Pledging to Die (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 11) (33 page)

He swallowed.

Yes, this was definitely his own personal heaven.

Hesitant Johanna was gone, and in her place was playful Joey. This was freaking amazing.

“Hell yes, to that,” he stated, grabbing his boxers. “Now go,” he said, patting her on the jean clad ass. “And don’t fall!”

She winked at him as she climbed out and onto the ledge toward the trellis. “You’re bossy. Oddly, that turns me on.”

With that, he watched her climb down to safety. When she disappeared around the corner, he dressed as fast as possible. He didn't want her wandering the campus alone, even during the day.

Then again, the five creeps were downstairs waiting for judgment day.

She should be safe.

Right?

       
         
* * *
  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

It was time.

After pulling up to the fraternal den of iniquity, Elizabeth was ready to take control of the situation. All of this was weighing on her shoulders, and setting off her gut instinct.

She needed to get more information, and hopefully this interview would do it.

When she knocked on the door, Nels was the one who opened it for them, and he stood there like a sentinel at the gate.

If that was supposed to intimidate her, they were way off target. Callen immediately stepped up, staring the man down, until he wavered and escorted them in.

They were Feds, and they did badass in their sleep. This man-child had nothing on them. She had a brute in her back pocket too.

“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to meet with us,” she stated, feigning fake politeness. Honestly, she didn't give a rat’s ass if they wanted her there or not.

She needed to look around.

“We didn't have a choice, but I did call my father who advised me to cooperate, since I have nothing to do with the killings.”

There it was.

Three seconds in, and Arman was already dropping the judge card.

This dickwad would be well aware she’d done her homework. After all, they’d discussed this in the class.

Preparation was key.

“We’re here, because whether you like to admit it or not, something is happening here at this house. First, you have three victims who partied here, and then they’re killed. One victim is missing after leaving the festivities, and now we turn up another woman, who was seen here with some of you, and she was murdered in your shed.”

“Technically, it’s maintenance’s shed. Maybe one of the groundskeepers was getting their kink on,” he corrected. “I don’t cut grass here, or at home. We have people who do that for us,” Arman said, looking at Callen and Ethan.

It was meant to rile her up.

He’d studied his prey, and she didn't doubt that he’d read the online stories where she lost it when people insulted Native Americans.

Well, two could play at this game.

She’d be calm.

Dead calm.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that your family is stimulating the economy by hiring people. Good for you. Now we’ll get down to business, if you’re done.”

He stared at her, almost challenging her.

“I really only have one question. Why is someone trying to frame you?” she asked, switching it up.

He looked surprised that she didn't think he was the killer. He’d been prepared for her to come in guns blazing, and she wasn’t.

Well shit!

This wasn’t what he expected. “Maybe they’re jealous. I do tend to make men angry. The ladies, well, they love me.”

If he thought she was going to bite at that, he was a fool. Again, she ignored him. “At first, I thought you were behind this, but now being here, I see it’s not you.”

He leaned forward curiously. “Why’s that?”

“You don’t have it in you, Arman. You surround yourself with patsies who’ll sacrifice themselves for you, but you’d never get your manicure dirty. You don’t have the balls to pick up a knife and kill anyone. I bet you’d puke if I took you into autopsy. No, you’re not smart enough to do the deed. Someone’s setting you up.”

Ethan watched as his wife used psychology to screw with them. Arman needed his ego stroked, and she was doing the opposite. She was telling him he was basically impotent. If she wanted to break him, this would be it.

His woman was genius, and that was so very hot.

This boy didn't know what he was up against.

“Yeah, I really thought it was you. The drugs, the killing, and the hiding the bodies, but you aren’t smart enough to do it. In fact, I’ve seen your grades. If your daddy wasn’t a judge, you’d be making fries at the local place. Well, that would mean handling basic tasks, and I’m doubtful you could do that. You know…since you’re always busy stroking your own ego.”

He got red.

Then, before he could say anything, she turned the tables on them again.

