Escaping Ryan (Genoa Mafia Series Book 2) Read online

  “I know, but the snow is making it slippery and, as usual, you are not wearing practical shoes.” He kissed her forehead again.

  “I know for a fact that you love my shoes.” Snowflakes floated down and melted on her cheeks.

  “I do.” He set her down safely in front of the door as he reached in his pocket for the key. “I can’t wait to see you wearing nothing but.” His voice was husky and her heartbeat accelerated.

  As soon as the door opened, she was swept inside. Her coat thrown across a chair and her purse dropped on the couch. Again, she was lifted off her feet. “Put me down.” He carried her to the bedroom. “I’ve not been carried this much since I was a kid.”

  He carefully set her on the big king-size bed. “I’m afraid you bring out the caveman in me,” Ryan joked, and removed his suitcoat. The man was dashing in his suit but it was the uniform that made her weak in the knees.

  Valentina rose and unzipped the back of her dress. She may be daring in the daylight but this was a whole new ballgame. Her fingers shook as she slipped the dress past her hips and it fell to the floor in a pool of red silk. The heat of his intense gaze caused her nipples to peak. All she had on was a red thong and the red high heels he loved.

  “Wow.” He just stood and stared for a moment before shaking his head and stepping close to her. “You’re too stunning to be legal.” He took off his shirt so fast a few buttons went flying about the room. The guy had to work out because he was ripped. When he pulled her into his arms, he held her so tight she could feel his strength. The warmth of his chest pressed against her breasts caused a pool of heat to settle in her belly. She wanted this, needed this.

  His lips were all over. Her mouth, her neck, her breasts. The roughness of his beard was sure to leave a mark and she relished the burn. Valentina ached for it to never stop. Each part of her flesh wanted and demanded more of his attention. The first time his mouth touched her nipple, her knees went weak. If it weren’t for the tight grip he had around her waist she’d surely have slipped to the floor. Her fingers threaded through his thick hair. It was soft and smelled like his shampoo.

  Before she knew it, he lifted her back in his arms and laid her gently on the bed. A girl could get use to that. Valentina wiggled on the plush covers under the heat of his gaze. Ryan kicked off his shoes before unzipping his pants and removing them, his briefs, and socks in record speed.

  “I can’t wait to make you mine.” He nuzzled her ear. It tickled and she squirmed.

  “Then do it. We have all night to go slow.” She pulled his face to hers. “I want you now.” So much for being shy in the bedroom. If she brought out his caveman, he was bringing forth her femme fatale.

  He settled between her legs. His hair roughed skin against her smooth skin sent goosebumps to her toes. Ryan hesitated. “Is this the awkward moment where I ask if I need to use a condom?”

  “I’m clean, on the pill, and the few times I’ve had sex were a long time ago.”

  “I’m clean too and I am going to make you forget the names of anyone you ever slept with before.” He reached between her legs and she gasped.

  “You already did.” Valentina reached for his hard length. It was smooth, warm, and pulsing to her touch. “Make me yours now,” she demanded.

  He removed her hand and settled himself at her core. In one swift thrust he took her to the moon and back. Her world spun as he moved. Valentina climbed to the skies, soaring higher and higher until she hit a star and came floating back to earth. Ryan whispered words of love the whole time. He groaned and came crashing down beside her, gathering her into his arms.

  “You’re mine now. I’m going to spend the rest of the night, and the rest of my life if you want me to, showing you how much I want you.”

  “Prove it.” Her challenge just made him smile, and he spent the rest of the night doing just that.

  Valentina tiptoed across the floor but the old hardwood creaked with every step. As soon as she dove back into bed, he grabbed her.

  “Trying to sneak out on me?” he teased, and cradled her in his arms.

  “Would I be back in bed if I was?” So much for sneaking to the bathroom, the guy didn’t miss a thing. She wrapped one of her legs around his.

  “No, but I can’t stand the thought of ever being in this bed alone again.”

