Coming Out of the Dark: Second Chance Series - Book 1

by Joan Davis

  Risa looked confused and said, “How could he have gotten away with being on our property’s so much? Wouldn’t someone have noticed a strange vehicle or that he wasn’t someone we knew? Samson made sure that everyone who worked at Dad’s house was familiar to us, and we even knew the deputies that came by every so often.”

  Samson looked grim at Risa’s words. “She’s right. Maybe we aren’t looking for a stranger. Maybe he’s right in our circle. It would make sense wouldn’t it?” His gut clenched at the thought that this maniac could be someone they all knew.

  Conner shook head. “I did background checks on everyone. Everyone is clean.”

  Risa sat up and looked at Samson and asked, “What if this person doesn’t have a record? Saren had people who worked outside the house to bring in money. Once, I heard him lecturing those people that they had to be above reproach. He didn’t want the police having any reason to be suspicious or to come around asking questions. I told the District Attorney about this when he first interviewed me. It was before . . .,” Risa stopped but chose to continue. “It was one of the few things I remember before the night Saren killed that man.”

  Tensing, Conner asked, “Did you ever hear where these people worked, or even generally what they did? Did they work in a bank or store?”

  Shaking her head, Risa said, “The only reason I overheard anything is because I would lie in front of the bedroom door after they’d locked me in for the night, and I would put my ear against the door and listen. I wanted to learn as much as I could, in case I ever got the chance to escape. But that was the only thing I ever overheard that made sense. Usually, I only got a few words as someone passed by the door.”

  Looking a little uneasy, Risa added, “The District Attorney said he checked into the backgrounds of those people who were killed the day they found me. Saren and the girl that helped me in the basement were the only ones left alive in the house other than me. At least, that’s what I was told. We all know that at least one person is out there and after me. What if there were other people from the house who weren’t there that day? They would be out there and free to do whatever they wanted. There would be no way to identify them unless Saren or that girl gave up their names. Those people always wore those distorted white face masks. They could be anyone, and I wouldn’t be able to tell.” Risa’s voice quivered, but she quickly cleared her throat and continued. “I never heard anything else about it. D.A. Addison would have told me if he found something, wouldn’t he?” Risa shivered at the ever-haunting thought of people being out there and possibly watching her until they were able to get their hands on her.

  “I don’t know, but we are going to find out,” Samson said with an ominous sound in his voice. He could see the determined fight in Risa, as she struggled with the mounting questions and worry. He was determined to keep her safe and to eliminate that fear.

  CHAPTER 9

  Samson awoke with a jerk. Risa was not beside him, and he was out of bed and almost to his bedroom door before he heard the shower in his bathroom. Taking a deep breath and running a hand down his face, Samson walked naked into the bathroom and straight into the shower.

  Risa stood facing away from him. She had braced her hands against the wall as hot water poured over her. Samson felt his body tighten in arousal, and he stepped up behind her silently. He wrapped his enormous hands around her small wrists and leaned down to kiss her shoulder.

  Samson felt Risa stiffen, and she jerked away from him.

  “Oh God, don’t. Get away from me. Let me go!” she cried hoarsely, before she saw it was Samson. Rubbing her wrist, she backed away from him, looking unsure and confused.

  Samson didn’t move, afraid of spooking her more. “Risa, it’s okay, baby.”

  Risa swallowed and kept slowly backing away from Samson. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. You just surprised me. I wasn’t expecting you to grab my arms like that. I don’t like that,” Risa said frowning. She continued rubbing her wrists and glancing over her shoulder.

  Samson stayed motionless and said, “I am really sorry, Risa. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m going to stay in here and finish my shower. Don’t forget, we have to leave in a while for your therapy appointment,” Samson reminded her gently. He knew she was confused, and he wondered if he was seeing another sign of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

  Suddenly, Risa took a deep, shuddering breath and seemed to really look at Samson for the first time. Tears filled her eyes and she trembled. “Samson, I’m so sorry.” She gave him such a helpless look that Samson wanted to rip the world apart.

