The Watcher

He shakes his head and looks at me. I hold his gaze with an equally powerful glare.

  “Go to sleep. You’re pissing me off.”

  “Oh my,” I say in a chipper voice. “That would be something new. You know, Chief, if you ever laughed, I’d probably drop dead from shock.”

  “If I knew it was that easy, I would have laughed days ago.”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “I hope you fall off that tailgate and break your leg.”

  He grunts.

  “Jerk.”

  NINE

  A nice old couple stops and gives Kenai a ride to the closest town to get new tires. I stay behind, reading a book on my phone while I wait. I can’t believe he left me out here alone, but I say nothing.

  When they return him two hours later, he gets to work putting the tires on using only a flimsy flashlight to see by. I try to help, but he barks at me to let him do it. With a frustrated growl, I sit on the side of the road and wait. When he’s done, he tells me to get in the truck and we hit the road.

  We drive well into the night and arrive in Flagstaff at some ungodly hour. We check into a cheap hotel and both of us crash without even having a shower, we’re that exhausted. We sleep until ten the next morning and then grab a fast-food breakfast from a drive-through on our way to Vegas.

  He drives on as we devour our deliciously greasy egg sandwiches and hash browns and seems to be in a better mood today. I throw my feet up onto the dashboard and pop the last bite of hash brown into my mouth.

  Once I finish chewing, I ask, “Why are you so angry all the time?”

  He doesn’t answer.

  I sigh and continue. “Seriously, did something bad happen in your life to make you this way or are you just like this because you have to be?”

  “My life is none of your business,” he says in a low, gravelly tone.

  “Maybe not, but would it kill you to speak to me like a human being for five minutes?”

  He glances at me from the corner of his eye, then sighs and says, “I have to be this way.”

  “Because of the job?”

  He sighs. “Because of the people I have to encounter. You can’t even imagine the shit I have to put up with. The amount of times I’ve sat in this same situation, answering the same questions, putting up with people I don’t know in my space constantly, I have to be like this or I’ll go fucking crazy.”

  “Then why take them with you when you’re searching?”

  “Because people closest to the ones I’m looking for have information that could take weeks to get on my own. Sometimes they don’t even know it until a certain sight or a random comment brings up a memory that turns out to be crucial to the search. I don’t take family members unless I have to, but in a case like this, it makes my job easier.”

  “You leave me in the truck ninety percent of the time. I fail to see how it makes your job easier,” I point out.

  “You have information I need, you can recognize faces, you can answer questions I might have and help provide background information. You know your sister a lot better than I do, and I want to draw on that information.”

  “Fair enough. So when you’re at home, and not working, are you still this moody?”

  He shakes his head a little. “Yeah.”

  “Imagine how your girlfriends must feel,” I mumble half to myself.

  “Don’t have time for girlfriends.”

  “Well,” I snort. “That’s apparent. Even if you did, they’d likely murder you before you even got through the first date.”

  “Even if I did,” he grinds out, “there wouldn’t be a first date, so it wouldn’t matter.”

  “So what, you don’t date?”

  “No.”

  “What do you do then?”

  “I fuck.”

  A blush creeps up into my cheeks and I turn and look out the window.

  He makes a sound that I’d pass off as a chuckle if I didn’t know better.

  “If I knew all I had to do was say something about sex to get you to be quiet, I would have done that when we first started.”

  “I’m just admiring the view,” I say, staring at the empty, bland scenery.

  “Some view,” he murmurs.

  I spin around. “I’m not afraid of sex talk, thank you very much.”

  “That so?” he says, glancing at me again.

  “Yeah, that’s so.”

  “So if I tell you that I’d like to bend you over the front of this truck and put my mouth between your legs, licking your pussy until you scream, you wouldn’t be at all concerned?”

