Gut Instinct

“Weeks.”

Must’ve been the change in schedule. Damn, if Julie had just kept the original appointment she’d be in the clear. This guy didn’t like an audience. He was most likely planning a way to finish his interrupted work...on Julie. Then again, any crazy with internet access could be targeting her right now. Luke glanced around. “How safe’s the neighborhood?”

“I had an alarm installed after you left...”

He’d noticed the keypad earlier. “I think it’s best if you stay with a friend for a while.”

“I’ve already thought about that. I have someone coming over later to stay the night.”

“Who?” He told himself the only reason he’d asked was to make sure it was someone who would have her back if the killer decided to strike. Not that Luke planned on being far away.

“A friend.”

He said a quick prayer it was a female. The thought of another man sleeping in his bed shot a lightning bolt of anger down his spine. “Does this friend have a name?”

“Alice.”

Relief he had no right to own washed over him. Alice hated him. But she was a helluva lot better than Herb, the dentist. “What time is she coming over?”

“She works until...” Julie checked her watch. Her hand shook. “Actually, she should be getting off soon. I’ll give her a call.”

Before he could debate his actions, he covered her hand with his. A current he refused to acknowledge pulsed up his arm. He didn’t want to offer to stay in a place that brought back so many painful memories. He couldn’t count how many times they’d made love on this very couch before he shipped off. Or how cold the leather was against his skin when he slept there every night after his return. “I doubt anything will happen tonight. He’ll want time to regroup. I’ll be right out front as precaution.”

“All night?”

“Yes. I have an officer stationed out back, too.” Luke was almost certain she wanted to poke his eyes out for ever having to look at him again. She still looked damn sexy. Her robe opened just enough for him to see she wore his old AC/DC T-shirt to bed. And since every muscle in his body screamed to reach out and touch her, he figured he’d better put a brick wall between them for safety’s sake.

“With this cold front it’ll be twenty degrees after the sun goes down. I can’t let you do that. You’ll freeze to death.”

“I’ll keep the heat on in my truck.”

“It just seems silly for you to be out there when you could set up right here.”

She must be awfully scared to make that offer. “I’m pretty certain I’m the last person you want to see. Let alone have sleeping under the same roof.”

She folded her arms. He could’ve sworn he saw a flash of regret or sadness darken her features. “True.”

He made a move to stand. Her hand on his arm stopped him. An electric volt shot through him, warming places it shouldn’t.

“I thought if I ever saw you again, it would be for different reasons.” Her lip quivered, but she compressed her mouth. Damn, it was still sexy when she was being stubborn.

“Yeah. Me, too. For the record, I don’t like this any more than you do.” Scratch that. He liked this situation boatloads less than anyone possibly could, even her. He’d be lying if he didn’t admit to fantasizing about meeting up with her again once he got his head screwed on straight. This scenario had never once entered his imagination.

“Luke.”

“Yeah.”

“You look...better. I hope you don’t mind me saying so.”

He smiled and meant it. For some reason those words mattered to him.

“And you seem different now,” she said. A melancholy note laced her tone.

The anger was gone from her voice completely now, but the sadness was far worse. Anger he could handle, fight head-to-head. He understood anger. Her sounding broken was a sucker punch to his solar plexus.

Her world had been turned upside down. She was reaching for comfort. He was still the same man she’d wanted to gut a few minutes ago. “Everyone changes a little, right?”

“Nope. Not everyone.”

Was she referring to herself or Herb?

Reminders that he had no right to care didn’t hold weight. He stood and walked to the door. “I’ll check in with the officer stationed out back before I take my post.”

Chapter Two

The last person Julie wanted to see after the hell she’d been through today was her ex-husband. How long had it been? Three years? Four?

Worse yet, the deep timbre in his voice still caused her nerves to fizz and her body to hum. The effect he’d had—correction, still had—on her was infuriating and not to mention completely out of place under the circumstances.

His expertly defined muscles on a six-foot-one-inch frame made for an imposing presence. Those golden eyes, light brown curly hair, dimpled chin and cheeks brought back memories of lying in bed long after she woke just so she could watch him sleep. Her body reacted to that.

