Death Displacement: A time travel romantic thriller

by Holly Copella

  “Riley, what happened? Are you okay?” Hayes asked and didn’t seem to care that their closeness was getting his expensive clothes dirty.

  She allowed him to fuss over her minor scrapes and bruises, but she obviously didn’t care for all the attention. “There was a cave-in at the mine,” she replied with disgust.

  Frank appeared annoyed and approached them. “And for the last time, I didn’t do it,” he snapped.

  “Thank God you’re okay,” Selena gasped.

  Riley pulled away from Hayes and spun toward Selena with rage in her eyes. “No thanks to you!”

  “What?”

  “There weren’t any batteries in the damned radio!” Riley shouted. “If any of us had been badly injured, we’d be in serious trouble!”

  “Of course there were batteries! I swear I checked!” Selena protested.

  “Ah, save it!”

  Riley stormed away from the stables and headed for the inn. Hayes appeared surprised by Riley’s outburst then hurried after her. Selena watched them head for the inn, appeared upset, and lowered her head. Kane uncertainly approached Selena and attempted to smooth things over.

  “It wasn’t your fault,” Kane said gently. “She’s just upset. It’s been a rough day.”

  “Thanks. Tell her that, okay?” Selena touched his arm, offered a tiny smile, and then headed for the inn.

  Casper approached Kane and stared at his battered and bruised body with surprise. “Dude, you’re a mess.”

  “Thanks for noticing,” Kane muttered. He sighed and shut his eyes. It had been one hell of a day. “Disaster was averted. Tell me it’s over.”

  “I hate to bring you down, but if disaster was actually averted, you wouldn’t be here. If Selena doesn’t die, you wouldn’t time travel,” Casper informed him. “I don’t know why you’re still here, but it’s not over.”

  Kane was horrified by Casper’s comment. “But Hayes didn’t die,” he protested as panic swept through him. “Sure, Riley’s mad at Selena, but she’s not going to kill her over a few bumps and bruises. She’ll get over that.”

  “I’ll rack my brains over it,” Casper replied. “I’ll come up with something.” He then grinned deviously. “Hey, you missed it. Tucker and Selena got into one hell of a fight an hour or so ago. He packed his bag and tore out of here. Great news, huh?”

  “Maybe if I didn’t feel like I’d been run over by a truck, I’d feel like celebrating.”

  †

  Hayes sat facing a freshly showered Riley at the kitchen table while applying ointment to the cut on her cheek near her eye. Despite his gentleness, she cringed and jerked slightly. He hesitated and gave her a stern, disapproving look. She appeared scolded and hid her embarrassed smile.

  “Another centimeter and you could have lost your eye,” he informed her.

  “Another foot into the cave, and I’d have lost a lot more than an eye,” she informed him.

  Hayes made a face to her comment. The reality of it hit a little close to home. “You shouldn’t have gone out there without me. What were you thinking?”

  “That my boss should have showed up when he was supposed to,” she remarked.

  He glared at her about to protest then immediately frowned. “You’re right, of course. I should have been here,” Hayes muttered softly. “I should have assumed you’d be stubborn enough to go out on your own.”

  “I wasn’t alone,” she bluntly informed him. “I went with Kane.”

  “Who barely brought you back in one piece,” Hayes scoffed while sneering.

  “This wasn’t Kane’s fault,” she informed him.

  “No, you’re right. It wasn’t,” Hayes replied but remained hostile. “It’s Frank’s fault, and I’ll be sure to have words with him about it.”

  “Kane said enough words for the both of you,” she replied. “Let it go.”

