Witness Protection (The Witness Series)

by Bec Botefuhr

  “NEVER ANSWER THE DOOR, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A FUCKING BOMB AND WE WOULD HAVE COME OUT TO FIND BITS OF YOU ALL OVER THE WALLS!” He screams at me suddenly, I sit and scamper backwards at the harsh tone he is using. I didn’t mean to, I didn’t think about it.

  “Ryder stop, it’s not her fault. Fuck buddy look at her, she is terrified.”

  My lip quivers as fresh tears stream down my face. Ryder drops to his knees in front of me, gripping my face with such intense emotion is scares me.

  “Baby, my baby, don’t ever do that again. Fuck, scared the shit out of me. Fuck.”

  He pulls my forehead to his lips and holds it there a long moment before pulling back. His eyes are glassy and full of fear. I scared him.

  “Never…never open a package again. I would have died baby, died if you…if that…”

  “I’m sorry.” I croak.

  “Fuck this,” He says, rubbing his head and standing, it is clear he isn’t dealing with the feelings he has right now. “I need a minute. Stay here for when Clancy arrives.”

  Ryder grips his keys, his gun and then storms out the front door. I look over at Nate and he smiles weakly.

  “He will be ok, it scared him. We heard you scream and found you on the ground, it was hard not to assume something bad had happened. It scared him.”

  “I am sorry.”

  “Don’t be.”

  “Did it scare you Nate?”

  “Scared the shit outta me. I was in the room with Lyle and I heard this horrid scream, fuck I shit myself.”

  He holds me close and we wait for James Clancy to arrive. When he does, I am debriefed until my head hurts. Nothing new, and that doesn’t surprise me. I plod off to bed at eight pm and curl up under my sheets. I can hear James Clancy and Nate chatting, so I dare to let a few tears spill out and over my cheeks. I wish to God this man would just piss right off. I had the night of my life, only to have it ruined by a psycho. I pick up my phone and send a text to Ryder.

  Sorry x

  Me too.

  Are you coming home Ryder?

  Soon.

  Are you with Janelle?

  He doesn’t answer, I wait and wait, but he doesn’t answer. Frowning, I send another message.

  Ryder?

  It’s complicated, get some sleep.

  Oh my God, he isn’t, he wouldn’t?

  Ryder, are you two sleeping together?

  No fucking way and I don’t have time to discuss it. Go. To. Sleep.

  I am hurt, I flip the phone off and curl back into bed. I cry myself into a restless sleep that night, I don’t know where the hell I stand with Ryder but I know this, I am mad about him and he is a dangerous game to be playing.

  CHAPTER 6

  Finally, the stupid girl showed some fear. I strung that body up, busted my ass and wasted my time only to see her swimming and prancing around with those cops hours after. My blood boiled, my life’s work, my reason for living and she was laughing in my face. I am glad now, that I cut the stupid girls finger off. It was the perfect ending to my day, seeing Maya go down. Passed out cold.

  Now for the next step in my plan, I know they are expecting it, they are waiting and waiting for me to pounce and I will, by God I will. All the security in the world won’t stop me getting my hands on her and when I do, she will scream until she has nothing left. I have big plans for Maya, maybe a game of cat and mouse in the woods, a few bullet holes before I fuck her and slit her throat. Might even put her up in a wild animal habitat, watch her get torn to pieces. That will be nice for her cops to find.

  But first, oh first, I am going to make her life hardly worth living. In fact, she will want me to kill her when I am done, she will come to me, she will be putty in my hands. My grand plan, and oh what a plan it is, will bring her to her knees. Enjoy your little fuck fest Maya, because soon enough, you will be nothing but a bloody corpse hanging from a tree, or perhaps turned into wild animal crap. Now that makes me laugh, oh yes, that would make my day!

  * * * * * *

  A week passes with no more word from the killer, I am approached by reporters and asked to make a report, at first Ryder and Nate refused but the decided it could be the perfect way to get the killer to make a mistake. If he gets angry enough, he might just crumble and stuff up. So, here I am sitting in a reporting studio with a young perky woman who is asking me stupid questions.

