24. School Of Hard Knox
Chapter 24
School Of Hard Knox
T hea woke to an aching head. It took her a few moments to swallow the nausea and figure out why she hurt.
Something had hit her. A tree branch? Or something more sinister? Not something, someone. Had Andy attacked her?
Where was she?
The wet grass tickled her cheek and she realized she lay outdoors. Maybe she’d simply fallen. But the fear shimmering through her system kept her in place.
If she’d been unconscious for more than a few seconds, someone would have found her. The fear said Andy had hit her and moved her.
She eased her eyelids open a fraction and found it was darker than it had been. Either she was deeper in the bush, or more than a few seconds had passed.
She struggled to keep her breathing regulated. If it was Andy, he wasn’t far. She flexed her arms and legs, only to find they were bound.
Panic sped up her heart, and she forced it down. Was it safe to scream for help?
Keeping her head still and her eyelids mostly closed, she searched for more information. Outdoors but not in the orchard. In the woods between their property and Lorraine’s? Or Sally and Greg’s place? That would be closer to her compost piles.
She didn’t see any feet, but suddenly, she heard a man sigh behind her. Figuring it would be better for her to pretend to be unconscious, she contained the shiver and forced herself to stillness.
“For a little thing, you weigh a ton.”
Andy’s angry mutter had her stiffening in revulsion. He’d carried her.
Before she even finished the thought, his hands gripped her, and she was flung into the air over his shoulder.
She couldn’t stop the grunt as she thumped against his back. Either he didn’t hear it or he figured even an unconscious person would react to being tossed. Maybe he didn’t hear her over the wind whipping the trees.
Andy lurched into the woods and Thea opened her eyes. It wasn’t fully dark, so it hadn’t been that long since Andy had hit her. They had to be close to the farm.
Surely, by now, Knox would have realized she was missing. She couldn’t let Andy get much further, but if she fought him now, the only thing she’d accomplish would be letting him know she was awake.
Without being able to use her hands and feet, feigning unconsciousness seemed to be her best current weapon.
He hadn’t gagged her, so when she heard Knox, she’d be able to yell.
And she would hear him. He’d be searching. So would the rest of their friends.
Andy stumbled and thumped against a tree, cursing her.
“Stupid, stupid bitch. All you had to do was return to work. I need the money, and you’re all those idiot farmers wanted. As if your ideas were better than mine. As if you were the reason for their successful crops, and it was my fault nothing worked after you left.”
Despite the circumstances, Thea grinned. It was good to know that Andy’s arrogance and assholery had been at the root of his downfall.
She wanted to tell him if he hadn’t taken credit for her work, she’d never have left. Instead, she kept her mouth shut and her ears open, both for what Andy said and for hints of a rescue coming her way.
Because a rescue was coming.
She needed to be ready to help.
Andy shoved off the tree and staggered forward. “It’ll all be better when we’re in Iowa. You’ll see. Everyone wants to have you back. You’ll like it and I can pay him back. There’s no reason to stay here. You don’t even have a car, so I know that’s why you didn’t want to go back. I’ll give you a ride. You’ll see. And then I can keep my job. Pay him back.”
Who was the man he needed to repay? Maybe Triple-A needed a fourth A. Absolutely-off-his-rocker. Was he completely delusional or trying to convince himself that he wasn’t acting like a deranged criminal?
Either way was dangerous.
Where was Knox?
Her heart galloped as Andy slowed again. The trees thinned, and the light brightened slightly. She definitely hadn’t been unconscious too long.
Unless this was the next day. No. It couldn’t be. No one got knocked out for that length of time. If it had been, she would have had signs of a concussion. She only wanted to vomit because Andy was touching her, not because she was queasy from the hit to the head.
“Almost there. Almost to the car. It’ll be safer if you ride in the trunk for a while. I’ll keep you safe from the people keeping you here. Once we’re out of range, you can sit up front with me. Then we’ll head home and I’ll tell you more about the new farmers we need to recruit. Having another five or six farms will help.”
Deranged criminal it was.
There was no way she was going in a trunk without a fight.
Andy dragged in a few deep lungfuls of air. “Last long stretch. Almost to the road. Almost there. We’re going to make it.”
The hell they were. But she remained still. She didn’t have a clue how to fight with her limbs bound. Knox would know. He’d have already overpowered the other man by now, even while he was tied up.
