Luna Tick: A Sunshine Novel (3 page)

"Hey, Sun, been better," he replied honestly, kissing her on the cheek. Damn traitor. So much for pushing the conversation off until after practice. Would it have been so fucking hard for Dade just to say, “fine, you?” I shot him an eat shit grin, and he just shrugged.

"Well, what did you come up with?" she asked, straight to the point. Her tone clearly spoke volumes in regards to her no bullshit tolerance level. I didn't answer right away, instead I looked over towards the kids, not wanting to talk about it yet.

"What is it, Matt? You know I don't tolerate bullshit. I may be your wife, our kid's mother, feminine and loving, but I also curse like a sailor and can beat either of your asses in most sports. So stop treating me like some delicate flower and tell me what the fuck is going on Matthew Everly!" Her arms were waving around at both Dade and me. Yep, she was on the verge of being pissed. I was about to push her over the edge.

"Well?" She urged, losing her patience. Fuck. There was no easy way to say it. Our worst nightmare was now our worst fucking reality.

"It's Nick, babe. We're almost positive. It seems Nick and Joe were corresponding after his release and before Joe was given the lethal injection. Joe was training him. Encouraging him." I let the words tumble out. I knew there was no easy way to say this to her. No way to soften the blow.

"Are you just finding out about these letters?" she questioned, looking back and forth between Dade and me.

"Yeah. They're in evidence," Dade answered. It was clear he was just as pissed at not having these letters years ago. We both were.

"How the fuck does that happen? How was it possible for that bastard to have outside contact with anyone?" Her hands were solidly on her hips, demanding answers to the same questions I'd asked at the station.

"The letters were addressed from Linda. The guard never questioned or read them. Figured they were from his scorned and heartbroken wife. When he died they were just filed into evidence."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me! Who the hell do they have working at the shitty prison? Douche-nuggets apparently." She was fuming and had every right to be. Joe trained Nick for years right under our noses. One more big fuck you to the world. The situation was worse than we could have imagined.

"Calm down, babe. We have the letters now," I told her, not wanting a scene in front of the kids.

"Calm down? This is fucking bad Matt! This is so bad! All this time, what if he'd have come for me? For you? We have to stop him." Crimson crept into her cheeks. I could see she was trying hard to keep her voice down, but the anger I saw swirling in her eyes told me she was about to explode. She was a time bomb with a short fuse that I was about to light.

"No, we," I pointed between Dade and me, "have to stop him. You have to stay here and take care of the kids. This is not up for discussion, Sunshine! You stay here–safe!" I struggled to keep my voice low. I braced myself for the backlash.

"Excuse me, Dade," she glanced at him, giving him a sorrowful look before she turned her attention back to me. "Are you out of your damn mind? You really think you're going to leave me behind while you go be a fucking superhero and save the day? Are you a douche-nugget too?" She stood toe to toe with me, her hands on her hips, her green eyes wild. I didn't care.

"You're not coming, Sunshine!" I said through gritted teeth, matching her stance and glare. We didn't fight often but when we did they were explosive. Everything we did together was explosive from fighting to fucking. We were never dull or boring that’s for damn sure and this moment was no different.

"Have you ever considered that this might be just what Nick wants? He's getting sloppy. He's killing more, making the news. He knows it's going to get to us! He's expecting you! What if you get there to stop him while he's here waiting to get me?" she screamed. The tears must have been willing to stay at bay were now falling freely. "Matt, you will not leave me here. No fucking way. Where you go, I go. End of fucking story." Every single moment of terror that she'd lived seven years ago surfaced. It was written all over her face. I don't respond. Instead I pulled her into my arms not caring that other parents were walking by, probably looking at us as though we'd lost our minds. I knew she'd break when I told her. That's the main reason I wanted to wait until we were home, so she could fall apart in privacy. Seeing my wife cry crushed me. In that moment I knew I couldn't leave her behind. As much as I didn't want her there, as much as I wanted to be sure she was safe and taken care of I knew she'd won that battle. Maybe she was right. Maybe Dade was right. The safest place for Sunshine was with me. I'd die before I let anything happen to her.

"Okay, shhh. Baby, shhh stop crying. I get it. You're coming with me. I won't leave you. I promise." My hand held the back of her neck tightly while her arm wrapped around my back, clinging to me as though her life depended on it. Once the tears stopped and the trembling subsided, I released her slightly. Dade came over to us, placing an arm around her shoulder.

"We'll keep you safe. We'll beat Nick at his own game, and before you know it he'll be awaiting his own lethal injection." He spoke protectively, like a big brother.

