Skin Deep (19 page)

Whoever this person was, they’d officially given him a new outlook on the case, a whole new meaning to everything. This wasn’t just some sort of angry asshole out there killing a couple of redheaded chicks. This person had made it his life’s goal.

“He’s a serial killer, though.” Ren’s voice had a “duh” quality about it as she stared down at her nails.

“You don’t say,” Cain moved head number one hundred and eighty-three onto the floor next to the others.

“This one here seems to be the oldest yet,” Blaise said quietly as he clicked pictures of the head. Blaise’s keen senses had shocked even Ren at first. He could sense an accurate time of death on a dead body pre-autopsy. “Over three years.”

Cain focused on the damp, deteriorating head. The chocolate had had a strange effect on the appendages, keeping them damp and fleshy. Whatever spell was on the room was probably playing a hand in keeping them better preserved, though they were far from intact.

Ren huffed in annoyance. “I mean, he or she is a serial killer. Therefore, whenever they started this—” she motioned toward the heads “—Susie Beauty Shop project, it’s pretty obvious they didn’t want to get caught. But now it’s been years. Maybe they want some recognition.”

“Not to mention he called us and told us about the trailer park, remember?” Blaise added. “We went only because he told us where it was.”

“Or maybe it’s something else.” Ryder’s flat voice permeated the room, causing them all to turn to where he was cutting open one of the last boxes. “Maybe he’s closer to what or who he wants.” He pulled a leather-bound book from a box and flipped through it. “Interesting journal to keep.”

Cain peered over Ryder’s shoulder. Each page was covered with three words that repeated over and over, from the first page to the last. Where is she?

Kiera waited with ripe anticipation for Cain to come home. His leaving that morning had been under over a problematic situation that no one would share with her. She had bothered Sparrc all day, following him around the house, wanting to know more about what was going on, but he wouldn’t tell. It frustrated her to no end, as did Cain’s incredibly brief texts.

U ok? That was followed by a Still at home? And a Don’t go anywhere. He’d never texted her before, and her heart fluttered each time she saw his name on the screen. Her head still spun from the last twenty-four hours, especially her actions that morning. Never in her life had she been so bold.

It was his last text that had her burning with anticipation. Be there soon. Can’t wait 2 c u. When she heard him coming down the hall, she had never felt so excited and nervous at the same time. Part of her was afraid he would want to pick up where they’d left off, with him about to shove his thick cock into her body. The memory of him poised above her was enough to have her trembling with want and terrified of the repercussions if it happened.

The door swung open. His gaze instantly clung to her with the look of a desperate man, tracing over every inch of her as if to make sure she was all right. When he didn’t move, Kiera got out of bed, wanting to run to him, but he held up his hands.

“I’m dirty. You won’t want to touch me like this.” He didn’t look dirty in the form-fitting uniform he wore. She had always thought a man in a uniform was sexy. What woman doesn’t? But he put every other man to shame.

He turned and stalked into the bathroom. A moment later she heard the shower turn on. She didn’t follow him like she wanted to. Something about the way he spoke warned her not to. What happened today?

When he returned, he wasted no time getting into bed and pulling her against his body. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, squeezing to an almost-painful degree, while he breathed deeply at her neck. His touch made her body come to life with want, but there was something about his hold that was … loving, not sexual like their other embraces.

“I missed you.” She barely heard his whispered words against her shoulder. They set her heart pounding. “So glad you’re safe.”

She didn’t know what to say or feel. The utter wash of happiness that drenched her body was quickly replaced with dread. She knew this feeling; it was one she had been fighting since the moment he’d come into the salon with a bouquet of roses.

In one hand she clutched her small blanket, with the other she traced her fingertips over the arm draped over her side. She stared down at the dusting of dark blond hair covering his forearm in the dim light of the moon that shone through the window. She could see the strange tattoo she hadn’t noticed before, smaller than the other, more intricate one spreading up his opposite arm. This one was a symbol similar to the one on the uniform he and the others wore. It was strange, with what looked like the omega and chi Greek letters intersecting, surrounded by swirling lines that made the symbol look three dimensional. As her fingers reached the ink, he tightened his arm, almost as if he was trying to meld them together as one. Kiera reveled in feeling utterly safe in Cain’s arms.

“The tiger was nice.” The whispered words surrounded them before she realized she was the one who’d spoke them.

“Hmm?” His voice was dreamy against her shoulder. The movement against her flesh sent goose bumps scattering across her skin.

“The tiger. You asked me, on the night you walked me home, if the tiger was nice.” His body was utterly still behind hers. “And he was. Nice, that is.”

