The Maverick (Colorado Billionaires #3)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

M id-September, Denver Colorado

Rachel Foster-Bennett watched her son Jake tote the last box of his toys to his bedroom in their new house. Moving back to her hometown of Denver, Colorado and moving home from their penthouse in New York was a big undertaking. The fact that Greg kept showing up and scowling at her hadn’t helped. Just one more reason she was glad he was her ex-husband.

Even though he was across the street, he was within the five-hundred feet he was supposed to stay away from her. She’d had to remind him more than once that they weren’t married and if he didn’t leave, she’d call the police. He was violating the restraining order...yet, he didn’t seem worried, but his being there unsettled and disturbed Jake. So, she’d walked across the street to Greg and warned him. Three times. Finally, she had called the police, but he was gone by the time they got there. She supposed the action achieved what she’d wanted, he left, but she was frustrated the restraining order had so little teeth behind it.

Finally, the movers were gone; she had her kitchen in order. She and Jake ordered a pizza for dinner. After it arrived, the scent of pepperoni and cheese permeated the whole house. After taking a slice out for her and Jake, she placed the rest of the pizza in the oven at 170 degrees to keep warm.

“What do you want to do tonight, honey?” She took a bite, the gooey mozzarella forming strings from her mouth to the slice as she set the slice of pepperoni goodness on her plate. She gazed at Jake; he had a smile on his face and his emerald eyes twinkled.

Jake shrugged. “I don’t know. We could watch a movie.”

“Okay, they got the cable hooked up today, so that shouldn’t be a problem. What movie did you have in mind?”

He looked down and then up at her. “Well, I know it says I’m too young, because I’m only eight, but can’t we watch The Avengers ? Please, Mom, please.” He held his hands up like he was praying.

He looked at her with those big green eyes, so much like her own and those of her father, beseeching her to see his side.

She smiled and ruffled his hair. Rachel couldn’t turn down those eyes for anything. He’d been through so much already in his young life. Watching a movie was the least she could do to make him feel better. “Well, I know there’s some violence, but I don’t think it’s much like real-life violence. Let’s try it.”

While they sat on the sofa with their plates on the oak coffee table, she picked up the remote. She found the movie on one of the streaming platforms. After they finished the pizza, she took the remainder of it out of the oven and then made popcorn. After she got them both sodas, she launched the movie. The flat screen TV was mounted on the wall opposite the couch.

She’d tried to make a small conversation area with the Queen Anne chair at right angles to the sofa. The result wasn’t the best, but she couldn’t do much else right now. She didn’t want to buy a lot of furniture until she found a house to purchase.

Two-and-a-half hours later, the movie was over, and both she and Jake were still up from the excitement and full of popcorn. She’d even pulled out the M&M’s because she loved them with popcorn.

“So, what did you think of the movie?”

“I really liked it. I want to be like Ironman and fly through the air, fighting bad guys.” He made a fist and punched the air. “I’d make sure Daddy never hit you again.”

Her heart stopped, and then it melted. Of course, Jake had seen it. She’d tried to keep the abuse from him, but it was clear she hadn’t achieved her goal.

“Oh, honey.” She pulled him into a side hug. “I’m so sorry you were witness to any of that ugliness. But your father can’t hurt me anymore. The judge made sure of that when the divorce was final. And we’re here in Denver now. Your father might try to scare us into moving back to New York, but that won’t ever happen. This is our home now.” I have a good job that I was fortunate to get. Even if the position is that of an administrator, not a doctor, I’ll do it for the money and the stability it will bring. I can take care of Jake and not depend on Greg for anything ever again.

“I’m glad.” He cuddled into her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her chest.

Rachel closed her eyes to keep the tears at bay. How could Greg have done the things he did? Why didn’t Rachel possess the strength to stop it before the knowledge of what his father did harmed Jake?

She blinked back the tears and concentrated on Jake. “Do you like our new house? I know it’s not as big as our New York apartment, but it will be nice, especially in the summer. You’ll have a backyard to play in, and I can have a garden. What do you think about that?”

“I like it. I’m scared about making new friends at school, though.”

