Beyond Control

by Kat Martin

  “You think Bridger did it?”

  “Police don’t think so and his alibi holds up.”

  “But Tory’s friend can’t remember.”

  “No, and that might be the only thing keeping her safe. She told Tory she was going back home with her parents for a couple of months. They live somewhere in upstate New York.”

  “Kidnapping’s a federal offense. The guy who took her is in very deep trouble. Good chance he’ll want to take care of loose ends.”

  “And Lisa is definitely that. At least she’ll be leaving the area as soon as she’s released. That ought to buy the cops some time to find this guy.”

  “Unless he was just passing through. Women all over the country disappear without a trace. Lisa was lucky to escape.”

  “Yeah.”

  “What about Bridger?” Linc asked.

  “I’ve asked Ham to keep an eye on him for the next few days, make sure he doesn’t head for the airport.”

  “You can’t watch him forever.”

  “No. With luck, Bridger will decide Tory isn’t worth the trouble.”

  “Security is expensive. If you need money to pay—”

  “I don’t need your money.” He looked up at his older brother and smiled. “I’ve never told you this, big brother, but thanks to you, money isn’t a problem. I bought stock in Texas American the day it went public and every chance I got after that. I’ve made a bundle, plus a nice little income.” He grinned. “I’ll be fine—as long as you keep up the good work.”

  Linc chuckled. “We’re definitely brothers.”

  And Josh was damned glad. Growing up, he had never had much family, just his mom, who had died when he was a teen. Linc had no other family, either. It felt good to be able to count on each other.

  “What about you and Tory?” Linc asked. “I like her. So does Carly.”

  “I like her, too. Probably too much. The thing is, I’m not really ready for a family. I’ve got some personal issues I need to deal with. I’ve got to get the ranch up and running, and I have no idea how long that’s going to take.”

  “I don’t think we’re ever really ready for the things life throws in our path. Sometimes we have to make adjustments.” He glanced up the aisle toward where Tory sat. “She might be worth it.”

  Josh made no reply. He loved having Tory in his bed—no doubt about it. He liked her and her sweet little girl way more than just a little. But he wasn’t ready to go beyond that, and he didn’t think Tory was either. She was still reeling from her disastrous relationship with Bridger. Josh could give her a little stability, give her time to get grounded, centered.

  But more than that . . .

  He wasn’t ready to go there.

  “I want you to keep me updated on this,” Linc said. “Okay if I ask Temple to keep me in the loop?”

  “Absolutely. Ask Ross Townsend to email you anything new that comes up on Bridger. No way to know where this is going. I might need your help again.”

  Linc just nodded. Done with their conversation, he unbuckled his seat belt and returned to his seat beside Carly while Josh sat back down next to Tory.

  When she looked up at him, those bright green eyes held so much trust his chest clamped down. Josh found himself reaching for her hand. It occurred to him that he wasn’t just protecting Tory because she needed his help.

  He was doing it because he didn’t want to lose her. It wasn’t a feeling he’d ever had before.

  It was a dangerous feeling.

  * * *

  They were back on the Iron River Ranch. Tory had returned to her daily routine, housekeeping, home-schooling Ivy; plus she had a new project she found interesting and challenging—building a website for the ranch.

  When the horses Josh was training were ready to be put up for sale, the website would be a terrific way to advertise them.

  She planned to set up social media: Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, anything that would help. Designing the site appealed to her creativity. Plus, using her years of experience and expertise seemed the perfect way to repay Josh’s kindness.

  In the afternoons sometimes, she brought Ivy out to the pasture to watch the horses—from a safe distance, of course. Of all the animals, Star was Ivy’s favorite. He was just such a magnificent creature.

  And the stallion was definitely making progress. Tory and Josh had been going into the pen with him, though Josh insisted they stayed close to the gate.

  Everyone was working long hours, gearing up for the barn raising. Lots of folks from the community would be there to help, as well as Carly and Linc.

