Claimed by the Lawman (Lawmen of Wyoming Book 4)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  She was met with silence again.

  Moving toward the lobby, she stepped in and found that it was empty. The hair on her nape stood and goosebumps scattered her skin. Was she imagining that she saw someone? No way could she have imagined the door opening and closing.

  At the door, she pushed it open and looked around the sidewalk lit by a security light on the corner. The street was empty except for her car.

  Closing the door, she took several steps back into the theater and jumped when a thudding sound came from upstairs.

  She stood at the bottom of the staircase that led to the balcony and listened. Other than the faint buzzing of the overhead lights she couldn’t hear anything. Heading back toward the stage where her phone was, she only made it partway before she heard footsteps behind her. Before she could react, a large hand came over her mouth and a powerful arm snaked around her waist. She tried to scream, but it was impossible. Flailing her arms in an effort to connect with any human body part, her assailant held her steady. He was strong and her attempts were useless. He was also tall and his breathing was heavy in her ear as he dragged her into the shadows, holding her tight against his chest. His breaths came in pants now and his dripping sweat rubbed onto her skin. The strong scent of burnt hair, sweat, and body odor assaulted her senses.

  Once he had her against the wall, her cheek pressed hard on the brick, he whispered, “Listen, bitch, you’re not wanted in Bohannan. For a theater lady you’ll understand that the fire was only the first act. You won’t want to stick around for the finale. If you know what’s best, you’ll catch the first bus and get back to Hollywood.”

  One tear slid from her eye as fear made her spine tingle. He pulled her away from the wall and gave her a hard shove. She stumbled forward, falling into a stack of chairs. She quickly pushed herself up from the floor, and by the time she turned, the intruder was gone.

  Hands shaking and knees weak, she hesitated in the shadows. The alarm sounded, telling her that the man had exited through the back door. Without any more hesitation, she raced up the stairs to the stage, grabbed her purse dumping out all the contents. Reaching for her phone, she could barely control the shaking in her hands as she called a familiar number.

  ~~**~~

  The basketball landed in the hoop.

  “That’s it, boys.” Cullen grinned. “Another point and you’ll be buying the beers tonight.”

  “Keep dreaming, son,” Briggs wiped his forehead on the arm of his T-shirt.

  “Let the cockiness get to him, Briggs,” Riddle said with a grin. “That’ll make our win that much better.”

  Kace laughed at the three men having an enjoyable pissing contest. Usually, he would join in on the friendly jabs during their typical monthly basketball game, but this evening he wasn’t into poking fun at his brother or their friends from the Ghost Hawk elite team. Kace dribbled the ball, concentrating on the hoop, then tossed it and the ball bounced off the backboard. “Shit!”

  “Damn, Sheriff. What’s wrong with you today?” Briggs patted Kace’s shoulder as he passed by. “I’ve never known you to miss any hole.”

  The underlying meaning to those words made Kace smirk.

  “It’s a chic thing,” Cullen muttered dryly.

  “He’s interested in someone?” Riddle chimed in. “Hell, man. Why didn’t you say so? We would have taken it easier on you. Right, Briggs?”

  “I didn’t say anything because it’s not true.” Kace sent Cullen a die-hard look.

  Cullen snorted. “It’s true. An old flame is in town and he’s been acting like a lovesick puppy ever since.”

  “Just shoot the ball already.” The last thing he wanted to do was discuss Tyler, even with his closest friends and brother.

  Cullen shot the ball and it hit the rim, bouncing off. Riddle grabbed the rebound and shot. The ball dropped into the hoop for a score. Cullen’s gritty curse echoed off the gym walls.

  Riddle and Briggs high fived, laughing. “What did we tell you boys? Don’t count the Ghost Hawks out until it’s over.”

  “Yeah, it’s about time you actually won a game. Won’t happen again. Just call this your lucky day.” Cullen spoke smack, gritting his teeth. He never liked losing.

