Tate Valley Sexy Suspense Series (Books 1-3)

by Stacy-Deanne

  “Penelope said you were different.” Alexis scoffed. “You’re just another wimp.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Penelope told me you were one of the few people in this town who stood up to Grant, but you’re as big a coward as any of them.”

  “Now wait a minute.” He walked back out, pointing at her. “You don’t know what Grant put me through.”

  “And you don’t know what he put me through,” Alexis said. “All my life I’ve lived under the shadow of Grant Copeland. He ruined my family.”

  “I heard about the affair he had with your mother and how it broke her. What does that have to do with Nolan?”

  “It’s about Grant doing whatever the hell he wants in this town and getting away with it. I went to Vanna’s funeral.” She stared at Leo’s torn expression. “Why weren’t you there?”

  He looked away.

  “I bet it was guilt.” She swallowed, observing his awkward demeanor. “I know the feeling because I didn’t go to my father’s funeral because of guilt. Leo, you can make things right. Don’t you think it’s about time the truth comes out?”

  “Okay.” He hesitated then moved aside. “We can talk about it.” He stared Alexis in the eyes as she and Penelope entered the house. “But, I’m making no promises.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Leo handed cups of cinnamon coffee to Alexis and Penelope. “Do you realize how dangerous it would be if Grant knew you were talking to me?” He sat in the chair across from the couch and sipped from his cup.

  “I don’t care.” Alexis sniffed the sweet, soothing aroma of the coffee.

  Leo exhaled, rubbing his hands together. “I don’t know about this—”

  “Even if you feel you can’t trust Lexi, you know you can trust me,” Penelope said. “I’ve always been on your side.”

  Leo moved the cup from his lips. “Shit, you’re the only one in this town I trust, Penelope.”

  “Grant set you up didn’t he?” Alexis whispered.

  “Yes.” He rubbed his thigh. “I can’t prove it though. Someone stashed meth in my home and the police found it. I knew Grant did it the moment it happened.” He turned the mug around in his hand. “Imagine my surprise when I was in bed sleeping one night and the police were banging on my door. They said they got a tip and wanted to search my place. I let them search because I knew I didn’t have anything.” He scoffed. “They found the meth in my bedroom drawer. They arrested me and told me I had two choices. I could go to prison on a drug charge or I could resign from the force.”

  Alexis shook her head, huffing.

  He chuckled. “Well, I sure as hell didn’t wanna go to prison.”

  “Didn’t you fight it?” Alexis asked.

  “How can you fight the man who owns the town when no one will fight alongside you?”

  “But Rojas knows the type of man you are,” Penelope said. “I can’t believe he wouldn’t go to bat for you. He was your superior.”

  “He’s afraid of Grant.” Leo sipped, gesturing to Alexis. “I told Rojas that I thought Nolan was murdered. He didn’t want to hear it and kept warning me to be quiet and not cause trouble, but I’m not that kind of person. I was raised to do what’s right and I wouldn’t have become a cop if I couldn’t be honorable.”

  Alexis picked up her cup. “What made you think Nolan’s death wasn’t an accident?”

  “I found discrepancies in the report from the officer who checked out the accident. Things didn’t add up, so I checked out the car myself and the car had been tampered with. The brake lines were cut.”

  Alexis’ mouth dropped.

  “Obviously something was up with the other officer at the scene,” Leo said. “How could he not see that? He either didn’t do a thorough investigation, or pretended everything was fine.”

  “We spoke to Base,” Alexis said. “We found pictures of him and Grant.”

  “Base is a longtime police informant.” Leo rubbed his huge hands. “Why would he meet with Grant?”

  “Base is probably the person who set you up,” Alexis said. “Grant paid him to do a job, and I’m guessing it was stashing the meth in your house.”

  * * * *

  The phone rang when Rose got to the living room with the bowl of popcorn. She sat on the couch and grabbed her cell.

  “Hello, Rose,” a distorted voice said. “You missed me?”

  “Ah!” She dropped the popcorn on the carpet. “Shit.”

