Burned

by Stone, Piper

  “It’s not an excuse. Okay?” She took a sip of her drink then furiously rubbed Buck’s shoulders. “You’re an officer of the law. You have to take me in and do your civic duty.”

  I glanced up at the mantel, eyeing the single picture I had, a gift from one of the boys. “The picture. That’s why you attempted to steal my truck. Isn’t it?”

  Kelly nodded, dropping her head as if caught once again. “I felt I had no other choice. I couldn’t put you in the middle of this bullshit.”

  “I’m a peace officer, Kelly. I’m not going off half-cocked looking for criminals. I’m a wildland firefighter. That’s my job and one I was born to do. That’s one of the reasons I’m up here in this cabin. I can be close to my territory and keep an eye out for campers, visitors, anyone who might start a fire.”

  “A firefighter? You?” Her eyes lit up.

  “Does that seem so farfetched to you?”

  “Not at all. You’re perfect for the job, rugged and all manly and...” She brushed two fingers over her lips. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not.” I grinned, my cock twitching. “But that’s not getting you out of answering my questions. Where were you running to?”

  Kelly snorted and finally took a sip of her drink. “That’s just it. I have nowhere to go. The truck I... borrowed really did run out of gas. I stashed it in the woods away from the road. Then I hiked here. I just thought maybe heading for the mountains was the thing to do.”

  “You could have gotten yourself killed. Do you realize that? There really are wild animals in the forests and the fires have been horrific this year.” I was incensed, wanting to take her over my knee once again. I also wanted to protect her. The thought continued to boggle my mind.

  “Aww, you care,” she teased.

  “Cut the crap, Kelly. I’m trying to help you.”

  “Okay. Okay. I really just picked a place. I’m not from around here and I certainly can’t go back to California. That’s for damn certain.”

  “What was in California?” Now we were getting somewhere.

  “My life. I wanted to get the hell out of Maryland so I applied for a job in California. I was shocked when I was brought out for an interview. I accepted the position on the same day. I really enjoyed what I was doing and thought there was a bright future, but I was wrong.” She chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Plus, I was stupid enough to get involved with a guy and trust me, that was a joke. Montana was a haven, until things went to shit and I came up against the wrong people.”

  The words couldn’t have shocked me any more than they did. How in the fuck did she end up behind bars? “O-kay. What happened to this man of your dreams? Or maybe I should ask about your job?”

  Another darted look was followed by what could only be described as a resigned but hateful smile. “Oh, my guess is the job has been given to some other stupid girl, one that Josh and his father, the owner of the company could lie to easily. Granted, I realized I’d been a fool far too late in the game. That’s when Josh tossed me out of his condo, the one I’d been living in for six months and Daddy-o, Mr. Landosa fired me on the spot. I think his words were something to the effect that I was a worthless bitch. No severance pay and no parting gifts for contestant number one.” She laughed bitterly, shifting on the sofa and raking her hand through her hair. “I’m sorry. I’m being cryptic.”

  “Yeah, you are. I’m not certain how that pieces together with finding yourself behind bars. Can you enlighten me?”

  “I came to Hamilton to start over after the fiasco with Josh.”

  “Hamilton, Montana.”

  She nodded. “I picked a place on the map. Of course, I could only get a job as a bartender and waitress in some half-assed joint, but honestly, that was okay. It was peaceful at first. I could get my supposed relationship out of my mind.”

  Supposed. That was an interesting word to use. “Why would his father fire you? Were there strings attached regarding your relationship?”

  “I certainly didn’t think so and in truth, I certainly didn’t move to California to become involved with anyone. Josh was fun to be with. He was sweet and so attentive, at least at first, but very aggressive after only a month. I thought he genuinely seemed to care about me, which is one reason I stayed. After asking me out I think ten times, I finally accepted. We hit it off and one thing led to another. I found myself engaged and all over the society pages.” She took another swig, almost draining her glass.

