Kenney, Laina - Overheated [DIG Security] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Overheated (lit)

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.” Sara was very proud that her voice came out at all. She was feeling faint. “I didn’t want you to come here. I didn’t like having you watch me, Martin.”

  “You wanted me to come and get you, but you wouldn’t answer my calls. I have every right to watch you.” His voice was harsh and getting louder, as it always did when he wasn’t getting his way. She wasn’t reacting like she was supposed to. She wasn’t running into his arms and begging him to protect her. He reached out for her, but she stepped back quickly.

  “You know what happens, Sara, when you back away from me. You know how I hate that.” He was becoming angry now. His face was darkening with temper.

  Sara ran around behind the desks, keeping her eyes on him. Where was the backup team? She didn’t want to take her eyes from Martin to look for them.

  “I will not go with you, Martin,” she said firmly, though her knees were shaking and she wondered how much longer they would hold her up. “I left you.”

  “You left me because you’re too stupid to know what you need! You need my protection in this world. I knew all along your fear would drive you right back to me, into my arms where you know you should be.”

  “Your plan didn’t work, Martin. I know you were in my apartment taking my things. I know, and I didn’t run right back to you.” Sara tried to make her voice even, conversational. If she could just stall until the backup team got into the building, or until Carolyn got back with the pizza, perhaps she would have a chance to get away.

  “My plan did work! I just didn’t have quite enough time. Once I get you home with me, everything will be perfect, you’ll see.”

  “No.”

  Sara was shaking her head, and the sight of her defiance visibly upset him.

  Martin lunged for Sara, grabbing her arm as she screamed. He shook her soundly then started pulling her toward the side exit. Sara was pulled along by his hard grip on her arm, slamming against chairs and desks, knocking papers flying.

  She gasped in pain as she fell to her knees, then came up holding a pen. “I won’t go with you,” she cried hysterically, and jabbed it into his hand as hard as she could.

  Martin shrieked and pulled his hand away. Then he grabbed her with the other hand.

  Perversely, the sight of his blood gave her strength. Sara snatched up an empty coffee mug and smashed it into his face with all her might. She kicked his shins and hit him again with the mug, breaking it to bits.

  When he screamed like a child and released her arm to cradle his abused nose, she didn’t run as she had been instructed. She pulled a closed laptop computer off a nearby desk and brought it down over his unprotected head with as much force as she could muster.

  * * * *

  When the backdoor burst open a moment later and Dash and Grange raced in, it was to find Sara screeching like a fishwife and kicking at a man who was crawling on the floor. The backup team and the Sheriff hurried in from the side of the building at the same time. The man saw all the people coming, and crawled toward them as fast as he could.

  “Stop!” he called frantically as Sara kicked him again.

  To Dash’s critical eye, Martin Brent looked like he needed some help. He had blood streaming down from his nose and from a jagged wound at his temple. His right hand had a pen barrel protruding from it, and his shirt was torn and covered in more blood.

  “Stop her! She’s assaulting me!”

  “She is, isn’t she?” Dash remarked with clear admiration. He moved to catch Sara in his arms as the Sheriff moved to take Martin Brent into custody. Dash didn’t want Sara to kick the Sheriff or his deputy by accident. It was a struggle to subdue her as she continued to kick and shout at her unfortunate stalker long after he was cuffed.

  Dash just spoke soothingly to her until she stopped kicking wildly, wrapping her in his arms and holding her small body against him. He was certain he needed the comfort more than she did.

  He almost hadn’t made it in time. Martin Brent had approached the building before they could even get into position, calmly walking in the front door as if he had been invited for tea. To make matters worse, some diligent soul had locked the inner door to the maintenance tunnel, and it had taken Dash and Grange both to break it down.

  Racing up through the tunnel with his partners right behind him, his heart pounding to the sound of Sara’s screams, was an experience he never wanted to repeat. And then to find her not only mercifully alive, but defending herself, holding off a much larger attacker. Making that attacker beg for help from the very Sheriff who was there to arrest him. It was like something out of a Hollywood film.

