by Tl Reeve
“Damn it, woman! If you’ve been killed, I swear to fucking God, I will find you, bring you back to life and kill you again.” He slammed the door behind him as he and Julian entered the true living quarters of the house.
“You’re a bastard, you realize this, right?” Julian dropped his bag on the leather couch.
“I’ve been told.” Mostly by Piper, when they butted heads about how he handled an assignment or when he’d get mad about a blown operation—which seemed to happen regularly lately. Where the hell is she?
“I’m not going to let you off that easy, you sanctimonious bastard,” Julian snarled. “Tell me you’ve finally pulled your head out of your ass with Piper.”
“I’m not saying anything about it right now. This little trip has nothing to do with feelings and everything to do with her going off on her own and—Piper!” He didn’t like the fact his friend, or anyone else, had knowledge of how he felt about her.
The day she walked into the conference room when their assignment came down, his heart stopped. She’d been a bad-ass beauty, her red, curly hair had been slicked back in a severe ponytail, but the ends were curly, softening her features. Her blue eyes captured his attention, and he swore for a minute he’d returned to his middle school awkward phase. He started rattling off facts about the antiquities department within DHS. He might have even dropped his father’s name as well. Not that doing so would get him much.
Piper indulged him. She laughed when she should have. Asked questions, then Julian and Heath joined them, and they had usurped her attention. Didn’t mean he stopped trying with her. He wanted her with a single-minded focus. So much so, he worried he’d become a stalker.
Yet, as time went on, they’d slid into a comfortable working relationship. However, it caused some tensions between them. He felt it was his duty to protect her, as did Julian and Heath. Okay, so they smothered her. Shit, it was probably why she left without them and now could be lying dead in some shitty morgue while old men poked at her with a stick.
“Yelling her name isn’t going to make her appear.” Julian stating the obvious did nothing to ease his worry.
“I’m sorry, did you have a better idea?” He set his hands on his hips and blew out a breath of frustration.
“How about we check the lab first. You know how she gets when she’s working. She probably has her ear buds in, music blaring.”
Shit. He was probably right. “I’m going to the lab.”
Julian smiled as he started down the hall. The smug bastard. Sometimes he could really get under Theo’s skin. They’d discussed their feelings for her in length after a particularly intimate job, yet Theo had been slow at pulling the trigger with her and Julian. If he analyzed his feelings, he’d blame it on his father, he supposed. Committing suicide like he did left Theo’s mother a shell of herself. Whatever light his father brought to her life had been extinguished the day they came home from the store and found his lifeless body hanging from the rafter in the garage.
“I’ll go to the lab, you set everything up,” he snapped, his patience totally gone. “And stop looking at me like you’ve caught me doing something I shouldn’t be.”
“I’m trying to help a friend. But hey, you want to keep it strictly business, I’m game.” Julian lifted his hands as he retreated from the door leading to the lab.
Theo huffed out a breath as he stormed toward where he hoped Piper sat oblivious to their conversation. Placing his hand on the knob, he sent up a silent prayer, something he hadn’t done since he was a kid. He turned the brass handle and stepped into the room. The air rushed from his lungs. There, sitting at the work table, her back to him, was Piper. Fucking hell. Her head bobbed in silent tempo to some song she listened to.
With sure, quick strides, he crossed the space and placed his hand on her shoulder. Her scream echoed around him as she grabbed his hand and pulled forward. When her wide, startled gaze met his, she let loose with a vicious curse and smacked him. The force behind it, along with the crack, sent him reeling.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She hopped up from her stool. “You could have gotten yourself killed.” Piper advanced on him; her finger pointed right at him. “Couldn’t you have knocked?”
He stared at her. “You mean like how I yelled your name, loud enough to wake the dead and you didn’t even notice?”
She flushed. “You should have tried harder.” She rubbed her chest, right over her heart. “God, talk about giving someone a heart attack.”
“Everything okay back here?” Julian stuck his head into the room. “Do I need to call for a clean-up crew?”
She gave a breathy laugh. “No.”
“Good. Since everything is well, you won’t mind both of us spanking the hell out of your ass. How fucking stupid could you have been?” He advanced on her.
Theo chuckled to himself. “So much for you being the level-headed person.”
“Shut up; you were just as worried as I was, asshole.”
He had a point.
“Hello, I’m right here. I told you I had a lead. I told you I wanted to go.” Her anger had been palpable. “What happened in Berlin was a mistake. I get that, but until you both learn I’m a big girl and don’t need your supervision, I will continue to take life and assignments by the balls and make them my bitch.”
“Kitten’s got claws,” Julian quipped.
“You want to slow down, sweetheart? We remember Berlin differently.”
She huffed. “No. We don’t. You won’t accept what happened, and that’s the issue we’re having.”
“Do we need to remind you what that job cost all of us?” Julian came up beside him and crossed his arms.
“No. I see the scars, the reminders of what went wrong, every day, and when it’s cold, I feel it too.” She lifted her chin. The defiant upturn turned him on and pissed him off at the same time.
