by R. T. Wolfe
Nick turned and yelled over the noise of the engine and the siren. "Get the dog."
He didn't let off the gas. "What?" he asked in frustrated disgust.
"The dog. Get the dog. It knows his scent. It hates him. Do you remember? If he's taken her somewhere, the dog might be able to follow."
"Damn it." He darted his eyes as he considered. He sure as hell hoped she was right. He checked the back mirror, then did a screeching u-turn.
Chapter 31
Rose let her chin drop back down on her neck while she stumbled with the small knife between her thumb and forefinger. Miguel walked from the kitchen straight to her. She hung on to the knife between two fingers as she smoothed the shift of her body back to a centered position, pretending she was stirring to wake. "Hmm." She forced herself to breathe deeply and lift her head with eyes half open.
Looking at the floor in front of her, she saw a leg wearing khaki carpenter pants swing over a turned chair and Miguel Ramirez plop down in front of her.
"Good morning, my daughter." He lifted her chin, looked into her eyes. "Yes, there it is. Like looking in a fucking mirror." He was so close, she could see the deep, tanned crevasses in his face. Every piece of stubble.
His breath reeked of days-old cigarette stench. Mixed with the smell of sweat and liquor, she nearly wretched. Terrified to move, she silently flipped open the small, smooth blade.
"Yes, look at you. How'd Mandy do it? She's a smart chick; I always knew that." He got up from the chair and stepped backward, tilting his head and leaning from one side to the other. He looked her up and down.
She closed her eyes tight in disgust and despair.
"Yes, yes. Your kind is always pissed... at first." He smiled, showing yellowed teeth. "And then comes the begging." He began walking back and forth in front of her, turning his head, keeping his eyes on hers as he paced.
"She'll have to die now, of course. Has she told you how this works? It's simple, really. Cross me and I kill the ones you care about. Then, I kill you. Some women need a little photo brigade to help them... get past the mad. It will help you, too. I promise. You'll take some wonderful photos. I'm thinking lying next to your mother will do nice. Our dear Mandy. What do you think she'll say when I bring her here to find your body?"
Rose squirmed and shook in the chair, moving it several inches and nearly dropping the knife on the wooden floor.
Miguel threw his head back laughing, sat down backward in the chair in front of her and ripped the duct tape from her face.
* * *
Duncan hung onto him even when they reached the parking lot to the action center. Smart. Andy hardly slowed. He jumped the curb and headed straight to the back along the side with the bird's enclosure.
He stopped, but didn't turn off the bike. The aviary was empty. The door hung open. He heard Gracie screech almost immediately. She perched in the branches over one of the half-dozen trail entrances around the field.
Revving the engine, he took off in her direction.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Duncan asked.
"No!" Andy yelled with insane grief over the sound of the engine, the wind and the rough terrain.
"This isn't a dirt bike, Andy."
Gracie flew away as they approached. Duncan pointed to tracks in the dirt on the trail. "There," he said.
"All the trails have tracks from bikes and four-wheelers," Andy yelled.
"Trust me," Duncan yelled back. "Go."
The trees were thick and branches slapped Andy's face as he strained to see through the leaves a sign of a vehicle. Knowing this was a long shot, he convinced himself he'd find her before it was too late.
* * *
Rose worked the ropes as she listened.
"You know my father was white." Miguel smiled inches from her face. "Came to my country to help after a hurricane. He raped my mother and left her there. She was rejected when she birthed a white baby, birthed a gringo."
She could feel his breath. It made her sicker than the chloroform. "If you're looking for sympathy for why you do what you do, you're looking in the wrong place," she whispered. "Both of our mothers were raped and left. I didn't feel the need to grow up a mental case. You chose your path." She reared her neck back, then head butted him with all she could as she shook her hands free. "I chose mine, you fucking bastard!"
* * *
From far away, Andy saw the cabin and the four-wheeler. He first thought they were too close to the center. It could have been anyone's place, except that all the shades were drawn and the windows and doors closed. He pointed.
Andy cut the engine, tossed the bike on its side as he and Duncan jumped off and ran toward the cabin. He could hear moaning and knew it was the right place. He could feel it. Worried that the man had a gun or knife to Rose's throat, he crept around to the back door.
"Get up." Rose clipped her knife shut and tucked it back in her front pocket.
Miguel rubbed his forehead, shook his head clear and then looked up. "Why you little whore." He charged.
She knew she couldn't afford to let him reach her and dodged. He was slow and predictable, but she wasn't nearly a hundred percent. "Like I've never heard that line before, you murdering—" She spun and clipped his face with her heel. "—coward." As her body was still turning from the kick, she took him full force through the underside of his jaw just as the back door to the cabin burst open.
* * *
Dave's tires skidded to a stop in the front of the center. He bolted from the car and followed Grace to the back.
"Andy flew by on a motorcycle a few minutes ago. He went that way." Grace waved her hands wildly toward the woods. "He went in there."