“Oh, Jakey. You won’t have any problems making new friends. You’re a good boy and make a great friend. Speaking of which, shouldn’t you be Zooming with Peter pretty soon?”

“Yeah, I almost forgot.” He jumped off the couch and ran upstairs to his room where his computer was.

Rachel wasn’t worried about him using the computer. She put on parental controls so he couldn’t surf any bad websites, but other than that, she let him do as he liked.

She cleaned up after their movie party and went into the kitchen to clean up from dinner. Looking out the window in the kitchen door, she saw someone standing outside it and knew it was Greg. Her stomach clenched, and she was afraid she might lose her dinner.

Taking her phone from her pants pocket, she pressed the button for her favorites and then the one for the police. Earlier, she’d found the number for non-emergencies and put it in her favorite listings.

“Denver Police Department. How can I direct you?”

“I have a restraining order against my ex-husband. He’s supposed to stay 500 feet from me but right now he’s standing right outside the back door from my kitchen. He’s trying to intimidate me, and I’d be very grateful it if someone could stop by the house.”

“I’ll send a patrol unit right away.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Rachel stayed in the kitchen, staring at Greg. She willed him to stay and talk to the police. She could see his blond hair shining in the late afternoon sun.

A knock sounded on the front door.

She turned to answer it.

Greg rattled the doorknob.

Rachel ignored it and opted to answer the knock instead.

Two police officers, one male and one female, stood at her front door.

“Officers, thank you for coming. I just left the kitchen, and he was still there. I don’t know if he is now.”

The brunette woman looked over at her partner. “You take the east side, and I’ll take the west side.” Then she turned to Rachel. “What side is the gate on?”

“Gates are on both sides. I have no idea why.”

“In this case, it is to our benefit.” She turned back to her partner, a tall, slim man with blond hair. “Ready? Go.”

The officers took off toward the backyard. The woman went to the right and her partner to the left.

Rachel walked back inside and down the hall toward the kitchen. A hand shot out from the small bathroom and snaked around her throat before shoving her against the opposite wall.

She went absolutely still. Please don’t let Jake come in. Don’t let him see this. “Let me go. Police officers are outside. You’re going to jail this time. Mark my words.”

He cursed and released her. “You won’t always have the police to protect you.” He ran out the front door.

Rachel hurried to the kitchen door and flung it open. “Officers! He broke in and ran out the front door.”

The officers ran to her and then through the house and out the front door.

They stopped in the street and searched in both directions.

Both had their weapons out and then they holstered them.

They came back into the house.

Rachel showed them to the rose brocade sofa, and she took the damask Queen Anne chair. “I don’t know what to do. He’s never been this bold before. I’m afraid he might have killed me if you weren’t here. He grabbed me and pushed me against the wall with his fingers around my neck.” She absently rubbed her neck. Would she have finger marks she’d have to hide from Jake? Or that she’d have to hide when she started her new job?

The female officer nodded toward her neck. “You’ll probably have marks there tomorrow. The neck bruises easily. Also, do you have a copy of the restraining order?”

Rachel looked at their name badges.

The woman was Officer Johnson.

The man was Officer McKenzie.

“Yes, if you’ll wait a moment, I’ll get it for you.”

“That’s all right. You should take it to the police station and have it copied into your file.” Officer Johnson placed her elbows on her knees and leaned forward. “Mrs. Bennett?—”

“It’s Ms. Foster-Bennett. I’m no longer married and will be taking back my maiden name as soon as possible.”

“Very well, Ms. Foster-Bennett. Your ex-husband is obviously escalating, and you need to put in a deadbolt front and back. Check all your windows and make sure they lock. And don’t be afraid to call us. We’ll always come, even if it’s only to chase him away.” She furrowed her brows. “Understand?”

Rachel nodded. “I’ll get the deadbolt installed as soon as possible and while I’m waiting for the locksmith, I’ll check the windows. The restraining order I have against him is from New York. It’s my understanding that it’s good here in Colorado as well. Is that true?”

Officer McKenzie nodded. “We do recognize restraining orders from other states. As I said, it would probably be best if you filed for one here, too. Just to get it into the system.”

