For once, Merc answered her without hesitation, “He left.”
She clutched the dresser tighter, her fingers turning white under the strain. “Where? Why is the door locked?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Merc’s answer sucked the life out of her.
“Last night, he-he said I was free to—”
Merc held up a hand, cutting her off mid-sentence. “Jared didn’t say a word to me about letting you out. So, until I hear otherwise, the door stays locked and you stay inside.”
“Wait.” He couldn’t have. Not again. Please, not again.
Sparrow stared, dumbfounded, as Merc shut the door in her face, the ominous click of the lock falling into place stealing her ability to breathe. Pain exploded across her chest and radiated down her arms and legs, curling her fingers in response.
She formed a tight fist and punched the door. Jared had betrayed her. Again. And in the worst possible way. Last night had meant nothing to him, absolutely nothing. How many times would she fall for his tricks? How many times would she let him trample her heart before she broke past fixing?
The answer came swiftly—never again. Never again would she let him touch her. Sparrow pulled on every ounce of strength she possessed, trying to shut down her emotions and distance herself from the situation. But she hurt so bad…
Think, Sparrow. She angrily wiped at the tears on her face. There has to be a way out of this place. She dashed into Jared’s bedroom and tried the window, but it was locked tight.
The bathroom—there was a window over the bathtub. Sparrow ran to it and tried to slide it open, but that, too, was locked. Only she could see sunlight through the outside shutters in Jared’s bedroom, and she realized it wasn’t actually boarded it up. He’d probably never planned on giving her free reign of his bedroom.
She dashed back into his room, and dove for his open bag on the floor. How he must have laughed at her ignorance. Her stupidity. Dumb hillbilly.
Well, this hillbilly had survival skills, and she wasn’t about to let some asshole break her. She’d picked more locks then half of the residents of the Boone County jail. She tossed his clothes over her shoulder, about to give up hope, but when she lifted a pair of pants a heavy black knife fell out of the pocket. Sparrow picked it up, its heavy weight a familiar comfort, and smiled. Not only could she pry the window open, she could leave him a nice little message for the trouble.
Sparrow flipped the blade and ran her thumb down the edge, her grin growing when she got a small sliver of blood. Jared Crowe would regret the day he’d laid eyes on her.
Sparrow made quick work of her gift to her captor and popped the window lock with ease. She peeked out first and then jumped down onto the soft green grass in the side yard. Nothing but trees, trees, and more trees surrounded the house. Her own personal playing ground. But if she stayed close, he would catch her. Even if he had to get his whole team involved.
And if she couldn’t make that call he’d promised her to make, Sparrow’s new knife had a date with Jimbo’s throat.
She snuck to the corner of the bright white house and peered around into the front yard. A large four-wheel drive truck was parked next to an older red car. She gazed with longing at the truck, but the chrome pipes sticking out the back would ensure that half the county heard her crank it up. The little red car would have to do.
Sparrow ran across the lawn in a crouch then came to a stop beside the truck. It was almost a sin to slash the new mud tires, but hey—it was her or the rubber.
As the air hissed from the tires, Sparrow got into the car. She was in the process of yanking the starter wires from underneath the steering wheel when sunlight glinted off a pink glitter diamond on a keychain hanging from the ignition. Like stealing whiskey from a passed out drunk.
Sparrow cranked the car up and eased from the drive, increasing speed the farther she got from the house. She didn’t bother taking a last look in the rear view. She’d left her heart behind, but she didn’t regret it. If Jared was so intent on destroying it, he could have it. The only requirement where she was headed was to be cold-blooded and cutthroat. A broken heart would just get in the way.
30
Jared arrived back at the house after getting his ass reamed by his commander for going off grid, especially since the last time one of their teammates disappeared, he’d ended up dead. Colonel Grey not only had a reputation for being the most lethal interrogator in the Special Forces, he was deadly in his own right. At least the rest of the team hadn’t been present to witness him barely avoiding a rank demotion.
Not only had Jared broken the rules with he and Hoyt’s clandestine mountain getaway, he’d put his team in danger for his own personal vendetta.
