Destiny folded her arms.

  “This lifestyle you are so concerned about involves kink. You do realize there are teachers, doctors, lawyers, and PTA moms involved, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I know that. I’m not talking about the traditional concept of BDSM.”

  “Then what are you talking about and who is this patient you’re so concerned about?” Montana was electrified, much like he was in their previous meeting. Visions bridged the surface but this time they were muddled, figures dancing in shadows.

  “Michael,” she blurted out then dropped her head. “There’s something wrong with him and I’m not talking about a penchant for punishment.”

  “Wrong? As in you think he had something to do with the murders?”

  “No. Yes. I mean…” She looked at him and shrugged. “He was here.”

  “What do you mean here? As in he confronted you?” He grimaced, hairs on the back of his neck standing on end.

  “Outside. I saw him clearly, and when I went to confront him, I found a card for the club. It was as if he was inviting me. The whole thing is odd.”

  Now they were getting somewhere. “Go on.”

  Destiny twirled a piece of hair between her fingers. Montana could tell her entire body was shaking. “So, you believe he frequents the club?”

  “I don’t know anything for certain, but I wanted to find out why he’d left the card. I think he’s trying to tell me something. Maybe he’s trying to admit to… No, I refuse to think this way.”

  “Maybe your instincts are correct.”

  “I can’t believe he has anything to do with the murder of my other patients. I went back through his tapes and my notes. Still, he had such a horrible life and I ignored portions. There was clear abuse that certainly framed aspects of his life. I should have delved into this. I failed him as a doctor.”

  Montana hesitated. “I seriously doubt you failed him.”

  She laughed, the tone bitter. “You don’t know that and no, I will not tell you any details.”

  “All right. So, you went to the club unannounced.” She was no pushover. He made mental note to see if there was any Michael in the phone records of the victims. Abuse could create monsters.

  “I thought the card was more of an invitation. As I said, I had to know. If I’m going to help Michael, then I need to ascertain why his behavior changed.”

  “And?”

  “I was allowed in. I met this Mistress Jade.” She swallowed and finally turned to face him.

  “I know of her. What happened?”

  Trembling, she fiddled with the bodice of her dress.

  He closed the distance. “You have to tell me. Whoever is killing these women I have confidence has a distinct connection to the club. If you found out anything, you need to confide in me, providing every detail, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you.”

  “The club is for men looking for submissive women.”

  “That much I know. What else?”

  “These men want more than a traditional session.” She looked him directly in the eyes.

  “More sadistic in nature?”

  “That would be my guess. Nothing held back. Women are paid well for submitting to anything.”

  “We’re talking about torture,” Montana whispered. The secret club was something else entirely. An underground organization where women were ceremoniously abused all under the guise of BDSM. No wonder Jade was hesitant and flip. She was terrified. Then why turn over her list? He suspected she was either leading him down a false path or someone was holding her reins.

  “That would be my guess.”

  “What else did Mistress Jade share with you?”

  Sighing, she dug her nails into her skin. “She was testing me. She mentioned a preferred client had an interest in me.”

  Montana closed the distance. “Don’t you dare under any circumstance go back there thinking you can handle this. Do you understand me?” He was shaking, his pulse racing. “Do you?”

  “I do.” Destiny looked out the window for a few seconds. “He was there.”

  “Michael?” When she gave him a sideways glance he exhaled. “Okay not Michael, then who?”

  “I think I’m losing my mind.” She slumped and slapped her hand on the window.

  “Someone was there you know.” He waited for a few seconds. “Who was there? Destiny, you’re a part of this. I don’t know why or how but you are. That makes your situation dangerous, whether you want to believe me or not.”

  “I don’t know him.”

  “Him?” She seemed antsy. He noticed how she was wringing her hands and the bead of perspiration trickling down the side of her face. This wasn’t about fear, but something else entirely. “Talk to me.”

  She laughed before she spoke. “As I said, I think I’m losing my mind. I dream about this man. He is in my every thought. He won’t leave me alone. He’s willing me to be with him, succumb to his needs. He won’t stop until he steals my very soul.”

  The words echoed in the kitchen.

  Then he knew. She was excited, breathless with need. He was strangely put off by her admission. He thought about events from his past. The desire was similar. The words and the need for submission. Blinking, he took a step back. He damn well wasn’t going to compare the two. Still, her visions utterly terrified him.

  She laughed and doubled over. “See? I’m crazy. I’m losing my fucking mind. What is wrong with me?”

  He hadn’t anticipated her outburst and without thinking, he pulled her into his arms. “You’re not crazy. You are gifted.”

  “No. I can’t do this.” She bristled.

  “Listen to your heart.” What was he saying to her? When her tension eased, he breathed out. “Maybe there’s more to this. Tell me about him.”

  Leaning her head against his shoulder, she whimpered as she gripped both of his arms, her nails digging into his jacket. “I see the man every day and I have for months. I thought at first he was just some model I saw and fixated on him since I haven’t had a date for longer than I can remember.” She laughed and tried to pull away.

  Montana held her. “This man, you saw him at the club?”

