by Barb Han
They hadn’t. Deacon had no problem pointing out the truth.
“Oh, yeah? What about your overnight visits to her house?” Dougherty shot back.
Deacon thought about planting a fist on Dougherty’s jaw. Leah pushed in between them as though she read his mind.
Fire shot through Dougherty’s glare.
“Say what you want about anyone else, but when it comes to me and Leah, you’d be advised to mind your own business.” Leah’s palm was firmly planted on Deacon’s chest. He had no intention of losing control or charging the detective but Dougherty needed to know he’d crossed the line.
“Is that what you want?” Dougherty wagged a finger at Deacon.
Leah seemed to realize that Deacon wasn’t a charging bull and she stepped aside. Dougherty took advantage and snapped a kick off at Deacon, nailing him in the stomach. Deacon doubled over as the heel of Dougherty’s boot slammed into his ribs and then his fist connected with Deacon’s eye.
Deacon instantly reacted with an uppercut that connected with Dougherty’s nose. Blood splattered and Deacon thought for a split second that he might’ve just broken the detective’s nose.
The man took a couple of steps back and shook his head like a wet dog. “That’s a mistake you’ll regret.”
Leah was in between them again, playing referee, when Dougherty shoved her shoulder.
“Hey—” Leah couldn’t finish her statement without Dougherty knocking her back a step.
“I’ll have your badge over your boyfriend striking an officer of the law,” Dougherty said to Leah. There was a lot of venom in his tone, which also told Deacon loud and clear that the man hadn’t gotten over her.
“Go ahead. I’ll have yours after I meet with the mayor. You’ll both be unemployed. Is that what you want?” Deacon threatened. He’d never used his family name to back someone down before but Dougherty needed a slap of reality.
“You’re about to see how bad life can get,” Dougherty said to Leah as he stumbled away.
Chapter Fourteen
“Thank goodness, he’s gone,” Leah said to Deacon. “Are you all right?”
“He’s been watching your house.” Deacon’s tone told her the situation hadn’t defused yet.
“Come back to my place.” She glanced around. She didn’t want to leave things like this and she wanted to talk to him before he made that call to the mayor. “I don’t like talking out here in the open and I’m cold.”
Deacon took off his jacket and placed it around her shoulders.
“Thanks but now you’ll freeze,” she said.
“I’m fine.” Deacon put his arm around her and she instantly warmed. “Someone needs to warn the chief about the detective’s attitude. His breath smelled like alcohol. He’s snooping in places he has no business and that’ll get him hurt.”
“I know he seems a little crazy right now but we take care of our own.” She pulled out her phone and texted Keeve to make sure Dougherty didn’t end up driving or going home alone to stew.
“Will you see me home?” She wanted to finish their conversation from earlier.
Deacon didn’t immediately agree. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. If he’s watching your house, it could mean trouble for you. Your chief already warned you to make sure your priorities were aligned.”
“Are you really afraid I’m going to lose my job? Is that really what’s making you hesitate?” She wanted to know the truth because she was falling down that slippery slope of caring about Deacon Kent.
“If you do, I’ll feel responsible,” he admitted.
“But that’s not the same.”
“No. It isn’t.” He issued a sharp sigh and she thought for a split second that he was about to open up about what was wrong. But then he clamped his mouth shut and they were back at square one.
“You have connections. You could make a phone call and have both my chief and Charles jumping through hoops.” She’d never witnessed Deacon threaten to throw his family’s weight around, but she’d seen a healthy respect for the Kent name in the chief’s eyes during their conversation last week.
“That’s true.” He stood there for a long moment. “I like you, Leah. More than I should. I’m starting to care about what happens to you and I don’t want to.”
If she hadn’t known about his background, those words would’ve cut her to the quick.
“You’re worried about me. Right?” she asked.
“Yes.” He issued another sharp sigh.
“Then, see me home. I always let Riley out the back door. You can wait at the front,” she said.
“And if Dougherty is watching?”
“So be it. I can’t live my life based on what someone else thinks, Deacon. You know about what happened to me in my past and I think that’s why you came here tonight. You of all people with your independent streak would realize how important it is to me not to let someone else control my actions. Because the man who took away my friend in high school sure as hell did. I was afraid of my own shadow for far too long after that experience. And no one gets to do that to me again.” His thumb moved in circles on her shoulder, calming her more than she knew better than to allow. She felt safe with Deacon and that feeling was foreign at best, because even though she wore a badge and a gun to work every single day, she still felt vulnerable underneath all the external armor and internal walls she’d erected to keep people out. She told herself that it was good, that it kept her vigilant and probably saved her life. Being with Deacon gave her something no counselor could—peace of mind. Granted, they couldn’t kiss again. That was a given. Her feelings could tip over and land in messy territory. She couldn’t afford to let that happen. “Please, Deacon. At least let me take care of that eye.”
“I’ll come over but I can’t stay long.” He didn’t say that he had to leave before Connor woke. She’d take it, though.
The minute he removed his hand from her shoulder she felt the cold air. She shrugged out of his jacket and held it out. “You need this more than I do. Follow me but take it slow to my place. I’ll warm up on the run and I want to get the run in.”