  The voice continued, “I asked you if you missed me.”

  “Leave…leave me alone. If you don’t, I’ll go to the police.”

  “You go to the police and you’ll find your mother in the backyard, hanging from a meat hook.”

  “Please.”

  “You want to test me, Rose?” He grunted. “Besides, what will the police do if they can’t find me?”

  “Why are you doing this?” she screamed. “Who are you?”

  “Well, that’s up to you. I could be the man of your dreams or your biggest nightmare.”

  “Stop this.” She stood. “I can’t take it anymore.”

  “I told you I have feelings for you.” He moaned, causing her stomach to turn. “They’re so deep even I can’t control them. They compel me to do things.”

  “What things?” she whispered. “Did you kill Donovan McCoy?”

  “No.” He chuckled.

  “I don’t believe you.” She touched the end of her pink blouse.

  “You look so pretty in that color.”

  She turned in a circle. “What?”

  He breathed harder. “Peach looks so pretty against your skin.”

  She dropped the phone and ran to the front door. “He’s watching me?” She looked out the window then ran to the front door and cracked it open. She stared at the empty street. The porchlights from the trailers across the street provided the only light through the darkness.

  Headlights shined from down the street. Rose sighed with relief as Jesse’s car pulled up.

  “Rose?” Jesse called out as she opened the driver’s door. “What’s going on?”

  Rose rushed back inside, stepping over popcorn kernels.

  Jesse walked in. “Why were you standing at the door?”

  “I…” Rose knelt down beside the couch and lay her head in the cushions.

  “Rose?” Jesse threw her purse on the couch and joined her on the floor. “What is it?”

  “I should’ve told you!” She cried in Jesse’s chest. “I…I killed Donovan.”

  “What?” Jesse grabbed Rose’s head. “What did you say?”

  “No, I…” She sobbed. “I didn’t shoot him, but I caused it.” She held Jesse. “I caused it, Momma!”

  Jesse shook her. “What?”

  “I think I know who killed him.” Rose sniffled, taking deep breaths. “It’s my fault.”

  Jesse looked her in the eyes. “Rose, tell me what’s going on.”

  “I’ve…I’ve been getting these calls.” She licked tears from her lips. “It’s a guy. He talks through this voice thing that disguises his voice and I—”

  “You’re not making any damn sense, Rose. What the hell are you talking about?”

  “He’s been bothering me.” She stood. “He’s been calling me for months and I didn’t tell you.” She cried into her hands. “I was scared. He said if I told anyone he’d kill you.”

  “What?” Jesse got up.

  “I’m sorry.” Rose hugged her. “Please forgive me.”

  “Someone’s stalking you and you didn’t say anything?” Jesse wiped tears from Rose’s face. “Did he say he killed Donovan?”

  Rose shook her head. “But it makes sense if he did.”

  “Shit.” Jesse yanked her cell out her purse.

  “What are you doing?”

  “What you should’ve done months ago.” Jesse dialed. “I’m calling the police.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Let me get this straight, Rose.” Alexis looked at her notepad. “You say that
this person has been calling you for six months and you kept that a secret?”

  “I didn’t know what to do.” She shook on the couch, biting her thumbnail. “I was scared.”

  “I can understand being scared,” Penelope said. “But you should’ve told the police.”

  “He said he’d kill Momma if I told anyone.” Rose wiped at her tears.

  “Has this guy done anything other than call you?” Penelope sat on the coffee table. “Have you been getting gifts or emails?”

  Rose shook her head.

  Jesse caressed Rose’s arm while staring at the detective. “How are you gonna handle this?”

  “We’d be able to handle it better if Rose had told us when the calls began,” Alexis said.

  Jesse smacked her lips. “Hell, a crime could happen right in front of you two and it wouldn’t matter.”

  Rose sniffled. “He killed Donovan. I know it.”

  “Can you track him down?” Jesse asked the detectives.

  “We can try,” Alexis said.

  “You have to protect her,” Jesse said. “If this caller is the killer, then Rose definitely isn’t safe.”