  I moved my glass from hand to hand, remaining quiet. She needed to simply get this off her chest.

  “When I started, I was one of the marketing assistants. Landosa is a huge real estate firm catering to the uber-rich and very conservative folks on the West coast. Their reputation was impeccable, or so I was led to believe. They gave lavish parties and spent thousands of dollars on their clients. I’d moved up to junior vice president quickly, enjoying learning about the business. I quickly realized that everyone has secrets.”

  “Let me guess, you found out about these secrets.” I was beginning to see why she ran from California at least.

  “In a pretty damning way. I knew they were into some fairly unscrupulous things. Maybe even criminal, but I looked the other way. At some point, Josh was slated to take over the firm eventually, but there was a problem that kept Carmine Landosa from actively moving his son into the spotlight. You see with these conservative types, they promoted a family image. You know, the Hallmark Christmas movie kind of thing.”

  “Josh needed a wife.”

  Kelly giggled as she shook her head, but the sound was anything but pleasant. “Exactly. I fit the bill. I think I would have eventually been okay with that. Arranged marriages happen all the time and hell, since I have no other family, I thought I could learn to adapt. There was just one little problem.”

  No family. A sadness swept through me, a kind of heartache that reminded me that others had it a hell of a lot rougher than I did. “What happened?”

  “I won’t bore you with the sad details, but when I walked in on Josh with another woman, a very married actress, I knew the obstacles would be difficult to sort through. I just didn’t know how much.”

  “And you didn’t know he was having an affair?”

  “I guess I should have but we both worked long hours. He traveled at least five days a week and my mind explained the lack of having sex of any kind as just bad timing. Anyway, the real problem was that if anyone found out about the affair from either end, it would have ended the actress’ career and likely lost Landosa a considerable amount of business. And so, they threatened me. Not very conducive to a relationship.”

  “Bastards.”

  “Oh, trust me, I was able to say a few choice words. However, I wasn’t allowed to ask any questions and certainly wasn’t given any real information. My bags were packed for me and I was out the door. I guess they thought if I stuck around I’d become an issue.”

  “Knowing your personality, why didn’t you just go to the press?” I grabbed the bottle, refilling both our drinks.

  Shrugging, she swirled the liquid before answering. “I had my reasons and they did a background check. They could have distorted everything I said. And no, I’m not going into details. Far too painful.”

  “I’m so sorry.” How many secrets was this woman hiding?

  “I had a little pity party for a couple weeks then refused to succumb any longer. I don’t know what I was thinking. The truth is, when I was able to find a little cabin near the mountains that I could afford, complete with furniture and a working fireplace, I started to realize that I preferred the simpler things in life and that I was better off away from the rat race. Hamilton seemed like the perfect destination. Beautiful. Quaint. Nice people.”

  “Except law enforcement is corrupt as fuck.”

  Snapping her head, she leaned forward. “You know that? How do you know? Tell me everything.”

  “Whoa. Hold on. I know that because I’m from Montana. I haven’t lived in the woods my e
ntire life, but I also don’t keep up with every moment of city politics either. What I do know is that the town didn’t use to be that way, but since Sheriff Davis was elected I guess five years ago, maybe longer, things changed. What happened, Kelly? You said bad men were after you. Does that include the sheriff?”

  “I don’t even know where to begin. It’s all so crazy. I never thought anything like this could ever happen in the United States, but I’ll never be free of what I did. They won’t let me. Then escaping and running. I have no idea what I’m going to do.”

  “So just tell me the story. You never know. I might be able to help.”

  Kelly sighed several times before she began to talk, telling me what seemed like an incredible story, but one, sadly, I’d heard something like before. There were ugly, dangerous men in all walks of life, even those professing to be law-abiding citizens, those required to control the peace no exception.

  I’d run across my share of assholes during my long years living on this planet, men who deserved the wrath of God if nothing else. This was entirely different, at least in my mind. The bastards needed to pay for their blatant sins.

