by Elle James
“I have my handgun. Knowing your mother, she’ll have one as well. We’ll be fine. Don’t worry about us.” Jenna took his hand and squeezed it. “You guys need to get going.”
“Mom said Duncan’s in town.” Using the phone again, Bastian dialed his brother’s number. “Duncan, where are you?” He paused. “In Eagle Rock? Good. Stay there. We’re on our way in, and we’ll need all the firepower we can get. We’ll bring you up to speed when we pick you up.” He ended the call, replaced the phone in the receiver and glanced at the others. “Ready?”
His brothers, Hank, Kujo, Swede and Greenbriar all nodded. They gathered what weapons, ammo and communications equipment they would need. Hank handed them bullet-proof vests, night vision goggles and helmets. They carried the items up the stairs and out onto the front porch.
Already, the sun had sunk to the tops of the ridges. Within the next twenty minutes, they’d be encased in the early dusk of mountain living.
“We have to get a move on,” Hank said. “I’d like to be in position within the next hour.”
While the others loaded their things into Kujo and Hank’s truck, Bastian turned to Jenna. “Please, go straight to the Iron Horse Ranch and wait for us to return. Be sure to lock the doors.”
She shook her head. “I’m not the one heading into danger. You are.” Jenna reached up to cup his cheek in her hand, her brow dipping in a concerned frown. “Be careful out there.”
“I will.”
She leaned up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips, and then wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear. “I love you.”
Those three words hit Bastian square in the chest like a giant battering ram. If she hadn’t been holding him so close, he would have staggered backward with the incredible force of them.
She loved him.
“Bastian, let’s go,” Angus called out.
Jenna stepped away with a soft smile. “It’s okay. You don’t have to love me in return. Just come back alive.” Then she ran up the stairs and watched as he climbed into the SUV and closed the door.
As they pulled away, Bastian had the uncontrollable desire to throw himself out of the vehicle, run back to Jenna and crush her in his arms.
He loved her, and he wanted her to know.
What if something happened to him on this mission? What if he didn’t come back alive? She would never know that he loved her.
His jaw firmed. He was a Navy SEAL. This wasn’t even a wartime situation. He’d be back, and he’d hold her in his arms and tell her that he loved her and that he was ready to let go of his vow to Lauren.
Lauren wouldn’t have wanted him to spend his life grieving for her. She would have expected him to move on, find love, marry and have all those children they’d always wanted.
Bastian looked back at Jenna standing on the deck, waving at them.
I’ll be back, and I’ll make it right.
Chapter 12
Tears blurred Jenna’s vision as she watched the vehicles leave the yard and follow the ranch road until they disappeared into the trees.
She couldn’t believe she’d told Bastian she loved him.
And he’d stood there as if he was in shock.
Her heart constricted in her chest. What had she expected? The man was still in love with his dead girlfriend from high school. How could Jenna compete with a ghost?
She sank onto the porch and let the tears slip down her cheeks. No one would see her crying and would know that no matter how many Krav Maga lessons she took, she was still weak when it came to loving someone.
Bastian held her heart in his hand, and he was driving off into the unknown dangers of a survivalist camp. Those men had military-grade weapons and who knew what else.
Hank’s armory filled with weapons and protective gear might not be enough to keep them safe.
For a long time, Jenna sat on the porch, letting the tears flow. She needed to release them. She’d been bottling her feelings for too long.
When the tears stopped, she wiped her face on her sleeve and looked out at the deepening dusk. Car headlights shone between the trees as a vehicle approached Hank’s ranch house.
Jenna rose, an inkling of concern making her walk into the house, lock the door and watch through the window
An SUV pulled to a stop in front of the house, and Hannah McKinnon got out.
Jenna left the house, closing and locking the door behind her. She hurried down the steps and into Mrs. McKinnon’s arms,
“Hey,” she said, holding Jenna close. “What’s all this?” The older woman held her for a long moment, and then set her at arms’ length. “They’re going to be all right. I know it.”
