The slight crackle of leaves broke into her thoughts. She listened intently. There it was again. A footstep? A fist of fear clutched her heart and squeezed. “Is anyone there?” she tried to call, but her voice came out no louder than a hoarse whisper.
Silence answered her. Complete silence. There was no sound at all. Not even the raucous noise of insects or the chirping of birds. Something was wrong. “Hello,” she called again, a slight quiver to her voice drawing out the syllables.
Bushes rattled behind her. She stood, turning, her breath catching in her throat, her mouth opening to scream. A bird burst through the leaves and flew into the sky. Shocked, she stared at it, then took a deep breath and tried to settle her nerves. Only a bird.
“Hey, there you are,” Riley said as he turned a corner in the path. “You hungry?” He held up the bag of food LuAnn had packed.
She nodded and tried to school her expression so he wouldn’t see her fear. There had been no one there, she told herself. She’d let her imagination run away with her. He was giving her an odd look, staring at her with speculation lighting his eyes. She tried to smile, but couldn’t shake the tingling at the back of her neck or the sensation that someone was watching her.
“Is everything all right?” Riley asked.
“Yes,” she said and stopped herself from taking another look over her shoulder.
“What’s that you’ve got?” He gestured toward her hand. She held up the daisy, clutched too tightly in her grasp.
“Just a flower I found on the path. A gardener must have dropped it.”
Riley frowned, his look setting her teeth on edge.
“What is it?”
“I don’t recall seeing daisies on the estate.”
His words brought fear surging back through her veins. The flower slipped through her fingers as a tremor rushed through her. He picked up the flower, then stared at it for a moment.
“I bet it fell out of one of LuAnn’s arrangements.”
“That must be it,” Devra said and viciously rubbed the chill out of her arms. Keep moving, she thought. Don’t let him see your fear.
They continued down the river path, walking in silence. She used all her inner strength to try to pull herself together. Coincidences happen all the time, she thought. Of course LuAnn’s bouquets had daisies in them—perfect, beautiful, yellow daisies. With shaky fingers, she picked a star jasmine blossom as she passed a massive vine and inhaled its sweet scent.
“Why’d you leave the house?” Riley asked. “Did LuAnn say something to upset you?”
She looked up. “No, of course not. She seems like a very nice woman. I just needed air. I’m sure your family is lovely.”
His eyes caught hers, sending a fluttery heat through her tense muscles. “They are nice. And very important to me. I’ll do anything for them.”
Even railroad an innocent woman? Unbidden, the thought sliced through her. Even if she had managed to get away from a killer, what exactly had she gotten herself into instead?
A twig broke behind them. She gasped and turned as fear careened through her chest. Someone is out there—watching.
He followed her gaze. “What is it?”
She scanned the trees and bushes for any sign of movement. “Just jumpy, I guess.” She let out a shaky breath and turned back to him. He was big and strong enough to protect her. She would be okay as long as he stayed with her. But would he?
“Don’t worry,” he said, apparently reading her thoughts. “You’re perfectly safe here. No one knows where you are.”
She looked into his dark brown eyes and wished she could believe him, wished she could trust him. But every time she looked at him like this, his gaze seemed to do something to her senses. It knocked her off-kilter and made her feel self-conscious, like she couldn’t rely on her instincts.
“I can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching me,” she admitted, feeling slightly foolish.
He took her hand and gave it a squeeze, sending a jolt coursing through her. “You’re going to have to trust me to do my job. We’ll get to the bottom of your mystery man at the hospital and whether or not he was the one who broke your window.”
Dismayed by the warmth seeping through her, she pulled her hand away. “And if he murdered Michelle.”
“Exactly.”
Fatigue filled her and, for a moment, she ached to lean into his strong chest and let it all go. Let someone else take care of her for a change.
Luckily, Riley turned and continued down the path. Longing for something he could never give her ballooned inside Devra as she watched him walk away. She shook off her disappointment and followed him. She needed food was all. The sooner she ate and went to bed, the better. A good night’s sleep would put this new situation into perspective—would put him into perspective. He wasn’t her knight in shining armor; he was a cop who could send her away. She’d do well not to forget that.
They were almost back at his house when she noticed a speedboat rocking gently against the dock. “Is it yours?” she asked, immediately entranced by the vessel.
“Sure is. Want to go for a ride?”
The little craft tempted her. What safer place could there be than on a boat in the middle of a river. She could almost imagine what it must feel like to have the breeze blowing her hair and her fingers trailing in the water. But she couldn’t. She needed food, sleep—
“Okay,” she found herself responding and wasn’t at all certain where it had come from. “Maybe a boat ride is just what I need.”
“Good. We can break off the main channel, go down into the swamps and catch us an alligator or two.”
Her eyes widened. So much for trailing fingers. “Can’t we just sit in it?”
He laughed—a warm laugh that started deep in his chest and filled the air around them. Something lurched inside her at the rich, hearty sound. Suddenly, she was noticing a lot more than long legs and a perfectly molded chest. More than boyish charm and a casual curl to his hair. There was the way his eyes, when warm, turned her insides to goo. And a hearty dose of sincerity, in a man that could be quite dangerous.