  Maybe her story brought various feelings close to the surface, but I was determined not to allow them to get in the way. I’d fought too hard to recover, finding a path that I could maneuver without falling apart. Kelly needed a man who would stop at nothing to keep her safe. I would be that man, no matter the agony I was put through. She had a right to live a decent life.

  Hell, we all did.

  Anger ripped through me in a manner that hadn’t occurred in a long-ass time. I was shaking, every nerve on edge and realized that I had revenge already penciled into my mind. The various assholes who’d helped in this so-called justice were going to pay.

  No matter who was hurt.

  Or died by my hands.

  There was little I could do at first with two exceptions.

  One, I was going to call the one man who could indeed help and two, something much more important.

  I was going to keep her safe, protected from the assholes who’d put her here in the first place.

  Into my life.

  Into my world.

  Shattering my resolve.

  * * *

  I could see her eyelids getting heavy, the glass almost slipping from her hand. After telling me the initial story, I’d asked her a single question. The name of the asshole who’d attacked her. Rusty Miller. I was going to make it my business to find out if the motherfucker was alive and if so, he wouldn’t be for long. No man had the right to attack, abuse, or otherwise hurt any woman.

  Taking the glass out of her hand, I quietly placed it on the hearth before gathering her into my arms. When she moaned, opening her eyes halfway, I cradled her closer. Just having her form in my arms tugged at my heartstrings. There was no rhyme or reason to why I should feel so protective of her, but damn it, I did.

  She nuzzled against my chest, murmuring in her sleep. I wanted to ask her about her family, but I knew that her trust of me was paramount before she’d open up all her old wounds. That is if she could ever learn to trust again. She had no real way of knowing who I was.

  I headed into the bedroom, keeping her in my arms as I struggled to turn down the bed. The only light was a hint of the moon streaming in through the half-open blinds, but I was able to see her lovely face, the way her long eyelashes skimmed across her cheeks. As I pulled the covers over her, adjusting them not once but twice, I made a promise that I would get to the bottom of what the fuck was going on.

  When Buck jumped on the bed, taking my usual side, I couldn’t admonish him. She needed her rest and I needed to get my head on straight. He would certainly guard her all night as necessary.

  And I could figure out my next steps after calling my buddy.

  I moved to the door, hesitating when I heard the rustle of sheets.

  “Hawk?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thank you for everything.”

  Hearing her tiny voice, not the one that powered her vivacious side with utter fury and disregard for rules, but the one that had brushed against my soul with her soft purrs and intense moans, was even more disruptive.

  To my being.

  To my world.

  And the damning reason?

  I could fall hard for this girl.

  After closing the door, I moved toward the fireplace, grabbing my drink and guzzling the remaining liquid. Then I paced as I debated making the call. The last thing I wanted to do was betray her, but there were some pieces that just didn’t fit, her mannerisms odd for a woman who’d been railroaded. While it was late, I knew exactly where my buddy would be.

  Working.

  Gage had no home life.

  “Missoula sheriff’s office.”

  “How did I know you were going to answer the phone?”

  “Christ, Hawk. You working a fire?” Gage asked, laughing immediately after. “Limited staff right now. I’m the man in charge. You know how it goes.”

  “Yeah, I do and I’m off for a couple days.”

  “And you’re calling me at one o’clock in the morning? Pit-i-ful.”

  I snorted, almost grateful to hear a friendly voice. “And you’re still at the office. Who’s more pitiful?”

  “Damn, boy. All right. You win. What can I do for ya?”

  “I need a favor and you can’t ask any questions. Do you understand?” Gage and I went back twenty years. He was the single man I could trust in my entire world.

  “That sounds serious, my friend, but okay. What is it?”

  Sighing, I stole a glance toward the door and lowered my voice. “Can you look up a case out of Hamilton?”

