by Opal Carew
Riding Steele #6
Aftershock
Opal Carew
St. Martin’s Griffin
New York
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Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Riding Steele #6: Aftershock
Also by Opal Carew
About the Author
More from the Riding Steele Series
Copyright
From Part 5:
“Is everything okay?” Laurie asked, concern in her eyes. “Do you think they found Donovan and he’s convinced them to come after us?”
Steele placed his hands on her shoulders and locked gazes with her. “He hurt you, remember? You have nothing to be afraid of.”
She shook her head. “No. If he wants to make trouble, he’ll do it. If he wants to get back at me … or you … he’ll do it. He’ll buy people off if he has to.”
Steele glanced toward Rip, who had paced several yards away and was speaking intently on the phone.
“He won’t buy off Killer. He’s a true friend.”
Rip slipped his phone into his pocket and walked toward Steele, his expression grim. Laurie reached for Steele’s hand and he enveloped it in his.
“Well?” Steel prompted.
Rip glanced at Laurie, then back to Steele. “They found Donovan a few hours ago at his house. He was dead.”
Laurie sucked in a breath and Steele squeezed her hand.
Rip gazed at Laurie again. “And the police are looking for you.” His lips compressed in a tight line. “You’re wanted for questioning.”
Laurie felt faint. She clung to Steele’s hands as the blood rushed from her face.
“I can’t believe this. Are they sure? How could he be dead?” she asked.
“Killer said to hang tight and he’ll fill us in on the details when he gets back to us.” Rip grasped her shoulder and squeezed. “But, I’m sorry, Donovan is definitely dead.”
“So this means the police are coming here for me?” she said weakly, her hand trembling.
“You’re white as a ghost,” Steele said, gazing at her. “Let’s get you inside.”
He led her into their room and the others followed. She sat on the bed and Steele sat beside her while the others gathered around, looking somber.
“Laurie, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Rip said. “It’s going to be all right.”
She glanced at Steele, remembering his fist hammering into Donovan’s face. Oh, God, was that why he’d died? Because Steele had beat him and then they’d left him in that cage? Had he died from injuries inflicted by Steele? If they had called someone sooner, would Donovan still be alive?
The thought sent a shock wave through her.
She’d hated Donovan. She hated what he’d done to her. She hated how cruel he’d been. And he’d terrified her. Just knowing he was out there had kept her in fear.
But knowing he was dead, and that Steele might have something to do with it, left her feeling numb.
“I don’t know what to tell them. I don’t know …” She was shaking her head and realized it was all too much. She felt weak and scared and … traumatized.
Rip sat on the other side of her.
“You’ll just tell them the truth. That the guy kidnapped you … terrorized you … then we showed up and pulled you out of there.”
“But won’t they charge you with breaking and entering? What about the fact that …” She gazed at Steele, then back to Rip and continued hesitantly. “Donovan was beaten up. What if that’s why he died? What if they charge …” She shot a quick glance to Steele again, then bit her lip.
Steele’s granite eyes glinted. “You think I’m responsible for his death?” Steele murmured in a mere whisper.
His face clouded and she realized as much as he hated Donovan, he didn’t want to be responsible for his death.
She squeezed his hand. “You were saving me. You were reacting to what he did to me. You didn’t mean to …”
“Let’s just all keep calm,” Shock said. “Rip said Killer is going to call us back. Let’s not get worked up about what might happen. We’ll face whatever we have to when the time comes.”
“That’s good advice,” Rip agreed. “Steele, you went out to get food, right?”
Steele nodded.
“Okay, let’s all just eat and relax. Killer should get back to us soon.” Rip stood up and headed for the door.
Dom went with him and they returned a few minutes later with a brown paper bag and the case of beer the guys had been sharing outside. Dom opened a bottle and handed it to Laurie. She took a sip, then just stared at the burger Rip placed in her hand. Her stomach growled at the smell of food, so she unwrapped the paper around it, but after one bite, put it down beside her.
Silence hung in the air as everyone ate. Steele encouraged her to eat a little more and she finished about half, then gave up. It tasted like sawdust in her mouth.
“Hey, this place has a pool,” Raven said. “Why don’t we be real badasses and go swimming even though we’ve just eaten?” She grinned.
It was a warm day, and the thought of relaxing in the sparkling water had its appeal, but Laurie shook her head.
“You all go ahead. I’ll stay here.”
Raven looked hesitant, then put her hand on Laurie’s. “I’m just trying to get your mind off all this, since there’s nothing we can do right now.”
Laurie took a deep breath. “Thanks, Raven, but I’m just not up to it.”
“It’s okay. I’ll stay with her,” Steele said. “Rip, just leave the phone with me in case Killer calls.”
“You got it.” Rip stood up and pulled the cell from his pocket and handed it to Steele. “The pool’s just around the corner of the building, so if you need us, let us know.”
Steele nodded and they all filed out and Dom, the last one out, closed the door behind them.