  “I can’t know for certain. I simply had an odd feeling, eerie in the same way as when images and his thoughts roll into my head. I could be wrong. As you can imagine, I’ve treated patients with similar disorders.” She pushed his shoulders until she was able to look into his eyes. “Protection is often what occurs. The human psyche wants to make a real connection.”

  “So, the images you see don’t have a face?”

  She shook her head. “Everything is fuzzy. That’s why I can’t be certain this man I saw at the club is anything more than a Dom paying me attention.”

  “Attention you enjoyed,” he said quietly.

  “I hate to admit, but yes.”

  “I have an odd question. The first time we touched. You sensed a deep connection.”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “You too?”

  “Yeah. I must admit I was shocked.” Touching her now was different, more normal. “You are able to see things that haven’t occurred?”

  “No. I hear from the dead. Sometimes I see blurry figures, but nothing else around them.” Destiny laughed. “Yeah. I know how this sounds. Why do you think I didn’t want to say anything to you?”

  He exhaled and rubbed the back of her head. For a few seconds the unfocused images remained swimming in a mist. “For some reason I believe you. Does this mean you heard from the victims?”

  “Not yet. Others. I know these being were murdered. I don’t know. This isn’t a gift but a curse. Why do I have to endure this?”

  “Are you hearing anything now?”

  She raised her eyebrow and looked away. “No. I have a peaceful sense right now and I believe that’s because of you.”

  “Me?”

  “Don’t you feel something different, a tethering?”

  “I’m not certain.” Montana had to be out of his mind. This wasn’t simply unorthodox. This was ridiculous. However, he needed to know. His gut told him they were destined for something. The what he had to find out. Hugging her tightly, he shuddered as their connection crackled with electricity. He held the back of her head as the raw images floated into the periphery of his vision. He was able to seem them clearly.

  “I want you. You belong to me.” He twirled her in a circle then bent her over, twisting her nipple between his fingers.

  She whimpered. “Yes, Sir.”

  He brushed his hand across her chest, pulling and tugging the other hardened bud. A throaty laugh escaped his lips, and he kicked her legs apart. “Soon no other man will be able to touch you.” Using three fingers, he shoved them inside her cunt, finger fucking her.

  Montana groaned and pulled her head away, holding both sides of her face. “Shit.”

  She exhaled. “I’ve never had this kind of experience before. Never.”

  “Okay, then tell me more.” He had a terrible feeling that whatever was going on between them was because of the case.

  “I’ve seen faces, experienced spirits my entire life. I shut them off, but they are back with a vengeance.”

  “They want help.”

  “They want salvation. They require retribution.” Destiny fisted her hands. “They know I see them, hear their cries for help.”

  The words haunted him. “Anything from the victims?”

  She pulled away from his hold and stared in his eyes. “No.”

  Montana tried to rationalize what was happening. “Are you telling me the truth because I can tell there’s more.”

  “I’m not lying to you about the victims, and I don’t honestly know why they seem to be crowding my space.” She held her arms out straight and took a purposeful step back. “What I do know is that they require my help.”

  “They know you can save them.”

  “I… I can’t save anyone. I listen.” Her eyes darted back and forth. “You know what I’m talking about. You have the gift as well.”

  He exhaled. “Not to the degree you have. I hated the concept. Truth is, the knowing almost killed me and destroyed some I cared about.” The words came out of his mouth, but he was surprised. He never talked about the experience or her death. Here he was with a complete stranger.

  She placed her hand on top of his. “Whoever she was must have been important in your life. You loved her very much.”

  “Yes. I did.” He’d never forget the club. The night. The sting operation was ready to be finalized but he’d lost his way, preferring to play a masterful Dom instead of protecting her. He’d never allow that to happen again. Never.

  “She was special.”

  “Much like you are.”

  The words seemed to startle her. “You don’t know me.”

  “But I want to. Very much.”

  She inhaled as if debating then traced a circle around his mouth.

  His entire body tingled. He shoved aside the thoughts of wanting her, but they came back, desire building to the point he could no longer resist. Yearning burned deep inside. Sweat ran down the back of his neck. Heat rushed into his face and for a few seconds he was unable to focus. The only sound he heard was his heart beating against his chest. You want her.

  “Montana.”

  “I want you.” He leaned over, capturing her mouth. He shoved his tongue inside as he lifted her onto her toes. Flashes of light, hints of sound coming from another location infiltrated his brain. He didn’t care about the cost of what he was doing. He simply wanted.

  Destiny whimpered into the kiss as their tongues entwined.

  He pushed her hard against the counter as their passion roared. Using the flat of his hand, he eased down the side of her neck to her breast. Cupping and squeezing, he became lost in the heat of the moment.

  She jutted her hips forward and arched her back.

  Breaking the kiss, he yanked the strap of her dress down her shoulder, revealing her breast. “I will have you.” He licked down her neck, engulfing her nipple as he tugged the hem of her dress up to her thigh.

  Moaning, she tossed her head back.

