The Marshalls Boxed Set (Texas Heroes: The Marshalls Books 1-3)

by Jean Brashear

  And in that moment, the scene she’d witnessed with dread, time and again, came to life.

  Richard’s dagger, descending in an arc toward Iain’s unprotected, bleeding back.

  Elena bolted awake, a stone of dread in her heart.

  And this time she remembered everything.

  Josh was in danger.

  Because he was Iain. In another time.

  And she didn’t doubt any of it, not anymore. However illogical the explanation might seem, Quinn had made a believer of her. The fear was too visceral, the coppery, sweet blood scent still too strong in her nostrils.

  Why she dreamed of Scotland, a place she’d never been, didn’t matter. She was terrified to her core that in this life, Josh would die at Richard’s hands.

  And it would be her fault. Again.

  The old barn wasn’t far away. If she could find Carmen and free her before Josh found his way to Mesa Roja, then she would leave and Josh would feel no need to follow her.

  And he would be safe.

  Please, Carmen. Be there. Picturing the old barn as it had been for years, weathered and worn, dust motes floating lazily in the sunlight pouring through holes in the roof. She and Carmen had spent many an hour playing inside, escaping from their parents whenever possible.

  They’d even tried spending the night there once, when they’d decided it would be romantic to run away. Elena smiled wistfully, recalling her father’s take on proper punishment when he’d found them.

  She’d cleaned out stalls for what felt like years, Carmen beside her, Ramon and Papa somber as they watched.

  She knew every inch of this land. Richard had no right to it, no matter what he insisted her father had promised him. It was hers to care for…all she would ever have now, thanks to Richard. She’d paid for her ownership in tears and pain…and a lost child.

  Her vision blurred as the never-quite-healed pain of that loss reared afresh in her mind. If for nothing else, she’d never forgive Richard for that.

  As shadows stole over the landscape, Elena descended carefully. She didn’t dare use a flashlight, and anyway, she needed both hands to hold the weapon. The thing scared her to death, but if it would give her any advantage, she needed all the help she could get.

  The terrain leveled out just behind the barn. She heard voices and paused. After a few minutes, two men left the barn, while one man stayed near the big double doors.

  Heart pounding so loud she was surprised no one else could hear it, Elena waited a little longer but heard nothing else. Gingerly she made her way to the barn and peered through one of the many cracks.

  Carmen was there.

  But she was lying so still…

  Elena bit her lip and tried to think what she could do from here, but the ancient back door had always creaked loudly.

  Though she wanted desperately to run and hide, she forced herself to work her way around the side she couldn’t see, hugging the wood while approaching the front corner, so scared she thought she might faint.

  But she would not. She halted and forced her breathing to slow.

  The ring of a cellphone startled her, and she lost her balance. The bag with her water banged into the wood.

  “Hold on,” said the man whose voice seemed to be just around the corner.

  She didn’t know whether to freeze or try to ease herself back until she could run.

  Then the decision was made for her.

  A man appeared, still holding his phone in one hand.

  In the other, he brandished a gun.

  She fumbled for the safety Josh had shown her, but she was too slow.

  The man began to smile. “Well, well…look who’s come back home.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  They chatted all through dinner, as well, Josh regaling Kruger with stories from various movie sets. They compared notes on places they’d traveled around the world.

  Not once did Kruger mention he had a wife. Much less that he was worried by her absence.

  The guy creeped him out.

  And Josh would die before he’d let this man have her. As time went on, Josh wondered more and more if the man was a sociopath. He seemed impervious to actual human emotions. How could a man whose wife was missing be chatting away about the Bahamas or a particular dish he liked in Sri Lanka?

  This was one cold sonofabitch.

  “Do you hunt?” Kruger asked.

  “I do.”

  “It’s deer and elk season. Would you be interested in a hunt while you’re here?”

  To be in Kruger’s presence with a loaded weapon? You betcha.

  Quinn’s sidelong glance told Josh his brother probably guessed what he was thinking.

