by Talty, Jen
Letting out an exasperated sigh, he decided he couldn’t stand it if she outright hated him in the end for taking advantage of her. It was bad enough that she looked at him with distrust in her eyes.
“Sleep well, Kaylee.” He pulled the covers up, and when she didn’t shift, didn’t make a noise, he realized she was sound asleep.
“Damn.” He didn’t know whether he should laugh or not. She just wasn’t interested in him anymore. Could he blame her?
Their marriage had been good on many levels, most especially sexual. He knew she had loved him and he had loved her, but so many people had twisted and turned their thinking, that mistrust always reared its ugly head. Looks like things hadn’t changed much.
Careful not to wake her, he blew out the candles, then left the bed and headed downstairs. Lightning flashed through the window, but there was no rain and only a slight roll of thunder rumbled. Spring in these parts could be hot as a June day or as cold as Christmas. Tonight was kind of in-between.
A beer would relax him and ease his ever-increasing desire for the half-naked woman who’d given him pleasure beyond his reach once upon a time. So a beer it was.
He sat on the lonely couch, listening to David Letterman give his top ten, and then reached for his phone. No time like the present to get a hold of Toby.
“Hello,” a familiar female voice said.
“I must have dialed the wrong number, sorry.” Blaine glanced at the caller ID, but it most definitely said Toby Whitcomb.
“You didn’t dial the wrong number.”
“Emma?” he questioned.
“What,” she barked.
He let out a chuckle; those two deserved each other. “Did I interrupt something?”
She sighed. “Do you want to talk to Toby?”
“Yeah.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “You do know what type of guy Toby is, don’t you?”
“Oh yeah, I know.” Her voice sounded soft and endearing, but not toward Blaine. “Toby, it’s Blaine.”
“Yo, Dark m=Man, what’s up?”
“At least I don’t glow in the dark,” Blaine mused. He’d hated the term “dark man” growing up, now it just made him laugh. “You and Emma?”
“You don’t have a problem with that, do ya?”
“No, as long as you don’t hurt her,” Blaine said, hoping she really did know that Toby coined the phrase, “one-night-stand.”
“Not planning on it. However, you’re the one who said you hoped she rotted in hell.”
“I was pissed.” There was something odd in Toby’s voice. “How long has this been going on?”
“None of your business.”
“Well, I’ll be scalped.” Blaine ran his hand through his hair. “More than a few days?”
“Try months, man. If you say one jackass thing or tease me at all, I’ll do something so bad you might have to actually put those handcuffs on me.”
“I’ll leave that privilege for your father, which leads me to why I’m calling.”
“Kaylee,” Toby said.
Blaine turned the volume on the television all the way down and he could hear her breathing, soft and rhythmic. “Someone shot at her tonight.”
“No way.”
Toby was always one for great words. “She used to work for Nino De Luca.”
“Nino De who?”
“A crime family out of Chicago. Anyway, she’s running from something, and I need your help.” Blaine scooted down onto his side and propped his head on his elbow. The single beer had started to ease the erection from hell.
A belly laugh bellowed in Blaine’s ear. “I thought you cops had no use for us low life P.I. guys.”
“I’d like to use your other abilities.”
“That’s just gross, man.”
“Get your head out of your ass. I want to hire you as Kaylee’s bodyguard.”
“You don’t have to hire me to do that.” Toby’s voice turned serious. “Emma thinks something bad might have happened to her.”
“Emma’s one smart lady.” Regardless of how horrible their short-lived relationship had been, hating the woman wasn’t worth it, and if she made Toby change his stripes, well, more power to her. “Also, since you’ll just be hanging around watching, maybe you could do some digging.”
“Damn, I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Yeah, well I’m not running naked in the town square this time.”
“You can’t arrest yourself, man,” Toby teased. “And my father didn’t arrest you the last time.”
“Nope, but he made me do thirty hours of community service. Just make sure nothing happens to Kaylee, okay?”
