Cassie grabbed on to Zach and Chase for support. They each put an arm around her and pulled her a little closer.
“Ryan, you better tell us what the fuck you’re doing here tonight. You’re scaring Cassie.” Zach’s voice was tight with tension.
Cassie felt Zach’s arm tighten around her shoulders in comfort. She knew what the sheriff had to say wasn’t going to be pleasant, and she steeled herself for the news.
“I just got a call from the Chicago PD. It seems that Danny Trent was being transferred from county lockup to state prison today. There was some sort of accident, and Danny Trent has escaped. The driver of the van was killed in the accident, and the other officer was badly injured when Trent escaped. Trent almost beat him to death, stole his clothes, gun, and wallet, and has disappeared.”
Cassie felt dizzy as she processed his words. This couldn’t be happening. Danny was supposed to be put away for five years. She wasn’t supposed to have to worry about this for five fucking years. She just kept hearing the words over and over again—he escaped. He escaped. He escaped.
“Don’t worry, Cassie. No one’s going to get near you. Zach and I will protect you. We told you we always take care of our own.”
Cassie looked up into Chase’s face and saw the anger she had seen the night she told them about Danny. His jaw was tight and his eyes narrow. She reached up and tried to smooth away the lines in his forehead. He turned his face slightly and kissed her palm. She saw his eyes soften a little. She turned to Zach and tried to give him a brave smile. Zach smiled grimly and turned to Ryan.
“So what are the Chicago police doing, Ryan? Are they close to catching him? Do we know where he’s headed?”
Before Ryan could answer, Jillian answered for him. “Let me guess, Sheriff. Chicago PD has no clue where Danny is, where he’s headed, or how far he’s gotten? Am I correct?”
Cassie recognized the bitterness in Jillian’s voice. She had always felt badly that Jillian had to go through this with her. It hadn’t been fair to Jillian, and here they were again. No one knew better than Jillian and herself how inept the Chicago PD could be when it came to finding Danny Trent. Big cities had bigger problems than stalkers. Their resources were already stretched thin chasing murderers, drug dealers, and gang bangers.
“Yes, Jillian, you are correct. I’m sorry to say the Chicago PD have no clue were Danny Trent is or where he might be heading. But I will promise you this—the Plenty Police Department will protect you with their lives. Both of you. If Trent shows his face in this town, we’ll get him.”
Jackson put his arm around Jillian in comfort. Cassie noticed that Jillian leaned into him as if seeking his strength.
“My brother is right, Jillian. No one is going to get near you or Cassie. We take care of our own here in Plenty. Besides, this is a small town and, as you know, newcomers stand out. There’s no way Trent can hang around this town without being noticed.”
The Sheriff nodded grimly. Cassie could see that Sheriff Ryan was frustrated and seemed quite pissed off.
“I’ve notified all my deputies about Trent and passed his picture around. If he shows his face anywhere, we’ll recognize him. But honestly, the chances of him making it all the way to Florida are remote. We’ve already put a trace on the officer’s credit cards. If Trent uses them, we’ll be able to find out where he is. According to the officer, he had less than one hundred dollars in that wallet. Trent won’t get far on one hundred dollars. In the meantime, I think you and Jillian should stay with Zach and Chase. They have an excellent security system and they can keep an eye on you until we catch Trent.”
“Ryan’s right. You and Jillian can stay with Zach and me. We have a state-of-the-art security system that we put in when the house was built but never had a reason to use until now.”
Cassie shook her head. “I don’t want to put you guys in danger. You don’t know what this guy is capable of. I do. He almost killed that officer today. He won’t hesitate to kill you to get to me. Jillian should stay with you so she’ll be safe.”
Jillian started to protest. “Fuck no, Cassie. He’s not going to go after me. He never had any interest in hurting me, only you.”
The sheriff held up his hand to halt the conversation. “Stop. You are both going to go to Zach and Chase’s house where I know you will stay safe. I don’t want to have to be worrying about the two of you while we’re out looking for Trent.” The sheriff turned toward his brother.