  Instead, he slowly walked towards her and wrapped her in his arms. Risa clung to him as her body shook. “Risa it’s going to be okay. We’re going to get through this. Just hold on to me,” Samson coaxed and kept up a litany of comforting words until he felt her relax against him.

  Risa stepped back and took a shaky breath. “I guess I need more practice at this whole ‘I’m not scared anymore’ stuff,” she said with a lopsided smile.

  “We’ve got time, baby. Take all you need.” Samson urged.

  Risa nodded and reached up to kiss him softly, before heading out of the shower to dry off and dress. Samson gritted his teeth in fury. He couldn’t let this go on much longer. He slammed his fist against the tiled wall of the shower in frustration. He then turned back to the hot spray and let it pound down on him.

  Three and a half hours later, Samson found himself sitting in a small cramped chair in the waiting room of Risa’s therapist’s office. For the hundredth time, he looked around the small room. The receptionist was busy answering phones while typing on her computer and two other patients sat waiting for their appointments. Samson looked at his watch and knew Risa’s therapy session should be over soon.

  Finally, the doctor’s office door opened and Risa stepped out with an older, pleasant looking woman. Samson took in Risa’s pale face and at once became concerned. He stood up anxiously and found himself facing the woman who had come out with Risa. “Mr. Knight? I’m Dr. Harrison, Risa’s therapist. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  Samson shook the doctor’s hand as said, “It’s nice to meet you as well.” But Samson was still watching Risa. She absently rubbed her temple as she waited for the receptionist to schedule her next appointment.

  Dr. Harrison cleared her throat and brought his attention back to her. “Risa has been through a great deal. I hope you understand how difficult this has been for her.” The therapist stared at Samson without expression.

  Samson narrowed his eyes as he returned her stare. “Not that I needed confirmation, but after yesterday, I have no illusions about what she has been put through and how it has affected her life. My main goal is to make sure she is safe and can fully reclaim her life.”

  The therapist nodded and gave Samson a sincere smile. Turning to Risa she said, “I’ll see you next week.” At Risa’s nod, she smiled at them both and walked back into her office and closed the door.

  Risa turned and walked out of the office, moving silently to the elevators. She pressed the button and rubbed her temples again. Samson followed Risa’s lead and just quietly shadowed her as they rode the elevator down to the building’s lobby and walked out to his SUV. Once they were both inside the truck and Samson had pulled out into traffic, he glanced over at Risa. He saw that she was resting her head against the back of the seat, and her eyes were closed.

  They had just reached the edge of Cloverdale’s city limits when Risa said urgently, “Please stop the truck!”

  Samson swung his gaze to her and saw her hand on her stomach and a panicked look on her face. He swiftly turned off the main road onto a side street and stopped the SUV. Risa threw the passenger door open and nearly fell out in her haste to exit the vehicle. Samson jumped out on his side and raced around to Risa’s side and found her bent over, vomiting. She was clutching the bumper to keep her balance, and her body continued to heave until her stomach was empty.

  Running his hand roughly
through his hair, Samson bared his teeth in impotent frustration. He did the only thing he could think of doing. He turned and reached into the SUV and pulled out a cold bottle of water from his truck cooler. He then yanked out a clean handkerchief from his back pocket and moistened it, before going to Risa and placing it on her neck. He held it there until she finally stood up and leaned heavily against the side of the SUV.

  “Here, use this to rinse your mouth out,” Samson said as he handed Risa the bottle of water. He saw how pale her skin was.

  Risa took the water in her shaky hand and rinsed her mouth out several times before handing it back to Samson. “Thank you,” she said hoarsely. She closed her eyes in relief as Samson ran the cool, wet handkerchief over her face and neck. The coolness seemed to revive her a little, and her skin seemed less pale. Risa turned embarrassed eyes to Samson. “I am so sorry. I just got really sick to my stomach. I didn’t want to ruin the inside of your truck.”

  Samson wet the handkerchief again and pressed it to Risa’s forehead and cheeks. “Please don’t apologize to me. You have been through hell in the last twenty-four hours. Hell, my own stomach is in knots. I might join you,” Samson said, only half joking. He handed Risa the handkerchief and said, “Do you think you feel well enough to get back in the truck, or do you want to stay out here for a little while longer?”

