by Mayer, Dale
"More treacherous than ever, you mean?"
Stefan stilled, staring at her somberly. "There's going to be a horrific backlash from this night."
Alexis stared at him as painful understanding came crashing in.
The asshole would find a way to retaliate.
CHAPTER 15
Kevin climbed wearily out of his truck, and trudged up to Stefan's front door. He could have called, but this way he could see Alexis at the same time. And he needed that contact tonight. She might prefer space, but he was scared to give her too much. So, here he was, incapable of walking away.
"Good evening, Kevin."
Kevin started at the sound of his name. "Sorry, Stefan, I must be half asleep."
"Half something, yes. But I'm not sure it's asleep."
Kevin flushed, shooting his friend a dirty look. He got a cheeky grin in return. Kevin pushed past him, calling back, "Where is she?"
"Who?" asked Stefan, a little too innocently as he followed casually behind.
"Alex!" Kevin started to call out.
"Shh, she might be asleep," Stefan cautioned.
"Now you tell me," Kevin said in a much softer voice as he walked quickly through the hallway and into the living room – where he suddenly stopped.
Alexis slept, curled up like a kitten on the couch, with a soft mohair blanket tossed casually over her legs. He winced at the deep shadows under her closed eyes.
Hopefully, finding the child unharmed tonight would go a long way to helping her recover. "How was she earlier?"
"Pretty wiped out," Stefan answered, nodding toward the kitchen so Kevin would follow him. Once there, he put on water for a cup of tea.
"Skip the tea. Do you have any beer?" At Stefan's nod, Kevin pulled open the fridge and grabbed himself a cold one. He removed the cap and took a long pull before turning back to face Stefan again. "We lost him."
Stefan was compassionate in his silence. He gazed steadily back at Kevin, waiting.
Damn. Kevin wished he could be so calm. He wanted to pound something.
"Did you pick up anything on him?"
Stefan shook his head. "Not really. I caught just the faintest scent of him in the mall." He paused, and then forced himself to continue. "He's almost insane in his fury."
"That's to be expected."
"But not like this. He's after revenge."
Kevin looked at him sharply. "What do you mean?"
"I picked up some bits. It's almost as if he believes you stole something from him, and now he's going to look for something of yours to take in revenge."
"But does he know it's me?" Kevin looked out the window thoughtfully. He hadn't expected this twist. If Stefan was correct, it seemed incredibly personal. Adding weight to the idea that he probably knew the killer.
"My impression is that he does. Besides, your name has been all over the media. It would be hard not to know you're handling the investigation."
"Interesting."
"What's interesting?" Alexis's voice broke through the intense silence.
The two men pivoted. Kevin walked over and pulled her into a warm, comforting embrace. "How are you feeling?"
"Better." She looked up at him solemnly. "Or at least I will be when you confirm the little girl is okay."
"She is." Kevin smiled with satisfaction. "She's in her mother's arms as we speak."
Alexis closed her eyes in relief, letting her head drop onto his chest. Grateful, Kevin held her close, allowing his cheek to rest on her hair. After a few minutes, she disentangled herself and moved over to give Stefan a quick hug. "At least something good came out of tonight."
Stefan led the way back into the living room. "Kevin, any idea why he chose this girl?"
"Not yet. But neither the mother nor the little one are in any shape to talk. Tomorrow, I'll speak with them again." Kevin sat down beside Alexis. "Are you going to work tomorrow?"
She looked over at him in surprise. "I'd planned to. Why?"
"I wondered if you wanted to come with me to meet the mom and little girl."
Alexis was shocked. "Why? I'm not the police. That's your job." She was so surprised at his question that she missed the grin on Stefan's face.
"News flash, Alexis. Remember all the headlines 'Psychic Helps Police to Find Abducted Child'? Guess what, that's you."