  My cheeks burn, like fire. I haven’t had sex for a long time, but more than that, I haven’t ever spoken to a man that’s so bold. I try to take a steadying breath, but nothing comes out. He looks to me, and his face splits into a grin. It’s the first time I’ve seen him actually smile. It takes my breath away like a punch to the chest. I swear if I wasn’t sitting in a chair I’d reel backwards with the force of his beauty.

  “Thanks for giving me your weakness. Now when you’re talking too much I know how to shut you up.”

  Mouth, why won’t you work? You’re letting me down in my time of need!

  He turns back to the road and I say nothing, because frankly, it’s been too long and if I throw a comeback at him now, I’ll sound stupid. I tuck my legs to my chest and gaze out the window until we roll into Vegas in the early afternoon. We stop and grab another meal before checking into yet another hotel. We can’t go into the club where we’re looking for this guy until evening, so I decide to go down and play at the casino for a little while. I could use a distraction.

  That’s the best part of Vegas, you don’t have to leave your hotel to have a bit of fun. I enter the casino and get myself a drink before putting some coins into the slot machines and sitting down. I do this for about an hour, winning not a single thing. The old woman beside me cleans up.

  “I knew I should have gotten that one,” I murmur to myself as she exclaims happily to herself over her win.

  “I thought the same thing.”

  I spin around and see a gorgeous blond male standing beside me, staring down with a huge smile on his face. I don’t know who he is, but he’s incredibly good-looking.

  “I always pick the wrong ones,” I grin. “It doesn’t matter what I do.”

  “Me too,” he extends his hand. “My name is Jacob. What’s yours?”

  “Marlie.”

  He smiles.

  “Yes, I know, like the dog.”

  His smile gets bigger. “I think it’s a beautiful name. It suits you.”

  “You wouldn’t know.” I smile back. “You don’t know me.”

  “I’d like to try. Can I buy you a drink?”

  Why the hell not?

  “Sure.”

  I stand and follow him to the bar, where he orders me a vodka soda. We take a seat at the bar and I turn to him and say, “So Jacob, do you live in Vegas or are you just visiting?”

  “Visiting. You?”

  “Same. I’m only stopping in for the night.”

  His eyes find mine. “Then I had better do a good job at charming you.”

  I laugh. “You’re good, I’ll give you that much.”

  “I have to say, I noticed you the moment I walked in.”

  I scrunch up my nose. “I can’t imagine why.”

  “Well, there you were, sitting in jeans and a tank top while everyone around you is dressed to the nines. I stood and watched you laughing to yourself as you played. You have these cute little indents in your nose when you smile. It’s adorable.”

  I flush. “So my jeans worked in my favor for once?”

  “I’d go with yes. Keep wearing them.”

  My heart flutters. I haven’t flirted with a male since, well, since before him.

  “Tell me about yourself, Marlie.”

  I stare at him, and for the first time in a long time, I realize I’m just Marlie. Not the girl who survived. Not the murderer of a serial killer. Not a famous author
. Just Marlie. I can be anyone right now. Anyone I want. I’ll never see him again.

  “There isn’t much to tell,” I say, and God, that feels good. “I’m just a girl who lives in Colorado Springs and works as a waitress. That’s basically it.”

  He sips his drink, studying my lips. “I think you’re more than that.”

  “Nope.” I shrug. “That’s me. Just plain old Marlie.”

  He reaches forward, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re more than plain and you’re certainly not old.”

  I shiver.

  “Yo, hands off.”

  I flinch at the sound of Kenai’s angry voice. I turn and see him standing next to us, arms crossed, glaring at Jacob. God, he’s such an asshole. Jacob drops his hand and looks up at Kenai, then back to me, then back to Kenai. “Sorry man, I didn’t realize she was taken.”

  “I’m not.”

  “She is.”

  We say it at the same time.

  What the hell kind of game is he playing?

  “No. Right now he works for me, and if he keeps up his attitude, he won’t be for much longer,” I snap defiantly.

  “Well if that’s the case, I guess I’ll get in my truck and go home.”

