Pledging to Die (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 11) (29 page)

Together, they exploded, tumbling as one. His body was milked by hers, and Joey’s took all he had to offer. When they drifted in the abating heat, she curled beside him, her leg tossed haphazardly over his body as he turned into her.

Neither moved.

Even as he covered them with the pink blanket, they stayed wrapped around each other for the few hours they had to sleep.

“I love you too,” he whispered, remembering that he never returned her words. With that one declaration, he left a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I’d die for you, Joey. You’re my heart.”

She heard him, and the tears filled her eyes. “Don’t die, Brody. Just love me forever.”

He could do that.

For her, Broderick Seaton would face anything.

And deep in his heart, he had a feeling that was exactly what was going to happen.

Soon.

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

Friday Dawn

The last thing he wanted to do was leave her side, but he had no choice. The sun was coming up, and he needed to get back to his room and play frat boy.

It was getting hard to be in both roles, since the idea of pimping out his Johanna made him physically ill, but as distasteful as it was, he had a job to do.

The FBI was paying them to catch a killer, not have a romance. That would have to be sidelined at this point.

Scribbling a note after dressing, Brody wanted desperately to climb back into her very small college dorm bed. Despite the space being minimal, the touch of bodies made it all worth it.

Placing the note on her alarm clock, he leaned over to leave a kiss on her lips. “I love you,” he whispered, as he headed out of her room. Locking the door behind him, Brody escaped into the stairwell before anyone could see him.

Once downstairs, he waited until the campus cop working the desk wasn’t looking, and he slipped out.

He barely made it, but that was okay. At least his partner and girlfriend was safe in lockdown. No one was going to get in there and hurt her.

It was the little things that mattered most.

Crossing campus, Brody would have given his pinky finger for some coffee. His body ached from the bed, but was limber because of the woman he shared it with.

It was going to be a long ass day, and he knew it.

A part of him wondered if he’d be able to see her again, or if he should lay low.

After all, the frat boys wanted him to score, and he’d just made love to Joey. If they found out, she’d be back on the menu, and that’s the last thing he wanted.

Now, he had to play it all off. Protecting Joey was his first and foremost concern—FBI or not. She was coming first. He’d blow their cover if it meant getting them out of there.

As he silently crept into the frat house, Brody prayed they’d all be asleep. Unfortunately for him, that wasn’t the case. Halfway up the stairs, he heard the familiar voice.

“Hey! Are you just getting in?” Sutton called, dashing his hopes.

Brody sucked it up and headed back down the stairs. “Yeah, I am,” he stated. “I was going to shower and head to class.”

By class, he meant wander around the house looking for anything that would help him nail their asses to the wall. He wanted out of there and to be back at home where it was safe.

“Did you get laid?” he asked, drawing everyone else’s attention.

Arman grinned. “Do tell. Was the ice queen hot in the sack?”

Brody shrugged. “I wish that’s the work over I was getting. The FBI has been holding me hostage. They asked me about a million questions, and most of them about you, Arman.”

He didn't look pleased.

“Like?” Arman asked.

“They wanted to know if I saw the latest victim at your last party. I didn't have to lie, because I was too busy on my own little mission, and I said as much.”

“Shit!” Garrick Tran said. “We’re going to jail.”

Nels slapped him on the back of the head. “Shut up, shrimp. Arman has this under control.”

Brody headed back down the stairs and took a seat on the couch. If he could keep them focused on Elizabeth, and the impending interview, then that would keep them off Johanna’s ass.

Literally.

That was exactly what he needed.

“We’ll be fine,” Arman stated. “We need to keep our mouths shut about the game, and the Feds won’t have anything on us,” he stated.

Then he stared at Brody. “You didn't mention it, did you?”

He laughed. “Are you insane? I was at that pond trying to seduce a girl to get into the basement. I’m in enough shit. The last thing I need is for my old man to pull my money. Babes don’t like broke ass bitches.”

Arman agreed. “Okay, so as long as we don’t say anything…”

“What about the basement?” Brody asked, noticing the door was open.

“It’s simply another room in the frat house. The most controversial thing is the bar, and how we got our hands on all that aged scotch.”

“Then we should be good.” That totally sucked because he’d planned on picking the lock and wandering around down there.

Well shit!

Arman dropped his heels on the table. “There’s a party tomorrow night. Bring the girl. We’ll use her and have our fun. After all, the show must go on!”

Brody’s whole body tensed. Before he could speak, Hervey Westly voiced his opinion.

“That’s not fair. We all had to get the girl first, and then we shared them. Why is he special?”

Brody was never so glad to hear a sniveling little bitch whine. As long as he played victim to the ice queen, she was safe. He needed to keep her as far from the frat as possible.

“While I want in on that pussy action,” stated Brody, “are we sure it’s a good idea to have another party? Shouldn’t we lay low?” He couldn’t believe he’d degraded Johanna that way and for the job. There was a special place in hell for him.