  “Hamilton? What did those assholes do now?” Gage laughed.

  “Maybe railroaded a case. The question is why.”

  “Then if that’s the situation, I’m going to have to do it quietly, which means not tonight. Give the details and I’ll find out for you.”

  “I appreciate it.” After giving him Kelly’s name, I ended the call, feeling more like a rat than anything else. But I had to know the truth.

  One way or the other.

  History wasn’t going to repeat itself.

  Chapter Five

  Kelly

  “I want you. Come here and ride me.” He crooked his finger, beckoning me more with his eyes than anything else.

  “Ride you. Can you handle me?” I straddled his legs, rubbing up and down on his thighs with my wet pussy.

  “Sweetheart, I can handle anything you dish out but if you keep teasing me, you’re going to learn another hard lesson.”

  “Why, yes, sir.” As I moved closer to his cock, I slid my hand down the underside of his shaft, rolling his swollen balls in my fingers. “Do you mean teasing like this?”

  “Damn, such a little brat.”

  “Mmm...” Shifting, I swam up from the delicious dream, trying to open my eyes. I could feel his warm body against my back. I wanted nothing more than to have him in my mouth. Hawk. I could almost taste his sweet cum. I buried my face into the soft pillow, inhaling his scent. So musky. So masculine. The smell of sex lingered, covering my body. I hadn’t remembered falling asleep, but here I was in his bed.

  I shifted my hand, sliding down the front of me, groaning when I realized that I was still in a tee shirt and shorts. Nothing adventurous had happened during the middle of the night. I bit back a moan, struggling to put everything in its place.

  Our conversation.

  My actions.

  His anger.

  Our passion.

  It could never happen again. I wasn’t here to destroy his life. But here he was right beside me. What was I supposed to say? ‘Good morning, sexy stud. About fucking last night. We can never do that again because I’ll hurt you.’

  Yeah, that wouldn’t fly with a man like Hawk. He took what he wanted.

  Blinking, I could tell it was light outside, but I had no desire to get out of bed. Not with a sexy stranger lyi
ng next to me. The gorgeous brute was still asleep, his breathing hot and heavy.

  Very slowly I rolled over, finally able to open my eyes. When he shifted, licking his chops, I fought bursting into laughter. I hadn’t experienced a single moment of lightheartedness in so long. Waking up next to one massive... dog was certainly not what I’d expected, but I had to admit I was certainly protected against any intruders.

  Even if the pup really wasn’t a beast.

  Rolling onto my back, I stared up at the ceiling. Opening up to Hawk had been easier than I would have thought, but I’d needed to get the damning story off my chest. And to explain why I’d crashed his place. A wildland firefighter. The profession did suit him well. He was reserved, carrying the aura of danger like a badge of honor and saying few words.

  But I’d known he’d been listening intently.

  I also knew in my gut that he was livid, enraged at what I’d told him. I also realized that he believed me. There was no quantifying reason that he should. I listened for any sounds of him but heard nothing but one snoring pup.

  While Hawk hadn’t offered anything more than an ear, I could easily tell his mind had been churning. Planning. But whatever was going to happen, I would have to face the situation by myself.

  Somehow.

  Very slowly I eased out of bed, padding toward the closed door. Buck didn’t stir other than to roll over further into the middle of the bed. As I walked out into the hallway, I gathered a scent of the remaining embers in the fire and for a few seconds I allowed a fantasy to take over my mind. What if I stayed right here? What if things could be different?

  I was no romantic. Even the few good times spent with Josh had been more about companionship. What did I know about passion or love of any kind? I’d always managed to push away any man who’d gotten just close enough, pretending that he wasn’t good enough or didn’t make enough money. The truth was I was the person to blame for my lack of relationships.

  The fear of commitment.

  Classic.

  At least Hawk had awakened my passion. I still felt guilty, ashamed of every aspect of my behavior. I wasn’t this kind of woman.