by Elle James
Cage was out of his seat and halfway across the space when Jimmy Rhodes lunged for Emily. She didn’t move fast enough to get out of his way. He grabbed her and spun her around, locking his arm around her neck in a chokehold that cut off her breathing. She clutched at the arm around her neck, scratching and clawing, trying to remove it.
Cage charged toward Jimmy. “Let her go,” he said.
“Don’t come any closer, or I’ll snap her neck.” Jimmy swayed as if he was having trouble standing on his own feet.
Emily couldn’t breathe. She knew the longer she didn’t get air into her lungs, the sooner she would pass out. She quickly thought through the self-defense lessons she’d taken. She suddenly went limp, making her body a dead weight to her captor. Then she slumped, letting gravity drag her down and taking Jimmy with her.
He struggled to remain on his feet.
When he hunched over, Emily came up quickly, knocking her head into his chin.
He cried out, and his arm loosened around her neck enough for Emily to grab a gulp of breath and jam her elbow into his gut.
Jimmy doubled over, cursing Emily.
She broke away from him and stood breathing hard.
Cage stepped in, grabbed the man’s arm and pulled it up behind his back.
Jimmy yelped. “Hey, leave me alone. I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
“Well, you did,” Cage said. “Now you’ll have to take it up with the police.”
Emily’s hands shook as she pulled her cellphone out of her pocket and dialed campus security. Two VA police officers appeared shortly after. They ended up calling the Colorado Springs Police Department.
Once again, the detective that had been investigating the other incidents arrived on the scene to question Jimmy. All the other patients had to remain in the room until the police got statements from them.
Once the police took custody of Jimmy, Cage crossed to Emily and took her into his arms. “Are you okay?”
She was shaking like a leaf, but she nodded. “I’m okay.”
Soon, the room cleared. The detective walked Jimmy out with the help of another city police officer. As the detective left the conference room, he turned to Emily. “Ma’am, if you’ll stay here, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
She nodded. “I’ll be here.”
Emily stepped out of Cage’s arms and paced the room. Time dragged. When she stuck her head out in the hall to see if the detective was on his way back, she found Nathan Small standing there. “Nathan, what are you still doing here?”
“I was worried about you. I wanted to make sure that you were okay.”
“I’m fine, but you should go home.”
“Well, now that I know you’re okay, I will.”
“Thank you for caring, Nathan.”
He nodded and walked down the hall, disappearing around a corner. The detective appeared at that moment and came to sit in the conference room with her and Cage.
“What do you think, Detective?” Emily asked. “Is it him?”
The detective pulled an evidence bag out of his pocket and laid it on the table. It was a clear plastic bag, and inside it was a scrap of fabric.
Emily leaned closer and gasped. “Those are my panties.” She looked up at the detective. “Where did you find those?”
His face grim, he said, “We found them in the backseat of Jimmy’s car along with a bat with fingerprints all over it. We’ll have to run them through the database, but we suspect that’s the bat he used to destroy Mr. Weaver’s truck.”
Relief washed over Emily. They’d caught the guy. “Thank the lord,” she said.
The detective nodded.
“Has he admitted to doing all the things he did?” Emily asked.
The detective shook his head. “He’s denying everything.”
Emily frowned. “But he had the bat and the panties.”
The detective nodded. “It was pretty damning evidence. I’m sure we have the right guy.”
Emily gave him a shaky smile. “Thank you, Detective.”
After the detective left, Emily sank into Cage’s arms. “They caught him.”
He nodded and stroked his hand over her hair. “Now, you can get back to a normal life.”
She shook her head. “I can’t move back into my apartment.”
He smiled. “I’m sure Gunny would let you stay at the lodge indefinitely. He loves you like a daughter.”
She leaned back and looked up into Cage’s eyes. “What about us?” she asked.
“We won’t need to stay up in the cabin anymore.”
She pouted. “And here I was getting used to cold showers.”
He laughed. “The case might be over, but I am hoping we aren’t.”
Emily leaned up on her toes and brushed her lips across his. “I feel the same.”
“Good,” Cage drew in a deep breath and let it out. “What’s your schedule for the afternoon?”
“I only had one appointment, and he cancelled.”
“Good, then let’s get back out to the lodge and let the folks know what’s going on.” He walked with her back to her office, where she gathered her purse and then he held the door for her. “The timing couldn’t be better. Hank’s supposed to be coming in tomorrow, and the celebration is on Friday.”
Emily nodded. “I know. I took off the rest of the weekend just so I could help out.”
“Then we’ll have good cause to celebrate.” He hugged her tightly then kissed her hard. They drove out of Colorado Springs, headed for the ranch.
Emily was hopeful for a bright future, now that she could get to know Cage better without the threat of a stalker hanging over them.
Chapter 16
Though he missed the solitude and intimacy of the miner’s cabin, Cage was glad to sleep in a real bed in the lodge again.
After the police took Jimmy Rhodes away, he and Emily returned to Lost Valley and celebrated the capture of Emily’s stalker by grilling steaks and drinking beer late into the evening.
