by Jamie Begley
Satisfied with their explanations, the police escorted them outside, despite Zoey’s protests that she needed to check on Mrs. Combs.
Borrowing Kent’s phone, she called Patrick, who said he was already on his way. He had been trying to call her to ask if he could be a little late and had decided to come back because she hadn’t answered his text or calls.
Zoey’s heart thudded in her chest when she saw the paramedics waiting outside were finally allowed in.
She was waiting in the back of a police cruiser when she saw Patrick pulling in. Getting out of the car, she ran toward him.
“They won’t let me inside to check on your mother.”
“Stay here. I’ll see if they’ll let me.”
Creed got out of the police car to stand by her side as she watched Patrick talk to one of the officers by the door.
She swallowed hard when Patrick’s expression changed from concern to anguish.
“I let him down. She didn’t make it.”
“You don’t know that.” Kent wrapped his arm around her shoulders as she braced herself for Patrick’s walk back toward her.
“She’s not okay, is she?”
“She didn’t make it, Zoey.”
“It’s all my fault. I fell asleep. I let you down. You trusted me to look after your mother—”
Patrick pulled her into his arms, crying along with her. “My mother loved you. I love you. You wouldn’t have done anything to harm her. I don’t want to hear you blame yourself for what someone else did. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, but—”
“No buts! I mean it, Zoey. Not one more time. The officer I talked to said that the paramedics think she died before you were attacked. That he must have silenced her alarm when he knocked the nurses out.”
“She would have been alive if I hadn’t fallen asleep—”
“Or you both could be both dead if you were awake when he came into the room. The police are still looking for him. They don’t know if he’s still inside or if he escaped before they arrived. Did you see who it was?”
“I caught a glimpse of his face. They want me to go to the station to meet with a sketch artist.”
“Why haven’t they taken you yet?”
“I don’t know. That was several minutes ago. The officer said he needed someone to move the car behind his.”
The three of them stood waiting for the officer to return. When several more minutes passed and no one came out, she and the two men grew increasingly nervous.
“I’m going to see what’s taking so long.” Kent moved forward just as several officers came running out with Stump, Ice, Max, and Jackal.
“What’s going on?” Zoey asked as Stump and Ice came running toward her.
“They found an unconscious man in one of the patient’s closets. They want you to identify if he was the man who was chasing you.” Stump pulled her into his side as two police officers hurried them inside.
If Stump hadn’t been with her, she didn’t think she could steel herself to see her attacker again, even if he was unconscious.
Paramedics followed them as they entered a patient’s room on the first floor. An officer standing in the doorway moved away as she grew closer.
“Look long enough to identify him, then let the paramedics inside.”
Nodding at the officer, she didn’t go into the room, just stood in the doorway to stare down at the man. She felt sick at the realization of who it was.
Stepping back, she shook her head. “That’s not him. That’s the night guard.”
“Son of a fucking bitch!” Stump swore, pounding his fist on the wall. “Radio your men and see if anyone remembers seeing a security guard when they searched the building. He pretended to be a fireman when he set the fire alarm off in your building—that’s how he got away that time.”
Escorted back outside, Stump rode with her to the police station and stayed by her side as the composite sketch was drawn. It was mid-morning before they were able to leave.
Jackal was waiting for them in a car outside when they came out.
“I need to go see Patrick. I don’t want him left alone,” Zoey said once she was inside.
“He’s not alone. Penni and Grace are helping him make arrangements.” Jackal put the car in gear, pulling out of the parking lot.
“I asked Ice to take care of it when you were with the sketch artist. I know he’s a friend of yours, so I told them to tell Patrick that I would take you to see him once you got some sleep. You’re too tired to help yourself, much less him. I also told Ice what you said at the police station—that it wasn’t you he was fixated on.”
She laid her head on his shoulder. “All of this because he wanted Ginny to have the stage for herself.”
“You kept whatever fucked-up fantasy he had from coming true in his twisted mind.” Stump started to swear again but stopped at her baleful glare.
“You already owe me over a hundred dollars. Keep it up, and I’m going to start charging you ten dollars a word.”
He was smart enough to snap his mouth closed.
“How are we supposed to catch him?” Zoey asked anxiously when she saw he had gotten her message. “Anyone who comes in contact with Ginny could be in danger, and they wouldn’t know it, like I didn’t.”
“I called and talked to Shade. He came up with an idea,” Jackal said, not taking his eyes off the road.
“What is it?”
“That Ginny performs with Kaden tonight.”
“That’s too dangerous!”
“That’s for her to decide. He’s talking to her, and then he’ll text me when she makes her decision.”
“We’re hoping it will make whoever is stalking her do something since he doesn’t have time to plan. We have your sketch, so anyone who matches his description will be detained and questioned.” Jackal honked at a car when it swerved into his lane.
“I don’t like it.”
“We don’t either, but it’s all we have to work with.” Stump took her hand in his, holding it on his lap. “I’ll be there with you. I won’t let you out of my sight.”
