by Geri Foster
Pissed off, he gritted his teeth. Those women were in for a big surprise. When he saw them again he planned to beat the living hell out of them. Hell, he might even kill them or at least make them wish they were dead.
As for Miss Nancy Wigan, he knew where she lived and he’d be paying her a visit in the very near future. Not now, he didn’t feel that good. And he’d be smart to hole up until some of the marks on his face cleared a little, not that he couldn’t buy some concealer from the drugstore to take care of those.
High from the oxy, he laid his head back and floated for a while. Tonight, he’d failed, but never again. He had to just hit harder. Much harder. Besides, he wanted to put a bullet between Jeff Crawley’s eyes. Anything else could wait.
He grinned, realizing Crawley only had a few more days at most to live. Then, it would be over. His brother’s death would be avenged, and he’d be on his way to Buffalo. His buddy Lou lived there, and he’d put him up until he got on his feet.
He thought of the money he’d stolen from the Tri-City gang. There had to be enough left over to get a good start somewhere else. He wanted a guarantee there were no loose ends in Chicago. Looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life didn’t sound that entertaining to him. But, how could he ensure that?
He sucked in a deep breath and found his nostrils stuffy. Squeezing his nose, he grimaced. “Damn, did they break my nose?”
He jumped to his feet and dashed to the bathroom, stumbling over several items of clothing scattered around the room. Finally making it to the small room, he yanked open the mirrored medicine cabinet to get a look at his face.
He inhaled deeply. Damn it all to hell. He looked like Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer. He tightened his mouth and closed his eyes. “Oh, those crazy women are going to pay for tonight.” He wanted them almost as bad as he did Crawley.
He punched the wall, leaving a hole in the sheetrock the size of a softball. The landlord would no doubt make him pay to get that fixed. He looked around the shabby hellhole. What a royal mess.
Fed up, he started putting his things in a large, plastic trash bag. No longer happy in the little town of Rainwater, he planned to drive to Denton tonight and stay there. Gathering up the bag, he staggered into the wall then bounced onto the bed. Exhausted, he closed his eyes.
Maybe he’d rest for just a few minutes, then he’d leave.
Chapter 8
Nancy nearly fell out of the rocking chair at Jeff’s question. Had he really just asked her to move in with him? Did he mean it? From the look on his face, she assumed he might be serious.
She couldn’t do that. The citizens of the community would have a field day at her expense. She didn’t want to be the next topic of town gossip. She was just elected to City Council, she had a very important job at the bank…No. She couldn’t be seen to be so, so, reckless.
“I can’t do that.” The words swished out between her lips.
“Why not?”
“It would ruin my reputation. I’d practically be run out of town.”
“First off, no one is going to think badly of you for living with someone in order to keep yourself safe. They care about you too much and know you too well for that. Secondly, we don’t have to let anyone know.”
“I can’t sneak out here every night and hope no one sees me.” She pointed to the Travis property. “They will notice I’m here and I’m not sure I can trust Ellen and Karen.”
“Then maybe I should stay at your place during the night?”
She shook her head. “No, people will still talk.”
“Let’s tell them we’re, what do they call it now? God, I don’t know, do people even date anymore? It’s all online, right?”
She gave him an impossible look. “That might be okay for some, but it won’t work for me. I have too many ties to Rainwater.” She leaned closer. “You do know I hold a position on City Council, don’t you? Can you just imagine what my constituents would think? They’d run me out of office.”
“Even if they knew you were in danger?”
She didn’t know about that and this wasn’t the time to get into that conversation, because it wasn’t going to happen. In her position, she couldn’t risk it. “It would be very dicey.”
“Let’s try it and see. When it gets around town you were attacked, don’t you think people will want you safe?”
She didn’t like him being right. “Maybe, maybe not.”
He glared at her, his patience wearing thin. “What in the hell do you mean by that?”
“The first thing most would think is we’re lovers.”
