Shadows and Light: The Complete Series, page 37
“After I saw the file on my dad, I only wanted revenge. I wanted him dead. He killed my parents and Nick. He tortured you just to hurt me. Then he ordered the hit on a ten-year-old kid as reminder that no one is allowed close. I can connect Mendoza to Quinton’s murder through Tattoo Guy, but it doesn’t matter because he has Danny.” She met his gaze. “And we both know what he’s capable of doing to him.”
“Tattoo Guy’s name is Ivan, and it matters a great deal.” Jared pulled out his cell and wrote a quick text before returning it to his pocket.
“You recognize him?” Jennie asked.
“Oh yeah, we’re old buddies.” Jared’s voice deepened to a rumble, laced with hatred.
Jennie had no trouble connecting the dot. “He’s the bastard that did this to you?” She rubbed her hands over his chest. Several moments passed before she spoke. “I want to kill him myself. I don’t care what he did tonight; in that bizarre twist of fate, he saved my life. He’s still as evil as Mendoza, maybe even more so. Human life means nothing to him. If I ever get the chance, I’m going to send him to hell where he belongs.”
“Sweetheart, you’re going to have to stand in a long line for that honor.” Placing a kiss on her forehead, Jared cradled her closer. “We sure the hell are a pair,” he said, shaking his head.
“I’m going after Mendoza, Jared. I need to sleep for a few hours, but then — ”
Jared placed his finger on her lips, “Over my dead body! There’s an entire task force closing in on him as we speak.”
Jennie pulled away, her lips tingling from his touch. “This is my fight, my nightmare. It’s about me, about my family. And there’s no task force. My father’s case is an inactive file. No one is working to take Mendoza down. ”
“So Nick strikes again, I see. Your foster brother was one of the best hackers I’ve ever met and it appears he taught you a thing or two.” Jared's smile became very serious. “I thought you said you trusted me.”
“Of course I trust you.”
“Then believe me when I say there are people working to take him down. You can help me find Danny, but you’re leaving Mendoza alone. Understand?” Jared’s eyes narrowed, staring hard at her. “I want your promise.”
“You and Father Anthony are members of the same domineering men’s club, right? Do you practice that look in the mirror?”
“You’re so funny. Now, give it over, sweetheart. Promise me you’ll stay away from Mendoza.”
“Fine, but all bets are off if anything — ”
“Nothing is going to happen to me. I’ve way too much to live for to let that bastard end it.”
Before she could utter a word in reply, Jared lowered his mouth to cover hers. He instantly took control, deepening the kiss as he enveloped her body in his. The sensuous vibrations that spiked through her body were overpowering. Nothing had prepared for the onslaught.
She always considered herself timid, but the moment Jared deepened the kiss, her body screamed. It was only a kiss, but the fierce passion it awoke in her made her tremble.
“I’m not domineering,” Jared said, releasing her only a second before lowering his mouth for the second assault.
It was heaven in a kiss, so soft and sweet. It fed a hunger in her she never knew existed. She wanted her hands on him everywhere. But just as they began to explore, he broke the connection.
“Hospital bed,” was the only coherent thing that came out of his mouth.
Jennie had no idea what he murmured. He muddled her brain. All she knew was that the most wonderful kiss had come to an abrupt end.
“What?”
“You’re still in a damn hospital bed. I’m an idiot.”
“You sure as hell are,” she replied, as heat rushed to her cheeks.
“You think I wanted to stop?”
“You’re the one who pulled back.”
Jared tried to suppress the laugh, but it burst out, echoing off the walls of the small space. Jennie wanted to punch the silly look off his face, but Jared grabbed hold of her hand and held it to his chest. “You’ve had a horrible night, and I don’t want to take advantage of the situation. You’re still in the ER lying in a hospital bed. I’m not an oversexed cretin who can’t control his — ”
“Did it look like I am complaining?” I’ve dreamed of nothing else since the night in the chapel and you have to turn noble on me.
