by L. P. Dover
“Ian, he’s about to get away,” I shouted.
Ian raced around the side of the house and looked up at me. I pointed toward the street and he ran as fast as he could, but it was too late. Daniel had gotten into the car and sped away.
I walked around to the other side of the balcony, where Daniel spied on us through the glass doors. Laying on the ground was a white piece of paper. Taking a deep breath, I picked it up and unfolded it.
The hunter becomes the prey.
Chills ran down my spine and I felt sick and scared. Daniel was there, in a place I thought safe. There was no telling how long he’d been there, or how many times he’d watched us.
“What’s that?” Ian asked, coming up behind me.
Swallowing hard, I turned around and gave him the note. He read it, and the energy around him lit up like fire. It was the same way he’d been when I’d woken up at his house after being rescued.
His voice was so dark and dangerous, I shivered. “After I call the local police, we’re going home. I can keep you safe there.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think it’s me he’s after.”
Grace
“Are you sure you’ll be safe here?” Mya asked, glancing around Ian’s house. “Daniel obviously wants Ian dead. Who’s to say he won’t kill you in the process?”
I watched Ian and Reed through the window, separating the individual cameras they were going to place around the house. “Ian’s more prepared than you think,” I said. She knew about Ian being an FBI agent, but she had no clue he was an assassin. It was Ian’s secret and I wasn’t going to tell anyone.
“Still,” Mya murmured, concern etched in her voice. I joined her on the couch and she passed me a glass of iced tea. “Doesn’t it scare you?”
I shrugged and took a sip of my drink. “A little, but we can’t hide away for the rest of our lives.” It’d been two weeks, and still no sign of Daniel.
“I guess you’re right.” Sighing, she turned her body toward me. “What’s going to happen if Ian gets called on a case?”
“He won’t. Ian decided to take time off while he’s dealing with the whole Daniel situation. He can’t exactly go undercover if someone’s hunting him. It could interfere with the case.”
“True,” she replied.
“Plus, the FBI are searching non-stop to find Daniel. I keep hoping it’ll end, but a part of me loses hope each week that passes.”
She patted my leg. “They’ll find him. I just hope whoever does, kills the doucheface.”
“You and me both.”
We finished our tea and I took our glasses to the kitchen, grabbing a plateful of the chocolate chip cookies I’d made that morning. I set a plate on the coffee table and Mya grabbed two, grinning from ear to ear.
“Changing the subject,” she said, taking a bite of the cookie. She moaned and closed her eyes. I waited for her to finish her sentence and when she didn’t, I laughed. There was chocolate all over her lips. “How did it go, meeting Ian’s family? I bet they all live in fancy houses and look like movie stars.”
Ian’s father definitely had; same went for Wade and Brina too. “Well, you already know who most of them are. All you have to do is a simple search on the internet and you’ll get tons of results. To be honest, they’re just like you and me—normal people. I had a great time meeting them. It’s just crazy to think that Ian has this whole other life no one knows about.”
Mya grabbed another cookie. “I know, right? He’s like an undercover superstar. Not to mention, loaded. You wouldn’t even have to work if you two got married.”
“Oh, no,” I stated adamantly. “I’m going to work no matter what. I don’t care how much money he makes.”
“Did your interview go well this morning?”
I nodded and picked up a cookie. “It did. The owner is really nice. She told me the job is mine if I want it.” She’d basically offered it to me before the interview even started. Luckily, my reputation at Snow Creek was known throughout the hotels in my city.
Mya ate the rest of her second cookie. “Are you going to take it?”
With a wide grin, I winked. “I am. Ian and I are going out to celebrate tonight. We’re actually going to have a real date for the first time.”
“Moving backward, aren’t you? Shouldn’t you have had that before agreeing to live with each other?” She giggled.
“Well . . . if it wasn’t for Daniel still being on the loose, I’d be back at my house.”
“Yeah, right. I don’t think Ian would let you out of his sight, even then.”