  Kenai pivots and starts striding out. The damned jerk will likely do just that. “I’m so sorry,” I say to Jacob, before leaping up and rushing after Kenai.

  “Seriously,” I snap when we reach the door. “What is your problem?”

  He spins around, pinning me with those intense eyes. “We’re here to work, not party and get laid.”

  “Excuse me, but you told me we weren’t going out until later and I wasn’t getting laid, I was having a drink.”

  “That would lead to you getting fucked. I saw how he was looking at you.”

  “Jealous?” I goad.

  He takes a step forward, and I have to stop myself taking one back. Hold your own, Marlie.

  “Jealous that I could be getting my fuckin’ dick sucked and drinking, instead of doing this shit? Then yeah. So, sweetheart”—he leans in close—“if I’m not getting laid, then neither are you.”

  I huff. “You can’t stop me.”

  He leans down, drops his shoulder into my belly and launches me into the air. “Watch me.”

  “Put me down!” I squeal, slapping his back.

  God, it’s hard. Like a wall, a stone wall.

  “Let me go … you … you … behemoth!” I cry out, continuing to pummel his back.

  He really does have a nice back. Part of me, even though I don’t really want to admit it, is flattered that he’s carrying me out of here. It feels nice to know I’ve gotten a reaction out of him, that he doesn’t like me talking to other men. Childish as it may seem, it’s been a long time since someone showed such a reaction. It feels nice. But I’m not going to let him know that.

  He carries me out of the casino and all the way up to our room. He unlocks the door, walks in, and throws me onto the bed. Then he stalks towards the adjoining doors, looks back at me as he says, “Leave this room and I’m off the case.”

  Then he steps through and shuts the door behind him.

  “Seriously!” I yell, throwing my hands up.

  He doesn’t come back in.

  * * *

  Kenai is supposed to get me just after six o’clock so we can go over to the club, find this guy, and get some information. I take a shower, get changed, and dry and straighten my hair. I decide to opt out of heavy makeup and apply just a light coat. Then I sit on my bed to wait for him. While I wait, I call Hannah to see if she’s heard anything new. She answers on the second ring.

  “Hi,” she says, sounding puffed.

  “You been running or something?” I laugh.

  “Or something. How’s it going?”

  “Not great. We’re in Vegas, just about to go to this club and check out a lead. So far, we’ve had nothing.”

  I choose not to tell her about the shooting, because honestly, it’ll only freak her out more.

  “So nothing eventful?” she asks, and I can hear the sounds of shuffling on the other end.

  “No, nothing. How are you? How’s your gram?”

  “She’s fine and everything is good here. So you really have nothing yet? I thought Kenai was the best.”

  I huff. “He’s a dick, that’s what he is.”

  She laughs. “Well, we already knew that. I hope he comes up with something soon. Poor Kaity, she could be anywhere.”

  “I know,” I say, hating the way my heart throbs at the sound of my sister’s name.

  Kenai bursts through the door, looking so damned fine I have to swallow to keep a satisfied moan from leaving my lips. He’s dressed in black jeans, a dark gray shirt, and those damned sexy boots. His hair is wet, a few strands stuck to his forehead, and he’s clean-shaven. I can see every outline of his masculine jaw. God, he’s hot. So damned hot. Asshole.

  “I have to go, caveman just barged in. I’ll call you later.”

  “Stay safe, you never know who you might run into. These men could be dangerous.”

  “I’ll be okay. See you, honey.”

  “Laters.”

  I end the call and stand up. “Ready?”

  “Am I here?” he mutters, but I don’t miss his eyes glide over my body. Something flares in his gaze as he looks away, jaw tight.

  “Let’s get this over with.”

  He grunts and walks towards the door, opening it and waving a hand for me to exit the room. I stride past him, flicking my hair over my shoulder as I go. He makes a frustrated sound, but follows me downstairs. We take his truck over to the club, which is already flowing with people.

  “Don’t talk to anyone, don’t ask questions. Just sit down and shut your mouth. Hear me?”

