Hard to Hold

by Nicole Edwards

  “What’s up, hoss?”

  “I need you to meet me at Cooter’s. I want you to get my dad, too.”

  “Everything cool?”

  “No,” he said firmly. “But I’ll explain everything when y’all get there.” Wolfe pulled out onto the main road. “Shit. And Lynx, grab Reagan while you’re at it. I want her aware of what’s goin’ on, too. Since she’s stayin’ at Amy’s place, she could be in danger.”

  “I don’t like the sound of this one fucking bit. But I’ll corral ’em all and meet you there.”

  “Thanks.”

  Wolfe hung up and dialed Rhys’s number. “All right. Here’s the plan. I’m takin’ her out to Cooter’s place. If you trust that detective, I suggest you grab her and meet us out there. Just make sure you’re not followed.”

  “Will do. See you in a few.”

  Tossing the phone in the center console, Wolfe reached for Amy’s hand. He linked his fingers with her icy-cold ones. He fucking hated that he could do nothing to ease her fears. Nothing yet, anyway.

  “Amy?”

  “Yeah?”

  “No one’s gonna let that bastard get close to you. You hear me?”

  She nodded, but Wolfe could tell she wasn’t convinced.

  Good thing actions spoke louder than words, because Wolfe was about to show his girl just what happened when an outsider threatened one of their own.

  It was a good thing Amy hadn’t eaten anything. She knew for a fact she wouldn’t have been able to keep it down. Not while the icy ribbons of fear were latching onto her insides, clutching painfully tight.

  Even now as she sat in Wolfe’s uncle’s house, a solid wall of men between her and the outside world, she couldn’t stop shaking. It hadn’t helped that she’d had to repeat her story so that the rest of Wolfe’s family understood what they were up against. And just like the first time she’d relayed the details, she watched grown men hover close to the edge of a killing rage. She’d never felt more protected than she did here, but she knew Kelly. They didn’t. The man was a monster. A powerful one, at that.

  The arrival of the detective had sent her world into a spiral. If Kelly didn’t know where she was before, he definitely did now. Not that Amy was disillusioned enough to think he hadn’t figured it out long before now. She’d always suspected he was watching her. It seemed like a perverse game he would play.

  The question was, when would he show his hand?

  “Hey, you okay?”

  Amy jumped when Reagan put her hand on her arm.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

  When Reagan tried to pull back, Amy stopped her with a hand on hers. “No. I’m sorry. I’m just a little jumpy.”

  Reagan had been great through all of this. She had sat right beside Amy, holding her hand through the worst of the story just like she had the first time. It was clear she was as angry as the rest of the people filling the small house, but she was hiding it better than they were.

  “I’d like to say I’m fine,” she said honestly. “But I’d be lying.”

  “You’re safe now,” Reagan assured her, nodding toward the group of men huddling across the room. “Look at them. They’re ready to start a war for you.”

  Amy wanted to believe her regarding her safety. She wanted to think that Kelly couldn’t get to her, but she knew him. He would stop at nothing to protect himself. And unfortunately, she was a liability.

  “I’m down. Bring that fucker on!” Lynx growled, drawing everyone’s attention.

  Amy glanced at Reagan, but obviously, she didn’t know what they were talking about.

  Rhys and Wolfe both looked directly at her. Then more eyes turned her way.

  A sense of foreboding crawled over her skin.

  Amy knew whatever their plan was, she was not going to like it.

  Not one bit.

  Rhys’s gut churned.

  He couldn’t fucking believe how this had escalated so quickly.

  What should’ve been a brief informational meeting with a detective out of Houston had turned into an all-out battle between the Caines and the asshole who’d tormented Amy for years.

  The worst part, Rhys was torn between upholding the law, bringing the bastard to justice, and letting the Caines loose on the fucker. He knew what the right thing to do was, but the latter sounded a hell of a lot more satisfying. For one, there was nothing to say that they could bring this asshole to his knees.

  “Can I talk to you for a second?” Joanna asked, her tone soft, concerned.