  “Maya, can you tell us how you feel about the killings?” She asks.

  “I feel sick, not because of him but because those poor girls had to endure that, and their families had to experience that loss.”

  “How did you feel when you saw BTK killing that woman?”

  “It hurt me, but not in the way he wants.”

  “Oh?”

  “He wants a name, he wants to haunt our minds and put fear in our hearts, well, he hasn’t with me.”

  “He hasn’t, even after the body that was strung up in your complex?”

  “No, the body was horrific and my heart goes out to that poor family, but it is all just a game to him. A game I won’t play.”

  “And the package at your door?”

  “A child could do better.”

  The reporter blinks at me. “Are you afraid Maya, for your own life?”

  I make a point of snorting. “No, he is a sick, pathetic man who has no life and feels the need to pick on people weaker than him. He thinks he is superior to the world but he isn’t, fact is, he is weak as hell. I mean,” I say, crossing my legs. “What sort of sicko picks on young girls, does he really think he is big and strong? Take on someone your own size buddy and we will see how that goes for you.”

  “Someone like perhaps the two very handsome cops you are living with?”

  I smile. “I would like to see him take them on, yes.”

  “So, Maya, is there a romantic interest for either of the men?”

  I grin and tap my lips. “Now that would be telling.”

  “Do you think the killer will strike again?”

  “Of course he will.”

  “Do you know why?”

  “He is a sad man who’s mummy treated him badly so he is taking revenge on the world.”

  “What would you say to him, if you were face to face?”

  “I would say,” I say, looking right into the camera, “Do the world a favor and put a bullet in your mouth, you pathetic weak son of a bitch.”

  The reported gasps and fans herself.

  “Well then, that concludes our interview. Thank you Maya.”

  I stand and walk out, trying hard to control my trembling hands. I meet Nate and Ryder at the door, Ryder grips my shoulders.

  “You did real well.”

  “Let’s hope it works.”

  “It will piss him off, hopefully enough for a mistake to be made.”

  “Hopefully.”

  “You ready for tonight?” Ryder asks.

  I give a weak smile. Tonight we are going to Nate’s family’s ranch for three days to get away and also so I can meet his family.

  “Sure.”

  “Are you all packed?”

  “In the car.”

  “Good good. You ready to rumble Nate, we got a long drive ahead?”

  “Yep, all good bud.”

  We walk out to the car and double check our things, then we all get in. It is going to be a long, long drive so I settle in the back seat, stretching my legs out. Ryder jumps in the front and Nate gets in the passenger seat. We begin the drive out to the ranch, and I feel a small amount of comfort as slowly we leave the city for a while. I need a break, just a little time away.

  Ryder is gone most nights and Nate stays with me, in a sense it has been good, we have gotten close and become even fonder of one another and it helps that we both share the same deep feelings for Ryder, if only he would stop running. I haven’t gotten much out of Ryder, we had an amazing night and then he just went ahead and pissed off, leaving me alone and confused and since then, he has been so distant he may as well have just en
ded it.

  “Your family sound nice Nate.”

  “They are sweetheart.”

  “I bet they love you.”

  “I bet they do to.” He laughs.

  “Not as much as me.”

  “You love me?”

  “Of course!” I grin.

  Ryder doesn’t say anything, he just keeps driving as through we aren’t speaking around him. I sigh and close my eyes, fighting back the tears that are threatening to come thundering out.

  “Since when did you two start confessing your undying love?” He says suddenly, his voice is rough and scratchy.

  “We got no shame in admitting how we feel.” Nate says, giving me a wink.

  “Yeah well keep lids on your love shit, I don’t like it.”

  “We are close, maybe you ought to try having a heart!” I snap.

  “Don’t…”

  “Alright you two, enough. This is a trip away for us all to just chill.” Nate cuts in.

  “Tell him to chill, the man can hardly look at me since we had sex. Pushed and pushed and now he has it, he has no interest in wanting anything more than to snap at me every chance he gets.”

