by Peyton Banks
The only sound was Candi’s breathing. He reached over, opened his glove box, and took out a small pistol he kept in there. He double-checked to make sure it was still loaded and ready to fire. He grabbed his Glock from the glove box along with the holster
“Anyone comes to the truck that is not me, you don’t open the door. They get inside—shoot them in the face,” he ordered, handing the tiny weapon to Candi.
“I’ve never shot one of these before,” she whispered, enclosing her fingers around the barrel. “But I’m sure I can figure it out fast.”
“Let’s pray you will never have to.” Dallas leaned forward and pressed a hard kiss to her lips. He pulled back and took one last look at her. “Lock the doors and get in the back.”
Candi jerked her head in a nod.
Dallas slid out of the vehicle and attached his holster to his belt. He opened the back door and grabbed a duffle bag from the floor. He riffled through it, finding what he needed.
Zip ties. A knife.
Stuffing the ties in his back pocket, he tossed the bag into the truck as Candi climbed into the second row of seats. He strapped his knife to his ankle.
Dallas softly shut the door. Once the locks engaged, he released a satisfied grunt.
He withdrew his weapon from the holster and aimed it true while slipping off into the darkness.
He glanced over his shoulder. His SUV was well hidden in the dark corner.
Candi would be safe while he went on the hunt for those who were tailing them.
Stepping from the building, he blended in with the shadows. The sounds of tires meeting gravel carried though the silent air, alerting him they had company.
He wasn’t surprised they had tried to follow him.
Dallas welcomed the anger and rage spreading throughout his chest at the thought these men would hunt down an innocent woman.
He sent up a prayer that he crossed paths with Moody again.
Next time, the thug wouldn’t get off with just a broken arm.
His thoughts turned to Candi’s ex-husband, the true reason she was in danger.
Now he was the man Dallas would beg to be locked into a room with for thirty minutes.
Sounds of a vehicle braking pierced the silence. Dallas arrived at the corner of the ally and peered around the building.
Two men stepped from the SUV, looking around.
“Any sign of them?” the driver asked.
“Fuck no. How’d they disappear so fast?” the passenger replied.
Dallas’s gaze dropped down, catching sight of the distinct shape of a gun in the passenger’s hand.
“Let’s see if we can find them. I bet they’re hiding around here somewhere,” the driver said.
They separated and walked away from the truck which they stupidly left running. Dallas scanned the area and moved from where he stood. Staying low, he quickly made his way to the side of the vehicle unseen.
His gaze swept the inside; he found it to be empty.
Dallas slid his knife from the ankle sheath. He pierced the thick tire near him and traveled to the other side and repeated his action.
Even if they slipped by him, they weren’t going anywhere anytime soon with two flat tires.
Returning the blade to the ankle sheath, Dallas moved in the direction of the passenger. He kept his gun aimed and approached silently.
Memories of Afghanistan came before his eyes, and he shook his head, pushing them aside.
He wasn’t in the desert.
He wasn’t leading men to their untimely deaths.
He was protecting his woman.
The man turned and headed back toward the vehicle, Dallas took the corner of another building and leaned back, blending into the shadows.
Thanks to the dark sky and no streetlights, he was undiscovered.
He slid his gun in the holster and waited.
Footsteps grew closer.
Dallas rolled his eyes.
The passenger apparently knew nothing about stealth. He might as well announce his whereabouts.
Dallas braced himself with his hands ready.
The figure appeared in the opening of the alley, allowing Dallas to take him by surprise.
“What the—?”
His words were cut off by Dallas slamming him against the brick wall.
“What the hell do you want?” Dallas growled, thrusting his forearm into the man’s throat.
The thug spluttered and tried to buck Dallas off him. He was a much smaller guy up close. Dallas had about a good fifty pounds on him in muscle. He finally grew still and glared at Dallas.
Dallas removed his arm to allow him to speak.
“Fuck you.”
Dallas pulled back his fist and swung, landing a punch to his face. His head snapped back, and he fell against the building.
