“You’re not my boss. And I’m not on your payroll.”
“You could be. Is that what it takes?” He sneered and raised an eyebrow.
Son of a bitch. Her body tensed, ready to take action.
“Don’t play innocent with me. I’ve seen the way you parade around here. What do you expect people to think when you send out those signals? I just want a little piece of that hot ass of yours like everyone else.” He slithered even closer. “Money’s no object. I can make it worth your time. Clothes? A car? What’s your price? Everyone has one.”
He reached a hand out and brushed the side of her breast.
Bastard. She wound her arm back and slapped him hard in the face.
He staggered to the right, and she darted past him. Her hand stung as she ran out the entrance. Good. Maybe she’d left a mark.
“You’re going to pay for that, whore,” he yelled after her.
She ran past the horses and out into the sunlight.
Joe rounded the corner of the barn. “What’s going on? I heard someone shout.”
The sight of him quelled her fight-or-flight response.
Todd burst out of the stables, a bright red handprint on his cheek and blood on his lip.
Joe took one look at him and waved his shovel as he marched toward Todd. “Get the hell out of here, and don’t even think of coming back.”
Todd glowered at Joe and then at Sarah.
“I mean it. Send someone for your horse. If you step one foot on this place again, I’ll shoot you,” Joe said.
“You couldn’t pay me to come back to this shithole. I’m done slumming. This dump isn’t good enough for me, and neither are you.” He spit on the ground in front of Sarah and stomped to the parking lot.
Greg jogged over from the field. “What’s going on?”
“You okay, Sarah?” Joe asked.
“I’m fine.” She nodded, her insides still shaky.
Greg’s nostrils flared. “Did he hurt you?”
“No. I handled it,” she said.
Bruce’s truck pulled in as Todd gunned his car. The wheels churned dirt and spit up stones before the Vette thundered down the driveway.
“Shit’s gonna hit the fan now,” Joe said in a low voice.
The truck door swung open and Bruce barged out. His gaze flew to where they were standing, and he sprinted over to them, his mouth set. That expression didn’t bode well.
Joe turned to Greg. “If you ever see Todd here, come get me. This place is off-limits now.”
“I’ll take care of him myself.” Greg’s chest puffed out.
Bruce looked up and down Sarah’s body as if checking for injuries. “What’s going on?”
“It’s under control.” Joe hefted the shovel.
“Why was Todd racing out of here? Did he do something to you?” Bruce stepped closer to Sarah.
“He tried, but no.” Lucky for Todd, he’d escaped.
Bruce’s eyes hardened with hot fury, and he yanked his keys from his pocket. “He’s a dead man.”
Joe grabbed his arm. “Don’t run off half-cocked and get into trouble. He’s not worth it.”
“I don’t give a damn. If he so much as touched her—”
“I told you it’s handled. I ordered him off the farm.” Joe banged the shoved on the ground.
“Not good enough. He needs a physical reminder.” Bruce jerked his arm away from Joe.
“He got one already,” Joe said.
Bruce swung around. “What?”
Sarah cleared her throat. “From me. I slapped him. Hard.”
“Drew blood.” Joe nodded as if proud. “I think he got the point.”
“Wish I’d been here.” Greg tapped a fist to his palm. “I’d have done more damage.”
The guys were all such macho men, wanting to defend her. Her heart swelled. She waved a hand. “Let’s please forget about this. I appreciate the support, but it’s over, and we have work to do.”
Joe and Greg looked toward the parking lot. After some grumbling, they walked back to the fields.
Bruce’s mouth drew into a hard line. “What did he do?”
“Please, let it go.” She took a step toward the stables.
He placed a hand on her arm. “Tell me.”
She blew out a breath. “Fine. He offered to pay me for sex and tried to feel me up. I slapped him and ran. You heard the rest from Joe.”
Bruce’s eyes turned dangerously dark. Good thing Todd had left.
“Pay you for sex?” Bruce fisted his hands and shook his head. “Screw it. Debbie has his address. I’m getting it. He’s dead.”