  It sounded like heaven but it was still too soon to move in together. “I don’t like the thought of that either. What do you want to do today?” She snuggled in close. His skin was so smooth and warm. Leaving the bed again would be torture.

  “I have to work a few hours and see if we’ve gotten anything new on the Housewife Killer. I won’t rest until the man is caught and in jail. Even if it means I have to sacrifice a few hours with my woman.” He nuzzled her neck and kissed her before getting out of bed.

  Her heart nearly burst from her chest when he said the words his woman. “Well, as much as I love the dress I wore last night, I could use some clothes also.”

  “Borrow some of mine,” Ryan said as he pulled on a pair of boxer briefs.

  “How about this?” Valentina had slipped on his police uniform shirt and snuck up behind him. His eyes widened in the reflection in the dresser mirror.

  “Damn, if that isn’t the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” He turned around and rewarded her with a panty melting kiss. Ryan groaned when the kiss ended. “You are making this really hard to leave.”

  “I know, I know. I’ll stop. I want you to catch this guy just as bad as you do.” In the light of day, she noticed a framed photo on his dresser. It was of a happy couple with a young boy. She picked it up. “Is this you and your parents?” The little boy had to be him. Even at that young age he had what it took to grow up to be a heartbreaker.

  “Yeah, it is.” He took the picture from her hand and set it back in its spot.

  “You want to talk about it?” She laid her head on his shoulder and wrapped an arm around his waist.

  “No, but I will.” Ryan took her hand, led her back to the bed, and they took a seat. “I don’t know how much you know about want happened.”

  “I know he was a district attorney trying to hunt down organized crime and that he was targeting mob members before his death.”

  “Yes, but they didn’t kill him. When I was older, I searched every report, talked to everyone who knew them. There had been no threats. No bounty on him. He shot my mother in the head and then killed himself. A murder-suicide.” His voice cracked. “It was his gun, his prints on the gun. What kind of a bastard does that?”

  It was obvious that the pain had never lessened. The thought of him as a young boy having suffered such a loss was like a hit to the gut. “Are you sure that’s what happened?”

  “Believe me, I checked every report, every file that I could get my hands on. Some are still closed but the fact remains, he killed her. We were a happy family. I know we were.” His fists opened and closed. “It devastated me. Changed me. After that, I never wanted to get close to anyone for fear of their loss. I locked myself down. What if there is some evil part of my father that carried down to me?” He choked. It took a lot to admit that to her, she was sure.

  “I’m so sorry, but I don’t believe there is one bad part of you.” She rubbed his arm.

  “There are bad parts in everyone. Would you not kill to protect the ones you love? I know for a fact your brother has.”

  Valentina knew better than to admit that was true, but her brother had killed a maniac who threatened Madison and another girl the man had abused. Ryan’s phone buzzed. He patted Valentina’s leg and rose to answer it.

  After ending the call, he turned to Val and said, “That was Danny. We received some photos of women who went missing or were found dead in McGraw County.” He pulled on a long-sleeve Henley, his uniform, and gun belt. Valentina dressed in her walk of shame dress from last night. At least it was still early and most of the town was probably still asleep or in church.

  “Great. I hope it gives you more clue
s. Do you think the antique dealer is still involved?”

  “No, it turns out his wife was cheating on him with the police chief. Her family wanted her death covered up, so everyone kept quiet about her affairs. He wasn’t even in the state when one of the women was killed, and he was at a chamber of commerce breakfast when the vet clinic was broken into the other day.”

  “Who could it be?” The room was warm but a chill ran through her veins. They had to find the person, and fast.

  “That’s what I hope to find out.” Ryan attached his police utility belt to his pants belt with some keepers, put on a coat, and they were out the door.

  Ryan

  There was a nice coating of snow on the road but his truck handled it just find. It being a Sunday, the snowplows were not out as much as they would be during a weekday. As he drove into the Lake Genoa Police Department parking lot, he waved at the snow removal driver. Danny’s and Nate’s cars were there and a few others that he recognized. The radio was calling for at least a foot of snow. It was early for that much but it had happened in the past. One Halloween night they got twenty-eight inches.

