Redemption is Here (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 9) (58 page)

“How about Toni Michelle?” he asked, changing the subject. “What’s your gut instinct on her?”

“I need to talk to her again, but this time about her almost marrying God and becoming a sister. From nun, to sex selling vixen is quite the stretch. What if she’s hiding in plain sight? We said that our killer is a watcher and likes to study people. Well, what better way to do that than sell sex? It would be like shooting fish in a barrel. For all we know, every one of our victims shopped there.”

“
I agree with you there. So, we re-interview those two, and then revisit this conversation,” he stated. “When I was in her store, I kept getting this off feeling, but I didn't know why.”

Elizabeth moved toward him to sit in his lap. “I know what you mean. I felt like I was missing something important.”

Ethan wrapped his arms around her waist. “It seems we’ve finished work for the night. We’re all out of suspects. What do you want to do?” he asked, as he slowly kissed her.

“Maybe you and I could go call Callen and have a rousing game of ‘dirty talk’,” she suggested.

“Then when it’s over?” he asked, nuzzling her neck. The scent of her perfume was offering him so much peace and calm. Blackhawk wanted to wrap himself in it.

“Then, you and I can go to bed, and by that, I don’t mean sleep.”

That suggestion had merit.

Yeah, there was definitely a God.

Who else handed out all these sex hormones?

                         *     *     *

He watched the next sinner and waited until just the right moment. While the FBI may have stripped him of his place to do his duty and all his tools, they wouldn’t stop him from completing his work.

He was going to do the job
that he was meant to do.

For now, he was off balance, but with a new victim under his belt, it would all be better.

In his hand, he clutched his rosary, and he began praying to his Lord. There was no way he would fail.

He had God behind him.

As the Lord’s angel, he was destined to succeed.

There was no doubt
in his mind, since he trusted the Almighty with all his heart.

As
the woman moved around inside, he watched through the window. It was just about time to get it done.

Heading from the shadows to where she waited, he greeted her
with faux warmth. He was well aware that she was so riddled with sin that she was rotting from the inside out.

He could see it.

God knew it.

And soon the world would be privy to it too.

The only one who wasn’t aware was her, but soon that would change.

That’s what made her perfect for this.

When she approached unsuspectingly, he struck out, slamming his fist into her face. Her body flew back, hitting the wall with a sick thud. From just that, her head left a hole in the plaster.

To him, it looked like a halo
, sitting above her lolling head.

It made him mad.

How dare she claim to be an angel! He was the only one who was worthy of that title.

No one could use it but him.

This was the devil testing him. He could feel it. Locking the door, he pulled the blinds. As he grabbed her by the ankle, dragging her across the floor, he began singing a song of praise. It was dedicated to God in all his glory.

As he laid her flat, he straddled her body. His hands wrapped around the slim column of her throat
, and he squeezed with all his might. As her eyes opened and bulged, he stared down into them.

“You’ve seen too much,” he stated. “It’s time.”

With that, he stole her life and proved one thing.

He was unstoppable.

~ Chapter Sixteen ~

     
Friday Morning

Jaxon was the first one to wake. It was the soft rhythmic breathing of the man beside her that pulled her from sleep. Carefully rolling over, she watched him.

There were little crow’s feet etched around the corner of his eyes, even in rest. Somehow, she believed them to be her fault. When she met him, he was so full of energy and life, and now he just seemed exhausted.

Her heart ached.

This wasn’t what she wanted to give him. Doctor Magnus deserved to be happy, and Jaxon didn't believe she was making his life easier.

It’s part of the reason she never got attached. Her whole existence had been fraught with stress and difficulty, from her father’s choices in life, to her mother’s death. Even the imposed distance between her and Jagger was making her heavy with sadness.

How could she torture this amazing man by sticking around?

Part of her wanted to call Gabe right then and run for it.

The other half of her wanted to believe that Tony Magnus would keep her safe. She was torn.

Logic or her heart?

Which was she supposed to listen to?

Jaxon’s whole life, she had the propensity to run.

When people found out that her father was a crime boss, she’d make a break for it.

The day her mother died
, she and Jagger had escaped.

Burying herself in her work, Jaxon hid her heart and soul, and now there was someone in front of her
who made her want to stay.

How long could she hold on?

With delicate fingers, she did something she probably shouldn’t have. Jaxon touched his cheek. She couldn’t help herself. It was rough from his five o’clock shadow. There was that need to just touch him, just in case it was the last time.

She would steal
the memory away, taking that moment for herself. When she did run, and she knew she would, that single touch would be her memory to carry forever.

God, she was so in love with him.

Maybe it was the tousled black hair, or the incredibly full lips, which called to her. Possibly, it was his intelligence and near decade of being older that Jaxon found alluring.
He was wise enough to keep her safe, and offer her a better path in life. All that she knew was that she was trapped.

Silently, she sent out a wish to the universe.

If he was the one, give her a sign.

It didn't have to be huge, just something to hold onto as it gave her the strength to trust in him. That’s all she needed. Jaxon wanted to know
he was her destiny.