Jenna sniffed. “I hope so.”
“Then why all the tears?”
She stared at Bastian’s mother, and more tears welled in her eyes. “I love him, and I told him I did.”
Mrs. McKinnon’s brow furrowed. “And he didn’t say I love you back?”
Jenna shook her head.
Bastian’s mother pulled her back into her arms and held her tight. “He does, sweetie. He does.”
“How do you know?”
“It’s so obvious, but he can’t see it.” She chuckled and leaned back, smoothing the hair out of Jenna’s wet face. “He can’t take his eyes off you. I’ve never seen him so concerned over any woman’s wellbeing as he is over yours.”
Jenna snorted. “That’s just the way he is. He cares about other people.”
Mrs. McKinnon smiled. “Not like he cares about you. He just needs to recognize it as love, let go of his unfounded guilt over losing Lauren and realize he has a beautiful, wonderful woman right in front of him, who can make him happy.”
Jenna hugged the mother of the man she loved. “I don’t know what’s going to happen between Bastian and me, but I hope you will always be my friend.”
“You know I will.” Mrs. McKinnon wiped a tear from her cheek. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”
Jenna rounded the SUV and slid into the passenger seat.
Bastian’s mother got in and started the vehicle, turned around in the driveway and headed back to Eagle Rock.
“Do you mind if we stop by my apartment while we’re in town?” Jenna asked, a twinge of guilt nagging at the back of her mind. She’d promised Bastian they’d go straight to Iron Horse Ranch.
“Not at all,” Mrs. McKinnon said. “I’ve always wondered what the apartments over the Blue Moose looked like.”
Her lips twisting, Jenna stared out the window. “It isn’t much to look at.”
“But it’s a start. After what you went through with Corley Ferguson, you’ve done well for yourself.” Mrs. McKinnon reached out to touch Jenna’s arm. “I’ll never forget going with Molly to the hospital after what he did to you.” Her lips formed a thin line. “No woman deserves that. The man should have been locked up and the key thrown away.”
“I wish,” Jenna agreed.
The drive into Eagle Rock didn’t take long. Soon they were pulling into the rear parking lot at the Blue Moose Tavern.
Jenna and Mrs. McKinnon climbed the back staircase up to the second floor where there were four neat little one-bedroom apartments.
Music blared from the tavern below, and the sounds of laughter could be heard through the open back door to the kitchen.
Jenna unlocked the door to her apartment and switched on the light in the living room. “It’s not much, but it’s what I can afford for now.”
Mrs. McKinnon stepped in. “It’s not so bad.”
“The furniture is worn, but it came with the apartment.”
“I like the accent pillows you’ve added to brighten it.” Bastian’s mother strolled through the small living room, touching the pillows and a crocheted afghan. She smiled at photographs of Jenna and her parents. “Are your parents still in Florida?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jenna crossed to the bedroom and grabbed a couple of shirts and pants from her closet. She checked the voicemail on her answe
ring machine and sighed. “I need to return these calls tomorrow. I’ve got to get back to work soon, or the clients I’ve earned will move on.”
“I’m sure they’ll understand. You can use the phone at the ranch. If you have to do some showings, maybe Bastian will go along with you to keep you safe.”
Jenna stopped in the doorway of the bedroom. “I shouldn’t have to be protected from anyone. What’s wrong with people that they can’t live and let live?”
“Tell me about it.” Mrs. McKinnon gave her a gentle smile.
“I’m sorry,” Jenna said. “You of all people have the most to be angry about. It’s been weeks since your husband disappeared.”
The older woman nodded. “I’m holding out hope that the boys find him tonight and bring him home.”
“How can you be so calm?” Jenna asked.
“I don’t want to get too excited. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been hopeful, only to have my hopes dashed. I’ll get excited when I see James walk through the door and gather me in his arms.”
Jenna’s chest tightened. She wrapped her arms around Mrs. McKinnon and held her for a long moment. Then she stepped back. “Let’s go home.”
