Lone Rider

by Lauren Bach

  She closed her eyes in an effort to hold back the small moan building at the back of her throat. Her hands pressed against his chest. Pushing him away...or urging him closer?

  Dallas wrapped his arms tighter around her, letting sensations bombard him. The scent of her, fresh from the shower. The creamy softness of her skin. And her magnificent breasts, tips pearl-hard, pressed against him, testing his sanity.

  Suddenly the pressure grew too great. He had to stop this now. Or go forward. And considering the circumstances, he knew the former choice to be the right one...his turgid flesh be damned.

  He pulled back, tucking her head beneath his chin, exhaling sharply as he fought for control.

  Tess clamped her eyes shut, wishing she could disappear. How could she have allowed herself to lose track of her intentions? Her lips felt raw where he’d plundered, her pulse raced. And low, very low, a treacherous warmth blossomed, budding moisture. Desire?

  It couldn’t be.

  Yes, they’d shared a kiss. But it didn’t mean --

  She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t close her eyes and pretend they were lovers, that he hadn’t kidnapped her. And what must Dallas be thinking now? That she’d do anything? She almost had.

  But one thing puzzled her. He had been as affected by their momentary intimacy as she. And now it bothered him. Why? She would have expected him to act on his animal instincts, not struggle against them. Unless...

  Did he feel guilty? Maybe she did have more of a chance with him then she realized.

  When a knock sounded at the front door, she started. Dallas swore, setting her on her feet.

  “Just a minute,” he yelled out. Signaling to Tess, he lowered his voice. “Get in the bathroom and stay there.”

  Thankful for the interruption, she didn’t argue, hurrying toward the bathroom as Dallas strode to the front door. Once inside, Tess eavesdropped. At first she heard nothing. Then she recognized Duke’s voice.

  “Bogen’s called a meeting,” Duke said. “Thirty minutes, at the barn. You and Eddie are making a beer run afterwards.”

  Knowing Tess probably listened, Dallas stepped outside, onto the porch and shut the door. He pierced Duke with a cold stare.

  “You wouldn’t know anything about the cut the woman’s got on her head, would you?”

  Duke’s chest puffed belligerently, then just as quickly deflated when Dallas’ hands fisted at the collar of his shirt.

  “Hey, man, she fell. It was an accident. If that bitch told you anything else, she’s lying.”

  “She’s mine, Duke, and I’ll kill anyone who lays a finger on her while she’s in my possession. No excuses. Spread the word.”

  Tripping over his own feet, Duke nearly fell down the steps in a hurry to get away.

  It would have been a lot more satisfying to deck the little prick, Dallas thought. Except right now Duke was scared -- far more useful. He’d keep a healthy distance from Tess and warn the others as well. Oh sure, there’d be a few who wouldn’t listen. Like Snake. But Dallas knew who they were, knew to keep an eye out for them.

  Turning, he went back inside.

  Tess had listened, disappointed when the men stepped outside to talk. What were they discussing? And what would Dallas expect when he returned?

  She grew warm, remembering. She had never thought of sharing food as a sensual act until Dallas offered her that piece of toast. The food had served as foreplay, the prelude to his kiss. Then she lost control. How could she respond that way toward a man she should despise?

  She didn’t despise the man. She despised the situation.

  In fact the man was attractive to her in more ways then one. He was different from the others. The round peg amidst square holes -- he didn’t quite fit. And, perhaps most importantly, if she appeared to cooperate, he might free her.

  When she heard the outside door, she quickly turned the faucet on and grabbed her toothbrush.

  When she entered the kitchen a few minutes later, she smelled coffee. Dallas handed her a mug.

  “We need to talk,” he began. “About your role here.”

  Tess frowned setting the coffee aside. “Do I have any say in the matter?”

  “No.” Dallas didn’t like it any more than she did. Their options were limited. “We both know you’d prefer your freedom. That’s not in my power to grant. Bogen runs this camp with a tight fist. He considers everyone here to be under his domain. You will be allowed to stay in my keeping as long as I take proper precautions. One is to assure you can’t escape.”

