by Chloe Lang
She checked her rearview mirror and saw several cars, which made her feel a little better. This wasn’t a deserted highway. Since it was June, the sun was still hours from setting. She stepped out of her car and stretched. She’d hoped the drive would help her clear her thoughts and come up with a clear plan of action concerning the two men she’d left back in Destiny. But it hadn’t. She was just as confused as when she’d driven across Silver Spoon Bridge.
She opened her trunk. Before she could get the spare and jack out, she heard a car slowing behind her. Holding her breath and bracing herself in case she needed to bring out her pistol, she turned around.
When she saw it was a police car, she gave a sigh of relief.
* * * *
Barkley slowed down, seeing the lights of a cop’s car up ahead. Glancing to his right, he realized the woman with the flat tire was the bitch he’d been chasing all the way from Destiny. He waved, sending her a big toothy grin. “I’ve caught up with you, cunt. This would’ve been a perfect place to put a bullet between your pretty eyes. Too bad the law showed up first.”
As he drove past the two vehicles, he smiled. He knew where she was going. This would give him time to scope out the town and find the perfect place to kill the doctor’s whore.
* * * *
“Still no answer, Dustin.” Mick sat in the passenger seat of his truck. His brother had been driving since they filled up an hour ago.
“She can’t avoid us forever,” Dustin said.
Mick glanced at the speedometer. “I’m shocked we haven’t been pulled over, especially at this speed.”
“I’m trying to make up time. Paris has a heavy foot, but she will stop more than we do. I bet we’re catching up with her. She can’t be more than forty-five minutes ahead of us by now, maybe less.”
“I hope you’re right. Anyway, it won’t be long before we get to Wilde.” Mick couldn’t resist and dialed Paris’s number again.
Still no answer.
* * * *
Barkley walked into Wilde Regional Hospital’s Emergency Room.
A young redheaded nurse sat behind a desk. “May I help you?”
He plastered his best grin on his face. “I’m Karl Lemmon from the state’s safety commission. I’m here to do a quick walkthrough of your facility.” This was the cover story Cindy had given him. She’d sent e-mails ahead that supported his claim. That woman continued to surprise him with her resourcefulness.
He handed the nurse the forged credentials Cindy had sent him.
“Let me get Dr. Champion for you.” She picked up the phone.
He glanced around the room, which only had a couple of people waiting. It’s going to be so easy to kill Dr. Ryder’s cunt here. I’ll only need four bullets. One for her, one for this pretty redhead, and two for those two sitting over there.
“Dr. Champion is headed this way. He’ll be right with you.”
“Perfect.” I guess I’ll need five bullets.
* * * *
Paris smiled, reading the sign on the building by the highway just outside of Wilde. Carlotta’s Liquor Store and Tarot Reading Room. Sounds like my kind of place.
She pulled into the business’s parking lot and called Dr. Champion.
“Hello.”
“Doctor, this is Paris Cottrell. I’m just outside of town.”
“I’m so glad you came, Dr. Cottrell. I’m sure you’re exhausted. I reserved a room for you at our local hotel.”
“Thank you so much.”
“I know you mentioned that you thought you would be up to getting a tour of the hospital tonight, but perhaps we should delay it until tomorrow.”
“Actually, I’m very anxious to see it.” Maybe touring the hospital will help me make up my mind on what to do. “All I need is to stretch my legs and have a cup of coffee then I’ll be good to go.”
“You’re going to fit right in, Miss Cottrell. Being a mining town, we have a lot of coffee drinkers here.”
“Please call me Paris.”
“If you will call me Alex.”
“Thanks, Alex.”
“I’m already at the hospital now because an inspector showed up and they called me. But he’s gone now. Park in front and I’ll meet you.”
She turned her car onto Main Street, passing the Hotel Cactus, where she’d be staying tonight. She was tired but knew sleep might not be possible with all that was swirling in her head.
