Rogue Cowboy (Billionaire Bad Boy Romance Book 2)

by Linzi Basset

  Worst of all, no one would know where she was.

  “What am I going to do?”

  She looked around and jumped from the bed to rattle the windows. He hadn’t lied. They were welded shut. She stilled as she stared out over the artfully landscaped garden, hugging an Olympic size pool looking out over the banks of Lake Tawakoni. She squinted and dragged in a deep breath as she recognized Hunter’s beautiful home in the far distance on the opposite side of the lake.

  “Good lord, how am I going to get out of here? My home is right there! No more than ten miles as the crow flies and so close I can taste it. And Hunter … he wouldn’t know I’d been kidnapped. No one would know!”

  Her legs gave way and she crumbled to the carpet. She stared around the room with dull eyes, blind to the added beauty as the sun rays peeked through the window.

  “I’m locked in a house with a man who is money hungry and has completely lost his mind.”

  “Rachel!” Hunter rapped his knuckles on the open front door as he walked inside and looked around. “Where are you, baby?” He frowned at the unnatural silence hanging heavily in the atmosphere. He kept calling her name as he searched the house.

  “Now this I don’t believe is like her,” he murmured as he stood in the doorway of her room and noticed the unmade bed. “Hmm, maybe the new foal was born during the night,” he contemplated out loud as he ran down the stairs and headed to the front door. His footsteps slowed as he noticed the broken vase and flowers scattered all over the floor. “How the hell did I miss that?”

  His heart contracted at the implication and he raced outside, running toward the stables.

  “Morning, Mr. Scott. How are you this morning?” Young Steven asked as he entered the stable. He was busy brushing down one of the young foals.

  “I’m looking for Rachel. Have you seen her?”

  Steven frowned as he noticed the concern on the older man’s face.

  “No, she hasn’t been here this morning, which is strange, since she always starts her day checking in on the babies.” He glanced toward the house. “Is something wrong, Mr. Scott.”

  “Where’s Sam? Maybe he knows where she is.”

  “I saw him walking into the westside indoor arena earlier. I think he’s preparing for a dressage training session this afternoon.”

  “Thanks, Steven. If Rachel arrives before I find her, tell her to phone me.” As he said the words, he took out his phone and dialed her number, for the umpteenth time that morning. He got the same results. The call went directly to voicemail. He didn’t bother leaving a message but lengthened his strides as he walked into the arena. He found Sam at the front of the vast open space talking to two ranch hands.

  “Hunter, this is a surprise. It’s good to see you,” he greeted him cordially and shook his hand.

  “Likewise, Sam.” He looked around briefly. “Do you have any idea where Rachel is? She’s not answering her phone and I found a broken vase and the entrance hall table thrown over.”

  Sam frowned as he stared at Hunter. “You know, I didn’t think too much of it, since Jones is a regular visitor but seeing his truck drive off at four in the morning was strange.”

  Hunter felt as if a fist had gutted him. He forced the anger down. He refused to believe that Rachel would have denounced the vow she’d made to him and had sex with Will Jones. Not even as a pity fuck for showing him the door.

  “Why is that?”

  “Well, we all know he’s kinda … you know, they do the …” Sam blushed as he stumbled over the words.

  “Yes, Sam, they fucked, I know.”

  “Ah, yes, well, the thing is, in all the years he has never spent the night. He always leaves around eleven on the nights he … er … visits.”

  “But this morning you saw him leave at four. Was he alone in the truck?”

  “I can’t say. It was still dark and I had just arrived to check on the foals. It was too far to see.” Sam followed Hunter as he stomped back to the entrance. “Hold on, Hunter. Are you suspecting foul play? That Jones perhaps hurt Rachel?”

  “There was definitely a struggle at the entrance of the house, Sam. She’s nowhere to be found and her phone is off. We had a date to go riding this morning. Rachel wouldn’t have forgotten about it.”

  “No, you’re right. It does sound suspicious. Have you contacted Anna?”

  “She hasn’t heard from or seen her in two days.” Hunter stopped at his truck. “Phone Sheriff Garcia and inform him of our suspicions. Maybe his team can find something.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to find Will Jones. I know he owns a small dairy farm on the outskirts of Alsa. Maybe you should tell Noah to meet me there. He should know where it is.”