Jared studied her face. “What were you just thinking?”
With her eyes glued to the bedsheets, she whispered, “I’m not made of glass. I understand if you can’t man up and — ”
“How is this for manning up?” His mouth crushed down hard on hers.
This time there was no gentleness, just pure unrestrained passion. He took what he desired, his mouth moving impatiently. What he gave, he demanded in return. His hands moved impatiently as well, touching, caressing everywhere they could reach.
The feel of his hands on her body ignited every cell in her at once. Nothing ever felt so intense … so wonderful … so frightening. She would never control this side of Jared. She wanted it to go on forever, but as quickly as the passion began, it ended.
Resting their foreheads against each other, they both struggled to catch their breath.
“I’m not going to apologize again,” he said, opening his eyes and staring into hers.
“No one asked you to.” Jennie took in a gulp of air. “Just tell me the rules because I don’t know how to play this game.”
“You think this is a game?” Jared raked his hand through his hair before he spoke. “When the call came in, Noah could feel something was wrong. He didn’t get one word out before I felt a rage so destructive, I went mad. That bastard went after you. Every fucking crime scene raced through my head. He did that to you. The thought of losing you destroyed something in me. Noah — he became Greg Scarvey. I went after him like — ” Jared paused, working to get control of his emotions. “If not for Jason holding me back, I would have hurt him, really hurt him.”
“Oh Jared.” Jennie’s heart broke in two. No words could express what the man in her arms meant to her. She kissed every surface of his face beginning with his tormented eyes until she reached his lips. Every ounce of compassion she had in her fed the passion. She never wanted to witness that look on his face ever again. Deepening the kiss, she gave herself over to him.
Chapter Nineteen
The light tap sounded on the door to Jennie’s hospital room. The normal sounds and smells of the ER were absent. Only the woman in his arms was part of his world.
Jared laid partially on his side and Jennie’s body enveloped his. Since she seemed oblivious to the tapping, Jared forced himself to ease back and break the kiss just as Noah and Emma walked back into the room.
“Ahh, hell, Jared, my eyes. Damn, bro.” Noah covered his face with his hands. “If I’m blinded for life it is going to be your fault.”
“Shut up, Noah,” Jared said, ignoring the siblings who just invaded his haven. He adjusted into a sitting position and met Jennie’s gaze. “This, sweetheart, has been the bane of my existence from the moment I was born. No privacy.” He lifted her off him and rose to his feet.
“What?” Jared glared at his brother and sister. Emma usually had more sense than this.
“Is it safe yet?” Noah spread his fingers and peeked out between the fingers.
“Great form, Jared. I didn’t know you had it in you,” Emma countered.
A laugh escaped Jennie as she watched the exchange. Glancing at Emma, she asked, “Do you guys always pick on each other like this?”
“Oh yeah, moronic.” Emma rolled her eyes. “Are you ready to get out of here? I have your discharge papers and instructions for treating the cuts on your throat.” Emma reached for the folded garments she had put at the foot of the bed when she came into the room. “I have a pair of scrubs you can use.”
“I’d appreciate the help,” Jennie said, lightly touching her throat. “It’s beginning to hurt.”
“That’s because the numbing meds they pumped into you are wearing off.” She pulled the curtain around the bed, shoving Jared and Noah to the other side.
Jared faced Noah. “So do you think it’s our guy?”
“If it isn’t the guy, it’s an amazing copycat. We’ll know more in about an hour. I sent a couple of guys to his residence.” Noah said, and nodded toward the curtain. “We need to ask her some questions.”
“Not tonight we don’t.” Jared yanked out his phone and checked for missed calls. “Did Raúl check in? He was with me when everything went down. I’m sure Mendoza’s not happy.”
“The only text I received was yours.” Noah held a digital camera down at his side.
“Let me see what you got.”
“You don’t want to see them here,” he said, glancing toward the curtain. “It isn’t pretty.”
“I’m the lead on this case whether it involves Jennie or not. Hand it over.”
