by Dawn Brower
“They all meant nothing to me.” Nolan stilled on the bed and stopped caressing Paige like she was a pet of his. “You and your sister—now, you two were special. At some point I might return my attention to Claire. You’ll do. I have to teach you a lesson.”
He had to do what? “Oh?” She lifted a brow. “Was I a bad girl?” Sometimes she couldn’t help the things that came out of her mouth. That was probably not a good thing to say to a man hell-bent on killing her.
Nolan came to his feet and clenched his hands into fists. “Don’t mock me. I saw you with my bastard brother. Please tell me you haven’t let him touch you. If so...”
It would almost certainly be a horrible idea to mention how good Dane was with his hands, tongue—hell, every part of him put the word decadent to shame. The shower had been mind blowing, but in bed, he’d erased all men from existence. No one compared to him. Nolan wouldn’t want to hear that though. The sadistic bastard wanted to be the center of attention, and he had a boner for usurping his brother. What had Dane ever done to him?
“Dane is a good man. He’d die to protect me from you and anyone else that might be” Reese lifted her chin high in defiance. “It’s his job, and he does it well.”
“Does he really?” Nolan lifted a brow. “Then where is he now? Seems like he’s failed in his one duty.”
None of them had foreseen this. Nolan had bypassed all the security. Everyone in the hospital was supposed to be on the lookout for him. Carter had set up all the security measures before she’d come back to work. Reese looked at Paige again. Had he used her somehow? She was no longer a patient at the hospital. If he’d gone to her place and threatened her... “Why don’t you and I leave this room? I am the one you want. Leave Paige and Halie here. They don’t mean anything to you.”
Reese had to find a way to make him leave. If she did, then maybe Paige could find Dane. Even if Reese didn’t make it, at least Paige and her daughter would be safe. The one regret she had was that she’d never told Dane how she felt about him. If she were given the chance, she’d spill out everything and not leave any words unsaid.
“You may be right,” he replied. “But I’m not ready to leave just yet. We’ve only begun to talk. Paige here has been so helpful.”
Paige shuddered at Nolan’s words. Reese was afraid of what he’d done to the poor woman. “Really?” At least with him talking he wasn’t hurting anyone. “And what did you have to do to her to ensure her cooperation?”
“What do you think?” He gestured toward Halie. “She cared more for the brat than herself. If not for my darling Paige, I’d have been caught days ago. She’s kept me safe at her place the entire time.”
“Don’t hurt her,” Paige begged. “You promised you wouldn’t ever again.”
He’d caused that little girl’s bruises. Reese’s instincts had apparently been spot on. She’d just attributed the violence to the wrong person. Paige was the reason why they hadn’t been able to find Nolan either. She’d been trying her best to protect her daughter and gave the bastard the perfect little hideout. Who would have thought to look for him at Paige’s? Was that the reason she’d left the day of the accident. Had she tried to escape Nolan to end up in the emergency room? That was some rotten luck.
Reese was running out of time. She could almost feel the tension in the air. Nolan was waiting for something, but she didn’t have any idea what. He insisted he wanted her, but what if this didn’t have anything to do with her at all. “You’re playing me, aren’t you?”
Nolan laughed. “I always knew you were smarter than you let on.” He waved toward a chair. “You might as well get comfortable. Dane should be getting my message soon, and then the real fun will begin.”
Fuck. How could she have been so stupid? Her ego was giant-sized, and he’d used it against her. He wanted revenge against his brother. That was his end game. How long had he been planning this? She prayed Dane stayed away. She’d rather he was safe then to walk into whatever Nolan had in store for him.
“On second thought...” Nolan walked over to her and clasped her wrist. “Maybe we will find someplace else to wait.” He placed his free hand over her mouth and dragged her out of the room. “This time you won’t have the opportunity to fight back.”
