Chapter 20

At her question, a mirthless laugh escaped me and I muttered, “Wound me up like a top and set me loose to spin all alone.”

Kindle sighed again, and I could practically see her shaking her head. She knew damn well what I was talking about. Even if I hadn't told her the whole story of what happened, she would still understand.

"Well, I'm sorry about that," she offered.

I snorted again, rubbing my sore throat. "Yeah, I know. I just...I don't know. Honestly, the man is driving me crazy."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and I could practically hear Kindle biting her bottom lip. "Well, you know where I am if you need someone to talk to," she said finally, her voice gentle. "And I mean that. I care about you, you know that."

"I know," I answered, my voice softening as well. "Thanks."

Anyway, gotta go, Chica—later,” she called, ending the conversation.

I sighed, dropping my hand back to the bed, already missing the feel of her warm, familiar voice in my ear. With a groan, I rolled over and buried my face in the pillow, trying to find a comfortable spot to rest.

But as I lay there, my mind drifted back to yesterday. To the way his hands felt on my skin, the way his lips moved against mine. To the way he looked at me. The fire in his eyes as he had placed my hand on his erection.

Groaning, I rolled back onto my side, burying my face in the pillow and squeezing my eyes shut. I was in a mess, and I knew it. Ethan had always been the one person who could make me forget about everything else, but now...now it felt like he was the one person I couldn't forget.

The memories played like a loop in my head, each time becoming more vivid and intense than the last. The feel of his lips on mine, his strong hands on my skin, the way he had looked into my eyes and made me feel like I was the only person in the world. It was like a drug, and I couldn't get enough.

I knew I should stay away from him, that a relationship between us was dangerous considering he was my team leader and that he was committed elsewhere, even if it wasn't a *real* marriage. But somehow I found myself drifting back to him time and time again. It was like there was some invisible string connecting us, pulling me closer with every passing moment.

With a shake of my head, I glanced at the clock, seeing it was time to get ready for work.

A few minutes later, I stood beneath the shower surrounded by the vinyl smell of the new shower curtain. I couldn’t get past Kindle’s words about Ethan having married Ember out of some obligation. What kind of obligation could it possibly be, and why marry her because of it? Shaking my head, I stepped from the shower, dried, and padded into my bedroom.

Peering into my closet, I pulled out a soft flowing skirt that, when worn, flirted with my ankles. I paired it with a lime green tank that was the same color as the tiny flowers on the skirt. Laying both on the bed on the way over to my dresser, I dug out a bra and the matching lacy thong. Donning the underclothes, I slid the skirt up over my legs and hips, before pulling on the tank top. Sliding my feet into a simple pair of sandals, I headed back to the bathroom.

Brushing my hair out, I left it hanging loose, not in the mood to do anything else with it. After pushing a pair of hoop earrings through the tiny holes in my ears. Staring at myself in the mirror, I saw the unhappy glow emitting from the depths of my eyes, however, there was nothing to do about it—time was the only answer. Grimacing at how exhausted I looked. I grabbed my foundation and tried to conceal the worst.

When I’d finished, I peered at myself, a slight smile gracing my lips. Though my eyes revealed my inner turmoil, the rest of the damage had been concealed. Finishing my time before the mirror with a swipe of strawberry-flavored gloss across my lips, I declared myself done.

Afterward, glancing at my watch, I saw that I was now running late and didn’t have time to prepare myself any coffee. Trotting into the kitchen, I spooned some food into Thurston’s bowl, grabbed my purse and headed out the door.
~~
Half an hour later, I’d pulled a file out of the cabinet and was pouring over the pages before me. As I flipped another page, examining the minute details of how the victim’s assailant had murdered her, the phone beside me let out a shrill ring.

Reaching over, I grabbed the phone, absently murmuring, “Agent Leathers.”

With the caller’s first sentence, he had my full attention.

“Good morning, agent. Now, be quiet and listen. I can’t help myself. I killed once before and I’ve killed since. It’s become a thirst in my soul, and I will kill again...to feed the hunger.”

The voice coming across the line carried a resonance of something evil. Chills shivered down my spine as the caller continued, “The newest lovely is waiting for you to find her, hurry, hurry—Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock.”

Before I could say anything, the call went dead on the other end. I sat stunned for several seconds, staring at the phone in my hand. Finally, what I’d heard sank in, and it seemed I was running before I ever left my chair.

In the back of my mind, I heard the chair hitting the floor as I flew across the room, however, I never glanced back. With my heart pounding and the icy feel of fear pumping through my veins, I skidded into Ethan where he stood before the coffee pot in the break room.

I just took a call. The caller, said she’s waiting,” I blurted the words out at Ethan, forgetting all about the apprehension I’d felt earlier about being around him.

Ethan stared at me as though I’d grown two heads. “Slow down, Nicole, and breathe.”

Nodding, I drew several breaths, trying to gather myself.

Ethan waited a few seconds, before urging me to try again. “Now, tell me what in the hell you’re talking about.”

“I received a phone call from someone, confessing to having killed someone,” I breathed.

The words had no more left my mouth, than Ethan’s cell began to ring. Motioning for me to stay put, he answered it, listening to the person on the other end, nodding. “Got it.”

After several seconds and another, “Got, it,” he ended the call, then, still gripping the phone tightly in his hand, he blew out a harsh breath, after only a second though, he pressed a number on its face.

“Sarah, I need you to trace the call which just came in on Nicole’s land-line.” He snapped the words into the phone when Sarah picked up. Afterward, and without another word, he hit the end call button and placed the phone back in his pocket. “Okay, let’s go.”

I felt my stomach plunge. “So, the call was the real thing?”

Ethan nodded. “It appears so. There’s been a body discovered at the lake.”

Seconds later, as we made our way down the hall and into the lobby, Sarah came hurrying in our direction. “No luck. It was a disposable.”

“Dammit,” Ethan swore before letting out a heavy breath. “Thanks, Sarah, I appreciate the effort.” Then turning toward me, he murmured, "Okay, let's go."