Raylan glanced at the collar dangling from Bo’s tweezers and arched an eyebrow, but the sheriff just gave him the deadpan stare that he’d seemed to have perfected. Looked like Fluffy wasn’t coming home anytime soon.
“That reminds me, dear. Have you seen Fluffy running around? I know you haven’t been home much today, and he’s only been missing since this morning when I let him out for potty.”
Amber shoulders drooped, lines of fatigue etched her features. She’d had her home violated, her car burned to the ground, and was dealing with a stalker. And Mrs. Peterson was concerned about her dog?
Raylan readied to tell the old woman to go back to her house and shut up, but Amber elbowed him in the ribs first.
“I’m sorry, I haven’t. But I can help you look for him later if you’d like?”
Damn, her sweetness surprised him. Raylan hugged her tighter, wanting to absorb her goodness.
Bo, his expression strained, tucked the tweezers to his side, and said, “Was he wearing a collar by any chance?”
Mrs. Peterson beamed. “Why yes, I got him a brand-new one yesterday. Mr. Smith at the pet store received a shipment of pink, ice crystal-covered collars. Fluffy just loved how it sparkled and shined.”
Raylan glanced down, a hint of pink glimmer peeked out of the charred collar. He knew the minute Amber realized exactly what Bo had clutched in his hand.
She jerked and Raylan crushed her to his ribs.
Bo held out an arm. “Mrs. Peterson, I need you to come with me.”
The woman took his arm, her brows dipped in confusion. “Bo Lawson, I was your sixth grade teacher. You shouldn’t talk to me so sternly.”
Bo blushed, something Raylan thought impossible from the stone-faced sheriff. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to talk to you like that. Will you come with me, ma’am?”
Mrs. Peterson’s nod was a sharp authoritative movement. “That’s better. And yes I would love to come with you.”
He led Mrs. Peterson away, turning to look over his shoulder before he got too far. “Raylan, I don’t have to remind you that his behaviors are escalating, and I’m not anywhere close to finding him.”
“I’m all over it.” Raylan pulled Amber tighter to him, the surge of protectiveness nearly overpowering. “That woman has one hell of a set of lungs.” She hadn’t taken a breath between sentences.
“I think she’s just lonely. Mr. Peterson isn’t much of a conversationalist.”
How could he be, when his wife never stopped talking?
“Raylan? That was Fluffy’s collar, wasn’t it?”
Mrs. Peterson’s cry ripped through the air and Amber trembled, her face going pale. As much as that woman seemed like the biggest gossip he’d ever seen, he sure as hell hated what had happened. Any asshole that harmed an animal deserved to die. “I’m afraid so honey.”
“How could he do that? How could I not know that about him? He seems so normal. So polite.”
Her lip trembled, and Raylan put his arms around her, wishing with all his might he could remove this pain from her. She shouldn’t blame herself. The only person to blame was Tommy. “That’s what Ted Bundy’s neighbors said, too. You can’t beat yourself up over this baby.”
“But how could I have been so blind? I was in a relationship with him. I wasn’t his neighbor.” Even more blood leeched from her face, and it was all Raylan could do not to toss her in his truck and take off from this gruesome crime scene.
But he restrained the blinding fury and the need to kill the bastard for torturing her.
She shook, afraid, exhausted and probably scared out of her mind. And dammit, she had every right to be. Ex-boyfriend stalkers weren’t exactly known for forgiving and forgetting and moving on.
Raylan wanted to tell her this problem would just disappear, but it wouldn’t. Not until he made it go away.
If Tommy took a step an inch in the wrong direction, Raylan would be all over his ass, law or no law.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Raylan tensed as tight as a damn bow string and quickly scanned their surroundings. More people swarmed the block, the small lazy town turning into a metropolis of curiosity. People crowded closer to them, forcing them to lean against his truck. Shit, he’d been so caught up in Mrs. Peterson’s drama, he hadn’t even noticed the onslaught. Tommy could easily hide in their ranks, catching them unaware.
