Can't Buy Me Love

by Abigail Drake

  Ellis ran his finger along Demma’s cheek to the scar on her neck. “At first, I was just going to kill you, but you disappeared. Can’t tell you how pissed off I was. My crew was dead, but you were still alive and in the wind. I couldn’t go back to the Cobras. Slater’s death made a huge hole, and guys were jumping at the chance to fill it. This,” he lifted his arm again, “would be seen as a weakness. The weak don’t live.”

  “So you’ve been hiding from your crew, letting them think you were dead.” Digger finished. “Abandoning the gang. That’s a death sentence. ‘Blood in, death out’.” He laughed wryly. “You are a dead man walking.”

  Ellis winced. “Enough talking.” He grabbed Demma’s arm and hauled her to her feet. “You and I are going to make a little trip to the bank. I need money to start over far away from Chicago. I’m thinking somewhere warm, where tequila is king, and the bitches are hot and won’t care about my arm as long as I keep the money flowing.” He pulled Demma against his body and curled his good arm around her shoulders. “I think a couple million should do the trick. You gave all that money to Daddy’s church last year. I just want my fair share. That was a mistake, you know. Langley didn’t put two and two together until he saw that picture in the paper. If you hadn’t done that, we wouldn’t have known where to find you.”

  Ellis turned her around. “Here’s what’s going to happen. We are going to the bank and get the money. Langley is going to stay here with your boyfriend. You behave, and you both may live through this.”

  “I don’t have two million dollars in the bank,” Demma protested. “My money is invested. I live off the dividends.”

  Ellis’s arm tightened. “You better hope that’s not true. I need to get out of the States, and Langley needs to pay off his markers.”

  Demma shot a panicked glance to Digger. He could tell she wasn’t lying. She didn’t have that much money. He grimaced. They were going to be pissed when they found out she wasn’t the easy mark they thought she was. He gave her a bare nod. “Do what he says,” Digger told her. “Don’t give him a reason to harm you.”

  “Alright,” she whispered as Ellis pushed her out of the room.

  “You better not hurt her!” Digger yelled. “If she has one mark, I’ll kill you where you stand.”

  The sound of Ellis’ mocking laughter became faint as they left.

  Langley leaned against the wall and stared at Digger’s face. Finally, curiosity got the better of him. “What the hell happened to you?”

  “Workplace accident.”

  “Damn, that sucks.”

  “You have no idea.”

  Digger stared at Langley until the older man became uncomfortable. “Yeah, okay. I’m gonna go see what else I can find to sell.” He left the room, slamming the door behind.

  Digger let out a held breath. The first part of his plan worked. Now he needed to get out of the cuffs. Leaning back, he braced his back against the wall and rose up to his feet, lifting his butt off the floor. Quickly, he wiggled it through his bound arms. The cuffs bit into his wrists, but he continued. Once his hands were behind his knees, he folded one leg at a time and passed them through the circle of his arms. When he was finished, his hands were in front. Reaching into his pocket, he searched for his cell, but it wasn’t there. “Shit,” he muttered then closed his eyes.

  “Think, Digger,” he muttered to himself. “If you can’t call for help, you have to help yourself. Demma is counting on you. I need to get out of these cuffs.” Suddenly, he recalled the specialist who had trained his unit on the ways to get out of bindings. Too bad these weren’t wire ties or duct tape. He knew how to get out of them easily enough, but that method wouldn’t work on cuffs. However, there was another way. Looking around, he searched for something rough to use. Demma’s closet was all soft and covered. He could try to use a piece of glass but would end up cutting himself. If only he had one of the diamond sticks the instructor had.

  Diamonds.

  He had stuffed Demma’s diamond necklace into his pocket if Ellis and Langley hadn’t found it. Digger reached into his pocket and was relieved when his fingers found the strand. He drew it out. Examining it, he saw it was one of those necklaces made of a row of tiny diamonds embedded in the chain with a slightly larger one at the apex. Digger had no idea if this would work or not but it was his best chance. He just hoped it would hold.

