He nodded. “Yeah, sounds like. The EMT’s are there, along with my deputy, Tim. But he cut himself pretty bad pulling the guy out of the wrecked car. The paramedics are taking him to county for stitches, so I need to go take the driver in for processing and lock up.”
She nodded. “I understand. Be safe out there, okay?”
Delicious full lips smiled. “I was more concerned with you.” A grimace replaced the smile. “I don’t like leaving you alone with David out there. Do you want me to call the Denning ranch, see if Colton or Dade can swing by?”
She looked at the bedside clock and shook her head. “It’s three in the morning. I don’t want to disturb them.” A slight tremble of fear rumbled low in her belly at the thought of being alone, but it had been over a week with no sign of David closing in on her. She didn’t want Ryder thinking she couldn’t take care of herself. At his concerned gaze, she pressed. “I’ll be fine, Ryder, really.”
“You sure?”
Reaching up, she sank her hands into his long, silky, dark hair, pulling him to her for a scorching kiss.
“Damn, sweetheart. You sure make it hard to leave.”
She giggled at the husky tone in his voice. “I promise I’ll be fine. Go on now, Sheriff. Your town needs you.”
His gaze locked onto hers, his expression more serious than she had ever seen on him before.
“And what about you? Do you need me?”
Her smile froze, and the way he said that…it didn’t sound like a throwaway question. Not a temporary need, but a permanent one. It sounded to her as if Ryder was asking if she needed him in her life, long-term. Her heart thumped a tango in her chest.
Crazy. Just her wayward imagination running away with her. The sad, little dreams of an unwanted child searching for a place to call home. He didn’t mean it the way she hoped. How could he? They had barely known each other two weeks. He was just being his sweet, concerned self, making sure she was okay with staying in his home alone. Nothing more. She would do well to remember that fact.
“I’ll be fine. Go.” Unable to face him while she avoided his question, she turned over on her side then and snuggled back into the warm covers.
Their warmth was diminished when Ryder left the bed. She could hear the shuffling of clothing, the clink of a belt. Then he sat behind her again, most likely fully clothed in his uniform. The bed dipped with his weight as he leaned over and kissed her temple.
“I’ll call later to check in. Kayla, I—”
He paused, and she held her breath; the moment felt heavy, expectant.
“Call me on my cell if you need anything.”
Then he was gone.
Kayla listened to the open and close of the front door and tried not to let her disappointment swallow her. What had she expected? A declaration of love? Stupid, why would he say he loved her? She was letting her emotions fly away again. Ryder was a great guy, a helpful, kind man. They had chemistry, there was no doubt, but that didn’t translate to love.
Just because she might be falling—okay, let’s be honest, there is no might be about it. She had been falling in love with Ryder ever since the first moment she looked up in those cold, snowy woods and had seen a warrior on horseback come to save her.
Years of rejection caused her to be a coward when it came to love. Jen always said she never dated a man she could ever get serious about, and that’s why the relationships always ended. Her best friend had been right. Kayla was terrified when it came to love. Her mother abandoned her, she never even knew her father, and no one had ever wanted to adopt her. Some of the foster homes included her in family celebrations, but none of them wanted her to be a permanent part of their family.
No one had ever wanted her. A fact drilled into her since her birth. How could she take a chance on love when it had never taken a chance on her?
Tears slipped from her eyes, sliding down her cheeks to form small wet spots on the pillow. Her heart broke, because she knew to the depths of her soul she did love Ryder. She loved him more than she ever imagined it possible to love another person. It terrified her—though she may love him, she had no idea if he loved her. And that deep-seated fear of rejection kept her from asking. If she told Ryder of her feelings and he didn’t reciprocate, it would be another in a long line of people who didn’t want her.
And honestly, she didn’t think her heart would survive a rejection from the only man she ever loved.
