Melanie’s chest ached.
Gabe had told her before that he hadn’t wanted to raise another family, that raising his brothers and Cara had been enough for him. She knew he cared for her, that he wanted to help her, but was it just his instinctive protective nature to help a woman in trouble, or was it more? There was a strong physical bond between them, but he’d said nothing about love, certainly nothing about marriage.
Was she a fool to hope?
But even more immediate, was he right about her staying here? Was it time to stop running? Was it possible that here, with Gabe, and the support of the Sinclairs and Shawnessys, that she and Kevin might have a future? A future that included Gabe?
She desperately wanted to believe that, but they didn’t know Vincent, didn’t know what the man was capable of doing to them.
Her head hurt. She’d been so certain of what she had to do, so absolutely positive. And now the indecision was clawing at her insides, shredding away her confidence. She didn’t know anymore. She simply didn’t know.
With a heavy sigh, she rubbed her throbbing temple, then started downstairs to find her son. Maybe just looking at him, or holding him in her arms would help her decide.
Her footsteps echoed in the empty house as she made her way down the stairs. She’d miss this house, with its smooth oak hardwood floors, high beveled ceilings and open sunny kitchen. Her fingers slid over the polished oak banister. She could picture pine garland draped over the railing, decorated with big red holiday bows. She could even smell a turkey roasting, hear the sounds of caroling as snow fell silently outside.
Dreaming of snowmen and sleigh rides, she walked into the kitchen in search of her son.
That’s when the dream ended and the nightmare began.
Vincent Drake sat at the kitchen table holding Kevin on his lap.
“You gonna drink that beer, or just stare it down with that ugly scowl on your face until it jumps in your mouth?”
Gabe turned the ugly scowl Reese was referring to on his brother. “If you’re counting on tips for your clever wit, little brother, you’re gonna starve to death.”
“Everyone knows Reese flunked the Tavern Keeper’s School of Comedy,” Callan chimed in, keeping his eyes locked on the ball game on the overhead television. “Bring your infield closer, Johnson, he’s gonna bunt. There he goes!” Callan slapped the counter and coffee sloshed out of the cup in his hands. “Told you!”
Reese grabbed a fluffy white bar towel and wiped the glossy oak countertop until it shone. “I’m gonna starve to death just giving my brothers’ free beer and coffee. And I sure as hell would starve if I counted on you all for tips.”
“Didn’t I tell you not to date Julie Hecker? That’s one hell of a tip, if you ask me.” Lucian was working on his second cup of strong, black coffee and his eyes were just beginning to clear. “Besides, you wiped me out last night with that damn straight flush. You are one lucky bastard.”
“That’s what all the women say.” Callan sipped his coffee. “Only without the lucky part.”
“Sydney Taylor would agree with that,” Lucian said dryly. “She flew in here last night spitting nails ’cause Boomer was digging in her vegetable garden. Said if Reese didn’t keep that mutt of his locked up, she’d tie him up and put a muzzle on him.”
“Reese?” Ian asked when he came back from using the phone in Reese’s office. “Or the dog?”
“That would probably be the only way Sydney could get a man.” Lucian reached for a slice of orange that Reese was cutting up. “She’s not hard to look at, but she could sculpt ice with that tongue of hers. It oughta get real interesting around here when she opens that fancy French restaurant across the street.”
“I can handle Sydney.” Reese took a bite of orange and wiggled his brows. “But can she handle me?”
Shaking his head at their foolishness, Gabe glanced at his watch for what had to be the tenth time already since he’d sat down. He’d told himself he would give Melanie an hour alone to think. Only twenty minutes had passed. His hand tightened on the beer he had yet to even taste.
“Looks like Reese isn’t the only one with female problems,” Lucian said with a grin. “What’s the matter, bro? Did Melanie send you packing?”
Lucian’s comment hit a little too close for comfort. Gabe made a rude comment to Lucian, which only raised eyebrows and garnered attention all around.