  * * * *

  “Girl, I don’t know what the hell’s going on.” Alexis relaxed in the passenger’s seat as Penelope drove out of the trailer park. “I think Rose and Jesse are full of shit.”

  Penelope maneuvered down the narrow street. “You know I don’t like being jerked around either, and that’s exactly what it looks like Miss Rose is doing.” She made a right. “Do you believe this caller stuff?”

  “I don’t know what to believe.” Alexis propped her arm on the door. “Who gets calls from some creep for six months and doesn’t even tell her mother? I don’t care how afraid she is.”

  “And what kind of mother doesn’t pick up on stuff like that?” Penelope stopped at a stop sign, then continued. “I mean, Jesse was mad at Rose for not telling, but wouldn’t she know that her daughter was being harassed if she paid attention?”

  Alexis rubbed her forehead. “It’s funny how Jesse knows everything about Rose and Donovan, yet she doesn’t know about these calls?”

  “You think Rose killed him?” Penelope made a left.

  “She didn’t have gunshot residue on her at all.”

  “So?” Penelope straightened up in the seat. “She still could’ve done it. She could’ve had someone to do it.” Penelope stopped at a red light. “Maybe she lured Donovan out to the beach and had someone kill him.”

  “Why?”

  “Maybe she knew about the bet, and if so, she deserves an Academy Award for that performance in the kitchen after we told her.”

  Alexis slung her hair over one shoulder. “We checked out Jesse and she doesn’t have a gun, remember? That means it’s unlikely Rose has access to one.”

  “Rose could’ve gotten a gun from somewhere else,” Penelope said. “You think Jesse did it?”

  Alexis laid her head back. “I don’t know, but I’m tired of Jesse and her daughter.”

  “I could see Jesse killing Donovan.” Penelope nodded. “Maybe they both did it. Maybe Rose lured him to the beach, and Jesse shot him because of that bet.”

  Alexis yawned. “Jesse has an alibi, remember?”

  “I still think I’m on to something.” Penelope turned the radio on. “Things just aren’t adding up.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Alexis answered her door to Kevin later that night. “What are you doing here?”

  He pulled pink roses from behind his back. “I want to apologize.”

  She took the roses and sniffed the sweet yet mild bitterness. “What are you apologizing for?”

  “For being an asshole after we spoke to Andrea. I hate that you think I’m not on your side.”

  She pulled at a rose petal. “You try to be, but—”

  “It’s hard for me, Lexi. I’m being pulled in a hundred directions.”

  “Yeah, and then I end up feeling guilty for that.”

  He took his hands out his pockets. “May I come in?”

  “It’s late.” She held the roses against her chest. “I was going to bed.”

  He smirked. “And, I repeat…may I come in?”

  She held her robe closed. “I guess for a bit.”

  He walked in. “Only a bit?” He took off his blazer and sat on the couch. “Hm.” He checked her out.

  His gaze warmed her down to the bone, causing her nipples to stiffen.

  She sat on the other end of the couch. “Thanks for the roses.” She laid them in her lap. “They’re beautiful.”

  “You’re beautiful.” He slid closer and caressed her arm.

  “Umm...” She tensed up.

  “What is it?” He drew his hand back, blinking his eyes.

  “You’ll probably get pissed all over again when you hear this, but I said I’d be upfront with you. I spoke to Leo Pacheco tonight.” She braced herself for his fury.

  “You did what? Lexi—”

  “Did you think I wouldn’t? I had to find out why he got fired.”

  He acted as though he wanted to shout but remained calm. “What did he say?”

  She stared at the roses.

  He patted her arm. “What did he say?”

  She avoided his gaze.

  “Oh.” He smirked. “I see. You don’t want to tell me, is that it?”

  “Kevin—”

  He jumped up. “Never mind.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Leaving.” He put his blazer on. “Why am I here if you don’t trust me?”

  “I trust you about some things, but—”

  “Some things?” He chuckled. “Oh, anything other than Grant, right? I’m on your side. You know that.”