  Ten minutes later, Riddle and Briggs were gone, probably already at the bar waiting for their drinks, but Cullen and Kace were still in the locker room.

  “Shit, man. What’s wrong with you?” Cullen closed the locker door, scowling.

  “Don’t give me grief, bro. You got what you deserve. Worrying about my love life when you should have been concentrating on perfecting your shot.” Kace shook his head, dragging on his jeans and zipping them.

  “Now we have to go buy Briggs and Riddle drinks and listen to their ragging all damn evening,” Cullen rubbed his clean jaw.

  “No, bro. You’ll be hanging out with them listening to their ragging. I’m heading back to Bohannan where I have work to do,” Kace reminded him as he pulled on his uniform shirt and buttoned it.

  “You can’t do this to me, man. You helped lose that game so we both have to face the fire.” Cullen shoved his feet into his dusty boots.

  “I told you I’d play one game, then I needed to get back to the grind. You’re right, it did destress me some, but it won’t last long. I have a case that’s racking my brain.”

  “No, you mean you need to investigate Susannah Posey’s death.”

  Kace didn’t even look at his brother as he reached for his boots at the bottom of the locker and dropped them with a thud onto the floor. “I caught a little bit of sarcasm in your tone, bro.”

  “No sarcasm, but I think it’s not so much for Susannah but for her sister as to why you’re reopening the case. Hell, I don’t blame you, but you should face the facts. You still have the hots for Tyler. You going to let her go a second time?”

  Cullen’s words struck Kace hard to the chest. His brother—all his siblings—knew the back story. They’d been there when Kace picked up the pieces of his broken heart and trudged forward. They’d been his support people, but was he hearing Cullen right? Would Kace let her go again? “It’s not like she belongs to me. Not even like she’s here to strike up our past relationship. Maybe you’re right and I’m doing this for her. If something happened to you, or one of our brothers or sister, wouldn’t we fight until the very last frayed thread before we gave up?”

  Cullen was silent for a few long seconds. “Then you’re thinking Tyler’s sister didn’t kill herself?”

  Kace sat on the bench. “There’s a lot not right about this case. A lot of unanswered questions.”

  “Well, you and I both know Mansfield had his favorites. That all aside, better make sure you understand where your intentions are. It’s easy to miss the clues when our brain, and dick, is caught up.”

  “It’s not like that.”

  Cullen sniffed, stood, and placed his Stetson on his head. “Who you trying to convince more? Me or yourself?”

  As Kace drove toward home, he was still mulling around his brother’s words when his phone dinged from the console. He’d missed two calls from Tyler and she’d messaged him. Before he finished reading, he was slamming on the gas pedal and sped down the country road. Five miles seemed to turn into fifty as he held the truck to the road with the skill of a racecar driver as Tyler’s text pounded through his head. “I’m at your house. I need to see you. It’s an emergency.”

  His gut warned him she was hurt.

  By the time he pulled up in front of his place he made record time from the truck to the porch where he found her sitting on the swing, her knees tucked up to her chest and her forehead laying on her knees.

  “Tyler?”

  She lifted her head and he could see the tear stains on her cheeks and the tremble in her bottom lip. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” He had no resistance against the need to go to her, take her into his arms and hold her. He lifted her easily and sat down on the swing with her on his lap. She laid her head on his shoulder and his heart hi
tched. “Come on. It’s okay. Tell me what happened.” He used his fingers to comb the tear-damp hair off her cheek.

  “I-I was at the theater tonight. A man…he came…out of…nowhere. He threatened me. Told me I’m not wanted here.” She sniffled.

  “What?” He had to breathe in a long breath to keep from overreacting. He had to plug into every bit of self-control to stay calm as he processed what she’d told him.

  “I don’t know who he was. He came out of nowhere. I was so scared.”

  Chapter 11

  KACE STARED AT her with such a sorrowful expression that she could barely keep the tears contained.

  With the effort of a warrior, she choked back the emotion, not wanting to break down because once she did, she wouldn’t be the same.

