by J. L. Drake
What the hell?
Withdrawn or not, the twelve jurors still heard that lie. He faces me again. “You have to admit the media was only too willing to jump at a chance to print pictures of you.”
He turns to the jurors and points a finger in my direction. “I think Ms. Miller was looking for a way to get back at her father for going into politics when he should have been at home helping her care for her sick mother. So she made a plan with Deputy Mayor Luka Donovan,” my mouth drops open at this ridiculously untrue comment, “a plan that she would be kidnapped with the help of her best friend Lynn, who has had a small taste of political life and wants more. So much more that she seeks help from an old friend who happens to be Raul Paru, a known drug carrier for the Mexican Cartel. Ms. Miller gets ‘taken’ and stays in Cabo for several months until the U.S. Army gets involved and things get messy. So Raul Paru gets spooked and decides to set up his brother-in-law.” The lawyer points to his client, who I can’t look at. “My client, Denton Barlow.” The jury looks at me, confused, like they’re trying to piece this new information together. “Ms. Miller seduced, used, and manipulated my client into thinking she loved him. She even went so far as to sleep with him. She used him for sex, information, money—”
That’s it! I hit my breaking point. I can’t take these lies any longer!
I jump to my feet with tears streaming down my face. “I was taken from my home in the middle of the night!” I scream, making everyone jump. “I was treated like a filthy animal, fed scraps, dirty water, bug infested bread. Beaten till I couldn’t feel the pain anymore, for seven goddamn months!” I point at The American, looking him straight in the eye for the first time. “You bought me like a piece of meat. You said you loved me, and I despised you. I wasn’t like the other women who believed your words. I am strong enough to see you for what you are, weak!” The judge is yelling something, but I’m not listening. As far as I’m concerned, it is just me and The American in this courtroom, and for once he can’t touch me. “I know the truth, Denton, no matter what happens here today. I know you’re a coward, that you buy women because they can’t love the real you, they can't stand the real you. Rot in hell, you sick son of a bitch.” My arm is being tugged as an officer hauls me out of the courtroom. I’m pressed into Frank's hold and taken into a small room.
“Jesus Christ, Savannah!” Frank says, running a hand over his buzz cut.
I lean over the table, suddenly exhausted. “I want to go home,” I whisper.
“Savannah, you still need to testify against Lynn.”
I can’t. I won’t. I’m finished. “No.” I stand straight and my head spins. “I’m done, Frank.” I open the door and walk out.
***
Cole
Cole holds the little boy’s body close to his chest as they step off the chopper and head toward the safe house. Poor little guy passed out during the rescue operation. The kidnappers had Ryder for six days, tied to a bed in an old warehouse. All things considered, he’s all right. Abigail comes rushing up and takes Ryder from Cole, whisking him inside to a warm bed. His aunt is cleared to take him into a witness protection program tomorrow. For now, the little guy just needs rest.
During Cole’s much-anticipated hot shower, he hears his phone ringing next to the sink. He clears the glass on the door and sees it’s Frank. He reaches out and answers it.
“Frank, what’s going on?”
“Oh, fuck, they were rough on her.” Frank’s voice is bone tired “They called her every name in the book, saying she was the mastermind, that she seduced Denton. It was nasty.”
Shit.
“How is she?”
There’s a pause. “She lost it at one point and yelled at Denton, until she got kicked out.”
“Fuck.” Cole leans his head against the wet glass.
“Yeah, well, she left saying she was done. We lost her, her phone is off, and the hotel room is empty. So I’m guessing she’s heading home.”
Cole turns the water off. “All right, I’ll figure it out. Just deal with the shit on your end.”
By the time Cole starts downstairs, Keith is heading up. “She arrived at the airport. She’s in a cab heading back to her place. I’d have offered to go get her, but she didn’t call me. She called your mother.”
Cole nods and pulls out his phone, but Keith stops him. “I don’t care if she needs space, I’m not staying away. She’s family, and if she’s hurting—”
“I know, and I agree.” Cole sighs and brings the phone to his ear. His mother answers.