"Thanks, guys. Sorry, I didn't mean to freak out, but I'm scared and the thought of you going to do this and leaving me here is not a good feeling." She wiped the tears away with the back of her hand before she pulled out of my grasp.

"Let's get this practice over with then we'll make a plan. Okay?" I offered her, knowing that it would be the longest practice ever.

"Okay," she agreed then walked away towards the stands.

"Thanks for the backup, bro," I said, not really teasingly.

"I told you, dude. I agree with her. She shouldn't be left here alone. I get why you're scared to bring her but there is no place safer than with us right? Plus, she's so damn stubborn. I'm not fighting that." He chuckled a little, trying to lighten the situation with very little light.

"Yeah, whatever. Let's get this practice over with."

***

The night was cool but not enough to use the heaters. Just cool enough for an extra blanket and body heat. The moonlight flooded our room making it possible for me to see the outline of her face. Even in the dim light I could see she was deep in thought.

"I talked to my parents and they agreed to take the kids on a vacation. It's not safe for them to stay in Lincoln either. I know he's supposedly in Klamath Falls, but I don't think we should take any chances," she said softly.

"No, that's a good idea. Where are they going on such short notice?" I asked, turning towards her. She was stunning, even in the dark with nothing but moonlight.

"Canada. They're gonna stop in Seattle and take the kids to the Space Needle and EMP which Elijah will love and a ferry to the Victoria Islands which you know Dani will love. Then they'll spend some time with my mother's sister."

"Perfect. Do the kids know?" I asked.

"Yeah, they know and they're excited. Elijah was a little worried about missing practice, but I assured him it would be okay."

"Did you give them a reason for the trip with the grandparents?"

"Yeah, I just told them you're working on a case that I might be able to help with so we have to leave for a little while. They bought it."

"Good. They don't need to know what's going on. They don't need to worry."

"Agreed."

She snuggled into me, her ass flush against my groin. Her skin was soft, and her body was all the warmth I needed. Holding her in my arms like that was comforting. There was no other place on earth that I felt more at home then with her in my arms. The years that we spent apart were hell. Not a day went by that I wasn't thankful for the second chance she gave me. The thought that I could have lost this forever still feels like a stab in my heart. One stupid mistake at a very young age could have changed my life forever, but something made her forgive me. I never took that for granted. I pulled her even tighter to me. I would have melted our bodies together if that were possible.

"Trish and Ronin are coming too. I don't want you left alone at all for any reason."

"Is Ronin our bodyguard?" She teased, while running her finger around my nipple.

"However you want to look at it. But under no circumstances do you or Trish go anywhere alone. Okay?"

"Got it, officer," she teased, ready to forget about the level of chaos our lives were about to become. "For one night, before the shit storm ensues, I just want to go back to being Matt's wife. Okay? Can we do that tonight?" She nonchalantly allowed her tongue to replace the job of her fingers and flicked my already hard nipple.

"Are you trying to seduce me, Mrs. Everly?" I asked, my voice low and seductive.

I let her continue her sexy assault on me, tasting my chest and neck while her hand slithered down, finding my already stiff cock. Rubbing me gently over my boxers she purred in my ear, "Is it working, Mr. Everly?"

"Baby, I don't need seducing from you. I've got a perma-hard on when you're around." I nipped her bottom lip, my fingers dug into the flesh of her bare ass.

"That can't be comfortable," she teased, squeezing the shaft of my dick before covering my mouth with hers for a short kiss.

"It's sweet torture, doll. The sweetest." My mouth engulfed hers, our tongues doing a seductive tango. She released a moan into my mouth while her hand continued to rub my shaft. I slid my hands up her nightgown slowly until they found her bare breasts. Her tits fit perfectly into my hands. I rotated massaging the soft tissue while pinching her hard nipples. Her soft hand moved from my dick to my balls, cupping them then rolling them around. She gave them a gentle squeeze before moving back up to my dick, rubbing vigorously, her torso grinding against me like a wild nympho. Even after all those years, she was still fucking sexy as hell.

"Baby, you're going to make me cum in my boxers if I don't get inside of you soon," I panted, then pulled her nightgown over her head. Seconds later, she had my boxers off and was mounting me. She impaled herself slowly, allowing me to feel every inch of her. Once she'd consumed my cock, her hips rocked back and forth with slow and precise movements. She braced herself with her hands on my chest, graciously giving me full view of her gorgeous breasts. Her dark hair is pulled up revealing to me every inch of her perfect body.

