by Susan Stoker
Unbeknownst to the couple, a man was in the exact spot Blythe reminisced about so fondly. Lying under the trash bins in a drunken stupor, he eventually noticed them standing in the mouth of the alley.
He narrowed his eyes and tried to focus. He silently crawled out from under the trash bin and, keeping to the shadows, moved closer.
Yes, it was her.
Dog had spread the word that if anyone saw the bitch who’d dared interfere in his business and who hurt his friend, he was to be notified. He’d made it known that whoever spotted her, and got word to him, would be rewarded.
To the man skulking along the edge of the alley, that meant booze and drugs. And he needed both. Badly.
He followed the couple at a safe distance, gesturing to another homeless man who he sometimes got stoned with, dreaming about the high he was going to enjoy later with the reward he was sure to receive.
Within minutes, word was spreading from drunk to druggie to drunk that the woman Dog was searching for was on his turf.
The second Blythe and Squirrel walked into the next homeless shelter, a woman who was standing off to the side squealed and came running toward her.
Squirrel stepped in front of Blythe instinctively. He felt her hands on his waist, trying to push him aside, but he refused to budge.
“Sawyer, I know her. It’s okay,” Blythe said as she continued to try to move him.
At her words, Squirrel reluctantly stepped aside, but kept his hand on the small of her back as she greeted the other woman.
“Blythe! Oh my God, it’s so good to see you!” the homeless woman said.
“You too, Gladys!”
They hugged, and when they pulled back, Gladys asked, “Where have you been? You’ve been gone forever—but you look good! I was so worried about you after I heard what Dog and Tweek had done. What happened?”
Squirrel tuned out Blythe’s response as his gaze swept the room. He wasn’t comfortable with Blythe being back here. He didn’t like her remembering what she’d had to do while living on the streets. He didn’t like seeing firsthand what she’d gone through.
And the back of his neck had been tingling ever since they’d left the first shelter.
It didn’t help that, as he looked around, all he saw were people looking at them. Some glanced away when he caught them staring, but others didn’t drop their hostile glares when he met their eyes. Squirrel wished he’d asked one of the guys to come with him. Maybe Moose. The man was huge, and no one would even think about harassing them if he was there.
“Have you seen Hope and Billy?” Blythe asked Gladys.
“Yeah, they were here yesterday.”
Blythe put her hand on the other woman’s arm. “Were they okay? How did they look? Is Billy dealing with what happened?”
Gladys gave her a sad smile. “I don’t know. I mean, Hope smiled at me and said hello, but that’s about it. She’s been keeping to herself, not talking to anyone. She and her boy sit in one of the far corners and talk only to each other.”
“Probably smart,” Blythe muttered. “Can you give them a message for me? Tell them I’ve been looking for them? I really need to talk to them.” She looked up at Squirrel for a second, then told Gladys, “I’ve got a place for them to live. My friend Sophie has a house. I’ve been staying there but I don’t need it anymore. She said Hope and Billy could move in.”
“That’s great news!” Gladys exclaimed.
“Yeah. But I need to find them first,” Blythe said.
“Of course.”
Gladys looked over Blythe’s shoulder then, and suddenly slunk away from the two of them just as they heard a man say, “Squirrel? That you?”
Blythe and Squirrel both turned at the same time upon hearing the low, masculine greeting.
Calder Stonewall stood there. He was wearing a huge white apron, which was stained with something brown, and was holding a serving spoon.
“Hey, man,” Squirrel said, holding out his hand but not moving away from Blythe.
Calder came forward and the two men shook hands. Calder nodded his head at Blythe in greeting.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
Calder chuckled and looked down at the apron he was wearing then back up at her. “Well, I’m tempted to say I was wandering around looking for things to stir and happened upon this place, but I don’t think you’d believe me.”
Blythe blushed and shook her head even as she chuckled.
