by Dark, Raven
“I never did get a chance to feed you.” Archer brushed her hair off her face.
“The last thing I’m thinking about is food, Archer.”
He chuckled.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
He shook his head, his eyes dancing. “I’m feeling pretty sated right now.”
She giggled.
Once he got his things from the table outside and shut the door, he crawled into the bed beside her and wrapped her in his arms.
Gwen snuggled into him, head in the crook of his neck. A smile curled on her lips. “That was incredible, Sir.”
He grinned. “Intense.”
“Mm.”
His lips brushed hers.
“I love the bad man in you, you know.” She ran one hand over the rough shadow of his hard cheek.
Archer’s mouth turned down for an instant and he looked intently at her.
“What?” she asked.
He leaned up on his elbow, lying on his side, one hand stilling on her arm as his eyes held hers. “Gwen.”
The solemnity in his voice made her heart change pace. She frowned. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No. But, you said you love the bad man in me.”
“Yes.” What was he getting at?
He stroked her cheek, the line of her jaw, her chin. “I can’t believe I’m saying this. I think I’m fall…”
A knock on the door cut him off. Gwen jumped and glanced at the door to the apartment.
“Who the hell…” Archer got out of the bed while Gwen looked at the clock. Almost ten.
Archer threw on his clothes. Gwen signalled for him to wait until she was in the bathroom before he answered the door.
From the bathroom, she heard his voice in the hall. “Hello?” Then a pause. “What is…”
Gwen threw his robe on and went out to the door. Archer was closing the door, and an oblong white package was tucked under one arm.
“What is that?”
“No idea.” He brought the box over to his coffee table. “I get gifts from students or fans sometimes.” His face looked a little red. He opened the box. His face paled. “Shit.”
Gwen’s heart raced as she looked in the box.
A letter with Archer’s name on it stared up at her. And under it, twelve flowers… peonies…filled the box.
Bright orange. And all dead.
“Archer…” She tried to calm her shaking with a hand on his arm. “What is this? What does it mean?”
Peonies were an odd choice, and the look on his face said he saw a meaning in them she didn’t.
Anger thundered across Archer’s face, and he strode over to his bedside table, snatching up his phone. He dialed a number. “Quinn needs to see this.”
“Do you know what the flowers mean?”
“Yes. They’re a threat. It means death. Mine.”
26
The Whole Story
Archer hung up from talking to Quinn. Gwen stared at the box of peonies on the table, her face ashen. He crossed the room, drawing her close.
“Archer…” Her body trembled against him and terror pounded off of her.
“It’s going to be alright.” Protectiveness and anger with this psycho grated over his nerves.
“I guess we should read this letter.” She moved to retrieve it from the box but he stopped her.
“No. Wait until Quinn gets here. It’s evidence.”
“I’m so sorry, Archer. This is my fault.”
“How do you figure?” He tipped her chin up until her gaze me his. God, he hated that pain in her eyes.
“He’s threatening you. Having to protect me, putting you in danger, I’ve made a mess of your life.”
“Hey.” He squeezed her arms. “Stop that. I don’t wanna hear you talking like that. This is no one’s fault but his.”
“But I promised myself I’d never make anyone a target, I mess everything up. If I lost you…”
“Enough of that, you haven’t done anything wrong. I’m here because I want to be.” He pushed her hair out of her face. “I hear you talk like that again, and I’ll put you over my knee. Clear?” He chuckled and wiped a small tear off her cheek with his thumb.
Gwen gave a soft, appreciative laugh. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good, C’mere.” He squeezed her against him.
“Oh my God. Archer.” Gwen’s head snapped up. Her face turned even more pale than it had been.
“What’s wrong?”
She pointed at the window, to the building under construction that stood in shadows. “He must have seen us out there.”
“What?” Archer released her and went to the window, not that he expected to see anything now.
“I should have told you.” Gwen put her fingertips over her mouth, her eyes moist. “When we were out there…after…I thought I saw something in one of the windows.”
“Gwen.” He went back to her. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me?” She tensed and he sighed, gently taking her elbows. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because, I thought I was just being paranoid. But now, with those flowers… I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”
Archer nodded, rubbing her arms. “Don’t apologize. Quinn should be here shortly. Try to relax. We’ll figure it out.”
He looked out across the street to the building. Tension raced through him. He’d been right there, watching them. Watching them fuck. Thinking about doing who knew what to Gwen. Everything Archer did to her fueling his rage.
Until he’d snapped and sent the package.
Archer kissed the top of Gwen’s head and held her tight. He didn’t let her go until Quinn showed up.
“Christ.” Agent Lassiter ran a hand down his face, staring at the letter in his gloved hand. Then his gaze lifted to Gwen and Archer. Something flickered across his face, but by the time he went back to reading the letter again, it was the same professional slate-like expression he always wore.
Gwen didn’t blame him for his reaction. Lassiter had already read the letter aloud for Gwen and Archer to hear and was now reading it second time in silence. It was like he was still trying to take it in. Her stomach still clenched at the thought of what she’d heard in the letter. Sitting next to her, hand clasping hers, Archer still looked a little pale.