“What business is it to anyone. We’re both free and single.”
“Yes, and we live in a small town, where in many people’s minds, that means I can see whoever I want in the form of dating. It doesn’t mean I can move out here with you.”
“Do you get paid to be on the council?”
She shook her head. “No, I do it to make a difference.”
“What about the bank?”
She nodded. “I make a lot of money there and I won’t do anything to jeopardize my job. I absolutely love it.”
“You can’t lose your job for moving in with me. And if you did, we’d get a lawyer to sue the pants off them.” Seeing that she still wasn’t convinced, he took a different tactic. “Okay, let’s just see how this goes.” He reached over and took her hand. “You know, often the things we fear the most never happen. I’m sure those who care about you will understand.”
Even in her worry, she loved the feel of this warm touch. His hands weren’t smooth and soft. They were working hands that tended to the land and his cattle. He didn’t wear a fancy cologne, but his manly scent sent her off into the woodlands of a magical place.
In all her life she’d hadn’t dared think about having a boyfriend or a fiancé, let alone a husband, as something attainable. It didn’t take her long growing up to understand that wasn’t her destiny. She’d always been overweight, her face too pudgy, and her hips too wide. Since most of the money in her home growing up went to medical care for her parents, she’d made the most of her clothing. At a time when everyone wore designer jeans and Nike sneakers, being poor just became another thing the other kids made fun of her for.
So, the idea of a man sitting out here in the moonlit, squeezing her hand, did a lot more than make her heart race. She couldn’t swallow, her lungs weren’t taking in enough oxygen, and the world spun. She feared perspiration dampened her hands, but he didn’t pull away.
Nervous as a person could possibly be, she could only gaze into his eyes and long to evaporate into him and stay there. She glanced down at their entwined hands and she swore her chest expanded. The heady thought that a man could care enough for her to enjoy her company—to kiss her even—had her so afraid she feared she’d faint, fall out of the chair and crack her head.
Lowering her gaze, she studied the planks of the porch “I can’t. I really, really can’t take that chance.”
“I’ll tell you what,” he said. “You stay here tonight and let me take care of the board of the bank and the council.” He put his bent finger beneath her chin. “Will you trust me enough to let me do that?”
She chewed her lip until she feared it would bleed. She wanted to be here so badly. In all her life she’d never held so much hope. Could this be real and was she willing to jeopardize everything she had to see where it might lead?
Gazing into his green eyes, she wondered if this man might be her salvation. A man with a different set of rules. Perhaps one including an overweight female with a complex big as Texas.
She nodded briefly, then held up her finger. “But, please, don’t get me fired.”
He tilted his head and stared at her. “I wouldn’t do that.”
Letting out a stressful sigh, she uttered. “I hope not.”
“But I do think it’s time we turned in.” His gaze searched the area. “You need a good night’s sleep.”
They went inside, and she headed to th
e bathroom. After washing her face, she looked into the mirror. Was this the look of a woman in love? She smiled slowly, wondering what it would be like to sleep next to Jeff, to be held all night in his arms and wake the next day completely and totally happy.
Shaking her head at such a foolish thought, she opened the door and found the man in question leaning against the opposite wall. He held out a toothbrush and a tube of paste in one hand. In the other, hanging on the end of his index finger, was a clean white undershirt. The snicker on his face made her laugh out loud.
“You are evil,” she said, reaching for the items. “Pure evil.”
He wiggled his dark eyebrows. “You don’t know evil...yet.”
* * *
Jeff couldn’t help himself and that feeling didn’t happen too often. He tended to be a man in complete and absolute control of any situation. Nancy had changed all that. The ease with which she communicated left him baffled. How could someone be so damn nice? It made him feel lighter, more comfortable, able to say whatever it is he needed to say without fear of scorn. Which is exactly why he found himself teasing her outside the guest bathroom right now. He hadn’t felt this free…ever.