  “It didn’t sound that way after we spoke to Andrea.” She placed the roses on the table. “How do I know you won’t go back and tell Grant?”

  “Because you’ve known me my entire fuckin’ life.” He waved his arm. “You and me, Lexi we don’t question each other because we trust each other. Shit, you’re making me feel like some schmuck you just met. I’m the guy you promised your heart to when we were teenagers, remember?”

  “Kevin—”

  “I’m the one you gave your virginity to, Lexi.” He held his arms out. “If you can’t trust me then who the hell can you trust? I’m sick of going back and forth with this! If you don’t trust me then maybe we shouldn’t be together.”

  “I’m not saying you’d tell Grant anything on purpose, but you might feel guilty for holding things from him and end up telling him.”

  “I’m sick of having to prove myself every minute.” He straightened the lapel of his blazer. “I thought you coming back to Tate Valley was our chance to build something, Lexi.” He squinted. “I want all of you not just pieces.” He hurried to the door.

  “Wait.” She rushed in behind him, holding her robe at the side. “Don’t go, okay?” She hugged him from behind. “I love you so much.”

  “I’m here for you, Lexi.” He turned and slipped his arms around her. “I love you so much,” he whispered, pushing his erection against her.

  She kissed him back with urgency as each second reminded her of why no other man could mean as much to her as Kevin did.

  “I want you.” His words forced their way through a low growl. He took her hand and placed it upon his hard center. “Can you feel how much?”

  She swallowed, her nipples swelling with passion. “God, yes.”

  He pushed his head against her forehead and whispered, “You wet?”

  “Always when you’re around.” She French-kissed him, feeling as if she’d suffocate.

  “Mm.” He moved his hand inside her robe and under her thin gown. “I bet your tits are as hard as my dick.” He slipped his hand over her breast and fondled it.

  “Ah.” She leaned back, enjoying the ravenous tickle his touch provided.

  He lifted her gown and sucked her nipple. It felt good, but it wasn’t what Alexis wanted tonight. />
  “Uh-uh.” She moved his head.

  He looked at her with his lips still puckered. “What?”

  “I don’t want foreplay tonight.” She took both of his hands and pulled him to the couch. “Just fuck me.” She pushed him on the couch and kissed him. She caressed his chest until his nipple hardened. “You like it when I rub your chest, huh?”

  “Ooh, yeah.” He leaned back with his eyes closed. “Put my dick in your mouth.” He swallowed. “Please.”

  She snatched his zipper open, moved his underwear, and pulled his dick out without him taking down his pants.

  “Fuck.” He chuckled, sighing. “You are hot, aren’t you? Can’t even wait until I get out my pants.”

  She sniffed his cologne-scented crotch. His dick always smelled so good as if he took extra care of it. She stroked it, gently.

  “Yes, Lexi.” He rolled his body as she hand-fucked him. “I want your beautiful mouth on me right now.”

  She captured his dick in her mouth.

  “Yeah, like that, Lexi. Don’t stop,” he demanded.

  She sucked and stroked until he let loose in her mouth.

  “Oh!” He screamed louder than she’d ever heard him. “Lexi, shit.”

  “I’m not done.” She wiped thick cum from her mouth and got on her knees in front of him. “I’m gonna make that dick hard again. You better believe it.”

  He huffed and puffed. “You trying to kill me?” He grinned.

  “I want to eat you.” She pulled his pants off.

  “What are you…” He looked at her with his eyes wide. “You mean—”

  “Uh-huh.” She took off his underwear and sniffed it. “I’m gonna eat your ass.”

  His mouth hung open. She’d rimmed her ex-lover Mario, and it drove him wild. Some women might’ve been repulsed by tonguing a guy’s ass but the intimacy of it turned Alexis on in ways she couldn’t describe.

  “What do I do?” he asked.

  “Scoot down a little and open your legs wide.”

  He did, and she got in between them. “Make sure you’re comfortable. Might need to hold them up if they get tired.”