“And what?” Tobias briefly closed his eyes against the memories rolling around in his head. Two men, as close as brothers, or so he’d thought. One betraying the other without remorse. He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. “What charges would he be brought up on? Murder in another dimension over two hundred years ago?”
“Why not? There’s no statute of limitations on murder.”
He shifted to his side, going up on one elbow and propping his head on his hand. “It’s been done before, holding a trial for crimes committed before an Influx. The last one was before you were born, about fifty years ago.” He pressed his lips together. “Too many prets believe the rift gives everyone a second chance. A clean slate. Not one person brought up on charges was ever convicted. The preternatural council finally stopped doing it.”
“Why spin your wheels, I guess.”
“Exactly,” he said, “It’s either make them pay for their crimes or let them get away with it.” Her little growl brought a slight grin to his face. She wasn’t happy with that last choice. Neither was he. His smile quickly faded. “Which is why pret laws have evolved to be swift and sometimes brutal.” He gave a little growl of his own. “I have no intention of letting Natchook get away.”
She looked at him in silence for a few moments. Then she said, “Fine. I’ll help you.”
“You’ll what?” Tobias sat up, the sheet bunching low around his hips. He couldn’t have heard right.
“I said I’ll help you. As soon as we figure out what’s going on with our current case and put it to bed, so to speak, I’ll help you catch Natchook.” When he continued to stare at her, she raised her brows. “What?”
He narrowed his eyes. Just what was she playing at? “When I find him, I’m going to kill him,” he reminded her, just in case she’d already forgotten.
“I know.”
“And you’re all right with that? What about what you just said?” If he lived five thousand years he’d never understand women.
“For one thing, I don’t want you going after him alone. You need someone to watch your back.”
Tobias shook his head. “No. No! It’s too—”
Nix shot upright, the sheet falling to her waist. “Don’t you dare! Don’t treat me like I’m some helpless little woman.” She pressed her finger to his chest to make her point. “The job I do every day is dangerous, Tobias. I’m not sitting at home baking cookies; I’m a trained professional. I can help you.”
His eyes dropped to her bare breasts. His blood heated and he muttered, “I can’t have this conversation when you’re like that.”
Her lips twitched. She yanked the sheet up and held it in front of her breasts. “Better?”
“Yes.” What, was he insane? “No.”
She didn’t stop her grin this time. The sheet dipped, showing off the inner slopes of her breasts. “I thought you were a big, bad enforcer. Dedicated. Focused,” she teased. Damned if the little minx wasn’t plumping her breasts together a little to enhance her cleavage.
“Oh, believe me, I’m focused. I’m absolutely focused.” He dragged his eyes back to her smiling face. “Seriously, though, I don’t want you involved with Natchook, honey. He’s too slippery. I…” He pressed his lips together, his gut tightening with fear. “I have no doubts about your skills, but he’s evil, Nix. You’d be nothing more to him than a pesky little mosquito, a pest to be swatted away.” He stared into her eyes. “I don’t want to lose you.”
Her slender throat moved with her swallow. “Why?” she asked. “You walked away before for my own good.”
“But I never stopped loving you, sweetheart. Never.” He leaned forward and put his hands on her shoulders. Rubbing his thumbs over her soft skin, he added, “I left because I loved you. And now…”
When he didn’t go on she prompted, “And now?”
He stared into her eyes. “I don’t think I’m strong enough to do it a second time.”
At Tobias’s low confession, Nix felt her heart stutter. She searched his eyes and read sincerity in their smoky depths. And such a deep, abiding love; she felt fear grip her. What if she did something and screwed it up? Again. God, she’d have to keep such a tight control over herself she’d be as taut as a rubber band. She saw a hell of a lot of tai chi in her future.
“Whatever you’re thinking that’s put that look of panic on your face, stop it.” His strong hand cradled her cheek. His cool palm immediately began to heat from the warmth of her skin. “This time we’ll face things together.”