But all of that mean almost nothing after last night. Sparrow had given him the gift of her heart, and he intended to cherish it, nurture it, and do whatever it took to protect her. Opening himself to her had been far easier than agreeing to help contact Kay, but it had been impossible to deny her.
Jared floored the gas pedal in anticipation of seeing her again. He’d hated to leave her this morning, looking so damn beautiful it made him struggle for breath, but they’d stayed up all night making love, and he hadn’t wanted to wake her.
Somewhere in all this action and misery and mind-numbing sex, he’d fallen in love.
Jared pulled into the drive of the little white house, frowning when he saw Hayden’s car was gone. She’d promised to stay with Hoyt until Jared returned from his meeting. A sense of foreboding sent him running up the stairs and in through the front door. He didn’t slow until he was at his brother’s door. But Hayden was sitting next to the bed, just like he’d expected, reading a book. She frowned when she saw him. “What’s wrong?”
Jared gave a shaky laugh, “I just got a feeling. Thought something had happened while I was gone.”
“No change, except he slept much better. Doc reduced his meds, so it’s only a matter of time now before he wakes up.” Hayden folded her book closed and offered him a smile. Struck by her calming beauty, he found himself hoping Hoyt realized what a gem he had.
“Great. Just let me know when you need to head home and I’ll give you a ride.”
Hayden cocked her head to the side and dropped her brows. “Why? I can drive myself.”
“Your car isn’t out there. Thought your dad must have dropped you off.”
She got up, crossed to the window, and pulled the blinds up. “Where the heck is my car?”
That sense of foreboding returned and Jared joined her on the other side of the room. “You mean you did drive it over here this morning? I thought I remembered seeing it when I left, but I figured my mind was playing tricks on me.”
“Hell, no.” Hayden pulled out her cell and dialed. “Dad, did you come get my car?” Jared watched as her lips pressed into a tight line. “Okay. No, its fine. Maybe Hunter needed it.”
She disconnected the call and immediately dialed again. “Hunter, did you or Ranger borrow my car this morning?” When Jared saw the look on her face, he didn’t have to stick around to know the answer.
His heart racing with alarm, Jared ran from the room, only stopping when he reached Sparrow’s door. It was shut. He tried to open it. Nothing, the door was locked. His was locked too. Stomach tight, he banged on the door. “Sparrow!”
No answer.
Jared shoved a hand into his pocket for the keys, only then remembering he’d left them on the kitchen table. He hadn’t thought he’d need them anymore since he’d left the doors unlocked this morning.
Was she pissed he’d left without saying goodbye? Dammit. Jared ran to the kitchen to find Merc leaning back at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of coffee.
“Why are the doors locked?”
Merc looked at him in surprise. “Since when did you want them unlocked?”
Jared’s eyes slid shut with dread. If she believed he’d locked her in after last night, after all the promises he’d made…
“Did you tal
k to Sparrow this morning?”
“Yeah, the girl tried to talk me into letting her go.” Merc snorted and then took a sip of his coffee, calm as he could be as Jared’s world came crashing down around him.
“And did you?”
“Of course not, do I look stupid? She’s still in there. Locked her up tight myself.” Jared could barely hear Merc’s answer over the roaring in his ears. He hadn’t thought to tell Merc. Hadn’t thought about anything but returning to her as quick as he could.
“Give me the keys!” Jared held out his hand, barely able to restrain himself from launching across the table and strangling his teammate. Merc gave him a strange look, tossed him the keys, and he took off at a sprint down the hall.
She’ll never forgive me.
Jared fumbled with the keys, nearly dropping them in his haste to unlock the door. He slammed it open, but it was just as his heart had feared. It was deserted.
“Sparrow!” Jared bellowed and raced into his connected bedroom. The emptiness was a living, breathing thing contracting the walls. She’d destroyed his bed. His comforter and sheets were ripped in shreds. Feathers littered the floor. Even worse was the large heart she’d carved into the wall with a huge ‘x’ over it. The room shrunk, cutting off his oxygen.
She was gone.
Jared dropped to his knees and roared in agony.
“What the hell is going on?” Merc raced into the room, gun drawn. He glanced down at Jared and swept past him to clear the bathroom. “Shit, she got out the window.”
