My slight hesitation coupled with turning my head away caused a stronger, even more possessive reaction. With his other hand, he gripped my chin, requiring me to look him directly in the eyes.
“Talk to me. Did something happen?”
The moment was lost in a sea of uncertainty, fear mixing with desire. “I think it’s happening again. I think the Python Killer is on the hunt.”
“And why do you believe this to be true?”
I finally pulled my hand away, trying to work up some magical courage that didn’t seem to exist. Yet I could tell by the look in Maverick’s eyes that I could trust him more than I could anyone else in my life.
Including myself.
“There’s a missing attorney.” The words were barely audible and difficult to say.
He studied me for a full thirty seconds. “Let me guess. Your instinct is suggesting the work of the Python Killer.”
When I nodded, he took a deep breath.
“That’s not the only reason. If you want my help, I need to know everything.”
“Also because of a phone call, a man claiming to be the real killer. “
“What?”
Nodding, I tried to look away but he wouldn’t let me, grabbing my chin with enough force I whimpered. “He called on my personal cellphone the other today right after I saw the news about the execution date. Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Although I was anything but fine.
“Jesus Christ. What the hell did he say to you? Tell me, Alexia.” His hand was fisted.
Shocked he was so furious, only when I pressed my hand against his chest did some tension slip away. “It was very brief.”
“I need every detail.”
I closed my eyes, wishing I hadn’t heard the words. But I had. “He said there was nothing like the hunting of women. No gourmet food. No expensive liquor. No sensual perfume. And no raw, unbridled sexual experience that could hold a candle to the hunt, the capture, and… the kill.”
“And?” Using his thumb, he lifted my chin while lowering his head, his heated breath skipping across my skin.
“Then he called me by my real name and said we’d meet again.”
CHAPTER 5
Alexia
“I’m sorry.” Maverick’s gruff voice powered through the aura of fear I’d wrapped around myself.
“You have nothing to feel sorry about. I all but demanded you listen to me. I feel a little silly now.” I gripped the glass of wine while staring out the set of living room doors, taking some sense of solace from the sight of the waves gently rolling against the shore.
“I should have warned you how graphic the pictures were.”
“I should have warned you how graphic the interior of the cabin was all those years ago,” I told him.
A single eyebrow arched on his chiseled face. “Maybe so. I’m not going to lie that the visions haunted me for weeks.”
“Years for me.” They still did from time to time, although I’d gotten used to the carnage. If anyone truly ever did.
The air crackled between us, creating an overwhelming sense of anxiety, the sensations a complete shift from before, yet still a powerful draw.
Oddly enough, the unexpected tether was strong enough I knew exactly what he was thinking. About the phone call. Granted, I’d dropped a bombshell when I’d announced the Python Killer had contacted me.
“Fuck the bastard, whoever he is. I don’t give a shit if he’s trying to snag his fifteen minutes of fame. I won’t allow it.” Maverick’s anger could be read easily in every body movement, every scattered breath he took.
