by Smith, C. P.
“An ambulance is on the way, you hang in there, ok?” His eyes lifted over my head, and I could feel the energy behind me change. Mark looked back at me and said.
“Is one of your problems a pissed off Sheriff?”
“Yeah, is he behind me?”
“Yeah, I have a feeling it’s a good thing I’m already injured.” Before I could answer him or turn to Jack, an ambulance pulled in the alley, and the Techs jumped out and headed to Mark.
Jack grabbed my arms and pulled me up and out of the way, then walked me over to the side.
“Talk to me,” he seethed
“I came for a drink to think, had dinner, Mark—”
“He a friend of yours?”
“No, I just met him—”
“You picked him up in the bar?” he hissed.
“If you’d let me explain, I’d tell you.” I hissed back. Jack crossed his arms, and his pissed off eyes met mine, then he raised one eyebrow and waited.
“As I was saying, I was eating, Mark was eating, we were leaving at the same time and since it was dark, he offered to walk me to my car. We made it half way up the alley; the killer attacked, stabbed him in the back and then came after me. Mark got up, tackled the killer, and then I backed up, grabbed a board, and when the killer attacked again, I hit him in the ribs and took off running for help.” I didn’t think it was possible, but the whole time I was talking Jack got even more pissed off.
“Did the killer say anything?” he barked. Oh yeah, he said a lot, but I was sick to death to even repeat it. Jack waited while I gathered my thoughts. Then got tired of waiting.
“Talk to me goddammit.”
“Fine, he called me a whore, said I was impersonating some woman named Annie and that I should have died instead of those women he killed, for me, I might add, so I could have a fucking story.” Jack looked over my shoulder, studying Mark, then looked back and narrowed his eyes.
“Why’d he call you a whore?”
“Because I slept with you.”
“Sleeping with one man doesn’t make you a whore, why’d he stab this Mark person?” I paused too long, and he narrowed his eyes even more.
“Fine, you win, Mark was hitting on me all night, and I told him it was a lost cause, I was too old for him, but that didn’t stop him from being charming and flirty, and clearly the killer must have seen it, and when he walked me to my car he assumed I was going home with the guy, are you happy now?”
“Not in the fuckin’ least, but we’ll get to that later, so assuming that’s his reason for attacking, he had to of been in the Nickel watching you? I’ll have Barry talk with the wait-staff and see if anyone remembers a man alone with eyes on you and your.” His eyes moved to Mark, who was being moved from the ground to a stretcher and then came back to me, “Dinner companion we’ll call him.” Jack’s jaw got tight as he searched my face, looking for what, I don’t know, but then his eyes stopped at my forehead.
“You hit your head?”
“Killer chased me and tackled me, then he slammed my head into the ground.” Pissed off Jack morphed into concerned Jack, when he heard this.
“Jesus, what am I going to do with you?” His face softened then, and he grabbed my neck and pulled me forward, kissing my head. He kept his lips there, and I wrapped my arms around his waist. The events of the last hour hit me once his strong arms circled me, and I answered his question while hanging on tight.
“Probably lock me up in a cell.” I whispered in his chest.
“Tried that and you see how well that worked?”
“Yeah, you should probably just get used to the fact I’m not going to listen to you.”
“Baby, figured that out five minutes after I met you.”
“Then why’d you throw me in a cell?”
“I’m trying to contain you, keep you safe from yourself.”
“I don’t need saving from myself.” I replied with the indignation any woman in my position would have had. Jack searched the heavens for an answer, not finding one; he looked back at me and let me have it. Swear to god this man has a speech for everything.
“You need saving from your own innocence, the same innocence that attracted this killer in the first damn place. Men will take advantage; women will take advantage; I intend to fuckin’ take advantage of all that is you. Mandy said you’re a shiny new toy, but she’s wrong. You have a bright light that shines from you and it draws people in. You have no clue how people see you ‘cause you’ve got your damn head in the clouds, and you don’t see what’s happening right in front of you.” I was breathing heavy ‘cause all that sounded nice in an insulting sort of way.
“I’m not naive Jack.” I whispered.
