For All to See (Bureau Series Book 1)

by Megan Mitcham

  “Oh,” Artie turned toward them and rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s the whole undead thing. Sorry. I don’t think they’re broken.”

  “You don’t think they’re broken,” Madelyn repeated.

  “There could definitely be a hairline fracture or two, but there’s no obvious break.” Artie curled his upper lip in an Elvis-ish gesture. “But it doesn't matter. If I tell him to take it easy for a few weeks, he’ll ignore me…kind of like a corpse.” He scratched his grey hair. “Oh, and I stopped by your house earlier, nearly got shot by your team of bandits, and then checked on Deacon. He’s a better patient than that one.” His thumb hiked toward Nathan. “And he’s doing just fine.”

  “I can’t thank you enough,” Madelyn said.

  “Your smile is thanks enough. Now, you kids be safe. We don’t want that ninja warrior guy to dress you up like a Thanksgiving turkey.” He waved and headed out the door.

  Madelyn struggled to stay upright. Her legs suddenly lost all bone density and worked about as well as taffy. She grabbed the edge of her desk. “Tell me what happened out there. Now.”

  Nathan’s arm wrapped around her middle. His sturdy side steadied her back and he bore most of her weight. They sidestepped to a chair and he lowered her into it. He moved back to the desk and leaned on the edge in front of her. Their gazes locked.

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “I’m waiting for a call. When I know, I’ll tell you.”

  “But you know what happened out there,” she snapped.

  “I know what happened, but I don’t know why and I don't want to jump to conclusions. I’m having a hard enough time not doing that already.”

  The opening classroom door broke their stalemate. Special Agent Kepler strolled in, his hair standing on ends. “He’s not at his house, his mother’s, cousin’s, or the gym. Not a lot, but a little bit of stuff has been cleared out. Underwear drawer. That sort of thing. But hey, on the bright side, they canceled school for two weeks for child safety issues.”

  “Amadi or Ekene?” Madelyn demanded, ignoring his good news.

  “Amadi. You haven't told her?” Dick’s gaze swung to Nathan.

  “There’s nothing to tell because we don't have him in custody, yet. And we haven’t questioned him.” Nathan snarled.

  “Not nothing. The guy’s our prime suspect with the skills, the size, and frequent travel itinerary to be our killer. Plus, he was hanging around the woods the day after her dog was attacked by the killer, who hung out in those woods to make a statement.” Dick sucked in a long breath.

  The first wave of shock rolled past and her brain began to tick again. Sure he had all the markers, but he didn’t have the heart for it. Madelyn stood. “He didn’t do it.”

  “What?” Dick looked at her as though she’d been sewn together without a brain.

  “Don’t argue with her,” Nathan warned.

  “He can argue with me if he wants.” Madelyn swung the full force of her fury into a glare. “At least he’s talking to me.”

  “He’s only going to piss you off,” Nathan explained.

  “You’ve already accomplished that.” She pointed to her face.

  “Why exactly?” Nathan stood. “Because I wouldn't tell you or because it’s looking an awful lot like your instructor is a twisted guy?”

  “I’m gonna go and let you two…work this out,” Dick said as he backtracked to the door.

  Madelyn didn’t pay him any attention. She had her glare set on Nathan. “I know he didn't do it.”

  “How well do you really know him, Madelyn?”

  “Better than I know you.”

  Veins in Nathan’s neck bulged and his fists clenched at his sides. He stepped toward her, but she refused to back down. She refused to be scared. But really he didn’t scare her.

  “Better than you knew your mom?” Nathan asked.

  Her brain skidded and spun from the completely unexpected question and his surprising anger. Maybe he scared her. Not that she feared he’d beat her, but he could hurt her. He poked the tender spots no one else could. He pushed her to confront the uncomfortable questions, the painful memories.

  “I knew her well enough to know she’d betray me for a fancy house and social status.”

  “And because of that you think I’ll deceive you?”

  “No. I won’t let you.”

