My Paranormal Valentine: A Paranormal Romance Box Set

by Michelle M. Pillow

  With the car gone, he scooped up his things and called Ted Belkin.

  “It’s done. Send a car to the picnic area at Cascade Lake.”

  He tucked his cell phone in his pocket and made his way toward the tables in the distance. The loose ends were tied.

  Melanie Jacoby was next on his list.

  Nate stared at the lab results, frustration smoldering. They’d identified the liquid in the canister as concentrated sulfuric acid. The crazy guy in the mask had been planning to attack Mel with acid. He wanted her to suffer before he killed her.

  Nate shoved the printouts away. No fingerprints. No trace evidence. No leads.

  Except for the guy from the dock—Dan Barlow. “John, did you track down Barlow yet? We need a physical description of the guy who paid him.”

  His partner looked up from his paperwork. “He didn’t return my call. I’ll head over there tomorrow morning. Maybe we can catch him at work.” He paused, tapping his pen against the desk, and gave Nate a warning look. “There’s no evidence that the C-4 at the theater is connected with the attempted attack on Ms. Jacoby.”

  “There was a silver car at both place. It can’t be a coincidence. It’s all we’ve got right now.” He rubbed his forehead, avoiding eye contact. “Mel’s involved with the women renovating the theater, and her roommate was, too. It has to be connected. I haven’t found the thread yet, but I will.”

  John leaned back in his chair. “She’s under your skin.”

  Nate raised his gaze. “I’ve never met anyone like her before. She’s tough and tender all at once.” He shook his head slowly. “I like being around her.” He lowered his voice. “Scares the shit out of me.”

  John stared at him, and Nate waited for his flippant response. Instead, his partner started to smile. “You really do like this one.” He crossed his arms. “I didn’t think I’d ever see the day.”

  “Slow down.” Nate lifted his hand off the desk. “It’s not serious.”

  John chuckled. “Like hell it’s not.” He got up. “I know relationships have never been your thing, and I understand being careful, but one day you’ll turn around and find yourself retired and alone, and whatever demons kept you from trusting someone and loving them…” He sighed. “They win. Don’t let the demons win, Malone.”

  His partner headed for the door. “I’m going home. You should, too. We’ll meet at the dock at nine tomorrow. We can have a chat with Barlow at work.”

  “See you then.”

  Nate’s pulse was still elevated even after John had left. It wasn’t that Nate wanted to be alone, but caring about someone long term meant being vulnerable. He’d spent his entire life being strong—for himself, his mother, victims and their families—but locked away in the shadows of his heart, the fear that maybe his father was right always festered.

  Deep down, what if he was nothing?

  Enough.

  He stood, tossing his paperwork in the inbox on his desk and walked out. Without realizing it, he took his phone out and called Mel’s number. It rang a few times and went to voice mail.

  “Hey, Mel. I need to talk to you about the lab results from the container we found outside your classroom. Call me back.”

  He tucked his phone back in his pocket, but by the time he was inside the car, dread radiated through his shoulders, centralized on the damn birthmark. Was she in danger? His pulse hammered in his ears as he jammed the car in gear and headed over to Callie’s place.

  He resisted the urge to put the emergency light on top of his car. Barely.

  When he turned onto Lothlórien Lane to find Mel’s car parked at the curb, everything seemed quiet. But the second he got out, his shoulder began to throb. He closed the door as quietly as he could and drew his weapon. These instincts were new, but he was learning to trust them.

  He stepped under the cover of a tree. From the shadows, he scanned each vehicle parked on the street.

  All empty.

  He slid his gun back into his shoulder holster. Maybe paranoia was infecting him. He started to cross the street toward Callie’s house when tires screeched, followed by the sound of scraping metal. He spun around and barely jumped out of the path of a dirt bike. The headlight was off, and the bike skidded on its side on the pavement. The rider jumped free.

  “Watch where you’re going, man. I almost hit you.” The guy stalked past Nate to pick up the motorcycle.

