Chapter 21 #2
Somewhere in the back of my fractured mind, I knew better than to try.
When he drove through the city limits, he stole another glance at me. “I know you’re terrified. There’s every reason to be, but we’ll make it to our destination.”
“You’re not building confidence. Just so you know.” Was I actually going to leave with him? What choice did I have?
“You’ll need to wait and see. We’re headed to my house. If there are no issues, we’ll stop by your place and grab a few of your things. We’re hitting the road tonight. We’ll take the back roads, which will extend the trip.”
“No commercial flying.” I don’t why I was bothering to repeat myself.
His chuckle was lighter than before. “You were absolutely correct before. They require a credit card and unless your group of friends are counterfeiters, that can’t happen.”
This was just another normal day at the office for him while my life had been shoved into a tumbler. Think. Think.
“I need to make some arrangements with my assistant manager about the store. I can’t just walk away.”
“You’ll be able to do that. Now, relax. Since you’ve called out your version of the cavalry, we’re going to use them to our benefit. And don’t worry. I’ll replace the vehicle.”
He didn’t waste any item roaring down the long driveway.
There was no cavalry, just Bekka’s car, my bestie waiting for me as I’d hoped.
My stomach dropped. After listening to Montgomery, now I was fearful I’d placed both her life and that of my other friends in town in jeopardy.
But what choice did I have? Montgomery was one man.
As talented as he was in almost every aspect of his…
manhood, including being a trained killer, if an army came at us, there was no chance for him to keep us safe.
My God. I was really thinking an army might be on the hunt.
“Who did you contact?” he grilled as soon as he noticed my visitor.
“She’s my best friend. You can trust her. We needed backup. She has a big mouth.”
“I don’t know what a two-woman army will do.” The man was sneering and his sudden wave of arrogance was annoying as hell.
“Just wait.” I yanked off my seatbelt in anticipation, every nerve ending on edge.
As soon as she noticed us pulling up, she crawled from the driver’s side, her expression highlighting the same nerves I felt. I’d told her as much as I could, none of it a real shock. It would seem his reputation didn’t trouble her in the least.
“You need to wait until I’ve made certain no one is waiting.”
“Do you think she’d be standing there if some crazed assassin was lurking in the shadows?”
“You’re underestimating their capabilities.” His grip on my arm was firm, but I shucked it off.
“And you underestimate the power of the people in this town.”
As soon as I jumped out, she raced toward me. Her arms were flung around my neck and she hugged me tightly. “You came,” I whispered, my stomach lurching more than before.
“Of course I did. I was worried about you. So much. What is going on? You jumbled your words. You said someone tried to kill you?”
The handsome protector gave me a harsh look before stalking the premises.
“I’m fine. Just rattled and it’s better if you don’t learn all the gory details.”
“You can come stay with me.”
Exhaling, I tried to smile although I sensed she was looking right through me. “I’m going with Montgomery. Just for now. Don’t say anything or ask any questions. It’s too complicated. I’ll tell you everything when I can.”
Montgomery was already prowling the area in search of danger. Another shudder of fear added to the pangs of anxiety.
“Jesus. Okay. I just want you safe and happy. Even if this is nuts. I’m so sorry about Danny.” She pulled away, still holding my arms. “You’re pale. You have blood on you.” She reached out toward my face, instantly curling her fingers and jerking her arm away. “You really are in danger.”
I swept my fingers across my cheek, cringing the moment I noticed blood on the tips. As I wiped furiously, I scanned the front of the house.
“Ladies, not to break this up but we don’t have much time.” He moved toward the door, beckoning me with his eyes.
“I thought you said you could get Bart and the sheriff, and a couple others.” I glanced down the driveway, crestfallen. I’d hoped for a little more support.
“Trust me, girl. When they heard you were in trouble, they responded instantly. They’re already here. Hiding in plain sight, as Sheriff Cartwright mentioned. Did you honestly think I’d fail you? They’re combing the woods to see what they can find.”
Montgomery’s jaw was clenched as he listened in on the discussion.
The sound of tires crunching on the rocks drew his attention. While he was ready to reach for his weapon, I recognized Tilly’s old Bronco and placed my hand on his. “It’s okay. It’s Tilly.”
“This is ridiculous,” he gritted out.
“You really are going with him?” Bekka asked as if I was ready to change my mind.
“Apparently.”
“Okay. Don’t worry, honey. A little adventure is good for the soul.”
“Adventure? I was almost killed today.” I couldn’t believe I was saying the words out loud as if it was no big deal.
There was nothing in my life that had prepared me for something of this magnitude.
Nothing. It was crazy. The ache returned for my brother.
To leave him in the motel room that way was unacceptable.
As tiny snowflakes began to fall, additional vehicles came up the driveway, one after the other.
“What the hell?” Montgomery was flabbergasted, shaking his head in surprise. I felt the same.
“Who did you call?” I asked as I pulled her aside while Tilly was already out of her vehicle, heading toward us as if on a mission. In her arms were several paper bags.
“As many people as I could get ahold of. Then Tilly had a phone tree. I let her do most of the legwork.”
“In less than an hour.”
