Bait

by Samantha Keith

  Had she not caught him in her house and run like hell, she’d have been his. She’d been lucky. She had no idea that moving into Hanna’s old place had put her right where he wanted her. He’d set up a camera and sound bug months ago to watch Hanna, and now he could do the same with Riley.

  Sweat rolled down the bridge of his nose and he wiped it off with his sleeve. He’d gotten to the diner before the lunch rush had begun, and had been close enough to overhear Riley tell Jenny that she had Hanna’s journal. He’d been lucky until now that nothing had tied him to Hanna…it had never crossed his mind that she’d have a journal and could have documented everything. He’d kept his notes anonymous, but he had made a subtle pass at her. Had it been enough to put Hanna on edge? All it would take was a mention of his name to have the police at his door.

  As if Riley returning wasn’t bad enough, now he had this shit to worry about. When she’d first arrived in town, he’d been terrified Hanna had maybe told Riley that he’d hit on her. But if she had, Riley had either forgotten, or she’d neglected to tell the police.

  He’d watched Riley’s face light up the moment Ethan had walked in. The friendly newcomer with his jacked, linebacker shoulders and solid, military stride made his hackles rise. Something about the observant visitor put him on high alert.

  Ethan would be trouble.

  Riley was his now and it was up to him to decide if he wanted to get rid of her or keep her for fun with Hanna.

  A tremor rolled down his spine as he climbed out of the car. He’d taken a big risk by taking Hanna here, in his hometown. Normally, he reserved his abductions for short trips out of town, and he’d be done with the women within a week.

  Hanna…God. She was different. He’d had his eye on her for years but had always resisted the temptation. When the urge crept over him, suppressing his soul, he’d leave town and get his fill somewhere else. But every time he came back, she was here. Waiting. Taunting him.

  When she’d stumbled out of the cab that Saturday night, there was no force greater in this world than the one that he had to have her.

  Hanna was special.

  And Riley had come here planning to screw it all up.

  Over his dead body.

  * * * *

  Ethan backed out of the diner’s parking lot after watching Riley enter the restaurant. Peace washed over him now that they’d talked about the night at the bar. And maybe, just maybe, he’d made some progress. His truck inched past the hood of Riley’s car and his eye caught a white piece of paper flapping on her windshield. He frowned and shifted into park. What the hell? Had she gotten a parking ticket?

  He unbuckled his seat belt, hopped out, and crossed the pavement to her black Nissan. If she’d gotten a ticket, she’d probably want to know. But the paper was small, and not the usual thick parking ticket stock.

  Shit. Maybe someone had hit her car and left their information behind. He snatched up the paper and unfolded it.

  You’re next.

  The neat, simple black letters slowed his pulse. He turned around in the parking lot, scanning the small rows of cars. No one loitered in the bright sunshine. His abdomen tightened and he turned his attention to the diner.

  It was a threat.

  There’s no way she would have missed it on the drive to work. Someone had left it for her since she’d arrived…in broad daylight. The tendons in his hand ached to crumple it into a ball, but he couldn’t do that. He kept his hold on the edge of the paper, careful not to smudge any fingerprints if there were any, as he stalked to the restaurant.

  Cool air conditioning coated his body and the door swung shut behind him. Riley walked out of the back room, her hands behind her back fastening her apron. Her lips twitched on a smile and her eyebrows rose.

  “Still hanging around?” she asked, her eyes danced with amusement. He approached the counter and pressed the paper face up to the laminate surface.

  “I found this on your windshield. I thought maybe someone had backed into your car and left their contact information. I was wrong.”

  Her slim fingers lifted the paper and her gaze swept across the writing. The light tan of her cheeks drained to an alabaster white.

  “What the hell is this?” he ground out.

  Her eyes widened and she took in two soft breaths. “I have no idea.”

  “It’s a threat, Riley.”

  She shook her head and lowered the paper. “It’s probably a silly prank.”

  “After the break-in the other night you really think that?”

