Beyond Control

by Kat Martin

  “That’d be great.”

  He looked down at her, hands on his hips, looked back at the patch that would soon be a garden. Something shifted in his features, flickered in his eyes. He glanced back at the garden. A muscle flicked in his jaw the instant before he turned and walked away.

  Tory’s heart started pounding. She knew that look on a man’s face, knew exactly what he was thinking. She ran to catch up with him and grabbed his arm, snaring his attention.

  “What?” he asked.

  “The garden. It’s not what you think. I’m not . . . it doesn’t mean anything. I’m not trying to trap you. We said as long as it was what we both wanted. I didn’t mean to overstep.”

  The muscles loosened across his shoulders, but didn’t completely relax. “Hey, it’s just a garden. A ranch needs a garden, right? Let me know if you need anything else.” He started walking, didn’t look back.

  She should have realized how permanent it would seem, a garden that she would take care of. As if she assumed she would continue to be part of his life. As if they were more than just friends with benefits.

  Her throat felt tight. She thought of Damon. She had believed he cared about her, even loved her. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

  She needed to start planning for the future, find a place where she could make a home for her and Ivy. She couldn’t continue to rely on Josh. She’d been a fool to let her guard down.

  She looked over at the patch of ground where she’d imagined the perfect little garden and swallowed past the lump in her throat.

  All she saw now was a barren patch of dirt.

  * * *

  Josh called Linc later that afternoon. “It’s Friday. I was wondering if you and Carly are coming out to the ranch this weekend.”

  There was a pause on the other end of the phone. “Haven’t decided. Why?”

  “I need to fill you in on a couple of things. Rather do it in person, but if—”

  “We’ll be there. Why don’t you come over to the house for supper? We’ll pick something up and bring it with us. Say about eight?”

  “That’d be great.”

  “You bringing Tory?”

  He wanted to. And that was what bothered him. He wanted to be with her all the time. When he wasn’t with her, he was thinking about her. He wasn’t ready for a family. He had goals, things he needed to do. And what about his nightmares? He needed to deal with the past before he could think about the future.

  He told himself he had no choice but to bring her and little Ivy with him. The thought of leaving them alone with all the trouble swirling around made his chest feel tight.

  “Tory and Ivy, if that’s okay.”

  “Sure. I’m just about to convince Carly to go off the pill. Might as well get used to the patter of little feet around the house.”

  Josh chuckled. He was getting way too used to the sound himself. “I’ll see you at eight.”

  He disconnected and went in to tell Tory not to worry about making supper. He found her out in the garden, turning over soil with a shovel. He didn’t like the feeling that moved through him as he watched her: desire, and a surge of protectiveness so strong his back teeth clenched together.

  “Hey, babe, we’re invited to supper at Blackland Ranch. We can pick Ivy up on the way.”

  She leaned on the shovel, her forehead glistening with perspiration. “I didn’t know this was going to be so much work.”

  “Maybe you aren’t cut out for ranch life, after all,” he said, but as the words spilled out, his stomach knotted.

  “Maybe not,” she said. She carried the shovel over and leaned it against the side of the house, walked back to where he stood.

  “I don’t want to get in the middle of a family dinner. Ivy and I can just stay here.”

  He shook his head. “Too much going on. I don’t want to leave you by yourself.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  No way was he leaving her. “Linc and Carly want you to come.”

  She hesitated, seemed surprised. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah.” And I want you to come. But he didn’t say that. He needed to take some time, figure things out. “I won’t worry if you’re with me.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure.”

  He wished he didn’t feel such a wave of relief.

  He wished he knew what the hell to do.

  * * *

  Supper was over. Chinese food from some fancy restaurant in Dallas that cooked specialty items just for Linc. Carly, Tory, and Ivy were sitting in the living room. Josh could hear them laughing as Linc led the way down the hall to his home office so they could talk.

