Security Risk

by MEGAN MATTHEWS

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  A piece of hair falls over my nose and I wipe it away to avoid sneezing. Ridge pulls the few loose strands from my face and places a kiss on my neck.

  “I’m awake.”

  “Good.” Ridge smooths his hand down my side stopping at my upper thigh. “Any bruises?”

  “I don’t think so. Why?”

  “I want to make sure you’re not hurt before I yell at you.”

  Time for avoidance tactics. “What time did you get back last night?”

  “This morning. I didn’t want to wake you.”

  Yesterday, after Bennett and I made it back to the bakery, he gave me what he considered a proper chewing out — his words not mine —and we finished setting up for Anessa’s big day. Then he deposited me safely back at Ridge’s house, set the alarm, locked the door, and took his position in the truck out front. An hour later he called to tell me Ridge would be late, and I needed to settle in. Even though I reminded Bennett many times that we didn’t need to tell Ridge about our adventure with Benny, I’m sure he didn’t listen.

  “How was your day?” he asks rubbing small circles on my hip right below the hem of my shirt.

  “You know. You had me followed.”

  He turns me toward him, but I roll over ready to face this head on. I’d expected Ridge to be upset about Benny, maybe even yell a little. He comes off as a yeller, but as he peers down at me with a silly grin with the skin around his eyes crinkled in the corners, I decide I’m might be in the clear.

  “I think you mean thank fuck I had you followed.” His voice changes to the horrible woman impersonation he’s used on me before. “Thank you for looking out for me, Ridge, so I don’t put my life in danger.”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. Everything you said. And I’m safe. No worries.”

  “Wrong. Benny didn’t do anything to you because he didn’t want to. He was just fucking with us. This is him showing me he could get to you any time he wanted. Fuck, Tabitha, he could have shot you through the window. Bennett fucked up. I fucked up.” He slaps my ass, but isn’t able to get good range so it just turns me on a smidge. “And you. What were you thinking running after him? Didn’t I tell you not to listen to Katy?”

  “Katy wasn’t there.”

  Ridge slaps a hand to his forehead and leans back mumbling to the ceiling. “Help me.”

  “Hey, I was high on adrenaline. Plus Bennett was my backup.”

  He reaches out, swiping a few pieces of my hair and tucking them behind my ear. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that and just be thankful you’re safe.”

  “Smart move.” I stare up into Ridge’s sparkling blue eyes and get lost in the future they hold. We’ve known one another such a short time, but it feels like a lifetime. No one else in my life has ever worked so hard to keep me safe or showed such concern.

  “What are you thinking?” His lips pucker together in an expression I can’t figure out.

  “I like you… and thank you. For putting Bennett with me. I’m sure he has more important things to do. And the security alarm and well… everything. You’re a good man, Ridge Jefferson.”

  Thirty seconds pass, but it feels like an hour as Ridge does nothing. He doesn’t utter words, or sounds, or move his hand from its place on my hip.

  “Well?” I finally ask when my patience can’t take it any longer.

  He shakes his head and smiles down at me. “Babe, I’ve been showing you my feelings since the minute I met you. Do you think I make my number one guy run to Whitecap and buy Chinese on a Sunday night for everyone?”

  “I thought he lived close.”

  This time the head shake is followed with a short laugh. “Yeah. No. But it’s good to hear you agree. I like you too.” He gives me a closed mouth peck on the lips.

  He likes me too? I’d hoped, but what do I bring to our relationship? I can’t cook, I’m jobless, and there’s the whole drug dealer ex-boyfriend thing I’m going through right now. Everything moved fast between us, but Ridge doesn’t seem upset by it. Maybe it’s a military thing… or a Maine thing… or a Ridge thing.

  “I see you freaking out so I won’t scare you more tonight, but, babe, brace yourself because one day things will get real.”

  “It’s fast, don’t you think?” I ask hoping he’ll give me some words of wisdom.

  “No.” When I scowl up at him for not agreeing with me he laughs. “Babe, I won’t waste time and let someone else snatch you away from me.”

