A canvas of the neighbors revealed nothing. No one had heard or seen anything, and she quickly realized she might be dealing with a crazy person, but he was a smart crazy person. When he called two mornings later, she answered it.
“Ahhh, Pepper, you entertain me so, my love. Are we done playing our little game?”
Pepper bit her lip, willing the tears to stay away. “Yes.”
“Excellent. Now, you have that training session with your Mexican today. Wear the blue scarf and make me proud. It’ll be the last time you ride your beloved horse, after all.”
“What? No! You can’t hurt him.”
“But you are to be punished, my love. You disobeyed me.”
“Please don’t hurt him,” she begged. “I’ll do anything.”
“Anything?”
She bit her fist in an effort not to sob. “Yes.”
“Sell him.”
“What?” She shook her head. “Sell him?”
“Yes. Sell him. You have two days.”
He hung up.
Three Weeks Ago
Pepper slipped quietly through the front door, hoping her mother wasn’t home. She didn’t need questions, particularly ones jaded by alcohol, and she had to make a phone call she was dreading.
The house was quiet, so she pulled out the burner phone she’d paid for with cash and dialed Dalton’s number.
“Dalton Moore.”
“Hi, it’s Pepper,” she whispered.
“What number are you calling from?” he asked.
“It’s a burner phone.”
“What happened to your phone?”
“It’s a long story.” She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath. “I need your help.”
“Does that mean you’ve forgiven me?”
“Don’t, Dalton, okay? Someone’s stalking me and you’re the only one who can help me.”
“What do you mean ‘stalking’ you?”
“Some guy has been leaving weird crap at the diner for me, calling a hundred times a day, and now he killed Rover.”
“What the hell, Pepper? Why didn’t you call me sooner?” he snapped.
“Because I thought I could handle it, but then he used your name specifically, so I thought you might know him.”
“Can you narrow it down? I’m not in the habit of keeping company with dickheads who stalk women.”
“All I know is he’s the guy who burned down the diner and the same one who calls me every fifteen minutes on my frickin’ phone!” she snapped. “You know everyone. You must have sold a car to someone in the law enforcement field, right? I need your help.”
“Let me think. I’ll call you back as soon as I can, okay?”
Pepper squeezed her eyes shut and slid down the wall. “Okay.”
She hung up with Dalton just as her other phone rang. “Hello.”
“Hello, my love. You had a good day today.”
She bit her lip. “I did everything you told me to.”
“I know you did. Well done. Tonight I’ll let you sleep through the night. I’ll call you in the morning. I left you a bottle of your favorite wine on the patio.”
She wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Thanks.”
“Enjoy it.”
He hung up and Pepper sat in silence for several minutes before making her way to the patio. She had no intention of drinking the wine, but she’d had another flat when she refused his gift of a bottle a week earlier, so it was easier just to open it and dump it. She was pretty sure he didn’t have cameras in her house… at least, so far.
Her mother’s house was the one place she felt safe, and the irony wasn’t lost on her. It was the same place that several of her mother’s “friends” had tried to take advantage of her, forcing her to add several locks to her bedroom door and hide whenever her mother’s “company” was being entertained.
Pepper grabbed the wine and locked the door again. Once she dumped the bottle down the sink, she took her migraine medication, shut off all the lights, rushed to her room, and locked herself in. She sat on the bed, back to the wall, and prayed she didn’t have to pee. Nothing outside of a burning inferno was going to get her out of the bedroom.
* * *
Pepper came awake with a fright when she felt a strong, calloused hand press over her mouth. The smell of soap and burnt fireworks assaulted her nose. She tried to scream as she kicked and scratched and did whatever she could to push the person off her.
“Shhh, Pepper, it’s me.”
She blinked. “Dalton?” she mumbled behind his hand.
He was kneeling beside her bed, black jeans and a black T-shirt helping disguise him in the dark. “Yeah. I’m gonna let you go. Okay?”
She nodded and he removed his hand.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I did some checking, and someone’s definitely messing with you.”
She sat up and pushed the covers off her legs. “Did some checking?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I have a secret to tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. Not even Sam.”
“I promise.”
“I’m with the FBI.”
“What? What does that mean? You’re a spy?”
“Sure. We’ll go with that.”
Pepper burst into tears. “Is this why you’ve been shutting me out?” she asked in a sob.
Despite her protests, Dalton wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his lap. “Hey. It’s okay. I’m sorry, babe. Seriously. There’s so much I want to tell you, but I can’t.”
She knew she couldn’t fight against his strength, so she sagged against him and sobbed into his chest for what seemed like forever, the relief and fear finally merging into one. Dalton held her without speaking and she began to calm.
“How did you get in here? I locked both locks.”
“Deadbolts are easy-peasy,” he said.
“But how did you get into the house?”
“The basement.”
She gasped. “Oh! The broken window. I forgot about that.”
He shook his head. “No, not that. I fixed that last week. But I fixed it so I could still get in.”
She frowned. “You did? How come I didn’t know about that?”
“There are a few things you don’t know.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “This creep might be watching you, but so am I, okay?”