“I can’t believe this guy.” Lassiter’s eyes lifted to them before going back to the letter. “I thought it said a lot about his psychosis that he addressed the letter to both of you. But the letter is written like he actually thought he was talking to both of you. Like you were both with him.”
“I know.” Archer’s voice sounded throaty. “Completely wacko, right?”
“Oh, yeah. But this one is an extra special brand of crazy. Listen.”
Lassiter paused and read aloud again.
“My perfect, angel. My sweet Gwen. Before I say any more, I want you to know, I forgive you. Nothing you do will stop me from loving you. NOTHING!
But you have to know how much it hurt me, seeing what you did. What you let him do to you. Is nothing sacred to you? If you really want a man to hurt you, I can hurt you. I could do things to you that you can’t imagine. I can, and when I finally have you, I will.
He has tainted you. Made you the worst kind of whore. I will fix it, my love. I will purify what is mine.”
When Lassiter finished, one sentence stood out for Gwen, and her stomach rolled. She looked from one man to the other. “Purify what is his? What the hell does he mean by that?”
Images of flames and hot pinchers, implements of torture like those that would be used in some bizarre cleansing ritual filled her mind.
“I hope he’s being figurative.”
Archer rubbed her arm. “It doesn’t matter. He won’t get near enough to do anything to you.”
The protectiveness in him soothed some of her fears and she leaned against him.
Lassiter continued.
“Drake, somehow you have gotten it into your head that it’s acceptable to take a
woman against her will. Someone needs to educate you. Gwen may think she wants it that way, but she doesn’t. She can’t. You have poisoned her, corrupted my angel. You’re skills will not save you. Your strength will not protect her. You couldn’t protect the last one. You won’t save her. She will be mine, and you will pay.”
Archer ran his palms down his face, letting out a long sigh. Gwen looked at Lassiter, then at him.
“The other one? What other one? What is he talking about?” Somehow that line hadn’t registered before.
Archer closed his hands over hers, but he didn’t look at her. Lassiter cocked his head. Something passed between them, then the agent gave a nod. Gwen scrunched her brows.
Lassiter sat on the couch and Archer stood up. “Archer, this guy thinks you raped her. Why?”
Gwen’s face heated and she fidgeted. Archer cleared his throat. Looked at her. Gwen nodded.
Archer quickly relayed what happened on the balcony. When he was finished, Lassiter stood and went to the window, looking out at the building. Then he crossed to the table again and looked over the flowers. Hands already covered with latex gloves, he bent and ran one or two of the orange petals between his fingers. His eyes narrowed before he looked at Archer.
“This is a strange choice. Do orange peonies have significance for you, Master Archer?”
For an instant, Archer’s eyes flicked to Gwen, so briefly she might have missed it. Then he looked at Lassiter. Again, something passed between them Gwen didn’t understand. What the hell wasn’t he telling her?
Lassiter flashed Gwen a tired smile. “Miss Stanton. Coffee, if you don’t mind.”
Irritation shoved at her. He’d asked nicer than he had the first time she’d seen him, but it didn’t change the fact he was trying to get her out of the room. What was Archer hiding?
Gwen crossed the room to the stove. While she worked, the two men went to the balcony door. Both men’s voices rumbled, but she couldn’t make out what either said.
He doesn’t want me to hear what’s wrong because he thinks I’m too fragile to handle it. After all the progress we’ve made.
She couldn’t decide if she was more annoyed with Archer or the agent. Coffee, typical Haven man, sending her off to do woman’s work while he talked men’s business. And there Archer was, still trying to overprotect her, damn him.
But it wouldn’t’ have hurt so much if Archer’s behavior didn’t remind her of her father. Or Ace. Since she was young, any time anything came up they thought she was too fragile to handle, they found a way to get her out of earshot.
A few moments later, the door opened and Lassiter left the apartment. Archer gave a tired sigh, crossing the room to her.
“He’ll be back shortly. He wants to check that apartment. The stalker’s probably long gone now, but he might have left evidence.”
“Good idea.” Gwen stirred the coffees, the spoon clattering too loud against the mugs.
Archer squeezed her elbow gently. “You all right?” The warmth in his eyes almost made her feel bad for being annoyed with him. Almost.
“Fine, Archer. Here.” She handed him the coffee without looking at him and slipped out of his reach.
“Hey. Talk to me, come here.”
She looked at him. “Why didn’t’ you answer Agent Lassiter in front of me?”
Archer let out a slow breath through his nose, dropping his hands. “Gwen…”
“It has to do with Kimiko, doesn’t it? The stalker said. ‘You couldn’t protect the other one.’ He meant her.”
He looked away. “I’m sorry if you felt excluded, Gwen. It’s just that you don’t need to hear things like that.”
“Right. You don’t think I can handle it. Weak, mousy Gwen, she might shatter like glass if we tell her the bad stuff.”
“Stop it.” His eyes darkened. “I don’t think you’re weak. I’ve never thought that.”
“No? You know, it’s no wonder my father loves you. It seems to me you’re exactly like him. Can’t let Gwen hear what the men are saying.”
