Fatal Games (The Rockford Security Series Book 2)

by Jones, Lee Anne

  “Obsession?”

  “Yeah. It’s what drove him to kill you, after all. Obsession can be a very motivating factor.”

  “Where’s Mike now?”

  “Don’t know, don’t care. That’s the beauty of it. Doesn’t matter where he is. I’ve already done the hard part, pointing all fingers toward him, including staging the first crime scene exactly like the pictures that crazy photographer sent him that the cops will find in his apartment. You were just the icing on the cake. Even if you did almost ruin everything by sticking your nose in where it didn’t belong. Then again, all your prying gives it an authenticity that was lacking before, makes Mike look even more unstable. And those flowers. A nice touch, if I do say so myself.”

  Ted turned away to check his laptop again, and Laura fiddled with the ropes once more. If she could just get a hand free, she could wriggle out and smack him over the head with her chair. In the background, Ted continued to grumble.

  “Such a damned control freak. All those dumbass firewalls. Have to have the right security to upload. No, Ted, you’re not good enough. No, Ted, only I can have access. Fucking moron.”

  Ted rubbed his nose, revealing a blackish-purple bruise beneath what must’ve been several layers of makeup. Details from her conversation with Steven Price trickled back into her fevered brain.

  He might’ve screamed like a girl when I punched him, but he was a guy…

  Ted hadn’t brought Mike’s coffee the next day, claiming illness, but he wasn’t sick, he was recovering from being punched by Steven Price.

  She’d like to punch Ted too, if she could just get out of these damned restraints.

  A thump sounded outside the double doors behind her.

  Maybe that was the police, maybe she’d get out of this alive after all. She silently rose up on the balls of her feet to move her chair a bit more to the side, away from the doors in case the cops burst through. She didn’t want to get trampled. Laura leaned her head back and discovered the chair had a high, wooden back. If worse came to worst, she might be able to jam it into her captor’s already damaged nose, gaining her precious time to kick his weapon away and get out.

  Ted set his laptop aside and moved toward her again. Just a couple more steps, one, two, and he’d be close enough she could bop him good with the back of the chair. If she hit him hard enough, maybe she could even force his septum up into his brain, killing him instantly. Liv had told her it was possible, though she’d never had reason to want to try it until now.

  C’mon, asshole. Just a little bit closer. C’mon…

  The door behind her opened, and she and Ted both turned in unison.

  “Mike!” Her exclamation echoed in the silent chapel.

  Ted aimed the gun at Mike’s chest. “Don’t come any closer, or I’ll end you. I swear I will.”

  “Ted, please. Put the gun down,” Mike said, his hands raised in surrender. “You don’t have to do this. There’s still a way out.”

  “Damn straight there is.” He pointed the weapon at Laura again. “You want her to live? Then upload that damn file and do exactly as I say. Otherwise I’ll blow her brains out.”

  “What exactly is in that file?” Mike inched closer to Laura with each word, his gaze meeting hers briefly before darting back to Ted.

  “The final piece of the puzzle the cops need to convict you. Those idiots could never compile the evidence, so I took the privilege of doing it for them. The widow, the caterer, Jim Newton.”

  “Jim?” Mike’s stoic façade fractured. “That was an accident.”

  “Accident my ass. That drug I slipped in his drink worked better than I hoped. Made the alcohol that much more potent, and the coroner never even thought to look for it. Now Jim’s cremated and the evidence is long gone. Pretty damned genius, if you ask me. Besides, how else was I going to get his job, huh? You wouldn’t even give me the time of day back then.” Ted chuckled. “Of course, all the money we’ve made since then has changed your attitude, hasn’t it, boss? At least where my work is concerned.”

  Laura glanced sideways and saw Mike’s hands clenched at his sides, his knuckles white with the pressure.

  “Too bad about the widow, though,” Ted continued, oblivious. “Barbara was nice. If she hadn’t stirred things up, she wouldn’t have had to die. But then I walked in on your little conversation, and I knew what I had to do.”