  Large, powerful arms dragged her against his broad, warm chest. She could smell his scent, soaked up his warmth. His steadiness seeped into her body. He smelled like leather and wood shavings…and something primal.

  “How long ago was it?” He flexed his arms tighter and she wasn’t strong enough to deny the need to sink into his security.

  “I called you right away. Maybe forty minutes ago.”

  “I came as soon as I could. Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

  She shook her head. “I’m fine. Just shook up.”

  He stood. “I want you to go inside, lock the door and wait until I come back.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to go back to the theater and take a look around the area, although I doubt the bastard is still around.”

  He placed her on her feet. She watched him step across the porch, unlock the door and push it open. “Make yourself at home. I shouldn’t be long.” He gave her such a sympathetic look that she wanted to break down. “Go inside and lock the bolt.”

  She did as he asked, locked the door and watched out the window as his taillights disappeared on the road. Wrapping her arms around her waist, she looked around his place. It was clean, sparsely decorated with no personal effects. She resisted the urge to inspect every room and instead crawled into the corner of the couch and cuddled up under a soft, throw blanket. She couldn’t seem to wrap her head around the events that had taken place since she’d been back in Bohannan. First, the shed burning down, and now a man threatening her.

  Thinking back to her sister’s words of how someone had been stalking her, watching her, made Tyler’s stomach turn. More than ever she knew Susy’s death had been set up to make it look like she committed suicide. That same person was harassing Tyler now.

  Although she was wired from the events, she was also tired. Once she closed her eyes, she was opening them with Kace standing over top of her. Glad to see him, she sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’re here.” She pulled back. “Did you find anything?”

  He gave his head a quick shake. “Not a damn thing. Not that I’m surprised.” He took off his hat and tossed it onto the coffee table. “You can’t go back home tonight. It’s not safe. Not until we find who’s doing this.”

  “I-I can’t go home? Where am I supposed to go?”

  “You should go to your family ranch and stay with Johnny and Rogue. You’ll be safe there.”

  “No, I can’t go there. Not tonight. Not while I’m so choked up.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I haven’t even told them about the fire yet.”

  “Fine.” His jaw worked. “Then you’ll stay here.”

  ~~**~~

  Kace had no idea what he was doing. Inviting Tyler to stay at his place was probably the worst decision of the century, but at the same time, there was no way in hell he would let her go home. Whomever wanted her to leave town was making it clearer. After getting all the facts from her and making a call to Deputy Payne, he made her a cup of tea.

  As he stood in the kitchen examining his place, he wondered what she thought of his house? He wasn’t sure why he needed—wanted—her approval. He took pride in what he had though.

  “You have a nice place here, Kace.” She took a sip from the cup. “I’m sorry that I’m inconveniencing you,” she said in a soft voice.

  He saw the slight mist in her wide eyes and the redness and bruising on her neck where the assailant had grabbed her. Anger sliced through him and he wanted nothing more than to wrap his hands around the neck of the bastard who’d threatened her. “You don’t owe me an apology and you’re not an inconvenience. You’re free to stay here as long as you like, but I’m also sure that your dad would love to see you.” He knew instantly that he’d hit upon a sore subject.

  Her gaze met his. “So, he told you why we’re not talking?”

  “That you’re refusing to talk to him? Yeah, he told me.”

  She shrugged. “Did he also tell you that he refused to talk to Susy? That he refused to let her come to the house?”

  “This isn’t my war, Tyler.”

  “No, but if I feel like you’re taking sides, then by all means I deserve the chance to speak for myself.”

  He blew out a long breath. “I’m not taking sides, but from what I remember Susy was making some terrible choices.” He leaned against the edge of the counter.

  “She was, but he was partly to blame.” She gave her head a small shake as if she could force the thoughts out of her head. “Thank you for letting me stay here tonight. I don’t want to talk about my dad though. Okay?”

  “Sure, but what about Rogue?”

  “What about him?”