“Why?”
“Because I promised you I’d never let anything happen to you again, remember?”
“That was a long time ago, Dalt.”
“Doesn’t matter…I keep my promises. Got me?”
Pepper nodded.
Dalton stroked her cheek. “Let’s figure out what to do going forward. I want to get this creep. It’s your birthday in three days, and I’d like to present him on a platter as your gift.”
* * *
Pepper sat in Dalton’s office at the Mercedes store and pretended to read a magazine. She turned the page, frowning at the sight of her shaking hands. Dalton had insisted she wait for him here, because it had a panic room right off the office. He was drawing her stalker out and he wanted her somewhere safe. She really just wanted to hop on a plane and escape, but she knew she needed to see this through. If she didn’t, she’d always be looking over her shoulder.
She swung her leg up and down in irritation. Dalton had closed the dealership almost an hour ago and she still sat by herself in the windowless room with no idea what was happening outside. Without warning, she heard what sounded like firecrackers and her heart raced.
Then, just as quickly, the office door flew open and she was being dragged into the panic room. The door shut and she heard the lock before Dalton collapsed next to her. She let out a squeak and knelt next to him. “Dalt?”
He let out a hiss of pain when she tried to move his arm. She noticed red seeping through his shirt. “You’re bleeding.”
He squeezed his eyes tight and took a deep breath. “I think my shoulder’s dislocated.”
“He got a shot off. Damn it. He’s fast.”
“Did you see him?”
“Nope. He wore a mask.”
Pepper ripped his shirt open and tried to ignore his perfectly formed chest. She pressed her palm to the gunshot wound on his bicep. “Too much? Are you okay?”
He set his lips into a tight line. “Yep.”
“I need to call 9-1-1… as soon as I get the bleeding under control.”
“Just lift the phone, it’ll go straight through.” He nodded behind him. “And then you need to get out of here, Pepper.”
“How? I’m kind of stuck in this room with you.”
“There’s a hidden exit. If they find you, there’ll be more questions than answers and I’ll have to explain what you’re doing here.” He shifted with a grimace. “In my right pocket are keys to a green Mercedes right outside the door. You can drive it to my place and leave your car here. I’m hoping the jackwad will be watching for your car… throw him off the scent.”
“I can’t leave you here alone. What if you bleed to death?”
“I’m not that badly hurt.”
“Hero to the nth degree, I see.” Pepper scowled. “But I’m not leaving you.”
“You’re the most stubborn woman alive.”
“And your point is?” she challenged.
“Fine.” He sighed. “You can wait until we hear the sirens.”
She grinned. “Thank you.”
“I guess it’s officially your birthday.”
Pepper glanced at the clock on the wall. Just after midnight. “A whole quarter of a century.”
He chuckled and then groaned. “Ow.”
“Just stay still. They’ll be here soon.”
“I owe you dinner.”
“Are you ruled by anything other than food, Dalton Moore?”
He gave her a lascivious grin. “Just one.”
Pepper felt the heat creep up her neck. “Okay, Romeo.”
“Mr. Moore?” The muffled shout of a woman floated through the door.
Dalton nodded toward the back wall. “Hit the tile just below the switch. The hidden door will open. Be quick, it closes again in seconds.”
Pepper did as he instructed and a hidden panel popped open.
“Go, babe.”
“Are you sure?” she whispered.
“Yes. Go!”
As the paramedics banged on the panic room door again, she slipped through the panel and made her escape, heading to the safety of Dalton’s apartment. She found a bottle of wine and sat down in front of Dalton’s ridiculously big screen television to keep her company.
Sam called to wish her a happy birthday, and keeping the news about her brother from her was the hardest thing Pepper had ever done.
Pepper managed one night in his apartment alone but was forced back to her mother’s house with a threat from her stalker to hurt Rio if he couldn’t find her. There was some comfort in knowing that he obviously had no idea where Dalton lived, but her relief was short-lived when she was told Sam would be arriving to check on her brother. Another person to worry about would just about send her over the edge.
PEPPER STOOD IN Samantha’s childhood bedroom and waited while Sam fussed with her hair. Kade was on his way back to the airport to pick up his brothers who were arriving from Scotland within the hour. Sam had surprised Pepper with the news that she and Kade would be married in Savannah instead of trying to plan something from overseas. The family was all meeting in Savannah for the wedding. Kade’s sister, Fiona, and Fiona’s close friend, Payton, were sitting on the bed reading a gossip rag while Pepper sat at Sam’s desk. Sam released several curse words as she tried to “fix” perfection.
“Kade just left you ten minutes ago,” Pepper said.
Sam scowled at her in the mirror. “Your point?”
Pepper crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. “My point, strange one, is that you can’t look any better than you already do, and your fiancé wouldn’t care if you shaved your head. He’d still look at you like you’re the only woman on the planet.”
“I agree,” Payton piped in.
“Are you suggesting I shave my head?” Sam retorted.
Pepper giggled. “Oh, I’m not suggesting, Sammi… I’m saying.”
