by Rebecca Deel
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
About the Author
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
About the Author
OBSESSION
Rebecca Deel
Cover by Melody Simmons
Copyright © 2017 Rebecca Deel
All rights reserved.
#
To my amazing husband.
CHAPTER ONE
Lacey Coleman turned on lights in Coffee House, glancing through plate glass windows into the darkness beyond the cafe. Few lights glowed in the stores around Washington Square this early. On the main thoroughfare through Nolensville, a town on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee, traffic would already be moving at a good clip.
Grateful she no longer jockeyed for position in morning traffic, Lacey plunged into preparations for the first commuters who arrived in just over an hour.
She checked her watch again, concern knotting her stomach. Why didn’t her mother call? Yvonne Coleman harped on the fact Lacey didn’t call enough. She couldn’t remember the last time her mother had been out of touch for this long. She’d called a week ago, but Yvonne should have been eager to pick up the phone and remind Lacey she should be a better daughter.
Ten minutes into her prep, Chase arrived. “Morning, Lace.” He yawned as he shrugged off his coat.
“You look cold.”
A snort. “If you didn’t live above the shop, you’d know the temperature feels like it’s ten below zero out there.”
She glanced up from measuring coffee beans to pour into the grinder. “Are you serious?”
“Feels like it to me.”
“As an Arizona native, you say that about any temperature below eighty degrees.”
“Doesn’t change the fact my fingers and toes are numb.”
Lacey grinned. “Give me a few more minutes, and I’ll have a pot of Ethiopian blend ready for you.”
“Can’t be soon enough for me.”
A knock sounded on the door at the back of the shop. She checked the clock. “Right on time.” Lacey checked the security camera and unlocked the door to admit their baked goods deliveryman. “Morning, George. How are you today?”
“Can’t complain.” He handed her paperwork to sign acknowledging delivery of products her boss, Rowan Maddox, ordered yesterday.
“Hi, George.” Chase shook the man’s hand. “Cold enough for you?” He followed the deliveryman out to the truck to help unload pastries for the shop.
Leaving them to trudge back and forth in the cold, Lacey finished prepping the coffeemaker, turned on the machine, and shifted to the next type of coffee.
Once the day’s coffee selections were brewing, she stocked the displays with baked goods from Nolensville Bakery. As Chase and George talked about football, she eyed the apple strudel muffins. They looked and smelled terrific, and tasted even better.
She considered setting aside a muffin for herself. If there were any left by ten o’clock, she would eat one. Coffee House traffic slowed to a trickle between ten and eleven, then picked up steam as the lunch crowd dropped by for a midday energy boost.
By the time she and Chase completed their preparation, the sky had lightened to a smoke gray edging toward silver. She poured a cup of Ethiopian blend for Chase and one of Arabica for herself.
“Thanks,” her co-worker said on the heels of another wide yawn. “Did Yvonne call?”
Concern surged to the forefront of her mind. She shook her head. “I’m worried, Chase. She never gives me the silent treatment.”
“You sure she’s not trying a new tactic? Guilt trips haven’t worked.”
A lot Chase knew. Lacey had refused to give in this time, although the refusal hurt. “I can’t believe she’d miss the chance to tell me how stupid I’ve been.”
A hard look settled on her friend’s face. “You aren’t stupid, Lace. Breaking up with Frank is the smartest thing you could have done. He’s an abusive jerk. You deserve better, and you mother should want the best for you. Take it from me, the best isn’t Frank Gordon.”
She blinked. Rowan, her husband, and a few of his employees from Fortress Security had said the same thing. She was almost one hundred percent in their camp. Perhaps five percent of her wondered if she would ever find someone to share her life. All the good ones were taken except for the dark-haired medic who frequented the shop and struck up conversations with her each time.
Lacey’s cheeks burned. The handsome operative had frequent absences for his work, but when he was in town, he stopped every morning about this time.
She dragged her attention back to Chase. “You’re right. I do deserve better than Frank, but he hasn’t bothered me in months.” Rowan’s husband, Brent, and Adam Walker had escorted Frank out of the shop one day when he’d shown up, spoiling for a fight. Lacey didn’t know what they said to him, but Frank had made himself scarce ever since.
“You’ll tell me if he does, right?”
Her former boyfriend would make mincemeat out of the slender-built barista. Frank made liberal use of steroids
and lifted weights religiously. The guy was built like a tank and hit like one, too. She knew from firsthand experience.