Alexis stared at the two men as comprehension hit. Dear God, they were right. She'd just assisted in her first police case. A groan erupted, loud enough to be heard over the men's laughter, as she collapsed against the back of her chair. "Shit! I don't want people to know."
"Calm down, Alexis, it's not the end of the world. No one will really know it's you – this time," Kevin said.
That horrified her even more. "And they had better not find out!" she cried. "Yes, we found the little girl in time but…" She slapped her hands flat against her thighs. "But the asshole is still free. He's just going to go after someone else. What if we can't save them?" she cried out.
Thoughts tumbled through her mind. Just the thought of meeting the little girl scared her. There was no way she wanted to be involved to that extent.
Except she already was.
Kevin broke in, his voice soothing and stabilizing, "Which is why it would be a good idea for you to go away and visit a relative for a while instead. Be aware, if this guy finds out that you helped us, he could decide to come after you."
"I don't think he's too worried about waiting. He already said he would." Anger washed through her. Alexis glared at the far wall, trying to contain her temper. She should be afraid at the idea. Instead it just pissed her off. How dare he make her a victim?
Stefan had an odd impressionist painting hanging on the wall. She concentrated on that. She'd noticed it before, but today, it seemed more vibrant, alive almost. In trying to block out Kevin's words, the picture drew her in. How odd.
"Alex?"
The colors were twisting and shifting, mixing rapidly even as she watched. Blood red and stark white – blood flowed over jagged bone. The image struck home. Someone was going to die.
Pain, intense white lightning, struck her in the abdomen, the agony of it doubling her over.
"What is it, Alex?" Both men rushed to her side. Kevin crouched anxiously in front of her. "Alexis, what's the matter?"
"The picture," she gasped. "On the wall."
They both look over at the painting in question. Stefan even got up and walked over to it. Everything appeared normal now.
"What about the picture?" Kevin asked. His eyes roved over her face.
Alexis tried to reassure him with a smile, but it was difficult. "It looked like bones and blood. An image. Maybe of something to come. But it's gone now. I had the feeling someone would die."
The pain had eased, but not her understanding. Her ability constantly forced her to adjust now. A few cautious breaths later, the pain had reduced to a mild ache.
Had that pain been from the image? She gently rubbed her stomach. When would her life return to normal? Could a normal life ever exist for her again?
"Not likely," said Kevin, his eyes full of understanding.
"You're reading my mind again."
"You're transmitting again," came his sharp retort.
"Was not," she responded childishly. It had certainly felt like he'd been in her mind. She concentrated for a quick second and mentally booted him out.
"Thanks, at least now I know the last time was no accident," he said bitterly, pulling away from her, hurt etched on his face. He snagged up his beer and walked back into the kitchen. The door slammed behind him, announcing his departure to the garden.
Alexis looked over at Stefan in concern. "I didn't mean to hurt his feelings."
"I know, which doesn't change the fact that you did." Stefan sat down beside her. "It's difficult to learn boundaries in this field. You have to decide what you're comfortable with and stick with it. You and Kevin share a special bond now. He just wants to keep you safe.
Alexis latched o
nto the main issue. "Bond?" she asked tentatively.
"From the first time the two of you met, there existed an intuitive bond which has strengthened with time. There is one between the two of us, only different. Now, because he could, he used that link to make sure everything was okay in your world. He knew that when you finally had some control, you could kick him out, but until then he wanted to keep tabs on you. Keep you protected." Stefan held up his hand to forestall her indignant outburst. "Before you blow, you knew, on a subconscious level, what he was doing. He couldn't have forged that link without your permission."
"What happened to the link after our love…ah …" She stopped, flustered. "What happened to the link now?"
"A physical joining strengthens the mental or spiritual link. It's up to you two, but it can become almost permanent."
Alexis didn't know what to think. "Almost permanent?" What a mind-blowing concept.
"Right."
