In The Still of the Night [The Protectors 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (14 page)

He didn’t want to answer that question. Something tight inside his chest already knew the answer. It was something he refused to acknowledge. Besides, he didn’t have time to think about it now. Jenna’s ex-husband was still out there and planning to hurt someone close to her. He would have to deal with her when it became known who he had targeted.

After shutting off the lights, Riley returned to the bedroom to find her sound asleep. He smiled and removed his clothes. Then he slipped beneath the covers and pulled her back into his arms. She fit perfectly against his body. It felt right to have her there.

He steered his thoughts away from her and how well she fit him and back to her ex. He needed to be ready for anything. Logan would take care of Tina, so he could focus everything on keeping Jenna safe. The sickening feeling that things weren’t going to improve gnawed at his gut. Something bad was going to happen and soon. He only hoped it wouldn’t upset Jenna any more than she already was.

Riley closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep. He needed to be rested for whatever happened tomorrow.

* * * *

The doorbell ringing woke Riley and then Jenna. He squinted at the bedside alarm clock and found it was only six in the morning. He growled at being wakened so early then stiffened at what that could mean. Something was wrong.

“Jenna, honey, stay here in bed until I get back. I don’t want you near the door.” Riley stood up pulling his jeans on as he did.

“It’s my house. I should answer the door,” she began.

“No, Jenna. Not as long as your ex is out there causing trouble. I’ll handle it.”

He didn’t bother with a shirt. Instead, he closed the bedroom door behind him and tucked his gun in the small of his back. He peered through the living room curtains to see who was at the door and cursed. Two policemen stood outside. He ditched the gun in a drawer in the end table and unlocked the door.

“Officers? What can I do for you?” he asked.

“Sir, is Ms. Randle here? We need to talk to her,” the shorter of the two men said.

His name tag read Smith. His partner’s name tag read Hudson.

Riley knew he couldn’t refuse to let her talk with them. He just hoped like hell it wouldn’t end up hurting her.

“She’s still in bed. Do you want to wait for her to dress or come back later?” He hoped they would return later.

“We’ll wait,” Hudson said.

“Well, make yourself at home. I’ll go wake her and get her up.” He hesitated then sighed. “Is this going to upset her?”

The two cops looked at each other and shrugged. The taller man seemed to think about it before answering.

“Yeah, it probably will.”

“Well, hell.” He turned and walked back toward the bedroom.

He opened the door and found her already getting dressed.

“It’s the police. They want to talk to you.” Riley watched as she pulled the T-shirt over her head and smoothed it down.

“Okay, do you know what about?” she asked.

“No. They didn’t say.”

“Okay, I’m ready.” She held out her hand.

Riley took her hand and led her out to the living room. The two cops were still standing in front of the living room door. They pulled off their hats when she walked into the room.

“Ms. Randle?” Hudson asked.

“Yes? What can I do for you?” she asked.

Riley felt her hand tremble in his. She was nervous.

“Perhaps we should sit down,” Riley interrupted.

“Good idea,” Smith agreed.

Riley led Jenna to the couch and sat next to her. She let him keep her hand in his. The two officers took the chairs across from the couch and leaned forward.

“Ma’am, I understand you know a man by the name of Todd Crenshaw,” Smith said.

“Yes, I do. Why?” she asked.

Jenna looked up at Riley with a question in her eyes. He shrugged. He didn’t know, either.

“Ma’am—”

“Call me Jenna.”

“Jenna, where were you between nine and midnight last night?” Hudson asked.

“Excuse me?” Jenna frowned.

“She was here with me. We were in bed around that time and haven’t been up until you rang the doorbell.” Riley didn’t like where this was leading.

“Todd Crenshaw was found dead this morning. Someone called the police about an apparent break-in, and Mr. Crenshaw was found dead at the scene by the police.”

“Todd is dead?” Jenna’s voice broke. “Oh, God.”

Riley pulled Jenna into his shoulder. It would be a shock to her no matter how the man had treated her. As far as Riley was concerned, it was no loss.

“I understand you had a restraining order on him,” Smith began.

“Yeah. He hit me.”

“I also understand your ex-husband is out on parole and attacked you a few days ago,” he continued.

“I don’t understand. What has that got to do with Todd?” She looked from one to the other.

“There was a note left at the scene of Todd’s murder.” Hudson pulled out a notepad and began to read.

“Tell that bitch that no one touches what’s mine. I’ll kill anyone who dares to fuck with what I own. Then I’ll take care of you.”

By the time he’d finished reading from his pad, Jenna’s hands weren’t the only thing trembling. Her entire body shook in his arms.

“Easy, baby.” He glared at the two officers. “Don’t you think that was a little harsh?”