  I reach down to draw him closer and come in contact with a pair of jeans when I try to wrap my leg in between his. “Are you dressed?”

  “Yup.” How much sleep does he get on an average night? “Bennett thinks he recognized the car yesterday. We’re going to scope out a few rental properties nearby to see if Benny’s taken up residence in one of them. I want to get this problem taken care of and shipped back to Oklahoma so we can get back to our normal around here.”

  “Our normal?” I question. Ridge and I have never been normal.

  “Yeah. You cooking up steaks while we watch the game.”

  Did he forget I can’t use the stove? “What game?”

  “Football.”

  “I’m cooking you steaks?” That sounds harder than pouring a bowl of cereal or putting lettuce in a bowl.

  He sighs. “Fine. I’ll grill the steaks and we’ll watch the game.”

  “How come I’m cooking steaks and you’re grilling them?” That sounds sexist… and optimistic about my skills.

  Ridge laughs, throwing his head back to the ceiling before kissing me on the forehead. “I give up. We’ll order steaks from Buddy’s.”

  That’s an answer I’ll get behind. “Okay.”

  “A lifetime with you will be one hell of a ride.”

  A lifetime? He moves fast, but this time my heart doesn’t freak out and stop beating. “Will you be back in time for the Spring Fling?”

  “Hmm. I wouldn’t count on it.”

  “But, Ridge, we need to go. Your Aunt Mary said Mrs. Hamilton is bringing her daughter’s peach cobbler. It’s a town specialty.”

  “I’ve had Bridgette’s peach cobbler. It’s so-so.” He shakes his hand back and forth.

  My eyes narrow. “We better be talking about cobbler served in a dish.” If he’s alluding to the fact he slept with Bridgette while lying in bed with me he’ll be sorry.

  Ridge laughs and hugs me closer. “Bridgette is at least forty-five and married with five kids. She over does it on the sugar and it makes the cobbler too sweet, but seeing you jealous is cute.”

  “Whatever. We have to go. The whole town will be there and Anessa is going to open the bakery for samples. She’s planning to cook all day today and needs my help passing stuff out. Plus, your dad said and I quote, ‘You better have your ass there because there are more important things than work.’ See?”

  Granted his dad isn’t sure what Ridge is working on, but I wasn’t about to tell him his son has hooked up with a drug lord’s ex-girlfriend and I now needed him to bail me out. Those conversation topics are strictly for... never.

  I’ve surprised myself with how well I’m handling this whole Benny thing. I didn’t freak out once over yesterday’s events even though Bennett watched me like a hawk waiting for my breakdown.

  “Jesus. The whole town is on your side.”

  I shrug, my shoulder hiding in his underarm. “The people have spoken. They want you there.”

  “Fine.” He sighs and slips his hand down to the waist band of my shorts. “But you owe me your mouth on my dick. And I’m collecting right now.”

  **

  “Bennett’s waiting outside. He’ll take you to the bakery and then I’ll meet you there about an hour later.”

  I switch the cell phone to the other ear, staring at the clothes in my closet with a fresh white towel wrapped around me. “You promise you’ll be there?”

  “I promise, babe.” A truck horn blares in the background wherever Ridg
e is. “Oh, also. I heard back from Spencer. He’s finished scanning the files on the USB.”

  “Yeah?” I tighten my hold on the towel and hope for something… anything we can take to the police against Mario.

  “There’s nothing useable in the files. An inventory list, order processing, but nothing illegal. From what you found, his businesses look on the up and up. Sorry, babe.”

  What? How could that be? I needed the USB full of incriminating evidence.

  “Okay.” I try to sound cheery but I’m deflated. I’d hoped there’d be something incriminating on the files from Mario. A smoking gun I could turn over to the police and finish this whole situation quickly. Now with that not possible, who knows when the entire Benny thing will come to a head.

  “I’ve got to go, but when you’re ready Bennett is waiting for you outside.”

  Ridge makes a hasty good-bye and I focus on what I can control, like my outfit for the day. What’s a girl to wear when she meets the entire town?

