Page 18 of The King of Hearts (The Raven Group #1)

CHAPTER TWELVE

HER

I had another dream last night. Or rather, the way my body feels pleasurably worn out indicates that I did. The muscles in my thighs are sore, I’m sure from tensing, and my core feels like it’s been through a workout.

And I have very faint and fuzzy images in my head.

Instead of the blotted-out face that I usually see when I have those types of dreams, last night, he had a face.

Well, I guess not an actual face. It was a black mask with deep grooves slashed across it.

I’m not at all surprised that my subconscious inserted the devil in my dream.

As shameful as it is, my devil made my body feel things I didn’t think was possible.

All without even touching me intimately.

When I woke this morning, covered in sticky sweat, wet between my legs, and the silk sheets kicked all the way off my bed, frustration had me slamming my fists against the mattress.

Not because I had another erotic dream. I was irritated because I couldn’t remember it.

The mask was the only part that stayed with me.

I grumbled like a petulant child not getting their way, slid my way off the bed, and took a scalding hot shower.

That was an hour ago.

When I walk into the sunroom where my family and I sometimes eat breakfast, I’m not surprised to see Bishop and Cassio seated at the table with Mom and Dad.

They moved out and got their own places as soon as they turned eighteen, but it’s not unusual for them to come to the house for meals.

Not because neither of them can’t or aren’t willing to cook, but to satisfy Mom’s need to be around her children.

It was hard on Mom when they moved out, which is part of the reason why I haven’t left yet myself.

I take one of the two remaining seats, which already has a plate in front of it, along with a glass of orange juice and a coffee cup waiting to be filled.

“Morning, honey,” Mom says, smiling while she pours coffee into the cup. “Did you sleep well?”

By force of will, I manage to hold back the blush that wants to creep on my face at her question. I don’t think Mom would think too kindly if she knew just how well I slept.

“Yes, thank you.” I pour in a splash of hazelnut creamer into my cup and use the spoon to swirl it around.

“What are your plans for today?”

“I want to spend more time with Liliana and Harper. See if I can talk them into going outside today.”

“That’s a good idea. They both need a bit of sunlight and fresh air.”

I couldn’t agree more. We still haven’t managed to get Liliana to talk, but I can be as hard-headed as the next person, and I have plenty of patience. You have to have patience when you do what I do. Everyone deals with trauma in their own way. Some people move past it faster than others.

“Has there been any development on who attacked Liliana?” I ask Dad and my brothers.

“No,” Dad replies, setting his coffee cup on the table after taking a sip. “No witnesses were around, and there were no street cameras. Ryker sent her blood sample to Tanner, but there were no matches in the system. He’s still digging, but without her talking, I’m afraid we’re at a dead end.”

I nod, not letting the news deflate me.

“Maybe you’ll have better luck today,” Mom proposes.

I nibble on my toast, hoping the same thing. “Maybe.”

One way or another, I’ll get Liliana to talk. I just need a bit more time.

“There was another murder reported on the mainland,” Cassio says, taking a couple pieces of bacon from the plate in the center of the table. “The Butcher struck again.”

I pause in lifting a forkful of eggs to my mouth.

“Same as before. Torso was found with the arms, legs, and head missing. Dick was hacked off as well. The coroner’s report says the murder happened a couple of nights ago. I’m sure it’s safe to assume the same paralyzing agent will be found in his system.”

“Maybe it’s time we step in and do our own investigating,” Bishop suggests.

Dad looks thoughtful for a minute. We’ve all heard about the bloody murders happening on the mainland.

The media has dubbed the person ‘The Butcher’.

It’s been several months since the last one happened, and there’s been five in total over the last year and a half.

Or five that the authorities know of. Who knows, there could be more.

Isn’t it usually the case when a serial killer is caught that there are more victims than originally thought?

The Butcher injects their victims, always a man who’s been accused of sexually abusing women or children, with a paralyzing agent, and while they’re still alive, starts hacking off body parts.

He then scatters the parts all over the city.

It takes the authorities days to locate them all, but there’s always a piece missing. The penis.

“Cass, call Tanner and see what he can give us about the case. We’ll do a preliminary first.”

