by Barb Han
Separating herself from him in high school had been the right thing to do, she reminded herself. Because every time she’d closed her eyes at night, fear that the monster would return consumed her. Every dark room she’d stood in front of had made her heart pound painfully against her chest. Every strange sound had caused her pulse to race.
And time hadn’t made it better.
She often wondered if things would have turned out differently if she’d broken the pact and told authorities the real reason they’d been out.
Probably not. She was just second-guessing herself again. None of the kids had been involved.
Once Shane had been discovered following her, they’d broken up the game and gone home. Nothing would’ve changed.
Rebecca refocused as she pulled into a parking spot at the sheriff’s office. By the time she walked up the steps to the glass doors, she’d regained some of her composure.
The deputy at the front desk acknowledged her with a nod. She didn’t recognize him and figured that was good. He might not know her, either.
“How can I help you?”
“I need to speak to the sheriff.”
“Sorry. He’s not in. I’m Deputy Adams.” The middle-aged man offered a handshake. “Can I help you?”
“I need to report an assault. I believe it could be connected to a case he worked a few years ago.” She introduced herself as she shook his hand.
The way his forehead bunched after he pulled her up in the database made her figure he was assessing her mental state. Her name must’ve been flagged. He asked a few routine-sounding questions, punched the information into the keyboard and then folded his hands and smiled. A sympathetic look crossed his features. “I’ll make sure the report is filed and on the sheriff’s desk as soon as he arrives.”
Deputy Adams might be well intentioned, but he wasn’t exactly helpful. His response was similar as she reported her missing phone.
Not ready to accept defeat, she thanked him, squared her shoulders and headed into the hot summer sun.
Local law enforcement was no use, and she’d known that on some level. They’d let the man slip through their fingers all those years ago and hadn’t found him since. What would be different now?
She thought about the fact that her little brother would be twenty-two years old now. That he’d be returning home from college this summer, probably fresh from an athletic scholarship. Even at seven, he’d been obsessed with sports. Maybe he still was. A part of her still refused to believe he was gone.
Rebecca let out a frustrated hiss. I’m so sorry, Shane.
What else could she do? She had to think. Wait a minute. What about her cell? If her attacker had picked it up, could she track him somehow? Her phone might be the key. She could go home and search the internet to find out how to locate it and possibly find him. And then do what? Confront him? Alone? Even in her desperate state she knew that would be a dangerous move.
Could she take Alcorn up on his offer to help?
And say what?
Would he believe her when the sheriff’s office wouldn’t?
She needed help. Someone she could trust.
Brody? He was back from the military.
Even though she hadn’t seen him in years, he might help.
If she closed her eyes, she could remember his face perfectly. His honest, clear blue eyes and sandy-blond hair with dark streaks on a far-too-serious-for-his-age face punctuated a strong, squared jaw. By fifteen, he was already six foot one. She couldn’t help but wonder how he’d look now that he was grown. The military had most likely filled out his muscles.
When she’d returned to school after a year of being homeschooled, kids she’d known all her life had diverted their gazes from her in the hallway when she walked past. Conversations turned to whispers. Teachers gave her extra time to complete assignments and spoke to her slowly, as if she couldn’t hear all of a sudden. Even back then, the pain pierced through the numbness and hurt. She’d felt shunned. As the years passed, she realized no one knew what to say and she appreciated them for trying. She got used to being an outsider. Her tight-knit group of friends had split up. She’d figured they were afraid to be connected with her or just plain afraid of her.
Not Brody. He’d stopped by her house every day after the incident even though her mother refused to allow him inside, especially after he’d stepped forward. It had been easier to take the blame than to admit why they’d really been out that night—to play Mission Quest. They’d had good reasons to lie, too. First of all, they weren’t supposed to be playing that online game, let alone sneaking out to meet up with strangers to capture their friends’ bases. And then there was the sheriff. He’d been looking for any excuse to bust their best friend Ryan’s older brother, Justin, the guy who’d let them into the game in the first place. If they didn’t cover for him, the sheriff would go after Justin like an angry pit bull. It would be his third strike and a one-way trip to a real jail. No more acting-out-against-an-abusive-father juvenile stuff. He’d be shipped off for good if their dad didn’t beat Justin to death first.
Justin had cleaned up his act. And he deserved a second chance. Besides, it was no surprise that he’d taken a wrong turn in the first place with a father as cruel as his. The real miracle had been that Ryan hadn’t followed in his older brother’s footsteps.
Even though it would have meant turning on their friends, Brody had visited Rebecca in the middle of the night to tell her that she didn’t have to keep the pact. Ryan would understand.
But Justin didn’t have anything to do with Shane’s disappearance. And there was no reason to screw up another family.
Shaking off the memories, Rebecca slipped into the driver’s seat and started the engine. She put the car in Reverse and tapped the gas a little too hard.
An object flew forward underneath her feet. She hit the brake, bent forward and picked it up. Her cell. It must’ve fallen out when she was rushing into her car earlier.
