by Amy Gregory
As Carter let his brother’s hug go, he looked down at her. “Well, let me make the introductions here.”
Molly’s cheeks were pink as she listened to Carter introduce all the parents to each other. She tried to take a deep breath and made a conscious effort to not fidget. His parents seemed like nice people, smiling and making small talk with her parents. His mother, Connie, hugged both Eli and Jesse. They hadn’t all been together in a while, but it appeared they had taken the two men as their own over the years, the result of many years spent trackside together growing up, those memories spanning two decades.
“And Mom, Dad…this is Molly.”
She bit her lip as Carter placed her in front of him though he pulled her close enough that her back was pressed against his chest and his hands on her shoulders.
“Mol, this is my dad, Tom, my mom, Connie, and my brother Mike. You’ll meet Sam another time.”
Molly put her hand out to shake with them, but was dragged from Carter’s hold and into his mother’s arms. She found herself being passed from Connie to Tom and finally ended up in Mike’s big teddy bear hold of an embrace.
Mike looked a lot like Carter. Same sandy blonde hair, same blue eyes, though they were just a hint darker than Carter’s ice blue ones. He had that same warm smile that looked just a little bit sinful. The biggest difference was Mike probably had four inches on Carter’s five foot eleven—added to that a good fifty pounds of rock hard muscle. It was apparent that both men worked out—hard. Where Carter was lean and ripped, Mike looked like a body-builder.
If Sam looked anything like Carter or Mike, the Sterling gene pool was blessed for damned sure. Even their father looked like an older version of them. Molly had always teased Karen and James for being a beautiful couple. Tom and Connie were definitely in that same category. Their clothes were tailored and well put together, and it didn’t appear as if a hair was out of place on either of them.
Molly kept the grin to herself. It wasn’t how she would usually walk around the pits of any track, but to each his own.
Mike squeezed her one more time before letting her go. She looked down at his hip to figure out what pinched her.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, sweetie. I forgot.” Mike adjusted his badge hooked to his belt and glanced back down at Molly. “Did I get ya?”
“No biggie. Just didn’t know what it was, that’s all,” Molly said quietly. She hadn’t ever dealt with a police officer one-on-one before, other than for security. She was a tad nervous to talk to Mike. Something about him being a detective was a little unnerving.
With the introductions and hugs all passed out, everyone sat back down at the plastic table in front of the Noland’s rig. Molly didn’t hesitate to snuggle up against Carter’s side when he pulled her next to him. He looked down at her, his face lighting with that smile when their eyes met.
“Well, I have to say, I can’t believe I’ve got two of you to worry about now.” Connie laughed.
“Mom, I will apologize now.” Carter grinned as he ran his knuckles over Molly’s cheek.
Connie waved him off. “Oh, honey, I’m teasing you both.”
“No.” Carter shook his head. “I never knew what you went through all these years until I had to sit and watch her. It kills me every time I see her sit on the bike.”
“It does?” Molly’s head tilted up so she could look up at Carter’s face.
Sure, she’d worried about him and his friends, but she’d really not thought about it the other way around. Molly was so used to being on a bike, it never fazed her or even crossed her mind the he might be concerned.
“You shouldn’t worry, Carter…this is what I do.” Hugging his bicep, she laid her head against it. It warmed her that he was concerned, but on the other hand, she knew one of the reasons Carter and she had hit it off so quickly was the fact that they understood each other’s profession.
“It’s okay, Gorgeous. I know you love it, but I won’t pretend for a minute that I won’t be thrilled to no end when you retire for good,” he said softly, before kissing her head.
“Oh, thank God. Someone is finally on my side after all these years. Carter, I give you permission to work on that, I’ll help you on my end. Maybe between the two of us, she’ll cave.” Karen laughed.
Molly knew the tone. Her words were said in fun, but they were honest. It was not the first time Karen had made her fears known.
“Well, I hate to be the one to bring down the fun, but sweetie, I really need to ask you some questions now, okay?” Mike’s face was sincere and Molly could tell he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable talking about something they all wished they could forget about. But her safety was the reason he was here.
Molly squeezed Carter’s arm closer to her and nodded. She wanted to pretend the whole situation would go away. Carter moved her off his arm so he could tuck her close to his side. She melted into him and waited for Mike to take out his pen and pad of paper. Apparently James and Karen had been working with the local police and the sheriff’s department back home. So far, they had no leads. At least with Mike involved, it was someone they knew personally. Carter had insisted on contacting his brother when he found out what was going on, knowing she wouldn’t be treated like a number. His brother had been a detective for almost six years, and Carter had mentioned some of his successes to her parents when he suggested asking Mike for help.
Her parents had jumped on board immediately.
With all four letters laid out on the table, Molly was able to read them for the first time. Their words had her shaking and her throat too dry to swallow. Carter must have sensed her fears becoming too much for her to handle. Without asking, he pulled her onto his lap and let her sink against him. Closing her eyes, she listened to the conversation around her, wishing she could just go to sleep and not wake up until it was all over.
“It’s obvious one person constructed all four letters. And, Molly, I think you’re right. I’m leaning toward it being a woman.” Mike pointed his pen at the first line of each letter. “See how these letters are all lined up perfectly?”