Sam smiled and opened her mouth to say something just as Pepper’s cell phone rang. Seeing her mother’s name pop up on the screen, Pepper ignored it.
“Your mom?” Sam asked.
Pepper nodded.
The phone pealed again and Pepper let out a frustrated groan.
“Just answer it, Pep. She’ll keep calling, especially if she’s drunk.”
Pepper nodded and answered the call. “Hi Mom.”
“Persephone Moonbeam Brooks, where’s Morris?” her mother slurred.
Pepper cringed at the ridiculous middle name her mother had adopted. She shouldn’t, she knew it was a joke… her real middle name was Esther… but the memory of many embarrassing moments came flooding back whenever her mother used it.
“I don’t know where your cat is, Mom. He’s probably roaming.”
“Uh-uh. I’s got a note here… is says you know.”
Pepper’s blood went cold. “What do you mean?” she asked as she stepped out of the room.
“Ith says, Morris is gone. Ask Pepper why,” her mother relayed.
Pepper walked down the hallway. “Mom, are you alone in the house?”
“Yeth, why?”
“Are the doors locked?”
“Of course they are. I’m not stupid.”
“Okay. Just stay there. I’ll be home in a few.” Pepper hung up and would have left right away, but her purse was still in Sam’s room. She made her way back inside. “Hey. I need to take care of something. Can you do without me for a bit?”
Sam nodded. “Sure. Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Mom’s melting down. I’ll be back by dinner.”
“Can we do anything?” Fiona asked.
“No. She does this a lot,” Pepper said.
Sam hugged her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes.” Pepper forced a smile and disengaged from Sam. “Now, enjoy your man. I’ll see you later.”
She made her way downstairs and into her VW Rabbit. She did her best not to speed home, but she was terrified that Morris might have received the same fate as Rover.
* * *
Connall Gunnach sat with his brother Brodie in the family jet and waited for the plane to taxi to their gate. His brother-in-law, Angus, snored in the seat in front of them. They’d spent the last week in Iceland and Scotland dealing with family issues, and were now free to celebrate the “wedding” of Kade and Samantha. The couple had already bonded in the way of their people, so the ceremony would be performed for the benefit of Samantha’s family and friends.
He and Brodie were discussing the events of the next few days when irritation and then panic hit him square in the chest. “Shite.”
“Con?” Brodie asked. “You okay?”
Connall shook his head and tried to breathe. Something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong. He quieted his mind and tried to listen as he took a series of deep breaths and just as quickly, his panic eased. “Damn it.”
“What?”
Connall raised his hand in an effort to get Brodie to quit talking. He needed to focus.
“Do I need to call Kade?”
Panic hit him again. “Brod! Haud yer wheesht!”
Brodie said something Connall didn’t catch, although, he figured it wasn’t complimentary.
“It’s my mate. She’s close.” Connall rubbed his forehead. “And in trouble.”
* * *
Pepper parked in the driveway and rushed into the house. She found her mother unconscious on the kitchen floor, a nasty bruise forming on her cheek. She knelt beside her and felt her pulse. It seemed steady, but she couldn’t wake her. Grabbing the house phone, she tried to dial 9-1-1, bu
t realized quickly that the phone was dead. Stupidly, she’d left her cell phone in her car and she couldn’t find her mother’s.
She grabbed the biggest knife in the knife block and headed toward the front door. Before she reached it, however, it flew open and a dark figure stood in the doorway. With a scream of determination, Pepper made a run for the person standing in front of her.
She didn’t get far.
“Whoa!”
Her wrist was grasped and her arm pulled behind her. The knife clattered to the ground before she could do any damage and she couldn’t stop a whimper, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt she was dead.
“Shhh. It’s Dalton.”
Pepper squeezed her eyes shut.
“I’m going to let go now. Don’t kill me,” he whispered.
She fell against him when he released her arm and turned her to face him. His dark hair was swept away from his face and his deep-set chocolate brown eyes showed concern as he stroked her face. “Take a deep breath.”
Pepper focused on him as she tried to steady her heart. Despite her attempts, she couldn’t stop her attraction to him. The man was gorgeous to a fault. His chiseled jaw and tall physique captured the epitome of the all-American hero. “Mom’s unconscious, Dalt. She’s in the kitchen.”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. “Okay, we’ve got help on the way.” She tried to push him away, but he squeezed tighter and shook his head. “Just let me hold you for a minute.”
“I’m good, Dalt.” Pepper pushed harder. She hated to be hugged.
He dropped his arms and frowned. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Yep.”
Awkward silence reigned as they stood in the foyer and several agents swarmed her house. Pepper crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.
What’s happening? Where are you?
Pepper glanced at Dalton. “What?”
He smiled. “What, what?”
“You just asked me a question… in a weird accent.”
Dalton shook his head. “Babe, I haven’t said a word in almost five minutes. Rare for me, I know, but still the truth.”
Pepper rubbed her forehead. “I must be hearing things.”
Where are you, lass? I’ll come to you.
“Dalton, stop it.”
Bound by Fire (Cauld Ane Series Book 2) Page 2