Chapter 23
David waited in the shadows of Julie Ryder’s apartment building. His informant sent him a picture of her, so when a bright red SUV parked in the lot and a tall, dark-haired woman stepped out, he knew it was the lawyer. Seething anger burned in his gut.
This is the woman digging shit up? He snorted—one strong gust of wind would knock her over…or one strong punch in the face.
His knuckles cracked as he tightened his fist. Pulling back on his rage, he waited until she started down the sidewalk before he stepped out of the shadows. Her head was down, attention on her phone, so it was easy to casually bump into her shoulder.
“Oh, excuse me,” he said, turning on the charm and giving her the smile he used to set people’s nerves at ease.
Big brown eyes widened as she glance up to his face. “No, my fault entirely. Really. I should pay more attention to where I’m going.”
Yes, she should, but it played out well for him that she was as obtuse as everyone these days, attention always where it wasn’t supposed to be.
“You sure you’re all right then?”
She stared at him, gaze narrowing. A prickle of unease tingled at the back of his neck.
Shit, what if she recognizes me?
He hadn’t thought of that. The lawyer had been looking into his past; it stood to reason she knew what he looked like. He’d planned on running into her and casually finding out what she knew, but with that searching look in her eyes, he knew he had to move to plan B.
“Miss?”
She shook her head, and he breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t reveal her knowledge of him.
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.”
“Have a pleasant day.”
“You, too,” she called after him as he continued down the sidewalk.
He headed in the opposite direction, stopping once he heard her enter the building. Using the stealth he’d honed on stakeouts, David turned and made his way back to the front door. He glanced in the small window by the side of the door. A tiny lobby with rows of mailboxes lay just beyond the door. Julie stood there talking to some old hag with the butt ugliest dog he had ever seen in the old lady’s arms.
He watched as the women chatted back and forth. Julie reached out to pet the fat, flat-faced dog. It sneezed and licked her hand. Patience wearing thin, he had to restrain himself from barging in there. What the hell could they be talking about for so long? He needed to get Julie alone, quickly, before someone else came by. He knew he looked suspicious standing out here peering into the window.
If they didn’t break up this chat fest soon, he’d have to go into the building anyway. He couldn’t have someone call the cops to report a peeping Tom. Just as he contemplated making his move, the older woman grabbed her mail and turned, waving with the freaking dog’s paw.
A sigh of relief left him. As Julie made her way down the hall, he quietly snuck in the front door, following her. Her apartment was all the way at the end of the building. He couldn’t believe his luck, the positioning made what he planned all the easier. As she unlocked the door and turned the knob, he slid up behind her
“Julie Ryder?”
She glanced over her shoulder, confusion then recognition entering her gaze.
“Oh, you again. How did you know my name?”
He smiled, but this wasn’t a pleasant smile like the one before. This time he let his true nature show in the curve of his lips. Her dark gaze widened as it finally hit her who he really was.
“David Tyler.” Her voice trembled as she spoke his name. “What are you—”
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He slapped the wet cloth he’d kept in his jacket pocket for just this emergency over her face, ending whatever the hell she planned on saying. She struggled, kicking and hitting at anything she could. He’d dealt with people resisting arrest before, so it was easy to avoid her attacks. Nothing made purchase. He shoved her through her open door, holding the cloth firmly over her mouth and nose. Slamming the door closed with his foot, he dragged her into the apartment as her body went limp.
She wouldn’t be out for long, and he needed to get her out of there. He couldn’t do what he needed to do to make her talk in an apartment building with thin walls and nosy neighbors. They had to go somewhere quiet, secluded. Earlier, at a gas station, he saw brochures for some cabins in the mountains. They were closed this time of year, but he wasn’t above a little B and E.
“Time to take a little drive, Ms. Ryder.”
He chuckled to himself, propping her up in his arms. To anyone passing, it would look like he was the sweet boyfriend carrying his sleeping lady to the car. He had a sedative there that would keep her knocked out ’til they got to the cabin.
