Centerfold (21 page)

“Don’t move until I give you permission, slut.” The woman laughed, the sound followed by a low thud and a whimper. “Whores like you belong on the floor.”

Scarlet stopped, motioning him and Aiden to spread out. Roman moved off to the right, attention fixed on the woman squatting near a dark mound on the floor. Her head was cocked to one side, a large blade in her hand. A camera sat on a tripod several feet away, another dark form posed behind it.

“Candi?” Scarlet’s voice rang through the room.

The woman spun around, lunging for the floor, drawing the other body in front of her. Mary’s wide eyes gleamed in the darkness, her head yanked off to one side as Candi held the knife to her throat.

“Easy, Candi, I’m just here to talk.”

“You!” Candi practically spat the word out. “I knew it was you. All this time, I told myself you just didn’t fit in. You were just too damn perfect!”

“Then if it’s me you want, why not let Mary go? I’m here now. You can have Nick take my picture instead of hers. Wouldn’t that make more sense?”

“No, no, no, it’s all wrong. All wrong!” She rocked back and forth a bit, shaking her head. “I told him I couldn’t do it like this. It has to be right!”

“I understand. You need to do things in order.” Scarlet edged a bit closer. “I’m sure we can get Amber to come down here—let you take her picture first. Just let Mary go, and I can make this right.”

“No!” The word reverberated off the walls. “You made it all wrong! You took him from me!”

“Everett?”

“He was mine and you took him from me!” She pointed to the camera. “Smile pretty,” she mocked.

Scarlet tilted her head. “Nick? Why don’t you come out here and help Candi make this right? You can take my picture if you want—”

Scarlet’s voice cut off as the camera snapped a shot, the sudden glare of the flash obviously blinding her. Footsteps padded across the floor then Scarlet was down, the muffled sound of scuffling making Roman’s flesh prickle. He darted ahead, but Aiden beat him to the couple. He pounced on Nick, yanking him off their girl before dragging him into the shadows.

Roman kept his gun aimed on Candi as she rose, Mary still snugged against her, shielding her. The knife sliced across the captive woman’s skin, leaving a thin red line in its wake. Mary screamed, the noise muffled by duct tape across her mouth.

He matched Candi’s movement, hoping to diffuse the situation long enough to get off a shot. “Easy, Candi, it’s Roman. You remember me, don’t you?”

“Stay back! I swear I’ll kill her. Gut her like the pig she is, right in front of you.”

“We both know you don’t want to do that. She’s not the right target, and killing her out of sequence will eat at you. You need Ms. July, don’t you?”

Candi shook her head, the erratic motion clearly showing her growing unease. The woman was quickly devolving—overcoming her need to carry out her original plan—and if they didn’t act now, she’d kill Mary before he could get a clear shot.

Candi waved the knife at him, scratching Mary’s skin again. “I’ll kill her. She ruined everything! Everett was mine! He was going to make me a star. But then she took him. Do you know what I had to do just to stay alive? What I let men do to me for money? No, she has to pay.”

Roman cursed inwardly as her words sparked an idea. He shifted his gaze sideways. Aiden already had Nick face down and cuffed, Scarlet at his side, both their weapons leveled toward Candi. Scarlet glanced quickly at him, nodding toward the woman.

“But it wasn’t Mary who ruined things, was it?” Roman eased ahead slightly. “It was Scarlet. She’s the one who took Everett from you. Who made you do those things. Who took away your drugs. I can give her to you. She’s the one you really want.”

Candi’s movements faltered before she shook her head again. “You wouldn’t do that. She’s yours.”

“She betrayed me, too. She wanted to be with him. Let him touch her. Watch us. You’re right. She should pay.”

He twisted slightly, aiming his gun at the corner, not that it mattered. To Candi, it would appear to be in Scarlet’s direction. “You heard her, Scarlet. You need to pay for what you did.”

Scarlet shuffled over, holding up both hands as she slipped into his arms, mirroring the hold Candi had on Mary.

“See?” Roman edged closer. “I have who should pay. Killing Mary isn’t going to bring you any peace. You need to end this. December’s the last month. It makes sense to skip ahead to who’s really responsible. The final month in the calendar.”