Cain said nothing to her admission, and she almost felt like an idiot—until the soft purring in his chest vibrated against her back.

The next two days were easily the best days of Kiera’s life. Instead of awakening to an empty bed, she had found Cain snuggled against her body. He’d woken her the first morning, his hand snaking up and down her body with tender caresses and his rock-hard erection pressed into her back. They had spent half of that first day in bed learning one another. Not speaking, just touching. It was the most amazing thing she had ever experienced. Things with Cain were more than just different; they were on a whole other spectrum. The feelings he could incite with a mere brush of his fingertips were overwhelming, exciting beyond reason, and they hadn’t even had sex yet.
Yet.

The word bristled through her mind and she constantly had to remind herself that
yet
was not a part of that sentence. Sex wasn’t an option. She’d made a decision late in the afternoon the first day, after her fifth orgasm, that she would let this
thing
going on between them happen for now, until the killer was caught and she went back home.

That’s when she would end it with Cain. It was the only way. She couldn’t have both him and her body. There was no
him
without her body. He would take one look at her true form and run in the other direction, embarrassed by the fact he had slept with a fat girl.
“Fatty!”
The names the kids had called her in grade school rang through her mind.

She could handle those recollections, and the memories of Roth and his cruel words about her body. But the thought of that kind of talk from Cain’s lips brought tears to her eyes. She couldn’t bear to live with that for the rest of her life. She would have to end things with him. It was the only way to save them both from the horrors of the truth. But for now she would enjoy every moment with him, every second she had.

It was easy to keep her resolution the first day. But when she woke on the second day, things got much more complicated. He’d woken her up and carried her to the kitchen where he cooked omelets for her and everyone else who was awake. Omelets that tasted like heaven on plate.

Then he’d carried her to the living room, apparently forgetting she could make use of her own feet, and asked what her favorite TV show was as he pulled up Netflix. She’d always had a weakness for
Will & Grace
and soon she found herself starting season one with Cain by her side and an endless amount of other people who filtered in and out through the day.

She didn’t really see them, though; it was Cain who held her attention, sitting at the opposite end of the couch wearing basketball shorts and a T-shirt with her feet in his lap. A single blanket covered them both, a blanket she’d made the previous week. Each square was bordered with a burnt-orange color, a turquoise center, and a gray owl with wide eyes in the middle. In spite of all the rows she’d had to redo in her frustration the week before, the blanket had still come together quickly. She liked the way it livened up the living room.

She’d received compliments from everyone in the house about it. Cain must have called some sort of truce, because her existence was acknowledged again. Many of them, especially the women, had even requested she crochet something for them. But no one’s praise meant more to her than Cain’s. She pretended it didn’t matter, that his kind words meant nothing at all. But she couldn’t. The night before, when they’d come down for a late-night snack, she would never forget the way his eyes had lit on the blanket. His big hands running across the woven yarn had caused her body to flare with pleasure.

“You made this?”

“I did.”

The look of pride on his face had her heart clenching in her chest, overwhelming her with the happiness she’d come to only associate with him. He’d scooped her up after that, carrying her down to his room, whispering about all the ways he was going to make her come with his fingers, his lips, his tongue … completely forgetting about their snack. He hadn’t disappointed. She suspected he never did when it came to the bedroom.

She bit down on her lip and watched him. His white-blond hair was pushed out of his face and the corners of his lips quirked ever so slightly, as if he was ready to laugh while he watched the TV show. She’d never seen him so … happy. Of course, she hadn’t known him for long, but he had never seemed carefree like he was now.

Later that night, when they were curled up in bed, Kiera feared for what she would do. How would she find the strength to let him go, when it was the last thing she wanted?
Distance.
She didn’t want to, but she had to start pushing him away, before it was too late.

“Someone sure is in a good mood today.”

Cain looked up from the white candle he placed on one of the glass tables in the living room, meeting amethyst eyes.

“Why do you say that?” But Cain knew it was obvious. He’d spent two beautiful days and nights with Kiera. He was having trouble keeping the smile from his face even now.

“You were humming like a little bitch.” There was venom in her voice as Ren sat down on the old leather couch, crossing her scantily-clad legs.

“What’s your fucking problem?” He walked over and grabbed another slim candle from the box.

“Oh, nothing. Just missing home.”

“Trouble in paradise?” Cain hadn’t missed her less-than-subtle stalking techniques over the last few days. No matter where Ryder went, she was only a few steps behind. She’d stayed away from Kiera, which was the only reason he wasn’t still plotting her murder.

“Not as much trouble as you’re having.” There was a smile in her voice, drawing his gaze back to hers.