What would he do? She didn’t have a clue.
But she would scream and fight as best she could. He’d tied her hands behind her back, so they weren’t much use. But even with her ankles bound, she could lash out with her feet. Aim for vulnerable spots and scream for help.
If they were near Greg and Sally’s property, they would react to the screaming if they heard it. They’d been friendly and worried about Andy bothering her. If they heard a scream, surely they’d respond. Same with Lorraine.
Andy moved slowly, resting often against trees. His muttering grew more and more bizarre until he seemed to convince himself he was the hero in this situation. He was saving her from the people trapping her here in Vermont. And he’d soon be able to pay the man.
She didn’t think she’d be able to convince him of reality even if they were having a normal conversation. He was believing the scenario he was creating. Did he really think she would happily return to her job in Iowa and not put up a protest about being kidnapped?
The trees thinned again, and she wished she could lift her head to see where they were. Too risky yet but all bets were off once she knew they were near a house or on the road.
Her heart raced and she hoped Andy didn’t feel it. No unconscious person would be this close to panic mode.
Where was Knox? Was he close?
“Almost there. Not long now. Remember to stay quiet in the trunk. We’ll get to Iowa more quickly that way. It’ll be good for both of us. We’ll sign on new farmers. Get more money. We’ll both be safe. It’ll be good. You’ll help me and I’ll help you.”
Did he realize she was awake?
Thea tried to keep her body relaxed. Her feet and hands tingled from the tight bindings. She wanted to flex them but was afraid that would alert him. And make him realize she wasn’t as compliant as he hoped.
At least he didn’t want her dead. Even if she couldn’t get away now, she’d have more chances later.
The thought terrified her.
Where was Knox?
K nox drove through the trees, frustrated at the lack of paths. If Andy was using an ATV, he would be far more likely to stick to trails.
It didn’t appear there were any trails on Greg and Sally’s property. The pair had re-wilded their yard in a way that had made Thea smile.
Where the hell was she?
Dodge patted his shoulder from where he sat on the back of the ATV. He was a great scout and would be on the alert for any clues. So far, there’d been none.
With a curse, Knox shut off the engine. The instant silence pressed down on him. “He couldn’t get an ATV through here. Not without knowing the area and having a trail to follow.”
Dodge nodded. “Agreed. He has to have a car nearby. Head to the road, and we’ll start searching from there.”
Fox’s bark broke into the silence and made Knox flinch. The dog sounded pissed, not something Knox had ever heard.
He didn’t waste time. He poured all of his energy into finding the fastest way to the road. Would the asshole have parked along the route? Taken Thea there while they hadn’t known she was missing?
He cursed himself for not studying the area more closely. He didn’t know how many side roads there were nearby. Roads that led to empty properties. Were there alternate roads onto their neighbors’s lands? Trails or paths that led from the main road?
All Gammon would need would be a short road, enough to hide the vehicle from anyone driving by. A car on the main road would be too obvious. He’d parked down in front of Sally’s and Greg’s place when he’d showed up at the farm before, so he should know Knox knew what he drove.
Maybe he’d scouted around for a less obvious spot.
Hoping he was on the right track, Knox eased back onto his own property and raced through the paths. Fox stood closer to the road, past the edge of trees and in the open. When he saw Knox on the ATV, he barked again and led the way up to the farmhouse and past the next one, all the way to the top of the driveway.
Knox drove past where Epic had blocked off the drive. He waved at his friend to follow, hoping Fox was right.
The ATV wasn’t as fast as a car but he didn’t have far to go, and Fox had pointed the way. He yelled his thanks to the dog as he drove by him, wishing he could stop for him. Not only was there no room, but Fox didn’t like vehicles. And Knox didn’t want to waste any time.
There weren’t any roads before the drive to their neighbors. He raced past it, with Epic following in his car. And Fox loping down the road behind them.
When he spotted a barely there road, Knox turned onto it. He heard Troy stop his car behind, blocking any vehicles from exiting.
The road curved, and Dodge signaled for him to cut the engine. He did, and his buddy jumped off. Knox followed suit, not sure what Ford had seen until he pointed, and Knox saw the glint of metal in the trees ahead.
The ATV hadn’t exactly been a stealthy approach, but it didn’t matter. If that was Gammon’s vehicle, he wasn’t getting past them.
