Haunted General ePub

by Shirleen Davies

Cara couldn’t keep her gaze off Wrangler. Her thoughts tangled around what she’d heard, what she’d promised Becca, and the picture of a handsome little boy. Jamie was nine. Wrangler had broken up with her ten years ago. Even an idiot could do the math.

  “What do you think, Cara?”

  Tessa’s question interrupted her thoughts.

  “About what?”

  “Becca and Wrangler. I hate to think what she said was true.”

  So did Cara, but Wrangler hadn’t protested anything Becca said. Plus, she’d seen the results of their relationship in a little boy’s face. Eyes and hair the exact match to his father’s. Quinn McCord.

  “You saw his face, Tessa. Heard the same words I did. Right now, I don’t know what to think.”

  It was a lie. Cara did know what she thought. It was why Becca had her promise not to mention Jamie to anyone, didn’t want to share a sitter with Tessa. Wrangler learning about Jamie terrified her.

  What Cara didn’t know was how she felt about any woman keeping the existence of a child from its father. She knew from her family law practice how many injustices men and women did to each other. Every breakup had two sides.

  For now, Cara would keep Becca’s secret, even from Wrath. She’d made a promise, and she’d keep it.

  “You’re right.” Tessa took a long swallow of her water. “The truth lies somewhere between the two of them. I do hope she agrees to go out with us again.”

  So did Cara. “I’ll talk to her on Monday. What I don’t want is to lose her. She’s fantastic and we work well together.”

  “As long as she doesn’t attend anything Wrangler is expected to attend, it should be easy. Besides, a woman as pretty and sharp as her should meet an eligible man in Liberty Lake real soon. In fact, the father of one of my patients is a widowed rancher. Handsome, nice, and a devoted father.” Tessa tapped a finger against her lips. “What do you think?”

  A small smile tilted Cara’s lips. “It’s an idea. How do you suggest we make it happen?”

  “Something simple. We can’t have anything at your house because I doubt Becca would come. Maybe a barbeque at our place.”

  “You always invite Wrangler to your parties. So that’s out.” Cara’s gaze moved to the other three women, Dani, Ali, and Valerie, who didn’t hide their interest in the discussion. “What do you ladies think?”

  “A group meet at one of the concerts in the square. We all go, but mention it to a few eligible men.” Valerie grinned. “Wrath, Rock, and the others almost never attend one of the ladies’ nights at the square. They use it as an excuse to cohabitate at Robbie’s.”

  Cara thought about it. “It just might work.”

  “Yep. Adults’ night out at the square. But we have to do it soon, before Dani and Ali leave.” Valeria pinned them with an unwavering stare. “You two must go. We have so much fun and the music is great.”

  “Next Saturday,” Tessa said. “There’s a great band playing. We grab food from the deli, take chairs, and let my rancher take it from there.”

  “Or whichever single man decides to come by,” Cara added. “It’s settled. Dani and Ali, you must agree to stay at least another week.”

  Ali shrugged. “I’m stuck here until Sully agrees Raider is fine.”

  “I’ll do my best.” Dani shot a look at Ghost. After what she’d said to him, he might talk one of the other men into guarding her.

  “Are you ready to head home?”

  Dani stared up into dark, caramel brown eyes, which seemed to miss nothing. She wondered if he could read her thoughts as well.

  “Sure. Ready, Ali?”

  “I am. Thanks for putting this together, Cara.”

  “Anytime. See you next Saturday.” She and Tessa also stood, watching them leave before retrieving their husbands. “You staying for a while, Val?”

  Picking up her unfinished drink, she stood, giving them a cocky grin. “Thought I would. Maybe I’ll meet some lonely cowboy and take him home.”

  Tessa laughed. “Just be careful.”

  “Always.”

  Ghost didn’t hold Dani’s hand or settle an arm over her shoulders on the way to the truck. He didn’t even walk next to her, preferring to stay on the other side of Ali. The wall of ice she knew would eventually show had come sooner than expected.