  Rhys turned his attention to her.

  “Outside?”

  He nodded, then glanced over to Wolfe to let him know. The big man nodded once, then headed toward Amy.

  Rhys followed the detective out onto the shaded front porch.

  Joanna leaned against the railing and faced him. “I don’t mean to pry and you certainly don’t have to tell me, but I was…” She glanced at the screen door. “I was wondering about the dynamic here.” Her aqua-blue gaze met his again.

  Cocking an eyebrow, he waited for her to elaborate. He wasn’t sure which dynamic she was referring to, although he had an idea.

  “I’m not judging, so don’t jump to that conclusion. I just need to know the relationships that are goin’ on here. Initially, I thought Wolfe was with Amy, but…”

  Rhys glanced out at the acres of dry grass blowing in the breeze. The sound of the screen door opening and closing behind him didn’t have him looking back. He knew who it was.

  Joanna’s eyes flew to the newcomer, and a second later, Wolfe’s hand was on Rhys’s shoulder and Amy was standing beside him, her arm sliding around his waist.

  “Is that enough of an answer for you?” he asked.

  “So, the three of you…?”

  “Love each other,” Amy told her.

  “Okay, then.” Joanna smiled. “Honest. I’m not judging.”

  “Good. Now, what’s the plan?” Wolfe inquired, squeezing Rhys’s shoulder.

  More boots sounded on the porch behind him, and Rhys figured the others had followed them outside. As much as he feared what this relationship would do to his career, Rhys truly didn’t give a shit what anyone thought. Amy was right. They loved each other. And if they were going to protect Amy, it was time to focus on other things.

  Rhys turned toward Amy. “Joanna believes that the best way to tackle this issue is to face it head on.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He hated how pale she was, how scared she was, and he wanted to erase the fear from her eyes forever. Although the plan was risky, Rhys knew it was their best option. He glanced over to Joanna, allowing her to explain it.

  “Amy, I respect the fact that you’re moving on with your life.” Joanna glanced at Wolfe, Rhys, then the others. “And it’s clear you’ve got a strong family behind you. But if you want to make this go away forever, you are going to have to face this.”

  Amy was already shaking her head.

  “Hear me out,” Joanna added, her tone soft, soothing. “What Kelly Jackson did to you was…” Joanna shook her head. “It was horrifying. He needs to be brought to justice, to be punished for what he did.”

  “I just want him to go away,” Amy pleaded.

  “We know you do, honey,” Rhys said, turning to face her. He put his hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes. “And we can make that happen, but it’s gonna require you to face him again.”

  She shook her head, then pressed her face against his chest. Rhys cradled her head and held her close. He could feel the eyes of the others on him. This was the first time he’d touched her since he arrived at the house. Wolfe had remained by her side and Rhys had kept his distance. He was tired of keeping his distance. He damn sure wasn’t going to stand back and let her face this without him.

  “You can continue to hide out here,” Joanna added, “but as you said, he tried to kill you once already. He won’t let you go.”

  “Then why hasn’t he come for her yet?” Reagan
asked.

  Joanna shrugged. “I can’t answer that. I don’t know what he’s up to.”

  “He’s playing a game with me,” Amy said, her words muffled against Rhys’s chest. He released her enough so she could turn, but he didn’t let her go. “It’s something Kelly would do. He said I wouldn’t live without him.”

  “I figure,” Joanna inserted, “with his new role as police chief, he’s got a lot on his plate.”

  “And he’s the type who wants to handle things himself,” Amy noted.

  Joanna nodded. “Which means he’s waiting until not so many eyes are on him.”

  “So, he’ll come for her eventually?” Reagan asked.

  “I think so, yes.”

  “And we avoid that how?” Lynx asked.

  Rhys knew the man would prefer to greet the bastard with the business end of his shotgun, but that wasn’t an option.

  “My suggestion is that Amy go public with her story.”

  “No!” Amy yelled, instantly pushing away from Rhys. “I can’t. I won’t. He’ll… Oh, my God. He’ll kill me.”