"Feel good, baby?" Her voice was raspy from rapid breathing.

"Nothing feels better than your pussy. And the view? Your body is so fucking sexy." I reached forward, grabbing her hips, urging her to keep moving. She changed her method from slow rubbing to full on riding me. Her tits bounced up and down as she took me deep inside of her over and over again. The friction was heaven. The sight intoxicating. I watched her fuck me as though I were a drug addict needing a fix. I was. She was my drug. She was my fix.

"Don't stop, baby. I'm … almost … there … ahhh, Sunshine!" I called out. "Come with me, Sunshine," I ordered, my thumb finding her clit and applying the pressure I knew she loved. Her movement slowed as her body braced itself for the impending orgasm, tensing up. Her legs squeezed against my thighs as she came undone. My cum filled her, mixing together with her own juices, a cocktail of our lovemaking. I felt the excess fluid seeping out of her, soaking the area she’d just rode to oblivion, sealing us together. Seconds later, she collapsed on top of me, both of our bodies spent. She stayed there until her breathing returned to normal then rolled off of me, resuming her position against my now serviced cock.

"I love you, baby. More than life itself. I will never let anything or anyone hurt you. I promise." They were words I meant and knew she needed to hear. I hoped she believed them.

"I love you too, but part of keeping me safe is always having you around–always. That means don't be a hero and get yourself hurt or killed. Okay? We do this smart and careful." Her words were whispered but penetrated my soul. We were a team, and we had to stop Nick together.

"Okay, baby." I kissed her head before we both fell silent.

I fell asleep with her in my arms, knowing that we wouldn't have this kind of simple peace for a while but thankful for the moment we'd just shared. Tomorrow we would be running head-on into the web of a lunatic, and I really hoped we'd come out the victors.

Chapter Three

Nick

It was getting harder and harder to control my urges. The more I killed the more I craved the feeling it gave me. Power. Control. Domination. Mastery. Some would argue that I was playing God, deciding who got to live and who got to die. I didn't consider myself godlike. No, I was above God. I was more respected. Feared. Sought after. Good and bad people wanted me. Some ached to destroy me. Study me. Theorize me. Figure out what made me
tick.
Others wanted to be me. Wanted to feel the power I felt. Wanted to know what it was like to hold another human being's life in their hands. Would they catch me one day? Possibly, especially if I didn't learn to rein in my desires, but I was okay with that. There was more like me. Many more like me. In that moment though, I had to lay low. Be a family man. Be a good cop. There was a serial killer on the loose after all.

"Hunny, do you have a lead on this Luna Tick?" my sweet and caring wife asked. I could see the fear in her eyes. I felt a slight pull at my heartstrings knowing that I was the one that struck that fear. What would she say if she knew? What would she do? The woman loved me unconditionally and undyingly. Would she understand? Would she join me, become a monster herself? As I looked into her deep brown eyes and her soft features, I know the answer to all my questions. No. She couldn't love me enough to see past my desires. She'd fall apart. She'd question her entire life and every choice she's ever made. I would feel bad when it came to that. I grew very fond of Michelle.

"No, sweetheart. It's tough because the guy leaves no traces of DNA. No eyewitnesses have come forward. It's hard to find someone who cares about junkies ya know? But we're trying." I tried to sound as reassuring as I possibly could. I didn't need her being suspicious of anything. I moved closer to her on the couch, pulling her into my arms where she nuzzled in as if it was the safest place in the world. The hypocrisy of my life makes me want to laugh sometimes.

"I'm worried, Nate. Worried about you out there looking for this lunatic. Worried about me and the kids, about our friends. Anyone could be next," she huffed out, and I could feel the tension in her body.

"Shell, this guy is targeting drug addicted women, not suburban housewives. You're safe, babe. I promise. And I'm trained to look for criminals. You don't have to worry about me. Don’t be scared. Just abide by the curfew and keep all the doors locked. I promise you're safe but if it helps I will do a few extra drive-bys tonight. Will that make you feel better?"

"Yes, thanks, hun. I would feel better knowing you're watching out for us."

"Of course. I have to get to work. Give me a kiss." I leaned down to meet her lips. "Love you, Shell."

"Love you too, hunny. Be careful out there," she warned as I rose up off of the couch.

"Always," I replied and hurried out the door. This town curfew was a problem for me. It was getting harder and harder to find my victims. Who'd have thought that junkie whores follow the law? More than I expected for sure. I hopped in my car, turned up the stereo and headed into work. I was more than ready to help lead them away from me. Marilyn Manson flooded my car as I flew through the streets of the small town I called home. One I actually liked. One I knew I would most likely have to leave soon.