  It took a little wiggling to get the necklace wrapped around and through one of the links of the handcuffs with the diamonds facing in. Once it was secured, Digger grabbed one end of the necklace in his teeth and the other with his fingers. Slowly, he slid it back and forth, putting as much pressure as he dared against the fragile necklace. With his hands bound he couldn’t get but just a few inches of it to move against the metal link but he hoped it would be enough.

  Digger continued to move the diamonds back and forth for several minutes. Stopping, he checked the link with his nose. “Bingo,” he muttered and felt the rough metal. Too bad he didn’t have enough time to cut the links with the necklace. That is if the chain withheld the abuse. Quickly, he moved the necklace to the second link and repeated the seesaw action until it was also scratched and gouged. Pulling the necklace out, he took a deep breath and muttered. “Please work.”

  It took several minutes of Digger moving his wrists back and forth before the irregular surfaces kinked up on each other, locking the links. Placing the heel of his hands on the base of each cuff, he shoved them together. The links popped free. With a muttered curse, he tried again. As before, it popped free. The third time, he drew in a breath and shoved the cuffs together with all his might. The sharp snap was loud in the room as were the string of curses as he slung his hands to work the tingling out of them. The swivel had sheered at the base of the cuff on his right hand leaving the chain dangling from the left one. His wrists were bloody and ached, but he was no longer bound. Standing up, he checked his pockets again for his telephone, but it was gone along with his gun and Ka-bar. He thanked God whoever had checked his pockets hadn’t found the necklace. Stooping down, he grabbed the piece of jewelry and saw several scrapes and scratches in the golden housing. One of the diamonds had popped free, and a couple of others seemed to be loose. He’d gratefully pay to get the piece fixed. He just hoped he would be able to save its owner as well.

  Easing out of the door, Digger glanced around the bedroom. Langley was gone. He hurried down the hall and paused at the top of the stairs. There was a rattle below. Hurrying down to the bottom, Digger followed the sounds to the kitchen. Langley was standing with his back to the door pulling out silver serving pieces from a large pantry closet. Moving on silent feet, Digger reached him in seconds. As Langley began to turn, Digger slammed his fist into the side of the man’s head, rendering the older man unconscious. From there, it was simple to bind his hands behind his back with a length of rope he found in a drawer. Shoving a piece of cloth into his mouth, he secured it so he couldn’t warn Ellis. Once he was incompacitated, Digger searched his pockets and found nothing but jewelry and small odds and ends. He shook his head. Once a thief, always a thief.

  Digger locked Langley into a downstairs closet. He found a hairpin in a drawer in the bathroom and used it to pick the halves of the cuffs and remove them from his wrists. Selecting a kitchen knife, he settled in beside a window to wait until Demma returned.

  CHAPTER 11

  “I told you I didn’t have that much money,” Demma growled as she drove back to her house in Ryker’s truck.

  “Yeah, but I didn’t believe you. Still, $380,000 is better than nothing. It’ll get me out of the country. I don’t know what Langley is going to do. It’ll be up to him to get his share. This is mine.” Ellis patted the black duffle bag.

  “He’s not going to accept that. You know he’s going to be pissed if you tell him there’s no money at all.”

  “Damn, yeah, you’re right,” Ellis muttered.

  Demma turned the big truck into her driveway and parked it in front of her ho
use where it had sat before. Turning off the ignition, she looked at her former boyfriend. It had been dicey there for a bit at the bank. Arriving less than thirty minutes before closing, she had to convince two managers it was crucial for her to close her account immediately without alerting them to her predicament. Ryker’s life hung in the balance. If they didn’t return to her house, Langley would kill him. She couldn’t let anything happen to him. They had only known each other for a few days, but he’d already become important to her; more important than money, houses or any other possessions.

  However, even after she had shown Ellis the paperwork with all the balances, he had sworn violently and slammed his fist into the dashboard. He had been quiet on the ride home. When they pulled into the driveway, Ellis grabbed several stacks of bills and shoved them into a plastic bag. The rest he left in the floorboard of Ryker’s truck. Thrusting the bag into her hands, he told her, “Keep your mouth closed.”

