Before the Dawn (Killer Instinct 2)

“And your plans changed.”

Julia turned to face her. “My brother was shot and killed one night on Bourbon Street. In the middle of that crowded street, with a hundred people staring at the shooter. Those hundred people? They should have been able to identify his killer...but I swear every single damn one of them gave a different description of the perp.”

Macey waited. Her heart ached for the pain she heard in Julia’s voice.

“Some of those people were too drunk to remember shit. Some didn’t look at the killer, they just looked at the vic—at my brother. But others...they stared straight at him, and they couldn’t pick him out of a lineup.”

“I’m sorry.” She’d heard of it happening before. Eyewitness testimony was actually one of the weakest forms of evidence. Two people could describe the exact same attacker in wildly different ways.

Or a hundred people could fail to see the killer right in front of them.

“I was afraid my brother wasn’t going to get justice. I went to the police. My dad stood in front of the station for days. And then you know what happened?”

She shook her head.

“My brother spoke.”

Macey blinked.

“The coroner—Dr. Burns—he never gave up. He examined my brother again and again. He found trace evidence from where my brother had grabbed the bastard who came at him. Evidence that tied the piece of trash directly to the crime. He’s locked away now and will be rotting for the next twenty years. All because the coroner did his job. He was thorough. He didn’t give up.” She sucked in a quick breath. “Sorry, I just... I get emotional about that.”

“You don’t have to apologize to me.”

Julia’s smile came again. “When my brother’s killer was convicted, I realized I didn’t have to be in my own clinic to make a difference. I realized the world needed more people like Dr. Burns.”

“I’m glad you’re on this case.” She took a step closer to the exam table. Her hands started to shake and she balled them into fists. “And I’m sorry about your brother.”

“And I’m sorry about the pain you carry.” Julia’s head cocked to the side. “Did they catch the man who hurt you so badly?”

Macey sucked in a sharp breath. There hadn’t been a need to catch him. “I killed him.”

“Good.”

The door swung open behind them before Macey could say anything else. She looked back and saw Detective Deveraux standing there. “They’re about to bring in the victim.” His face was grim. His gaze darted to Julia, then back to her. “Where’s your partner?” he asked Macey.

“He’s taking Dawn to a secure location for the night.”

If possible, his face hardened even more. “The PD has plenty of safe houses that she can use. I can guarantee her around-the-clock protection.”

Julia laughed. “You know Dawn isn’t going to be locked away. That isn’t her style.”

“For her safety—”

“Tucker is taking care of her tonight.” Macey kept her voice firm. “The rest of our team will be here before daylight and we can reevaluate then.” She didn’t want a pissing match between their departments. To catch the perp, they needed cooperation, not competition.

Anthony gave a quick nod and backed away. He exited the doors, his steps fast. Angry.

Julia pulled on a pair of gloves. “He needs to let that go.”

Curious, Macey lifted her brows.

“He and Dawn are not happening. He might want that to be the case, he may want to play her knight in shining armor, but...” Julia sighed. “Dawn doesn’t want someone to save her. That is the last thing she wants. She shuts down guys like him faster than you can blink.”

“You know her well.”

“As well as anyone can know her. Dawn doesn’t exactly let a lot of people come in close. I just found her weakness, so I was able to worm my way closer.”

“What’s her weakness?”

“Po’boys.” She pulled on her exam coat. “And, if I had to guess...I’d say your partner.”

Macey didn’t let her expression change.

Julia checked her instruments. The scalpel gleamed on the nearby tray. “If you think she hasn’t told me about him, you’d be wrong. He’s the man who’s haunted her for seven years. He’s the guy she’s never been able to let go.”

* * *

“THERE ARE TWO rooms in the suite.” Tucker pointed to the room on the right. “You can take that one, and I’ll be in here.” He moved his hand to indicate the door on the left. They were on the top floor of the hotel, the club level. The only way to access that level was via a special key card. Added security that he’d wanted for the night.

“Where will Macey be staying?”

“She has a room across the hall.” And two more rooms were reserved for the other team members who’d be coming into town. His gaze swept over Dawn. She was too pale. Her eyes were too dark. And her body looked far too fragile. “You should get some sleep.”

“I’d rather get a drink.”

He blinked, surprised by her response, but...hell, yeah, they could both use a drink. He made his way over to the bar and checked the selection. “Looks like we’ve got wine, beer and some Jack.” He didn’t remember her liking whiskey, but...

“Wine.” She’d come toward him, moving silently on the lush carpet.

He poured her a glass of the deep red liquid. Wine for her, Jack for him. He gave her the glass and watched as she drank it. God, but he’d missed her. Sometimes he’d find himself reaching out for her at night.

Sometimes...he’d found himself searching for her.

Sometimes I just had to see you. How fucked up is that?

He downed the Jack in moments and set the glass back down with a bit too much force.