Gunny, RJ and Jake had to cut out early to man Gunny’s Watering Hole for the regulars, who expected it to be open and ready to serve them drinks and food.
They urged Cage and Emily to relax, reassuring them that the crowd would be small and their help wouldn’t be needed.
The night got better when he and Emily retired to his bedroom where they made love into the wee hours of the morning and slept in.
After a late breakfast, Cage helped Gunny, Jake and Max set up a stage for the band that would be playing the next day for the grand opening of the Brotherhood Protectors Colorado Division.
RJ, JoJo and Emily strung twinkle lights and banners from the porch eaves. They helped Swede wire the stage for when the band arrived.
Hank, Kujo and their families didn’t arrive until late that night, their flight plans having been delayed by weather.
Swede and Jake took two vehicles to the Colorado Springs Regional Airport to collect them. When they finally made it to the lodge, it was all hands on deck to get them moved into their rooms and settled for the night.
Hank had been informed of the capture of Emily’s stalker the day before, and everything was set for the grand opening the following day.
Friday morning was a team effort to get the last-minute preparations complete for the guests who would be arriving at noon.
The band showed up a little before ten o’clock and set up their equipment on the stage. By eleven, they were warming up with a few easy listening country songs.
Sadie and Molly, Kujo’s wife, did what they could to help in between corralling the little ones.
Kujo’s retired Military Working Dog, Six, stayed at his master’s side throughout the day.
The few times Emily disappeared out of his sight, Cage grew anxious. After being with her twenty-four-seven, he couldn’t help worrying. Yes, they’d captured the stalker, but habits were hard to break. Especially when the habit was to be around Emily all the time.
Every time Emily came back
in view, her smile lit Cage’s day.
They hadn’t really talked about what would happen next between them. It was as if they were avoiding the subject. Cage figured things might slow down a little bit between them to give them time to know each other better. Although, nothing had slowed down in the bedroom.
Even though the case had been resolved, Cage didn’t want Emily to fade out of his life. He liked her a lot. In fact, he’d go so far as to say he loved her. But he didn’t want to speak too soon for fear of jinxing their relationship.
The first limousines arrived at five minutes to twelve. Chauffeurs parked them in the grass where Max directed them and got out to open the doors for the occupants. One by one, well-dressed men and women gathered in the yard and on the porch.
Hank and Sadie greeted each personally and introduced the other members of the Brotherhood Protectors team.
Though she was a mega-movie star, Sadie wore blue jeans, cowboy boots and a white blouse. Her golden blond hair hung loose around her shoulders, and she smiled happily as she stood beside Hank, chatting with her friends.
“She could wear a potato sack and make it look good.”
Cage turned to find Emily standing beside him, her gaze on Sadie and Hank.
“I prefer redheads,” he said and pulled her into his arms for a quick kiss. “I didn’t know it until I met you.”
She laughed and leaned against him, smiling. “It’s good to see Gunny, RJ and JoJo so happy. They deserve to be.”
“As do you,” Cage said.
She sighed. “I’m glad it’s over. I hated looking over my shoulder every second of the day, not knowing when he would strike next or what he would do.”
“Same.” Cage turned her to face him. “But I’m not ready for us to be over.”
She blew out a stream of air. “Whew. I’m glad you said that. I was beginning to wonder where you stood on the subject.”
He laughed. “And I was wondering where you stood. Are we a go for a long-term relationship?”
Emily nodded. “I am, if you are.”
He held her close and whispered in her ear. “I’d ask you to marry me right now, if I thought we were ready.”
“I’d say yes, if I thought we were ready.” She leaned back, her eyes shining. “Are you asking?”
“Are you ready?” he shot back.
She nodded.
“Then I’m asking,” he said, his heart bursting.
Her smile spread across her face. “And I’m saying yes.”
Cage kissed her, loving her more every second. When he finally raised his head, he rested his forehead on hers. “Should we tell everyone?”
Emily shook her head. “Not yet. Let them wonder why we have our heads together kissing so much.”
Cage caught Jake and RJ looking their way, grins on their faces. “Yeah, well, it won’t take long for them to guess. Not when we’re grinning like we won the lottery.”
More cars and trucks arrived, parking on the grass in a nearby field. Locals mingled with the celebrities, and the band played. Food was laid out on long tables, banquet style, but Hank and Sadie wanted to make the official announcement before eating could commence.
Jake asked the band to stop playing and handed a microphone to Hank.
“Thank you for coming to the Lost Valley Ranch, the new headquarters for the Brotherhood Protectors Colorado Division. From the start, the Brotherhood Protectors’ mission has been to provide security services to whomever might need them. We’ve helped many people in Montana and have now expanded our operations to Colorado. We hire the best of the best, former military heroes you can trust with your lives. They’ve proven themselves on the battlefield and are now proving themselves here on our home front.”
Hank waved a hand toward Jake. “I’d like to thank Jake Cogburn for leading the effort to establish the team here in Colorado. He’s done a fine job hiring staff and is now ready to put them to work.”
Jake gave Hank a chin lift.
Hank waved toward Gunny. “I’d also like to thank Dan Tate, the owner of Lost Valley Ranch, for giving us a place to call home in Colorado.”