  “No honor among thieves, huh Ellis?”

  He laughed. “If he needs more, he can come back to you. I’ve got to get out of the country before the Cobras find out I’m still alive.” Ellis pushed her into the hallway ahead of him. “Remember, keep your mouth shut. This is all he’s getting.”

  Slamming the door, he called out, “Langley!” When there was no reply, he pulled Demma close.

  “Maybe he left.”

  “Not without his money,” Ellis snarled. “What’s your boyfriend’s name?”

  “He’s not...”

  Ellis pulled Ryker’s gun out of the waistband of his jeans and shoved it into her ribs. “What'a his name?”

  “Ryker,” she grunted as the muzzle dug into her side. “His name is Ryker.”

  “What a pansy name,” Ellis laughed. “Ryyyyyker,” he sang out. “I know you’re free. Get your ass down here right now, or you’ll be attending her funeral.” He pushed the gun harder against her ribs making her hiss in pain.

  Demma’s heart dropped into her stomach as a movement in the late evening shadows caught her attention. Ryker stepped into the light with his hands raised. Her eyes flew over him, checking to see if he was okay. Other than red, angry rings around his wrists and a smear of dried blood down the side of his face, he looked good. She let out a sigh of relief.

  “Where’s Langley?” Ellis growled.

  Ryker’s brow lowered. “He’s safe. Let her go, Ellis. We can handle this man to man.”

  Ellis barked out a laugh and pulled Demma hard against his chest. “You’re the intruder here. This is between the little lady and me. Now get Langley. And start counting. Loudly. I want to know where you are every second. It gets quiet in here; I’ll fill the silence with her screams. Get me?”

  Ryker’s eyes hardened. “I get you.” He turned and disappeared. True to his promise, Ryker began to count, calling out the numbers loudly. Less than five minutes later, Ryker returned with Langley behind him. With one shove, Ralph pushed Ryker to his knees.

  “About time you got back. You get the money?”

  “She wasn’t lying; she didn’t have much. Only eighty thousand. We’ll split it down the middle.” Ellis pulled the bag from her hands and tossed it to Langley who caught it and looked inside.

  “Where’s the rest? This is freaking Demma St. John. I know what her last picture made. She has more money than this.”

  “Bitch was telling the truth,” Ellis shrugged. “She didn’t have much in the bank. That’s every penny. She closed out the account. Go tie him up and let’s get the hell out of here. There’s a beach in Mexico calling my name.”

  “What about her?” Langley motioned toward Demma.

  “I’m going to hold onto her a little bit. Maybe get reacquainted.” He drew a dirty nail down the side of her face making her shudder with revulsion. “You’d like that, Bea? I remember how hot you were for me. Back before you got old.”

  “And smarter. Getting hooked up with you was the stupidest thing I ever did.”

  The sound of the strike reached her ears before the sting registered with her brain. Her head flew back and to the left. She tasted blood on her lips and glared at him as Langley held back a snarling Ryker. “Big man, slapping around a woman.”

  “For God’s sake, Demma, don’t antagonize him,” Ryker hissed.

  “I’m tired of being scared,” she retorted. “I’ve had enough of hiding, cowering behind closed doors. I’m sick of sleeping with a freaking night light like a five-year-old child. I’ve had my fill of it all.” She turned and looked at Langley. “He’s lying about the money. There’s more in the truck. He’s trying to cheat you.”

  Langley glared at Ellis. “Is she telling the truth?”

  Ellis laughed weakly. “Nah, man, she’s trying to stir some shit.” He shook Demma harshly. “Shut up your mouth before I shut it for you.”

  Understanding dawned in Ryker’s face. He stood still with his hands in the air. “Aw, come on Langley. Think about it. Do you think an A-list star in Hollywood would only have eighty thousand dollars in the bank? He’s trying to cheat you.”

  “They’re trying to put us against each other.” Ellis shoved the gun into her side. “Tell him the truth, Bea. Tell him how much money there was in the bank.”

