Heath reached for the card and flipped it over. The back was blank. “What’s the Picalo Club, Detective?”
Norton sighed. “It’s a sex venue. It’s a very exclusive private club where members have parties and meet different people. There are orgy parties, key-swapping parties, BDSM parties—you name it. Your client is a member, as were Julie and Jay.”
Zara coughed, her eyes widening in what felt like pure panic. This didn’t make any sense. Was that what Julie had been talking about? She and Jay had tried some wild stuff to keep their marriage fresh. Was it the Picalo Club? “I’m not a member,” Zara snapped. “I’ve never even heard of it.”
“This card doesn’t prove anything. There’s no signature,” Heath said, tossing it back to the detective.
“Oh, it’s kind of the missing puzzle piece.” Norton crossed his arms. “Want to know what I think happened, Ms. Remington?”
No. Absolutely not. “Sure.” She swallowed back a huge lump in her throat.
“I think you never got over Jay, and when he and Julie invited you to the Picalo Club, you jumped right in.” Norton’s gaze dropped to the ID card. “Then I think you ended up over your head, possibly with film or pictures, and Julie blackmailed you for drug money.”
“That’s crazy,” Zara whispered, prickles tingling down her back.
“You started to run out of money, and you decided to kill Julie. Or there was a knife, and you lost your temper. I’m not sure.” Norton eyed her calmly.
“What about the break-in at her house?” Heath asked.
“What break-in?” Norton smiled then, a quick flash of teeth. “There are no witnesses, and only Ms. Remington was there, apparently. I think she staged it for some reason—possibly to make it look like she’s a victim, too?”
“Then why not report it?” Zara asked. The detective couldn’t really believe all of this, could he?
“Oh, please. Your grandmother coincidentally finds your door open and calls the cops? You as good as did report it.” The detective gathered all of his papers together in a lopsided pile. “Let me help you. Tell me everything, and I’ll go to the DA for you, say you cooperated.”
Zara flushed hot and then cold. “I didn’t kill Julie. I swear.”
“Oh, I’m gonna prove you did.” The detective planted both hands on the table. “Now. Let’s start again. When did you last see Julie Pentley?”
* * *
Ryker paced the offices after he dropped a snoring Denver into bed. He should be down at the police station, but Heath had told him to stay put until the interview had concluded, and Heath was a hell of a lawyer, even if he didn’t much like the law.
Greg and Grams were upstairs sleeping, but no way could Ryker get shut-eye before Zara came home. Maybe not even then. The base of his neck tickled, and time was running out.
Whoever had intercepted their little trap would be coming, fast and hard.
Would it be Isobel Madison and her soldiers? He hoped so, but God only knew who else was out there looking for her. Or them. What if Cobb had somehow found them?
He bit back a snarl. The sheriff had taken their childhood away. He wasn’t getting close to Zara or her Grams…or to Greg.
Nervous energy rippled through him, and he stalked toward Heath’s office. The furniture had finally arrived. Once entering, he let out a low whistle.
Glass, wood, and chrome. It was a combination of Ryker’s and Denver’s offices with a sprawling black leather chair behind the desk. A wide glass panel had been mounted on one wall with pictures and notes showcasing the Copper Killer murders.
He strode forward and checked out the neat lines. If the killer stayed true to form, he’d take another victim within the week. Heath had been almost obsessed with the case, and only Ryker’s personal life was keeping him in town right now. Of course, there wasn’t anywhere to go until the psycho took another victim. There wasn’t much they could do until something happened.
God, he hated waiting for something to happen.
He scrubbed a hand across his eyes. Going semi-public and setting down roots in Cisco as a private detective agency to catch the killer had been a good, albeit risky, idea until Greg’s case had come in. Now being semi-public could be a disaster. They had to get to Dr. Madison before she found them.
At the moment, all he could do was wait with a clock silently clicking down in his head.
His phone buzzed, and he read a text from Heath: INTERVIEW ALMOST OVER. ZARA FUCKED. GET A CONTINGENCY PLAN IN PLACE.