“Oh my God. Please stop.” Sarah clasped his arm when he took a step toward the house. “The man is filthy rich. If you touch him, he’ll lawyer up, and you’ll be in legal trouble forever. You could lose your clients. He’s not coming back.” She gazed up at him. “Please, I can’t take any more drama.”
Lynn’s car pulled into the lot.
Bruce glanced at his watch and frowned.
Sarah sensed his hesitation. She didn’t want any more trouble for him on her part. “Besides, the vets will be here soon, and I know you don’t want to disappoint them.”
Bruce sighed and nodded. “Fine. But if he steps one foot on this farm, he’s mine.”
Yikes. Maybe she was safe with all the men-at-arms surrounding her. At least she could eliminate Todd as the stalker. When he’d yelled, his voice sounded different from the stalker’s. Todd was just a spoiled brat who thought he could buy whatever he wanted. And now the jerk wouldn’t be hanging around anymore.
If only she could get rid of the stalker so easily.
Leonard adjusted his glasses and checked his email. Twenty-three days since Sarah had left, and still no replies from her. That didn’t mean she wasn’t getting his messages. He could picture her hunched over the computer reading and rereading them, excitement in her eyes as she realized he wouldn’t give up. She’d probably rub her hands together and peek around to see if anyone noticed her reaction because she’d be in some public place, like a coffee shop or library. Even that would be fun for her. Logging on to a computer and hoping there’d be a message from him.
He frowned. If she read his emails, then she should be coming back. Someone must still control her.
She hadn’t gone to Maddie’s, Anne’s, or her parents’. He had people watching their homes. Her sisters might be useful if she didn’t come back soon. Nothing more motivating than a relative in distress. He clicked on his photo file and brought up pictures of Anne and Maddie.
His cell phone rang.
George.
Leonard’s heart leaped. When he had needed a gun to kill Audrey, he’d hacked into the police computer database and found George, who came through with one. The guy had a list of offenses a mile long. Arrested multiple times. Now he was at Maddie’s apartment in search of any clues that might lead to Sarah’s whereabouts. Maybe he had a lead.
Leonard answered the phone. “Find anything?”
“Yeah, but I’m done being your bitch. After I give you this information, we’re finished.” George ground out the words.
“I don’t think so. One click on the computer and everyone will know you snitched to get out of jail early. And I didn’t dig any deeper, but I bet you have other secrets I could find.” Leonard sat back in his chair.
“Fuck you. Squeal and I’ll tell the cops about your hard-on for this chick. I’m done after this. You want what I found, that’s the deal,” George said in a no-holds-barred tone.
Leonard frowned. The cops couldn’t do much, but he wouldn’t need George anymore if he found Sarah. Besides, he could always go back on his word later. What mattered now was getting the information. He had to find his ballerina. “Okay. What do you have?”
“There’s a notepad here with impressions from a torn-off sheet. Did some pencil rubbing to get an address in Maryland written under some travel dates to Pennsylvania.”
Leonard stroked his chin. Pennsyl
vania. Maddie had booked a trip on her computer for an upcoming symposium. Everything checked out except her return flight was several days after the event ended. If Sarah was in Pennsylvania or nearby, Maddie might be staying to visit her. Excitement coursed through his veins.
George gave him the address along with a threat should Leonard contact him again, and then the line went dead. It didn’t matter. He had what he needed. His pulse raced as he pulled up an online map to survey the satellite images of the area. Adjusting his glasses, he leaned closer to the screen. A horse farm in rural Maryland. Exactly the type of place someone would send Sarah to hide. Nothing but trees, fields, and country roads. Yes. This had to be the spot.
He went to his bedroom and worked his way from left to right, touching every framed picture of Sarah precisely in the middle until he reached the last one. For the first time since she’d left, his body relaxed.
When he returned to his computer, he booked an open seat on the red-eye. Perfect. He would be in Maryland tomorrow morning.
Soon, Sarah, soon.
