by Becca Van
“Pull over,” he commanded.
Hailey did what he said, trying to look like she was still afraid. She was going to keep looking meek and frightened until the opportunity she waited for presented itself. He was going to slip up soon. Someone as insane as he was would eventually.
He grabbed hold of her wrist, nearly crushing her bones, and pulled her over the handbrake and center console. She kept the cry of pain contained as the handbrake hit her thigh and dug into her flesh with bruising force. He dragged her from the car, not allowing her to get her feet beneath her. Her knees landed on the gravel road, scraping her skin through her jeans. He pulled her to her feet, then placed the knife point against her throat once more. He climbed over the barbed-wire fence keeping the knife digging into her skin.
Hailey spun and slammed her balled fist into his ear. He didn’t let her go. His grip on her wrist was so strong it was almost inhuman. He pulled her over and through the fence, not caring about the wire tearing through her jeans and her skin. Hailey screamed in pain as the wire ripped into her thigh. His demonic laughter at her pain fed her rage, she held onto it, kept feeding it. She knew she was going to need every single ounce of her anger.
Chapter Eleven
Roman got off the phone and began to wonder where Hailey was, what she was doing. He’d heard her bring a load of her stuff in while he was on the phone, but hadn’t heard her come back. She seemed to have been gone a long time. His gut told him something was dreadfully wrong.
He ran out the back door and over to the bungalow. The front door was wide open and so was the side gate. He walked through the door of the bungalow and knew it was empty, but he still searched looking for signs of his woman. He hurried into the small kitchenette and his knees nearly buckled with fear as he saw a fresh pool of blood on the kitchen counter. He roared so loud, the sound full of fury and fear, it was a wonder he didn’t bring the neighbors running. He pulled his mobile from his pocket and called his brothers using the conference call facility on his phone.
“She’s gone. He kidnapped her right from beneath my nose. Chance since you’re already at the police station, you work there with them. Dillon call Bear, Tony, and Colt and get them to help. I’m going to call Sam, Griffith, and Connor. She’s hurt, guys, I found a pool of blood on the kitchen counter in the bungalow. Keep me informed, I’ll do the same,” Roman demanded. He disconnected the call and dialed the Triple R farm.
“Triple R, Connor speaking.”
“Connor, I need yours, Sam’s, and Griff’s help. That bastard has just kidnapped Hailey. She’s hurt. I found blood on the counter of the bungalow,” Roman ground out through clenched teeth, barely keeping it together.
“Calm down, Roman. I’ll get Sam and Griff together and we’ll start searching. We’ll find her, mate, don’t let your emotions rule you. You know how to plan. Push your emotions to the back of your mind and use that military training you’ve got.”
“Yeah, thanks, Connor. Call me.”
“I will,” Connor replied, before he disconnected the call.
Roman took a couple of deep breaths, held them, and then let them out slowly. He let his military training come to the forefront of his mind. He began to plan but he needed his brothers to work with him. He grabbed his keys and one of Hailey’s T-shirts from the box against the wall, jumped in his truck, and started the engine. Roman headed for the Passion Police station where he knew he would find both of his brothers.
Roman entered the police station to find Dillon and Chance, talking with six other men. Noah, Tom, and Zach Beech, as well as Tony, Colt, and Brandon “Bear” Spencer were standing around in the living room. Roman pushed his way through the men to Bear’s side.
“I’ve brought one of Hailey’s T-shirts. I think it’s been washed since she wore it, but do you think you could do your thing? See if you can find her? Please?” Even Roman heard the anguish in his voice.
“Yeah, but I need to sit down. Come on through to the kitchen.” Bear turned away and headed to the other room.
Roman watched Bear take a seat then he stretched out a hand for Hailey’s shirt.
He took it into his huge hand, closed his eyes, and breathed in and out a few times. He watched Bear closely as he went into a trancelike state. He didn’t even realize he was holding his breath until he opened his mouth to gulp in much needed air. He felt the hair on his nape prickle then ease as he felt a small, cool breeze brush over his skin. Bear opened his eyes, his face leeched of all color. Roman waited impatiently for Bear to come back to himself, to tell him what he had seen, if anything.