She took the items from him and disappeared back into the bathroom while he turned and went to his room. Careful to leave the door open, in case she needed him, he stripped and slid beneath the covers.
For several minutes he lay there listening to Nancy move around before the sound of her door closing echoed down the hall. In the quiet darkness he stared up at the spinning fan and wondered what life with Nancy would look like.
After years of being a loner he wondered if he could adjust to having someone around all the time. Would she cramp his style, get in his way, bore him to tears, or would they spend most of their time arguing?
He rolled over, facing the windows. He didn’t think that would be the case with her. She genuinely liked people. Cared about those less fortunate than she, and since being in Rainwater, he’d never heard a bad thing about her. She made him laugh, which was a rare occasion these days. And she made him smile, just by looking at him.
For another thing, no matter what she said, he didn’t think of her as fat. She looked to be in great shape, lots of curves, but she dressed to hide her size. From what he saw, she came pretty close to being perfect. Those extra pounds didn’t mean anything to him.
He’d checked the security system while Nancy used the bathroom and everything appeared to be secure. But, something didn’t quite jive with him. A man tried to kidnap her tonight and he didn’t think it an accident or a case of mistaken identity. No, someone wanted to hurt her and he could never allow that.
He fell asleep dreaming of her in his bed, wrapped up in his arms, her familiar scent surrounding him and luring him to sleep…
Seemingly minutes later, he came upright in the bed, breathing hard. A bad dream had haunted him most of the night, stealing quality sleep from him. Judging by the sun streaming in through the window, he’d actually slept all night. Still, he had a pounding headache and a rolling stomach.
Tossing the sheets aside, he slipped out of bed to the aroma of coffee. Quickly getting dressed, he made his way to the kitchen where Nancy sat at the counter, a steaming mug clutched in her palms.
She looked at him and smiled. “I hope you don’t mind, I helped myself to the coffee.” She glanced over at the sleeping dog. “I let him out to go to the bathroom, too.”
He walked over and poured himself a cup. “No problem.” Glancing at her, he noticed she looked tired. Dark circles beneath her eyes told of a sleepless night. Much like his own. He walked around and sat next to her. “Wasn’t the bed comfortable?”
“Yes, it was perfect. I just couldn’t sleep, that’s all. Believe it or not, I’ve never not slept in my own bed.”
He couldn’t believe that. “Ever?”
She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “No, my family didn’t go on vacations, I didn’t do sleepovers, so at forty, I’ve now slept in two beds.”
“Girl, you need to get out and live a little.”
She propped her chin on her fisted hand. “So, does that mean you’ve slept in many different beds?”
“Hell yes. And a lot of times, no bed at all.”
She lowered her gaze. “I guess that would include sleeping with lots of women,” her voice was barely a whisper.
“I wouldn’t say that.” He struggled for the right words. “I mean, I guess I’ve had my share, but I’m not one to boast about things of that nature.”
“No kissing and telling?”
“None whatsoever. That’s nobody’s business.” He refused to tell her about his heartbreak and how much it had hurt to be miles away from home when someone dumped your ass like you were a piece of trash. He didn’t want her feeling sorry for him. This thing between them, it was something completely different. And he didn’t want whatever it was to be tainted by the past.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to pry.”
“I know,” he said, keeping his voice calm. The kindness in her eyes undid him and he blurted out, “Just to let you know, I’m not going to take advantage of you or the situation. This is too serious. Something could happen to you. I can’t be distracted by my feelings for you.”
Her head shot up and her eyes widened. “You have feelings for me?”
He averted his gaze. Had he said feelings? As in, he cared for her? Kissing her was one thing, but openly admitting to something more…No, he was much too careful to move too quickly. He wanted to start something, but he couldn’t deny he was hesitant to open himself up to being hurt again either. “I don’t think now is the time for us to discuss it. I need to get you to work.”
She slid off the stool and took her cup to the sink, turning off the coffee maker on her way. He thought she’d just accepted his statement, but when she turned to face him again, she leaned against the counter and held him with a questioning gaze. “What’s it?”
