by Lauren Bach
A frown flitted across Nevin's face. He started to say something else when he spotted Renata. The grin returned. He whistled, his eyes sliding over her more thoroughly than Adam liked.
"Lyle said she was hot but I figured a mama hog would look good after nine months in prison." Nevin's smile widened. "How about the doctor and I go in the bedroom? To, uh, check him out."
"She stays with me." Adam shifted closer to Renata, drawing her to his side with a possessive arm before pressing his lips to her temple. She stiffened, drew a sharp breath. He knew she didn't like it, but staking a claim was the best way to protect her right now.
"We were just getting ready to eat." Adam turned her out of the other man's line of vision. "But I wasn't expecting company."
"It works better that way. Besides, I wanted to see for myself how Lyle was doing."
"You? Or your old man?"
Nevin's jaw tensed. "Me. I'm sure Calvin's already given Willy a full report."
From the bedroom, Lyle called out, his voice weak. "Adam? I need some water."
"I'll get it." Nevin moved to retrieve a glass.
Adam nodded to the tray of food on the counter. "Perhaps you can convince him to eat, too."
Lyle's exclamation of surprise echoed through the cabin, confirming that he hadn't expected to see his brother either.
"Grab your supplies." Adam rushed Renata, wanting to hear as much of the brothers' conversation as possible. Did Nevin's appearance mean they were even closer to being united with Willy?
Lyle was in the master bedroom, a large, well-appointed room. A love seat and chair sat in front of a big screen television equipped with a satellite receiver. A handful of remotes were scattered on the mattress next to Lyle.
Nevin sat sprawled in the love seat, his leg hooked over the arm as he entertained Lyle with stories about their escape. It was similar to what they'd heard from Calvin: more false sightings in New England. Except Nevin gave it a swashbuckling twist.
Lyle started to hand the tray to Renata, his food untouched. "Here. Take this."
"Uh-uh. You gotta eat, bro," Nevin said. "Trust me, you won't get better on that piss-water." He pointed to the bag of saline Renata set on the nightstand.
"Let me take these first." Lyle swallowed two painkillers then picked up the spoon and stirred the stew. "You talked to Pa, lately? He's pretty hot."
Nevin watched his younger brother, nodding in approval when he finally took a bite of food. "Yeah, but it's me he's ticked at, not you. I left Burt and Tristin to deal with him and both of them are ready to kick my ass, too."
Ignoring them as best she could Renata set out her supplies. She had to change the IV, as the site showed signs of infection. She was acutely aware of Nevin watching her. He gave her the creeps. While she hadn't liked Adam's little show of propriety earlier, she wouldn't hesitate to exploit it if it kept the McEdwins at bay.
"I'm done." Lyle shoved his food away and almost immediately fell asleep as the painkillers kicked in.
When Renata removed the bandages, Nevin stood, leaned closer to the bed.
"Gross! It's worse than I thought. He'll survive, right?"
She started cleaning the wound. "I don't know."
"Course he will. He's a McEdwin." Dismissing her, and grabbing the remote, Nevin turned to Adam. "You caught any news lately?"
Adam shook his head. "Just what we could tune in on the car radio."
"Me, too." Nevin flipped channels, pausing frequently. "Here's something." He punched up the volume.
Renata glanced sideways at the television, recognizing the logo for one of the twenty-four hour news stations. The bold graphic read: manhunt.
"The nationwide hunt for two North Carolina escapees intensified today," the reporter said. "The men are believed to be in the Elmira, New York, area after a car they were driving was found abandoned at a shopping mall."
A photograph of the white Buick surrounded by yellow crime scene tape flashed on the screen.
"Sources close to the case said the fugitives are most likely headed toward Canada. Still no word on the missing prison guard or the Durham doctor authorities believe were abducted by the men."
Renata's heart sank. The news that police had indeed tied her disappearance to the men was eclipsed by reports they were headed to Canada. They weren't even warm. She started to turn away when a photograph of Jim Acton appeared on the screen. She hadn't heard anything about her friend since they left the clinic two days ago.
