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Chapter Eighteen
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Casey raced through the woods, seeking some kind of refuge, her heart pounding. She knew it would not be long before the man followed. She had not hit him hard enough to stop him; she was not nearly strong enough. She needed to hide. Somewhere, now!
She jumped over felled logs and rocks, careful not to trip on exposed roots or slippery moss, knowing Wolf would not be saving her this time. She was on her own. She ducked under heavy coniferous limbs and pushed through clinging branches, having no destination in mind; she was unfamiliar with the area. She needed to escape.
Casey could hear heavy breathing gaining on her. She turned and saw the terrifying image of the powerful man stumbling after her; already he was only a few mere feet away. He looked murderous, his face red with rage. His massive fists were balled. His eyes were wild, his ascent towards her a mad, frenzied pace, intent on only one thing.
Casey screamed, her thundering heart near bursting from her chest in overwhelming fear. She spotted a cluster of rocks and, relieved, she cried out, seeing a small dark opening. She raced for it, hoping it would offer some type of refuge.
The hole was small and Casey squeezed in, pushing herself back as far as she could, pressing against the cold stone. It was not deep enough; he would be able to reach her. Casey knew he would have gained on her too quickly. She could not hope to outrun him. His anger was driving him, his powerful hunter's mindset determined to capture its prey.
Hopefully this way she could at least catch her breath. With a bit of luck she could give her tired body a way to rejuvenate while she collected her frenzied thoughts. Her mind raced. Maybe even Lando would come if she could just fend Tyr off long enough. If only she could be strong enough to resist.
Tyr dropped to his knees in front of the opening, breathing raggedly. He only rested momentarily, catching his breath, both realizing she was not going anywhere.
“Come out,” he demanded.
"Go away!” Casey shrieked.
“I am angry enough already. If you wish for me not to beat you as well, you will come out immediately,” Tyr threatened.
Casey cried brokenly. He was going to kill her regardless, what did it matter what he threatened? She would not willingly hand over her life ever again. She wanted to be with Wolf. Her mind cried out to him in agony.
“Please go away. Please don't hurt me,” she whimpered, feeling spent. Her arm rose up to cover her eyes, trying to shut him out, willing him to go away.
Tyr reached into the hole. Casey screamed as he gripped her shirt, ripping it while pulling, dragging her from within. She emerged, kicking and howling as her body scraped over the hard forest floor, her arms flailing, trying to instill some type of damage as he dragged her over the uneven ground.
Tyr pinned her beneath himself, pulling her hands above her head to pinion her small body. Casey struggled beneath him, trying desperately to dislodge him. It was no use; she was completely immobilized. He was too powerful, too big, and too heavy. She was completely helpless.
She found it difficult to breathe as he positioned more of his weight upon her slight form. She gasped for air. Her terrified mind registered he was in control. Her screams quieted to a labored, frenzied breathing. She became terrified of what he might do to her before he killed her.
Her thoughts raced back to her friend's disclosure and the awful degradation, pain, and humiliation she suffered while she had been assaulted. Terrified, she realized this man would not leave her alive when he finished with her. She would disclose to no one.
“Please, no,” she whimpered. Her body quieted beneath him as she tired. He needed only his weight pressed against her to keep her stationary. She could feel the firmness of his body pressed close to hers. “Don't do that to me,” she cried.
Tyr's own ragged breathing still came in gulps after his mad dash after her. He calmed his rage lest he kill her right now, his anger was so great. He understood her frightened plea, though he wanted no part of that. He wanted answers first.
Casey looked into his eyes, pleading. She whimpered up at him, begging for his mercy. A trail of blood trickled from his forehead where Casey had hit him with the rock. He would show no pity and she was too tired to fight anymore. It would seem David's contract would be fulfilled after all.
“Wolf,” Casey cried. “Please, Wolf, come, you promised. You promised me.”
Tyr stilled above her. He remained motionless for brief moment. Casey was spent. She would be fighting no more, he was certain.
