The Marshalls Boxed Set (Texas Heroes: The Marshalls Books 1-3)

by Jean Brashear

  One tear trickled down her soft cheek. “He doesn’t understand, and I keep dreaming…”

  Quinn’s eyebrows rose, and he exchanged a quick glance with Josh. He approached her carefully. “Let’s sit down and discuss this, all right?” He escorted her to the sofa and settled her gently, then sat across from her, holding her hand in his.

  Josh watched them and for a moment was insanely jealous of his brother every bit as much as he was relieved that Quinn was there to help.

  He was too close. Too emotional.

  He wanted to be closer still, damned if he didn’t. Somehow she’d crept beneath his skin and touched his heart.

  And he’d gone all caveman protective of her, stomping all over her feelings just because he wanted to do something, damn it. Fix this for her.

  So he could just brush his hands, say job well done and go back to his life?

  That was no longer possible, he realized.

  You say you want to help her, then calm down and help her, fool.

  Josh blew out a breath, then went to her and sat down on the sofa by her side. When she glanced over, he simply smiled. “Sorry. Totally my bad.”

  Relief overlaid her worry.

  “Close your eyes, Elena, and just breathe,” Quinn advised.

  At her side, Josh took her free hand, hoping his touch would comfort her.

  Slowly she complied, the first breath ragged, her hand gripping Josh’s tightly.

  He pressed his thigh against hers and covered their joined hands with his other one. He closed his own eyes and breathed deep. She leaned into him slightly, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever received a finer compliment.

  After several more, he felt her stir and opened his eyes.

  “Richard,” she began, “owns the land next to my father’s—to mine,” she corrected. “His spread is much bigger, about three thousand acres, whereas my father’s—” Her eyes darkened in sorrow. “Mine, I mean—is only a thousand.”

  Josh said nothing but slid one arm around her loosely for encouragement and support.

  “I understand now, but I didn’t then, that he only wanted the land.” Her voice sank. “When he asked me to marry him before I even finished high school, he promised to take care of my father’s security as long as he lived.

  “Our ranch was failing, even I could see that. My father gave up when my mother left us.” Her voice broke. “I thought I could save it.”

  Josh wanted to wrap her up tight, shield her from all of this—but she needed to get this out, and God knows he needed to hear it.

  “My father had the sense not to deed the land to Richard, as Richard pressured him to do.” She closed her eyes. “Thank God, he didn’t do that. It may be the only reason I’m still alive.”

  She laughed mirthlessly. “But then, it may be the reason I spent seven years in hell.” She rose and began to pace.

  “He never loved me, he just wanted to own me.” Her hands twisted together. “It was the constant taking away that was so hard. He didn’t like the men to talk to me or look at me. He saw to it that I had no transportation of my own. He even shot my horse, simply because I loved him. That’s the kind of man he is, Josh—one who’d shoot an animal out of spite.”

  Josh moved toward her. She held up a palm. “Please. I won’t be able to finish this if you touch me.”

  Swallowing hard against his rage, Josh halted.

  Elena looked into the distance. “At first, he couldn’t get enough of me. He was rough but never so much that it showed.” She glanced over at Josh. “And anyway, I had no basis for comparison. I thought all men must be like that.”

  Her sad smile ripped Josh’s heart open. He called upon every ounce of self-control he had not to touch her, when he burned to avenge her. The memory of her tears, when she told him no one had ever been tender with her before, filled him with anguish. He was humbled by the gift of her trust, when she’d had so little reason to believe in it.

  His determination hardened. Kruger would pay, and pay dearly, but this was hard enough for her, without him getting caught up in useless anger. He worked to gentle his gaze, to summon calm.

  Their eyes held for a long moment.

  Then Elena’s eyes slid away again, as if she couldn’t bear any sympathy. “He told me, over and over, that I wasn’t pretty enough, wasn’t smart enough. When he paraded his women before me, he told me I wasn’t woman enough to hold him. Then he got drunk one night and beat me for the first time. I miscarried the baby I’d never told him I was carrying.” She covered her face in her hands, shoulders shaking.

