“You think I need that gun, Liz?” He spat the question in her ear. She gritted her teeth against the pain in her scalp. He pulled her close. They were chest to chest. “I was never going to use that gun on you. It’s too fast. It wouldn’t teach you the lesson you need to learn.”
His mouth was pressed to her ear. She struggled, but he held her firmly.
“I brought this for you, Liz,” he whispered as though he’d brought her flowers he wanted her to admire.
Rachel swallowed as he pulled out a wicked-looking knife. The silver knife glittered in the sunlight. It was long, and there was no question what it was used for. Some knives had a utilitarian purpose. This knife had been made to kill.
“It’s for you, Liz. I made it special, and I’ll bury it with you.”
He started to pull the knife back. Rachel knew she had mere seconds before he shoved it into her belly. She brought her knee up as hard as she could and aimed directly for his testicles. He groaned as she made rough contact. His hand let go of her hair. She stumbled backward.
“You bitch!” Tommy screamed as he cupped himself.
Rachel didn’t think. She turned and ran. She felt Quigley running beside her, but she couldn’t afford to look down. She simply ran, knowing Tommy was behind her every step of the way. If she could just make it to the road, Mel’s house was right across the way. She would start screaming. If she had any luck at all, he would hear her and come running.
Tears streamed down her face as she ran. Branches and shrubs cut into her. She ignored them. Her lungs burned. Still she ran. She could hear him catching up.
“I’m going to make you scream, bitch!”
She moved to the left. She could see the road come into view. She was almost there. Then she was falling. She hit the ground hard. The breath was knocked from her lungs as she slammed down. Her ankle twisted painfully.
She forced herself to turn over and tried to get up, but she’d tripped on a rock. Her ankle was swelling before her eyes. Her heart seized. They would find her here. Max and Rye—please let him be alive—they would find her body here. They would be so heartbroken. She would give anything for just one more minute with them.
“Poor Liz,” Tommy said, walking slowly toward her. The knife was in his hand. He looked satisfied that she couldn’t run anymore. It was apparent from the light in his eyes that he wanted to play with her.
Quigley nudged her with his nose, and Rachel realized he had something in his mouth. He dropped it on her lap and she stilled for a second. Quigley had gone after the gun. Someone had thrown it, so in his doggy mind, it was something to be fetched. His huge mouth had easily carried the handgun.
Without hesitation, Rachel picked up the gun and fired. There was no warning. He had given her none. There was no request to stop or she would shoot. There was not even the inkling in her mind that now she could send him to jail. There was only the need to be free of him once and for all.
Rachel pulled the trigger again.
He looked down at the expanding red blossom on his chest. His eyes registered a dull sort of shock. He staggered toward her, still holding the knife as though he would take her with him.
Rachel pulled the trigger yet again. She would keep doing it until he went down or she ran out of bullets. This was the end of the line.
He stopped at the third shot, and his knees buckled. He fell face-first to the ground.
She sat for a moment, waiting for him to move again.
“Rachel!” She could hear Max screaming for her.
She got to her feet. Her ankle protested, but she had to get up. Her whole body shook. She felt tears streaming down her face. Blood pounded through her body reminding her that she was alive. She was alive. She had won. She stood over Tommy Lane, and it wasn’t enough. She aimed at his head. Rachel pulled the trigger one last time to be sure.
“Rachel!” Max’s tormented scream reverberated through the woods.
Quigley barked. His tail thumped, and he took off looking for his master.
Rachel was still holding the gun when Max burst into view following Quigley. He was running full out, shotgun firmly in his hand. He stopped when he saw the scene before him.
“Oh god, baby,” he breathed, walking to her.
She dropped the gun and fell into him, sobbing the whole time. Max’s arms tightened around her until she thought she might burst. His hands ran over her body, looking for damage.
“You did good, baby. You did so good. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here.” He pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
Rachel felt his tears on her shoulder. She looked up. Panic seized her again. “Rye?”
“Is a lot slower since someone used his skull for batting practice.” The words were low, but the sight of Rye walking toward her with a shirt wrapped around his head was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. She limped over to him, holding on to Max, and gently kissed Rye. His face was tight with pain, but he held on to her as though she was the fragile one.
“You need to go to the hospital.” Rachel wouldn’t be satisfied until he’d had every test known to the medical world.
“They’re on their way.” Max pressed himself against her back as Rye hugged her front. She sent a silent prayer of thanks to anyone listening.
In the distance, she heard the sound of the ambulance making its way up the road.
She looked down at Tommy’s body. He didn’t matter anymore. She was in their arms, wrapped in her future, and no one could take that away from her.
Epilogue
Rachel watched her husband toss the drool-covered tennis ball into the yard. Quigley wagged his stubby tail and happily ran off after it.
“You’re going to throw your arm out.” She sank down into the rocking chair beside him. He’d been playing fetch for hours with the dog.
Max smiled at her. “It’s little enough payment for what he did.”
He reached over and grabbed her hand. He did that a lot, she’d noticed. He held her hand whenever they sat together.