Ah shit.
Chapter
27
Zara shivered in the cold as she exited the police station, Heath by her side. Detective Norton had elected not to arrest her quite yet, but he’d implied, rather strongly, that a warrant would be forthcoming. “This is all too weird,” she muttered.
Heath nodded just as Ryker’s truck pulled up to the curb. He opened the door, and helped Zara inside. “She’s in trouble, man. We have to figure this out.”
Ryker nodded, a muscle clenching in his jaw. “I’ll debrief her, and then we need to talk.”
Heath paused. “Safe house three?”
“Yeah, it was Denver. Guy needs help.”
Zara frowned, her chest hurting. “What’s a safe house three?”
“Later,” Ryker said.
Zara frowned. Why were all these bad things happening? Her temper wanted free, and she really needed to kick something. Too bad her gym wasn’t open, because they had an awesome set of boxing dummies. “Why don’t you guys just go talk now? I could use some alone time.”
Ryker cut her a look. “No. You and I will talk, and then I’ll meet up with Heath and Denver.”
Oh, he didn’t get to go all bossy on her now. She moved to get out of the truck, needing space. Definitely space. “Heath? I need a ride home.”
Ryker grasped her arm and tugged her across the seat until she was flush against him. “Heath? Shut the door.”
Heath shut the door and turned to jog through the storm to his car.
“Damn it, Ryker.” Zara struggled against him, fighting not only the man but her entire crazy evening.
He pressed an arm around her waist and drove the truck onto the snowy road. “I know you had a shitty night, and I want to hear all about it. I’m sorry I wasn’t there.” Easily controlling the truck with one hand, he kept her in place.
That was just it. The world was crumbling around her, and the last thing she wanted at the moment was to take a leap of faith with a guy she still didn’t completely know. “I’m staying at my place tonight. Please bring Grams over in the morning, since she’s probably already asleep right now.”
His hold tightened. “Baby, I’m tryin’ real hard to be patient here, because I know it’s been rough. But I suggest you lose the fuckin’ attitude for a few moments.” He turned off the main road and headed away from the center of town, his temper all but swelling from him and engulfing through the truck.
That was it. The barely veiled threat, said in that deep voice, made her completely lose her mind. The world was out of control, and rage boiled through her so quickly she just stopped thinking.
She jerked her elbow back into his rib cage as hard as she could. He grunted, and his hold loosened. Taking advantage, she shoved away from him and scrambled across the seat, putting her back to the door. “Listen, asshole,” she hissed, drawing her purse in front of her, “I’m done with the baby and the manhandling. I’m not the type of woman you just keep in the dark and then order around. So take me home. To my home.” Her breath was so heated, she was surprised she didn’t spit fire. “We’re done. Just buddies from now on.” She was so angry, the words spewed out, and she wasn’t even sure what they meant.
Ryker pulled the truck over next to an empty lot and cut the engine. Quiet descended suddenly and completely.
Oh shit. She clutched her purse tighter against her chest.
He turned toward her—a dangerous man in a dark truck—and focused those intense eyes on her. “Oh
, baby. Now you definitely have my attention.” His hoarse voice sounded like he’d swallowed sharp gravel.
Her heart pretty much exploded in her chest, making her ribs ache. Her eyes widened to keep track of him. Now she knew what a deer in a scope felt like. “Ryker, I—”
“That hurt,” he said slowly, rubbing his rib cage. “Did you think I wouldn’t retaliate?”
She stopped breathing. Her lungs just up and quit. “No, I—”
“You thought wrong.” His voice lost that teasing tone he usually had when going all alpha dominant.
Her breath caught and her abdomen tingled.
And he knew. His lip quirked, and his gaze deepened. Tension of a different kind rolled through the space, surrounding her, vibrating against her. “Take back the buddy comment.” One hand moved to her nape and fisted in her hair. Erotic tingles spiked across her scalp.
