Cruel Vendetta, page 7
Grayson threw a tired smile my way as I entered, then gestured for me to sit. I dropped into the chair opposite him, watching as he booted up the computer. Although he looked tired, there was an underlying sense of contentment that seemed to shroud his entire being. I knew most of that was due to his fiancée, Claire.
It was hard to imagine that, barely a month ago, he thought Claire was dating another man. She’d been having issues with a student at school and had started to pull away from him. They'd had their fair share of trouble recently, but I truly liked Claire, and I knew they were the type of couple that could survive anything life threw their way. “How’s Claire?”
“Good.” He sank into his chair, then laced his fingers over his abdomen and stared at me. “What about you?”
I lifted a brow. “What about me?”
Gray lifted one shoulder. “Heard a rumor that a certain waitress is staying at your house.”
“You heard right.” I wasn't surprised that he knew; Gray was both my older brother and the Chief of Police, and it wasn't like anyone could hide gossip that big in a town like Cedar Springs.
His hazel eyes narrowed a bit as he studied me. “Want to tell me what's going on?”
I dropped my head back and stared at the ceiling. “Hell, I don't know. This is all Izzy’s fault.”
Though I couldn't see Gray’s expression, I could sense his confusion and continued. “I got home late a couple nights ago and found Emery standing in the middle of the kitchen.”
I lowered my head in time to see my brother’s eyes widen in surprise. “You didn't know she was there?”
“Not a clue.” I shook my head ruefully. “Apparently she needed a place to crash, and Izzy offered to let her stay with me. Since, you know, I have nothing better to do than babysit,” I added sarcastically.
Gray just stared at me. “I doubt she'll require much watching. She seems to work all the time.”
I scowled across the desk at him. “Yeah, thanks. That's what Izzy told me, too.”
Even worse, it was true. Each morning I got ready for work, half-expecting her to pop into the kitchen for coffee, or to be awake watching TV when I got home. But she remained in her room, locked away where she knew she wouldn’t bother me. But the thing was… it did bother me. A lot. Because the moment she moved in, I saw her. And now I couldn’t get her out of my mind. Despite our difference in age, Emery was probably the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen.
I resented it, because I didn’t want to want Emery. I didn’t want a serious relationship with anyone. I had a career to focus on, especially this case. I didn’t need any distractions. But this whole thing with Emery had thrown me for a loop. It was like everything had changed in the blink of an eye. One day she was hanging around the house with my sister, giggling like a schoolgirl. The next, she was a young woman, rounded in all the right places, her violet eyes more sultry than I remembered, her full lips begging to be kissed.
But not by me. I was well aware that nothing could ever happen between us. She was much too young, her friendship with my sister aside. I’d never crossed that line, and I didn’t plan to. So instead, I’d made myself scarce, throwing myself into work and avoiding my house—and Emery—as much as possible.
“She must have a good reason for staying with you,” he said quietly.
Yeah, I knew that. Izzy wouldn't have offered up my place without a good reason. Regardless, I didn't know what that reason was, and it bothered the hell out of me. “Well if you find out why, let me know,” I groused. “I fucking hate being the last one to know shit.”
Gray grinned a little. “It's good for you. Keeps you on your toes.”
I snorted. “That's the last thing I need right now.”
His face turned serious. “We’ll find him.”
I sincerely hoped so, but every day that passed without another lead was harder than the last. With any luck, this sting with Abby would pan out and there wouldn’t be any more victims. We’d put out a statement a couple of weeks ago for women to be on guard, especially while they were out. We asked them to stay with friends and always travel in pairs, whether it was to the bathroom at a bar or restaurant, or while walking to their cars after a long day of work.
“Did you see anything on the footage?” my brother asked.
I shook my head. “Nope. I watched it again but nothing jumped out at me.”
“Maybe we should have Con’s guy take a look.” He shrugged one shoulder. “Can't hurt to have a fresh set of eyes.”
