Wicked Beginning: An Ivy Morgan Mystery Books 1-3 (46 page)

“How is Ivy?” Brian asked, scanning Jack’s pale face as his partner joined him by the road.

“She’s okay.”

“How are you?”

“I’m … I don’t know,” Jack answered, his mind busy. “I have no idea. She’s so strong. I’m a coward and she’s a hero. I don’t know what to do.”

“You know what to do,” Brian countered. “You’re right about being a coward, though. That’s why you’re out here with me instead of in there making things right with her.”

Jack ran a hand through his hair, yanking on it for good measure to draw him back to reality. “How bad is her car?”

“I’m having it towed to the garage in town,” Brian replied, knowing Jack needed to talk about the investigation as a front so he could internally wrap his head around whatever went down with Ivy inside of her house. “I don’t think it’s too bad. She’s going to need a new tire and windshield … and she’ll probably need a front-end alignment … but she got off lucky.”

“Did she?”

“What do you mean?”

“What if whoever is doing this isn’t trying to kill her but scare her away from me,” Jack suggested. “Both of the shots had to come from some distance … and with a handgun … that means whoever this is has training. If they’re that good, they should be able to deliver a kill shot. They certainly wouldn’t miss twice.”

“I think there’s merit to that theory,” Brian said.

Jack nodded, relieved Brian had faith in his pronouncement.

“I also think you’re floating it because it gives you a reason not to run back to Ivy and get what you want,” Brian added.

“But … .”

Brian shook his head. “It doesn’t matter if this person is trying to kill her or not,” he said. “She could’ve died from the impact if she hit a tree. She could’ve moved her face at the last minute and took that bullet in the cheek and died in the middle of your picnic. No matter how you try to justify staying away from her, she’s a target.”

“I know.” Jack glanced back at the house, wishing Ivy would at least stand in the window so he could see her.

“Jack, you said yourself that you’re being a coward,” Brian said, choosing his words carefully. “Stop being a coward. Be a man. Go get your girl.”

Jack didn’t need to be told twice.

IVY
was annoyed when she heard the insistent knocking on her front door. She tried to ignore it, visions of sinking into a steaming bath flitting through her head, but whoever was out there wasn’t leaving.

She gripped her robe against her chest, being careful it wouldn’t fly open and traumatize the person knocking, and wrenched open the door. “I’m fine. I … .”

She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence because Jack pushed his way into her house, kicking the door shut behind him with his foot and cupping her face with his hands so he could draw her close.

“Jack, I told you that I didn’t want you to come back until you decided what you want.”

“I have decided,” Jack replied. “I decided weeks ago, but I was too scared to admit it. I don’t want to live my life afraid for one more second. I want you.”

Ivy’s heart pounded as she tried to grasp his words. “But … .”

“No. No more ‘buts.’ No more ‘what ifs.’ No more ‘we’ll make this work down the road.’ We’re making it work now. I can’t be without you. I don’t want to try. This is what I want.”

“I can’t take it if you walk away from me again.” Ivy’s eyes filled with tears. “I can’t. It’s just going to get harder every time you walk away from me and it already hurt so much I could barely breathe this time.”

“I won’t walk away,” Jack promised. “I can’t because it hurts too much to be away from you. I want to be with you.”

“You say that now. What happens when you decide you need to protect me again?”

“Then we’re going to fight,” Jack said, rubbing his thumb against Ivy’s cheek. “It’s a good thing we’re both good at it.”

“What happens when you decide you have to leave me for my own good?” Ivy almost choked on the words.

“That won’t happen again,” Jack said. “I can’t be away from you for
my
own good. I … ache … when I’m away from you. I’m sorry for hurting you. I’m sorry for making you doubt me – and yourself – by being an idiot. I won’t do it again. Please … give me one more chance.”

“I … .” Ivy pressed her lips together, unsure. Her head was telling her to kick him out because he would hurt her again. The next time she might not be able to recover. Her heart, though, that was a different story. “If you try to leave me again I’ll hunt you down and kill you.”

Jack laughed as he pulled her closer. “Right back at you.” He didn’t give her a chance to argue … or change her mind. He slammed his mouth against hers, need overwhelming him. He lifted her off the ground, holding her flush against his chest with one arm as he double-checked to make sure the door was locked with his free hand. Then he walked down the hallway, not stopping until he reached her bedroom.