"Also today, formal charges of murder were filed against the fugitives in the shooting of Sheriff's Deputy Jim Acton. Police have vowed to step up efforts to bring these alleged cop killers to justice. Funeral arrangements—"
The roll of tape dropped from Renata's hands. She drew a sharp breath. Murder? "He's ... dead?"
Nevin glanced at her. "They said his funeral is tomorrow. That usually means they're dead."
Renata felt a hand cup her elbow. She looked up, surprised to find Adam right in front of her. For a moment she'd lost attentiveness.
"I'm sorry about your friend."
His words burst the bubble of grief welling inside her, leaving her feeling bitter. Angry. She balled her fist against the urge to strike out.
Very early in medical school, she had learned that illness and injury had no sense of fairness, no sense of right or wrong. Same with death. She accepted that, dealt with it daily. This yearning for revenge, however, was foreign. And she did not like the way it made her feel: fallible. Vulnerable. Guilty.
She narrowed her eyes at the man on the bed. It hurt to see Lyle sleeping peacefully, knowing that back in Durham, the family and friends of Jim Acton mourned. An eye for an eye had never been her credo, but all of a sudden she understood it.
There was now another reason to make sure Lyle lived: to see him brought to justice. She couldn't bring Jim back, but she'd do everything in her power to make sure these men were tried.
"Let me help you finish up," Adam said.
"That's not necessary." Shaking off his hand, she knelt down to search for the tape she dropped.
It had rolled under the bed beyond her reach. She went to stand and caught a glimpse of the adjoining bathroom. Was it her imagination or had the edge of the curtain fluttered slightly? The pale yellow chiffon moved again. An open window.
"Did you find it?" Adam asked.
Brushing off her hands, she climbed to her feet. "I can't reach it. And I'll need a new roll since it's been on the dusty floor."
"Stay here. Nevin and I will get more." Adam reached behind her, collecting the scissors she'd used earlier. "Do you need us to bring back anything else?"
Renata's pulse accelerated as she realized both men were leaving the room. She bent over Lyle and began fastening a bandage using the strips of tape she'd cut before dropping the roll.
"Yes. I need a box of large square pads and a bottle of Betadine solution."
"We'll be right back."
Nevin followed Adam out of the room. As soon as they disappeared she hurried to the bathroom, knowing she didn't have much time. There was no Betadine in the boxes, but she hoped his searching for it gained her a few minutes
The window was slightly ajar. She eyed the opening. It would be tight, but she could squeeze through.
She pushed against the sash, found it raised easily, without the slightest noise. Heartened, she poked her head out and looked down.
"Blast it!" Dismay slapped her as she realized why Adam had not worried about leaving her alone. The cabin was built on a steep slope, which placed the windows at the back of the house nearly two stories up.
She peered out again, tried to see what was below but the shadows were too deep.
Would she let that stop her?
She recalled Adam's warning from when she'd pulled the scalpel on him. Don't hesitate. She had to chance it.
Without pausing, she boosted herself up and swung out the window.
Chapter Ten
Renata clawed the air uselessly
, hitting the ground harder than expected.
Pain exploded in her left ankle. She tumbled backwards, smashing into the woodpile and touching off an avalanche of split oak.
When she finally skidded to a stop, she gulped in air. Each breath fanned a fire in her body. She wanted to scream; knew she couldn't.
Her shirt was shredded, torn; the skin beneath raw and scraped. She pressed her fingertips gingerly along her ribs. They were sore but none were cracked.
Her ankle, though, worried her. It throbbed and was already swelling. She quickly checked for broken bones, moved the joint experimentally. Not broken, but definitely sprained.
Woozy, she climbed to her feet, struggling to remain upright, determined to get away. But when she placed weight on her ankle, pain shot up her left leg. She closed her eyes, fighting a sharp need to cry out.
She hobbled a step or two and had to stop. Damn it! At this rate Adam would catch her before she'd gone ten feet. He wouldn't even need Nevin's help.