"Does that mean, like we're 'special' together? As in 'forever' together?" Alexis couldn't get her mind wrapped around this. What she could understand damn near blew her mind – and her heart. "The thing is, I'm not sure that's what I want. That I'm ready for that." And maybe not with Kevin. And his job. She'd lost so many loved ones already. She didn't know if she could live with the fear of him heading off into danger every day.
Did she even have a choice any longer?
Kevin's caustic voice cut through her speech. "I suppose you just wanted to scratch an itch, huh? Gee thanks… Nice to know I was of some use."
Heat flushed over Alexis's features before draining away, leaving her chilled and wan. "That's not fair."
Stefan's calm voice stepped in, easing some of the tension in the air. "Be nice to the lady, Kevin. This is between the two of you."
"She's the one who brought it up with you."
"I was trying to understand why you were hurt when I closed the door in my mind. That's all." Alexis's voice lowered to a soft, vulnerable pitch. "Now I'm wondering just how the afternoon even happened. It was so unlike me. Did you…?" She broke off, not sure what she wanted to ask.
But Kevin knew.
Angry disbelief blasted back at her. "What?" he roared. "So, now I'm an unscrupulous seducer of young women. I get them under my power, and they're helpless to resist! Do you really think I used some kind of hypnotic suggestion on you?"
His obvious disgust and sense of betrayal shamed her. She didn't think she'd meant that... But although she didn't think he was to blame, a part of her still felt uneasy. Never would she have seen herself doing what she'd done so casually. That it could be something incredibly powerful, like fate, destiny or even – God help her – love, wasn't something she could look at right now. It was much easier to hide behind her anger than look at the rest.
She knew the two men were watching the emotions flicker across her face. She kept her mind closed off. She had to sort this out without prying eyes, no matter how well intending they might be.
Kevin snorted in disgust, grabbed up his coat and stormed to the front door. "Thanks for the beer, Stefan. I'm gone. Maybe I can still grab some sleep tonight."
The door slammed behind him.
Stupidly, she felt hurt that he didn't say good-bye. What an idiot. He was pissed at her and maybe rightly so. That still didn't change the fact she'd have liked a good-bye hug and kiss after what they'd shared. Even if she second-guessed whether it was right for her, or wrong.
She sighed and looked over at Stefan who watched her with one eyebrow raised.
"You could have said good-bye too, you know," Stefan said quietly to her.
Once again, she flushed. "I didn't think of that in time," she said quietly. She stood to gather her things. "Kevin's right. We should both be trying to follow his example and get some sleep. Morning will be here soon." She glanced over at the living room clock and grimaced. "Very soon."
With a quick hug good-bye, Alexis walked slowly to her truck.
Way too late, she remembered the 'almost' in Stefan's shocking revelation on being bonded. Just as shocking was the realization that such a bond was too precious to lose.
What had she just done?
***
The sports car ripped up the long drive before screeching to a dead stop as if a drunken driver slammed on a brake. Charles smiled. The lights were out. The good mayor and his wife were already in bed. They'd never notice his return, the recalcitrant son. Slamming the car door shut, he sauntered casually toward the sprawling mansion. Glancing around, he thought he saw another vehicle hiding under the trees at the fence. He laughed. Not bloody likely. No one would dare trespass on his daddy's all-important property.
Too bad.
He'd been tempted several times to smash his car into the front of the stone cold building, but knew it wasn't worth the reproach and reminders that would continue forever.
Almost walking straight, he made it inside the front door.
"Hello. Anyone still up?" He hoped not. He wasn't in the mood for more tears and lectures about his lack of career or his heavy drinking – especially not today. He closed his eyes against the pounding headache. God damn them anyway.
There never seemed to be a reason for these headaches, but they'd been killing him for years now, since he was a teen in fact. Early on his mom had taken him to doctors and tried hard to help him, but then when nothing seemed to work, she had given up.
"Hello," he called out a little less quietly. Still no answer. Good.
"Keep it down, Charles." A boozy voice called from the library. "Your mother is asleep. Will you join me for a nightcap?" His father stood in the doorway to his study, drink in hand.
