Witness Protection (The Witness Series)

by Bec Botefuhr

  I hope you are enjoying your time on the ranch Maya, I am sure your little cop lover is taking good care of you. They can’t be around forever Maya, they have to move on with their lives sometime. They will get bored, and I will pounce. Why, I wonder what Ryder has been up to all those nights he has been gone? It will end Maya, I assure you and when it does, I will be there, I will always be there.

  Sleep tight,

  BTK (It’s a rather good name isn’t it?)

  I am panting by the end of the email and finally, after all the weeks of torture, I crumble. I fall into hyperventilating mode and I can’t catch my breath. I need to get out, I can’t go out into the lounge, everyone will see and I can’t face them. I turn to the window and with shaking hands I shove it open. I crawl out and rush down the stairs and out to the paddocks.

  I see the already saddled horses and climb on the big grey mare, the one I met the day before. I kick her belly and she lunges forward into a full gallop. She is going so fast my tears trickle backwards instead of downwards. I make her run, and I wail as she does. It is too much, I can’t take much more. When the horse slows at a stream, I slide off and tie her to a tree.

  I drop to the ground and there I stay, screaming and crying furiously. I didn’t do anything to anyone, I have always been just quiet little Maya and I have never hurt a damned fly, yet this mental man wants me. He won’t stop until he gets me. I can’t take the fear anymore, the pulsing fear that tears through my veins every minute of every day. I just want it gone.

  I hear horse hooves, and then moments later the sound of thumping boots on the ground. Soon, I am wrapped in two sets of firm, strong arms. I wail louder, clutching whichever shirt is closest. My tears soak that shirt and my body convulses between the two hard forms. I scream and cry until I have nothing left but heaving sobs.

  “Shhh, we got you, baby we got you.”

  Ryder’s voice. Relief.

  “You are safe, he won’t hurt you.”

  Nate’s voice, even more relief.

  “Come on, let’s get you back. You have a nasty cut on your head.”

  My head, how did I get a cut on my head? I look up at the two men and the three horses tied to the tree and say the oddest thing.

  “You rode a horse for me.”

  Ryder gives a hoarse laugh.

  “Here’s the thing, I would do anything for you, any fucking thing.”

  “He emailed me.” I whisper.

  “We saw it.”

  Ryder lifts me into his arms and slides me onto the saddle with Nate, who wraps his arms around me and slowly we all make our way back to the house. When Lucy see’s us pull in she rushes out.

  “Oh poor love, come on, come in.”

  She takes me and wraps a blanket around my shoulders. She forces me to sit on the couch where she hands me a cup of tea.

  “That man is evil!” She mutters, stroking my hair.

  “He won’t stop, not until he makes me pay.”

  “My boys won’t let that happen.”

  “Damn right we won’t.” Nate agrees, sitting beside me and pulling me close.

  “Nathan, what is happening with the case?” Lucy asks.

  “Well ma, it is all over the place but we have a name, a reason, we just don’t have the man. He is impossible to hold down, he is smart, too damned smart.”

  “Even the smartest fall.” She mutters.

  “Yeah well, the sooner the better.”

  “We are on it ma, Ryder is on the phone with the detective now.”

  “How did he get her email address?”

  “It isn’t hard, Facebook, social media is huge now.”

  “True.”

  I swallow and clench my eyes shut, wishing just for a moment the damned pain would go away.

  CHAPTER 7

  That message would have done it, I can only imagine her face. Would have been priceless. That will teach her for putting me down in front of the entire world. Little bitch will wish she was never born, God the plans I have for her, the plans oh yes, the plans. First and foremost though, I will make her suffer, make her wish to God she was dead and then she will be weak and ready.

  Desperate and ready, that was the key to catching the ones who knew you were coming. They needed to be at the end of their rope, desperate, needy and wanting relief. That is when you pounce, that is when you make the final stand. That moment was coming, I just had to put the motions in place, like breaking her heart and putting her to shame in the public eye, dragging her down and making her wish she was never born.

