by Peyton Banks
If only my life could be as peaceful as that, she thought.
Dallas pulled the vehicle into the driveway of a single-level home. It was located in a nice neighborhood on the outskirts of Vegas.
Parking in front of the garage, he shut the engine off and stepped out. Candi, tired, just wanted to sleep. Later, she would begin making plans for what she could do.
For now, she just wanted to lie down and close her eyes.
Her adrenaline was wearing off.
She was not built for danger, car chases, and hiding out in abandoned buildings.
Dallas opened the door for her and assisted her out of the truck. She stood still, taking a look around at the peaceful street.
It had a cute, homey, picturesque feel to it. This was a neighborhood one would want to raise a family in.
Candi wrapped her arms around herself, a chill sliding down her spine.
“I owe you breakfast,” Dallas announced, slamming the top covering of the truck’s bed. He hefted her duffle bag strap over his shoulder and stepped close to her.
“I’m not sure I can eat,” she murmured.
He gently cupped her shoulder and guided her toward the front door.
“This was way too much excitement for me.”
“Let me feed you and prepare a hot shower for you.”
The walls she had built up during their trip were crumbling.
They stood before the door and faced each other.
She stared up at him, and her lips curled up in the corners. There was no way she could turn down his gracious offer.
“Fine.”
He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead before pulling back.
Candi blew out a deep breath. Dallas opened the door and waved her in. Stepping inside his home, she knew she would have to find a way to let Dallas down gently.
“Next time you want to leave me a present, I’ll take cash or a gift card,” Tanner grumbled, pushing his way inside Dallas’s home.
“Yeah, yeah.” Dallas shut the door and followed behind his friend into the kitchen. “I thought those two would melt your heart.”
Tanner snorted, heading to the coffee pot. He tossed a manila folder onto the counter.
“So what’s the scoop?” Tanner snagged a mug from the cabinet.
The carafe was only half full, left over from the small breakfast Dallas had cooked for Candi. He’d forced her to take a hot shower and get into his bed.
Alone.
To grab some sleep.
The dark circles under her eyes spoke volumes and were all he needed to see to know his woman desired rest.
“Did you find out the information I asked you?” Dallas leaned against the counter, folding his arms in front of his chest.
“Yeah.” Tanner paused, taking a sip from his cup. “What’s all this have to do with Lamont Jennings?”
“He’s Candi’s ex-husband.”
Tanner paused and stared at Dallas. He let out a long whistle. “Her ex, huh? She sure knew how to pick ’em.”
“Yeah.” Dallas sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“Where is she now?”
“Upstairs sleeping.” Dallas didn’t bat an eye.
Tanner would come to a conclusion on them. What had been brewing between him and Candi had been going on for a while. He’d known she was sweet on him. He just never figured he’d be good enough for a woman like her.
Now, he knew there wasn’t anyone better for her than him.
“You and her?” Tanner’s eyebrow rose high.
“Yeah.”
Tanner stared over his cup at Dallas before nodding.
“She’s a sweet girl and deserves better than that piece of shit. Per the reports, he was under watch by the DEA, but they couldn’t get their hands on him. It looks like it was she who helped the cops put him away.”
Tanner handed him the folder. They moved to the table where Dallas opened it and sat.
Immediately, he pulled a folder from the envelope and opened it. There before him was a mugshot of Lamont Jennings.
Dallas stared at the photo, taking in the details of the other man’s face. Dallas could instantly see the charm in the man. The look in his eyes implied he was cocky, arrogant and dangerous all rolled up in one.
Dallas’s gaze roamed the form, and he flipped the page, coming to the section of the arrest that had got him the time.
Domestic abuse.
His breaths raced slightly. The small bit of rage that usually sat contained in his chest was building. It spread like wildfire when he came to the part of a Mrs. Jennings in the hospital emergency room with a broken arm and bruises along her neck and face.
“So is he out?” Dallas asked, not looking up. His voice was low, and he fought from getting up to slam his fist into the wall. There were other documents of hospital visits where Candi hadn’t wanted to press charges.
Apparently, the last one must have been what had finally pushed her button.
Dallas couldn’t believe they would let a piece of work like this out of jail early.
“Yeah, he got out the other day.” Tanner leaned back in his chair. “Was she notified?”
“No. She doesn’t know he’s out.” Dallas shook his head. “Those men you picked up work for Moody Perlino, a known associate of Lamont’s.” Dallas brought Tanner up to date on what Candi had shared with him.
“So last night, that was Lamont making his move,” Tanner said, tapping the table. “But if they would have taken you out, then they would have taken her.”
“He’s not going to get his hands on her,” Dallas growled, pushing the papers away. He ran a hand along his face and abruptly stood from the table. He stalked over to the counter by the sink and stared out into his backyard.
There was no way he’d allow Lamont to get near Candi.
She’d been through so much already.
He would not fail her.
“From the looks of what she’s been through with him, he doesn’t know how to treat a woman. What do you need from me?”
