Midnight Moonrising (Moonrising #2)(29)
"Does that mean you aren't going to tell me anything scary or that you aren't going to tell me everything?"
Phoenix only shrugged at the question.
"Is it legal?" Alex blurted, irritation creeping into his tone.
"It has been so far, but I can't promise what tomorrow will bring," Phoenix said.
Alex's gaze fell to a dark stain on the guy's button-up, and then his eyes widened as he caught sight of a short gash in the material and what appeared to be something white on the other side—gauze; Phoenix had been injured since he had talked to him last. He was almost certain he would have noticed it before. "Are you hurt?"
Confusion filled Phoenix's expression until he looked down. He chuckled lightly as he glanced up to Mena. "I'll let her explain that, too. That is… if you decide to stay and play with us. Keep an eye on her right hand, detective. It's lethal."
Alex's head whipped around to see amused, pale-green eyes, but before he could ask her if she was the one who had shot or stabbed Phoenix, she held up her hand to stop him.
"I want you here, Alex, but not for the reason you want to be here, not entirely. I don't need your protection, but I doubt you will refuse this case just because I ask you to."
Alex stood slowly and paced a few steps, eyeing Roel just in case the guy decided to do a repeat of the sit-and-stay.
It was obvious Mena didn't need his protection; there were plenty of people here to prove that, but he couldn't just walk away, not knowing that she was in danger and knew who the killer was. "And this information you give me about the murderer—"
"It's confidential, cop," Heath piped in. "If you want in, know that it's only going to be you and that none of us are going to prison for anything we do to bring down Katie's killer."
On a heavy sigh, Alex said, "I had a feeling someone was going to say that. Look, as much as I hate to admit it, the fact remains that I am an officer of the law. I can't just let—"
"Then you can walk away, cop," Brad said. "Easy as that."
"I can't do that!" Alex shouted. "I don't know what you people are into, but I already know too much to just walk away and refuse the case. But, by law, I can't allow you to—"
"We aren't asking for your permission," Mena said quietly.
Alex's eyes locked with hers. She was asking him to give up everything. What he believed in. His lifestyle. If he allowed them to track down and kill another human being, he'd be a fraud. He couldn't be a detective anymore, not unless he wanted to be one of these corrupt cops that he saw on TV. The judicial system was supposed to judge and punish. He couldn't become a vigilante. And it pissed him off that Mena thought he could.
"Mena, are you aware of the situation you've put me in?"
"I am, and I'm sorry."
The exhale that passed his lips was long as he contemplated his options. He couldn't do this. He had to leave, get away before they convinced him that what they were plotting was the right thing to do. It was against the law; he could feel it in his gut. "Mena, I—"
"Leave us," Mena said.
Alex glanced around in shock as every person standing on the porch obediently filed back into the house. Well, all except for one: Phoenix. The guy stood there, lips pressed together, hands balled into tight fists and shaking his head. It was clear the guy didn't want to leave Mena alone with him; maybe he already knew what she was planning to say. Alex didn't have a clue, but he doubted there could be anything to change his mind about helping them. Only a handful of minutes before, he hadn't thought there was anything that he wouldn't do for her, but this was crazy talk. Going to prison swiftly moved into the first slot of things he wouldn't do for Mena. If he left now, he wouldn't have to continue with the list; it was sure to grow.
"Phoenix, I would like to talk with Alex alone. Will you please join the others until I am finished?"
Phoenix's scowl didn't change as he glared at Alex.
Alex's eyebrows lifted when Phoenix continued to look at him. There was something—something he couldn't put his finger on about the guy, but he didn't like him. He usually had a reason when he didn't like someone. Maybe it was the interested vibe in Mena he was getting from him that rubbed him wrong. He didn't know, nor did he really care; he just wished the bastard would go away. "You need something else?"
Phoenix glared at him for a moment, and then kicked off the wall. "Just know that not everyone wants you here, Rhodes." He turned on his heel and stormed into the house, slamming the door behind him.
The chains holding the swing clinked together, making a back and forth tink-tink-tink sound, letting Alex know that Mena had stood from her seat, but he wasn't ready to look at her yet. He wasn't sure what he would say now that they were alone. He wouldn't do what she had asked of him, so the only way this night was going to end was badly. Maybe he could pass the whole case over to Thompson. He would just tell the chief that he felt too close to the victims, and then they would have no choice but to remove him without further questioning.
"Alex," Mena whispered from right beside him.
His eyes drifted shut as a chill passed over his skin. The strong need to protect her washed over him once again and he nearly blurted out that he would do it. His sanity was at risk. Would he be able to keep from losing his mind when the chief called to tell him that Mena was dead? Bile rose to the back of this throat as the thought sickened his stomach. No—no, he would most definitely go crazy, and it would be his fault entirely for giving the case away.