  It was all Josh could do not to go to her.

  Then she laughed, the sound of it brittle. “He never understood how grateful I was that he left me alone. I couldn’t have cared less that he had other women. I couldn’t risk that ever happening again. I could never bring a child into my hell.

  “I think I knew then that he’d kill me if I didn’t get out.” Her voice shook, then steadied as anger filled it. “Still I stayed, fearing what would happen to my father if I left.

  “The next time he beat me that badly, thank God he left to go hunting the next morning. While he was gone, I went to my father’s house, only to find him dying.” Her voice broke. “Richard knew, but he wouldn’t tell me.” Fierce lights shone in her eyes. “I’ll never forgive him for robbing me of that time with my father. We weren’t close, but I always hoped…” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “And at the end, Papa did show me he cared.”

  Her shoulders sagged, and Josh closed the gap between them. This time, she didn’t stop him. Josh surrounded her with his body and brushed her hair with his lips. He ached for what she’d suffered. Wanted to howl with rage. Beat this Richard to a bloody pulp.

  But he forced himself to keep still. And listen.

  “When my father saw what Richard had done to me, it was like someone had turned out the light inside him. I’m not sure he ever forgave himself, but I tried to tell him that it wasn’t his fault.” Leaning into Josh, she continued. “He didn’t know…no one did.”

  “Why didn’t—” Josh couldn’t help himself.

  “Why didn’t I report him?”

  Josh shook his head. “I’m sorry. I have no call to question you.”

  “It’s hard to explain what happens to you in a situation like that. When you’re robbed of all that’s familiar and have no one else to tell you that you’re a worthy person…after a while, it becomes harder and harder to believe that you deserve any better.” She looked away, cheeks stained with color. “I was so young. Richard was handsome and successful and seemed to have all the answers. He bought me beautiful things, dressed me up like some sort of doll… I didn’t see how much I’d changed, didn’t realize how much of myself I’d let slip away until it was too late.”

  She shook her head. “That’s still no excuse.” She lifted her gaze to his. “I can’t go so far as to say it was good that he beat me, but that is what it finally took to make me see what he was doing to me.

  “Once my father was gone, Richard dragged me back and tightened the prison around me. Then he came to me with papers as part of settling Papa’s estate, only I insisted on reading them and realized I would be signing over my land.

  “When I questioned him, he went into a rage, but there wasn’t Papa to threaten me with anymore. I refused to sign, and I paid the price.”

  Josh stormed to his feet. “I’m going to kill him.”

  “Josh—” Quinn’s voice broke into his rage, and he inclined his head toward Elena.

  Who, Josh realized to his horror, was recoiling from his anger. He stopped. Closed his eyes and swallowed hard. “Go on.” When she still didn’t speak, he made himself look at her. “I’m sorry. It’s just—” He wanted to touch her so badly. Hold her and shield her and make sure no one ever hurt her again. He exhaled. “Please. We need to know. If you don’t mind,” he amended.

  “I got away, Josh.”

  He tried to unclench his fists. To listen, though it was
unbearable to hear.

  “He went on another of his trips then, but when he returned a few days later, he got a call. I overheard enough to make me realize that many more people than me were in danger. He was—I think he’s involved in sex trafficking. He spoke of the young girls who would fetch the highest prices.”

  “Dear God.” Josh traded glances with Quinn, whose jaws went tight.

  “Which is why I have to go back. I have to stop him from doing this.”

  “No! Don’t even think about it.”

  “Josh…” Quinn cautioned.

  “There has to be a better way, Quinn.”

  “I would hope so, but she’ll have to at least testify.”

  “But that bastard can be taken down first.”

  “It’s too soon to know. Did you learn anything more after that call?” Quinn asked Elena.