Asshole. Jesus, his old man was a royal bastard. One of these days, the mayor wouldn't be so cocky. Still, Charles had to maintain the status quo. He accepted the proffered scotch before sitting down beside the fire. "Any news from around town?" he asked, smiling.
John stilled. "About what?"
Charles shrugged, tugging his tie loose to dangle down his shirt. "I heard something earlier on the news. Something about a missing child."
"Oh, that. The child's been found safe and sound." John lifted his glass of scotch in salute and took a healthy pull. "Don't know what we'd do without Detective Kevin Sutherland. He found the vehicle where the child was being held. Unfortunately, the kidnapper is still at large." He shook his head sadly. "Terrible story."
"But the little girl is going to be okay, isn't she?"
"Yes," John reassured him. "They found her in time." He looked over at his son curiously. "By the way, where were you earlier?"
"What? Oh, I was just driving around," Charles mumbled into his glass.
His father looked at him closely. "Did you go to the mall tonight? That's where the child was found."
Charles stared at his father. Why the hell had he asked that? "You don't think I had anything to do with her disappearance, do you?"
"No! No, of course not." But John focused on the swirling amber liquid in his glass, refusing to meet his son's gaze.
Sourly, Charles looked at the hint of suspicion on the other man's face. "What about you? Did you go out earlier tonight?"
The other man's face paled, then flushed in fury. "What? My behavior has never been in question."
"But then your constituents don't know everything about your world, do they, Father?"
Horror and pain flowed from the liquid haze in the John's eyes. "Why do you hate me so?"
No answer was forthcoming. Charles felt a grim satisfaction for putting his father firmly in his place again. But he knew his father would get his revenge soon – he always did.
He was big on that.
CHAPTER 16
Screams of terror woke Alexis in the middle of the night.
They were hers.
Lying in bed, sweat soaked her silk camisole and her heart pounded inside her chest. Oh God. What the hell was that? She was in her room, but not. She was awake, but not.
She was caught somewhere in-
between.
The difficult day had roller-coastered her heart and mind into one endless tumultuous ride. Exhaustion had finally married the two into an uneasy truce for the night. Trembling in a crossover between psychic journey and sleepy wakefulness, Alexis didn't know where she was – or why.
Bitch!
Recognition and terror shuddered through her small frame. He was here, in her room. She curled up against the headboard, frantically searching the dark corners of her room.
Damn right it's me! Thought you'd spoil my fun, did you? A macabre laughter floated through her gray world. Well, guess what? I found something to entertain me anyway. More haunting laughter echoed in the darkness. Or should I say…someone?
Alexis woke fully, chilled to her soul. She'd never understood the phrase 'in a cold sweat.' Now she did, and wished she didn't. Her throat rasped painfully with every breath. She didn't know what had just happened, but knew it was important.
Automatically, her mind reached for Kevin.
Her mind zeroed in with perfect aim. It took several scary moments before the phone beside her rang.
"What?" growled back his disgruntled voice. "Why the hell did you wake me in the middle of the night?"
"He was just here."
"Who?"
His question alone explained his lack of wakefulness. Alexis waited patiently for it to kick in. It didn't take long.
"Him? The suspect? Was… He's gone? Are you okay? What did he say?"
Quickly, she reassured him and related the asshole's words, emphasizing the tone of voice. "He sounded so satisfied, exultant even. I'm scared, Kevin. I think he's killed someone."
The long silence on the other end showed Kevin was digesting her words. "That's not a total surprise. We saved the girl. It made him angry. But if he's killing for revenge, then his behavior is escalating."
Alexis's hand tightened around the phone. She took a deep breath and expressed what really bothered her. "Maybe. I think he's picked someone you or I know, trying to make it personal."
Sudden silence filled the room. "I hope not, but there's no way to know until the call comes in. Get some rest. You're going to need it."