“She’s a few hundred meters from the Triple R farmhouse. Noah, call Sam, he has her on Triple R land,” Bear commanded.
“Is she all right, Bear? Is she hurt?” asked Roman.
“She’s alive, Roman,” Bear replied.
“Tell me, Bear. I need to know,” Roman demanded.
“I don’t think…” Bear began.
Roman moved over to Bear and grabbed the front of his shirt in a fist. “I need you to tell me, Bear. So help me, if you don’t I’ll beat it out of you.”
“Roman,” Dillon barked out, as he entered the kitchen. “Get a hold of yourself, mate.”
“Sorry.” Roman let go of Bear’s shirt and backed up with his hands up. He knew he was out of control but he was so scared for Hailey.
“Hey, no problem. Don’t beat yourself up. I’ve been where you are,” Bear replied.
“What did you see, Bear?” Tony asked from behind Dillon.
“She’s alive. She’s determined to escape or die trying. He’s nicked her throat, probably with a knife. She’s got a slash down her thigh.” Bear kept his eyes on Roman.
Roman groaned and his knees buckled slightly. Then by sheer will and determination, he pushed himself upright and then he drew on his military training. The cold, hard, unemotional soldier he could be pulled to the forefront and he shut down all emotion except for the anger which he let consume him.
“Where is she?” Roman asked through clenched teeth.
“About a kilometer from the Triple R farm house. To the west.”
“Let’s go,” Roman yelled over his shoulder as he left the room. He knew his brothers were on his heels.
“Dillon, Sam just called. Connor’s found them,” Noah said as he, Tom, and Zach followed the Roman and his brothers out of the police station.
Roman hopped into the driver’s seat, started the engine, barely waiting for his brothers to get in, and then screamed out of the parking lot, tires spinning and burning rubber. He sped through the town of Passion, screeching around corners as he flew along the roads. What should have taken twenty minutes took half the amount of time. Roman pulled the truck to a halt where Sam and Griffith were waiting for them at the side of the road. Dillon and Chance were out of the truck before it came to a complete stop. Roman wasn’t far behind.
“He’s got her tied to a tree in the middle of the paddock,” Sam said. “She seems to be all right for now, though she is injured. Connor is keeping an eye on him through a rifle scope. There’s not much cover surrounding the area. We’re going to have to be very careful and quiet to get the jump on him. Someone’s going to have to distract him, so we can get close enough to get her out alive.”
“I will,” Roman said as he began to move.
“Roman, wait! Here, take these with you. If you get a chance, use them.” Sam handed over a small revolver and a knife.
Roman tucked the revolver and knife into the back of his jeans waist band. He moved around the trees shielding the paddock from view of the road, climbed the fence, and casually strolled toward Hailey and her kidnapper.
He stopped when he was ten meters away from the man holding his woman captive and didn’t dare look at Hailey, knowing if he did, saw her injured, bleeding, he would lose complete control of his emotions. He couldn’t afford to do that.
“Oh good. Someone else has come to play. What’s your name?”
“Roman.”
<
br /> “Roman, ha ha. What sort of name is that?”
“What’s your name?” Roman asked in a calm voice. He knew by the way the man sung his words he was insane.
“You mean my adopted sister hasn’t told you? I thought you were smarter than that, Hailey. Tell him my name, my little whore.”
“David,” Hailey answered in a quiet voice.
“No, no, no, Hailey. Tell him my full name. I like people to know who their dealing with.”
“David Andrew Martel,” Hailey gasped. Roman could feel her eyes on him, practically willing him to look at her but couldn’t do that just yet.
“Well, David Andrew Martel, it seems as if we’re at an impasse. I’m not leaving without Hailey. I suggest you let her go now, so you don’t get hurt,” Roman said in a calm voice, but inside he wasn’t calm at all. He was filled with rage.
