The front door burst open and Jason charged between the flames to her. Everything around them was burning. “Get on the floor,” he shouted. When she did, he practically dragged her toward the kitchen. He picked up one of the barstools and battered it against the sliding door, which shattered with a resounding crash. Flames sucked into the hole. He opened the cabinet underneath the sink and pulled out a fire extinguisher. The small tank doused the fire in the doorway enough for them to jump through.
A searing pain ripped across Kelsey’s shoulder as she rushed outside, but it didn’t matter. She was alive.
Jason followed then continued with the extinguisher until it was empty. Blessed sirens approached as they ran around to the front of the house.
Ten minutes later they stood alongside one of the fire engines as an EMT bandaged Kelsey’s gashed shoulder.
Again, Jason thought. Again he’d not been able to keep a woman he cared about safe. Chest tight, he stared at the charred façade of his house. But the house could be repaired or rebuilt. Kelsey, on the other hand, wasn’t replaceable. Thank God she’d survived.
As soon as the EMT finished with her, Jason pulled her aside. “Did you see the person who started the fire?”
“No. I only heard them outside.” A tremble shook her. The fear was plain on her face. Drawing her against him, he held her tightly, mindful of her wounded shoulder. “I’m sorry you got hurt. Again.” He kissed the top of her head, winced as he detected the acrid smell of smoke, a visceral reminder of how close she came to dying.
“Thank God you showed up when you did.” She looked up at him. “You saved my life.”
Knowing he’d brought her into this dangerous position twisted his gut. “I’m the one who put you in harm’s way, Kelsey.”
Her arms tightened around him. “No you didn’t. How could you have known what that woman would do?”
Her exoneration held no comfort for him.
“Did you find Hudson?”
“No. He doesn’t live there anymore. But I’m apprising Callahan of the situation. He stepped away from Kelsey and phoned his friend, told him about the fire. “This had to be Lilith or Hudson. One of them likely killed Art Stephens too,” Jason told him.
“One step at a time,” Mike said. “Let the fire inspector file his report. We can go from there.”
“We don’t have time for that.” Despite the smoky, stifling air, a cold shiver rolled across his skin. He hadn’t counted on having to wrangle Mike on every point. How was he supposed to fight this battle on two different fronts? He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I need protection for Kelsey. I can’t chance anything happening to her.”
“I can give you someone, but only for a few days, tops.”
Finding Lilith was Jason’s number one priority since she’d made it clear she was gunning for Kelsey. The cops obviously had so many other cases there was no way they’d give this thing the attention he would. But the only way he would dare leave Kelsey for an instant was with a police guard. “Looks as if we’ll be staying at her place.” He managed a quick glimpse of his blackened house. Jaw clenched, he had to immediately look away.
“I’m really sorry about your house, buddy. I’ll do my best to make sure we catch this person.”
“Or people. Lilith seems bent on hurting Kelsey.” He glanced at her, leaning against the fire truck. The pain from her wound was evident in the set of her brow and the way her lips turned down at the edges. “We’ve got to find Lilith before she does any more damage.”
Chapter Thirteen
Lilith unlocked the door to Thomas’ apartment and slipped inside. The main room was deserted, but she could hear him in the bathroom, heaving. She marched to the counter and picked up a half-empty bottle of cheap scotch. The boy never could handle his liquor.
The bathroom door swung open and he stepped into the living room, shirtless and sweaty, wiping the back of his hand across his forehead. When he noticed her, he stopped in his tracks. “Lily!”
“Well?”
His downcast gaze told her all she needed to know. Son of a bitch. “You screwed it up, didn’t you?”
He started shaking his head. “Jones showed up. I barely made it out of there without him catching me.”
“You’re pathetic.” She threw her purse onto the counter. How in the hell would she get rid of Kelsey now?
“What was I supposed to do, fight him? The guy’s twice my size and I couldn’t let him see my face.” He took a step closer, but she stopped him with a stiff hand in the air.