A mix of relief and exasperation flooded her as the thought of tracking her assailant via her phone disintegrated.
It was too early to give up hope of finding him this time.
She couldn’t do it alone. Brody had bought the old Wakefield Ranch. Rumor said he’d become a warrior overseas. Would he help? Could she reach out to him after all these years? How hard would it be to get his phone number and find out?
Rebecca pulled into another parking spot and thumbed through her contacts. Her finger hovered over Ryan’s number. They hadn’t spoken in years, but she figured it wouldn’t hurt to reach out to him. She sent a text message to him, unsure this was his number anymore. It didn’t matter. It was worth a try. He still owed her one for helping to protect his brother.
The text came thirty seconds later with Brody’s information.
Seeing it, needing to reach out to him, made this horror so much more real. And her heart pitched when she thought about facing him again.
* * *
BRODY FIELDS LEANED against his truck. The call from Rebecca Hughes had dredged up old feelings best left buried. He’d almost ended the call without finding out what she’d wanted. Except he couldn’t do that to her. It was Rebecca. The sound of her voice had stirred up all kinds of memories. Most of them were good.
He’d known her since they were kids, but they’d been teenagers when he’d fallen for her. There was so much more than her physical beauty that had drawn him in. She’d been the only female Brody had ever trusted and allowed inside his armor after his mother had betrayed the family, stolen money from the town and then disappeared.
The mental connection he’d shared with Rebecca had been beyond any closeness he’d experienced. Looking back, maybe it was the loner in him that could relate to her isolation.
When she’d pushed him away and said she’d never loved him, it had hurt worse than any physical blow. Soon after, she’d left for college, and then eventually moved to Chicago. He’d been the most surprised to learn that she’d moved b
ack to Mason Ridge.
For a split second, he’d hoped she’d called for old times’ sake. Then, he remembered what day it was—the anniversary of Shane’s disappearance—and he knew better.
The conversation had been short. She’d told him what had happened and requested to meet face-to-face at The Dirty Bean Coffee Shop. He’d agreed, ending their exchange. The place was on his way home. Driving to the meeting point had taken ten minutes.
The pale blue sedan parking next to his truck had to be hers.
Knowing she was about to step out of her car and he was about to see her again hit him hard. How many times had he secretly wished he’d run into her in the past few months? Where’d that come from?
Hearing that her abductor had returned hadn’t done good things to Brody’s blood pressure. He wouldn’t refuse her plea for help. And a little piece of him hoped he’d figure out if her case and the memories were the reasons she’d rejected him all those years ago. He’d been a boy back then. Helpless. A lot’s changed.
He’d grown up. Survived his mother’s betrayal of his family and the town. Served his country. Gone on to become a leader of an elite-forces team. Spent time with a lot of interesting women. To be honest, not all of them were interesting, but they were smokin’ hot.
He crossed his arms over his chest and tucked his hands under his armpits.
The first thing he noticed as Rebecca exited her vehicle was her jean-clad long legs and red boots. His body instantly reacted to seeing the woman she’d become. There were enough curves on her lean figure to make her look like a real woman. She still had the same chestnut-brown hair that fell well past her shoulders in waves. She’d be close enough for him to look into her light brown eyes soon. Were they still the color of honey?
Why did seeing Rebecca reduce him to being that heartsick seventeen-year-old brat again?
Brody ignored the squeeze in his chest. Fond memories aside, he didn’t do that particular brand of emotion anymore.
That she moved cautiously, surveying the area, reminded him why she was there. It wasn’t to talk about old feelings.
“It’s good to see you.” She took a tentative step closer to him.
Yep. Same beautiful eyes. Same diamond-shaped face. Brody hadn’t expected her voice to sound this grown-up. Or so damn sexy. He didn’t want to think about her in a sexual way. She’d been all sweetness and innocence to him at seventeen. And this wasn’t a date. He glanced around the parking lot to make sure no one had followed her.
“Wish the circumstances were better. I’m glad you called.” The conversation needed to stay on track. So, why did he feel another physical blow when he saw disappointment flash in her eyes? “Tell me why you think I can help.”
“He’s after me. Neither the sheriff nor the FBI caught him before. I’m scared. You’re the only one I can talk to who knows what really happened that night.” Her eyes flashed toward him nervously. “I’ve heard about the things you did overseas. I know you’ve done some security consulting on the side since you came back. I’d like to hire you to protect me while I sort all this out.”
“I don’t need your money. I’ll help.” He didn’t have to think long about his answer. Brody had experience tracking down the enemy, and this case had always eaten at him. Guilt?
“I’d still like to pay you something. In fact, I’d rather do it that way. I’m not a charity case.” She stared at him, all signs of vulnerability gone from her almond-shaped eyes.
He stared back. “Fine. We’ll figure something out.”
“Thank you.”
He hadn’t expected her to look so relieved. “You want to grab a cup of coffee while you fill me in?”
She nodded.