  “You weren’t the only one who lost a sister. He loved her, and he loves you. He’s brought his life around and doing good. I remember him saying many times he wanted you to come home and help with the ranch. It’s your legacy too. Tell me you don’t want to be home again. Really home.”

  His words must have reached somewhere inside her because she stayed quiet.

  Not wanting to pressure her, he pushed off the counter and rubbed his jaw. “Sorry. That’s not right of me to push you tonight, not after what you’ve been through. I’m just tired.”

  “It’s okay. You’ve been through a lot too. We’ll figure out who’s doing this.”

  “Let’s go sit back down on the couch.” He took her hand and together they stepped over to the sofa. “I’ll start a fire. It’s a little chilly in here.”

  She dropped down onto the edge of the sofa, clasping her hands tight in her lap. “Although I said I didn’t want to talk about Dad, I owe you an explanation. I know you’re friends with him, but I’m sure he hasn’t told you about the argument he had with Susy several weeks before her death.”

  “We don’t talk about that,” he admitted. Once the fire was started, he took a seat on the coffee table, his knees brushing hers, but he liked the closeness.

  “She had been concerned about something, scared, and she wanted to stay at the ranch, but Dad had told her that she couldn’t.” Her eyes turned glossy. “He turned away his child because he thought she deserved tough love.”

  “I know it’s hard, Tyler, but he’d been through a lot with your sister. He’d bailed her out of jail a dozen or more times. Tolerated her stealing for drugs.”

  “Yes, but she was afraid.” She swiped away the moisture in her eyes. “It’s something else also.”

  Seeing her hesitancy, he reached out and took her hand. “You can tell me.”

  She met his gaze. “I-I invited him to come to New York, to see my play, and he refused. It was as if he didn’t want to see me either because I left.”

  “Your dad’s a stubborn man, but he loves you.”

  “And he sometimes has a screwed-up way of showing his love.”

  “Hell, sometimes we all fall into that category.” He rubbed his forehead. He brought his chin back up, looking at her. “Some new things have come to light. I haven’t had the time to speak to you about it, but maybe you can clear something up for me. Did you know that Susy had a brand on her shoulder, right here?” He patted a spot on the back of his shoulder.

  “A brand? Like they do for catt
le?”

  “Yeah. Just like that.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I saw it in the autopsy pictures. They weren’t in the file and not in the report. I visited the pathologist and he gladly handed the pictures over.”

  “What are you not telling me?” She scooted further to the edge of the cushion.

  “I don’t like to speculate, but we’ve seen brands like this in human trafficking.” He immediately saw the irritation in Tyler’s expression. “I’m only saying.” He knew any talk about Susy would be sensitive.

  “I know my sister. She wasn’t a prostitute.”

  “I’m not saying that she was, just suggesting that I’ve seen brands like this before.”

  “What was the brand on her?”

  “An M.” He reached over, grabbed a piece of paper and pen and drew the M and held it up for her to see. “Look familiar?”

  She gave her head a shake. “No.”

  He dropped the pad and pen. “I’ve checked around and the only shop I could find within fifty miles of Bohannan that does branding has never seen Susy before and has never done an M on anyone.”

  “So, then it was done outside of a licensed artist?”

  Kace nodded. “That’s my guess.”

  “And why do you think she could have been involved in human trafficking?” There was a new quiver to her voice.

  “Let’s save this for later.” He got up, needing to talk about something else. Tyler had been through enough. “I have something for you.”

  “For me?” Question filled her gaze although the shine remained.

  “I’ll be right back.” When he came back he handed her a small white box with a bright red ribbon that she pulled to open. “I figured it was only right that I bought you another bottle since I cracked the one you had on your vanity.”

  She smiled and lifted the perfume bottle from the paper nest. “That’s awfully kind of you, but you didn’t have to.”

  He gave a slight shrug. “Yeah, I sort of did.”

  Placing the bottle on the table, she stood and took the three steps to him. She looked up at him and his heart skipped several beats. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered.