Undercover Elite (Undercover Elite Book 2) (24 page)

Windy

“I don’t like the idea of you going into work while this woman’s on the loose,” my man says as he walks into the bedroom, fresh from a shower. I pause mid-stroke as I brush my hair, just looking at all the pretty. His biceps bulge as dries his hair with a towel, another towel hanging precariously just below the delicious “V” of muscle that cradles his lower abs. He wears the second towel in deference to Melissa, even though she hasn’t been around much in the last few days.

He catches me checking him out and my cheeks heat as I lay the brush down on the dresser top. I look in the mirror and watch him prowl up behind me, that slow, sexy smile spreading across his rugged features. He slides his arms around me from behind, smiling against my neck as he whispers seductively while planting kisses there, “Maybe I should…persuade you…to stay home. Because…mmmm…I can be quite persuasive when I set my mind to it.” His voice is a throaty rumble as he reaches down for the towel at his hip – right when my phone rings.

“Dammit,” he complains as I reach for the phone, check the screen and immediately put it on speaker. It’s Dr. Brinkley, telling us that Georgia has killed again. The anguish in his voice lets me know there is more to the story.

“She killed Deana. Brutally. And she made me listen over the phone while she did it. I have no idea where she called from. I’ve made a decision. I think it might be in our best interests for Thorn to bug my house. No doubt she’ll come for me; this way, when she does you’ll be aware of what’s going on.”

“It makes sense, Thorn,” I interject; ready to do anything that will stop the senseless killing.

He nods slowly, considering Brinkley’s idea. Finally, he says, “You know, Doc…you know better than to blame yourself for what she’s doing. It isn’t your fault she’s obsessed with you. It isn’t your fault she’s a killing machine.”

“I’m trying to remember that,” Dr. Brinkley says with a sigh. “But Deana’s screams, they’ll haunt me for the rest of my life. So if Georgia wants to use me as her excuse to kill, then I want to use her plan against her to catch her.”

Dr. Brinkley

Guilt is a funny thing, unless you’re the one being tormented by it, and then there is nothing humorous about it in the least. It has a way of wrapping its talons around your mind and forcing you to listen to its accusations. The only way to rid myself of the relentless self-recriminations that fill my head is to help catch a killer.

I’m not a man given to allowing my private life to be monitored by outsiders but these are extenuating circumstances and the need to do so goes far beyond this being about just me. Even I can see through the haze of my obsession that society cannot tolerate having Georgia running loose. As badly as she wants to be near me, she has sealed her fate
.
Her latest crimes will most likely land her in a maximum security prison. She’ll probably try to persuade the courts she isn’t mentally stable enough to stand trial or be placed in prison, but it will never work.

The doorbell cuts through my thoughts and I do a once over, making certain everything is in place before I answer the door to Thorn and Windy. In another irony, I find myself feeling grateful for Windy’s connection to Thorn.
Undercover Elite
may be the only option I have to restore the balance of power in my world and to find redemption from the voices of guilt chipping away relentlessly at my soul.

Windy

I’m not surprised when we enter the doctor’s home to see everything is neatly in order. The décor is a contemporary mix of black leather and chrome. A bookshelf lines the wall with all of the latest psychiatry journals and medical books.

Thorn sets a box on the counter and gets right to the point. “I know this is difficult for you and that you’re protective of your privacy, but I think you would agree that the steps we’re about to take are for the greater good. It’s necessary for us to track your calls and record them. I wouldn’t be surprised if she shows up on your doorstep. Now, I know you don’t believe she’ll kill you, but the alternative isn’t pretty either. Nothing is certain when dealing with a fugitive. Georgia will do anything to remain free.”

Though the doctor is nodding his head in agreement with Thorn, the dark circles under his eyes give testimony to the fact he won’t sleep peacefully again until she’s safely behind bars.

Though I doubt I’ll understand what he’s doing I follow behind Thorn as he makes his way through the house and begins setting up surveillance that will hopefully help us catch a killer. His expertise is impressive and I love seeing him digging in and doing field work like this. It’s probably a lot more interesting for him than following me around. But when he smacks my ass and winks as he passes me in the hall, I don’t think he minds.

“I’m going to make some coffee,” Dr. Brinkley calls from the kitchen. I know it’s just his way of getting away from us as we work. If he doesn’t have to see us intruding on his privacy then maybe it won’t be real.

Dr. Brinkley

I manage to make it through the process of my home being wired with the latest security system. Thorn is also going to follow up with the police about setting up periodic patrols by my house. He and Windy have been gone for a while now and I relish being alone with my thoughts.

I don’t think I’ve ever before been this conflicted over any one incident. I want her captured, and I want her caged; I want her. She is the first woman I’ve ever felt a connection with on a deeper level than just sex. I’ve never touched her and yet she holds my body captive. It refuses to engage in sex with another woman unless I close my eyes and imagine it’s her body I’m sinking into. I guess when it’s all said and done, I’m just as sick as she is.

I make my way to the bar and pour a bourbon three fingers deep, tossing it back and reveling in the warm numbness it provides. I contemplate taking something to help me sleep and decide against it, opting for another drink instead.

I disrobe and get into bed, but I have no illusions of sleeping tonight. I’ll need all my faculties if I’m forced to encounter my patient tonight. It isn’t a matter of if, but when.