by Peyton Banks
Something was wrong.
She swallowed hard and stood her ground as Dallas slowly made his way to her. Her gaze locked with his, and she refused to budge until he told her what she wanted to know.
“I didn’t want to tell you this way, Candi,” he murmured, resting his hands on her shoulders.
She breathed in his scent and immediately realized her heart rate was slowing. She closed the gap between them and allowed him to pull her to him.
Here in his arms, she was safe.
“Tell me what?” Her voice was muffled against his chest. She didn’t care what Tanner may be thinking. Coming from upstairs and dressed in Dallas’s shirt probably confirmed anything he may have assumed.
He gently pulled her head back and met her gaze. “Lamont is out of prison.”
Everything came to a screeching halt.
The air escaped her lungs.
Her heart no longer beat.
Her knees grew weak, but Dallas’s strong grip held her up.
“What?” Her voice ended on a squeak. Her gaze flickered between Tanner and Dallas.
Shame washed over her at the thought that they might now know all what Lamont had done to her.
“Don’t worry. He can’t—I will not let him— touch you,” Dallas growled. He gripped her tight to him. “Look at me,” he demanded.
Her body trembled with stark fear. His messages on the phone from jail hadn’t been idle threats. If Lamont was out of prison, she knew without a doubt he was going to come for her.
Without. A. Doubt.
She dragged her eyes up and met Dallas’s fierce gaze. Gone was the loving man who had tucked her in the bed so she could rest.
“Dallas, I—”
“I promise you. He will not come near you.”
She hesitated.
The sound of a chair scraping against the floor broke the tension between them. Tanner came to stand next to them.
“He’s right, Candi. We are not going to let the asshat near you.”
“My ex is deranged. He’d call me collect from prison—”
“Saying what?” Dallas cut her off. His scowl grew deeper, showcasing his displeasure.
“You accepted his calls?” Tanner snorted. He folded his arms in front of his chest.
“No, I didn’t. He’d state his message when it asked for the caller’s name,” she explained. She hadn’t spoken to Lamont since the trial.
“So he’s been intimidating you from prison,” Dallas bit out. The dark fury on his face was infamous around the bar. Most patrons wouldn’t try anything funny when Dallas was there.
Tanner’s expression of determination and Dallas’s deep scowl forced her to take a step back.
“Look, I don’t want anyone to get hurt. Lamont is a very dangerous man. He was not the same man I married. When he went to prison, it was a relief. I could get my life back.” She blew out a breath and tucked her thick hair behind her ear.
The first day she had returned to the house she’d shared with her ex-husband. She’d walked through it and knew if she were to start over, she’d have to leave the house. It was filled with so many bad memories. There was no way she’d be able to stay there. She’d packed a bag and left.
“Do you trust me?” Dallas’s words broke through her thoughts.
She jerked her head up and down without a thought. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind of Dallas’s ability to protect her.
“Then know I will handle this. I have to go into the station for a little. You will be safe here. I won’t be gone long.” Dallas stepped forward and ran both of his hands along her biceps. “When I return, you and I will need to have a talk.”
Candi was sure that conversation would include plans for a future for them.
In the back of her mind, the tiny voice was screaming for her to disappear. She couldn’t ignore it any longer.
That would be the only way innocent people wouldn’t get hurt.
A soft smile graced her lips. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Candi waited for Dallas and Tanner to leave. She’d played the part, giving Dallas one last, long kiss. His heated gaze had met hers, and she knew what it would mean once he returned.
His hardness pressing against her stomach had confirmed it.
But she wouldn’t be there when he returned.
He’d left, shutting the door behind him.
She slowly made her way to his bedroom with her heart breaking.
Within minutes, she’d thrown on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and flats.
Each motion of readying herself to leave tore at her. She held back the tears that threatened to fall.
She had to be strong.
Candi had known this day was going to come. Unfortunately, it had come earlier than she’d expected. There was no way she’d be safe in the same city as Lamont—much less the same state.
Once she got to a remote location, she’d call Kay to let her know she was unharmed. Her friend would be worried out of her mind, but for now it would be best that Kay didn’t know what Candi was planning.
She’d tried to stop Candi from leaving.
Life just kept throwing her curveballs.
She hadn’t expected to meet Dallas.
He’d given her so much in their short time.
And now, it was going to be taken away.
She’d cherish every kiss, touch, and feeling of security.
Dallas had made her feel desired.
Like a woman should feel.
Candi would hold on to all of those feelings. There was no telling where she’d end up. She had saved up enough money to last her a few months until she could settle and find new employment.
Stepping in front of his bathroom mirror, she brushed her hair up into a ponytail. She cringed at her reflection. Her eyes were red from holding back the waterworks.
There was no time to wonder why she hadn’t been notified of Lamont’s release.
At this point, she just had to leave.
Stalking from the bathroom, she tossed the brush into her duffle bag next to her stuffed bear. She paused her hand on the zipper and looked around one last time at Dallas’s bedroom.