Charcoal scrambled out the window from the back of the unmarked car. He let his nose do the investigating. Running to catch up with Dave and Nick, he quickly caught a scent. Growling low, his black fur stood on end along the back of his head to the center of his back. With nose near the ground, he took off across the field.
* * *
Miguel staggered and steadied, swinging madly. He regained his balance and struck.
Rose jutted her head back, but still took a partial blow to her right temple. She was still able to block the return jab with her forearm.
Andy stood watching them. She looked like a madman, screaming and cursing. He fought the urge to step in. She needed this.
Duncan ran in seconds behind him, but Andy put an arm out and shook his head.
Moving lightning fast, Rose ducked and struck, then struck again. "You raped my mother!" She spun, using momentum, and planted the backs of her knuckles to the side of his face. "Fucking bastard. You hurt her!"
Andy heard the crack of bone and wasn't sure if it was Rose's hand or Miguel's face, or both. Then, he heard a barking dog.
Miguel lay on the ground but still had enough in him to slide his legs under Rose's feet before collapsing on his back.
Rose rolled, straddled his chest, striking his face again and again as she sobbed.
Dave came up behind her and took her gently by the shoulders. "Come on, honey." He grabbed hold as she fought and kicked before turning to bury her head in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and rocked her as they stood.
"Dad."
"It's all right. I'm here. It's over."
Nickie stood over Miguel with Charcoal snarling in a 'stay' at her side.
"Good boy." Duncan patted his head.
Miguel was conscious, barely. Shrugging a shoulder, Nickie flipped him, not so carefully, onto his stomach and cuffed him.
Duncan reached to help her heft him up.
"I've got it, Mr. Reed."
He looked at her. "Of course you do," he said and pulled him up anyway. They led him out back together.
Rose tucked her arms between herself and the only father she'd ever known. He stroked her hair and soothed her as she sobbed. Turning to see Nickie on her way out and Andy standing patiently, Dave eased Rose over to him and let them have a minute alon
e before they sealed the place.
Andy inspected her temple, looked into her eyes and pulled her hand between them to check her knuckles. Broken, he knew. Barely touching the skin, he kissed them.
She looked up to him. "You're here."
He tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled down at her. "Always."
Epilogue
A soft, warm breeze ruffled the deep reds and bright yellows of the autumn trees. The hydrangeas and daisies had been trimmed back with asters and sedum taking their place as the prominent color of the Reeds' backyard.
The arbor blossomed with a mixture of bright lavender chrysanthemums and yellow helianthus. The lines of white clothed folding chairs were adorned with their own mixture of the flowers created by Brie and her mother.
At the end of the white runner Rose stood with a skintight, sequined dress that hugged her to just above her knees. The neck was haltered and cut low enough to show hints of her fleshy curves. She thought it was about time to show some cleavage. Small ties of baby's breath and miniature mums twined in her short locks of hair with scattered, sparkling gems throughout.
In one arm, she held a dripping bouquet of yellow satin ribbons and rows of tight-fitting flowers. In her other arm was Dave. They watched in front of them as James and Jonathon finished ushering guests in their tailored charcoal tuxes and coordinating boutonnières.
Dave covered her hand that held onto his arm as the wedding march began. She smiled wildly as cameras flashed and guests stood. And then, she saw him. Light brown hair cut short in a fitted tuxedo that couldn't conceal his physique. Her best friend waited to take her hand, the man she'd been in love with since she was old enough to know what being in love was.
They walked the aisle reverently before Dave kissed her cheek and handed her to Andy, then stood on the other side of the pastor and turned to face the guests.
Everyone, including her and Andy, turned their attention to her mother who stood at the end of the runner on Nathan's arm. She was so similar to her that they could be taken for sisters, eyes or no eyes. Her mother's dress was more conservative, yet just as fitting with a high waist and long train. Lace covered the strapless bodice and gathered in the back. Her mass of red hair wound tightly on her head with bits of beads and flowers, matching Rose.
So much the same and yet so different.
The crowd remained standing as cameras continued to flash before Nathan kissed her cheek and gave her to Dave. On one side were Andy and Rose with Duncan and Hannah standing as best man and maid of honor. On the other, Dave and Amanda stood with Nicole untraditionally standing as best man and Jessica as maid of honor.
They turned first, couple facing couple, nodded to each other and then faced the preacher.
"We gather here together..."
The End
Want more from R.T. Wolfe?
Page forward for an excerpt from
DARK VENGEANCE
The Black Creek Series
Book Three
Excerpt from
Dark Vengeance
The Black Creek Series
Book Three
by
R.T. Wolfe
Duncan walked into the apartment of the man he knew was involved in the attempted murder of his aunt.
Detective Nickie Savage handed him gloves and told him not to touch anything. Twice. Even with the gloves.
Nickie was thorough, he had to admit. Although he didn't want to admit anything about her at that moment. The detective was proving far too inquisitive, too smart and too complicated.