Besides, that was a lifetime ago.

Her cell vibrated. She read the incoming text. Alice was on her way. Good.

Julie heated water in the microwave and made a cup of chamomile tea to calm herself and give her something to do besides think about her ex. Hadn’t she spent enough time trying to get over him? And she was almost certain she had.

Almost.

She threw on a pair of yoga pants and curled up on the couch with the steaming brew. She was less than thrilled her ex had shown up. Even so, she wasn’t stupid. He was FBI. She’d do whatever he said to stay alive.

There was some relief that he looked better than when he’d come back from Iraq. Then he’d been a shell of the once-charismatic, -vibrant and -sexy-as-hell man he’d been.

She still remembered the day she’d learned his tour was finished and he’d be coming home. She’d sat on this very couch, where they’d made love more times than she could count, and cried tears of joy.

Nothing had prepared her for the day Luke walked through that door.

She hugged the pillow into her stomach and took a sip of her hot tea.

The cool, courageous and fearless man she’d once stayed up all night talking to was gone. He looked as if he hadn’t eaten or shaved or slept in weeks. His eyes were deep set. He’d been dehydrated, starved or both. He barely spoke when he walked through the door and then folded onto the couch.

His vacant expression had startled her the most.

He’d refused to talk. The only thing she knew for sure was something very bad had happened overseas. Her determination to be there for him solidified even though he gave her zero reasons to hang on. Julie Campbell didn’t quit. Her father had sown those seeds years before and the crop was fully grown.

Even though Luke had shut her out completely, she was convinced she’d break through and find the real him again. The days had been long and fruitless. Then there were the nightmares. He’d wake drenched with sweat but refusing to talk about it. The slightest noise sent him to a bad place mentally—a prison, one he wouldn’t allow her access to.

She held on to their relationship, to the past, as long as she could before there was nothing left between them but sadness and distance. Then he left.

Seeing him now, he looked different but stronger.

She sank deeper into the couch.

Living on his own must agree with him.

She heard a noise from out back and fear skittered across her nerves. She told herself to calm down. There was a police officer stationed out there and Luke covered the front. No one could hurt her. She was safe. Luke wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her.

Even so, a warning bell sounded inside her. She turned out the light in the living room, slipped next to the curtain and peeked out the window. Luke’s truck sat out front. Empty. He should be at his post by now. Where was he?

A knock at the back door caused her to jump.

Adrenaline had her running toward the kitchen, needing to know if Luke was there.

The tapping on the door increased and intensified, causing her heart to lurch into her throat.

She forced her rubbery legs to carry her the rest of the way into the kitchen.

“Julie” broke through the pounding noise. Luke’s voice gave her strength to power forward.

She cracked the door.

He forced it all the way open and pushed his way inside. His weapon was drawn as he leaned his shoulder against the door for support. His dark eyes touched hers. “Thank God you’re safe.”

“What happened, Luke? What’s wrong?”

“He’s here.” He tucked her behind him.

A scuffle sounded from the alley. Luke opened the door and bolted toward it.

Julie fought to keep pace, pushing her legs until her lungs burned.

They stopped at the sight of an officer’s body lying twisted on the concrete, his radio the only noise breaking through the chilly air.

“Stay right behind me,” Luke instructed as he scanned the alley for a threat, his weapon leading the way. “And watch for any movement around us.”

She looked everywhere but at the officer, who she feared was too quiet to still be alive. She said a silent prayer for him.

When Luke had checked behind garbage cans and gaps in fences, he moved to the injured man. He dropped to the ground, bent over the officer and administered CPR as Julie kept a vigilant watch.

Luke leaned back on his heels after several intervals of compressions. He looked at her again and his horrified expression almost took her breath away.

“What else can we do? We can’t leave him.”

“There’s nothing we can do now. I tried to revive him. He’s gone.” The sadness in his voice was palpable as he called it in. He glanced at the officer’s empty holster and looked around. “His gun is missing.”

A sob broke through before Julie could suppress it.