  No more victims until that time, no I needed to be in top shape for the final showdown. I couldn’t risk getting caught with another victim, I just had to do what I came to do and that is to make Maya pay. She will pay, slowly and painfully. Her time is close, but for now, I need to put my next plan into action. This one is going to blow her pretty socks right off.

  * * * * * *

  “Ouch.” I pout as Ryder dabs my head with antiseptic.

  “Stop being a baby.”

  “Stop being a bully.”

  He leans in and kisses me. “Better?”

  “Hmmmm, no.”

  “Hey, give a man some credit, I rode a horse for you.”

  “If you rode it like you ride me, lucky horse.”

  He snorts and slaps my thigh. “Behave.”

  “Ryder?”

  “Hmmmm?”

  “Are we…together?”

  His eyes meet mine. “I don’t know.”

  “Are you sleeping with Janelle?”

  “No, I swear to God I am not.”

  “Why do you keep seeing her then?”

  “I said it’s complicated.”

  I stand and shove his hands from my body. “I trusted you with my past, with my body and you still can’t trust me!”

  “Bullshit!” He snaps. “I haven’t gotten sweet fuck all from you. So you told me you were in the system, you never told me why. You shut down as much as I do Maya!”

  “My parents left me and my sister when I was five years old. Just left. I never knew what happened, never knew where they went but I know they are alive, don’t ask me how I just do. They didn’t die, they ran but I don’t know what from. I got thrown into the system with a little sister who I had to protect. I had a hard childhood and had to grow up. Are you happy now? I have given you more than you have given me now!”

  He stares at me for a long, long moment. “Janelle…fucked another man. Two actually. I found her in bed with two men, fucking her at the same time. We were married. I thought she loved me the way I loved her but…”

  “Oh Ryder.”

  “It’s done. I have shit going on that I really do need to sort, when it is sorted I will tell you, I swear. I am not fucking her.”

  “Ok.” I whisper.

  “Tell me about your parents, why do you think they aren’t dead?”

  “They just disappeared, without a trace. No one could ever find what happened to them. I know they aren’t dead, I just do.”

  “Why do you think they haven’t come back?”

  “I really don’t know. I guess we weren’t what they wanted and so they ran.”

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine.”

  “When we get this bastard sorted, I am going to help you find your parents.”

  I smile weakly. “I know Ryder.”

  “Where the fuck is he, where the fuck is my son?”

  I hear the voice bellow down the hall and I feel Ryder tense.

  “Oh shit.”

  “Who is that?”

  “My father.”

  I follow Ryder as he stands and walks out, I see a man storming down the hall, his face full of rage. He is a spitting image of Ryder, but his eyes are blue.

  “Father.”

  “You disgusting little shit, put our name to SHAME!”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Now come on Joshua, calm down.” Lucy calls from the hall.

  “Stay out of t
his Lucy. You haven’t see what I got here.”

  “What have you got that’s so bad!” Ryder snarls.

  Joshua thrusts a newspaper in Ryder’s direction and points rudely at the front page. Ryder looks down and pales.

  “What the fuck?”

  “What is it?” I ask.

  Ryder thrusts the paper at me and I glance down stupidly at the picture in front of me. It is me, sandwiched in the middle of Nate and Ryder. It was the first week I stayed, when Nate came up behind me in the kitchen and was jokingly pressing against me. In the picture though, it looks like the two men are naked because the bench cuts of the fact that they are wearing pants. It looks so wrong. The article reads:

  COPS CAUGHT IN A THREESOME SCANDAL.

  Two new York cops, who are meant to be keeping a young girl safe, were spotted in a compromising position with young Maya Traydon. Sources say the three have been spotted frolicking around the lot, and snuggling inside the apartment. An anonymous source provided the picture, saying he knows first hand the three are in a relationship.

  “W-w-what?” I cry.

  “Yeah you filthy little whore,” Joshua snarls at me. “Don’t look shocked.”

  “Shut your fucking mouth dad,” Ryder hisses. “Call her a name again and I will knock you out.”

  “Enough, all of you.” Lucy cries, taking the paper. She gapes and covers her mouth.