“Now, Nels, he’s strong enough to hurt those women, and Hervey has a history of drug dealing. They could do it, but you… not going to happen. You’re too weak. Maybe they’re trying to frame you.”

He looked outraged.

And scared.

Elizabeth was introducing her favorite technique—paranoia. It could break the biggest bad asses. Already, Arman was glancing back and forth between the men.

Obviously, he wasn’t the only one who could do some research.

“Someone here is trying to take you down,” she offered, planting the seeds of doubt. Her hope was that his paranoia, if he was guilty, would get to him. If he wanted to be given credit, this would drive him insane.

“So, who here is drugging the women?”

Sutton spoke up, defending their frat. “It’s not us. You’re out of your mind.”

She grinned. “Am I? Yeah, I wouldn’t bet on that. You see, we found proof that someone is whipping up some sexed up cocktail to get some action. I just need to prove who, and I’ll be shutting down this case.”

Arman got back in control. “This is a college. We party. It’s not our fault if a bunch of women are shooting up and getting killed. We’re just here to have fun. If you went to college, you’d know that.”

She laughed. “Yeah, the difference between where I went to college and this place is that my school was Ivy League. I was a little more worried about actually passing.”

It shut him up.

He also screwed up.

It was funny, but no one mentioned shooting up drugs, but he’d just threw that out there. In colleges, the most common drug was a ruffie. The fact that he went with a needle, especially after what Chris Leonard had just found, was surprising.

Yeah, this clown was up to something.

And he was an idiot to believe that he could out think them, especially her. This wasn’t her first day on the job.

“Where do you take these girls to party?” she asked.

“I don’t know what you mean,” he stated. “Last I looked, it’s a free country. If a girl wants to ride my dick, I’m not obligated to give her a drug test beforehand. This is a college campus. Newsflash…there’s a drug problem.”

She stared at him.

“Women are freaks. They like more than one dick. That’s why the sorority girls keep coming back for more. I bet you’d like more than one dick too. How about we go upstairs, and I’ll show you what I can do for you?”

She laughed even when the men beside her tensed. “Yeah, that would be the best thirty seconds of my life, I’m sure. If you’re having to line up to have sex with a woman, here’s a clue… you’re bad in bed.”

The men all glared.

“We fucked them, yes, but then we sent them on their merry way. This is a frat house full of testosterone. Sex is going to happen. Don’t be a hater, babe.”

Arman winked lecherously at her as if he was trying to throw her off guard.

“Oh, I have a feeling that I’m not the only one who hates you,” she stated. “Let’s go back to focusing on the issue at hand, and not your tiny little dicks. What’s in your basement?” she asked.

He shrugged. “If you want to look, you can,” Arman offered. “In fact, one of the guys will escort you down. Who tickles your fancy?” he stated, now moving on to needling the men beside her.

Elizabeth knew his game. He couldn’t piss her off, so he was going to make the men pay. Well, she wasn’t worried. “Afraid I’ll kick your ass, Arman? Yeah, send one of the men you like protecting you. Sacrifice the weak sheep for the strong one. Eventually, that’s going to get old and someone’s going to turn on you.”

They all looked around.

None of the men liked what she was implying.

“I’ll wait here,” Ethan said, getting up to offer Elizabeth a hand. He gave his brother the look.

Someone was on protection duty.

She and Callen followed Nels to the doorway. When he stopped, she stared up at him. He was once more giving her the most intimidating look he could muster, and it wasn’t the least bit scary.

“He’d sacrifice you in a heartbeat,” she added, twisting the screws a little bit more. He may be big, but everyone had a sense of self-preservation. There was no doubt in her mind that if she could get the men scared, they’d cave one by one.

If she could turn one, they’d sing like some frightened canaries.

“Follow me,” he stated, ignoring what she said.

When they got to the bottom of the stairs, he hit the switch, flooding the room light.

“As you can see, we come down her to play games. There’s a well-used foosball table, our billiards table, and even where we play video games. Happy?” he asked.

Just as suspected, they’d cleaned the room up. The place was spotless, and that gave more away than they realized. This was a frat house. There wasn’t even a wayward beer can.

