Winter Read online

  “Inca, honey, I’ve got bad news. The thing is,” Inca heard her sigh, “the apartment’s gone. It’s been sold.”

  For a moment, Inca didn’t process what the realtor had said. Then her heart thudded, heavy with dismay. “It can’t have. I mean, I thought the offer I made was a lock …”

  “It was. It was, sweetheart. I’m sorry, but the owner just called me. They were called late last night by a private buyer who gave them a crazy offer.”

  Inca sat upright in the chair. “I’ll match it. Call them. Tell them I’ll match it. I want this apartment.”

  There was a silence. “Honey …” Mindy hesitated. “You can’t. You can’t match it. The buyer’s offered three times the market price.”

  Inca was speechless. Her shoulders slumped and in that moment she realized how much she had been relying on getting the apartment to kick-start everything and move forward. She felt suddenly tearful.

  “Hon? You okay?” Mindy sounded concerned.

  “How did they know who to call?”

  She heard Mindy give an annoyed hiss. “Jeb. Don’t worry. I’ve nailed his ass to the wall. He knows better than to give out that information. Look, I’m going to email you over some other prospects; we’ll find you something.”

  Inca drew in a deep breath. “Yes. Yes, of course. I’m sorry. I’m just disappointed, is all.”

  She jumped slightly as the doorbell rang. “Look, Mindy, thanks, I’ve got to go.”

  She looked around the apartment—her home—and felt tears threatening. This was her home, her space. She couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. She grabbed her jacket and headed out of the door.

  Inca knocked once on the back door of her parents’, home then let herself in. Tyler, standing in his apron flipping pancakes and frying eggs, smiled at her and bent to kiss her cheek in greeting.

  “Hey, Bubs.”

  “Hey, Popsicle.” She heaved herself onto one of the stools. “How’re things?”

  “Good. Nancy’s gone to the city, so I thought we’d have a little father-daughter chat.” He handed her a plate of food. She grinned her thanks.

  “That always sounds ominous when you say that. Honestly, I didn’t break my curfew, Pa.” She grinned, her mouth full of food, and he laughed, tapping her on the head with a spoon.

  “Your mother tells me there’s a new man in your life.”

  Inca rolled her eyes. “Not really. Just a new friend. I swear to God, you and Nancy are the biggest gossips. Every adjective you can think of. This is yummy, by the way.”

  Tyler sat down with a plate of his own and studied her face. “Thank you. Is it a good thing?”

  Inca grinned. “Yes. You’ve always been a great cook.” Tyler didn’t smile.

  “I’m serious. I worry, Bubba, especially after all that business with Oliver.” Inca smiled. Tyler had never called Olly ‘Olly’, not once.

  Inca thought about it for a long moment. “I think so … I mean, I’m just getting to know Tommaso. He’s not my boyfriend or anything; we’re just friends.”

  Tyler put his head on one side, his expression kind. “So, no romance, then?”

  Inca acquiesced with a small laugh. “Possibly. I really don’t know. But, Pops, that’s not something I want to discuss with you; no offense.”

  They ate in silence for a few minutes then Inca remembered. “I got some bad news before, I didn’t tell you—the apartment was sold out from under me. So, now I have to start looking all over again.”

  Tyler was taken aback. “What?”

  “Yep. Apparently, someone offered three times the asking price late last night. Can you believe it?” She sighed and shook her head. “I didn’t actually realize how much it bothers me. I’d had it all planned, how I’d redecorate and fit all my stuff in. It’s like I had it all planned in my head and now—damn. It’s frustrating, is all.”

  Olly had tried not to think about the murders, but couldn’t let it go. When he’d returned to the station, he flicked on the TV and watched the news on KOMO.

  King County Police have now confirmed that the second body found in Willowbrook early Monday morning was that of twenty-five-year-old Kumiko Yue. Miss Yue left her job at a convenience store just after eleven p.m. last night but failed to return home. Police found her body at Willowbrook reservoir when they were called to the discovery of the body of Kristin Chu around six a.m. that morning. Early reports indicate that both victims had been stabbed repeatedly. Seattle Homicide Police will not confirm at this point whether the murders are related to the spate of other murders of Asian-American women over the last year across the country …

  Olly sat up and switched his computer on. Other Asian-American victims? He started a nationwide search. Victim description: Female, brown hair, Asian. Was that too broad? Olly wondered. He looked over to the Sakura and decided it wasn’t. He set the search going and got up to grab some coffee from the pot.

