Centerfold (6 page)

Powell darted out from behind his desk, stepping over to stand beside her. Concern etched the creases in his forehead as he watched her breathe. “Scarlet…”

“I didn’t receive an invitation.”

“You did. It came yesterday to the PO Box we’d set up as Ms. December’s address.”

“But… Don’t ask me to become her again. You have no idea what it was like…all those cameras. The outfits that didn’t even cover me. Men staring at my ass as if it was theirs if they wanted it.”

“I know this must be upsetting to you.”

“Upsetting? I’ve been back six weeks and I’ve spent more time pulling copies of my naked ass off every bulletin board in the damn station than I have chasing down murders! Hell, Lucas and James are using one as their bloody screen saver. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am just to become a piece of meat the men in this station think they can stare at.”

The lieutenant chuckled as she glanced back at him over her shoulder. “You could take that as a compliment, Detective. You’ve got one hell of a cute ass.”

“Not funny.” She sighed, looking back out of the window. December used to be her favorite month. Now it was just a name she wanted to forget.

Aiden shouldered up beside her, giving her a gentle nudge. “You know we wouldn’t be asking if we weren’t desperate. But we’ve only got three weeks left before the year’s up. And this creep isn’t going to let this drag out into January. He wants those women dead. And like it or not, you’re on that list.”

Images flashed through her head again, the memories stinging her eyes. She swiped angrily at the few that slipped free, refusing to look at either man. How did she explain parading around in bikinis and fuck-me-boots was only part of the issue? That reviving the memories of what she and Roman had shared was what really scared her, and she just didn’t know if she could be that woman again. She looked up, glancing from Aiden over to the lieutenant and back.

Powell gave her a reassuring smile. “Regardless of what the Feds want, I won’t order you to take the job. Not if your mind’s not in it.”

“I already told you. I’m fine.” She rubbed her hands along her arms, wondering when it had gotten so cold. “Look. Even if I wanted to do this, there’s no way I can go back there. Not after the shooting. My cover—”

“Was never revealed.” Aiden sidestepped, filling her view. “Trust me. We checked. Glade doesn’t have a clue you’re really a cop. He thought you were like that other blonde at the drop sight. Wrong place. Wrong time. Our cover story that Everett was exploiting women held. As far as anyone at that magazine is concerned, you’re just a sexy cover model. Period.”

“Even if that’s true. This isn’t your conventional manor. Everyone that goes there does so as a couple. Or a threesome or a quartet if that’s how you swing. Glade doesn’t care. All he cares is that every woman shows up with at least one lover. In his warped brain, it justifies all those sex games he makes his guests play. You don’t have to interact with others because you already have a mate. But if you do…it’s consensual. That’s how Roman was able to shadow my every move.” She released a ragged breath, hating the fact they both knew she was more than shaken. “And you have to participate or you get kicked out. Simple as that. I went that first time because I trusted Roman with more than my life. With him gone…”

Aiden glanced at the lieutenant over his shoulder then back at her. “About that…”

The soft press of boots whispered across the room a moment before a voice sounded off to her right. “Hello, Scarlet.”

She turned, her breath lodged tight, eyes locked on his. Her heart kicked twice as she pushed past the other men and stalked toward him, slapping the sexy smile off his face. “You fucking bastard!”

Roman took a step back, his hands braced for another attack. “Now, darling, I can…”

“Don’t ’darling’ me. Three months, Roman. Three months! The last thing I remember is you carrying me out of that warehouse. Then I woke up two weeks later with a couple of bullets for souvenirs and a letter saying you’d joined the Feds. No call, no email…not so much as a fucking text since then.” She shook out her hand, clenching her jaw to keep the sudden rush of tears at bay. “After two years as partners, you owed me more than that. And god knows we were much more than partners.”

Roman shuffled his feet, brushing his fingers along his jaw as he shot the other men a desperate glance. “You’re right. It was a dick move and I deserve far more than a slap in the face. Now, if you’d just stop being mad for one minute, I can explain—”

“Save it. Any explanation is three months overdue.”

A throat cleared behind her and she spun, crossing her arms on her chest as Roman’s scent drifted over to her. She cursed under her breath as her nipples tightened and her pussy wept simply from breathing in the spicy aroma. Hell, just seeing him had made her treacherous heart leap for joy, resurrecting the broken pieces she’d buried inside.