“Someone’s after her, dammit,” he blurted out suddenly, though he hadn’t meant to. “Some slime named Vincent Drake who enjoys hurting people and scaring children. I may have made it possible for him to find her.”
His brothers all went still. Their grins slowly faded. Gabe glanced at Ian, who shrugged, then said, “They’ll know soon enough. You might as well tell them everything.”
He took a deep breath and then he did, starting with everything that Ian’s investigation had turned up, plus what Melanie had told him. By the time he’d finished, Lucian, Reese and Callan all stood stiff and grim, their expressions dark and fierce.
“Just let that bastard take one step in this town,” Lucian said with deadly calm. “No one messes with a Sinclair woman.”
A Sinclair woman. That’s exactly what Melanie was, Gabe decided. A Sinclair woman.
His woman.
He’d never felt this way toward any woman before, never felt this fierce, savage need to protect, to take care of. Not just for the moment, not just for next week, but forever. The realization hit him like a lumberjack’s fist.
He didn’t just care about her, and it sure as hell wasn’t just sex. He loved her. Her and Kevin both.
“You okay?” Reese leaned over the counter and waved a hand in front of his face.
“Yeah, sure.” He scrubbed a hand over his bristled face. “Fine.”
“Afternoon, boys.” Cherry Barnes set three plates of mile-high turkey sandwiches and hot French fries on the bar. Cherry, a perky redhead with a showgirl’s body, had been working extra hours on the weekends for Reese, trying to save enough money so she could head for the bright lights of Vegas. “Hey, you talkin’ about that pretty brunette staying out at the Witherspoon house? The one with the cute little blond kid that Gabe brought here last week? What a coincidence!”
Cherry suddenly had the attention of every male surrounding her, a fact that she dearly loved.
“Why is it a coincidence?” Gabe asked carefully.
“Well,” Cherry breathed excitedly, “her brother was in here earlier for some breakfast and coffee, said that he was on his way out to see her and her kid, but he’d gotten a little lost and needed directions.”
With a rough oath, Gabe flew off his seat, knocking the bar stool onto the floor. Cherry squeaked, then jumped out of the way as the five men moved as a solid unit toward the exit.
“We’ll take the van,” Ian said tightly. “We can work up a plan on the way there. We can be there in ten minutes.”
“I’m going to take my truck and come up from behind the house.” Gabe looked at Ian. “Have you got a gun?”
Ian yanked his keys out of his pocket, then unlocked a hidden compartment under the driver’s seat. Even though Ian no longer worked for the government, a man never knew when his past might tap him on the shoulder. He pulled out a .22 and handed it to Gabe.
“Don’t let him see your van.” Gabe took the gun, checked the safety, then shoved it into the waistband of his jeans. He looked at Ian and his brothers. “If one of you finds him first, save him for me. Vincent Drake is mine,” Gabe said fiercely, then jumped into his truck and spun gravel from the rear wheels as he roared off.
Dammit, dammit, dammit! He never should have left her alone, no matter what she’d said or wanted.
Hang on, Melanie, he said over and over as he turned the next corner on two wheels. If anything happened to her or Kevin, Gabe knew he couldn’t bear it.
Vincent Drake was a dead man.
Cold terror settled over Melanie as she stared at Vincent holding her son.
No, no, no! she screamed silently, but her throat had closed up and simply refused to work.
Dressed in a black T-shirt, black blazer and slacks, Vincent looked like the devil himself.
“Mommy!” Kevin tried to jump off Vincent’s lap, but the man’s beefy arms held him still.
“Hey, we’re buddies, remember?” Vincent hugged Kevin tighter and stroked the top of his head. “Didn’t I promise you a new video game when we go back home?”
“I don’t wanna go back!” Kevin jerked his head away, then thrust his lower lip out in an angry pout. “I like it here.”
Melanie choked back a sob, watched helplessly as Vincent continued to stroke the top of her son’s head.
“Don’t!” Melanie managed to find her voice somehow, though even the single word felt like sandpaper in her throat. “Don’t you touch him.”