  The corners of Dash’s mouth kicked up into a silly grin. He looked around to see that most of the team members were snickering, and the Sheriff was trying to hold back a laugh as he read Mr. Brent his rights. The deputy was openly watching Sara, who was just now beginning to relax beside him. From the awestruck look on the young man’s face, Dash thought he might have some competition to worry about. It was apparent the young man was in love.

  Grange, Isaac and Carolyn were off to one side with Walt Burgess, who was smiling like a proud papa.

  “That girl’s got some talent,” Burgess remarked pleasantly, then let out a braying laugh.

  The whole room broke up with laughter, with hardened agents holding on to each other and leaning on walls and furniture to keep themselves upright when the comedy of the situation weakened their knees. Finally, after what seemed like forever, they were able to get control of themselves.

  Even the Sheriff, a stern man in his late forties, was having a hard time keeping his professional demeanor. He kept clearing his throat, and when he looked at his bloodied and beaten prisoner, he couldn’t stifle the wide grin on his face as he radioed for a medic.

  Dash hugged Sara to him.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I’m okay,” Sara said, frowning a little. “But—”

  “But what?”

  “I hurt my foot somehow.”

  “Was that when you were kicking him, honey?” he asked with a grin.

  “You’re not taking this very seriously,” Sara complained, pouting up at him. Her eyes were still very wide, but a little smile lit her face.

  “Don’t ever think that, Sara, do you hear me? Christ! It took years off my life, hearing you scream and not being able to get to you fast enough. We weren’t even in place yet.” His voice broke and he swallowed convulsively, hauling her in tight against him.

  “Dash, I’m teasing,” Sara said instantly. “I’m fine.”

  She reached up, smoothing his hair back and leaning into his big body. Her arms circled his strong neck and she clung to him. “I told him I wouldn’t go with him,” Sara said softly. “I argued.”

  “I was listening through the ear wire,” Dash said into her hair, rubbing circles on her back. “We all had wires. It’s all recorded.”

  “Oh, dear.” Sara was upset.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” Dash was instantly concerned at her worried tone.

  “I swore at him,” Sara said, concerned. “I called him terrible names, and it’s all on tape!”

  Dash lost his composure then, roaring with laughter, wiping the tears from his eyes as he tried to get himself under control. Sara wriggled and pushed away from him to stand at arm’s length and frown in annoyance. He only laughed harder.

  Grange heard the last remark, having come with the young deputy to ask for Sara’ statement.

  “You stabbed a pen right into his hand,” Grange said slowly. “You probably gave him a concussion, and you definitely broke the man’s nose. His face will never be the same. You ruined his designer clothes. You even kicked him in the ass and a few other places.” The men in the room winced. “And he’s going to jail. But your main worry is that you called him names on tape?”

  “Bad names,” Sara emphasized. “Really bad.”

  Dash had himself almost under control, but that set him off again. He b
ent over double and propped his hands on his legs and laughed with sheer relief.

  Grange shook his head with obvious puzzlement and turned questioningly to Isaac, who shrugged.

  “You’ll never understand it. Don’t strain yourself trying,” Carolyn commented acerbically. “Come on, Sara, let’s check you over for injuries. I have medic training, and I see that you’re favoring one foot. You may have broken a toe.”

  Sara just nodded. “Thanks,” she said.

  Carolyn examined her, but quickly stated that a selection of bruises and a scraped knee were the worst of her damages.

  Dash stood by, talking to the deputy, who was going over his initial investigation and Dash’s first contact with the Sheriff days before.

  Sara looked back at Dash, who was standing quietly, watching as Martin Brent was led away moaning and complaining about his injuries.

  Sara shivered, inexplicably certain suddenly that Martin Brent should be very, very grateful to be alive to complain. The look on Dash’s face...

