“Oh, really?” One corner of her mouth turned up into a slow, easy grin.
“Yeah, you only figured out the one clue I left you. You only saw the doors. Someone better would have caught everything.”
“Everything?” she repeated, with a smirk. “You mean like the way you came into my house and messed with my magazines I had on the kitchen counter? Putting them in a different order than I left them? Or maybe the curtains in the bedroom that were drawn back, when I had them closed? Or how about the nice little surprise you left in my car? It was good, but not quite good enough. Took me awhile to find it, but I finally did. If you had taped the picture of my family just a little bit higher in the rear wheel well, I may not have seen it at all. Nice touch with the blood, by the way. Smearing it over our faces like that. Scary.” As his eyes filled with fury, she laughed. “Thanks for leaving me your DNA so that they can match it up when I take you in.”
“It’s not my blood,” he sneered, “and you aren’t that good!”
“Yes,” Rayna said confidently, “I am. Tell Diego, I’m waiting for the bastard.”
“Tell him yourself,” the man snarled, his finger tightening on the trigger of his gun.
Rayna jumped to the left, squeezing her 9mm twice, before falling to the floor. His bullet missed her by mere inches. She watched as he fell, his eyes opened wide in death. Slowly, Rayna rose, her hands still clutching both guns tightly, and walked over to stand above him. She knew who he was. She’d seen his mug shot several times. He was just one of many that Diego sent out to do his dirty work. “One less now,” she muttered, kneeling beside him.
Seeing a phone peeking out of the front pocket of his jeans, she put the Glock 22 back in her boot, then reached over and grabbed it. It was time. Pulling up the caller ID, she looked at his last calls, smiling when she saw the number with the D.C. area code. Clicking on it, she put the phone to her ear and waited for it to be answered.
“Is it done?”
Rayna’s face hardened when she recognized Diego’s voice, and she grasped the phone tightly in her hand. “Oh, it’s done,” she replied darkly.
There was silence, and then, “Who is this?”
“You know who it is, Diego. You know exactly who I am.” Glancing back down at the man who lay dead on her floor, she said, “Your move, asshole.” Ending the call, she dropped the phone on the man’s lifeless body.
Chapter 28
Diego Cortez slowly lowered the receiver from his ear, gritting his teeth in displeasure. Picking the phone up from his desk, he let out a roar as he threw it across the room, receiving no satisfaction when it hit the wall and fell to the floor. There was only one way he was going to be able to deal with the call he just received.
She had taken out one of his best men. They made a mistake thinking she was less than what she really was. Macey Fuller was good. Very good, if she could best Pedro Hernandez the way she had. Unless...maybe she’d had help? Maybe she wasn’t in Serenity Springs alone?
Retrieving his cell phone from his pocket, he dialed a number he kept on speed dial now, and waited. Soon he heard a tentative voice on the other line answer, “Yes.”
“I want everything you have on Macey Fuller, and why she is in Serenity Springs,” he said.
“I don’t have access to that information,” was the soft response.
“I don’t give a fuck how you get it,” he snarled, “but you better have it to me by this time tomorrow, or that sweet little girl of yours is dead.”
“I’ll see what I can find out,” she promised.
“You better,” he muttered, before ending the call. Placing the phone back in his pocket, Diego hollered, “Nickolas, get in here!”
Soon the door opened, and a young man, his features resembling Diego’s, stood in front of him. “Yes, Father.”
“Pack your bags,” he ordered. “We leave in the morning.” Nickolas didn’t ask any questions, as he turned to walk away. “And, Nick.”
His son’s shoulder’s stiffened, but he did not look back. “Yes, Father?”
“Make sure and bring your gun.”
His son left the room without a response, causing Diego to chuckle darkly. He knew Nickolas hated the business his dad ran, but the kid had no choice in whether or not to be a part of it. He was the son of the famous Diego fucking Cortez, and he would do whatever he was told.
