Gabriel (Guardian Defenders Book 1)

by Kris Michaels

  “No, I'm not married. I've never been married, and I'm not seeing anyone. You?”

  A very inelegant snort came from the woman. “Right, we're talking about me here.”

  “Married? Divorced?”

  She laughed and shook her head as her hands went up to the heavens. “Again, hello, we are talking about me. I have never been in a serious relationship, never married, always the bridesmaid, never the bride, single, as in nobody hanging or sniffing around. No one, nadda.”

  “So, what's the problem?” He couldn't see one, other than her low self-esteem, and that was baffling. Every glimpse he had of her led him to believe she was a wonderful person.

  She dropped her arms. They landed with a whap against her thighs. “Why this, with me, now?”

  Gabriel lifted away from the counter and walked to her as he spoke. “Because you are interesting, funny, attractive, and I never, ever, know what is going to come out of your mouth.” He stopped in front of her. “This, between us, has to be consensual, or I'm gone. Do I want a one-night stand? No, I've had enough of those to last a lifetime.”

  She blinked at him, no other movement. He ran his hands up her arms and anchored them on her shoulders.

  “But I live in Colorado.”

  “I understand Colorado has airports. Has that been misreported in the news?”

  She laughed and shook her head. “That didn’t work before, what makes you think it will work now, and seriously, do you even want to pretend this has a chance of lasting past the time we have in New Orleans?”

  “First, fate has put us together again. I've learned to listen when destiny speaks. I’m not averse to finding out what this second chance means. We are spending more than one night together, or so I assume, so I consider that an investment. As you recall, I told you my family has a long history of making solid investments. I know when to cut my losses, when to ride out a wild market, and when to work to make sure the time and sweat equity I put into an investment provides a payoff.”

  “Sweat equity?” Her laughter filled the kitchen.

  He laughed with her. “Listen, I’m not declaring my undying love. Lust, yes, definitely lust, but I'll be brutally honest. I don’t have any long-range plans for us because I’m not going to assume anything. How about we play it by ear?” Gabriel stepped forward, bringing their bodies together. God, he couldn't get close enough to this woman. It was as if she was magnetized and he was wearing body armor with steel plating. It was a new sensation, and he had no intention of fighting the attraction, at least he wouldn't if she'd ever agreed to see where this gravitation between them went. He caressed her arm, lifting her hand in his.

  “That is, like, fair.” She rolled her eyes and stomped her foot.

  “What just happened there?”

  “Like.”

  That was the second time she'd mentioned ‘like’. Gabriel turned his head and squinted. Nope, he still didn't have a clue what she was talking about. “Yes, I like you.”

  She blinked up at him. A smile spread across her face. “I'm trying to stop saying, like and totally. I have become a valley girl.”

  “Ah… you are about as far from an airheaded valley girl as you can get.”

  “Ha! Shows how much you know. You just haven't been up in my head. You'd see.”

  “Woman, you are incorrigible.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “That's... intriguing.” Beguiling, seductive, sexy, a little needy, and that last element added the type of spice he loved to the equation. He knew himself well enough to know he had a provider complex. He wanted to take care of the woman he eventually settled down with, and no, he wasn't going to look at that too closely right now. He'd rather delve into those waters after they agreed to... date?

  “Hmmm… well, I guess I can accept intriguing.”

  Good. He glanced at their hands, and his eyes traveled up her arm. “What in the hell happened to you?” He lifted her arm and turned it toward the window where the sun had brightened the room.

  “Oh, nothing.”

  “Nothing? Those are bruises. You didn't have them at lunch yesterday. Did I do this when I stopped you yesterday? Did I miss this last night?”

  She shook her head. “No, you didn’t do this. I believe we were focused on other things last night.”

  “What happened? These are finger marks.” He pushed up the sleeve of her shirt to examine the bruising. He flashed back to the moment he’d held her arm. No, he’d held the other arm. He scanned that exposed skin. No bruising. A big hand caused this, and the fucker had to be strong to leave marks like that.

  “Yeah, but I'm fine. Really.”