  “You son of a bitch.”

  “Bailey. Son of a Bailey. My last name’s Bailey, but then you never really cared enough to notice, did you?”

  “That’s what this is all about? Recognition? You were going to get equal billing on the new game, you know that.”

  “Equal billing?” Ted scoffed. “Full billing, that’s what I deserved. I designed that whole thing, built that game from the ground up. All you did was critique and tweak. Then, of course, you took up with this new piece of ass, and then you didn’t even do that much.”

  “Leave Laura out of this.” Mike’s normally smooth tone turned lethal.

  “Well, see. That’s the thing, Mike.” Ted gave him a small, cold sneer. “I can’t do that. Not now. She’s digging into things that are none of her business. And honestly, she provides the one thing I couldn’t do on my own.”

  Mike moved closer, close enough for her to feel his heat against the chilled skin of her bare shoulder. She took strength from his warmth, his nearness. His fingers brushed her flesh, and she shuddered. He glanced down at her fast, concern and warning in his brown eyes, before he looked away. “What’s that, Ted?”

  “Getting you to confess. Once you upload the file, it’ll be on the main page of the Vegas Noir website for the world to see. Crazy recluse like you, who wouldn’t believe it, huh? You got too involved in your own game, started acting it out in real life, then Laura came along, and she grew into your new obsession. But she rejected you. You couldn’t take that, the rejection. It was an insult to your geeky genius. So you killed her, then out of guilt and desperation you turned the gun on yourself. Murder-suicide. Kind of a poetic justice in that, don’t you think?”

  Ted reached over and grabbed his laptop with his free hand. “Now, I’ll just need to make one small edit to the file, and it will all fall seamlessly into place.”

  As he concentrated on his computer, Mike nudged Laura’s shoulder once more, raising a brow in Ted’s direction, giving her a now-or-never look. Right. She braced her legs against the floor once more and gripped the ropes around her wrists tight then leaned forward and rammed the chair forward with all her might.

  Facing the floor as she was, she could only see the feet of the two men as they struggled, but judging from Ted’s high-pitched wails, she’d struck her mark. Steven Price had been right. Ted did scream like a girl.

  The impact had shattered the back of her chair enough that she was able to wiggle her hands from the ropes then set about untying her ankles.

  Before she was free, however, a gunshot fired.

  Laura screamed and Ted wailed then dropped to his knees, blood gushing from his leg now as well as his nose. Serves him right, the bastard.

  Sirens wailed outside and cops burst in, led by Troy and followed by Blake.

  Troy gave her a quick once-over then headed over to help place Ted under arrest.

  “I don't need help.” She snapped at Blake, who had rushed to her side. She was annoyed with her still-drugged, fumbling fingers at not being able to undue the knots around her feet. Realizing Blake was just trying to help, voice softened. “I’ve got this under control.”

  “Yeah, Sis. I can see that.” Blake leaned down and placed an affectionate kiss on the top of her head. “I’m glad you’re okay. I heard Mike’s call come in over the scanner, and after I’d checked out those flowers you mentioned earlier, I figured I better assess the situation myself to be sure.”

  “Checked out? What are you talking about? I told you not to worry about those flowers.”

  “Hey, big brother prerogative, okay?” Blake held up his hands an
d winked. “Like I said, I’d never let my little sister get anywhere near a killer.”

  He kissed her hair once more then tilted his head toward Mike, who’d now rushed over to undo her ankles. “You take good care of her, understand?”

  Mike glanced up at Blake, and some weird, silent guy-communication occurred between them that Laura didn’t quite grasp. Blake nodded and left, leaving her alone with Mike, his hands on her legs, chaffing her abraded skin.

  “Are you all right, Princess?” He leaned closer, the corners of his warm brown eyes crinkled with concern. “If he hurt you at all, I swear to God I will—”

  “I’m fine.” She placed her fingers over his mouth, forgetting about the cops and Ted’s girly whining. Forgetting about everything except the man she loved, kneeling before her. “Are you okay?”