  Her hand lifted to tangle her fingers in her hair. “I agree, it’s strange. But I have no idea what it’s about. I’ll bring it to Joe’s attention though, I promise.”

  The tension in his shoulders and back didn’t ease. Her green eyes flitted around the room and her usual confident, breezy attitude resembled that of a nervous baby bird.

  “If there’s someone bothering you Riley, and you know who it is, speak up. This shit can get ugly quick. I’ve—”

  Her thick, dark lashes met on a slow blink and she shook her head. “There’s nothing like that going on.” Her eyes turned to hard, emerald glass, the set line of her jaw made his teeth sink into his tongue.

  Either she was as disturbed by this as he was, or she was lying through her pretty white teeth.

  Chapter 4

  It could be a coincidence.

  Loose stones dug into the knee of her dress pants as she examined the deflated tire in her driveway. The late afternoon sun beat down on her back. She could have run over something on her way home yesterday.

  She rubbed the knuckle of her thumb between her eyes. She’d slept like shit every night since the break-in last week. But last night had been the worst. Every creak or groan of the house had her bolting upright in bed, or diving for the knife under her pillow. She’d even gone as far as to buy a baseball bat on her way home yesterday and put it beside her bed. The locks had been replaced, but that didn’t change the fact that he was still after her. Joe had listened to the voicemail from yesterday. He’d promised to call the cell phone company and see about tracing the call, but had warned her that the person had likely used an encrypted phone.

  She’d been so sure the voicemail was conclusive evidence that Hanna was still alive, but judging by the hard line to Joe’s jaw he wasn’t convinced that was the case.

  “If it is Hanna’s voice, it could be a recording from weeks ago,” he’d warned. “But the scream could also be a clip from a movie or hell, taken from the internet.”

  Anger still rippled through her. Joe was trying to prepare her for the worst, but she knew in her heart Hanna was alive. It had been her voice, of that she was dead certain.

  Gravel crunched beneath heavy footsteps and she lifted her head as Ethan’s hulking form rounded the trunk of her car.

  “Hey, everything okay?”

  His brown hair fell across his forehead, and his bright blue eyes squinted at her. A wave of delight began to form in her stomach. She forced it down, though she couldn’t withhold the smile that tugged at her mouth.

  He shoved his hands in his front pockets and took a step closer. She hadn’t seen him since he’d brought in the note off her car yesterday…the note warning her she’d be next. She glanced at the flaccid black rubber and a shiver ran up her spine. Who was she kidding? There was no way in hell this was a coincidence.

  Her gaze drifted across the gravel to his large, sandaled feet and she let her eyes drink in the long, solid legs all the way up. Despite her need to keep her interest in Ethan at bay, appreciation warmed her skin. God he was gorgeous, and blessed in all the right places—that she knew of. His bronze skin had only darkened since he’d taken residence of the house next door two weeks ago. Long, thick lines of muscle adorned every inch of his body, even his light gray jogging pants couldn’t hide the hard-earned flesh that lied beneath.

>   Any other circumstance and she’d be mush to his easy smile and almost daily conversation. A few times, she’d indulged in conversation with him, but regret had quickly dragged her attention from the six-foot four tantalizing temptation.

  “Just a flat. I drove through the construction across town yesterday. Must have run over something.”

  His piercing blues flashed at her and the lines of his stubble-filled jaw turned as hard as slate. She waited, and tension built in her chest in anticipation he would bring up the note from yesterday.

  “Pop the trunk and I’ll change it.” The words came out clipped, as if it had taken every effort not to say more.

  She pushed to her feet and her lips tremored on a tight smile. Her gaze dragged past the driver’s side window and a folded up piece of paper lay on the black leather seat. Blood roared through her veins and the walls of her throat swelled on a breath.

  Another note.

  No, another threat. This time, with vandalism to her vehicle. A small ripple of fear wound around her heart. She swallowed. This is what she wanted—no, needed in order to find Hanna.