  That morning, Tory refilled Josh’s coffee cup while he sat at the kitchen table eating his breakfast. He was almost finished when his cell phone rang. Digging the phone out of his jeans, he checked the screen and his face lit up.

  “Hey, Coy. Man, it’s good to hear from you. It’s been way too long.”

  Tory smiled at how excited he was. Then his smile slipped away.

  “What?” He set his fork back down on his plate. “You’re kidding. When did it happen?”

  She couldn’t hear the reply but her pulse started thrumming. The look on Josh’s face said something was terribly wrong.

  “Jesus, I can’t believe it. Do the cops have any leads?” Josh leaned back in his chair. “That’s rough, man. How’s Dolores holding up?” He blew out a heavy breath. “When’s the funeral? Okay, just let me know and I’ll be there. I’ll see you then.” He hung up the phone and just sat there.

  “What happened, Josh? What’s wrong?”

  His face looked pale, his expression grim. “That was Coy Whitmore, a vet friend of mine. He called to tell me one of the guys I served with in Afghanistan was killed, guy named Pete Saldana. Pete was murdered, shot dead in some back alley outside a place called Buzz’s, a local beer joint where Pete hung out. Cops haven’t got a clue who did it.”

  “Oh, Josh, I’m so sorry.”

  “Funeral’s this week. Coy’s going to let me know what day.”

  “You want me to come with you?”

  He shook his head. “Ivy needs you. Pete lives—lived—with his wife in Fairfield. It’s only a couple of hours away. I’ll be down and back the same day.”

  “Are you sure? I could ask Mrs. Thompson to babysit again.”

  “I’ll be with friends. Noah and Cole will be here to keep an eye on things, so you don’t need to worry.”

  “I’m worried about you, not me.”

  His gaze went to hers. “I’ll be fine.” Shoving up from his chair, he left his breakfast unfinished and walked out of the house.

  Tory’s heart went with him. She thought of the story she had read, “Ultimate Hunter,” thought of the men who had fought and died beside him in the war. He was out of the military now, but he was still losing friends.

  It didn’t seem fair. But then life was never easy. It was a lesson Damon had taught her.

  * * *

  Damon was feeling the itch. The clawing need that burned deep in his belly. He needed a woman. Badly. But not just in his bed. Ever since he’d abducted Lisa and held her prisoner, nothing less than having a woman completely at his mercy would do.

  As far back as high school he had sensed this unnatural need in him. Back then it had frightened him. By the end of his senior year, he’d accepted that he was different. He’d begun to explore that difference, allow himself to enjoy it.

  Hurting things, both animals and people, having them in his power was a soaring high and fiercely sexually arousing. He’d read about people like him, how they’d been abused as kids, how their perverted parents had messed up their heads.

  That wasn’t his story. Aside from losing his mom, he’d had it good as a kid. Nothing to complain about. Nothing that would explain his behavior. He was just unique. In a way he was proud of it, though by necessity it had to remain his secret.

  Over the years, he had learned to control his needs, keep himself in check. On the surface he lived a normal lif
e. People accepted him, even liked him. Women loved him.

  Tory had been the flash point. He had fallen in love with her, had believed he might actually become the normal man he seemed on the surface. But the urges never really left him. The night he had beaten her into submission, he had felt such an unbelievable thrill, he’d been forced to accept completely who he really was.

  Lisa had added fuel to the fire burning inside him. Taking her, using her, had made him feel like a king. He understood now what he had to do, the only thing that would satisfy this craving that never went away.

  He needed a woman. It was Victoria he wanted, but she was in Texas with Cain. He had plans for Cain, but he didn’t have time for that now, and the hunger refused to let him wait any longer.

  He’d considered going to a prostitute, but a woman soiled by so many men disgusted him. He would find a redhead, someone who looked like Tory. A substitute for his fantasies. He would lock her in his basement prison and force her to submit to his will.

