Mountain Man Daddy

by Kara Kelley

  “I’ve thought that for a long time, Avery,” he said, running a hand through his hair in obvious frustration. “I just don’t know what it could be.”

  “Can I see the files?” He arched his brow, but grabbed the file off the table, holding it out of her reach a moment. “I’d rather you close your eyes for a few minutes before we leave, but you’ve spent time with him. Maybe you’ll see something I can’t.” He handed her the folder. She grinned, put her hand on his forearm, and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. “I know you’ve been hidden from the world awhile, but I saw a show once where they posted a plate number online and said the guy hit their dog and took off. The power of social media had his location within an hour without alerting him. Could you do something like that? But include his picture because a partial plate won’t be enough when we don’t have the make, model, or color of the car.”

  “You, little girl, are brilliant!” A smile grew slowly on his face.

  “The writers of the show are brilliant. My only contribution is remembering it.” She rubbed her face as if she could scrub away the drug haze faster. “I only wish I could remember which one so we could credit them.” She shrugged, and he bent to take her mouth. She felt dizzy when he released her lips.

  “Mm, that was some kind of brilliant too!” Mike said as her hand fell from his arm to his hip where she clung as he kissed her again, deeper this time.

  “Hey, is that a cell in your front pocket?” she asked when their kiss broke. He looked down.

  “Yes.” He smirked. “But I’m happy to see you too. Why do you ask?”

  She reached into his pocket and grabbed it. “It works?”

  “It’s police-issued. Different provider than yours, so yes.”

  She blinked up at him.

  “Are you going back?” She didn’t know how she felt about it but was more concerned how he felt. Had he missed it?

  “I don’t think so.” He was thoughtful a moment. “I want this done—Prescott, Alex, and the rest of this mess, but after that… No, I don’t think I want that life back.”

  Avery gripped his phone and smiled. She was glad he didn’t want his old life back because she didn’t either. Avery loved her time with him here in the mountain, and she couldn’t wait to get back to it. She swiped the phone to open it.

  “Do you have a pic of Prescott in your email? I can post from here. Maybe we’ll get lucky and have his location before he gets to his next girl.” She opened a fake Facebook account quickly and searched for online Facebook groups located in Bathurst and posted in each one. She created one plea that would relate to each group. When she was finished, Mike handed her a glass of water.

  “Drink.” He sat beside her again, and wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tightly against him. She knew he had to go. Time was so vital now.

  “Prescott’s all about games, and cat and mouse seems to be his favorite. I’m just never sure which one of us is the mouse.”

  * * *

  Her head fell on his shoulder, and she nuzzled against him. The warmth between them felt so right. He didn’t want to leave her now. He wanted to be here where she needed him, but getting Prescott was the only way she’d really be safe. He had to end this.

  “Will you tell me about Alex now?” Mike felt heavy in the chest. Did she still love Alex? He looked at her. Her eyes were weary. His little girl needed rest.

  “He isn’t a good person, Avery.” She looked to her lap, and he kissed the side of her head. “But none of that reflects on you, baby.” He couldn’t deny his worry that she still had feelings. “He faked his own death so that you’d think those guys would kill you if you didn’t give them your money.” One of her tears landed on his shirt. He hated Alex at that moment—more than anyone should hate a loser like him. “But he didn’t do it for the money, he did it to save his ass from those thugs.”

  “I shouldn’t be surprised. Our whole relationship was a con.” She sounded dejected. “But his death haunted me, and he let me think those guys were going to rape and murder me. How could he be so cruel?” She looked up at Mike, and the pain in her eyes went straight through his heart. Mike wished he could take it away.

  “If it helps, he didn’t want you to die. He was coming to save you. He realized he’d made a mistake and wanted you back.” She shook her head at his words. “No, he didn’t. Whatever he told you was a lie. He was going to use me again. He might have wrapped it in a selfless package, but I know the truth. He never loved me. It was always about the money.”