They exited the little apartment, closing and locking the door behind them.
As Jenna descended the stairs to the parking lot, she looked around, always aware of her surroundings.
Darkness had settled over the little Montana town. The only light came from a yellow bulb glowing over the tavern’s kitchen door. Nothing moved in the back parking lot, yet a cold finger slithered down the back of her spine.
Having felt that same shiver of apprehension before, she didn’t shrug it off but lifted her chin and swept her gaze around the lot and the surrounding trees and vegetation, searching for whatever it was that made her uncomfortable. It was as if someone was watching her.
Jenna hurried to Mrs. McKinnon’s vehicle and got in. As soon as the older woman was settled into her seat, Jenna hit the lock button on the door.
Mrs. McKinnon shot a glance her way. “You feel it, too?”
Jenna nodded. “I don’t know what it is, but I get a creepy feeling sometimes.”
“Like someone is watching you?” Mrs. McKinnon started the engine. “Sweetheart, you’re not coming back to live in this apartment.”
“I have to,” Jenna said. “It’s all I can afford until I start making some sales.”
“You’ll stay at the Iron Horse Ranch. I shouldn’t have let you move out after your recovery. If I’d known how creepy this back parking lot was, I wouldn’t have let you leave.”
“That’s nice of you, Mrs. McKinnon.”
“Mom. Call me Mom or Mama Mac.” She grinned, reached over and patted Jenna’s hand. “You’re family.”
“Mama Mac, I can’t just move in with you. What if things don’t work out between me and Bastian?”
“You’ll still be family.”
“It would be awkward to hang around after a breakup.” Jenna squeezed Mrs. McKinnon’s hand. “But thanks. Molly and I took self-defense lessons for a reason. I can take care of myself.”
They were heading out of town by that time. Dusk had long since given way to darkness.
“You think the guys are moving in around the encampment about now?” Jenna asked in the silence stretching between them.
“I hope so,” Mrs. McKinnon said. “I hope a lot of things.”
“Me, too,” Jenna said softly. She prayed they all returned unharmed and that they found Mr. McKinnon and brought him home to recover fully.
“I worry about you, Jenna,” Mrs. McKinnon said.
Jenna snorted. “You have enough to worry about.” She glanced at the woman, amazed at her strength and determination to keep going in the face of adversity.
The older woman slowed to take a curve and chuckled at the same time. “It’s what I do—”
Bastian’s mother’s eyes widened, and she jerked the steering wheel to the right.
Jenna turned toward the road ahead in time to see a truck sitting sideways in the middle of the road, taking up both lanes of traffic. She opened her mouth to scream but didn’t get it out before the SUV they were traveling in careened off the road, down into a ditch and up a rise, crashing into a tree trunk.
The strap across Jenna’s shoulder tightened, as she was flung forward. Airbags deployed, slamming her back against her seat. Fine dust filled the air.
For a moment, Jenna couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move and couldn’t see.
Then the airbags deflated. Without the dash lights, darkness was complete.
“Mom,” Jenna called out, barely able to force the single word from her lungs. The seatbelt still held her so tightly that she couldn’t get a full breath.
A moan sounded beside her.
Fear cleared her brain faster than a blast of arctic air. “Mrs. McKinnon,” Jenna called out. “Talk to me.”
Another low moan sounded.
Jenna fumbled for her seatbelt buckle, her hands shaking. When she finally found it, she hit the button. It didn’t release. She hit it again and again and finally, it let go.
She dragged in a deep breath and turned toward Mrs. McKinnon. She touched the woman’s arm and felt her way up to her face. Warm, stickiness oozed from a spot on her forehead.
“Mrs. M, please, talk to me,” Jenna begged. The acrid scent of gasoline alerted her to the danger of staying in the vehicle. If something set off a fire, the entire vehicle could blow.
Where the hell was the driver of the truck that had been parked in the middle of the damned road? She had a bone to pick with him for leaving it there and causing them to crash. First, she had to get Mrs. McKinnon out of the SUV.