  Hayes was about to protest when he caught her stern glare. It was one argument he wasn’t going to win. Hayes frowned and returned to her injury. He dried the cut then delicately placed tiny adhesive strips over it to hold it together. Kane, who was now showered and changed, appeared on the back stairs while holding a cloth to his bleeding arm. The bleeding had stopped, but the hot shower dissolved the dirt-caked scab and reopened it. He saw the two in the kitchen and stopped to watch Hayes affectionately tending to Riley’s cut near her eye. Hayes’ feelings for his young assistant were evident by the way he cared for her injuries. It was almost intimate, leaving Kane feeling as if he was interrupting a moment between the two. He looked down while deep in thought, frowned, and headed back up the stairs before either saw him.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Casper entered the dining room and approached the beverage station. The cookie plate contained only crumbs. He frowned and lifted the plate, making certain none had found their way beneath the plate. He set the empty plate down with disgust. He smelled the air and looked toward the open kitchen door. A devious smile crossed his face. Casper quietly entered the kitchen. The large, rustic kitchen was empty, and Bessie was nowhere to be found. More than a dozen large chocolate chip cookies were lined along the counter to cool. Casper grinned and approached the freshly baked cookies. He picked one up and bit into it. It was warm and gooey. Casper rolled his eyes and groaned with delight. Soft angry voices were heard from the dining room, catching his attention. He moved closer to the open door to listen.

  “If you had followed through with your original plan,” Collin announced, “we wouldn’t have this problem.”

  “I used every connection I had,” Albert remarked lowly. “It’s not my fault Hayes has god status at the museum. I want him fired as badly as you, but there was nothing I could do.”

  “So is that why you went to plan B?”

  “What are you talking about?” Albert suddenly demanded to know.

  “Don’t play stupid, Mercer,” Collin scoffed with irritation in his voice. “Frank’s crazy, but he’s not crazy enough to rig his own mine to blow.”

  “You think I--?”

  “No, I think you had your ‘associate’ do it for you,” Collin announced softly. “No one saw him since last night. He could have easily slipped out there and did the deed.”

  “You’re insane,” Albert lashed out softly. “He didn’t slip out to the mine. He’s attending to other matters for me. He’ll be back in the morning. Besides, Grier took the car. Do you think he drove to the mine? Correct me if I’m wrong, but only the three of you know where the mine is even located.”

  “All I know is, I don’t want to get involved in whatever it is you’re plotting,” Collin snapped. “Just leave me out of it. I won’t be a party to killing people for some stupid promotion.”

  Their voices trailed off. Casper remained near the open doorway and sank into thought. It was obvious their conversation had him concerned. A woman cleared her throat from behind him. Casper glanced back and saw Bessie staring at him with her arms folded across her chest and her brow cleverly raised. She indicated the cookie in his hand.

  “You could have asked.”

  Casper grinned sheepishly having been caught pilfering cookies. Bessie then laughed. He groaned softly as his shoulders sagged with relief.

  †

  Later that afternoon. Kane entered the lounge while off in another world. He uncertainly stopped when he saw Riley sitting on one of the sofas with a drink in her hand. She appeared moderately distracted as well and didn’t notice he had entered. Something between them suddenly felt oddly different. He wasn’t sure what had him bothered, but he contemplated leaving before she noticed him. She looked up from her drink and saw him. Having been caught staring at her, he knew he couldn’t just turn and leave, so he approached her. Riley grinned and appeared humored.

  “You’re not walking so good these days,” Riley teasingly pointed out. “Is that saddle soreness, or did someone try to blow you up?”

  He snorted a soft laugh at her warped sense of humor--even if it was at his expense. “A little of b
oth, I’m afraid. How are you feeling?” Kane asked and sat on the sofa near her. He didn’t know why he cared, but he did.

  “Aside from feeling like I’d been tackled by a linebacker, I’m feeling pretty good,” she replied then grinned slyly. “But that’s probably the tequila.”

  Kane chuckled. Riley smiled and affectionately touched his lower arm. His expression dropped as he stared into her dark eyes. He was suddenly concerned that her touch no longer sent feelings of rage through him.

  “I’m grateful for your timely tackle,” Riley said softly with sincerity.