  He took a step toward her, and then another. “Deceit isn't something you allow or forbid. It’s something another person chooses to do to you. What matters is how you react to that deceit. Shutting yourself off from the world lets them win.” His face hovered inches from hers. “So, are you defending Amadi because you believe he’s innocent or because he’s another person you trusted who potentially betrayed you?”

  The words landed so close to the truth she jerked from their impact. Big, fat tears stung her eyes, but she couldn’t cry. To cry would be to admit defeat. To admit she had no control over her life. To admit her heart was shattered again. Nowhere near as much as before, but still…

  “Fuck you,” she blustered.

  Nathan’s shoulders dropped. The anger faded from his narrowed eyes, but their intensity didn’t soften one bit. He shoved his fists into his pockets. His expelled breath coasted over her exposed neck. A trail of gooseflesh lay in its wake.

  “When you trust me... When you really let go... You’ll enjoy it.”

  “I told you, trust doesn’t come easily.”

  “But it will come—and so will you.”

  He sucked the anger right out of her and replaced it with desire. Hot, melting desire that made her weak. Without the anger life became dangerously close to being more than she could handle. Everything hurt so damn much, even her yearning for his touch.

  “I want to go home. I need to see my dog.”

  “Let’s go.” Nathan pulled his hand from a pocket and offered it.

  She stared at it for too many seconds. Taking it would open the door to trust. Refusing it would prove her mother still had a strangle-hold on her life. His hand became so much more than an offer for help. It became a step toward revival or damnation. And she wasn’t sure which she deserved.

  Madelyn hoped he’d drop his hand and step aside, so she wouldn’t have to choose. But his hand and gaze remained steadfast.

  “Has anyone told you you’re stubborn?” she whispered.

  “I hear it’s highly contagious.” He smiled.

  Something inside her broke free. Her hand shook as she flattened her fist and reached across the fissure of the past and present, of hell and healing. Calluses ridged his palm. Hot fingers encased her hand and made the burden bearable for the first time.

  28

  The tough-as-titanium woman placed her hand in his as though she were as fragile as fine China. A primal need to shield her from harm thrashed its way to life, annihilating every reserve he’d clung to over the past few days. Some things weren’t worth fighting. Fighting the need to possess Madelyn was like wrestling a hurricane. He battened down and dug in the best he could. When that didn’t work he ran like hell. But one gust knocked him flat on his ass. One wave swept away the world he’d known. And he was done fighting the one woman who could rearrange his priorities.

  Hand on the grip of his gun and the other wrapped around something far more dangerous, Nathan led the way to her Jeep. They rode in silence for a while. The echoes of their argument rang in his ears. He’d pushed her, but no further than she could handle. But now her head sagged against the leather rest. “I’m—”

  “Don’t you dare say you’re sorry,” she interrupted.

  Still tough.

  “I was going to say, I’m thinking steak for dinner.”

  “I guess it’s a good thing you’re a terrible liar.”

  “It’s no lie that having a whole cow spit roasted and served on a platter has crossed my mind a time or fifty in the last few days.”

  “Gross.”

  “Delicious.”

  “You can e
at whatever you want, in my house or out. I want a shower and bed.”

  “Good luck getting rid of me.”

  “The craving will get you sooner or later.”

  “A different craving takes precedence.” Nathan caught her gaze for the first time since he’d released her hand and closed the car door.

  “You’re on the job. Isn’t there a policy against that?”

  “There’s a whole handbook against it. Not to mention my own policies, which have held firm all the way up until you bullied your way into my life.” He gave her a sideways grin and turned back to the road.

  “Bullied?”

  “Yep. You refused to leave. You refused a protection detail and a free vacation in Miami. You got me.”

  “Can I renegotiate my terms? Miami sounds nice.”

  “If you really want to, yes. I’ll have you on a plane tonight.” He didn’t want her to go, but he wanted her safe more.

  “What was it you said? Good luck getting rid of me?” She looped her tote over her shoulder and prepared to exit the Jeep.

  “How about you wait and let me go in first this time?”

  “If you insist.”

  “I do.” He killed the engine and waited for her to join him. “Stay behind me.”