  He was dressed head to toe in black, including his helmet. Nate pursued him, putting himself in front of the motorcycle. “This isn’t street legal without lights.”

  The headlight blazed to life, blinding him for a minute. Nate grabbed the handlebar, and a vision burst behind his eyelids. The guy on the dirt bike was on foot, casing the perimeter around Callie’s place. His helmet was still on, but the visor was up. He raised night-vision binoculars.

  And then it was gone. Nate blinked, tightening his grip on the bike. “You need to get off the motorcycle. Now.”

  From behind the visor, he said, “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “Detective Malone.” Nate used his free hand to yank his badge off his belt. He held it up. “Crystal City PD. Get off the bike. I won’t ask again.”

  The engine roared to life. The rider let out the throttle and forced Nate to jump out of the way or be run over.

  “Fuck.”

  Nate ran after him for a few paces, but the taillight faded into the darkness. He didn’t even get a partial plate number. Frustrated, he turned back. If he didn’t start connecting some of the dots in this case soon, he was going to lose his shit.

  He knocked on Callie’s door and waited. The door opened, and he looked down to see Mel’s friend smile.

  “Good to see you, Detective Malone.”

  “You can call me Nate.” He glanced over her—hard not to with their height difference. “Is Mel around?”

  She nodded and stepped back to let him pass. “She’s in the shower. Want to come in and wait for her?”

  “Thanks.” He came all the way inside and took a seat on the leather sofa in the living room.

  “Would you like something to drink?”

  He shook his head. “I’m fine, thanks. Did you notice anything strange tonight, noises or anything?”

  “No.” Callie frowned. “Why?”

  He stared at her, wondering how much Mel had told her about him. Did she know he was a Guardian with a bizarre gift? He kept his game face on. “Just curious. After seeing that guy outside Mel’s school last night, I’m a little punchy.”

  Callie sat down and crossed her ankles. “I’d be worried if you weren’t.” She smiled. “The gods picked a great Guardian.”

  He raised a brow. “Mel told you?”

  She nodded slowly. “Yeah. Since we lost Nia, we’ve been circling the wagons. Secrets sink ships.”

  “I thought it was loose lips.”

  “Is it?” Callie grinned, mischief in her dark eyes. “Either way, I think she’s really fond of you.”

  He shifted in his seat a little with the uncomfortable turn in the conversation. “Mel’s pretty amazing.”

  “You got that right.” She laced her fingers together, hooking her hands on her knee. “So why did you really ask about hearing anything?”

  “Nate?”

  He turned to find Mel coming down the hall wrapped in nothing but a towel. For a second, his brain disengaged, his body driving him to distraction.

  “Are you okay?” she asked, concern in her dark-brown eyes.

  He shook it off and struggled to focus. “No. We got the labs back and the stuff he had in the container was concentrated sulfuric acid. Sadly no fingerprints, and I still have no leads on the silver Honda Accord.”

  Mel frowned. “You think he was going to attack me with acid?”

  She came around and sat beside him. The urge to touch her skin was overwhelming. He ground his teeth together fighting to stay on topic.

  “It doesn’t fit, though. He made Nia’s murder look like an ac
cident. Acid would be far from accidental.”

  Callie cleared her throat. “Since psychology is my field, maybe I could offer some insight?”

  Nate glanced her way. “I’m short on leads. I’m willing to take all the help I can get.”

  “Mel mentioned you think he got our names from our LLC, right? What if he figured out which of the muses we represent?”

  The surreal strangeness of discussing muses and Guardians with someone other than Mel made it tough not to let nervous laughter interfere.

  “Why would knowing which muse you are make any difference?”

  “Well…” Her gaze darted between them, her expression intense and somber. “Nia was inspired by the Muse of Astronomy. He shoved her down the stairs and left her in darkness. She was all light all the time. What if he knew?”

  Mel leaned forward and somehow the towel stayed in place. “So if he knows the Muse of Tragic Poetry is inside me…”

  A cold chill ran up Nate’s spine. “Scarring your beauty with acid would be tragic.”