  His brother walked behind his wide, dark oak desk and sat down, pulled open the bottom drawer and took out a bottle of Stagg Kentucky Bourbon, the expensive whiskey he favored. He poured two fingers neat into each of two crystal glasses and handed one to Josh.

  Sitting in one of the dark oak chairs on the other side of the desk, Josh accepted the drink and took a sip.

  Linc sipped his own drink and leaned back in his chair. “What’s going on?”

  “FBI came to see me. Your friend Quinn Taggart. Turns out my buddies may have been killed because they fought in Afghanistan.”

  Linc straightened. “How’s that?”

  “Taggart seems to think the guy who shot them might be involved in the same terror cell that’s been plaguing half of Texas. Same group you and Beau each dealt with at one time or another.”

  “I thought those guys were all either dead or locked up.”

  “Apparently, one of them’s still on the loose.”

  “What’s it got to do with you?”

  “Pete Saldana and Coy Whitmore were both special ops, both deployed in the Middle East at the same time.”

  “The same time as you?” Linc asked, already a step ahead.

  “I was there then, too.”

  Linc leaned forward, shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows. “So Quinn thinks this guy could be coming after soldiers who fought in Afghanistan?”

  “It’s possible.”

  Linc leaned back. “Well, after that story they wrote about you, half of Texas knows you were there, that you’re back home now, and where to find you.”

  “Unfortunately.” The story hadn’t been his idea. One of the military higher-ups thought the book would be good military PR.

  “You’ve talked to Cole and Noah? Told them to watch for this guy?” Linc asked.

  He nodded. “They’re on alert. I’ll talk to Ty Murphy in the morning. The thing is, the guy could have already left the state. Even if he’s still in Texas, there are other guys he could target.”

  “Don’t forget the book,” Linc said darkly.

  “Hard to forget the damned book.” Josh took a drink, let the burn roll through him. “The good news is Taggart thinks they’ll have the guy in custody fairly soon.”

  “Let’s damn well hope so. You need some extra men?”

  “I called a couple of vets I know who work security in Pleasant Hill.” The next town over. “They’re going to keep an eye on the house and grounds at night.”

  Linc leaned back in his chair, took a long drink of whiskey. Josh figured he was doing his best not to interfere.

  “You hear from Taggart, you’ll let me know,” Linc said.

  Josh nodded, took a drink, savored the taste of the expensive liquor. “There’s one more thing.”

  Linc cocked an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

  “Tory’s ex-boyfriend hacked my identity. Created total havoc.”

  Linc’s mouth tightened. “Send me a list of all your account numbers and I’ll have Glen Barker, our CPA, get with Beau’s computer whiz, Rob Michaels, see if they can pull things back together.”

  “Thanks, but it’s already handled. I would have been up a creek without a paddle if it hadn’t been for Tory. She was amazing. She cleaned up the mess, but—”

  “But you need to figure a way to stop this guy.”

 
“Yeah. Tory shouldn’t have to live this way.”

  “And neither should you.”

  Josh just grunted. “Let me know if you come up with something. Aside from heading for Phoenix and pounding him into the sand, I’m drawing a blank.”

  A calculating look came into Linc’s dark eyes. “He’s a businessman, right? Real estate? I know people in Phoenix. Maybe it’s time for Damon’s company to feel the pinch.”

  “It’s his dad’s company, unfortunately.”

  “Might be even better.” Linc swirled the whiskey in his glass, shot the last of it back. “Let me give it some thought.”

  Both men rose from their chairs. It was time to rejoin the women. The anticipation that moved through him wasn’t a welcome feeling. He was in real trouble with Tory.

  And he didn’t see an end to it anytime soon.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Aside from everyone being on alert, life on the ranch went on as usual. The June weather was growing hotter, more humid, the sky overcast one day, the sun broiling down the next.

  Worried about Ivy, they decided to leave her with Mrs. Thompson during the day, at least till things settled down. The older woman loved having her and it gave Tory time for her riding lessons and working with Star.