“Fine, but just remember I tried to warn you.”
Jared flipped through the photos, slowly viewing each one thoroughly. His stomach churned. He could taste the bile in his throat and it took all his control to keep from slamming the camera up against the wall. Taking a long slow breath, he banked down the rage building in him. The images of Jennie, helpless, tied down like an animal with a dead man lying on top of her were horrific.
“The shooter just left Jennie … ”
Jared raised his hand. He didn’t need Noah’s words for his mind to conjure the image of a man lying on top of her with a knife, carving thin slices across her beautiful throat like it was butter. The fury grew until his breathing came in short, uneven breaths.
He felt Noah’s hand resting on his shoulder and he could hear Jennie speaking softly to Emma behind the curtain. Her voice calmed him. Turning, he shoved the camera into Noah’s hands and yanked up a corner of the curtain. He had to see her, touch her, feel her. Before Emma could protest, he drew Jennie half dressed into his arms, plastering her body up against his.
Jennie just clung to him saying, “I’m okay, Jared,” over and over again.
No one was ever going to hurt her again.
“Please give us a minute,” he said to Emma without looking up at her. He lifted Jennie then eased down on the bed, drawing her into his lap. Jennie’s arms circled his shoulders and pulled him tight against her.
“Jared, what’s wrong? What did Noah say to you?”
A hurt like he never experienced clogged his throat as a tear slid down his face. He drew her to him, cradling her head against his chest. She was now safe, but it didn’t ease the guilt that churned in the pit of his stomach. He raised his head and ran his finger over the bandage. “I should have stopped that bastard. He never should have had a chance to go after you.”
“Jared, don’t,” Jennie said as she wiped the tear with her thumb. Her hand went to his cheek. “Please don’t do this to yourself.”
Resting his head on her forehead, he took in a deep, shaky breath. “God, Jennie, why don’t you hate me?”
“I could never hate you.”
It took a long time for him to form the words. “You better be ready for me in your life, Jennie Nash McKenzie because I’m not leaving you alone until this nightmare is over — maybe never again.”
The corners of her mouth curled up in a smile as she traced her finger along his hairline. “Now why doesn’t that sound like a threat?”
“I’m serious, Jennie.”
Her eyes bore into him. “Bring it, big guy. I’m damn tired of being alone.”
Just as Jared’s lips crushed hers, her voiced hitched and her body seemed to melt into his. His hands cupped her head, holding her to him. She sure the hell wasn’t pulling back, but matched his passion with her own.
All the pent up anger and guilt were replaced with pure, wild need. He had been damn lonely too. And this was the woman who could fill that void. His hands roamed down her side of her breast as he deepened the kiss. Nothing mattered but Jennie, the feel and taste of her.
“Yo, bro, are you still alive in there?” Noah murmured from the other side of the curtain.
Jennie broke the kiss, placing her hands at his chest. A deep pink rose in her cheeks.
“Don’t,” he whispered as he brushed his lips over her temples. He brought her chin up so their eyes met. “I promise to kill him later. Just don’t be embarrassed.”
Jennie swallowed. “Jared, I could have … we … ”
“I know. You can fry my brain anytime.” Jared chuckled. He reached for the faded scrub top. In a hoarse whisper, he said, “Maybe I should help you with this.”
Jennie gave a slight nod as he eased the top over her head, working it around her bandages. The last thing he wanted to do was cause her any pain. Once the top was in place, he took the pants and lifted her leg.
“Jared, I can do this part.”
“Yeah, well, I want to help.” He tugged them out of her hand and raised her leg, rubbing his hand over the top of her foot. “Jennie, these are some really cute toes.”
“They are just feet.” Jennie placed her foot through the leg hole then the other one.
Jared lifted her in his arms and very slowly lowered her to the floor. As Jennie reached to grab the waistband, he brushed her hand away. After pulling the pants in place, he eased the top down over the waistband, and lifted her back into the bed.