“We have to go,” he said, then twined their fingers.

She noticed blood on his shirt and arms. She stuck close behind him as they bolted back through her house and toward the front door, his gun drawn.

“Alice is on her way,” she said.

“We’ll call her from my truck and tell her to turn around. I already notified local police. We can’t stay here.”

By the time they got to the front door, the silhouette of a man appeared against the front window.

Luke’s grip tightened on her fingers, and he leveled his weapon at the man’s chest.

Julie didn’t realize she was holding her breath until the squawk of a police radio on the other side of the door broke the silence.

Luke tucked her behind him, placing his body between her and the officer, and opened the door. He pointed to the badge clipped on his belt. “I’m Special Agent Campbell, and I called for backup. Where’d you come from? I didn’t hear your sirens.”

“I received a call of an officer down and was told to proceed with caution until others arrived at the scene. I was nearby.”

“He’s in the alley,” Luke said.

The officer thanked Luke, hopped off the porch and disappeared.

Several squad cars roared up the narrow street, descending on the once-quiet neighborhood in a swarm.

Relief washed over Julie. She glanced up in time to see Alice running toward them, looking panicked.

Julie let go of Luke’s hand and embraced her friend on the stairs.

“What in hell is going on?” Alice demanded.

“He was here.” Another sob broke through.

Alice’s expression dropped in terror. “You don’t mean...? How does he know where you live?”

“I don’t know. He left a note on my window earlier and now a police officer is dead.”

“What note?”

“I was planning to tell you about it when you got here. We weren’t sure it was him before.” Julie caught her friend giving Luke the once-over.

“That who I think he is?” Disdain parted her lips as her gaze stayed trained on Luke.

Julie nodded.

“What’s he doing here?”

“This is his case. He’s been tracking this guy for the past two years. He’s the expert, so he’s in charge.” Julie hoped her friend didn’t pick up on the change in her voice every time she spoke about her ex.

“Well, he isn’t doing a very good job.” Alice spoke loud enough for him to hear.

Julie took her friend arm in arm and turned to face the street, walking down the couple of steps to the sidewalk. “You can’t know how much I appreciate you for coming. I didn’t realize how dangerous this was when I called you earlier. I wasn’t thinking straight. You have to go.”

“Wait a minute. Are you worried about that killer coming after me, too?”

“I don’t know what could happen next. This whole experience is surreal and I don’t want to take any chances.” Julie wished she could wake up from this nightmare. Except a little piece of her felt a sense of peace at seeing Luke again. She told herself it was only because she had to know he was all right. After the way they’d left things, she couldn’t let him go completely.

“I’d feel better if you stayed with me for a few days,” Alice said.

“It’s safer for both of us if I stay with Luke. I’m sure he’ll find this guy, and when he does, I can have my life back.”

“How can you stand to be around him after what he put you through?” Alice asked, incredulous.

“It’s different. This is work and our past is behind us,” Julie lied. One glance in his direction released a thousand butterflies in her stomach. She rationalized the only reason that still happened was because her body remembered the passion between them. Their sex had surpassed earth-shattering, world-exploding-into-a-thousand-flecks-of-light hotness. The physical had never been an issue. She’d even lured him into bed one more time before he left, hoping they could build from there. The sex blazed, but after was all wrong.

They never got closure on their emotional connection, she reasoned. At least she hadn’t. He, on the other hand, looked to be doing just fine.

Maybe a part of him regretted the quick marriage?

Whatever had happened overseas could’ve expedited his realization they were two strangers who had jumped too quickly into a lifetime commitment. Young people were known to be impetuous with their decisions, hearts.

Alice stared intently at Julie for a few seconds that seemed to drag into minutes. Then came “Well, if you’re sure.”

“I am.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m a big girl,” Alice reassured her.

“Yeah? Well, this guy won’t care what you are,” Julie said. The truth cut like a serrated knife. She looked to Luke for comfort, reassurance. For now, she wouldn’t stress about the fact that one glance at him stopped the invisible band from tightening around her chest. Or that his touch warmed her in places it shouldn’t.