I shook my head. “Doyle already reviewed it too. He didn't find anything.”
Gray made a face. “Whoever this guy is, he can't hide forever. He might be lying low now, but I guarantee you he can't resist the urge much longer.”
I hoped he was right. I hope the guy took the bait and came after Abby as planned.
“After all this is over, you should take some time off.”
Oh, God. The thought of being stuck at home alone with Emery was more daunting than working eighteen-hour days. I shook my head. “I'll be fine.”
Gray leveled me with a hard look. “It's not an option. You've been spending too much time on this. As soon as it wraps up, I'm taking you off for a while.”
“What the hell am I supposed to do?”
“Doesn't matter to me,” he replied. “Couch surf for a week or go on vacation somewhere. Just do something that isn't here.”
The idea of taking a vacation did have merit, but who wanted to go to the beach alone?
My brother seemed to read my mind. “Are you seeing anyone?”
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair as Emery's violet-blue eyes flashed to the forefront of my mind. I shook my head. “Not at the moment. When the hell would I have a chance?”
Not to mention the fact that I couldn't think about another woman besides Emery. She took up every conscious thought that didn't revolve around work.
“Do yourself a favor and don't bring other women home,” he advised. “Don't need to make things more complicated than they are.”
“No shit.” Almost on cue my phone rang, and I dug it from my pocket. Shit. My stomach twisted as Emery's number flashed across my screen. I tapped the screen, acutely aware of my brother’s intuitive gaze on me. “Emery?”
There was a slight pause on the other end, and my pulse kicked up. “Drew? Hey, um... I know this is kind of a weird question, and I don't want to put you out or anything so I totally understand if you don't want to, because I—"
“What is it, Emery?” My tone was harsher than normal, driven by a combination of frustration and worry, and I fought the urge to apologize when she fell silent on the other end. I opened my mouth to speak when she cleared her throat.
“I was wondering if I could use your basement. A friend of mine bought a curio cabinet and she'd like me to refinish it. Since I don't have any place to work, I was wondering if it would be too much trouble to move it into the basement.”
I hesitated as I absorbed her request. If I let her move more stuff in, it would make her presence that much more obvious. Did I really want that? On the flip side, if I told her no, would she move out? I knew the thought had crossed her mind. Izzy had told me that she and Em would be looking for a place of their own as soon as they were able. How long would this extend Emery’s stay? A few weeks? A couple of months?
The only thing worse than her moving more stuff in was the thought of her moving out. If she had this cabinet delivered—did she say she was refinishing it?—it would be a reason for her to stay a bit longer. Her presence in the house was both welcome and unnerving, though I knew I hadn't been entirely receptive. Like, at all. I liked having her there as much as I loathed it. But—
“Never mind, it's fine,” I heard her say on the other end of the line. Her tone was rife with disappointment, and it sent a twinge of regret straight through my heart. “I'll just—"
“No, it's fine,” I quickly spoke up, cutting her off. “Sorry, I was just...”
Unable to come up with a suitable excuse, I trailed off for a second. “I might have to move some stuff around, but I can have it ready by tomorrow. Do you need help moving it?
“You don't have to worry about that,” she replied. “Her husband will bring it over.”
I was still a little confused about the whole situation, but I had neither the time nor confidence to ask. I nodded slowly. “Tomorrow should be fine.”
“Perfect, thank you so much.”
“No problem,” I said weakly before hanging up. Drawing in a deep breath I met my brother's gaze across the desk.
He lifted one brow. “So much for not complicating things.”
I dropped my head back and flipped him off.
Thirteen
EMERY
Nervous excitement bubbled in my veins, and I drummed my fingertips on the counter as I waited impatiently for Grace to arrive. Despite knowing that her husband would be here to help move the cabinet into the basement, Drew had opted to come home after his shift to help.