“Don’t worry. Look, I’ve got a beautiful woman getting naked in my bed. I’m hanging up now.”
“See ya.” Blaine shut the phone and glanced toward the window. “Everybody’s getting some but me,” he groaned, and then pulled the covers up to his chin.
When Blaine had left for work the next morning, thankfully, Dave’s car had been gone. He didn’t think he’d be able to handle a smile on his boss’s face as he came out of his mother’s house, but he didn’t begrudge the man either. Well, not really. Right now he begrudged anyone who had a sex life.
The sun shone brightly through his half-opened blinds at the station house. There had been frost on the ground, and the weathermen were calling for snow. In the distance, he could see dark clouds rolling in.
A tap at his door caught his attention.
“Got some good news for me?” Blaine asked Dave.
“The ballistics on the bullet found at your place didn’t match Rutherford’s gun.” Dave made direct eye contact.
“Did the medical examiner release the body?”
Dave nodded and said, “He died from trauma to the head. If it wasn’t for the bullet, they’d rule it accidental. For now, it’s suspicious. They were supposed to contact Kaylee and Hadley this morning.”
“Toby’s going to keep an eye on her.”
“She tell you anything?”
“Not much, but she’s definitely hiding something from me.”
“You can say that again.” Dave glanced around the office as an uncomfortable silence overtook them. In all the years Blaine had known Dave, they’d never been awkward with each other. Until today. “I need to talk to you.”
“Save it, Dave. If you make my mother happy, then I’m happy.” He was in no mood for a big talk about them being grown-ups and having so much in common. He might begin to despise the man if he had to go through that.
“I hope I make her happy. I’m in love with her, but that’s not what this is about.”
Blaine coughed and cleared his throat. “Love?” he managed between coughing fits.
“Can we talk about that another time? I have pressing business.”
“Sure thing,” Blaine swallowed.
Dave handed him a file. “Kaylee was engaged to this De Luca guy. He tried to file a missing person’s report, but when the cops went to her apartment, she’d ended her lease and packed up all her stuff. She’s not considered a missing person, but Nino’s got money on information about her whereabouts.”
No longer choking, but unable to breathe nonetheless, Blaine opened the file. A paper clipping of Nino De Luca and his happy fiancée, Kaylee Walker, stared back at him. She really had never changed her name back.
“Crap,” was all he could say as he flipped through more clippings.
When he got to the one where she’d been attacked by a burglar, he pounded his fist on the desk. “Damn,” he muttered, trying to control his anger. Why did the woman have to lie all the time?
“I take it you didn’t know about the pending nuptials?”
He shook his head. “What else have you found out?”
“De Luca claims that he thinks this attacker might have kidnapped her for ransom or something. He’s put out a few press conferences, and I’m sure he’s got a bunch of hired hands scouting for her.”
Blaine rubbed his hand across
the scab forming on his bicep. “I think I met them last night.”
Dave took a seat and rubbed his hand across his face. “Either De Luca put a hit on her father to get to her, or we’ve got two sets of bad guys here.”
Blaine rose and strode to the window. The sun was hiding behind a cloud and he could hear the wind beginning to howl. Snow was definitely on its way. “I think we really need to cover both angles. If it’s Nino, he’ll keep coming. If it’s someone else, I bet my next paycheck it’s related to information regarding her biological father.”
“I get the crime family connection, considering she’s obviously running from something, but what’s the big deal about who her father is anyway?”
“I’m not exactly sure, but what if it’s someone whose career or family would be ruined?”
Dave let out soft roll of laughter. “It’s the new millennium; no one gives a shit these days.”
Blaine turned to face his boss. “Someone like Reverend Hicks would give a shit.”
“You can’t be serious? Straight-laced Jack? Come on, Blaine. He’d never cheat on his wife.”
“Stranger things have happened.”
“I can’t let you pursue this. You have nothing to go on.”
