Justice (9 page)

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Bring it on,” he said, and grinned. Before he could say anything further, the central heating kicked on and Macey’s door opened seemingly on its own.

She squeaked and tried to push away from him.

He gave her a gentle squeeze. “It’s okay, Mase. No one’s here. The door’s broken.”

“Um, why is the door broken?” she asked, and stood to investigate.

“You locked it.”

“I know I locked it, Dallas. I lock it every night. What I want to know is why it’s broken.”

He shrugged. “I had to kick it in.”

Macey sat back on the edge of the mattress and dropped her face in her hands. “Our landlord’s gonna kill us.”

“No he won’t. I’ll fix it before anyone even sees it.” He lifted her chin. “Now, go get dressed and I’ll make breakfast.”

She perked up. “Waffles?”

“Best waffles ever?”

“Hands
down
, best waffles ever,” she said.

He chuckled. “If you’d like my world-famous waffles, I’ll make my world-famous waffles.”

“I’d like your world-famous waffles… please.”

“You got it.” He smiled and leaned forward so they were face-to-face. “I love you.”

Macey studied him for a few seconds and then smiled. “I love you too.”

“I’m gonna kiss you now.”

She licked her lips. “Okay.”

He touched his mouth to hers and gave her the sweetest kiss she’d had in a very long time.

“Best kisser ever,” she whispered.

“Back atya.” He stroked her cheek and broke their connection, smiling. “Missed that, baby.”

Macey nodded. “Me too.”

“Good start.”

“Very good start.”

He grinned. “Meet you in the kitchen.”

Macey watched him walk out and then headed to the bathroom, her fingers on her lips. She didn’t think she’d ever have this feeling again. She felt light-headed and gooey, and, dare she say, a little horny. With one kiss, Dallas had erased a little bit of the panic and fear, and with just a few words, made her feel cherished and not so broken. She grinned as she cleaned her teeth and brushed her hair.

Arriving in the main room, she found Payton sitting at the kitchen island, her hands wrapped around one of their largest coffee mugs while she stared out at the water. She caught sight of Macey and let out an excited squeak, setting her mug down and jumping off the stool.

“You’re back together!” she exclaimed, and pulled her in for a hug.

Macey raised an eyebrow at Dallas manning the waffle iron and he grinned with a nod. “She beat it out of me.”

“
Right
,” Macey said. "What time did you get in?"

"Two," Payton said, and dragged her to the island. “Now, spill. I want details.”

“Coffee,” Macey said.

“I’ll get it,” Dallas offered, and grabbed her a mug.

“
So
,” Payton pressed.

“I don’t really know what to tell you,” Macey admitted as she sat on the stool next to Payton.

“We had a come to Jesus meeting,” Dallas said. “We’ve wasted too much time trying to give each other space, so we’re gonna work on sorting our shit out together.”

Macey rolled her eyes. “Sure, let’s go with that.”

“Halle-frickin’-lujah,” Payton said. “Have you told my brother?”

“Babe, it
just
happened,” Dallas said, in mock exasperation.

Payton giggled. “Right.”

Dallas set waffles in front of them and then pulled heated syrup from the microwave.

“Thanks,” they said in unison.

The doorbell rang and Payton grinned. “Speak of the devil,” she said as she jumped up to answer the door. “That’ll be Brock.”

Macey sipped her coffee and smiled at Dallas. He smiled back and then poured batter onto the iron. Macey turned when she heard Brock’s voice, standing as he and Bailey walked inside.

“Got room for a couple of free-loaders?” Brock asked.

Bailey giggled and closed the distance between her and Macey to give her a hug. “Hi.”

“Good morning,” Macey said.

Brock and Bailey were newlyweds and it showed. They were rarely out of each other’s sight. Bailey was blonde with porcelain skin so fair, she should model. She was petite with curves, and next to Brock’s height and lean, muscular build, they were a stunning couple.

“Tell them, tell them,” Payton said, clapping her hands.

“Tell us what?” Brock asked as he smiled at Macey instead of hugging her. He headed to the kitchen to grab coffee and slap Dallas on the shoulder.

“They’re back together,” Payton squealed.

“Come again?” Brock said.

“They’re gonna work their shit out together,” Payton repeated. “Isn’t that awesome?”

Bailey nodded. “Ah, yeah. That’s awesome.”

Macey glanced at Brock, noticed his careful perusal of her, and smiled.

“You good, Mase?” he asked.

“I’m good, Brockaby.”