“Girl,” Bekka teased. “You should know the people in this town stand up for one another. You’re one of us. And in a way so is Montgomery. He did save your life. Right?”
“This isn’t a romance novel, Bek. There is no good outcome to any of this.”
She squeezed my hand. “I know, honey. I’ve already mentioned to the sheriff that you need someone at the motel. He’ll take care of everything.”
Everything. Shoving my brother into a body bag and taking him to the morgue. What would happen from there? “I’ll need to make arrangements. A funeral.”
“Breathe,” Bekka said. “You can get through this. Lean on your friends and that hunk of a man.”
This was insane. I had no idea what to say to her.
“We need to get moving,” he encouraged again with more force in his voice.
Tilly’s steps were quick as she headed toward us.
“I knew you were exactly like your father. Did I get the chance to tell you how your father saved a little girl’s life?
” She wasn’t taking no for an answer, shoving the bags into my hands and bounding onto the front porch where she pulled the huge man into a bear hug.
I’d never seen him so stiff or uncertain about what to do.
“Tilly. They don’t have time. There are crazed people out to get them.” Bekka wasn’t helping my mood.
“Not with Bart, Jim, Tom, and the sheriff here.”
I wish I had Tilly’s enthusiasm.
“I’ll make it quick,” she continued. “A little girl was choking in my diner. Everybody was frozen, uncertain what to do. Your father stepped right up and took control, doing the Heimlich thing and pop, out came a huge piece of candy. You’re just like him. So strong. So powerful.”
When she squeezed his arms, I had a feeling Montgomery was ready to lose his patience.
“Tilly,” Bekka chastised.
“Oh, right. I get carried away. Anyway, inside the bags are a few things you might need on your voyage. Some flashlights and batteries. A hunting knife. Cash. I took everything from the drawer and had the customers empty their pockets. There’re also a blanket and some goodies from the diner. Muffins. Cakes.”
“Tilly,” I said, honored but feeling completely out of my element.
“You didn’t need to do all this.” Just whispering the words and seeing the number of people bringing everything from clothing to cash was too much to bear.
A swell of emotions threatened to crumble the flimsy armor I’d managed to place around my heart.
I had no idea what to say or in truth if I could speak at all.
Montgomery was the same, frustrated at the attention, aggravated for not being in complete control, and exasperated that no one seemed to understand the urgency. At least no assassin worth their salt would dare attack while fifteen people from town crowded the driveway.
The fire chief appeared, moving away from the crowd, keys in his hand.
“Montgomery, you don’t know me, but I knew your father pretty well.
When I heard about his death, it put a dent in this old guy’s heart.
I’m Walt Booker, the fire chief around these parts.
Your daddy gave us the money for a new fire station a bunch of years ago.
We lost a good man in the fire and well, he somehow helped the town heal. ”
“I’m glad he could help.” Montgomery’s jaw remained clenched.
“Not sure what you’re going through, but I heard you needed reliable transportation to New Orleans.
That’s my favorite vehicle over there. Me and that Blazer have shared some good times.
She’s working just fine and all gassed up.
I’d appreciate if you try and bring her back to me, but I’ll understand if that’s impossible. ”
Montgomery eyed the keys in the man’s hand as if uncertain whether Walt was handing him a bomb. He finally accepted and we were all rewarded with a softening of his features. “Thanks, Walt. I’ll do my best getting her back to you.”
“If you’d like, I’ll return your rental car for you as well.”
When he turned his head toward me, I wasn’t certain whether his deep eyes held amusement or annoyance, but the softening of his prickly personality continued. That wouldn’t last very long.
One by one, bags were dropped off, the townspeople wishing us well with promises of watching over my house and business. It felt as if I was moving away permanently.
“Call me. Okay?” Bekka squeezed my arms. “He’ll take good care of you.”
“I will when I can.”
As they continued to talk, I weaved through the crowd, allowing a few hugs and well wishes. I stood studying the mountains, rubbing my arms as the light breeze created even more of an emptiness inside.
Nothing about this seemed real, a nightmare turned into a reality show where we were being hunted.
Only I knew the tables could turn at any moment, Montgomery becoming the predator.
In the back of my mind, a tiny part of the bad girl hiding beneath all the layers of forced goodness wanted him to track down and eliminate anyone involved with my brother’s death.
One by one, they headed toward their vehicles, and I realized I’d never felt so alone or vulnerable in my life.
Every time I felt his presence behind me, the air crackled as if he were a walking storm.
“I told you they’d come through.” When he didn’t say anything, I turned my head. He was already watching me, his features even more pronounced than before, his expression flirting with being dangerous.
A wolf debating if I was prey.
“We need to get going.”
“I know. Don’t worry, Montgomery. I won’t fight you again, but I will snatch my life back into my fist one day.”
“I wouldn’t dare think otherwise.”
Another sound, a crunch of boots this time. We both turned, Montgomery immediately on edge.
“Sheriff Cartwright. What’s wrong?”
He tipped his hat toward me. “Sorry to interrupt, Fleur. I know you’re busy. You were right to be concerned, Mr. Prince.”
“Why?” Montgomery gritted in return.
“Two men with weapons. One got away, but my deputy is chasing him. We have the other.”