  Josh shrugged faintly. “That might be nice. I haven’t had time to hunt in quite a while.” He grinned ruefully. “And as you might imagine, it’s not popular in LaLaland.”

  Kruger chuckled. “I can only imagine—”

  Abruptly a man appeared in the library. “Sorry to disturb you, but I need to speak with you a moment, Mr. Kruger.”

  Displeasure crossed Kruger’s features. “Can’t it wait?”

  “I don’t think so, sir.”

  Josh and Quinn exchanged glances.

  Kruger sighed and rose, placing his napkin on the table. “Please excuse me.”

  No, Josh wanted to say. Make him come over here so I can listen in.

  Of course he didn’t have any reason to think this was about Elena.

  But he had no idea where she was, and she’d had time to get here by now, he feared.

  Kruger met the man just outside the door, but both men spoke in low tones.

  Josh strained to listen, but heard nothing.

  Then Kruger reappeared.

  His face was composed, but his eyes burned with a manic glow. “I do apologize. Just a little management problem, but I’m afraid I must deal with it tonight. I do hope we’ll have another opportunity to discuss a hunting trip.” His eyebrows rose as if divining Josh’s level of interest.

  Josh had never felt such a personality split, trying to play cool ignorance of what might be happening when all he wanted to do was go for the man’s throat and choke the truth out of him.

  But until Elena was safe, he had to play the game. “I don’t have my rifles here. I’d need time to have them sent.”

  “Of course. Though I would naturally be happy to make my extensive collection available to you.”

  “That’s very kind of you. If we can work it out, I’ll let you know what I want to do.”

  “Perfect.” The man who’d gone to such pains to entertain them was all but sweeping them out the door now.

  Josh maintained his role, as did Quinn.

  But something was off with Kruger.

  As soon as they were away, he intended to see if Quinn’s formidable instincts were on edge as his own were.

  Out of the darkness rose Richard’s castle, the scene of Elena’s nightmares, and she knew her gamble had been lost. Carmen was still a prisoner, and now she had been captured herself.

  She was the failure Richard had always told her she was. Over her settled familiar despair. She was right back where she’d begun, barely a week before.

  And Richard would kill her. Or make her wish for death.

  They neared the house. Two men were leaving the front, headed down the stairs toward a big SUV that looked almost like—

  No. Oh, no. It couldn’t be Quinn’s.

  But at that instant, one of them opened the passenger door, his face turned to the porch lights.

  And it was clearly Josh.

  She wanted to die. All her efforts to save him had been in vain. She flinched as the urge to lunge for the door nearly overwhelmed her, so desperately did she want to warn Josh to run.

  As badly as she longed to fling herself into his arms.

  But either would draw attention to the fact that he mattered. And that would sign his death warrant, for sure.

  What could he be doing here? Had he spoken to
Richard? And how could he be leaving, if Richard knew about them?

  A tiny hope rose, that somehow Richard did not.

  She bit her lip until it nearly bled, as she forced herself to turn away, lest Manny and Ernesto pick up any hint of what Josh meant to her.

  “You believe that, Manny? Josh Marshall making a film here, in Mesa Roja?” Ernesto, the man who’d caught her, shook his head. “Man, I’d like to be part of that action, just to be able to tell the boys, you know?”

  Manny nodded. “You wanna be a movie star, Ernesto?” He grinned. “Think any chica gonna look at you when Josh Marshall’s around?”

  Ernesto shrugged. “The ladies, they like me.”

  “Bet every woman in America would spread her legs for that dude. Some guys got all the luck.”

  A movie? Filmed here? Why would they think—Josh had never mentioned—

  She had to bite back a smile. Could he be pretending about that? To, what, meet Richard?

  I want to kill him, he’d said more than once.

  No, Josh, no. He’s evil and you’re too good. She quivered with fear for him.

  But that had been Quinn with him, she was almost positive. Quinn wouldn’t let Josh do anything impulsive, would he?