  She bristled. “I’m surprised you allow a man like Bogen to exercise so much control over your life. What happens when you want one thing and Bogen wants another? Does Bogen always win?”

  Not if he could help it. Dallas realized Tess baited him. The residual tension from their kiss crackled in the air. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she’d been affected by it. He liked that.

  “I knew the rules when I signed up,” he said.

  “Well I didn’t!” Her mounting frustration cracked. “You’re nothing but a bunch of kidnapping murderers! Do you think I don’t know what’s going to happen to me? Do you think I want to end up like-- ” Realizing she’d said too much, she turned away.

  Dallas was beside her before she could blink. The man moved faster than light. She tensed as he grabbed her, pulling her close. Unwilling to back down, she stared at him coldly.

  “Murderers?” he repeated. “An interesting choice of words. What makes you say that?”

  When she didn’t respond, Dallas exhaled sharply. Something had happened. He could see it in her eyes. Horror. The question was what. He knew when. She’d only been out of his sight for those few hours she’d spent locked in the pantry. Snake had returned to the big house during that time. Had he or Bogen threatened her?

  “You don’t want to end up like whom?” Dallas prompted once more.

  She swallowed, suddenly unsure of how much she should tell him. She hadn’t missed the brief look of surprise that flashed across his face. Shock. Disbelief. In other words, Dallas still didn’t know about the man Snake had murdered.

  Was it a secret between Snake and Bogen? If she let on that she knew, would Dallas tell Bogen? Would it make her position in camp even more precarious? She recalled Bogen’s threats. He’d take her from Dallas and do God knows what. Blinking, she looked away.

  “You’re hiding something,” Dallas said, relaxing the grip on her arms. “While I can’t blame you for not trusting me, there’s a few things you should know. If Bogen starts to feel like you’re a threat to him or his operation, he’ll get rid of you. And I don’t mean kill you. There’s a huge demand outside this country for women like you. Your stay here will seem like a week on a luxury cruiser.”

  She paused, absorbing his words. He was trying to frighten her into submissiveness. Like Bogen had. Except he didn’t frighten her nearly as much as Bogen.

  Feeling bold, she called his bluff. “I’d welcome the change! Nothing can be worse than this! Nothing.”

  The fingers gripping her arms instantly tightened, snatching her up against his chest, leaving her feet dangling inches off the floor. His hold constricted unmercifully as he spoke.

  “Are you familiar with the term ‘white slavery’, Tess? You’re shipped out of the country and sold to the highest bidder. Don’t look so stunned. There’s a part of the world where that type of thing happens with alarming regularity. In fact, demand exceeds supply. And with your looks and body, guess what commodity you’d be expected to provide? For perhaps a houseful of guests. You’d be abused mentally, physically, and sexually.”

  He shook her, his eyes raking her body, lingering on her heaving breasts, purposely violating her, his voice cruel. “Yeah, you’d be stupid enough to fight. Until they whipped off a layer of skin. Or had you addicted. Have you ever seen what an addict will do for a fix, Tess?”

  She shook her head, too aghast to speak.

  “Then think twice before you open your mouth arou
nd here. I know this isn’t nice. I know you think it’s unfair. But it can be a hell of a lot worse.” Relaxing his fingers, he set her down, keeping a grip on her when she faltered. Damn, he hadn’t meant to lose his temper.

  Stunned, Tess stared at him. She’d touched a nerve. Dallas was different. She’d seen it in the boiling disgust he kept carefully hidden below the surface. A small thread of hope flickered inside her.

  “You don’t condone something like that, do you?” She could barely speak.

  Dallas wrestled with his conscience. “Whether I do or don’t is immaterial. The point is that the consequences of breaking Bogen’s rules are bad.”

  She drew a deep breath. Whether she liked it or not, she needed to play the game to stay alive. “And what are these rules?”

  “Anytime you’re not with me, you’ve got to be secured.”

  “You mean handcuffed?”

  He nodded. “When the two of us are here alone, I’ll give you free run of the cabin. That changes if someone else is around. You’ve probably figured out that Bogen and his cronies consider women chattels. Right now you’re considered mine. Everyone will respect that as long as I maintain control.”

