“You shouldn’t have done that.” She looked at Wade with a horrified expression.
“Oh, you’ll pay for that.” Chet grinned, wiping the blood on the back of his hand.
“No… no everything’s fine. I’m goin’ to the house right now, Chet. Please, let’s just forget it. C’mon.” She put an arm around Chet. “Take me to your mama.”
Wade stared at them. What. The. Fuck. He had to get out of here.
* * * *
Once Carly helped Chet into the house, she gently dropped him into the kitchen chair. Without a word, she opened the freezer and pulled the ice tray from the compartment. He raked his gaze over her backside and watched her movements, grinding his teeth together. He needed the ice in her hand bad, but not for his eye. He felt his shaft start to ache, as it had ached for her since he was able to get a hard on. Why couldn’t she have come to him willingly? She wrapped the cubes in a cloth and held them against his eye.
“That fucker will pay for that.”
“Yeah. I heard you say that.”
“Did you see that sucker punch?” His eyes flicked to hers, and he waited for reassurance—waited for comforting words from his wife-to-be.
“Sucker punch?” She laughed, and his nostrils flared. “I thought a sucker punch is when you weren’t lookin’?”
His foot reached out and knocked the back of her legs, pushing her knees forward. She grabbed his thigh to prevent her fall to the floor, but he placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her down in front of him. Simultaneously grabbing her upper arm, he pulled her toward him. He leaned in, inches from her face and glared at her. She’d actually laughed at him. “Look at me.”
“No.” She winced when he tightened his grip around her arm.
“I don’t want to hear the word ‘no’ from you. Ever.”
“Okay.” She frantically searched his face, and he cursed himself. Her eyes reflected fear, not the undying love he craved. The love he let everyone else believe was there. He played it off as if Carly wanted him, and no one would ever know different. He quickly loosened his grip.
“Sorry.” He rubbed her upper arm. If he pushed her too much, she’d run. It wouldn’t matter if he made a deal and she was promised to him or not. No… he had to control himself before that happened, or he’d blow everything. He rubbed his knuckles over her cheek, and she flinched. “Go get dressed for my mama, and I’ll take you there. She can bring you back.” He smiled, but she still looked nervous.
“Okay.” She stood and scurried upstairs. He held the ice to his head and followed her with a deviant gaze. Thankfully, she left before she noticed his erection. Seeing her on her knees in front of him is something he’d obsessed about. Why’d she say the things she did to make him mad? Couldn’t she just love him? He tried to tap down the emotions bubbling up inside him. His hand curled around the packet of ice, and he tapped it against his head, each hit harder than the one before. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
If he didn’t calm himself down now, he’d end up doing something stupid on the way to his mama. His eyes flicked to Carly descending the stairs. He breathed as deep as he could, trying to pull her scent into his lungs. Soon. She’d be all his.
Chapter 8
Drowning
Carly sat motionless, feeling empty inside while Chet’s family selected gowns for her to try on and placed them on a rack in front of her.
“Did you hear me, dear?” Chet’s mom asked.
She pulled her eyes from the spot on the wall and dragged them to her soon to-be mother-in-law. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“Try this one on next. Isn’t it lovely?”
If you like wearing a tablecloth. “Yes, ma’am, it’s purdy.”
“What is wrong with you? You should be smilin’. My son is the biggest catch in this town.”
He’s also the biggest asshole. She refrained from rolling her eyes and took the dress into the fitting room. Slipping into the gown, she thought of Wade. She couldn’t deny the instant feeling of safety she’d felt in his lap this morning, or the fact it disappeared just as quickly when she left the shelter of his arms. She had caused trouble for him, and that weighed heavily on her. She’d intended to fight Chet, until Wade hit him. He has no idea what Chet is capable of in this town.
She stepped out of the room and went to the panorama mirrors. “People won’t know if they should congratulate me, or set a beverage on me.” She turned toward the throat clearing behind her. Shit. She’d said that aloud.
“If you didn’t like it, you should’ve said so.”
“Sorry.”
“Honestly, I have no idea what my son sees in you.”
“I don’t know either, ma’am. Let’s hope he comes to his senses soon.” Carly headed toward the fitting room to try on the next death shroud. Although she was back in front of the mirror in record time, fatigue had slowed her dress-modeling poses. She’d tried on every damn dress in the place, she was sure of it. Looking in the mirror, she tilted her head and stared at the vacant eyes staring back at her, not recognizing the girl in the least. Sure, it was her image, her reflection, but she felt nothing. She couldn’t keep bringing Wade deeper into her hell. She’d already shared too much with him. She’d stay away from him from now on. Closing her eyes, she mentally said goodbye to him. His face formed like a dream in her mind, and his voice rang clear in her ears, Dance like no one’s watching.
“Aw, look. The lucky bride finally smiles. We’ll take that dress.” Chet’s mother turned to the attendant and handed her a credit card.
She sighed. At least this part was over. She was tired and mentally exhausted. The only thing left for the day was the uncomfortable ride home with Chet’s mom. As soon as she pulled into the drive, Carly jumped out of the car. The weight of everything wrapped around her and squeezed like a python. She felt like she was drowning, and no matter how much she fought to keep her head above the water, the town had her legs and was pulling her under. The sooner she could put her head on a pillow, the faster the pounding in her forehead would stop.
* * * *
Carly woke in a cold sweat. She hadn’t dreamt of the night her mother died in a long time. Maybe telling Wade hadn’t been a good idea. “Wade.” She spoke his name in the darkness as if he’d manifest before her, and now she was thinking of him. Why’d she have to say his name? Because he comforts you, her subconscious shot back. Only allowing herself the comfort of his memory while she dressed, she concluded she had to find something to keep her busy and away from him. And he must have felt the same because he looked uneasy every time she got near him.
Carly walked toward the office in the stable, pausing at the archway. When she saw no sign of Wade, she hurried to the door and shut it behind her. A day of paperwork would keep her occupied. Her daddy was a paper hoarder—nothing got thrown away or filed. This left the office in desperate need of organization. As soon as she found the top of the desk, she’d start there. She sifted through the piles of paper. Her fingers came across a white envelope. A red stamp on the front read ‘overdue’. Her brows knitted. She broke the seal and pulled out the contents. How were they behind on their mortgage? Her fingers moved through the piles, digging and filing what she could. She paused after uncovering another envelope with similar markings.
Grasping the mail in her hand, she stood. “How can this be?” She headed toward the house, clutching the pile against her chest as she shut the door with her foot. “Daddy.” She called out for him.
“I’m in the study.”
She rolled her eyes. They didn’t have a damn study. It was another living room he’d closed in and put a door on. Calling it a study just made him feel rich. Carly entered the room, walked up to the desk, and put the envelopes in front of him.
“What’s this?” He asked.
“I was hoping you could tell me.”
He leaned in for a closer look, his expression wavered, and he looked at her with a dismissive gaze. “This is nothin’. Did you make lunch?”
“How far are we behind on our mortgage, Daddy?”
“Carly. I’ve told you time and time again not to snoop in my files.”
“How much, Daddy?”
“You’re talkin’ back to me too much!” He slammed his fist on the desk, his southern accent thickening with his anger. “First the dress thing yesterday, and now this.” He took her by the arm. “You need a couple of days in your room.”
“No, Daddy.” She tugged her arm, and he struggled to hold her the entire way up the stairs. She’d never fought against him this hard. He wasn’t a small man, and as usual the effort was futile. He pulled the keys from his pocket, and tossed her inside the room with one strong arm. After the door slammed in her face, she leaned her forehead against the wood. The click of the lock sealed her confinement.
Carly twirled to her back and slid down the door. The room closed in faster than it ever had before. She pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them. Soon it would be over. She’d see to it, one way or another.
* * * *
Wade walked out on his porch, placed his hands on the rail, and leaned forward. He hadn’t seen Carly all day. A restless feeling set into his bones. Feeling a wave a heat wash over him, Wade looked up. Carly stood at her bedroom window, looking down at him. He smiled, and she stood there like a statue with vacant eyes. She didn’t flip him off, smile, wave—nothing. He found that odd. Well, after the way she’d came to Chet’s aid after he’d decked him, maybe it wasn’t odd. What the hell did he know? This town was one banjo short of Deliverance weird.
He took his phone out of his pocket and walked toward the stable. The faster the day started, the faster it would end. He’d be out of here soon enough.
“Levi, please.” He grabbed a couple of items from the barn and turned back toward the truck. “Hey. What do you know about these people?”
“Why? I hear that sigh; what are you doin’, big brother?”
“Nothin’.” He snapped.
“That doesn’t sound like nothin’. Wade, the last time I went through that little town, it creeped me out.”
“Yeah, well, it’s creepin’ me out right now.”
“Please tell me you’re not breakin’ one of your own rules and gettin’ involved?”
“She’s different.”
“She? Ah, hell, Wade… you don’t get involved, especially with women. Cut it loose, brother, and move on.”
“That’s probably the best advice you’ve given me in a long time.” He chuckled as he opened the truck door. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m gettin’ there.”
“You hang in there.”
“You too, brother.”
Wade flipped the phone shut and rested his arms on the doorframe. He needed information, and knew right where to get it. Pausing before he entered the truck, he looked back at Carly’s window. She still stood there, staring down at him. Damn, he needed to get out of this town.
Chapter 9
Watch Your Back
Three days had passed, and he still hadn’t talked to Carly. Wade stared toward her room as he got in his truck. He had looked at her window so many damn times over the last couple of days, he could tell when a new speck of dirt appeared on the glass. She never appeared, not once. He’d worked his ass off every day since he saw her last to give himself the break he needed today.
He drove the truck toward the diner he’d eaten at, just outside of this funky town when he’d first arrived. His mind played through several scenarios of what could be happening. He shouldn’t get involved. He kept telling himself that, and it worked during the day, but at night, a set of blue eyes haunted his dreams, and he couldn’t shake her from his mind.
Each step into the diner felt heavy. Wade threw his leg over the stool, the same stool he sat in before he’d entered this cluster fuck. To his luck, the same waitress approached him.
