Deadly Vision (25 page)

“Gil?”

Gil nodded. “Hello, Jane. Nice to see you.”

Jane snorted and crossed her arms. “I wish I could say the same.” She turned to Fallon. “Want to tell me what
he’s
doing here?”

Fallon’s face paled further and her lips pulled tight. She looked from him back to Jane. “It’s a long story I’d rather not discuss right now.” She shrugged and turned away. “Just ignore him. That’s what I intend to do.” She walked inside, turning back to him as she toed off her shoes, “Remember what you promised. Behave.”

Gil didn’t have time to answer before she’d turned and all but sprinted down the short hall and around the corner. He sighed and looked over at Jane, wondering if she was going to let him through the door.

Jane looked him over, shaking her head. “You know. . .when you and Fallon were together, she was a force to be reckoned with. Now…” She sighed and looked down the hall where Fallon had disappeared. “Just do her a favour?” She gave Gil a stern look. “Finish up your…business…and leave her the hell alone. She hasn’t picked up all the pieces from the last time you left. So don’t fuck with her heart. She deserves to be happy.” Jane turned and walked down the hall. “I doubt you can give her what she really needs,” she tossed back over her shoulder.

“Great! I’m doing great, Jane. Thanks for asking,” he mumbled, stepping inside as he pulled the door shut. Damn, was everyone pissed at him? Hell, all he’d done was show up with Fallon, and Jane seemed ready to persecute him. As far as he remembered, she used to like him!

Gil cursed and followed the women down the hall, stopping at the corner. Jane’s house opened up into a grand living room, with a dining room and kitchen off to the left. It was the perfect house for entertaining, as one space flowed into the next with only the occasional half wall to separate each room.

Fallon had made her way over to the fireplace by a large expanse of windows near the far wall. She was talking to Brad, her back towards him. The man laughed at something she said and drew her close for a hug that rivalled Jane’s. He was still smiling when he looked over her shoulder. Gil watched the man’s demeanour change, his brows forming a distorted vee across his forehead. He leaned into Fallon’s shoulder and whispered something. Fallon’s body stiffened and her shoulders pulled up slightly as she shook her head, mumbled something, and looked away. Brad gave her a sympathetic smile, patting her shoulder as he made his way over to where Gil was standing.

“Gil.” He extended his hand. “Long time no see.”

Gil shook the man’s hand, his eyes still locked on Fallon’s silhouette. “According to your wife, not long enough.”

Brad chuckled and slapped Gil on the back in some age-old symbol of manhood. “I wouldn’t take Jane too seriously. It’s her
woman’s time
,” he waggled his eyebrows. “She gets pretty touchy, especially where her girlfriend’s are concerned.” Brad followed Gil’s gaze over to Fallon. She was talking quietly to two women by the door leading out to the back deck. “And Fallon seems to be her personal mission right now.”

“So if Fallon’s not happy, Jane isn’t either?”

“Something like that.” Brad took a swig of his beer, fingering the label with one hand as he spoke. “I think she was hoping Fallon might get out more. Give her something to do besides riding her damn bike.” Brad snorted his disapproval. “She’s insane, you know. I watched her compete in a cross-country race a couple of months ago. The stuff she does is crazy. And I don’t scare easily.”

Gil laughed and smiled with a sense of pride that caught him slightly off guard. It’d been a long time since he’d appreciated another person’s accomplishments. “Fallon’s always been good at what she does.”

Brad nodded and turned towards him. “So does this mean you two are back together?”

Gil raised an eyebrow as he skirted his gaze over at Brad. “What did Fallon say when you asked her?” he countered.

Brad smiled. “She said you were working on a case together, plain and simple.”

“It’s plain, all right, but far from simple.” He held the man’s stare. “Let’s just say the jury’s still out.”

Brad sighed and stepped over so he was facing Gil. “If I were you, I wouldn’t let Jane hear you say that. As a matter of fact, I’d avoid her all together. She kinda had some things arranged for Fallon today. And I dare say you’re a huge clog in her works.”

“You mean she’d set Fallon up with one of your friends from the station, and she’s afraid I’ll get all territorial on her.”