Ten minutes later, I pulled into the station lot and went inside where I was hit with a cacophony of noise and chaos. Phones rang, fingers typed, voices shouted. "Nate, you're here. Get over here!" Lonnie yelled at me from across the room.

"What's going on, buddy?" I reached my hand out to his, shaking it quickly.

"They found another body in Moore Park today, man. Same MO: blonde, big tits, and full of drugs."

"Was she burned like the others?" I asked as though I gave a shit.

"Yes, not a motherfucking drop of this asshole's DNA. But we might have a break," he said excitedly.

"Really, what break?" I asked, expertly hiding my sudden case of nerves.

"Ever hear of The Bleach Killer?" he asked a little too excitedly.

"Can’t say I have," I lied. I had mastered the art of being a liar.

"Really, it happened up north in a small town called Lincoln. This old man was killing whores for years, and he'd clean them out with bleach erasing any DNA traces. It appears we have ourselves a copycat killer."

"I'll have to do more research on this guy. What else do you know?" Pretending that I gave a fuck is what was going to keep their eyes off of me. How the fuck did they find out about Joe? That was years ago, and the news didn't travel this far south. They were actually careful to keep the media away, not wanting them fucking with poor Sunshine. The case was primarily contained within Lincoln's borders.

"Just what the media released, which isn't much, but Chief White got a call from a dude named Matt Everly. He was an officer who worked on the case back then. The killer went after his wife. Anyway, the dude and one of the other officers who worked the case are heading down here to help us out. They think they might know who the killer is." His words flowed excitedly from his mouth straight to my gut like a sucker punch. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. The words and name rang through my head. Matt fucking Everly was on his way to
my
town to take over police work in
my
motherfucking station. No fucking way.

"Is it necessary for this dude to come all the way here? You don't think we can solve this on our own?" I asked, my mind already racing trying to come up with a plan. Was I supposed to run or was this the way it's supposed to play out? Maybe Matt was meant to be my ultimate undoing? He did, after all, contribute to my madness. He claimed to be Shannon's friend but I knew better. He was a dickhead that cheated on his wife then moved on to mine. The idea of seeing that dickwad's face again created a weird sensation of excitement and rage.

"No way, bro. We need this guy's help. Panic is sweeping through the town. We have to find this prick ASAP." He looked up at me, his gentle eyes full of hope. Of course, that pussy wanted Matt's help. He was a pencil pusher who probably couldn't even protect his own damn family. Shit.

"Hey, you and Shell still coming over tomorrow night? Kim is freaking out, bro. A night with friends is just what she needs."

"Yeah, Shell needs that too. She's scared. I'm gonna get on my patrol. Catch ya later, Lonnie."

"Later, Nate. Oh hey, wait," he called out.

"What's up?"

"You trying to pull off the logger look, bro? How long you gonna let that shit get?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Fuck you, bro, Shell likes my beard … tickles her pussy," I replied, sticking out my tongue through my two first fingers.

"I bet it does. Maybe I should grow one for Kim," he said contemplating the idea, his hand rubbed the area his beard would be.

"You do that, I swear you'll have her trembling beneath your mouth. I'm out."

"Later." I barely heard him say as the door slammed behind me.

Ugh, finally I was out of the confines of the station. My heart was racing wildly. I should have seen this coming. How fucking stupid could I have been? I should have gone further from Lincoln. Killed slower. Why the hell does that do gooder Matt Everly need to come to my territory? I fucking left that asshole alone. I didn't kill Sunshine like Joe asked me to do. I walked the fuck away. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

I slid into my car, banging my hands on the steering wheel. FUCK! I needed to kill. Some people need a drink or a smoke or a drug when they're stressed out. Me? I needed to fuck and kill, and I needed to do it now. Sticking my key in the ignition, I cranked it, and the engine roared to life. I began my patrol on Main Street where most of the whores hung out. With the insipid curfew being enforced, it's was hard to find a victim. I may not have had many, if any, to choose from. Shit!

I circled the block twice before I spotted her. In the dark corner of one of the dilapidated parking lots I saw her. She was leaning up against the wall of the old building, the cherry of her cigarette the only thing that made her stand out. I pulled into the deserted parking lot and got out of the patrol car.

"You aware there's a curfew in place, ma'am?" I asked politely.

"Yeah," she replied, blowing a puff of smoke out.