  “Aww, baby, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” Her mouth hitched up at the side. “He’s a douche, and I have a way better man.” Mike took her chin and kissed her lips. “Yes, you do, and I intend to prove it to you every day.”

  “Mm, I like the sound of that, Daddy.” She snuggled into his chest. “Where are they all now?

  “Alex took off, so I don’t know where he is, but the other two are dead.”

  Avery’s eyes widened. “Did you?” Mike gave her a half smile. “I wish, but no. Two conservation officers were here. They found their bodies tied to a tree, mostly eaten by the cougar. I’m guessing Prescott had something to do with that.” He pulled her head to rest on his chest again and set his chin on her head.

  She was quiet for a moment, digesting all of this. Mike wished he could hold her all night, reassure her that unlike her asshole fake husband, he understood that Avery’s true worth had nothing to do with her trust fund and everything to do with her beautiful, brave heart. But he had to finish this first… for her.

  He kissed her head once more and shifted his weight, preparing to stand. She grabbed his forearm to halt him so he relaxed again.

  “Can I stay here? I want to be here surrounded by your things while you’re gone. It’s comforting.”

  “Our things,” he corrected. “And yes, I can have someone come to stay with you while I go find Prescott. Maybe Riley. He’ll keep you safe.” He reached into his back pocket and grabbed Alex’s cell. “This was Alex’s. Use it to let your friend Becca know you’re safe. But don’t look for answers in it. You’ll only torture yourself, and he isn’t worth it.”

  “I wish we could run away and leave this mess behind, but if I’ve learned anything these last few months it’s no matter how far or fast you run, your past catches up with you.” Her huge glassy eyes found his, and she gave him a small, tentative smile. “But I don’t regret it. If I hadn’t run, I would never have found you.”

  “That’s the truth, but I believe I found you, little girl.” He winked at her. “Rest, I’m going to call Riley.”

  She slept against his chest until Riley’s knock at the door woke her. She yawned and moved so he could get up.

  “I’m going to tuck you in bed before I leave,” Mike murmured as he lifted himself off the couch. “Stay here.”

  “How will I sleep knowing you’re out there chasing that psychopath? I’m not even tired anymore.” She yawned, proving her words were a fib, and he chuckled. He’d let her get away with it for now.

  “You will sleep because you know he won’t hurt you or me as long as I’m playing his game. And because my number one priority is my little girl.”

  “Okay.” She yawned again. “I love you,” she whispered drowsily. He stood, smiled and shook his head. “You’ll say anything to get out of bedtime, won’t you?” he chuckled, and she smiled back cheekily.

  “Don’t dismiss my love, Mountain Man Daddy. I’m actually very excited to go to bed. Maybe not now, or alone but eventually.” She bit her lip, looking equally sexy and adorable, and his heart somersaulted in his chest like a teenager.

  He bent and picked her up, yelling to Riley that he was coming. He set her on her feet just as they got to the door, and opened it.

  Riley gave him and Avery a nod. “I’m going to do a perimeter check and have a look around out here.”

  “Good. I’m going to get Avery settled and then I’m out. She’s going to have a rest. There’s
only one window in the bedroom, and it’ll be locked. You’ll see it when you do your round.”

  He nodded again, then left, and Mike looked at Avery. She looked small and delicate beside him with her tired eyes and marked-up wrists.

  “Sure you wouldn’t rather go to a hotel? Somewhere you can have a hot bath and a meal delivered? Somewhere with lots of people? There’s safety in that.”

  “I think I’m happy to shower, put on your long johns, and climb into your bed. Although the promise of a bath, rather than the pee-stream spray is tempting.” She shot a dirty look toward the bathroom, and his mouth hitched at the side in a smirk. He wanted everything for her at that moment. Whatever she desired, he wanted to give.

  “Do you want to go back to your old life, Avery? With all the money and material things?”

  * * *

  Avery considered Mike’s question carefully, even though she knew the answer. He’d value it more if he saw she’d thought about it.