To say I was surprised to see him was an understatement. He'd basically ignored me for the past four days since I'd moved in, leaving before I woke up and coming home long after I'd gone to bed. I had no idea what he was doing... or with whom. Even though I had absolutely no claim to him whatsoever, it still hurt to think of him with another woman.
A hot spear of jealousy sliced through my chest. Why else be out at all hours of the night? I knew he was busy, but none of the other officers worked hours like that. Izzy had told me once that they had to have several people available at a time so no one was overworked. What else, then, could he possibly be doing if he wasn't working? I hated to consider the answer.
My attention was drawn toward the basement when the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs met my ears. My heart gave a funny little lurch, and my breath caught in my lungs as the top of Drew’s head appeared in the open doorway. More of him was revealed as he continued to climb the stairs. First his strong, broad shoulders. Next, his narrow, tapered waist. God, he was so handsome.
His gaze flicked to me, and I gave a little jolt, hyperaware that I had been staring at him. My cheeks flushed red, and I ripped my gaze away, feigning interest in my phone. My stomach tightened into knots, and I grew more tense with every step that brought him closer to me. I stared at the screen, unblinking, unable to draw in a full breath.
“They should be here soon, right?”
The sound of his deep voice did funny things to my insides, and I pressed my thighs together as inconspicuously as possible. I nodded. “Shouldn't be too much longer.”
Drew nodded, then moved to the opposite side of the counter and leaned one hip against it. I watched him surreptitiously from beneath my lashes. A deep, uncomfortable silence filled the space between us, and I shifted on my feet before clearing my throat. “Thanks again for letting me do this.”
He let out a little grunt. “It's no big deal.”
His voice was low and gravelly, almost rusty sounding. I opened my mouth to say something else but the words halted at the sound of a vehicle pulling up out front. “That must be them.”
Drew held out one hand and tipped his head, gesturing for me to precede him outside. My heart beat almost impossibly fast as he fell into step behind me, acutely aware of just how close he was to me. Was he watching me? Despite the unlikelihood, I could stop myself from hoping. I reached for the door handle, but one strong arm came out of nowhere, halting me in my tracks.
“Thanks,” I murmured as Drew opened the door and held it for me.
He gave a single, perfunctory nod, then followed me out onto the small front porch. A large black SUV sat in the driveway, and seconds later a silver truck pulled in behind it. Drew's expression morphed into one of shock as the doors of the vehicles opened and the passengers spilled out. I recognized Grace immediately, and I waved to her as she climbed from the SUV. The man who I assumed was her husband stepped out of the driver’s side, and the second couple approached from the direction of the truck.
Drew crossed the yard to meet him. “Hey. I had no idea you were bringing this over.”
My brows drew together. “You know them?”
It didn't really surprise me, considering Drew was a cop; people in law enforcement seemed to know everyone. A petite brunette moved to the other man's side while Grace greeted me with a hug then gravitated toward her husband.
“Yeah.” Drew made introductions, pointing first to Grace's husband, a dark-haired man with dark eyes. “Em, this is Con.”
“Nice to meet you.” I shook his hand then turned to the other couple.
Drew continued. “This is Clay.”
The man nodded my way. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” There was something in his tone I couldn't quite decipher, and the way he studied me with hawklike golden eyes made my nerves coil even tighter in my belly.
One tawny brow ratcheted upward as I shook his hand too, and I watched with interest as he shared a look with Drew.
Clay released my hand and introduced the woman next to him. “This is my fiancée, Abby.”
“She’s Con's sister,” Grace piped up.
Abby wrapped me in a hug. “It's so good to meet you! I can't believe you're going to tackle this thing. Do you do this a lot, refurbish antiques?”
Heat raced up my neck and over my cheeks. “Not exactly. I mean, I've flipped some things—mostly just repainted them so they look better—but this is a first.”
“I think that's awesome,” Abby enthused. “I wouldn't have any idea where to start.”
I didn't either. Feigning a confidence I didn't feel, I plastered on a smile. “I'm going to do my best.”
