Her Broken Hero Billionaire (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 8)

by Stephanie Fowers

  Jett tried to get lost in his work, though his heart wasn’t in it. Finally, he couldn’t take anymore and made a call to Sheriff Price. The man picked up after three rings. “Hey, Sheriff.” Jett ran his hand through his hair, pacing his workroom. “Has Hannah come by your office today?”

  “No, why? Did she say she wanted to talk?”

  Jett’s heart beat dully as the truth cut at him. Hannah did have second thoughts, maybe even lied to Veronica about where she was going. Guilty. So guilty. He’d been so duped. Veronica had called at least some of this. Women knew women. “She mentioned that …” He pressed his forehead between two fingers. “… she had a complaint about some guy giving her a hard time. If you could have her call me the minute she comes in, I’d appreciate that.”

  “Okay, thanks for the heads-up.”

  He hung up. Hannah was still in danger from that maniac. Did she think she could outrun them all? Start a new life somewhere else? Before long, it was time for dinner, and he couldn’t bring himself to eat it. Everything felt like ash in his mouth anyway.

  His cell phone buzzed, and he grappled with it. The caller ID said it came from someone in The Mountain Cove. He answered it.

  “Hi, this is Rosabel. I’m Hannah’s friend from Vermont.”

  Of course, he hadn’t heard of her. Why hadn’t Hannah told him anything? “You’re our neighbor here too?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I’m engaged to Duncan, um, but that’s not the reason I called. I’m worried about Hannah.”

  His breath hitched. “Have you seen her?”

  “Yes, in town. She was with … Ryan.”

  A jolt of shock ran through him as he thought about what this could mean. Had she gone with him voluntarily?

  “But the last time we talked, Hannah told me that she didn’t want Ryan to know that she was here, that he’d been abusive. And she’s with him? I wanted to talk to her, but they disappeared in the crowd so fast. Hannah didn’t look right. I thought I’d call and see if you knew anything.”

  His hand tightened on the phone. “Where did you see her?”

  “The Yards and Yards of Yard Sales.”

  He gathered his shoes. There was only one way to figure out if Hannah had been taken against her will, or if she was living an even bigger lie than he thought. “I’ll check it out,” he told Rosabel.

  “Should I call the police?” she asked.

  “If I don’t call you in two hours, do it.” There was still the matter of the blackmail, but Ryan might force them to bring in the law if Hannah was truly in danger and hadn’t just gone back to her ex.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Hurry up.” Ryan’s fingers pinched Hannah’s arm.

  They walked through the busy square downtown, near the Basin Park Hotel. The festival was over. The band was disassembling the stage, and Ryan dragged her around the last lonely remnants of furniture that had survived the Yards and Yards of Yard Sales. The scene with Jett that had brought her so much joy had been transformed into a nightmare.

  “Your friend saw us,” Ryan remarked as casually as if he was discussing the weather.

  Her stomach dropped. She’d hoped that he hadn’t noticed Rosabel earlier; they’d only been introduced once at a party. Maybe she could convince him he was mistaken. She shook her head.

  “Don’t lie to me,” he growled. “I saw the look on Rosabel’s face. You told her you were hiding from me, didn’t you?” He shook her. “Didn’t you? Our business is between you and me.”

  He let out a sound of frustration when she refused to answer. Hannah knew he wouldn’t hesitate to use that knife on her, especially if he lost his temper, but if he tried to get her back into the car again, he’d have a fight on his hands. She just didn’t know how much good it would do without anyone nearby. The crowds were quickly disappearing. She was losing her chance to scream for help. She’d have to do something soon, but he held her so tightly, like they were on the best date of their lives, with his other hand on the hilt of that knife. What could she do without getting killed?

  She’d expected Ryan to keep driving them a hundred miles an hour to Vermont, but after glancing back at her through the rearview mirror again, he’d slammed on the brakes and violently switched directions back into town. Hannah was glad for the chance to escape, but what was he planning on doing here?

  He breathed out, looking pleased. “I guess word will get to your crippled friend that you’re here.” She bristled, but knew taking the bait would only send him into a rage. “You got too close to the job,” he said. “Don’t you know anything about professional boundaries?”