“Cole, she’s all right,” his mother says calmly. “I just left her place, and Jake said he’ll take her out to get something to eat. She’s upset, but she’s holding it together for now.”
“All right. Thanks, Mom.”
“Anytime, honey.”
After getting absolutely nothing productive done at work, Cole decides to check in on Ryder, who is still fast asleep in Savannah’s old room. “Looks so small,” he says softly to Abigail, who is sitting quietly beside the bed.
“It’s truly sad that anyone should be kidnapped, but a five year old child?” Abigail presses a hand against her chest. “Poor little angel must have been so scared.”
“Savages,” Cole mutters and checks the time. Seven thirty. “I need to go out. Call me if he wakes.”
“Of course.” She smiles slightly. “Tell Savannah I say hello.”
A short time later, Cole knocks on Savannah’s apartment door, but there’s no answer, and no answer at Jake’s either, so he heads down to speak with the security guard.
“She left about an hour and a half ago looking mighty pretty. She was with her neighbor. Think they said something about Chaps bar.”
Why would she go to Chaps to eat?
“Thanks.”
Cole heads back out into the cold air, wondering what the hell is going on. Is that why she didn’t want Keith coming to get her, because she had plans to go to a bar tonight? This doesn’t sound like Savi.
Chaps is loud and crowded. Every type of cowboy boot and hat known to man is in this bar tonight. He feels very out of place; this is not his scene. Nor did he think it was Savannah’s. He uses his weight to move through the sea of bodies, pulling down his black baseball cap to shade his eyes from the blinding lights as he scans the faces. He soon spots Jake and heads over.
“Where is she?” Cole shouts over Big and Rich.
Jake sighs, shaking his head at his friend. “Look, Logan, she’s out on a date. She’s had a horrible day and needs a night off.”
Feeling like he just got sucker punched in the gut, Cole sees red. “Where is she, Jake?”
Jake rubs his face, then decides to make the right choice.
“Bruno’s Cheesecake. Please let her enjoy her evening. She’s in rough shape.” Cole doesn’t respond as he charges back outside.
Watching her through the cafe window, Cole sees she’s in a tight pair of skinny jeans and a black lace tank top, wearing red cowboy boots. Her hair is in big curls tumbling down her back, and silver earrings sparkle as she shakes her head, smiling at the man across the table from her, who looks very interested in his Savannah.
He lets out a heavy puff of air and leans back so she doesn't see him. He takes out his phone and allows his thumb to rub over the screen. His hand twitches with the need to call her. A movement draws his attention back to her. Her date is standing, says something, then walks off, probably to order a drink. Turning her face toward the window, he sees her expression fall like she is about to cry. She pulls out her cell phone, checks the screen, and looks disappointed. Maybe? A tap on his back makes him jump and almost drop his phone. “What the hell!” Mark is standing behind him with a huge grin on his face.
“Whatcha doin’?”
Cole can’t help but grin back; they are both spying on her. “How’s her night going?”
Mark leans to peek in the window. “She started out at Chaps, but she didn’t hang in there for long. She wasn't diggin’ i
t. On the walk back, buddy tried to hold her hand, but she wouldn’t let him. They’ve been here for about an hour. He’s interested but respectful, so we'll see how the rest of the night goes.” Cole glances over at her and sees her smile, but it’s not touching her eyes. “She seems sad tonight. I heard the lawyer did a number on her.” Mark clears his throat. “I think it would be good if she saw you tonight, Cole. Seriously, she’s hurting.”
“I don’t know,” Cole sighs, not knowing what to do.
“Fine, I’ll make the decision for you. I could be out here freezing my ass off, or I could be in bed with Mel.” He shrugs. “So, goodnight!” With that, he jogs away, laughing.
Fuck.
