1
“Ace?”
I hear my name being called but don’t look up. I’m too far down the rabbit hole to stop now.
“Ace.”
It’s not a question this time, and he says it with more concern.
“Ace,” Thomas repeats, voice edging on annoyance.
“Yeah?” I don’t look up from the computer. My eyes hurt, my head throbs, I’m desperately thirsty, and I’m definitely in need of a shower.
But I can’t stop.
My parents’ murder file is in front of me, along with a dozen or so others. All with the same cause of death. Hearts were frozen from the inside out. And no, none of them were in temperatures remotely close to freezing. All but three were found indoors, with situations similar to my parents.
The scene looked like a robbery, but nothing was taken. I know better, not only because I’m a cop, but because I was there. I lived it. The robbery was a cover-up for murder. Thehowis there in front of me, but thewhy…I have no fucking idea.
“Dinner is ready.” Thomas extends his hand, waiting for me to take it. His wings are stretched out behind him, and he rolls his neck to the side. He and Gil were sparring outside until Gemma called them in for dinner. Whatever she made smells wonderful, which is one of the best parts about her living here now.
She’s a damn good cook.
And she still feels bad for basically fucking me over and signing my death certificate, so she’s been in full-blown Suzy Homemaker mode, which the guys and I don’t mind one bit.
“I’ll be right there.”
“No, you won’t,” Thomas sighs. He sits next to me on the couch and closes my laptop. I start to object and then look up, blinking from the change of not staring at my glowing screen. “Ace, you need to take a break. You’ve been going nonstop on those files for days and you’ve found nothing. We need a different approach.”
“But there isn’t one,” I object. “I’ve tried everything.”
“We’ll figure it out,” he promises, and I smile.
“You’re starting to sound like Jacques.”
Thomas wrinkles his nose. “We can’t have that, now can we?” He takes my hand and pulls me to my feet with ease. “Come on. Eat dinner and then have sex in the shower with me.”
I act like I have to consider his offer. “I’ll see what I can do.”
He gives me his cheeky grin. “No more work tonight. We all think you’ve gone a little off the deep end.”
“Good use of the phrase,” I compliment.
“I’ve been working hard on my studies,” he jokes, meaning he’s been watching a lot of TV. Gemma introduced the guys to the wonderful world of Hallmark movies, and as much as I refused to watch anything cheesy like that in the past, I have to say they are growing on me. But I won’t admit that to anyone.
“What’s for dinner?” I ask as Gemma pulls what looks like a roast out of the oven.
“Pot roast. It’s my aunt’s recipe, minus the seething hatred for anyone different than her.”
“Maybe I’ll have a little of that on the side,” Gil quips, and Gemma shakes her head. She puts the pan on the stovetop and grabs a bottle of sweet red wine.
“Want some?” she asks me.
“She needs some.” Thomas takes the bottle from her and twists off the cap.
“Guys, I’m fine,” I start, and all three of them round on me.
“Ace,” Gemma says softly, looking concerned. “I get that you really want to solve those murders since you’re a detective and all, but, I…uh…we…” She trails off, looking at the twins for help. I cross my arms, knowing they rehearsed what they’re about to say.