Gunny raised a hand and nodded in acknowledgement. “Call me Gunny.”
Hank continued. “And most of all, I’d like to thank my beautiful wife, Sadie, for believing in my vision and supporting my decision to start and expand this great organization.” He grinned. “Thank you all for coming to the grand opening of the Brotherhood Protectors Colorado. Now, don’t let me keep you from the food Gunny and his staff have prepared.”
The band resumed playing and the crowd surged toward the buffet table to fill their plates.
“I’ll be right back,” Emily said.
“Where are you going?”
“I forgot to put serving spoons in the baked beans and potato salad.”
“I’ll come with you.” Cage said and started to follow her.
Before Cage could catch up with Emily, Hank approached him with a sharply dressed woman, wearing a long, cream-colored dress and a broadbrimmed hat like the ones women wore to the derby.
Hank turned to the woman and smiled as he introduced her. “Cage, I’d like to introduce Lauren Mathis, Sadie’s costar in the movie that will come out next month. Lauren lives on a ranch here in Colorado. She wanted to meet all of the men currently employed with the Colorado division. Lauren, this is Cage Weaver.”
The woman removed her sunglasses and held out her hand.
Cage really wanted to follow Emily to the kitchen, but he didn’t want to appear rude in front of a potential customer. He took her hand and nodded. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Mathis.”
Her lips were painted with a shiny red lipstick, and when she smiled, the woman was beautiful.
But she wasn’t Emily.
“What branch of the service were you in?” she asked.
“Army.”
Hank added, “Cage was an Army Ranger.”
Lauren’s smile widened. “My father was an Army Ranger. He was a good man. I have a fondness for men who’ve served in the military, especially those who were Rangers. Thank you for your service.”
“Thank you for your support,” Cage said.
“I’m certain I will have need of your team’s services. I know the value of your training and respect your dedication to our country.”
She wasn’t what he’d expected. Behind the fancy clothes was a woman who cared. Cage gave her a genuine smile. “Thank you, ma’am. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to help out in the kitchen.”
She grinned. “Please, don’t let me keep you.”
“Hank, hang on a minute,” Jake called out. “You, too, Cage. I want you to meet someone.”
Cage glanced toward a truck that had just parked. Two men climbed out and headed their direction. They had short, tight haircuts and carried themselves with a military bearing that was easily recognized.
Jake hurried toward them, shook their hands, and then led them to where Hank, Cage and Lauren stood. “Hank, Cage and Miss Mathis, this is former Navy SEAL Sawyer Johnson and former 10th Special Forces operative Lorenzo Ramos, the two newest members of our team.”
Cage shook their hands. “Nice to meet you both.” While he really wanted to get away to help Emily, he couldn’t leave without being rude.
Lorenzo nodded. “Call me Enzo. Only my mother calls me Lorenzo, and only when I’m in trouble.”
Cage nodded. “Enzo, nice to meet you.”
Sawyer glanced past Cage and frowned. “Is there supposed to be smoke coming from that barn?”
Cage, Jake and Hank spun on their heels.
A column of dark smoke rose from the back side of the barn.
“Gunny!” Cage called out.
Gunny was already running toward the barn, followed by Max, RJ and JoJo.
Hank and Jake raced after them.
Cage split off and headed for the lodge, a bad feeling in his gut. He wanted to know Emily was safe before he tackled a fire.
Emily had been fishin
g serving spoons out of a drawer when she heard someone yell for help from the back porch. She dropped what she’d been holding and ran to see what was wrong.
She ran out on the porch and looked around but didn’t see anyone. She frowned. “Who’s there?”
“Me,” a voice said behind her.
She turned and was hit by an electrical charge that shot fire through her body and made her muscles completely collapse.
Her body was paralyzed and her mind confused and disoriented.
A man leaned over her and smiled. “I will have you,” he whispered.
She knew that face. She struggled to put a name to it in her befuddled state.
Nathan Small. His name was Nathan Small.
But his names didn’t start with a J or an R. Then a memory struck her from her first meeting with the man. He’d complained that his records were always getting mixed with his father’s since they had the same name. He wasn’t just Nathan Small. He was Nathan Small, Jr.
The letters JR weren’t initials, they stood for junior.
Now that she knew, she couldn’t do anything about it. She couldn’t call out, couldn’t move.
Nathan grabbed her arm and slung her over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold and carried her out to a two-seater ATV. He dumped her in the passenger side and strapped her in. Then he started the engine, the sound likely masked by the music from the band on the other side of the lodge.
No one would hear the sound. No one would know he’d taken her.
“Your friends won’t think to look for you for a little while. They’ll be too worried about the fire I started in a pile of straw behind the barn.”
He drove through an open gate, out into a field away from the lodge and onto a trail that led to a high mountain meadow where the cattle liked to graze in the summer.
With little control of her body, Emily bounced and jolted with each bump they rolled over. Where was he taking her and why? They weren’t heading back to the road; they were going higher into the mountains. If he planned to get away with her, he wasn’t heading the right direction.
Unless he wasn’t planning to get away with her.
The longer he drove, the farther away they got from the people who could help her.