“Stay away from me.” She raked a cold gaze over him. “You’re not half the man Jones is.”
“Take that back, Lily!” His eyes flared dangerously. “Don’t say things like that to me.”
“It’s true and you know it. You’ve screwed this up from beginning to end. All you had to do was steal the book from that store. No one told you to kill anyone.”
“I told you, it was an accident. I didn’t mean to.”
Was he crying? Oh, Lord, he was. “If only you’d gotten it right that night, none of this would have happened. Now I have to clean up all your messes.”
Now his tears flowed freely. “I’ve done it all for you. Everything you’ve asked of me.”
“You’ve turned this whole thing into a fiasco, Thomas.”
He dropped to his knees and hugged his arms around her waist. “Please, Lily, take that back. It’s all been for you.”
“You’re beyond pathetic.” She peeled his arms away and backed against the counter. “I can’t stand to look at you.”
“You can’t walk away from me.” Getting to his feet, he jabbed a finger at her. “I’ll go to the police. Tell them everything. I don’t care what they do to me. I have nothing without you.”
Her heartbeat hammered against her ribs. She reached a hand behind her and wrapped her fingers around the neck of the whiskey bottle.
I’ll be damned before I let him betray me.
“I’ll do it, Lily. You’ll see.”
She swung the bottle around her and brought it down hard on his head. He stumbled backward and fell by the couch. Blood oozed from the gash on his scalp. He rolled over onto his stomach, moaned then rose to his knees.
Blind rage chased reason from her mind. She searched desperately for another weapon. Yanking open a kitchen drawer, she found a long knife. She took a few steps toward him, waited for him to stand, then plunged the knife deep into his abdomen, just below his ribs.
Bile rose in her throat as she twisted the knife listened to his gurgle. His eyes widened as a hissing sound escaped his lips. He fell backward, landed on the carpeted floor with a dull thud.
What have I done?
She stared down at his unmoving form. She gave him a tentative kick to test his response. Nothing.
I’m a murderer.
She slapped her hands over her mouth to keep herself from screaming. Uncontrollable trembles racked her body. She backed against the wall and slid to the floor, eyes wide with fear.
I’m all alone now.
She had to get hold of herself. Her fingerprints were everywhere. Getting to her feet, she scanned the small room. Something switched off in her brain.
“Time to clean up.” She went to work removing all traces that she’d ever been there.
* * * * *
Kelsey handed Jason a mug of coffee in her living room then sat on the couch next to him. “Are the police coming here?”
Flipping his phone shut, he heaved a loud sigh. “Yeah. Mike Callahan’s on his way.”
She felt so helpless. His pained expression broke her heart. “What can I do?” His house was nearly destroyed and worse, the perpetrator was still at large.
He stared at her and gave her a half smile. “You’re already doing it.”
Mike Callahan arrived a few minutes later with a file folder tucked under his arm and a grim expression on his face. Jason invited his friend to sit in the living room.
“Can I get you a drink, Captain?”
Kelsey stood, wringing her hands.
“I’m good, thanks. And please, call me Mike.”
Kelsey took a seat next to Jason, comforted by his hand on her thigh.
“How’s Elvis doing?” Mike asked with genuine concern in his eyes.
She felt Jason tense beside her.
“Doctor says he’ll make it,” he said.
Kelsey squeezed his hand. “He’s lost a lot of blood, so he needs to stay at the clinic.”
“Not as if I could take him home now anyway.” His voice shook on the last word.
Mike nodded, then placed the file folder on the coffee table and tapped it. “Here’s the answer you’ve been waiting for. And you’re not going to like it.”
Jason’s lips flattened into a straight line. “Bring it on, my friend.”
“Your vandal is a young man named Thomas Hudson. Only one previous arrest, no conviction.” He crossed his legs.
Kelsey exchanged a glance with Jason.
“Someone you know?” Mike asked.
“Not exactly.” Jason scrubbed a hand over his face. “Kelsey found an article online about him breaking into Art Stephens’ house a few months ago.”