I shrugged. “Eventually, he’ll have to when he gets back to his day job. It’ll be weird when he leaves for weeks at a time on secret missions. I don’t know what I’ll do.”
Mya put her arm around my shoulders. “You can hang out with me and play with your little niece or nephew. I want them close with their Auntie Grace.”
The back door opened and Ian walked in, wiping the sweat off his forehead with a towel. “Three of the cameras are up,” he said with a wink.
Mya patted my leg. “At least, I know you’re safe.” She stood and grabbed another cookie with a wink. “I should probably get going. Alex is going to be home from work soon. We’re going to look at baby furniture. I’m pretty sure I’m nesting. I can’t focus on anything else until we get the room all set up.”
“Aw, that sounds like fun, mama bird. I can’t wait to plan your baby shower.” I walked her to the door and hugged her tight. “I’ll call you later. Maybe one day next week you and Alex can come over and eat dinner with us.”
She squeezed me back. “As long as you make those cookies again.”
I burst out laughing. “Deal.”
“Bye, Ian,” she hollered as she walked out the door.
He shouted goodbye and I shut the door. When I walked into the kitchen, his shirt was gone and he’d just stuffed a cookie in his mouth. “Cookies and beer? That’s gross,” I said, curling my lip.
“Tastes pretty damn good to me. If you keep making these things, I’ll get fat.”
Biting my lip, I walked over to him, examining his toned chest and stomach. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about, but I’m sure we could work off the calories somehow.”
He grabbed me around the waist. “I’ll expect a good workout tonight, when we get back from dinner.”
I shrugged. “Maybe even a dip in the pool? I’ve never been skinny dipping before.”
Groaning, he pulled me against his body. “You’re killing me, woman.” He kissed my neck and his stubble made me shiver. “Let me take a shower and then we’ll head out on our date.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Before he could walk off, his phone rang. We both looked at the screen and it was his father. Ian pressed the speaker button. “Dad, what’s up?”
“Just wanted to give you a heads up. Some of my contacts spotted Daniel.”
Ian met my gaze. “Where?”
“Heading north, up toward the Maine area. He was spotted at a private airfield, right outside of Boston. They couldn’t get inside in time to arrest him. Apparently, he’s taken up a new identity.”
I wanted to breathe a sigh of relief that he wasn’t in Wyoming, but there was no telling what all he was prepared for. With his grandfather being a former police officer when he was alive, he probably had several escape plans in place.
“Thanks for the heads up,” Ian said. “Reed and I are installing cameras all around the house. He won’t be able to get to us here.”
“That may be the case, son, but you’re not going to be there twenty-four-seven.”
Ian frowned. “I know. Keep me informed if you hear anything else.”
“Will do. Tell Grace I said hello.”
“Hi, Glenn,” I called out sheepishly. “Ian had you on speakerphone.”
He chuckled. “Good afternoon, Grace. I’m sorry I had to deliver such news. In a way, I was hoping he’d head back to Wyoming, so this could end.”
“Yes, yes. And when we do, you’ll have to come back to Charlotte again. Bring your parents too. I’d love to meet them.”
“I’m sure they’d love to meet you too.”
Ian picked up the phone and sighed. “Let me know if anything changes.”
“I will, son. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and be watchful.”
“Always am.” Ian hung up and blew out a heavy breath.
“What are we going to do now?” I asked.
He cupped my face and looked deep into my eyes. Even though he tried to hide it, I could see the disappointment in his eyes. He hated himself for Daniel getting away. I could tell him a million times it wasn’t his fault, but his mind was set. It killed me to see him feel like a failure.
“We’re going to live our lives and move on,” he murmured. “And when that son of a bitch comes back, I won’t let him get away.” I leaned my head against his chest. His heartbeat thumped so loud it vibrated against my ear. “Now come on, let’s get ready to go. I don’t want to think about that cocksucker anymore tonight.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Grace
(Three Months Later)
Daniel hadn’t been seen or heard from in months. Looking over my shoulder had become an everyday occurrence. I didn’t like it. The lobby was vacant, except for a man and woman who were on their honeymoon. I smiled and walked past them to the Pineview Inn’s famous restaurant.