Yeah, someone was setting a scene.

That was interesting.

Now Elizabeth had to figure out if they were playing a game with her too, or just being a bunch of horny college kids. Either way, the drug issue was going to be the best way to get them into custody.

She’d have to use that angle, and go from there. While that was something that the sheriff should handle, Elizabeth was hoping to link it to her case.

When she was done walking the room, she stopped in front of the pool table.

God!

She’d love to run a black light over it. She’d bet good money that while they’d cleaned up the sex related things, they’d left the trace of bodily fluids, and maybe even blood.

This room would tell Merry one hell of a story.

She knew it. The only things that stood in her way were a judge and state representative.

“Are you ready?” Nels asked, pointing back upstairs. “We cooperated. Maybe you should just look somewhere else for a killer. We’re not behind this,” he stated. “Arman is innocent.”

She was beginning to believe that not all of them were.

Yet, something was here.

She could feel it.

Back upstairs, they found Ethan sitting silently on the couch, watching his prey. Garrick Tran looked nervous, and he was going to be their weakest link.

They only had to separate the sheep from the herd.

It would be their best shot.

When Elizabeth came in, Ethan got to his feet. He brushed off his pricy suit, giving Arman a look. While the man was trying to get to him, making him feel less than human because of his ethnicity, it wouldn’t work.

Not now.

Not ever.

“Well, babe? Are you happy? This is just a normal frat.”

She smiled almost sweetly. “I hope it gave you really happy memories,” she stated. “It’s closing down.”

That wiped the smug off their faces, and fast.

“Oh, did you think the university would let you keep it open?” she laughed. “You may think you’re smart, Arman, but I’ve been doing this longer. I may not have proof yet, but by the time it’s over, you’re going to be staying in a tiny room with only one window. I may not be able to get a tech team in here while you live here, but once the university relocates you, since they own this building, I only need their permission.”

He looked freaked out. “I’m not staying in a fucking dorm.”

She laughed as they walked out.

That wasn’t the tiny room she was talking about. Yeah, he wasn’t a genius at all. Now it was time to figure out if he could pull off a crime, and why he’d want organs.

She was locked in on him.

By the time it was over, he was going to be crying.

Like a little boy.

Chapter Eleven

He saw her across the commons leaning against a tree. In her hand, Johanna was holding two coffees, and it took him back to every day at work.

This was their morning ritual.

They’d get coffee and take a few minutes to talk before heading into FBI West to do their thing.

It was so…peaceful.

Brody couldn’t wait to do this every day with her. Sure, they’d have issues if anyone suspected they were a couple, but he could fake it at work. As long as when they went home, she was his.

That’s all that would matter.

He wanted the personal life that he’d always dreamed of, and the girl across the quad was the one.

He was pretty damn sure of it.

All he had to do is make sure she understood that this was the road they were traveling—together.

As he approached, Brody knew when she saw him. The smile on her face said it all. It was so welcoming, that he nearly wanted to weep in happiness. So much had changed over the last few days, and he couldn’t believe his good fortune.

Joey wanted him just as much.

“Good morning,” she teased, knowing she’d left him all riled up when she slipped out of his frat house.

He laughed. “Yeah, it is now. I get to see the most beautiful woman in the world,” he stated, staring into her brown eyes. They were so deep and captivating that he nearly got lost in them.

“You’re a dork,” she stated as she was furiously blushing.

“I can’t help it, Joey. You bring it out in me.”

He led her to a shady spot under the tree, and when they sat, they leaned against the trunk. It gave them a great view of the commons, and the path that came from the frat house. Brody knew he still needed to keep alert while they were on duty.

“You know that you’re mean, right?” he said, enjoying the way her shoulder touched his arm. There was a little tickle of electricity where skin met skin.

If it were up to him, he’d get her back to her dorm room and naked beneath him.

“Am I? Why?” she asked, pretty sure she knew what he was going to say. After all, this was the man she put her faith in for over a year. Partners had a very special bond.

He held her life in his hands.

“Are you wearing your com?” he asked, before he went further.