“Huh?”
“You said now isn’t the time to talk about it. I want to know what it is.”
He scrubbed his hands over his face. He hadn’t shaved this morning and the scruff felt scratchy. “I don’t know what I meant. Maybe I will later, but not this morning.” He turned and walked out the front door, hoping she followed and was through asking questions he didn’t have the answers for.
* * *
Ex-Commander Eli Munson paced his large home office. He’d tried to call that worthless gangster, Opara, but the fool hadn’t answered. He worried he’d been arrested, blowing his whole plan. Crawley was the best SEAL he’d ever worked with. The man had proven daily to be meticulous, dangerous, and smart.
One slip up on Opara’s part, and he’d end up in jail or dead and, one thing he knew about Crawley, the man wouldn’t care which. He always got his man.
Disgruntled, he rubbed a jaw that ached to this day. When the assignment had blown up, Crawley’d blamed him and as soon as he got to him, he’d banged into his office and nearly beaten him to death.
For anyone else that would’ve been automatic brig time and a dishonorable discharge. But, not with Crawley’s record. He was the Navy’s top non-commissioned officer. So well-respected, twenty-seven other SEALs had testified at his trial. Eli had been furious. He’d wanted the man to suffer. Instead, Crawley’d ended up with a slap on the wrist while he was left nearly blind in his right eye with a broken jaw and seven teeth missing. Then, to make matters worse, after further investigation, they threw him out of the Navy and he had to fight for his retirement.
His cell phone rang, and he inhaled a deep breath. Finally.
“Hey, Alec, how’s it going?” He tried to sound cheerful and upbeat. He’d do anything to keep the kid from backing out. “You feeling better?”
“I’m all scratched up, my balls are sore, my nose is broken and half my hair has been yanked out by the roots. So, how the hell do you think I feel?”
“Oh my. What happened?”
“Cra
wley’s woman and her squad is what happened. They attacked me like wild cats.” As though he realized he’d just shown weakness, he quickly amended with, “I was about to put the hurt on them when they got a hold of my mask. I couldn’t be seen so I had to bail.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. But hey, I got the money ready to send. You have a Western Union address?”
“Yeah, I got it. Send it today, I’m going to hide out until I feel better. I’d go to a doctor, but I can’t afford them asking too many questions.”
“They didn’t get a look at you, did they?”
“No, I managed to get away and to my car before that could happen. But I’m in Denton now because I can’t walk around that little town where everyone knows everyone with my face so messed up.”
“That’s a good idea. Lay low for a few days, get well. Also, Alec, don’t take any chances. If they catch you, it would be bad news.”
“I know. I’ve heard the Sheriff is a real hard ass and there’s also an FBI agent living in town. Had I known how hard this was going to be, I might’ve had second thoughts.”
He didn’t want to hear that. He was so close to getting the revenge he’d always craved. For that little pissant to bail on him would ruin everything.
“There’s no challenge too big to reclaim your family’s honor. Your brother was the best of the best. He didn’t deserve what happened to him. And there’s only one man to blame.”
“I know, I’m just feeling a little out of it today. My damn nose is killing me.”
“Go to a small clinic in a bad neighborhood. They’re used to taking care of people without insurance, and most don’t ask too many questions.”
“Yeah, I might do that, but first you’ll have to send me that money.”
“I’ll do it as soon as we hang up.”
He rubbed his eyes after the conversation with Alec ended. What he wouldn’t give to go to that small Texas town and face Crawley, but he didn’t dare. If he happened to be caught near him, the military would throw the book at him. He’d already been warned to keep his distance. Not to mention, he didn’t want Crawley coming after him. One on one, he didn’t stand a chance. He didn’t succeed at the hardened training Crawley had excelled at. In fact, he’d spent most of his career behind a desk. Crawley had been in the middle of the action from the day he left BUDs.