He knew with absolute certainty that he would never walk away from her again. Now it was time to get everything he ever wanted and prove to her that he could be everything she would ever need.

“THAT WAS
… pretty interesting,” Ivy said, brushing her hair away from her face as she rested her chin on Jack’s bare chest an hour later. “I … .”

Jack slapped his hand over her mouth. “This is not a time for talking, honey.”

Ivy narrowed her eyes and pushed his hand away. “Excuse me, but did you just tell me to shut up?”

“No,” Jack said, tracing lazy circles across the back of her neck, marveling at the softness of her skin. “I was just hoping we could have five minutes of silence so I can sear what we just did into my memory forever. It doesn’t get better than that.”

Ivy snorted. “Oh, please. I have an injured shoulder. You should see what I can do when I’m at full strength.”

Jack cocked a dubious eyebrow. “Really?”

“I guess you’ll have to wait to find out,” Ivy said, snuggling a little closer and running her finger over his defined abs. “Jack?”

“Hmm.”

“Are you going to leave now?”

Jack sighed. He deserved that. “I’m not leaving, Ivy. I told you I wouldn’t. I meant it.”

“What about your investigation? Don’t you have to … I don’t know … go back and file a report?”

“Oh,” Jack said, chuckling as he glanced down at her. “You were asking if I had to go back to work, weren’t you?”

Ivy nodded.

“I thought you were asking if I was going to run out on you,” Jack admitted. “For the record, the answer to both of those questions is no. Even if I didn’t know how great … this … was going to be, now that I know I’m already addicted.”

Ivy snickered. “I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

“You definitely should,” Jack said, pressing a soft kiss to Ivy’s forehead. “Don’t worry. Brian knew why I was coming back to the house. He’s not expecting me at the office again until tomorrow.”

“It’s almost dark,” Ivy murmured. “Have you eaten dinner?”

“No. I had a crappy sandwich for lunch. All I could think about was your sandwich and then I spent the rest of the meal feeling sorry for myself … well, that and listening to Brian make fun of me because I was pining for you. Why? Are you hungry?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know if you’re hungry? I guess I’m going to take that as a compliment since my sexual prowess – and pathetic neediness and apology – slapped the desire for food right out of you.”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to leave this bed. I want to be able to stay here for the rest of the night and … feel … you.” She risked a glance at Jack to see if he was laughing, but his eyes were somber as they locked onto hers.

“We can stay here,” he said. “I don’t want to go anywhere else either. I need you to try and … trust me, though. I know it’s hard after what I did. I promise I won’t leave you again.”

“Jack, I do trust you,” Ivy said. “I know you didn’t mean to hurt me. It was still painful, though. You’re probably lucky you didn’t answer your phone … or show up after the fact … that night. Max was ready to kill you. He can’t handle it when I cry.”

“Max isn’t the only one,” Jack said, carefully tugging Ivy’s slight frame so she was positioned on top of him and he could snuggle her closer. He was so comfortable, so thankful she was willing to give him another chance, he would gladly crawl into her skin with her if he could. “I don’t ever want to make you cry.”

“Well, you should know that the movie
E.T.
always makes me cry,” Ivy admitted. “I can’t help it.”

“That’s good to know. I’ll burn every copy I find.”

“Can you wait until morning for breakfast? I promise to fix you a big one,” Ivy said, stifling a yawn.

“All I want to do is sleep,” Jack admitted. “Do you need painkillers before I pass out? Tell me now. I’m exhausted.”

“My heart doesn’t hurt.”

“What about your shoulder … or back? You hit that ditch pretty hard.”

“Nothing hurts,” Ivy replied, her eyes shining. “I feel … happy.”

“I feel happy, too, honey,” Jack said, kissing her softly. “I’m a little worried I’m going to drag you into a nightmare, but I’ve never been this happy. I need you to know that.”

“And you’ll be here when I wake up, right?” Ivy hated asking the question, but she needed reassurance.

“I will be here when you wake up,” Jack said. “I won’t move. I’ll hold you all night. That’s all I want.”

“Okay.” Ivy brushed her lips against his jaw. “The good news for you is that my shoulder will be fine in our dreams. When we do it again there you’ll be able to see how good I really am.”

Jack laughed, weariness lifting for a brief moment. “Now I really want to go to sleep.”

“Goodnight, Jack.”

“Goodnight, honey. I’ll see you soon.”

JACK
knew he was dreaming before he saw the beach, his heart soaring when he caught sight of Ivy’s pink hair gleaming under the moonlight.