“Won’t you?” asked Brad with a raise of his eyebrows. “Or are you staring at Fallon because you’re fond of the colour red?”

Gil pried his eyes off Fallon and locked them on Brad’s. “As long as your pretty boy doesn’t try to touch her, everything will be just fine.”

Brad chuckled again and took two steps away. “Glad to see nothing’s changed with you, Gil. Help yourself to a beer in the fridge if you want. There’s soda too, if you’re still on the clock.”

“Thanks. A beer sounds good right about now.”

Gil moved sideways, keeping Fallon in his peripheral vision. He didn’t want everyone to catch him staring at her, but be damned if he was going to let her out of his sight, even for a moment. Something about the thought of her being “set up” with another guy burned a hole in his stomach. Not that he had any right to be possessive. He’d walked out—or rather ran—as she’d so eloquently reminded him several times over the past two days, and had thus, given up the right to stake his claim. She was free to see anyone she pleased.

As long as it’s you!

He smiled at the thought, reminding himself how she’d assured him she hadn’t allowed another man to touch her while they’d been apart. How no other cock had played in her pussy. And whether she wanted to believe it or not, she was still his. At least her body was. He wasn’t convinced about her mind. She seemed to swing between wanting him close and pushing him away.

Gil cursed as he opened the fridge and pulled out a draft. He didn’t intend to drink much, but he needed something to cool the raw nerves scratching at the surface of his flesh. He was too wired, and if he didn’t get a hold of his feelings soon, he’d do exactly what he’d promised her he wouldn’t…cause a scene.

“So. What dragged you out from underneath your rock?”

Gil cringed at the sarcastic tone wavering behind him and half considered making a run for the patio doors, before reigning in his control and turning around. Jane was standing a few feet away, arms crossed, toe tapping the tile floor. Her face was slightly reddened, the colour fading into a dull pink as it crested her chest. Her lips were pulled into a distinct scowl and he could see the quick flutter of her pulse just below her neck.

She was pissed.

Gil raised one hand and took a step back. The last thing he wanted was to get into an argument with the hostess. “Easy, Jane. I promised Fallon I wouldn’t make a scene, and I intend to hold true to that.”

“Oh. So now your word is supposed to mean something?” She kept her voice hushed, but there was no missing the anger in it. Gil tensed as she moved forward, quickly closing the distance. “Do you have any idea what you did to her? How badly you hurt her?” She snorted and threw her hands up, bringing them back down on her hips. “You have some nerve stepping back into her life when she was just starting to move forward.”

Gil forced himself to swallow past the lump lodged in his throat. Somehow hearing Jane say what he already knew hurt more than just saying it to himself. “I didn’t step back into her life. You know damn well I’m on assignment. And for the record, I never meant to hurt her.” He looked down at his feet, not able to meet Jane’s eyes. “I just couldn’t be around anyone for a while.”

Jane tilted her head and snorted in that female way that made grown men flinch. “Save the sob story for someone who cares. You weren’t the only one who lost someone that day. Fallon lost Charlie and you. Now she’s going to have to go through all that again.” Jane looked away, but not before Gil saw the hint of tears in her eyes. “She’s still pining for you. Refusing to go out on dates. Holing herself up in that tidy little house, talking to the ghosts still haunting the halls. Hell, if she didn’t go out on her damn bike, she’d never leave!”

Jane stopped and pulled herself back together. “Despite what she wants everyone to believe, she’s fragile. And this whole serial killer thing proves it. She actually passed out at work, Gil.” Jane shook her head. “The next thing you know, she’ll be seeing things. I’m worried about her, and so should you.” She took a deep breath and turned away. “Why don’t you do everyone a favour and finish this. Let Fallon find someone who isn’t
afraid
to love her…before she’s too afraid to even love herself.”

“Did you ever stop to think that maybe I’m that someone?” he said, feeling the truth of the statement sink into his soul.

Jane looked back at him over her shoulder, her eyes sad, unyielding. “Yeah, I thought it. I just don’t believe it.”