Mike nodded. “Yeah, we discovered that connection and we’re looking for him. Problem is, we didn’t find his prints at Stephens’ place, but he was careless enough to leave them at your house. It’s puzzling.”
Jason threaded his fingers together. “He’s got to be Lilith’s accomplice.”
“Even if you’re right, that doesn’t help us,” Mike said. “We have nothing on Lilith, not even a real name.”
“And Hudson’s moved on from the address he gave,” Jason added.
Mike raised an eyebrow. “Doing your own investigation, hmm?”
“Someone had to.” Jason exhaled loudly and Kelsey watched both men tense.
She stood. “Can I get anyone…anything?”
“Sit.” Jason took her hand and pulled her down to the couch.
“I understand your frustration, but we’re doing everything we can.”
Jason nodded, his jaw stubbornly set. “I know you are.”
Mike stood, hugged the file against his chest. “We’ll put an officer on Kelsey in the morning. I trust she’s safe here with you tonight.”
Nodding, Jason got up and offered the other man his hand. They shook. “Let me know if anything else turns up.”
“Will do.” He started toward the door. “Night, Kelsey.”
“Goodnight.”
Jason had just locked the door when his cell rang. Seeing Private Number on the display, he threw Kelsey a wary look as he answered. “Jones.”
“I hear your Kelsey nearly died today.”
The glee he detected in Lilith’s voice made him want to jump through the phone and strangle her with his bare hands. “What now, Lilith?”
“I have a plan.” Something sounded different in her tone, more unsettling than usual.
“Oh?”
Kelsey hurried to his side, rose up on her tiptoes and bent her head toward his cell.
“I have contacts, Jason. I can sell that book and you and I can split the money. We can make a fortune. Just the two of us.”
Just the two of us? He hesitated. “Why should I trust you?”
“We’re two of a kind, you and me.”
Did she seriously think he’d consider that possibility? She was more delusional than he’d thought, but maybe he could use that to win her trust. “I’d like to explore that.”
Kelsey stepped away, faced him, hands on her hips and an angry scowl on her lips. Could she really be jealous of Lilith? He met her stare and shook his head to let her know he was merely baiting Lilith.
“You have to help me take care of my husband. He’s…horribly cruel.”
An unexpected pang of pity broke through his resolve. “Of course.”
“What about your girlfriend?”
“She means nothing to me. I want to meet you, Lilith.”
Silence.
He sensed her grip on reality had slipped. He waited. “Are you there?”
“This is a trap, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s not. I swear.” He was so close, he prayed she’d bite.
“I’m not sure. I have to think about this.” She hung up.
He shut his phone and returned it to his belt. Wiping a hand over his face, he groaned. “I almost had her.”
Kelsey folded her arms over her chest and frowned. “I don’t like this new game you’re playing with her. I think it’s dangerous. If she believes you’re interested in her in a romantic way, there’s no telling what she’ll do.”
Jealousy practically oozed from her pores. He grasped her arms and stifled a flattered grin. “I’m only trying to get her to trust me. If she trusts me, she might just tip her hand.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Her body fit to his so perfectly. Part of him softened against her, part of him hardened. He met her stare and watched her blue eyes darken with desire. His pulse quickened and a rush of heat coursed through him.
“I need a shower,” she murmured. “Care to join me? It’ll help us both relax.”
He lifted her chin and answered with a simmering kiss. She heaved a lusty sigh as she took his hand and led him into the bedroom. While she undressed, he sat on the bed, unable to stop staring at her as she peeled away her clothes, revealing one luscious body part after another. Those long legs, perfectly rounded ass and full breasts.
He kicked off his shoes then lifted his shirt over his head. Her sultry gaze followed his every move. After he shucked off the rest of his clothes, she stepped between his thighs and grinned as she glanced down at the evidence of his arousal. Sucking in a breath of her scent, he pulled her nearer, cupped one breast and closed his mouth over the other. She tasted sweet and salty and he knew he’d never get enough.