“I’m volunteering,” Calder said. “After meeting you and hearing your story, I realized that I really wanted to help more. I’ve been lucky, and others aren’t so fortunate. Serving food isn’t much but it’s something I can do right now.”
“It means a lot,” Blythe said immediately.
Calder shrugged. “So that’s why I’m here. Why are you two here?”
“I’m looking for my friend Hope and her son, Billy. Gladys said they were here yesterday. Sophie said they could move into her old house.”
“Have you seen her?” Blythe asked Calder. “She’s about my height, with long dark red hair. Green eyes. Her son is seven and has red hair too. I mean, has she been here today while you’ve been serving?”
“Not today. But, Blythe…apparently Gladys has been off her meds for quite a while,” he said.
“I know, but she seems really good today,” Blythe said.
Calder’s voice lowered. “I overheard the staff saying yesterday that she was getting worse, not better. She’s becoming more and more forgetful. She thinks her daughter is going to come and get her this afternoon.”
“Oh,” Blythe said sadly. “So she probably hasn’t seen Hope and Billy?”
Calder shrugged. “I’m guessing…no.”
“Well, shit.”
“You overheard the staff yesterday? How much time are you spending down here?” Squirrel asked his friend.
Calder smiled a crooked smile. “I had a few days off. Was bored. Thought I’d come down and help. What can you tell me about Hope? I can keep my eye out for her.”
“She’s had it rough. An ex beat the crap out of her and she ended up on the streets. Billy was abducted by that child-abuser guy who kidnapped Milena, and I’m just worried about him. I need to find them so they can be safe.”
“If I see them, I’ll talk to her. Pass on a message from you that you’re looking for her.”
“Go easy,” Squirrel told his friend, “but don’t let them leave. Call Blythe and let her talk to Hope if you have to. So she knows you aren’t out to do her harm.”
Calder nodded. “I will.” Then he turned to Blythe. “I’ll find them.”
“She’s not going to trust you,” she said.
“I know.”
“It’s going to be hard to convince her to go anywhere with you. Especially because of Billy.”
“Yep. I know.”
“Maybe tell her you’re a medical examiner. No, tell her you’re a cop and you want to help her. Shit, no—that won’t work. Her ex is a cop. She doesn’t trust them.”
Calder put his hand on Blythe’s arm. “I got this. I’ll deliver your friend and her son to you safe and sound. Okay?”
“Okay. Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“No thanks necessary. I can’t stand it when assholes abuse their power. It’s bad enough that she was beaten by her husband, a man who should’ve had her back no matter what, but when he’s also a cop? That just pisses me off.”
Squirrel remained quiet and examined his friend. As one of the MEs for the county, he was frequently called out to scenes with victims that had passed away. But Squirrel had never seen this side of him. His free hand was clenched in a fist and he was frowning. Calder was older than all the firefighters he hung out with, but it was obvious looking at him now, being in his forties didn’t mean he wasn’t willing or able to protect those who he thought needed it.
Calder turned to Squirrel. “I haven’t been volunteering here long, but word is that those two thugs are still looking for Blythe.
Keep your eye out.”
“Will do. I think we’re done here. Blythe?” Squirrel asked.
“I really wanted to wait around a bit and see if Hope came in. I know that Calder will be on the lookout, but it’ll be hard for him to earn her trust. I know her, Sawyer. Please?”
Squirrel sighed. The tingly sensation on the back of his neck hadn’t abated, in fact, it had gotten stronger, but it was probably because of everyone staring at them. There hadn’t been one confirmed sighting of Hope or her son, but he didn’t have the heart to say no to Blythe. “One hour, baby. Then we really do need to go.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Sawyer.”
He leaned down and kissed her cheek before whispering, “You don’t have to thank me, baby. I’d do anything to make you happy.”
She beamed up at him.
“At that, I’ll just go back to what I was doing,” Calder said. “Let me know before you go. I’ll walk with you back to your car. I don’t like the look of the crowd in here today.”