A cry escaped her lips. Her sight blurred from the tears bursting through. They slid down her cheeks and burned a warm trail along her face. Her knees gave way, and she fell to the floor, resting her face on the bed.
Her body shook with sobs.
Life was unfair.
She dug her hands into the blanket while the years of pent-up pain were released.
Pull yourself together, girl.
She lifted her head and wiped her face.
There was no time for crying.
Standing from the floor, she mentally composed herself.
With a deep sigh, she grabbed her bag and left the room.
Candi tried not to glance around Dallas’s home. It would make it harder for her to leave. She didn’t want to look at the pictures he had on display. She didn’t want to see him with his family or friends.
Her heart was already breaking.
With her out of the way, Dallas would have a chance at finding love with a woman who didn’t have an ex-husband wanting to kill her.
Next time, Candi knew without a doubt Lamont would.
The memory of his hard gaze directed at her in the courtroom sent a chill down her spine.
She snatched her purse from the couch and reached for her cell phone. Having watched tons of detective TV shows, she turned it off. She didn’t have time to buy a new one now but didn’t want them to be able to track her whereabouts.
Dallas would track her.
He wouldn’t give up on her.
But in order for her to make sure Lamont didn’t harm him, she’d have to leave him.
Glancing down at her watch, she released a curse. If she hurried, she’d be able to take the next bus out of Vegas.
Candi rushed to the front door. She rested her hand on the knob and gave in to temptation. She glanced around at Dallas
’s home, memorizing it.
Even though he was a tough-as-nails former Marine and cop, he had created something she had yearned for.
A home.
Blowing out a deep breath, she opened the door and froze in place.
The blood in her veins chilled.
“Hello, wife.”
Lamont stood before her. He appeared to be larger than the last time she’d seen him. His prison muscles were highlighted by his close-fitting shirt and jeans. He appeared fresh from the barbershop with his beard and hair lined perfectly. His dark-mocha skin was flawless and had always drawn the women in.
Herself included, back in the past.
“Lamont,” she breathed.
His gaze dropped down to her bags before flickering back up to her. “Going somewhere?”
Candi moved to slam the door shut, but Lamont pushed it open with little effort.
She turned on her heel to run but was snatched back by Lamont’s strong grip. He slammed her against the wall and pressed his body close to hers.
“Please, let me go,” she whimpered.
He snarled, his hand settling on her neck, and leaned in close to her. His obscure eyes were menacing and full of rage. “I told you that piece of paper meant nothing to me. You are my wife.”
He tightened his grip on her, making it hard for her to breathe.
“Lamont,” she wheezed, clawing at his hand with hers.
“Imagine my surprise when my man tells me that you’ve spread your fucking legs for another man. A fucking cop,” he growled. Pulling her from the wall, he held her by her neck and forced her to walk toward the front door. “You, my dear wife, will pay for all of your deceit.”
13
Dallas stood inside his house with blind rage clamoring to get out.
He’d been gone not even an hour before a call had come in at the station of a woman being kidnapped against her will.
The pit of his stomach dropped out when the address was revealed to be his.
Cops swarmed his quiet neighborhood. His neighbor, Agnes, the nosy old woman who lived across the street, was currently speaking with detectives.
He had yet to move from the foyer. On the floor was evidence that was marked and flagged for the investigation.
What bothered him the most was the sight of Candi’s duffle bag.
She hadn’t trusted that he would have been able to protect her.
From the signs in front of him, she was going to leave.
He clenched his fist tight.
He’d failed again.
I’m not going anywhere.
Candi’s voice echoed in his mind. Her lips had curved up into a small smile. At the time, he’d noticed the smile hadn’t reached her eyes. He had ignored the warnings and assumed it was her being tired.
“I was about to take my dog out for a walk and I saw everything. The way the large man slammed her against the wall, I feared for her life,” Agnes said.
Dallas ground his teeth together.
He ran a hand along his face and turned, stepping out onto the porch. He paused in place, watching Captain Jarvis come to a halt at the bottom of the stairs.
“Sorry to hear about your woman, McNeil. We have the entire force looking for them. Your neighbor’s description of the man who took Ms. Jennings matches the description of her ex-husband.” The captain’s eyes remained on Dallas while he slowly came down the stairs.
“He’s a very dangerous man, Captain,” Dallas growled. At the precinct, Dallas had spoken with the arresting officers at the time. They’d been only too helpful when he’d explained he was working with Candi. They’d agreed that Lamont would go after her.
Apparently, Lamont had made his way up in a very powerful gang and held rank. Him going to prison did nothing but give him a better connection with the gang members serving time. He’d been promoted higher while locked away.
His rap sheet read everything from drug trafficking to bribery and extortion.
Now kidnapping would be included.
Dallas just prayed that murder wouldn’t be added tonight.
There was no telling what Lamont would do to Candi.
“We have SWAT on standby. They are ready to go after him. The FBI should be here soon as well. We will handle this. We’ll bring her home safe.” The captain turned, walking away toward his vehicle.