  Anticipation poured through him, so sweet he could taste it on his tongue. Images appeared in his head, and beneath the fly of his trousers, he went hard. He needed to start searching, find the right candidate.

  Looking forward to the challenge, Damon leaned back in the chair behind his desk. And he smiled.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Tory rose early the day of the funeral. Clearly upset, Josh hadn’t come over last night. Even if he had, he wouldn’t have stayed. It bothered her, but spending the night had to be his decision, and it didn’t look like that was going to happen anytime soon.

  Dressing hurriedly, she got Ivy ready for the day, fed her a bowl of Cocoa Puffs, her favorite; then they went over to the main house to make breakfast for Josh before he left for Fairfield.

  She heard the screen door slam behind him as he came in from outside and set his plate of bacon, eggs, and toast on the table. He sat down to eat, but mostly just toyed with his food, swallowing without much interest.

  Tory thought she could have burned the entire meal and he wouldn’t have noticed.

  Eventually, he gave up any pretense, shoved his plate aside, and rose from the table. “I’ve got to get dressed and get out of here.” He headed for his bedroom while she cleaned up the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher.

  He was gone longer than usual. When he walked back into the kitchen, she understood why. He was wearing his full marine dress blues, a white, billed cap tucked under one arm.

  For several seconds she just stared. He was clean-shaven and perfectly groomed, wearing pressed blue trousers with a red stripe down the side, navy jacket covered with medals and ribbons. She didn’t know what most of them stood for but she recognized bronze and silver stars.

  The uniform fit him perfectly and it said everything about him: that he had served his country with honor and courage; that he had been a decorated hero; that he had suffered and survived.

  She looked at him standing there and thought he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.

  “You look . . .” She wanted to say incredible. “Like a soldier.”

  He glanced away. “Pete was a special guy, one of the best. His family wanted a full military funeral. Pete deserves it.”

  “Is there . . . umm . . . anything you want me to do while you’re gone?”

  He thought for a moment. “You’re still working on the website, right?”

  “Yes.” It seemed insane to be talking about mundane subjects when Josh was leaving to pay his respects to a friend who’d been senselessly murdered.

  “I’ve hired a webmaster,” she said, “a woman I worked with in Phoenix. She’s really good. We’re designing the pages together. I need to get some photos, pictures of the ranch and one of each of the horses.”

  He just nodded, his mind clearly on the loss of his friend. “I appreciate your help with this.” A faint smile touched his lips. “I didn’t realize I was hiring an expert in marketing when you drove up to the barn that day. I got way more than I bargained for.”

  She smiled and shrugged. “At least all those years I spent in advertising weren’t a total waste.”

  His slight smile faded. She felt a pang in her heart at the misery in his face.

  “I need to go.” He started for the door, but Tory caught his arm.

  She went up on her toes and very softly kissed him. “Drive safely. If you decide to stay overnight, just let me know.”

  “I’m not going to stay. I’ll be back tonight at the latest.”

  She took a step backward, but Josh hauled her into his arms, bent his head, and kissed her far more thoroughly. Then he turned and walked away, pausing only long enough to settle his cap on his head before pushing through the door.

  Tory stood on the porch and watched him drive away, watched till his pickup disappeared down the dirt road leading out of the ranch.

  It was early afternoon when she heard the roar of an engine rolling back down the dirt road toward the house, too early for Josh to be home. For an instant, her nerves kicked in.

  But the last time Josh had heard from Ham, Damon was still in Phoenix, continuing his usual routine: work, play, and picking up women at his favorite upscale bars. Tory prayed he had finally accepted that she was out of his life for good.

  Knowing Cole and Noah were working near the house—she suspected because Josh wanted them to stay close—she walked out on the front porch. Josh’s newest hire, a black-haired teen named Tyler Murphy, had already finished cleaning the makeshift stalls in the cow barn and left for the day.

  She watched the car approach, a beautiful bright red Stingray convertible. It hadn’t rained the past few days. The sun was out, the afternoon warm, but the forecast warned of a coming storm.