“Yeah?” James replied.
“They cut letters out of the same type of magazine. Even though they are different words taped together in each letter, they’re all lined up perfectly.”
“Okay?” Carter moved in closer. Molly sat up so he could see what Mike was pointing out. “What’s that mean?”
“It’s a woman.” Mike winked at Molly. “Just like she suggested.”
“Are you sure, Mike?” James asked, leaning further over the table to get a better look. Molly turned her attention toward James and she saw the panic in his eyes.
“Well, you can never be one hundred percent until you catch the perp, but…yeah. I’m sure. They’re too perfect. It’s unlikely a man would pay that much attention to detail.”
Mike stacked the letters back up, careful not to damage them. “Okay, sweetie, if you don’t mind, I’m going to stick pretty close to you and just observe things. With me right on your heels, I know you’re going to have trouble forgetting why I’m here, but I have my suspicions and I’m hoping to get this resolved quickly for you.”
“Thanks for helping me, Mike. I really appreciate it.”
He reached across the table for her hand. Molly tentatively put her hand in his. “You don’t have to thank me, Molly. I want to be here. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe and get this case solved.”
She lifted her chin to meet Mike’s reassuring smile. Molly swallowed hard and nodded.
~
Carter walked her bike toward the track for her. She glanced up to see him grinning at her. “What’s that goofy look for?”
“I was watching you touch your necklace.”
Molly shook her head, laughing under her breath that he’d caught her subconsciously holding her fingertips to the cross at her neck—again.
She appreciated that he wasn’t using the action to make fun of her. It was a simple gesture that had become h
abit seemingly overnight. “It’s my piece of you, remember?” She smiled up at him.
Molly’s heart sped a bit with the expression on his face. It was a mixture of adoration and fear, mirrored perfectly by the words he whispered to her. “I love you. Be careful tonight, okay?”
“Always. Gotta get back to you in one piece.” She giggled.
“Are you going to be okay here with Mike and Joey?” Carter slid his fingers over her jaw to cradle her neck in one hand.
Her heart skipped a beat for the man who was so lovingly trying to be in two places at once. She was standing by her bike backstage, waiting for her cue from Brody. Carter however, needed to be with his mechanic and his bike.
“I’ll be fine.” She let Joey grab the weight of her bike again so she could turn to wind her arms around Carter’s waist. “We’ll do just like we planned earlier. Mike will wait here with Joey for me to finish, then after, Joey will take my bike up to the rig and load it, and Mike will walk me to our parents. I’ll be okay.”
“I know you’ll be watched over, I still just wish I could be here with you.”
Carter pressed her head to his chest. She could tell by how fast his heart was beating he was anxious.
“You have to relax, Carter. You have to get your head in the game and focus on you. Focus on the race, okay? You won’t do either of us any good if you get hurt.”
“I’m okay, Gorgeous. I promise.”
Carter sighed and looked behind him. “I’ve got to go.” Leaning down, he laid a flutter of a kiss on her lips.
“I love you,” Molly whispered, always hating to let him go, but it was time to get in the game.
“I love you too, Gorgeous.”
Molly watched her man until he disappeared around the corner.
Brody tucked her hair down the back of her sports bra and waited with her goggles as Molly buckled the strap of her helmet. Molly could feel her brother’s turmoil.
“You’re going to be fine, sis…you and Sterling don’t need to be worrying about all the rest of this shit…focus on your ride,” Brody said as Molly situated herself on her dirt bike, the first hint of a smile she’d seen from him in the last week appearing at the edge of his mouth. Maybe there was a slim chance that her brother was finally coming around. She knew Carter had no reason to believe it based on how he’d been treated, but Brody really was a good guy—fun loving and loyal to a fault.
She nodded and looked out across the dirt track, forgetting the audience, forgetting her brother, forgetting even the threats. Molly revved the throttle and set out across the dirt.
Chapter Fourteen
It used to be that driving between races, from track to track to track was monotonous, but now that Molly was traveling with him, Carter was having a blast. It seemed like the weekdays were better for her with them on the open road. No one knew where they were, so they hadn’t had any trouble. When they were on the road, it was as if a huge weight would be lifted off of Carter, and he found the time was spent enjoying Molly rather than worrying about her.
Carter talked to Mike several times a day, and Carter was beginning to think Mike’s theory was unfortunately true. They had two more days until they pulled into the next stadium before they would find out. That was something that terrified the living hell out of him. Until then, they were at a private track, virtually off the radar and Carter was going to enjoy every last second of peace he had with Molly. He could practice during the day, Joey was there to help with his bike if need be and then after, they would sit and relax. Unfortunately, the hours were ticking by quickly, and before any of them would be ready it was going to be time to head to the next stadium. Back to harm’s way.
Carter walked toward the open door of their motorhome on his way to grab a few beers for Brody, Joey, and himself. As he drew closer, he heard the soft singing. Leaning against the door frame, he stood watching Molly wiping down the kitchen counter, apparently lost in her own little world, singing away. She’d been trying to stay strong, pretend that the stress wasn’t getting to her, and he hated that she felt she had to be happy-go-lucky for his sake, but Carter knew. Between the situation with the letters and the way her brother was acting about her new living arrangements, it was weighing on her.
