Deadly Vision (24 page)

“You have beautiful skin, baby. I’d hate to see it marked up, when it doesn’t have to be.” As he spoke he drew soft circles on her skin with his thumb, smiling as bumps beaded beneath his touch. “Come on. I’ll drive you to the hospital where they can take care of this properly.”

He moved to touch her shoulder, but she scouted away, one hand raised up in front of him, the other still holding the gauze against her cut. “Don’t.”

Gil snatched his hand back, but didn’t remove the hurt from his eyes. “Don’t what?”

“Don’t come in here and suddenly start caring when you haven’t so much as called me in the past six months.” Her bottom lip quivered, but she continued. “I can’t do this. I’m not a toy for you to play with whenever the feeling strikes you. I need more than a cock. Hell, if sex was the only thing I wanted, I wouldn’t have spent the last half a year with only my hand to keep me company.” She winced as a single tear cascaded down her cheek and puddled on the floor. “It’s taken me a long time to move on. And I won’t go through that again just because you need a distraction from the case.” She held up her hand when he went to speak. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to take a shower and get changed. Jane invited me over for a barbeque, and if I don’t show up, she’ll send a squad car here to escort me.” She motioned to the door. “And make sure you
lock
the door on your way out.”

Gil’s jaw tensed, the vein in his temple fluttering from the pressure. She thought for a moment he was going to argue with her, but then he simply turned and marched out, pulling the bathroom door closed behind him. More tears gathered behind her lashes, but she didn’t try to stop them from trickling down her cheeks. The water from the shower would wash them away, as they’d done more times than she could count.

* * * *

Gil stood in Fallon’s living room, trying to understand what had just happened. There’d been so much he’d needed to say, so many emotions swirling inside him he just couldn’t get a handle on one long enough to put his feelings into words. He’d been scared. Scared he’d find her lying on the bathroom floor, her body sliced into decorative swirls, the beginnings of a cross carved into her chest. Scared that he’d never get a chance to tell her how much he still loved her, how he’d been an ass and wanted nothing more than to start over. Then he’d barged in and she’d turned the tables on him. Damn, she’d nearly broken his hand with the stupid toilet brush, let alone the welt humped on his forehead.

He smiled at the thought and couldn’t help but chuckle. She was feisty, he’d give her that much. And based on the pain throbbing through his knuckles, more than capable of defending herself. Still…

He sighed and leaned back against the couch, wondering how everything he did turned out wrong. How his appearance had gone from rescue to raid without so much as a smile from her. Had she even realised the risk she’d taken? Hell, riding alone was crazy enough, but forgetting to lock her door was downright reckless. He had half a mind to march back in there and…

His phone jingled.

Gil flipped it open. “Something new, Wade?”

“You know, it might be more fun for you if you didn’t know it was me until after you’d answered.”

“I’m not one for surprises.” Wade sighed and Gil felt his gut clench. “What?”

“I’m afraid I have some…disturbing news.”

Oh God, had the bastard stuck again? He closed his eyes and tried not to see the past seven crime scenes flash in his mind. “Another body?”

“Not exactly.”

Wade made a weird huffing sound that chilled Gil’s blood. “What then?”

Wade sighed again. “I just got a call from Trevor Watts. He said they had a break-in at the precinct last night. Seems someone took some files from the Human Resources office. Being Sunday, no one noticed until the cleaning staff found the door pried open.”

Gil scowled. “And Trevor thought we’d be interested because?”

“Because the files the bastard took were the personnel records of the dispatch centre operators. He’s got everyone’s name, address and phone number, not to mention a whole bunch of other personal information.”

“Son of a bitch.”

“The only lucky break is that he doesn’t know Fallon’s name. There’re at least a dozen ladies at the centre. He’ll have a tough time narrowing down his search. Hopefully your girl can give us some more clues before he discovers it’s her.”

“So we’re just supposed to sit around and see how long it takes him to figure out Fallon’s his mystery girl? I don’t think so.”