“Jack, I want you to help Zach and Chase keep Jillian and Cassie safe. Take shifts if you need to, and never leave them alone.”
“Will do, bro. Where will you be?”
“My deputies and I will be patrolling the area and also staying in touch with Chicago PD for any updates. I have my cell, so you can always get a hold of me. Listen to me, Cassie. I know you don’t know me very well, and you have no reason to trust me, but believe me when I tell you that this town is the very safest place for you right now. This sick bastard from the city doesn’t stand a chance in a town full of good old boy Florida crackers who pretty much all own a gun or two, or six for that matter. That guy’s going to be plenty sorry that he ever came to this town.”
“Damn straight, bro. No pansy-assed stalker is going to get by us. Ryan and I will protect our woman and her best friend.”
An incredulous look crossed Jillian’s face. “And who the hell would be your woman? I know you don’t mean Cassie, and you sure as hell don’t mean me.”
Jillian crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the handsome firefighter and his brother. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Cassie couldn’t help but be amused at Jillian’s anger and the brothers’ obvious discomfort.
“I sure as hell do mean you. Ryan and I have made no secret that we’re after you, so it will come as no surprise to you that we want to keep you safe. If you have issues with it, we’ll deal with that at another time. Right now the most important thing is keeping you and Cassie safe.”
Jackson Parks scowled with frustration at Jillian’s glare. However, unlike the other men Jillian had dated, he didn’t look in the least like he was going to back down. If anything, he looked more determined than ever. Cassie couldn’t help but think about the other men Jillian had dated and how they had allowed themselves to be cowed by Jillian’s anger.
Sheriff Ryan dragged his hand down his face as he shook his head at his brother and Jillian. “There will be lots of time in the future to discuss our relationship and how we all feel about each other. But Jack is right about this. Neither Jack nor I am going to let anyone hurt you or Cassie. I know Zach and Chase feel the same way.”
Cassie’s men nodded, and she was a little alarmed at the look in their eyes. It was at that moment that Cassie saw the man that Zach used to be—that Navy SEAL. He probably knew a couple hundred ways to kill a man. Heck, he probably had killed a man before, and looking into his eyes right now, he certainly looked like he wouldn’t mind doing it again.
Chapter 13
It was a silent ride back to the condo. Cassie cuddled close to Chase in the front seat while Jillian sat in the back seat with Jackson and Becca. No one seemed to have much to say as they pulled into the driveway and came to a stop. Chase untangled himself from Cassie and helped her out of the SUV. Zach was at her side instantly, lending another helping hand. Cassie smiled gratefully at her men and glanced back at Jillian and Becca. Jillian’s lips were tight in what Cassie knew was a very pissed-off state. Whether she was in that state because of Jackson’s earlier declaration or the situation that Danny’s escape had put them in was anyone’s guess. Cassie saw Becca put her arm around Jillian when Jillian had shrugged off Jackson’s arm. Jackson looked as pissed off as Jillian did, and Becca was trying to play the peacemaker. Good luck to her. Jillian had a temper to match her red hair, and tonight’s little episode wasn’t going to help much.
Becca had already agreed to stay the night at the farm with Cassie and Jillian. Jackson and Ryan didn’t want Becca alone tonight
after hearing the news. Cassie noticed that Becca had looked a little annoyed at first, but after looking at Jillian’s tight features she had readily agreed. Becca was turning out to be a really good friend to them both. Jackson put his arm around Becca and gave her a hug.
“Zach, I’ll take Becca to her place to get some clothes while you help Jillian and Cassie.”
“Thanks, Jack. We’ll meet you back here at the truck in just a few minutes, okay?”
Cassie silently followed Zach and Chase as they unlocked her front door and started turning on lights. Danny had only escaped hours before, but Cassie couldn’t help looking around her condo quickly for any signs that he had been there. Of course there were none, and she felt the surge of anger that had been simmering since the sheriff had given her the news.
“I know that look, Cassie. You’re pissed.” As usual, Jillian had figured her out in seconds.
“Pissed is too weak a work, Jill. I am beyond fucking pissed!” Cassie threw her purse on the table and let out a yell. “Arrr!”
