There was a knock at the door, and a police officer walked in. I recognized him—another guy I’d gone to school with who came to the shop regularly with his wife’s car. She had been at the class the other day, and I was certain she was coming to the next one.
Todd came forward. “Maxx.”
I shook his hand, and he introduced himself to Charly. “I’d like to ask you some questions, if you’re up to it, Miss Hooper.”
“Charly,” she insisted.
“My wife Bonnie, talked about you the other night. She loved the class.”
Charly smiled, despite her discomfort. “Good.”
“Why are you here?” I asked. I hadn’t called yet, too preoccupied with Red.
“The doc called me. Said he had a patient run off the road. I came to file a report and see if we can find who did this.”
“We know who it was,” I snapped.
“Well, that will make it easier,” he said, not reacting to my tone. “Can you tell me what happened, Charly? Take your time,” he added gently.
I flipped my hand over on the bed, and she slipped hers onto it, holding my fingers. “I was on the bicycle going to Mary’s. I saw a truck on the other side of the road. It slowed down, and I saw who was driving,” she whispered.
“Who was it?”
“The Donner brothers.”
“Who was the driver?”
“The younger one. Chase. Wes was in the passenger seat.”
“Ugh,” he muttered, so low I almost missed it. “Keep going,” he said in a louder voice.
“The truck spun around and started following me. They kept coming abreast of me, making stupid remarks.”
“Such as?”
“Asking me where my bodyguard was. Saying I wasn’t so tough on a girly bike. Wes yelled he owed me some humiliation. I ignored them. They keep crowding me closer to the ditch, so I just stopped pedaling and let them go by. They kept driving, and I waited a few moments until the truck disappeared. I figured they’d had their fun and were gone, so I started going again.”
She stopped, and I held out the straw so she could have another drink. She squeezed my fingers then continued.
“They were waiting ahead, at one of the crossroads. I saw them too late to stop, so I started pedaling harder. I decided I was going to pull over in the next break and call Maxx and tell him. I knew he’d come get me.” Her eyes met mine, and I nodded.
I would always come if she needed me now. I knew that, with an utter certainty I couldn’t explain.
“They came right alongside me, yelling and shouting insults.” Her breathing picked up, and I moved close, holding her hand tighter.
“It’s okay, baby. Just say it. They can’t hurt you now.”
“I was standing, pedaling as fast as I could. I was so close to the edge of the ditch, and I couldn’t stop. I knew there was an intersection coming up—I only had to go about another ten feet and I’d be okay—I could veer away. But I suddenly felt a sting on the back of my legs. It was really painful, and it startled me. I lost control of the bike…” Her voice trailed off. “The next thing I knew, I was in the ditch, they were gone, and the bike was damaged and I couldn’t move it. I crawled out of the ditch and the bell was lying there, so I grabbed it. I couldn’t find my bag with my phone, and I was in so much pain, it was all I could do to crawl to the trees and collapse. I kept losing consciousness, and then suddenly I heard Maxx.”
I took up the story, knowing she was exhausted. I told Todd how I found her, and when he asked about their history, I told him about Wes and the bar, and the other run-ins.
Todd was shaking his head. “I’m not surprised to hear the name Donner associated with this.”
“What will happen if we file a report?” Charly asked.
“They’ll be brought in and questioned.” His voice was frustrated. “You know their daddy will have a lawyer there fast. It’s going to be he said, she said. You didn’t see another car, Charly? Anyone working in their field?”
“No.”
He hung his head. “I guarantee you by the time the lawyer gets there, their father will have a witness that puts them in some other location at the time this happened.”
My body shook with anger, because I knew he was right.
“They could have killed her,” I snarled. “They need to be held accountable. This isn’t some practical joke gone wrong. She is seriously hurt, and they are gonna get away with it?”
“I’ll do what I can. You’ll have to come to the station and sign a statement.”
Charly looked positively ill. “Can we just leave it?”
“Leave it?” I roared. “Are you crazy?”