“Melissa, Melissa.” Vincent sighed heavily, shook his head at her as if she were a recalcitrant child. “Is that any way to speak to an old friend?”
“You are not my friend,” she snarled through her teeth, praying that her knees wouldn’t give out on her.
“Of course I am.” Vincent smiled, and the evil in his black eyes closed over her like a spiderweb. “And soon, Melissa, my dear, we are going to be the very best of friends. Close, intimate friends.”
Oh dear Lord. Her blood turned to ice at his threat. He would punish her that way, she knew he would. He’d always looked at her that way, but she knew he’d never gone that far before because Louise had never given permission. But he wouldn’t ask permission this time. He was out of control, angry. She could see it in his eyes. And he’d make her pay.
She couldn’t think about that, she couldn’t. If she did, she’d never find the strength to fight him.
And she would fight him. This time, she would fight him with everything she had. She’d made that decision before he’d even found her, though she hadn’t realized it until this very minute. She wouldn’t run anymore, wouldn’t live her life always looking over her shoulder, wondering when the devil would be knocking at her door.
He was knocking now, Melanie knew, and she would face him down.
No matter what it took, no matter what she had to do, this time she would not give in. She’d be strong not only for herself and for her son, but for Gabe. Her love for him made her stronger than she’d ever been before.
“How did you find us?” she managed to ask, and was surprised that her voice wasn’t shaking like her insides.
“I will say that you certainly made it interesting this time.” He gave an amused chuckle, then his smile slowly faded. “I was too easy on you before, Melissa. I’m afraid you didn’t take me seriously. This time you will, believe me.”
“But how did you find us?” she asked again. If nothing else, Melanie thought, she would buy time, try to keep him talking. Maybe, just maybe, Gabe would come back, though the thought that he would return also terrified her. How could she live with herself if Vincent hurt Gabe?
Vincent frowned with impatience. “Well, now, I can’t exactly go around giving away my secrets, now can I? Let’s just say that the right amount of money to the right people gets the job done. It cost me big time, Melissa,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “And I’m afraid it’s going to cost you, too. You have five minutes to get your things together. There’s a plane waiting for us at the airport.”
She’d have to do this herself, she realized. Somehow she’d fight this man, and she would win. She had to.
“You need to leave.” Where it came from she didn’t know, but even with the fear pounding in her temples, Melanie found the strength to defy him. “I’m not alone anymore, Vincent. I have friends here. They won’t let you take me and Kevin back.”
“Ah, yes, your friends.” Vincent nodded slowly. “You know, it simply amazes me how friendly the people in small towns are, how talkative. I know all about your ‘friends,’ Melissa, dear. You and this fellow—what’s his name—Gabe Sinclair? According to a cute little redhead over at the tavern in town, well, you two are quite close. I wouldn’t normally believe gossip like that, but I saw him come out of here this morning and sure enough, the rumor appears to be true.”
Vincent’s left eye twitched, and his smile was cold. “I also heard that his sister has been quite helpful to you, and that she’s expecting her first child. Such a delicate time for a woman, isn’t it?”
Melanie’s heart stopped, then slammed against her ribs. He would do something horrible like that, she thought wildly. Hurt Cara or anyone else who got in his way.
Black fury twisted Melanie’s stomach. Never before had she wished someone dead, not even when Vincent had hurt Paul, then forced her to come back to Louise. But she wished that now for Vincent, wished him to hell for all he’d done.
Her anger gave her a strength she didn’t know she had. Vincent didn’t know the Sinclairs and the Shawnessys, what they were like, how strong they were, how united. Vincent thought he was untouchable, but he was far from it. If he threatened Cara, touched one hair on her head, justice would be swift and hard, without mercy.
And somehow, in her heart, she knew that they would do the same for her and Kevin. They’d taken her into their family, and they would take care of her and her son as they would one of their own.
And then, sitting next to all the food that Gabe had taken out earlier, Melanie spotted the knife.
Her gaze flicked back to Vincent, and a steady calm came over her, a quiet knowledge that he wouldn’t win this time. She smiled, was amazed that her legs managed to take her across the kitchen until she stood beside him, was even more amazed that she was able to touch him without wincing.