  “Shocked aren’t you? So was I!” Joshua wails, throwing his hands up and storming out.

  Somehow we end up out the front, with John and Nate gaping at the paper.

  “You dragged our name through the dirt, I always knew you were a waste of good breathing space.” Joshua snarls at Ryder.

  “Stop!” I cry.

  “What is going on?” Lucy cries.

  “You are an embarrassment to me, you good for nothing failure. I want you out of my life.”

  The look on Ryder’s face is pure pain, his father is tearing his heart out and lowering him to the ground slowly and painfully.

  “SHUT UP!” Ryder roars.

  Joshua throw’s a punch, connecting with Ryder’s jaw and sending him stumbling backwards.

  “You are worthless!”

  Ryder is up and gone before another word can be spoken.

  “RYDER!” I call.

  “Go on after him, little whore.” Joshua snaps at me.

  I turn, fury running through my veins. “Let me tell you something for nothing you no good piece of shit. That man is amazing, he is the most beautiful person on the face of this earth and you…you are a low life rotten father who should be shot for the way you treat him. How dare you judge? If you stopped and let him speak, you would know that picture wasn’t correct, if you paid any attention to your son’s life or his best friends life you would know Nate is fucking gay!”

  Joshua’s eyes bug and he turns to Nate who shrugs.

  “You…are gay?” He says, repulsed.

  “Yeah, I am. Problem?”

  “That’s ok with you John? That your only boy is gay?”

  “He is my son, that is all I care about.” Nate’s father shrugs also.

  “You are all mad!”

  “And you are a horrible father, I hope to God you get what is well coming for you.” I snap, storming off down the stairs.

  I find Ryder in the stables, punching the shit out of a pole. His knuckles are bleeding and he is panting with rage. I rush over and grip his shoulders, he swings around and the pain in his eyes nearly breaks my heart. I grip his shirt and pull him towards me, he falls into my arms and lets me hold onto him, his breathing is rapid and it worries me.

  “Hey, it’s alright.” I whisper.

  He pulls back and stares down at me with glassy bloodshot eyes.

  “I am sorry you had to see that.”

  I stroke his bloody lip and lean up to kiss it gently.

  “I am sorry you had to have that happen.”

  “He’s a fuckhead.”

  “I know that too.”

  “I never wanted you to meet him.”

  “It’s ok.”

  “He called you a whore, you aren’t baby, you aren’t.”

  “I know, hey, stop worrying about me.”

  I tug at his shirt and he lets me pull it over his head, I drab his mouth and then wrap it around his hand.

  “Come here, baby, come here,” He breathes, pulling me close and nuzzling my hair. “I need you.”

  “I need you too.”

  He takes me in a deep, fierce and desperate kiss. His mouth tastes tangy of blood but I don’t care, this moment is his and I want to be the one in it. Our moans combine as he pushes me up against the stable door and grinds his body against mine. We don’t share any words, we don’t need to. He needs me, I need him, that is all there is too it. He lifts my leg and shoves aside my panties, and then shoves his jeans down just enough to free himself and then he is inside me, deep and intense.

  “Oh.” I gasp.

  He thrusts his hips with desperation, seeking comfort, seeking affection. He kisses me, never moving his lips from mine. His hips thrust furiously, the old wood railing creaks under our weight. His thrust become frenzied and our moans become loud until finally he shudders and almost whimpers his release.

  “Hey.” I soothe, stroking his back when he doesn’t move.

  “Thank you.” He whispers, nestling his head into my shoulder.

  “Of course.”

  We pull apart and straighten ourselves just as Nate rounds the corner. He looks over at Ryder who is still panting and walks over.

  “Hey bud.”

  “Mate.” Ryder says hoarsely.

  They hug and I smile, the two have such a bond and I know Nate feels what Ryder feels. They pull apart and Ryder breathes deeply, then lets it out in a whoosh.

  “Is he gone?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good, I need a beer.”

  We all make our way back to the house, where Lucy fusses stupidly over Ryder. I help her prepare dinner, while the men sit around chatting about the article and who might have put it out.