Time was running out. Biting her lip, she just went for it. "Remember Jim," she murmured.
A three-quarter moon illuminated the small swath of yard that had been carved from the surrounding dense woods. With her ankle slowing her, she wouldn't make it far in the dark forest. In fact, her only chance of getting help lay in making it to the main highway where she could flag down a car.
She circled toward the front, heading for the road. The cabin remained eerily quiet, making her wonder if they'd even realized she was gone.
The wet ground and thatched undergrowth were hard to navigate but finally she reached the road. She increased her speed, grateful for the mud that muffled the crunch of gravel.
When she looked back seconds later, the cabin was no longer visible. Yes! She was going to make it! She had escaped... alive and relatively unharmed.
Encouraged, she started to turn away. A movement caught her attention.
Adam!
Still twenty yards back, he ran toward her. Panicked, Renata tried to jog, but nearly toppled. She switched to an uneven hop.
At home, she ran four miles daily. In an even match she could probably outmaneuver him. But right now he had the advantage. He wasn't injured and he had Nevin helping. Both men were armed.
Her only chance lay in concealment. She turned toward the woods. A rain-filled ditch paralleled the roadbed. Undaunted, she slogged through it, shocked to find the water nearly waist deep. She struggled to the opposite incline. Grabbing at tangled weeds, she pulled herself up the slippery bank, ignoring the pain.
Clouds scudded over the moon. She welcomed the small break, knew the enhanced darkness would help hide her in the woods. She was almost there.
A strong hand grabbed the back of her shirt.
"Renata, stop!"
"No!" She surged forward. "Let me go!"
Adam tightened his grip, yanking her backwards. The wet fabric of her shirt ripped costing him his hold.
The unexpected momentum of being released made Renata lose her balance. She pitched forward awkwardly, grasping her ruined shirt with one hand as she struggled to regain her footing. Staggering, she leaped away.
He tackled her, hugging her close as they hit the ground and rolled down the embankment toward the ditch. They stopped just short of the water, Adam on top, Renata trapped beneath his large frame.
She sank into the wet ground her scraped side burning. The disappointment over not getting away cut to the bone, crushing her tenuous hold on her temper.
She drew back and punched him. "Let me go, damn you!"
He caught her wrists, yanking them over her head and pinning them.
"Give it up," he shouted hoarsely. "You don't stand a chance against me. You never did."
"And what about my friend? Did Jim have a chance before Lyle shot him?" She looked away, not wanting him to see how close she was to breaking down.
"Nothing I can do will bring your friend back," he said finally. "I'm sorry."
His sincere tone—regret? remorse?—clashed with her image of him as a ruthless criminal. But Adam hadn't pulled the trigger. Lyle had.
"You can do what's right now," she pleaded. "Release me."
"I can't."
Tears of mourning, of frustration, rolled down her cheeks. Once started the sobs were hard to stop.
Adam bent closer, whispering sounds of comfort. No words because he didn't have any. Just soothing noises. He let her cry, using the time to rein in his own emotions. If she had gotten away, alerted police ... his case would have been blown. And he was so damn close to success.
"We have to go back," he said. "Come on."
"No!" With a renewed vigor, she tried one more time to wrestle free.
"Have it your way." He countered by simply letting his full weight ease against her.
Renata yelped as if in pain. Adam eyed her suspiciously. He had underestimated this woman once. He wouldn't do it again. Wary, he rolled to his feet, tugging her with him. He kept his hands vised around her wrists, expecting a trick.
The moon broke free, offering the palest light. Only then did he notice where her shirt was ripped. The front gaped open, revealing a torn lace bra, a bare breast. Blood trickled along her cleavage.
"You're hurt." Loosening his grip, he flicked the torn edge of her shirt up, covering her.
"Leave me alone!" She tried to put weight on her ankle, but swayed, nearly fell.
He steadied her. "Correction: You're hurt bad."
"Good thing I'm a doctor."
"Is it your knee?"