“No?” Theo snorted, turning away from her. “Do you know you’re in the article about Mary Kelly?”
“What?” Surprise laced her question.
“They are describing you as the victim,” Julian stated. “We thought you’d been killed.”
“Oh.”
He spun on her. “Oh? All you can say is, oh?”
“I thought I got out of there fast enough. I’m sorry.” Her posture still held a bit of rebelliousness to it. “There was a small incident.” She held her thumb and forefinger open less than an inch apart.
“What did you do?” Anger colored his voice, and he winced. On the trip over, all he could think about was how he’d explain to her parents what happened and why they weren’t with her.
“I think what he means is—”
“No, he meant what he said.” She glared at Theo. Her blue eyes sparkled with rage as she held his gaze.
“Would you two fuck already?” Julian threw his hands up in the air. “Or fight. I can leave, and you guys could have it out. Beat the shit out of something…each other. I don’t care, but this has got to give!”
“He started it.” She pointed at Theo. “I didn’t do anything. I had a plan, but a drunk with a limp dick decided I was going to service him.”
His stomach dropped. “What?”
She scrubbed her forehead. “We tussled, and he landed on his ass at the lip of the ally I’d been waiting in. I guess the pedestrians walking by did get a good look at me. But, it had to be hours before the murder.” None of it made sense.
“Unless the killer had been there watching you.”
Piper shook her head. “No, I had it figured the killer was in the apartment already.”
“Already in the apartment?” Theo cocked a brow. “Are you sure?”
“I will be in a moment.” She pointed to the DNA Sequencer. “I still believe the killer is a woman.”
“Piper I—”
“Don’t say it, Julian. I don’t want to hear it right now.” She walked over to the table where all her things were sitting and picked up a cut-out article from the f
ile. “This article from Dr. Ian Findley is correct. He was onto something, and the rest of the Ripper investigative community are being obstinate assholes about it.”
The adrenaline from worrying about her began to wane, and the hours he’d been awake started to take a toll. “What do you need us to do?” He didn’t have the energy to argue with her. Although the day was just beginning for her, he’d been up thirty hours researching the next case they were supposed to undertake tomorrow.
“For now, nothing. I have to make sure the DNA is female. I’ve already typed the blood.”
Julian stepped toward her. He glanced down at the papers laid strewn across the surface. “Impressive. AB and A. Very good, Piper.” He squeezed her shoulder, giving her a small smile. “For what it’s worth, we’re sorry.”
She shrugged. “It’s okay. I left without telling you.”
“If we’re done with the Kumbaya shit, I need a couple hours downtime. I’m going to take a nap.” He pointed to the door. “Wake me if we find the missing link.”
Theo didn’t wait for them to answer, he strode from the room in search of his bed and pillow. Fatigue mingled with gut gripping fear bled from his system with each step he took toward his bedroom. How many times were they going to be in this situation with her? He didn’t think he had the mental fortitude to deal with this shit. Piper’s need for independence, along with the fearless streak a mile wide running through her, put them at odds.
Maybe he did need the department shrink after all. For a second he believed he projected his fears onto her, however, when he thought about the last twenty-four hours, he couldn’t help but wonder, what if?
What if they were too late, one time?
What if they couldn’t find her?
What if she died?
Shit. He scratched his head as he yawned, causing his jaw to crack from the tension radiating through him. They had to figure this shit out soon. He couldn’t continue down this path. He would suffer because of it—they would suffer because of it. However, every time he thought about walking away, a little bit of him died on the inside. No, he had to stay. And if you can’t reconcile your feelings for her need to rely on herself?
He’d cross that bridge when he got to it. For now, he needed a few hours of shutting off his brain and blissful sleep. Perhaps with a couple of hours of oblivion, he’d see things clearer. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Chapter 2
Julian waited until Theo exited the space before turning his attention to Piper. What in God’s name had possessed her so? He understood her need for the truth, but at what cost to herself? To them? The team? “You know, you should cut us some slack.” He strolled over to where she sat at the table. With her back to him, he took a moment to stare at her. Even though it’d only been twenty-four hours since he’d seen her last, it felt like forever.
She’d pulled back her gorgeous red hair and wore one of her favorite black tank-tops. The kind that molded her breasts perfectly, making his mouth water, and a pair of shorts exposing her creamy thighs to his perusal. He didn’t know how much more of this he could take. Though they promised to take it slow, the longer she had full reign to do as she pleased, the more he wanted to take her over his knee, and like he said, spank her ass.
“Sure, cut you some slack.” Piper glanced over her shoulder at him. “Out with it, are you going to lecture me too?”
Of the two of them, he didn’t lecture. He showed his disappointment in his actions. He figured she had to know how he felt when she went off on her own and caused chaos. Then again, maybe, she didn’t understand what scaring the shit out of him did to him. “I hoped not to. All I’ll say is, you scared me.”
“That’s it?” She faced him. “No heavy-handed explanation of how I screw everything up for you and this team?”
“Are you wanting to fight? If so, I’m down for it, but I’d rather dig into this case and help you.” He stepped closer, reaching for her. “C’mon, Piper.”