"It's not safe out here. Would you like a ride somewhere safe?" I asked, hoping she agreed to get in my car. Killing her while on duty would be risky, but I could pull it off. I'd never done it before, but my body was aching for the release much like a junky aches for a fix. Granted, the scrutiny was on now and this could be the one kill that gets me, but I'm smarter than every fucking hick cop in this town. Obviously, they had their heads up their asses if they think they needed Matt's help. I had been killing here for years, and they barely batted a fucking eye but some bitch ass reporter decided to give me a name and put me in the papers, catching Matt's attention, and all hell broke loose.

"Sure," she said to my relief. She took one more drag off her cigarette before crushing it out with her spiked heel. I opened the back door for her, anxious to get her inside. The moment her leg cleared the door, I slammed it shut and hurried into the front seat. I slowly pulled out of the parking lot, grateful the streets were desolate, and I was the only officer on duty in the area.

"I live up on the hill," she said quietly, irritation clear.

"Why you so pissed, sweetheart? I'm doing you a favor." I turned on the charm, maybe thicker than normal but I didn’t have time to warm her up to me.

"If you gave me some dope you'd be doing me a favor. The only thing you're doing is taking me back to my shitty house that has no drugs to get fucked by my disgusting boyfriend, sober. So, no you're not doing me any favors, man."

"How about you go to the lake with me and let me fuck you instead. Will that make you feel better, darling?" Straight to the point. No games. No sweet talk. She was a whore after all.

"What the fuck did you just say to me, copper?" she said, shock laced between piqued interest. She leaned forward, her face against the glass that separated her from me.

"I said," I said again, slowly. "Why don't we find a quiet, private place, and I will fuck you until you can't stand anymore. Hell, I'll fuck you in the back seat of this car. You ever been screwed in the back of a cop car?" I turned around briefly to meet her gaze. She was pretty enough I guess. Drugs had definitely taken a toll on her face, but she was blonde and had big tits–just my type.

"What makes you think I'd let you near me, huh? For all I know you could be that killer guy," she challenged with a sexy purr. She was playing hard to get. Why? Stupid women pissed me off, but at least she'd be an easy kill.

"You
don't
know that I'm not him. I could be. Anyone could be. But you can either go home to your stinky boyfriend and let him dip his dick in you, or you can go with me and let me take advantage of that sweet body of yours. Your choice, but before you choose you should know I've been told my cock is huge and does magical things so think hard, sweetheart." I gave her a wink and a small grin in the rearview mirror. I could see her brain really contemplating her two choices, and it bewildered me. Most women would jump at the chance to lay beneath me, hell all of them have. I've never had one who had to think on it. Whores don't have morals. They don't give a shit who they screw as long as they're high. Why is this one different?

"Look, officer, I'm a junkie not a whore. I've never screwed for my drugs. I pay cold hard cash for them and yes, my boyfriend is nothing to write home about. He stinks, and he's as dumb as a bag of rocks, but he's good to me, so no. Just take me home please." She leaned back in her seat and turned her attention to the passing streets.

"What's your name?" I asked, completely stunned and turned on by her refusal. This was going to be more fun than I'd hoped. She's not going to be an easy kill after all.

"Heather," she responded absentmindedly. "I live up on Sixth Street, top of the hill, house on the right."

"Oh, I'm not taking you home, doll," I chuckled, my game beginning.

"What? Why? You can't take me to jail for refusing sex with you. I've done nothing wrong." She's sassy and thinks she's tough. She's not. The only thing she's doing is turning me on more. Dumb slut.

"Oh, you're not going to jail either. You see I wasn't giving you a choice to fuck me. I mean I was, but I was trying to be nice about it. You never really had a chance to say no, love." I chuckled quietly at the look of horror on her face.

"What the fuck? Fuck if I can't say no, you creep. Take me fucking home, now!" she said, trying to sound firm, as if she were scolding me. Her determination was humorous. The fact that she thought she could tell
ME
what to do made me laugh even harder. I didn’t engage her with another answer. I just drove and laughed.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? Take me home, asshole!" She demanded again, this time slamming her hand against the glass. I slowed my laughing enough to speak. "You're not going home, Heather. Ever. You should have followed your gut, little girl. You should have never agreed to take a ride with me."

I could see the reality dawn on her face when she realized who I was. She sunk back against the seat, as if she was trying to create space from me. That garnered a small chuckle from me before she said the words, "Oh, my God, you're him!" Her voice was shaky, full of unbelievable fear.