“Innocent isn’t naive, Jenn, innocent means you trust people to do as they say. You give yourself away without expecting anything in return, and you think of others before yourself. Innocent, as in untarnished by this ugly fucking world, and I intend to keep you that way. ‘Cause honest to god, after all the shit I’ve seen in my lifetime, you’re the closest thing to perfect I’ve found. So stop fighting me and let me protect your fucking light.”
I felt my whole body fill up with something I couldn’t put a word to. It warmed me in a way that I hadn’t ever felt, like Jack’s words filled something that had always been empty in me. My head hit his chest again, and I nodded. Bossy was getting his way, no way could I ignore that as anything other than he cared about me and would do anything to keep me safe. And at the end of the day, if someone cared that much and wanted to protect you, you had a responsibility to help them keep their promise, and Jack promised if I listened to him he’d keep me safe… so that’s what I’ll do, I’ll listen to Jack… at least until the killer was caught.
Chapter Twenty-one
Poking The Viper
“You’re just like the rest, a whore.” “No, please, I didn’t know.” “You whored with the Sheriff and now you’re whoring with this man.” “No, leave him alone, he didn’t do anything.” The dark masked man turned his back to me, then reached for Mark’s head and pulled it back, his knife swiping across his neck in a single slice. I screamed, “No,” as Mark’s blood ran from his body in a river of scarlet.”
“No, Mark.” I woke with a start, another dream about the killer, never to be erased from my memory. I looked around then turned my head to see Jack staring at me. I let out a breath and rolled to my side and looked at him.
“Hey,” I whispered.
“Bad dream?” Jack replied.
“Yeah, the killer was after me.”
“And Mark?” Jack’s face told me he was pissed, but I wasn’t sure why?
“Yeah, he was in my dream.”
“Yeah, babe, I know, been lying here listening to you talk about him.”
“I talk in my sleep?” Jack rolled to his back, looked at the ceiling for a moment, and then rolled back.
“Yeah, you talk in your sleep.” Jack snapped. Figuring I’d said something he didn’t like, I bit my lips to keep from asking. Jack watched my mouth, then looked to my eyes; he narrowed his and without any segue started in.
“You wanna tell me again exactly what happened between you and this Mark guy?” I grinned at Jack; he was jealous; the green-eyed monster had bitten big bad Jack. If I didn’t think it would piss him off more, I’d have laughed. Actually, on second thought, this could be fun!
“Not much, Jack.”
“What does “not much” mean?”
“He flirted, tried to convince me I was meant for him even if I was older. Wanted to take me back to his hotel room, but I insisted I go home. He told me I didn’t look a day over thirty and would that get him into my pants?” The longer I spoke the angrier he got, and the more I wanted to laugh. I swear I could actually see his face turn green.
“You think this is funny?” Jack sneered.
“Yeah, I do,” I giggled, then threw my arms around his neck. Jack rolled me to my back then moved between my legs. I was smiling up into his face, but his
was still hard.
“You don’t test a man like me, Jenn.” Watching Jack’s face, the angry scowl and ticking jaw, I realized I’d gone too far. My smile slowly fell, and he watched with satisfaction, now having my full attention. I watched close as his face moved from pissed to serious, and I felt like a harpy who plays with men for enjoyment, so I apologized.
“I’m sorry, Jack, nothing happened, it was harmless.” I realized my mistake as soon as the words left my lips. Jack narrowed his eyes and then grinned.
“Did you just say sorry?”
“Yes,” I whispered. Jack’s face dipped to my neck, his teeth nipped at my shoulder, then he kissed and tasted his way back to my ear.
“You’re gonna pay for that and, for trying to rile me up.” His hot breath whispered in my ear, sending a warm feeling between my legs at the thought of how I’d pay.
“I didn’t try, Jack, I succeeded.” I answered the voice in my ear. Thinking I was right to begin with about teasing him.
“You like playing dirty?” Jack whispered. Extremely turned on at this point; I answered him by lifting my hips into his obvious erection, and then followed that action by biting his neck.