“It’s in my pocket,” she stated, knowing he didn't want her current partner eavesdropping.

Could she blame him?

Besides, she didn't want anyone listening to them either. They may be working, but out in the field, it had always been them, and that was good enough for her. 

“What you did in my room, leaving me all stirred up… well, that’s torture.”

She rested her head on his shoulder. It was something she always wanted to do, but before now couldn’t.

It was really nice.

Johanna started laughing.

“Don’t get me wrong. I love your mouth on my body, but now I’m just horny.”

“I guess I’ll have to put you out of your misery later, now won’t I?”

The rest of him tightened in need. Those were words he could seriously look forward to as they got him through the day. “Promise?”

“Absolutely, Brody.”

“When you were gone, I felt like I was dying, and I don’t mean today. I mean all those weeks ago.”

His out of the blue statement caught her off guard.

“In fact, I wanted to die each and every day. It was like something inside of me was broken. I’m finally able to breathe again, Joey. So, please promise me that you’re staying. I don’t want to relive all this again.”

She took his hand in hers before placing it in her lap. “I’m not going anywhere, as long as you’re okay with the truth. I’m not going to be like any other girls you meet, Brody. I can’t give you everything you deserve. I still think you’re getting a bad deal, but you’re so stubborn.”

She wished she could, but the truth was the truth.

“You should know something, sweetheart. I won’t run. If it comes down to keeping you safe, and that includes your heart, I won’t leave your side. Everything that happened to you only makes me want to love you more—not less.”

She sipped her coffee.

“How bad was the cancer?” he asked, needing to know. While he wouldn’t ever leave her side, he still wanted to know what they were up against should it ever come back.

“It was scary. They caught it early enough, thankfully, but it wasn’t easy. I always feel like I’m missing a piece of myself. It’s like I’m not whole.”

He turned her chin to stare into his eyes. “Let me be that piece. I’ll fill your life and make you complete. Just believe in me.”

Her heart skipped in her chest. “Oh, Brody,” she murmured, accepting what he had to offer as they sealed it with a gentle kiss.

“I’ll protect you.”

She didn't doubt it.

“How did you get past the FBI medical exam?” he asked.

Johanna laughed. “I have no idea. The doctor came in, did his exam, but never asked me any questions about previous conditions. Maybe he assumed no one would try and pass the testing if they’d had issues in their past. All I know is I didn't say anything, and he gave me the okay.”

“So, you’re…”

She finished for him, “Hollowed out like a cantaloupe, yes.”

Brody thought about it and wished he’d been there for her when she faced something so very scary.

“If he didn’t pass me, I never would have met you.”

He didn't agree with her at all. “Our paths would have crossed, Joey. You were meant to be mine. I might have walked into you in a bar, or saw you at a baseball game.”

“Yeah, maybe on one of those kiss cams with my then boyfriend,” she teased.

“Yep, and then I would have had to kill him in the parking lot, or better yet get him sent to jail on some trumped up charges.”

She stared openmouthed. “Umm…”

He laughed. “Just go with it.”

It was probably time to be blatantly honest. “Remember earlier, when I mentioned that we didn't have to get married anytime soon?”

She sipped her coffee. “Yeah?”

“It was total bullshit. We’re going to get married and start a life. We just won’t tell the FBI.”

“Brody!” she gasped, choking on her coffee. “Are you out of your damn mind? We can’t lie to the FBI!”

He laughed. “Yeah, I am crazy—for you. We won’t lie. We’ll just keep our mouths shut.”

“You move fast. That’s scary.”

“I nearly lost you, Joey. That’s the scary part. I can’t take the chance you’ll slip through my fingers again.”

“Brody…”

He cut her off. “So yes, I’m moving fast. Is there really a problem with that?”

When he stared into her eyes, she saw so much emotion, but there was also fear. She’d put that there when she abandoned him. Now, she couldn’t do that again.

He deserved better.

“No, I don’t think I have a problem with that at all.”

The weight crushing down on his chest was suddenly a million times lighter, and he could release the breath he’d been holding.