Jared barely registered his words. “I told her that I believed her. That she was free.”
“You’re not making any sense, man. When did you decide to free her? Didn’t you think she was the one who tortured your brother?” Merc holstered his nine millimeter and came to a stop in front of him.
All Jared could manage was a weak shake of his head. After everything he’d done to her, she’d still trusted him. She’d given him everything. Her body. Her heart. “I was wrong. She didn’t do it.”
Merc winced. “Looks like she was pretty pissed.”
“What on earth?” Hayden entered the room, stopping just inside the door. “What happened? Where’s Sparrow?”
“Gone. She’s gone.” Jared couldn’t find the strength to get off the floor.
“I knew it. My car…she took my car.” Hayden slapped a fist into her hand.
If she had a car, there was no telling how much of a lead she’d gotten. He’d never be able to catch up with her.
Merc tossed a set of keys on the floor in front of Jared. “Take my truck. She can’t be that far. You know where she’s headed.”
Home. Last night she’d begged him to help her to get in touch with Kay. Now Sparrow would be headed home to that monster. If Kay knew she’d helped him and Hoyt, it might mean the end of her.
“You’re right.” He picked up the keys and got to his feet. “Thanks.” Jared brushed past Hayden on the way out. “Watch out for Hoyt.”
His brother would be fine; his life was out of immediate danger. But Sparrow was headed straight into the hornet’s nest. This time, it was Jared’s turn to save her. Jared exited the front door, stopping a few feet from Merc’s four by four.
The rims sat on the ground, leaving the truck immobilized. She’d cut the tires.
“Those tires cost a fortune!” Merc had walked up behind Jared, and now he stood staring at his truck in shock.
“Jared! Come quick!” Hayden yelled from the house.
Jared and Merc exchanged a look and then bounded into the house, following Hayden into Hoyt’s bedroom.
Jared nearly stumbled when Hoyt met his gaze with clear blue eyes.
“Jared?” Hoyt croaked out, his voice horse.
Relief swept over him in a tidal wave, and Jared grabbed Hoyt’s hand and sunk down onto the mattress. “I’m here.”
Hoyt offered a weak smile, “Duh, you’re sitting right next to me.”
Jared broke into a burst of laughter. “Yes I am. You scared the crap out of us.”
Hoyt gazed around the room, stopping on Hayden, who stood at his other side. “How long have I been out?”
Tears fell down Hayden’s cheeks. “Over a week. We’ve all been so worried about you.”
Hoyt made to lift his hand and wipe her tears, but then yanked it back, his body stiffening, and spat out a curse. Jared watched helplessly, devastated that his brother would suffer from such a small movement. “Why am I on my side? And why the fuck does it feel like someone poured acid on my back?”
“You don’t remember?” Maybe it was better that way. He wouldn’t have the nightmares. The haunted days.
“No. I remember going into the woods to take a piss and that’s it. What happened?” Before Jared could stop him, Hoyt rolled onto his back and let out an immediate bellow of agony.
“No! Don’t move. Let me call the doctor.” Hayden ran past Merc, who was standing guard at the door.
Jared helped Hoyt roll back onto his side, and Merc rearranged the pillows to help prop him up. “When you went missing, it took me a couple of days to track you down. By the time I found you, you were almost gone.”
“The shack.” Hoyt’s voice dropped and his eyes widened.
Jared nodded, “It was Kay and her son.”
Hoyt finished his sentence for him, “Jimbo.” A severe shudder racked him, shaking the entire bed. Sweat beaded along his lips and his pupils contracted to pinpoints.
Shit. Jared would take a bullet for his brother. But he was powerless to stop the memories. “I got you out of there and we helicoptered you back home. Dr. Hartsfield has been treating you here, away from the hospital.”
Hoyt paled and continued to shake, his gaze going distant. Fear skittered up Jared’s spine and he squeezed Hoyt’s hand. “Stay with me. You’re safe now.”
“It was so dark. So small. He kept coming—coming with the blade.” Hoyt moaned and arched his back, fighting some invisible memory.