  “He won’t get near you,” Calvin declared, stepping out from the group.

  Rhys watched as Wolfe’s father moved around to face Amy.

  “You understand that, girl?” His tone was gruff, his demeanor serious. “We won’t let him. This”—he motioned with his hand—“is your family now. And we protect our own. That bastard won’t get close enough to touch you ever again.”

  Rhys knew Calvin believed every word he said. Rhys only hoped that was true.

  Tears were streaming down Amy’s face, and Rhys knew it gutted every man standing on that front porch.

  “Come here, kid,” Calvin said, motioning for her to come to him.

  When Amy stepped away from Rhys and Wolfe, Calvin enveloped her in his burly arms, hugging her tight. “I promise you, girl. No one will hurt you ever again. Not on my watch.”

  “Or mine,” Lynx stated.

  “Or mine,” Wolfe added.

  “Or mine,” Cooter and Reagan said at the same time.

  “See? We’ve all got your back.” Calvin pulled back, looking down at her face and tilting her chin up so she was looking at him. “Whatever you decide to do, you’ve got us right behind you.”

  More sobs tore through Amy, and Wolfe reached for her, pulling her against him. Rhys couldn’t stop himself from holding her, too. Once again, several pairs of eyes were on them, but he didn’t care.

  “All right, Sheriff,” Calvin addressed him directly. “I need to have a word with you.”

  Rhys had been expecting some sort of confrontation. Especially now that they’d come out with their relationship.

  Meeting Wolfe’s gaze, Rhys nodded, then watched as Wolfe led Amy back inside, Lynx, Reagan, and Joanna following.

  A second later, he was facing Calvin and Cooter.

  “I just want to make something crystal clear,” Calvin said in that same gruff tone Rhys was used to.

  Here it came. The warning he’d always expected.

  “You’ve done a remarkable job as sheriff of this town.”

  Rhys shook his head slightly, trying to clear his ears. Had he heard him right?

  “And we fully expect you to continue keepin’ things in line.” Calvin nodded toward the house. “This thing that the three of you have goin’…” Calvin met his eyes straight on. “It’s the most important thing. I want you to remember that. Whatever happens, family matters.”

  Rhys nodded.

  “And if you’re with my son, then that makes you family.”

  Rhys’s stomach had dropped to his toes. He hadn’t expected that. In fact, he’d expected one or both of them to warn him off of Wolfe and Amy.

  “And the feud between the families?” Rhys asked because it had to be said.

  Cooter laughed, a loud, rough sound. “Your old man fabricated that feud, son. Back when we were kids.”

  Rhys frowned.

  “He never told you?” Calvin asked.

  Rhys shook his head.

  Cooter laughed again, glancing at Calvin, then at Rhys. “It was over a girl. In eighth grade.”

  That pulled a smile from Rhys. He couldn’t help it.

  Of course, it made sense. His father had always thought he was top dog. If some teenage girl had chosen a Caine over him… Yeah, that made perfect sense.

  “So we’re good, then?” Calvin asked.

  Rhys nodded.

  “Good. Now, the three of you need to talk it over and let us know what you wanna do where this asshole’s concerned. We’re behind you on this.” He leaned in. “And you’ll understand that Amy makes the decision here and we’re all here to watch her back. No matter what.”

  “I understand. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “Now come on. It’s fuckin’ hot out here.”

  With that, Rhys followed the two men back inside.

  26

  __________

  Wolfe opted to take Amy back to his place so that the three of them could discuss their plan in private. Now that his family was fully on board and they knew what was going on, he managed to relax. A little. Knowing they had his back helped.

  Granted, it didn’t seem to do a damn thing for Amy. When they’d walked in his front door a few minutes ago, she had started pacing the floor and hadn’t stopped.

  She shook out her hands as she stared at the floor. Back and forth. Back and forth. Wolfe sat on the couch, Rhys in the chair. He was getting dizzy watching her, but he could see her brain was working overtime, and he damn sure didn’t want to interrupt her thought process. Whatever she decided to do, he was behind her. They would get through this. One way or another.