“I won’t.” Her voice quavered. She couldn’t breathe.
“Zara, take it back, or I’ll make you.” He propelled her face toward his, and heated breath brushed her lips.
Oh yeah? He seriously underestimated her. All of a sudden, the fear of the night disappeared. She couldn’t be afraid. She needed to escape reality for a moment. Just one. It was time to play. She leaned in and bit his bottom lip. Not hard enough to pierce the skin but with definite intent.
He sucked in air.
Oh God. What the hell was wrong with her? It was like she couldn’t help but challenge him. Even so, she licked her lips with a small hum. Everything inside her responded to this man. Only him.
“I bite back,” he whispered.
A quiver took her, and she tightened her thighs against his. With his hold absolute on her, she forgot all about the police station, the break-in at her house, and the upcoming warrant for her arrest. There was only Ryker and the passion all but exploding around them. Would this be all the time they had? If so, she was taking it. “Promise, promises,” she murmured.
He took her mouth then, all gentleness gone. Hard and fierce, he kissed her, holding her exactly where he wanted her. The kiss moved beyond hungry to carnal, something so damn male bursting free in Ryker. Her body softened in response. He shoved her skirt all the way up to her waist and snapped her panties free, tossing them to the floor.
The wildness—she brought that out in him. Power flushed through her along with need. For him, and not just for now. She could ease him, find her place right there.
She gasped, still kissing him back, reaching for the hem of his shirt. He halted her movements by grabbing her lapels and ripping open her shirt, scattering buttons to ping against the windows. He jerked her bra up, revealing her breasts, his mouth still destroying hers.
“So pretty,” he growled against her mouth, palming her breast.
She moved against him, sliding her hands up and into his thick hair. Unreal heat flashed through her, followed by a craving for more. For Ryker.
His fingers found her, and she partially lifted up, throwing back her head.
“So wet,” he murmured, rubbing against her clit.
The ache intensified, zinging through her abdomen. She whimpered and rubbed against him, her hold tightening in his hair.
He jerked his jeans open and ripped them down his legs, somehow not letting go of her as he did so. Grabbing her hips, he lifted her above him. “Spread your legs, baby.”
She widened her thighs, gasping as his hard shaft penetrated her. Slowly, he lowered her until her knees rested against the leather seat again. “Weren’t we in this position not too long ago?” She gasped, her insides rioting with pleasure.
He chuckled and kneaded her breasts. “Yes, but look what I can do from this position.” He tweaked a nipple.
Jolts of electricity shot through her. “That is nice,” she moaned, dropping her forehead to his. “I’m sorry I was so angry with you. The police detective scared me, and I took it out on you.”
“I know.” He pressed her back and pushed the hair away from her face. “I have a lot to tell you about my night, and I was in a crappy mood, too. But first, take back the buddy comment.”
She blew out air. He was unbelievable. “You will never be my buddy,” she muttered.
“Was that so hard?” Flattening his hand between her breasts, he gently pushed until her upper back rested against the dashboard, completely opening her to him. Then he tugged her bra straps down her arms along with her shirt, stopping when they reached her elbows and he had effectively immobilized her arms.
The moon shone down, sparkling off the snow outside the truck. Goosebumps rose on her skin.
She blinked. “I’m, ah, feeling a little vulnerable, nearly nude with you still dressed.” Giving a quick struggle against the bra and shirt, she gave up when she couldn’t get free.
“Trust me like I trust you.” He traced up her abdomen to her breasts and back down again, his nails lightly scraping. Then he leaned over and turned the ignition key, starting the truck and the heater.
She moaned as warmth once again spread around her. “You’re trusting me.” His dick pulsed inside her, so big and full. She needed him to start moving and fast. Or at least to allow her to start moving against him before her entire body just combusted right then and there in the truck.
“Completely. I can’t do anything else—you’re for me, Zara.” He punctuated his words with tugs on her nipples.
Pain and erotic pleasure rippled through her, and she sucked in her breath. “Ryker,” she breathed.