  He swirled the tip of his finger up and down the edge of her panties. She was wet and hot, her scent of need wafting up to his nose. Biting down on her nipple, he sucked on the tender flesh as he wiggled his finger under the damp lace, touching her clit.

  “Fuck me. Please fuck me,” she whispered.

  He pulled the other strap down her shoulder, forcing the bodice of her dress down to her waist. Grunting, he slid two then three fingers into her pussy. “Just what I like.”

  She laughed and her eyes twinkled. Undulating her hips, she cupped her breasts and ground her groin against his crotch. “Then take me.” She gave him a heated look as she slid her hand down his chest to his groin. “You’re hard for me.”

  “Hard as I’ve ever been.”

  Winking, she pushed him away and shimmied out of her dress.

  He was mesmerized by the beauty of her skin, and the way she flaunted her body. She wanted him. No, she would succumb to his every need. He advanced, grabbing both arms.

  She’s mine…

  The sharp snap of the words hit him hard. Jerking back, he slammed against the refrigerator, panting as he held up his arm. His fingers were moist. He held them into the light for several seconds before shoving them into his mouth. The taste of her was so sweet, so…

  You can’t have her… You will die.

  Montana looked away. There was a presence in the room. Every cell in his body was on fire, tingling. He panted and held out his arm, ushering her away. “Go. Not this. Not now.”

  She opened her eyes wide and blinked several times. Turning away, she grabbed her dress covering her body. “What just happened?”

  “I…I don’t know. I’m sorry. I…” Montana coughed, nausea creating bile in his throat. He’d wanted nothing more than to rip off her clothes and fuck her with no regard to her desires. He took a stride backwards. “I need to go. I have to…”

  “Detective.”

  “No!” He shook his head and leaned down for a few seconds, fearful of retching on her floor.

  “Come here. We need to talk.”

  “We can’t. This can’t happen.” He was aware she’d dressed. He had no idea what to think or any cognizance of why he was so desperate to have her.

  Destiny took a step toward him. “Whatever is happening between us, you and I both know we have to talk about the experience. He won’t let us alone.”

  “He? It was just me here. Me! I wanted to fuck you, whip you. I’ve never…” The words died in his mouth.

  “And I wanted you to do everything. Don’t you see?”

  “See what?” He snapped his head in her direction.

  “Montana, please stay with me.”

  “Detective. Detective Givens. You need to come to the precinct and talk to my partner tomorrow. I need a full statement. I…” The words were caught in his throat, hollow and without meaning.

  “Please. Please.”

  “I just can’t.” Stunned, he raced down the hallway. For a few seconds he’d been in the mind of a monster.

  Destiny arrived at her office at a little after seven thirty. The comfort of her quiet space calmed her nerves. She hadn’t been able to sleep and couldn’t get what occurred with the detective out of her mind. Closing her door, she walked to her desk, sitting down and staring at her surroundings. There was no mistaking they’d both been caught up in her fantasy. Or was there something more malevolent at hand?

  Exhaling, she waited until her breathing was steady before turning on her computer. This was a normal workday and the events of the night before she needed to put out of her mind. She had five appointments and none of these patients had any desire for a kinky lifestyle. The change was inviting.

  She glanced at the oversized clock hanging on her wall, watching the second hand as it clicked by the seconds.

  Tick. Tick. Tick.

  The noise had always been soothing. Today the clacking sound was unnerving. Looking away, she shook her head and pulled up the files of her first patient. After reading the same paragraph three times, she jerked up from her desk.

  Tick. Tick. Tick.

  “Damn it.” She jerked the clock off the wall, smashing the piece of plastic and metal against the side of her desk. The thick plastic fissured.

  Tick…

  Shaking, she tossed the broken piece into her trashcan. “Good riddance.” She closed her eyes and counted to ten. Her behavior was bordering ridiculous. After a few seconds she was able to sit back down, finally settling into her work.

  Tick. Tick. Tick.

  “What the hell?” She froze. The sound was coming from across the room.

  Tap. Tap. Tap.

  “What?”

  The door opened and Gina walked inside, her smile fading when she entered the room. “Are you okay, Doctor Blade?”

  “I’m fine. I’m just…” She looked down at the broken clock and sighed. Get ahold of yourself. There’s nothing here. “I’m good, Gina. What time is our first patient due?”

  “Fifteen minutes. I just wanted to see if you’d like a cup of coffee,” Gina murmured as she looked around the room.

  “Yeah. That would be good. Thank you.”

  “Okay. I’ll be right back.” She started to close the door then stopped. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Don’t worry about me. I haven’t been sleeping well. That’s it,” Destiny said. She certainly didn’t sound reassuring in the least.

  “I understand. The murders must be on your mind.”

  “Yes, but I think the police have a handle on the cases.” She scanned the perimeter as a cold chill trickled down the back of her legs. There was no ominous presence, no madman waiting to drag her into Hell.

  Gina didn’t seem to be satisfied. She opened her mouth then smiled. “Okay then. Tell you what. I’ll be right back. Coffee we both need.” Nodding, she walked out of Destiny’s office, glancing over her shoulder once before closing the door with a soft click.