Lieutenant Powell made his way over, nodding at her hand. “Feel any better?”

“He deserved it.”

“No argument here. And seeing as he’s a Fed…” The man smiled. “I realize this is a lot to take in. And if there were other options, I’d tell these boys to fuck off, myself. But…”

“But your hands are tied, and the Feds are breathing down the commissioner’s neck. So he’s passing his concern on to you.” She nodded. “I get it. And if you want me to reincarnate Ms. December, I will.”

The tension eased from the man’s shoulders. “I knew you’d do us proud. Now I suggest you head home, pack some stuff. I’ve already had your clothes and items from the previous mission pulled from inventory. I’ll have Roman and Aiden bring them when they come to pick you up in an hour—”

“Whoa. Back the bunny wagon up a second. What do you mean Roman and Aiden?”

Powell glanced at the two men. “After what happened last time, and with a serial killer likely stalking you, personally, we can’t send just two of you in there.” He snorted. “Not that three is that much better but…I’m not risking your life.”

Her jaw hinged open, and all she could do was stand there, staring at the two men.

Powell sighed. “Scarlet. It’s for your own safety. And Roman assured me you trusted Aiden—”

“You suggested this?” She turned to face Roman, hands on her hips. “Why the hell didn’t anyone ask me? I’m the one parading around in tit tassels and a bloody thong. The one who’s going to have to convince everyone that you’re both my lovers. Why…”

She gasped when Roman lunged at her, backing her into the wall. He pressed his body tight to hers, the sheer size of him stealing her breath. She could feel every twitch of his muscles as he palmed the wall behind her, one hand beside her head, the other grazing her hip. But it was the hard ridge against her stomach that dipped the room as he leaned in, his breath mixing with hers.

He tilted his head, not allowing her to break eye contact. “Damn it, Scarlet, are you seriously going to stand there and tell me you don’t trust Aiden with your life? Because despite everything, you’ve never lied to me before. Hell of a time to start now.”

She shifted her focus to Aiden as he moved in behind Roman’s shoulder, obscuring what was left of the room. His gaze locked on hers as if daring her to deny Roman’s claim. She let her head connect with the wall, nothing more than a muted whisper of air passing her lips.

Roman drew a deep breath, his expression softening slightly. “I know you’re mad—and hurt. But I’m not putting your life at risk because of that. I let you down once. Not going to happen again.”

His words echoed in her head as he eased back, taking two long strides away. Aiden moved with him, standing next to Powell. Did Roman really blame himself for the shooting? Was that why he’d stayed away?

The lieutenant scanned the group, shaking his head as he returned to his desk, placing his hip on the edge. “We good?”

Scarlet inhaled, doing her best to gather even a modicum of composure. Shit, what was it about those two men that unraveled her? Reduced her to nothing more than fiery need? She looked away, wishing she’d stayed in bed this morning. “I’d like all the files on the murders put onto a tablet for me. The old case, too. It’ll give me a chance to go over it on the ride there, seeing as Glade has a strict policy on no cellular devices at his mansion. God forbid someone steals his thunder and releases the next cover spread early. Roman can bring it with him when he and Aiden pick me up.”

Powell nodded. “Consider it done. Anything else?”

“Just this.” She swung her gaze over to Roman again. “I’m doing this because I don’t want those women’s blood on my hands. Don’t assume it means you’re forgiven. I might have to work with you two, but I don’t have to like it.” She bit her lip to keep it from quivering as she spun on her heels and marched down the hall. She’d play their game, but they were in for one hell of a surprise if they thought she’d let them back inside her heart.

Chapter Four

Special Agent Aiden Cross watched Scarlet storm out of the office, head held high, mouth pursed to keep those tears in her eyes from spilling over, and he knew they’d more than fucked up. While he’d suspected Scarlet would be angry, hurt—he hadn’t expected her to look at them as if they’d betrayed her.

