Night Is Darkest by Jayne Rylon (books recommended by bts .TXT) 📕

Three hours later, they’d made it back within city limits but still Ty crooned. James Taylor’s “You’ve Got A Friend”never sounded so perfect. Mason didn’t want to interrupt but they needed a game plan. Hiding wouldn’t work anymore.

He reviewed the facts of the case on a constant cycle while the miles rolled by. In his mind, he constructed a timeline. Four years ago, Lacey had fallen victim to the insane lowlife they’d interviewed today. He and Ty had misinterpreted the signs, wasting more than twelve-hundred days of their lives together. Mason shook off the morose thought, refocusing his attention on the mystery at hand.

Somehow, several years later, Rob hooked up with Gina Stephanos. He’d be willing to bet Rob had somehow discovered another of the bastard’s victims and fell for her. Then, he’d been attacked, stabbed multiple times in a dark alley, seemingly by an off-duty stripper who later developed a severe case of regret. Along the way, someone had gotten spooked and tried to take Lacey out of the game.

Damn it! There were too many holes for him to plug with the information they had at the moment. He started again at the beginning, combing his memory for any trace of a clue he might have missed.

The vibration of his cell in the cup holder interrupted the pattern of his thoughts. He snatched it up then tossed it to Tyler. Neither one of them talked while driving if they could avoid it but he’d learned his lesson about speakerphone. Ty flipped the thing open though he kept his voice low when he answered.

“Chief. It’s Lambert. Um, we didn’t mean to cause a scene but I think we got some interesting info. We’re about thirty minutes from the house. Yeah, if Razor and the guys can check it out, I think she’d do best where she’s comfortable.”

Mason nodded when Ty glanced over for confirmation.

“Could you also send someone to pick up Rob’s girlfriend? Gina Stephanos. 435 Richmond Boulevard.”

A brief pause, then he continued, “I’m not sure. Approach with caution. She’s either in a world of trouble or a suspect. I can’t decide which.”

Son of a bitch, neither could Mason. They had to find some answers pretty damn quick.

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” The phone snapped shut, snuffing out the turquoise glow that had reminded him of the light from the spring. If only they could have lingered in their temporary haven.

“Mason. Are you listening to me?” Ty shot him a curious stare.

“Huh? Yeah.” Mason cleared the memory of wet, glistening flesh from his mind. “What’s up?”

“Chief says JRad’s taken on some extra shifts to help out. He and Razor are going to do rounds then set up shop at the house. Chief’s sending a car to pick up Gina.” He scratched his jaw. “How could that asshole hope to convince us she’d fooled us all? I know you never warmed to her, but you’re not the kind of man to fold people into the inner circle after meeting them a handful of times.”

“Shit, Ty. I don’t know. It’s not like I despised her or anything but… Well, there were times I wondered if some of her coy bullshit went over the top. You know how some women play into that fake shit?” He shook his head. “Then again, you fall for that crap every damn time.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“The young, sweet and innocent ploy.” Mason snorted. “Works like a charm on some dudes. You’re one of them.”

“I am not!” His indignant objection would have woken Lacey if she hadn’t already watched them with wide eyes.

“Ty…” Her sleep-roughened voice drew both men’s attention.

“Sorry, little one. I didn’t mean to shout. Mason was fucking with me.”

“No, he wasn’t.”

Ty’s mouth gaped. “Whose side are you on, Lace?”

Mason didn’t think it possible but laughter rumbled from his chest despite the apprehension making the nape of his neck tingle.

“It’s true. You’re a sucker for the pretty, girl-next-door type. Even when they’re faking.” She patted his chest to soften the blow. “I mean, I can name six women off the top of my head who told you guys they were virgins once they heard you’d make their ‘first time’ special.”

“What! Who?”

“Tracey Lieberman.” She extended her index finger as she began to count off.

Ty clamped his hands over his ears. “You know what? Don’t tell me. I don’t need to know. It doesn’t matter anymore. Fuck, you guys are right. I guess the down-to-earth, wholesome girls reminded me in some ways of Lacey.”

All three of them sighed as regret hung heavy in the cab.

“Anyway.” She broke the pregnant pause. “I agree with Mason. I sometimes caught the way she looked at Rob and thought she had grand designs. I never got a malicious vibe from her but…”

Mason’s attention darted from the road at the hesitant note.

“What is it, doll?”

“I know this is going to sound bad but I believe Jackson. I could see it in his eyes. As hard as it is to stomach, I think he could be telling the truth about Gina. At least as he imagines it in his deluded mind.” She slumped against the center of the seat, leaving a gap between her and both men while she stared up at the fabric covering the ceiling.

Mason exchanged a frustrated glance with Ty who mouthed, “You say it.”

“Sweetheart…”

“Don’t you sweetheart me!” Her hands balled to fists, which she rubbed over her eyes.

“That silver-tongued devil managed to con you out of your better judgment once already.” Before she could protest, he continued. “I’m not saying what happened was your fault. Not that at all. Never that. I’m saying I understand after meeting him how persuasive he might have been once—before he went off the deep end. You can’t trust your instincts here. We’re going to get the facts.”

As if on cue, Ty’s cell rang. “What do you have, Razor?”

His face went ash grey. “Son of a bitch. How bad is she?”

Lacey nearly crawled down his