Chapter 20
Sarah opened her eyes as the sun streamed through the crack of her curtain. She bounded out of bed, landed on the dog, and crashed to the floor.
Fluffy jerked to his feet and tucked his tail between his legs.
“Sorry, guy, I’m not used to you being here.” She pushed up to her knees and petted him on the head.
The dog’s soft, black snout nudged her hand, and his tongue flicked out to lick her fingers, tail drumming against the dresser.
“No worries, buddy.” She let out a breath and stroked his head. Seven o’clock. Saturday. Becca and Lori took care of the horses on the weekend, so she had two days off. Three hours until Bruce came.
The hike. Her stomach fluttered. She’d been hyperaware of his presence the last couple of days. Judging from the heated looks he gave her, it went both ways.
She took care of the dog and headed back to the bathroom. So far, things were working out. Fluffy didn’t chase the horses and seemed content to run in the fields or sleep in the shade. Even Debbie had come around. She pretended not to like him, but Sarah had spied her giving the dog a treat and patting his head. Sarah had ducked back behind the barn. Debbie would die if someone caught her acting like a softy.
Sarah showered, taking extra care to shave and smooth on a lilac-scented body lotion. Not that Bruce would even see her legs under jeans. Stupid. But no stupider than wearing the pink thong she’d picked up in town. It didn’t matter if he never saw it. She had her sexy vibe going.
She chose a pair of jeans and a lightweight, long-sleeved white shirt. No ponytail today. For once, she’d let her hair down in more ways than one. She smiled to herself and stepped back from the mirror. Amazing what a little makeup could do. The last time she’d worn makeup was for a performance. Her chest tightened with the longing to spread her arms wide and twirl across the stage. Those days were over.
Time dragged until almost ten. She made her way to the front porch and waited for Bruce. Her gaze traveled the open fields. She had to figure out her future soon since she couldn’t live at the farm forever. Correction. Hide, not live.
When she left, she’d never see Bruce again. It made no sense that he wanted to get involved. Sure, right now they had sparks flying between them and a crazy physical attraction. But he’d soon tire of the seclusion.
He didn’t understand how limited their lives would be. Mark sure hadn’t lasted long when the going got tough. And if the stalker really could hack into his production company accounts, nothing would stop him from accessing the therapy program. Bruce couldn’t afford that risk. The vets had already suffered enough loss. She shook her head. This would never work.
Bruce’s truck rumbled on the path, and she glanced up. He parked in front of the house and hopped out. At the sight of him, her pulse jumped. The wind tousled his dark hair. Muscles bulged under his light blue shirt, and his shades added a touch of cool. He mounted the steps and slid the sunglasses to the top of his head.
He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
She tapped her fingers against her thigh, warring between the strong desire to go with him or to say she’d changed her mind. “I…um…am having some second thoughts about this.”
“Why’s that?”
She focused on the fields. If she faced him and had to take on those baby blues, she’d never say what she needed. “I tried to tell you before. It’s not fair to you. I don’t want to drag you into my crazy world. There’s no point in trying to start anything.”
He let out a breath and touched her arm. “You’re doing it again.”
“What?”
“Making decisions for me. Is there some other reason you don’t want to go?” His gaze delved into hers.
She shook her head. “No.”
“I’m a grown man. I choose my own risks and make my own decisions. Understand?”
She bit her lip and nodded.
“I’ve never seen you with your hair down.” He ran a hand through her hair before dipping his head to brush his lips against hers. “I like it.”
Tiny shivers traveled through her.
“So are you coming with me?” He pulled back to look her in the eyes.
And she was lost. “Yes.”
He led her to the truck. After she climbed in, he cranked on some tunes, and they drove through the country roads a few miles until they came to a small parking area with a wooden sign indicating a trail.
“This path runs along the water. It’s not a tough hike.” He slipped his shades off.
“Huh. Think I’m a wuss?” She tilted her head.
“No, ma’am. I’ve seen you in action at the farm.”
“You did not just call me ma’am.”
Bruce held his hands up. “No, sir. Not me.”