  If she did, then she wouldn’t be in this predicament.

  He sneered at her. “What’s that thing he was wearing on his leg? He’s some sort of inventor or something? He looked like a cyborg.” This time when she didn’t answer him, Ryan’s temper snapped and he dragged her up a decrepit, wooden staircase away from the crowd. It led to a neighborhood above them with a cluster of trees to the side. “Answer me, Hannah.”

  “What do you want me to say?” she cried. “That he’s a better man than you’ll ever be?”

  He glared. His fingers scraped past her skin to her necklace, and he tugged, snapping off the butterfly pendant. “He’ll come for you. How about we give him this as a consolation prize?” The chain slid from his hands, slithering onto the wooden stairs.

  Hannah’s retorts stuck in her throat. Ryan had brought them back to get at Jett. She let out a scream, and he dragged her behind an oak tree full of abundant maple leaves. Above them was a parking lot of limos, and to the side of that was a white shack. Ryan had said he’d been driving for these past months. Did he mean these limos too? He’d been staying here. She planted her feet, but he took her to the shack anyway.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Hannah wasn’t here. The Balm of Life square was deserted by the time Jett reached it. Besides a few flickering miniature lights wound around the statues and archway, the night enveloped the pavilion in shadows. He ran up the stone steps to the well where he’d given Hannah her necklace, as if the memories of her might magically bring her back. If this place possessed any sort of healing power it would.

  Huxley sprang up the stairs after Jett. If there was a chance of catching her scent, he hoped the dog would come in handy. But so far Huxley only sniffed some of the leftover furniture curiously. Jett let out a tortured growl. He was a man of action; doing nothing racked him with frustration and helplessness—feelings he’d never known until after the accident. Catching sight of the well, he pushed his elbows into the hard stone and peered down into the dark depths as if the force of his gaze would bring her back. Please, God. Let me find her. Whatever she’s done, I’ll work with it.

  She stood with him here only the night before, breathing lightly, her skin warm when he kissed her. Her eyes had been bright under the light of the moon, with a goodness that no one could fake. He’d fallen in love with her in that moment … and he hadn’t believed her.

  He drew up short. What kind of love was that? Hannah had been hurting. He’d added to her pain by believing that monster over her. He should’ve protected her. Hannah had shown him nothing but love. How had she felt when he looked into her fearful eyes and called her a liar? His gut wrenched. He was the reason she was with that maniac now. He’d practically chased her into his hands.

  Jett took in a breath of despair. He wandered farther down the block with Huxley. Besides a few pubs and the ghost tour, the stores were closed. No one would’ve seen her. A feeling of futility filled him. The longer Hannah was missing, the worse his chances were of rescuing her. And it was all his fault. Before deciding to make the call to the police, he pleaded with God again, this time like he would a friend. I know I’ve done everything wrong. I’ve been such an idiot. But please, Hannah must be feeling so alone and scared. Help me keep her safe.

  Huxley let out a bark, pointing his nose up a rickety set of stairs. Jett froze. This was either the fastest answer to a pra
yer that he’d ever had, or Huxley had found a squirrel. He wasn’t about to question it. He rushed up the wooden stairs that creaked under his pounding steps. A small grove of trees stretched out above them. Glowing lamps marked each flight of stairs. There were about four of them. Just as he almost reached the third, he saw her butterfly pendant shining under the lights. He’d almost missed it. Another answer to his prayer?

  He leaned over to pick it up, adrenaline rushing through him. He knew the moment he saw it that she hadn’t gone willingly up these stairs. Huxley barked wildly. Jett held back the dog, scraping into his pocket to get out his phone. He dialed Sheriff Price.

  A fist rammed into his cheek, knocking his phone into a garden of leaves and flowers below. Jett twisted and shoved Ryan back. The man’s eyes glittered with hatred.

  “Where’s Hannah?” Jett shouted.

  “She doesn’t want anything to do with you!”

  “Jett! Watch out!”