“Tell me you’re not staying here tonight,” Alice said.

“I’m not.”

Luke motioned for her to come back toward him. He hadn’t stopped watching her since she’d stepped away, looking uncomfortable the second she left.

“Promise to stay safe,” she said to Alice.

The short blonde nodded and gave Julie another hug.

“This will all be over soon and we’ll have lunch at Mi Cocina again. Like normal people,” she said. She pulled back and saw big tears filling her friend’s eyes.

“Are you kidding?” Alice asked. “After this ordeal, we’re going out for margaritas. Or maybe I’ll skip the mixer and go straight to tequila shots.”

Julie glanced up at Luke. He’d finished his conversation with the officers but kept his distance. He looked impatient for her to wrap things up.

“Take care of yourself. I’ll be in touch,” she said to Alice.

Her friend started down the sidewalk.

Luke was by Julie’s side in a heartbeat. He must’ve noticed her shivering, not from cold but from the shock wearing off, because he put his arm around her shoulders. She fit perfectly, just exactly as she remembered. Body to body, the air thinned and then thrummed. Julie ignored the familiar rush of warmth traveling over her skin and making her legs rubbery.

“Where’s your friend parked?” he asked.

Julie scanned the vehicles lining the street. “I don’t see her car.”

“Call her back.”

Last thing Julie wanted was to witness a confrontation. “Why?”

“He’s around here somewhere.” He skimmed the street.

“Alice!”

Her friend stopped and turned.

Luke had already flagged an officer. “Do me a favor?”

“Sure thing,” the cop said.

“See to it the blonde gets into her car, locks the doors, and then wait until she pulls away.” He motioned toward Alice.

The officer nodded. “Sure thing.”

Luke turned to Julie and said, “You okay with staying over at my place tonight until we find a suitable safe house?”

The thought of being alone with Luke at his place for an entire night sent a very different kind of shiver down her body. She downplayed it as her being cold. Looking him straight in the eyes, she asked, “Do you really think that’s best?”

He didn’t answer her. He had already started walking her toward the house. “Want to grab an overnight bag?”

She nodded. He escorted her inside, washed the blood off his hands and waited while she threw together a few items to get her through the next couple of days.

“Rob’s one step ahead of me, if it’s him. I don’t want to let you out of my sight until I’m certain you’re protected,” he said low, in practically a whisper, as he walked her toward his truck.

His reasoning made sense. After the way he’d been looking at her all night, she suspected he also probably felt some sense of guilt about how he’d left things before. Maybe he could catch a killer and ease his conscience at the same time.

Maybe she’d get the closure she so desperately needed.

Too many nights Luke Campbell had shown up in her dreams, charming her. If she spent the night with him, fixed the past, then maybe she’d be able to walk away clean, too. And possibly be ready to start a life with Herb. Or someone new. She doubted Herb would want to see her again after she’d told him she needed time to think.

Luke helped her into the truck and scanned the street again before he climbed into the driver’s seat.

She glanced back at her once-quiet neighborhood.

People were on their porches or standing at their front windows watching the circus of lights. Police were urging them to go back inside and lock their doors. Knowing a cold-blooded killer stalked her, and seemed intent on never letting up, made blood run cold in her veins.

“Wanna scoot a little closer? You’re shivering again.”

“I’m fine. It’s just been a long day.”

He turned the heater up. “Shock’s wearing off. I’m sorry this happened. If we saw each other again, I’d hoped it would be under different circumstances.”

If. He’d clearly had no plans to seek her out. Why did that make her heart sink?

Because Luke was her only failure in life.

“Breathe in and out slowly,” Luke said.

She did a few times. It helped calm her fried nerves. “Where’d you learn to do that?”

He shrugged, kept his gaze focused out the front window. “I took the military up on its offer to see a shrink. She was big on breathing.”

Luke Campbell went to counseling? If he hadn’t told her himself, she never would’ve believed it. “I’m shocked. You seemed so adamant about not involving doctors or having someone poke around in your head.”

“I made a lot of mistakes when I came home from duty.” A beat passed. “Some I could fix.”