Psychos didn’t run away and hide. They liked to watch their handiwork. Watch their victim’s horror. And that son of a bitch was near. Raylan knew it without a doubt. His gaze was pinned on Amber. Watching. Waiting.
“Come here.” Raylan yanked her to the truck, pinning her between him and six feet of steel. If Tommy hid somewhere on this side of the street, the truck would stop a bullet. If he was across the street, Raylan’s body would be her Kevlar.
Raylan carefully scanned once more, this time noting each form with a hat or hoodie. Anyone with any type of concealing clothing. But not many people wore extra layers in the middle of summer. And there was no farmer green hat hiding bloodthirsty eyes.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Amber tensed and tried to look around.
Raylan rolled his shoulders forward, trapping her. “He’s here. I can smell him.”
Amber ducked left, trying to peek around him, but Raylan countered, keeping her back flat and her chest and head protected. “Be still, stay right there, where I can protect you.”
More people flooded the street, trying to get a look at the twenty-foot-high flames. Jesus Christ, he hadn’t realized the town had this many people, let alone the number standing in her neighborhood.
“What about you?” Amber asked.
“He’ll have to go through me to get to you.”
*
A harsh smile twisted Raylan’s lips, and Amber wanted simultaneously to hug and slap the man. He went back to scanning their surroundings, wrapping his shoulders around her to completely incase her body between him and his truck. “Who’s gonna protect your back?”
If he got hurt… A rush of fear accompanied that thought. If he was hurt, she didn’t know if she could recover. And the damn man risked his life for her. She punched him, hard, and the answering rush of pain in her wrist had her shaking her hand. The man was a brick wall.
He didn’t even glance down at her this time. “I’ll be fine.”
That got her back up real quick. She pushed him again, even knowing the effort was useless. “Because you’re wearing body armor under that button up?”
“No.” His sideways grin pissed her off even more.
“Raylan Wild, if you don’t listen to me, it’s over. Do you hear me?”
“Don’t be silly. I’m just doing my job.”
And still he looked around, not at her.
“No, this is Sheriff Lawson’s job. You’re not on duty.”
“It will always be my duty to protect you.” His smoldering gaze hit hers.
She completely melted. “But what would I do without you?”
Raylan dipped in closer. “You would live. That’s the most important thing.”
He went back to searching the crowd, and she knew she had barely scratched the surface. She needed him to pay attention. To listen. She grabbed his face, forcing him to look at her. “And what kind of life would I have without you? What kind of life would Riley have?”
His eyes closed briefly, almost in resignation, but when he opened them again, the normal Raylan was back. The caring Raylan, who for the past two days had put all of her needs above his own. “Amber, if anything happened to you, I’d lose my mind. You can’t ask me not to do what I’ve been trained to do and protect you.”
“No, I can’t ask you to go against your instincts, but I can ask you to live for me. To protect yourself while you’re protecting me and your child.” Raylan didn’t respond, and her heart jumped up into her throat. Could he really ignore her?
And then his stiff spine caved, and a rush of relief hit her so hard her knees buckled.
&
nbsp; “All right. I’ll go tell Bo. But you are staying right here.”
“Whatever you say, sir.” Amber winked.
Raylan’s fingers dug into her hips. “You know that spanking I’ve been talking about? You’re gonna get it, tonight, as soon as I get you alone.”
Amber blushed. “Is that a promise?”
“You can bet your life on it.” Raylan yanked the back door open and picked her up, setting her inside. “Stay down. I better not see your head when I look back here.”
Some strange giddiness overtook her, and Amber giggled despite the life-threatening, terrible situation. “As you wish.”
Raylan took her mouth in an all-consuming kiss that robbed her ability to think, to breathe, to do anything but bend to his will. She couldn’t even come back with a smart ass comment when he lifted his head.
“There, just the way I like you. Quiet and obedient. Now, stay put and lock the doors.”
Amber stiffened, but before she could say a word, he slammed the door in her face and sauntered off, the swagger of a confident man guiding his feet across the pavement.