Working with three local officers, they leafed through every book in the apartment, and carefully removed each desk, dresser and kitchen drawer for anything stored in the back space before calling it a wrap.
Not once did Nickie mention their prior discussion. He wasn't sure what to think about that, except it made him all the more aware of what he'd dug up on her. His aunt was the only person alive who knew about his... issue. Not even his uncle or brother had any idea.
Then, one day, out of the blue, his aunt had asked him why he didn't just tell people. It was the same question the detective had asked just a few hours ago.
Duncan rubbed his hand along the back of his neck. What was Nickie going to do with the information? She had no proof, of course. But the way she avoided eye contact with him was disconcerting. Disconcerting yet damned intriguing.
Nickie, the detective with long, honey wheat hair, black, worn-leather boots, snug slacks and a badge.
Her movements looked rehearsed. Write in her notebook, place item in evidence bag, write on the bag with a marker, write more in her notebook. Rinse and repeat.
The locals working with them were actually careful and rather neat. Savage even more so. Their search was not at all like the movies where dresser drawers are overturned and mattresses cut. Duncan looked around the man's open living room. The place hadn't been ransacked but it was definitely disheveled, and it gave him a sort of satisfaction.
The only thing missing was the tower and monitor Nickie confiscated, along with some files and papers Duncan wasn't privy to know about... yet. He had all the pass codes he needed to get that information.
Nickie rested her thigh on the corner of a computer desk, and cocked her head at him. "You never hacked into my past."
He couldn't decide if it was a question or an accusation. "Yes I did... do a search on your past. You know that. As you did on mine." Curious, he lifted a single brow to her, waiting for what she was getting at.
"No. No, you didn't. Not my missing year."
Well, shit. Now he wanted to. But he had rules. No stealing. No cheating. No hacking into someone's life without permission, or at least due reason.
His sudden curious-as-hell status probably didn't count as due reason.
"No. I didn't," he said flatly.
She stepped to him, grabbed the collar of his shirt with both hands and raised herself up until her lips just brushed his. Her scent was so close, he could nearly taste it. Lavender. He was used to women throwing themselves at him but this was profoundly different. She was different. This was more of a challenge than a kiss. Like a threat. After a much too short meshing of her soft, full lips, she pushed away.
"Oh no you don't." He took hold of her shoulders and pulled her back to him. Going from zero to sixty in seconds, he parted her lips with his tongue and dove in. She tasted as smart and sophisticated as her scent. He sensed her chaos and his confusion. What he didn't feel was what he was accustomed to; bony hips, pencil thin arms and breasts that were four sizes too big for a body. Nickie was fit, toned, soft and all woman.
Their arms circled each other in a dance of reason. Heat built. Their knees tucked between each other's. He ran a hand up her arm.
As their mouths tangled, he slithered his hand into the locks of honey, lacing his fingers through the smooth waves. This shock on his system was something he never allowed.
She pulled away and this time locked her elbows, arms outstretched. She took two, deep sexy breaths and licked her lips. "Show me what you found, Duncan. Then, let's grab a bite to eat before we bag us an ex-fireman."
Dark Vengeance
The Black Creek Series
Book Three
by
R.T. Wolfe
~
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Dark Vengeance
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with an excerpt from
BLACK CREEK BURNING
The Black Creek Series
Book One
Excerpt from
Black Creek Burning
The Black Creek Series
Book One
by
R.T. Wolfe
Brie tried to explain the "Nathan Reed" situa
tion to Liz on the way home. But her sister laughed so hard tears dripped from the corners of her eyes. The only way Brie could stop Liz from laughing was to tell her what their boss had said about it.
Then Liz quieted. "That sounds like 'better watch your back.'"
"I thought so, too. I can handle Sandy."
"Brie, pretend to listen to me, just this once. You've been working at Bloom for six years. Moved up the ladder fast, kept your nose clean. You're a keynote speaker at conferences, some of which other teachers from our building attend. A few are teachers you had when we went here. You're rubbing noses with the assistant super. It doesn't sit as easy with people like Sandy Finley, who need to look the best and get the most attention. I'm not telling you to stop what you're doing to appease insecure colleagues or Sandy, just be careful. Principals can make your life... difficult."
Liz pulled into the drive, pressing on the brakes without putting her car into park. "Good luck with the car. Are you sure you don't want me to have Tim take a look at it?" she asked, shifting the gear into reverse.
And see the slashed tires? "No, I've got it." Brie shut the door behind her and said her thanks loud enough for Liz to hear through the window.
As she made her way to her front door, she lifted one hand to wave goodbye to her sister and juggled her keys to find the right one with the other. Checking the knob, she realized the door wasn't locked. She stopped and saw something move across the frosty side lites of the door. A figure. A person. She turned to gesture at her sister, but Liz was already down the drive.
Happy dog noises came from the other side of the door. Still a little breathless, she opened it to Macey's regular end-of-the-day greeting and Nathan Reed standing in her foyer with his thumbs in his pockets. It wasn't hard to see he was angry.