  She wondered if he’d speak to her once they got to his place. It wouldn’t surprise her if he chose to sleep on the floor, or in another of the bedrooms. Dani had already begun building her own wall, knowing her time with him was short. At least her heart hadn’t been invested in him this time.

  She almost choked on the lie. She loved him. Probably always would.

  Helping them into the truck, Ghost didn’t rush getting Ali back to Raider’s. When they arrived, he walked her to the door. He said nothing during the short drive to his place. Stopping to disable the perimeter alarm, Ghost pulled the truck forward, parking. When she hurried ahead of him to the door, he grabbed her arm.

  “Wait for me. I need to clear the alarm.” He dropped his hand when she nodded.

  Stepping into the house, Dani started for the kitchen, again stopping when he took her hand. Before she had a chance to protest, he wrapped an arm around her waist. Tugging her close, his mouth covered hers.

  The touch of his lips on hers felt like a flash fire, roaring through Dani, heating her from the inside out. Dropping her purse, she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on when his tongue traced the edges of her mouth before delving inside.

  Shoving the cut off his shoulders, her hands gripped the edges of his shirt, yanking it out of his pants. Placing heated palms on his chest, she explored him, rubbing her fingers over his nipples. Passion flared fast and furious. His growl deep and ragged as he bent, lifting her into his arms.

  Striding down the hall, he tossed her onto the bed, coming down on top of her. “This is going to be hard and wild. Tell me now if you can’t handle it.”

  One side of her mouth curved in a dare. “The question is, can you handle me?”

  Cupping her face between his large, rough hands, he lowered his mouth to hers. Long moments passed before he lifted his head, a lusty grin on his rugged face.

  “Hell, darlin’. You know I can’t resist a challenge.”

  Stretching languidly, Dani moaned. Her body felt sated, relaxed, better than great. Reaching over, her hand found empty air. And cold sheets.

  Glancing at the clock, she groaned. Four in the morning. She debated getting up to find Ghost or staying in bed, letting him deal with whatever hindered his sleep.

  After carrying her to the bed and accepting her challenge, he’d taken her fast, hard, frantic, almost desperate. She’d welcomed the way he pounded into her, giving her everything he had before falling next to her in exhaustion. An hour later, he woke her with a slow, deep kiss. One which signaled much more than quick sex.

  This time, Ghost had made love to her slowly, pressing delicious kisses to every part of her body. When Dani had thought she couldn’t take more, he’d continued, bringing her to orgasm three times. Only then did he roll on a condom, taking her with exquisite, unfathomable passion. By the time he found his own release, unbidden tears trickled down her face.

  Ghost had gathered her into his arms, kissing away the moisture, rocking until she fell asleep. She’d felt wanted. She felt…loved.

  Climbing out of bed, she slipped into one of his t-shirts and padded toward the front. It wasn’t hard to find him. Ghost wore black boxers, his focus on something outside while he sipped what she guessed to be coffee. So lost in thought, he didn’t hear her approach, but turned when her reflection appeared in the glass.

  “May I join you?” She took tentative steps forward, relaxing when he lifted an arm in invitation. Going into his embrace, she wrapped an arm around his waist, resting her head against his chest.

  They didn’t speak, each content to hold the other, their gazes locked on the dark night. After a while, he stepped away, taking her hand in his.


  “If you aren’t too tired, we should talk.”

  A hard knot of pain slammed into her chest. She refused to let him see the dread his words caused. Lifting her chin, she nodded.

  Guiding her to a spot on the sofa, he sat a foot away, his gaze fixed on the cup in his hand. Apparently the time for warm embraces was over. She’d now see the other Ghost, the one who’d tell her he had nothing to give except some occasional nights together.

  They sat there so long, she thought he’d forgotten she was there. Still, Dani waited.

  “My parents have a big ranch in the hill country of Texas. It’s been in the family a long time. We also have a development company, construction firm, and several other businesses.” Gulping down a swallow of coffee, he shot her a glance before staring back down again.

  “My family loved Kylie as much as I did. She was the most beautiful, amazing woman I’ve ever known.”

  Dani felt as if a spear had been shoved through her heart, finding it hard to breathe. He didn’t notice.

