Centerfold (7 page)

“Sounds like you have your work cut out for you after reading hers and Roman’s reports.” Powell moved behind his desk. “I’ll have that tablet and Ms. December’s belongings ready within the hour. I’ve been informed that the Feds will be dealing with any correspondence, since we won’t be able to simply call or text you. They’ve assured me they’ll use appropriate measures to ensure your covers remain intact. With any luck, you three will catch this sick bastard before he strikes again.”

“We’ll do our best.” Aiden turned then glanced back at the lieutenant. “We know how important this operation is, and I promise we won’t do anything to put Scarlet’s life at risk.”

“See that you don’t. Just watch your backs. You’re pretty much on your own in there.”

“There’s always the chance this guy won’t be able to get inside.”

“Right. And we all believe that.” Powell leaned back in his chair. “Oh, and, gentlemen… Tread lightly where Scarlet’s concerned. She’s still dealing with the fallout from that original case. And it’d be a shame for her to permanently damage anything…important…before you even get there.”

Roman smiled. “We’ll keep that in mind. We’ll be in touch.”

Aiden followed his lover out, hating the silence that stretched between them as they headed for their truck. He could tell by the stiff line of Roman’s back and the way he clenched and released his hands at his sides that the man wasn’t happy with Scarlet’s reaction.

He waited until Roman slipped into the driver’s side before turning and placing his hand over Roman’s as he slid the keys into the ignition. Roman sighed, glancing at him before collapsing against the seat, staring at the ceiling as if it held some kind of magical answer.

He shook his head. “Did you see the look on her eyes? Fuck, that wasn’t anger. That was pain. Betrayal.”

Aiden twisted so he could better
face
the man. “Can’t say I’m that surprised. She’s right. She deserved better.”

“Not helping.”

“Would you rather I lie to you?”

Roman spared him a quick glance. “You could cushion the truth a bit.”

“Sorry, buddy, not my style. Not when I’d be as pissed as she is if I were in her place. She lost both of us without so much as a satisfactory explanation. We knew the road back into her heart wouldn’t be easy.”

“What if there isn’t a way? What if I just fucked up the one chance we had at being happy, all because I couldn’t fucking think past my own fears? Shit, I should have just told her that day she woke up.”

“We both know why you didn’t. And despite everything, she’s still in love with you. It’s written across her face. Why do you think she’s so upset? She cares.”

“The girl has a hell of a memory—and temper. Neither is going to help us win her back.”

“Nothing worth fighting for is ever simple.”

Roman exhaled, allowing his head to bow toward his chest. The man looked as broken as Aiden knew he felt.

Aiden gave his thigh a squeeze. “We’ll work this out. Promise.”

“She’s on that list, Aiden. If we don’t catch his sorry ass, he’ll kill her. And it’ll be on us.”

“Not going to let that happen. Period. Besides, she’s not an easy target. She’s trained, fights like a damn badger and is one hell of a good shot.”

“Hard to hide a gun in the clothes she’ll have to wear.” He scrubbed a hand down his
face
. “She can’t be left alone. Ever. Not even for a minute.”

“Not my first rodeo. Yours or hers, either. We’ll get this creep. Now start the damn truck. We only have an hour to get everything ready before we pick up her stuff then her. And it’d be rude to keep the lady waiting.”

Roman revved the engine, heading out of the empty lot. They went through the motions, gathering supplies before heading back to the precinct. Powell met them with a suitcase of Ms. December’s belongings and a tablet, not so subtly reminding them this was a joint endeavor and to keep him informed. Then they’d headed to Scarlet’s, parking in front of the small bungalow she owned. Roman sat in the seat, staring at the front door for five minutes before Aiden punched him on the shoulder.

“You’ve been here a thousand times. She probably already knows we’re out here. Now, we just look like fucking stalkers. Just man the hell up, already.”

Roman glared at him. “Fuck you.”

“Anytime. Anywhere, buddy. But it’s not me you have to convince.” He pointed at the door. “She’ll understand, Roman. She might be angry for a while, standoffish. Hell, I’ll considerate it lucky if we only have to grovel at her feet—but she’ll forgive you. Us. That’s what love’s about. Now, go. I’m right behind you.”