  “I’m fine now,” Risa said, as she walked shakily back to the passenger door of the SUV and climbed inside the truck. “This sometimes happens after a session with my therapist.”

  Samson shut the door and went back around to the driver’s side. He paused and took a deep breath. He tried to calm his internal rage before opening the door. He knew it wouldn’t help Risa to witness his anger. He finally opened the door and climbed into his seat. Risa leaned her forehead against the cool glass of the passenger door. Samson started the SUV and began heading home again, but after about ten minutes he pulled off the road again and sat with his hands tightly gripping the steering wheel.

  Risa felt mostly recovered by then, and her skin color was back to normal. She looked at Samson with concern. “What’s wrong?” she asked anxiously. She saw Samson’s jaw working, and he looked like he was fighting back his anger. “Samson,” Risa said sadly. When he looked at her she said, “It’s really okay. I understand that you don’t want to be trapped in this nightmare with me. Who would? I can barely stand it myself. I can’t imagine what it must be like to have to watch me freak out every other minute. Dad and I can move back into his house and give you some peace. I am so sorry that I’ve put you through all of this.”

  “Stop!” Samson gritted out. Breathing harshly, he reached over and intertwined his fingers with hers. “You aren’t going anywhere unless I’m by your side. Got that? I signed on for this because I can’t be without you. Do you understand me? I don’t expect, or want, Superwoman who’s perfect in every way. I know your recovery is going to take time. I’m not looking for a way out. I am just having my own little freak-out, okay? Nothing’s wrong, baby. I just needed to take a minute. I needed to touch you. My He-Man instincts are telling me to carry you off to a remote location and hide you away so that no one can get to you. I’m this close to walking into that damn morgue and finding Saren’s body and killing him all over again.” Samson smiled at Risa’s shocked look. “Yeah, not very enlightened of me, I know. But what do you expect from an ex-bounty hunter-turned-construction worker who has now turned into a big Horndog. It’s not easy being me.”

  Risa laughed softly as she said, “You are the cutest thing sometimes. I would kiss you, but I have throw-up breath, and it wouldn’t be good.” Risa wrinkled her nose.

  Samson looked put-out. “I’m cute? Geez, woman, why don’t you just dress me in pink and give me pig tails?” Samson kept muttering as Risa giggled. “Let get you back home before you totally emasculate me.”

  Risa frowned and said, “I don’t really want to go home yet. I feel much better now. Can’t we just drive around for a while?”

  “Sure. Where would you like to go?” he asked indulgently.

  Risa thought for a moment, and then her expression brightened. “I know what I want to do. I want to go to a ‘Seven-Eleven’ and get a jumbo Coke Slurpee, ooh, and giant Slim Jim’s, too. Where is the closest ‘Seven-Eleven’ store?” Risa asked excitedly. “Use your GPS thingy.”

  Samson looked at her incredulously. “Didn’t you just barf up a lung out there? Now you want a bunch of junk food? Are you crazy, woman?”

  Risa face grew obstinate. “Why is it crazy? My stomach is fine now. I just want a little comfort food. Is that too much to ask?” When Samson continued to stare at her mutely, Risa groused, “Fine, if you don’t want to go there then let’s just go home,” as she crossed her arms over her chest, turned and stared straight ahead.

  “You’re throwing guilt bombs at me? Really . . .?” Samson said in amazement, staring at her for several seconds. When Risa continued to stare mutinously out the front window of the SUV, Samson started the engine and grumbled about crazy women. He turned the truck around and headed back down the highway. A little while later, he pulled into a ‘Seven-Eleven’ convenience store and shut off the SUV. He turned and wasn’t surprised to greet Risa’s big beaming smile.

  “Now I owe you two kisses,” Risa said, and then clapped her hands gleefully and piled out of the SUV, running into the store.

  Samson followed slowly. I am in love with a crazy woman, and she has me wrapped around her little finger. How did this happen to me? he wondered to himself. I’m going to have to put my foot down sooner or later and let Risa know she isn’t always going to get her way. Yeah, later is good, Samson snorted to himself and went inside to find Risa in the chip aisle.