She didn’t know where he was taking her. He could hide them anywhere in the hospital, and it would take a while for them to find her. It was a large place with many nooks and crannies. Something sharp poked into her side. Did he have a knife? He could kill her, and no one would know until it was too late. She’d crumble to the ground and bleed out. There would be no sound, no warning, only her life fading before her.
He pushed open a door and shoved her inside. It wasn’t until the sound of the door clicking shut echoed around her that she realized where they were—her office. Dane was supposed to meet her here for lunch. Somehow Nolan knew that too... At least Halie and Paige were safe. Maybe someone would see something strange on the security footage and call for help before anything bad happened, but somehow, she doubted it. Nolan had planned this a little too well, and he meant to have it out with his brother before everything was over.
DANE COULDN’T WAIT to see Reese. The past twenty-four hours had been the best. Each moment with her was even better than the last. She might even love him as much as he loved her. Perhaps he was being optimistic, but it was the first time he’d ever had hope she might come to care for him in any capacity. There was one obstacle standing in their way—Nolan. Once his brother was caught, they could plan for a future. He fully believed they had the possibility of one now.
He whistled a happy tune as he headed toward her office. She had a surprise for him, or at least he hoped she did. Her tone had indicated it would be something special. Truthfully, he just wanted to be with her and the rest didn’t matter. His heart had been waiting on her for a lot of years. Finally, his patience would be rewarded. Reese held his heart in her grasp. If she loved him too—that had been worth holding out hope for.
Reese’s office door was shut. He lifted his hand to knock, but the sound of voices on the other side stayed his hand. If she was still in her meeting, he didn’t want to interrupt. She had said she wasn’t sure how long it would be exactly. Perhaps he should wait a little while longer. He could go check on Halie and Paige. His friend might be able to give him an update on everything. Reese couldn’t because of the privacy laws, but he was worried about Halie too. He’d watched the girl grow up, and he hated that she was sick. He turned to head in that direction but stopped when he saw Paige heading toward him. She trembled with each step she took. Terror was etched across her face.
“You have to help her,” she said frantically. Paige yanked on his shirt and clutched the fabric in her hand. “He has her.”
“It’s okay,” he said in a soothing voice. “I need more information. Who are you talking about.” Dane didn’t know anyone Paige would be so scared for other than her daughter. Did the girl’s father show up and take her? He’d never met him, and she hadn’t ever told him his name.
“Nolan,” she nearly screeched his name. “He took Dr. Jackson.”
Dane didn’t think. He reacted with every instinct he’d honed since his training in the police academy. He’d heard voices in her office, and he was willing to bet on his life they were in there. Reese’s life would depend on his next move. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and shot off a quick text to Carter. He might still be at the Roseland Hotel, but Dane hoped he’d made it back to Envill. He needed his partner.
“Do me a favor and let hospital security know about the situation. Run to the nurse’s station. They’ll have the means of contacting them. Then I want you to go sit with your daughter. She needs you and you need her.”
Paige nodded and ran to do as he instructed. Dane checked the gun in his shoulder holster, and then the one around his ankle. He wasn’t sure what he might have to do, but he wanted to ensure both weapons were ready before he stepped inside that office. He took a deep breath an
d then turned the knob. Dane tapped the door lightly with his foot and held his gun steady in his hand.
“Reese,” he called out.
He heard some mumbles, but nothing more. Slowly he rounded the corner and entered the office. Reese sat in her office chair staring at him as he walked inside. Nolan held a knife to her throat with one hand and covered her mouth with the other.
“So good of you to join us little brother,” Nolan taunted. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
Dane turned his gaze toward Nolan. “We’ve been looking for you. Glad you decided to finally show your face. Now we can take you back to where you belong.”
“I have no intention of going to that prison cell you have waiting for me. I’ll die first.” He moved the knife so it slid across Reese’s neck. A small cut formed at the tip, and a tiny trail of blood dripped down. She remained still and expressionless so he had no idea what she was thinking.
“I’d be happy to help you with that.” Dane wanted to kill him for hurting her. He had to keep his focus or Reese could die. “Drop the knife.”