It was obvious to even a bystander that Brody wasn’t pleased with the provisions that James had agreed to. That was just too damned bad. Carter was rather happy with their travel plans. When he had asked Molly to stay with him, James had reluctantly agreed, on one condition, Brody follow.
James had covered his plan nicely, using the excuse of needing to have as many eyes on Molly as possible due to the threats. Inside, Carter knew for James it was a two-fold solution. That was okay. Carter knew he’d be the same way when he and Molly had a little girl someday.
In the meantime, Brody had backed off a little. Carter still felt the hard stares and there were a few digs here and there, but for the most part, it seemed as if Brody was beginning to accept Carter as a more permanent part in Molly’s life.
Carter had just continued to be himself. He was normally pretty easy to get along with, and he just let Brody’s insults slide right off his shoulders. Carter had no reason to act otherwise—he had the girl. Plus, he felt as if he’d begun to earn the trust and respect of her parents.
From behind, Carter watched Molly shuffling around, putting stuff away. Carter liked having her there, liked having her in his space. She fit without any awkwardness or weirdness. He grinned to himself as he stepped up into the motorhome, the beer long forgotten.
Carter laced his arms around her middle. With her hair up in a ponytail, he had easy access to the sensitive spots on her neck. When he placed a feather soft kiss on her skin, she melted against him. The sigh that escaped from her made his head swim.
“Let’s go take a nap,” he whispered by her ear.
“Is that what you’re going to call it?” Her words were breathy and he could see her eyes had closed.
“Ah…my sweet, sweet smart ass.” Carter chuckled against her skin at her retort as he squeezed her closer.
He spun her in his arms and lifted her onto the kitchen counter, placing himself between her knees. As he ran his hands up her bare arms, Carter felt her shiver in anticipation.
“I miss you.” He dropped a kiss on her lips.
“I’ve been right here. You’ve been outside with the guys. How could you miss me when I haven’t been gone?”
Carter could tell she was playing with him, and it was killing her to keep from laughing. He felt the smirk form under his lips, her delicious mouth curving at the corners. “I need you,” Carter murmured.
“Well, now there’s the honest answer.”
He ran his hands around her backside and pulled her closer to him. She sucked in a breath, and he knew she could feel just how badly he needed her. Carter started to work his palms up under the tight t-shirt she had on, his hands traveling up the soft skin of her back. When Molly cupped his jaw in her small hands and laid her lips against his, he lost it and his mouth possessively overtook hers.
Molly whimpered.
“Got sidetracked from the beer, did ya?” Joey snickered.
Carter jumped, but didn’t look up. Grinning to himself, he lowered his forehead to her chest and tried to get a hold of himself. “Nice timing, Joe,” he said with laughter in his voice.
Joey shrugged. “I try. We could see you through the open door. Thought I better come warn you that Brody was getting a little…ah…hot under the collar out there watching you.” His good-natured personality shined through his teasing words.
Looking back up, Carter tugged the crimson-faced girl to closer to him. “Thanks bud. Come on in and grab the beer, I’ll be right there.” Turning back to Molly, he winked. “Come sit with us, Gorgeous. Erin’s back out from her nap.”
“Oh, she took a real nap, did she?”
A mild snort escaped. “You’re cute, little girl.”
“I know.” Molly giggled.
~
Carter’s stomach had turned itself inside out and upside down when they hit the city limit. By the time they drove up to the stadium, it was threatening an all-out revolt. He kept his fear to himself, not wanting to upset the golden-haired angel sitting in the seat beside him, keeping the small talk light and easy while he parked.
He was walking around the motorhome, making sure the automatic stops had lowered properly, when he heard the door open. He immediately looked up.
“Where are you going?”
“I was just coming out to be with you, relax.” Molly smiled as she slipped her arms around his waist.
He tried to keep the stern look on, but her sweet, adoring face won him over. “Well don’t forget you’re—“
“I know,” Molly interrupted him. “I’m absolutely not, under any circumstances, to be alone unsupervised. I’m not even allowed to walk to the motorhome to go the bathroom by myself. Babe, I know. It’s okay, I’ll stay with you, I promise.”
“And?”
“And if you can’t be with me, then I’m to stay with Mike. If he needs to check something out, he’s to leave me with the guys or James and Karen. Carter…honey…I’m not going to do something stupid, I’ll stay with you. I won’t make it harder for anyone on purpose, just trying to be stubborn. I want to stay safe, too.”
There was only a gentle understanding in her eyes. No frustration at having to be babysat, no anger at being told what to do, over and over by numerous people. Only the quiet resolve to do whatever she had to do. He was so proud of her for that. It was humbling to need people like she needed everyone right now and he knew what an independent soul she was.
“Ah, Gorgeous, come here.” He threaded his fingers through the belt loops on her jeans and drew her nearer. “I love you.” Carter tipped her chin up and brushed her lips with his. “I’m done out here, lets walk up to the pits and give your cell phone a break, what do ya say? Just let me lock up.”