  He turned suddenly and looked into her eyes. The blue intensity of his gaze held her rooted to the spot. He had no trouble reading her fear.

  “Don’t be afraid of me,” he said, his voice low and fierce.

  Sara moved closer to his side, pulled by the magnetism of his presence.

  “You must know I’d never do anything to hurt you. I want to kill that bastard for scaring you, for putting his hands on you. I want him dead. I want his blood on my hands.” His voice was low and vibrating with feeling.

  Dash was trying hard not to snarl. Sara was looking at him with those wide eyes and all but shivering with fear. To hell with it. She needed to know what she was dealing with. He wasn’t going to apologize for his anger when another man wanted to abuse his woman.

  Sara took his big hands in both of hers, and rubbed them slowly. “Now, his blood is on your hands,” she said simply.

  He looked down, shocked to see that it was true. A small streak of blood had transferred from Sara’s hand to his. Martin Brent’s blood. His instant triumph was savage. He shuddered with the effort it took to contain it.

  “On our hands.”

  “On our hands,” Dash repeated, pulling her hands up to kiss them. “God, Sara, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t! Don’t say you’re sorry.” Her eyes were fierce. “I’m not sorry. I fought for myself. I fought for us today. You gave me that.” She tried a smile. It was shaky, but genuine. “You showed me how to fight for us.”

  “I didn’t want you to have to fight,” Dash told her fiercely. He took a breath and steadied himself, pulling Sara around the corner and into an empty office.

  Facing her again, he rumbled, “I don’t ever want that for you. I don’t want you to know a moment’s fear. I want you safe and sheltered and glowing with happiness every day of your life.” His voice was very deep as he nuzzled the words into her hands.

  “Then you’d better plan on marrying me,” Sara said with a little smile, “because nothing makes me glow like you do.”

  Suddenly, she was crushed against his hot body. “Thank you, God,” he muttered, making her laugh. “I feel like I’ve waited a lifetime for you to agree to this.”

  Sara sputtered with laughter. “Days! Hours! You make it sound like I’ve been keeping you in suspense for years!” There was a pause. “How long would you have waited?”

  “Well,” he said, pulling back to gaze into her eyes, “I was pretty sure that by the time the first grandchild came along I could get my ring on your finger.”

  Shock was visible on her expressive face. “Grandchild! You were planning to be around that long, were you?”

  “Sara, baby, haven’t you figured it out yet? I’m not leaving, ever. You thought Brent was bad. Honey, I’d be so much worse.” His voice was apologetic, warning her softly.

  “You wouldn’t stalk me,” she protested.

  His eyes were serious. “No, honey, I wouldn’t do that. If you truly didn’t want to be with me, then I would let you go. But, you would have to do the leaving, Sara, because I could never walk away from you. Never.” His kiss was tender on her soft lips. “You own my heart,” he breathed into her mouth. “You own me.”

  “I love you,” Sara whispered, her voice quaking, “Dash.”

  Their mouths met and clung in a lush affirmation as Sara melted against Dash’s broad chest. It was where she had secretly wanted to be from the moment she first saw him.

  A throat clearing in the background made Dash pull back. He grimaced as he looked at his friend.

  “If you have a moment, the deputy would like Sara’s statement,” Grange said. “It’s safe out there. Brent is locked in the back of the cruiser outside.”

  Dash understood that Grange meant it was safe for him, with the temptation of murdering Brent removed for the moment. He nodded his thanks.

  “You have a habit of interrupting,” Dash complained in jest, needling his friend.

  Grange picked up the change in mood instantly. “Well, I could have let Isaac come instead,” he mused, hearing the other man behind him, “but the kinky bastard might have just watched.”

  Isaac stopped short. “Did I just miss something worth watching?” he asked, looking interested. “I’m left cleaning up your messes, and I don’t get any of the rewards. Maybe Sara should kiss me to help me get over my disappointment.”