  Then the vehicle was stopping near the garage, and sheer terror hit her.

  Richard was inside. Last time they’d seen each other, she’d stabbed him. He’d beaten her soundly for less.

  “Come on.” Ernesto grabbed her and all but dragged her out.

  “Cuidado. Don’t hurt her, Señor Kruger said.”

  Elena wanted to laugh bitterly. Of course.

  Because he would want to be the one to deliver the punishment.

  She had to get a grip on her fear. She needed all her faculties to make sure Richard suspected nothing about her and Josh. To be alert for some way to protect Carmen.

  It was too much to hope that she could save herself, as well.

  How can you not know you’re beautiful, Elena? What has that bastard told you?

  She was letting Richard do it again, she realized. She’d already declared herself defeated without even seeing him. Despair had settled over her like a fog. Invaded her bones.

  But then an image rose, of Josh bending over her, his beautiful green eyes warm with appreciation and something more.

  He’d thought her worthy.

  He’d found her beautiful.

  And in so doing, he’d helped her remember that she wasn’t always the shadow he’d met. She would cling to that, and she would find some way to keep fighting to save him. She would have to watch his back for him. He didn’t know Richard the way she did.

  She squared her shoulders as the door to Richard’s office opened.

  “Hello, Elena.” The shark’s smile, flat and deadly. “So lovely to see you again.”

  Looking around the room, she couldn’t repress an inner shiver. She’d hoped never to set foot in this house again, especially not this room or the bedroom where Richard had—

  No. You can’t get lost in the past.

  “Hello, Richard. Wish I could say the same.”

  His eyes widened for a second. “My, haven’t we become brave?” He glanced at his men. “That will be all.”

  Elena fought her fear. He was at his worst when they were alone.

  He circled his desk, stalking her like the predator he was. “A gun, my dear? You actually held a gun on one of my men?” A chuckle. “Such a shame you’re as incompetent with it as you are everything else.”

  She didn’t bother responding. He played head games with her, she was realizing. Water wearing at stone, breaking it down a bit at a time. One sneer at a time, one degrading look.

  “My, my, such bloodthirsty behavior from such a little coward. What has emboldened you?” He drew closer, pressing one finger thoughtfully against his lips. “I certainly never expected such a surprise from such a little mouse.”

  That’s exactly what she’d been, wasn’t it? A cowering little creature, skittering in fear of him.

  Careful, said years’ worth of memories. She knew she should be, but remaining passive was surprisingly difficult now.

  Thanks to Josh.

  “So you returned to, what? Stop me?” he smirked. “You won’t, you know. It’s much too late for that.”

  “You still need my signature.”

  His eyes narrowed, and instinctively she hunched.

  “And I will get it.”

  “Not unless you let Carmen go. You don’t need her now. You have me back.”

  “Ah, but do I want you now?” His head canted. “I can’t say just yet.”

  “I’ll deed the property to you if you let Carmen go.”

  “You would bargain with me? You?” He shook his head. “Oh, my. Little Elena has grown up.” He paused to study her. “You’ve been with a man, haven’t you?”

  How could he know that? “Of course not.”

  Two quick steps brought him to her. He gripped her jaw in one hand and squeezed. “You’d better not have.” He let go, but not before pinching one of her breasts painfully. “This belongs to me, pathetic as it is. You belong to me. Don’t ever forget it.”

  She thought she would vomit. Instead she tried to remember Josh’s tender touch—

  But she couldn’t let her memories of him be tainted. She shoved Josh into the back of her mind.

  “You little slut. I can see it on your face. You have been with someone.” He grabbed a hank of her hair and twisted. “Who is it? Who have you let between your thighs, you little whore?”

  She would never, ever tell him. “No one, I told you.”

  He slapped her. Hard. Rebellion had always driven him to heights of rage.

  But she couldn’t seem to make herself back down anymore. “You are a sick man, Richard. A pathetic one.”