  “I’ve loved the last few weeks, Daddy. Living out here with you has been the best time in my life. I had nothing growing up, so when I got all the money I surrounded myself with material things, but it never filled the hole I had inside. I wasn’t poor in material things, but I was poor in love. I love this mountain, the views, and being able to frolic naked with you outdoors.” She looked away a moment remembering that Henry saw them outside together and hating that he had managed to invade that private moment between them. Her daddy would put him away though and then no one would invade their oasis again. She grinned. “But I’d sure like that bath and maybe something other than venison stew.”

  “When this is over, we’re going out for the night. We’re getting a fancy hotel room with a big tub, dinner at a nice restaurant, and breakfast in bed. I’m going to spoil you rotten, little girl.”

  When he had tucked her in the bed, and she was heavy-lidded and fresh from the shower, he sat beside her on the edge. Her stomach sank at the confession she had to make.

  “Daddy, that money—the millions. I don’t need it. All I need is you, this little cabin in the mountains, and Annie’s company now and then. Having you makes me richer than any trust fund ever did.”

  He brushed her hair back. “I love you, little girl.”

  “I have something I need to tell you, but I don’t want to. You’re going to be mad.”

  “Avery.” His tone that made her swallow thickly. He crossed his arms. “You’d better tell me now.”

  “Can I tell you when you get back?” She licked her lips when his brows rose.

  “Right. Now.”

  “He didn’t take me from here.” She frowned even though he uncrossed his arms to touch her face. He smoothed his thumb along her wrinkled brow. His compassionate expression gave her strength.

  “Tell me.”

  “I ran again. I saw the conservation officers and thought they were cops. I thought they might arrest you too, and I started obsessing about how I had ruined everything for you and that you’d be better off without me.” She drew in a quick breath and continued. “If I left, you’d get your peaceful mountain back. But then I got halfway up the mountain, and I knew I needed to turn back. By you being my daddy and me being your little girl we had an agreement, and I was breaking it by making decisions for you.” She clutched his wrist.

  “I was running back, Daddy, I was, but then Prescott shot Rocky and grabbed me. I shouldn’t have run.” Tears pooled, and she began to tremble again. She was so tired and so overwhelmed, she couldn’t hold any of it in. He pulled her into his arms. “Rocky wouldn’t have been shot if I hadn’t have run either. He followed me and wouldn’t go home. And if he’d stayed with you, he could’ve protected you from Alex too.”

  “I didn’t need protection from that half-wit con man, but honey, we’ll fix it in our way, I promise. Okay? I promise you can let go of all that guilt, but I have to get Prescott first.” He pulled her back so he could look her in the face.

  “You’ll spank me?” she asked, chewing her lip nervously.

  “Little girl, you will be taken over my knee and spanked as soon as this is over.” He gave her one of his firm looks that melted her all over and then wiped her wet cheeks. “And this time, I’m going to make sure you never run again.”

  “I’m sorry…” He hushed her, but she continued anyway. “I never thought hearing I was getting spanked would relieve me.”

  “That happiness won’t last long, little girl, but the burn on your ass will.”

  “Okay, Daddy.” She smiled, and he pressed his lips to her head.

  “Now roll over and go to sleep.” She turned over right away, and he planted a firm swat over the blanket. “That’s my girl.”

  Avery fell asleep within minutes, finally at peace.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Prescott sat at the hotel bar like any other patron would, and Mike sat beside him, leaving his team behind at the door.

  “Checkmate,” he said, and Prescott looked at him. His face was dead calm as he took a sip of his coffee.

  “It’s about time, brother. I’d been worried this would never end.”

  “If you wanted it to end, why didn’t you just stop?” Mike folded his hands on the bar top, keeping his cool. He needed answers, and he wouldn’t get them by throwing Prescott on the floor and cuffing him.

  “I needed you to stop me.”

  “Why? Why me?” Mike shook his head. He’d never understood the game.

  “I’ve been killing her repeatedly for years. It started with you, and it had to end with you.”

  “Her? You mean your mother? And how did it start with me?” Mike asked, anger and impatience suddenly lacing his words.