“Thank you. I’ll do that.”

“Mom?”

Rachel’s gaze snapped to him as her heart pounded. Did he see any of what happened? Hopefully he was too engrossed in his game in his bedroom upstairs. I’d hoped they would be gone before he found out. “Jake. Come meet the police officers. These are Officers Johnson and McKenzie.

The two police officers stood and walked over to Jake, who’d stopped on the bottom stair to the second story.

The woman held out her hand. “I’m Officer Johnson. Here is my card. If you ever need to, you call me. Okay?”

Jake nodded and took the card from her. He looked at it and then back up at the police officer. “Yes, ma’am.”

The male officer also shook Jake’s hand and gave him a card.

“We’re leaving now,” said Officer McKenzie. “You can share those numbers with your mom.” He smiled at the boy.

Jake put both cards in his jeans back pocket. “Yes, sir, I will.”

The man ruffled Jake’s hair. “You’re a good son, I can tell. Take care of your mom, okay?”

Jake nodded fast. “I will. My dad won’t ever hurt her again.”

Both officers frowned and turned their gaze toward Rachel.

Officer Johnson approached Rachel.

She had hung back to let Jake interact with the police officers. She wanted him to know that they weren’t to be feared.

The woman looked at Rachel with furrowed brows . “Be extra cautious, but then I think you probably know that already.”

Rachel stood with her arms wrapped around her middle. “I do. He’s almost killed me more than once before he stopped himself.”

“Ms. Foster-Bennett, I recommend that you carry pepper spray at all times, even when you’re home. Get some small enough to put in your pocket and carry it just as you do your phone.”

“I’ll do that. He’s getting bolder, and I’m afraid for myself and my son.” She looked around the room for Jake. He was on the sofa with his iPad and, thankfully, wasn’t paying any more attention to her and the police officer.

“I’d say that’s with good reason. My name is Mary, by the way. And don’t hesitate to call if you feel threatened. I’d rather come here and not need to than need to and not be here.” She held out her right hand. “We’ll take our leave now. Be careful and get that locksmith out here as soon as possible.”

Rachel shook her hand. “Thank you so much for coming so quickly. I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime and I mean that. Anytime.”

The officers left.

Rachel locked the doors and walked upstairs to her bedroom and got her gun. She should have told the officers she was licensed to carry and didn’t know why she didn’t. But she would get some pepper spray. Carrying that around the house was safer than the gun. She didn’t want any accidents.

As she walked back down to the living room, she had Siri give her the name of close locksmiths and called the first one.

He said he could come by in about ten minutes.

They were the longest ten minutes of Rachel’s life. She’d sent Jake to his room to play Roblox, while she paced in the living room.

Until this, she’d been very happy with the house. With only two bedrooms, she didn’t have a lot of extra space. The living room, large kitchen with eating space, the laundry room and a small half-bath were on the first floor.

The second floor had two bedrooms. A small one that used the bath in the hall and the master bedroom, which had a large, attached bathroom and a walk-in closet.

The doorbell sounded.

Rachel opened the door and saw a man with brown hair standing there with a shirt saying AAA Locksmith . He was about five feet ten inches and had a trim build. He also had a beard and mustache.

“Hi, Ms. Foster-Bennett? I’m Carl Smithers with Triple A Locksmith.”

She stepped back. “Yes, come in please. I need the deadbolt installed on both the front and back doors.”

“I have them in my truck. You want deadbolts added, that’s all. Is that correct?”

Relief flooded her. She wouldn’t have to wait and be alone any longer. “Yes, please.”

“I’ll get right on it. Let’s start with the kitchen.”

“Thank you. That would be perfect.” She looked up toward Jake’s room and wondered if he would come down during the installation.

The locksmith took about an hour to install new deadbolts on both doors.

The price was very reasonable in Rachel’s opinion, especially considering he’d come at a moment’s notice.

Rachel got a mug of much needed coffee and heated it in the microwave. She was just sitting down at the kitchen table when the doorbell rang.

She stood, then walked to the living room and answered the door.

As she opened it, she stopped, and her jaw dropped. “You?—”

“Hi, Rach.”