  Tess paced across the room toward the couch, not liking what she heard. She turned, pinning him with a cold stare. “How long do you honestly expect to keep me like this? My family and friends will miss me. They’ll notify the police.”

  “They won’t find us, Tess.”

  The conviction in his voice shook her. “You’re just saying that so I’ll go along willingly with whatever you say. Like I have a choice!”

  Dallas shrugged. “Would you prefer Snake’s company over mine?”

  “That’s not a choice, and you know it.” Tess suppressed a shudder of revulsion. If she had to stay in Bogen’s camp, she’d choose Dallas. He’d already proved to be far more considerate than expected.

  And he was different. In ways she couldn’t yet define. She’d seen glimpses of it, sensed it. Yes, the man was a devil. But a chivalrous devil. He hadn’t taken advantage of the situation. The question was why? She was his prisoner. He could easily overpower her.

  Yet he didn’t. And something deep inside her said he wouldn’t. A small bubble of hope surfaced.

  “You’re not like the others,” she whispered drawing close once again, seeking his eyes. “Who are you?”

  “I’m more like them than you know. Don’t push it.”

  He wasn’t being honest. Confused, she changed subjects. “Exactly how many other people live here?”

  He moved away to refill his coffee cup. “Exactly? Still planning an escape?”

  She rubbed her upper arms where he’d held her, certain she’d have more bruises. “Just curious. Are there other women in camp?”

  “Three or four. But they’re here by choice. You won’t be allowed any contact with them. Which is probably for your own good. They’re a jealous bunch. Snake’s girlfriend, Liz, is the worst. She’d just as soon cut your heart out as look at you.”

  “Sounds perfect for Snake.”

  He glanced at his watch and set his cup aside. “I’ve got to go out. I don’t know how long I’ll be, so I suggest you finish eating and use the bathroom.”

  “Are you going to handcuff me again?”

  “Yes.”

  “For how long?”

  “As long as it takes.”

  Tess reached out, stopping him when he would have turned away. “Can I go with you?”

  “No.”

  She saw him glance at his watch yet again and knew time was running short. “Can we compromise and just cuff one hand?”

  He shook his head, playing his trump. “The only alternative is to leave you locked in the pantry at the big house.”

  Her shoulders fell. She’d rather stay here, chained to Dallas’ bed, than step foot back inside Bogen’s house. She’d even abandoned her idea of getting to Bogen’s telephone and calling for help, not wanting to risk getting caught by Bogen himself.

  After using the bathroom, Tess refused his offer to eat, and this time he didn’t push it. She followed him into the bedroom and sat meekly on the bed.

  “Lie down. Hands over your head.” At first he thought she was going to fight him. Then she lay down.

  Her acquiescence left a bitter taste in his mouth. He grasped her hands easing them up. He felt her resistance, knew what it cost her to obey. “I’ll be in town. Do you need anything?”

  “The police.”

  He snapped the cuffs in place. Gently. Then he trailed the tip of his finger down the inside of her arm. “My thoughts ran more along the lines of chewing gum or a magazine.”

  She shook her head. He stood.

  “Dallas?” She stopped him before he left the room.

  He turned, expecting her to ask for something from town. Her troubled visage tore at him, reminding him how unfair the situation was to her. He came back and sat on the bed.

  “What...what happens to me if you don’t return?”

  The knife in his gut twisted. That was something he didn’t want to think about. Leaning forward, he traced the fine lines in her forehead, trying to erase them.

  “I promise I’ll return.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The barn was in better shape than most other structures on the property. Originally built to house horses, most of the stalls had been ripped down, leaving plenty of space for Bogen’s clan and their motorcycles.

  Dallas arrived last. Frankie tossed him a beer and made room at one of the dilapidated picnic tables.

  Preferring to stand, Dallas downed half the beer and leaned against the fender of Bogen’s brand-new pickup. All the cars and motorcycles the gang drove were legally owned and registered. Another one of the rules. No one drove hot vehicles.