  Getting out of bed that morning was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. Spending the night with Valentina was heaven, and it was hell to be apart. It was better than he dreamed it could be. Just the thought of her soft skin against his was hot enough to defrost the windows of his truck.

  She was his future. His life. The main reason he wanted to catch the monster that had threatened the town. Glancing at the clock, he counted the hours until they would be together again. At least she was safe at her house right now.

  He pulled his collar up to fight off the snow and chilly air. The heat of the building hit his face the moment he walked through the door.

  “Hey, Nate.” Ryan met up with his coworker as he headed to their meeting room. The chief had sent a message that he wanted a meeting with whoever was working the morning shift.

  “Ryan. Did you have a good time last night?” He gave him a nudge with his elbow.

  “I did. How about yourself? Who’s the girl I saw you with?” He’d seen them last night but was so focused on Val that he didn’t want to talk to anyone else.

  “Amy. Amy Foster.” His eyes seemed to shine brighter than ever before at the mention of his new girl.

  “Don’t know her.” They reached the room and Ryan held the door open for him. “She from around here?”

  “No, Delavan. She works at her parents’ dry cleaner store.”

  Something nagged at the back of Ryan’s mind. What were the chances that there were two girls named Amy who worked at laundry businesses?

  Chief Schneider was standing at the front of the room, asking everyone to take a seat. He had salt and pepper hair and thick glasses, and was sharper on his game than anyone there. “I know many of you have been working long hours trying to find the Housewife Killer. Danny has some more things that came in on the fax from McGraw County. She’s handing out copies so let’s all go over these and see if anything stands out.”

  Danny rounded the room, giving everyone copies, but she stopped when she got to Ryan. She tossed his in front of him and took a seat beside him. “You’ve got lipstick on your cheek.” It was said loud enough for everyone to hear and all eyes turned his way as he wiped at his face with the back of his hand. Hoots and hollers followed.

  “Just messing with you.” She punched him in the arms.

  “Dammit, Dan, you’re such a pest.” But he had to admit he liked her.

  “I’m happy for you.” This time she spoke only so only he could hear. The sincere expression showed that she meant it.

  “Thanks.” Ryan nodded and opened the file in front of him. The woman was becoming the closest thing to a younger sister he’d ever had and it was a good feeling. It would be great to have a family, even if they weren’t blood related. His coworkers were like his kin.

  “Okay,” Chief Schneider said, quieting everyone, “now that everyone knows Ryan’s got a lady friend, let’s get back to work. Ryan, get everyone up to date on where we’re at.”

  Ryan shared with the group the story of Elizabeth LaGrander-Davis and her relationship with Officer Moore in Dixon, Georgia. There were crime scene photos of a few women who had similar unexplained deaths. One had gone into cardiac arrest just as the victim at the vet clinic had. Another had been beaten with a bat, yet still had a dose of etorphine in her system.

  Next, he read the bios and statements from friends and family. One victim had just become engaged to a police officer on the force.

  “Wait a second.” Ryan’s chair screeched as he slid back. “I think I see a connection here and you’re not going to like it.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Valentina

  If it was possible, Valentina was pretty sure she’d been walking on air ever since Ryan left. The head spinning kiss he left her with would have to last until he returned. He’d only agreed to leave her at her home alone because of the security system and cameras. After a quick shower and some coffee from one of the coffee makers she’d been gifted, she dressed in leggings, a sweater, and some boots.

  Once he was done going through the files from Georgia, Ryan was going to pick up a pizza and they would catch a game. Roman would have those files by now but she just couldn’t look at them. Not today. Nothing was going to destroy the bliss she was feeling.

  She flipped through the channels to find the time of the game. The one they wanted was on at three. Valentina let out a deep breath and tossed the remote on the couch. Since she’d moved to Genoa there was always something to do—unpacking, going through files, having meetings at Firenza—but today nothing seemed important.