  He looked out of the window and saw Luna talking to Inca in the teahouse. Olly gazed at Inca, her dark hair, almond-shaped eyes, gorgeous honeyed skin, and he couldn’t help imagining the body at the reservoir being hers, cut up, brutalized. He’d ask her not to go out alone.

  Eviscerated, bled out, slaughtered.

  Bile rose in the back of his throat and he looked away quickly, pushing the image out of his mind. He rubbed his eyes as if scrubbing the image from his mind, sat back in his chair, and looked for something to distract him. He’d already dealt with the report from a robbery at the golf course. He picked a drawer at random and pulled a handful of files from the cabinet. Fixing himself some instant coffee, with a wistful look across to the teahouse, he sat down to read.

  Hunter Leeds, the town’s mechanic, limped into the teahouse just after lunch, carrying a large expensive box. Inca greeted him, turning to pour his usual brew. Hunter, an old school friend of Olly’s, didn’t look happy. “Got a delivery for you, Inca.”

  He put the box on the counter. Inca gaped at him. “What is it?”

  Hunter shrugged, obviously put out. Scarlett ran her fingers over the name on the box.

  “Expensive.” She sounded impressed.

  “Winter asked me to bring it to you.” Hunter’s voice cracked with tension.

  Inca was astonished. “Why didn’t he bring it himself?”

  Hunter shrugged. Beside Inca, Scarlett shifted, impatient. “Open it; open it.”

  Inca lifted the top of the box. Tissue paper. She pulled it apart and pulled the dress out. It was gorgeous, pale pink, decorated with tiny beads.

  “Wow.” Scarlett was impressed. “Well, he’s just gone up in my estimation.” She peeked inside. “Even got your size right. That is going to look amazing next your skin.”

  Inca was frowning. “Okay, this is weird. Why on earth would he buy me a dress? Kind of personal, don’t you think? And why the hell wouldn’t he bring it to me himself instead of getting Hunter to do it?”

  Scarlett shrugged. “Perhaps he’s just marking his territory.” She stuck her tongue out at her boss, but Inca was frowning.

  “Flowers would have been enough. If anything.”

  Scarlett could see she was disconcerted. “Hey, look. The guy’s a billionaire. Could you imagine the type of women he’s used to? He’s probably just doing what he thinks you’d expect. You have to admit that.”

  Inca nodded. “Okay, yes, but I thought … I thought he knew me well enough to know I’m not like them.”

  Scarlett shook her head. “Give him a break.”

  Inca ran her hand over the dress. “I don’t know what to do about this. It’s too much. But I don’t want to offend him.”

  “Wear it.” Scarlett shrugged. “What harm can it do?”

  Hunter stood silent, watching the two women. The phone rang and Scarlett stepped away to answer it. Inca smiled at him.

  “Hunter, you look worried. It’s okay, it’s just a dress.”

  Hunter shook his head. “You just be careful around him. I don’t want you getting hurt o
r nothing.”

  She leaned over and grabbed his hand, squeezing it.

  “Hunter, why would Tommaso Winter want to hurt me?”

  “I don’t trust him.”

  Inca gave a frustrated laugh. “You don’t even know him.”

  “I seen him watching you.”

  “You’ve seen Tommaso watching me?” A little thrill of pleasure ran through her and she tried not to smile.

  “He watches you. He said things.”

  “What things, Hunter?”

  Hunter flushed, shifted in his chair. He didn’t look her in the eye. “I told him to leave you alone. He says he could have you if he wanted you.”

  Inca didn’t know what to say. “I’m sure you’re wrong, Hunter. He doesn’t mean any harm. He’s just new in town, getting to know everyone. You are very sweet to worry about me, but it’s okay.”