Jennie met his gaze with a fierce glare. “You’re like a toddler. Me do it.”
“Damn straight. Better get used to it, too.” He studied her for a moment before reaching for her hand. His eyes went to her neck. “It’s hurting, isn’t it?”
“Just a little. I’m fine, Jared.”
Jared shook his head. “Like hell you are.” He ran a hand over the back of his neck. “Noah has some questions. Are you up to it?”
“Yes.”
Jared rose from the bed and opened the curtain. “You have five minutes,” he said to his twin.
“I need to know if she’ll be able to ID Ivan at the scene.”
With effort, Jared pulled in his anger. “Not really. She said all she could see was his arm, but it was him.”
“We need her statement. I still have more questions than answers.”
“First, I get her the hell out of here. That’s the only way this is happening, Noah,” he said through clinched teeth.
“Hey, taking my head off is getting very old, Jared. Cut it the hell out. I wasn’t planning on putting her under the lights and threatening her with a rubber hose. Give me some credit.”
“Don’t stand there acting like I’m not justified. You’ve treated her like shit for years.”
“Jared, stop,” Jennie whispered.
Jared settled on the edge of the bed and took hold of her hand. The room grew still.
Noah cleared his throat. “I’ll make this as painless as possible. Will you run through your evening for me?”
It took Jennie a few minutes tell him everything that happened once she arrived at the hospital that afternoon.
“The man who attacked you has been identified as Greg Scarvey. How much contact did you have with him at the school?”
“Very little. I remember tonight during … while he … I couldn’t even remember his name.”
Jared drew her close against him. He knew Noah was being as gentle as he could, but each question that caused her to relive the night ripped a new hole into his heart. He could only imagine what it was doing to her.
“You said he worked at your school in a temporary position as a third grade teacher. How long had he worked there?”
“About four weeks. Mrs. Arnold went on maternity leave in February. Mr. Scarvey was hired to finish out the year. I knew him well enough to say good morning, good evening.”
“Did you have any idea why he targeted you?”
“I knew I was being watched, but couldn’t figure out by whom.”
Jared touched her chin and brought her face to meet his gaze. “What do you mean you knew you were being watched?”
“I felt him like I feel Mendoza; the feelings were different, but just as frightening. Tonight, I should’ve known he was in my apartment. I was upset, distracted.”
“What do you mean you felt him?” Noah asked.
Jared answered the question for her. “It’s like a sixth sense.” He tilted his head and studied Jennie. “It was my case. My damn face has been plastered all over the news for weeks. You had to know. Why didn’t you reach out to me, Jennie?”
“I thought I could handle it. And bringing you back into my life just didn’t seem like a good idea.”
“When did you first notice him watching you?” Noah asked.
“About three weeks ago.”
“That fits,” Noah said, glancing at Jared. “He would have needed another woman by then. Can you think of anything else that would help us, Jennie?”
“I don’t know why he picked me. I welcomed him to the school, but so did every other teacher.”
“One more question and I’ll leave you alone. Tell me about the shooter.”
Jennie took in a breath of air, held it before exhaling. It was if she was building a wall to protect herself from Noah.
“I’ve seen him before tonight. From the angle I was lying in the bed, I didn’t get a good look at his face, but I definitely saw the tattoo on his arm.”
“Jennie can place him at the shooting of a young boy outside her apartment a year and a half ago. She ID’d this picture,” Jared said, handing it to Noah.
“Where did this come from?” Noah asked.
“My guess, an ATM camera somewhere in the neighborhood,” Jared replied.
“Yeah, but how did you get it?” Noah asked and glanced at Jennie.
A low growl came from deep in Jared’s throat. “Careful.”
“I’d recognize that tattoo anywhere. That man killed Quinton.” Jennie wrapped her arms around her middle. “How did he know that Scarvey was with me?”
Noah glanced at Jared. He nodded. It was time she knew, but he was taking the chicken shit way out by having his twin tell her.
