He took her shoulders in his hands. “Lina, stop. What are you talking about? You're not going anywhere. Have you seen the weather?”
“No, Todd. You don't understand. He's here. We have to go.”
“Is Daddy here?” Sadie's small voice brought the room to silence.
She took a deep breath as she hurried to her daughter. “I don't know. I think so. A car like your Dad's just drove up the street.”
“I'm scared, Mommy.” Sadie threw her arms around her neck.
Lina took a deep breath and forced her breath to slow. She couldn’t afford to frighten Sadie. “Don't worry, baby, we'll be okay. But we're going to have to leave Bandit Creek, honey.”
“We are?” Big eyes searched her face. “But I like it here.”
“Neither of you are going anywhere.” Todd put one hand on Sadie's shoulder and the other on her mother's. “Can you go upstairs and help Mrs. Murphy for a little while?”
Sadie looked at her mother, her eyes brimming with questions.
“Just for a little while, sweetheart. Todd and I have to figure out where you and I are going.”
Sadie searched her face again and then slowly nodded. “I'll put my stuff in my backpack.”
She did not want her little girl to learn to run when things went wrong. She wanted her to stand strong and deal with life on life’s terms. But she hadn’t set much of an example, had she?
She tipped her head toward Sadie. “That's good, baby.”
Todd and her watched the little girl walk up the stairs and waited when she stopped at the top and turned to face them.
She smiled at her brave little girl. “Go ahead, baby. I'll be along in a few minutes.”
In silence, the six-year-old walked down the hall and out of their sight. She wondered if she was going to have to watch her walk out of her life in the same way.
“Lina, we have to talk.” She looked over her shoulder at the man who wanted to be her saviour. Terror gripped her. He didn’t have a clue what he was getting into.
Chapter Nine
Lina’s inhalation was slow and shuddery. Other than her parents she'd never told anyone the whole story. But Todd would understand and he would help her get Sadie out of town.
She exhaled quickly. “You know most of it.”
“Now it’s time for the rest.”
“Ramon and I had a good marriage, or so I thought. He was an HR executive with a search firm and I stayed home to raise Sadie. We had it all until a couple of police detectives came to the door.”
She looked down trying to figure out where to start. “The doorbell interrupted a normal summer morning in Atlanta. Warm and sunny.” She turned back to him. “Little did I realize when I opened the door that my life was about to make a complete U-turn.”
“Did they arrest him?”
“Hmmm? Charge him? No, he’d already left for the office.” She pressed her lips together and dipped her head. “At least that's what he told me.”
“But….”
“They showed me a picture of Ramon with some guy from South America who was one of the linchpins in a drug cartel.” She pleated the hem of her T-shirt then smoothed it flat.
Todd thought of a million questions but remained silent. This was tearing her apart. She needed to tell him in her way and in her time.
“I didn't recognize the man in the photo and when I asked Ramon about him later, he shrugged it off. He said he met many people in the course of his job. It was likely a client looking for staff.” She pleated the hem again, smoothing it across her hip.
His eyes narrowed and his brows pulled down. “Makes sense.”
“That's what I thought.” Staring into space, she pleated the material. “More fool me.”
“Why?” Obviously there was more to the story and he needed to hear the rest. He stroked her arm lending support.
She slid her palm over his hand then ran one finger around its shape, as if memorizing it. “The man in the photo was shot to death the next morning.”
Todd stiffened and his muscles hardened. “What?”
She looked at him, her eyes bleak. “But I convinced myself my husband had nothing to do with his death, until I found a spot of blood on one of Ramon's cufflinks. Later we watched the news together and he was so cool. Not disturbed in the least.
“But then I heard him tell a young man he wasn't supposed to come to the house. Worse, he must forget knowing Ramon's name.”
“What did you do?”
“I started to plan.”
“Plan?”
She turned to face him. “I am sure my husband murdered that man. I don't know how or why I know, but I do.” She took his hand in hers. “I can't explain it, but I was as certain as I could be.”
Todd fisted his hand around hers. “You were married to him, so it’s a reasonable conclusion.”
She snorted. “That was the problem—I was totally fooled. I ignored a lot because I was in love with him.” She looked across the room. “I was nothing more than a fool for love.” She rubbed her forearms. “Stupid is more like it.”
“I think you're being hard on yourself.”
“Apparently not.” She waved a hand around. “Look where I'm living. In a nice boarding house in the middle of Montana because he's after us.”
She scrubbed her hands across as her face “As soon as he was charged, I started to collect money and quietly get things ready, if I had to leave quickly.”
“And you did.”
She nodded. “Yes, but I should have let my parents put us into the underground of Spanish immigrants right away. Because I wanted to stay in our house, we’re on the run, rather than safe in a place we can’t be found.” Her eyes begged him to understand. “I was so certain he would be convicted.”
“And…?”
“When I realized the jury acquitted him, I ran home, grabbed Sadie and the bit of money I had put aside and left. I had a name from my parents of someone who would help us in Seattle but I had to get there.”
She looked up at him. “On my way to Seattle, I almost slid into you.”