  Ryder pulls the car over with a hiss, then he leaps out of the car and opens my door. He grips my arms and hauls me out, then slams my body against the hot metal of the car.

  “You think you know everything do you? Think you know how I feel? I have been aching to touch you, aching to see you in my bed since that night but I have shit that I have to deal with before I complicate my life further with you!”

  “Complicate?” I whisper, hurt. “That’s all I am? Complications for you to deal with?”

  “I didn’t…”

  “Don’t Ryder, just stop while you have the chance.”

  I get back in the car and slam the door closed. Ryder kicks some rocks and swears loudly for a few minutes, then gets back in. He opens his mouth to speak but Nate stops him.

  “Don’t mate, just leave it.”

  I can feel Ryder’s eyes on me as he pulls out, and I know he can see the tears tumbling down my cheeks. I lay down and shove my face into the pillow, and that is where I stay until we pull up at a gas stop. I don’t get up when Ryder pulls the car up. I hear Nate get out, but I keep my eyes closed. I hear the two arguing outside the door.

  “Fuck Nate, stop acting like a child.”

  “Really mate? You want to go there?”

  “I didn’t mean what I said.”

  “You know what Ryder, get your head out of your ass for five minutes. If you have an issue with feelings passed between Maya and me then say so, otherwise back off. If you don’t want to be a part of this, don’t be but she is important to me and will be in my life, even if you don’t want her in yours.”

  “I want her, so fucking bad.”

  “Then why are you running?”

  “I got hurt.”

  “Feelings are different this time, if you can’t see that you are blind.”

  “My heart got fucking ripped out.”

  “I know, but she loves you Ryder, Christ only knows why but she does. If you can’t deal with it leave, but stop wasting time and heart space.” Nate growls.

  “Nate, fuck, stop making this so damned hard.”

  “Do you love her?”

  “What I feel is beside the point, I have shit going on that I need to deal with.”

  “Janelle, it’s always fucking Janelle. She fucked it once and she will do it again, walk away Ryder or you will lose the best thing in your life.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “Make it that fucking easy!”

  Nate turns and storms off. I sigh and get out of the car, Ryder stares at me but I ignore him and follow after Nate. I find him sitting on an old wooden chair under a huge tree. I sit beside him and take his hand, he turns to look at me and gives me a smile.

  “It will be ok cowboy, things will work out.”

  “Ryder is complex sweetheart, it goes far deeper then you know.”

  “So tell me.”

  “It’s not my place. He has been hurt, badly.”

  “Janelle?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I won’t ask Nate, because you are right, it is his place to tell me but know this, I won’t give up on him.”

  Nate pulls me close. “That I know gorgeous, that I know.”

  “You love me Nate?”

  “To the stars.”

  “And I love you to the moon, you will always be my friend now, no matter what happens with Ryder and me.”

  “I hope so, come on, we should get going.”

  We get some drinks and burgers then get back into the car. Ryder gets into the driver’s seat without a glance to either of us. I want to grip his shoulders and kiss him, I want to tell him it’s all ok but he just looks so distant and so damned hurt, I don’t know what to say to take away the pain in his heart.

  We drive another five hours, and finally we pull up at a beautiful old ranch. The main house takes my breath away, it is white with a patio running around the full outskirts. The house itself is wooden, and has an old school charm about it. It suits the outback, it suits the stables and barns surrounding it. I peer around at the hectares and hectares of land occupied by horses and cattle.

  “Oh Nate.” I breathe.

  “Pretty huh?”

  “Oh yes.”

  When we get out, I breathe in the fresh warm air. It is such a beautiful change to the big city smoke. I see a bunch of horses whinnying at the fence and rush over. An old grey mare nuzzles my palm and I press my cheek to hers and breathe in the scent of horse and country. She whinnies again when Nate walks over.

  “This is my old girl Josie.”

  “She is gorgeous.”

  “I will take you for a ride while we are here.”

  I beam. “Oh, I would love that!”