  Something stirred inside him. He gently cleared his throat while feeling oddly insecure and embarrassed. “Hey, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for those cat-like reflexes of yours,” he announced with a tiny grin. The more he thought about, the more he realized she did in fact save his life with how quickly she reacted. Also, if she hadn’t stopped him to flirt as she did, it could have cost them their lives instead of the poor rabbit. “That explosion stopped me in my tracks. I wasn’t expecting the entire mine to come down around us. I can’t believe you kept your wits like that.”

  Riley smiled and shrugged while sipping her drink. “I used to spend my summers with my crazy uncle. His idea of fun was paintball battles and karate training,” she teased. “You learn to react quickly when you’re the only girl in a paintball battle against six ex-Marines reliving the glory days.”

  “Karate, huh?” he asked while considering the way she tossed him around at the museum five years from now. “Are you any good?”

  Riley grinned and raised her brows deviously. “Let’s hope you never find out.”

  Kane smirked knowingly. He already found out the hard way. Riley stared into his eyes a moment then kissed him quickly but warmly on the lips. She pulled away while smiling, stood, and quickly left the lounge without further comment. Kane appeared stunned and watched her leave. Casper approached and watched her leave as well.

  “You were looking at her ass, weren’t you?” Casper suddenly asked, startling Kane with his sudden appearance.

  Kane felt embarrassed by his friend’s accusation. He wasn’t staring at her ass. At least, he didn’t think he was staring at her ass. “Don’t be stupid.”

  “I obviously missed something,” Casper remarked. “What happened?”

  “Nothing,” Kane muttered while fidgeting with discomfort. “Any thoughts about why I’m still here?”

  “All I can come up with is that you couldn’t have changed the future,” Casper informed him. “For some unknown reason, Riley must still kill Selena.”

  “That’s impossible,” Kane protested with disgust. “The accident was prevented.”

  Casper appeared preoccupied while deep in thought then looked at Kane with concern. “Don’t you find it ironic that the same day Hayes supposedly dies in a rockslide, you two are nearly killed in an exploding mineshaft?”

  “That’s because that idiot Frank set a booby trap,” Kane scoffed with detest.

  “What if he didn’t?” Casper asked while raising his brows in question. “What if neither was an accident?”

  Kane stared at Casper and was surprised or possibly horrified by the suggestion. “You think someone wanted to kill Hayes? But who? Why?” He was then lost in his own thoughts. “Riley would be so lost without him--”

  “I knew it. You’re hot for her!” Casper suddenly announced while grinning. “You dog!”

  Kane was stunned by the accusation. “I’m in love with Selena, remember?”

  “And she’s in love with Tucker. There’s no reason why you can’t make a play for Riley. It’s not cheating. Who’d know?”

  “I would know,” Kane remarked firmly. “That makes it’s cheating.”

  “Are you kidding? Right now, the other you is dogging some girl at that city nightclub,” Casper remarked while waving him off carelessly. “I’m beginning to think you’re never going to make your move on that one.”

  He considered Casper’s comment then grinned almost lustfully. “Oh, yeah. Connie.” Kane reflected then frowned. “That doesn’t pan out for another three months. Incidentally, three months from now, make sure I get some new condoms. You’ll save me a lot of stress.”

  “You’ve got it,” Casper replied then tilted his head and appeared curious. “So what do you intend to do about Riley?”

  Kane groaned at his friend’s persistent desire to hook him up with Riley. “I don’t intend to do anything about her,” Kane informed him. “I’m not hot for her. If you saw what she did to Selena, you’d understand.”

  “No offense, but I’d rather see you with Riley,” Casper remarked. “I’m not exactly fond of Selena.”

  “You’ll learn to like her,” Kane replied but no longer felt convinced. “You two get along just fine in the future. I guess you just got off to a bad start--”

  “A bad start?” Casper interjected. “She’s a monster!”

  Kane frowned his disapproval but didn’t have any argument to convince Casper otherwise. At the moment, he almost felt like agreeing with him.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Collin entered the second floor hallway from his guestroom and nearly collided with Noble, who seemed overly excited about something. His eyes were wide and his grin nearly matched.

  “Did you hear?” Noble asked.