“I wasn’t born this morning,” Nolan mocked him. “You drop your gun.”
“You have a thing for knives, don’t you? Isn’t that what you used on Claire too?” Dane inched a little closer. He had to maneuver himself until he could shoot at Nolan and not hit Reese in the process. “You should have ran to a country that wouldn’t extradite you. Why do you keep making the same mistakes?”
“I can’t let you have her.” Nolan yanked on Reese’s hair. Dane clenched his jaw tight and reminded himself not to react. “She is mine. You’re not good enough to touch her.”
Dane laughed. “Nolan, you psychotic bastard. She’d not yours, and you’re not going to hurt anyone ever again.”
“So, you think that you can stop me?” Nolan’s smile turned menacing. “Why? Because you’re in love with her?” He tilted his head slightly and grinned wider. “You didn’t think I knew that, did you? I remember how you looked at her during the prom. It’s why I dated her, and it’s also why I paid special attention to your friend Paige.”
Dane cursed under his breath. He couldn’t let Nolan goad him into a reaction. When everything was all over, he’d worry about Paige. Her life wasn’t in any immediate danger. Reese, on the other hand, could lose her life at any minute if he did something foolish. He took another step to his left and aimed his gun at Nolan’s shoulder. If he hit him right it would make him drop the knife. “I’m going to say this one last time: drop the knife.”
“Then we’re at an impasse because I have no intention of doing that. Killing her—yes—so you can watch the love of your life die.”
Dane didn’t think. He pressed the trigger and prayed his aim was true. Nolan flinched as the bullet hit his shoulder, and he jerked backward. Reese broke free of his grip and moved away from him. Dane rushed forward and punched him in the face several times until his eyes drooped shut.
“Stop,” Reese said. “He’s unconscious.”
She reached for her phone and dialed it. “We need emergency personal in my office. We have a man down with a gunshot wound and he’s going to need immediate surgery.”
After she set the phone down, she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tight. “I’ve never been so scared.”
“Shh,” he whispered as he cupped the back of her head against his chest. “I have you.”
“I love you,” she said a little breathlessly. “I didn’t think I’d ever love anyone, but somehow you sneaked your way into my heart.”
“I’ve loved you since we were teenagers. Nolan was right about that, but I never realized how observant he could be. God, he’s a bastard.” Dane wanted to kick him while he was down, but held back. He could be the bigger man and walk away from his evil brother. In the end, he won after all—Reese loved him.
Carter rushed in, stopping short when he caught sight of Nolan and shook his head. “I raced here to find you have it all wrapped up with a bloody bow.” Hospital staff rushed in after him and took Nolan to surgery. “Make sure you keep him sedated until we can handcuff him. We’re not letting him get away a second time.”
Dane laughed. “I’ll leave the clean up to you. I’m taking Reese home. She’s taking the rest of the day off.” He’d check in on Paige and Halie later. There was a lot he had to talk to her about.
“I don’t have a say in this?”
He shook his head. “You promised me a date. I think I’ve earned it.”
She laughed and let him lead her out of her office. Finding Nolan in her office hadn’t been how he’d thought his lunch date with her would go. In some ways, it was better. Now that she was safe, he could blow out a relieved breath. Nolan couldn’t hurt either one of them ever again. They had a chance at a happy-ever-after. His heart was no longer in waiting—love had finally arrived.
EPILOGUE
One year later...
Carter stared in the mirror and fixed his tie. Today was a big day. His little sister was getting married. In some ways, he’d never thought she would, and in others, he wondered why she’d waited so long. Now that the day had arrived, he couldn’t wait to help her commemorate her big day. He planned on doing a little celebrating of his own by the end of the night.
“Are you still adjusting that bow tie?” Olivia came to stand beside him. “Here let me.”
She’d been the biggest surprise for him over the past year. He’d never expected to fall in love, and here they were. Olivia West owned his heart and he couldn’t see spending his life with anyone else. Nolan’s escape had led him to her and left him no choice but to claim her. Nolan, the bastard, was currently rotting in a high max prison serving multiple life sentences.
