Minutes seemed like hours as Todd drove swiftly down the road. Then he saw the small sign and the narrow opening on the right. He slowed and turned. The truck bounced over the rutted driveway.
“He doesn’t keep his drive in good shape. I’d say this would be to discourage visitors,” Ethan commented.
When the truck turned around a bend, Todd saw Summers’s house. “He has an old place.”
“Summers told me it was the original farm house built in the 1800s. Inside someone had taken care of it, but outside he’s let it go,” Chandler said.
“Maybe he needs money and thinks getting the land with the minerals will make him rich.” Todd parked the truck in front of the porch. A man came out and stared hard at them.
“Is that Summers?” Todd asked Chandler.
“No, I’ve never seen him before.”
When they got out of the truck, the man came down the steps. “What do you people want?”
“Mr. Summers invited me to come by anytime. I had company and wanted to introduce them to him. Todd Carrigan is moving here to be a permanent resident. I thought Mr. Summers might like to make his acquaintance. Ethan is visiting Todd.”
“Mr. Summers isn’t seeing visitors at this time. He’s not feeling well.”
“Ah, I’m sorry to hear that,” Chandler said.
The man’s face and eyes were flat and expressionless. He watched them as they returned to the truck.
Out his side window, Todd saw the man stayed on the porch until they were out of sight. “What do you two think?”
“He looks and talks like he’d be part of the gang. They must be holding her in the ranch house.” Chandler glanced at Ethan. “Do you agree?”
“Definitely. We’ll get together with Lann’s men and decide what to do next. I’ll call and see where they are.”
* * * *
Sunn knew her time was limited. She couldn’t wait to be rescued. Summers might shoot her if he heard or saw someone sneaking around his ranch. She could and would identify him if she got free.
After breakfast they’d untied her hands and feet. Her captor warned her that the bathroom window was boarded up and one of their men did surveillance around the house.
Her heart sank. How could she escape? When they picked up her lunch tray and relocked the door, she searched the adjoining bath. There was nothing in there.
The bedroom held only the bed and an old chest of drawers. She pulled out the bottom drawer and pulled on the front and back panels. The back was loose. She worked trying to pull it apart. Whenever she heard the door being unlocked, about every hour, she slid the drawer into place and pretended to be pacing the room.
The man, who seemed to be her jailer, made her uncomfortable with the way he looked at her. In the middle of the afternoon, he came in and shut the door behind him.
“You’re a sweet, young thing. It’s a pity for you to die without enjoying some lovin’ first.” He pulled her against his sweaty body and clamped his hand around her breast. He kissed her hard and thrust his tongue in her mouth.
Sunn pushed at him and socked him on the side of his forehead to get out of his clutches. He drew his eyebrows together in a scowl. “I’ll be back after the rest go to bed. Then I’ll tie you to the bed and enjoy your body. You won’t be so high and mighty after I finish with you.”
He strode out and locked the door. Sunn ran in the bathroom and was sick. She’d die before she let him touch her again. She went back to the drawer and worked feverishly to get the back panel off. It was stronger than she’d thought.
What else could she use? She’d never taken a self-defense course, but her father, Jeb, had told her if a boy tried something with her to go for the groin, and then hit the side of his neck hard with the edge of her hand, or hit him in the head.
Encouraged, she went back to work on the drawer. She’d kick him in the groin and hit him in the head with the wood. Hopefully, it’d work. She didn’t want to be raped or die.
As the house got quiet, she worked feverously on getting the last nail loose. She yanked hard one more time and it came apart. She fell backward from where she’d been sitting on the floor.
She’d place the wood behind her and wait. Once she’d kicked him in the groin with her knee, she’d use the wood plank. Fear had been crouching around her all afternoon. She refused to let it weaken her resolve. But waiting these last few minutes her heart beat so fast it made her feel faint.