Todd held up his hand. “Calm down, Maxx. Why would you want to do that, Charly?”
“If they’re going to get away with it, why make them angrier?”
“So, you want to do nothing?” I snapped, my anger taking over.
Mary’s voice interrupted us. I hadn’t heard her come in, but she must have been there for a while, listening. “You have to do this, child. Maxx is right—this goes beyond a prank. If we’d had rain in the last few days, there would have been water in the ditch. You would have been unconscious, and right now, you’d be in the morgue.”
Charly gasped at Mary’s frank appraisal, but she was right. That thought had been running through my head ever since I’d found Charly, making my stomach clench every time I thought about it. Todd nodded in silent agreement.
“Okay,” Charley said faintly.
Todd stood. “I’m going to bring the boys in for questioning. You’re certain it was Chase driving and Wes in the passenger seat?”
“Yes.”
Todd fixed me a look. “Maxx, I know what you’re thinking right now—what you’re wanting to do. My advice—don’t. Stay the hell away from them, and let me handle this.” He paused meeting my eyes. “Don’t jeopardize what I need to do to handle this legally. And don’t do anything that will take you away from Charly. I don’t want to have to throw you in jail for beating the shit outta those two lowlifes.”
Mary spoke up. “I’ll make sure he stays put.”
I glared at her, but she ignored me.
Charly slipped her hand into mine. I looked at her, meeting her gaze. She was fragile and vulnerable, looking lost and in pain. “Please.”
I couldn’t refuse her.
“Okay,” I promised.
Chapter 23
MAXX
Jerry finally agreed to let Charly come home in the early hours of the evening. Neither Stefano nor Brett would leave, and Mary only offered me a scathing look when I asked her, so it was a small group that escorted Red home. Stefano drove my truck so I could hold Charly. Brett followed us, and Mary went ahead to make sure the room was set up for when we arrived. Charly was more alert, and although she was acting brave, I knew she was hurting. Her shoulder was too sore to use the crutches they provided, so I carried her. It was easier on all of us, and I felt better holding her.
At home, Rufus howled at the sight of her in my arms, racing toward us, whining and barking. I stopped so he could sniff Charly, and she patted his head, then I went into the house, heading toward the bedroom. I settled her into bed, stripping off the hospital scrubs they let her borrow and sliding one of my T-shirts over her head. It would be far more comfortable. My rage grew when I saw the bright red welt high up on her thighs—the cause of her losing control of the bicycle. I had to inhale deeply not to react, knowing it would upset Charly, and I was careful not to touch the painful skin as I pulled the shirt down her legs.
I helped her lie back on the pillows, and Mary came in with a tray, containing some soup and toast. Charly ate a little, her eyes drifting shut, so I let her sleep, setting my watch for two hours.
I hated leaving her even for a short time, but Mary insisted, so I went downstairs and had a sandwich. Rufus remained by the bed, refusing to leave, so I allowed him to stay. I finished the sandwich and ran a hand through my hair.
“You don’t all have to stay here. I’ll look after Charly.”
“And who will look after you?”
I scoffed. “I’m fine.”
“You can’t go after them, Maxx,” Mary stated calmly.
“I swear, I won’t—not tonight.”
“Not at all. You need to let the police handle it.”
“And if they don’t?” I growled, fisting my hands on the table. “Wes whipped her with a reed or a branch—something thin and sharp. She’s covered in bruises and cuts. If she hadn’t landed in the ditch…” I trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. “They need to be held accountable.”
For a moment, there was silence, then Stefano spoke up. “There are other ways of getting retribution without using your fists.”
“Such as?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I can dismantle a truck in two hours with a socket wrench. Leave it in pieces scattered far and wide.” His dark eyes twinkled. “Mercedes, too. They look great in pieces.”
“Additives to gas lines can cause automobiles to break down—requiring expensive repairs,” Brett muttered.
“A carefully placed cut on a tire could leave someone stranded on a country road. Heaven knows who might wander by,” Stefano drawled.