The power of that last sentence hit her like a tsunami. Perhaps he’d worked on the things he thought worth saving. Their marriage clearly didn’t fall into that category. Anger burned through her. “When did you start therapy?”

“Not long before you... Doesn’t matter. Point being, it helped.” His tone was sharp, his words cutting.

“Before I what?” She couldn’t let it go.

“Never mind.” He flipped on the turn signal and then turned on the radio.

It was just like Luke to get all quiet as soon as they started talking about something personal. Hadn’t that been the true failure in their marriage? He didn’t trust her enough to open up.

Julie glanced in the side mirror. A white sedan turned a little too quickly at the same time they did. “Has that car been following us?”

Luke’s gaze narrowed as he checked the rearview mirror. “I’ve been keeping an eye on him.”

“Good. I thought my paranoia was in high gear after the day I’ve had.”

“Most people wouldn’t be able to hold it together as well as you have today. I’m really proud of you.” His voice was low and masculine, and it sent unwelcome sensual shivers racing through her.

She rubbed her arms to stave off the goose bumps.

“Hold on tight.” He cut a hard right without signaling.

The white sedan didn’t follow.

“Looks like I was imagining things. Sorry,” Julie said, ignoring the electric current pulsing through her at being this near Luke again. Damn body.

“No need to apologize. He landed on my radar, too. Besides, I want you to suspect everyone and everything around you from here on out. I want you to take every precaution until I can put this whole ordeal behind you and restore your previous life.”

What life? She almost said it out loud. She hadn’t had much of an existence since he’d walked away.

Luke glanced at the rearview mirror again.

“The white sedan just pulled up behind us.”

Chapter Three

Luke maneuvered in and out of traffic as he directed Julie to take his cell and call Detective Garcia. If this was Rob, he’d escalated to killing cops to get what he wanted, so murdering FBI wouldn’t bother him.

The clue Rob had left earlier with the capitalized word resurfaced in Luke’s thoughts. Nouns were capitalized. A noun could be a street name or a town. Luke thought about the word again—Devil. Proper nouns were capitalized, too. Could it be his last name?

Bluetooth picked up the call, and Garcia’s voice boomed through the speakers. “What can I do for you?”

“I’ve picked up a tail. If he’s not one of yours, I’m going to shake him.”

“You should have a white unmarked sedan behind you to make sure you weren’t being followed.”

Luke glanced at the rearview mirror and caught the quick flash of headlights. “Appreciate the extra eyes. Let me know if he sees anything, will you?”

“Absolutely. I’ll text any information we get. So far, he says everything looks cool. We’ve been interviewing Ms. Davis’s neighbors. No one saw anyone suspicious around her house. Didn’t hear anything, either. We’ll keep on it. Any information coming in from your guys at the Martin house?”

“No word from the team. The tech guys are working on her computer. Maybe they’ll get lucky and we’ll get an IP address.”

“That would be like Christmas morning.”

“Or like seeing the Tooth Fairy,” Luke agreed. “You already know about the orange juice, right?”

“He take a drink by any chance?”

“Didn’t get that lucky. The container was left out half-open.”

“Looks like we might have a diabetic on our hands.”

“My thoughts exactly. I sent you a snapshot of the note he left behind at Ms. Davis’s place. You get a chance to check it out?”

“He sure seemed to like the word Devil, if his capitalizing it is anything to go by. Any possibility it’s an honest mistake?”

“He’s deliberate. He also thinks he’s too smart for us. He’s been right so far. I’m hoping his arrogance will be his downfall. Any nearby towns by the name of Devil?”

“Good question. I’ll have my officers check. What about a last name? We could play around with the spelling and see what comes up.”

“I thought about that, too. We’ll have to investigate any and all Devils in the state, plus variations. See if there are any men in their early thirties in the family. Wouldn’t hurt to check for street names in Dallas, too.”

“Consider it done,” Garcia said. “I’ll keep you posted.”

Luke said goodbye and ended the call. He and Garcia had mentally connected the first time they met. They thought alike and had mutual respect for one another. The detective was a good ally to have.