dead woman’s body, and one of me at the crime scene. You really didn’t have anything to do with that?”

  “No, I didn’t. You have to believe me.”

  She wanted to. “I—”

  Clay’s voice penetrated her confusion. “Ember? Are you in there? We’re coming in.”

  A low growl came from Angel. “Get rid of him.”

  The sound of a lock clicking could be heard in the silence. Clay yelled as he threw the front door open. “Hello?”

  Ember gave Angel an incredulous look. “Get rid of him? Have you lost your—“

  The detective came barreling into the room like a raging bull, stopping short when his gaze locked on Angel. Something flickered in Clay’s eyes, but it was gone so fast Ember wondered if she’d imagined it. He glanced at her briefly, turned on his heel, and ducked back into the hallway, nearly running into a frantic Laura.

  “Oh my God, are you all right?” The blonde darted around Clay and wrapped Ember in a bone-crushing hug.

  “Yes, I’m fine. What are you two doing here?”

  “I’ve been calling and…” Laura’s voice trailed off when she spotted Angel.

  Ember pulled back and faced him. It was now or never. Should she turn him in or risk her life with a stranger who had evidence in his condo that could place him at the scene of a very recent murder?

  The gorgeous Bulgarian stared back at her with a gleam in his eyes. She felt it was a challenge, a demand for her trust whether she wanted to give it or not. Something happened to her in that moment that couldn’t be explained. An unseen force passed between them in a silent battle of wills that she ultimately lost.

  Clearing her throat, she broke the connection. “Laura, this is Angelo.”

  The blonde shot him a quick smile and wave before once again focusing on Ember. “We need to talk…in private.”

  Chapter Two

  Angelo Dimitrov had never wanted another woman as much as he wanted Ember Wells. She belonged to him. She just didn’t know it yet. A growl rose in his throat when he thought of the way the detective had looked at her upon entering the room. It had taken every ounce of willpower Angel possessed not to pluck the man’s eyes from their sockets.

  The tension in Ember during Clay’s visit earlier that evening hadn’t been lost on Angel. It was obvious there was something between her and the detective. Jealousy wasn’t an emotion Angel entertained on a regular basis, and he’d be damned if Mr. Hero Wannabe would elicit it in him now.

  Angel nodded to the woman Ember introduced as Laura. High levels of anxiety coupled with relief radiated from the pretty blonde. Angel quickly dismissed her as a threat and concentrated on the reason she and the detective had rushed to the condo to begin with.

  He studied the two women briefly, focusing solely on Ember as he spoke. “Is there a problem?”

  She glanced at Laura before addressing him. “Give us a minute?”

  He wrapped a hand around her wrist and gently squeezed.

  She must have understood his need to be sure she would hear him out. “I’ll be right back. I promise.” She pulled free, ushered her friend back to the hallway, and closed the door behind them.

  He wanted to rush out there, throw her over his shoulder, and carry her back to his place. It roasted his ass for her to be anywhere near Clay Harper. He knew she wouldn’t say anything about what had transpired before the duo arrived. He was more concerned about the reason for their abrupt visit to begin with. And the interest the detective seemed to have in Ember.

  “What doing here…and with Clay?” Ember’s stomach knotted with anxiety.

  “Another note surfaced at my place. I called you, but you were obviously busy humping the neighbor. Not that I blame you. Damn.”

  Ember ignored the sex reference. “What? Where? Let me see it.”

  “Detective Harper has it.”

  “What did it say?”

  “Come on. You should read it for yourself.”

  Ember followed Laura into the kitchen, where Clay stood propped against the bar. His booted feet were crossed at the ankles and his arms were crossed over his chest. He made an intimidating picture to be sure, with his badge clipped onto his belt and a raised eyebrow above his all-knowing gaze.

  Ember stopped a few feet before him, inwardly shrinking under his penetrating stare. He seemed to have that effect on most anyone unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of it.

  Laura sidled up beside her to address the detective. “She wants to see the note.”

  Without breaking eye contact, Clay produced the piece of paper. He carefully unfolded it, holding it up for Ember to read. “It’s already been contaminated.” He shot a look at Laura.

  The editor sounded defensive. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what it was at first. Besides, the first one didn’t—”

  “The first one?” Clay gaped at her.

  “Ah shit, Em. You may as well tell him.”

  “Tell me what?” He pushed away from the counter, stepping into Ember’s personal space.

  “There was another note. Laura found it at her place this morning.” Ember fidgeted.