After climbing back into his SUV, he turns the heat up and hunkers down for a long night. Twenty-five minutes later, they’re up and leaving Bruno’s and heading down toward her apartment. He starts the engine and creeps down the street, parking a few spots away. She stops at the door and says goodbye, and the guy smiles and reaches for her hips, pulling her into him. She shakes her head as he goes in for a kiss, but he’s too quick and misses her signals, planting a kiss on her lips. Fire burns through Cole's veins and his hand flies to the door handle, but he quickly stops himself as he takes in her reaction. She raises her hands and pushes him away, saying no. The guy steps back immediately, obviously apologizing, and hands her something that looks like a card. She takes it, waving him goodbye, then waits for him to walk away before she disappears inside, leaving Cole more than a little relieved, but also feeling pretty shitty for spying.
Chapter Four
Savannah
I work my shift like a robot, not speaking any more than I have to. Jake is the polar opposite, and is chatting on and on, excited about Graham, the new member of the wait staff. Graham resembles Taylor Lautner, no joke. I keep waiting for him to bust into a werewolf. My mind is spinning with thoughts of going to the safe house tomorrow. I truly hope no one wants to talk about what happened in Washington. Frank called this morning and informed me I’m being ordered back to testify against Lynn. It’s out of his control, and he felt terrible for what happened with Denton’s lawyer.
Jake suddenly grabs my hands and shakes me. “Why are you so distant? I need my wingman!”
I push all my crap aside and try to be a better friend. “How do you even know he’s gay?”
“That’s what I need you for.” I raise an eyebrow, not sure I’m going to like this plan. “When he comes over here next time, lean over the bar to grab his order slip, then pretend to drop it and give him an ass view.”
Oh Lord.
“What if he doesn’t look, gets distracted or something?”
He gives me a don’t-be-stupid look. “If he’s straight, he won’t be looking anywhere else.”
Seeing someone snag a seat, I turn to focus on him, and realizing who it is, I smile and bend down to take his order.
Davie leans over so I can hear him over the crowd. “I heard you were working here. We have the night off, and I thought we should stop in and say hello.”
“Well, thanks. What can I get you and…?”
“Two Fat Tires, and it’s Dell. The rest of the guys are at some place down the street.”
I pour his drinks, take a few more orders, and wait for the dinner rush to slow down a little. We normally have a slow dip at seven. Dell joins Davie, drinking a few beers. I try to engage them as best as I can, but Don, the woman repeller, is back, and apparently it’s his last night before he returns to wherever the hell the devil spat him out from.
“Savi!” Jake whispers, nodding his head toward Graham, who is heading our way. “You’re up!”
I roll my eyes and do as I was asked. I smile, lean in, grab the slip, drop it, and bend over. I make his order and fill my tray.
“Thanks, Savi.” Graham smiles.
“Sure thing, Taylor,” I joke back, but burst out laughing when he lets out a howl. Okay, so he’s been called that before.
“Heard it all before.” His gaze goes from joking to smirking as Jake appears at my side. “Nice performance, Savi, but I play for both teams.” He winks and walks away, and my jaw drops as Jake puts his head to my shoulder in a fit of laughter.
“Oh my god!” I hit Jake’s arm. “You’re welcome.”
“Does anyone actually work here?” I hear her call out from the other side of the bar. Jake mutters something as he approaches Christina, the evil bitch. “No,” she flicks her finger, dismissing Jake, “her.”
Oh hell, speaking of the Devil’s shit…I make my way over, not missing the way Dell is scowling at her. “Three margaritas, one Stella, one glass of pino, and two shots of tequila,” she barks at me. “You think you can handle that, or should I write it down?” I bite my tongue just as her friend comes up. “I was with him again last night,” she says loudly enough for me to hear.
“Who?” I decide to play the game.
“Logan.” She glances at me, making sure I can hear her as she turns her attention elsewhere. “He came out to the bar, then we went back to my place.” She looks at her friend. “I love running my hands over his tattoo.” I tune her out, mainly because Cole said he never slept with her. I hate that she can even get a rise out of me. A small niggle of doubt nestles inside me, right by my heart. I place her drinks in front of her and tell her the total. She flicks her credit card at me, hitting my arm.
