Ryker cut a look at Denver. “That’s what we figured.”
“I don’t need another warning,” Heath said, his chest heating.
“Not gonna give you one.” Ryker drank his beer. “If you want to tell her the full truth about us, it’s okay. We talked about it earlier while you were at the FBI.”
Heath blinked. He coughed out. “You did?”
“Yep,” Denver said.
No. Definitely no. “I’m not looking for a permanent relationship, you guys. This is temporary, because as soon as we’re done here, we’re going after Madison and Cobb. To the death.” The words burst out of him in a rush, and he quickly calmed himself down. A part of him wanted to tell Anya everything, but then she’d be smack in the middle of his fucked up world. Could he keep her safe from Sheriff Cobb? How could he take a chance like that with her life? “I appreciate the support, but I can’t do a relationship now.”
“Sometimes they grab you by the neck, toss your ass on the ground, and grind your heart into pulp until you give in,” Ryker said, flashing a dimple.
Heath snorted. “Graphic.” His brother had a way with words. Had he been tossed on his ass? Sometimes it felt like it.
The idea of letting Anya go curled his fingers into a fist. So he controlled his voice. “I’m fine. Stop worrying.”
Ryker rolled his eyes. “Don’t be a dork. We just wanted to give you the all clear in case you wanted to tell her the truth.” His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. “They’re ready to go to the cocktail party. We’d better get a move on.”
Heath glanced at the bird.
“I’ll take him outside and let him free,” Denver said. “No problem.”
Heath settled into the fact that his brothers would back his play, no matter what it was. Even if it put them in danger. “Thanks, guys.” He led the way through the garage and up to the apartments. “I need a quick shower and will be out in a few minutes.”
“I’ll be ready in a few.” Ryker disappeared into his apartment.
Hey. They hadn’t talked about Denver’s drinking at all. Being silent was sure working in his brother’s favor. Heath shook his head and shoved open his door, then stopped cold at seeing Anya in the middle of the room. He whistled.
She turned. “Like it?”
His heart rolled over, and his cock sprang to attention like he’d swallowed an entire bottle of those blue pills advertised on television late at night. “Yeah.” A deep green dress stretched across her high chest and fell to almost her knees. The back was bare. Her stunning back was revealed . . . with no bra. “I like it a lot.” His voice turned hoarse.
She smiled, and her entire face turned pink. Deep smoky eye shadow brought out the amazing hue of her eyes, and a muted pink curved along her pretty lips. “Thanks.”
“You’re missing something, though.” He wandered around her, pretending to take note.
“What?” She messed with her hair, which fell in long curls to her shoulders. “What did I forget?”
He reached for the box in his jeans. “This.” His hand almost shook as he held out the square velvet box. None of this was real, but still, he held his breath. “It’s yours.”
CHAPTER
26
Anya’s nerves fired, and it wasn’t just from alertness about the case. She blinked rapidly, trying to focus. “What is that?” she asked. She couldn’t look away from the velvet box. A small box—small enough for a ring. Was it a ring? What was going on? Her heart clamored.
For an answer, Heath flipped open the top. “It’s your engagement ring.”
She gasped. Diamonds surrounded the most stunning emerald she had ever seen. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed, almost afraid to touch it. Wait a minute. Confusion clouded her mind. She focused on his face and not the rampant emotions running through her. Those were totally out of place. “I don’t understand.”
“You need an engagement ring for this op,” Heath said, his eyes a burning green. “I thought this was pretty.”
“Pretty?” She shook her head, fantasies of this very moment running through her brain. But this wasn’t a moment. Not the real one. Why did her body feel like it was real? “It’s incredible. Have you lost your mind? You didn’t have to spend a fortune for an op.”
He pulled the ring from the box and took her left hand, a slight flush emphasizing his strong cheekbones. “This matches your eyes.” Without giving her a chance to protest, he slid the ring onto her finger. Satisfaction curved his lips. “Fits perfectly.”