  “I am now.” He leaned closer, brushing his lips over hers, once, twice, before capturing her mouth with his. When they finally broke apart, they were both breathless. Mike leaned his forehead against hers and took her trembling hands in his, lacing their fingers together. “I love you, Laura Rockford.”

  “I love you too, Mike McQuade.”

  “Hey, I hate to break up this touching moment,” Troy said, walking past them with a defeated, howling Ted in tow. “But I need to question you both.”

  “Later, Troy,” Laura said, her attention still firmly on the man whose head still leaned against hers.

  “Regulations state that—”

  “Later, Troy.” Laura turned her head slightly to glare at him. “Tomorrow, okay? You owe me for this big bust anyway.”

  Troy shook his head and exhaled. “Fine. Tomorrow, Rockford. But this makes us even, okay? No more favors.”

  She smiled. “No more favors. Thanks, Troy.”

  Troy hauled Ted out the door then gave her a small smile in return. “You’re welcome, Rockford. Tomorrow, ten a.m. Don’t be late.”

  “We won’t.” She turned back to Mike and cupped his cheek. “How’d you know I was here, anyway?”

  Mike shrugged, a hint of amusement and heat creeping into his gaze. “Let’s just say I have my ways.”

  “Ways, huh? Wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain tracking app I found on my phone, would it?”

  “You knew about that?” For the first time since she’d met him, genius Mike McQuade looked genuinely stunned. “How?”

  Laura chuckled and threw his words right back at him. “Let’s just say I have my ways.”

  “Hmm.” He pulled her off the chair and into his arms. “No more secrets between us from now on, yes?”

  “Yes.” Laura threaded her fingers through his hair, just the way she knew he loved. “No more secrets ever.”

  Twenty

  “You’re not nervous, are you?” Laura asked from beside him, squeezing his hand tight in hers as the car he’d hired pulled up in front of Blake Rockford’s Summerlin home. “You don’t have to be. They’ll love you.”

  “Maybe a little, I guess.” He met her eyes then lowered his gaze. “This is a bit out of my comfort zone. I’m not exactly a social butterfly like you guys.”

  “Hey.” She tipped his chin up with her fingers. “I love you. My family will love you, too. You’re the smartest, kindest, most generous man I’ve ever known. And I’ll be by your side the whole time, okay?”

  “Okay.” He got out then held out his hand to help her. Mike then leaned back inside and told the driver he’d call when they were ready to leave. After shutting the door, he thumped on the roof as the town car pulled away. Straightening his shirt and smoothing his damp palms down his jeans-covered thighs for the umpteenth time, he sighed. “Let’s do this.”

  “Smile. It’s not a firing squad.”

  “Why does it feel like that, then?” He forced what he hoped was a polite grin as they approached the door.

  Laura rang the bell then glanced at him, snickering. “You look like you’re petrified.”

  “I am petrified.”

  Shouts rang through the door before it was yanked open. Blake grinned then waved them inside. “Welcome to the asylum.”

  Inside, people young and old milled about, talking and laughing and playing games, all of them related in one way or another to Laura. Mike’s family was much smaller, spread around the country now, and his sister Reba was the only sibling he had any regular contact with. After today, he had a feeling his life and his family had just gotten a little more crowded.

  “Can I get you something to drink, Mike?” Blake asked, clapping him on the shoulder.

  “Uh, water, please.”

  “Sure.” Blake gestured toward the room. “Make yourself comfortable. Obviously everyone else does. Sis, you want something?”

  “White wine, please?”

  “Got ya.”

  “Well, if it isn’t the star reporter herself.” A tall guy, slightly older than Laura but with the same dark hair and hazel eyes, approached. In his hands was that morning’s Chronicle, featuring Laura’s byline and a huge headline—Vintage Vegas Killer Arraigned. Court Date Set. “Congrats, Sis.”