Diego knew for a fact that the boy had never killed before. Well, he was sixteen years old now. It was time he became a man. Grinning cruelly, Diego decided, yes, Nickolas would be the one to pull the trigger and kill the woman who had become the bane of his existence. And, he would be there to watch to make sure his son followed through with his orders.
Chapter 29
Rayna stood in front of the Caldwell’s door, her hand raised to knock. She hesitated, unsure if she should, or if it would be better to just turn around and go back home. There was no one following her right now, not with Diego’s henchman gone, but she still worried about leading someone directly to the ranch.
It was late afternoon, several hours since her showdown with Hernandez...since she was forced to kill for the first time. Her hands were still shaking with the enormity of what she’d done. Her first and only call afterwards was to Assistant Director Talbot, then she sat and waited for the FBI to show up at her place. They removed the body and took her statement, not bothering to involve local law enforcement since Rayna was one of their own. They’d been at her house the majority of the day, and she was surprised when none of the Caldwells stopped by to ask questions.
After everyone left, Rayna lasted a full hour in her large, empty house before getting in her car to come see Ryder. She had nowhere else to go. No one else who cared for her the way he did. Rayna needed that right now, needed him. Taking a life was not an easy thing to do, no matter who the person was or what they may have done in their past. Pedro Hernandez raped, tortured, and killed, but it did not make her feel any better. It bothered her that she’d taken a life, even if it was someone like him. It made her wonder how it would really feel if it came down to her or Diego in the end. There was no doubt that she would pull the trigger, but it might be harder to do than she’d originally thought.
Before she could decide whether she should actually knock or not, the door opened and Cara smiled gently at her. “Please, come in.”
“I don’t know if I should,” Rayna admitted, haltingly, unable to stop the tears that slipped free. “I don’t know if it’s safe.”
“Come here, child,” Cara whispered, enfolding Rayna into her arms.
A sob left Rayna’s throat before she could stop it. First one, then another, and another. “I’m sorry,” she cried raggedly, “I hate that I dragged you all into this. If I could go back and change it all, I would.”
“Ssshhh,” Cara whispered, lightly stroking Rayna’s back. “It’s going to be okay, Rayna. Everything is going to be just fine.”
“I could be putting you in danger just by being here.”
“Didn’t we already talk about this?” Cara questioned her softly. Tilting Rayna’s head up until their eyes met, she said kindly, “You are always welcome here, Rayna Williams. Always, no matter the circumstances.” Gently wiping the tears from Rayna’s face, Cara gave her one last hug before guiding her into the house and closing the door behind them. “Have you eaten dinner?”
“No,” Rayna said, shaking her head. She hadn’t even eaten breakfast or lunch.
“Well, why don’t you go check and see if Ryder is awake and ready for some food? I’ll get something put together for the both of you.” Rayna bit her bottom lip, pushing back more tears that threatened to fall, as she nodded in agreement. “He’s up the stairs, first bedroom on the right,” Cara told her, motioning toward the living room.
“Thank you,” Rayna whispered. Crossing the room, she stopped at the bottom of the stairs to look back at the woman who still stood there gazing at her in concern. “Thank you, Mrs. Caldwell. Your kindness means so much to me.�
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“I think it’s about time you started calling me Cara,” Ryder’s mom teased.
Returning Cara’s smile with a wobbly one of her own, Rayna whispered thank you again before leaving to go find Ryder. The door was closed, and she knocked softly, but there was no response. Opening it, she stepped inside, closing it quietly behind her.
Ryder was asleep on the bed, the covers pulled up over his shoulders. He looked so peaceful. Unwilling to wake him after everything he’d been through, Rayna turned to go. Stopping with her hand on the doorknob, she bowed her head. She could not leave him. She needed him right now. Glancing back in his direction, she was surprised to see his eyes opened. He held out his hand to her, and she didn’t hesitate. Moving to the bed, she removed first her 9mm, setting it on the end table, the Glock 22 quickly following. After kicking off her boots, she slid under the covers and curled up next to him. Resting her head on his shoulder, she let out a deep sigh of contentment.
“What happened?” he asked quietly.
“How do you know something happened?” she whispered.