Her body short-circuited, and her lungs compressed. The beautiful ring did fit perfectly. Heath’s ring. She was wearing Heath’s ring, and he’d purchased it especially for her. Her heart warmed while her adrenaline spiked. Panic? Did she want this to be too real? Was she getting lost in fantasyland? “I, ah—”
He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “I guess the world will know you’re mine for now.”
The words. Possessive and determined—and way too appealing. He was too appealing on so many levels. She coughed. Reality. Grab on to reality. “I hope you saved the receipt,” she said weakly.
He nodded, tension rolling from him. “This is dangerous tonight, so get your head in the op. Give me ten minutes to get ready, and then we’ll go over the plan. I want you armed at all times.”
She shook her head. “There will be metal detectors protecting the entrances of the building.” With almost desperate relief, she concentrated on the job at hand and not her actual hand. The ring caught the light and sparkled, nearly mesmerizing her. Tempting her. Making her want things she shouldn’t want. “Denver checked out the security, and no weapons allowed tonight, since the mayor will be there.”
“Oh.” Heath frowned. “All right. Then you don’t move more than two inches from me all night. I haven’t had a chance to train you yet.” Without waiting for an answer, he turned and hurried into the bedroom.
Anya looked down at the ring again. God. It was incredible. Why had he done it? Her heart lurched, and she had to stop that right now. This was work related. The beautiful emerald didn’t look work related. Why was he confusing her like this? A sweetness lived in Heath Jones that drew her as much as his strength. It hadn’t been a real proposal, and yet he’d chosen the perfect ring for her. That had to mean something. Right?
She continued to worry the issue over in her mind, her legs all but glued in place. Finally, she heard him moving throughout the bedroom.
“Which suit should I put on?” he called. “There are five of them here.”
“The black one,” she said automatically. The man looked sexier than hell in black, so why not enjoy that fact? “Put on the dark green tie with it.” It would bring out the green in his eyes. “And Zara said no boots with the suit. There are very nice Italian leather shoes by the suits.”
“Okay,” he called back.
They were acting like a couple, even without the ring. She had to get a grip on herself before she started daydreaming like a teenage girl. The beautiful ring on her finger felt like a claim, and a part of her, deep down, reveled in the fact. What would it be like to truly belong with a man like Heath? Pretty exciting, she imagined.
A knock sounded, and Denver opened the door to poke his head in. “Hi.”
She turned. “Hello.”
He straightened and opened the door wider, one arm banded around a cardboard box holding a wide-eyed bird. “You look beautiful.”
Heat filled her face. “Thank you. Um, who’s your friend?”
Denver looked down at the little guy. “He’s Heath’s friend. Guy rescues hurt animals everywhere we go.” Denver shuffled his feet. “Let him know I took the little guy to the park down the street to let him free.” He shut the door.
Her heart pounded. Hard. Heath saved lost animals and lost people. She glanced down at the sparkling ring again. How could she not care for him? He was amazing. Unreal. Honorable and dangerous at the same time.
“You ready to go?” Heath prowled into
the living room.
Her body short-circuited again . . . head to toe. Her mouth went dry. Talk about spectacular. Heath in a full suit with a power tie, his hair brushed back, his hard face cleanly shaven, was the sexiest man she’d ever seen. In real life or on television. The suit emphasized his broad chest and powerful legs, fitting him perfectly. A wild animal minimally contained within its expensive folds. “You’re beautiful,” she breathed.
His face creased in a smile. “I think that’s my line.”
“No.” She shook her head. If masculinity could be beautiful, he was. She’d never equated power and strength with beauty before right that second. There was a danger to his beauty, and that drew her inexplicably. “No matter what happens, I’ll never forget you, Heath,” she murmured.
He paused, his gaze sweeping her. “You’re a sweetheart, Anya. The truth of you—all kindness.”
“No.” She barely smiled. “I was just stating a fact.” Okay. Enough with the raw emotions. She steeled her shoulders. “All right. Let’s go.” She hustled over to the coat closet by the door. “Zara purchased coats, too.”
