Colton's Fugitive Family

by Jennifer Morey

  “No, Demi.”

  “He’s the only one I would trust.”

  He sighed. “Not a good idea. He would go against the department if he helped you.”

  “He’s my brother.”

  “Half brother.”

  “He’s my brother, Lucas.” She would not back down on this. She could see him begin to realize that. And also that he was also helping her.

  “Bring him here,” she added “Call him. If you don’t, I will. I’ll wait until you’re asleep and use your phone.” No one would blink an eye about Lucas, a deputized K-9 bounty hunter, calling Brayden, a K-9 cop.

  He grumbled from down deep. “You’re impossible sometimes, you know that?”

  She smiled. “Yes.”

  Chapter 7

  The next day, Lucas arrived back at the cabin with the disguises Demi had requested. They’d dress up as hippies. He saw her watching him with more than idle curiosity. He wore lighter-colored jeans today and a dark Henley, and he caught her admiring his tall frame and lingering on his butt in the soft denim. After draping his jacket over the kitchen chair, he turned and took a moment to admire her. She had on a black sweater dress with tights and no shoes. She looked good in sweaters.

  He petted Queenie’s head and she stood from her sitting position and went to Demi for more attention.

  Demi scratched behind Queenie’s ears and then the dog went to her bed in the living room and lay down.

  Lucas picked up the shopping bags and boot box he’d brought in from the rental. “I can’t go to the next town for a while,” he said. “People will start to talk.”

  She laughed briefly and went to sit on the sofa. “Can we go to Devlin’s condo tonight? I’m anxious to get started.”

  “Sure. Police have already gotten a warrant and searched Devlin’s home for the missing gun but didn’t find anything.”

  “They might have overlooked something. Maybe more than a gun,” Demi said.

  They could hope, anyway. Lucas didn’t think they’d find anything. Police had searched thoroughly. Finding nothing meant no judge would grant them another warrant. He wanted to start with Devlin’s home.

  “Have you contacted Brayden?” she asked.

  “Yes. This morning. He didn’t believe me, at first, that you were here, at least not willingly. He should be here in about an hour. I made him promise not to tell anyone.” His conversation with Brayden had been strained to say the least. Brayden had initially attacked him, accusing him of wanting to turn Demi in.

  “He won’t.” She lit up. The idea of seeing her brother made her very happy.

  Lucas wouldn’t mention how their talk had gone. He put the shopping bags and boot box on the big ottoman in the living room.

  “What kind of tricks are you up to?” Brayden had asked, and a little later he’d said, “You and Demi don’t like each other. Why should I believe she’s staying with you? Unless you’re forcing her?”

  Finally Lucas had asked, “If I was going to take her in I would have done so by now.”

  That had placated Brayden enough to get him to agree to stop by in a couple of hours. Hearing a buzz from the control panel that indicated someone was at the front gate, Lucas realized Brayden had not waited for the decided-upon time. He was early.

  “Ah!” Demi shrieked with glee and trotted over to the panel. “How do you work this thing?”

  He brushed her hand away. “Let’s be sure it’s him.”

  No doubt it was. Lucas pressed a button. “Who’s there?”

  “Brayden. Where’s my sister?”

  Lucas set the gate to open. It would automatically close.

  Demi rushed to the front door and went outside in the frigid air, hugging her arms and waiting to see Brayden’s truck appear. It finally did.

  Demi bounced up and down a few times, no doubt to keep warm.

  “You can wait inside,” Lucas said.

  She ignored him and Brayden’s truck came to a stop. He got out, tall and fit in jeans and a black Henley under a winter jacket, and walked to the front porch, his boots thudding on the stairs. His curly black hair didn’t resemble Demi’s original red hair, but they had the same blue-green eyes.

  Demi threw her arms around him. “Oh, it’s so good to see you.”

  “Hey, Demi. I’ve been worried sick about you. Shane got your texts but that’s all we’ve heard from you. Why didn’t you contact me?”