  “$380,000,” she answered truthfully.

  “You lying son of a bitch!” Langley screamed and shoved Ryker out of the way and lunged toward Ellis. At that moment, Demma dropped to her knees and rolled to the left out of the way as Langley reached Ellis. There was a loud crack as the gun went off and Langley grunted. Red blossomed on his chest as he fell to his knees then toppled to the right.

  Demma didn’t stick around to see what happened next. As soon as her hip hit the floor, she rolled back to her feet and fled. If she could make it back to her shoe closet, she should be safe. Taking the stairs two at a time, she prayed they both would make it out of this mess in one piece. She heard Ellis screaming he was going to kill her. She pushed herself harder, getting to safety. By removing herself from the equation, Ryker wouldn’t have to worry about her. He could concentrate on doing what he needed to do to ensure they both survived. As she pushed the door closed and engaged the internal lock, she let out a sigh of relief. Ryker was a kick-ass ex-Marine. He would know what to do. She trusted him with both of their lives.

  ***

  Digger hesitated just long enough to see Demma disappear through the living room door. Pretending to stumble to draw Ellis’ attention, he disappeared into the formal dining room in the opposite direction. He sprinted around the huge table and into the kitchen. Plucking another knife from the magnetic strip over the stove, he slipped into the food pantry and quietly closed the door.

  He didn’t have to wait long. The sound of someone in the kitchen drew Digger's attention. He clenched the knife tightly in his hand and balanced his weight on the balls of his feet. If Ellis came through that door, he would regret it. Digger was done with pussyfooting around. Ellis could take the money and disappear, or he could die. Either way, he wasn’t going to terrorize Demma any longer.

  The door handle jiggled.

  Ryker drew in a breath and let it out slowly. He could do this. He would do this - for Demma as much as himself. This ended now.

  The light which entered the pantry was not enough to see clearly, but it glinted off the barrel of his Colt. Instincts took over. With one hand he grabbed under the barrel and shoved it upward as his right hand came forward and slammed the kitchen knife into the side of Ellis’ neck, severing the jugular and burying it to the hilt. In reflex Ellis squeezed the trigger, discharging three rounds into the ceiling of the pantry before falling to the floor. Digger stepped over him and into the kitchen. Quickly he kicked his Colt aside. Kneeling down, he checked the man. Ellis was dead before he had hit the floor.

  CHAPTER 12

  “I don’t know if I can do it,” Demma murmured.

  “Of course you can, honey. You’re a strong woman. Look what all you have been through.” Digger picked up her hand and pressed his li
ps to her fingers.

  The aftermath of the attack had made every news and gossip column. Speculation on the identities of the two men that had invaded Demma's home ran rampant. Luckily, Digger had called Kathleen who had a publicity team there before the first news-truck caught wind of the incident. They had spun the entire event as a home intrusion and theft. The fact that her jewelry was still in Langley’s pocket went a long way toward believability. The official story was that Digger and Demma had surprised a couple of thieves who had taken her at gunpoint and forced her to withdraw money from her account. There was no mention of her background or that she had known them. The police did a cursory investigation then closed the case. Demma’s true identity was safe.

  The soft notes of a sappy eighties love song drifted through the speakers and filled the silence. Ryker hummed along and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed she watched him for several moments with a smile on her face before she returned her attention to the scenery. She did that often, now. Instead of making him uncomfortable, it made him feel needed. He liked that.

  The two rode in peace for several miles until Ryker spoke again.

  “You know, you took a big risk by pitting them against each other.”

  Demma chuckled and turned away from the window as the buildings fly by. “They were both so desperate for money; I knew it’d be a point of contention between them. I just gave them a little nudge.”

  “It could have backfired.”

  “Maybe. It didn’t though. I knew I had to do something. I don’t think Ellis could afford to let me live. If I had left that house with him, he was going to kill me. There was something in his voice. He had made up his mind to get rid of me once and for all.” She pressed her palm against his cheek. “You saved me, Ryker. You took care of me.”