He glanced at Roman, reading the man’s thoughts by the press of his lips. He knew Roman blamed himself. After Scarlet had confessed her love—Roman had pulled away. Distanced himself from everything. Everyone. He couldn’t seem to get past the fact he’d allowed her to be shot. That he hadn’t protected her when she’d needed him most. It didn’t matter that Aiden had tried to justify her sacrifice—that it was a partner’s right to make that choice. All Roman could see was her blood on his hands. Her life slowly slipping away in his arms.

They’d spent the first two weeks glued to her side until the moment she’d fluttered her eyelids open, and Roman had bolted. He’d accepted the job Aiden had offered months previous and cut himself off from his old life. They’d spent the next few weeks just talking as friends before they’d found their way back as lovers, reigniting a passion that never failed to take Aiden’s breath away. But the harder they fell, the more they both realized something was missing.
Someone
. Hell, he’d finally convinced Roman to grow some balls and just knock on Scarlet’s door when the calendar murders had been dumped on their desk. And they’d been rocked to the core.

It hadn’t taken much to picture their girl posed in some alleyway, stripped bare, her body tortured. Broken. They’d lobbied for two days to take lead, finally convincing Langley when Scarlet’s name had appeared on the fourth murder investigation as the head detective. And once they’d confirmed her alter ego had remained intact, they’d moved forward with their operation. One that would either bind them together in a way they’d only dreamed of, or destroy them.

Lieutenant Powell whistled, chuckling when both men turned to look at him. He shook his head, giving them both a knowing grin. “Damn, but she’s mad. I don’t envy you boys the next couple of days. Going to be mighty cold in that oversized king bed with her like that. You’d best play nice until she forgives you or you might spend the entire mission taking turns sleeping in the bathtub.” He chuckled again. “Of course, the fact she’s in love with at least one of you, if not both, certainly puts the odds in your favor.”

Aiden snapped his head toward Roman, unable to talk around the lump in his chest.

Roman took a step closer, his expression fixed. “Excuse me?”

Powell tsked. “Now who’s lying? Please, give me some credit. I’ve known you for a dozen years. Scarlet nearly as long. And I’ve spent the past two years watching you two through that glass. You were smitten with the girl the moment I made her your partner. And you’ve been falling in love with each other every day since.” He glanced at Aiden. “And she wouldn’t be sparring with you that way if she didn’t care. I’m guessing your friendship has…progressed without either of you actually acknowledging it.”

Roman released an audible breath. “Well…this is awkward.”

Powell waved Roman’s words away. “You’re not the first partners to fall in love. Hell, all do, it’s always just a tossup as to whether it’s the kind where you punch each other in the shoulder and help get them laid or if you’re the one taking your partner to bed.” He raised an eyebrow. “I’m guessing that playing the role of lovers at the mansion pushed you two over the edge?” He merely nodded. “Explains why you left like you did, no offense to the Feds.”

Aiden held up his hands. “None taken. But I can’t say I’m upset that he decided to make the switch.”

“I imagine not.” Powell crossed his arms on his chest. “So level with me. You boys honestly think you can both pose as her lovers and not have it blow up in your faces? Knowing the lifestyle you’ll be submersed in? What the three of you might have to do to maintain your cover? Roman? You don’t strike me as the kind of guy who shares. Aiden, either.”

Roman glanced at Aiden, silently asking him how much he wanted revealed. Aiden smiled. Fuck. He hadn’t thought Roman would feel comfortable acknowledging the intimate side of their relationship. Not here. Not yet.

Powell groaned. “Ah, fuck. I’m an idiot. Does Scarlet know?”

Roman matched the man’s stance. “That Aiden and I are lovers? She has a pretty damn good idea. Does she know I’m not the only man in love with her? That might take her by surprise. Though she’d be lying to herself if she thinks she doesn’t have feelings for Aiden, as you’ve already pointed out.”

Powell nodded. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but…while I realize these are unique circumstances, what with the type of undercover work you might be required to perform… Are you sure this is wise? You boys seem a bit too close to be…objective.”

“Generally, I’d agree. But in this instance…” Aiden ran a hand through his hair. “The very basis of this assignment is convincing everyone there we’re involved. Intimately. The fact we have feelings for each other… It’s Scarlet’s life on the line if we don’t pull this off. And she has to trust us. Regardless of what occurs inside those walls. Know that we won’t let anyone hurt her, make her feel anything less than safe, no matter what’s happening or who’s watching.”