The woman stared at them, alternating her gaze between the side of Mary’s head and Scarlet. Roman could see Candi’s indecision. The way her body seemed to twitch uncontrollably. Her brain was trying to compensate—somehow make the deal he’d offered her fit into her delusional plan.

She screamed, still shaking her head. “It’s not right!”

“No. But it makes sense. Scarlet’s the one you need. The one you should kill. You know you can’t kill all of them. Not now. So who do you want to finish this with? Ms. September?” He scoffed. “She’s nothing. Nobody. But Scarlet—she’s Ms. December. The least you can do is finish off the year. She’s right here.”

Candi cocked her head. “You’ll give her to me?”

“Of course. She betrayed both of us. All you have to do is shove Ms. September aside, and I’ll give Scarlet to you. And I’ll take the pictures.”

She lowered her arm slightly, the knife pointing away when her eyes widened.

Roman reacted, releasing Scarlet as she dove at Candi, grabbing the woman’s arm and reefing the knife away from Mary. He followed, shoving Mary aside then tackling the other woman to the ground. He grabbed her arm, knocking it against the floor until the knife clattered out of her hand.

Aiden appeared off to his right as he retrieved the knife, offering Roman a set of zip straps. Roman helped flip the screaming woman over, securing her hands behind her back.

“No. She’s mine! I have to kill her. She’s a whore. They’re all whores!”

Her voice echoed through the space, the words becoming incoherent ranting. Aiden heaved her upright, spinning when beams of light filled the room. Roman glanced over his shoulder, smiling as additional agents filed into the room. They grabbed Nick off the floor where Aiden had left him then moved over to them, hauling Candi off, her voice still screaming out Scarlet’s name. One of them wrapped Mary in a blanket, leading her away as more light filled the area.

Aiden kneeled beside them. “I’m afraid Mary’s partner didn’t fare as well. Nor Candi’s. Looks like Nick might have killed both men solo this time. His body’s over in the corner.”

Scarlet sighed. “We were too late.”

Roman cupped her chin, drawing her in for a quick kiss before shoving to his feet, taking her with him. She moved willingly into his embrace, her heart beating with his, nestling her head against his chest.

He gave her a squeeze, resting his chin on top of her head. “We saved Mary. That’s something. And the rest of the models.” He tilted his head over to look at her. “I wasn’t sure you were going to like my idea.”

“You mean the one where you offered to hand me over to her?” She snorted. “I’m thankful you never actually pointed your gun at me. That would have been grounds for a thorough ass-kicking.”

“You could sure as hell try, darling.”

“I have Aiden on my side. I don’t have to try.”

Roman eased back. “He’s my lover, too. What makes you think he’ll side with you?”

“Because I’m way cuter than you. And he wants my ass.”

“He’s not the only one.”

Roman looked up when one of the agents walked over, muttering about someone wanting to see them then waving at the doorway. He eased Scarlet away, taking her hand in his as he walked toward the entrance, Aiden behind him. They ducked under the yellow tape one of the other agents had strung then headed for the older man standing in the lounge.

Glade extended his hand. “Congratulations. I see you caught Ms. November and her accomplice. I suppose this means I can rest easy, knowing the remaining models are what they appear to be?”

“No promises there. Women are seldom that simplistic.” Roman shook the man’s hand. “Thanks for acting when you did, or this would have turned out as another bloody crime scene. Who knows if she would have even stuck around? We could have spent the next few months tracking her down, one dead body after another. And she would have kept killing. Of that, I have no doubts.”

Scarlet punched him in the shoulder. “Don’t be so nice. I’m still pissed he knew and never let on.”

Glade smiled. “Something tells me that maybe what you’re really upset about is that you’ve discovered you’re quite an exhibitionist at heart.”

She snorted. “Not exactly what’s running through my head, but…”

“Well, if you ever change your mind, give me a call. I assume the Feds will abscond with this round of pictures, as well. But if you ever decide police work isn’t for you…”

A brilliant smile lifted her mouth. “Are you offering me a job as a model?”

“I’d be a fool not to. And I stand by my original decision. You make a beautiful Christmas angel.” He stepped back. “Feel free to stay as long as you’d like—minus the pressure to join in any of the ‘reindeer games’. The room is yours.”

Scarlet rolled her eyes as Glade headed toward Mary. “Can you believe that?”

Aiden shrugged. “You do make a sexy angel, baby.”