  He looked injured. He and Demi were the closest of the Rusty Colton branch of the family.

  “I didn’t want you to try and find me. I knew Shane would tell you he heard from me.”

  “We’ve all been trying to find you.” He looked around her at Lucas. “Some for not-so-good reasons.”

  Before Lucas could refute the comment, Brayden said, “Let’s get you inside. It’s freezing out here.”

  Inside, Queenie came to inspect Brayden, who reached down to pat her head. Lucas went about brewing some fresh coffee as Demi and Brayden caught up with each other. Queenie came into the kitchen with Lucas, sitting and watching his every move.

  “When I heard you were wanted for the Groom Killer murders, I knew you didn’t do it,” Brayden said. “I was so afraid something would happen to you. We sort of went our separate ways after we grew up. Quinn, Shane, and I have gotten closer since all this started. It would have killed me if I didn’t get the chance to get closer to you, too.”

  “How did you all get closer? Because of me?”

  “No, a true-crime television director came to town to do some investigating for a miniseries on the Groom Killer case. We didn’t want her to do it, at first, but after we started talking we got closer.”

  “He’s going to marry the director,” Lucas said. “Her name is Esmée da Costa and she has a son, so Brayden will be a father.” Lucas didn’t like the parallel. Demi had a son, too. Wolf wasn’t his but he could be a father figure if he fell hard enough for Demi.

  “How did you know that?” Brayden asked.

  “People have loosened their tongues since they found out we’ve identified the real suspect and that suspect is on the run.”

  He noticed how Brayden eyed him suspiciously. Boy, were he and Demi ever related.

  “You’re getting married?” Demi beamed. “Oh, that’s wonderful!” She hugged him again.

  Brayden seemed to stiffen. He wasn’t the social type, more of a lone wolf.

  Demi moved back and Brayden relaxed. “Assuming I don’t get whacked by the Groom Killer.”

  Demi swatted her hand in dismissal. “Devlin is no match for you.”

  “Except with his automatic rifle,” Lucas said. “He just about mowed down Demi’s cabin with it.”

  “Devlin found you?” Brayden shot a look at Lucas. “Did you lead him there?”

  “I saw a stranger in town about a week ago who seemed to be watching me,” Demi said.

  She hadn’t told Lucas that.

  “I don’t think Lucas led anyone to me,” she added.

  “I didn’t. I was careful.”

  “Like you’re being now?” Brayden challenged him. “Hiding Demi here until you can prove Devlin is the Groom Killer?”

  “Brayden,” Demi admonished him, but only mildly.

  “Devlin came after us because the police are on to him.”

  “He must not like it that it looks like I won’t be taking the fall for him,” Demi said.

  “Unless you’re arrested,” Brayden said. “The police have evidence against you, not Devlin.” He looked over at Lucas, having voiced his main concern over Demi being with Lucas. Then he turned back to Demi. “Why don’t you come and stay with Esmée and me?”

  Lucas had to put his foot down on that one. “No. She’s fine here with me.”

  Both Demi and Brayden faced him with a silent question. Why was he so adamant? Lu
cas didn’t really know, himself. He needed to make sure she survived, for one. For another, he couldn’t let any other man take over the job of protecting her, whether she would admit to needing it or not.

  “Lucas does have some impressive security here,” Demi said.

  “I don’t like it that you’re here. Lucas was absolutely convinced you were the Groom Killer. The two of you don’t even get along.”

  “Well, I know he’s a good bounty hunter. He’ll find Devlin.”

  “Yeah, but...”

  “I didn’t trust him, either, at first.”

  “But you do now, Demi? Why? Has he tried anything with you?”

  Demi glanced at Lucas in a way that would tell Brayden something had occurred between them.

  “He has?” Brayden started to move toward Lucas in a threatening way.

  Demi took hold of his arm. “Brayden, stop.”