“Why didn't you tell me this earlier, sweetheart? None of this is your fault.”
She put her index finger over his lips. “If I’d taken my folks' advice and left sooner, Sadie wouldn’t be in danger. But I was so sure, so certain Ramon would be going to prison…” She searched his face. “You're missing the point. I was so desperate to keep the house and my lifestyle that I put Sadie at risk.” Her breath hitched but she caught herself and exhaled heavily. “I might lose her because of a stupid decision.”
“You couldn't have known.”
“No, but I should have guessed. A man who killed another human being would stoop to anything to stay out of jail.”
“What do you mean?”
“There were claims of jury tampering.” She pressed her hands against her chest. “Of course he'd tamper with them. Money or fear—either work really well on most people.”
“So you jumped in the car and left.” He smiled at her. “Eventually ending up here, with me.”
“But I have to go. Surely you can see that. I can't put you or Mrs. Murphy or any of the townspeople at risk.” Her breath hitched as she straightened her back. She wouldn’t have any of them hurt because of her stupidity. She wouldn’t.
She couldn’t.
Chapter Ten
Todd understood her feelings and appreciated her concern for him, but there were a few salient facts she didn't know.
About him.
“Let me repeat myself. You're not going anywhere. Neither is Sadie. You're both safe here.” He put up his hand, palm out to silence her. “In small towns we take care of our own.” And so did he.
“You don't know Ramon. He won't let anyone stand in his way.”
“Your husband is a bully. When someone stands up to him, he'll crumple.” He’d had lots of experience with bullies over the years. Army Rangers were trained to deal with them.
“Todd, my ex-husband
killed a man. If the papers are right, he shot him in the head while they were having a friendly conversation. Believe me, he's not just a school yard bully.” She inhaled deeply, then shivered.
She needed to know he’d done similar things in the Middle East. But she couldn’t handle that information right now. Instead of talking he enveloped her in his arms, holding her close. “I want you and Sadie to stay in the house. Do not leave here until I return.”
“But—”
He rubbed his palm across her head. “No exceptions. Stay in the house. I'm going to scout out your ex and find out what I can about him.”
She leaned back and searched his eyes. “You'll be careful?”
He nodded.
“Promise me you won't talk to him. Don't even look at him.” She raised her brows as she waited for his response. “Promise.”
He smiled. “I promise not to take any chances, sweetheart.” He dropped his chin to look her in the eyes. “You’ll stay here?”
She sighed and acquiesced. “I don't like it but I will.”
Using his forefinger, he lifted her jaw and placed a chaste, quick kiss on her lips. “Good. I'll be back shortly.”
Lina watched him put on his parka and boots. The tendons in her neck stood out and her pulse hammered. Terror had her in its grip. He only hoped she’d follow orders, in spite of her fear.
“Promise me you’ll stay here?”
She nodded, slowly. Eyes huge and skin pale.
She stood at the door and watched him drive away. In a moment the blowing snow took her out of sight. He’d take care of her ex-husband and make sure she and Sadie were safe. Then he’d try to tell her about his past. Hopefully she could handle the big picture. He wouldn’t talk about the details. He couldn’t.
***
Todd drove in the direction her ex-husband had gone. He had no patience with anyone who terrorized women and children. A man with a gun was nothing more than a bully, keeping his distance while ending lives. But this terror would end. Todd hadn't spent all those years as a Ranger to allow some man to threaten his woman.
He slowed as he chased that thought around his brain. Or was it his heart?
Lina was his woman.
Sadie belonged to them.
He would deal with anyone who threatened either of them. Right before he hid the body where no one would ever find it.
After driving around town for twenty minutes, the bastard's Mercedes was parked plain as day at the Powder Horn Saloon. Todd pulled in behind the luxury car, blocking its exit.
He jumped out of his truck, leaving the keys in the ignition and stormed into the saloon. He didn't need a Ranger team behind him to take out one asshole.
Inside, dickwad sat at the bar, a bottle of Scotch at his elbow. Todd looked around. The bartender stood at the end of the bar, shooting the shit with a couple of regulars. Jack leaned over his drink at a seat in the back. Craig and Mack were toasting each other at a table in the corner.
Todd took two steps on the plank floor on his way to the bar.
“Don't do something you'll regret, young man.” Jack breathed in his face, almost choking him with whiskey fumes as he stumbled to the door.
“Jack, I don’t have time to chat right now. Let me buy you another drink.” He pulled a wad of bills from his pocket and handed the old man a few.
“Remember, your new life is beginning. You left your old life behind.” He looked at the bar. “That one’s not worth the return journey.”
How the hell did the old man know what he’d just figured out himself? He’d heard things about the old man. Strange things. Todd tried to set him aside, but Jack held his position. “I know your past is far away and you don't want to visit it again.” Then he lurched aside and stumbled out the door.
For a moment, Todd stood there, watching the old man lurch through the doors. He hoped he’d find a warm dry place to sleep tonight.
The he turned and looked at the man at the bar. Clean-cut, smooth looking. Like a snake.