“This is new,” Jack said, glancing around. “It’s a different beach and we’re here after dark. Where are we now?”

“I have no idea,” Ivy answered. “I think it’s a beach from a brochure I once saw.”

“Not that I’m complaining, but I thought for sure I was going to force you into a bad place before you could drag us to a better place,” Jack said. “This is a much happier outcome.”

“It is,” Ivy agreed. “I think I can control our destinations when I really put some effort into it. If you don’t like this place, I can pick a new one.”

“This place is perfect,” Jack said, reaching for her. She was wearing a filmy beach cover up even though there was no sun to burn her delicate skin. “Are you wearing a bikini under that? Is that my reward for begging?”

Ivy snorted. “No.”

“Oh.” Jack was disappointed. “Now that I’ve seen all of your body I was hoping you would show off a little more skin.”

Ivy broke into a wide smile and pointed at the placid ocean in front of them. “That’s what the water is for.”

Realization dawned on a Jack and he felt a shiver of anticipation course through his body. “Is that where you’re going to show me what you’ve got?”

“Of course,” Ivy said, reaching for the beach cover-up. “I figured I’d give you a little preview before we go skinny-dipping in the real world.”

“Oh, honey, that’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.”

Jack followed her into the water, being careful not to step on the cover-up even though he knew it wasn’t real. It felt real. The emotions behind it were real. That was all that really mattered.

Ivy woke to warmth. She was still on top of Jack, his arms wrapped around her as he slumbered peacefully beneath her. He looked like one of those angel statues carved out of stone she’d seen in photography books. He was breathtaking.

“If you keep staring at me like that I’m going to charge you a fee,” Jack teased, stretching.

“I thought you were asleep.”

“I was … kind of,” Jack murmured. “I’m too warm and comfortable to move, so I’ve been zoning out.”

“You look handsome in the morning.”

Jack wrenched his eyes open and focused on Ivy for the first time that day. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

Ivy made a face that caused Jack to smirk. “I have bedhead,” she replied. “Men wake up looking better than when they went to sleep and women wake up looking like train wrecks.”

“I think you look cute,” Jack countered, cupping the back of her head so he could kiss her. It was a soft gesture, simple, and yet it caused Ivy’s heart rate to speed up. “What time is it?” he asked.

“Probably about the time you need to get up so you can go to work.” Ivy wasn’t happy with the prospect.

“Probably,” Jack agreed, although he showed no signs of moving. “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to leave the happiest place on earth.”

Ivy pursed her lips but couldn’t entirely swallow her smile. “That’s probably the best thing you could’ve said.”

Jack snuggled her close again, relishing how her body fit against his so perfectly. “I can call Brian and tell him I’ll be late. He’ll understand. He’ll give me endless grief about it, but he’ll understand. We can spend the next three hours exactly like this and then face the day.”

Ivy lifted her head. “We can’t stay like this for three hours.”

“Well, I thought we might do a little something else, too,” Jack teased, tickling her ribs.

“That sounds nice,” Ivy said, skirting his grip. “We can’t do that right now either, though.”

Jack didn’t bother to hide his disappointment. “Why not?”

“Because if you don’t stop holding me so tightly I’m going to have an accident,” Ivy admitted. “We haven’t moved in ten hours. Nature is calling.”

Jack grinned. He couldn’t help himself. She was the cutest thing he’d ever laid eyes on. “Well, then I guess I should let you go and do your thing while I start breakfast,” he said. “We’ll catch up on that other stuff after we fuel up.”

“Deal.”

IVY
joined Jack in the kitchen ten minutes later, her face freshly washed and her hair brushed. Jack shook his head when he realized what else she did in the bathroom, until she planted a huge kiss on his lips.

“I see you brushed your teeth,” Jack said, grinning when they separated.  “Perhaps I should do you the honor of reciprocating.”

“I like you stinky.”

Jack poked her ribs, looking her up and down and realizing for the first time that she was wearing his shirt. It looked better on her than him … and it was giving him ideas.

Upon leaving her bedroom he reluctantly climbed back into his boxer shorts but otherwise remained undressed. He was definitely hoping for a repeat after breakfast. Now he wasn’t sure they would make it through the meal.

“I see you’re wearing my shirt.”

“Oh … um … I can change if you want me to,” Ivy said, chewing on her lip. “I just … it smelled like you. Wow. That sounded stalkerish, didn’t it?”