  He did and looked at his sister helplessly. “He wants you where he can control you in case the investigation on Devlin falls through. Don’t let your heart blind you.”

  “Isn’t that what happened to you and Esmée?” Lucas asked. Esmée had a son, too.

  Brayden barely contained his anger, his mouth going tight. Lucas was sure that only his connection with Demi stopped him from going on.

  “I need a favor from you, Brayden.”

  He calmed. “Anything.”

  “First, don’t tell anyone I’m here.”

  Brayden nodded. “I wouldn’t do that to you.”

  “Second, I need you to watch Wolf while I go in search of the missing gun Devlin used to kill some of his victims.”

  “I can find the gun for you.”

  Lucas almost audibly smirked. He remained silent and waited for Demi’s half brother to be shot down.

  “That is something I need to do, Brayden. I can handle it.”

  “I don’t want you to put yourself in any danger.”

  “I’ve been in danger since this whole thing started. And don’t forget, I’m a bounty hunter.”

  “A bounty hunter who’s good in the woods, too.” Brayden nodded. “It’s just hard for me to let go after so much time not knowing if you were all right.”

  “I’m fine.”

  Brayden looked at Lucas once again. “He better not do anything to hurt you or have you arrested.”

  “I won’t let him.” She started to turn. “I want you to meet Wolf.” Brayden led him to the bedroom where Lucas had put together the crib.

  Lucas followed, Queenie on his heels.

  Demi picked up Wolf and handed him to Brayden, who smiled down at the bundle and held him. Wolf’s eyes opened briefly before he drifted back into sound sleep.

  That kid was great. Lucas had no idea babies like this one existed. Wolf slept soundly and only fussed when he needed something. He was a happy baby.

  His gaze shifted to Demi. Most of the credit had to go to her. She must be a good mother.

  “Of course I’ll watch him,” Brayden said.

  Lucas was glad for Demi that she would have someone she trusted to guard her baby, but he also dreaded having to deal with her brother, who he’d long known did not like or trust him. No surprise there. Brayden would have heard all about Lucas—from Demi’s point of view.

  * * *

  Brayden had left with an agreement to return later. Demi sat on the sofa as Lucas walked toward her.

  She indicated the bags and boot box that Lucas had brought back earlier. “What did you end up buying? Anything good?”

  “I found this little boutique in Deadwood.” He opened one of the bags to pull out a multicolored and striped Baja hoodie with a large belly pocket.

  “Ooh, a drug rug.” She took it from him and held it up to inspect the gaudy thing.

  “The sales clerk said it’s made with recycled eco-yarns and that it is environmentally friendly.”

  “And caters to hippie tree huggers. Nice.”

  He dumped the contents of another bag onto the ottoman.

  Demi put down the hoodie and lifted a white, high-low boho dress with gray embroidery. Also among the items were a peace necklace and some bracelets, a suede vest with fringe and a long blond wig with braids swooping to the back over the rest of the hair that hung straight.

  Lucas opened the lid of the boot box and showed her a pair of dark knee-high leather boots.

  “Double nice.”

  Next he showed her sunglasses, handing her one pair.

  “Are we going to draw too much attention to ourselves?” Maybe she should have come up with a different disguise.

  “We’ll draw attention to our clothes, not who we are.” Lucas put on the hoodie over his dark Henley and then flipped the hood over his head. Then he slid on the second pair of sunglasses and stood before her for inspection.

  “You look cool.” He changed his pose as though modeling for her. She laughed.

  “Go try yours on.”

  She took the dress, boots and wig, and went into the lower level bathroom off the living room. She had to hand it to Lucas. He had pegged her size. Most likely he’d checked before he left this morning. The dress was soft and fit to perfection. She began to wonder if he’d chosen this for selfish reasons. The bodice dipped a little low and the uneven hem rose above her knees in front. The boots were smooth and sexy.