“You’re not there anymore. I have you. I’ll keep you safe.” Claws of helpless fury and apprehension took hold of Jared. Dr. Hartsfield’s concern was forefront in his mind. It’s not his physical injuries I’m worried about.
“The girl. She helped.” Hoyt struggled and Merc had to help Jared keep him on the bed. “No! Stop!”
“What girl?” Chains wrapped around Jared’s chest, tightening with each word. He knew it wasn’t her, but he had to hear the words.
“Don’t know.” Hoyt grunted, jerked.
“What did she look like?”
“The crow on her wrist. She had the knife. Please! Stay away!” Hoyt screamed and fought their hold, fueled by demons from hell. His insane rage gave him enough strength to throw Merc, who had at least fifty pounds and a foot height on him, off the bed.
Panic took hold of Jared. He’d seen a crow on one woman’s wrist. The whore Geraldine. And Sparrow was headed right back into the hornets nest.
“I won’t let you take me back!” Hoyt’s eyes rolled back in his head and he convulsed.
“Hoyt! Hoyt, stay with me brother. They can’t hurt you anymore.” Jared watched in horror as Hoyt seized, unable to stop him. Unable to draw him from his hell.
“Move!” Dr. Hartsfield appeared at Hoyt’s side with a syringe. She shoved it into his arm without hesitation. “He’s got to calm down. Hold him.”
They each grabbed an arm and forced Hoyt over onto his stomach, unable to keep him on his side. “No!”
“Why isn’t it working?” Jared nearly yelled at the doc.
“Give it a second. Just don’t let him go,” Dr. Hartsfield said.
Jared watched as Hoyt’s jerks turned to twitches and finally stopped all together as he slumped into the mattress. Merc wiped a hand across his head and dropped to the floor beside the bed.
The sound of Hayden’s weeping filled the room. A hand settled on Jared’s shoulder and he jerked, startled, and looked up into Dr. Hartsfield’s sympathetic eyes. “He will be all right. T
his is normal in the beginning.”
Jared wanted to ask what she meant by the beginning, but he couldn’t say the words. The doctor squeezed his shoulder and then went to check Hoyt’s vitals. “Everything sounds good. He’s reopened a few wounds, and I’ll have to change his bandages and check his stitches, but that’s it for now. The sedative I gave him should keep him out for a while. I will go ahead and call you in a prescription for oral sedatives. But I suggest that as soon as he’s healthy enough, you bring him to see a counselor. No matter how strong Hoyt is, he’s going to need help getting through this.”
“Anything. I’ll do whatever it takes.” Jared pulled himself off the floor and shoved his hands in his pockets to hide the shaking.
“I’ll stay. You go and finish what you started,” Hayden said.
Jared floundered, full of guilt and questions. Should he leave Hoyt after his break down? Could he?
How could he not? He loved Sparrow with all his heart and the thought of her in danger made his blood freeze in his veins.
“I can have the helicopter ready to go in an hour.” Merc crossed his arms and waited.
Jared looked at his brother, unconscious on the bed. Fresh blood steadily seeping through his bandages. Broken.
“Let’s go. I’m going to make them pay for this, and then I’m going to burn that mountain to the fucking ground.”
31
Sparrow pulled off the road about a quarter mile from the Crowe compound and put the little car in park. Luckily, she discovered Hayden’s purse tossed carelessly in the backseat, along with a shiny new credit card in her wallet. Sparrow had made a couple of pit stops along the way. Now thanks to Hayden, she had on blue jeans and a shirt that actually fit, new boots, and a brand-new knife sharpened on a diamond cut grinder.
It was only mid afternoon, and under better circumstances, she would have waited for darkness to fall, but too much time had passed. Miss Kay might already be dead, Squirrel in danger. The thought fueled her with adrenaline and she took off through the woods.
Sparrow wound through the trees with ease, the trek familiar. Her trip up here seemed to take forever, made even worse by the fact that she couldn’t get Jared’s betrayal out of her mind. Last night replayed in her mind over and over again, taunting her with her own stupidity. His sweet whispered words and promises. Lies. All lies.
Reckless River: Men of Mercy, Book 3 Page 22