  Two women sat in the car. She recognized Carly Cain in the driver’s seat, blond hair pulled back and clipped at the nape of her neck, sitting next to a beautiful brunette with long, mahogany-brown hair. Tory walked toward them as they climbed out of the car.

  “Hi, Carly. Wow, what a fabulous car.”

  “It is, isn’t it? Linc bought it for me for Christmas. I have to say I love it. Carly, this is my friend Brittany Haworth. Britt’s a teacher at Iron Springs Elementary. We’ve been BFFs since high school.”

  “It’s great to meet you, Brittany.”

  “You too, Tory.”

  “I’m afraid you missed Josh. A close friend of his died. The funeral’s today in Fairfield.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Josh has already lost enough friends. But the truth is we came to see you. I’ve been dying to meet your little girl.”

  A warm feeling spread through her. She hadn’t really made any friends since she had left Phoenix.

  She smiled. “Come on in. Ivy’s watching TV, and I’ve got a pitcher of lemonade in the fridge.”

  As the women walked up on the porch, she noticed Brittany looking over at the cow barn. Cole and Noah were hard at work. Cole had his shirt off, and to say the man was ripped would be an understatement. Tory didn’t blame the brunette for staring.

  As she led the women inside, Ivy ran up, shiny blond ponytail bouncing against her back. A little pink gathered smock with a unicorn on the front covered a pair of pink leggings.

  “Ivy, these are friends of Josh’s. His brother’s wife, Carly, and her friend Brittany.”

  Carly crouched down to Ivy’s height. “It’s nice to meet you, Ivy. Josh told us all about you.”

  “He did?”

  “Well, he told Linc about you and Linc told me so I feel like I know you already.”

  “You’re pretty,” Ivy said.

  Carly reached out and touched her cheek. “So are you, sweetheart.”

  “Brittany’s a teacher,” Tory said.

  Ivy looked up at her. “I can’t go to regular kinnygarten because we move around too much. But Josh says we can stay, so maybe I can go to your school when I’m old enough.”

  Brittany kept the smile on her face. Tory wondered how much Carly had told her a
bout Damon and what had led to the roundabout journey that had ended in Iron Springs.

  “We have some very nice schools around here,” Brittany said. “And the bus could pick you up right out at the gate.”

  Ivy swung her gaze to Tory, clearly excited. “Can I, Mama? Can I go to regular school?”

  She swallowed. “We’ll see, honey. School doesn’t start till September. We’ve got a long time before then.”

  “But maybe?”

  “Maybe.”

  Apparently satisfied, Ivy hurried back to the living room, plopped back down in front of the TV.

  Tory busied herself getting down glasses, filling them with ice, pouring the lemonade, and handing the glasses around.

  “I hope I didn’t speak out of line,” Brittany said, taking a sip.

  Tory shook her head. “Not at all. It would be wonderful if Ivy could go to kindergarten in the fall. But the truth is a lot could happen between now and then.”

  She wasn’t just thinking of Damon; she was thinking of her relationship with Josh. There was no way to know where it was going, if they would still be together in the fall. The thought stirred an ache in her chest.

  She looked up at Brittany, saw that her gaze had wandered out the window. From where she stood, she could watch Cole working.

  “I’ve got an idea,” Tory said. “It’s hot outside, and the guys have been working hard all day. Why don’t we take them some lemonade, too?”

  Brittany beamed. “That’s a great idea.”

  Tory glanced at Carly, who gave her a grateful smile. Clearly there was some matching going on here.

  “Come on, Ivy, honey. We’re taking a quick walk outside.”

  “’Kay.” She jumped up and ran to join them. “I’m ready to go.”

  Tory got down a tray for the lemonade and some red plastic cups, poured a cup for Ivy, and they all took their drinks outside. The men spotted them and tossed aside their tools.

  When Cole reached for his shirt and began to shrug it on, Tory bit back a smile at Brittany’s disappointment.