  “Hear what?” Collin replied with great curiosity.

  “Riley and that Kane fellow were nearly killed by a cave-in,” he announced while maintaining his grin.

  Collin stared at Noble with a strange look on his face. “Yeah, I heard. And you’re grinning because--?”

  “Relax,” Noble snapped then sneered. “They both survived. That whack job Frank nearly did them in. It’s just kind of funny, that’s all.”

  Collin rolled his eyes and walked toward the stairs. “There’s something not right in your head, Noble.”

  He followed Collin down the stairs. “Do you have any idea how many times Riley has made me look bad? I think I’m entitled to enjoy a little of her misery. Just because you wouldn’t mind getting in her pants--”

  “I never said I wanted to get into her pants,” Collin snapped and attempted to ignore him.

  Noble just rolled his eyes as if knowing something Collin wasn’t willing to share. The two walked in silence toward the lounge and fresh coffee. They entered the lounge and immediately noticed Chrissie sitting on Albert’s lap while the two kissed aggressively and groped each other. Collin stopped and stared with a stunned look on his face.

  “Chrissie,” Collin bellowed out with surprise.

  Chrissie jumped off Albert’s lap and to her feet with a flustered, startled look. She avoided looking at either man and hurried from the room without saying a word. Collin hurried after her and caught up to her in the hallway. He grabbed her arm and forced her to turn and face him.

  “What the hell?” he demanded. “You came here with me? Did you forget our deal?”

  “No, I didn’t forget,” she replied sternly and stared into his eyes with some embarrassment but no remorse. “Understand, Collin, I have a shot with Albert Mercer, the richest man this side of anywhere. I’m not passing that up for some measly promotion you could offer.”

  She stormed off leaving Collin speechless.

  †

  Selena soaked in the heavily circulating hot tub on the patio and appeared content and relaxed while the late afternoon sun beat down upon her. Her blonde hair shined like spun gold in the sunlight. Kane studied her from several feet away and allowed his thoughts to stray. He watched her a moment longer then approached with a pleasant smile on his face.

  “Mind if I join you?” Kane asked.

  Selena jolted from her daze then looked at him and offered a sympathetic smile. “After your day, you need this more than I do,” she teased and smiled more naturally than she had the entire week. “How are you feeling?”

  Kane removed his shoes and shirt and joined her in the hot tub. As he sat, he groaned softly with se
vere discomfort. The hot tub felt good but sitting didn’t.

  “Sore, but I’m blaming that on eight hours on horseback,” he teased and weakly grimaced. “I think my cowboy days are just about over.”

  “At your age, I should think so.”

  The callousness of her comment hit him. He attempted a smile then looked away so she wouldn’t see it bothered him. Perhaps this wasn’t working because she felt he was too old for her. It seemed odd that he couldn’t think of anything to say to her. He felt they had nothing in common, yet in three years, they were so in love and enjoyed many things together. Their relationship seemed so foreign to him. It was as if he didn’t know this woman. He saw Riley approaching the hot tub and couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her. Selena saw her as well, immediately frowned, and stood.

  “Well, that’s my cue--”

  He glanced at Selena and appeared surprised. “Are you two still not talking?” Kane asked.

  “I’m not talking. She’s being a bitch,” Selena scoffed and shook her head defiantly. “As if I’d purposely give her a radio that didn’t work. I don’t know what her problem is, but I’d rather not get into it with her.”

  Selena left the hot tub, grabbed her towel, and ignored Riley as she passed her. Riley watched Selena leave then looked at Kane in the hot tub and smirked deviously at him.

  “Was it something I said?” Riley teased.

  Riley removed her shorts and shirt to reveal her conservative bikini. Kane took in her toned body, stared longer than he should, and then immediately tensed while looking away. His body was once again acting inappropriately, and he wasn’t sure how to prevent those responses. Casper was right. She was hot, and he couldn’t pretend she wasn’t. Riley joined him in the hot tub and sat a couple of feet away from him. He avoided looking at her until the water covered her body that taunted him.