“We should discuss work,” she stated, despite the longing to just kiss him. They had work to do. Someone had to focus.

“There’s a party tomorrow night.”

“Yeah, I heard. A few of the sorority sisters aren’t going anymore. They’re freaked out, and it’s about damn time.”

“Well, I have a plan.”

She stared at him. He had that look in his eyes, and it scared her shitless. “Brody, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to search the place. When they’re having the party, the second they head downstairs into the basement, I’m going to case their rooms.”

She pointed out the obvious. “We’re Feds. You need a warrant.”

He laughed. “Yeah, I know, but I’m not going to take anything. I want to just look around.”

“It’s official. You’re out of your mind.”

“I can take anything in the trash cans in their room. Technically, they’re garbage. I’ll bring a few baggies, tag them, and voila! Instant DNA.”

She shook her head. “Brody. That’s dangerously close to crossing so many lines.”

“Sweetheart, I need to do this. I want to get this case done, so we can stop playing college kids and start living our lives. I want to go home and get back to work. I need to do this for the dead women and for us.”

She sighed. “You better tell the Blackhawks first, or you won’t have a job to go home to,” she stated.

“I’ll catch them later and discuss what’s going on in my head.”

She thought about it. “I’m going to help you.”

He looked appalled. “No, you’re not.”

“Yes, I am, partner.”

Johanna had him there.

“Plus, I think it’s safer if you do it when the party isn’t going on. You know their schedules, so you should make sure their out of the frat house, and then we can do it.”

He thought about it. Maybe she was right. There would be too many people coming and going during a party. He wouldn’t be able to hear an approaching person, and that could get him in trouble.

“That’s why I love you.”

She stared at him. “Because I’ll help you break the law, risk our careers, and possibly get ourselves caught?”

He grinned. “Yeah, exactly. You’re my dream girl.”

       
         
* * *
  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

The pressure was killing him.

That feeling of anticipation was giving him knots in his stomach. The FBI was now officially all over this, and he was scared.

Had he been careless?

Could something he’d done get him caught?

It didn't matter.

He’d gotten involved, and now he was neck deep in this mess. He had to continue or there would be hell to pay. There was no way he could say no.

He’d vowed to do it, and he was trapped.

The killing had been hard to overcome, but now it was more and more tolerable. He couldn’t escape it, no matter how hard he tried.

He wanted to be free.

Yet, he didn't want to get caught.

That would kill him.

If they found out, he’d have to die.

He wasn’t an idiot.

It was official. He was scared.

Why did he do this?

Oh, yeah. He knew why.

He had no choice.

He had no choice.

He had….

       
         
* * *
  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

Sheriff’s Station

The day was dragging on.

After tearing the president of the university a new one, and scaring a bunch of frat boys, they still had more stops to make.

For now, they had to play nice and check in with the sheriff. After all, this was his town, and so far, he’d been very accommodating.

As they headed in, the deputies smiled, pointing at the man’s office door. That alone was weird for them, but who were they to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Normally, they were well hated, so they should probably just enjoy it while they could. The next case, town, and local law would probably be a miserable bitch.

Fate liked to yank their chains.

Inside his office, Sheriff Nick Rakin stood, offering them a seat. “I was wondering when I’d see you,” he stated, offering them coffee.

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said, declining. They had their caffeine fix, and this wasn’t a social call. She broke down everything they had for him, including the visit to the president’s office. All she left out was Gabe’s little mess.

“Yeah, this town will go under if there’s another scandal,” Nick stated. “That university fuels our economy. Without it, this would just be a berg with no industry. When they had their sex scandal, it rocked everyone. Mostly, because we were all afraid the college would go under.”

She lifted a brow. “That was the worst part? I’m pretty sure it’s far worse that a professor was selling grades in order to have sex with his students.”

He laughed. “Come on, Elizabeth. They’re over eighteen. You can’t tell me that those poor innocent girls were trapped by that man, and they were the victims, can you?”

She stared at him. “It’s against the law. That’s the issue, Nick. When you take a position of authority, you have an obligation not to use and abuse the people beneath you.”