  “Fine?” Gabriel tamped down his rage. “Who did this to you? Deacon?”

  “Deacon? Hell no!” She pulled her arm out of his loose hold before she walked over to the island and picked up the potato and peeler again. Brown strips started to fly within seconds. He drew a deep breath and crossed his arms over his chest, watching her with a focus she wouldn't be able to ignore.

  She glanced over her shoulder. “Seriously, does that work for you? The whole glower and stare routine?”

  Gabriel frowned. It did. It worked with everyone. Except her, apparently. “Yes.”

  “Well, find another tactic, I'm not fazed. I've had doctors and patients who do a far better job unnerving me than... that.” She waved at him. “Now be a good boy and find me the shredder. I need to get these potatoes going. Hey? Aren't you tired?”

  Gabriel narrowed his eyes and debated how far to push this conversation. A pattern was starting to emerge with this firecracker of a woman. He'd let her table the discussion about the bruises for now, but he would find out who hurt her, and he'd make sure they never touched her again. His little minx had a way of diverting the conversation, and he was starting to see how this woman manipulated the people around her.

  “I'll live.” He glanced at his watch. “But I do have to shower and change. I have meetings all morning.”

  She stopped her work. “What? You have time for breakfast, right? I mean, like, I'll totally have this ready before eight. Damn it.” She stomped her foot again.

  Like and totally, in the same sentence. This time Gabriel smiled and stifled a small huff of laughter.

  She drew a breath and shook her head as she marched over to the island and the egg cartons. “What time do you go to work? Is your boss a hard ass? I mean, you did work all night; he could cut you some slack, right?”

  Her rapid-fire questions pelted him, but he was getting used to the machine gun volleys. “Yes, I have time for breakfast. I'm always on call, so I guess you'd say I set my own hours, and my boss is a pretty fair guy.”

  “Oh. Good. Okay, then you go shower and change. Take a cup of coffee with you. When you get all primped and pretty, come back, and I'll have something for you.”

  Gabriel smiled as he strolled toward her. Her eyes grew larger as he walked closer. “How about a treat for the road?”

  She smiled up at him. “Bacon?”

  He shook his head.

  She lifted a slice of white bread from the island. “Toast?”

  He put his hands on her hips and gently pulled her toward him as he shook his head again.

  She tipped her head back and raised both eyebrows before she whispered, “Sugar?”

  He smiled at that, and as he bent down to take her lips again, he spoke, “I definitely have a sweet tooth.” Her lips parted under his. She leaned against him, her softness molded perfectly against his body and said body was taking notice. Stopping was difficult. The more he was around this woman, the more he reacted to her. She was so fucking tempting and in ways that boggled his mind. Feisty, talkative, selfless and sexy as fuck, she was a unique combination that barraged his senses, stimulated his mind, and cranked his shaft like none other.

  She sighed when he pulled away, chasing his lips for another kiss, which he absolutely granted. When he finally managed to separate them, she shook her head. “You have a way of
making me forget what I'm doing.”

  “And what are you doing?” He stepped away from her, and her hands trailed down his arms.

  “I'm not sure.” She looked up at him. “But I'm really hoping I'm not making a mistake.”

  “Do you think we're a mistake?” His fingers lifted to her chin so she wouldn't look away.

  She shook her head. “No, I've made mistakes with men before. This isn't that. It's more. Could be dangerous.”

  “Why?” He pushed her bangs away from her eyes. Her short haircut was cute, but he remembered the long brown ponytail swinging as she walked down that hospital corridor.

  “Because I think if I let you, you could become important.”

  A deep-seated sense of satisfaction washed over him. She was the antithesis of the women he'd dated before and, at this moment, becoming important to her felt... right.

  “Are you going to let me become important?” He smiled at her when she closed one eye and scrunched up her face like she was thinking.

  “Maybe. But not if you don't go shower so I can get this food cooked.”

  “Priorities.” Gabriel laughed and kissed her upturned lips with a swift kiss. If he lingered, neither of them would get to work today.