Dallas was grateful for Tanner’s offer. He pondered quickly and knew what they would have to do.
“We need to find him first.” Dallas turned around and leaned back against the counter. With Candi’s safety, he wasn’t going to mess around. Lamont needed to know that he no longer had any rights to Candi. The minute he’d laid a hand on her, he’d given up the right to ever be in her presence. “Call in favors. I want to know who picked him up when he was released, where he went to eat on his first day out, and where he’s laying his head.”
Tanner leaned forward with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “I like where you are going with this.”
“I want him looking over his shoulder. We’re going to find him, Tanner. We’re going to make him pay for every scar and mark he’s put on Candi’s body.”
Chapter Twelve
Candi rolled over with a sigh. Her body was in a state of relaxation that she hadn’t experienced in years. Dallas’s king bed was amazing. It was holding her hostage, and at the moment, she didn’t want to be free.
Candi swung her feet over the edge of the bed and paused. Looking around Dallas’s room, she took it in, finding it to be homey. Surprisingly so, considering his hard demeanor when he was down at the bar.
The nap had certainly paid off. She had tried to protest lying down, but now she was glad she had. From the appearance of the sky outside the window, dusk was upon them.
Great.
Dallas shouldn’t have let her sleep so long. Her body would be confused, and she was sure she would be awake tonight.
Standing, she padded over to the door in search of Dallas.
She opened the door and paused. Deep voices floated through the air.
One she placed as Dallas, the other one she was unsure.
She took in the oversized t-shirt then shrugged and exited the room. She made her way down the stairs and found Dallas sitting at the table with Tanner.
“We’re
going to make him pay for every scar and mark he’s put on Candi’s body.”
She froze in place at Dallas’s words.
What did he just say?
Candi froze in the doorway. Both sets of eyes turned to her.
“Hey, Candi.” Tanner offered her a wave. He wasn’t his usually joking self.
She nodded to him before shifting her gaze to Dallas.
“Shit.” Dallas pushed back from the table and faced her.
Candi wrapped her arms around her waist with a sense of dread spreading throughout her. “Who are you talking about?”
Something was wrong.
She swallowed hard and stood her ground as Dallas slowly made his way to her. Her gaze locked with his, and she refused to budge until he told her what she wanted to know.
“I didn’t want to tell you this way, Candi,” he murmured, resting his hands on her shoulders.
She breathed in his scent and immediately realized her heart rate was slowing. She closed the gap between them and allowed him to pull her to him.
Here in his arms, she was safe.
“Tell me what?” Her voice was muffled against his chest. She didn’t care what Tanner may be thinking. Coming from upstairs and dressed in Dallas’s shirt probably confirmed anything he may have assumed.
He gently pulled her head back and met her gaze. “Lamont is out of prison.”
Everything came to a screeching halt.
The air escaped her lungs.
Her heart no longer beat.
Her knees grew weak, but Dallas’s strong grip held her up.
“What?” Her voice ended on a squeak. Her gaze flickered between Tanner and Dallas.
Shame washed over her at the thought that they might now know all what Lamont had done to her.
“Don’t worry. He can’t—I will not let him— touch you,” Dallas growled. He gripped her tight to him. “Look at me,” he demanded.
Her body trembled with stark fear. His messages on the phone from jail hadn’t been idle threats. If Lamont was out of prison, she knew without a doubt he was going to come for her.
Without. A. Doubt.
She dragged her eyes up and met Dallas’s fierce gaze. Gone was the loving man who had tucked her in the bed so she could rest.
“Dallas, I—”
“I promise you. He will not come near you.”
She hesitated.
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor broke the tension between them. Tanner came to stand next to them.
“He’s right, Candi. We are not going to let the asshat near you.”
“My ex is deranged. He’d call me collect from prison—”
“Saying what?” Dallas cut her off. His scowl grew deeper, showcasing his displeasure.
“You accepted his calls?” Tanner snorted. He folded his arms in front of his chest.
“No, I didn’t. He’d state his message when it asked for the caller’s name,” she explained. She hadn’t spoken to Lamont since the trial.
“So he’s been intimidating you from prison,” Dallas bit out. The dark fury on his face was infamous around the bar. Most patrons wouldn’t try anything funny when Dallas was there.
Tanner’s expression of determination and Dallas’s deep scowl forced her to take a step back.
“Look, I don’t want anyone to get hurt. Lamont is a very dangerous man. He was not the same man I married. When he went to prison, it was a relief. I could get my life back.” She blew out a breath and tucked her thick hair behind her ear.
The first day she had returned to the house she’d shared with her ex-husband. She’d walked through it and knew if she were to start over, she’d have to leave the house. It was filled with so many bad memories. There was no way she’d be able to stay there. She’d packed a bag and left.
“Do you trust me?” Dallas’s words broke through her thoughts.
She jerked her head up and down without a thought. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind of Dallas’s ability to protect her.