She slid her fingers up his arm, felt the solid muscle of his shoulders. He was stronger than her, bigger than her, but it didn’t matter. She wasn’t afraid of him anymore, refused to let this coward ever intimidate her again.
Surprised by Melanie’s abrupt change, Vincent didn’t even try to stop Kevin when he reached for his mother. Calmly she took her son in her arms, then set him down on the floor.
“Kevin, you take your twirlybird and go play outside while I talk to Vincent.” Melanie kept her gaze on the man, prayed that the look she gave him was as seductive as she meant it to be. “I’ll come get you in a little while.”
Kevin narrowed his eyes at Vincent, then looked back at his mother with uncertainty.
“It’s all right, sweetie.” Melanie smoothed a hand over her son’s head. “We won’t be long.”
Kevin snatched his toy off the table, gave Vincent another furious look, then ran out the back door. She gave a silent prayer of thanks that he’d minded her, then turned her attention back to Vincent. The expression in his eyes was wary, but she saw the interest there as well. What she knew she had to do repulsed her, but she would do anything to protect her son and gain back the life that she rightfully deserved.
“I’m actually glad you found us, you know.” She ran her fingers over Vincent’s scalp, and the slick, oily feel of his hair made bile rise in her throat. “It all seemed like such a grand game, me disappearing, then you pursuing. Always the anticipation, wondering if this would be the day you would find us.”
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but she could see she had his attention. Leaning in close, she whispered breathlessly in his ear. “It excites me, Vincent. Living with Phillip, then Louise, life couldn’t get much more boring than that. And then you came along, a handsome, strong man—” she struggled not to choke “—and I saw the chance for a little fun, some thrills.”
The lust in his eyes darkened, but the suspicion was still there. He grabbed hold of her wrist and jerked it roughly behind her back, bringing her body closer to his. “You really think I’m stupid enough to believe that?”
She could hardly answer that question truthfully. Though every instinct in her screamed to move away from him, she leaned against him and smiled. “I’m sick of being at Louise’s beck and call, just like you must be. You’re not a yes-ma
n, Vincent. You’re not the kind of man who lets a woman tell him what to do. I admire that kind of strength in a man.”
He hadn’t released her, but his grip loosened. “I am sick of that old broad telling me what to do. But she pays me enough to take it for now.” With his free hand he reached up and grabbed her breast. “What have you got to offer?”
She bit the inside of her mouth to distract herself from the repulsion coursing through her. She arched into him, as if she enjoyed his groping, disgusting touch.
“I hoarded close to a half million dollars away in all the years I was married to Phillip. The Van Camps are so rich, and so stupid, they never even noticed. We don’t have to go back. You and me and Kevin, we can all just disappear. You’re smart enough to do that. I’ve just been waiting for you to find me. I’m tired of this hick town. Let’s go to New York or Chicago. Have a good time.” She pulled her wrist from his hold and moved behind him, sliding her hands over his shoulders, then said huskily, “A real good time.”
He stood suddenly, turned and reached for her. Smiling, she jumped back and put up a hand for him to stop while she reached for the top buttons on her blouse. His gaze fell greedily on her exposed skin as he advanced. She forced a giggle, still unbuttoning her blouse, praying that he’d keep his attention on her breasts.
She backed against the kitchen counter, had three buttons open when she reached behind her and grabbed the knife lying there and swung it around in front of her.
Vincent froze, then smiled slowly. “I knew you were up to something, you little bitch. But it doesn’t matter. We’ll have a little ‘fun’ here, just like you wanted. Only I think the fun’s going to be all mine.” He moved closer, his lips curling into a sneer. “Do you really think that little knife is going to stop me?”
She waved the knife furiously, watching as his eyes followed the blade. “Actually, no,” she said evenly. “But I think this will.”
She kicked out furiously, glad that she was wearing heavy boots. She made a hard, direct connection with his groin, and he crumpled like an aluminum can.
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