“I won’t be the one in danger. Kaden will be.”
“Nothing gets by Kaden’s security force. Others, more powerful than the man who attacked you last night, have tried and didn’t succeed. No one will get close to Ginny either. She’s under the protection of The Last Riders. They’ll be at the concert, too.”
Zoey stared out of the window. Despite their assurances, she had a feeling of dread that Ginny’s life was about to change, and it wasn’t because she was going to be performing in front of hundreds of onlookers, but because of a man who had a manic fixation on her.
“Stump, promise me one thing?” she asked, turning away from the window.
“What is it?”
“That no one is wearing a uniform.”
25
“Do you see anyone who looks like him?”
Zoey shook her head.
Stump had memorized the picture of Zoey’s sketch. Now he was scanning members of the audience within eyesight, going row by row. He easily recognized several of The Last Riders in the first three rows, all within distance of being able to jump on stage when Ginny was singing if anything went wrong.
He glanced away from the crowd as Ginny came out to stand behind the curtain next to Zoey. Ginny didn’t look at the audience. She stared at the stage as Kaden performed in front of the massive crowd. Pretending his attention was diverted, he gave the women their privacy while staying within hearing distance.
“It’s not too late, Ginny. You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do. I’m not going to run. I’m not afraid.”
Stump could see she wasn’t. Not until she looked toward the stage did fear edge into her eyes.
“Why did you agree to take lessons with Kaden?”
“Because of something you said.”
“Because of something I said?”
“You asked me if you didn’t like my co
oking, would I keep doing it.”
“You said yes.”
Ginny nodded. “That’s why. I love singing just as much as cooking. The only way to overcome singing in public is to get better at it.”
“Like cooking lessons.” Zoey nodded in understanding.
“Willa taught me how to love cooking. I hoped Kaden could teach me the same thing about music.”
“Did he?”
“We’re about to find out,” Ginny said starkly, her face pinched in fear. “I signed a contract that I’ll open twelve shows for him. When I’m done, I’ll have enough to go home and buy a house. I’ll be able to pay cash for it, and it’ll be mine. I wish you could come with me. Even with the lessons Kaden gave me, and him singing the duet with me, it would be easier with you there.”
Zoey hugged Ginny close. “You don’t need for me to sing with you to give you courage. I know what it’s like to want your own home. I found mine, but it wasn’t a house; it was a person. You’ll find yours, too.”
The song that Kaden was singing ended, sending applause roaring through the stands.
“I guess this is it then. There is no going back.” Ginny stepped closer to the edge of the curtain as Kaden lifted a hand in the air to quiet the audience.
Ginny turned to look over her shoulder when Zoey softly called her name at the same time Kaden started introducing her to sing the duet with him.
“Ginny, you have always been a star. You just let clouds keep you from shining brightly. I found my way home from a map; you never needed one. You know exactly where you want to be. Make it happen!”
Seeing that Ginny was about to step onto the stage, he moved to another section of the curtain, closer to the end where she would be seen as she stepped out onto the portion she had to walk to reach Kaden.
Ginny nodded, straightening her shoulders before she walked out into the limelight. Zoey didn’t take her eyes off her friend. Neither did he.
Penni had told him that Sawyer helped Ginny choose what to wear for her debut. The midnight blue jumpsuit left her shoulders bare, the material then popping out to conceal her breasts before flaring out in loose, flowing pants. He was in love with Zoey, but from a man’s point of view, Ginny was stunning in that outfit. Combined with the sexy, new bob she had also been talked into, Ginny looked like the star Zoey called her.
Parting the curtain a tiny crack, Stump resumed his searching of the crowd.
“You braided your hair with my headband.”
His lips curled into a smile. “You said I could have it.”
“I didn’t know you would cut the top off and used the leather to braid it into your hair.”
“Now you know.” He gave an offhand shrug, knowing it would irritate her.
“See if I give you another one.”
“I don’t want another one. They all have flowers on them.”
Zoey peeked out the hole he created between the curtains. “He’s not there, is he?”
“He’s there. We just don’t see him.”
“I hope Kaden’s security is as good as you say they are. Ginny’s going to need them to protect her until he’s caught.”
“Look at the two men in the first row, the ones with leather vests. That’s Razer and Train. Second row at each end, that’s Cash and Lucky. Third row, same seats, that’s Moon and Drake. Rider is in the skybox, watching the closed-circuit television pointed at the crowd. And that big son of bitch standing across the stage from us is Knox. And I don’t know where the hell Shade is, but I know that mean bastard is somewhere in the auditorium. I told you The Last Riders consider Ginny family. Those men won’t go anywhere until they know she’s safe.”
“Have you ever considered becoming a Last Rider?”
“Hell no.”
“Why not?”
“Because it took a Predator to catch my woman.”
Stump paid for the three cups of tea, enjoying being out of the office while Ice and Jackal visited their wives. He was using his own money to pay for the tea that he had generously offered to buy Penni and Grace as an excuse to leave the couples alone. It was worth the expense to be able to witness the fallout when Kristen left Zoey’s office. Both women had given him condemning gazes as the brothers had entered their office.