“The other day you refused to step foot on this property, Rayna, afraid whoever was stalking you would follow. Now you are here in my bed.”
“He’s not a worry anymore,” she told him, as her body began to tremble. The fact that she killed him remained unsaid.
Ryder gathered her close, nuzzling the top of her head with his chin. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not right now,” she whispered.
“Rayna...”
“Please, Ryder. I can’t. I just need you to hold me.”
“Just tell me one thing,” he finally said. “Are you safe?”
“For now,” she murmured, “until Diego sends somebody else, or comes himself.”
She felt his arms tighten around her, before he gently nuzzled her again, kissing her softly. “Then I suggest we both get some rest, so we are ready when they get here.”
Rayna felt herself slowly drift off to sleep, feeling safe, for now. Neither of them saw Cara peek in on them an hour later, a smile covering her face at the sight of her son resting peacefully, holding the woman she knew was meant for him.
Chapter 30
The man was moving slowly down the stairs, a knife in one hand and a gun in the other. An evil grin appeared when he reached the bottom and turned to face her. “You aren’t as good as you think you are, Rayna Williams,” he sneered.
A scream tore from Rayna’s throat, and she jerked against the hands that held her down. She had to find her gun. Had to end this.
“Rayna, sweetheart,” a voice crooned hoarsely, “I’m right here. No one is going to hurt you.” Rayna stilled, her chest heaving as she fought to get her bearings. “That’s it, baby. Come back to me. I will always protect you.”
“Ryder.” His name was a long breath on her lips. He was there. She was safe. Opening her eyes, she stared at the image above her until Ryder’s handsome face came into view. Her body was shaking, her breathing labored. He held her wrists firmly, her arms out to her sides. There was no fear in his clear, blue eyes, only compassion and understanding.
“There you are,” he said, a small smile teasing the corners of his lips. When she would have replied, he pressed his lips lightly against hers. A tear slipped out against her will, and he kissed it away. “We are going to get rid of those nightmares. I promise.”
Tugging her arms from his grasp, Rayna did the exact opposite of what he probably thought she would do. She wrapped them around his neck, pulling him close, and held on tight. “I am so glad I have you,” she whispered.
Ryder lay on his side, holding her snugly against him. “The feeling is definitely mutual.” His hand moved up her back, then back down, before roaming lower still over the curve of her ass. A low moan left her when he pulled her into his straining erection.
They both jumped at the knock on the door, and Rayna let out a nervous laugh. She’d almost forgotten where they were, which could have been bad with the thoughts that were running through her head.
“Ryder,” his mother called, “Is Rayna alright?”
“Yeah, she’s fine,” he hollered back. Leaning down, he placed a light kiss on the tip of her nose. “It was just a dream.”
“Well, I have some breakfast ready if you are hungry. Come on down when you’re ready.”
Rayna blushed, ducking her head into Ryder’s shoulder to hide her embarrassment. She was in his parent’s house, she knew she was being disrespectful, but her body didn’t seem to care. Ryder chuckled, “We’ll be right there, Mom.”
Rayna relaxed slightly when she heard Cara move away from the door, then let out a squeak when Ryder yanked back the covers, and smacked her butt playfully. “Ryder!”
He wiggled his eyebrows at her, then flipped her over onto her back on the bed. “Yessss?” He drew the one word out, as he slipped his hands under her shirt and slid it up just under her breasts.
“Stop that!” Rayna ordered, surprised at the giggles that slipped free when he rubbed his scratchy stubble of a beard over her belly. “Ryder,” she squealed, when he not only did not stop, but began to tickle her sides. She squirmed around on the bed, trying to get away from him. She’d always been so ticklish, and she could not hold back her laughter.
Ryder’s eyes were full of happiness, and it was a long while before he finally stopped torturing her. Pulling her arms above her head, he held her wrists in one hand. His eyes darkened with desire, as he leaned into her, claiming her mouth with his. She moaned, rising up to put her body flush against his, wanting to feel his skin against hers.