Tyr pulled himself up, still pinning her hands above her head; he sat poised over her waist, pressing her into the ground, watching as her struggling halted. Her breath came in quick gasps. She looked about herself, seeking something, someone. Escape was futile; he could see the realization in her eyes. They filled with the hopelessness of her desperation.
“Wolf, please come,” Casey continued to beg. “Please, Wolf, I need you. I...I love you, Wolf. I love you.”
Casey sobbed, whimpering for Wolf to save her as he had in the past. She wanted to hear his gentle words in her ears, calming her. She wanted to feel his hands upon her body as he coaxed her eager response. She wanted to taste his lips while his warm mouth probed her own. She wanted to climb into his lap while he held her in his powerful embrace.
“Wolf,” she called softly. “Wolf, please come.” But she knew Wolf would not be coming this time. Her mind began to shut down and succumb to her terror. Casey finally lay under the man, unmoving. She waited for her brutal end to befall her.
Tyr was certain the woman had not fainted, just surrendered to her overwhelming fear of him. He released her arms and looked down at her. Her face was soaking wet with her tears, tears that still flowed steadily. Her eyes remained closed. Her jaw quivered. She whimpered for Wolf once more. Her arms now rose before her, protecting her face as she tried to cower back into the dirt and leaves. Tyr was certain she waited for the beating he had threatened her with at the start.
“No, please don't,” she cried, her small hands and body shaking.
Tyr remained unmoving, except for the large hand he used to grip her chin, shaking it, hoping to jar her from her images of horror. He would be unable to question her if she submitted herself to oblivion. Not many remained strong in the throes of horror.
Her lashes fluttered. She opened her eyes. They settled onto Tyr with conviction. “Wolf will come,” she whimpered up at him. His large body pressed more of his weight onto her slight form, making her groan at the discomfort.
“No, he won't.”
“He will kill you if you kill me,” she challenged, her words fearful.
Tyr remained poised above her, unconcerned. It would just be a matter of time. “I doubt it.”
“He promised to protect me. Wolf keeps his promises,” she threatened again, her words gaining in strength as he had yet to cause her any harm.
“Wolf is dead,” Tyr said.
“Oh, no,” Casey cried.
A sudden look of rage enveloped her features and, to Tyr's surprise, she began her attack once more. She pummeled his chest with small hands that he stopped easily. With one hand he again pulled her wrists above her head, stilling her assault. She once more flailed beneath him until spent. Casey sobbed for Wolf. She begged for him to save her.
“He drowned on a yacht coming for you. It's your fault he's dead,” Tyr yelled at her, outraged.
Confused, Casey stared up at him. “No, we were on the island together. He spared my life. He saved me, he watched over me. We were rescued. He brought me here to protect me. He cares for me. I love him. He went to stop David; he promised he would stop David. He said he would always keep me safe,” Casey cried out.
Tyr once more pinned her against the ground, rendering her immobile. “You lie!” he spat. One of his hands gripped her throat, though he exerted no pressure.
"Wolf!” Casey screamed. “Help me, Wolf, plea
se!”
“Damn you, don't lie to me!” Tyr yelled into her face, now squeezing her throat more tightly.
“Wolf, you promised!” Casey screamed. “Wolf, I love you. You promised...you promised...you promised,” Casey cried out over and over until her voice grew hoarse and her breathing too labored to do anything more than gasp for air. Her exhaustion so overwhelmed her she was even unable to lift her hands to stop an assault. They now lay limply off to her sides.
Tyr climbed off her, shaking, his breathing almost as labored as hers, his eyes moist. He released her. He looked at the distraught woman before him. She was held in the throes of abject terror and loss. Her grief was all too real. She was not lying to him. She was crying out for the man she needed in her last moments as he had heard others do, gripped in their insurmountable fear. Carefully, he pulled her into his arms and held her to himself, his mind working at a frantic pace.
“Listen to me, shhh, listen to me, honey,” he soothed in a comforting voice, wanting to calm her.