This would work. He’d get the bitch lawyer to tell him where Kayla was, and then all his problems would disappear. Just like Kayla.
****
“Wake up bitch!”
The lawyer sucked in a sharp breath of air as he threw a cold glass of water in her face. She sputtered and coughed, eyes still closed
“I said, wake up!”
He raised his hand and brought it back down in a hard slap across her cheek. That forced her eyes open. She glanced up, eyes focusing on him, sitting in a chair across from her. The brown, frightened gaze darted around the cabin. She shifted and gasped when she realized she was bound with a thick rope to a kitchen chair. He was glad now he always kept some in his trunk for emergencies. She wiggled, testing the bindings, but he knew his stuff. No way would she break out of her bonds.
“Julie Ryder.”
“David Tyler.”
He smiled. So, she hadn’t forgotten who he was. Sometimes knocking a person out could wipe a bit of their memory. “Oh good, you know who I am. That will make this so much easier.”
“Make what easier?” She tested the ropes again. Such a pointless effort, but if she wanted to waste the energy, he wasn’t going to stop her.
“I’m looking for someone, and I think you know where she is.”
She stopped struggling, going still as a statue.
“Where’s Kayla?”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about.”
His smile slipped; the bitch was lying to him. He sighed, reaching under his chair and coming back up with a very sharp knife.
“I was hoping you’d be more agreeable, but I’m prepared to do this the hard way.”
Gripping the weapon tightly, he let some of the rage burning inside him loose. In a flash he slashed out at her arm, right below her shoulder. Her scream soothed some of the fury swirling inside him as the razor sharp metal sliced into her skin, leaving a swath of red blood in its path.
“Now, I’ll ask again. Where is Kayla?”
“I don’t know.” Tears swam in her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall.
She was tougher than he expected, he’d give her that. “Really?” He struck out again, this time cutting her upper thigh.
She screamed again; he’d cut deeper, and this time, she didn’t stop the flood of tears pouring down her cheeks.
He left his chair, coming around behind her. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear. “Now, listen to me carefully, Julie.” He dragged the blade of the knife ever so softly against her throat. “I can be a reasonable man. Tell me where Kayla is and I’ll let you go.”
Fat chance. He couldn’t leave any witnesses behind, but she didn’t need to know that. People tended to believe anything when their life was on the line.
“If you insist on lying to me, well, I hate to be cliché, but I have ways of making you talk. If carving your flesh won’t work…” He moved the knife down her throat until the tip caught in her silk blouse and twisted his wrist, flicking the blade downward until it cut her shirt clean through. The tattered pieces of fabric hung open, leaving her exposed. Reaching down with his other hand, he roughly grabbing one breast and squeezed. “I can think of other things to do with this sweet skin.”
A whimper escaped her. He saw the wheels turn behind her eyes, gauging the possibility of her getting out of this alive and unharmed.
The chance was zero, but he’d let her believe otherwise if it got him what he wanted.
“Tell me what I want to know and this can all just be a bad dream.”
He pressed the knife against her chest until the point drew blood. Her eyes shut tight, and he knew he’d won. Relishing her defeat, he waited as her head hung, lips parting, and the sweet words he’d been waiting for came out.
“Peak Town.”
“What?”
“She’s in Peak Town. At a…safe house.”
He patted her on the chin with the bloody blade.
“There now. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
He rose, walking around to sit, once more, in the chair across from her. Anticipation thrumming through his body, he dug his cell phone out of his pocket.
“Time to make a call. What’s the number, Julie.”
Jaw clenched tight, she pressed her lips together. Bitch still thought she could defy him? Raising the knife again he brought it up under her chin, pressing until a small drop of blood pooled on the tip. Brown eyes widened with fear. A whimper escaped her as she rattled off a number. That’s better.