  His attention.

  Stop toying with me, and come and get me you bastard.

  When Ethan had found the note yesterday, she’d had to lie. He was like a big, ferocious bulldog. If he knew another threat had been made against her he wouldn’t stop until she’d confessed everything. And she didn’t want to tell him about Hanna. Keeping Ethan at arm’s length was growing more and more difficult by the day. He had a way of making her want to talk and if she wasn’t careful she’d end up underneath him.

  Because that’d be such a terrible thing, you idiot.

  Ethan stretched his hand out, waiting for her keys. Shit. She couldn’t let him see the paper. She pressed her side against the driver’s side door, blocking his view, and cleared her throat.

  “No, that’s fine. I can call a tow truck.”

  His fingers flexed in the air between them and his dark brows met above his nose in a scowl.

  “C’mon, Rye. That’s a waste of money. You’re not still mad at me are you?”

  She tilted her head to the side and squinted at him. The nickname slipped out of his mouth like smooth brandy. Part of her wanted to correct him, but the endearing short form made her insides tingle. Ethan had the strangest effect on her. On the one hand, he had her belly quivering with desire and on the other, he invoked annoyance or frustration at the drop of a hat. He wasn’t invasive, but he gave the impression that he wanted to get to know her. As much as that piqued the old Riley’s attention, it made her build a stone wall around herself. She couldn’t get involved right now…not with anyone.

  Except him. The sick prick who’d taken Hanna.

  A soft laugh tickled her throat. “No, I’m not mad.”

  “Good. Then let me give you a ride and I’ll come back and change your tire.”

  She dropped her head back, taking in the full height of him, and blew out a breath. Walking wouldn’t make her late, because she always came to work early. It was hotter than hell right now and a ride would sure beat dripping with sweat. But she had to be careful with Ethan. It wouldn’t take much for her to completely lose herself in his cerulean eyes.

  “I can walk. I have lots of time to kill and it’s a nice day.”

  He folded his arms across his chest and lifted his shoulder. “It won’t take me long to fix it if you want to wait.”

  Sitting with Ethan while he changed the tire would only give him more opportunity to talk to her. And she had no doubt he’d bring up the note and pester her about talking to Joe. The detective had already collected the note and her statement yesterday when he came by to listen to the voicemail. Not that it’d do her any good.

  She lifted her key fob and popped the trunk. “I appreciate you changing it, thanks. But I’m going to walk to work. The exercise will do me good.”

  “How will you get home?”

  “Jenny will give me a ride.”

  He shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’m going to change into shorts before I get heatstroke. See you later.” He turned and strode toward his house. The second the screen door banged shut she opened the driver’s side door of her car and pinched the edge of the paper between her thumb and forefinger.

  She’s waiting. Come and get her, Riley.

  * * * *

  The scent of steak and mashed potatoes wafted to her nose as she slipped the plate onto the table of the waiting customer. Her stomach rumbled and a quick glance at the clock showed it was time for her break. She caught Jenny’s eye, tapped her finger to her wrist, and pointed to the back. Jenny nodded and Riley made her way to the kitchen.

  She tugged the apron off and whipped up a plate of food. Sitting at the small dinette table, she reached for her purse. Bile mixed with the mashed potatoes and gravy in her stomach that had smelt so darn good five minutes ago. She swiped her finger over the screen.

  No messages. Thank god. Her spine molded to the plastic chair and she concentrated on slowing her heart rate. After several deep breaths, she lifted her fork and forced down a couple more bites. One threat in one day was more than her nerves could handle. He was getting more and more ballsy. She’s waiting. Come and get her, Riley. He was taunting her, but she didn’t care. Hanna was alive… She had to be. The notes, vandalism, and voicemail reaffirmed her suspicions all along: the person who’d taken Hanna was a local. There was no way he’d been a visitor or someone passing through. He was right here in her hometown and he was watching her.

