Pledging to Die (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 11) (25 page)

Or was this some sick message for them.

Yeah, he needed to really think about this one a little more. It was making no sense at all.

And he hated that.

       
         
* * *
  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

He’d managed to track her all through the campus, all the while remaining hidden from sight. In her travels, she’d stopped to talk to a few people as the sun began setting, and then seemed to forget the time.

Oh, it was dangerous to be out alone, and she knew it. He was what stalked her in the shadows, and he was aware of her destiny.

This was like some sign from above.

She was meant to be the one.

If he failed at taking her there’d be hell to pay, and he knew it. So much was at stake, and he couldn’t risk it.

Not now. 

He’d worked too damn hard at his mission to let it slip through his fingers that easily.

So, when he saw his opportunity to take her, he moved on his prey.

Grabbing the wandering sorority girl, he snapped her neck like a twig before she could open her mouth to protest. The breaking of bones was the only sound he heard in the silence of the darkening night.

It called to him on some sick level, bringing him a perverse joy. He’d done what he’d planned, and so far, it was going off without a hitch.

Good for him.

It was a success.

When he’d picked this spot to take her, there was one main reason.

Location.

Location.

Location
.

There was a maintenance shed right behind the frat house, and that would work to his advantage. He could now take his time. There would be no reason to rush through the process.

He could enjoy it.

There would be privacy, and that mattered most. For what was to come, he didn't want to be bothered. Hidden inside that little shed, he could take care of business without the worries of someone stumbling onto them.

It was the perfect plan.

Dragging her inside the small shed, he got to work.

First, he used her.

He couldn’t help himself. After taking Poppy Gauger, he’d been addicted to it. There was something so taboo, that he couldn’t let it go.

Maybe it was their fault.

After all, they didn't fight, they weren’t cold, and he could pretend that he wasn’t having sex with a dead woman. It was all about mind over matter.

He wanted to laugh because he didn't buy any of that. He really just liked that he could do whatever he wanted to them. In the darkness of that shed, there were no rules.

There was only him.

This time, he used protection because he was back in control. He believed himself too smart to get caught, and it was the truth. They’d never find the other girl, and that meant his little slip up would go unnoticed. He truly believed that he was safe from the FBI finding out what was going on.

He didn't want to die for his sins, but he knew it would happen if he failed.

So, he did everything right.

Sex came first, and he thoroughly took his time. With the privacy of the shed, he found he could spend more time enjoying himself. Later, he’d have to destroy her.

But for now, it was all about the pleasure.

This young girl had what he wanted. While he was using her body, bent over her back in his favorite position, he picked up the blade.

It was time.

He was going to take what he wanted in more ways than one. With shaky hands, he made the cuts, opening her up. The scent of blood and gore filled the tiny space, and instead of making him sick, it got him off.

He exploded as the trickle of blood ran down her pale flesh. When he pulled out of her used body, there was that quick flash of guilt. He was disgusted by what he’d become.

He was a monster.

Oh God! He was a vile, horrible monster.

Glancing up, he could see his face in the dirty reflection of a pane of glass. It infuriated him.

Angrily, he began slashing at her body, carving things into her flesh. When the rage finally abated, he took what he needed and prepared for his escape.

But first, he had to clean up his mess. Her body lay over the workbench, blood dripping down her flesh. He couldn’t leave her there.

If he did, they’d definitely find her. Looking around, he found more of the tarp he’d used on the first two victims. Could it be this simple?

The pond wasn’t too far away. He could drag her through the trees and dump her. No one would be any the wiser.

Then it hit him.

No tarp. If he left any evidence on her, the water would wash it away. She’d be cleaned in the murky water.

Yes, that was his plan.

Screw the FBI.

Switching it up meant that they’d need to work for it that much more. Now that the pleasurable part was over, it was about getting away from there with his precious cargo.

Nothing more. 

After he quickly dressed, he dragged her limp body from the shed and across the grass. Her head smacked brutally against the rough terrain through the trees, but he didn't care. He’d taken what he needed, and now it was time to disappear back into the shadows of the night.

At the side of the pond, he shoved her in, making sure she drifted out as far from him as possible.

Then, like a thief in the night, he was gone.

And so was she.

For now….

       
         
* * *
  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

Thursday Night

  Eight P.M.

When he arrived at her dorm, he was all set. Brody had blown off the rest of his day to get ready for tonight. Yes, part of it was to ensure that they believed he was chasing down the girl, but the rest was because of Joey.

He wanted to have some private time with her.

When they were home and on the job, the nights they shared were the same. He’d come over after work, they’d fall into bed, and then he’d leave.

More often than not, if she didn't fall asleep right after they made love, Joey would kick him out, telling him they couldn’t do it anymore. Now he wanted to know what it would be like to romance and woo her.

He wanted to watch her get lost in the courtship as love bloomed between them.