“Trevor thought you’d feel that way. He offered to send a patrol car out to keep watch, but I told him you’d probably prefer to take care of Fallon’s security yourself.” Wade paused as if waiting for him to argue. “I’m sure we can secure a safe house for her if you want.”

“Fallon would never agree to go. Since we have no proof that it was
The Priest
who stole the files, the Bureau won’t give us the authority to take her against her will, even if it is to save her life.” He cursed, hating the helpless feeling rising in his chest. “I don’t suppose Trevor has any leads for us?”

“They haven’t been able to get anything worthwhile off the security tapes. Looks like carving up women isn’t this guy’s only talent. Trevor said it was a madhouse Saturday night. And let’s face it. The last place you’d think someone was going to break-in to is the police station.”

Gil clenched the phone and suppressed the urge to toss it against the wall. He knew Wade was right. The police had too much on their plate already to worry about someone breaking in to the file room. But that didn’t help Fallon any. Based on the intelligence of
The Priest
so far, he doubted it’d take the man long to figure out Fallon’s identity. He couldn’t even bear to think what would happen then.

“Gil? Would you like me to call Trevor and have him send a unit over?”

“No. I’ll keep an eye on Fallon. She’s on her way to a barbeque at Jane’s house anyway. Just tell Trevor I’ll call him if I think she needs the added security.”

“Sure thing, buddy.” Wade paused and Gil was sure he could hear the man chuckling. “So do you think Fallon will mind you tagging along? She didn’t seem to be angry with
me
this morning. I think she might like
me
.”

“Right. You just keep telling yourself that, Junior.” He stopped when he heard Fallon’s door open. “Look, I’ll call you later. Do me a favour and find out exactly what was in those files. I want to know how intimately our guy is going to know those ladies.”

“Already on it. I’ll call you later to see how everything’s going. Oh and Gil. Try not to make her angry this time. I think your charm needs a bit of work.”

Gil sneered at the phone and tucked it back in his pocket. He’d resisted working with Wade at first, but the man was proving to be more than just competent. He was becoming a friend. He sighed at the thought and looked up just as Fallon walked into the room. She stopped she when she saw him, her hands curving around the sensual arc of her hips.

“You know, for a federal agent, you’re not very good with orders.”

Gil heard her voice bounce around in his head, but was too distracted to understand the words. She was dressed in a fire red shirt that skimmed her body, dipping down low in the front to reveal more than just a glimpse of creamy skin between her breasts. It looked like she had on a matching bra, the delicate lace edge peeking out at the bottom of the vee. Nestled in that beautiful valley was an emerald-coloured stone, dangling from a green suede cord. The stone was shaped like an angel, the surface smooth and polished. When she breathed it almost looked as if the angel fluttered her wings, quivering gracefully between Fallon’s breasts.

Gil forced himself to swallow as he followed the line of her body down to a mid-length black skirt, which accentuated the lovely curve of her ass. It looked like it was made out of some kind of silk, flowing from side to side with every movement Fallon made. She’d completed her outfit with a pair of black stockings, and it made Gil’s mouth water wondering if they were thigh highs. He felt his face kick up into an amused half smile when he reminded himself he’d find out later, when he’d seduced her back into his bed.

Fallon cleared her throat, drawing his attention back to her face. She looked anything but aroused and a sick feeling settled in his stomach.

“Is there a good reason why you’re still standing in my living room?”

She shifted her weight to the other foot and Gil nearly creamed his pants at the way her skirt and top moved with her. Damn, she looked hot.

“I’m positive I told you to leave.”

“Actually, you asked me to lock up on my way out.” He took a step towards her. “As you can see, I’m not out yet.”

Fallon huffed, but didn’t back down. “It was implied that you’d leave.”

Gil shrugged. “Well, next time perhaps you should tell me what you want, instead of just implying it.”