  “Nathan!”

  I hear a woman cry out and we both turn to see a beautiful blonde haired woman running down the steps. I figure it must be his sister. When she gets up close, I see she is just as beautiful as Nate, with the same big brown eyes. She is stunning. He wraps his arms around her and swings her in a hug, I smile and step back, only then noticing Ryder is standing beside me.

  “Oh look at you, all grown up and cop like.”

  Nate laughs. “Yeah look at you, all grown up with boobs.”

  She shoves him. “Bully, I am so glad you are home.”

  She turns to me and beams. “Is this Maya?”

  I step forward. “Nice to meet you.”

  She hugs me close and I laugh, hugging her too.

  “We are the same age, my God we have to share so much. Not about Nate though.” She laughs.

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “Ryder!” She beams and I see a distinct flush cross her cheeks, uh oh, Nate’s sister has a crush on Ryder.

  “Hey sis.” He grins, hugging her and planting a smacking kiss on her lips.

  “You look hot, any special woman in your life?”

  I look away.

  “Nah.”

  Nah? Wow why didn’t he just kick me?

  “I am Imogen by the way, I am so glad to have a girl around.”

  I force a smile. “Me too.”

  “Boys!”

  I see another woman coming down the stairs, who is just an older version of Imogen. She takes Nate into a long, hard hug and he holds her close.

  “Ma, I have missed you.”

  “Oh my boy, all grown up. I missed you too.”

  “Hi there Lucy.” Ryder grins.

  “Oh my other boy, look at you, all scary with tattoos.”

  He laughs and hugs her close. “Soft at heart Luc, soft at heart.”

  She chuckles and pulls back to stare at me. I smile and feel nervous under her gaze.

  “And you must be Maya, well look at you, gorgeous! I am Lucy.” She smiles, putting a hand out.

  “It’s a pleasure Lucy, thanks for having me.”

  “Anytime honey
, anytime.”

  “So I hear you have a man now?” I hear Ryder say to Imogen.

  He takes her arm and walks off, still refusing to look at me. I swallow and smile at Nate, who is hugging his ma again.

  “Where’s dad?”

  “Out and about, he will be home soon. Come in, it’s so hot out.”

  “It’s nice.” I murmur, enjoying the sun.

  “I suppose it would be after that big city smoke.”

  “You know it.” Nate grins.

  We get our bags and Lucy takes us through the beautiful house, with its wooden floors and old country furniture. It has a warm feeling, a loved feeling. I suddenly miss my family like mad. Lucy shows me to my room and I promise to be back out once I have freshened up. I shower in the old shower with pale green walls and then dress and sit on the old springy bed. It’s all old but it is so comforting. I pull out my phone.

  Sandy, I miss you x

  I miss you too, it is sooo boring around here without you.

  I am out on a ranch, can you believe?

  Oh my God, horses and all?

  Horses and all.

  Hot cowboys?

  Hot cops.

  Hmmmm, jealous much. So, which one are you shacking up with?

  Ones gay Sandy, remember.

  So Ryder then?

  Ryder.

  Oh la la, I bet he is spicy to kiss.

  Oh yeah.

  Oh my God you lucky bitch!

  Right?

  Lol, I have to go, mum says hi baby.

  Tell her I will ring soon. I love you guys.

  You too xx

  I put down my phone and swallow back my tears, I miss my damn family. I stand and brush back my hair, pinning it to the side and I run my hands down the light summer dress I am wearing. With a deep breath, I walk out. Everyone is in the kitchen, with the addition of a new older man, who I assume is Nate’s father. Ryder’s eyes run over me, and then hold mine for a long, long moment. I drag them away to smile at everyone else.

  “Well lookie, this must be Maya.” The older man says walking over.

  He is handsome for his age, his hair is darker than Nate’s and his mother and sisters. It is more a light brown. His eyes are almost black and his skin is sun worn but he has handsome features. I smile and take his extended hand.

  “I am, how are you sir?”

  “Call me John, and ain’t it nice to see such a pretty girl.”