Brody wanted her to know that he loved her more than anything in the world, and that he wanted her back. Their lives wouldn’t be complete without the other person, and now he needed to make Johanna see that.

It was the truth.

They mattered.

When he asked the campus cop stationed in the lobby to call up to her room, he waited patiently in the foyer. A herd of sorority girls came down first as if testing the water for her.

He began wondering if Joey had sent them, until he saw the look of irritation on her face. No, she wouldn’t play silly girl games—not with him.

They were past that.

As she approached, the look of irritation was gone, and something else was there. She looked surprised, but Brody didn't understand why.

“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly, thinking someone had been bothering her.

Johanna didn't know what to say. The look on his face was making her heart trip in her chest. He was staring at her as if she was some…treasure.

She didn't understand what he saw in her.

Honestly, it confused the hell out of Johanna. It tripped her up, and she wasn’t sure what to do about it.

“Nothing is wrong, Brody. I was hoping I wasn’t underdressed.”

He let his gaze sweep her body. No, she was perfect. That was the only word he could use to describe the woman before him. She chose to come down in a skirt, simple off the shoulder sweater, and no makeup at all.

This was the woman he loved—not the one from the other night.

Here was his girl.

He found it hard to speak, but somehow, he managed to get the words out. “You look beautiful as always,” he stated, holding out his hand to her. When she took it, there was that warm wash of pleasure at the skin to skin contact.

It was hard to ignore the reaction from Johanna’s sorority sisters. There were ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from the peanut gallery, causing her to roll her eyes.

Brody struggled not to laugh at her response. It was totally a Johanna reaction. 

“I’m sorry about them. They heard I was going out, and they suspected it was you. You’re high on their list of entertainment.”

He dropped a soft kiss to her scowling mouth. “I don’t care what they think. I’m not here as a frat boy. I’m here as Broderick Seaton, the man who loves you.”

Her heart skipped.

What could she say to top that? Instead, she changed the subject like a big chicken. “Where are we going?”

He patted his backpack. “First, we’re going to walk to the perfect spot, and then we’re going to have dinner. I got your favorite Thai food—shrimp in red curry.”

Johanna laughed as he led her across the campus. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that’s not my favorite. I love Pad Thai.”

“Oh, really?” he said. “I should have probably known that, right?”

She grinned. “Yeah, you should have. We were partners for a while. We probably ate Thai food once a week for over a year.”

“Well, at least I know your favorite color is yellow.”

She snorted. “Pink.”

“Man. I’m losing this one. Since you left me, I’m totally off my game.”

Johanna grinned at him. She didn't know what he was up to, but she couldn’t help but be amused. This was Broderick Seaton at his finest. He always could make her laugh.

When they arrived at the duck pond, she waited as he dug out a blanket to place on the ground.

Apparently, this was a popular spot. There were other couples not far away doing the same thing. She had to admit that no one had ever taken her on a picnic before.

It was pretty romantic.

Damn him!

Broderick Seaton knew the way to her heart.

“Shall we?” he asked, offering her a seat on the checkered cloth.

Johanna kicked off her shoes and joined him on the blanket. After weeks of being undercover, this was going to be a much needed break, and honestly, she didn't mind that it was with him.

She missed being close to him.

“I hope you’re hungry,” he said, pulling out three take out containers, “even if I didn't know you well enough to get your favorite food.”

After handing her chopsticks, she opened her container. “This is Pad Thai,” she said, staring up at him.

“Really? Wow. I guess I do know you after all,” he added, grinning wickedly at her. “Why don’t you see what’s in container number two?”

When she opened it, she stared inside. “It’s pink rose petals,” she said, staring at him.

“Not yellow? I guess I got that right too.”

She didn't know what to say. Her heart skipped.

“Are you wearing a com?” he asked before saying anything more. “If you are, please take it out. This isn’t work. This is our first official date, and I want it to be special.”

She shook her head. “I don’t have it on me. I figured I’d be safe with you.” Then again, she could feel her heart falling, and fast. Brody was going to be anything but safe.

He was going to make her fall.

She knew it.

Her admission pleased him. Brody didn't want to force her, and it looked like she was going to meet him halfway.

That was a good sign.

“So what was with the container switcheroo?” she asked.

“I guess you can say that the point was to show you that I know you, Johanna. I know that you like pink, that you have to sleep on the left side of the bed, and that you listen to seventies rock when you shower. I know all of it, and I love it.”

She didn't know what to say. “Brody.”

“You’re meant to be mine. I’ve known since the day we were introduced at FBI West. The day you walked into the office, and the Blackhawks paired us up, I knew. I can’t do this every day without you. Half of me is missing now that you’re gone.”

“Brody.”

“The better half too. The part that makes me smile, feels peace, and knows that the world isn't a shitty place has disappeared. I’m sinking.”