“A pill slipped into a beer in a bar could make someone pretty damn sleepy. God knows how they ended up in the middle of the next province with no cell phone, keys, cash, or recollection of driving there,” Brett offered.
“Handcuffed to their bumper,” Mary added.
I glanced around the table. “Remind me not to make any of you angry.”
Mary snorted. “Another good one would be a call to the tax department. That should cause some grief for their father. Unclaimed wages paid under the table would bring them trouble.”
I held up my hands. “I get it. I’m not leaving her—not tonight, not tomorrow, not until she can get around again. I won’t risk leaving her alone. Even though I want to feel his bones break under my hands for what he did to her.”
“Wes is your target?”
I nodded. “He’s the one who touched her. Frightened her into losing control. Chase used to be a good kid until the last few years. Then he started acting like Wes, but he’s never been as…nasty. I think if he got away from Wes, he might act like a human being again. Wes has always been a little shit—right from the time we were kids.”
“He went wild in his teens. His father did nothing to stop him, instead using his wealth to make the problems go away. Wes has never taken responsibility for his own actions,” Brett agreed, having known him since we were all in school together.
“He is going to be accountable this time,” I swore. “One way or another.”
No one said anything but I felt the silent collective agreement from the group gathered around my table. All brought together by the little redhead upstairs.
Whom I had been away from for far too long.
I stood. “You all head home. Lock up behind you. I’m going upstairs.”
“Make sure you give her something to drink every time you wake her,” Mary instructed. “And keep ahead of her pain.”
“On it,” I said as I pulled a bottle of Charly’s favorite cran-grape juice from the fridge. I filled a glass plus another of water, adding lots of ice since she preferred her drinks cold.
Upstairs, Charly was asleep, and I let her rest. I had another forty-five minutes until I had to wake her. I sat beside her, taking her hand in mine. It was unusual to see her silent. I missed her voice and the way her eyes danced as she told me off about something.
I pushed a heavy lock of hair away from her face. I loved her hair. It suited her personality. Wild and untamable. I watched her sleep, studying her. She was incredibly strong. Memories hit me. Seeing her in the bar. Kissing her for the first time and feeling that odd connection with her. My anger at finding out she was the person who answered the ad. Her refusal to back down.
I had to smile as I thought of the way she had simply refused to take no for an answer and the way she forged ahead, creating more chaos in my life even as she made it better.
She handled whatever attitude I gave her and dished it back tenfold.
And I loved her for it.
I stared at her, somehow not shocked as those words settled in my brain. I dropped my head as realization sank in.
I was completely in love with Charly.
“I know.”
Her voice, low and raspy, broke the silence, and I snapped up my head, meeting her green gaze in the low light. She smiled and lifted my hand covering hers to her mouth and kissed my knuckles.
“I love you too, Maxx.”
CHARLY
Maxx looked startled when I spoke. I had woken, seeing his large figure looming over me, his head hanging down. He was holding my hand, his thumb gently stroking over the bruised skin. He was talking quietly, not aware, I was certain, that he was mumbling his thoughts out loud.
When the words “I love her,” were breathed into the air, I heard his sincerity—and also his surprise.
The words didn’t surprise me. It wasn’t the first time he’d said them.
Our eyes met, his dark gaze intense.
“You know?” he asked, his voice a low hum in the room.
“Yes.” I struggled to sit up, and he immediately stood, carefully lifting me until I was comfortable. He waited until I had some cold juice, then gingerly sat on the bed beside me.
“How?” he asked.
“Today,” I explained. “When you found me. In the truck, you kept telling me everything was going to be all right. You held me so carefully…” She trailed off.
“I was terrified,” he admitted. “You were so hurt. I wanted to take away your pain.” He leaned close. “I had to concentrate on you to stop myself from going and finding those assholes and making them pay.”
“You had your mouth against my ear.” I demonstrated, touching my lobe. “You said ‘I love you, Charly. Stay strong for me. I love you so much.’ Over and over again.”