“Now, that’s where you’re wrong. It’s not me that’s going to get hurt. No, no, no, not me. You’re going to be crawling at my feet by the time I’ve finished with you. Oh yes, hee hee. Yes, you will. Come closer Rome, Rome, Roman. I want you down on your knees. Now,” David demanded.
* * * *
Roman didn’t move fast enough for David’s liking. He should have done what he was told as soon as he told him to. Yes, he should. David moved up beside Hailey. He put the point of the knife to the side of her neck and began pushing. He wasn’t ready to end her life yet. He really did not want to kill Hailey, but he would if he had to. The voices kept telling him what to do. He wished they’d leave him alone. He was sick and tired of listening to them. They were drowning him, making him lose himself.
* * * *
Roman didn’t take his eyes from David, but did what the madman wanted him to. He slowly sank to his knees as he waited for the opportunity to get David away from Hailey. He only needed an instant in time so he could gain the upper hand, take control of the situation.
David pulled the knife away from Hailey’s neck, turned and pointed it at Roman. “Why did you have to come and spoil my fun? Hee hee. I’m so clever. I can rhyme my words. That makes you a nerd.”
Roman hoped David kept talking to himself as he kept his eyes on him. He had seen movement behind the tree Hailey was tethered to. The last thing he needed now was for David to see whoever was creeping up behind him.
“Why do you need Hailey, David?” Roman asked.
“Why? How dare you ask me why! It’s none of your damn business. Hailey, Hailey, do the dishes, girl. Hailey, Hailey, wash the floor. Hailey, Hailey, I’m sick of your name. They never had any time for me. All they ever did was call Hailey, Hailey,” David spat.
It looked like he was fighting an internal battle of some kind. Roman needed David to move to the side of the tree. At the moment he was standing too close. He needed to give Connor the opportunity to get off a shot.
“Why did they like Hailey better than you, David?” Roman didn’t really like goading David, but he needed keep him distracted so that they could get to Hailey. He knew there was no way to reason with a madman.
“They did not,” screamed David. “They loved me. Yes, they did. You don’t know what you’re talking about. You weren’t there.”
“So tell me,” Roman demanded.
“Why should I tell you? No, no, no,” David screamed as he held one hand to the side of his head. “Get out and leave me alone.”
“They only liked Hailey because she did everything they told her too. Didn’t they, David? How could they like Hailey over you when she wasn’t even their daughter? They gave Hailey more attention than you,” Roman goaded again, hoping David would lose what little control he had left.
“No,” David screamed as he charged Roman, knife raised in his hand ready to strike. The gunshot echoed through the air. David fell in front of Roman. He screamed in pain and writhed on the ground, blood seeping from the wound to his hand.
Roman was on his feet and at Hailey’s side in an instant. He didn’t remember picking up the knife as he ran to Hailey but was glad to find it in his hand, and then he and Connor cut the rope from around her body. He was only vaguely aware of men rushing to David and cuffing him. All his concentration was on Hailey. He caught her as her body crumpled into his arms and he went down on his knees. Roman knew he needed to see to her injuries, he couldn’t seem to make himself move. He cradled Hailey’s upper body in his arms, while Connor cut Hailey’s jeans away from her injured thigh.
“Oh God, Hailey. I’m so sorry, sugar. I shouldn’t have let him get to you. Hailey wake up. Please, don’t die on me, on us. We’ve only just found you. We bought the farm for you, baby. We want to marry you, have babies with you. Hailey, please wake up, sugar,” Roman pleaded, aware of the tears rolling down his cheeks but not caring who saw them. All that mattered was Hailey and he was scared they were going to lose her.
Men came from everywhere. Dillon and Chance had to literally pull Roman away from Hailey, so the paramedics on standby could work on her injuries. The cuts on her neck were superficial but the slash on her thigh looked bad. She had lost a lot of blood. The paramedics set up a drip, wrapped her wounded thigh and took off at a run with Hailey still unconscious, on the stretcher. They had her in the back of the ambulance and on the way to the hospital in moments. He was barely aware of the police taking David away.