Squirrel looked Calder in the eyes for a long moment before nodding. He’d be an idiot to refuse help with the way he was feeling. If it was just him, he would deal with it, but since Blythe was with him, he accepted as graciously as he could. “Thanks. One hour. Come on, baby,” Squirrel said, taking her hand in his. “Let’s sit. It’s getting creepy, having everyone stare at us.”
“Now you know how I felt every day when I was here,” Blythe muttered.
Squirrel’s jaw tensed at that, but he didn’t say anything. He’d sympathized with her, but he couldn’t empathize. He hadn’t been in her shoes. But even the short amount of time he’d spent in the shelter made him realize exactly how stressful it had to have been for her. Everyone was on edge, the air filled with desperation. He could imagine that if he was carrying a bag and put it down, that it’d be gone the second he turned his back.
It was a miracle Blythe had managed to hold on to his cell phone for as long as she had. That was the kind of thing that could be pawned for quite a bit of money. Money someone could use to buy drugs, alcohol, or food. Three things that were probably in high demand on the streets.
Squirrel stayed by Blythe’s side as they walked over to the corner. He made sure to sit between her and the rest of the room. Everything inside him was telling him to get out now, but he stayed put. The last thing he wanted to do was freak Blythe out. It was bad enough she was reliving one of the worst times in her life. She didn’t need him being paranoid on top of it.
Besides, he wanted to see if the mysterious Hope would turn up as much as Blythe did. He didn’t like the little he’d heard about her situation, and the sooner she and her son were safe inside Sophie’s house, the better. He realized that he couldn’t save everyone, but since Hope was someone Blythe liked, he wanted to get her and her son to safety as soon as possible.
Looking at his watch, Squirrel reassured himself that it was only an hour. Sixty minutes, then they would be out of there. He was proud of Blythe for wanting to get her degree and help others who had been in her situation, but he wasn’t thrilled about her working day in and day out in a place like this.
Taking a deep breath, Squirrel tried not to fidget. He eyed his watch once more. Fifty-nine minutes to go.
Word could travel fast on the streets when needed. Within fifteen minutes, Dog had been notified that the bitch he was looking for was in the shelter. Within twenty-five minutes, Dog had gotten ahold of Tweek and two other men who were excited about the prospect of joining in the gangbang Dog had planned.
Within forty minutes, the men had placed themselves strategically outside the shelter in all directions, so no matter which way the cunt went, she’d end up in their clutches.
As far as Dog was concerned, payback was a bitch, and there was one cunt who was going to find out the hard way never to get between Dog and something he wanted.
He crouched in an alley behind a piece of plywood and rubbed his hand over his crotch. His dick was hard as he fantasized about what was about to happen. He’d get first crack at the bitch, and he didn’t care what the others did with her once he was done…as long as she didn’t live to interfere with his business ever again.
Chapter Sixteen
“I guess she’s not going to show up,” Blythe said. Her shoulders slumped with disappointment.
“We’ll find her,” Sawyer said with conviction. “She has to be somewhere. I’m sure Calder will talk to the people who work and volunteer here and tell them to be on the lookout too. He’ll contact us as soon as someone sees her, then we can come down and get her.”
Blythe looked up at Sawyer. “But what if it’s too late? What if she’s lying dead somewhere and Billy is scared to leave her side? What if I’m the only one who can convince her and she disappears for good after Calder talks to her? What if she’s—”
“Baby, stop,” Sawyer ordered, taking her by the shoulders and gently shaking her. “Don’t borrow trouble. You said yourself that you didn’t always make it to the shelters. She sounds as if she’s pretty street savvy. And even if Calder can’t convince her, he won’t let her leave before you get here.”
Blythe took a deep breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just so worried about her.”
“I know. Come on. Let’s go home and see what Beth ordered for you today.”
“When is she going to get tired of buying me stuff? Can’t you tell her to stop?”
Sawyer chuckled. “Uh…never, and it wouldn’t do any good. She does what she wants, and what she wants is for you to have the things you need. And even the stuff you don’t.”