  Mel crossed her arms. “I don’t like where this is going.”

  Nate’s gaze locked on Callie. “I’m going to need a list of who’s who. Maybe I can get ahead of this guy.”

  Mel stood. “I’m going to get dressed.”

  Nate caught her hand before she could walk away. “There was a guy on a motorcycle outside. He was trying to ride off without his headlight. When I grabbed his handlebar I saw him walking the perimeter of this house with night-vision binoculars.”

  Mel frowned and glanced at Callie. “If he’s after me, I’m putting you at risk by staying here.”

  Callie crossed her arms. “I have an alarm. I’ll call the security company tonight and have them install a couple of cameras outside, too.”

  Mel sighed. “If you’re not worried, I’ll try not to be, but you know how my head works.”

  “Worst-case scenario.” Callie straightened.

  “Yeah, in my head, the man in black comes here for me and we all get murdered.” She shook her head with a sarcastic smile. “On that happy note, I better get dressed.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Mel walked away and disappeared into a room at the end of the hallway.

  Nate faced forward again, keeping his voice low. “I can probably get you both into a safe house until we catch this guy.”

  Callie squared her shoulders, chin raised in defiance. “This is my house. I’m not leaving.”

  Nate rolled his eyes. “Mel told me you’re the Muse of Epic Poetry, so I’m guessing your impulse is to charge into battles, but that’s how people end up dead.”

  “Many people are dead years before their hearts quit beating.” She raised a brow, her dark eyes pinning him to his seat. “Some things are worth rushing into.”

  He shook his head and stood. “Install the cameras. I’ll see about getting a black-and-white to stake out the house for a couple days.” He checked down the hall to be sure Mel wasn’t nearby. Satisfied, he turned back toward Callie. “I’m not letting someone hurt her on my watch.”

  “How are you going to accomplish that?” Callie almost smiled. “Are you moving in?”

  “Wait a minute,” Mel said from behind him. “What did I miss?”

  Nate frowned at Callie. Mel came up beside him, and he took her hand. “No, I’m not moving in, but you should stay with me for a while. And bring some extra clothes.”

  Mel nudged him. “Ease up, Detective. Stop telling me what to do and explain what’s going on.”

  “Look, you’re the one who said I was marked by the gods to be your Guardian.” He released her hand, hoping she didn’t notice the sweat beading on his palms. His world was tilting on its axis, his gut instinct screaming to back off and protect himself, and his heart insisting that he keep her safe. The conflict warred inside until he struggled to keep his voice even. “We talked about this. Let me do my job.”

  Callie stood. “I’m going to leave you two alone. If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen.”

  Once she left, Mel met his eyes. “You’re scaring me. Weren’t you the one needing time?”

  He nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know what else to do, Mel.”

  She tugged his hand. “Come with me.”

  He followed her to the back bedroom—her bedroom. Her college degree was framed and propped up on the dresser, a group photo of her with the other muses in front of the run-down theater, a picture of her with an older couple he assumed were her parents, and one last photo taken in her classroom. In it, Mel was dressed as Juliet with a blond-haired Romeo.

  Nate was taller, tougher, and definitely better looking than Romeo, not that he was comparing. Much.

  Mel sat on the edge of the bed. “The acid thing is freaking me out.”

  “Me, too.” He settled beside her. “And I’m sorry if I’m being pushy. If I had some solid leads, I’d be less worried about getting you out of here. We’re going to talk to the dockworker again tomorrow, and hopefully we can come up with a physical description of the guy who paid him off. But even that might fizzle out.”

  “Here’s the thing.” Her gaze locked on his. “I get that you want to keep me safe, and I appreciate it. I’ll admit I’m afraid.” She swallowed and took a slow breath, but her eyes never left his. “But if you’re thinking I should stay with you at your place just so you can keep an eye on me, I have to object.”

  Nate frowned, shaking his head. “I don’t understand.”

  “I know you don’t.” Her lips curved into a sad smile.

  What was he missing here?