  Twenty-five dollars later, Risa was happily using a straw-spoon to scoop up a bit of frozen Coke to put into her mouth, as Samson pulled back into traffic. “Thanks for remembering to get the mints,” she mumbled around a mouth full of icy goodness. She had popped a mint in her mouth even before the cashier rang up their purchases.

  “Well, I figured since it was the only thing you left in the store, that you might have overlooked them,” Samson teased.

  Risa made a face at him and went back to eating her slushy. “Where are we going?” she asked when Samson turned down an old country road, instead of heading down the road that led to his home.

  “Conner has a piece of lake property out here. I thought we might make a little junk food picnic and relax for a while,” Samson said, and turned down a smaller road that led to a beautiful lake. Large oak trees were scattered around the property and provided lovely shade. Samson pulled the SUV up next to one of the trees near the lake and parked. He got out and went around to the back of the SUV, opened the door, pulled out an old quilted blanket and gathered the bags of goodies they had just purchased.

  Risa followed him and helped him spread the blanket on the ground, then proceeded to pull the snacks out and open containers. Looking around she said. “Wow, this place is really beautiful. How long has Conner owned this property?”

  “A few years. He’s planning on building a house out here, but so far he hasn’t decided on a design. I don’t know why he’s procrastinating. He hates living in the condo he’s in now,” Samson said shrugging, and snagged the bag of crunchy Cheetos.

  “He’s not procrastinating. He’s probably waiting to find someone to share it with before he builds,” Risa said absently, and groaned in delight as she gnawed on one of the giant Slim Jims.

  Samson shook his head at Risa’s antics, and he frowned skeptically, swallowing his Cheetos. “Why do you say that? I mean, I built my house without a woman in the picture. Why would you think Conner would need a woman in his life before he built a home out here?”

  Risa raised a brow at Samson. “First of all, you are not Conner. Second, are you kidding? You tore down a cabin that I assume had only one or two bedrooms, if that, and built a six bedroom, five bath home. Then you remodeled the kitchen and bathrooms only a fe
w years later. Give me a break. Your house has “family” written all over it. It was LuAnne wasn’t it? She is the reason your house looks like something you’d see in a magazine. Were you in love with her?” Risa stared at Samson expectantly.

  Samson ignored the last question for the moment and was shaking his head. “I will admit that LuAnne had a hand in the remodel, but I wasn’t with her when I initially built the house. I built it that size to highlight my building skills, to show to potential clients. It’s also handy if I have overnight guests,” he declared. Leaning down, he put his nose against hers. “I did it for myself, woman. Get that straight,” he insisted.

  Risa held her hands up in mock surrender. “Okay, it’s totally a bachelor’s pad. No one would ever think of that house as a family home. All it needs is a disco ball,” she said mockingly, but passed Samson a bottle of iced tea as a peace offering. “May I ask you something personal?”

  Samson grumbled good-naturedly and took the ice-tea. “Of course, go ahead,” he said.

  Risa hesitated, not sure if she wanted to know. “Why aren’t you still with LuAnne? Weren’t you going to marry her?”

  Samson paused, but then said, “We were engaged, but I figured out that we weren’t compatible.” At Risa’s raised eyebrow, Samson sighed. “I found out she was cheating on me.”

  “She cheated on you? What, is she insane?” Risa asked incredulously. This woman really is a jackass, Risa thought silently. Then she kicked herself. If the woman hadn’t been so careless with Samson’s heart, I may have never gotten this close to him. My gratitude to jackasses everywhere.

  Samson smiled, but said, “Apparently, when I pulled the purse strings tight, LuAnne turned to a more generous benefactor.”

  Risa frowned. “So, she screwed you over for money? Wow, I’m really sorry,” Risa said, thinking how cold and heartless someone would have to be to do something like that. “Doesn’t she have her own business? I remember her inviting me for ‘A Day of Beauty’ at her salon.” Risa remember being so embarrassed in front of Samson and feeling very plain and ugly next to LuAnne Franklin.