Unable to help herself, she leaned down to place a whisper light kiss across his lips. If
it was the last one, she wanted to squirrel it away and hold it dear.

Jaxon wanted something of her own.

She wanted this man.

Tony felt her move.

Forcing his breathing to remain stable, he waited to see what she would do. All night, he had laid there waiting for her to sneak away.

What he planned on doing, he didn't have a clue. It wasn’t like he could handcuff her to his side.

Don’t get him wrong, he wanted to, but it wasn’t feasible. If he could lock her away in an ivory tower, he absolutely would. Yet, in his heart, he knew that it needed to be her choice.

S
taying or going had to be up to Jaxon.

She had to choose him.

When her fingertips touched his face, he wanted to open his eyes. It hurt him that she was fighting a battle and losing. Tony wanted desperately to ride in on a white charger and save the fair maiden.

Never in his life had he ever thought of any woman like a damsel in distress. His whole
existence, he saw them as equals and able to handle themselves.

Well, he’d been wrong.

She wasn’t strong enough, and he could see it. Tony knew that in order to keep her by his side, he had to hold her up. No matter what, he couldn’t slip and let her fall. What Callen said last night had registered, burrowing itself deep into his brain.

What wouldn’t he do for her?

The answer was nothing.

The well of emotion was so very deep for the woman lying beside him. Logically, it shouldn’t be
, since he barely knew her. In fact, Tony didn't even know her middle name.

Yet, he wante
d to love her for the rest of his life.

It was instinctual and part of his entire being. She was meant to be his, and there was no turning back. For Jaxon, he’d offer his soul.

There was a soft touch of lips upon lips, and Tony’s body ached to hold her. He could let her kiss him and run, or he could take matters into his own hands.

Now was the time.

Just as she planned on pulling away and escaping, the man beneath her came awake. His arms wrapped around her and held her to his body.

“Jaxon,” he whispered, deepening the kiss. Tony knew
that if he gave her an inch of leeway, she’d be gone. Instead, he was going to take charge. That way, if it failed, it was all on him.

Staring down into his eyes, her hands were braced on his strong chest. She couldn’t speak. The emotion in his eyes filled her with the same feelings.

Rolling, Tony waited for her to protest, and when she didn't, he was relieved. Well, why not go for it?

“If you run, I’m going to follow, honey. No matter how far, I’m going to find you and bring you back.”

She stared up at him and there was one emotion clearly imprinted on her face.

Fear
.

No one had ever wanted her that much that they’d follow her to the ends of the Earth.

“I’ll search for you until I can bring you back. That’s how much I want you in my life. Don’t run. Instead, stay.”

Her eyes filled with tears. It was so damn frustrating that this man saw through her. He knew what she was planning and how to stop her. Just by telling her he’d find her, he bound her heart with tenuous threads.
No one ever wanted her before.

Now, here was her sign.

Damn the universe!

“Promise me you won’t do it,” he stated. “Give us a chance.”

She wanted that. Jaxon desired nothing more than to be safe in this man’s arms and life. Trusting him was easy. Only one fear remained.

“What if I hurt you?”

He knew without a doubt that she would, but Tony made a silent vow. If that occurred, he’d never say it out loud. In that moment, he’d swallow the pain, carrying it alone.

For her heart, he’d do anything.

To have Jaxon as his, Tony would shoulder the burden.

“What if you don’t?” he offered. “What if this is
what’s meant to be? I know you didn't want me to use the logic of what we do, but maybe you’re evolving and this is right.”

She stared at him. “I’m scared, Tony.”

Bringing his mouth to hers, he gave her a gentle kiss. “I won’t leave you alone, and there’s nothing you can do to hurt me.”

Yeah, except leave me.

He waited for that brief second and saw her make the decision. For now, he’d won. Jaxon was going to stay.

Gently, he brought his mouth to hers and drank from her lips. There was no way he’d ever get enough. She was his addiction.

Jaxon let go and fell into the kiss. While his arms were wrapped around her, she was safe. As her hands slid up his shoulders, past his neck, and into his hair, there was a metamorphosis.

Tony became her rock. She could trust him.

He groaned as her hands slipped thought the silky strands.  He wanted and needed her in the worst way. Taking his time, his hand slid down her body, past her hip and to the hem of her oversized shirt. Slowly, teasingly, Tony slid it up her body, just to reveal his prize.

The battle had been won, and to the victor went the spoils.
Jaxon was his prize and always would be a treasure in his life.

Deepening the kiss, his hand wandered, stroked, and offered pleasure. While she held him to her mouth, his fingers teased her breast. When he cupped her,
ever so gently, she purred for him.

Yeah, she was his.

Sliding down her body, he sought ways to keep her locked to his side. If it meant offering her pleasure, he would. Tony knew he’d give her his heart if that’s what she asked.

There’d be no end to his devotion.

As his tongue swirled past her bellybutton, she moaned in pleasure. The man above her was making her crazy. Never before had she been this full of emotion.