Looking at the wall, he saw he had ten minutes before Zoey would be finished with Kristen’s session. He wanted to be there to watch.
Shoving his change into his back pocket without bothering to count it, he hurried out of the café, not paying attention to the four men who were casually standing by a silver SUV.
“What’s your hurry, cocksucker?”
Stump stopped in his tracks as the four men started moving in his direction. Gauging from their size and expressions, he knew they were out to pick a fight with him. The smallest of the men was easily the size of Max.
“Where’s your motorcycle? You only ride it when you want to get your kicks out of dousing helpless women?”
Stump clenched his hand around the cardboard cup holder containing the teas. “I’m in a pretty good mood, so I’m going to give you a chance to get back in your car and haul ass out of here. I don’t have to explain myself to four dickheads who are too afraid to take me on alone.”
“We aren’t afraid to take you on alone. The problem is, we all want a piece of you.”
The men moved to circle him as the customers came out the café, casting them wary glances as they went to their cars.
“I’m not the one who should be afraid. You fuck with me, you fuck with the Predators.”
“Ooo… I’m so scared.” The small one was also the stupidest one, making the mistake of being the first one to get close to him. “You afraid, Denis?”
Stump heard a laugh coming from behind him and to his left.
“No, I’m not afraid. Jag?”
“Nope, I’m not afraid of the Predators or the piece of shit carrying three cups of tea. Tell me, asshole; do you hold your pinky out when you drink it?”
Stump didn’t turn around at the man insulting him from his left. While the others were using insults to build their courage to strike out, the one who had him debating the wisdom of taking on the four men alone had yet to say anything, hanging back so he would be able to finish the fight if the other three failed.
The small man didn’t like that the insults had no effect on him. He reached out to flip the teas out of his hand, but Stump beat him to it, throwing the hot tea in his face. Then he jerked back both of his elbows, smashing the other two men in the face.
Hearing the men behind him cry out in pain, Stump didn’t let it distract him from smashing his fist into the one who had tea dripping off his face, knocking him into the SUV. As he crumpled to the ground, the big one came for him. Stump was ready, using the larger man’s size against him. Waiting for the man to come barreling toward him, at the last second, Stump stepped forward, jerking him off his feet to hold him over his head before tossing him onto the two who were moaning that their noses were broken.
The one that he had thrown onto the SUV had gotten up to run and hide behind the vehicle while the other three lay unconscious.
Walking toward them, Stump tossed back his hair that had come loose from the fight, and then ground the heel of his boot onto the one who asked if he held his pinky out when he drank tea. Bending down, he then took the wallet out of the jeans of the one who was on top, taking out a twenty then throwing the wallet down.
Unconcerned that they would regroup while he was inside, Stump went back into the café. He was hoping they were still outside when he came out five minutes later with another cardboard holder in his hands and irritated that he missed seeing Ice and Jackal fuck up Kristen for flirting with their wives. However, they were gone.
It was turning out to be a pretty good day, what with Ice and Jackal taking out Kristen. Since he decided to accept the permanent job Penni offered him, he couldn’t handle it himself without getting fired and making Zoey angry.
The fight outside the caf
é burned off the anger from the stalker not showing last night. Or, if he had, they hadn’t spotted him. And since Ginny flew out with Kaden, his security force, and The Last Riders to Nashville to start the twelve performances she had agreed to, the stalker should stay away from Zoey from now on.
After the elevator arrived, he pressed the button for Penni’s floor. Expecting to see a fucked-up Kristen laying in the hallway, he was disappointed to hear laughter coming from Penni’s office.
Standing in the doorway, he antagonistically watched as Kristen pet his dog while Zoey held him.
“Stump, you’re back with the tea.” Penni’s voice had everyone in the room turning toward him.
“I brought you one, too, Zoey.” Seething, he moved forward, handing her the tray with one hand while taking his dog with the other.
“Thank you.” Her sunny smile eased the tautness that had his heart racing when he saw the other man touching his dog.
Penni and Grace reached for their tea when Zoey set them on the desk.
“We were just congratulating Kristen on his engagement.”
At Penni’s sugary sweet announcement, Stump held out his free hand for Kristen to shake. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. It wouldn’t have been possible without Zoey’s help. She gave me the confidence to ask. She’s amazing.”
“Zoey? Or your fiancée?”
“They both are. I was just telling Penni and Grace that I won’t be seeing them again. Zoey said I don’t need her weekly sessions anymore.”
If the too good-looking man had a confidence problem, he would kiss his ass.
Zoey peered at him with a suspiciously vacant expression as Kristen strutted toward the door.
Stump waited until he heard the elevator doors close before he turned his gaze back to the women.
“Which brother spilled the beans that hustler was about to get his ass taken down a notch?”
“Kristen isn’t a hustler.” Zoey’s reprimand didn’t sway him. He knew a hustler when he saw one, and the man who just left was one of the biggest one he had ever seen.