* * * *

Fallon stood by the window, watching the first drops of rain darken the pavement. She’d been ambling around the party for twenty minutes, but hadn’t found the motivation to seek out the guy Jane had arranged for her to meet. It didn’t help that Gil had shadowed her every move, staying just far enough away no one would notice he was stalking her.

Great. It isn’t enough there’s a serial killer who’s obsessed with talking to me. Now I have to deal with a man who doesn’t love me, but who doesn’t want anyone else to either.

She sighed and turned around when she nearly collided with Jane. “Sorry, Jane. I didn’t see…”

She stopped, her voice fading into a muted gasp. Attached to Jane’s arm was a man who could only be described as beautiful. He had short blonde hair brushed back from his face, and crystal blue eyes that rivalled the sea for their brilliance. His skin was smooth and tanned, accentuating the strong lean muscles poking out from beneath his tee. They rippled as shifted his feet and eased his hand away from Jane’s arm.

Jane grinned and Fallon felt the heat flush her face. She smiled awkwardly, wishing a hole would just open up and swallow her.

“Fallon. I’d like you to meet Jackson Brady.” Jane motioned to the male god still standing beside her. “Jackson, this is Fallon Kinkade. The lady I’ve told you so much about.”

Fallon nodded and extended her hand. Jackson smiled back, delicately taking her hand in his. Her breath hissed out through her teeth as he slowly raised it to his mouth, giving the back a soft kiss as he smiled up at her.

“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

“Now, Jackson, you’re not in Memphis anymore. There’s no need to be so formal,” teased Jane, pushing Jackson over until his shoulders brushed against Fallon’s chest. “Fallon’s a simple girl, aren’t you?”

Fallon coughed and drew her hand back. Jane was making her out to be some kind of country bumpkin. “Fallon’s fine,” she replied, glad her voice sounded stronger than she felt.

“Fallon it is,” he said, with a deep voice that flowed out like thick maple syrup. “But from what I’ve heard,
simple
is the last word I’d use to describe you.”

Fallon laughed and turned her attention towards Jane. “Well, if Jane’s been your source, then you should be using words like stubborn or obsessive.”

Jane rolled her eyes and stepped back. “Don’t worry, girlfriend, he already knows all about your little quirks. Funny thing is...he’s a lot like you.” She gave Jackson a light pat on his massive shoulders. “I’ll leave now, and let you two duke it out over which one of you can ride the farthest through the mud.”

Fallon watched Jane go, a satisfied smile tilting her lips. It was more than obvious Jane was pleased with her reaction, and Fallon was half surprised her friend wasn’t whistling the wedding march as she wove her way back to the kitchen.

“Now why does Jane think we’d argue over that?” asked Jackson, poking her in the ribs lightly. “It’s all too obvious.”

Fallon looked at him, smiling at the hint of humour in his eyes. “Is it now?” she countered.

“Hey, they don’t call me
The King
, for nothing.”

“Well, I guess it all depends on your idea of riding,
King
.”

Jackson
flashed her a stunning smile that made her knees quiver. God, he was good looking. “You know, Ms. Kinkade. That almost sounds like a challenge. Perhaps we should settle this dispute with a good old fashioned mud wrestling contest.”

“Don’t you mean riding contest?”

Jackson
flicked his eyebrows and smiled. “Oh, did I say wrestling? Sorry. I was just thinking about you, covered in mud, and got a bit carried away.” His smile widened when she laughed. “Seriously, judging by that bandage you’re trying to hide with your stockings, I’d say you’re the winner by a landslide.” He edged closer. “Took a spill, did we?”

“I took a few of them today,” she answered, wondering when it had suddenly gotten so hot in the room. “I’m afraid I wasn’t in the groove today.”

“It looks pretty extensive. Maybe I should take a look at it? I am a trained medic, you know.”

“Thanks, but I’ve cleaned enough of these things to know that time and tape cures most ills in this world.”

“So they do,” joked Jackson. “But if you change your mind, I promise I’ll be gentle.”

Fallon smiled, but felt her face flush again. Was he being sincere or was he implying something else? A sexual something else that made the butterflies in her stomach take flight. But not in a good way. It felt more like fear than excitement. Sure, he was gorgeous and the slight southern drawl in his voice made her toes tingle. But compared to Gil…