“Then again, maybe not. I should unpack,” she said on a rush of air. She should be alone, safe and secure in the confines of her room. Away from these manicured, lush grounds that could hide anything and away from this handsome, laughing man who was suddenly muddling her thoughts and senses.
“Hello, brother.” A large dark-haired, dark-eyed man appeared from behind a clump of trees.
Riley’s laugh died on his lips.
“Who’s the little filly you brought home this time?” The man edged closer, looking her up and down.
Not liking him on sight, Devra stiffened. There was something dangerous about him, something off.
Thick eyebrows formed a menacing scowl as if he didn’t like what he saw. “And didn’t you pick a hell of a fine time to do it.”
Riley stepped between them, blocking her. “Mac…” He opened his arms in a gesture of peace. “Come on, buddy. I know you’re hurting, but leave the lady alone.”
“She’s not like the usual fare you bring round,” Mac said, stepping round him, his lips pulled up in a sneer.
Devra didn’t like the way he was looking at her, didn’t like the smell of whiskey on his breath.
“Come on, let me take you home.” Riley stepped cautiously forward.
“I didn’t know you liked them so plain,” Mac jeered. As he moved closer, his expression twisted with confusion. He stared at her, his eyes widening, then he lunged forward and grabbed her arm. His strong fingers dug into her skin. She cried out and tried to jerk free from his grasp, but he was too strong.
“Dammit, Mac. What do you think you’re doing?”
Mac pulled the glasses off Devra’s face.
With all her strength, she pushed against his chest. “Get away from me.” Her clip loosened, her hair falling free.
Knocked off balance, Mac floundered, then hit the ground. He stared up at her, speec
hless with astonishment. “What the hell kind of sick joke is this?”
Riley took her hand and pulled her close to him. His warmth seeped into her skin, soothing her frayed nerves. She longed to lean her head against his shoulder, but knew she couldn’t, knew she wouldn’t be welcome.
“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice soft and comforting.
She nodded, but wasn’t sure. She still felt shaken.
“I’m sorry for my brother’s behavior. He’s drunk, but he won’t hurt you.”
Skepticism twisted her mouth. “It’s okay,” she muttered, but it wasn’t. Suddenly, she was feeling too vulnerable. If Riley looked at her with his sympathy-filled eyes one more time, she just might burst into tears. That was one thing she couldn’t do. She had to stay strong. She couldn’t lean on him or depend on him. She had no one to count on but herself.
“Bloody hell it’s okay!” Mac yelled. “What do you think you’re doing bringing a woman here today? Especially a woman that looks like…” he sputtered, gesturing wildly “…like her.”
“It doesn’t matter what she looks like. She’s my friend and you will treat her with respect.”
Devra looked up in surprise. Riley squeezed her a little tighter. “She needs my help right now and I’m not going to turn my back on her. Not for you, not for anyone.”
“Isn’t that sweet?” Mac sneered. “Sentiment like that coming from a man who swears he’s not the pro tecting type, that he’d rather be the dragon than have to rescue the poor withering damsel in distress.”
“She doesn’t need protecting. She’s quite capable of taking care of herself, as she just showed you. I don’t do protection—never have, never will.”
“Tell that to Michelle,” Mac said with unsuppressed fury.
“I did.”
Pain and anger erupted in a roar as Mac launched himself at Riley. Devra quickly stepped aside as the two men fell to the ground, tumbling one over the other.
“She was a good cop,” Riley gritted between grunts. “She didn’t need my protection.”
“She was my wife.” Mac landed a hard punch to Riley’s gut. The air whooshed out of his chest as a look of pain tore across his face.
“Stop it!” Devra yelled.
Mac threw another well-placed punch, then another. “You should have watched out for her. You should have stopped this from happening.”
Riley maneuvered his feet under Mac and pushed. Mac flew off him, somersaulted, then stood. Riley jumped to his feet. The two men squared off. “I couldn’t stop it from happening. Don’t you think I would have if I could have? I loved her, too!”
Mac grabbed Riley around the middle. They both fell, catapulting one another down the embankment and into the river.
“Stop it, please!” Devra screamed. This was too much. They were going to kill each other.
Riley stood up, soaking wet. He looked at her, then at Mac. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, and hung his head. “I had no idea…. I didn’t know what Michelle was planning. I would give anything to have her back, to spare you of this.”
Mac stepped closer to him, his eyes hard.
Devra inhaled a deep breath. “Please, no more,” she muttered.
“I don’t understand how this could have happened.” Mac’s voice cracked.
Riley’s face contorted with pain. He put an arm around his brother and the two men fell into an awkward embrace, as Mac’s body shook with grief.
Tears burned Devra’s eyes. So much pain… She couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She’d never had a sibling. She didn’t understand the dynamics of their relationship, but to her it was too emotional…too raw.