“She loves Internet shopping—especially on credit,” Heath said over Anya’s shoulder, helping her into a soft wool coat. “Are you ready for tonight?”
She thought she had been ready, but now she wasn’t sure. The very real truth was she was playing a game of chess with a brilliant killer, and there was no guarantee she’d win. Not really. Her knees wobbled. “I’m ready for the party. It’s just a meet and greet. No worries.” She kept her voice light to hide her doubts.
“Good.” He gently pulled her hair out from under the coat’s collar.
She shivered, more than tempted by his nearness. A knock on the door kept her from making a fool of herself and turning to kiss him.
Ryker opened the door. He’d shaven, revealing a strong jawline. In his gray suit with a striped blue tie, he looked tough and fit—and more than a little dangerous. “You guys ready?”
“Yeah.” Heath lifted an eyebrow in what looked like a clear question.
Ryker shook his head. “Not yet.”
Anya turned toward Heath. “Huh?”
Heath leaned in to whisper, “Yours wasn’t the only ring purchased today.”
His breath brushed her neck and ear, sending spirals of energy through her body to land in personal places. Then her mind went to Zara, who would be so happy—with her real engagement. “Oh,” Anya said. “If she sees my ring, she’ll know you guys went ring shopping.” Maybe she should take off the emerald.
Ryker grinned. “Let her know. It’ll build the anticipation.” He lost the smile. “Just checked in with Denver, and he took your bird to the park. Then he plans to watch a special on last year’s Superbowl while doing Internet searches. He seems . . . sadder than usual.”
“It was probably the ring shopping.” Heath winced. “Enough is enough, Ryker. We have to do something. Maybe even kidnap Noni and bring her to him.”
“One disaster at a time. For now, we have a serial killer to find,” Ryker said evenly, a muscle twitching in his strong jaw. “You guys come up with any ideas about who killed Carl?”
“No. We’ll need the research from Denver by tomorrow,” Heath said, turning Anya toward the door.
“We’ll have it. Even distracted, Denver is the best. He also called in a few favors he’s been storing up from online hacker buddies.” Ryker stepped back into the hallway, where Zara met them, dressed in a simple black sheath that showed off toned arms and legs. She and Ryker looked like they belonged on a magazine cover.
She smirked. “Anya said you’d end up wearing the black suit. It’s perfect.”
“Thanks. You look lovely,” Heath said before turning serious. “All right. There are no weapons, which means we keep a line on each other at all times. Anya, you’re on my arm the entire night.”
Anya gulped. There was nowhere else she’d rather be. Things were getting way too complicated, and from the tension emanating from the man occupying her every thought, it was about to get worse. What if the killer made a move? What if somehow she got Heath hurt? Or Zara? She was a criminal psychologist, not a covert operative. What if she’d overestimated her ability to handle this case? “I need to do this for Loretta, Heath.”
He gave a short nod. “I know, but we’ll have to talk about the next few days. The plan of ticking off the killer and using you for bait after tonight doesn’t work any longer.”
She stilled. “Why not?”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“It has always been dangerous.” Her mind spun. The only thing different was that they’d slept together. “We need to go forward and not just with tonight.” Right? She owed that much to Loretta.
He ushered her toward the stairs. “We’ll talk about it later.”
Oh, he could bet his very fine butt they would.
Heath barely kept himself from tugging on his tie and shrugging out of his suit jacket. People milled around the simply decorated first floor of the county building dressed in bright colors, as if defying the gray night outside. All of the reception area had been cleared to make room for high-top tables, a smattering of chairs, and a long counter of appetizers. A bar had been set up discreetly in the corner.
Ryker and Zara worked one side of the room, while Heath and Anya took care of the other side, introducing themselves and their new detective agency to the local business members.
Christmas lights were strung along one wall, with a sparkling tree taking up another corner. It was mid-December, and the mood was festive.