Wishing he’d stopped at the farmhouse to get a weapon, Knox moved forward anyway. Dodge took the other side of the road, and they moved in.
“Knox! Help!” Thea’s scream shattered the air, and he raced ahead, not bothering with cover. Speed was more important. Dodge would be his stealthy backup if he needed it.
When Knox rounded the curve, he saw Gammon’s vehicle with the trunk open.
Thea screamed again, but it was cut short, and Knox poured on the speed. He couldn’t see them yet. Thea hadn’t been calling his name because she’d seen him. She’d been calling for help and hoping. Knowing he and the others would be searching.
Knox crouched as he neared the car. No sense in alerting Gammon to his presence until necessary. He didn’t know if the man had a gun or another weapon. If he saw Knox, he could use Thea as a shield. Gammon wouldn’t know he didn’t stand a chance. Using the woman Knox loved as a shield would be his final mistake.
“Stupid bitch. I’m taking you back to where you belong. Stop fighting me. I’m taking you home. I need you to keep my job. I need to pay him back and you’re my ticket. You’ll be happy once we’re there. Stop fighting me.”
Knox swallowed the anger down. Gammon was an idiot. But he was an idiot who didn’t know Knox had found them. And didn’t know he was finished.
Instead of staying low, Knox raced around the vehicle, knowing the element of surprise would be on his side. He was confident in his ability to master Gammon in a physical contest and to keep Thea safe.
He took in the scenario in an instant. Thea, bound at the feet and with her hands tied behind her back. She lay on the ground and Gammon was trying to pick her up. Probably to throw her into the open trunk.
She wasn’t having it. She was twisting and kicking and yelling for help when she had the breath. Knox’s heart exploded with the love.
Blood dripped from her nose, and he figured Gammon had hit her. The bastard would pay for that.
Pride in this incredible woman filled him as he raced forward with a roar.
Gammon jerked up with surprise in his eyes as Knox rammed his shoulder into him, taking him down in a heap.
The hit knocked the wind out of Gammon, and it only took Knox a couple of seconds to turn him over and secure him. He wanted to smash him in the face but it wasn’t even necessary.
As Gammon tried to gulp air into his lungs, Dodge appeared at Knox’s side. “I’ve got him. You get her.”
Knowing Dodge could more than handle Gammon, Knox turned to where Thea lay on the ground.
She smiled up at him. “I knew you’d come. I knew you wouldn’t let him take me.”
Knox eased her up into his arms and held her gently. “I’m so sorry he got to you in the first place. I should have been watching more closely, but I got distracted by the Worminator.”
To his shock, she laughed. “Me, too. I didn’t think I was in any danger while we were surrounded by our friends.”
He cupped her face and brushed the blood away from her cheek. “He hit you.”
She nodded, and he was surprised when she laughed again. “After I kicked him in the nuts. It was worth it.”
This woman. “You’re amazing, Thea. No wonder I’m in love with you.”
Her eyes instantly filled with tears. She’d been dry-eyed after being kidnapped and hit. But telling her he loved her had changed that. He brushed away the tear that fell with his thumb. “You’re the bravest, best person I know, Thea. I love you so damn much.”
Her smile lit up the evening. “I love you, too, Knox. More than I ever thought possible. I don’t even know if I believed in love before I met you. I certainly didn’t believe in it for me, but you’re such an amazing man. I love you with my whole heart.”
Troy dropped beside them with a knife in his hands. “Come on, Annie. Shape up. Free your woman from the zip ties before you tell her you love her. Get the order right.”
Thea laughed as Knox felt his face flush. Epic was completely right. He should have taken care of those immediately and checked her for other injuries.
Fox skidded to a halt beside Thea as they worked on the ties. The dog licked her face and woofed softly. He didn’t sit on her lap or try to bowl her over as if sensing her injuries. “Fox is the hero. He led us up the road, and turned in the right direction for us.”
Thea grinned. “Thanks, buddy.” Then she gasped as they released the zip ties and blood rushed back into her hands and feet.
He took her hands to gently rub them to increase her circulation. “Sorry, Epic’s right. Should have done this first.”
Fox sat beside her and rested his massive head on her shoulder, rubbing his cheek against hers.
Thea grinned. “I’m not complaining. You’re here. You saved me. You love me. Sounds perfect to me.”
It did to him as well.