“Hey.” She play-punched his arm and laughed.
“It’s nice to see you smile.” He leaned closer and grazed a thumb across her cheek, resting his hand on the side of her neck. “Thank you for coming.”
His fingers found the tender flesh under her ear, and her breath hitched. With the lightest touch, he rubbed the spot. Frissons of awareness rolled down her spine.
The sun shined through the window, illuminating flecks of teal in his eyes. She couldn’t look away, not that she wanted to. The gentleness from a man so tough and intimidating caught her off guard. That kiss in the suite was what she expected from him. Demanding, possessive, and dominant. The kind that bruised her lips, but she didn’t care.
“Sarah?” The sound of her name, almost a whisper, swirled in the air between them.
She moistened her lips with her tongue, leaning her neck deeper into his hold. “Hmm?”
“I want to start this recon right now.” He inched his face closer, eyes wide open as if he couldn’t break contact either. “Get to know all of you.”
She parted her lips, but he brought his to her temple. Holding them there, he stroked her back. His breath fanned her hair, and she forced herself to inhale. When her chest expanded, her breast brushed against his forearm. Her nipple tightened, and he stilled.
“Better take this slow.” She couldn’t tell if he was talking to her or himself.
He reached behind the seat, hoisted a backpack out, and moved over to the driver’s side. Blowing out a breath, he glanced at her. “Ready?”
“Mmm hmm.” She was ready all right. But not for the hike. He must think she’d lost her tongue because she hadn’t formed words since he’d laid hands on her.
She opened the door, and the breeze blew her hair. Birds chirped in the tall trees. They climbed out, and Bruce slid on the backpack. He took her hand. Such a simple thing, but again, a surprise. And a nice one. She’d never in a million years have pegged him to be a guy who would hold hands on a hike. Oops, make that a recon. She bit into a grin.
“What’s so funny?” He cocked his head.
Uh-oh. Caught. “Nothing, I just didn’t expect you to be so…”
“So what?” He let go of her hand and straightened.
Crap. She had to open her big mouth. “I don’t know. Just so…gentlemanly.”
He blinked and gave his head a quick come-again shake. “Gentlemanly?”
She shrugged. “I’m not complaining. I like it. It just surprises me.”
He planted a hand on his hip. “I wasn’t raised by wolves, you know.”
Oh boy. The Bruce she knew was back. The urge to reach out and rumple his hair almost took over, but she didn’t dare poke a bear with a stick. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to be—”
“Never mind.” He shifted the pack on his shoulders. “Let’s just go.”
“Wait.” She slipped her hand back into his and squeezed a forgive-me message.
For a moment, he stared down at her, all tension and spiky. And then his face softened. He slowly brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it, holding her gaze.
Her eyes must have registered her shock, or he’d noticed her knees wobble, because the hint of a satisfied smile formed, and he led her to the trail with a strong grip. Oh yeah, his swag was back, and hot damn he had her attention.
They trekked along the narrow path, stepping over roots and fallen branches. A squirrel scurried across and climbed up a tree. The earthy scent of pine and moss hung in the air.
“Tell me about your family,” he said.
Her throat tightened.
When she didn’t say anything, he stopped. “Unless you don’t want to talk about them.”
“No. It’s okay. I just miss them.” She lowered her gaze to the ground.
“I’m sure.”
“It is what it is.” She took a breath and resumed the hike. “I have two sisters. We’re close even though we’re all different. Maddie’s a year older than me, Anne two. She can be quite the mother hen. But honestly, I don’t know if I could have pulled this off without her help. She’s my rock.”
“I’m glad she’s there for you.”
“Maddie can be a bit much. I think it’s the red hair. She’s an archaeologist and definitely in the right field.” Sarah shook her head. “I’ll never forget the time she called Anne and me into the basement. Maddie was around nine. She dug into her pockets and dumped the contents on top of my dad’s workbench. Buttons, Barbie doll limbs, Happy Meal toys, and a bunch of random stuff. Next, she tells us to bury them.”
Love in Hiding Page 14