  Ryan’s shoulders stiffened as he swiveled. Hannah ran across the lawn above them. She was alive! Huxley ran to meet her, but she rushed past the dog like demons were on her heels. She passed under a lamp on the stairs and lunged down the wooden steps in bare feet. Her jean skirt impeded the movement of her legs.

  Anger burned through Jett, and he ran for her. He felt a sharp pain in his side. He knew without seeing that Ryan had stabbed him. It was a glancing blow against the skin, and Jett turned just as Ryan came at him with the knife again. Jett stumbled back and teetered on the wooden step, unable to catch himself before he fell backwards, down three flights of stairs. Hannah let out a strangled scream.

  “How’d you get out?” Ryan shouted at her.

  The rest of their argument was lost in the noise of crashing wood against his ears. When he rolled to a stop, he grimaced against the pain, hearing Hannah’s bare feet land against each wooden step on her way down to him. She knelt next to him, her hands brushing over his skin. “Jett!” She was crying. “Are you okay?” She let out a shriek when Ryan dragged her away from him. She hit against his chest. “Let me see if he’s okay!”

  Jett moved his fingers, his arms, his leg. He felt Huxley licking his face. Groaning, he pushed to his knee.

  Hannah twisted from Ryan, her face clearing in relief. “Oh!”

  Ryan readjusted his arms around her waist. “You’ve got to be kidding me! You have more lives than a cat.”

  Huxley let out a growl and lunged at him, teeth flashing. Ryan shrieked.

  Hannah was at Jett’s side the moment she was freed. He felt her heavy breath against his cheek. “You’re bleeding. He stabbed you.”

  “No, just a …” Scratch. He tried to catch his breath. The fall had done some damage.

  She threw her shoulder under his arm, like she’d done so many times, helping him hobble from the staircase. They’d only gotten as far as the well before Ryan caught up to them again. Huxley was nowhere in sight.

  Hannah’s scream echoed through the courtyard. There was no way the hotel wouldn’t hear that. Ryan ripped her back by the hair, and she scratched him across the face. He knocked her back, and she stumbled against the well. Jett saw the danger. He clasped her hand and hauled her away from the side to keep her from falling in. She landed on her knees on the cobbled ground.

  Ryan tackled Jett from behind. Once again, Jett felt the sensation of catching air, this time as he tumbled into the well. Cold water splashed all over him as he landed hard into a puddle below. The pain knocked the breath out of him. His leg attachment absorbed the shock, and he felt the welded pieces bend in half. The well wasn’t deep enough to kill him, but it did some damage.

  Hannah screamed above the well, sending Jett into a panic. He stared up into the dark sky above him, judging the distance up to get to her, seeing the pipes and metal frames used to hold up the tunnel that it used to be. He swiped up the titanium walking attachment and used it like a crutch to get to his feet. His fingers barely scraped across the first metal frame. He wasn’t tall enough.

  In a flash, he remembered the man who had done thousands of pull-ups to defeat the mountains without his leg. Could Jett do such a thing after all his falls? I could for her. Using the broken leg socket, he slid it over the metal frame and clasped either side of it like a pull-up bar. He’d done similar things, like the Salmon Ladder move when working up to the HeatWave.

  Ryan shouted obscenities above him. Hannah screamed. The sound of a fist hitting flesh spurred Jett into action. Wood crashed. He dragged himself up, grimacing at the burning pain in his side. He reached for a pipe next, using the titanium pole like an anchor to drag himself up again. He only had the one leg to steady himself and a partial stump on his right. He cleared that obstacle with one more pipe to go. After that, he’d have to get creative to get to the top. The wall was layered with stone, the cracks between them eroded throughout the years. After months of training, his fingers and knuckles were strong enough to use those cracks to free solo, but his missing leg was going to be a challenge. He cleared the last pole and studied the niches in the wall by the light of the moon.

  “Jett!” Hannah’s head appeared over the top of the well, her hair hanging down. She reached for him. Her hand scraped over the side as Ryan jerked her away. He heard another crash, and he saw her head reappear.

  “Where is Ryan?” Jett cried.

  “I think he’s out. I don’t know. I shoved a dresser on his head.”