  They still needed photos to finish the webpage, but Josh’s old camera wasn’t really up to the task, and now was not the best time to be out on the ranch. Since she’d done plenty of photography in the advertising business, Tory figured taking the photos herself would save money, and it would be fun.

  Josh planned to buy whatever gear they needed, but for now, they were staying close to the house, concentrating their efforts on the stallion.

  Star seemed to be growing more and more docile every day. As long as Josh was with Tory, the horse remained placid, even seemed affectionate. The stallion was in a separate pasture from the rest of the horses, but the animals stood together at the fence and they didn’t seem to bother him.

  Josh wasn’t planning to use Star for breeding until he was sure it was safe, but Tory had every hope the stallion would be able to live a normal, productive life.

  The afternoon slipped away. “I’ll see you at supper,” Josh said, striding off to the barn. Cole and Noah had gone off on the ATVs, out checking on the rest of the horses and the few head of Black Angus cattle Josh was raising. Tory knew they were also keeping an eye out for any sign of trouble.

  She had just walked into the kitchen to start supper when she looked through the window above the sink and spotted a dark brown four-door Chevy Impala heading down the road toward the house.

  The car pulled up, a rental with an Enterprise license plate on the front. The driver opened the door and stepped out and she recognized Detective Jeremy Larson, Phoenix PD.

  Nerves sent her pulse up a notch. Removing her apron, she hurried through the living room and opened the front door to see the tall, lanky detective walking up on Josh’s porch.

  “Detective Larson. What a surprise. Please . . . come on in.”

  The detective ran a hand through his curly brown hair and stepped into the living room. Behind him, she saw Josh coming out of the barn, striding in their direction.

  “I just got off a flight from Phoenix,” Detective Larson said. “Drove from DFW straight out here. I’m hoping you can help me.”

  “Of course.”

  The door opened again and Josh walked into the house. “Detective Larson. What’s going on?”

  “I was just telling Ms. Bradford—”

  “Tory, please,” she said.

  “I was saying that I just arrived from Phoenix, drove straight out from the airport. I’m hoping Tory can help me.”

  “That’s a long way to travel,” she said. “Why don’t we sit down at the table and I’ll get us something cold to drink.”

  “Sounds good.” Larson and Josh both followed Tory into the kitchen.

  “I’ll get it,” Josh said.

  Walking over to the fridge, he brought out the pitcher of lemonade Tory always kept there, filled three glasses with ice, and poured them full. He carried the glasses over and set them down on the table. Larson sat down and Josh took a seat next to Tory.

  “What can I do for you, Detective?” Tory asked.

  He took a sip of his drink, set the glass back down. “There’s no good way to say this, so I’ll just begin. Two weeks ago, a Phoenix woman went missing. Disappeared from a bar in Carefree after her shift one night. Two days ago, her body was found in the desert.”

  Josh shifted in his chair. Tory caught a flicker of something in his eyes that put her on alert. “You knew about this?” she asked.

  “Ham called when she went missing. He thought I’d want to know.”

  “Brown’s been calling me for updates,” the detective said. “He’s working for you?”

  Josh nodded. “After what happened to Lisa Shane, I asked him to keep me updated on the investigation. He called, told me about the girl. I was hoping she took off with her boyfriend. I didn’t know you’d recovered her body.”

  “Information hasn’t been released pending notification of next of kin.”

  Tory zeroed in on Josh. “You should have told me when it happened. Why didn’t you?”

  “Like I said, I was hoping the girl had just left town.”

  Larson’s gaze remained on Josh. “Or maybe you didn’t want to worry her.”

  Josh looked away.

  The detective turned back to Tory. “The thing is, there are similarities between the Shane abduction and what happened to the waitress, Patty Daniels. The coroner puts the time of death about a week after Ms. Daniels went missing. The ligature marks on her wrists and ankles indicate she was restrained during the time she was missing. Before she was killed, she was violently beaten and raped.”