  His face went cold and sinister. He grabbed the neck of her blouse and ripped it right down the front. Shoved her to her knees. “I will have respect from you, Elena. I have clothed you, given you a fine home, lifted you far above your station—”

  She managed a laugh.

  He wound her hair around one hand. His hands went to his zipper.

  To have him violate her now, after Josh had cared for her body so tenderly… Sour sickness rose, but she battled it back. “I’ll never sign. No matter what you do to me. Not unless you let Carmen go.”

  He halted. Bent to her, spittle flying in her face. “You want to be Carmen’s savior? You’ll get your chance.” He thrust her backward. “Manny!” he called. “Get her out of here.”

  They entered and yanked her to her feet, all but dragging her out the door.

  Bright light flared in the dark barn, and Carmen shielded her eyes. Someone yanked her up roughly and dragged out of the tack room. As she blinked, she spotted several figures, but only one registered on her befuddled mind.

  “Elena!” She started toward her friend, only to be jerked back, a blade pressed to her throat. She heard Elena moan and looked closer as two men dragged her into the light, her lip bleeding, her face bruised and swelling. Her torn blouse was hanging open.

  “You see that she is alive, Elena,” Kruger pointed out. “Now you will sign. You have cost me precious time, and I am tired of playing games with you.” He thrust a pen toward her.

  “Release her first,” Elena said.

  “You think you have the edge?” He pointed toward Carmen. “Hit her.”

  The man holding Carmen lowered the knife.

  Then he cuffed her head. Hard.

  She staggered. Went to her knees.

  “No!” Elena cried out.

  Carmen tried to rise. She began to speak. “Don’t give in, Elena—”

  Another sharp pain at her throat. Warmth trickling down her neck.

  “You said you’d let her go.”

  “When you sign, I will.”

  Carmen couldn’t read her expression. She wondered how Elena had survived this man as long as she had.

  Barely able to s
tand, Elena reached for the pen and papers Kruger held out.

  “Whatever that is, don’t do it, Elena.”

  Elena looked at her for a long time.

  The pressure at Carmen’s throat increased. Her flesh stung. Tears blurred her eyes.

  “I will kill her. You know I can,” Kruger said.

  The fight went out of Elena before her eyes. In her place was the pale wraith Carmen had seen once a week. When she finished signing, Kruger took the papers and handed them to one of his men.

  Then he calmly slugged Elena in the stomach.

  Elena collapsed, and he shoved her out of the way with his boot, smiling triumphantly. “That’s for spreading your legs like a whore. I’ll find him, too, and I’ll kill him.”

  Elena rolled over and retched into the dirt.

  “What do we do with them now, boss?” the man holding Carmen asked. “Arrange an accident?”

  “No!” Elena cried hoarsely. “She goes free.”

  “I won’t kill her.” Richard’s smile was chilling. “But tonight they are yours. In the morning, seal her friend in the cargo trailer with the next shipment of arms. If she survives, our friends on the other end can have her for entertainment.” He laughed harshly, looking down on Elena with a smirk. “This one, I will make different arrangements. Once I sought to avoid attracting unwelcome attention by my wife’s death, but that was before she so rashly decided to run away.” He shrugged. “No one has seen her return here, and no one will.”

  He looked at his men. “Tonight, hey are the reward for your silence.” Turning away and tucking the deed in his pocket, he cast an order over his shoulder. “I have a few things for you to do, then we will come back. Lock them both in the tack room until then.”

  “Come on, puta,” the man behind Carmen spat. “You and your friend gonna need to rest up for the fun.” He slid the knife away slowly, then yanked her across the barn and shoved her back inside her prison.

  A minute later, Elena was thrown into the darkness beside her. When the door closed, Carmen gathered her broken, barely-conscious friend into her arms.

  “Elena,” she whispered urgently. “Has Greg been hurt?”

  “Josh…” Elena moaned. “Danger…”

  “Who’s Josh? Tell me how Greg is. Please, Elena.”