“Hello, honey, nice to see ya’ again.” She smiled. “They fire you already?” she asked, tossing a small white napkin on the counter.
“Not yet, ma’am.”
“Now I’ll have none of that, Tracy will do.”
“Tracy it is,” he replied, flashing his signature heart-melting smile. Of course, he’d only heard it melted hearts, so he used it when he needed it. “You live by the West ranch?”
“Oh hell no.” She laughed. “I live far away from that town.”
“What’s wrong with that town?”
She looked around, bringing her pad up to chest level. “You here to eat, cowboy?”
“Yeah…”
She grabbed the menu, handed it to him, and lowered her voice. “You need to get your fine lookin’ ass out of that town.” She made eye contact with him. “What will it be?” she said louder.
“Why is that?” He pulled the menu up and scanned it.
“I heard what you did to that mama’s boy Chet. They’re not gonna like that.” She started writing on her pad. “Did you say tea, honey?”
“Yes, and…” He looked back down. “Who’s they?”
“Chet and her daddy.” She looked back at her pad, “and a burger.”
“Yes please.”
“Give us a few, and I’ll be back.”
She walked away leaving more questions in her wake than answers. What did Carly’s daddy have to do with all this? He’d arranged the marriage, yes, but why did he arrange the marriage with Chet? Anyone can see the two of them go together like water and oil. Was there no one else? Wade went over everything in his head at least ten times. He felt as if he needed a map or a diagram to figure out what was going on.
“Here ya go.” Tracy placed his burger in front of him.
“Thank you. What’s her daddy have to do with it?”
“They play dirty pool to get what they want. You seem like a nice man, just watch your back, and don’t trust any of them.” She smiled and placed a bottle of ketchup in front of him. “Can I get you anything else?”
“What about Carly?”
“Aw, honey, I can’t get you that.” They exchanged a smile. “That poor little thing. She lost her mama when she was eleven. She’s been fightin’ for freedom ever since.” She grabbed his glass of tea and refilled it. “Enjoy your meal.”
“I think I’ll take this to go.” He took the box she retrieved from under the counter, and flattened fifty-five dollars on the counter.”
“I’ll get your change.”
“Keep it.”
“What? I can’t accept that.”
“Pay it forward, sweetheart.” He turned on the stool and left with his mind running at top speed.
His assumptions were right. Something was off. Whatever he’d gotten himself mixed up in, he needed to get the hell out of it. Now. It’d hurt his brother’s future employment opportunities and their business, but in time he could build it back up.
* * * *
Wade made it back to the ranch right at sunset. Carly’s dad walked into the stable heading toward the office when he parked the truck. Just the person he wanted to see. “Mr. West.”
He stopped by the office door. The look he gave Wade wasn’t encouraging.
“I haven’t seen Carly in a couple days, is she okay?”
“What’s it to you?”
“You’re payin’ me to watch after her. I think I should be informed when she’s not going to be around and where she is.” Something was way off and fucked up. He could see it all over the man’s demeanor.
“Come into my office.”
Wade followed him in and shut the door behind them. “Sit.”
“I’ll stand.”
“What you did the other day, punchin’ Chet, put me in a tough spot, and I don’t appreciate bein’ put in situations like that.”
“I was defendin’ your daughter.”
“Well, the way I heard it, she was bein’ difficult.”
“Difficult?” Wade’s expression hardened. “I guess I’d be difficult too if I was marryin’ someone I didn’t want to.”
“W
hat?” Mr. West snapped his gaze to Wade’s Anger lines cut across his forehead, and he grinded his teeth before he spoke. “Did she say that?”
“No. It’s apparent they fit together like two positive ends of a magnet.”
“Humph. You need to mind your business then, and not meddle in people’s affairs. Do what you were hired to do.”
“I think you’re right. Why don’t you give me what you owe me up to today, and I’ll be on my way.”
The man’s laugh raked over Wade, and he eyed him with caution as he opened the desk drawer with a key. He took out a large envelope. “I don’t think so. This job offered no pay.”
“What?”
“You’re workin’ for free.”
What? Levi wouldn’t work free. Wade’s jaw ticked. “It seems you’re holdin’ all the cards, at the moment, so why don’t you fill me in on your little game.”
He removed photos from the envelope and placed them in front of Wade. “Recognize anyone?”
Aw, shit… what had Levi done? There is no way that girl is eighteen. “Photos can be manipulated and deceivin’.” He kept his expression blank.
“I thought you’d say that. You’re the smart one—”
“This doesn’t mean anything. She has her bra and underwear on.”
“This means everything.” West smiled smugly. “This means you’ll finish this job and make sure my daughter doesn’t run, or that little business you’re tryin’ to hold onto is finished. Especially when this hits the papers and your brother goes to jail. Little Amy was only sixteen, and she’s the sheriffs daughter.”
Double fuck. “Anything else?” He clenched his fists at his sides preventing himself from smacking the smugness right off Mr. West’s face.
“Yes. I’m going out of town for a couple days to check on some cattle. Chet may be over to call on Carly. Other than that, she’s to stay in the house.”
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