She watched him, her gaze shadowed. He needed to step away. She was hurting, her friend was dead, and the woman was being hunted. She didn’t want him—

“I missed you, Tucker.”

Fuck.

Every muscle in his body tensed. “Be careful.” The warning slipped out of him.

Be careful, baby. Don’t push me too far. My control only works with other people. Not with you. I’ve wanted you too long. I might not be able to hold back, not now that we’re finally alone.

I can’t walk away from you again.

“I have been careful. I’ve always been the careful one. I was the good girl in college, and that got me a swift trip to hell. I’ve been careful in New Orleans, and now my friend is dead. I’ve come to the conclusion that careful sucks.”

He hated her pain. “Dawn—”

But she shook her head. She put her glass down next to his. “Good night.” Then she turned on her heel, starting to walk away—

Can’t let her go.

He snagged her wrist, curling his fingers around her delicate bones. “Do you still see him?”

She looked up at him. Her eyes were even bigger. So big he could get lost staring in them.

“When you look at me...” His voice was gravel-rough. “Will you always see him?”

Her lips trembled and he knew the answer. How could he not know? He let her go. “You’ll be safe here tonight. Just...if you need anything, I’m here.”

Like she needed him.

We look too much alike. Every time she sees my face, she will always see him.

He paced toward his room.

“Tucker...”

His shoulders stiffened.

“I want you.”

He kept walking. The last time they’d tried to be together, the night had ended with her screams. He couldn’t, wouldn’t, do that again.

Because she’d looked at him as if he were the monster.

And she’d been right.

; He shut the door and knew he needed one hell of a cold shower to get through the night.

* * *

DAWN LAY IN the bed, the covers soft against her skin. She stared at the ceiling but she saw the past.

Tucker.

Her.

In bed.

“Baby, I want you so fucking much.” His touch had been so light. His fingers had slid down her neck. “I need you.”

Her heart had thundered in her chest. She needed him, too, but she hadn’t spoken. His lips feathered over her throat and she couldn’t help but stiffen. The wound had faded. Weeks had passed since the attack. She had a scar on her neck now, but...

As Tucker touched her so carefully, she couldn’t help but think...

Jason put his hands on me there.

Tucker’s fingers trailed after his lips and she had to squeeze her eyes closed.

Jason choked me there, just for fun. Just to show me that he could. He choked me, then he sliced me. Not deep enough to kill me. Just enough to forever mark me.

“Dawn? Dawn, look at me.”

Her eyes had opened. All of the lights had been on in that room. A hotel room because they’d fled to escape the reporters. The crowd. Everyone else. People who just wouldn’t let their story go.

At Tucker’s command, Dawn looked just over his shoulder.

“At me.”

Her gaze came to his. Jason stared back at her. Jason had Tucker’s eyes. Jason had Tucker’s face. She shivered.

“I would never hurt you.”

No, Tucker wouldn’t. Jason had lied. He’d lied.

Hadn’t he?

Tucker had kissed her and tears slid from her eyes.

“Baby?” He had tried to pull back because this had happened before. He’d tried to touch her before and she’d lost herself to terror. Jason took this from me. He took us away.

He’d broken the bond she had with Tucker, just as he’d promised to do.

No, she couldn’t let that happen. Her nails had bit into Tucker’s skin as she’d held him tighter. “Stay.” The only word she’d spoken to him. She could feel his arousal pressing against her. He’d taken off his shirt, kept on just his jeans. His skin was hot and his muscles were strong. He was powerful and—

Dangerous.

She had kissed him, wanting the passion that had been between them to flare once more. When she made love with Tucker, the rest of the world faded away.

She had needed that. She needed their oblivion. She needed their pleasure. There was too much pain. Her stitches were gone but the jagged marks remained on her skin. The memories were burned into her soul and she needed something to numb them.

I need him. Tucker is what I need most.

So why did she fear him?

He had stripped her. Kissed her body. She trembled beneath him. She parted her legs for him. She shoved his jeans down.

“Baby, we can go slow...”

She turned her head away. That voice... Their voices were even similar. Dawn shook her head, frantic. She didn’t want slow. Slow let her think too much. She’d wanted fast oblivion. She’d wanted the pleasure they’d had before. She’d wanted the life they’d had before. She wanted it all back.

But...it’s gone. Jason took it away.

Tucker had moved between her legs. She felt the long, hard ridge of his arousal pressing against her.

“You’re not ready.” His words were a growl. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

No, she wasn’t getting ready. Her body wasn’t turned on because her mind was in chaos. But she needed this. Her nails bit even deeper into him and she arched her hips against him. Her head turned. Their eyes met—

Jason smiled.

“No!” Dawn shoved against Tucker, fear clawing at her. When he didn’t let her go right away, she had screamed. She couldn’t stop screaming when he touched her.

And that had been how it ended.

A tear slipped down her cheek as she stared up at the ceiling, coming back to the present. She’d fought for seven years to get her life back. To take control once more. And now a killer was back. A man who was trying to tear her world apart.