  “I searched his office the next night when he was out. I found some notes that seemed to indicate he has in mind to use a box canyon on my land.” She bit her lip. “But he came home early and caught me.”

  Josh stilled.

  “I—I stabbed him with his letter opener. He fell and I—I thought I’d killed him.”

  Josh wondered if she knew she was standing straighter.

  “I knew if he wasn’t dead, I would be, so I ran. The guards went off duty when he was home, so I took the keys to his SUV, which has really dark windows, and I went cross-country to the gate between his land and mine. I ditched his SUV as soon as I could, and I hitchhiked until—” Here her eyes went warm on his. “Thank God you found me.”

  He had to touch her. Hold her like the treasure she had become to him.

  After an interval, Quinn spoke. “Elena, why don’t you want to involve the authorities?”

  “Because I don’t know who to trust. The sheriff is on Richard’s payroll. I don’t think anyone will listen.”

  Quinn frowned. “You’re sure he’s on the take?”

  She nodded sadly. “I went to him once, seeking help. He called Richard and kept me there until Richard arrived.”

  Josh spoke then. “So who were you talking to on the phone?”

  “I called my only friend back there, Carmen Zaragosa. We’ve been close since we were kids.” She smiled wistfully. “The only time I was allowed to go into town was to buy groceries, and my guards stayed outside. Carmen began shopping at the same time. She would leave me notes on the shelves and carry on a conversation when we passed in the aisles.” She shook her head fondly. “I knew she would be worried when I disappeared, but I didn’t dare involve her.” Her face grew somber. “Richard is looking for me. She wants me to talk to a new deputy she’s met, but…”

  “You think his whole staff is in on it?” Quinn asked.

  “Carmen says this deputy is different, and when I spoke to him just now, he was very cautious. He told me he wasn’t sure the phones were safe, so I haven’t told him any of this yet. He wanted a number, but I wouldn’t give him this one, so he gave me his cell and asked me to call him right back.”

  “Did you?” Josh asked.

  “No. I don’t know how to be sure I can trust him.”

  “I can help with that,” Quinn said. “Where is this town?”

  She hesitated.

  Quinn’s voice was gentle. “It’s all right. When you’re ready, you can come to me.”

  “I’m sorry. I just…I haven’t had anyone to trust in so long.”

  Josh’s hand squeezed hers.

  “Mesa Roja, Arizona. It’s in the southeast corner of the state. His name is Greg Blackwell. I wrote the number down over there.” She nodded toward his desk.

  “One more question—how long were you on the phone with him?”

  “Maybe a minute?”

  Quinn nodded. “He’s definitely watching out for a wiretap. It takes time to trace a call, and my number is blocked. That he did so is a good sign, but I’m glad you were cautious. Let me make some calls and see what I can find out, all right?” He rose but hesitated. “Elena, you might want to spend some time talking to Lorie and Tía about what you’ve been through. I’ve also worked with a number of victims of domestic violence, and I’m available anytime. What you’ve endured doesn’t just go away, but time and love can work miracles.” His gaze slanted to Josh, then back. “And I’d like to talk about your dreams when you’re ready, but for now…you’ve had quite a night. I’m thinking you need some rest more than anything.”

  “Thank you. I don’t want to be any trouble.”

  “You’re part of us now,” Quinn said. “This is just what family does.”

  “But I’m not—”

  Quinn crouched before her and took her hand again. “You’re important to my brother, and we care about you in your own right. Better get used to it.” He smiled and bent to kiss her forehead as he rose again. “See you two in the morning.”

  Josh caught his brother’s eye and nodded his thanks.

  “Josh…” she began. “You know I have to—”

  “Sh-h,” he interrupted before rage could overtake him again.

  Instead he lifted her to his lap.

  And cradled her close.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Thought you’d want to know that your ex-wife called up here. If I hadn’t been working late, I would never have known.”