Jack grinned. “You can stalk me whenever you want,” he said, pulling her in for another hug. He couldn’t stop touching her. He didn’t think he’d ever want to. “You look good in that shirt. You can’t take it off until after we eat. Then I’m going to take it off for you. If you want to smell me, well … .” He involuntarily shuddered when she rubbed her nose against his neck and inhaled deeply. “I’m starting to forget about food again.”

“I’m hungry,” Ivy admitted. “I haven’t really eaten in days. I … can we eat first?”

“Yes,” Jack said, loving the giddy bounce to her wagging hips as she rubbed herself against him. “Maybe not if you keep doing that.” Jack nipped playfully at her neck, briefly wondering if there was a way to feed and romance her at the same time when the sound of someone clearing their throat in the adjacent living room caught his attention.

Ivy and Jack swiveled in unison, Jack having the foresight to tug Ivy’s shirt down so it was covering everything, and found Max standing behind the couch with his keys in hand.

“Does someone want to tell me what’s going on here?”

“Good morning, Max,” Jack said, tightening his arm around Ivy’s waist. “We were just about to make breakfast. Do you want to join us?”

“I’m convinced I’ll work up an appetite while beating you to death, so sure,” Max deadpanned, his gaze bouncing between his sister and Jack. “How did this happen?”

“How did what happen?” Ivy asked, pasting her best faux innocent look on her face. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, cute,” Max said. “Someone had better start explaining things to me or I’m going to start yelling.”

“You can’t yell in my house,” Ivy countered. “I’ll kick you out. Have you ever considered knocking?”

“See, that’s funny,” Max shot back. “I let myself in because I was worried when I found out my sister’s car was shot off the road yesterday and she ended up in a ditch. I didn’t think it was true when I heard the rumor at the diner. I mean, my sister would’ve called, right?”

Ivy’s face fell. “Max, I’m sorry. I kind of … forgot … about that.”

“You forgot about getting shot off the road?” Max was incredulous. “Is that because you and Jack clearly made up and … took it to the next level? Because you didn’t tell me about that either.”

Jack made a face. “I’m really not comfortable with her telling you about that.”

“Shut up,” Max hissed. “Why didn’t anyone call me?”

“I think it’s because they were melting down and then making up,” Brian said, appearing in the still open doorway and pushing Max out of the way. He scanned Jack and Ivy for a moment and then shook his head. “Yup, pretty much how I pictured it.” He shut the door and fixed Max with a harsh look. “There’s someone out there trying to hurt your sister. Don’t just leave the door open, boy.”

Max scowled. “You knew about this? Why didn’t you call me?”

“I knew but figured your sister would want to tell you herself,” Brian replied calmly. “I didn’t realize they would be so caught up in each other they would forget how to use a phone.”

“I’m really sorry, Max,” Ivy offered lamely. “I honestly did forget.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” Max complained. “I … stop pawing at each other.”

Ivy sighed. “Does anyone want breakfast?” She knew there was no way a return to bed with Jack could be negotiated while they had guests.

“Absolutely,” Brian said. “While you’re cooking, your boyfriend and I need to have a talk.”

Ivy blushed at the word “boyfriend,” shooting a curious look in Jack’s direction. He smiled and offered her a reassuring kiss on the cheek. “That sounds good, doesn’t it?”

“Oh, this is going to be an annoying breakfast,” Max muttered.

“THEY
look happy,” Brian mused, sipping his coffee and watching Jack and Ivy whisper to each other next to the stove.

“They look like they’re basking in the afterglow,” Max muttered.

Brian shifted his eyes to the only annoyed person in the room. “What’s wrong with that?”

“My sister was shot off the road yesterday and today she looks like she doesn’t have a care in the world.”

“After all those two have been through, I would think you would be happy for them,” Brian said. “She’s your sister. Don’t you want her to be happy?”

“Of course I want her to be happy,” Max replied. “I just thought I would get a chance to beat up Jack before they made up.”

Brian chuckled. “You’re a great athlete, Max, but the only way you’d get the jump on Jack is if he let you.”

“Whatever.” Max turned his troubled gaze to Ivy, but after a few moments of watching Jack kiss her cheek and pet her head he was done. He couldn’t hide the smile. “I’m relieved.”

“I am, too,” Brian admitted. “I thought they were going to kill each other before they gave in and kissed each other. It will be better now that they’re not fighting it … or each other.”