Where would he be when Christmas arrived? More importantly, where would Anya be? If they were still together, he’d bombard her with presents. Jewelry, clothes, and shoes. Women liked shoes, right? There was no chance they’d still be together at the end of the month, however. Maybe if he took care of Cobb and Madison, he could come back. If he lived. But she didn’t trust him—not completely—and he couldn’t blame her. He hadn’t told her everything. A woman like Anya wouldn’t trust without having it all. Could he ever give her it all? His chest ached, and he absently rubbed it, surveying the crowd to see if they’d missed anybody.
“These canapés are delicious,” Anya said, sliding a mushroom-looking thing into her mouth, her gaze darting around the room. “You should try them.” Her voice trembled, and she looked like a doe frozen in some headlights.
“Relax, sweetheart,” he whispered, eyeing two guys near the bar. “You need to take a deep breath and forget you’re undercover. There are cops over there.”
She turned and crumpled her napkin in her hand. Her pale face made her eyes look like a rocky riverbed. Green and deep. “How do you know?”
“Check out the way they’re standing and watching the crowd. They’re alert and paying attention.”
She studied them for a moment. “Just like you.”
He stiffened. “True.”
One of the guys caught their eye and said something to his buddy.
“Here he comes,” Heath said, relaxing his body.
Anya took a sip of her champagne. “I don’t like undercover. It’s too hard to pretend.” Then she shivered. “I feel like everyone is watching me. Or maybe it’s just him—the killer.”
“Just pretend you’re shy,” Heath murmured, smiling as the man approached. “Heath Jones from Lost Bastards Investigative Services.” He held out a hand.
The cop shook it, his brown eyes shrewd, his brown suit wrinkled, and his yellow tie shiny. “Detective Malloy from Snowville PD.” He turned his attention to Anya to shake her hand in what looked like a gentle grip. “I’m very sorry about the loss of your sister, Miss Best.”
Anya lifted her chin. “Thank you. I’m surprised you put that together so quickly.”
Malloy studied Heath over Anya’s head. “Let’s just say we have a friend in common.”
Awareness cascaded through Heath, and he drew Anya to his other side. “Do we, now? Somehow, I doubt that. My agency just arrived in town,
Detective.”
Malloy rolled his eyes and suddenly appeared much more approachable. “Shane and I have worked together and still keep in contact.”
Heath drew back. “Is that a fact?” Why did it surprise him that yet another brother wanted to meddle in his life? He was used to Ryker and Denver interfering, and he loved them for it . . . usually. But Shane could’ve at least started slowly. Maybe with a fruit-of-the-month subscription or something. “You’re friends with my brother?”
“Well, I’m not sure I’d call us friends.” Malloy snorted. “I did try to arrest him for murder once. But we reached an understanding, and he’s a good guy. So long as he takes care of that Josie, we’re on the same page.”
Jesus. Heath kept his smile in place. It figured his brother would fall for a woman who’d wrap a cop around her little finger, even while said cop was investigating her man. “I really don’t need my brother or the local cops interfering.” There was no reason to pretend he was in town for anything other than an op, obviously. “I’ll give a call to Shane later tonight to make sure he understands that clearly.” In fact, he’d make his point loudly if necessary. Shane was safe, and he needed to stay that way.
Malloy’s eyes lit, and he chuckled, the sound surprisingly deep. “Shane mentioned you were still getting to know each other.” He held up a hand when Heath started to speak. “I don’t really care about your family dynamics, but you should know that even I could see how tight those men were. If you’re family, they’re definitely gonna interfere.” He leaned in, his cop face back in place. “If you’re running an op in my town, I’m involved as well. Shane assures me you know what you’re doing, but I rarely take anything at face value.”
Fucking great. Now they had the local cops on their asses. If Sheriff Cobb found these men and reached out for help, Heath and his brothers were screwed. “I’d surely appreciate any help you could provide, Detective.” Damn it.
Lethal Lies Page 21