  “We met in college, moved in together by my junior year. She was a senior at the time, close to graduating and getting a teaching job. It was a given we’d get married after I graduated and became a SEAL.” A mirthless chuckle escaped. “I don’t remember a time I didn’t want to be a SEAL. Kylie supported my dream as I supported hers. I can’t recall a time I’d been so happy or content. She was my world.”

  Stopping, his throat worked before he spoke again. “Back home on leave after two missions, I proposed. We planned the wedding a few months later at the church near the family ranch. Afterward, everyone intended to head to the ranch for the reception.”

  Hand shaking, he took the last sip of coffee, setting the cup aside. “It was a glorious day. I hadn’t slept much the night before, and for some reason, I was more nervous than when going out on a mission. Kylie was so incredibly special. Even though my younger brother, Wrath, and Rock stood with me near the front of the church, I couldn’t shake the feeling she’d change her mind and realize she could do much better. They told me to shake it off, that Kylie was crazy about me, had been for over six years. I knew they were right, but still…”

  Pursing his lips, he scrubbed a hand down his face, giving a slow shake of his head. “The church was full, organist playing, the minister waiting. Ten minutes after the ceremony was scheduled to start, I began to believe my fears. Then we heard a loud explosion. The kind we’d experienced on a mission.” He looked over at Dani, not noticing her rigid posture or pale color. “Like at WETC. Then there were sirens. That’s when I knew.”

  Standing, he paced away, running a shaky hand over his head. “I ran from the church, desperate to find Kylie. That’s when I saw it.”

  Sucking in deep breaths, he leaned his back against a wall, arms limp at his sides. “A car was on fire at the nearest intersection, a fucking semi-truck twisted at an odd angle. I ran, screaming, cursing, pumping my legs as fast as I could, already knowing who was in the car.”

  Dani’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, God.”

  Appearing not to hear, he continued. “Police kept me from getting close, but I knew Kylie and her maid of honor were inside the burning wreckage.”

  Staring ahead, unseeing anything except the visions in his head, he pushed from the wall. Walking to the front window, his arms hung limp at his sides.

  “Kylie was gone. Just that fast, my world ended.” Covering his face with his hands, he lowered his head. A minute later, he raised it, haunted eyes searching Dani’s. “Kylie and our unborn baby were dead.”

  Dani felt sick. Her stomach churned at her attempt to process what Ghost had shared. She couldn’t get her body to move. Not her arms or legs. Not even her fingers.

  Forcing herself to inhale slow breaths, exhaling with the same measured cadence, her gaze locked on Ghost’s back. He hadn’t moved since revealing the tragedy, the loss of his fiancée and unborn child. The finality in his voice chilled Dani.

  The loss had changed him, shattered his heart, along with any hope of ever having another relationship built on love. She’d believed something haunted him. It was so much worse than she’d imagined.

  He’d watched the woman he loved, pregnant with their child, die. Dani doubted there’d been any attempt to pull them free, guessing the explosion occurred soon after the wreck. She’d seen what a semi could do to a car. Witnessed the aftermath. She’d never been able to purge the graphic images from her mind.

  It hurt to think about what Ghost saw when he spoke of the crash. The images had to be a thousand times worse than anything she’d ever seen.

  Forcing herself to stand, Dani walked toward him, steps faltering as she drew close. She wasn’t prepared to respond to what he revealed. Which left one option. Steeling her resolve, Dani moved in front of him, wrapping her arms around his waist. She didn’t say a word, preferring to rest her head against his chest. A short time later, Ghost’s arms moved around her, resting his chin on the top of her head.

  They stood for several minutes in companionable silence. She had no idea what was going through his mind. All Dani knew was what went through hers. She wished they could hold each other forever, provide comfort and a refuge for all life’s injustices.

  After what he’d said, Dani knew she’d never have those with Ghost. He still loved his deceased fiancée, mourned his unborn child. Kylie, although long gone, had become a paragon. No woman, no matter her achievements, character, beauty, or devotion, could ever hope to compare to her. She’d been fighting a losing battle from the beginning, with no chance of ever finishing as high as a tie. No woman would. Not in Ghost’s world, which revolved around the past.