  Dallas scanned the small crowd. Fourteen handpicked men, not counting himself. Snake, Duke, and Eddie were part of Bogen’s original gang. They had started out twelve years ago in Southern California dealing in stolen property. Since then they’d tried their hand at almost every other crime. Drugs proved most lucrative, and they had built up a profitable trade between Mexico and Los Angeles.

  Then Bogen hooked up with Sanchez’s organization. The Big Boys. The South American Source. Bogen’s operation rapidly increased to include the entire West Coast. About nine months ago, when the heat got too hot in California, Bogen packed up and moved operations to a deserted corner of Montana, where he was preparing to expand into another profitable joint venture with the South American cartel: white slavery.

  Dallas had been with the gang eighteen months. Bogen himself had recruited Dallas after a fight in a sleazy Sacramento bar where Dallas inadvertently saved Bogen’s life. A knife meant for Bogen’s heart had deflected neatly off Dallas’ rib cage. It had taken over sixty stitches to close the gash but had earned him something beyond measure: Bogen’s trust.

  For the first few months after joining, Dallas handled petty stuff: stolen cars and truckloads of stolen cigarettes. Bogen immediately recognized Dallas’ shrewd ability to turn a higher profit, and he quickly moved up the ranks.

  At that moment Bogen stood, clearing his throat. The barn grew quiet.

  “Everyone knows the people we work for have been nervous the past several months. They’ve had a few close calls.”

  “They’ve always been nervous,” Duke shouted. “Afraid we’ll take over.”

  Bogen waited until most of the laughter subsided. “The bottom line is, we’ve got orders to shut down temporarily. Normally I wouldn’t comply, but this time my gut tells me to listen. And everyone here knows I’ve got pretty good instincts.”

  The decision to comply with Sanchez’s order surprised Dallas. It wasn’t like Bogen to back down in a situation like this. Dallas had expected a confrontation between Sanchez and Bogen -- a token act of defiance if nothing else. But to roll over and play dead? Why the sudden change of heart?

  Several of the men grumbled, urging Bogen to reconsider.

  Dall
as noticed that Snake remained uncharacteristically quiet. That was odd, too. Snake never kept his opinions to himself. Dallas’ senses went on alert. What was going on? Something had happened between the time Bogen and Dallas had discussed Sanchez last night and now. The question was what?

  He thought back to his suspicions that Tess hid something. Either he was growing paranoid, or everyone else knew something he didn’t. And if not everyone, then certainly Bogen, Snake, and Tess.

  “I suggest you stick close to camp for the next week or so, until this blows over,” Bogen said. “I’m sending Haynes and Eddie to stock up on supplies. If anyone needs something, see them.”

  Bogen looked briefly at Dallas, then continued. “Everyone’s curious to see Haynes’ new acquisition. Too bad. He’s not sharing.” With Bogen’s word it was official. Tess was Dallas’.

  Several men hooted lewd encouragements, which Dallas ignored. Snake dropped his beer can and strode off. But not before shooting Dallas a venomous look.

  The exchange left Dallas feeling uneasy. Snake would cause trouble the first chance he got. Dallas needed to get Tess out of the way, as soon as possible, but without casting suspicion on himself.

  The problem was how.

  * * *

  “Her name is Tess Marsh, age twenty-six. She’s one of the Marsh heirs.”

  The man on the other end of the phone in Washington, D.C., Dallas’ FBI supervisor, Barry Neilson, whistled. “How the hell did they get her?”

  Dallas was parked near the drugstore, talking on his cellular phone. Eddie had made a beeline for the local pool hall when Dallas mentioned stopping to pick up supplies for Tess. Dallas figured he had fifteen minutes at the most.

  He quickly explained the circumstances leading to Tess’ abduction. “Bogen doesn’t realize who he’s got. And I think I’ve convinced her to keep her identity secret. But if Bogen finds out, her life won’t mean squat. He’ll bury her rather than take risks with a high-profile name. I want her out, Barry. Now.”

  Barry grunted. “That’ll be tricky, especially since she’s in your care. She disappears; all eyes turn to you. And we’re close, buddy. The signal’s coming in strong.”