“It'll be perfect,” Grace stated confidently before turning her gaze on Con. “Why don't you go ahead and get it unloaded so Emery can tell you where she wants it.”
I stepped off to the side to speak more with Abby and Grace while the men moved to the back of the truck to remove the large cabinet. My eyes widened as I watched the men maneuver the large cabinet out of the truck. More muscles than I'd ever seen in real life bulged as they moved, their skin slightly shiny with perspiration. It was ridiculously hot.
“Wow. Someone found the deep end of the gene pool.”
Abby burst out laughing, and Grace pressed her fingers to her lips to contain her smile. Across the yard, Drew flicked a curious glance our way. The other two just grinned and shook their heads like they knew exactly what we'd been talking about. And they probably did; looking the way they did, I was sure they got that all the time.
Abby made a low humming sound in the back of her throat. “There's something to be said for a man with good stamina.”
“Abby!” Grace admonished.
“What?” Abby lifted one shoulder and stared unrepentantly at her fiancé. “It's true.”
I slid a look back to Grace, who watched her husband with hungry eyes. It didn't look like she disagreed with Abby's statement—just the opposite, in fact.
“But it looks like you know that.”
Abby slid a sly look my way, and I blushed furiously. “Oh, we're not together. Drew is my best friend’s brother. He's just letting me stay here until I get on my feet.”
Abby glanced toward them and again, and her head tipped slightly to one side. “You sure about that?”
“I’m sure.” I nodded absently, completely aware of the way I watched him with longing as he helped the others carry the cabinet into the house and down to the basement.
Abby lifted one shoulder. “You might be able to change his mind.”
“I doubt it,” I murmured more than a little unhappily. “I don't think he even knows I'm alive.”
“I wouldn't be so sure about that,” Grace replied softly. “He doesn't strike me as a man who misses much.”
It was true; Drew was one of the most aware people I've ever met in my life. Still, that didn't change facts. “Okay, maybe he knows I'm alive. But he only sees me as his sister's friend.”
“Do you want more?”
Abby's penetrating brown gaze stared into mine, and I shifted uncomfortably. “I mean…” I trailed off, terrified to put my feelings into words. It didn't matter, though. She seemed to know exactly what I was thinking.
“If he's what you want, I say fight for him. You’re living here, right?” I nodded at the rhetorical question, and she continued. “Then make him see you. Put yourself in front of him and make him realize what he's missing.”
“Abby…” Grace warned.
Abby leveled her with a stare. “Would you have let my brother walk away again?”
Grace’s blue gaze drifted toward the house, and her face took on an expression I couldn't quite read. Finally, she shook her head. “No,” she said softly. “I would fight every day for that man.”
“Exactly.” Abby turned back to me. “It might not be easy. Hell, half the time you have to beat it into their heads. But I say go for it. What's the harm in telling him exactly what you want?”
I stared at her. “Getting shot down.”
She shrugged like it didn’t matter in the least. “Maybe. But at least you can say you tried.”
I wished I was as brave as her. “Maybe.”
My voice lacked conviction and she thankfully changed the subject. “The guys have been so busy lately. We should get together for a girls’ night.”
“That sounds really good, actually. Maybe once everything settles down with… you know.”
Footsteps drawing near announced the return of the men, so we quickly swapped contact info and hugged each other goodbye. Once they were gone, I turned to Drew. “I was thinking about making dinner. Are you hungry?”
He offered a flat smile. “No thanks. I need to get caught up on some work.”
An irrational pang of hurt sliced through my chest, and I quickly excused myself. I was vaguely aware of Drew leaving, and I spent the rest of the evening alone, watching TV. Late that night I lay in bed staring at the ceiling once more. Beyond the bedroom came the soft creak of floorboards as Drew prowled through the house. I tossed a quick glance at the clock, and my brows drew together. It was almost one a.m. Was he just now getting home from work? Or had he been elsewhere? Maybe with a woman?