“Grace, wait for me,” Emily called out. I turned around and she waved. “Do you mind if I eat lunch with you?”
I nodded toward the restaurant. “Of course not.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “I can’t believe we’re working together again.” She sat across from me at my favorite table; it overlooked the Grand Teton mountains. Emily was now the assistant front desk manager, while I had the same job I’d had at Snow Creek.
Pineview Inn was nice and modern, just like every other huge hotel in the area. Not like Snow Creek of course, where it had been down to earth and quaint, but could also pass for a Wyoming museum. Needless to say, I missed it.
Emily opened her menu and smiled. “It’s been a crazy few months, hasn’t it?”
“Insane,” I agreed.
Jessica, one of the waitresses, brought us our drinks. She was a young girl with golden hair and a sweet smile. She’d just graduated high school in the spring and needed a job to help pay for college. “The usual today, Ms. Myers?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yes, please.”
Emily shut her menu and handed it to her. “And I’ll take the cobb salad with the avocado ranch dressing, please.”
“Sounds good, ladies. Your food will be out shortly.” Jessica walked away and Emily pulled out her phone.
“Zoe sent me this picture the other day. She’s dating an architect now. They look really happy.”
I looked at the picture and smiled. “How’s she doing though? I know she wasn’t having any luck finding a new job.”
Emily shrugged. “She’s still unemployed, but the severance package we got should last her a few more weeks. Other than that, she’s happy. She moved to Cheyenne to be closer to her boyfriend.”
“That’s good. I know she was upset after everything that happened. I’m glad to hear she’s happy.”
She nodded. “We both were. It wasn’t easy finding out you’re a suspect in a what could’ve been a murder case.”
“I’m sorry about that. With you, it boiled down to bad timing and your relationship with Brad.”
Groaning, she covered her face. “I’m so embarrassed about that, and so is Brad.”
“Are you two still seeing each other?” I asked.
Her grin widened. “We are. He’s actually finishing up his criminal justice degree, and hopefully, getting a job at the police department. That is, if your dad will allow it. I know with Brad letting me into the security room at Snow Creek, it doesn’t look very good.”
“No, but he definitely can’t be letting you into secure rooms at the PD,” I said with a laugh.
Jessica brought out our food, and my chicken smelled heavenly. Emily poured the dressing onto her salad and took a bite. “Have you talked to Jared recently?”
“Not this week. We usually talk every few days or so. He’s going to start up another hotel in Florida. It’ll be smaller than Snow Creek.”
“That’s great. I’m glad to see he’s okay. I always thought you two would end up together, but Ian’s an amazing catch.”
“That he is.” I smiled. “He wants me to permanently move in with him. I’ve slowly been trickling more and more of my stuff into his house, but I’m not ready to sell my place yet. I’m going to miss my little cottage.”
She shrugged. “Then keep it. You could always rent it out to tourists when you feel like it.”
That actually wasn’t a bad idea. I could rent it a few weeks here and there, and if I ever wanted to stay there, I could. “I might have to do that,” I replied happily.
“Grace?” a voice called out.
I turned around to see my boss, Tamara Johnson, headed our way, dressed in black pants and a red long-sleeved silky shirt. She was in her mid-fifties with short, black hair and a curvy body. She stopped at our table and smiled at us.
“Hi, Mrs. Johnson,” we said in unison.
“Hello, ladies.” She glanced at us both, then settled on me. “Grace, I’m sorry to bother you during lunch, but do you happen to keep in touch with your marketing contacts?”
“Most of them, but I have a complete list on a thumb drive at my house. I could get Ian to ride me by there and pick it up after work.”
Her face brightened. “That would be awesome. I’m hoping they’ll help us, like they did with Snow Creek. I know we aren’t the biggest and best hotel around, but with you, I’m hoping they’ll work with us.”