Crossing Coyote Street, Paris noticed the town was aglow in the late afternoon sun’s orange rays. Several people walking waved at her. It had a charm that was different in some respects to Destiny but also had the same warm welcoming feeling. Being one of the few towns in the country like Destiny that accepted polyamorous relationships, Wilde was definitely a place she could feel at home in.
She turned onto Dry Creek Road. The hospital came into view on her left. It was much larger than she’d imagined it would be for a city of this size. The architecture impressed her. Instead of a harsh building of glass and metal, it had a warm, comforting design. Gorgeous landscaping with lovely seating areas surrounded it.
As instructed, she parked in one of the spots at the front.
A man in a white coat walked to her car. He waved, and she knew he had to be Dr. Champion. He looked younger than she’d expected, with black hair and green eyes that reminded her of Mick’s. His right arm was in a cast.
She stepped out of her car.
“Hello, Paris.” He extended his left hand.
She shook it. “Nice to finally meet you, Dr. Champion. I mean Alex.”
“The pleasure is mine. Niki, the on-duty nurse, has a fresh pot of coffee brewing just for you.”
“That would be wonderful.”
Working for Alex would definitely be enjoyable, but could she really close the door on Dustin and Mick for good? She wasn’t sure. Her cell rang.
“Do you need to take that?”
“Not yet. I know who it is.” She looked at her screen, confirming the call was from Dustin and Mick. “I’ll call them back after the tour.”
* * * *
From a distant part of the parking lot, Barkley sat in his car watching Paris Cottrell walk into the hospital with the quack in the cast he’d met with earlier. He smiled, glancing down at his Glock. He wrapped his fingers around its handle, slamming the magazine into it.
“Payback time, Dr. Ryder.” He got out of his car. “Time to kill your bitch.”
Chapter Fifteen
Pressing on the accelerator, Dustin passed Wilde, Nevada’s city limit sign. Whatever it took to convince Paris to come home with him and Mick, even if that meant throwing her over his shoulder and dragging her back to Destiny, he would do it.
“Still no answer.” Mick glared at his phone, as if trying to will it to do what he wanted. They both were dying to find Paris.
He slowed the truck down to a crawl, checking the vehicles parked around the hotel on their right. “I don’t see Paris’s car.”
“Me either. Maybe she’s staying somewhere else.”
“Mick, I doubt there’s another hotel in town. I bet she went straight to the hospital.” They’d tried to get the address from the GPS but it hadn’t come up, likely because the place was just recently built.
“See those three.” His brother pointed to a trio, two men and a woman, on the sidewalk. “Pull over and I’ll ask them for directions to the hospital.”
“Good idea.”
The two men wore cowboy hats and were mirror images of one another, twins no doubt. The woman they had their arms around had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and was obviously pregnant.
Mick rolled down his window. “Excuse me, but could you tell us how to get to the hospital from here?”
“One of you hurt?” The guy to the right of the blonde asked.
“No. We’re fine.”
The man’s eyes narrowed. “Then why do you need the hospital?”
“Wyatt, mind your manners,” the woman scolded.
“Ma
ckenzie, these two are strangers, and with all that has gone down in town, it’s important to check people out.”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to be a jerk about it. Wade, talk some sense into him.”
“We’re on the same page about this, sweetheart.”
Dustin smiled. “We get it, fellas. We’re from a small town, too.”
Mick nodded. “We’ve had our fair share of trouble from outsiders. We’re here because someone we know is applying for a job at your hospital. We need to find her.”
“Are you talking about Miss Cottrell?” Mackenzie asked. “From Destiny?”
“Yes,” Mick answered. “That’s her and that’s our hometown.”
Wade smiled. “The whole town is abuzz about her. Sorry about the interrogation. I’m Wade Masters. This is my brother Wyatt. And this beautiful woman is our wife Mackenzie.”
“I’m Mick Ryder and this is my brother Dr. Dustin Ryder. Do you have any idea where Paris is?”