“That’s it girl, yell! Let it out!” Jillian looked ready to join in her mini-tirade.
Chase and Zach came rushing to her side to hug her and try to calm her down.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. Calm down. No one is going to get near you with Zach and me here.”
“I don’t want to fucking calm down, Chase. I want to be pissed. Just for a little while anyway. I am mad. Mad! Danny has had way too much power over my life as it is, and now he gets to have more of it! I am sick and tired of this! I am tired of looking over my fucking shoulder! I am tired of being fucking afraid not just for me, but for my friends, too. It isn’t fucking fair, and I want to be mad for a few minutes. After that, I promise, I will calm down and act mature. But right now I am pissed as hell!”
Jillian looked amused at her outburst while Zach and Chase’s mouths hung open. Apparently, they had never seen her this wound up. Well, there was no time like the present to find out she had a bit of a temper, too.
Zach was the first to recover and start laughing. “Well, I didn’t know my angel could say that many F-words in just a few sentences. Go ahead, Cassie, be mad if you need to be. Chase and I will clean up anything you need to break or throw.”
Chase grinned. “Hell yeah! I might even join you if throwing stuff is involved.”
Jillian looked at Cassie with a big smile. “Yep, those two are keepers, Cass. Now let’s get our stuff and get out of here. I am exhausted.”
Cassie let out a loud sigh and let her arms drop to her sides. “Me, too, Jillian.”
* * * *
Zach stared out the large kitchen window. Their driveway was lit but anything beyond was pitch black. Zach now wished they had gotten around to installing more lighting down the long driveway. The house was a couple of miles from town and the streetlights didn’t come out this far.
While the women were putting their things away and getting ready for bed, Zach saw Ryan pull up in the driveway. Chase noticed, too, and started to say something, but Zach put his finger up to his lips. He didn’t want the women to hear anything. They were upset enough as it was, and besides, Zach wanted to talk to Ryan privately. He stepped outside before Ryan had a chance to come into the house. This would give him the privacy he needed to ask the Sheriff a few questions.
“Have you heard anything new, Ryan?” Zach could see the grim set of the sheriff’s jaw and steeled himself for bad news.
“The Chicago PD haven’t found him yet if that’s what you’re asking, Zach. I wish I had better news. It’s like he disappeared into thin air. But the police have been questioning some of Trent’s acquaintances. Seems that one of them told him that Cassie moved to Florida, for Christ’s sake. Apparently, this guy didn’t think Trent was dangerous or anything. He didn’t think he would break out of prison.” Zach could hear the sarcasm in Ryan’s voice and felt the same frustration.
“You mean that Trent knows she’s here. Fuck.” The sound of Chase’s fist landing against the garage door made both men turn.
“Cut it out, Chase. That isn’t going to help anything.” Ryan’s voice was tight with anger. Zach could tell that Ryan was as pissed off as they were.
“Listen, we need to keep the women safe. I don’t trust this Trent not to show up here and do something really stupid. This guy is crazy and violent. Did Cassie tell you what all he did up there?”
“Yeah, she said he killed her dog and attacked her in a parking garage. A Grade-A asshole and loony tune.”
“Zach, I hate to tell you, but it sounds like Cassie cleaned up the story a little for you and Chase.” Zach could see Ryan sigh and look down. This didn’t sound good, and he could see Chase had stopped pacing the driveway to listen.
“I talked to the Chicago PD. Trent is violent, all right. He killed Cassie’s dog and hung the body on the front door for her to find. He did call her repeatedly, that much is true. But what it sounds like she didn’t tell you is that he threatened to kill her. If he couldn’t have her, then no one would. He said that he would shoot Cassie and then shoot himself, so they would be together in heaven for eternity.
“When he found her in that parking garage, he damned near killed her. She was in the hospital for a week with a concussion, broken ribs, broken arm, broken collarbone, and broken ankle. He was dragging her to his car when the cops got there. She fought like a wildcat, too. That’s why she got so hurt. She wasn’t going quietly. The police found several knives, a gun, rope, and plastic bags in the trunk of Trent’s car. That’s not all either. At the trial, Trent would scream during the proceedings that he loved Cassie and that she needed to be punished. That she belonged to him for all of eternity.