“What the hell are you talking about? I don’t have any of those fucking problems.” Not anymore. Not since things had changed two days ago.

“The tiger was nice.”
Just remembering her whispered words had the beast in him docile, rolling around on his back, wanting more attention from her. That was when he’d realized that he wanted more from Kiera. There was a part of him that had known it all along, but he hadn’t wanted to accept it.

“That’s what you think.” Ren’s honeyed voice brought him back to the present.

“Huh? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Have you been alone with her?” He growled the words, his beast angering. Things had finally leveled out for him and Kiera; they were finally in a good spot. She was letting him into a place he never thought he would want to be when it came to a woman, but it was the only place he wanted to be with her. His brow began to sweat when he realized exactly where that place was.

“Hey now. Don’t go getting your panties all in a wad, ’kay? I haven’t talked to her again. I just remembered there was something else she’d shared with me that I forgot to tell you.” He watched her fingers glide over the crocheted blanket Kiera had made. He had the urge to yank it away from the Muse, not wanting her hands on anything Kiera created.

“Oh yeah, like what?” He jerked another candle out of a box.

“Just that she could never love someone like you.”

Cain spun back to stare at Ren. “What?”
Love?
Why did this admission have his heart lurching in his throat?

“You don’t wanna go giving your heart away to someone who doesn’t want it.” Her words had him lunging over the dark-paneled coffee table, ready to rip her apart. She was gone before he reached her, standing on the other side.

“I thought I told you to stay the fuck out of the house today and tonight. You and everyone else!” he roared. He couldn’t deal with this. Not now. Not when things with Kiera were so fresh and new.

“Whatever. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. You know she’s not your
feorh
.” Ren’s purple eyes narrowed. She turned and headed down to the first floor. He took a deep, calming breath, trying to settle his spinning emotions. He knew she wasn’t his
feorh
. If the last two days had proved anything to him, it was that.

The thought was always there, niggling at the back of his mind. The idea of her being with someone else, someone who wasn’t him, blasted through his insides like a machine gun. The very thought that it wasn’t her he would get to spend eternity with fucking pissed him off. She was a human, after all, and that made time even more pertinent. Eternity wasn’t an option for her.

He shook his head, trying to clear it, as he pulled the last of the candles from the box. He was a man who didn’t like the prospect of spending eternity with anyone, and here he was viciously pissed he couldn’t have Kiera forever.
And I haven’t even slept with her yet.

“Looks nice.” The emotionless words had him jerking his head up to meet Ryder’s gaze as he came down from his room on the third floor.

Cain hadn’t spoken to Ryder about anything other than work since he’d found out Ryder’s motivation behind taking Kiera on the date with Luke. In a weird way, he felt betrayed. Ryder wasn’t his friend—the man didn’t want friends—but Cain never thought he would pull something like that. He took a deep breath, not wanting to get pissed off. He wouldn’t let anything ruin his good mood. Neither Ren nor Ryder were going to rain on his parade.

He glanced at his handiwork and shrugged his shoulders.

“She’ll like it.”

Cain nodded absently as Ryder brushed past him. The man wore his wrinkle-free uniform, badge, and nametag, with two chevrons on his left breast pocket gleaming proudly. Cain and the boys never wore theirs unless they had a call or were doing official business for the force. Ryder was never seen in anything else. Cain couldn’t see any, but he knew the man had weapons all over him. Hidden and prepared.

“Cain,” his sergeant had almost reached the stairs when he spoke.

Ryder turned his body to fully face him and again, Cain found his eyes focusing on the thick bands of scar tissue that circled his sergeant’s neck. “I’m sorry about putting Kiera in danger and letting her go out with that fucking rat-ass human. I never thought the Amari piece of shit that was doing this was in so deep.”

Cain nodded. An apology from Ryder was about as common as an apology from him.

“You should know something though, about that human.”

Cain’s ears perked. He hadn’t been expecting anything about Luke.

“When we wiped his memory, Kiera had Ren erase all of his memories of her, as well.”

Cain sucked in a breath.

“But before we did that, she kicked him in the balls and called him an asshole.” Ryder chuckled. The emotionless man actually
laughed
. The sound was almost as shocking as the words he’d spoken.

“Why are you telling me?”

“I figured it was something you’d want to know.”

“Thanks.” Cain couldn’t help the pure joy that spread through his body. “Ren isn’t going to give up, you know.”

Ryder’s face hardened. “I want nothing to do with that broad.”

Cain’s head snapped back, shocked at the loathing in his sergeant’s voice.

“There’s only one woman I would touch, and she died a long time ago.”

Cain stared after Ryder’s retreating form. The realization of just how little he knew about his sergeant was confounding.