Page 9 of Killer Attraction

“Fucking hell,” Victoria said as she leafed through the file.

“Travers and Nash caught it a few hours ago. They just handed me this,” he said, indicating the file with the preliminary notes and a few pictures that had been printed.

I let out a low whistle. From the bruising around the guy’s neck, the clean cut across the throat and his sides, plus with the staging of the scene, he looked like he could be linked to our other two cases.

“I need the two of you to get your asses down to the crime scene and see what you can find. Not that I think they missed anything, but you’ll be looking for different things—for similarities to the other scenes and victims.” He gave us a stern look that clearly said Don’t fuck this up.

“Unfortunately, the vic is already in the morgue, so you can’t see him at the scene to examine him, but I told the medical examiner not to touch him until after you are able to stop by and take a look.”

“On it, Chief,” I said with a nod and ushered a grinning Victoria from the office.

I’d never dealt with a serial killer before, and while some detectives waited their entire careers to catch a serial killer case, I’d always dreaded the possibility.

“Do you have to look so giddy?” I muttered as I grabbed what I needed from my desk before we set out to the crime scene.

Victoria grinned wider and shrugged. “It’s just good to be back.”

I let out a long-suffering sigh.

Fucking serial killers.

CHAPTER SIX

NATHAN

I hated going to The Docks. The bar was loud and always so crowded I could hardly move without accosting someone—or being accosted. I didn’t like to be touched unless I initiated it, which was rarely, but even more so in a place like this.

Too many people wanted too many things. Especially with the way I dressed in custom, tailored suits and the air of confidence that surrounded me. Apparently, it gave off Daddy vibes. But I had no interest in taking care of the needs of another person, not even for a night.

Unless that person was Aiden.

And the research I’d gathered from watching him indicated The Docks was his club of choice. So I found myself sitting on a stool by the bar, sipping a whiskey, hoping he’d show up. Spoiler, he didn’t show the last three times I’d been there.

It was a risky move. But I’d just finished taking care of his replacement, and I felt like celebrating—with Aiden, if possible. But a glance at my watch showed me it was already past eleven. If he hadn’t shown up already, the chances were slim he’d show.

With a sigh, I waved down the bartender so I could close out my tab. Resigned to my fate of not being able to run into him again, I wandered across the floor one last time on my way to the door. When I got to the edge of the dance floor, I looked around and tried to see if I could spot him.

After a minute or two, I was surprised to find him on the floor, dancing. He wasn’t much of a dancer, but the guy at his back that he was grinding against didn’t seem to have any complaints. He seemed so different at the club than he did anywhere else in his life—more free, more himself.

I scowled. It wasn’t jealousy. Really, it wasn’t. More like I just didn’t like other people touching my things, and Aiden was mine.

The guy’s hand slid from Aiden’s hip, and my eyes narrowed more the closer his hand got to Aiden’s crotch. I watched as he tried to wiggle away from the man, but the arm he had banded across Aiden’s chest held him in place, not allowing him to get free.

I saw red as Aiden continued to struggle against the man, and I wondered why he didn’t take him down. Sure, he might be smaller than the guy, but I knew how tough he was. But it didn’t matter, and I would free my little bird.

Pushing through the densely crowded floor of writhing bodies, I made my way to Aiden and the asshole. When I got next to them, Aiden didn’t seem to notice me at first, too intent on trying to peacefully extract himself from the situation.

I didn’t have such qualms.

Before I even knew what I was doing, I grabbed the guy by the throat and yanked him back against me. He shouted and squirmed for a moment before he must have felt the edge of my blade at his side.

Over the loud noise of the club, I heard Aiden’s confused voice say my name.

“Nate? What are you doing here?” He didn’t sound mad, but he also didn’t sound happy. While he would have rather dealt with the towering hulk on his own, I was a possessive asshole, and Aiden was mine. No one was going to get away with touching what was mine, especially if he was unwilling.

“Move along, asshole. He isn’t interested.” I didn’t press enough to cut through his clothes or skin, but I did give the blade a slight nudge to remind the guy to behave. It also served as a distraction so he didn’t notice me taking his wallet out of his back pocket.

“Now, apologize.” I shoved him forward, sliding my blade and his wallet into my pocket so Aiden wouldn’t notice it.

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