“I’m going to teach you a lesson, Jenn.” Jack groaned in my ear as I bit him.
“What lesson would that be, Jack?”
“You dance with the devil, you pay the consequences. I’ve claimed you and you’re mine,” he stated. “You don’t drink with other men or flirt with other men and I sure as fuck don’t want to hear you say another man’s name in your sleep.” I ignored his comment and ran my hand down his back to grab his bare ass; I squeezed him, then ran my tongue up his neck, and whispered in his ear.
“Sorry, won’t happen again.” Jack sucked a breath through his nose on “sorry,” and then slammed his mouth on mine. His tongue parted my mouth and then he bit my bottom lip, pulling back and then letting it go.
“I’m gonna fuck you into submission.” He explained, and I figured he could try, ‘cause I sure as hell wouldn’t stop him. Bucking my hips, I put my foot to the bed and rolled him to his back. Lifting the t-shirt up and over my head, Jack’s hands came to my breasts, his thumbs grazing my tight nipples. Throwing my head back at the sensations, while he weighed and played my breasts like a pro, pinching then rolling, till I was riding his stomach for friction. He then moved to grab my waist, and I reversed my position giving him my back. Looking over my shoulder, Jack raised an eyebrow then put his hands behind his head. Such a cocky bastard. I leaned over and without any prelude, sucked his hard length into my mouth, taking him all the way to the back of my throat.
“Christ.” Jack groaned, as my mouth slid back up his cock. I wrapped my hand lower on his length and pumped in rhythm with my mouth. His hips lifted as I came down, using as much suction as I could. “My turn,” Jack growled and grabbed my hips, then pulled my legs out from underneath me, and my dripping sex to his mouth. I paused my movements as his tongue found my clit, then moved in quick bursts, sending an electric shock through my body. Two fingers joined his mouth, and it was all I could do to remember what I’d been doing. I licked his crest then whimpered as Jack’s fingers hit my sweet spot, making me buck. Next thing I knew, Jack had me on the bottom, and his mouth buried in my folds, licking, tasting and driving his fingers in till I clamped down around them.
“Ride that out, Baby,” Jack growled and I did as he said, while he pumped me over and over bringing me back again to fall off the edge into erotic bliss.
Relaxed from the massive release, I couldn’t raise my arms, but I didn’t need to, Jack turned me on my stomach, grabbed my hips and thrust in, seating himself and then rolling his hips. I found my arms again, pushing up and then back with each brutal thrust. Hands at my hips, fingers digging in, Jack slammed into me like he was branding me.
“You want it dirty and hard?”
“Yes, Jack.” I answered; my voice barely heard above his breathing.
“Who do you belong to?”
“What?” I whimpered.
“Who.” Pound. “Do.” Slam. “You.” Roll, thrust. “Belong to?” Jack demanded to know. That was easy to answer, as far as I was concerned; Jack owned my body, and what was becoming apparent to me, my heart.
“You Jack.” I acknowledged out of breath. He yanked me up, so my back hit his chest, wrapped his arm around me as my head slammed into his shoulder. Warm hands moved from my hips, up my sides to my breasts and then both thumbs and forefingers found purchase on my hard nipples, pinching hard and pulling, sending a shock to my core.
“Hold on, Baby.” Shaking my head, ‘cause no way I could last, but bossy Jack didn’t like no. “Almost there, hold the fuck on.” It was too much of everything, his hands, his large size; I was overwhelmed with sensations, and I whimpered my regret. Jack knew how to bring a woman pleasure, and if he wanted me to hold on, he shouldn't be so damned good at turning me on. I turned my head to find his mouth, and his tongue dove deep, igniting me even more and I exploded. I clamped down around his cock, and that was all Jack needed. He brought us both over together, grunting out his pleasure in my mouth, his arms tight around my waist, almost to the point of pain.
As we started our descent, Jack moved his mouth to my neck, and breathed me in, as his thrusting slowed to a tender caress. His hands moved over my body, like a blind man trying to identify an unknown object, feeling his way, memorizing my curves.
With one last kiss to my neck, he fell back to the bed taking me with him, and then proudly told me.