  Hunter forced his mind blank as he drove to Alsa. He didn’t want to believe that Rachel was hurt but it filled him with fury that she might be in the claws of a man she believed was good and honorable.

  Hunter happened to know differently. Will Jones was an opportunist, a notorious gambler, and a womanizer with a reputation for violence.

  “If you hurt her, you bastard, I will skin you alive.” His voice graveled with promised intent in the cab of the truck. It was one promise Hunter had every intention to fulfill. He stabbed the green button on his cell phone when it rang. “Scott.”

  “Hunter, it’s Noah. We used Jones’ GPS in his truck to track him. I’m sending you the coordinates. I’m five minutes away. Do not go inside. Wait for me.”

  “Just hurry the fuck up.” Hunter ended the call and could breathe a little easier as the coordinates came through and he realized he’d arrived the same time as Noah.

  “Hang in there, my love. I’m coming.”

  Chapter Ten

  Rachel swallowed back the large knot forming in her throat. Her head lolled listlessly on the pillow. She’d tried to sleep but her head throbbed. The slap against her cheek had been so hard she’d nearly passed out, followed by the hard bump when he’d shoved her into the truck made her believe she might have a slight concussion.

  To exacerbate matters, the room was excruciatingly hot since she couldn’t open a window to allow in fresh air to bring some relief. She had no idea how late it was, but from the position of the sun, she guesstimated it was midafternoon already. Her stomach growled as a reminder that she hadn’t eaten all day. She wiped at the drops of moisture on her brow and pulled at the t-shirt molded to her drenched skin.

  She glanced around and noticed what she believed to be a central air conditioner vent. A sharp curse echoed through the room as realization struck.

  “The bastard is deliberately spiking the heat in here.” She sat up and glared at the door. “You’re an asshole, Will Jones! A little heat isn’t going to make me change my mind,” she screamed at the top of her lungs. “Bastard,” she sneered and pumped a fist into the pillow. Her head snapped up as the key turned in the door and it swung open.

  “See, I’m not that much of a monster. I brought you something to eat.” His eyes were filled with lust as they moved over her breasts. He licked his lips at the sight of her nipples clearly visible through the sweat drenched t-shirt. “I can’t wait to taste your tits tonight.” He laughed boisterously. “Yes, darling. This time I’ll be the one dictating sex between us. No more a little pat here and there. You’re going to scream and beg.”

  “You dream big. I’ll never beg you for anything.”

  “Ah, sweetie, not even for your horses?” He placed the tray at the end of the bed.

  Rachel ignored her rumbling stomach and swung a haunted look at him. No matter his threats, she still found it hard to believe he would do something so cruel. Then the picture of the two horses flashed in her mind.

  “Tell me one thing, Will. Did you slaughter my horses or did your strongarm do the dirty work?”

  “Oh, I did it myself, darling. Don’t look at me with those hurt eyes. It was your own doing for fucking Hunter Scott.” His eyes turned glacial as he found himself back in t
he moment. “They didn’t die quickly. No, I took my time slitting their throats.” He cracked a dark laugh. “I’m sure you must’ve noticed it. The jagged edges of the wounds.” He shrugged. “I guess I should’ve sharpened my knife beforehand.”

  “You’re a monster,” Rachel said with tears in her eyes. She could envision the torturous and painful death the animals had been subjected to.

  “No, Rachel. I’m a man who knows what he wants and nothing and no one is going to stand in my way of a life of wealth and prosperity.”

  “I told you, there is no money!”

  “I don’t believe you and even if what you said is true, I’ve come up with a way to get my hands on that trust money.”

  Rachel froze at the gratifying expression on his face. “What do you mean?”

  “It’s easy to register welfare organizations. Once we’re married, you’ll oblige me by donating to only mine in the future, starting with a bulk donation this year of ten million dollars.” He chuckled at the shock in her eyes. “Yes, darling. I dug a little deeper and imagine my surprise to find that the trust your parents had set up is worth hundreds of millions.”

  “You won’t get a cent of that money. I will not marry you.”

