Read Online No Chance in Hell by Jerrie Alexander - Free Book Online

sight. He cut off the cop he’d been speaking with midsentence. Whoever was toying with her life would pay dearly.  
    ****
    Chris stopped by the front desk and grabbed a rubber band. Once in the restroom, she finger-combed her hair, putting it in a low pony. She leaned over the basin and dabbed cold water on the parts of her face that weren’t covered by little round Band-Aids. She stared at herself. The woman in the mirror wanted to run and hide, but she wouldn’t allow it. With Marcus’s help, they’d figure out what to do. Had this invisible killer just tried to shoot her, maybe he was a bad shot, or had he been warning her? She closed her eyes and tried to make herself remember him. Nothing came.  
    “Chris.” Marcus’s voice wrapped around her and gave her strength. She turned to find him standing with the door open, his handsome face drawn tight with worry. “The cops will fish the slug out and run it through ballistics. I called a buddy of mine who owns a wrecker. He’ll have the window replaced and then drop your car off at your place.”
    “Thank you.”
    “You’ll have to ride with me and Diablo.”
    “Sounds good.”  
    “I’ll wait right here.”  
    “Is the TV news crew still out there?”
    “Yeah. We’ll walk right by them. Diablo will keep them from getting too close.”
    “Then I’m ready.” No way would she succumb to self-pity. Giving in wasn’t an option.  
    Marcus rested his hand on the small of her back and guided her outside. Heat from his touch sizzled, firing nerves best left dormant. They paused on the way out to tell her boss goodbye.  
    Two men in dress slacks and button-down shirts were looking through her car. Both wore badges clipped to their belts and pistols tucked into holsters. They turned and nodded at Marcus. “Do you know them?” she asked.
    “Homicide detectives and friends. We’re going to hire them for some part-time work.”
    “Homicide let Chelsea’s case go cold.”
    “These guys didn’t work her case.” Marcus moved his hand to rest on her shoulder. “They help us out occasionally. Been there when we needed them, on duty and off.” Strong fingers tightened their grip. “Trust me on this.”
    “Okay.”
    The red-headed detective crossed the parking lot. He introduced himself as Wayne Kerns, shaking her hand and then Marcus’s. A smattering of freckles gave him the look of a much-younger man than the creases around his eyes suggested. His smile was warm, and when he spoke, his slow, comfortable drawl was slightly reminiscent of New Orleans. Chris immediately liked him.
    “How can we help?” Wayne asked.
    “Nate filled you in on the details?” Marcus spoke to Wayne, but his eyes scanned the buildings across the street.
    “He did, but I’d like to hear what you want,” Wayne said. Chris couldn’t help but smile at the good-ol’-boy sound of his voice.
    “Chris’s stalker broke into her house last night. Nate and I found where the alarm had been bypassed, but a second pair of eyes might see something we missed. And we’ll need extra coverage when I need to pull off surveillance.”
    “Then we’ll start at her place.” Wayne’s easy manner reassured her that he was interested in helping. “We’re done for the day. When you’re ready to head home, we’ll tag along.”
    Even when they walked the short distance to his car, Marcus pulled her next to him. She understood and appreciated what he was doing. He wasn’t comforting her. He was putting himself in the line of fire. She’d never met anyone willing to give his life for her, and the protected feeling screwed with her emotions. She’d have to be careful not to fall victim to the misunderstanding that his actions were anything other than professional.
    His silence during the drive to her house surprised her. Chris turned in the seat and studied his profile. A strong jaw and chin matched the last name of Ricci. The urge to touch his cheek, to run her fingers across the dark