Mackenzie brought out a cell. “I don’t but I bet I can find out.”
Wyatt laughed. “You’re always working, sweetheart. Anyone has a question, Mac knows how to get the answer.” He put his arm around her. “Always the reporter, aren’t you?”
“This isn’t work. This is about opening up our arms to visitors, something you both could learn a thing or two about.”
“Our girl heads our local paper and television station, guys,” Wade said. “It’s hard for her to turn it off, and luckily for you, she knows everything that goes on in Wilde.”
“Got it.” Mackenzie looked up from her cell. “Paris is getting a tour of the hospital by Dr. Champion right now.”
“Thank you so much,” Mick said.
“Our pleasure,” she answered.
Wyatt leaned down. “You’re almost to the hospital, guys. This intersection is Main and Coyote. Go the next intersection. That’s Dry Creek Road. Turn left. The hospital is less than a block from the intersection. You can’t miss it.”
Mick nodded. “Thank you so much.”
“Yes, thank you,” Dustin added.
Driving down Main, he couldn’t wait to hold Paris in his arms. Once he was with her, he would never let her go again. Ever.
Mick’s phone rang.
“It’s Paris.” Mick turned on the speaker. “Hello, baby. Dustin is on the line with us.”
* * * *
Nervously sipping on the coffee Dr. Champion’s nurse had brought her, Paris sat in the ER waiting room alone. “Sorry I didn’t return your calls. I just needed time to think before I called you back. Hope I didn’t cause you any worry.”
“No…well, yes. Baby, are you okay?” Dustin’s voice came through loud and clear. He didn’t sound angry, which surprised her after the way they’d left things so unsettled.
“Yes. I’m fine.” But she wasn’t. Her heart was breaking in two. “I should’ve called and let you know I was leaving.”
“We were worried,” Mick said.
“I’m so sorry about that.” Once again, she was ruining their lives. Taking the job in Wilde and leaving them behind would be the hardest thing she would ever have to do, but she knew she must.
“No, baby, I’m the one who needs to be sorry,” Dustin said. “I’ve been a complete ass.”
“But I was the one who lied to you all those years.”
“We both made mistakes, Paris.”
Mick added, “We all three need to talk.”
Oh God, what’s happening? Dustin seemed truly sincere. Apologizing wasn’t something he did often, or ever. Why now? She recalled Mick getting down on his knee in front of her. Why were they confronting her together? Had Mick told him about wanting to marry her solo and Dustin had agreed it would be for the best? Maybe. Dustin never had wanted to commit to her. Oh my God, that’s it. That’s why they are calling me together. Her mind spun wildly with the notion and her heart began to rip in two. Dustin is letting me go for good. He’s fine with me marrying Mick. “
“Are you still there, baby,” Dustin’s voice came through loud and clear.
“I’m just totally confused right now. What exactly do you want?”
“I want you, baby. I can’t live without you in my life. Please, give me a chance to explain myself?”
She felt a big ache in the center of her chest diminishing, hearing the sadness in his voice. “But I thought…I mean…you really do want me?”
“Yes, sweetheart, I do. I do so much you can’t even imagine how much. I love you, Paris. I can’t lose you again. I won’t. Understand?”
“Yes.” Oh God, am I dreaming? “You forgive me for not telling you about medical school and being a surgeon?”
“Yes, baby. I forgive you. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Oh, yes. Not only do I forgive you, it’s forgotten. I can’t believe this. I thought you didn’t love me anymore.”
“I never could stop loving you, Paris. You’re my world, my everything.”
He hadn’t given up on her. Neither had Mick. They’d tried in different ways to help her out of her doubts, but she’d resisted all their attempts. No more. “I love you, Dustin. Mick, can you hear me still?”
“I hear you, baby.”
“I love you. Thank you for never giving up on us.”
Mick laughed. “Surrender isn’t in my DNA, sweetheart.”
“Oh God, this is for real.”
“Real as can be.”