He stared at me, gaping. He had no idea he’d said those words. His surprise made me smile.
“I-I don’t remember what I said.”
I held his hand between mine. “Do you want to take it back?”
His stern face softened, and he brushed my hands with a gentle kiss.
“No, Red—Charly—Charlynn. Whatever name you are at the moment, I love them all. I love you.”
“And you hate that fact.”
“I should. I swore I would never fall in love again, except now I realize I have never been in love before. Shannon was a catalyst for all the pain I felt. I traded the pain of losing my parents for the pain of a tumultuous relationship with her. I never loved her. I needed to be needed by someone, and she was there. She was no good for me.”
“And I am?” I asked.
He cupped my face. “You are the best thing for me, Red. I love your feistiness and your stubbornness. The way you talk back to me. Challenge me. Defy me.” His voice softened. “Insist on doing all those little things to take care of me. You show your love for me in a hundred and one ways.”
“I thought I drove you crazy.”
“You do. In the very best way possible. I adore everything about you, Red. Your sass, your funny little sayings, the way you flutter around like a bird when you get nervous or upset. I even love all the little dots on your skin. I want to trace them all with my tongue and see what they spell out.”
I wrapped my hands around his wrists. “You really love me?”
He pressed his mouth to mine in a gentle, soft kiss, then rested his forehead to mine. “Yes, I really do.”
“Me too.”
I felt his smile. “I know. I was blind for too long, but my eyes are finally open. I see what everyone else already knew. You are perfect for me.”
“Yes, I am,” I replied tartly, then grimaced as the pain flared.
He stood with a frown. “Enough sentiment. You need more pills and rest.”
/> “Will you stay?”
He indicated the chair beside the bed as he shook out some pills. “I’ll be right there.”
“I want you to lie beside me.”
“I have to check on you every two hours.”
“Set your alarm.”
“Stop arguing, woman,” he growled. “For god’s sake, do what I tell you for once.”
I took the pills and swallowed them, looking up at him. He was glowering and intense. Just the way I liked him.
“Whew,” I sighed.
“What?”
“I was worried if you loved me, you’d start being all nice and sweet. I don’t want that. I like you all growly.”
He smirked and shook his head. “You don’t have to worry, Red. I plan on being especially growly when it comes to you.”
“Thank goodness. I will reward you amply for that.”
He snorted, then lay down beside me, letting me rest on his chest. He wrapped his arm around me, holding me close. “Go to sleep, Red. I’ll wake you in two hours.”
There was silence for a few moments, and I felt the emotions of the day catching up with me and a few tears slip down my cheeks.
“Maxx?” I whispered.
“If you’re talking, you’re not sleeping,” he pointed out dryly.
“Thank you for saving me.”
He tightened his arm. “I always will.”
More tears followed, and he pressed a tissue into my hand. “Come along, sweetheart. I got you,” he crooned and rocked me. “Let the day go. Just let it go.”
After a few moments, the tears eased and I relaxed. I slid my hand on his shirt and found purchase in the fabric. It hurt to hold it, but I bunched it loosely in my fingers.
“Maxx?” I whispered again.
He pressed a kiss to my head, his voice a gentle hum in the dark. “Right here, Red. I’m right here. Sleep, baby. I got you.” He paused. “Love you.”
Sometimes, not growly was nice too.
“I know,” I replied.
With a sigh, I let the darkness wash over me.
I woke in the bright light of midday, the bed empty. Maxx had finally stopped waking me up every two hours early in the morning, allowing me to sleep. Gingerly, I sat up and swung my legs off the mattress. My body was sore, bruises scattered everywhere, cuts and abrasions littering my skin. I stared at my strapped ankle then at the crutches that were across the room. I stood, checking my balance, then began to hop. I made it to the end of the bed, wondering how I was possibly going to get clear across the room when the sound of heavy footsteps met my ears and a frowning Maxx appeared in the doorway.
Revved to the Maxx Page 25