He didn’t put up an argument, which surprised her.
She fast-walked until her legs warmed up again and then she started a light jog. It wasn’t until she hit her running stride that her muscles released some tension. An argument could be made for her avoiding the trail while a murderer was on the loose. But what if her being on that trail saved lives? She wasn’t exactly being discreet about carrying a gun. Her badge was clipped onto the front strap of her holster, clearly visible. She didn’t want to cause a panic so she made sure everyone could see it.
Leah pushed her legs until her thighs burned. There was so much more she wanted to know about Deacon. Her heart hurt for the pain in his eyes when he’d talked about losing his girlfriend and her daughter. So much made sense now about his not wanting to be around Connor.
There was one big difference. She and Deacon weren’t in a relationship. Besides, the one dating rule she had was not to bring a man home to meet her son unless things were getting serious. She owed it to Connor to keep stability in his life.
Rounding the corner to her block, she finally broke a sweat. It felt good. Her blood pumped through her veins and she felt alive. It was time to slow down and she slacked up on her speed. Deacon had kept pace the whole way. She half expected Dougherty’s car to be parked in front of her house as he’d done when she ended the relationship. His temper had gotten out of control then, too. She’d been able to calm him down and get him to leave before going inside. The stress he’d been under since losing his daughter and then his wife had brought out the worst in him.
Leah held up her index finger indicating that she’d be back in a minute. Deacon held his position across the street under the lamplight where she could easily see him.
Riley was engrossed in her
laptop when Leah walked inside the small craftsman-style house. Her babysitter glanced up and smiled.
“Almost done with this English essay,” she said, intensely typing away. A few seconds later, she made a dramatic display of typing the last word and then closing her laptop. “Finito.”
Leah was gathering Riley’s things. She pulled out a twenty and handed it to her babysitter, who took it and smiled wider as she thanked Leah.
“How was he while I was gone? Did he wake up?” Leah asked.
“An angel. As usual. I checked on him—” she glanced at the clock on the wall “—about twenty minutes ago. He managed to find that red truck again while he was supposed to be sleeping. I literally had to peel it out of his little fingers for fear he’d conk himself in the face if he moved during the night.” Riley tucked her silver laptop underneath her arm and took her coat from Leah.
Riley’s forehead creased with confusion. It wasn’t like Leah to rush her out the door.
“Get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow,” Leah said, urging her sitter toward the back door. She wrapped Riley’s scarf around her neck until all that was visible were Riley’s eyes. “And keep me posted on what happens with Drew.”
“I’ll take the trash out on my way. I found something, I don’t even know what it was, in your fridge and it was about to turn rancid.” Leah was grateful that Riley raided the fridge. She always cleaned it out and could only hope her son would grow up to be as responsible as Riley.
“Thank you.” Leah barely closed the back door when she turned tail and bolted toward the front. She waved to Deacon, who was still across the street. Her heart squeezed as he walked toward her home. Not one man had been inside her house in almost four years until Deacon. This should have felt wrong but it didn’t. She told herself it was because she and Deacon weren’t dating and that made all the difference.
“I’ll put on a pot of coffee,” she said.
He followed her into the kitchen after locking the door.
“Does he have a key?” Deacon asked.
“Who? Charles?” She made a face. “No.”
“I wasn’t sure how serious it was before...”
His voice trailed off and she let it as she finished putting on a fresh pot. She retrieved an ice pack from the freezer and handed it to him.
“Thank you.” He placed it over his left eye, wincing a little when it made contact.
The coffee maker sounded, letting her know it was ready. She poured two mugs and reclaimed her seat at the small table.
“I’m sorry about earlier, about Charles,” she said before taking a sip and enjoying the burn on her throat.
“Have you considered notifying Internal Affairs Division about his temper?” There was enough concern in Deacon’s voice to get her attention.
“You think he’s dangerous to me?” The suggestion shocked her. Was he right? Should she notify someone at work?
“I think you should watch your back with him. You told me what he’s been through and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.” He paused for a beat. “At the same time, going through a rough patch doesn’t make it okay to stalk or threaten other people.”
She hadn’t really thought about it, but when he put it like that, he had a good point. “Once I go back to work, I’ll talk to someone. I’ll speak to the chief and see how he wants me to handle Dougherty.” She’d never seen him like that before and Deacon made excellent points. She’d been so focused on the mantra cops take care of each other that she’d made too many excuses. Dougherty had gone too far.
“That’s smart. Get something on record because he’s acting out and I don’t like the way he thinks he can treat you.”
Leah couldn’t agree more.
“How’s your eye?” she asked.
“It’s not bad.”
Leah’s cell buzzed, indicating a text. She retrieved her phone from the counter.
“Is it him?” Deacon asked with concern in his voice.
“It’s from Riley’s mother. She didn’t come home yet. Our schedule is like clockwork and Riley always calls her mother if she’s going to be late.” Leah’s heart dropped as she rushed toward the kitchen door.