  She took his hand, her fingers lacing with his. “I like you. A lot. And I’m okay with relationships. So if we’re in close quarters and I get used to waking up with you every day, I’m going to get attached. And while I’m thinking we might have a future, once you catch the bad guy, you’ll have your place back to yourself and I’ll be out of there.”

  Realization dawned on him. She was right. He would catch this guy, and when he did…what then? Indecision settled on his shoulders. But it wasn’t about Mel. Not at all.

  Strange.

  He brought her hand to his lips, barely managing a whisper. “There was a woman who came to the station to file a restraining order against her abusive husband.” He stared at their joined hands and forced the words out. “I was a new detective; thought I was bulletproof. She had a little girl hugging her leg with fear in her eyes, and I assured her that we’d keep her and her mom safe. That I would keep them safe.”

  He cleared his throat, forcing the emotions back into their box. “She and her daughter thanked me. I told her if he came anywhere near either one of them, to call and I’d be there.” He shook his head, pain searing his chest. “He found out about the restraining order and came unglued. She called 9-1-1, but the call didn’t get to me. There was an error in the transfer—maybe the operator couldn’t hear her clearly, I’ll never know for sure. The call went to the fire department.” He ground his teeth together. “By the time I got there…” He choked up, his voice gravelly with emotion. “I found the little girl lying in a pool of her mother’s blood, hugging her, and begging her to wake up.”

  Mel gripped his hand tighter, her lips brushing his temple. He lifted his head to meet her eyes. Her face was blurred from tears he had no intention of allowing to fall.

  “Her husband broke in and hit her twenty-five times in the head with a hammer.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I gave her my word she’d be safe.” He clenched his jaw. “I can’t go through that again. I won’t.”

  He looked up at the ceiling, struggling to rein in his emotions. “Your life is more important than any hang-ups I might have about relationships. We’ll both have to deal with it.”

  “What am I supposed to do here?” Mel wiped a tear from her cheek. “Sleeping over at your place just one night had you on edge and ready to run. Now you’re asking me to stay until you find this guy. It could be weeks, right?” She rested her hand on
his thigh, drawing his gaze to hers. “And what about you, Nate? You matter, too.”

  She was worried about him?

  Nate couldn’t find his footing. Had he ever mattered to anyone? He wasn’t sure how to respond. “I’m not going to lie, I’m probably no picnic to live with, but maybe if we don’t call it that…”

  Mel sniffled, her lips curved up in the corners. “I could just be hiding out.”

  “Yeah.” He nodded slowly. “I have a pullout couch, and I could sleep in the living room. You can have the bedroom.”

  “I’m sorry. No.” Mel put her hand on his chest, her eyes sparkling. “I have to draw the line there. I should at least get sex out of this deal or this really would be a tragedy.”

  He chuckled. Somehow he’d shared one of his darkest moments, his guilt and shame, and not only did he not sense any judgment from her, but she’d managed to make him smile.

  He leaned in to kiss her, murmuring against her lips, “I had good intentions, but there’s no way I’d be able to keep my hands off you.”

  She stole one more slow kiss and met his eyes. “So I’m hiding out with my Guardian.”

  “And I’m protecting my muse.”

  Mel grinned. “I’ll get my things.”

  Bryce put the kickstand down on his bike and walked up to the Belkin Oil building. The guard at the gate was gone, and the backdoor was open, just as he’d been told. He jogged up the flight of stairs and caught the elevator on the second floor, avoiding security at the front lobby.

  The elevator door closed, encasing him in silent peace. His heart rate had finally calmed to a regular rhythm. He’d never had a run-in with the police before. The rush of adrenaline and fear made him feel more alive.

  He stepped out on the top floor. The light was on at the end of the hall.

  Ted Belkin looked up from his desk as he approached. “Bryce… Right on schedule.” He gestured to a chair. “Please, take a seat.”

  He did as he was told. That was part of the reason he’d caught Belkin’s eye for a spot on this secret project. Apparently his Enforcer was getting out of line. Bryce was more than ready to step in.