Amber ducked down in the seat, a self-satisfied grin curling up the corners of her mouth. She would let him think he was in charge. For a little while at least. But like any girl worth her salt, she’d make sure she came out on top every time. A warm tingle of satisfaction snuck down her spine. Being on top of Raylan is exactly where she wanted to be.
The man had sex appeal and charm and knew it, and on someone else it would be cocky, but on him it was better than cream cheese frosting on a cake.
So different than Tommy, who pretended to be complacent and compliant, never arguing, never laughing, never doing much of anything but being there. The more she thought about it, the weirder she felt. It was like he had no emotions.
The realization of her situation hit her hard. That’s why she’d picked him, why she let him in. He seemed to not want anything from her, because deep down, after Raylan, she’d had nothing left to give. But now that she’d had another taste of the man she’d fallen in love with all those years ago, the contrast between the two men became stark. She might have turned a blind eye at first, but now, both of them were wide open. Tommy was out there, probably with a gun, and she’d let Raylan saunter off, his back unprotected.
Her stomach bottomed out with fear. She finally had Raylan back, and she knew without a doubt Tommy would kill him.
A loud ping ricocheted off the truck and Amber ducked instinctively. People nearby screamed, and she heard their rushing feet as they ran.
Her blood froze in her veins. A gunshot. And Raylan stood out there unprotected.
She opened the door and stood outside the truck before her brain could rationalize why she should stay inside, nice and safe.
She stepped into chaos.
People zipped right and left, screaming and darting into houses and slamming doors. A bicycle was forgotten on the street as the mom clutched her little girl and ran.
Ping. Another bullet ricocheted, and Amber dropped to the ground. But that one hadn’t been near her, not even close. Flat on the ground, she lifted her head, facing straight ahead to see Raylan squatted down next to the squad car, Bo right beside him. Two holes in the side of the vehicle.
Another shot, and glass shattered, raining down on Raylan and Bo. Amber screamed.
Raylan’s furious gaze met hers. “Get in the truck.”
Heart pounding, Amber froze. She couldn’t leave him out there alone. Tommy had gone on a rampage because of her. He’d stop if she went to him.
Amber pushed to her hands and feet. If she had the courage to face him, no one else would get hurt. She got to her knees, her legs too wobbly stand, even though Raylan’s life depended on it.
“No!” Raylan took off in a crouched run, a bullet chinked the pavement right in front of his feet, and he dove back against the car. His curse echoed over the fading din of screams. It didn’t take the people of Mercy three bullets to get their butts inside. Gossip or not, self-preservation overpowered curiosity.
Her town, her people. Their lives at risk, all because of her. Heart punching its way through her lungs so fast she couldn’t discern one beat from another, Amber rose to her feet. Sunlight glinted off the hood of the truck, and she raised a hand above her eyes.
Raylan frantically gestured for her to duck, but she ignored him. She could calm Tommy down.
Another scream in the distance. And then a soft sob behind her, and Amber turned to see a little boy crouching on her porch behind a pole two sizes too small. His knobby elbows poking out on both sides. Amber dropped her hand, a firm resolved tinged with dread stiffening her spine.
She was the only one. “Tommy, you have to stop!”
Tommy’s answer came with the crack of a gunshot, and then the back window of the sheriff’s cruiser shattered.
Amber ducked, and covered her head. Was he completely beyond reason? A slew of Lifetime Channel movies about stalkers hadn’t prepared her for a real-life situation.
But she wasn’t prepared for anyone else to die either.
Amber forced her knees to lock in place, and prayed Tommy wouldn’t hear her frantic thoughts in her voice. “If you don’t stop shooting at these people, I will never talk to you again.”
Her lungs locked. No response.
Her thoughts a frantic jumble, she searched for anything to say to hold him at bay. Maybe if she could get him to talk, someone could pinpoint his location. But how? He’d barely spoken of anyone else during their relationship. The only person he talked to had been his mother.