It had been a month since that day in the woods. Rachel had cherished every day with them. She looked down at the ring on her finger. It was a solitaire that had been their mother’s, and it was surrounded by two small golden bands.
Rachel had married Max in a small courthouse, but she would never really consider that her wedding. That had been a thing to appease legalities. Her real wedding day had been one week ago. The entire town of Bliss had gathered as she stood in front of their family and friends and pledged to love Max and Rye for the rest of her life. It was the easiest promise she’d ever made.
She’d made one more legal change. She was legally Rachel Elizabeth Harper. Somehow she couldn’t go back to her old name. It didn’t fit her anymore. She was a new person.
They hadn’t made that trip to Dallas, hadn’t needed bodyguards and safe havens. She had everything she needed right here.
“Rye’s home.” Max pointed to the brand-new truck coming up the road.
Rye parked, gave Quigley a pat, and threw the tennis ball. He smiled broadly as he stepped onto the porch.
“I am officially a free man,” he said before he leaned over to kiss her.
“How does it feel not to be Johnny Law anymore, brother?” Max asked.
She knew how happy Max was that Rye was coming back to work at the stables. Luckily Max had gotten the small fire Tommy had set to distract them out before it had done real damage. They’d had to replace one of the doors, but all the horses had been okay and they could move on. They’d spent weeks planning the new services they could offer. They were offering riding lessons now that Rye had the time to teach. She had the feeling a lot of ladies would sign up for Rye to teach them how to ride. She would have to be patient.
Rye took the chair on her right side. “It feels good. No more dealing with tourists, or placating Mel, or being worried about having to toss my own brother in jail.”
“Yeah, now you can be my alibi in good conscience,” Max replied.
“I met the new sheriff.” Rye rocked back and forth. It was how they ended their days, together, watching the sunset. “I thought Callie’s eyes were going to pop out of her head.”
“Good-looking?” Rachel made a mental note to call Callie and get the lowdown on the new sheriff.
“His name is Nathan Wright. He used to work for the DEA or something like it. Callie seemed really surprised to see him. I think she’s met him somewhere. I suppose he’s okay, if you like the type.”
Max frowned. “She doesn’t. Rachel likes our type.”
“Yes, I do. I just hope he’s a hottie who shakes up Callie’s world. I can’t be the only love slave in Bliss.” She wanted happiness for all the friends she’d made here.
“Oh, baby, you won’t be. Not as long as Stef has a pulse. Now,” Rye said with a sly look in his eyes, “I can concentrate on teaching one special lady how to ride. I start Rachel’s lessons tomorrow.”
Rachel felt a secret smile curl on her lips.
“Hell, Rye, I’ll start teaching her how to ride tonight.” Max leered at her happily.
“I meant on a horse, idiot,” Rye joked with affection. “She’s going to run the business part of this, but she needs to know how to ride properly. You said that mare we picked out for her should be here in the morning.”
“I think I might wait a while for those lessons, Rye.” Her hand went over her still-flat stomach.
“Hey, there’s nothing to be afraid of, Rach.” He looked slightly concerned. “I’m a good teacher. I won’t yell at you like Max would.”
Max opened his mouth and then shut it. He nodded shortly, conceding the point.
“It’s not that,” she explained. “I just don’t think it would be good for the baby.”
There was a long pause.
“Rachel?” Max stopped rocking.
“Are you sure?” Rye’s face was a mask of stunned expectation.
“I’m as sure as three pregnancy tests can be,” she replied with a grin. “I wanted to tell you fast because I bought them at the Stop ’n’ Shop, so everyone knows by now.”
Max was on his knees, his big hand covering her belly. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can,” Rye said, grinning from ear to ear. “We’ve tried hard enough.”
Then they were off. They argued about names and whether it would be a boy or a girl. They decided which room to convert to a nursery and where he or she would be going to college.
Rachel sat back and rocked as they planned the future. Her hand rested contentedly on the small life growing inside her. All around her, the world seemed safe and lovely.
She watched as the sun went down and night fell softly on Bliss.
* * * *
Rachel, Max, and Rye will be thrilled to welcome Callie’s men, Nate and Zane, in the next Bliss, CO story, Two to Love, coming soon to all retailers.
Author’s Note
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Siren Enslaved
Texas Sirens Book 3
By Lexi Blake writing as Sophie Oak
Coming April 24, 2018
Click here to pre-order
Julian Lodge has everything a man could want. He’s rich, successful and owns the most exclusive club in Dallas. But something is missing.
Finn Taylor has worked his way up in the world from humble beginnings in Willow Fork, Texas. The only thing he still loves in his hometown is Danielle Bay. He never told her he was actually bisexual, and he never confessed his love for her. Now she’s getting married, and Finn is sure he’s lost his chance with the only person he’ll ever love.
Julian’s vacation to the Barnes-Fleetwood ranch brings them all together. After Dani jumps into Julian’s car while fleeing her wedding, Julian knows he has to have her. But nothing is easy in Willow Fork. A danger from Julian’s past threatens them all. Julian will have to convince both Dani and Finn that being his will be the best decision they ever made.