“I’m going to check on Felix,” she said to Riley as they walked out of the water.
He nodded, a look of gratitude filling his red-rimmed eyes. He squeezed her shoulder as they passed her. She watched them disappear around the bend, both soaking wet, but neither caring. Once again, she yearned to know what it felt like to have a sibling—to have someone around who loves you and looks out for you.
Suddenly, why she was there became crystal clear. He’d rather be the dragon. Riley would do anything he could to help his brother, even if it meant defying his captain’s orders to take time off. He couldn’t go near the case, so he brought the case home with him. He brought her home with him. He wasn’t her friend. He wasn’t interested in helping her or protecting her. He just wanted the truth. No matter what the cost.
The sudden knowledge made her feel more alone, more at risk than ever before. She picked up the bag of food and continued down the path toward Riley’s house. Tomorrow, she would have to find a way out of this situation. She’d been a fool to think he could help her, to hope for even a moment that she wasn’t in this fight alone.
She ate dinner and cleaned up the dishes, then walked slowly through the small house. His bedroom and office were on one side of the living room and kitchen, the guest room and bath on the other.
A jewel-framed snapshot on the mantel in the living room caught her attention. A pretty redhead was smiling wide with her arms wrapped around the shoulders of two little boys. The younger one had a huge happy smile and sparkling dark eyes. The other wore a gloomy rebellious look on his face. She knew instantly the boy was Riley. Time hadn’t changed much.
“Come on, Felix,” she announced. “Let’s go feed you.” She led him into the kitchen and opened a can of tuna. “See, this place isn’t so bad,” she cooed while stroking his back. She heard a ruckus, looked out the French doors beyond the kitchen table and saw a pack of dogs running through the yard. They were huge and loud, and there were four of them. Wide-eyed, Devra watched as the dogs cut a wide swath through the yard before disappearing around the barn. “I think we’ll be keeping you inside,” she said to the cat and patted him on the head.
As twilight gave way to darkness, she settled on the couch to watch TV. She must have dozed for when she opened her eyes, Michelle’s face flashed across the screen, the lead story on the ten o’clock news. The newscaster announced that a local policewoman had been found murdered in the Quarter.
Devra switched off the set. She didn’t want to think about Michelle’s death. She didn’t want to think about anything. She turned out the lights, then stood in front of the window, taking in the dark silhouette of the trees. Could someone be out there watching her?
As she stared into the darkness, a flicker of uneasiness made her squirm. She was safe here, she assured herself. As Riley said, no one knew where she was. She didn’t even know where she was. She turned from the window, flicked on the porch light for Riley, then took Felix with her into the guest room.
The four-poster bed called to her. As she pulled back the sheets, she glanced out the window at the barn. Large stable lights chased away the darkness and offered small comfort. She closed the drapes, then fell into bed, exhausted.
But as tired as she was, she couldn’t sleep. She lay there, listening to the moans and groans of the house, wondering what Riley was doing and when he’d be back. She beat her pillow, then rolled over. She heard a soft click. Was that the front door? She sat up, listening intently, but didn’t hear another sound. What was she doing trying to sleep in a strange man’s house? A man she’d just met. A man she couldn’t trust.
Riley wanted answers. But if she told him what she knew, he’d lock her up and never look back. She couldn’t go through that again—the aching emptiness, the pain of abandonment. In a deep corner of her mind, she could still hear the heavy thud of a steel door closing and the suspicious, hate-filled gray eyes staring at her through the small square of glass.
“It wasn’t me!” she had cried. But no one had believed her. No one had cared. A small tear wet her cheek as she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.
IT WAS WELL PAST midnight when a gust of wind shook the bushes surrounding the house. Riley walked through his front door. The night had been incredibly hard. His family had all wanted answers, someone to blame, a reason why they were being dragged t
hrough hell. He had nothing to offer them.
His inability to help gnawed at him. He poured himself a stiff drink and stared out the window. He didn’t have answers for them or for himself. But he was certain Devra held the key to this case. He’d have to do whatever it took to get her to open up. He stared at the closed door of her room and wondered if she was awake.
He hesitated in front of her door, one hand resting against the wood. She was skittish and he knew he had to move slowly. Pushing her would be the worst thing he could do. He’d wait ’til morning, until after he’d had a good night’s sleep and was better prepared for the task. He dropped his hand, turned and headed toward his room. Tomorrow he’d find out exactly what she was hiding from him. He had to.
ANGER, HOT AND LETHAL, seethed inside him. How dare that cop bring her here to his house? Did he think he wouldn’t find her? Did he think he could keep her from him? The thin branch grasped in his hand snapped. She was his. It was time he taught this cop a lesson, taught him how easily something precious, something valued could be lost. He walked into the open area between the small house and the barn and smiled as the mist enclosed him.
Inside the barn, the horse whinnied, its large brown eyes widening with fear. He slipped the bridle over its head, pulled him out of the barn and tied him to a tree. Then he circled the small house, peering through the darkened windows. He knew which one was hers. He’d been watching.
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