“Stop it,” she told herself. She sat on the bed and pictured Todd and Chandler bursting through the door and rescuing her. Thinking of them slowed her heart a bit.
Then she heard the rattle of the keys and saw the knob turning. It was time for action.
* * * *
Chandler, Todd, and Ethan met up with Lann and his men. “What’s the plan?” Chandler asked.
“We’ll circle the area. Watch for his guards. I’m sure he’ll have some protecting him and his property.” Lann motioned to Flint and Rook. “You know what to do to fade into the darkness.”
“We will. If we need to warn you of an attack, you’ll hear us.”
Chandler looked puzzled as he watched the two men move through the bushes and disappear. Chandler raised an eyebrow at Lann. “I promise Todd and I will explain after this is over.”
“I always did think both of you were strange,” he said in a teasing tone. Then Chandler got serious. “What can we do? I’m not going to just stand here and wait.”
“The four of us will creep toward the house. We need to get inside to rescue Sunn. Once they suspect an attack, they might kill her. When we get close to the house, we’ll separate.” Lann drew the house and surrounding area with a stick in the sandy ground.
“Todd, you and Chandler go around each side. Take out anyone watching the house. Ethan and I will go through the front. Once you’ve had time to get in place, I’ll shout. We’ll smash through the front door. You two will do the same at the back. Hopefully coming from different directions we’ll confuse them, and have a chance to find Sunn,” Lann said.
“Are you going to call the sheriff before we go in?” Todd asked. “My gut’s saying she’s in serious trouble and we need to act now.”
“You two go on and get in place. I’ll give Sheriff Devon a quick heads-up.”
Todd nodded and led the way, slipping in and out from behind bushes, a shed, and then cars and trucks. Their dark clothes blended with the night. Luckily the moon was behind several clouds.
When he and Chandler got close to the porch, they split up and walked on either side toward the back. Todd glanced behind him. With his superior night vision he saw Lann and Ethan on their way.
Coming around the corner to the back, Todd heard a thud. Chandler had knocked out a guard with the butt of his rifle. They moved quickly to the back door and waited for their signal.
* * * *
Sunn’s fear rose in her throat. She thought her heart would burst from her chest when the tall, dark figure of a man slipped in the door and locked it. He spotted her standing by the bed.
“You’re in the right spot. But I may not take you on the bed. The hard floor helps me keep your hips in place and ram into you hard.” His hulking figure moved closer to her.
She made herself be patient and let him get close enough for her knee to connect. She didn’t have on shoes. They’d been taken away. When he was so close she smelled his sweaty body, she rammed her knee in his groin.
“Damn, bitch.” He went down on his knees and Sunn grabbed the board and wacked him as hard as she could on the side of his head. He keeled over and moaned, but didn’t move. Blood trickled down his face.
Taking the plank, she tried to quietly break her bedroom window. It was her only way out and hopefully there wasn’t a guard waiting for her. If she stepped out in the hallway there’d be a greater chance of being seen.
Suddenly, her door flew open. She turned and swung at the figure moving fast in her direction. He ducked and grabbed her around the waist.
* * * *
“Sunn, it’s me, Todd. You’re safe.” He kept repeating the words.
Todd glanced around and saw Chandler had shot a guard trying to get in her room. In other areas of the house he heard gunshots.
Gradually, Todd got control of Sunn’s arms and legs without hurting her. Her heart beat fast and hard against his chest, and she gasped for air.
“It’s all over, darlin’. You are safe,” he repeated again.
He saw her eyes start to clear and her struggles quieted. Chandler came to stand beside him. “Is she injured?”
“I don’t think so. She’s more scared than anything. Can I let you go, darlin’? You have to promise not to kick or bite me.”
“Is it really you, Todd and Chandler?”
“Yes.” He released her arms and legs and pulled her up. “I’m sorry I had to deck you, but that board was a dangerous weapon.”
Sunn started to laugh, but it turned into hysterical tears. She touched Todd’s face and then Chandler’s. They wrapped her in their arms.