  Good girl.

  Hannah reached for him again. There was no way she could support his body weight.

  “Just go. Get out of here!” he shouted.

  “I won’t leave you. He’ll kill you!” She stretched out her fingers.

  Nothing would convince her to go, would it? Ryan was going to wake up any second. Maybe she could help secure him while he climbed. Jett had to work fast. Wedging his hip against the pole, he pressed his fingers into the cracks between the stone and slowly eased his way up the wall, until his sound leg no longer touched the bar. Then he reached up. Hannah’s hand slapped into his. Just an arm’s width to go. Using her as his anchor, he took her hand and eased his good foot into another crack.

  Her fingers shook. He had to move fast. She couldn’t hold him for long.

  A low voice shouted out behind her, and he groaned. Ryan was back.

  “C’mon,” Hannah begged him. “You’ve got this.”

  Huxley’s barks echoed loudly above the surface of the well. His dog was alive! Huxley just needed to delay Ryan a few seconds more. Hannah winced at the noise, refusing to let go.

  “Get back!” someone shouted.

  She shook her head just as another shadow joined hers. Jett slipped. Another hand joined Hannah’s, but this one took him by the wrist. It was stronger. More heads surrounded the opening, and the officers grabbed at him.

  He recognized Sheriff Price’s voice. “Okay, Jett. Work with us. We’ve got you now!”

  Relief swept through him as his fingers scraped over the lip of the well. As soon as he had a grip, he joined his other hand to it and hauled himself out while the officers grasped the back of his clothes, helping him over the side.

  Hannah’s arms were around him in an instant. He felt her tears against his face as she kissed him over and over. “Oh, Jett, this is my fault! I’m sorry! I’m sorry I didn’t tell you anything.”

  Ryan let out a shout as the officers reached him.

  Jett lifted his head, glaring at him. “This man’s been telling a lot of lies about Hannah. None of it’s true. He’s been blackmailing her for a long time.”

  They nodded and wrestled Ryan down to cuff him.

  “You believe me?” she whispered.

  Jett kissed her, so grateful that she was here next to him, living and breathing, her skin soft under his lips. “Of course I do.” He pulled back to reassure her, his hand smoothing down her wild hair. “Can you forgive a stupid fool?”

  “Can you forgive me?” Her hands went to his side. “You got stabbed for me?”

  �
��It’s really not …”

  “Stabbed!” Sheriff Price quickly called some EMTs on his radio, and a few of his men came to see for themselves.

  Jett was feeling more light-headed from the falls—either that, or because he finally had Hannah in his arms. They nudged her to the side, and he let out a complaint. “Oh c’mon, it’s not that bad.”

  “Yes, it is!” Hannah took the medical box from the officer, whose fingers shook over the wound. “I know a little something about this,” she said.

  Glancing over her shoulder, he saw the officers heave Ryan to his feet. Sheriff Price scowled at him. “Yeah, we got a tip from a Veronica Ball—your personal assistant, I believe? She thinks this guy’s the nutter who set his own car on fire and abandoned it on public property. Yeah, he’s not exactly a character witness against Hannah Noah. I’ve known her aunt Lily for years. We might be a small town, but we’ve got a gut for these things.”

  Hannah ducked her head, the skin between her brows furrowed as the tears squeezed from her eyes. This was really over.

  Jett rubbed her back while she worked on his side. “You’re safe. I told you you’re safe.”

  She kissed him lightly on the lips. “I’ll only believe that when I know you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine … honestly,” he said. “The only thing I need to feel better is Mrs. Ward’s fudge.”

  Hannah cleaned off the blood, wincing at the deep cut.

  He kept talking. “The pomegranate kind of fudge. I just have to figure out how to keep you with me in my underground lair at all times.”

  Another tear slid down her cheek, and she chuckled through her trembling lips. “You keep talking like that and … and you won’t need any pomegranates. You won’t be able to get rid of me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The huge HeatWave Event

  Aunt Lily squeezed Hannah in a big hug. “I’m so proud of you. You did a fabulous job. And after all you’ve been through!”