  “It was him.” I say, slicing a carrot.

  Ryder looks over at me from the couch. “Why you say that baby?”

  “Baby?” Lucy asks, flicking her eyes between us. “Am I missing something?”

  “Oh, Maya and I are kind of seeing each other.”

  “Kind of?” She asks.

  “Long story, back to the subject.” I mutter.

  “Right, so why do you think it was him?”

  “He is getting me back, for going to the media and dragging his name through the dirt, he is getting me back and trying to cause me to crumble.”

  “She could be right.” Nate says.

  “Aye.” John agrees.

  “So, if that’s the case, who did he pay to get that article in?”

  “Could be anyone, even if you find who the chances are he paid a large sum and then bolted.” I say, chewing on a carrot. Ryder’s gaze grows hungry and I flush, looking away.

  “True, you make a good point but I am going to ring Clancy and let him know all the same.” Nate says, standing.

  “I bet it worries you a lot?” Lucy says, patting my hand.

  “Yeah, it bothers me but I feel as safe as I can feel right now.”

  “Yes, the boys will take good care of you.”

  “I know.”

  I wipe my hands on my shirt, then walk into the laundry to throw some tea towels out. I turn and slam into a hard chest, Ryder kicks the door shut and pulls me in for a deep, greedy kiss.

  “Whoa, slow down there handsome.” I say, pushing him back.

  His gaze is hungry, greedy and burning into me with such force my knees tremble.

  “Get on the washing machine.”

  “Err, what?”

  “Now.” He orders.

  “Ryder, behave.”

  He swats my thigh and I yelp, his hand quickly goes over my mouth and he leans down to grip my backside and lift me onto the w
ashing machine. He grips my knees and yanks my legs apart.

  “Touch yourself.”

  “Whoa, what?” I gape.

  “Touch yourself, make yourself come. Now.”

  “No.” I say and his gaze grows frustrated.

  “Spread your legs and touch yourself, or I will spank that beautiful ass until my hand is red raw.”

  “You spread your legs.” I say in a sultry voice.

  “Baby, you are testing all my patience.”

  “Ditto.” I throw back.

  “Spread your legs, last chance.”

  “Spread your legs Ryder, and grab your cock, I want you to make yourself come.”

  He hisses and swats my thigh again, harder this time. I yelp and moan at the same time, the sound comes out sounding a little mental but I don’t care.

  “Baby girl, spread those gorgeous thighs or I am going to fuck you so hard you will scream this house down.”

  I lean in and bite his lip. “I said, no.”

  He growls and swats me again, I love testing his patience, love pushing his limits. He grips my thighs and forces them apart, then thrusts his fingers inside me, I moan and grip his shoulders.

  “Ryder someone could walk in.”

  “Damn fucking right they can, and they can hear very clearly from out there.”

  “Ryder.” I pant.

  “Don’t you scream, or they will hear. Don’t even whimper.”

  He thrusts his fingers harder and uses his thumb to rub my clit, I moan and grip his shoulders, desperate to bring him closer. I am panting, trying desperately to force myself from coming.

  “Oh baby, I am going to punish you for this behavior. Don’t you stop yourself from coming.”

  “I won’t come.” I protest, gritting my teeth.

  “Oh, you just made this game so much better for me.”

  He pulls his fingers out and slams them back in so hard I moan. Heat creeps into my cheeks, God dammit, I moaned.

  “There we go, don’t play with me.”

  I grit my teeth and clench my eyes shut as his thumb moves with skill over my clit, pinching and rubbing until I can hardly concentrate, but I hold it back.

  “Your control is impressive, I will break it.” He grinds out.

  “Try. Your. Hardest.” I hiss.

  He snarls and reefs down his jeans, then with one hard thrust he is inside me. I still don’t moan but my God my nerves just came alive. I feel the pleasure, tearing through me but I don’t show it. I won’t moan, won’t come, no, Ryder will not win this one. He jerks my hips and slams into me so hard the washing machine slides. Ryder will learn something about me tonight, something many don’t know, and that is myself control is superb.