Jenna reached for the door handle and pushed. It opened a crack, but no more. She hit the window button. With no power, the window wouldn’t slide down.
Again, Jenna tried the door, pushing hard with her shoulder. When her efforts met with defeat, she refused to give up. She pushed to her knees and crawled across the console into the back seat. From there, she tried the back door on Mrs. McKinnon’s side of the SUV.
She pulled the handle and pushed so hard that when the door swung open easily, Jenna fell out onto the ground. When she hit, she rolled down into the ditch, coming to a stop in a cold puddle of water mixed with the gasoline leaking from the damaged tank.
Jenna came up on her hands and knees then lurched to her feet, climbing up the steep bank to the crashed SUV. She pulled hard on the driver’s side door. She had to get Mrs. McKinnon out and away from the vehicle.
When the door wouldn’t open, Jenna braced her foot beside the door and tried again, giving it all the strength she had.
The door opened and once again, Jenna fell backward and down into the ditch.
She rose to her feet and sucked in a shaky breath.
As she took a step toward the SUV, thick, muscular arms reached around her, a hand clamped over her mouth, and she was lifted off the ground.
She fought, kicking and wiggling as hard as she could.
The thick bands of steel around her had her arms trapped against her side. With her feet off the ground, she couldn’t gain any leverage to flip her attacker. All she could do was kick and struggle until her captor loosened his hold and she could engage her Krav Maga skills.
She was carried up the embankment to the road where the truck remained parked across both lanes of traffic. On closer inspection, Jenna realized it was the truck they’d seen on the drone footage. The one that belonged to Otis Ferguson.
Jenna knew Otis. He was a mean son of a bitch, but he wasn’t nearly as hulkingly large as his younger brother, Corley. Which meant…her ex-husband had caught up with her and was violating the restraining order that wasn’t worth the paper it was written on.
She tried to talk, but the hand over her mouth wouldn’t let her emit more than a grunt. Reasoning with the former football player would be difficult. Hell, it would be impossible. Between the head trauma of playing a full-on con
tact sport and the influence of a sadistic bastard of a brother, Corley wasn’t a man who could be reasoned with.
Jenna quit struggling, conserving her energy for when he let his guard down, and she could pull her gun or make a break for it.
Corley shoved her against the body of the pickup and pinned her there with his weight. Then he reached for something on the truck’s roof.
He let go of her arms and used both hands to deal with the item he’d reached for.
The telltale sound of adhesive being ripped from an industrial roll of duct tape made Jenna’s blood run cold.
If he bound her with duct tape, she would have no way to escape. She wouldn’t be able to come back and free Mrs. McKinnon from the car and get her the medical attention she needed.
With the desperation of an animal caught in an iron trap, Jenna fought, writhed, kicked and screamed.
When Corley shifted his weight off her back, she twisted and ducked beneath his arms then threw herself beneath the truck’s chassis.
“Damn bitch,” Corley cursed.
Jenna rolled to the other side, pushed to her feet and took off, fumbling for her gun beneath her jacket.
She hadn’t gone more than five steps when a freight train ran her over, knocked her to the ground and crushed the air from her lungs, trapping her hands between her body and the pavement.
“I should have killed you when I put you in the hospital the first time,” Corley muttered in her ear, his breath smelling of whiskey.
“Get off me, Corley. You’re violating the restraining order,” Jenna said, her voice barely more than a whisper. She couldn’t get enough air in her lungs to push past her vocal cords.
He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back until her neck strained. “You’re my wife. You belong with me, not that stinkin’ McKinnon brat.”
“I’m not your wife,” she said, her scalp straining from the way he was pulling her hair. “Our divorce was final after you almost killed me.”
He slammed her forehead against the asphalt. “You married me for better or worse. That means forever.”
Pain shot through Jenna’s head, and her vision blurred. “I could never be with a man who beats his wife. A man who hits someone smaller isn’t a man at all.”