He expected to make some headway with her when they arrived, or at least he told himself such when he grabbed his go bag and headed to the facility. So far, nothing, which for them only being there an hour, didn’t mean a hill of beans. Theo was better with this. He could express himself in ways Julian couldn’t.
“Julian.” She rolled her shoulders and glanced back down at her paperwork. “We shouldn’t be doing this.” When her gaze flashed to his once more, he saw the fear swirling in her blue eyes. The dose of reality from it, spurred him into action, as he wrapped her in his arms.
“God, it feels good holding you again. I missed this.” He nuzzled her hair, drawing in the floral scent of her shampoo. “I thought I’d never see you again. That, after everything, I’d never get the chance to tell you how much you mean to me.”
“Julian….” The wistful way she said his name shot straight to his groin.
He tipped her chin up. “Tell me you don’t feel this pull between us.” He brushed his lips over hers. “Tell me what happened in Berlin was a one-time thing, and I’ll figure out a way to get Theo out of here.” His lips move over hers as he spoke.
Once they finished the mission, he hadn’t stuck around. He didn’t like the heady waves of emotions surrounding her. It frightened him in ways he’d yet to understand or even contemplate. He’d gotten too close to her. Fell too hard for her, and when he feared she’d reject him, Julian walked away.
“I can’t do this.” Instead of pushing him away, she clung to him. The passion she usually had in her voice deepened to something a little huskier and more sensual. “I have a few more hours of work, and then I need to prepare for tonight.”
“I have a plan.” If he could only break through the wall she’d placed around her, allow her to see the man who could be at her side, she’d trust him again.
“Of course you do,” she sighed.
“I want to help you.” He wrapped his hand in her hair and gave a small tug, causing her to gasp. He took advantage, claiming her lips with his own. Their full, pillow softness, drew a moan from him as he deepened the kiss.
Ever so slowly, she relaxed into his hold, wrapping her arms around his neck. The anxious knot constricting his gut, released. She tasted of heat and desire. He missed her sweetness.
“We shouldn’t do this.” She wrenched from his grip. “The cook will be here at six to feed us. You have to be on your best behavior. We can’t disturb the past more than we have to while we’re here.”
The light in her eyes disappeared, and she returned to her work. “Don’t do this.”
“Do what?”
“You know exactly what.”
“I’m sorry, Julian. Truly I am. We’re different people. We have to work these cases together, and I realize feelings can develop due to being in such close quarters. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time to dedicate to a relationship with you or anyone right now.”
Julian staggered backwards. “Wow. I don’t know what to say.” He continued to retreat from her. “I’ll be ready at six, and you won’t have any issues with me.”
* * *
The door closed behind him with a soft click, and Piper fell apart. She hurt him. She cut him too close to the quick, and yet, if she hadn’t, he’d pursue a relationship with her. Would it have been such a bad thing? Yes. She didn’t want to form any personal connection with him or Theo, or even Heath for that matter. It was easier this way. However, the after effects of his kiss still tingled on her lips.
She pushed her papers away and stood. Frustration raced through her. Being the only woman in their group, she had more to prove to their superiors than the guys did. Being involved with any of them could hurt her credibility. It was bad enough Berlin had put her on her superior’s radar.
The DNA sequencer beeped. The only thing standing between her and the answers she sought for the last twenty years were waiting for her in the tray. Pushing aside the guilt and aching need crawling through her veins, she crossed to the machine and picked up the paper.
Disappointment lanced her heart. The samples were corrupted. Though she could find both blood types, trying to sequence them proved to be more difficult.
She crumpled up the report and threw it away. This had been her one chance to prove Dr. Ian’s theory and shove it in the face of all those theorists who didn’t believe the man. “Damn it!”
“What’s wrong?” Theo stood by the door, watching her.
“I thought you were going to take a nap.” She stomped back to her workstation and snatched the scarf she’d picked up the night before. The one she thought held all the answers, held nothing.
“I couldn’t sleep with thinking about you in here, alone. I also couldn’t stand the idea of hurting your feelings.” He came over to where she sat. “I am an asshole. We’re all assholes. Doesn’t mean I won’t help you. I’m sorry, Piper.”
She shuffled the papers aside. “You were right. It’s time to go home and find a case we can solve.”
“And leave this behind?”
“It’s easy, Theo.” A hardy bolt of disappointment filled her. “We pack it up, and hit the next case Heath comes across. Or, better yet, we wait for DHS to give us the job.”
“Bullshit.” He inched forward, trying to grab her papers. “What did you find out?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re lying.” He reached for the crumpled-up paperwork quicker than she could stop him. For long moments, he didn’t say a word. Didn’t have to. He all but told her this was some stupid witch hunt and, well, look where they were now. Nowhere.
“Corrupt.” He placed the wrinkled print out on the surface in front of her and turned away. “I had a feeling it would be a long shot. However, you did something no one else had done. You separated the blood types. So, do we know if the killer is AB and the victim is A, or vise versa.”
“Theo,” she sighed. “You don’t have to placate me anymore.”