Brody followed Rebecca to the counter, where they placed their orders. She reached in her purse to pay for hers. He caught her arm. Big mistake. An electric volt shot through his hand, vibrated up his arm and warmed places that he didn’t realize were still iced over.
There’d be no use denying he felt a sizzle of attraction being near Rebecca again. It was more than a mild spark. She’d grown into a beautiful woman. But if he didn’t watch himself, she could put a knife through his chest with just a few words. And Brody had no intention of handing over that power again to anyone.
When their coffees were ready, she located a table in the corner. Brody followed, forcing his gaze away from her backside, ignoring how well the jeans fit her curves.
She took the opposite seat, her gaze diverting to someone behind him. Brody turned in time to see a fairly tall man sit a little too close for comfort. Then again, these coffee shops sure knew how to pack a hundred people into two-foot-square spaces. Brody had had to squeeze between the stacked tables to fit into the tight spot.
“Can you start right now?” Shoulders bunched, jaw set, she looked ready to jump if someone shouted an order over the hum of conversation. Tension practically radiated off her.
“Yes. I’ll need to arrange care for my horses. I can make a call to cover that base. If I’m going to be able to help, you’ll have to tell me everything.” His voice was gruffer than he expected, borderline harsh. Between his need to be her comfort and inappropriate sexual thoughts, being near her wasn’t exactly bringing out the best in him.
She glanced from side to side, told him what had happened that morning with more details this time, and then focused those honey browns on him. Tears welled in her eyes. “After all this time, he’s after me, Brody. Why? It doesn’t make any sense. Where’s he been all these years?”
“That’s a good question. One I intend to answer.”
“And what about my brother? Is there any chance he could still be alive?” Her voice hitched on the last word.
“We’ll find out.” Brody gripped his cup so he wouldn’t reach out to comfort her. “You’ve already been to the sheriff or you wouldn’t be calling me.”
She lowered her gaze. “Yes.”
“What did he say?” The way she kept one eye on the door had Brody thinking he needed to ask her to switch seats so he’d have a better view. As it was, he didn’t like his back facing the door.
“That I should be careful and to call if I see or hear anything suspicious.”
“Did you tell them that’s why you were there in the first place?” Frustration ate at him. He needed to control it in order to focus on the mission. Why would the man who’d abducted her and her brother all those years ago come back? To finish the job with her? She’d never been the intended target. When she’d witnessed a man grab her brother and run, she’d chased him into the woods. He had to know she hadn’t seen or remembered enough of him to help the law track him down or he’d already be in jail. “It’s been fifteen years. Why now? Where’s he been?”
“Wish I knew.” Her gaze ping-ponged from the front door to the exit. Fear pulsed from her. “Then again, the papers always dredge up the past.”
“That wouldn’t suddenly bring him out. They run stories every year.” Brody tapped his finger on the table. “I’ve thought about this a lot over the years.”
“Did we do the right thing back then? I mean, we were just kids protecting our friend by keeping that secret. What if that cost Shane his... What if someone saw something?”
“They would’ve come forward on their own if they had. Unless you think Justin was somehow involved?”
“No. It wasn’t him. This guy was too tall. Plus, I remember that smell. No one in Ryan’s house smelled like apple tobacco, least of all Justin.” The admission brought a frown to her lips.
“The sheriff wrote the case off as a transient passing through town before and found nothing. It’s time to change things up. We need to look at this through a new lens. Our guy could be connected to Mason Ridge in some way. This is where it all started and this is where it ends.” Brody had every intention of following through on that promise.
And if that meant breaking the pact and digging up the past, so be it.
Chapter Two
Rebecca’s shoul
ders slumped forward. “It’s no use. We’ve been over this a million times and we never get anywhere. I’ve scoured the internet for years trying to find Shane. The case is closed. It was most likely a random mugging this morning. Even the deputy thinks I’m crazy.”
“Except that we both know you’re not.” Brody resisted the urge to take her hand in his, noticing how small hers was in comparison, how much more delicate her skin looked.
“The sheriff told me years ago the trail had gone cold. I just didn’t want to accept the truth. They’re probably right. Shane’s...long gone.” Her almond-shaped eyes held so much pain.
“I know why your parents didn’t leave the area after they divorced. They never gave up hope of finding him, especially your mother,” Brody said, leaning forward. Everyone in town had held out the same hope Shane would be found. Hope that had fizzled and died as the weeks ticked by. “And neither did you.”
“Seemed like a good enough reason to stay in the beginning.”
“There’s no reason to give up now.”
“Do you know how slim the chances of solving a cold case are? I do.” When she looked up, he saw more than hurt in her eyes. He saw fear. He already noted that she’d positioned herself in the corner with her back against the wall, insuring she could see all the possible entry points. And didn’t that move take a page out of his own book?
“Except the case isn’t cold anymore. He struck again. We know he’s in the area.”
“Do you have any idea how that new deputy looked at me when I reported the crime and he pulled me up in the system? No one believes me.” Tears welled in her eyes, threatening to fall.
“I do.” Brody meant those two words.