Arman laughed. “What? And give the FBI a victory? If we switch it up, they’ll think I’m afraid, and that’s the furthest from the truth.”

While his words said otherwise, Brody could tell he was that and so much more. He could see the paranoia starting to build. If he was behind this, Elizabeth would have him locked down before he knew it.

Arman didn't have a chance against the FBI, despite how much he thought of himself.

“When’s she coming?” he asked. “I’d prefer to be out of here by the time she shows,” Brody stated.

“Scared?” Arman taunted.

“Fuck no. I just spent hours being rubber hosed by the bitch. I’m tired and cranky. Who knows what might slip out? She has a way of irritating a person.”

That was the last thing Arman wanted. “Yeah, well, then you better get your ass out of here.”

He hopped up from the couch. “I’m going to shower and get my ass to class. Good luck. She’s brutal. You’re going to need it,” he stated, screwing with them. “I swear she sees right through you. It’s spooky.”

Brody grinned on his way up the stairs. In all honesty, he prayed that Elizabeth would tear them all apart and feed them to a pack of wild dogs. Better yet, maybe Ethan would do it. With that douchebag downstairs, chances were that he’d say something to piss the men in Elizabeth’s life off.

He wished he could stay.

Only, he’d probably laugh his ass off.

When Brody was gone, the men lowered their voices. “Garrick, when did he get to the dorm?” he asked.

“I saw him go in just after two.”

“How long did you stay?”

“Until three, and then I headed back here like you ordered,” the pledge stated.

“Do you think he was there getting laid?” Hervey stated. “He smelled like a woman’s perfume.”

“He lied about the FBI keeping him for hours. I can feel it,” Arman stated. “But why?”

Sutton liked the man. “Maybe he got shot down again and is embarrassed. He swore he could get in her pants. I’m telling you, she’s not into him. He’s wasting his time.”

Arman considered it. “Pledge?”

Garrick stood. “Yes?”

“If you ever want to play in the basement again, you need to make me very happy.”

He nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Follow him around campus and report to me. I want to know what our brother is up to. He feels shady.”

The man headed out of the frat to find a place to hide out.

“I think you’re being paranoid,” stated Sutton. “She’s a tough cookie, and he doesn’t want to fail in front of us.”

“Maybe,” Arman stated.

Then again, maybe not.

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

Kappa Omega Alpha

Sorority Dorm

When she rolled over, the sun was shining through the window and onto her face. For a second, she forgot why she felt so happy, and then picked up the scent of his cologne on her sheets.

“Brody,” she whispered, fully expecting him to answer her back. When he didn't, she opened her eyes only to find that she was all alone.

Her heart skipped as she clutched the sheet around her body. The idea that he’d bailed made her sick to her stomach. Looking around, all his things were gone.

Johanna jumped out of bed and grabbed the robe hanging on the back of the door. She didn't know what to think, until she saw that there was a note on her alarm clock.

Part of her didn't want to read it.

She was worried that he was saying goodbye.

Then she realized that she was being crazy. Broderick Seaton wouldn’t do that to her.

She had to trust him.

Picking up the folded piece of paper, she read it over, and her heart skipped.

Sweetheart,

I have to get back to the frat house. If I’m gone too long, they’ll be suspicious. Think about me today and know that you’re going to be on my mind. I can smell your perfume, and taste your lips. Thank you for believing in me.

I can’t wait to go home with you.

You’re my everything.

I’d be lost without you, Joey.

Xoxox

Forever,

Brody.

Her fingers went to her lips, and she swore she could taste him too. The note reminded her that she was lucky.

He was definitely a catch.

After years of keeping the opposite sex out, she couldn’t wait to let him in. The idea that when this was all over that they’d be heading home together thrilled her.

Okay, it scared her too.

This was all so new.

At the knock on the door, Joey jumped. Quickly, she tucked the note into the back of her dresser drawer, planning on keeping it forever. When it was safely hidden, she unlocked her door.

Of course it was going to be a sorority sister.

Great.

“Hey! Are you sleeping in and blowing off class?”

She glanced down at her watch. “No. It was a late night, that’s all.”

Garland Coney pushed past Johanna to get into her room. “Did you hear what happened? Page Pinel is dead! I just heard from Sofia, who heard from Staci, who heard from…”

Johanna cut her off. “Yeah, I know she is. I found her body at the pond.”

The woman gasped. “You have to be cursed. First, you found Lori, and now Page too?”

Johanna didn't miss how the woman started backing toward the door like she could be the serial killer.

Seriously?

If anyone was going to die, it would be her. She had to get out of that dorm and home. It was a sad day when working for the FBI was safer than playing college student.

What was the world coming to?

“Please, Garland. I was with someone last night. I didn't kill her,” she stated, flopping down on her bed.

Garland crossed to her, the fear turning into fascination. When she sat down, she grinned wickedly. “Spill it. Did you get lucky and was it that hot frat guy?”

She rolled her eyes. “That guy has a name. It’s Brody, and no, we didn't have sex.”