  It was like she was waiting on the edge of her seat for Ryan to stroll through the door. The party last night had been a great opportunity for everyone to get out of the house, put on some dressy clothes, and have fun. With the killer still on the loose, everyone was still looking over their shoulders, double locking their doors, and wringing their hands with worry. Was the person sitting next to me at the Java Shop the Housewife Killer? Was he standing behind me in the line at the Piggy Wiggly? Did he live next door?

  Pushing aside a curtain, she peered down the street. It looked like a snow globe outside. No one was out walking or pushing strollers. Sure, it was a cold, stormy day, but that was nothing to people who just a few years ago lived through the coldest winter in history. It was not uncommon to have a high of fifteen below. It was as if the soul of the town was dying and there was no way to revive it until the killer was caught. Only then could the people breathe again.

  The doorbell rang and she nearly jumped out of her skin. He was here already. She hurried to the door and swung it open. “I’m going to have to get you a key so—” Valentina halted. It wasn’t Ryan but the woman who had been his date at the western dance. “Uh, hi. Can I help you?”

  “Hi, I’m Arianne.” She held a gloved hand out to shake. “You must be Valentina. Officer Ryan told me about you.”

  Reluctantly, Valentina shook the woman’s hand. She didn’t know this person from Adam and now she was on her doorstep. Remembering her manners, she invited her in. “It’s freezing out, please come in.” Arianne stepped inside and stuffed her gloves in her coat pockets. “I didn’t mean to stand there like a deer in the headlights, it’s just—”

  “I know. The Housewife Killer. Believe me, I’ve been afraid to leave the house except for during the day. I’m sorry to drop in like this but I ran into Ryan when I was at the vet clinic the other day.” Her face went white. “I was the one who found that poor woman.”

  “Oh no.” She put a hand over her heart. “I can’t imagine. How horrible.”

  “Yes. It was.” Arianne unzipped her coat. “Ryan suggested I contact you.”

  “Really?” She couldn’t think of a reason why Ryan would put them in contact.

  “I’m chairing a coat drive for needy kids. I was at the clinic to ask if they would like to donate. Ryan sai
d you had a kind heart and might be willing to help out.”

  “Of course I would. What do you need me to do?”

  “Are you free now? I just got a huge donation and I could sure use some help unpacking and hanging them up.”

  The clock on the wall said it was only ten. There was still plenty of time to help with the coats and be back for the game. “Sure. Where are they?”

  “I rented a place by the old strip mall for my fitness center. I’m still waiting on the equipment to come in so I’m using the space to store everything for the drive. Next week, we are inviting kids from the area to pick out their coats. We’ll have games and cake and ice cream for them too.”

  Maybe she’d misjudged Arianne. Her relationship with Ryan, whatever it may have been, shouldn’t affect her helping with a good cause. “I’d be happy to help with that also.”

  “Oh, thank you. The kids will be so happy. It shouldn’t take more than an hour or so to get things set up today. If you want to grab your coat, we can take my car. It’s already warm.”

  “Sure. I’ll be right there.” Valentina stuffed her phone and keys in her coat, locked the door, and hurried down to the sidewalk where Arianne waited in her car. It would be good to feel useful while she waited for her man to get home. She buckled herself in and they were off. After a few minutes of awkward small chat, they drove past the strip mall. Hardly anyone was at the shops—most of the stores were only open Monday through Sunday. It wasn’t too far from home so she could walk back if she wanted to.

  “Here we are. I still have the paper covering the windows but I thought we could take that down and put up some decals.” They parked and got out of the car.

  “Yes, that would be nice.”

  Arianne unlocked the door and entered the vacant store. She flipped a switch and the fluorescent lights buzzed and flickered to life. A few were out and would need to be replaced before the place opened for business. It took a moment for Valentina’s eyes to adjust. The brightness of the snow made it hard to see going into the dim building.