Digging her fingers into his shoulders, she leaned against him, letting out a soft, mewling sound. He rubbed his hands along her silky skin, followed the rounded contours of her hips and buttocks. Straddling his lap, she rocked against him, coaxed him to take her right then and there.
He nipped her earlobe, ran his tongue along the delicate fold. “You said something about a shower.”
“Mm. I did, didn’t I? Want to continue this in there?” She stopped moving and gestured toward the bathroom.
Meeting her stare, he nodded, then lifted her off. She set her glasses on the dresser before taking his hand. Silently she led him to the shower and turned on the water.
He stepped in first and stiffened at the jolt of cool water before it gradually warmed. Kelsey got in and huddled against him under the stream. Taking the soap in hand, he lathered his chest, then hers. He glided the bar over her breasts and stomach, smiled at her soft moan.
Steam rose, laden with the smell of smoke, like a sucker punch of reality. He drew her into a protective embrace. The idea of anything more happening to her, cut straight to his gut.
The bandage on her shoulder started peeling at the edges, a tangible reminder that he had to make sure nothing and no one harmed her again.
Kelsey poured shampoo into his hands and he worked it into her hair, massaged her scalp then rinsed it. Her blissful expression convinced him he wanted to do this for her more, all the time if she’d let him.
After they’d rinsed off, she handed him a fluffy towel, then wrapped one around herself.
“Where are your first-aid supplies? I’ll redo that bandage for you.” He secured the towel around his waist as she pulled open the mirrored cabinet door and grabbed a box of bandages and a tube of antibiotic ointment.
Easing off her soaked dressing, he studied the jagged red line traversing her shoulder and his gut clenched. He shouldn’t have left her all alone at his house. That was a mistake he refused to make again. He kissed the skin above the cut before applying ointment and a fresh bandage.
Catching a glimpse of his reflection in the foggy mirror, he realized he needed a shave. He p
lanned to kiss Kelsey in areas way too sensitive for stubble burn. “I need my bag for some grooming supplies.”
Her gaze slid over him and a slow grin lifted the corner of her full lips. “You’re looking pretty well groomed to me, but go for it.”
After shaving and brushing his teeth, he strode into the bedroom. The instant he laid eyes on Kelsey, his temperature rose about a hundred degrees. In a white lacy nightgown that fell to just above her knees and her damp hair cascading over her shoulders, she looked like an angel.
He took her hand and drew her to him. “You take my breath away.” Threading his fingers through her hair, he sealed his lips to hers and tasted her sweet mouth. She pressed her body against him and deepened the kiss.
They’d shared amazing passion before, but this time he wanted to show her more than passion, this time they both needed tenderness too. Reaching under the hem of her gown, he skimmed his hands up along her skin, lifting the garment up then over her head. He tossed it aside and marveled at her beautiful naked form. Sucking in a steadying breath, he led her to the bed and dropped his towel to the floor.
“I want to touch every part of you, Kelsey.” He eased her onto the bed, climbed over her and brushed his lips along her throat. “Taste you and smell you.” As he traveled the valley between her breasts with hungry swipes of his tongue, she shuddered and her breath hitched.
He trailed kisses in a line down the center of her belly then back up to her peaked nipples. She let out a soft purr and slid her hands up and down along his sides. Her vanilla scent and sweet, candy flavor intoxicated him. He would drown in her if he could.
Molten lust flooded his veins, but he refused to take yet. He wanted to give until she couldn’t take any more, until she begged him to fuck her. Moving lower, he pushed the tip of his tongue into her bellybutton, felt her squirm.
He tilted his head back to look at her face, check if she didn’t like that, but her smoky grin assured him she did. Purposely avoiding her sex, he spread her thighs, dotted wet kisses all the way to her toes, then back up.
She let out a deliciously desperate whimper. “Please, Jason.”
Tropic of Trouble Page 17