Don’t hit her, don’t hit her.
After she signs the slip with no tip, she leans over but talks nice and loud. “If you know what’s good for you, sweetheart, you’ll stay away from him. He’s mine, and I have ways of making people like you disappear.”
I have a great comeback, I really do. I can be feisty, but the word disappear sends me three steps back. So instead, I change course. I wait for her to leave and pretend not to see the concern written all over Dell's face. I turn to Don and make my move. Leaning over, I whisper in his ear. He smiles and checks my cleavage once more before he grabs his drink and heads over to her table.
Davie is shaking his head when I return to watch the show. “What did you say to him?”
“Just that if he wants a farewell fuck, he's guaranteed to find it over there, because after three drinks she’ll be pouring herself into his bed.” I smirk and head off to take some more orders.
“It’s dead,” Zack announces by eleven. “Chaps is having some BOGO special, so why don’t you guys go home early?” Jake and I don’t move. It’s sad we don’t have Friday night plans. “All right, let’s do one better,” Zack says, shaking his head at both of us as he drops three shot glasses on the bar. He slips two straws over the hole, pouring the tequila in three different streams, filling all the glasses at once. Impressive. “Cheers.”
I slide my butt onto the bar top and take the drink, chasing it with a lime. Graham drops off his tray on the bar and asks Jake if he knows of a place to go for a late meal. Jake smiles at me knowingly as he grabs his tips. I laugh and wave them both off.
“So, Savannah, how are you liking living in town?” Zack asks as he pours me another.
I drink it quickly. “It’s nice.”
Zack hops up on the other side of the bar top and turns to face me. “I know this is none of my business and a little late, but I am sorry about what happened in your life.”
“Thanks.” I shrug, taking a moment to think. “I think the worst part of it all is feeling like I don’t really belong anywhere. I can’t go back to New York for so many reasons. I have no family or friends there. I left Shadows because I felt like I needed to find myself, like they were worrying about me when they should be focusing on their open cases.” I glance over at him, realizing I’m complaining. “Sorry, didn’t mean to toss you into my pity party.”
He shakes his head. “No, it sounds exactly like someone should in your situation. The only difference is their hearts aren’t invested in someone tall, dark, and handsome.” I smile and throw a sigh. He’s right. “When I retired from Shadows, I couldn’t leave. My family is he
re. What’s that saying? Home is where the heart is. This is where my heart wants to be, and I lucked out that my brother came and joined me.” He pours me one more, but stops me when I go to drink it. “You may not think you’ve settled or put down any roots, Savannah, but you have a house full of people who care about you up on that mountain, and you have two in this restaurant. Stop worrying about what you should be feeling and just feel. Life is too short to float, so sink a little and start living.” He holds up his glass. “To you.”
“To me.” I raise my drink and drop it back, letting his words absorb. “Now,” I clap my hands together, needing to change the subject, “I want some juicy stories on Cole and Mark when they were younger.”
***
Cole
Cole hangs up the phone with Frank feeling off with their conversation about Ryder’s parents. They owe a lot of money and are more concerned about their casino than where their child might be. Abigail said the boy isn’t coming out of his room, which seems normal, but they only had one child here before, and she was a little older. This is new for everyone. He was glad Dr. Roberts would arrive around twelve to evaluate him, then Frank could take him into town where is aunt is waiting.
His phone alerts him he has a text.
Mark: Living room.
Cole makes his way down the hallway, hearing all kinds of voices. The smile on Abigail’s face makes his stomach twist, then he sees her hugging June. It’s been three weeks, but she’s really here in his living room. Savannah sees him and gives him a little smile, one that makes him want to grab her toss her over his shoulder and take her upstairs.
“Hi.” Her eyes are deep and dark. “Can we talk when you have a moment?”
“Sure,” he nods as her eyes drop to his lips momentarily. At least he sees she’s still drawn to him, and his pants tighten as he breathes her in. He needs to be alone with her now. “You want to talk in my office?”