“When he was taken away after sentencing, they had to sedate him because he was struggling and screaming to get to Cassie. There is no doubt in my mind that he will come here to find her. We have to keep her and Jillian safe from this asshole.”
Zach’s mind reeled at all that his woman had been through. Primitive instincts as old as time welled up in him. He would protect Cassie with his life. Jillian, too. No one would get near them. He would make sure of that. He looked at Ryan, one of his oldest friends, and crossed his arms. Let’s get this party started, he thought. That old familiar feeling he used to get before a mission was tight in his gut.
“So what’s the plan, Ryan? Sounds like it is only a matter of time before Trent gets here.”
“Wait, Zach.” Chase held up his hand. “I thought Ryan said that Trent had less than a hundred bucks and it was unlikely he could make it here.”
Zach could hear the hope in Chase’s voice. He knew that he would have to dash that hope with his next words, but Ryan did it for him.
“I only said that so Cassie wouldn’t freak out. The fact is, a man like Trent doesn’t need money. He will steal whatever he needs to make it down here, whether it is a car or money. I say we probably have another twelve to sixteen hours before he gets here. We need to start making plans now.”
“Shit! Fuck!” Chase yelled, and Zach had to quiet him so Cassie wouldn’t hear inside the house. Despite his easygoing nature, Chase was the hothead of the two of them, and Zach knew he needed to make sure Chase stayed in control.
“Cool it, Chase. We have to keep it together for Cassie. We don’t have the luxury of getting angry.”
“Sorry, bro. But when I think about what that asshole did to Cassie.” Chase’s jaw snapped shut and his color was high.
“I know, but we can get angry later—after Trent is behind bars again.”
Ryan sat heavily in one of the lawn chairs with a sigh. “Part one of the plan—we need to never let the women alone. They aren’t going to like it much, but this time, he just might kill her if we turn our backs for even a second. He has nothing to lose except her. I already called the principal at the school, and Cassie and Jillian will have substitutes until this is all over. I don’t want to take a chance that Trent might take a hostage or two when she is around the kids. They need to sta
y in the house with the alarm on at all times. I will keep a deputy patrolling the area, but one of you or Jack should be here with the women. Part two of the plan—do you need any ammunition?”
Zach shook his head with a grimace. “No. You know we keep several guns in the gun safe along with plenty of ammunition. The dads were always ready for Armageddon, you know.” He jerked his head toward the east of the property where his parents lived.
He thanked God that they were up in Georgia right now visiting relatives. They would be out of the way if anything happened. He didn’t need to worry about them, too.
“Trent will stick out like a sore thumb when he shows up here. No way will he be able to hide in plain sight, so to speak. We’ll get him when he gets here.”
* * * *
Cassie snuggled into the down comforter and stared up at the ceiling in Zach’s room. Jillian was asleep in Chase’s room, and Becca was asleep in the guestroom. She knew Jackson was also going to spend the night on the couch. Zach and Chase had disappeared outside earlier and hadn’t returned to the house yet. She sighed as she turned over and tried to find a comfortable spot, knowing that she probably wouldn’t fall asleep anyway. An evening that had started out so promising had turned into her worst nightmare. She still felt a little numb at the news that Danny had escaped and was probably headed there. All she and Jillian had wanted was a fresh start in a new place.
“Cassie? Are you asleep, honey?” Zach’s voice broke into her maudlin thoughts.
“No. I don’t think I will be sleeping for a while. Not until Danny’s caught.” Cassie sighed at how pathetic she sounded. She hated being anything other than strong and in control. This just sucked, and she was really sick and tired of it. What must Zach and Chase be thinking now? Would they think she was too much trouble? They certainly didn’t sign on for all these issues. Maybe they were wishing they had never gotten involved with her in the first place. Perhaps Amelia, even with all her self-absorbed bullshit, was looking better than Cassie right now? Acting pathetic was really starting to piss her off.
Valentine, Laura - Plenty to Come [Plenty, FL] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 12
