Before The Dawn. Cynthia Eden

immediately backed away.

      Dawn took a step forward and she shut the door behind her.

      Tucker kept his hands at his sides. He tried to figure out just what in the hell he was supposed to say to her. The silence stretched a little too long—uncomfortably long. Her gaze was on his face, sweeping over his features one at a time, and he knew what she was thinking.

      I look even more like him now. Time had thinned his face more, hardened him, and when he looked in the mirror, most days Tucker swore he saw his brother staring back at him.

      He cleared his throat. “You...you look good, Dawn.”

      She blinked.

      Shit. That had been the wrong thing to say. He wanted to yank his hand over his face or pace or do something to get rid of the fierce energy pulsing through him.

      “That’s what you have to say to me? After all this time?” Her voice was still husky, but he could have sworn he heard an echo of pain in it.

      He’d always hated her pain.

      “Why didn’t you come in there to tell me about this case?” She put her hands on her hips as she stared up at him. “Why send in your partner?”

      He wouldn’t lie to her. “Because I knew you didn’t want to see me.” That was the same reason he’d left her so long ago. Why he hadn’t talked to her in the last seven years.

      “You know bullshit.” She shook her head. Her blond hair hit her sharp cheeks. “No, you just know your own fear. You don’t know anything about me or what I want.”

      Her words surprised him and he took a quick step toward her. But...

      She tensed. He saw it and the telling movement knifed right through him.

      No, Dawn. I do know you. Better than you know yourself. I always knew you.

      The problem was that she hadn’t truly known him. He’d been afraid for her to know the truth. He was still afraid. You won’t like who I really am.

      “What’s happening in this city? Who killed that poor woman?”

      “I don’t know.” He’d be finding out soon. “We thought you had a right to hear about the crime first, before any news leaked to the media.” He hadn’t wanted her learning about this killer when she turned on the five o’clock news.

      “Maybe that’s true, but I also think you wanted to see my reaction. You know, just in case I’d gone psycho and started killing like Jason.” She pursed her lips, as if thinking about that situation. “What would that be? Some serious PTSD shit, right? Your buddy Macey sure acted as if it were a possibility.”

      “Dawn...”

      “He didn’t break me.” Her eyes glittered at him. “I get that you think he did. I get that you think I was so shattered by what happened that you left—”

      “That wasn’t what—”

      “But I’m stronger than he was. I’m stronger than you gave me credit for being.”

      He’d always thought she was the strongest woman he’d ever met.

      “I’m strong,” she said again, “and I want in on this investigation.”

      It took a moment for her words to register. Then he could only blink and shake his head. “What?”

      She pulled her ID out of the small bag that was slung over her shoulder. She advanced toward him and her scent—soft, vanilla—wrapped around Tucker, reminding him of things he should forget. Of things he had no business remembering right then. “I’m a PI now. A damn good one. I know this city, I know the people here and I want in on the investigation.”

      He glanced at her ID, but he’d already known she was a PI. He’d researched her... He’d peeked into her life many times over the years. He’d always thought that, one day, he’d check up on her and discover that she was married. That she had a family. That she was happy.

      He’d both longed for her happiness and feared it. Because I couldn’t imagine her with anyone else.

      “I want in,” Dawn said again, her expression determined.

      Tucker shook his head. “It’s a preliminary investigation. And right now, the local authorities are handling things. We’re here in a backup capacity, just in town long enough to prove that the killer isn’t Jason Frost...and to assist the NOPD in finding the man who murdered that victim.”

      Her delicate jaw hardened. “What makes you so sure?”

      He didn’t understand her question.

      She took another step toward him even as she shoved her ID back into her bag. “They didn’t find his body. His body was never found.”

      He could hear the drumming of his heartbeat. That dull thud seemed to shake his eardrums.

      “What makes you so sure this isn’t Jason? Your partner was talking about a copycat, talking about some guy who might just be taking advantage of Jason’s MO...” Another step toward him.

      Tucker locked down his muscles, refusing to move so much as an inch.

      “Tell me, Tucker. The truth. Why don’t you think it could be Jason?”

      He couldn’t believe she was saying this to him. “Because he’s dead, Dawn. Jason Frost is dead.” The idea that she still thought his brother might be hunting—

      Oh, Dawn. I am so sorry. So sorry for the pain he is still bringing you.

      “No body, no proof.” Her stare was unflinching.

      She was absolutely serious. “You think my brother is still alive?” He reached out and his hands curled around her shoulders. She stiffened and immediately pulled away.

      He let go. Just like he always did.

      “No, Dawn.” He made his voice flat with an effort. “I shot him that day. I killed him. He is gone.”

      “I thought so, too, but...” Her lips parted, as if she’d say more.

      A knock sounded on the door. “Tucker...” Macey’s voice drifted through the closed door. “The coroner just called. She wants to see us.”

      “Let me work this case with you,” Dawn said. Her voice was almost pleading. He hated for her to plead. Dawn should never have to beg anyone for anything.

      But Tucker shook his head. “This case could be about to end with the coroner’s report.”

      Her eyes turned to angry slits. “I don’t like being shut out.”

      There was no choice that he could see right then. He couldn’t pull her in, not with the local cops running the show.

      She spun on her heel and yanked open the door. Macey hurriedly stepped aside.

      “Dawn!” He couldn’t let her go like this. God, I missed her. So fucking much.

      She paused.

      “After I meet with the coroner, I want us to talk again.” I’ll share what I learn. He could give her that much. He hoped that she could see the message in his eyes.

      Her head moved in a grim nod, and then she was gone, cutting through the station and leaving him behind.

      Macey didn’t speak until Dawn was long gone, and then she let out a soft sigh. “That did not go well.”

      Fucking understatement.

      “Could have gone worse,” Anthony noted as he joined their little group. “Dawn has one hell of a temper when you get her going.”

      Dawn? She’d never had a temper before. Seven years ago, she’d been the most easygoing woman he’d ever met. Always sweet to everyone. Always kind.

      And why the hell