  Tory thought of Lisa and swallowed against a wave of nausea.

  “What was the cause of death?” Josh asked.

  “Strangulation.”

  Josh’s hand tightened around his frosted glass. “Bastard wanted to enjoy it.”

  “That’s right,” the detective said. “I’ve seen this kind of behavior in certain types of killers.”

  “What type?” Josh asked.

  Larson flicked a glance at Tory, but spoke to Josh. “Serials. Men who are sexually aroused by torturing their victims before they kill them.”

  Tory trembled. Could Damon be a serial killer? It didn’t seem possible. But she had read about killers, men like Ted Bundy who seemed to live completely normal lives.

  She took a breath for courage. “Why are you here, Detective Larson? What do you want from me?”

  “I want you to tell me about Damon Bridger. So far Lisa Shane hasn’t remembered anything about the attack on her. The doctors think there’s a good chance she never will.”

  Tory had spoken to her friend several times since she had moved from Phoenix. Lisa sounded upbeat, glad to be back in Cooperstown, grateful for the chance to rebuild her relationship with her parents.

  She’d been a wild teen, her parents overly strict and determined she marry a man they approved. Now they were getting to know the responsible, successful career woman their daughter had become.

  In a way, it was good Lisa didn’t remember what had happened during those terrible days in captivity somewhere in the mountains.

  “When we spoke at the hospital,” Larson continued, “you were convinced Bridger was the man who abducted Ms. Shane. You thought he might have been looking for information about where to find you.”

  Tory’s hand trembled where it rested on the table. “I don’t know, I . . . I thought it was possible, but you said he had an alibi. I don’t know Patty Daniels. Why do you think she’s connected to me?”

  Larson looked at Josh, who reached over and caught her hand, quieting the tremors. “She was your size, honey. And she had your same red hair.”

  Her breath froze. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe. “Oh, my God. You think Damon murdered that girl because
she looked like me?” She shook her head. “I know Damon’s crazy, but surely he wouldn’t . . . wouldn’t . . .”

  “You use the word ‘crazy,’” Larson said. “You think he’s mentally unbalanced?”

  She dragged in a shaky breath and fought to collect her thoughts.

  Josh squeezed her hand. “Just take your time, honey.”

  “Damon wasn’t . . . he wasn’t that way at first. He seemed like this really great guy. I don’t know how he fooled me so completely.”

  For the next twenty minutes, she told the detective how Damon had changed, how he had abused her, beaten her, and stalked her. How he had threatened her until she’d had no choice but to run.

  “The police did their best, but there are laws they have to follow and Damon is smart.” She told him about the kitten he had murdered and the dog he had killed.

  “He seemed to get some kind of sick pleasure out of it. He seemed to enjoy inflicting pain. All the time he was beating me, he was grinning.”

  “My captain didn’t want me coming out here,” Larson said. “There’s no evidence, nothing except for his attack on you to make Bridger a person of interest. But I have a feeling about this guy. I wanted to hear what you had to say.”

  “Bridger’s obsessed with Tory,” Josh said. “They were engaged, which he seems to believe gives him ownership. There’s a good chance he hired a group of bikers to vandalize the ranch. He’s probably behind the identity theft I just had to deal with. If it was Bridger—and I’m betting it was—he hasn’t given up. He still wants Tory, and he’ll do anything to get her.”

  “He may have substituted another victim for the woman he wants,” Detective Larson said. “If you’re right, Damon Bridger is a very dangerous man.”

  * * *

  Larson left the ranch determined to find out if Bridger was the man behind the attack on Lisa Shane and the red-haired woman who had been murdered. According to Larson, Damon had no alibi for the night the girl had gone missing. He was home in bed that night, he’d said.

  But there was nothing illegal about him sleeping in his own bed and no evidence he had left the house anytime before morning, so he remained in the clear.