Laurie turned to Steele and rested her hand on his cheek. “Oh, Steele, I’m so sorry I got you into this mess.”
“It wasn’t your fault. You were a victim in all this.”
She shook her head. “No. I chose to go out with him. I made the mistake of not seeing Donovan for what he really was. You tried to protect me and now you and your crew are pulled into this whole thing.”
“Don’t worry about us. You’ve been through a terrible ordeal. It’s you I’m concerned about.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I’d do anything to protect you. Anything.”
She rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Letting the steady rhythm and the feel of his strong arms holding her tight, calm her. She could drift into sleep right here in his arms. Just let her cares slip away and surrender to unconsciousness.
He stroked her hair and she tightened her arms around his waist. They sat there quietly, just holding each other. In the distance she could hear the others splashing in the pool. She closed her eyes and just let her thoughts go. Surrendering to nothingness.
The cell phone rang, and she jumped.
Steele pulled the phone from his pocket.
“Steele here.” He gazed at her grimly. “Yeah, we’ve been waiting for your call.”
She heard the rhythm of the voice on the line, but not the words.
Steele answered questions, explaining what had happened. He glanced at her a few times.
“Yeah, she’s pret
ty shaken up, but physically okay. Except for a few cuts and a twisted ankle.”
She shifted beside him.
“No, we haven’t taken her to a doctor. It doesn’t seem to be broken, but it is swollen.”
Steele gave a few more details about the attack, telling him about the cage and admitting that he had hit Donovan.
“He was in the cage when we left him.”
Her stomach clenched.
After a few more minutes, he hung up.
“He said we should just stay put and hold off on going to a doctor for your ankle right now, unless it’s really bad. He wants to save you the stress of being picked up until he knows more.”
“My ankle’s fine,” she said. It hurt when she walked and the swelling made it uncomfortable, but she could live with that.
Steele insisted she lay back and put it up, then he fetched ice in a plastic bag, wrapped it in a towel and arranged it on her ankle. When the others returned about a half hour later, Steele wrapped her ankle in a bandage he’d bought when he’d gone to get the burgers earlier and they filled up the time playing cards and drinking.
After ordering a late dinner of pizza, they all returned to their rooms to get some sleep.
*
Laurie felt the blackness closing in on her, stifling her breathing. A hand clutched her throat, choking her. She tried to flee, but she couldn’t move. Her hands were restrained. She murmured, unable to scream, fear exploding through her.
She tried to kick, but her legs wouldn’t move. Panic blazed through her.
“Laurie.”
Her eyelids popped open. Darkness surrounded her. A body was pressed against her. Big and hard. A man’s strong arms were wrapped around her.
Oh, God, Donovan. Memories of the cage he’d locked her in flashed through her brain. Fear and anguish gripped her.
She lurched forward, scrambling from his hold, and scurried through the darkness. She didn’t know where she was. But her ankle buckled and she fell to the floor.
The light snapped on and she rolled onto her butt, then pushed herself backward with her one good foot and her hands, but found herself trapped in a corner of the room.
*
“Laurie, what the hell?” Steele was still half asleep, but at the sight of Laurie on the ground panting, he became fully alert. He pushed himself from the bed and walked toward her slowly.
She cowered in the corner, like a trapped animal, her eyes glazed in fear.
He crouched on the floor, still several feet away. “It’s okay, baby. Did you have a nightmare?”
Her gaze darted back and forth as she sucked in deep breaths. Did she even recognize him?
“Laurie. It’s okay. You’re safe now. You’re here with me.”
She focused on him, her eyes wide, and seemed to relax a little.
“Steele?” she said hesitantly.
“That’s right, Laurie.”
Then tears welled in her eyes and flowed down her cheeks. His heart clenched at the sight.
“I … I …” She sucked in a breath.
He sat down on the floor. “It’s okay. Just take it slowly.”
“I was in a cage. He tried to choke me. I was so scared.”
The words tumbled from her mouth in a rapid flow, punctuated by shallow breaths.
“I know, baby.”
He wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her, but he didn’t want to approach her. All he could do was be here for her and wait for her to come to him.
She sucked in a few more breaths, then her gaze turned to his. “It was real, wasn’t it? It wasn’t just a nightmare.”
He nodded.
She started to tremble. She pulled her knees close and wrapped her arms around herself.
He moved closer. She stiffened a little so he stopped.
“It’s all right now. You’re safe,” he crooned.
She stared at him, wide, glistening eyes, almost hopeful.
He opened his arms. She hesitated for a moment, but then she pushed forward the short distance between them. He took her in his arms and pulled her onto his lap, holding her close. She rested her head against his chest and he stroked her hair. He could feel the dampness on his shirt as her tears flowed.
“You saved me,” she murmured. “Thank you for finding me.”
“Of course. I told you, I’d do anything to protect you.”