He narrowed his eyes when Ramirez swivelled in his chair to look at him. Dead eyes were no threat to his family. He'd keep them safe until he figured out a way to rid their lives of this vermin.
No one would ever know, especially a little girl whose daddy was a menace to her and her mother.
He simply had to figure out when and where.
***
Lina was waiting at the door of the boarding house when he returned.
“Are you okay? You didn’t talk to him, did you?”
He put his forefinger over her lips to silence her, gave her a quick kiss, and then nodded. He looked around, saw they were alone and lowered his mouth to hers.
When they came up for air, she arched a brow at him. “If you were trying to silence me, you succeeded.”
“I didn’t want to miss the opportunity of a moment alone.”
“Todd.” Sadie yelled from upstairs. . I’m so glad you’re home.” Pounding footsteps ran down the stairs. “Mrs. Murphy says she’ll give us hot chocolate and cookies.”
“Well, aren’t we the lucky family?”
Mrs. Murphy came downstairs and smiled as she walked away. “About time you two figured it out.”
She slid her hand around Sadie’s head. “Come on, little girl, I need help making dinner and I’ll bet the adults need some time alone.”
“Why?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at Lina and Todd.
“Because they do.” The older woman leaned in close. “They need to talk over some things.”
“She’s right. The three of us have to talk, but,” he extended his palm, “there are some issues to be dealt with first, before we have that conversation.”
“Okay.” Sadie led the way to the kitchen.
Todd led Lina to the sofa beside the Christmas tree, then pulled her down next to him.
“I saw your ex-husband.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and tucked her in close. “He’s not so scary in a smoky bar in the middle of the day.”
She shuddered. Ramon may not be frightening to Todd, but he terrified her.
“Did you talk to him?”
Todd shook his head. “No, I was going to but Jack interrupted me with some stupid muttering, and I decided it would be best to leave.”
“I’ve been thinking. We should leave.” She faced him. “If we jumped in your truck and drove away, he wouldn’t have a clue what vehicle we were in or where to look for us and we’d be hiding before he realized we’d left.”
Todd pulled away from her then turned so their knees were touching as he took her hands. “Do you really want to spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder, afraid that he might find you?” He searched her eyes for a response. “What about a family? Sadie needs a brother or sister or two, don’t you think? We need a future, sweetheart. I can’t live in a cave. And neither can you.”
She heard his words but couldn’t process them. Fear had frozen her feelings, leaving her in limbo. “I realize that, but I don’t know how to keep us safe from him. He’s an animal.” She looked up at him. “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you or Sadie.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to either of us.” He watched her for a moment then sighed. He had to tell her the truth–about him, his past and why she didn’t need to worry. He took a deep breath and blew it out, knowing the truth might drive her away as quickly as anything.
“I don’t talk about my past. Not to anyone. But I want to tell you so that you’ll know who you’re with.” He looked down, and then sought her gaze. “I have killed a lot of men.” He rubbed his forehead. “Even a couple of women.”
She drew away.
He wasn’t surprised. Who wouldn’t be afraid of him? Or disgusted?
“What?”
He nodded. “I’m an Army Ranger. For more than ten years. Retired now. Given our training and our missions, killing became normal. Some men can live with that but eventually it got to me.”
She squeezed her ey
es shut and rocked back and forth as if trying to comfort herself. “What changed?”
“We were on a mission in Afghanistan, ordered to take out a compound that had been used to manufacture IEDs. We were told the factory employed terrorists intent on destroying our guys and our way of life. So we went in firing.
“Turns out our intel was wrong. Boys were making the damn things.” He slapped his thigh and jumped to his feet. “They used kids to make explosives.” He stormed the few steps across the room and returned to face her .
Lina reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him down to her side. “What happened?”
His voice choked with emotion. “It was a sea of red. They had been trained to detonate them at the first hint of trouble. So the first few of our guys lost their lives but so did a dozen boys—not one of them more than ten or eleven years old.”
The muscles in his arms and neck corded and his hands fisted. His eyes moistened and he prayed he wouldn’t bawl like a baby.
“Were you hurt?”
Voice choked with emotion and eyes downcast, he shook his head. “No, I was in the second wave. I heard the boom and saw everything go flying. When it was all over, I was covered in blood and dust.” He swallowed as he looked up at her. “One of the boys’ mothers came running up screaming that we had killed her son. Then she detonated an IED she was wearing.”
“My God.”
“I wasn’t hurt, but she died in front of me.” He shook his head and sighed heavily. “I will never forget the look of disgust on her face as she died.”
He studied her. “I’m not proud of it, but I do know how it feels to see the life leave someone’s eyes.”
It was too horrible to consider. For this gentle man to have witnessed such an atrocity was unimaginable. “I am proud of you, serving your country through such horror. I am equally sorry you had to live through that.”
“Hearing all those kids screaming in pain was more than I could stand. My tour was over shortly after so I came home. Drifted a bit and eventually landed here.”
“You found work at the brewery?”
“Yes, without a lot of people around”.
Christmas on the Run (Bandit Creek Book 32) Page 8