EIGHTEEN
January nineteenth
By six in the morning, I was wide awake and staring at the alarm clock, unable to go back to sleep. It was an odd feeling, Rick curled up beside me, a heavy arm wrapped around my waist. And while a small part of me wanted nothing more than to stay in bed with him all day, last night had left me emotionally exhausted. I knew going for a run was the only way to release all that pent-up tension.
I thought about waking him and asking if he wanted to join me, but Rick still looked like death warmed over, despite his assurances a decent night’s sleep was all he needed. There was an ashen hue to his skin and dark smudges under his eyes. I knew, whatever had happened last night, the aura link had affected him more than he let on. So, trying not to wake him, I slipped out from under his arm and went into the bathroom to change.
When I came out to get my shoes, Rick’s voice broke the silence. “Not running away, are you?”
I turned around to see him sitting back against the headboard, frowning at me. “You scared the crap out of me!” I said, picking up the sneakers, and sat at the foot of the bed. “It’s early. You should get some more sleep.”
“I couldn’t go back to sleep now.” He combed a hand through his hair, causing it to stand on end. Color was creeping back into his face, and I relaxed until he caught me staring. I looked away, focusing on the laces. Maybe he was right; a little sleep was all he had needed.
“You didn’t answer my questions.”
“I’m just going out for a run.” I looked up with a smile. “You could join me if you want.”
“At this time of day? My gods, you’re a masochist,” Rick said, rubbing his eyes. “The sun isn’t even up.”
I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’ll make it a short run,” I said while stretching out my calves. “If you’re not going to sleep, why don’t you jump in the shower? I’ll be back before you know it.”
“All right, just promise me you won’t accept any apples from creepy old women,” he said and got out of bed.
I watched him head to the bathroom. The quagmire of emotions that had overwhelmed me just the night before was a distant memory. Normally it took hours, sometimes days, to find my way back when I lost control of my power. He had done that. Well, I had done it, but he was the one that talked me down. Without his support, I would have spiraled out of control. Suddenly, the idea of letting him in wasn’t as scary.
I grabbed my jacket and headed out the door, pondering this new revelation. The trail from the house to the lake was just two miles, and I set out at a fast pace. Even though it was still dark, I’d been doing this long enough I knew the route like the back of my hand. I started down the path that snaked through the trees, the frosty morning air stinging my face, and lost myself to the pounding rhythm of my feet.
After a fast—and shorter than usual—run to the lake and back, I slowed to a walk as I approached the house. By the time I made it back to the driveway, my cheeks burned from the icy wind, and my legs were protesting the fast pace I’d kept, but I was feeling good.
Halfway to the front porch, I noticed the small pocket knife pinning a note to the door. I stomped up the stairs to read the note, ticked that someone would scar my front door like that, but a thin black strap looped around the butt of the knife stopped me in my tracks.
Cautiously I approached the front door, a sick feeling settling in my stomach as I drew near. A circular disk at the end of the strap caught the predawn light. When I turned it over, it felt like someone kicked me in the gut. The word “Spike” was etched into the metal.
Forgetting all about the need to preserve evidence, I snatched it from the door and examined it. The collar hadn’t just been removed but cut off. I looked up and the blocky letters of the note caught my eye.
What happened to the ring?
You are playing with fire. Leave the Malone case alone.
Or someone you love might get hurt.
The wood floor beneath my feet felt unsteady, and I clutched the door frame for support. I took a deep breath and centered myself. I couldn’t believe anyone would hurt my cat to get at me. I stepped away from the door and turned in a slow circle looking for anything out of place. The perimeter wards hadn’t gone off, but someone had been at my house. More frightening, that person had been here while I was out on the trail. Alone.
With the collar still clutched in my hand, I shoved the front door open. I needed to get inside. But I didn’t think that was going help me feel secure.
“Just in time,” Rick said. “I’ll have breakfast ready in a few minutes.”
Not even registering his comment, I raced straight to my bag and searched for my phone. It had to be in there somewhere.
“Olivia, what is it? Did something happen to you on your run? Are you okay?” Rick set the eggs on the counter and came around to meet me.
I dumped out the purse, spreading the contents all over the table. I’d call and have one of the deputies come out. This was a threat directed at me personally; they’d have to take it seriously. At the very least, it was trespassing and, God, animal cruelty. If I got my hands on that bastard, I’d kill him.
“Dammit, Olivia, talk to me.” Rick grabbed my upper arm, but I shot him a warning glance. I’d have to explain what was going on to a deputy, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it aloud yet. I glanced back to the entryway, swallowing the rising bile. He followed my gaze and with a silent nod, walked to the open door.
I finally managed to find my phone and dialed the police station. My hands were shaking, and it took three tries before I was able to get the right number.
After a few rings Jenny, the dispatcher, picked up. “Sheriff’s office. How may I direct your call?”
“Jenny, it’s Olivia. I’ve had a trespasser on my property. They’ve made a threat against me, and I need to file a report.”
“Oh, Olivia,” she hesitated, “Brad is on patrol this morning.” It sounded like more of a question than a statement.