The sky outside grew dark and the wind rattled the window. “You have to agree that we need to look at every possible angle.”
“I still haven’t taken Kaylee off my suspect list.”
She has a lot to gain from her father’s death, and she was the last to possibly see him alive.” Dave let out a huff of air and stood with frustration written all over his face.
“If she’s up there, then so is Jack. Maybe he didn’t think Rutherford had changed his will just yet. Maybe there was a heated argument and Rutherford threatened to expose Jack’s infidelities to his wife.”
“That’s a lot of guessing. I’ll give you the possibility, but damn it, do it by the book.”
Blaine knew he couldn’t go and speak to them, officially. “Ya know, it’s been a few months since I’ve gone to church…”
“Try years, son.” Dave shook his head. “Don’t give me reason to suspend you.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Blaine smiled. He’d seen that concerned look on his boss’s face before. When Blaine had come back and started working for him the second time, Blaine was truly lucky to have a job. No one would hire him because he was a loose cannon and tended to be a lone wolf, so to speak.
“Just remember who you answer to,” Dave said before disappearing into the hallway.
A few things had changed, but Blaine still preferred to bend the rules just a smidgen, just to get the job done. That would never change.
Just then Blaine’s cell phone rang. Glancing at it, he saw Toby’s number. “What’s up, man?”
“It would appear Kaylee talked Rachael into driving her to the police station.” Toby laughed. “She’s got an extra key in the tire hub. I’ll stop her, but you better get your ugly ass out here.” The phone went silent.
“Running out on me again. I don’t think so, not this time, Kaylee. You and I are far from done, in any matter.”
Chapter Seven
Kaylee stared out into the evening sky as she listened to a screeching voice lecture her about being on the run from the cops. How it would be better if she just stayed put and let her closest friend and the rest of this sleepy little town help her. Kaylee couldn’t believe hiding out with the Assistant Chief of Police was helping her.
“Are you listening to me?” Rachael snapped.
“Every flipping word.”
“But you’re not going to take my advice, are you?” Rachael slammed her car into park and gave Kaylee the evil eye. “You realize you’re making yourself look guilty.”
“Great, now you believe I killed my father.”
Rachael reached out and held Kaylee’s forearm. “I don’t believe that, but running won’t help you. You’ve got to stop. Even Rutherford was tired of it.”
“What do you know about my dad?” Kaylee yanked her arm free and glared at Rachael. “You act like you’ve talked to him about this.”
“I sold him some furniture from my shop a while back. He mentioned how much he missed you, but you were still running.”
“My father bought some furniture from you? He was never interested in change.” Kaylee blinked. It wasn’t the furniture so much as the fact that he’d confide in Rachael.
“I kind of guilted him into it.”
“How’d you do that?”
“That’s a long story, and I won’t be telling it to you unless you show up at my place for dinner one night.”
“Thanks, Rachael, but I don’t think I’ll be staying.” Nope, she’d be heading out on the first train to nowhere— fast.
The sun was hidden by dark storm clouds, and the leafless tree branches flapped in the wind. She figured she’d have about a half hour to get back to Blaine’s, get her stuff, and head for the hotel. She couldn’t stay with Blaine another night. Not without ending up in his bed, with him.
“Thanks, Rachael.” Kaylee opened the door to the sports car and stepped onto the pavement.
“At least stay for my parents’ annual barbeque. My new boyfriend is going to be there and I’d love for you to meet him.”
Kaylee froze at the mention of the kind Reverend Hicks, who wasn’t so kind. He’d always treated her like some kind of heathen or possibly the devil himself. Once, he’d even told her she was just like her mother. Of course, Kaylee had been pregnant and unmarried at the time, which made people wonder if she was schizophrenic. “Yeah, sure,” she heard herself say, knowing she wouldn’t go anywhere near the monthly barbeque.
“Yo, lookie here,” Toby’s voice rang out.