  “I thought your people were watching this place 24/7.”

  “They are.”

  “But you don’t trust them?”

  “People make mistakes.”

  “Some bigger than others,” she said wistfully.

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the house. Shock of shocks, she didn’t jerk away. Deacon greeted him with a muzzle to the crotch.

  “Should I leave you two alone?” Madelyn whispered.

  Nathan poked her gently in the ribs and addressed the dog. “Buddy, we’re going to need to set up some personal boundaries. But if a bad guy shows up, that’s the perfect spot to bite. Now come on, let’s go find a bad guy.” They walked room to room, clearing the space. Deacon gave up in the living room and flounced onto his bed.

  “It’s just you and me.” Madelyn’s quiet voice bounced off the tiles and smacked him in the nuts.

  Yes, it was just the two of them in the bathroom with nothing but time to pass until they caught the serial killer. His hand slid from the gun and he turned. Her hand hid her sweet mouth from view.

  “I didn’t mean…it’s just you and me. I meant…there’s no boogie man lying in wait.” Her cheeks flushed that unmistakable shade of pink that set off the lightly toasted tan of her skin.

  “Mmm-hmm.” He took the hand from her mouth and glided his up her naked arm.

  Her breath hitched. Long, dark lashes veiled her gaze, which followed the trail of his fingers. He’d happily chance a shot to the balls to kiss her, but she wasn’t ready yet. He lifted the bag from her shoulder.

  “You have a nice bath.” Mounting every bit of strength he possessed, he turned and walked out the door.

  He fixed a couple of wraps with enough vegetables to make a hundred kids weep, choked one down, and then checked with Dick. The, ‘No progress’ text worked a growl from his throat and called Deacon into the kitchen. “Hey, big guy. You need to use it?”

  The dog chuffed.

  “All right, don’t run away, ‘cause I’m in no shape to catch you.” Fucking great. If he was in no shape to catch a dog, how the hell did he expect to catch a goddamned serial killer? “Run if you want, I’ll catch your ass…eventually.” He’d taken off the suit coat in the middle of the brush to help him breathe. It hadn’t worked one bit. And he’d forgotten it there in all the hoopla. So, he rolled the grass-stained sleeves to just below his elbows and nodded at the dog, who scooted out the door before him.

  Deacon trotted from the base of the mountain to the rolling surf, cataloging smells and looking for the perfect place to handle his business. A text vibrated Nathan’s phone. He snatched it from his back pocket and glared at the readout.

  Miss me yet?

  If it hadn’t been for the area code of the unfamiliar number, he’d have required a trace. Instead he smiled and called the number. The line picked up and before the person on the other end said a word he answered the question. “Hell yes. When can you get here?”

  His partner’s laugh boomed through the speaker. “He’s that bad, huh?”

  “I’ve contemplated feeding him to the sharks once or twice.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  It was his turn to laugh, for a second. That shit hurt. He stifled a groan. “The woman—”

  “The Dresser’s next victim?”

  “Next target,” Nathan corrected. “Yeah, she put Dick in his spot—which is under a rock at least fifty yards away from her—day one, minute one.”

  “I think I’m in love,” Hunt chuckled.

  “You’re always in love.”

  “It’s lust. Always in lust, and it’s fun. You should try it sometime.”

  “So, whose number is this?”

  “Tammy’s.”

  “Who the hell is Tammy, and are you even out of the hospital yet?”

  “She’s my evening nurse. And they’re talking about releasing me into the wild in three long days. But…I’ve found sufficient entertainment until then.”

  “Some things never change.”

  “Yeah, like you working yourself into the ground,” he shot back. “You know, if you took a vacation or didn’t work until the janitors kick you out every night, when you came back there’d still be plenty of jackasses to put in jail.”

  “Sure, but what about the families they torment in the meantime?”

  “I get it man, but if you work yourself into the dirt you won’t do anyone any good.”

  Finished exploring, Deacon ambled to him. “I gotta go.”

  “Get this asshole and don’t get dead,” Hunt ordered.