“That’s some dress you’re wearing.”
The corner of her lip tilted upward. “Keep your hands to yourself. This dress stays on. We have a wedding ceremony to get through.”
“So, what you’re saying,” he began, “is that once the wedding is over, I can do what I want with it.”
Olivia stepped out of his reach and smacked his hands back. “Behave.”
The dress really was amazing—navy blue and flowing chiffon. The fabric dipped low and hugged her full bosom. The back matched the front, enticing him from both ends. A sexy slit stopped short of her hip, giving him a glimpse of her toned leg. He could slip his hand under the dress and caress her until she screamed his name. Carter would do as she ordered though and behave until after his sister said her vows.
“I am good to go,” he said. “I’m going to go take my place at the altar.” Carter leaned down and kissed her lightly. “I can’t wait to see you walk down that aisle. You’ll be as pretty as the bride.”
Carter left Olivia in the church rectory and went to the altar. His best friend was already there waiting and looking nervous as hell. He slapped Dane on the back and said, “Relax. She’s not going to leave you here waiting. I don’t know why, but she loves you.” He hadn’t realized that Dane loved his sister. Some detective that made him—he hadn’t seen what was right in front of him. Though he hadn’t exactly tried to see it either... Dane and Reese were good together, and he was happy for them both.
Matt walked up and joined them. “He’s right, you know.”
Dane glanced between the both of them. “Of course I do. But this day is something I wanted for so long. I’m afraid something will interrupt it before we can say our vows. I’m trusting the two of you to make sure nothing prevents that.”
Carter laughed. The wedding march filled the church and all the guests stood to watch the ladies walk down the aisle. First the flower girl, little Halie Morris, dropped pink rose petals as she marched to the end of the aisle. Her mother hugged her and pulled her into a pew beside her. Dane was happy to find out that Halie was his niece, but devastated that Nolan had terrorized his friend. It turned out Dane had been a match for her, and he’d donated his bone marrow to help save her.
Next, Claire made her way down the aisle, followed by
Olivia. Carter couldn’t keep his eyes off her. When Reese finally started down the aisle, he was blown away. His sister looked like a princess. Her skirt billowed out like a ball gown, and the bodice shimmered under the lights. Her veil flowed down her back in lace, tulle, and ribbons. She had never looked more radiant. Though he suspected the love added to that glow.
“You’re a lucky man,” Carter whispered to Dane.
“Trust me,” he answered back, “I know.”
The wedding went by in a blur. Out of habit, Carter scanned the guests. Sullivan and Lana Brady sat toward the front. Sullivan had nine-month-old daughter, Kathleen. Next to them was Sullivan’s sister, Daniella, and her husband, Rendall Sousa. On Lana’s left sat the man Carter hoped would soon to be his brother-in-law: Preston West and his wife Jessica. They had eloped like Matt and Claire. In his opinion, that was the way to go. He liked not having to deal with the fuss. Something told him that when he did propose to Olivia, she’d insist on a big wedding though. He’d been casually looking at rings, but he hadn’t found the right one. When he did, he’d pop the question and pray she said yes.
Dane leaned down and kissed Reese, indicating the end of the ceremony. He’d done his job and kept alert through the wedding. They were married, and his job as best man was done. Dane and Reese were on their own from that point on. Now, he had plans with the love of his life. After the happy couple headed down the aisle, Carter strolled over to Olivia and threw her over his shoulder.
“What are you doing, you Neanderthal.” She smacked his back. “This is not how you act at a wedding.”
Carter laughed. “It’s the fastest way to exit one though.”
“You’re lucky I love you,” she shouted.
Oh, indeed he was; in fact, they all were. Somehow, through all the chaos, they’d all found love. They’d found partners worthy of their love, and at the end of the day, that was all that mattered—the intent a person held inside their heart...