  She fitted the wig on her head and loved how the braids hung and clasped with a barrette at the back. The peace necklace might be a bit much, but the silver bracelets added a nice touch.

  Leaving the bathroom, she saw Lucas holding her sunglasses. Laughing again, she took them and put them on, very aware of how he studied her.

  “I should have gotten a red wig.”

  “Then people might recognize me.”

  “Yes, but you’re so beautiful with long hair. It should be your natural color.”

  She went still with his compliment. He never said things like that to her. He thought she was beautiful? She didn’t compare to the women he dated. She didn’t spend much time on her appearance—hair, nails, clothes. Her job didn’t allow for high heels.

  “I’m not beautiful with shorter hair?”

  “You are beautiful no matter what style of hair you have. You’re beautiful in your nightgown.”

  Had he lost his mind? Why did he speak so freely to her? “You’re not exactly homely yourself.”

  He grinned and a grunt of a laugh erupted from him.

  “Anyway, I thought you preferred more of a porn star look in your women.”

  His grin fled. “Porn star?”

  “Your girlfriends are all so...perfect and...” She didn’t want to say empty-headed.

  “You could look like any one of them,” he said. “And I’ve seen your boyfriends.”

  Bo? Bo was handsome, as handsome as Lucas. Did he mean before Bo? She didn’t date very often, not as often as Lucas did. She did prefer men who looked like Lucas but she looked for more than that.

  “My boyfriends all had something I liked about them aside from their looks.”

  “What about that guy who still lived with his mother and didn’t have a job?”

  “He was between jobs, and his parents had money.”

  Lucas said nothing, just wore a slight grin that leaned toward mocking. He thought she was no better at dating than he was.

  “You were engaged before Bo, too.”

  “I broke it off because it didn’t feel right.”

  “None of them felt right. Is it possible for any man to feel right for you?”

  The thought popped into her head that he could be right for her and shocked her. She put it aside as best she could.

  “Bo isn’t the only reason why you can’t trust men, is he?”

  “I trust the right men.” He’d made it clear he considered her as beautiful as the wo
men he dated, but Demi didn’t agree. She had more earthy good looks. She couldn’t believe he’d choose a woman like her to date. Maybe women like her were too much of a threat to his decision not to marry or have kids. Like the thought that had struck her, maybe he had the same suspicion—that he could like her, maybe too much.

  “I think you deliberately date men you know will never feel right,” Lucas said.

  “I think you deliberately date women you know you’ll never fall in love with,” she countered.

  “Touché.” His grin turned more genuine. He moved closer to her. “That being said, what are we going to do about this?” He bent his neck and kissed her.

  It was a warm, soft kiss. He kept it brief but that didn’t lessen the flying sparks.

  She could only stare up at him. What did he think he was doing?

  “You see? That’s a problem,” he said. “You like me too much.”

  What? He’d done that on purpose? Teasing her again? Disappointment made her stomach turn. And then she chided herself for being disappointed. And then she just got mad.

  “I don’t like you.” She pushed him back. “You’re always mean to me!”

  He smiled without malice. She didn’t know how to take him.

  “I’m never mean to you, Demi. Why have you not noticed that yet?”

  Someone knocked on the door.

  Brayden. Thank goodness. Lucas confused her. She went to the door and opened it to see her brother’s smile emerge. He made her feel better just like that.

  “Where’s the little guy?” Brayden came in, looking from her to Lucas and then back to her. “You okay?”

  “Y-yeah.” She glanced at Lucas.

  That was all Brayden needed. He marched over to Lucas and leaned close. “What are you doing with my sister?”

  Lucas held his hands up. “Nothing. I didn’t get a chance to tell her I liked her, too, before you came to the door.”

  Demi gaped at him. For a man who vowed never to marry he sure sent mixed messages. Was he not worried about what kissing her would do? Then she realized he was worried. That’s why he’d asked her what they would do. He didn’t want to fall for her any more than she wanted to fall for him.

  Falling for him...