I paused before answering. I wondered which story she had heard. Did she see me as the psycho ex-girlfriend and so she wanted to protect Brad, or was I the abused woman and she didn’t want to put me in harm’s way? It didn’t matter. I couldn’t change it now. Brad might be angry with me, but he’d always been a professional. Besides, I didn’t think I had a choice.
“It’s okay, Jenny. Please ask Brad to get here soon as he can.” I hung up the phone and caught Rick staring at me.
“Are you ready to tell me what’s going on? Was someone out there?” The realization seemed to hit him all at once, and he grabbed my arm and forced me to look at him. “Fuck, Olivia, what were you thinking? You were out there alone. I shouldn’t have let you go by yourself.”
“I didn’t see anyone. And as far as what I was thinking? I thought this was my private property. I should be safe here.” I stepped away from him. His fear and anger weren’t helping my mood. “Thanks for your concern, but I could really do without the macho bullshit right now. I’m an adult woman and I can take care of myself.”
“That’s not what I meant.” He ran a hand through his hair, tugging on the ends, and leaned against the counter. “I’m not sure I could forgive myself if something happened to you while I was in here making omelets.”
“I’m not stupid, Rick. I live here alone, and I take my safety extremely seriously. Outside of the gun that I keep next to my bed and the rifle in the closet, the house is warded. If someone I didn’t know came on the property, I should have been alerted.”
“Then what happened?”
I didn’t have an answer for him. I set down the collar and poured myself a cup of coffee, hoping the caffeine kick would help me through the next few hours.
“What’s that?” Rick asked, picking up the collar.
“I think whoever wrote the note hurt or killed my cat.”
“Olivia,” he said, running his hand down my back. “Spike’s been in the kitchen begging for food.”
�
��What?” Ducking out of his grasp, I looked around the kitchen for Spike. The black and white cat was curled up without a care in the world, dozing on the bar stool. I sighed in relief and sagged against the counter.
“That’s really sick. As if it wasn’t enough to threaten you.” He tossed the collar onto the counter as though it were to blame. “Why did you call Brad?”
“I didn’t call Brad,” I said, suddenly defensive. “I called the sheriff’s office. I’m going to file a report.”
“But Brad’s the one coming out here. Charlie said you were single. I just want to make sure I’m not walking into the middle of something here.”
“No. We work together. That’s it.” I took a step back. The last thing I wanted to do was talk about my relationship with Brad. “If I had feelings for Brad, I wouldn’t have agreed to go out with you. And it pisses me off that you’d think I’d do something like that.”
“That’s not what I meant. Brad was out of line the other night, and this threat seems personal. It wasn’t just a warning to stay out of the case. Is Brad exempt from your ward?”
“Yes, but…” I put a hand up as if I could physically push away his accusations. Shaking my head, I said, “Brad would never do anything like that.”
“Are you sure?”
I couldn’t bring myself to believe Brad could be so sadistic. “Half the county is exempt from my wards. This used to be a clinic.”
“And his call last night?” Rick wasn’t letting the subject drop. “He wasn’t happy you had dinner with me. How do you think he felt about me being at your house, alone with you?”
“I think I’ve made it clear that he doesn’t have a say in my personal life anymore. Brad’s not the one who did this,” I said even as the idea started taking hold.
“He’s not just an asshole, Olivia. I’ve seen hatred like that before, and it can get ugly fast. Don’t let your past relationship with him make you blind to the danger he poses.”
“Don’t. Just don’t. I’m not going to fight with you about this. Please, let me handle it.”
“Fine. I’ll stay out of your way,” he said with a sigh, regret clear on his face. “I have an appointment this afternoon, so I’m going to get dressed.”
For the first time, I noticed Rick was in boxers and a t-shirt. His toned thighs flexed with each step as he walked back to the bedroom, and I mourned the loss of that intimate morning we kept missing. Instead, I was left with a cold cup of coffee and the growing concern that my ex-boyfriend was making threats against me.
Less than a half hour later, Rick was on his way out the door as I stood with Brad on my front porch. To his credit Brad didn’t comment when Rick said his goodbyes. He maintained a professional demeanor, but I could tell by his cool mannerisms he was irritated.
“Do you have any idea what ring the note is referring to?” Brad asked as he removed the knife and placed it in an evidence bag.
I didn’t want him to know about the charm from the accident, so I tried to keep it as vague as possible. “I guess it’s referring to my work with the FPD, but it’s not as if I’ve been involved in the investigation. I turned over all the evidence a few days ago.” I shrugged, frustrated with the whole thing. “I don’t know why anyone would focus on me. It’s not as if I’m a threat. Thanks to Sheriff Black, the Division now thinks I’m involved.”
Brad leaned back and eyed me. “I know you complained about the case files but even so, why would the FPD think you’re involved? I mean—you?”
I rolled my eyes and laughed, glad that the old Brad seemed to be back. “I know. Can you believe it?”
Brad stepped closer, refusing to look me in the eye. “Olivia…” He seemed to be struggling to find the right words.