Roman huffed, slamming the door before striding up the walkway. He pounded on the door, palming the wall as he waited, muttering under his breath. Aiden smiled. Roman always was an extreme kind of guy. But that was part of his charm.

Scarlet yanked open the door, glaring at them as she crossed her arms on her chest. She wore a form-fitting red dress with a matching velvet shawl and thigh-high boots. The outfit hugged every damn curve of her body, highlighting her firm breasts and sexy ass. Aiden forced himself to swallow. Shit, he’d thought she looked hot in jeans and a tee. Dressed like this—the girl would turn more than a few heads.

She scowled at both of them, tapping her leather-booted foot on the floor. “You don’t have to break the damn thing down, especially since you’ve been sitting out there just staring at the house.” She grabbed a purse off a side table to her right and a small bag from the floor as she pushed past Roman.

Aiden snagged her arm, careful not to grip too tightly. “I thought you were going to pack?”

Scarlet looked at him, glancing at where he held her arm, but she didn’t try to pull away. “I did.” She held up the bag. “This is it.”

“One bag? I thought women took everything they owned with them?”

She smiled sweetly at him. “I’m going to Glade Manor. That means I’ll basically be naked for the foreseeable future. This dress is the least revealing outfit I’ll wear until we close this case. I didn’t need much.”

Her words hit his gut. Shit. In all the planning, he hadn’t stopped to really consider what she’d have to endure. How being on display might affect her. Not really.

He shifted in front of her, brushing his thumb along her cheek, keeping his other hand gently holding her arm. “I’m sorry. If there was any other way to get inside…”

Scarlet’s expression softened, uncertainty creasing her forehead. She looked over at Roman, the lines deepening. “I…” She shrugged. “I know what’s on the line. I’ll deal.”

Aiden nodded, unsure what else to say as she moved past them, climbing into the back of the truck. He glanced at Roman, but the man merely motioned him forward. Aiden walked to the vehicle, debating whether to ride with Roman in the front or sit with Scarlet in the back. Roman shook his head, pointing to the front. Aiden sighed. They needed to bridge the gap, and soon, or no one would believe they were friends, let alone lovers.

Roman started off the trip trying to broach the obvious distance between them, only to have Scarlet cut off his efforts by channeling her attention toward the tablet. They’d continued in silence, the miles slowly passing as a constant hum of the tires on the road. Snow dotted the landscape as they climbed into the mountains, nothing but evergreens blurring past the windows. Scarlet barely uttered a word, simply nodding when Roman went over the cover story, adding a reluctant yes here and there. She seemed determined to keep them at arm’s length, her body language clearly conveying her displeasure at the situation. Roman stopped a couple of hours later at the gates to the estate, looking at her in the rear-view mirror as he waited for the bars to open.

It took a few moments before she glanced up, frowning as she caught his stare. “Problem?”

Roman snorted. “Just that we’re here and you’ve hardly said two words to us since we picked you up, despite our efforts to contrary.”

“I thought the purpose of this mission was to catch a serial killer?”

“It is. But we’d like a chance to talk first—to explain.”

“Short of both of you being abducted by aliens, I don’t want your explanation. I’m here to work. Which is why I’ve been going through the files. I can’t bring the damn tablet into the retreat, thanks to Glade’s paranoia. And I’d rather not end up as a chalk outline on some warehouse floor with the word
December
carved in my skin.”

The vein in Roman’s temple pulsed. “Do you honestly think Aiden and I are going to let that happen? Give us some credit, darling.”

She huffed at his endearment. “Doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”

“Reading all those files isn’t going to help us when we don’t get past the damn doormen because we can’t convince them we’re together. And based on that permanent scowl on your face, no one’s going to believe that.”

Scarlet graced them with a stunning smile. “Oh, don’t worry, baby. I’ll be sweet as sugar to you boys whenever we’re outside our room—every inch the doting lover I’m expected to be.”

Roman grunted, driving through the entrance and up the winding driveway. Aiden knew Scarlet’s continued distance cut Roman deep, but it wasn’t something they could avoid. They’d created the unrest between them. They couldn’t expect Scarlet to simply welcome them home, especially when they’d been thrust into such a volatile situation before they’d had a chance to work things out. Though if the girl thought she was going to win just because she could hold a grudge, she had a hard lesson ahead of her.