“I meant the part where he thinks a bit of flattery is going to gain him forgiveness…”

Aiden wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I think that man is smarter than we ever gave him credit.” His expression sobered. “How’s your head? Fuck, when Nick grabbed you…”

“That damn camera flash was like a flash bang going off. Couldn’t see a damn thing. But you were on him.”

“Not until he’d tackled you to the floor. And I’m betting he knocked your head again.”

“I’m fine, Aiden. Let’s just concentrate on being happy this case is over.”

“I don’t know, baby. I think Glade was on to something. I think you like being on center stage.”

She whacked him in the chest. “In the center maybe. But not on stage.” She tugged Aiden’s hand. “Can we just go, now? I really would like to get some sleep.”

“You want to stay here or head home?”

She glanced at Roman, indecision creasing her brow.

He stepped forward, taking her other hand. “Darling? Everything okay?”

“Fine. I was just thinking…”

“What?”

“That I like the sound of that. Home.”

“Us, too. So which is it going to be?”

“If you two are up for the drive… Let’s go home. I’d like to wake up with you two in our own bed.”

“Deal. Just be forewarned. You’d best get some rest because Aiden and I have plans. We still haven’t been together the way we’ve dreamed about, and as soon as we’re sure you’re not seeing double, you’ll be feeling it.”

Chapter Thirteen

Scarlet hummed, blinking her eyes open, squinting in an effort to bring the room into focus. Dull light streamed in from the window, the long shadows on the floor suggesting she’d slept late. All afternoon if her guess was right.

She sat up, palming her head as the bed seemed to flip-flop. She vaguely remembered Aiden carrying her in from the truck and being sandwiched between the two men all night. Roman had woken her more than a few times to ask a few questions, then kissed her asleep again. And she’d apparently slept the day away.

“I know that look, buddy. Our girl is plotting.”

She shifted her gaze at the sound of Roman’s voice, smiling at the two men standing in the doorway. Chests bare, jeans slung low, they could have been models from any men’s magazine. And they were
hers
.

They sauntered over, each going to a different side of the bed. She watched them move, muscles contracting, flesh rippling. They were beyond handsome. But it was what hid beneath their skin that touched her heart the most. Their trust, their obvious pride.

Roman sat on the edge of the bed, dipping the mattress slightly. He traced his finger along her cheek, skimming it over the bandage on her forehead. “How do you feel?”

“I’m fi…” She sighed.

Roman had trusted her enough to use her as bait. He and Aiden deserved more than just token answers.

“My head hurts. The room still looks like a damn tilt-a-whirl.”

Roman raised an eyebrow. “Honesty? How refreshing.”

She swatted at his chest, resisting the moan that bubbled in hers as her hand connected with hard, warm flesh. “Bastard.”

“So you keep saying.” He snagged her fingers before she could pull them back, holding it against him. “I’m just surprised. I’d expected you to lie.” He raised his other hand in apology. “Sorry…downplay.”

“I just figured after your show of faith yesterday, you both deserved more.”

He clenched his jaw. “If you’re referring to being part of the ploy, I’m still not happy with my decision. Thankfully, it all worked out.”

“I’m not fragile. Still a homicide detective. You boys are still G-men. We have to trust the others to make good choices out in the field. And whether you boys like it or not, you’re not my keeper.”

“Aiden’s not the issue. You’re the one who seems to think you’re bulletproof, despite evidence to the contrary. And we
are
your keepers. We told you we love you. That grants us certain rights.”

“Then it follows that I have the same rights.”

He smiled in a way that make her want to fuck him and punch him at the same time. “Afraid it doesn’t quite work that way, darling, but if you need to believe it does…”

“Sounds like I might need to give you an ass kicking, after all. To prove my place in the pack.”

“Oh, we have plans for your ass, but it has nothing to do with kicking. As a matter of fact…” He nodded at Aiden, smiling when he slipped in behind her, dragging her against his chest. “If you feel up to it, I think it’s time we showed you just how much we love you. What your life means to us.”

“But…” Her gaze met Roman’s.

Despite the playful bantering, he looked scared and, for the first time, she saw the case through their eyes. How she would have felt if someone had been stalking them instead of her. If their fate had become a carved up photo in a file on a desk. And just thinking about it made her stomach heave.