“Then know I will handle this. I have to go into the station for a little. You will be safe here. I won’t be gone long.” Dallas stepped forward and ran both of his hands along her biceps. “When I return, you and I will need to have a talk.”
Candi was sure that conversation would include plans for a future for them.
In the back of her mind, the tiny voice was screaming for her to disappear. She couldn’t ignore it any longer.
That would be the only way innocent people wouldn’t get hurt.
A soft smile graced her lips. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Candi waited for Dallas and Tanner to leave. She’d played the part, giving Dallas one last, long kiss. His heated gaze had met hers, and she knew what it would mean once he returned.
His hardness pressing against her stomach had confirmed it.
But she wouldn’t be there when he returned.
He’d left, shutting the door behind him.
She slowly made her way to his bedroom with her heart breaking.
Within minutes, she’d thrown on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and flats.
Each motion of readying herself to leave tore at her. She held back the tears that threatened to fall.
She had to be strong.
Candi had known this day was going to come. Unfortunately, it had come earlier than she’d expected. There was no way she’d be safe in the same city as Lamont—much less the same state.
Once she got to a remote location, she’d call Kay to let her know she was unharmed. Her friend would be worried out of her mind, but for now it would be best that Kay didn’t know what Candi was planning.
She’d tried to stop Candi from leaving.
Life just kept throwing her curveballs.
She hadn’t expected to meet Dallas.
He’d given her so much in their short time.
And now, it was going to be taken away.
She’d cherish every kiss, touch, and feeling of security.
Dallas had made her feel desired.
Like a woman should feel.
Candi would hold on to all of those feelings. There was no telling where she’d end up. She had saved up enough money to last her a few months until she could settle and find new employment.
Stepping in front of his bathroom mirror, she brushed her hair up into a ponytail. She cringed at her reflection. Her eyes were red from holding back the waterworks.
There was no time to wonder why she hadn’t been notified of Lamont’s release.
At this point, she just had to leave.
Stalking from the bathroom, she tossed the brush into her duffle bag next to her stuffed bear. She paused her hand on the zipper and looked around one last time at Dallas’s bedroom.
A cry escaped her lips. Her sight blurred from the tears bursting through. They slid down her cheeks and burned a warm trail along her face. Her knees gave way, and she fell to the floor, resting her face on the bed.
Her body shook with sobs.
Life was unfair.
She dug her hands into the blanket while the years of pent-up pain were released.
Pull yourself together, girl.
She lifted her head and wiped her face.
There was no time for crying.
Standing from the floor, she mentally composed herself.
With a deep sigh, she grabbed her bag and left the room.
Candi tried not to glance around Dallas’s home. It would make it harder for her to leave. She didn’t want to look at the pictures he had on display. She didn’t want to see him with his family or friends.
Her heart was already breaking.
With her out of the way, Dallas would have a chance at finding love with a woman who didn’t have an ex-husband wanting to kill her.
Next time, Candi knew without a doubt Lamont would.
The memory of his hard gaze directed at her in the courtroom sent a chill down her spine.
She snatched her purse from the couch and reached for h
er cell phone. Having watched tons of detective TV shows, she turned it off. She didn’t have time to buy a new one now but didn’t want them to be able to track her whereabouts.
Dallas would track her.
He wouldn’t give up on her.
But in order for her to make sure Lamont didn’t harm him, she’d have to leave him.
Glancing down at her watch, she released a curse. If she hurried, she’d be able to take the next bus out of Vegas.
Candi rushed to the front door. She rested her hand on the knob and gave in to temptation. She glanced around at Dallas’s home, memorizing it.
Even though he was a tough-as-nails former Marine and cop, he had created something she had yearned for.
A home.
Blowing out a deep breath, she opened the door and froze in place.
The blood in her veins chilled.
“Hello, wife.”
Lamont stood before her. He appeared to be larger than the last time she’d seen him. His prison muscles were highlighted by his close-fitting shirt and jeans. He appeared fresh from the barbershop with his beard and hair lined perfectly. His dark-mocha skin was flawless and had always drawn the women in.
Herself included, back in the past.
“Lamont,” she breathed.
His gaze dropped down to her bags before flickering back up to her. “Going somewhere?”
Candi moved to slam the door shut, but Lamont pushed it open with little effort.
She turned on her heel to run but was snatched back by Lamont’s strong grip. He slammed her against the wall and pressed his body close to hers.
“Please, let me go,” she whimpered.
He snarled, his hand settling on her neck, and leaned in close to her. His obscure eyes were menacing and full of rage. “I told you that piece of paper meant nothing to me. You are my wife.”
He tightened his grip on her, making it hard for her to breathe.
“Lamont,” she wheezed, clawing at his hand with hers.
“Imagine my surprise when my man tells me that you’ve spread your fucking legs for another man. A fucking cop,” he growled. Pulling her from the wall, he held her by her neck and forced her to walk toward the front door. “You, my dear wife, will pay for all of your deceit.”