Dillon took hold of Roman and hugged him, grabbed him by the shirt and shook him. “Get it together, mate. None of this is your fault. Come on, Roman, we need to get to the hospital. We don’t want Hailey waking up without us.”
Chapter Twelve
Everyone arrived at the hospital within moments of each other. Roman was the first person through the door to the emergency room. He walked over to the nurses’ station and asked about Hailey.
“Excuse me. I want to know any information you can give me regarding Hailey Wood, please.”
“You are?” asked the nurse.
“I’m Roman Bartram, her fiancé.” I hope to God she agrees to marry us when we ask her. Telling the doctor that he was fiancé would hopefully get him and his brothers in to see her faster. “How is she?”
“The doctors are still working on your fiancée, Mr. Bartram, please take a seat. The doctor will be with you as soon as he can,” the nurse replied.
Roman was too wired to sit down. He paced the waiting room in agitation. He wouldn’t be able to calm down until he knew Hailey was going to be all right. Someone handed him a cup of coffee. He sipped at it, not really tasting it. It could have been poison for all the notice he took. They waited for a long time. Roman’s patience was at an end. He was just about to burst through the emergency room doors as they opened.
“Are you with Hailey Wood?” asked the female doctor.
“Yes. I’m Roman Bartram, Hailey’s fiancé.” Roman held a hand out in greeting.
“I’m Doctor Olivia Wright. Hailey is going to be fine. It will take a while before she is back on her feet. I want to keep her in overnight. We’ve had to give her quite a bit of blood to replace what she lost, as well as saline solution to rehydrate her. The slash in her leg was pretty nasty, but I was able to repair it. She should be able to walk on it by tomorrow but only for short periods of time. She’s going to feel very tired as a result of her blood loss and trauma.”
“Thanks, Doctor Wright, I appreciate everything you’ve done for Hailey.” Roman swallowed around the lump in his throat.
“Just doing my job. I expect you’d like to see her? If you’d like to follow me, I’ll take you to her.”
“Doctor, my brothers are also Hailey’s fiancés. Is it all right if they come, too?” asked Roman.
“Sure,” Doctor Wright answered without batting her eye at what Roman had just said. “Please, call me Olivia.”
Roman, Dillon, and Chance entered the cubicle in the recovery room. They stood around the bed their woman was lying in. She looked so pale and defenseless. Roman pulled a chair up close to the bed, sat down, and gently took her hand in his, being careful not to touch t
he IV in the back of her hand. Dillon sat on the end of the bed, whilst Chance sat down in a chair on the other side of the bed.
“She should wake soon. Don’t let the fact that she is still asleep bother you. She’s been through a trauma and her body needs to recuperate. Talk to her. I’ll leave you to it.” Olivia smiled and then left.
Roman smoothed his thumb on the inside of Hailey’s wrist as he listened to Chance talk to her.
“You scared the shit out of us, honey. I love you, Hailey. We have a surprise for you. We can’t wait to show you what it is,” Chance said, his voice full of emotion.
“Listen to us, sweetheart. We’re allowed to take you home tomorrow, but you need to rest up first. I love you, Hailey,” Dillon declared in a husky voice.
“Hailey, I’m so sorry I didn’t know your nightmare was near. If I hadn’t been on the phone, I could have prevented you from being kidnapped and hurt. I’ll never be able to forgive myself, sweetheart. I love you so much, Hailey.” Roman gulped around the lump in his throat as he tried to blink his tears away.
* * * *
Hailey could hear her men talking to her. She struggled through the layers of fog, reaching for the surface of her mind. She knew she was safe with her men surrounding her. She wanted to reach out, hang on to the sound of their voices, and open her eyes, but she could feel lethargy pulling her back down into the black abyss. No, she couldn’t give up. She had to keep fighting. She needed to feel the arms of her men around her. She loved them so much.
Hailey used all her strength until she could feel them touching her. She sighed with relief, finally knowing she’d won another battle. Her eyelids fluttered, and light pierced through her retinas. She ignored the throbbing pain in her leg as she pushed through the final layer of fog to see the faces of the men she loved with her whole heart.