The sound of a horn honking outside tore them apart, and Ryder rasped, “We better get downstairs before mom sends up the cavalry.”
Rayna sank reluctantly back down into the pillows, leaving the room with Ryder the furthest thing from her mind.
“Rayna...”
“What?” she whispered, her tongue darting out to wet her bottom lip as she gazed at his mouth.
“Woman, you are going to be the death of me,” Ryder teased, his eyes alight with something more than just joy.
Rayna frowned, the reality of their situation coming back to her. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Ryder slid from the bed, and turned around holding out his hand. “Let’s worry about all of that tomorrow,” he suggested. “Today is our day. No bad guys, no fear of the unknown. Just us.”
She stared at his hand, wondering what it would be like to spend a whole day with Ryder and not worry about who might be watching them, or trying to kill them. Wanting nothing more at that moment than to find out, Rayna reached out and placed her hand in his.
Later that morning after breakfast, a shower and a change of clean clothes from a bag she always kept in her car just in case she needed it, Rayna followed Ryder out of the house. “Are you sure you should be moving around like this, Ryder? I thought the doctor wanted you to get more rest?”
“I slept all day yesterday, and all night last night, sweetheart, I think that’s more than enough rest.”
“Well, if you fall on your ass, I’m not picking you back up,” she piqued, skipping past him to the barn. Even though she knew Diego was still out there somewhere, she somehow felt free today. Ryder said it was their day, and as crazy as it might sound, she felt like he was right. It was going to be a good day, and nothing could ruin it.
Entering the dim building, she rushed over to Heaven and her mother where they stood in the stall the foal was born in. Full of excitement, she opened the door and stepped in, smiling when Heaven immediately came over to her. “Hey there, gorgeous,” she murmured, “I’ve missed you.”
“She’s missed you too,” Ryder said, leaning against the stall door, his arms over the top, a wide grin on his face.
Rayna’s face flushed with pleasure, and she rubbed a hand gently down the foal’s nose, and then her neck. “She probably doesn’t even remember me.”
“She remembers,” Ryder promised, chuckling wh
en Heaven bumped her head against Rayna’s chest, begging for more attention.
“She’s so beautiful,” Rayna breathed in awe, her gaze wandering over the soft, shiny black and white coat.
“Yes, she is.” Rayna looked back at Ryder, a question hovering on her lips. “What?”
She shrugged, looking back at the foal. “I just wondered why you kept the name Heaven,” she admitted.
“Because you were right.”
“I was?”
“She’s just like the song.” The words were spoken quietly, and with meaning.
Looking down into Heaven’s stunning, dark brown eyes, Rayna’s heart melted even more. And when Ryder started to sing softly, she could not keep the tears at bay. Closing her eyes, Rayna let his words wash over her, filling her with a love like she’d never felt before. She loved this man, more than life itself.
When the song was over, Rayna walked over to him, cupping his cheeks in the palms of her hands. “Ryder, you mean so very much to me,” she whispered. It was the best she could do right now. Until her fight with Diego was finished, it would have to do.
Ryder covered her hands with his, turning to kiss first one palm, and then the other. “Me too,” was all he said. They stood like that for several minutes before Ryder finally pulled back. “How about we go for a ride and have that picnic we missed out on the other day?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Saying a quick goodbye to Heaven, Rayna went to the house and helped Ryder pack up some sandwiches and chips, along with apples for the horses and cherry pie for dessert. After saddling up Cochise and a pretty dark grey mare Ryder called Whisper, they rode west a few miles out until they came to a body of water. Stopping, they left the horses to nibble on the grass, and made their way close to the pond. Ryder placed a blanket on the ground beside it, and then took the lunch bag from Rayna motioning for her to sit.
They spent their lunch talking about anything and everything that came to mind, and when they were finished, they laid on the blanket, snuggling as they talked some more. Rayna had never felt so comfortable around anyone, and before she knew it, she was sharing her favorite memories of her family with him, things she never talked to anyone about.
Saving His Soul (Serenity Springs Series, #3) Page 14