When she turned, Toby had successfully put his car, if you could call it that, behind hers. Damn, she was blocked in, and without a doubt, Blaine knew by now she was here.
“Hey, Toby.” She scurried over to give him a hug. “Please let me leave,” she whispered.
“Damn girl, and to think I’m taken.” He squeezed her bottom shamelessly, ignoring her words.
“You taken? By what?” She cupped his bearded face and narrowed her eyes. Toby had always understood her; she hoped that was still the case.
He smiled and rolled a toothpick sticking out of the side of his mouth with his tongue and shook his head. “No can do, babe.” He leaned his broad body against her car. “I think we should all go out tonight.”
Rachael cleared her throat.
Toby glanced at her. “Your big-wig boyfriend isn’t around, and having five wheels isn’t— ”
“Well, I never.” Rachael huffed and then got back in her car. “I’ll call you later.”
Kaylee waved as Rachael drove off. “Toby, that wasn’t very nice.”
A belly roar filled the air. “After what she did to me, hell and fire.” He twiddled his toothpick. “Why would I give her the time of day?”
“What did she do?”
“Forget it. Let’s go find the boss.”
“Toby?” She hesitated and pulled open the car door. “Please, Toby. Just let me leave.”
“I wouldn’t help you run back then, what makes you think I’d help you now?” He batted her nose and strutted toward the station house.
Big, puffy snowflakes began to fall from the sky. The wind died and then swirled in a howl, then softened again. She took in a deep breath of the cold, crisp air. It smelled wet and snowy.
She eyed Toby’s car to see if she might be able to squeeze by, but it didn’t look good.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Blaine bellowed. “You ran out on me ten years ago without an explanation and I won’t let you do it to me again.” He marched across the pavement. His cowboy boots banged and clanked with each long stride. He wore jeans, a T-shirt, a light jean jacket, and his long dark hair flowed from his face as he stomped toward her. Good Lord, that man was sexy.
She stared at him, knowing her mouth was wide open and she was unabl
e to move, much less breathe. A gasp tickled her throat when she tried to say something—anything--but couldn’t.
“You have some explaining to do,” he mumbled.
Her five-foot-six-inch frame seemed tiny as he towered over her having at least six or seven inches on her. She locked gazes with his dark, intense stare. “I… I…already explained why I left and where I went.”
“Not that.” Without warning, he grabbed her hips. “We miscommunicated because people lied to us, but this time you’re lying to me.” His eyes bore into hers like a tiger ready to pounce. “I can throw you over my shoulder or you can get in the car. Your call.”
“You wouldn’t dare! Isn’t that kidnapping or something?”
“So, call the cops,” he muttered, unlocking his truck. “Get in.”
“You can’t boss me around— ”
“Get in or I’ll make you,” he said.
She clenched her jaw but complied.
“If you think about running, I’ll handcuff you.” Damnation flickered from his eyes.
“You’re scaring me,” she whispered.
“You should be afraid.” He slammed the door shut and then leaped across the truck uttering numerous curses.
Large drops of snow floated and swirled about in the howling wind. White mounds began to collect on the roads. The truck skidded and fishtailed as he squealed out of the parking lot. Her heart fluttered out of a mixture of fear and passion.
Passion?
Why the hell would she feel like going to bed with a man who was acting like an animal? “Stop this truck right now. I refuse to go anywhere with you when you act like this.”
“You have to stop running, Kaylee,” he said in a soft tone, but his hands gripped the steering wheel for dear life. “I think it’s time you came home where you belong.”
“I don’t belong here anymore.”
He reached across the cab and took her hand in his. The softness he sent her in a single touch ignited her deepest desire. “You belong here…with me.”
“No, Blaine. Don’t do this. You don’t mean what you’re implying.” She should yank her hand away, but she couldn’t. “We’ve been able to forgive and heal, but there is no us anymore. That died a long time ago.”