  Prescott held two fingers up to the bartender.

  “Two scotches.” The armed officers at the door readied, and Mike lifted a hand to hold them off. He needed to know. Damn it! This guy had been mind-fucking him for years.

  “I killed her for us. Admittedly, at the time I almost killed you, too.” He kept his face forward toward the shelf of liquor bottles behind the bar.

  “That paramedic saved you though. I had researched what gestational age you would be likely to survive and how to do a C-section, but I was ten. The knowledge hadn’t prepared me in a practical sense. Good thing the paramedics arrived when they did. We had no idea it was twins. Our mother didn’t believe in prenatal care.”

  “What the hell are you talking about, Prescott? What do you mean our mother?” He was angry—angry enough that his neck heated and he felt his carotid artery pulse.

  “You’re my brother.” Prescott faced him then, expressionless.

  “You’re goddamned certifiable, Prescott. You don’t have a brother!”

  “I do. One of the babies in our mother’s womb was you. The other? Lydia. It was kept quiet. No one wanted the story to affect your adoption, but it’s true.”

  “Lydia?”

  Prescott looked forward again.

  “Don’t play dumb, Michael. I know you better than you know yourself. You keep her with you. Victim number one. Your first failure.”

  Mike swallowed, his throat tight. He did know. He knew well.

  “I was a good sweet boy, Michael. The psychiatrists loved me, so did the nurses and social workers at the institution. I managed to get the information I needed out of them. I kept tabs on you and our sister your whole lives.” Prescott spun his glass and the amber liquid swirled.

  “Lydia didn’t make it. She started at sixteen, drugs, prostitution, pregnancies. I had to kill her. It was like our mother all over again. She would’ve only ended up hurting those kids—our nieces and nephew. And after her, I found as many as I could. I had to save those children, too.”

  Mike swore and threw back the scotch that sat in front of him. Prescott sipped his slowly.

  “I shouldn’t have killed Ella though. I wouldn’t have if I’d known they’d suspect you. And if I’d known you’d walk away.”

  “You killed my wife?” Mike’s heart froze,
and his breath stuck until Prescott looked at him again. Mike’s jaw tightened and his hand fisted at his side. She hadn’t deserved to die. Grief swallowed him for several minutes until Prescott spoke.

  “I’m sorry, Michael.” He turned to the officers at the door. “You hear that, boys? I killed Ella Hunter.”

  Mike grabbed his jacket and yanked him back around to face him.

  “She didn’t deserve to fucking die.” His words came out with rage. “I just wanted her to be happy. She could have been happy with Mark.” He let Prescott go, and his arm fell to his side.

  “I know that now,” he said softly, finishing off his drink and setting down his glass. “You need to save me, Michael.”

  “Save you? Why the fuck would I save you?” Emotion was thick and suffocating in his throat. He couldn’t wrap his mind around any of it, but he wanted nothing more than to put the barrel of his gun against Prescott’s skull and pull the trigger.

  “It was no longer about protecting them or us anymore. It was about pain. I knew that as soon as I’d killed Lydia. I enjoyed her anguish. And later, I wanted those women to suffer. I fed off their torment. That’s wrong, Michael. It must have been why I made sure you were on the case. You were always meant to save me.” He reached out to touch Mike’s shoulder, looking him in the eye, a spark of light coming to his expression. “I need you to kill me. I need you to save me like I saved you.”

  “No fucking way. I want you to rot in prison the rest of your life knowing I wouldn’t give this to you too.”

  “You disappoint me, Michael.” He shook his head, gathered a breath and spun on his barstool. As soon as he started to rise and he reached into his jacket, someone yelled “gun!” Mike dropped to the floor. Shots fired. Mike’s feet shoved off the baseboard of the bar, shooting him toward the middle of the room. Pulling out his Glock, he pointed it at Prescott, who lay on the floor facing him. Blood foamed at his lips, and his eyes stared blankly. It was over. It was finally over.