She couldn’t let that happen. She couldn’t be a victim again. She wouldn’t let fear control her.

Not ever again.

CHAPTER NINE

HE WASN’T ASLEEP. Tucker was in bed, staring up at the ceiling and trying not to think about just how close Dawn was to him.

When his door creaked open, every muscle in his body tensed. His gaze jerked toward that door and he saw her standing there, the light spilling behind her.

“Tucker?” her husky voice whispered to him.

He didn’t move. “Is something wrong?” His own voice came out far too rough.

“Yes.” She shut the door behind her. Immediately, the room was plunged into darkness. “I missed you.” He could hear the faint rustles of sound as she came toward the bed.

Baby, be careful. I warned you... “Stop.” He sat up in bed. “My control isn’t going to hold.” He wouldn’t lie to her. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. I’m trying to do this right. Trying to keep my distance and keep you safe—”

She touched him. Her fingers trailed over his bare shoulder. “I am safe with you.”

She hadn’t always believed that.

His shades were down, the thick curtains in his room covering them and blocking the lights from the city. He could only see the vaguest outline of her body. And that meant she could only see the same when she looked at him.

Did that make it better for her? Or worse?

“Is there someone else?” she asked as her fingers lingered against his skin. “If someone is waiting for you back in DC, tell me and I’ll—”

“There is no one else.” For him, there never was anyone else. She was the only one who’d gotten beneath his skin. Sure, he’d had other lovers. He had needs, and some nights he had to get relief. But in the dark...

They are always her.

And that made him feel even worse when he saw the dawn.

She leaned in closer to him and put her mouth to his. A light, tentative brush of her lips against his. His hands grabbed the bedding and fisted. “Dawn...”

Her tongue licked his lower lip. His mouth parted and she thrust her tongue inside. Baby, I missed you, too. His control was splintering. He should send her away. He was working on the case, pulling protective detail and—

It’s her. I can’t ever turn away from her. Not even if his damn job was on the line. She was the one dream he’d had all his life.

The one thing he wanted most.

The one fucking thing his brother had tried to take from him. And, now, finally, she was back in his arms. Kissing him, pressing her sweet mouth to his. Just like in his dreams, she wanted him again.

He wasn’t going to stop. He tasted her. Explored her mouth. Got drunk on her the way he always had even as he kept his hands fisted at his sides. He’d swung his legs to the side of bed and she...she straddled them. Her body came closer to his, brushing against his chest, and that was when he realized that Dawn was naked.

She’d come to his room—naked.

He’d had that fantasy too many times. He’d woken up, without her, more nights than he could count.

Her knees slid toward his hips as her hands curled around his shoulders. Her breasts—her nipples tight—pushed against his chest. He wanted those nipples in his mouth. He’d always loved licking and sucking them and she’d been so responsive. She’d moan, choking out his name, and she’d get so wet for him when he sucked her sweet nipples.

I need her wet. I need her ready.

He wouldn’t repeat the past. No way. “I want to...touch you,” he rasped out. He wanted her to say it was oka

y. Needed those words. Because of their past.

Because of their present.

“Put your hands on me,” she whispered. “Everywhere.”

Slowly, his hands lifted. They curved around her hips, carefully, lightly. Her head bent and she pressed a kiss to his throat, licking and then giving him a soft bite.

His teeth clenched. He’d always loved that one spot. His cock was rock hard beneath his sweats, so eager to sink into her the thing was about to start twitching. But she had to want him. Had to be desperate for him.

Because he wasn’t going to have the same ending this time. They wouldn’t end that way.

Her hands slid down his chest, her touch like silk. She reached the top of his sweats and she started to push down the cotton fabric—

“No.”

Dawn froze.

“Not yet, baby. I’m already too close.” And she wasn’t. He lifted her up, turning his body and placing her on the bed. Then he moved on top of her, still slowly, waiting to hear her tell him to stop—

But in that darkness, in the dark where she couldn’t see him, Dawn didn’t tell him to stop. He stroked her breasts, teasing the nipples with his fingertips, then bending forward and licking her. She gave a quick gasp, one that just made him hungry for more, and he sucked her deeper. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, his muscles ached because they were clenched so tightly, but he moved carefully with her...

Don’t fuck this up again. Can’t fuck this up again.

He kissed a path down her body. When he got to the juncture of her legs, he hesitated.

“I want you.” Her voice was certain, a husky temptation.

His fingers slid between her thighs. She was soft and hot, her skin slick to the touch, but...

I need more. I need her wild for me. He wanted her to be the way she’d been back in the beginning.

His hands settled between her legs. “If you get scared, stop me.” Easy words to say in the dark.

“I won’t stop you.” Her promise, even huskier now.

He put his mouth on her. Her hips jerked and he held her there, using a light but steady grip. He licked her, he kissed her, he thrust his tongue over her clit, moving fast, stroking lightly, then harder, wanting to push her to the edge—