She’d taken a terrible detour after Phoenix, breaking up with the two men who would do anything for her. Love was worth fighting for. They were worth fighting for.
No more detours. I can’t stay in Wilde, as wonderful a place as it is. My home is Destiny and my heart belongs to Dustin and Mick. “I’m in Wilde, Nevada. I’m going to drive home tomorrow. I can’t wait to see you.”
“We’re in Wilde, too, baby,” Mick said. “We’re walking into the hospital now.”
“You are? Really?”
“Yes, really,” Dustin said. “Where are you?”
“I’m in the ER. I still can’t believe it. You actually followed me all the way here.”
“Yes, I did,” behind her an unfamiliar voice answered.
She turned around and saw a bearded man aiming a gun at her.
“Put the phone down, bitch.”
* * * *
Hearing the menacing voice, Dustin glanced at Mick. Without a word, they pulled out their guns and bolted as fast as they could to the Emergency Room.
Paris is in trouble. I must keep her safe. She is my world. I must protect her.
Running through the double doors, Dustin spotted Paris being held by a creep who had a gun to her head in the empty ER waiting room.
An all-consuming surge of rage came over him as he charged the motherfucker threatening the woman of his dreams.
“You?” The man pushed Paris away, firing the gun at him.
He tackled the bastard, falling on top of him, pinning him to the floor. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Mick pulling Paris safely away.
Relief washed over him.
The man kneed him in the groin, causing him to roll to his side. It doesn’t matter what happens to me. She’s safe.
“I’m Peter Barkley, Dr. Ryder.”
“Do we know each other?” Dustin reached down his right side and felt warm liquid. My blood. The guy didn’t miss. He glanced around the room, seeing Mick pull Paris through another set of doors. Her safety came first.
“Ten years ago you killed my woman, asshole. In Phoenix. Remember?”
“You’re Anne Barkley’s husband.” How many years had he replayed her death in his head? “You beat her up that day. She died because of you.” Not me.
“Liar! You killed her!” Barkley pointed his gun between Dustin’s eyes. “Time for you to die, quack.”
“Hey,” Mick yelled, rushing into the room with his pistol drawn. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“Fuck you.” The madman swung around to shoot his brother.
>
Fighting through the ever-increasing pain, Dustin lunged and grabbed his arm, causing Barkley’s shot to miss.
Mick fired his gun, hitting the creep in the chest.
Barkley’s eyes opened wide in shock. “What the fuuu…ohh.” The bastard slumped to the ground, dead.
“Oh my God.” Paris came running back into the room. “You’ve been shot.”
A man wearing a white coat and a cast came through the doors, holding a weapon with his good arm. “What the hell?” He bent over the shooter. “Shit. This is Karl Lemmon, the state inspector.”
“No,” Dustin said. “His name was Peter Barkley.”
“Whoever he was, he’s dead now,” Alex said, keeping his gun drawn. “Who are you two?” he asked him and Mick.
Paris turned to him. “They’re good guys, Alex.” Her voice shook.
“It’s going to be okay, baby.” Dustin fought through the pain and reached up and touched her on the cheek. “I promise. I will always take care of you.”
Mick put his around her. “We both will, sweetheart.”
Dustin’s head was spinning and he knew he was close to passing out from the loss of blood. He needed to get out the words. He needed her to know how he felt. “Paris, I love you. I’ve never stopped loving you.” He looked into her gorgeous eyes. “Baby, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you all those years. I love you. I only want you to be happy.”
“I know. I love you, too, but be still and don’t move.” Although Paris was still white as a sheet from being held at gunpoint for the second time in her life, like always, she was able to set her own emotions aside in an emergency.
“If you need any help handling my stubborn brother, baby, I’m your man.” Mick kissed her on the cheek. “He loves you and I love you. We’re together after all these years apart. Nothing is going to separate us again, I swear.”
“I love you, too.” She turned to the doctor with the gun. “Alex, we need to get Dustin into surgery.”