“If you’re going to apologize, then I’m willing to listen. If not, please just stop.”
He looked up finally, his brow creased with worry. “I am sorry. I don’t know what came over me the other night.” He grinned sheepishly. I could see faint purple bruising under his eyes from where I’d hit him. “You pack a solid right hook.”
He took another step closer, and I put my hand up to stop him. “Don’t, Brad.”
“Don’t what?”
“I’m not sure what’s going on here, Brad, but this—” I waved a hand between us. “There’s nothing left between us. You embarrassed me. But even more, you hurt me. I know how you feel about witches, but damn, Brad, I won’t let you treat me like that ever again.”
I turned around to head inside, but he grabbed my arm. His fingers bit into the flesh of my arm to the point of pain. Fear gripped me even as I started to examine my surroundings for a weapon to fend him off.
“Don’t do this, Olivia. Don’t get involved with those people.” His voice softened, almost pleading. Despite the physical contact between us, I couldn’t get a clear read on his emotional state. But the desperation in his eyes spoke volumes.
I yanked myself free of his grip and scrambled down the porch stairs, trying to get as much distance between us as possible. I was silently kicking myself for not having asked Rick to stay.
With a quick check of my surroundings, I noted my car just a few feet to my left. I had a stun gun in the glove compartment, and from this distance I could grab it before he reached me, if I needed to.
“You need to go, Brad.”
“I still care about you, and you’re going to get hurt if you get further involved. I only want you to be safe.”
He started down the stairs, and I took a few more steps toward the car. A sudden swell of dread filled me, and I knew at that moment, Rick had been right after all.
“Brad, did you leave that note?” My words were more an accusation than a question.
“Olivia. This is something you don’t understand.” Guilt and fear distorted his features, but I still couldn’t pick up any emotion from him.
“How could you.” The sting of the tears bit at the corners of my eyes. I couldn’t believe it, and the earlier apprehension I’d felt was replaced with anger. I stormed up to him and shoved him back against the railing. “Why? Why would you do something like that, Brad?”
“I haven’t done anything wrong.” He shook his head in denial, but I’d known him long enough to tell when he was bluffing. “Why don’t we go inside so we can talk about this more.”
“No! I don’t want to hear another word from you. You don’t get to explain this away.” How could someone I know, someone I had loved at one time, threaten me? I had to get away from him before I did something I would regret. Turning, I started back down toward my car, thankful there was a spare key hidden under the seat. The more distance I could put between us the better.
“You’re overreacting. Come on. Let’s sit down and talk about this.”
“I want you to leave, right now. You’re not welcome here anymore.” I was almost to the car when he cut in front of me, blocking my path.
“I need to talk to you.”
“I’m serious, Brad, don’t push me.” I tried to step around him. There were only a few more feet between me and the car.
“I’m trying to protect you.”
That stopped me. “What the fuck, Brad? You think threatening me is somehow protecting me?” I was on fire; the anger, the outright rage I felt was now pulsing from me. I kept seeing Spike’s collar pinned to the door, and then I remembered the note. “Just tell me one thing. What did you know about the ring?”
The color drained out of his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I told you, I didn’t write that note. Maybe whoever is threatening you thinks you still have some evidence.”
“Bullshit. I didn’t say anything about the ring in any of my reports. I didn’t tell anyone at the precinct or from the Division. How did you know?”
This time I didn’t wait for him to answer. I couldn’t stand hearing any more lies from him. I turned, faced him, and did the one thing I always promised myself I’d never do to anyone I cared about. I entered his mind to find the answer
s myself.
NINETEEN
January nineteenth
I pressed a hand against Brad’s chest and tried to do a reading. Brad was never a master at hiding his true nature, so I didn’t expect resistance, but as I searched his mind I found nothing. A void.
It felt odd not to pick up anything. At the very least, his base emotions, those primal urges we all have, should have been present. But as I tried again, I found…nothing.
I concentrated, actually focusing on my power. I had to find something that would clue me in to what Brad was thinking: some indication as to why he’d suddenly turned from a charming flirt to a possessive asshole. I wanted to understand why he was threatening me, but no matter how hard I looked I found only emptiness.
Brad grabbed my wrist and shoved me backward. Caught off guard, I stumbled from the force and flailed, reaching for the rail to keep from falling.
“What’s going on, Brad?”
“How could you?” He rubbed the spot where my hand had rested. Pure shock and betrayal crossed his face. “You’ve always been different. I told him he was wrong. I told him you would never use your powers on me.” Brad looked as if he’d bitten into rotten meat. With a bitter laugh, he turned and walked toward his car. “I guess I was wrong.”
“Wait. What are you talking about? Who told you what?”
“Oh, now you want to talk. I’ve tried, Olivia. I’ve tried to understand. Tried to make things work between us, but you’re making it so hard. You know what? I’m done trying.” Brad turned, his gaze pinning me to the spot. “If you want to do this the hard way, fine.”
“Brad, what’s going on?” I reached out and tried to stop him.
Dark Secrets: A Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 195