Dad created The Raven Group for a particular mission. Unless it pertains to that mission, the group doesn’t typically get involved with outside issues. So far, Dad’s kept our noses out of The Butcher’s business because it doesn’t involve us, but it looks like that’s about to change.

Dash Tanner is a detective for the police department on the mainland. He’s not technically part of The Raven Group, but he’s a point of contact should we need information on something particular on the mainland. He and Cass met their first year in college and have been close friends since.

“Done,” Cass replies. “I’ll have everything they have by the evening.”

The table turns quiet for the next several minutes, except for the clinking of silverware against plates.

“Emersyn and I have plans to go to the mainland this weekend,” I inform no one in particular.

“No,” Dad’s reply comes swiftly.

I look at him with his blunt reply. “Because of The Butcher?”

“Partially. With the unknowns pertaining to The Butcher, I don’t want you off Hollow’s Reef until we get firm answers.”

Mom and Dad have spoiled my brothers and me.

What we want, we usually get. So it’s not often that I question Dad’s demands.

I’ve always been a good girl. Respectful and always unquestioningly following the rules.

I trust his judgment and know he always puts his family’s safety and well-being first and foremost. But I’ve been on this island for months straight without leaving.

Shopping for the Sheppard’s Ball is a good excuse to get away for the weekend.

Dad puts his coffee down and wipes his mouth with a napkin. His eyes are full of patience as he looks at me.

“It’s not permanent, Savina. It’s not just The Butcher. Something has recently come to my attention, and I’d feel better knowing you were near.”

“Is everything all right?”

“It’s nothing for you to worry about.” His face relaxes into a smile. “What were you and Emersyn going to the city for?”

I want to insist he tell me what’s going on.

Does it have something to do with the conversation I heard in his office the other day?

Him telling me not to worry about it will do the opposite.

Something’s happened, and it’s bad enough that having Marcelo with me isn’t enough protection.

Marcelo is damn good at his job, and I know Dad trusts him with my life, so whatever it is has Dad on edge.

“Emersyn secured a private showing with the French dressmaker, Adele Bastien. We need a gown for the Sheppard’s Ball.”

I internally cringe when I think about informing Emersyn that our weekend plans have been canceled. She could still go herself, but I know she won’t. Owning an Adele Bastien dress is both of our dreams.

Mom pipes in. “I’ll give Colette a ring. She may be able to call in some favors and have Adele flown here.”

Now that would make Emersyn happy.

“Thank you, Mom.” I beam at her.

“Anything for you, sweetie.”

The rest of breakfast is spent talking about unimportant things. After finishing up the last of my coffee, I toss my napkin on my plate.

“I’m going to go up and see Liliana and Harper.”

Just as I get up from my seat, the doorbell rings.

“Are you expecting anyone?” Mom asks Dad.

“Ryker and Brax. We’ve got a few things to go over before Brax leaves for Virginia.”

“Stay,” I tell him when he goes to get up. “I’ll get the door and send them to your office.”

I leave everyone in the sunroom and make my way to the front of the estate, pulling open the door for the two men.

“Good morning, gentlemen.”

Braxton offers a smile. “Morning, Sav. Looking good as always.”

Braxton Hayes is a tall, good-looking man in his early thirties.

Cropped dark-blond hair, hazel eyes that make many women’s panties melt right off them, and always a few days’ worth of growth on his face.

As with most men who work for The Raven Group, he exercises regularly, and you can tell by the muscles bulging from his dark-gray t-shirt and the flat planes of his stomach.

He’s been with The Raven Group for ten years and is one of the members who goes out into the field.

He walks inside, and a silent Ryker follows behind.

Ryker, like Bishop, doesn’t talk much. He’s in a black Henley with the sleeves pushed halfway up his forearms, revealing a slew of tattoos, and a pair of dark jeans that look like they’ve been washed a few too many times.

He hasn’t been with the company as long as Braxton.

He’s participated in some field jobs, but it’s rare.

His particular skill set is best suited here on the island.

I’ve seen his work before, and despite the nature of his specialty and the mess he makes while he does his thing, it’s impressive, if somewhat gruesome.

“Come in.” I stand back and gesture with my hand.

As Ryker passes by me, a whiff of his cologne fills my senses. A woodsy scent mixed with a hint of leather.