Roman parked the truck, twisting to face them. “Are we clear on the details of our relationship?”

Scarlet sighed. “I know the cover story. You went over it a dozen times.” She scoffed at him. “Just because I didn’t talk much doesn’t mean I wasn’t listening. It’s my ass on the line. I’m not going to screw anything up.”

“The bastard’s going to have to go through me and Aiden if he wants you. Simple as that. Now are you sure you’re ready? If you think it’s too soon…”

Her bottom lip quivered for a moment as she grazed a hand across her shoulder. A hint of the girl bled through her façade before she drew herself up, every bit the confident woman they’d fallen in love with. “I said I could do this, and I will.”

“Not really an answer but…” He looked out of the window as one of Glade’s staff stepped up to the door, grabbing the rear handle. “Show time.”

Scarlet plastered on an exuberant smile, accepting the man’s hand as she exited the truck. Her heels clicked on the pavement as she took a few steps, waiting for Roman and Aiden to each take a side. She linked arms with them, giving each man a picture-perfect smile before matching their stride as they headed for the main doors.

Roman glanced at him, all but rolling his eyes. Damn, she was good. Not a trace of the disdain she’d been shooting their way evident in her expression or the way she carried herself. She moved easily within their grasp, leaning into Aiden when he palmed her back, guiding her through the door Roman held it open for them. Every sway of her hips echoed in Aiden’s groin, spiking his dick against his zipper.

He leaned close to her ear as she swayed his way. “Scarlet. If you keep brushing against me like that…”

She didn’t answer, just managed to graze her knuckles across his cock, allowing them to linger just long enough his damn dick hardened further against her touch. He saw a smile tease the corner of her mouth as she nodded to a couple off to her right. Fuck, she was going to kill them, and she didn’t need a weapon to succeed.

Thomas Glade stood several yards away, greeting his guests as they made their way inside. Aiden scanned the room, groaning inwardly. He’d hoped Glade would restrict the retreat to the women involved in their case, but apparently, the man didn’t have an ounce of common sense. He’d turned the gathering into a goddamn gala, with a seemingly endless stream of people moving freely through the rooms.

Roman shouldered up beside him, smiling and nodding as he leaned in. “Can you believe this? There has to be upwards of fifty people just in this area alone. How the hell are we supposed to make anywhere secure?”

“We’ll adapt. Just keep smiling.”

Scarlet gave Aiden a light elbow, motioning to Glade with her head. Aiden sighed, following her lead as she made her way over to the man, accepting his embrace.

He stepped back, holding her hands as his gaze ran the length of her body. “Ms. December. I’d recognize you anywhere. And what a stunning vision in red.”

Scarlet blushed as if on cue, affectionately palming her hand on the older man’s arm. “Thomas, you are such a charmer. You remember Roman Kincaid, my lover and personal agent.”

Thomas extended his hand, shaking Roman’s. “Glad you could make it. Hope the snow didn’t slow you down.”

“It’s a lovely drive.” Roman turned to Aiden. “As mentioned on our reply to your generous invitation, we have a new partner. Thomas Glade, this is Aiden Cross.”

Thomas eyed Aiden, accepting his hand. “A third. How intriguing.” Glade leaned in closer. “I
am
correct in assuming you’re more than just a pretty face to these two, aren’t I?”

Scarlet laughed, effortlessly moving into Aiden’s embrace, one arm wrapped around his waist as the other caressed his chest. “Do I look like a fool?”

She laughed again, the sound so fucking natural Aiden damn near laughed with her. Shit, she had Glade hanging on her every word.

She tsked Thomas. “What woman in her right mind would pass up a chance to have this in her bed? Especially when her lover wants him, too?”

Glade grinned. “What a wonderful development. As I recall, you two were rather timid the last time you were here. We were beginning to think you might be…plants.”

Scarlet tensed ever so slightly, before she batted her eyelids, giving the man a roll of her eyes. “Funny. I heard the same thing about Ms. February. Will she be joining us?”

Glade’s demeanor changed. “I’m afraid she can’t be with us.”

“Shame. Now, if you’ll just inform us as to which room we’ll be staying in…”

“East wing, last suite on the left.” He cupped her elbow when she tried to walk past. “Our security requirements…”

“Our phones. How could I forget?”