“Is she all right?” Lann asked from the doorway.
“A little shaken from all that happened. She’ll calm down soon.” Todd tipped her face and kissed her mouth. Chandler raked his fingers through her hair.
* * * *
As she calmed, their body heat warmed her skin and the cold places inside her. She kept touching them to be sure she wasn’t dreaming.
“I kept calling to you. I’m still not sure I’m awake.”
“We came as fast as we could find you.” Todd stepped back and checked the guy on the floor. He was moaning and beginning to move around. “You clobbered him, darlin’.”
“He planned to rape me. He told me he’d be back tonight. I prepared myself to fight him.”
“I wish that board had crushed his skull.”
Sunn heard the anger in Todd’s voice, and then he kicked the man in the ribs twice with the toe of his boot. “A few broken ribs in addition to the injuries you gave him will make him think before he acts. It doesn’t matter though. He’ll be in prison for most of the rest of his life.”
Sheriff Devon walked in the door. “Handcuff him,” he said to his deputy, who’d followed him in. “We’ll have him checked at the hospital. Call another ambulance.” He looked at Todd and Chandler. “Who beat him up?”
“I kicked him in the ribs venting some anger when Sunn said he was trying to rape her.” He grinned. “She did most of the damage with that board over there.”
“And I kicked him in the groin,” Sunn said proudly.
The men winced.
“Can’t blame you, but that’s a wicked blow.” Sheriff Devon shook her hand. “Anytime you want to be a deputy, let me know. This shows smart thinking and knowing when to act.”
“I don’t ever want to be around these types. Being a small town lawyer seems much safer.”
“We’ll be taking the uninjured to the jail and the others to the hospital to be examined. I’ve called the sheriff in the next county. He’ll take some of them to his jail or mine would be overflowing. We haven’t had this much action in years.” He started out of the room and stopped. “I’m sorry I doubted you all.”
He shook his head. “I’d never have suspected David Summers. It makes me wonder if his wife fell down those steps accidently or maybe she was helped. If I recall, he got about one hundred thousand dollars from her life insurance policy. We’ll be checking all his records in his home office.”
After he and his deputy went out with the injured kidnapper, Todd turned to Sunn. “Are you ready to go home with us?”
“Yes, please.”
Chandler swung her into his arms. Todd led the way to the car. Sunn snuggled her head into Chandler’s shoulder and had her arms wrapped around his neck. Being held by him had never felt so good. Both of them made her feel protected and loved.
Lann came to the car window. “I’ll meet you all at my place at 3:00 p.m. If that time is good for you. We have to talk.”
“You mean I’ll finally find out the big secrets regarding your people?” Chandler asked.
“Elle, our Priestess, and her husband, Pruet, are arriving this morning. I’d like her to be with me when I talk with the three of you.”
“We’ll be there,” Todd said. “I didn’t get to meet them before I rushed home.” Lann moved back from the car and Todd drove off.
On the way to Todd’s house, Sunn’s body relaxed and she got drowsy. “Don’t fight it, sweetheart. Go to sleep. I’ll carry you to bed.” Chandler’s deep, calm voice soothed her last resistance and her eyes closed.
* * * *
She didn’t wake when the car stopped. Todd came around and they shifted her into his arms. Chandler walked ahead and pulled the spread and top sheet down. Todd gently laid her in the middle.
“I’m going to shower in the room I usually use,” Chandler said. “Then I’ll come back. When she wakes, she’ll be looking for both of us.”
“I’ll sit in the chair here and wait until you return. I wouldn’t want her to wake and not see one of us.”
“Good idea. I won’t be long.” Chandler took long strides to the bedroom he used. He threw off his clothes and got in the shower. When he’d touched her after they’d first found her, his heart had swelled with joy. She had lived through her ordeal and they held her in their arms. If he’d had any doubt about his feelings, which he hadn’t, the way he’d felt at that moment assured him his love for her would last a lifetime.