  Later, she asked Scarlett if she minded covering for her. Inca picked up the box. Scarlett looked disappointed. “You’re taking it back to him, aren’t you?”

  Inca nodded. “It’s too much, too soon.”

  “Be careful on that road. More snow is on its way in.”

  Inca steered her car carefully along the steep hill leading to the Fletcher—no, the Winter mansion now, she grinned to herself. How very apt. She cursed as her car’s back wheels slid out from beneath her and she wrestled the wheel until she straightened up, heart thumping.

  She pulled up in front of the big house and, box in hand, carefully climbed the icy stairs. She rang the doorbell and waited, shivering.

  The door was yanked open and the familiar man stepped out, staring at her. For a moment, she thought it might be Raffaelo, but then his smile stretched across his face and she relaxed.

  “Inca! God, come in. I’m sorry; you just took me by surprise.” He guided her inside and took her coat.

  “As you surprised me,” Inca said gently, trying not to be distracted by the way his green eyes locked onto hers, or the soft way his fingers brushed the inside of her arm as he took her coat.

  Tommaso smiled at her, leaning in to brush his lips against hers. “Didn’t it fit? I had to guess your size.”

  “It’s not that,” she said, and couldn’t help the moan that escaped as his lips found her throat. “It’s just too much.”

  Tommaso stepped back to look at her. “It wasn’t a thank you for sleeping with me gift, if that’s what you think.”

  Inca laughed. “I know that. You are very generous, but I can’t accept it.”

  Tommaso considered for a moment. “Fair enough. Look, now that you’re here, you must stay for dinner. The weather’s getting bad. Raff and I were in the kitchen; come meet him properly.”

  Inca felt her stomach churn with nerves as they walked hand-in-hand to the kitchen. Tommaso introduced her to Debbie. They already knew each other vaguely and so the conversation was easy. Then Raffaelo made an appearance.

  Inca’s chest tightened when she saw him and all she could think of was seeing him on her street, gazing up at her apartment. He seemed to notice her reticence when she greeted him.

  “You are well?”

  She nodded, and wondered why his accent was so much thicker than Tommaso’s. During dinner—which was a mouthwatering lobster bisque followed by lamb so tender it fell off the bone—Tommaso led the conversation, but Inca found that Raffaelo had thawed a little. Ironic, she thought, glancing out of the window. Outside, the weather had worsened, and now all she could see was a whiteout.

  Raffaelo noticed her glance. “Did you drive here, tonight, Ms. Sardee?”

  Inca suppressed a smile. So formal. “Inca, please, and yes, I’m afraid I did.”

  He nodded and looked at Tommaso. “Our guest must stay the night, I think.”

  “I was hoping she would,” Tommaso said with a grin, but Inca felt awkward then. Tommaso noticed. “Because of the weather, of course.”

  “Of course.”

  After dinner, they moved to the living room, where Raffaelo poured them all large drinks. Inca took the glass of scotch, not wanting to spoil the atmosphere by telling them she didn’t drink much.

  She felt the effects an hour later and, for the first time, she saw Raffaelo smile. “I think the scotch has taken effect.”

  She half-smiled. “I think it has.”

  Raffaelo drained his glass. “I’ll give you two some privacy. Goodnight, Inca, Tommaso.”

  “Goodnight, Raffaelo.” His name felt foreign and exotic in her mouth.

  Tommaso gave a soft laugh when his brother had gone. “You realize you called him Rassaelo?”

  Inca clapped her hands over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I don’t drink alcohol, and it was a big glass. Big.”

  Tommaso chuckled. “You are adorable.” He kissed her, taking her by surprise. When she didn’t resist, he kissed her again, pulling her to him. Inca didn’t know how to react, but she felt herself respond, kissing him back. His large hands cradled her face as he kissed her. Finally, they broke apart.

  Tommaso closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers.

  “Be mine, Inca. Be mine.”

  He half walked, half carried her up the stairs and sat her on the bed. He sat down next to her.

  “You’re a good friend, Tommaso.” The words slurred together. She sighed.

  He said nothing, just smiled. He took her face between his hands and kissed her on the mouth.

  “I’d like to be more than that, if you’ll let me.”