A knock on the door startled her. Lacey turned, ready to motion that they weren’t open yet when she recognized Jake Davenport, the medic she’d been mooning about a few minutes earlier.
Knowing she risked others demanding early entry, she hurried to unlock the door. “Good morning, Jake.” She hoped she didn’t sound as nervous as she felt. Just being around this tall, built medic turned her into a bundle of nerves.
“I know I’m early.” He smiled. “I’ve been up since three. I hope you will take pity on me and offer a tired soldier a cup of hot coffee.”
As if she would turn away one of the Fortress operatives. “Of course.” She opened the door wider. “Come in from the cold. We just stocked the displays. Browse while I fix your coffee.”
“Don’t you want to know my choice of brew for the day?”
She grinned. “You always order the Ethiopian blend when it’s a coffee of the day.”
When Lacey rounded the counter, she noticed Chase had made himself scarce. She looked toward the breakroom and saw the light was on. Maybe Chase forgot something.
“What looks good today?” Jake asked.
Besides him? “The apple strudel muffins always sell out early. It’s a customer favorite.”
“What about you?”
She grinned. “I’m a customer favorite, too.”
The medic chuckled. “I already know that. Do you like the apple muffins?”
“I love them. I was debating whether I should set aside one for myself when you knocked.”
“Sold.” He climbed on one of the stools in front of the counter. “I’ll take three of those with coffee.”
“Wow. You must have worked up an appetite.”
“Adam Walker is a slave driver.” He gave her a wicked grin. “Feel free to share my opinion when you see him next.”
She laughed, her nervousness fading away. “I’ll do that. Will you take the order with you or eat in?”
“Depends. Have you finished your morning prep?”
Lacey tilted her head. “Yes. Why?”
“I’ll eat in if you sit with me. I promise not to take long. I know the morning rush starts soon.”
Why not? Rowan wouldn’t mind since everything was ready to go. Another glance toward the breakroom. Still no Chase. Was he deliberately giving her some time alone with Jake?
“Are you working alone this morning?” Jake said as she poured his coffee and topped the cup with a plastic lid.
“Chase is in the back.” Doing what, she didn’t know. “He’ll be out here before the rush starts.” Lacey filled a plate with three strudel muffins, handed Jake the plate and his coffee before grabbing her cup. “Counter or a table?”
“Table, please.” He chose a table in the corner with his back to the wall.
Why did all the men and women who worked with Rowan’s husband at Fortress Security sit in the same place? She’d have to ask Brent the next time he came to the shop.
Jake took two muffins from the plate and set them on a napkin, then slid the remaining muffin to her. “I hate to eat alone.”
She stared at him a moment. “Thank you.”
He saluted her with his cup. “Any new Alexa stories to share?”
Thinking of Rowan and Brent’s young daughter brought a smile. “Her latest mission is to convince her parents she needs a puppy.”
Jake sipped his coffee. “Seems like a normal mission for a kid. I had dogs growing up.”
She’d wanted a dog herself. Her mother had refused, claiming a pet was only another mouth to feed. A truth, but Lacey had been willing to work extra shifts to care for the dog. “I bet you didn’t ask for a trained search-and-rescue dog. She met Heidi Gallagher’s S & R Labrador retriever and immediately fell in love. Now, no other type of dog will do.”
Her companion chuckled. “She’s quite a character. Knowing Alexa, she’ll wear Brent and Rowan down.”
“Do you think Heidi would help her train the dog?”
“Probably. She’s young, though. I think Brent will put her off for a few years. Why train the dog for S & R if the handler is too young to go on a rescue?”
Lacey finished the muffin before she replied. “No one should hold her back, especially not her parents.”
Jake was quiet a moment, studying her. “Who held you back?”
Who didn’t was the better question? And she needed to quit whining. She was an adult now. She made her own choices. Lacey opened her mouth to respond when her cell phone rang.
Her mother? She slid the instrument from her pocket and studied the screen, frowning. Not her mother, but the call was from the same area code. “I’m sorry. I have to take this,” she murmured.
“Want some privacy?”
“Stay, please.” She tapped her thumb to the screen and answered the call.
“This is Wayne Beckett, chief of police in Winston, Alabama.”
Blood drained from her face, Beckett’s voice hauntingly familiar. She still heard his voice in her nightmares. “Is Mom all right?”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Coleman. Your mother is missing.”