They sat like that for a while, him holding her in the comfort of his arms, then he lifted her and carried her back to the bed. She snuggled into his arms under the covers and he stroked her back, until her breathing became soft and regular. She was asleep.
He laid there, his anger at what had happened to her smoldering within him. He would do his best to protect her forever, but even after death, Donovan’s actions preyed on her.
How could he protect her from her nightmares?
*
A knock sounded on the door. Laurie opened her eyes and sunlight danced across her face. She was in Steele’s strong, comforting arms. She closed her eyes again.
The nightmare last night had shaken her, but Steele had been there to calm her and take care of her. His arms tightened around her now.
Another knock.
“Yeah?” Steele called, his voice hoarse from sleep.
Laurie shifted in his arms, but kept her eyes closed, not ready to be jarred from this comforting cocoon just yet.
“It’s Rip. Can I come in?”
“Yeah, hold on.”
She opened her eyes and met Steele’s dark eyes.
“Do you think he’s heard from Killer?” she asked.
His lips brushed the crown of her head in a tender kiss. “Let’s go find out.”
He pushed himself from the bed and walked to the door. Laurie pulled the covers close to her as he opened the door. Rip stood on the other side and Steele stepped back to let him come in. He carried two Starbucks cups in his hand.
Rip glanced at Laurie, concern etched in his face. “How are you doing?”
“Okay.” Despite her response, she felt small and vulnerable. She wiped sleep from her eyes and wondered if she looked like a lost child, tucked under the bedclothes, clinging to the scant protection of the covers.
Steele took the coffees from Rip and handed one to Laurie. She took a thankful sip of the steaming liquid.
“Killer just called,” Rip said.
Laurie’s heart rate accelerated, her focus locking on him. She watched as Rip walked to the second bed and sat down, facing her.
“We’ll have to go in for questioning.”
Her heart clenched. She had hoped this would all just go away.
“But it’s okay,” he continued.
Steele sat beside Laurie and slid his arm around her. “What do you mean, it’s okay?”
“They know it wasn’t us.”
“How?” she asked, hope coiling through her.
“When they found him, he wasn’t in the cage.” Rip stretched his long legs out in front of him. “There were two guys who worked for him. They showed up a few hours after we left and found him. When they let him out, apparently he became belligerent and started a fight with them. He fell and hit his head on the corner of the glass coffee table and cracked his skull.”
“And these guys admitted all that?”
“Not at first. Especially since they panicked and fled the scene, but there’s evidence proving he died from hitting his head and where. Once they were picked up they just filled in the details. Now we have to go in to give our statements.”
“Are you going to be in trouble for breaking in when you all came to save me?” she asked.
Rip gazed at her. “They know what he did to you. Donovan’s men admitted to kidnapping you and helping him lock you in the cage, then leaving you there. Killer told me they’re not charging us with a thing.”
*
Laurie drew her arms from around Steele’s waist. As he dismounted the bike, she stared at her town house.
The bright purple and
pink petunias she had planted several weeks ago had filled out nicely and the golden-yellow Stella D’Oro lilies were cheerfully blooming. The wreath she’d crafted from lavender and pink calico fabric, silk flowers, and lacy ribbons adorned the lemon-yellow door, and the mat, with WELCOME written in a lovely script, surrounded by curlicues and flowers in pink and green pastel, was warm and inviting.
And familiar.
That should give her comfort. She should feel happy returning home, but instead she felt a lead weight in her stomach.
It had been so long since she’d been here and her whole life had changed in the time away.
“You look so serious,” Steele said, watching her. “Aren’t you happy to be home?”
She smiled. “Sure. I’m just taking it all in.”
Steele helped her from the bike. Even though her ankle was feeling much better now, she’d gotten used to Steele babying her, and it felt good being taken care of by him.
Being loved by him.
He hadn’t said the words, but she could see it in his eyes. And she felt the same way.
Just like returning home, that should make her happy, but it just left her feeling unsettled.
She handed Steele her helmet and smiled. “You don’t mind staying here without your men?”
“It’d be pretty crowded in your small place with all seven of us. I’m sure the others are quite happy back at the cabin.” His arms came around her and drew her close, then kissed her soundly. “And I’m looking forward to some private time with you.”
Most of the days they’d spent on the road getting home they’d camped under the stars as they typically did, which allowed no privacy.
His words and the heat in his eyes reminded her they hadn’t made love since before …
Her gut clenched. She didn’t want to think about Donovan. She wanted to put that whole part of her life behind her.
Steele grabbed his pack and took her hand as they walked to the entrance. Three young women walked along the sidewalk, glancing her way as she walked toward the front door with the big, tattooed Steele beside her, and she smiled at the obvious envy in their eyes.
She unlocked the front door and Steele followed her into the entryway. As soon as the door closed, he pulled her into his arms again and kissed her, his tongue gliding between her lips, then caressing the inside of her mouth. When he finally released her, she was breathless with need.