  “You get some rest and don’t screw yourself into an early grave.”

  “What a way to go though.”

  Nathan ended the call and stared at the house, pictured Madelyn stripped and waiting on the bed. “What a way to go.” Ignoring his aching ribs, he jogged to the front door with Deacon on his heels. He locked up and eased through the kitchen. Her bedroom door stood open, as did the bathroom door.

  Well, he found her on the bed. Only not in the manner he’d fantasized about. Long airy breaths that leaned toward the territory of snores breezed through her open lips. Her hair was heaped in a damp, tangled mass on the pillow he’d used the night before. She lay atop the comforter, curled on her side in a tight ball.

  He stood there staring at her for far too long, wondering what she’d feel like cuddled up to him. As much grief as he’d given her this morning about snuggling, he’d stayed on his side of the bed and she’d stayed on hers. Because if he touched her, really touched her, he wouldn’t be able to stop.

  Nathan ducked into the bathroom, scrubbed off his failed chase under a heavy spray, and dressed in boxers. He moved her from the edge of the bed to the wall side as he’d done the night before, neglecting every soft curve he came in contact with and every heady scent that wafted off her. His screaming side helped him redirect his thoughts. That, and the fact that the killer still lurked in the shadows.

  Sleep came quickly, but the distant rumbling of thunder woke him before the sun. He looked at the clock. It read 2 a.m. He let the storm lull him, but wouldn’t sleep until it passed.

  29

  The slap and vibrating rumble of thunder jarred Madelyn from sleep. At least she guessed it was thunder. Large droplets of rain pelted the metal roof. It created a symphony of tinny clatter that usually soothed her straight to sleep. Given the current situation though, it quickened her pulse and jittered her nerves.

  She sat and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. It didn’t help the dark room come into focus. Her hand slicked over a slimy hint of drool at the corner of her mouth. Wonderful. A sexy man occupied half—over half—of her bed and she drooled like a dog. The association made her think about Deacon. Little b
y little, she eased over Nathan’s heavy legs and slipped from the bed.

  Thunder cracked and shook the ground under her feet. She tiptoed to the window and peeked out the curtain into the intermittent blackness. Water poured off the roof’s edge in a constant stream. Sheets of sideways rain battered the villa. Lightning bolts crawled across the sky like demon fingers searching for souls.

  One soul down. Nearly two. One to go.

  Madelyn turned to Deacon’s bed nestled on the floor between the bureau and the bathroom door. His pattered fur gleamed in a gentle flash of lightning. She walked over to him and eased down to the floor. “Hey, bud.” Her words barely rippled the quiet, but he nuzzled her hand. She stroked a hand down his side. He settled deeper into the fluffy bed while the torment of what happened to Deacon nestled further into her brain, joining forces with the misery of Nichole’s horrible death.

  Anger. Regret. Fear. Frustration. The distorted emotions coalesced. They compiled with the past. Madelyn’s chest tightened. The weight of it all pressed against her ribs, threatening to crack them under the tension. Her muscles strained against the urge to break apart. She buried her head in her hands and grappled for breath.

  She wasn’t strong enough. A sob broke free.

  Before Madelyn could smother the daunting sound he was there. Not Deacon, but Nathan. His firm grip pulled her against the hard heat of his chest. His arms encompassed her shaking shoulders.

  Her will to fight vanished and she sank into his comfort, borrowing his strength just for a minute. The hurt and remorse, the sorrow and loss escaped in fat tears and jagged cries. Her stomach muscles cramped from the violence of her lament. Wetness matted her hair to her face.

  When her tears ran dry he held her still. Their chests rose and fell. Their breaths mingled. His heart thudded in her ear. Stubble grazed her forehead. His lips followed in a heartbreakingly gentle kiss.

  She lifted up from the brace of his chest. Without a word he grabbed her hand and led her back to the bed. He paused at the side and lifted the hem of her tear soaked shirt. As he pulled it over her head the cool night air chilled her damp skin. Her nipples beaded in plain view because of the electric sky.