He punched in the digits, eager to have this whole mess over with. Once he told Kayla he had her precious lawyer, the bitch would come running. Ms. Goody Two-Shoes Teacher wouldn’t want anyone dying in her place. A chuckle rose within as he imagined Kayla running to him to sacrifice herself for someone else.
Another sob rose from the bound woman in front of him.
There will be no sacrifice, he thought with glee.
Because both women would be dying, and he would return home a hero.
Chapter 24
After a few fitful hours of tossing and turning, Kayla decided it was time to stop moping around feeling sorry for herself and get up. So she had fallen in love? Big deal. People did it all the time. Whether or not Ryder loved her was of no consequence. She would deal with that situation when it presented itself.
If it ever did.
For now, she would be thankful for the time she had with him. Speaking of thanks, she had some kindness to return. Ryder had taken her into his home, was helping her with her problems, and had pleasured her body and soul. The least she could do was clean the guy’s house.
Grateful for an opportunity to give back a little of what he gave, she set to work. After a quick breakfast of cold cereal and hot coffee, she went through the house, systematically cleaning. She started with the bathrooms, scrubbing the mildew from every nook and cranny of the tubs and disinfecting every surface she could reach. Then she moved on to the kitchen. It was pretty clean, but she wiped everything down anyway, stacking her breakfast dishes in the full dishwasher and running it.
Lastly, she searched until she found Ryder’s vacuum cleaner in one of the closets. She was thankful he had a one-story house; the vacuum was ancient and weighed a ton. It would have been quite a feat to drag that behemoth up a flight of stairs. Still, it felt good to be doing something as normal as cleaning. She wondered how long it would be before she could get back that everyday standard.
It took half an hour to vacuum through the three bedrooms, hallway, and living room. As she shut off the power and wound the cord, it took her a moment to realize what the shrill ringing was. The phone. Ryder mentioned once how everyone in Peak Town still had landlines because the cell service in the mountains could be spotty. Being from the city, she hadn’t had a landline in years.
She reached for the cordless phone, a smile on her face. Ryder had promised to check
in on her, so she answered with a cheery, “Hello?”
Quiet static filled the air before a dark voice came over the line. “Hello, Kayla. So nice to hear your voice again.”
Her heart skipped a beat, and ice shot through her veins at the cold, familiar tone. Fear gripped every inch of her body, freezing her in place. “D-David? How did you find me?”
An evil chuckle came over the line. “Oh, I had a little help with that. Say hello to your lawyer, Julie.”
Julie? Ryder’s sister?
She heard him mutter something to someone in the background then a woman’s cry. “Kayla, I’m sorry!”
“Shut up, bitch,” David screamed in the background. Then he was back on the line. “If you don’t want your new friend to end up like your old one, you’ll come to meet me.”
Friend? She’d never met the woman. Had he discovered Julie looking into his files and assumed Kayla hired her?
Her hands shook in terror as she realized her worst fears had come to life.
“You thought I wouldn’t be able to find you?” he continued with a hiss. “Your lawyer may have tucked you away in a safe house, but no place is safe from me.”
A safe house? He must think Julie hid her. Then maybe he didn’t know about Ryder. That was good. But he had Ryder’s sister. That was bad.
“Come to this address in the next hour. Alone, or I kill the lawyer and add another murder to your dossier.”
David was more of a monster than she ever realized. He rattled off the address. No doubt a secluded place where no one would hear her screams.
“Okay, I’ll be there. Just don’t hurt her.”
No, no, no! This was the reason she should have kept running. She never wanted to put anyone else in danger, never wanted anyone else to suffer Jen’s fate.
“Tick tock, Kayla. One hour, and come alone or she will die.” He hung up, his final threat ringing in her head.
She held the phone to her ear until the dial tone beeped. It was a trap, she knew. David had no intention of letting either of them out of there alive. But she had to go. If there was any hope of rescuing Ryder’s sister, she had to take that chance. She would not allow him to lose the last remaining member of his family due to her.
Love on the Risky Side Page 15