  She pushed all the threats from her mind and scrolled through social media on her phone. The headline “Beach Bash” caught her eye. She froze. This Saturday night a famous DJ would be hosting a beach party. She took another bite and kept reading. This thing was going to be big. She had to go. Josh leaned past her to grab his water bottle off the table.

  “You going to the Beach Bash this weekend?” He took a swig.

  She grimaced. “I’d like to, but I’d have to take Saturday and Sunday off. Are you going?” She could possibly come into work Sunday but it’d be better to have it off. Who knew how long she could be out looking for Hanna’s kidnapper.

  “Hell yeah. It will be a blast.” He set his bottle back on the table. “See if Ashley wants to switch with you. She mentioned something about needing more hours.” It was a good idea, but she did need the money. That was why she was working after all. Her savings and credit cards could only take her so far. But, she couldn’t forget the reason she was here.

  “Thanks, I’ll ask her.”

  He went back to work, leaving her with her phone. She checked the event status on Facebook, over three hundred people were going, and another two hundred interested. She couldn’t pass up the chance that he could be there. Hundreds of intoxicated young women? No doubt it was on his agenda.

  Riley sent a quick text asking Ashley to cover her shifts on the weekend. She pinged back immediately—no problem.

  The rest of the night flew by, and by the time 10:30 p.m. rolled around, she was ready to drop. She said good-bye to everyone on her way out the door and then stopped dead in her tracks.

  Shit.

  She’d completely forgotten that she didn’t have her car. She lifted her gaze skyward and sucked in the humid night air. The sky was black and clear, revealing every star scattered across its landscape. She could wait for Jenny, but the diner didn’t close for another hour. By that time, she could be in bed and fast asleep.

  That was the only convincing she needed. She hiked her purse on her shoulder and headed toward home. At this late hour, Main Street was quiet, but the odd car whizzed past her. By the time she reached her neighborhood, her senses stood on end like staticky hair.

  She ran her hand over her smoothed back ponytail and scanned the street. Other than the odd lit window, the houses were still. A slight breeze kicked up, swaying the bushes that li
ned the sidewalk. She was almost home. Around the corner and down the street. If he were watching her, he would have tried something by now.

  She straightened her spine and moved quickly around the corner. Long, scraggly twigs scraped her arm from the unmanicured shrubs, sending an array of goose bumps over her flesh. Her breath picked up in quick pants as her house came into view. The porch light shone brightly, casting a pool of light down her front walkway.

  Five more houses and she’d be home.

  She crossed the opening of the alley that ran perpendicular between two houses. Dark shapes dotted the narrow path.

  Just shrubs. She tightened her grip on her purse strap, crushing it in her grasp. Her pulse surged to a rapid gallop, drowning out the hiss of cicadas from her eardrums.

  A flurry of movement charged toward her. She staggered back, and sucked in a breath of the warm, sticky air. The scream lodged in her throat like a boulder, trapped. Large, black hands lunged for her. Her feet scraped across the pavement and a scream wracked through her. The hands locked around her arms and turned her back against his chest, propelling her backward into the alley. Her scream cut off, turning it to a sharp squeak. Warm, moist leather clamped over her mouth and hot breath tickled her ear lobe.

  “You’re mine now. Hanna will be so happy to see you.” he hissed. He lifted one arm away from her and slammed something into the side of her head. Pain exploded through her skull and her knees buckled. He held her weight, his hold unrelenting. His fingertips rooted into the sensitive flesh of her cheeks. She twisted and forced her mouth open to take a bite of his fingers.

  Her teeth sunk through the soft material, piercing his skin. His hand jerked, not enough to pull away, but enough that she could twist her head.

  “Help!” The scream came out over the rough flesh at the inside of her throat. The word swallowed up by the inky blackness. The hand around her body yanked her harder, cutting off her breath. His palm clamped down over her mouth, preventing her jaw from closing in on another bite. Another blow to her head snapped her neck to the side. Her vision blurred and the object came crashing down again. A scream split the air…but it wasn’t hers.