  “I guess I’m going to have to change your mind.” He took out his cell phone and scrolled through it. His expression was gleeful as he turned the phone to show her a video.

  “Oh, my god, no!” Her body shook as sobs broke from her chest. The two newborn foals were in the final throes of death, foam coming from their mouths. A distraught Steven sat between them, sobbing uncontrollably. “You poisoned them.”

  “Somewhat more merciful, wouldn’t you say?” His voice lowered. “I knew you might need a little incentive, so my man made sure to give them a little treat before he took you. This is only the beginning, or it could be the end. It’s up to you.” He straightened and looked at the door, alerted by a dark growl in the hallway. “What the fuck was that?”

  He spun around and yanked Rachel from the bed as a large German Sheppard came charging through the door. The K9 stopped as he noticed her in front of the man he identified as his target. He barked furiously; his snarling teeth bared at the man cowering behind her.

  Rachel screamed as the door was slammed all the way open to crash back on its hinges. She watched wide eyed as Hunter, followed by Sheriff Garcia burst through the door.

  “Let me go,” she croaked as she tried to struggle free from Will’s hold but she had nowhere to go.

  “Keep still, you bitch,” he sneered as he wrapped his arm around her throat. She cried out as he tightened his hold around her neck. In his desire to secure his own freedom, he squeezed so hard that he was strangling her.

  Her eyes rolled back in their sockets as she clawed at his arm. A black void encroached upon her from the outer edges of her consciousness. She heard Hunter’s voice from afar and gasped his name with a pleading tone when she saw him come closer, “H-Hunter.”

  Hunter didn’t hesitate as he watched Rachel struggle in Will’s arms.

  “I’ll break her fucking neck if you come one step closer,” Will threatened but he was already on top of them. His fist shot out and smashed straight into Will’s nose. The force behind the hit splintered the cartilage through the soft mushy nasal tissue. He went down like a log.

  Hunter caught Rachel in his arms as she finally gave up the fight and lost consciousness. Officer Sparks caught Will’s neck in a vice; his teeth cutting into the skin would be more than enough incentive for him not to move should he regain consciousness.

  “Good job, Officer Sparks,” Sheriff Garcia rasped as he stared down at the prone body. He glanced at Hunter. “You too, Hunter. This bastard deserved it.”

  “You better make sure he’s locked away for a long time.”

  “He will be. Kidnapping is a mayor offence in this county.”

  Hunter carried her down the stairs and sat down on a sofa in the sitting room. He held her hand and stroked her hair while he tried to calm himself. He had never seen her this vulnerable and weak. Rage exploded afresh inside him as he noticed the swelling bruise on her cheek. If Will wasn’t already unconscious, he’d be beating him to a pulp for causing her pain.

  Her eyes fluttered open and for endless moments they stared wordlessly at each other. She cupped his cheeks and smiled weakly.

  “You found me.”

  “I’ll always find you.”

  “But how?”

  “Sam saw Will’s truck leave your house early this morning. He found it strange, so I went to his dairy farm in Alsa. Noah and I tracked him here via the GPS in his truck.” He brushed his fingers over her lips.

  “The foals! He poisoned the foals, Hunter.” A raw sob shook her body. “He showed me a video clip … I watched them die.”

  “Fucking bastard,” Hunter graveled as his arms tightened around her. “God, I’ve never been so scared, my love. You’re the beat of my heart and without it, I wouldn’t exist.”

  “You … Hunter?”

  “I love you, Rachel. I have for years but I believed you needed time to mourn your parents. I’m done waiting. I want you to be my wife.” He gestured around the room. “So this kind of shit won’t happen to you again. So that I can protect you and keep you safe, with me, all the time.”

  She swallowed with difficulty and lifted a trembling hand to her throat. “Well,” she whispered, finding it painful to talk, “I guess you’ll have to ask me then—properly and in a much better location than this house that maniac built.”

  He smiled as he hugged her tight. “Believe me, baby. It’s going to be done so properly and romantically, it’ll blow your socks off.” He watched her with a haunting question in his eyes. Rachel smiled as she realized pride held him back from asking outright.