She grimaced. "My ankle."
"Is it broken?"
"Sprained."
Without another word, he scooped her up. "What the—" He shifted his hand lower. "It feels like your side is bleeding, too. I assume you checked for broken ribs?"
"Yes." "You're lucky you didn't kill yourself."
"And deny you the privilege?"
The remark stung. Adam glanced at the cabin, saw Nevin waiting for them on the front porch. He recalled their prior conversation. Nevin had made it clear that his father wanted Renata dead as soon as she was no longer useful. In fact, Adam suspected that was the reason for Nevin's visit. Until he saw how sick Lyle was. And how attractive Renata was.
When Nevin had expressed interest, Adam had declared her off limits, making it clear that her usefulness included serving him. "She's mine to do with as I please. We have a score to settle—she tried to stab me. So I'll get rid of her when I'm ready."
"I've told you, you'll come out of this okay. You have to follow my orders, though." Adam glanced down, saw part of her breast again. "And fix your shirt, damn it! Unless you want him to see."
"Could he be any worse?" She struggled to pull the edges of her shirt and ripped bra together.
"You don't want to know."
They reached the porch. Nevin held the cabin door open. "Hurt yourself, princess?"
His leering grin gave Renata creep bumps, reminded her the worst was yet to come. She fought the tears of self-pity and defeat that prickled her eyes. It was bad enough she'd wept earlier with Adam, but she refused to let Nevin see her cry.
Adam set her on the couch. After removing her shoe, he examined her ankle. It was swollen and bruised.
"Sore?"
"No."
He ran his fingers along the bottom of her foot. She nearly shot off the couch.
"Liar."
"I'll get ice," Nevin volunteered.
"What are you going to do to me?" she asked when they were alone.
"Take care of your injuries."
"That's not what I meant."
"Are you worried I plan to punish you?"
"Yes."
"Looks like you did enough of that already."
"What about him?" Her gaze darted toward the kitchen, where Nevin banged ice cube trays in the sink.
"Keep your guard up around him." Adam looked her directly in the eyes. "He won't touch you as long as you're with me."
"What does that mean—with you?�
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"Literally? I've told him you're mine. Let me check your side." He reached toward her.
Renata hugged her torn clothes to her chest. "It's nothing."
"You're bleeding."
"It's just a scratch."
"Now you sound like him." Adam hooked a thumb toward Lyle's room. Loud snores echoed, confirming that, thanks to the painkillers, Lyle had slept through the entire episode. "He says he's fine, yet he's running a fever and keeps tearing his wound open."
"But—"
"No buts." Adam lifted the side of her shirt and shook his head. "You're current on tetanus?"
"Of course."
"These cuts are packed with grass and dirt. We need to get them clean before they get infected."
He stood and toed off his shoes. She noticed for the first time that his jeans were as ripped and muddy as hers. Her eyes drifted, taking in the wet T-shirt plastered against his chest.
He bent and scooped her into his arms once again just as Nevin walked back in, a plastic bag of ice in one hand.
"Hey! Where are you taking her?"
"The bathroom," Adam said.
"Put me down!" Renata demanded. "I can get there on my own!"
He did not set her down until they were both inside the bathroom down the hall. Then he shut the door and crossed his arms, looking mean and fierce as he towered over her.
"We need to get something straight. I'm the captor. You're the hostage. I give the orders. You follow."
"Or what? You'll shoot me? Beat me up?"
Her response, while not what he wanted didn't surprise him. She wasn't easily intimidated. She viewed her botched escape as a setback, not a defeat.
He eyed the window. They were in a different bathroom, but this window was the same size as the other. And she'd make another break first chance she got.
It was time Adam enforced his point: that they would do things his way from here on out. Stepping back, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor, heard her muffled gasp as she spied his bare chest.
He'd expected it.
It had been a long time since he'd undressed in front of a stranger. A long time since a woman had seen his scars. Knives, acid did horrible things to human flesh. Most women overlooked them, especially after he dropped his pants.