CHAPTER TWO
Jake straightened as he listened to the one-sided conversation, concern growing by the second. Admittedly, the conversation wasn’t much on Lacey’s side. Less than a minute after the call began, she laid down her phone and covered her face with her hands.
“Lacey?” No answer.
He shoved back his chair and knelt beside her. “Lacey, talk to me.” Knowing her history with an abusive ex-boyfriend, he chanced laying a hand on her shoulder and squeezed.
When she lowered her hands, her eyes were tear-drenched.
“What’s wrong with your mother?” he murmured. If it was a medical issue, maybe he could help her interpret the medical jargon doctors loved to spout.
“She’s missing.”
He sat back on his heels. Not what he’d been expecting. “Who called?”
“The police chief in my hometown.”
“Who reported her missing?”
“Her boss. She hasn’t been at work for the past three days. Sonny went by her house to check on her and found no sign of her.”
Jake brushed away a tear trickling down her cheek. “The cops have any leads?”
Anger burned in her gaze. “They aren’t worried about her. They think she’ll show up on her own.”
The bell over the door rang as the first handful of customers streamed through the door. Jake rose and drew Lacey to her feet. “Need help with them?”
She shook her head as Chase returned and greeted their regulars.
“Mind if I borrow the breakroom to make a few phone calls?”
“Oh, sure.” She waved at the hallway. “Take your time.”
He grabbed his coffee and muffins. After making sure Lacey was settled enough to work, Jake walked down the hall, closed the breakroom door, and called Brent.
“Maddox.”
“It’s Jake. Is Rowan scheduled to come into the shop today?”
“She’ll be in as soon as she takes Alexa to school. Problem?”
“Lacey’s mother is missing, and apparently the cops don’t care. From what I’m gathering, they aren’t looking for her.”
“I’ll see what I can find out. Did Lacey call you?”
“I was in the coffee shop when the police chief called. I want in on this, Brent.”
Silence, then, “You have a personal stake in this, D?”
He hesitated, not quite knowing how to answer the question. He’d had his eye on Lacey for months now although he gave her space as she recovered from the breakup with her ex. Rowan’s assistant manager was a beautiful, intelligent, and capable woman who made a killer cup of coffee and served it with an engaging smile. Maybe now was the time to stake his claim. “Yeah, I do.”
“I see. Tell Adam you’re on Lacey’s protection detail.”
Jake’s
gut tightened. “You think she’s a target?”
“Doubtful, but it’s better to be safe since she will want to go home for a few days.”
The same thought had crossed his mind. “I’m going with her. She shouldn’t be alone.”
“Agreed. Stay with Lacey until you hear from me. And Jake?”
He straightened. “Yes, sir?”
“If you hurt her, you’ll answer to me.” The call ended.
Jake flinched as he tapped in the number for his team leader, Adam Walker. He’d been on the receiving end of Brent’s tirades on more than one occasion over the last five years. They were never pleasant, but the boss always had his employees’ best interests at heart. This time, however, Jake had a feeling the dressing down might involve a punch or two from the Navy SEAL. Brent was protective of his wife’s employees, especially Lacey.
“Walker.”
“It’s Jake. I need some personal time, Adam.”
“Everything okay, D?”
“I’m fine. It’s Lacey.”
“If her ex has laid a hand on her again, the authorities will never find his body.”
Jake’s eyebrows soared, not sure his team leader was joking. “Lacey’s mother is missing. I’ve already received permission from Maddox to stay with Lacey.”
“She’s been threatened?”
“She’ll want to go home to see about her mother. I won’t let her go alone.”
“Need backup?”
Took him a minute to rid himself of the lump in his throat. “I don’t think so. Thanks, man.”
“We all like Lacey. If you need us, we’ll be there.”
A minute later, Jake slid the phone into his pocket. Since he was officially on duty as Lacey’s bodyguard despite the remote likelihood of a problem here, Jake might as well make himself useful in the shop.
When he returned to the main room, the customers were six deep in two lines. He walked behind the counter and started bagging baked goods orders for Lacey and Chase. Ninety minutes later, the rush had slowed to a manageable level.
“Take a break, Lace,” Chase said. “I’ve got this.”
“Let me know if traffic picks up. Otherwise, I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”
Jake kept pace with her as she walked to the breakroom and closed the door. “How are you holding up?”