“Okay then,” he said, and handed Bailey a cup of coffee. “I want two waffles. Bailey, sweetheart, how many do you want? Four?”

Bailey giggled. “One will be more than enough, thank you.”

“We have berries in the freezer,” Macey said, and stood.

“Sit your butt down, babe,” Dallas said. “Brock and I’ll take care of it.”

“How’d I get roped into this?” Brock asked.

“You showed up expecting to be fed.

Brock laughed. “Fair enough.”

“Let’s move to the table, huh?” Macey suggested, and slid from her stool at the island to their larger dining table.

* * *

In the kitchen, Dallas glanced at Brock. “What?”

“Macey’s good?” Brock asked.

“She’s perfect,” Dallas said. “I’m the dick who waited too long.”

Brock shook his head. “You were trying to give her space.”

Dallas grunted his response.

Brock chuckled.

“So, you’re here early,” Dallas said. “You got something?”

“Yeah,” Brock said. “He’s back.”

“Highland guy?”

Brock nodded.

“Damn it.” Dallas turned to look at Macey, smiled when she caught his eye, and then focused back on the waffles. “When?”

“Two nights ago. Seattle.”

“Wait.” Dallas frowned. “He disappeared after Vancouver… has he really not hit anywhere else in two years?”

Brock rubbed his forehead. “Honestly, brother? I think the Vancouver hit two years ago was a copycat.”

“Why do you think that?”

“We got DNA.”

“Shit,” Dallas said.

“Yeah. The Highland guy leaves nothing.”

“Except the hickey.”

“Yeah, the hickey, but he cleans it off with bleach,” he whispered. “Sicko.”

“Definitely.”

“But no one knows that part of the crime. It’s sealed. Not even local cops are privy to it. Only the higher ups,” Brock said. “And this new rape has the hickey, no DNA, and the way he knotted the victim’s hands together was left-handed.”

“Yeah, not the same as two years ago.”

“No.” Brock sipped his coffee.

“Where’s he been?”

“No clue,” Brock said. “He just disappeared off the radar for a time.”

“What does Matt say?” Dallas asked.

Matthew Quinn was the FBI assistant director, boss to a team of eight, including Brock and Dallas, and he also happened to be Jaxon’s brother.

“That we need to be ready.” Brock shook his head. “No reports down this way yet, but he hit Seattle and then Olympia, so local PD and field offices are on alert.”

“Fucking bastard.” Dallas scowled. “I hate to say this, but it would have been easier if it had been him. At least I’d know he was dead.”

Brock frowned. “I know what you mean. Bailey’s not too happy with me right now. I won’t let her go anywhere alone.”

“You’ve never really let her go anywhere alone,” Dallas pointed out.

“True.” Brock sighed. “I think the girls should take that course Portland’s offering.”

“The self-defense one?”

“Yeah.”

Dallas nodded. “It’s not a bad idea. Mase took one right after her attack, but it might be a good idea for her to brush up.”

“I’ll talk to them,” Brock said.

“Good luck.”

“Oh, you’re gonna help.”

Dallas grinned. “Am I?”

“What are you two conspiring about?” Payton called.

“I’m going in,” Brock said, and left the kitchen.

“What
are
you two conspiring about?” Bailey asked, and raised her head for a kiss.

Brock smiled, kissing her quickly before sitting beside her. “Portland’s offering self-defense classes starting next week and Dallas and I are teaching a couple of them.”

“Ah, hold up there, brother,” Dallas said as he set waffles on the table. “You didn’t mention that.”

“I didn’t? Weird.” Brock grinned. “Ah, Dal, Matt nominated us to teach a couple self-defense classes starting next week. Jaxon got roped in too.”

“Sneaky bastard.”

“Anyway, we want you three to take them. They’re looking for feedback on whether or not women think the classes are beneficial.”

Dallas watched Macey closely. She seemed okay. Her posture didn’t change, her breathing stayed steady, but he couldn’t see her eyes since she was staring at her plate. He laid a hand on her shoulder. “Mase, babe? What do you think?”

She raised her head and smiled. “Will I get to beat you up?”

“I can make that happen if it’s a requirement,” Brock promised.

“I’m in then,” she said, and giggled.

Dallas laughed and leaned down to kiss her. “Better make it count, baby.”

She stroked his cheek. “You can bet on it.”

Dallas sat beside her and settled his arm behind her chair, running his fingers through her tresses as she forked a waffle onto each of their plates. He couldn’t wipe the perma-grin from his face as the life-long friends sat around the dining room table and shot the breeze while enjoying breakfast. It had been a long time coming. Too long.