“Murder is harsh.” Hudson obviously wasn’t worried about upsetting her and continued. “Can you tell me where you were between the hours of one a.m. and four a.m. this morning?”

“You’ve got to be kidding!” Riley growled. “She was with me the entire night.”

“As in the same room with you?” Hudson probed.

“Yes, in the same room, in the same bed. The damn note is directed at her.”

“True, but that could be to throw us off the trail,” Smith said.

“Why would the killer target you?” Hudson demanded.

“Because he’s my ex-husband, and he’s crazy,” Jenna managed to get out between chattering teeth.

“Sounds like he has it bad for you,” Smith said. “You need to be very careful.”

“I think it’s her lover here who needs to be careful,” Hudson sneered. “Her ex seems to be targeting men she’s been with. Are there very many?”

“That’s it. You’re out of here.” Riley stood up and pointed toward the door. “Get out.”

Smith nodded and stood up. “If you hear anything from him or think he is around, call us.”

“Don’t count on it,” Riley said.

He walked over to the door and opened it for them to leave.

Hudson stopped in the doorway and looked back at Jenna. “You sure your lover was in bed all night? Maybe he went and did your ex-boyfriend while you were asleep.”

Jenna stood up and crossed to Riley, putting her arms around his waist. “I know he was with me all night.”

Riley was pleased that she didn’t drop her eyes under Hudson’s stare. Instead, she glared at him standing in the doorway.

The other man finally turned and followed his partner outside toward their police car.

“You okay, baby?” Riley asked. He pulled her around to face him and brushed a tear from her cheek

“I’m scared for you. What if he comes after you now?”

“Don’t worry about me. I can handle myself. I’m more worried about you. He’s fixated on you. That’s not good.”

A knock at the door startled Jenna, and she jumped in his arms. He squeezed her for reassurance and checked the window to see who it was although he was sure he already knew. Sure enough, it was Logan.

“It’s just Logan.” He opened the door and let him in.

“What were the police doing here?” Logan asked as he crossed the room to the kitchen. “What? No coffee?”

“I’ll fix it while Riley fills you in.” Jenna began filling the coffee pot with water, her hands still shaky.

“What’s up?” Logan asked.

Riley filled him in on Todd’s death and the note.

“That’s not good. He probably knows we’re watching the house.” Logan sat down at the kitchen table and steepled his fingers. “We need a plan.”

Riley nodded, drawing a deep breath in through his nose. “We’ve got to keep Jenna safe, but we also need to lure him out into the open to catch him.”

“We can use his need to get rid of her ex-lovers and put you out there as bait.”

“That’s along the same line I’ve been thinking about, too.”

Jenna’s eyes grew wide with shock. She crossed her arms and glared at the two men from where she was leaning back on the counter.

“Absolutely not! You will not put yourself out there as a target.”

Riley stood up and squeezed her against him. He looked down into her pleading eyes. “I’m going to take this bastard down one way or another. He’s not getting close to you again.”

She pushed away from him with her hands against his chest.

“That doesn’t mean you have to be the bait to catch him. He’ll try here again soon. Just wait for now.” Tears welled up in her eyes.

Logan agreed with Riley. “It’s the best plan, Jenna. We’ve got to catch him, or he’ll just sit out there until we aren’t as vigilant looking for him. That’s when he’ll strike, and someone is going to get hurt, or worse.”

Logan stood up and got a coffee cup down before pouring coffee into it. He took a sip and looked back at Riley.

“I think we should start tonight. You can go for a ride, and we’ll set up some sites along the way where you can stop and stretch.”

“Tyler can watch Jenna while Morgan and I go with you,” Logan said.

Jena walked across the room toward the door. “If you’re that desperate to end this so you can get back on the road, then just leave now,” Jenna said. “I don’t want you here if you don’t want to be here.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying, baby. You’re upset. I understand.” Riley started to cross to her.

“Oh, I know exactly what I’m saying.” She held up her hand to stop him from getting any closer. “Leave now. I don’t want you anywhere around me. Get your stuff and get out.”

Jenna stomped out of the kitchen to the bathroom. Riley heard the bathroom door slam. Riley looked at Logan. The other man shook his head and took another sip of his coffee. Riley ran his hand over his head. Then he turned and headed to the bedroom.

It didn’t take him long to pack his backpack. He didn’t have much. You didn’t when you lived on the road. He’d gotten too cozy here. He huffed out a breath and walked over to the bathroom door to try and reason with her. He lifted his hand to knock then let it fall back to his side. It would be better this way. He would eventually be leaving anyway, and if she was the one mad and kicking him out, maybe she wouldn’t hurt so badly later. He told himself that, but it didn’t really help much. He wanted a few more days in her bed—a few more days near her. Instead, he hefted his pack and walked out to see Logan shaking his head.