  “Absolutely. Food for your men, my day with Jackie and Deacon, and then...” She shimmied away from him and laughed, “... fun and games, all followed by chicken and dumplings.”

  A zing of energy flashed through his tired body. “In that order?”

  “Oh, definitely. Important things first. We need to work up an appetite, right?” She made a waving motion with her hands. “Shoo, go take your shower so I can grate potatoes and daydream about a soapy Gabriel.” She gave him a stage wink and picked up the potato she'd abandoned a minute before.

  Gabriel let his head drop back between his shoulders and stared at the ceiling of the apartment. “Woman, what you do to me.” His body tightened at the thought of her thinking of him. Fuck him, but that was hot.

  “Not yet, sugar.” She laughed at the pained groan he let out. “Go, shower, then come back.”

  Somehow his feet moved forward. His pager beeped and vibrated against his beltline as he threw her one last glance. He palmed it and sighed, realizing for the first time in his life, work could easily take a second-place position to what he wanted to do at this moment. The thought brought him to a standstill in the hall of his apartment. He glanced at the pager and then back to Anna's apartment. The device sounded again. This time with a 911 preface. He made his way into his bedroom and picked up the phone, dialing his command center.

  “Alpha.” He clipped his words. His current attitude wouldn't allow for anything else.

  “Sir, Detective Delacroix called. They have another crime scene.”

  “All right, bring the car around. I'll be downstairs in three minutes.”

  “Sir, before you go. FBI Agent Olsen called. He said that preliminary information received this morning indicates your suspicions that this guy flew under the radar seem to be confirmed. Olsen is gathering more intel, but said he'd have information for you at noon.”

  Gabriel dropped his head and rubbed his neck. The sick bastard. Okay, an intelligent sick bastard with an obvious knowledge of the limitations of law enforcement. “Got it. Heading down now.” He hung up and rolled his shoulders as he retraced his steps to the doors that joined the apartments.

  Anna looked up and smiled. “That page was important?”

  “Yeah, I'm heading out. I'll be back as soon as I can, but I think breakfast is out.”

  “Nope.” She grabbed a tinfoil wrapped square. “Bacon breakfast sandwich.” She handed it to him along with a small thermos. “Coffee, because you are going to need it.”

  His shoulders relaxed as she handed him the food and coffee. “I... ah... wow, I don't think anyone but Daisy has ever done anything like this.”

  Anna stepped back; a quick smile hid the surprise on her face. “Daisy?”

  “My secretary. She's amazing and very married.” Gabriel leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her lips.

  “Oh.” Her face flushed a crimson hue at his rumble of laughter.

  “I'll see you tonight.” I hope.

  “Go get the bad guy.” Anna stepped away. He felt her eyes on him as he grabbed his jacket and headed out of his apartment.

  Chapter 16

  Gabriel slid out of the back of the vehicle. The humidity and heat hit him hard. The crime scene was in a parking lot boxed in by old apartments, debris fluttered across the black asphalt. The NOPD had sectioned off the area with tape wrapped around traffic stanchions but it was ineffective at keeping lookie-loos and the press from crowding close to get their morbid fascination fix. He motioned to one of the uniforms. The man jogged over and lifted the tape for him to step under. He leaned toward the man and said in an undertone, “Do me a favor and get pictures of everyone. Do it casually. Like you’re taking shots of the scene, but I want to be able to see every face at this tape. Got it?”

  The cop nodded and walked with no particular urgency to the crime scene technician holding the camera. He kept the duo in his peripheral vision as he made his way to where Delacroix and Agent Harvey were standing. The crime scene tech nodded and stood up. She stretched her back and walked to the corner of the taped off area, taking what appeared to be an overview of the area. He mentally smiled as at the last second the camera elevated. She dropped it and played with the settings before doing the same from all four corners of the partitioned off area. Finally, she stood in the middle and acted like she was working on her settings, but he saw her finger working the button on the front. It was casual, but the woman managed to turn three hundred sixty degrees while holding the camera at chest level and photograph the entire crowd.

  Delacroix motioned to the posed female corpse. “Is this our guy?”