  “It better, Hunter Scott, because I can’t imagine loving a man with all my heart who didn’t know how to blow off my socks.”

  The blinding smile threatened to split his face in two. She lovingly returned it before she once again succumbed to blissful unconsciousness and gave in to the lull of exhaustion.

  The aquamarine waves rolled in, strong and bold as they unfurled without fear of the beach, embracing their destiny upon the dawn, and turned golden as they churned the sand on the shore. Hunter walked forward until the water rolled over his bare feet. His eyes were locked on the horizon as he soaked in the coolness, listened to the rhythmic crashing, and tasted the brine as much as smelled it. He stared mesmerized at the swirling water as if the movement choreographed his turbulent thoughts.

  Some days the sea was flat—just like his emotions—a reflection of the other. Other days it echoed his lost soul with choppy waves and a mirrored surface that turned semi-liquid, breaking and flowing all at once.

  It still amazed him how quickly Rachel had become a part of who and what he was. The past two weeks without her had been hell. A lonely, thought invoking hell.

  Since Rachel had been released from the hospital for treatment on her throat, he’d been attempting to woo her into joining him on the business trip to Florida. Here, on this private beach of his Spanish style villa where he’d planned to knock her socks off and ask her to marry him.

  He’d come to fear that she’d changed her mind, since every time he expressed his love, she clamped shut and changed the subject. That the experience with Will had clouded her mind to what true love entailed and to what he had to offer. The only consolation they had was that Will and his cohort would receive a lengthy jail time.

  “Maybe I made the biggest mistake of my life the day I left,” he murmured, listening to his words drifting off with the wind. He’d refused to give up, but in the end, he knew there was no other choice and had left her with parting words that hounded his every waking hour.

  “I love you, Rachel, and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you by my side, but I can’t force your emotions and even less a lifestyle you’re not ready for. Believe me when I tell you this is the hardest
thing I’ve ever done in my lifetime. Our Dom/sub agreement is over, Rachel. You’re no longer under any obligation to me. You’re free to make the choice of where you want your future path to lead you. I hope you find the happiness you seek along the way.”

  He’d walked away without watching her reaction. It had been torture not to phone her, but he kept to the promise he’d made. Whatever the future might hold for him was in her hands. He’d bulldozed her into their relationship and he’d come to believe that was why she’d pulled away from him after the fiasco with Will Jones. Since then, it seemed she didn’t trust her ability to judge characters anymore.

  It might have been the best decision to make for Rachel’s peace of mind but it also marked the day that emptiness took residence inside his soul.

  “I made a mistake. I should have made her come— NO! She has to want me. Love me for who and what I am and embrace the lifestyle I offer.”

  The crashing waves doused his hoarse voice. With a heavy sigh, he sat down and stared out to sea, allowing the serenity of nature to calm him.

  “Hunter?

  He breathed in deeply and forced the voice and vision of her from his mind. Then he felt her. Her pure essence flowed over him like the waves over the sandy shore, encapsulating him with hope. The sand shifted as she kneeled behind him and he felt the heat of her body reach out to his.

  “Time is so precious and yet we tend to waste so much of it. I’ve spent so many days thinking that I’m drained. I realize now spending too much time searching for answers isn’t such a good thing. It allows the silver tongues in your own mind to sow doubts where there should be none.”

  Her husky voice soothed Hunter’s soul. He closed his eyes and steadied his breath as her fingers brushed over his arms before settling on his shoulders. Her breathy sigh confirmed that she too needed to connect with him.

  “One thing has never changed since I met you.” She hesitated briefly searching for the right words. “At first, I wanted to be your woman. Not just anyone but the only one who sparked your lust. I wanted you to lose control; to be the one woman who could offer your body the ultimate release.” She breathed in deeply. “Since you came back into my life all of that changed. It wasn’t enough. I needed more than the desire we had for each other. We were in lust and I know now it’s nothing but an ephemeral satisfaction for the hunger of a roaming soul. I didn’t want either of us to roam. I crave to be your true passion, the receiver of your care and protection. Most of all your truthfulness and trustworthiness; your Domination over me. I was humbled that you offered me the one thing that undeniably defined your love for me—self-sacrifice.”