  When the threat ended, she’d return to Pine Glen and WETC. No matter how much she loved him, she’d walk away as his friend, nothing more.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Wrath called. We need to head to the clubhouse. Cara and Tessa will be there, so you won’t be alone.” Slipping a t-shirt over his head, he grabbed his cut.

  They’d said no more than a dozen words since breaking apart to make breakfast. Dani didn’t know what to say and supposed Ghost was talked out. Walking toward her, he halted a few inches away.

  “About what I said. Besides Wrath and Rock, who were there, you’re the only person I’ve ever talked to about that day. My brother, parents, and others at the wedding never bring it up. It’s as if it never happened, as if Kylie never existed. There are times I wonder if they even remember her.”

  Resting her palms on his broad chest, she offered a small, reassuring smile. “I’ll never speak of it to anyone. I’ll also never forget about Kylie and what she still means to you.”

  His eyes flashed for a moment. Hands covering hers, he gave a terse nod. “Thank you.” Threading his fingers through hers, he led her outside.

  Both were vigilant during the drive to the clubhouse. After the truck bomb and their experience on the mountain, they’d entered a tacit agreement not to be taken by surprise again.

  Approaching the clubhouse, he made a series of hand signals through the windshield before the gate opened and they drove into the compound. It was bigger than she’d expected. Not as large as the WETC grounds, it still impressed her.

  Waving to several of the men, he drove to the back and parked. Dani knew there’d been a truck bombing the same day as the explosions at WETC, yet all evidence had been cleared away.

  As she slid to the ground, Wrath pulled beside them, Cara waving as she got out and rounded the truck to hug Dani.

  “I’m glad you came,” Cara said.

  “I didn’t have a choice. Until we identify who’s behind the attacks, Ghost won’t let me get more than a few feet away from him.”

  “Well, he will today. Their meeting is behind closed doors, and there’s no chance you, Tessa, and I are going to sit around for hours.”

  Dani’s features twisted. “Hours?”

  “Wrath told me they have a lot to discuss.” Cara didn’t mention Admiral Grayson’s involvement.
“He never tells me what. I do know this type of meeting takes a long time. Good. There are Rock and Tessa. She has their son, Travis, with them.”

  Dani cast a nervous glance at Ghost and Wrath standing several feet away. Their body language indicated they were in a deep discussion. She wondered if it had to do with the attacks or something else. Maybe shifting Ghost’s role to another of the Brethren. Even though she understood why he might want her out of his life, the thought sickened her.

  Rock touched the brim of his cap to Cara and Dani, kissed Tessa and Travis, then joined Wrath and Ghost. Within seconds, the three were deep in conversation.

  Tessa held up the keys to Rock’s truck, jingling them in front of the others. “Where shall we go?” She glanced around for Travis, seeing him clinging to Rock’s leg. “We’ll have my son with us.”

  Cara stared into the distance before snapping her fingers. “How about the zoo? He loves it there and we’ll have time to talk.”

  “Perfect,” Tessa said. “I’ll get Travis and snap him into the car seat.”

  Watching her walk off, Dani struggled with what to do next. She knew Ghost wouldn’t want her to go without him. Staying at the clubhouse alone wasn’t acceptable. Not unless she could practice at the gun range she spotted, or work out in the gym Ghost had mentioned. Maybe even help some of the men with their hand-to-hand training.

  She felt Cara’s hand on her arm. “Are you all right, Dani?”

  “I’d better talk with Ghost before committing. I’ll be right back.”

  Striding toward the group of men, her steps faltered at the regret on his face. Without being told, she knew what was coming.

  Heart squeezing, she froze, unable to take another step. She didn’t have to because Ghost started walking toward her. Grasping her arm, he led her away from the others. Turning her to face him, he settled his hands on her shoulders.

  “Fargo and Gunner are going to take over guarding you.”

  Forcing herself to meet his steely gaze, she stepped away, his hands dropping to his sides. “I see. Will I be allowed to get my belongings from your house, or will you have them delivered to wherever I’ll be staying?”