  “That’s good, Sheriff. You did the right thing.” Richard Kruger smiled into the receiver. He leaned back in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk and eyeing the humidor filled with Cuban cigars. “So where was she calling from?”

  The sheriff hesitated. “Uh…I’m not sure.”

  Richard’s brows snapped together. “You’re not sure? You didn’t trace the call?”

  “They weren’t on the phone long enough, and the number was blocked.”

  Richard let silence speak for him.

  “Listen, I’m doing the best damn job I can, Kruger.”

  “Which isn’t,” Richard responded mildly as the pencil in his fingers snapped, “terribly impressive. Do better. Time is running out.”

  Then he disconnected.

  And stared into the distance.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  He came to her in moonlight.

  Elena had given up on trying to sleep. She huddled on the window seat, gazing out at the whitewashed landscape, her head resting on her knees.

  When Josh opened the door quietly, her heart leaped at the sight of him crossing to her with his loose-limbed masculine grace.

  “Elena, if you go back, I’m coming with you.”

  “Josh, you can’t. Didn’t you hear a word I said about Richard?”

  “You thought that would scare me off? You respect me that little?”

  “Of course I respect you. Look at who you are.”

  “That’s right—look at me. Me, not the guy in the tabloids.” His jaw flexed. “Acting is what I do, not who I am. All that will go away one day. This…” He set himself right in front of her. “This is real. You and me.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not. It can’t be.” She had to find some way to make him back off.

  And save himself.

  So she went for the jugular. “I’m still married.”

  The green of his eyes went sharp and hard. “You think I don’t know that? I have never—never—gotten in the way of a marriage before. It goes against every belief I have.”

  Good. His clear misery would keep him safe.

  Even though her heart was already breaking.

  Then he bent to her. Got right in her face. “What you have with that bastard is not a marriage. And I am not backing off. Get that through your head.”

  Her heart thumped. “But—”

  Scooping her up, he took her place in the window seat and held her close on his lap. “I don’t want to argue with you anymore, but I meant what I said. You even think of going back, I’m going with you.”

  “I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. Your willingness to shield me means more to me th
an I can possibly tell you, but it’s my problem, not yours.”

  “You won’t change my mind. I care too much about you to leave you to face this alone.”

  “But—”

  “Okay, fine. No more talking.” He covered her lips with his own.

  And she couldn’t seem to resist him. Something deep inside her settled, like a key into a lock.

  Then, with aching tenderness, he began to make love to her mouth. He swept her away on a tidal wave of longing…adrift on a sea of sensuality, of desire…of endless, shivering need. This one man was all the world to her. There were no borders between them when they were like this, only the essence of him flowing into her and her into him…

  Until they moved and breathed and loved as one.

  Josh’s arms closed tightly around her, and Elena felt safe. She’d grown inside his arms, grown into the courage to face what she must. He had helped her remember the real Elena, the one who’d existed all those years ago, the one who could exist once more.

  “I love you,” he whispered against her throat. Her head fell back, surrendering to his kisses.

  She wanted to cry out for joy, reach out in anguish. Beg him to run away with her to someplace where he was not a star and she was not a fugitive.

  But she couldn’t fit in his life, and it was better not to try to hold him. Instead of answering him with words, she let her body speak for her. Rising to straddle his hips, she framed his face in her hands and poured out her feelings with her eyes and her lips.

  Slowly, as tenderly as he had cared for her under the tree, Elena kissed Josh with light, feathery kisses. When he closed his eyes, she brushed his eyelids reverently with her lips, then moved on to his mouth, licking into it, savoring the taste of him.

  Josh groaned, the muscles in his arms taut, his chest rising with the force of his feelings. He wanted to crush her to him, wanted to bury himself within her with no delay, no holding back. He wanted to make her his forever, to brand her as his own so that no man would ever take his place.

  He didn’t want to think about how soon he had to return to his life. He didn’t want to consider that she might not fit. Most especially, he didn’t want to contemplate her going back to her ranch without him, facing that terror alone.