  Gabriel placed his hands on his hips. He briefly examined the corps before he spoke, “I'm not sure. It is basically the body positioning, but... There are differences. The location, for one. He’s never displayed his work in the open like this before.” He shook his head to clear it. “Harvey, what do you think?”

  The man shook his head. “My gut is saying, yes. I think this is our guy, and if it is, shit is escalating, fast. Our guy is meticulous. Olsen is getting reports in from the outlying jurisdictions, and you were right. There have been others. Always one woman. Always in an alley. Always positioned with care. This is sloppy.”

  “Bullshit. This isn’t sloppy. She is positioned like the rest of them,” Delacroix spat.

  “But out here? In a parking lot? Hell, there are windows all around us.” Harvey motioned to the apartment buildings the parking lot serviced. “It’s going to take a week to knock on every door that faces this direction.”

  “Detective? Just got a call from Dispatch. We've got another one.” The same uniformed officer who he’d sent to get pictures spoke low and pulled out his notebook, acting nonchalant as he passed Delacroix a piece of paper. Gabriel’s eyes dropped to the guy's name tag. He could use people like Officer Malloy.

  “Fuck, there is no way we are going to keep this out of the press.” Delacroix turned his back to the local news station setting up for a remote taping. “Malloy, put a sheet up so the media has no way to get an ID and find her people before we can notify them.”

  “On it.” The officer jogged over to the medical examiner’s van and had the people moving with the stretcher in less than a minute. They parked the stretcher in front of the body and draped it with several black plastic bags to obscure the camera’s angle. Every cop working the scene witnessed the reporter's glare. Gabriel shook his head and turned back to Harvey and Delacroix.

  “He's not escalating. He’s sending a message.” Delacroix put his hands on his hips.

  Harvey frowned. “Don’t make assumptions. A lot of brains bigger than ours say escalation happens when a killer gets frustrated or has a significant event. Brenner was a significant event for this bastard. Plus, we don'
t know how active this guy has been all these years. It could be he's localized now, and the rate of incidents is normal for this stupid son of a bitch.”

  Delacroix laughed. “If he turns out to be anything less than a genius, I’ll eat a bullet and spit you out tacks, man. He’s fucking brilliant. We think he’s been killing for at least six years without anyone noticing. Definitely not stupid.”

  Harvey huffed in acknowledgment, but he could tell the man wasn’t as convinced of the killer’s brilliance as Delacroix.

  “The profile I have been working with for the last six years indicates the man has average intelligence. Let’s not build him into something he isn’t. It could be he is taunting us. Escalating in the process.” Gabriel gave his thoughts a voice.

  “Taunting?” Both men whipped their heads his direction.

  He nodded. “Where is the other victim located?”

  “Over in the 9th Ward. Not far at all.” Delacroix glanced at the piece of paper Officer Malloy had slipped him. “This makes three murders with the same MO, and that means Federal jurisdiction. You and Agent Harvey are officially in charge of this investigation.”

  “Yeah. Some heavy hitters from D.C. are headed our way, and Olsen and I have been assigned to your fact-finding task force. Until the D.C. guys touch down, our office will cover it.”

  “What's the address?” Gabriel finally grabbed the annoying pager on his hip. It had been vibrating for the last five minutes. Delacroix spouted off the location of the other victim. “Meet you there?” He got a nod and palmed his flip phone. It was going to be a long fucking day.

  Anna helped Jackie dress after bathing. Her friend was a Jackson Pollock type painting of reds, purples, blacks, blues and green all swirled to hide the pale canvas below. The morning had been consumed with a long visit with Jackie’s new therapist. She’d made herself scarce, but available, during the session. She could hear Jackie’s voice, but not the words as she spoke with the doctor. After the psychologist left, the misery in Jackie’s eyes was a tangible force. Her patient slept for a while, then they had lunch and played several games of cards. She performed her nursing duties in between Jackie trouncing her at three hands of gin. The bath was tiring for both of them. The cast and injuries made the entire effort laborious and painful for Jackie.