I probably did look like a mess. “I swear to God, Pierce, if you kiss me, I’m just done,” I muttered. First Aiden, then Nick, and now the hottie detective. What was it with the enormous amount of testosterone in my life right now?
He straightened up. “What?”
Yeah. That probably didn’t make any sense. I flopped back down and planted an arm over my eyes, more than happy to stay in the mud if everyone would go away. “Between the Brazilian from hell and falling from the tree, everything I have just hurts.” Yeah, I sounded a little pathetic.
Pierce sighed. Rather loudly. “There’s a cream called Lupo that can help with the Brazilian.”
It took a second for his words to register. I slowly moved my arm down so I could blink into the rain and see him. What was up with these guys all knowing about those type of creams? “Are you serious?”
He nodded, his eyes twinkling. Who knew the detective even had a sense of humor? For once, he actually looked approachable. “You can order it online. I have a first aid kit in the car if you need bandages anywhere else. For now, how about we get you out of the rain?”
I needed to start thinking before speaking. Seriously. “Tell me Melvin Whitaker isn’t dead in there.” I couldn’t take another dead body. Not a chance.
“Nope. The place looked tossed as I ran through it, but no dead body.”
Thank goodness. “Okay.” Well, that was something.
“Come on, Anna. Let’s get you into the car.” While his voice was gentle, it held that clear command he always seemed to have. The cop was kind of bossy. Maybe it was the approximate fifteen-year age difference between us that gave him that tone.
“Fine.” I accepted his proffered hand as uniformed officers began to mill around. “I don’t need a bandage, although tweezers would be nice to get the splinters from my palms.” Now that I was somewhat safe, all sorts of aches and pains roared to life. My right leg really hurt from where I scraped it on the rough bark.
“You need a doctor?” he asked, whipping out of his light jacket to drape over my shoulders. Pierce smelled like the ocean breeze—salty and fresh.
I shook my head and surveyed my destroyed clothing. “No. I’m okay.”
“Good.” He steered me around, his touch surprisingly gentle. “Let’s get you to the station to make a statement. We have tweezers there.”
Chapter 26
After a grueling session with Detective Pierce, one Nick Basanelli interrupted half-way through to conduct his own set of questioning, I went home absolutely exhausted. At least I’d been able to pick all the slivers and bark out of my hands before spraying them with antibacterial stuff the police kept available.
Nick’s newest lecture on staying out of the investigative side of my job had only irritated me. Part of my job was helping to investigate.
My day just got worse when I saw the motorcycle parked in front of my garage. Come on. Wincing, I got out of my car and headed for the porch.
“What the hell happened to you?” Aiden stood from his position on the porch swing.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped.
His frown darkened as he caught sight of my filthy foot. “I’m not sure. Just wanted to check on you.”
Wasn’t that sweet? I felt like punching him right in the face. I shrugged, my teeth started to chatter; whether from wet clothes or delayed shock, I wasn’t sure. His eyebrows lifted, and he grasped my arm to propel me forward. We walked into the warm kitchen. The aroma of stew from the crockpot hit me instantly. Man, I was hungry.
Aiden sniffed the air like a wolf with a scent. “What is that?”
“Tuscan Soup.” I had thrown the ingredients into the crockpot before heading to work earlier. Man, what if Nick was right? What if I could get through to Aiden for answers? I didn’t like myself very much for thinking that way, but I had just been chased through the woods by a couple of killers. So, why not? “Would you like to stay for dinner?”
“Hell, yes.”
“Why don’t you open a bottle of wine while I change?” I nodded at my wine rack—I needed a drink. I started limping forward with my decrepit sandal. My other foot left a brown squishy trail in my wake.
A hand on my arm stopped me, and I looked up into concerned blue eyes. “Are you injured anywhere?”