  Twenty-five minutes later I’ve picked out a dark blue thick sweater, a cute plaid scarf, and a pair of skinny jeans.

  I grab my jacket from the back of the couch and walk out the front door stopping on the porch. The big black SUV is parked across the road, but Bennett’s head isn’t visible in the front seat.

  “Hello, Tabitha.”

  My stomach falls as Benny walks around the side of the house and jumps the steps to the front porch. With two hands he pushes me back toward the door.

  I latch on to the doorframe and scream, “Bennett!” before he pushes me the rest of the way in.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Poor… what did you call him?”

  “Bennett.” My hold on the door falters and I brace my heels on the floor my one thought to not let Benny get me in the house.

  “Yes. Your dear Bennett won’t join us. He took a little nap.” Benny smiles the evilest grin I’ve seen on a human and with a forceful push shoves me inside the house. “With any luck he’s dead.” My feet falter, but I grab for the door again, not ready to give up.

  “Hello, Tabby.”

  My head jerks up and I stare into the cold dead eyes of Mario Fanelli.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  “Mario…” Shock colors my words. Or maybe it’s my fear.

  “Did you miss me?” Benny steps to the side and closes the door behind Mario. “Because I sure missed you, Tabby.”

  My back hits the couch, the heavy piece of furniture sliding inches across the carpet, before the pain of Mario’s slap registers. I rub my cheek refusing to cry as my stomach rolls in pain and worry. This is so not good.

  Mario, the left side of his face covered in an ugly green bruise, crouches down to my level and grabs a handful of my hair, wrenching my head back. “I want my diamonds, bitch. Where are they?” Mario’s black suit wrinkles as he leans into my face, each of his slicked back black hairs in place.

  My head screams in pain as he loosens his grip and then pulls back more. “Mario…” I stammer over my words, “I don’t… have… any–”

  “Shut up.” He releases my hair, leaning in closer. “I’ve heard enough of your lies. Now I’m here to collect one way or another.”

  He stands, but motions to Benny, pointing at me. “Get her on the couch and let’s get this over.”

  My stomach twists and I push back against the side of the couch to get as small as possible. Mario kicks at me. The toe of his shoe hits my knee and I cry out in pain, clutching the spot. He steps back, but Benny quickly fills the space. The tall bruiser grabs the hair at my scalp and lifts so I’m forced to stand before he pulls a clump out.

  “I’m standing. I’m standing,” I plead with him and throw myself on the couch.

  Benny stops in front of me and I look everywhere to avoid meeting his crazy killer eyes. Unfortunately, mine fall on the mantel of my fireplace where my shirt covers up the camera that could save my life right now. Benny places two hands on my throat and squeezes. At first the pain causes me to reach out and slap at him. When I try to take my first breath and realize I can’t gather fresh air, I kick at his legs. Prying at his fingers with my own, I thrash on the couch trying anything to get away from him, but it only causes him to squeeze harder. He follows my body movements to maintain his hold. The room darkens, the edges becoming grey and then black as my line of vision narrows until the one thing I see is Benny’s ugly face.

  “Enough, Benny,” a voice calls out somewhere in the room.

  He releases me a small amount, but not enough for me to breathe. “Let me take her out now.”

  “I said enough.”

  Benny releases my neck, my body falling sideways on the couch as I lay in the fetal position and gasp for air. Each breath burns my throat and lungs until tears pour down my cheeks.

  Mario sits down in the chair beside the couch confident and calm, like he’s settling in to watch a college football game. “Kill her after I get my diamonds.”

  I whimper, wrapping my hand around my throat at the way it scratches from the sound.

  “What?” Mario asks me looking bored. “You didn’t think you would live through this, did you?”

  Benny laughs, and the evil sound fills the room. How did I live with Mario for four years and never see this side of him? He looks the same but nothing about him is. His uncaring posture, his hard — cold demeanor. Is it because I’m no longer anything more than a job to him? Has he erased four years of feelings in two weeks or did he never have feelings for me? Was it all a ruse?