“I’m going to ask you again,” Dallas demanded, gripping him by his shirt. “What the fuck do you want?”
Leaning away from Dallas, he spat on the ground. He faced Dallas with a bloodied grin.
“The woman.”
Dallas had to rein in his rage and remember he was a man of the law. To kill him now wouldn’t make him any better than the thugs.
“She’s not going anywhere. She’s my woman.” Dallas leaned forward and glared at the man. “You tell whoever sent you that if they come after her, they’ll have to deal with me.”
The idiot had the nerve to laugh. “She’s spread her legs enough for you. Lamont ain’t going to take too kind to that.”
“He’s in prison and can’t touch her.” Dallas gripped the shirt tighter.
“He just got out and is coming for the missus.”
Blind rage overcame Dallas.
He drew his fist back and landed it again and again until the thug’s body crumbled to the ground.
Ignoring the pain of busted knuckles, he bent down and reached for the ties in his pocket. After securing the unconscious man, Dallas stood and stalked toward the corner.
He was on the hunt for the other man.
No one would be taking Candi from him.
11
Candi’s heart seemed perched in her throat while she waited for Dallas to return to the truck. Normally she wasn’t comfortable around guns, but tonight she was making an exception. There was no way she was going to be taken by Moody’s men.
Peeking through the windows, she could barely see anything around the truck. The complete darkness had her anxiety going through the roof.
When the hell is the sun going to come up?
She sent up a prayer that Dallas would return to her unharmed.
This was all her fault.
She should never have allowed Dallas to become involved in her mess.
It may be Moody sending men after her, but this was at the orders of Lamont, she was sure.
Eventually she was going to have to confront her ex-husband.
She shivered at the thought.
She could always pack up a bag and move far away.
Maybe she could go to Canada.
After this, she wouldn’t be surprised if Dallas left. A woman with baggage was one thing, but one with as much as she had would have any sane man avoiding her.
Lamont would win again.
Defeated, she sat back against the seat and waited.
Dallas was a former Marine. She was confident he could handle himself.
A knock sounded at the driver’s window, and a scream spilled from her lips.
Candi’s arms shook as she aimed the gun at the glass.
The door opened.
Relief filled her at the sight of Dallas getting in the car.
“You scared the crap out of me,” she breathed, relaxing.
“You didn’t have any doubts about me coming back, did you?” He cut the truck on and glanced back at her.
She shook her head and crawled into the front seat.
She fell back into her chair as he pulled off. Driving the truck through the hollow building, Dallas had yet to put the headligh
ts on, leaving them in complete darkness.
“Did you find them?” she asked, placing her gun back in his glove box.
They exited the building and drove to the mouth of the alley. Dallas turned, and they headed toward the main road. He flicked on the headlights and made a right turn onto the street. There were still not many cars out at this time of morning.
“You didn’t kill them, did you?” she asked.
His head jerked toward her. “No.”
Candi swallowed hard and leaned back against the seat. She sensed an intense anger pour from Dallas.
“I am an officer of the law. I can’t just go around killing people.” He shook his head, reaching for his phone.
Why would she even ask that?
She cringed and rotated away to watch the scenery fly past.
She blamed watching too many cop shows.
“Tanner,” Dallas said into the phone. “I got a gift for you that needs to be picked up.” He paused. “Stop your whining.” He gave the address of where they’d just left.
Her ears perked up when he got to the part about the men being left unconscious and tied up.
He disconnected the call, leaving them to ride in silence. She was unsure of what to say so glanced over at Dallas. His hands gripped the steering wheel tight.
Candi remained in her seat and shook her head.
She had to do the right thing.
She had to leave Dallas before this mess with Lamont blew up in their faces.
Her heart wouldn’t be able to handle if something happened to Dallas.
They continued the ride in strained silence. She took in the beautiful palette of the sky. Dark purple and blue hues were painted across it as if it were a talented artist’s canvas.
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. Wi
th 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.”
12
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?”