Deceitful (Rules of Deception 1)

“I’m drawing whatever conclusions I see fit.”

Alec’s face flashed with anger. He pressed me against the wall, glaring down at me. “Why do you have to make everything so damn difficult, Tess? Fuck. I’m really trying to do what’s right here.”

Surprised, I peered up at him, bringing our faces closer. I wasn’t sure what he was talking about but his sudden intense presence threw me completely off. Every inch of his muscled body was pressed up to mine.

“This mission is my top priority,” I reminded him in a hoarse voice.

Alec let his head sink forward until our foreheads touched. “It should be, but all I want to do is protect you.”

I didn’t get the chance to say anything because his lips claimed mine for a kiss. This time his tongue conquered my mouth. I gasped and Alec deepened our kiss further. I arched against him, every nerve-ending in my body longing for more. Alec cupped my ass through my jeans, squeezed hard before he lifted my leg and propped it up over his hip, bringing us even closer. My center was now flush with his growing bulge and the friction made stars dance before my eyes. Unexpected arousal pooled between my legs and Alec growled into my mouth.

Car doors were thrown shut outside and I ripped away from Alec’s kiss, remembering where we were and what we were supposed to be doing. I swallowed and lowered my leg. Alec ran a hair through his hair and shook his head slowly.

He nodded toward a black Jeep parked at the end of the street. “Major wants to have a talk with us.”

I cleared my throat, actually glad for Alec’s back-to-business attitude. “Why? Did you already tell him how you think I’m messing up?”

He released a breath and turned his head away, leaving me to stare at his profile, at the way his tendons strained in his throat. “You act like I’m some kind of traitor. I’m not telling Major everything, you know. I’m just trying to do my job and keep you safe.”

“Let’s go,” I said, wanting to get away.

Major watched us with a grim face as we slid into the backseat. Alec and I told Major what we’d seen and despite Alec’s earlier rebuff, I voiced my suspicion about Ryan. Finally Major spoke.

“I agree with Alec. And I think it’s time for us to focus our efforts on our main suspect.”

I knew who that was.

“You saw Devon with the dead girl just moments before her body was found, and now he’s gone. We finally have to act on our suspicions. My instinct tells me that he’s the Variant we’re looking for.”

He paused, searching my face. My fingernails dug into my palms.

“I want you to search Devon’s room. It’s possible he’s hiding something that’ll prove his guilt, or else perhaps you can find out who’ll be his next victim. Look through his belongings, corner him, watch for unusual behavior. Change into him and talk to his friends if you must. Do everything that’s necessary to stop him.”

The following day, I spent most of the morning at the police station and the rest of the day with Linda, who didn’t let me out of her sight. I hadn’t seen Devon yet. Ronald had taken him to speak with the police on his way into work, and he’d been closed off in his room since the moment he got home. I had a feeling that he was purposely avoiding me.

A clattering came from the kitchen—the sound of pots being placed into the cupboards. I followed the noise downstairs and stopped in the doorway. Linda’s blonde hair was in a high-ponytail, revealing the chain of her matching rose necklace. She wiped her hands and gave me that smile that made me feel like I was the best thing that had ever happened to her.

I looked away.

She scanned my face. “You look pale, sweetheart.” Her blue eyes crinkled with worry.

“I’m fine, Mom. Just a bit tired.”

“Are you sure it’s nothing serious? Maybe we should go to Doctor Fonseca.”

“It’s nothing.” Except for the fact that your son is the main suspect in our murder case. It would kill her if it was true. How could parents possibly survive something like that? Finding out about their daughter’s death and then that their other child was the killer.

Linda’s eyes searched my face before she nodded reluctantly. “Let me make you some hot chocolate.”

Her skin was sickly pale. She’d broken down crying when she’d found out about Francesca, and it hadn’t helped matters that I had been at the same party. The whole town was in a state of panic, some families going so far as to evacuate the area. If we didn’t catch the killer soon, people would tear down the police station.

The smell of chocolate wafted through the kitchen. Linda sprinkled a few mini-marshmallows into the cup before she handed it to me. It was the best hot chocolate in the world.