* * * *
What the hell had she just done? She’d panicked and fled, leaving 122 wedding guests sitting in the pews at the Willow Fork Methodist Church. Only they hadn’t been in pews at the end. She’d looked back long enough to see the wave of people coming out of the large doors to gawk at the idiot running out of her own wedding.
She tried to shove down the ridiculous amount of satin and lace currently assaulting her. God, she couldn’t breathe. She glanced out the rearview mirror of her handy getaway vehicle. Finn had stopped running. He stood at the stoplight, his face contorted in concern. She turned to look back at him.
“Dani!”
She shook her head as best she could with Jimbo Smart’s great-grandmother’s monstrosity of a veil. It had been bedazzled within an inch of its sad little life. Of course, the whole damn dress was that way. She had rhinestones everywhere. She weighed an extra fifty pounds. Finn was running a hand through his dark hair and pulling out his cell. She knew who he was calling, but she couldn’t answer. Her phone, along with her purse and everything else she had brought, was in the bride’s room at the church.
She’d run out on her wedding. She’d run out on her whole freaking future.
What had she done? What the hell had she done? Her chest ached.
“Breathe.”
Dani turned to look at the man driving the car. She hadn’t thought that through, either. She’d just known that Finn was going to catch her, and she couldn’t face him. She was with a complete stranger. Her hands shook, and her breath hitched again.
“Calm down and breathe. Focus on one thing and one thing only. Let the world narrow to a single point.”
It wasn’t a suggestion. The man next to her commanded. His deep voice ran over her like warm, rich chocolate. She took a long, steadying breath, filling her lungs with humid air. She gripped the door but found herself doing exactly as he ordered. She settled her eyes on the air conditioner vent. Four little lines. That was all that mattered. She stared at them.
“Excellent. Now concentrate on slowing your breathing. Flex your hands. Remind yourself that you are in control of your body. It does not control you. Say the words for me. Hear them for yourself. I am in control.”
“I am in control.” The words felt foreign. She hadn’t been in control for a long time, most of her life. Most of her life had been about outside forces controlling her.
Her concentration slipped. Panic threatened again. She panted. What was she going to do?
The car came to an abrupt stop. Dani looked around. They were on the edge of town, just off the highway. Was he going to leave her here?
The man beside her turned in his seat, and Dani got her first good look at him. Holy crap, she’d gotten in the car of some damn movie star. He had to be. He was absolutely perfect. She felt her jaw drop. He had dark brown hair that was pulled back in a low ponytail. Silvery eyes dominated a face made of strong bones and sharp angles. From what she could see, his body was long and lean. His shoulders were encased in an expensive-looking dress shirt, though he wore no tie, leaving a V of smooth, tanned skin exposed.
He looked a little like an angel, but one who had fallen from grace long ago.
He took her hand, sliding it between both of his. Her hand, so cold a moment before, was surrounded by warmth now, and that warmth started creeping u
p her skin.
“Focus on me, Annie.”
She thought about correcting him, but the panic was a tidal wave threatening to drown her again. It had been like this for six months. The panic attacks were getting worse. She’d nearly passed out the night before. Finn had held her and asked her over and over if she was sure she wanted to do this. Damn it. Finn was part of her problem.
She’d started down that aisle, and he’d been so beautiful standing there. Her groom. Finally she was where she belonged, walking down the aisle toward her love, Finn. Only Finn wasn’t there for her. He never had been, not that way. Jimbo was the one standing there and he’d been wrestling with his bow tie.
In that instant she’d seen her whole life play out like some tragic movie. She would have a few kids. He would drink a lot and go out with his buddies while she took care of the kids. He would do as he liked and she would do her duty. And after she’d spent her youth raising kids and keeping a house, she would spend what was rest of her life nursing him because he would drink and party his life away.
She would still be alone, even with a ring on her finger.
She’d turned and ran, and now she was in a car with a gorgeous god of a man who might be a serial killer. The way her luck went, he probably was. She would end up chopped up and buried all across east Texas.
And it still might be better than the life she would have had with Jimbo.
“Oh, you are such trouble.” He sighed, those gray eyes rolling, and then he pulled her close. “Luckily, I know how to handle you, little one.” He let go of her hand and twisted in his seat. One hand captured her face, cupping her cheek, and the other went to her waist. He pulled her in, a mountain of tulle between them. “The key is giving you something to focus on.”
She was focused all right. But if his plan was to get her heart rate under control, he was going about it all wrong. She could feel it pound, though not in panic anymore. It was something else—anticipation. Was he going to kiss her? He leaned in. She could see the dark beard beginning to come in all along his jaw. She could smell the mint on his breath and feel the heat of his body. She was completely paralyzed as he pressed his mouth against hers. He moved his soft lips along her mouth gently, as though simply exploring. Dani felt her shoulders relax. This was so nice. This was in another league from Jimbo’s sloppy, halfhearted attempts at kissing before he gave up and just stuck his penis in. This was meltingly sweet. Dani gasped a bit, and her mouth opened.
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