“What the hell?” Deacon was behind her in two seconds flat. “If you stay here with Connor, I’ll check the alley.”
He started out the back door, pausing long enough to add, “Maybe you should call her mother and tell her to stay inside until you say it’s clear.”
“I’m already on the phone.” Panic shot her blood pressure through the roof. Her fence gate was open and the contents of the trash bag Riley had been holding were spilled onto the lawn.
* * *
DEACON PULLED A .38 caliber from his ankle holster. He normally carried it with him on the ranch because it was the most efficient way to shoot a wild hog. Hogs could overrun a place in a flash if not kept under control. They could devour or destroy entire fields, threaten other wildlife and ruin water sources. They were also vicious. On his horse, Banjo, he always carried a shotgun but lately he’d felt the need to keep a weapon on his person at all times, considering the threat to his herd, and he had the necessary permits to pull off legal carry.
He palmed his .38 and let his finger hover over the safety mechanism as he stalked out of the opened gate. He didn’t know Riley but she wouldn’t be difficult to spot on this sleepy street at ten o’clock in the evening.
The air was chilly and the alley was dark. He couldn’t risk calling out to Riley. If she’d been taken, she wouldn’t hear and if she were hiding, she couldn’t give away her spot. There were two scenarios that instantly came to mind. In one, Riley had already been abducted and was long gone. Ten to fifteen minutes could mean her abductor had stuffed her in the trunk of a car and reached the highway by now. In the second, she’d broken free and run. In this scenario she would be hiding. Her abductor could’ve been spooked and taken off, could be searching for her or could be hiding and waiting to strike. In any of these cases, Riley might not yell for help.
Deacon eased along the fence. He wore black from head to toe, making it easy to slip through the alley quiet as a cat and check behind trash cans and around fences. The only noise was the occasional rustle of branches when a gust of wind whipped through the alley. He listened for any sign of Riley. Again, it was too dangerous to call out to her but that would have made this process a whole lot easier if he could.
Behind Leah’s house, he almost tripped over a dark object. He crouched low and picked it up. A coat. That was another bad sign. The garbage had been dumped in the backyard and she’d dropped her coat in the driveway. There was a shiny object that he could see was her laptop.
He cleared three houses on Leah’s side of the alley before reaching the end. He checked the street but it was silent. Moving quietly along the perimeter of the alley, one by one he cleared each alcove. He did the same on the other side of Leah’s house. Come on, Riley. Where are you?
More than anything he wanted to bring that teenager back with him. More than anything he wanted her to be safe. More than anything he wanted to give Leah that peace of mind.
“I found a coat and a laptop outside.” He described them both.
The corners of Leah’s mouth turned down in a concerned frown. She walked over to him and took the items, cradling them like they were a child. “These belong to her.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Police are on the way.” She set the coat and laptop on the counter. “We have to find her.”
“I checked both sides of the alley and the streets. There were no cars, no lights. All I could hear was the wind.” Which had picked up in the last half hour.
“Carla needs to know what’s happening.” She called the woman he assumed was Riley’s mother as distant sirens sounded. The noise must’ve waked her son because a soft cry came from down the hallway.
A l
ook of panic crossed Leah’s features. Her gaze bounced from the hallway to the back door as she promised to keep Riley’s mother informed.
“Will you introduce me to your son?” Deacon asked.
Confusion knitted Leah’s eyebrows.
“He won’t be as afraid of me if you make the introduction, and you’re going to be preoccupied with finding Riley. You’ll need someone to keep watch over him now that he’s awake.” Deacon knew the offer was risky. The kid might not want anything to do with Deacon and could make the next few minutes—hell, hours—a pain in the backside. He’d have offered to keep looking for Riley instead, but after seeing the panic in Leah’s eyes, he immediately knew she needed to be the one out there.
“Right. Okay.” Her eyes communicated several questions as she seemed to think better of voicing them. Instead, she said, “Thank you, Deacon.”
“I’m not promising to be the best babysitter in the world but my nieces and nephews don’t seem to mind me that much.” He checked the area for a toy to soften the meeting as she disappeared around the corner to what he assumed was the hallway to the boy’s bedroom.
Everything inside Deacon wanted to bolt out the door. He reminded himself the kid was innocent. He had nothing to do with Deacon’s past. So why couldn’t his stress response catch up to his mind-set?
He heard Leah’s footsteps in the hallway coming closer.
The urge to bolt slammed into him as he turned toward the kitchen door, ready to make a fast exit.
Chapter Fifteen
At the last second, Deacon planted his feet and turned toward the voices coming from the hall. He figured he’d need some leverage with the kid so Deacon scanned the room again and located a stuffed dinosaur. He picked it up. Seeing Leah’s kid was a gut punch.
The toddler couldn’t have been more than three feet tall and looked sweet with his little arms tightly wrapped around his mother’s neck. Deacon’s heart fisted. This shouldn’t be any different than spending time with his nieces and nephews and yet it felt on a different planet. Family was family forever. It was strange because death could take anyone away in a snap and on a rational level he knew that. His emotions were unchecked, running out of control toward a place of darkness.