I waved her off. “They’d be crazy not to. I’ll contact everyone tomorrow and get the ball rolling. The winter crowd will be here before you know it.” We were close to the local ski resort, so those who couldn’t afford to stay at that one, could stay at ours.
“Thanks, Grace. I appreciate it.” She patted my shoulder and walked off.
“I think it’s sweet Ian likes to drive you around. He’s so protective.”
“With Daniel still on the loose, he insists on making sure I’m safe. To be honest, I kind of like it. At least, all the women around here know he’s mine now. Besides, now I have a new kink . . . sexy chauffer.”
She snorted. “That’s all he needs—a bigger ego.”
Like always, Ian waited for me in the parking lot after I got off work. No more late hours. Life was too short. Now that winter was coming, the sun had started disappearing earlier and earlier. I hated that it was dark by six o’clock every evening.
Dressed in a pair of jeans, boots, and a long-sleeved plaid, flannel shirt, Ian was the epitome of a sexy cowboy. “Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked, grinning slyly.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. “Oh, just thinking of you in your cowboy hat.”
He smacked my ass and laughed. “That does it then. I’ll let that be the only thing I wear tonight in bed.”
I giggled. “Can’t wait.” He opened the passenger side door and I hopped in. “Do you mind stopping by my house so I can pick up a thumb drive? I know exactly where it is. It won’t take long.”
“No problem.” After he shut the door, he climbed in and we were on our way. “Did work go okay today?”
“Yeah. You?”
He shrugged. “I was requested for a case today, but I turned it down. Reed went in my place.”
I looked out the window at the disappearing sun. “I hate you can’t do your job. I know you miss it.”
Taking my hand, he threaded his fingers through mine. His green eyes, serious and raw. “It’s my choice, Grace. I’ve been on the go for years. It’s time I took a break.”
&nbs
p; When we arrived at my house, I pulled out my keys. “I’ll be back out in just a sec.”
I hurried to the door and unlocked it. My stomach growled and I was ready to get to Ian’s to eat the spaghetti I’d put in the crockpot before going into work. Once inside, I headed straight to my bedroom. The thumb drive was in the small, side drawer on my desk. “Got it,” I said happily, when my fingers touched it.
“And I finally got you.” It was a voice I hadn’t heard in a long time. There wasn’t any time to react. He grabbed my arms and hauled them behind me, his breath hot on my ear as he pushed me into the desk. The wood dug into my skin and it hurt like hell. I couldn’t move, but I could feel the scruff on his face as it touched my neck. Chills ran down my spine. “It’s about time you came back. I’ve been waiting.”
“Daniel,” I growled, trying to jerk my arms out of his grasp. I wanted to hit the distress button on my watch, but I couldn’t turn my wrist. He held me tighter, as he bound me with a cable tie. It dug into the scars on my wrists, reminding me of the night I’d been taken.
Before I could scream, he slapped a hand to my mouth. “Don’t even think about it,” he warned, hauling me over to the bed. He slammed me down and pinned me from behind. I kicked my legs as hard as I could, but his weight was too much. “Loverboy’s outside, isn’t he? Good, this shouldn’t take long.”
Fear chilled me to the bone, and tears fell down my cheeks. He used his other hand to slide it down my body, slowly over my breast and stomach, then around to my backside.
“Ian!” I screamed, knowing very well he wouldn’t be able to hear me.
Daniel’s deep, dark chuckle echoed in my ear. “Don’t worry, as much as I’d love to fuck you, that’s not part of the plan. I just want Chandler to think I did, before I kill him. The look on his face will be priceless.” Using his body, he forced my legs apart and lifted my skirt.
I was helpless, afraid, and vulnerable. He could rape me and there was nothing I could do about it. Daniel removed his hand from my mouth and ripped my underwear in half. The second he grabbed my wrists, I knew he’d hit the distress button. “It’s time for some fun.”