Casey quieted, reminded of another. The deep voice seemed so familiar. Her agonized mind sought the voice, pleading for comforting words it had given in the past. She reached for the man, eyes closed, and he held her firmly pressed against his chest.
“Wolf,” she whimpered.
“Where did Wolf go?” Tyr asked. He stroked her back in a comforting gesture.
“To David. He went to stop David,” she sobbed.
“Did Wolf bring you here?” he asked.
“Yes. He promised to keep me safe.”
“Wolf is alive?” Tyr asked.
“You killed him,” Casey cried.
She pushed at him, but he held fast, understanding her reasoning. She was unable to dislodge him; he would not allow it. He gripped her firmly, but not unkindly.
“No, I did not kill him.”
“Now you lie,” Casey cried.
“No, I don't lie. Wolf is my brother,” Tyr stated.
“Your brother?” Casey questioned. Her deep confusion was apparent. “No, I would be safe with Wolf's brother. Wolf's brother would not hurt me. Wolf cares for me. His brother would not drown me or frighten me; he would keep me safe. Wolf had a sister, he mentioned no brother.”
Tyr pulled her closer, his own body trembling. She must mean a great deal to Wolf if he had mentioned Rhea. Wolf had not spoken of her in years, not even to him.
“I am Wolf's brother. We have not seen each other in a long time. Wolf stays alone. I have not heard from him in years, but I keep close tabs on him.”
“Please don't hurt me, Wolf would not like it,” Casey whimpered up at him.
Most certainly he would not. Her deep brown eyes were settled onto his. “I won't hurt you. Don't be afraid, honey. Wolf will come for you soon, I'm certain.” He stroked a gentle thumb down her wet cheek.
“I want to go back to Lando, please. I'm so frightened of you,” Casey begged.
Nodding softly, Tyr picked her up while she clung to him; her face hid against the side of his neck. She pleaded with him not to hurt her, not to kill her, begging him not to drown her, but Tyr only held her closer to his chest, whispering comforting words until she quieted.
Tyr placed Casey back in the car and leaned against it, calming his erratic heartbeat. He had thought his brother was dead because of this woman. He had almost killed her. He shuddered. Wolf would have hated him forever if he had killed a helpless innocent. Especially an innocent he was fond of.
Wolf was the only family he had left. Unlike Wolf, Tyr wanted family. He climbed into the car and tucked Casey's head onto his lap, pulling her close. He had been so overcome with grief and anger when he had heard about the loss of his brother, he had gone on a one man rampage. He had drained every resource he had.
His contacts had confirmed Casey's existence—she was of no importance to them, just another target—but had refrained from disclosing Wolf's. Of course they wouldn't; they were his valued contacts as well. No one would be foolish enough to give away Wolf's location, or name him, and they must have figured him safe once he had left her alone, thinking she was someone else's mark and delivered to her destination. She was once again free game.
When Rhea had died, he had been only six. All he had left in the world had been Wolf. His mother had died within the year from despair. His father had only thought to track down the man who had killed her, making it his sole purpose in life. He had all but abandoned Wolf and Tyr to satisfy his need for revenge.
Though Wolf had closed off everyone emotionally, he still had taken care of him. When Wolf had been convinced Tyr could take care of himself, he left to seek out his profession, wanting to follow in his father's footsteps. Not long after, Tyr had followed in Wolf's footsteps. It had been the best way for him to keep close tabs on his older brother. An older brother whom he had felt certain did not care whether he lived or died, his pain still so great after all these years over the loss of his beloved sister.
“Wolf,” Casey whimpered.
“It's all right, honey, it's time we found him,” Tyr soothed. Long past time I found him, he thought.
Tyr turned the car on and backed up. He knew Wolf would show soon at Lando's as the girl had mentioned. He felt certain she was important to him. If he did not show he would take the girl somewhere and allow Wolf to find him. Hopefully he was already there. He would like to see him again; he needed to see him again.