Fallon closed her eyes and Gil felt the sudden need to hold her. She looked lost again, and he couldn’t help but feel responsible. It wasn’t like he enjoyed fighting with her. He just wanted to talk to her, whatever the situation. But she definitely wasn’t making things easy.

“Okay. Stay. I’ve got plans, so if you’ll kindly move…”

“I’ll drive you over to Jane’s,” he interrupted, grabbing her set of keys off the table before she had time to react. “My truck’s just down the street.”

Fallon’s eyes went wide a moment before she crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I’ll drive. It’s not safe for you to go alone.”

Fallon snorted and stomped her foot. On anyone else it would’ve seemed childish, but on her, it looked hot and sexy and he wanted nothing more than to push her against the wall and fuck her.

“I’m not a child. Besides, I’ll be inside my car, and then far from alone at Jane’s.”

Gil lowered his eyebrows and looked at her. There’d been a strange tone to her voice when she’d mentioned Jane’s house and it made him wonder if this barbeque was a cover for something else. He took another step towards her, using his full height to his advantage. “Are you going on a date?”

Fallon’s face paled, then flushed, and Gil felt his own redden with anger. “It’s not a date. It’s a gathering.”

“A gathering where there just happens to be single guys,” he added.

Fallon shrugged and Gil wanted to pound the wall beside her.

“Jane thinks I don’t get out enough, so she invited me over for dinner. I’m not sure who else is going. I think she mentioned something about a friend of Brad’s being there.”

“A fire-fighter.”

She nodded. “A new guy at the station.”

“And you’re the appetiser for him.”

Fallon glared at him and pushed him aside as she made for the door. “I’m only going to make Jane happy. If I skip out, she’ll think I’m still sick and then I’ll be banned from the office for another week. Besides, I like Jane and Brad.”

“And this new guy from the station is just extra.”

Fallon turned and looked back at him. “You know. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were jealous. Which seems kind of stupid since
you
were the one who left.”

“Fallon, you know I…” He stopped. There was no sense explaining when he didn’t have the answers. Besides, she was right. He had left. If he had any hope of getting her back, he was going to have to make up for that…and more. “Fine. You’re going to a barbeque with your friends. But I’m still driving you.”

“Why?”

Gil hesitated. He didn’t want her to worry, but he also didn’t want her to hear about the break-in from someone else. “Wade just called. Apparently someone broke into the precinct last night and took some personnel files from the Human Resources office.”

Fallon frowned. “So? What has that got to do with you having to drive me?”

“The guy only took the files for the dispatch centre.”

Her face paled as she worked it out in her mind. “Couldn't this be some weird kind of coincidence?”

“Maybe. But I’m not one to bet on a losing horse.” He stepped over to her. “Just do me a favour and let me drive you there. I promise I’ll behave myself and not make a scene at Jane’s.”

Fallon’s lip seemed to quiver for a second, then she nodded and turned back to the door. She motioned him forward and followed him out, stopping at the side of his truck. “Just remember one thing. I have to work with these people. So don’t do anything…”

“Stupid?” he suggested.

“Neanderthal.”

Chapter Sixteen

Jane opened the door, a bottle of beer clutched in one hand. She was still talking to someone behind her when she finally turned her head. “Fallon. It’s about bloody time! I was starting to get worried. Thought maybe you’d fallen into some kind of gorge or something.” The woman stepped forward and smothered Fallon in a full body hug. “Another twenty minutes, and I was going to have Brad and the guys go searching for you.”

“Sorry. I, um, ran into a few obstacles along the way.” Fallon pulled away from the woman and wrapped her arms around her chest as if she were cold. “But I’m here now, if you’ll let me in.”

Jane laughed and practically dragged Fallon over the threshold, spilling some of her beer on the porch. “You know better than to wait to be invited, girl,” she quipped, stepping back inside before coming to a halt. Gil watched as the woman’s eyes bulged wide, her gaze taking him in. She looked at Fallon, then back at him, rubbing one eye with the back of her hand as if expecting his image to disappear. Then she swallowed hard and locked her eyes on him.