“Gwen, for Christ sake.”
“Any time you want to stop shutting me out, you know I’m here.”
Archer started after her, but he stopped at a knock on the door. Lassiter came in and locked the door behind him.
“Find anything?” Archer sounded tense.
The agent shook his head. “There was someone living there. I saw what looked like an area where someone was probably sleeping. Whoever he was, he’s gone now, and he cleaned the scene well.”
“Damn.” Gwen ran a hand through her hair. “Now what?”
“I want you two to say in a hotel,” Lassiter said. “Somewhere outside Haven. It’s not safe for either of you here.”
Archer nodded. So did Gwen. He’d been watching us. For how long? The whole time I’ve been here? Archer rubbed his hand over her back and her anger with him dissipated under worry.
“I’ll come back and process the scene. This stuff too.” Lassiter gestured to the box and the letter. “I’m not expecting to find much. This guy covers his tracks.”
Gwen slumped her shoulders. Archer squeezed her hand.
“Don’t worry, Miss Stanton,” the Agent said. “He’ll screw up. And when he does, I’ll get him. For now, you two pack a bag. I’ll escort you both to a hotel. Tonight.”
* * *
Gwen hung the last of the clothes she’d packed into the hotel’s small closet and shut the door. Her thoughts spun with images of what the stalker might do to her or Archer given the chance.
I will purify what is mine. She shuddered.
“Gwen.”
She looked up. Archer leaned on the door frame, arms crossed. He said her name gently, but his eyes were dark with worry.
“You’re safe here, you know that. Quinn put a guard on the door. No one knows where we are.”
She nodded but bit her lip. Lassiter had told her the rules. She wasn’t allowed to tell anyone where they were staying, not even her dad. Neither was Archer.
He walked over, one warm hand rubbing her arm. “I may not always be able to protect you, but the guard will.”
“I know.” Was that doubt in his eyes?
Archer’s chest expanded and a long breath left him. The alarm radiating off him nearly undid her.
“Archer, please talk to me. What aren’t you telling me? I can take it, I promise.”
“I don’t want to lose you.”
She scrunched her brows. “Do you think I would leave you because of what happened? That’s not going to happen.” She looked into his eyes. “I love you, Archer. Nothing will ever change that.”
His eyes widened for a second. “You…” An unsure smile pulled at his lips. Her heart catapulted at what she’d said. It had slipped out. Well, he didn’t look like he wanted to run, so…
Archer took her hand in his, looking at the back of it for a moment, then up at her.
“You remember you asked about what happened in Japan. I told you about Kimiko.”
“The student you fell in love with, yes.”
“I said I lost her.”
“Yes.” Gwen swallowed at the shake in his voice.
He closed his eyes one last time. His hand flexed in hers. “Kimiko didn’t just die. She was murdered. By a stalker.”
27
An Offer
“Oh my god. Archer…” She couldn’t get her voice above a rasp. She laid a trembling hand on his arm, settling it there when he didn’t pull away. The muscles corded under her fingers. “I’m so sorry.”
“I should have told you sooner. I just couldn’t.” He looked at her.
“I know.” She rested her forehead against his.
“I’ve thought it was my fault. That Kimiko died because of me.”
She pulled back. “Why? Archer, how did…how did it happen?”
“I…” he turned away and his back tensed. “Sorry. I haven’t told anyone. Not even Ace or Nick, and they’re my best friends.”
When he
faced her again, Gwen closed her hand around his, trying to let him know she was there for him. He seemed to relax a little.
“We’d been together for two years. We fell in love while I was teaching in her father’s school. Kimiko’s ex started trying to get back together with her. When she refused, he started showing up wherever she was. Her father couldn’t stop it, and he was a powerful man. Then her ex sent someone to attack her. She almost died.”
Gwen tightened her grip on his hand.
“She begged me to teach her to fight. Her father had a rule. No woman in his dojo. But she was determined. So I taught her, in secret.” His jaw muscles twitched. “I taught her, behind her father’s back.”
Gwen swallowed.
“Her ex attacked me. He broke into the school and tried to kill me. I got a few licks in, but he got away. Kimiko was terrified of losing me, and pissed at him. She went after him herself. She…” He lowered his head.
“He killed her.” Gwen’s chest felt like it had a lead weight on it.
He nodded. “The authorities found her body in the river. We couldn’t’ prove it was him, but a kerchief he always carried was around her neck. Her father blamed me, I blamed myself.”
“My god, I’m sorry.” She lifted her hand to his cheek.
“Thank you.”
“And the peonies? Where do they fit in?”
“In Japan, orange ones mean death. Kimiko’s father grew them in every color. If your stalker sent them, it means he knows.”
“About Kimiko?”
“Yeah. Her death was in all the papers there, because her father was the wealthy CEO of a huge martial arts company. It didn’t register a blip on the radar here, but it would be easy to find out I was dating her with a little leg work.”
Gwen clenched her teeth. “We need to stop this guy.” When Archer looked at her she gave him a reassuring smile. “Oh, I’m not going to do anything stupid. I just mean, this has to end before he hurts anyone.”