  Finally she turned to him.

  “What do you think I should do?”

  He should’ve known she would ask him that. “Honey, I can’t make that decision for you.”

  “Do you think the detective is right? That I should fight him?”

  Wolfe shrugged. “It’s not a bad idea. If you bring it up publicly, he’s no longer the boogey man. He can’t lurk in the dark, because someone’s gonna have their eye on him.”

  Amy nodded. “Doesn’t necessarily mean I’m any safer.”

  No, it didn’t. Considering the kind of power the chief of police had—especially the chief of police of the largest city in the state—the guy could probably pull a lot of strings and make some serious puppets dance.

  “On the flip side,” Rhys added, “it won’t be pretty, Amy. Once you make that accusation, people are gonna come out of the woodwork with questions. Your life will no longer be private.”

  “So you think I should stay quiet?” she asked Rhys.

  “That’s not what I’m sayin’. I just want you to consider all the facts. Do I want that bastard to go down for what he did? You’re damn right I do. And I’ll stand right behind you the entire way.”

  “What if people don’t believe me?”

  Wolfe had already thought about that. “There will be some people who don’t. There’s nothin’ you can do but be honest.”

  Amy faced him directly. “Do you believe me?”

  Wolfe got up from his spot on the couch and walked right over to her. He tipped her head back and stared right in her eyes. “Every word, baby. No one here doubts you at all. But that doesn’t mean someone won’t.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want to come out with it. I just don’t. I want to go about my life without having him in it.”

  Unfortunately, they all knew that wasn’t going to happen. No matter which decision she made. If the detective was right and Kelly Jackson had visited Embers Ridge, the man knew where Amy was. It was only a matter of time before he played his hand.

  “Do I have to do this right now?”

  Rhys joined them. “No. You don’t. I’ll make sure my department is aware of the potential danger to you and ask my deputies to keep their eyes open.”

  “And my family will keep an eye on you at all times.�
� No way would any of them not be vigilant from this point forward.

  Amy sighed. “So, basically, I’m gonna be a prisoner again.”

  Wolfe frowned. “No. Not at all.”

  “Will I be able to go anywhere without one of you worrying about me?”

  Fuck.

  “What about sleeping at night? I’m not sure I’ll even be able to.”

  She would if she was with them. Wolfe would make sure of it if he had to stand guard over her every damn night.

  Not that he wanted it to come to that. For Amy’s sake. She’d been through enough already.

  He fucking hated this shit. He hated all of it. He wanted to find this fucking bastard and beat him within an inch of his life and make him suffer for what he did to Amy. For what he was still doing to her.

  “My point exactly,” she added when neither of them spoke. She glanced between them. “On a more positive note, I think we came out to Wolfe’s family today.”

  That pulled a smile from him. They had definitely done that.

  “Do you think word will get out to the rest of the town?” Amy appeared genuinely concerned.

  “Not unless the detective says somethin’,” Wolfe answered. He knew his family. They weren’t the gossipy type. Not when it came to things like that, anyway.

  “Which I seriously doubt she’ll do.” Rhys glanced between them. “Lynx drove her to the diner. She had to head back to Houston.”

  “Do you think she’ll confront Kelly?” Amy looked fearful of the notion.

  “Doubtful. She’s been keepin’ this off the books for a reason,” Rhys said. “I really believe her motives are pure. She’s a detective and Kelly brought out those instincts in her. She followed a lead and it led her here. I truly believe she’s lookin’ out for you.”

  “Maybe he’s forgotten all about me,” Amy mused, her eyes dropping to the floor.

  Wolfe knew she didn’t really believe that. No one believed that.

  Rhys stepped closer. “He deserves to pay for what he did, Amy. Too often victims of domestic violence don’t come forward. Their abusers go without punishment. And I get why they don’t. Fear, shame. Those are some powerful emotions. They cause people to pretend nothing happened when in reality, they suffered. Their abuser deserves to be punished.”