  “Tsk Tsk, Tabby. Always so naive.” Mario changes position sitting next to me on the couch. He grabs on to my ankle, his hand slipping under the leg of my jeans as he caresses my leg. I jerk away, but he grips harder, his nails digging into my skin. Sandwiched between the couch and Mario, I have no escape. “It’s not that I want Benny to kill you, but you’ve become a security risk. What if you went to the police? I can’t let people in my life think they can just drive away with something that belongs to me with no repercussions. But don’t worry. It won’t be a total waste. You’ll make a great example to the troops, Bella.”

  His words are a warning I don’t need. It’s not like I believe they dropped in for fucking cookies and tea. With one man on either side of me, there’s no hope for escape. I’d never make it out the front door, but there’s a possibility I can get close enough to hit the emergency signal button on the alarm panel. I only need a finger to graze across the panic button to notify Ridge’s team. It’s my one chance of making it out of here alive.

  “Sit up.” Benny leers at me.

  I push myself up and sit close to the end of the couch, getting as far away from Mario as possible.

  “I swear, Mario, I didn’t steal from—”

  “You didn’t take cash from the safe?”

  I flinch. I’d already confessed to that with Benny. “Yes,” I rush to get the words out, my hands in front of me to brace against anymore strikes, “I took the money, but that’s it. I swear.”

  “You think I care about the money? You walked off with a measly seventy-five thousand dollars and a coffee can with a million fucking dollars in diamonds in it.”

  A coffee can? My stomach falls and I hold back a gag.

  “Now I’ll ask again, Tabby.” He reaches out and pinches my chin between his fingers turning my head toward him. “Where the fuck are my diamonds?” Mario screams in my face, the pain from his fingers crushing my jaw. He shakes my head and then releases it, pushing it away from him.

  “A coffee can?” I ask in a weak voice.

  Mario smiles, his perfectly straight white teeth like a predator who knows he’s hunted down his prey and he’s now going in for the kill.

  “That’s right, sweetheart, the coffee can I told you to never touch.” Because he had the good stuff, I finish the sentence for him in my head. “You touched it. Now I want it back.”

  “It’s in…” I pause, but too late to pretend. I’m dead either way. It’s risky if I tell Mario and stupid too, but
it also might get them away from me long enough for me to make it out the front door. “In the kitchen.”

  “See Benny, that’s how you get shit done with women. Bring her with us.” Mario leaves the couch headed toward the kitchen.

  Benny reaches down, but I stick my hands out, silently promising to come along without a fight. We cross into the kitchen. Mario opens and slams cupboard doors, most of them still empty. I haven’t had time to replace the dishes since Benny’s last visit. He mutters to himself about wanting a job done right you have to do it yourself.

  “We already checked the cupboards, boss.”

  Mario stops and turns, “And now Larenzo is dead for your incompetence. I told you if I had to make the trip myself someone would die.”

  The two men stare each other down and I use it as my chance. I sprint to the door, my arm outstretched for the alarm pad. The large blue button is inches from my fingers when Benny grabs the back of my shirt. He pulls and I lose my balance, falling to the hard tile floor with a thud.

  “Hold her up.” Mario directs Benny crossing the kitchen to stand above me.

  Benny grabs a chunk of my hair and I stand, but my feet slip on the floor and rip more strands from my head. He slams me against the kitchen wall, my body knocking over a chair. It clatters to the floor and Benny kicks it under the table.

  “Where?” Mario asks inches from my face as Benny pins me to the wall with his hand on my sore throat. When I don’t answer right away, Mario grabs the hair at the base of my scalp and slams my head against the wall. The sound echoes through the kitchen as my eyes cross, the tears leaking from them and falling on Benny’s arm. He repeats the move and this time it steals the air from my lungs. Benny’s here to make good on his promise and I’ll end up dead on my kitchen floor.

  “The fridge. Stop please,” I beg him, my throat scratchy and painful. With the camera covered and me unable to hit the emergency button on the alarm, no one will save me. I’m going to die here.