“You’re great with your mouth.”
“Ditto.” I panted.
Rolling off, I turned and laid my head on his chest, running my fingers up and down his stomach. Jack pulled me up higher, wrapping me up and kissing my head. We lie there for a minute before Jack asked me what I knew he had to.
“Talk to me about what the killer said again.” Rubbing my cheek on his chest. I thought back to last night, closed my eyes and heard his whispered voice in my head.
“He said he thought I was his Annie, who had come back from the dead.” Rising up on an elbow, I looked at Jack and asked, “Do you know anyone who’s lost a girlfriend or wife named Annie?” Jack was silent, thinking as he ran his hand over my hip.
“It’s not ringing any bells, but this guy might not be from around here, so the death may have taken place in another state.” Nodding my agreement, I tried to think of anyone I knew who’d mention losing someone.
“You should call Ben and Gerry. They know everyone around here; they might know, or Lorraine?”
“I’ll call them once I get to the station…. Now, let’s talk about what you’re doing today and where?” I thought about my schedule and remembered I was meeting with the organizers of the haunted house to take a tour for the article I would write. I looked at the clock and then bolted upright; it was already 7:45 and I was meeting them at ten.
“Shit, I have to get ready.”
“Not until you tell me where you’re going.”
“I have an interview and tour of the haunted house. They opened it in the old gold mine. I hear it’s really scary; you want to come, keep me safe from all the ghouls and goblins?” I giggled, and Jack grabbed my arm, pulling me back down.
“Did I tell you your giggling is a turn on too?” What? I’d been trying to stop from giggling all week around Jack. Seriously? Swear I’ll never figure this man out. Giggling is a turn on; sorry is a turn on... I wonder if arguing is a turn on? If so, we’ll never leave the bed.
“I’ll remember that,” I answered, and bit my lip to keep from giggling. Jack grinned, and I melted, then I remembered the time and pushed up, “Let me up, I have to get ready.”
“I want you to call in when you get there and to call before you leave. I want you to go straight to your office after, and then straight over to the station when you’re done. I don’t want you to come here without me, and I don’t want you near your cabin till this guy is caught. If I figure this out while you’re out today, I
’ll call you so you'll know to keep an eye out.” There was so much in that command to argue about, but I promised last night to follow his orders till this guy is caught, so I’ll do that for Jack…even if it killed me.
Pushing up on my hands and then off the bed, I stared down at Jack then like he and so many of the men in this town have done all week; I put two fingers to my forehead a saluted him.
“Smartass.”
“Bossy.”
Jack bound from the bed, bent at the waist and picked me up, smacked my ass and carried me into the shower… and I was giggling the whole way.
* * *
Jack
“Grady, find Barry and Phil, we’ve got a lot to go over. Tell them to meet here in an hour for a meeting.” I was heading out the door when I shouted at Grady.
“And call Ben, Gerry, and Lorraine Beckett as well, let’s see if these old timers know more than I do.”
“On it Jack.” Grady replied and then headed back to his desk, and I turned to make my rounds.
* * *
Arriving back at the station an hour later, I headed to my office and found the FBI profile on my desk. Sitting down with my coffee, I started skimming it. Our killer fell into the “Gain” category of serial killers. Christ, these sonsabitches have different categories? “Based on the information you have given us and the evidence obtained, your killer is a white male, 25-55, maintains a job but unlikely to work in an office due to his tendency to fixate on women. He is need driven, for money, an object or person he sees as valuable. This person of interest will not be of financial means and more than likely lives in squalor. He has no problem making friends of his own sex, but will fixate on women he finds desirable. He may observe from a distance, but more than likely situate himself in a position of confidant with those he fixates on.” My heart started pounding when I read that last line. My eyes snapped to the clock, and I knew Jenn had left for the haunted house already. I picked up the phone and called her number, but got no fucking answer. Goddammit, can’t she follow directions for one fucking day? Jumping to my feet, I grabbed my keys and gun then headed to my door. As I turned the corner, Grady was walking towards me with Lorraine and Ben in tow, and I lost it.