He turned off the shower, grabbed a towel, and dried off. Then he threw on a robe and hurried back to Todd’s room.
“She hasn’t been awake at all?” He asked.
“Nope, she didn’t move either.” He stood. “I’ll join you two in a few minutes. As much as I want to make love to her, it isn’t going to happen tonight. She’s emotionally and physically exhausted.” Todd chuckled. “She’s not a bad fighter. I have some scratches and bruises from our encounter.”
“You were afraid you’d hurt her if you didn’t move carefully.”
“Yeah, if I’d been rougher I’d have gained control sooner, but I’d rather take the knocks than her.”
When Todd went in the bathroom, Chandler removed his robe and climbed into bed behind her. She’d turned on her side. He put his body snug against hers. When she moved, he feared he’d woken her, but she settled back down with her sweet ass right against his hungry cock.
It was going to be a long night with little sleep, but he loved having her so close. To know she was safe and unhurt made him very thankful. Tomorrow, he’d ask her to go with him to visit his parents. He wanted to introduce her, hopefully as his fiancée.
After all this he and Todd were not taking no for an answer. They’d convince her someway.
Todd returned and lay down on the opposite side of Sunn. He put his hand on her arm and went to sleep.
Chandler breathed in her sweet scent and ached to be inside her pussy, but gradually toward morning he also dozed off.
Sunn’s movements woke him. She’d turned and stared at his face. Her fingers trailed over his eyelashes and across his lips. When he opened his eyes, she grinned.
“Sorry, if I disturbed your sleep, but I can’t quit touching you and Todd.” She stretched. “I’m surprised I didn’t have nightmares, but all that crying must have tired me out and cleared any fear out of my system. Thanks for rescuing me.”
“We didn’t do much. You’d already taken care of your guard.”
“But they’d have caught me if you all hadn’t been there.”
Chandler didn’t deny it. He didn’t let himself think about what would have happened to her if they’d been a few hours later.
“I got my blindfold off and saw David Summers right after we arrived at his ranch. He said he’d have to kill me after he got
your signatures on the ranches deeds. I knew I had to find a weapon. The back of one of the drawers was loose, but I thought I’d never get it free before my nemesis came back last night.”
“But you did, and you defended yourself very well.”
“Until you two got there and charged in like the cavalry.”
“My knees went weak with relief when we saw you alive.” Chandler clasped her tight in his arms.
She giggled against his chest. “And then I beat on poor Todd. He’s going to be bruised and sore.”
“Nothing mattered but you.” Chandler stopped her talking with a kiss.
Chapter Sixteen
“Good morning darlin’.” Todd leaned over her shoulder.
She smiled back at him. “We’re all awake.”
“I’m only partially.” Todd rubbed his face with his hand. “Do you feel up to playing?” He winked at her.
Sunn had moved onto her back. “Oh, yes. I’d like to very much.”
Chandler leaned forward and kissed her again. His tongue slid into her mouth to taste and lick her tender sweetness. He turned her to him so Todd could get close to her backside. While he kissed her, his fingers caressed her breast. Her nipple peaked.
He placed his mouth over her sweet breast. The little catch in her breath made his cock jerk and his balls ache.
Glancing at Todd, he saw him kissing all along her spine. Todd raised his head.
“Do you want her flat on her back?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“Not a bit. I’ll have my turn later.”
Sunn moved flat on the bed and Todd sat leaning against the headboard. Chandler kissed her midriff, and around her mound. He spread her legs and nibbled his way to her ankles.
She trembled at his touch and groaned when he passed her mound, but he was determined to take his time and fully enjoy her.
He massaged her feet and up her ankles. His fingers trailed a path up the soft skin of her legs. Then he spread her pink folds apart and licked across her tight nub.
Seducing Our Lady's Heart [Commando Cowboys and Renegade Texans Unite 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 13