A thought so stupid and brazen struck. No way it would work. But she had nothing else. Absolutely nothing. “How dare you be mad at me? I saw the text message from your ex. How much she loved you and couldn’t wait to see you again. How she had kept your favorite dinner ready and waiting, just like the week before.”
The text had been from his mother. Amber knew that without a doubt, because her name had played across the top of the screen, but right now she was working with fumes and a prayer.
A few seconds passed, and then the longest minute of her entire life and from somewhere across the street Tommy called out, “That was my mother!”
Her heart skittered out of control, convinced she’s been caught in a lie, but she didn’t move a muscle. She’d play it out to the end. Because dammit, she couldn’t come up with any other reason to make him think she thought it was his fault they broken up. “Really? Do I look that stupid? A man like you getting a text like that from his mother? And after you told me all about how your ex had begged and pleaded with you not to leave her.”
She caught Raylan’s movement out of the corner of her eye, but didn’t dare turn toward him. She needed Tommy to think all of her attention was on him.
“You knew I loved you. You knew I’d never cheat on you. How could you think that?” Was that a slight break in his voice at the end?
“That’s what the last guy I dated said, and he turned out to be the biggest man whore in town.” She could feel Raylan’s gaze locked on her, but she couldn’t afford to turn and tell him she knew that was a lie. “You expect me to believe you, a man who could have any girl he wanted? You think I would believe you wouldn’t do the same thing if you had the opportunity?”
A gunshot blasted and hit the pavement not far from Raylan. Amber jerked, her chest tight and constricted. She’d pushed her luck too far. No way he bought the line of bullshit she’d just fed him.
Amber closed her eyes and braced for the next shot to bury in her chest.
“Raylan you better tell the sheriff to stay put,” Tommy called out.
Slowly, Amber unclenched her fists and opened her eyes, forcing a deep breath into her lungs. “Can’t you quit shooting? Just come out.”
Pause.
She could almost feel his gun sites on her.
“You come to me. And if either the sheriff or your latest boy toy moves, I’ll blow your head off your shoulders.”
&nbs
p; She hadn’t been as convincing as she’d thought.
Cautiously, Amber walked in the direction of his voice, the only feeling more powerful than the fear elicited by the thought of Tommy’s gun pointed at her was that of Raylan’s gaze blazing a furious hole into her back. But dammit, she wasn’t a coward. She wouldn’t allow Tommy to hurt innocents.
Even if it meant her own life.
Amber took another step across the street. The summer heat reflecting off the pavement was hot enough to melt the soles of her shoes, but not enough to warm her blood.
Another step.
“Amber, stop,” Raylan said, his voice pleading.
She took another step, and another, and before she knew it she was standing in her neighbor’s yard across the street.
“That’s it,” came Tommy’s muffled voice. “Now, walk to your left.”
On legs rusty with fear, Amber turned and slowly walked in that direction. The next yard came too fast. Mr. Timothy’s yard, perfectly cut grass, neatly trimmed bushes, not a single peony out of place.
Next door lived the Crawfords and their twin babies, Michaela and Maggie. Amber would never get to see them walk. After that thought, another followed. She’d never get to see Riley either. And for some reason, that pang of regret struck deeper.
Because of some psycho, she’d probably never get to see her twenty-seventh birthday.
Screw. That.
Amber ground to a halt, planting her feet on the sidewalk. Her future was over because of an asshole from her past. “I’m not going a single step farther until you come out here and talk to me like a man.”
The bushes along the side of Mr. Timothy’s house moved, the edge of what had to be Tommy’s shoulder disappearing in the foliage. “Get your ass over here now before I kill everyone out there!” An edge of insanity tinged his voice.
Amber could only pray Raylan, the sheriff, or one of the deputies had seen him move. “No way in hell. Not ’til you get out here and tell me to my face that was your mother. I don’t believe you.”
Beads of sweat raced down her back. The bushes rustled. Amber braced. What if he came out shooting?
Raylan Page 12