The front yard was full of investigators and cops. Neighbors lined the street in front of their yards, watching the melee. It was a complete circus.
“Captain,” Dallas called out.
Jarvis paused and spun back to him.
Dallas strode to the captain and stopped inches from him. “There’s no way I can just sit back while someone else searches for Candi. She means something to me, sir.”
Jarvis gave a dry chuckle before sending an ice-cold glare his way. “I offered you a chance to leave patrol. I’ve wanted you to sit for the sergeant’s exam, because I know you are one hell of a man and one hell of a police officer, but you brushed me off, settling to remain where you are. You have much potential to do more with yourself.”
“I know, sir. But I can’t just sit and wait for someone to bring her back to me, and I damn well refuse to sit along the sidelines while someone brings her to me in a fucking body bag.” Arms gripped Dallas and pulled him away from the captain. At the moment, he didn’t care that he was speaking to his superior.
Lamont has Candi.
The longer they stood around, the more time that fucking monster could get his hands on her.
“Easy now, Dallas,” Tanner snapped. He moved between Dallas and Jarvis, pushing Dallas away from the captain.
“Let him go, Tanner,” Jarvis ordered.
Tanner’s head snapped around to the captain. He gave a nod and moved beside Dallas with his eyes on him as if expecting Dallas to explode.
The captain marched forward and returned Dallas’s glare. “So this is what it would take to make you want to do something more with yourself?”
Dallas knew instantly he would do anything to ensure Candi was safe. Once he got her home, they were going to have one hell of a discussion about that damn packed duffle bag.
“Yes, sir,” Dallas bit out. His breaths were coming fast, and his heart raced.
Jarvis studied him. As if satisfied with what he saw, he turned away.
“Sergeant Calloway!” Jarvis barked.
Dallas turned his gaze to the man who broke away from a group of men dressed like him in dark fatigues.
Aaron Calloway.
Dallas had met him before and knew the sergeant was in charge of SWAT.
“Yes, sir,” Calloway greeted the captain.
“Calloway, this is McNeil, the officer we spoke about that I can never get to try out for SWAT. He’s ex-Marine and would make a damn fine addition to the team.”
Dallas leaned forward and took the sergeant’s hand in a crushing grip. They shared a nod before separating.
“The captain always has fine things to say about you, McNeil. Tryouts are coming up—”
“I want you to try him out tonight when you all locate Ms. Jennings and her captor,” Jarvis cut off Calloway.
Calloway’s eyebrows rose high. “But, sir—”
“Ms. Jennings is McNeil’s woman,” Jarvis snapped, cutting Calloway off. “Do I need to say any more?”
Calloway instantly relaxed and shook his head. “No, sir. Enough said. Let’s get you acquainted with the rest of the team, McNeil.”
Tears streamed down Candi’s face. She did nothing to hide them. It may have been a few years, but she knew Lamont. If she tried to act tough, then he’d make it his life’s mission to get a rise out of her. For some reason, he thrived off her pain and sorrow.
Once he’d forced her from Dallas’s home, he’d thrown her in the back of a luxury sedan and got in behind her. His driver had pulled off with the tires screeching.
The air in the car was tense. Impending dread filled her. She watched the scenery fly past, refusing to look
in Lamont’s direction.
Her neck was tender from his brutal grip. She swallowed hard and tried to think of something to occupy her mind instead of what Lamont would do to her once they got to their destination.
Images of Dallas came to mind. The memories of him when they’d first met flashed before her. He’d been so gruff and unapproachable, but she’d seen right through his tough-guy façade.
One cup of coffee, and it had grown into something so much more.
She glanced down at her hands clasped together in her lap.
What she wouldn’t give to go back to the other night where they’d lain together in bed with Dallas telling her about his family. When he’d spoke of his brother, Dalton, he’d changed. She’d sensed that he and his brother were close and had a special bond.
She sighed.
She’d probably never see Dallas again.
Hell, she’d be lucky to survive the night.
The car slowed and made a right turn. Her body shifted and slammed into the door beside her.
“Watch those damn turns,” Lamont snapped, righting himself in his seat next to her.
She remained as close as she could to the door. She didn’t want to accidentally touch him.
Hell, she didn’t want to touch him on purpose, let alone by accident.
Her skin crawled at just the thought of him running his hands along her.
The man sitting beside her was no longer the man she’d married.
“I could almost forgive you for ratting me out and sending me to jail,” Lamont began.
Candi turned her attention to him in disbelief. He stared out his window, oblivious to her staring daggers at him with her eyes.
Did he really just say that?
“What?” she breathed, unable to believe her ears.
“Filing for divorce while I was locked away was a low blow, Candi,” he continued, apparently ignoring her question.
“You hit me, humiliated me—”
“You are my wife!” he shouted.
“I was your wife,” she screamed, glaring at him. She was stronger than she’d been in the past. No matter what he planned to do with her, she would not back down and be the shy, coy person she once was. “What you did to me wasn’t something a man does to the woman he promised to protect and love.”