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Chapter Nineteen
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Lando watched the car approach. Only just having returned, he had hidden Christy and Logan in a small underground room he had designed specifically in case of emergencies. Not only was there a direct escape route from it, there were stockpiles of canned food and bottled water, along with an arsenal of weaponry at his disposal. He had designed it to be completely soundproof and fireproof. Even if his home were to burn to the ground, his safe room would remain unscathed and undetectable.
Christy had been hysterical with her fear. When she had seen Lando had returned, she had thrown herself against him, crying out what had transpired. Logan had worn himself out and slumbered fitfully within his mother's arms, his little face still wet with his tears, his breath coming in loud hiccups.
Lando had scooped up wife and child and raced them to his safe room, where he had commanded her to stay and await his return. It was apparent just how close Christy and Casey had become when Christy did not beg Lando to remain, but implored him to find her quickly. She was in grave danger. Christy felt certain the man was going to kill her.
Lando had planned on trailing the car, knowing the roads better than most. He had been over every one of the woods’ trails and every inch of the grounds repeatedly, getting to know his surroundings in case he would need a quick escape for himself and his family.
The car stopped and a large man emerged. Lando held his weapon poised. When no word had come from Wolf he had returned home, sensing danger. He had been right. To Lando's great surprise, Casey stumbled from the car, sobbing hysterically, and raced into his waiting arms, throwing herself at him.
“Lando,” Casey whimpered up to him, holding him against herself with relief. Her body pressed as closely to him as she was able.
“Are you injured?” Lando asked with concern. He locked one powerful arm around her, holding her to him. He took in her pale, tear-streaked face. Her body shook with violent tremors. She was covered in dirt and her shirt was ripped. Scratches adorned her body.
“I was so frightened,” she admitted. She buried her face against his chest. “I'm still so frightened. Don't leave me.”
Tyr moved towards them both, his sidearm still in its holster, his hands held wide.
“Who the hell are you?” Lando snarled, weapon still poised, his jaw clenched, as he tried to maintain his overwhelming fury.
“Tyr.”
“What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?” Lando yelled to him, enraged. He knew this was the man who had
stolen Casey. His description fit Christy's perfectly. Yet Lando was at a loss as to why he would return, especially with Casey still alive.
“I'm looking for Wolf,” Tyr replied.
“Look somewhere else.”
Tyr was gazing upon the large man before him, unconcerned. He had come seeking his brother's killer. Having found his brother's lover instead, he was not about to release the woman that easily. She was his link. Seeing her terror, he had only thought to bring her to this man to settle her. He would not let her go. Though the man before him had changed his name, though ‘Lando’ was larger and had a reputation, Tyr remained undaunted. The woman had cried for Wolf, wanting him, needing him. Tyr knew Wolf would come.
“I am not leaving until I speak with Wolf,” Tyr said. “I will not allow the woman to leave my sight.” His impassive gaze bore into Lando. Lando heard the threat.
“Go inside,” Lando commanded Casey. “Hide.”
Casey only gripped him harder to her; hanging onto him with the strength a harried drowning victim would possess while clinging to a life raft. For a brief moment Lando removed his eyes from the man before him to glance quickly down into her face. What he must have seen in her devastated expression shook him. Tyr knew he'd have to keep alert to Lando's every move.
Casey had been listening to their exchange, her heart hammering. She was unable to release Lando. She had been too frightened. She was in an emotional upheaval. Tyr had been going to kill her, she was certain, yet he had spared her upon finding out Wolf was not dead.
What if the man was not his brother? What if the man only sought Wolf's whereabouts and had only pretended he was going to kill her to have her release the information he sought? Had she now led him to Wolf? Was he using her? Casey cried at the thought. Wolf had been right. She could never disclose who he was. It was not just for her safety, but for his as well.
She might right now be aiding in his demise when all he had thought to do was save her from David. Had she killed the man she loved? She would not be able to live with the guilt. Her heart broke at the reality. She was being selfish at wanting Wolf to stay with her. She would never again be placed into a position where she could hurt him. She loved him too much.
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