  He leaned in to kiss Laura on the cheek and she reciprocated.

  “Thanks. Logan, this is Mike McQuade. Mike, this is my older brother, Logan Rockford.”

  “You design those video games, huh?” Logan asked, a beer bottle clutched in one hand.

  “Yeah.”

  “Maybe you can help me out with something later. My buddies and I have been stuck on level twenty-eight of Witch Wars for weeks, and we can’t figure it out.”

  “That’s not one of mine, sorry.” Mike grinned. “I can probably give you some pointers, though.”

  “Awesome.” Logan backed away and gave Mike a call-me gesture then winked at Laura.

  “Here you guys go,” Blake said, returning with their drinks. “So, things settling down at the company again?”

  “Yeah,” Mike cracked open the lid on his water bottle. “I still need to find a replacement for Ted, but otherwise things are good. I’m thinking of going more for a group effort than a single person for second in command.”

  “That concept has worked for me,” Blake said, taking a swig of his soda. “If I think of anyone who might be a good fit for your team, I’ll send ’em your way.”

  “Thanks.”

  Another woman came up, stunningly beautiful and crisp looking, though slightly out of place in her business suit among all the jeans and sweatshirts. “Hey, sis.” She kissed Laura as well, then extended a hand to Mike. “Olivia Rockford. You can call me Liv. Everyone else does. And I knew you guys were perfect for each other.”

  Laura elbowed her hard in the side. “Liv, shut up. You didn’t know any such thing.”

  “Hey, it’s a gift. What can I say?” She grinned at Mike and leaned closer. “Welcome to the family.”

  “Uh, thanks.” Heat prickled up his neck from beneath this shirt collar. He’d actually gone to the jeweler just the day before to pick out a ring. Bigger than the one in those creepy flowers Ted had sent her. Much bigger. He hadn’t told anyone that yet. Not even Laura. It had only been two weeks since the murders had been solved and only a month since he’d met Laura for the first time. But he knew she was the one, and something told him he’d have to be on his toes around her siblings. “Glad to be here.”

  “Okay, guys.” Blake whistled loud to quiet the horde. “Dinner is served.”

  “I’ll introduce you to my parents once we’re seated.”

  “Okay.” He tugged her aside as the rest of her family filed into the dining room. “Hey, I love you, Princess.”

  “I love you too, baby.” She kissed him sweetly then pulled him toward the door. “Ready for the future?”

  Mike smiled, his chest bursting with true love and joy and hope for the first time in years. Laura had brought about that miraculous change, taking his life from bleak loneliness to pure happiness. And now that he’d found it, found her, he planned to show her just how much he treasured her gift. Every day, for the rest of h
is life, if she’d let him. “More than you’ll ever know, Princess. More than you’ll ever know.”

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  Can't get enough of the Rockfords? Check out the other books in the series:

  Deadly Betrayal (Book 1)

  Fatal Games (Book 2)

  Treacherous Seduction (Book 3)

  Calculating Desires (Book 4)

  About the Author

  Lee Anne Jones is the more romantic alter-ego of USA Today Bestselling Author Leighann Dobbs. As Jones, she writes heart thudding romantic suspense guaranteed to keep you up all night.

  She lives in the lakes region of New Hampshire with a fishing obsessed husband, a feisty but loyal chihuahua, and a cat that thinks she's the boss.

  You can find out more about her books at her website http://www.leeannejones.com and connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/leeannejonesauthor/

  Other Books By Lee Anne Jones

  Deadly Betrayal (Book 1 Rockford Security Series)

  Fatal Games (Book 2 Rockford Security Series)

  Treacherous Seduction (Book 3 Rockford Security Series)

  * * *

  This is a work of fiction.

  None of it is real. All names, places, and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real names, places, or events are purely coincidental, and should not be construed as being real.

  Fatal Games

  Copyright © 2016

  Lee Anne Jones

  All Rights Reserved.

  No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner, except as allowable under “fair use,” without the express written permission of the author.