  The sudden hiss behind Isaac startled everyone, as Carolyn turned on her heel and marched back out through the door she had just entered.

  Grange stiffened and threw Isaac a look. “Great work,” he bit out, pushing past Isaac in the doorway to follow Carolyn.

  “Shit.” Isaac ran one hand through his already tousled hair. “I didn’t mean that, Sara, I was joking. You know that, right?” His comment was addressed to Sara, but his eyes were on Dash.

  “I know.” Dash frowned slightly, obviously considering. He looked at his friend then looked out the door where Carolyn and Grange had gone. “Uh, Isaac,” he said, then grimaced and shook his head.

  “Your business,” he finally said.

  Isaac grimaced. “Yeah, if I don’t screw it up before it even gets started,” he muttered as he walked out.

  Epilogue

  A few days after the successful arrest of her stalker, Sara supervised while Dash and Isaac loaded her hand-carved rocking chair into the back of the truck. Dash had insisted on moving everything she owned out of her tiny apartment and into his home without delay. He generously allowed her as much time as she needed to plan their wedding, but only if she was in his bed. Privately, Sara thought he was being a bit high-handed, but since she didn’t really want to be apart from him, either, she didn’t argue.

  The life she had dreamed of was finally beginning. Martin Brent had confessed to entering Sara’s apartment and stealing some of her personal items. He was still trying to claim he did it all after an invitation from Sara, but the card he was using to prove it was printed out on a computer, and the general belief was that he had printed it himself. Even his court-appointed lawyer hadn’t seemed too impressed with that evidence.

  “I could kill that Nina,” Carolyn muttered beside her. She was watching Nina approach Grange, who was coming down the steps of Sara’s building carrying a large box. “She’s got real nerve showing up here. How did she know where you lived, anyway?” Her usually smooth Southern voice was harsh.

  The two friends watched Nina lean in close and trail one red-tipped talon down Grange’s arm. Grange glanced down and subtly moved away. It was the best he could do, as Nina was completely blocking the small gate.

  Carolyn was grinding her teeth, but she couldn’t seem to look away. From such a distance, Sara wasn’t sure about Nina’s exact choice of words, but her non-verbal offer was plain to see.

  “I’m sure Grange won’t have anything to do with her,” Sara reassured her friend. She didn’t know the story, but it was obvious that Carolyn was upset by Nina’s presence.

  “He can do whatever—or whoev
er—he wants,” Carolyn said fiercely. She walked away and climbed up into the truck.

  Sara turned to follow when she was grabbed from behind and swung into a pair of hard arms. She shrieked in surprise, even though she knew it was Dash.

  “Last but not least,” he stated smugly as he carried a laughing Sara to his jeep. “Isaac will drive the stuff out to the ranch and we’ll unload while you two ladies cook something appropriately hearty to reward us poor soldiers for all our hard work.”

  Dash set Sara on her feet and claimed a slow kiss and then another, tasting her mouth, lingering. “And then after dinner, we’ll get rid of our friends as fast as possible, and you can reward me personally. Very personally.”

  His deep voice and intense expression made Sara’s knees feel weak as he helped her into the jeep. She could hardly wait to get back to the ranch. He shut the door behind her and leaned through the open window to kiss her again.

  “Very personally,” she agreed softly. “I know the perfect reward.” And she leaned forward, slid her cool hand across his cheek, and whispered hotly in his ear. He whistled through his teeth and backed away from her, grinning.

  “Damn. Anytime you want, baby. Anywhere you want. I’m all yours.”

  Sara smiled. “Anywhere? Then take me home, Dash.”

  He kissed her hand and held it to his heart, thanking the powers that be for his good fortune that this sweet woman was his. He just knew she was the missing piece of his own soul. From the first time he had seen her, he had just known.

  “Home,” he said tenderly. “Yes, I’ll take you home.”

  THE END

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