  “I hear you,” I mumble.

  “I mean it, Marlie. Just zip it.”

  “Yeah, Chief, I hear you.”

  He gives me a long look, then we line up to enter the club. It takes ten minutes to get in, and the second we do we’re surrounded by people. I push through the crowd behind Kenai, until we reach the bar. He pulls out a stool and points to it. “Sit. I’ll be back soon.”

  I sit my ass down, glaring at him as he waves the bartender down. “Vodka soda for her.”

  “How do you know what I’m drinking?”

  “I heard Jeffery order it for you.”

  “It was Jacob, and how observant of you.”

  He says nothing, as always, and when my drink arrives he simply turns and disappears into the crowd. I glance around, taking in the well-loved club. It’s clearly been here for a while, but it’s well maintained. Wooden floors, wooden bar and stools, but everything else is red. The booths, the décor. It has a slight country feel, only there isn’t one single person in here even remotely country.

  In fact, most of them seem quite … rough.

  “What’re you doin’ here alone, pretty girl?”

  I turn towards the sound of the husky, slightly inebriated voice and see a man staring at me with a toothy grin. He’s around thirty, maybe a little older, and he has messy black hair and blue eyes. He’s cute. Not gorgeous, but cute. He leans against the bar, probably because he seems to be having trouble standing straight.

  “Just waiting for a friend,” I smile politely and glance back at my drink.

  Drunk men. Ugh.

  “Your friend a boy or girl?”

  What a dumb question.

  “A man. A big, scary man,” I mutter.

  “Let me buy you a drink while you wait.”

  I hold up my drink. “I’ve got one.”

  “I can tell you’re special,” he says, eyes scanning the crowd. “I come here a lot. See a lot of faces. Don’t often see girls like you in here.”

  “Girls like me?”

  “Yeah, the ones who are pretty and sweet.”

  “I’m neither of those things. I’m just here waiting for my friend to look for … his friend.”

  “Oh yeah, who’s his frien
d?”

  I shrug. “Don’t know his name.”

  “Hmmmm.”

  I study him and wonder if he’s ever seen Kaity in the area. It can’t hurt to ask. Right? I pull out my phone and bring up a picture of my sister. “You haven’t seen this girl by any chance, have you?”

  He squints, studying the picture, and something flashes in his eyes for the briefest second. Most people wouldn’t notice it, but I became really attuned to studying every little bit of body language after I escaped. Now it’s something I notice right away. “Nah,” he says. “Never seen her. Why?”

  I put my phone away. “No reason.”

  “I gotta go, friend just showed,” he says, pushing off the bar. “Nice to meet you, Marlie.”

  He disappears and my skin prickles. I didn’t tell him my name. I shove off the stool and turn, studying the crowd to try to find him. When I push through them, I see him disappear into a back hall. It takes me five minutes to get past the crowd, and when I do, I rush into the hall. There are restrooms on the right and a door at the end. I go to the door and push through it.

  I step out into a parking lot where three men are huddled, talking. The man who I was just talking to is one of them. I rush over, without thought, and say, “Hey!”

  He stops talking and they all turn. I focus on the other two men quickly. One is short, bald, and angry-looking. The other is tall and lean, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Complete opposites. My eyes focus back on the man I was talking to. He’s the one I need to speak with.

  “Did I forget something?” he says, but there is something in his eyes … something … off.

  “You called me Marlie.”

  “That’s what you said your name is.”

  I shake my head. “I never said my name. Do you know something? Do you have my sister? I swear to God…”

  The man steps forward. “What?” he says, his voice icy.

  “I just want to know where she is,” I say, feeling fear creeping up my spine and stiffening my body. “If you have information, I’m willing to pay for what you know.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “You’re lying.” I say carefully. “How did you know my name? I know I didn’t tell you.”

  “Everyone knows your name, Marlie. You’re the girl who escaped The Watcher. That book you wrote was everywhere.”