  He could see she wasn’t really taking in what was happening. He kissed her again.

  “I adore you, Inca. I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you. I had to have you; do you understand? You had to be mine.”

  She frowned, swaying, blinking slowly. He pushed her back onto the bed.

  “Just let me take care of you. Just relax now.”

  He undid her jeans and pulled them off. She was really fading now, completely malleable. He pulled her T-shirt off. He smiled down at her.

  “You’re beautiful, Inca.”

  His lips were against her belly and Inca let herself sink into the sensations of his tongue circling, then dipping into her navel. Tommaso pushed her legs up, hooking them over his shoulders as he tugged her panties down and buried his face in her sex, sucking, nipping her clit with his teeth, his tongue plunging deep inside her.

  Inca gasped and shuddered as he pleasured her, obviously enjoying his total control over her body. His hands roamed over her breasts her belly, his thumb pressing deep into her navel as if he were fucking that too. By the time Inca had come three times, he didn’t give her time to recover before his cock, huge and diamond hard, was drilling deep inside her, his thrusts rough, his dominance over her complete.

  His hands pinned her above her head, his eyes riveted on hers, dark and intense. Inca sought his mouth hungrily, wanting to be possessed completely.

  He was rougher this time, and when he flipped her onto her stomach and eased into her ass, she cried out. “You want me,” he murmured in her ear and she nodded, gasping at the feel of him inside her and the sharp but intense, pleasurable pain. He fucked her into such a state of desire that she was almost sobbing. Still he would not let her rest, pressing her against the wall of the shower they shared and screwing her so hard they toppled out of the cubicle onto the hard floor.

  Afterward they lay talking, Inca exhausted but still enjoying the feel of his big hand stroking her skin as they talked. She fell asleep wrapped in his arms, feeling safe, and above all else, loved.

  The girl was trying desperately to clear the snow away from the windscreen of her car. The snowstorm was unrelenting and she was almost sobbing, knowing that if she couldn’t get her car started, she would die out here. When she saw the other car, she almost screamed with relief. She waved him down and, as the driver got out, she beamed at him.

  “Thank God you’re here.”

  “It’s okay … get in the car and I’ll see if I can start it.”

  She climbed into her car
and in moments heard him shout. “Try it now!”

  She did – and it started. “Oh, thank God, thank you, thank you.”

  Her savior got into her passenger seat. “Will you be okay now?”

  “I think so, thank you.”

  The car’s heater was kicking in now and she unzipped her jacket. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  “How about a kiss?”

  She looked startled. “Excuse me?”

  “A kiss to say thanks.”

  Oh God, a weirdo. She decided to keep him happy and pecked his cheek.

  “Thank you.”

  Relief. He was getting out. “Take care.”

  She nodded and smiled as he got out. She switched her windscreen wipers on— just as her door opened and he dragged her out into the snow. She screamed, but her scream was lost in the storm. Watching in horror, she saw the knife.

  “Oh God! Please, no, no …”

  Her killer drove the knife into her stomach and she knew it was over. As he stabbed her again and again, the pain was unimaginable and as she felt her life slipping away, she wondered how someone so beautiful could be such a monster …

  The girl died quickly. He could tell he had severed her abdominal artery when the hot gush of arterial spray hit him. God, he lived for those moments. Her blood on the snow. So lucky to have found her. Her black hair, her olive skin—she looked even more like his girl that the first two. The first two here in Washington. The first since he had found her.

  Inca. All the girls wore her face now. Maybe it was time she knew he was coming from her. He wanted her to feel that fear and know that she was going to die very, very soon. He pushed the dead girl’s shirt up and, taking his knife, began to carve …

  Tommaso was still asleep when Inca woke the next morning. He looked so peaceful and boyish, she smiled down at him and silently slipped from the bed. Her legs wobbled; she grinned to herself as she remembered the night’s fun. Her thighs ached, and her vagina felt sore from the pounding of Tommaso’s huge cock. God, she had never realized sex could be so all-consuming.

  She showered quietly and dressed. This time, she knew the way to the kitchen and walked down there. Raffaelo was already there as was Debbie. Raffaelo smiled at her.