“But it’s too much,” Blythe said. “I don’t need that leather jacket she ordered for me. It’s Texas, for goodness sake. And I definitely don’t need all those DVDs she’s sent. I know I missed a lot of good TV shows, but it’s over the top.”
“She likes you,” Sawyer told her gently. “She feels helpless to assist you in other ways, so it’s her way of showing you that you’re a part of their circle of friends.”
Blythe thought about that. It was true that she’d received a ton of texts from the other women. Adeline, Penelope, Sophie, Beth, and even Quinn had been texting her nonstop. It was sometimes too much, but mostly it was…nice. Not only that, but Sawyer’s sisters were still contacting her constantly, and even his mom had sent a text or two.
It was crazy how many people she talked to on a daily basis now. When she was homeless, it had been mostly just Sawyer.
Deciding to let it go, Blythe looked up at him. “Have I told you how much I appreciate you?”
He grinned. “Yes.”
She shook her head. “I seriously don’t know where I’d be if—”
Sawyer put his finger over her lips. “Hush. None of that. Things work out the way they’re supposed to work out. Come on, let’s get out of here. I want to feed you, something better than the fare they’re serving here. Then I want to take you home and spoil you.”
“You always spoil me. I don’t need anything, Sawyer,” Blythe insisted.
“I know. That’s part of the reason it’s so fun to do things for you.”
She smiled up at him and shook her head in exasperation. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Love me.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yeah, that’s a given.”
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, keeping his lips on her skin for a long moment before pulling away. “Come on, baby. This place makes me nervous.”
They stood and Sawyer helped her up with a hand at her elbow. She saw him look over at the serving line. Calder wasn’t anywhere to be seen, but one of the employees saw where he was looking and gestured to a set of swinging doors, holding up a finger.
“Dang it, I just want to go,” Sawyer said impatiently.
Blythe turned to him and put a hand on his chest. Wanting to take his mind off of the shelter, she stood on tiptoes and put her mouth next to his ear. “Know what I want?” She didn’t wait for him to answer. “You haven’t gi
ven me a chance to taste you. I want you on your back in bed, and I want to explore…and play. I want to take you in my—”
“Sorry about that, guys,” Calder said from next to them.
Blythe jerked in surprise, but Sawyer put his hand on the small of her back, holding her steady against him. His voice was husky as he answered his friend.
“It’s okay. We’re ready.”
Blythe wanted to laugh because she could feel how ready Sawyer was. His erection was hard against her lower stomach. She’d said the words to distract him, but now that she’d begun to think about it, the thought of lowering to her knees and sucking him off wouldn’t leave her mind.
Sawyer gestured for Calder to proceed them and Blythe couldn’t keep the small chuckle inside. She shivered as Sawyer leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You’re gonna pay for that, baby.”
She looked up at him coyly. “I hope so.”
He grinned and turned her toward the door. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
Blythe followed Calder and felt Sawyer at her back. They walked out of the shelter and turned right to walk the few blocks to the garage where he’d left his vehicle.
“I’ll drop you off at your car,” Sawyer told Calder.
“Sounds good,” was his response.
It was refreshing to be around people who did things for each other and didn’t expect anything in return.
They walked a block and a half and talked about nothing in particular. Calder asked for a few more details about Hope. He said he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss her when she did eventually show up. He also seemed very interested in Billy. If he was attending school, how Blythe thought he was doing after being abducted, that sort of thing.
Blythe was feeling good about how the day had gone, even if she hadn’t found Hope. She knew in her gut that between Calder, Sawyer, and the rest of the guys, they wouldn’t stop until they’d found her, and got her and her son to safety.
She’d just turned to look up at Sawyer and ask him something—when all hell broke loose.
One second, they were all walking down the sidewalk, and the next, Blythe found herself in a chokehold. She couldn’t see who was behind her, but she could smell him. Sour beer and body odor. The combination made her cough and her eyes water.