  “Why am I just now hearing about this?”

  “Because I’d hoped it was nothing. Maybe someone at work is upset that I got promoted. My life has just returned to normal.”

  “Where is it now?” He glanced between them.

  Laura spoke up. “It’s not here. I can have it to you tomorrow.”

  Ember thought of Angel waiting in her bedroom and wondered if she should say
something about the folder she’d found in his condo. What if he really did leave the notes?

  Somewhere in the far reaches of her heart, she didn’t believe he had anything to do with the threats. It made no sense how she knew. She just did.

  “I’m going to need you to come down to the station and file a report. Both of you.” Clay’s tone brooked no argument.

  “I’ll do it in the morning.” Ember had unfinished business with Angel.

  She and the detective stared at each other until it became uncomfortable.

  Clay broke the silence. “Put some clothes on. I’ll wait for you in the car.”

  “Then I come with her.” Angel’s deep voice shocked Ember. She hadn’t heard him enter the room. He stepped up next to her, flanking her other side.

  The testosterone fairly dripped from both men as they faced off against each other.

  Laura thumped Ember on the hand as if to say, Do something before this gets ugly.

  Ember found her voice. “It can wait until morning. We don’t even know for sure the note was meant for me.”

  Neither man acknowledged she’d spoken. The tension in the small kitchen felt thick as steam.

  Laura quickly stepped between the two men and took Clay by the hand. “Let’s get out of here. We’ll both come down to the station in the morning and file a report. Obviously she’s safe for the night.”

  “Fine.” It was apparent the detective wasn’t happy.

  Bless you, Ember thought as she followed them to the door and gave her life-saving friend a hug. “I’ll be there before work, bright and early.”

  “Okay, and please stay safe.” Laura embraced her back.

  “Thank you for checking on me. I love you.”

  “That’s what friends do. Love you too.” The blonde released her and shut the door quietly on her way out with the detective, but not before Clay turned and gave Angel one last look.

  Ember engaged the locks and spun around to find Angel watching her. After everything that had transpired, it surprised her that she felt very little fear.

  “Tell me about the threats.”

  She took a deep breath and recited the contents of both notes.

  “And you didn’t think the police should know about this?”

  “You have no idea what I went through last year. And the Watcher is in jail. Why don’t you tell me why you have a folder on me? And do not lie to me, or I’ll call the detective back.” She walked to the kitchen as she spoke, keeping him in her line of vision.

  “He wants you,” he growled.

  He’s jealous. Her stomach flipped. “You didn’t answer my question. Who are you, and why are you spying on me?”

  “My name is Angelo Dimitrov. I knew you were in danger as soon as I read the articles on the Watcher.”

  “You do realize you sound insane, right?” Why do all the gorgeous ones have to be fucked up ten ways to Sunday?

  “I’m aware of how it sounds, but you have to trust me.”

  It became hard to think with him standing in her foyer, wearing nothing but black boxer briefs and looking at her with those sultry eyes.

  “Trust you? I don’t even know who you really are, or what you want with me.” Even still, there was a strong part of her that wanted to trust him without question.

  “Then why didn’t you turn me in just now?” He took a step toward her.

  “I want to believe you.” Her throat closed, and she had to clear it to continue. “Just tell me the truth. Now. No more bullshit.”

  “Ember…”

  “Now.” She held up a hand to stop him from coming closer. If he touched her in that moment, she had no doubt she would cave and throw herself at him.

  “Easy. I’ll tell you everything. Just please hear me out before interrupting.”

  She nodded, not trusting her voice would be steady.

  “For some time I’ve been searching for a killer whom the media calls ‘the Watcher.’ Only he calls himself the Seeker. He moves from state to state, leaving a trail of bodies behind with little to no clues. I wasn’t sure this was him since the victims weren’t drained, but then the articles about you surfaced. After doing some digging, I figured out why he wanted you and why he changed his MO.”

  “Wait…what?” She couldn’t believe her ears.

  “You said you’d hear me out.”

  “I’m trying to follow you. The Seeker?” Any minute a camera crew is going to bust in here and tell me I’ve been punked.

  “Yes. Come and I’ll show you.” He extended his hand toward her.

  Ember stared at it briefly before laying her palm against his. He interlocked their fingers and gave a gentle tug. She followed him out of the kitchen and to her bedroom. He slid open the glass door and scooped her up, taking her onto the balcony, over the railing, and into his condo, as he had earlier that night.

  Angel kissed the top of her head before depositing her on the foot of his bed. “I’ll be right back.”