“I have a feeling they’re always going to be fighting each other,” Max countered. “They get off on it.”

“That’s the stuff of true love,” Brian teased, clearing his throat to draw Jack and Ivy’s attention. “I hate to interrupt foreplay hour, but I do have some information.”

Jack pressed one more kiss to Ivy’s cheek and then took a step away from her. “Did the ballistics match the other shootings?”

“They did,” Brian answered. “We found the bullet lodged in the wrecked tire. It’s the same gun. I don’t think that’s a surprise to anyone.”

“I’m not very knowledgeable on guns, so forgive me, but wouldn’t it be hard to hit a moving tire with a handgun?” Max asked.

Brian shrugged. “Yes and no. Whoever it was probably hid close to the tree line. That’s not really very far away from the road. Ivy would’ve had to be specifically looking for someone to see them.”

“What about at the park?”

“That park is open for the most part, but there are still groupings of trees,” Brian said. “I’m guessing Ivy and Jack were so wrapped up in each other they didn’t pay attention to their surroundings. Once Ivy was shot … well … I think Jack had other things on his mind.

“We think we found where the shot was fired from, but there were no shoe prints or anything to help us because of the grass,” he continued. “Mark Dalton was shot up close on pavement. We literally don’t have anything but the ballistics.”

“So where does that leave us?” Ivy asked, doling scrambled eggs and hash browns onto plates and letting Jack deliver them to the table. “What about Marcus Simmons’ family? Has anyone been in touch with them?”

“I called his sister yesterday,” Jack volunteered. “It was an … uncomfortable … conversation, but she said she had no idea that Marcus’ gun was even missing. His body was cremated and placed in an urn which Laura says is sitting on her mother’s mantle.”

“And we’re sure that Marcus was the one who died in the accident, right?” Max pressed. “They didn’t make a mistake and bury someone else as him, right?”

“We’re sure,” Jack replied, pulling Ivy’s chair out so she could sit before settling next to her. “They ran dental records.”

“Did you see the body?”

“Max, I’m eating,” Ivy said, making a face.

“I was in the hospital during that time,” Jack replied, shifting. He hadn’t bothered to put a shirt on because Ivy didn’t seem to mind his scars. Now he felt exposed. “I was in and out of consciousness for days, but I have faith that everyone did due diligence on that one.”

“So, what are our options?” Max asked, forking a huge mound of hash browns into his mouth. “Did Marcus have a girlfriend?”

“He had about eight different girlfriends,” Jack replied. “He fancied himself quite the stud. He didn’t spend more than a night or two with any woman.”

“He sounds like a real prince,” Ivy muttered.

“Oh, don’t worry, honey,” Jack said, pinching her cheek. “I can’t get enough of you.”

“Ugh, I’m going to puke,” Max grumbled.

“It’s nice to see you two getting along,” Brian said. “This will make the investigation easier because I was worried Jack was going to implode one of these days while he was thinking about you, Ivy.”

Ivy pursed her lips. “I’m glad we’re getting along, too.”

“The flowers were a nice touch, by the way, Jack,” Brian said, chuckling at the adoring way Jack and Ivy looked at each other. “How come you didn’t bring them inside, though?”

Jack stilled, dragging his eyes from Ivy’s face. “What flowers?”

“The ones out on the side of the porch,” Brian said, adding jam to his toast. “They’re pretty. I don’t understand why you just left them outside, though. I would’ve thought Ivy would want to put them in a vase. Whenever I buy my wife flowers she talks to them while she arranges them.”

“I didn’t get Ivy flowers,” Jack said, tilting his head to the side. “You saw me walk up the driveway. I didn’t have flowers on my mind.”

“So who are the flowers from?” Brian asked.

Jack hopped to his feet, cautioning Ivy with a warning finger when she moved to follow him. “You … keep your head inside. Promise me.”

Ivy sighed. “Are we going to start fighting already?”

“Not if you keep your head inside,” Jack said, cupping her chin and giving her a quick kiss. “I’ll get the flowers.”

Brian followed Jack, keeping a wary eye on the surrounding property as Jack grabbed the discarded bouquet and brought it inside. He turned it over, searching it, but they looked like normal flowers.

“Is there a card?” Max asked.

Jack shook his head, his expression distant.

“What is it?” Brian asked.

“These are the same type of flowers … the exact same mixture … that I dropped off at Marcus’ grave when I got out of the hospital,” he said.