“It’s time for you to go to sleep and me to go home.”
Jonesy let out a quiet whinny. Pepper called it his “growl.” He did it whenever she said or did something he didn’t like—at least, that’s what she told everyone. She was convinced he knew what she was saying. Pepper stayed another twenty minutes before she kissed Jonesy one more time, and headed to her car. She arrived to find her back tire flat. “Great!”
She was the last one in the barn tonight, which wasn’t unusual, but it was dark and she hated to bug the owner. With a groan, she pulled out her phone, found her Triple A card, and dialed their number. The operator said it could take up to an hour for a tow truck to come and asked if she was in a safe place to wait. If she wasn’t she should call 9-1-1. Pepper assured her she was safe and that she’d just wait in the car.
Pepper sighed and got into the car. She hated waiting. For anything. Technically, she could change the tire herself—Samantha’s dad had taught both of them basic car care when they got their licenses—but she didn’t “do” manual labor… or grease. Not to mention, a migraine was approaching and she was out of pain meds.
Luckily, she’d downloaded the new album from Fallen Crown. She hadn’t had a chance to listen to the whole thing yet, but it was her favorite band and this was the perfect opportunity to immerse herself in the music. She dropped her head onto the headrest and settled in to wait. She was three songs in when a knock at her window elicited a quiet squeal, but her heart calmed when she saw who it was. Mario Hernandez was one of the best-looking men she’d ever met. Tall and muscular, the native Mexican had been living in Savannah since he was a teenager and working at the ranch for almost as long. Now thirty-five, he was married with two kids and was the go-to trainer for the rich and influential. He’d been training Pepper for two years in exchange for light bookkeeping and administrative duties. The arrangement was working out perfectly for them both.
“Hey, Rio.” She opened her door and stepped out. “What are you still doing here?”
He grinned. “I could ask you the same thing, but it’s not quite midnight, so you’re still within your timetable.”
She snorted. “You’re funny. Uh, my tire’s flat. I’m waiting for the tow truck.”
He frowned. “No need for that. I can change it for you.”
“Don’t you need to go home?”
He sighed. “Anna took the kids to her mom’s for the week. I’m joining them over the weekend, but for now, I’m trying to distract myself.”
She grinned. Mario loved his family and they adored him right back. Pepper grabbed her keys and opened the trunk. “Okay, then distract away. The tire’s in here. Thanks.”
Less than thirty minutes later, Mario was setting the flat in the trunk just as a truck made its way up the road.
“Oh, crud. I forgot to cancel the tow truck,” Pepper said.
“Why don’t you head home, and I’ll talk to the tow guy,” Mario offered. “You have to work tomorrow.”
“So do you,” she pointed out.
He chuckled. “Ah, but I need a distraction, remember?”
“Right.” She climbed into the car and cranked the window down. “Thanks for everything, Rio.”
“See you tomorrow for your lesson. Get some sleep.”
Pepper waved and headed down the driveway, past the truck and toward home. She was halfway home when her phone rang. “Hello?”
“Why did you let the Mexican fix your car, Pepper?”
It was him.
“What?”
“I warned you, Pepper. Do you remember?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You are not behaving the way you are supposed to. You are going to need to learn to obey me, Pepper.”
“Excuse me? You haven’t told me anything. Not that I’d listen if you did. I’d highly suggest getting back on the crazy train and heading on out of town.”
“And I’d suggest you listen to me or you’ll be in trouble, Pepper.”
“You better leave me alone, or I’m calling the cops.”
“Call them, Pepper. They won’t find me.”
Pepper shook. He was creepy as hell, and not just because he said her name after almost every sentence.
“Look, I don’t know what you want. Just tell me and I’ll see what I can do,” she said.
A sardonic chuckle sounded through the phone. “I want you, Pepper. It’s always been you.”
“Well, you can’t have me. Just leave me alone!”
“I will have you, Pepper. One way or another.”
“Creep!” She hung up and glanced in her rearview mirror. Maybe he was following her. She decided to take the long way home, just in case. She arrived at the badly-in-need-of-repair box her mother called home, and parked in the driveway. Shaking off her impending sense of doom, she made her way inside.
She closed the front door and frowned. Her big black lab usually met her at the door.
“Rover,” she called.
Nothing.
“Mom?”
Still nothing.
She sighed. Her mom probably locked Rover outside when she went out with Jeff, the new “sweet, but misunderstood” ex-con who’d swept her off her feet.
Her mother’s cat, Morris, was pacing the length of the sliding glass door and meowing. Pepper dropped her purse on the kitchen counter and, after grabbing a dog biscuit, made her way to the door and opened it. “Rover?”
She flipped the outdoor light switch, but nothing happened. “Wonderful.” She couldn’t see much, even the moon was hiding from her, so she flipped on the lamp inside the door. Rover was lying on the concrete patio slab next to his dog house.
“Rover? Hey, buddy, why aren’t you in your cozy bed?” She knelt beside him and her stomach turned. “Rover? Come on, buddy, you need to wake up.” She continued to try to wake him, but the reality was that her beloved dog was dead. As the tears streamed down her face, she sat back on her heels and let the stress of the evening cover her.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she answered it. “Hello?”
“It was a painless death, Pepper.”
“What?” she squeaked.
“Next time, maybe you’ll listen to me, hmm? I warned you that something bad would happen if you didn’t do what I said. This time it was your dog, Pepper. Next time it might be your mother. Or perhaps even Jonesy… although, I think I’ll leave him until last and make you watch.”
“Why are you doing this to me? What do you want?”
“I want you, Pepper. I have always wanted you.”
“I don’t even know who you are!”
He chuckled. “Oh, you will. But in the meantime, we should really get to know one another, hmm? We’ll start slow. Answer my calls. Every time, Pepper. Understand? Do as I tell you and as you earn my trust, you’ll be rewarded.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Don’t push me, Pepper. One of the things I like most about you is your spunk, however, your mouth has gotten you into trouble, and I think we need to work on that. Now, bury your dog. I’ve taken the liberty of digging a grave in the corner of your yard.”
Her blood ran cold. “What?”
“I know you like to be taken care of, my love. I’d never make you do manual labor.”
Pepper swallowed. “Leave me alone.”
“I can’t do that, Pepper. Take care of your animal before he starts to decompose and I’ll call you in the morning before your shift at the diner. I’d like you to wear that pretty blue scarf you wore to the airport when you said good-bye to Samantha. This will show me you’re willing to do as you’re told.”
The phone went dead.
* * *
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Piper Davenport is the alter-ego of New York Times Bestselling Author, Tracey Jane Jackson. She writes from a place of passion and intrigue, combining elements of romance and suspense with strong modern-day heroes and heroines.
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Bound by Blood (Cauld Ane Series Book 1) Page 32