  A large dresser, two nightstands, a single chair, and a king-size bed furnished his room. It certainly didn’t resemble the domain of an insane man to Ember. Of course, what’s a nutcase’s room supposed to look like, she wondered with a smirk. Crayon-colored portraits stuck to the wall with tape?

  The mattress dipped with Angel’s weight, startling her. He laid the same folder she’d found earlier in the night on her lap. “Those are the most recent findings.”

  Ember opened it as he got up and went to the dresser. He extracted another folder from a drawer, similar to the one she now held, and set it beside her. “Here’s some of the older evidence.”

  With trepidation, she began to thumb through the many articles and photographs about the Watcher—or Seeker, as he called himself. She’d seen some of the images already. Hell, she’d lived most of them. The more she read, the more she felt the usual nausea washing over her. A feeling she wanted to forget.

  “This doesn’t tell me anything more than I already know.”

  He took up his previous seat next to her. “No, but this will.” He gently extracted the folder from her hand and replaced it with the one he’d gotten from the dresser.

  Chapter Three

  Angel watched as Ember attempted to hide her fear. Her strength astounded him in so many ways. She was more than he’d hoped she would be, and the pictures he’d seen of her hadn’t done her justice. Though she wasn’t typically his type, he couldn’t imagine being with anyone but her. She had intelligent eyes, a sexy figure, and unruly hair. He almost smiled at the thought. He doubted she would appreciate anything about her being considered unruly. Of all the things he found attractive about Ember, it was her mind that captured him the most. He loved her quick-witted thought process.

  She flipped opened the folder to view the contents. A small indention appeared between her eyes as she studied the first page. He noticed her fingers trembled, and she flexed them once before picking up a photo.

  “Who…” She paused. “Who is she?”

  Angel took the image and ran his thumb across the woman’s once pretty face. Her lifeless eyes were frozen in horror, forever burned into his brain. Her nude body had a pasty-white appearance save for the gruesome gash across her neck.

  “Her name was Helen. A twenty-six-year-old rising star full of hopes and dreams. She told the worst jokes, and never could manage money…” He couldn’t finish the sentence. An old, familiar heartache crept up, threatening to choke him. He found it hard to breathe through the haze of memories trickling through his mind.

  Ember’s hand covered his, blocking the woman’s face from his view.

  He took several calming breaths before lifting his gaze to hers. “It was a long time ago.” The last thing he needed right then was pity.

  Angel stood and strode to the bathroom. The water came on with a blast as he turned the knob a little too quickly. Cupping handfuls of the cool liquid, he splashed his face over and over. Images of a laughing Helen lit behind his eyes like the flash of a thousand camer
as.

  He wasn’t sure how long he stood there before he felt Ember’s presence. “Get out.” His voice sounded unnatural to his own ears.

  “Angel?” She switched off the water.

  “You have to go. Now.” He couldn’t let her see him like this. Not before he had a chance to explain.

  “You loved her.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Yes.” He could barely get the word out through clenched teeth.

  He felt the change in her instantly. “Who are all the others? Did you love them all too?”

  Angel slowly turned his head in her direction. “You think I killed her?”

  Ember stared back at him in horror. All the color had drained from her face. “Your eyes.”

  Her fear invaded his senses, making his skin feel too tight. He stopped breathing and slowly straightened. “Don’t run.”

  She spun on her heel and fled.

  Angel was on her before she made it to the foot of the bed. His hand covered her mouth, and he jerked her back flush with his body. His cock instantly swelled with blood from her soft curves pressing against him. “I’m not a killer, Ember. I didn’t hurt those women. If I’d wanted you dead, you would be by now. Do you understand?” He felt her nod. “I’m going to let you go.”

  He eased his hand from her mouth and turned her to face him. “In that folder—”

  The crack of her palm connecting with his cheek sounded like a gunshot in the small room. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he’d allowed her to strike him. Perhaps it was pride over the courage it had taken on her part.

  What he didn’t see coming were her next words. “What the fuck are you? A demon? Am I just a pawn in your cat-and-mouse game with this Seeker? How many times did you fuck Helen before she died?”

  Pain sliced through his heart, quickly replaced by rage. “She was my sister.”

  “Your—”

  He grabbed her and spun her toward the dresser. Her hands flattened on the wooden top to catch herself. “Look at me, Ember.”

  They made eye contact in the mirror. Her mouth opened on a small gasp as he pressed his erection against her ass. “We are the same, you and me.”