“Yes.” His palm flattened across her lower abdomen, and he swept his thumb across her clit.
“Oh,” she hissed, pushing against him. Her thighs began to tremble.
He rubbed in small circles until she began to pant, shocks resonating through her. “Zara?”
Her lids half closed. “What?” A little more pressure, and she’d be in heaven.
He paused, his thumb pressed right to her but not moving. “Things are about to get really dicey in both our lives, and we need to be on the same page, so we’re sitting here just like this until we reach that page.” He tucked his thumb barely inside her, where there wasn’t any room, and tugged gently.
Clarity rushed in, and she focused on him, her body exposed, vibrating, and on instant alert. “You have my attention,” she whispered, trying not to move.
“Thought I might.” Amusement, dark and male, glittered in his gaze. He left his thumb where it rested, against the cock stretching her nearly too much. “I’m not going anywhere. While I understand you have definite issues of being abandoned, based on not only losing your parents but also your mother flitting from man to man, I’m tired of taking the brunt of them. We’re doing this, and we’re seeing where we can go.”
She blinked and tried to draw on the protective walls she’d built. “You only wanted temporary.”
“That was before I knew you, and before I was ready to see if I could do this any other way. I’m ready to try.” His hand twisted, and his freed thumb scraped her clit again.
She whimpered. Full-on, weak-girl whimpered. Her shoulders struggled, but she still couldn’t free her arms or hands. “This isn’t fair,” she hissed.
“Oh, baby.” He caressed her again and played with her breasts with his other hand. “You should know now that I don’t play fair. Ever.”
Tears of pure, raw need pricked her eyes. “What do you want?” she moaned.
“You.” He pinched her nipple, and she bucked against him. “All in, giving us a shot. No more pushing me away or expecting me to run out the door. I ain’t easy, I know, but I’ll be worth it.”
“I already decided to do just that… So there.” How could she turn away from such an offer? Ryker was the real package of pure male. No guarantees, but he was asking for a chance. Well, not exactly asking.
“You did?” His voice lowered.
“Yeah.” She swallowed, her heart warmed, and she took the jump. “We’ve danced around enough.”
“Tell me more.” He soothed her smarting bre
ast.
“No more pushing you away, and I’ll give us a real shot. No more second thoughts or doubt… I’m all in.” The words came out fast and breathless.
“Good.” His chest shuddered as if a weight had been lifted, and he grabbed her hip and reached up her spine to her nape, holding her off the dash. “Hold on, sweetheart.” Spreading his legs as much as he could in the half-off jeans, he shoved deeper inside her. He frowned.
“What?” she groaned.
“No leverage.” He grinned, appearing almost boyish, even with lust stamped hard across his face.
She bit her lip. “I swear to God, if you don’t find leverage, I’m going to kill you. Like really dead.”
He nodded and reached forward to yank the bra and shirt off her arms, freeing her. He pulled her thighs to the sides of his hips. “You have leverage.”
She grabbed his shoulders and lifted up, using her knees for balance.
“Faster.” His hands clamped on her hips, and he lifted her and pulled her back down, setting a rapid rhythm that she fell naturally into. The sound of flesh against flesh filled the quiet night.
Close. She was so close. Tightening her internal muscles, she detonated, crying out his name. The orgasm tore through her, taking everything. She dropped her head to his neck just as he shuddered with his own release. His teeth clamped onto her shoulder and dug in. Finally, blinking away tears, she leaned back. He’d bitten her.
The man did bite back.
Chapter
28
Ryker waited until Zara snuggled closer in the bed before tuning his senses into the apartment. Grams slept in the guest room, and Greg was out on the sofa. The kid had stirred when they’d entered but hadn’t awakened, so that had to be a good sign. Maybe Greg was settling in and could relax a little.
Family was all around Ryker, needing him, and instead of being terrified, he jumped into the warmth. He could do this.
“Well? You said you wanted to talk,” Zara murmured sleepily.
Deadly Silence Page 23