Chapter Four
Annabelle was jarred awake when the car she was riding in hit a pothole and she bounced in the seat. She landed on her side and discovered her arms were bound in front of her. Keeping her eyes closed, she tried to assess the situation. She didn’t want the men who abducted her—Thug A she named the tall, skinny one, and Thug B, the shorter, stockier one—to know she was awake. She was sure they meant for her to be unconscious for an extended amount of time.
The car was slowing. Were they at the destination already? She assumed they were taking her to her stepbrother, but bright lights lit up the interior of the car and then they stopped. The engine shut off.
“I can’t believe you didn’t gas up before we left.”
That explained the overhead lights. They’d pulled into a gas station.
“Shove it, asshole. Go inside and get me a Coke and a pack of smokes.”
“Get them yourself. I have to take a piss.”
Hope flared to life and Annabelle’s heart pounded. If both men went inside, she might be able to escape. She waited for the car doors to open and then close before she popped up to assess the situation. Thug A and Thug B were indeed headed towards the convenience store attached to the truck stop. As soon as they were out of sight, she jerked upright and opened the door. Using her hip, she closed it before taking off with an awkward gait for a line of big rigs parked in a row.
Her gaze darted around, trying to decide the best place to hide. An auto transport truck hauling several new cars was her best bet. She climbed up to the closest car and muttered a harsh curse when the door was locked. Feeling eyes on her, she jerked her head up to see a young boy, either eleven or twelve, she wasn’t sure, standing close. His dark eyes watched her intently as he munched on a potato chip.
“You didn’t hear that,” she insisted, knowing that he did, judging from his amused grin.
Footsteps pounded on the concrete. She held a finger to her lips and ducked behind the car.
“Hey, kid, did you see a woman come by here? Blond hair, skinny. About yea tall.”
She peeked around the vehicle to see Thug B standing in front of the boy. The kid was still munching on his chips, but he held one hand out, palm up. She closed her eyes in disappointment. He was going to rat her out for money. B sighed but reached into his back pocket to extract his wallet. He yanked out a couple of bills and slapped them in the kid’s hand. When the kid just stood there, B groaned and added a few more bills.
“Yeah, I saw her.”
Annabelle’s heart dropped to her feet.
“She hitched a ride on a Walmart truck that drove out of the lot a few seconds ago. Went that way.” He pointed.
Relief flooded her and tears sprang to her eyes. He hadn’t ratted her out. He’d saved her life.
“Thanks, kid.”
The boy watched him run off and then tires squealed as her kidnappers shot out of the lot.
“Coast is clear,” he told her.
She climbed down and wanted to hug him, but her bound hands wouldn’t let her. He fished in his pocket and pulled out a knife, slicing through the plastic tie to free her.
“Thank you so much.” She did pull him in for a hug this time. “You saved my life.”
He shrugged and glanced away in embarrassment.
“What’s your name?”
“Andre.”
“Nice to meet you, Andre. I’m Annabelle.”
“Did that man kidnap you?”
“Yes.”
“Thought so. You need to call someone? The police?”
She instantly thought of Kellan. “I do.” That was assuming she could remember his phone number.
“My mom manages the pancake restaurant. Come on inside and you can wait in there.”
Tears pricked her eyes again at his gentle caring. He was young and didn’t know her at all, but he’d saved her life. She wanted to do something for him, give him some money for his college fund or something, but her purse was back at the motel…her steps faltered. Her purse! It would probably be gone by now. What would she do with no cash, no car? And how did her stepbrother’s thugs keep finding her?
#
Kellan pressed the button on the key fob to unlock the SUV. He was just about to climb inside to head to Annabelle’s house when his phone buzzed. He grabbed it out of his pocket thinking it was Tyler but he didn’t know the number.
“Hello?”
“Kellan?”
His head snapped up, recognizing the voice immediately. “Annabelle? Are you okay?”
She exhaled a breath. “Yes. Thank goodness this was the right number.”
“Where are you? Are you with the kidnappers?”
“I escaped, but I’m afraid they’ll come looking for me.”
He launched into the SUV and jerked his seatbelt into place. Putting the phone on speaker, he asked, “Where are you?” as he started the engine.
“I’m at a truck stop.” She paused and he heard a voice giving her the address. She repeated it and he entered it into the GPS.
“Stay there and keep out of sight. I’m on my way right now.”
“Thank you, Kellan.”
He pulled out of the lot and merged onto the Interstate. He hadn’t missed being a cop until this moment. He could really use flashing lights and a siren to clear the way. He drove a healthy fifteen miles an hour over the speed limit, twenty-five when a flashy red Beemer passed and he rode his tail. Traffic was heavy but moving along at a rapid pace. The voice on the navigation system told him to take the next exit, so he changed lanes and followed a line of cars down the off-ramp. He spotted the sign for the truck stop and turned in, dodging cars, semis and recreational vehicles in the busy lot. He found a parking spot on the end with the pancake restaurant. After backing in, he got out slowly and canvassed the area, looking for dark four-door sedans. Several big rigs were parked in a line, while others waited in line for the gas pumps. The flow of vehicles was steady. This place was a gold mine.
“You looking for someone?”
He turned at the voice to see a young African American boy leaning against the side of the building. He wore a Lakers sweatshirt and a backwards hat. The boy studied him with narrowed eyes.
“I am.”
“What’s your name?”
“Kellan.”
The boy nodded and glanced around. “Follow me.”
He trailed after the kid, scanning the restaurant, looking for any sign of Annabelle. Other than her driver’s license picture and the ones on her phone, he’d not gotten a good look at her in person. She’d been wearing a hat when he ran into her, but he’d never forget her eyes.
“Sit here.” The boy indicated a booth. He slid onto the cracked orange Naugahyde bench.
The boy turned to leave. “Wait—where are you going?”
“Be right back.”
He waited until the boy disappeared into the kitchen before he stood and craned his neck, searching for any sign of Annabelle. There were a few people eating dinner, but for the most part, the restaurant was empty. He was just about to go hunting when the boy returned with someone wearing another Lakers sweatshirt with the hood up.
“Kellan?”
He released the breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Annabelle.”
She ran into his arms and he hugged her tightly. Suddenly, her body stiffened and she pulled away. “Wait—you called me Annabelle.”
“It’s your name, isn’t it?”
She winced. Busted. “How did you find out?”
“When we got disconnected, I had my office trace your phone. I went to your motel and gathered your belongings.”
She gasped and clutched his arm. “Was…everything there?”
She didn’t say the money but he understood her intent. “Yes. Your purse is safe in my hotel room.”
Her shoulders sagged in relief and she dropped onto the padded seat. “I was so afraid the manager would clear everything out. He helped the men who kidnapped me.”
“I know.” He slid into the seat across from her. Damn, her eyes were amazing. A blue so crystal and clear, he could get lost in them. Unconsciously, he reached for her hands and she clung to him. “I had a talk with him. The men told him they were bounty hunters and that you were a criminal who’d skipped bail.”
“And he believed them?”
“Yeah, without proof. Pretty sure I put the fear of God in him.” His thumbs rubbed circles over her soft skin. “How did you get away?”
“One of the men had a syringe. He drugged me…or tried to. The needle barely pricked my skin and most of the liquid dribbled down my neck. Still, it was enough to knock me out. I woke up when they stopped to get gas. I waited until they went inside then made a run for it.” She told him about Andre taking the man’s money and leading him on a wild goose chase.
“That was quick thinking for someone so young.”
“And brave. The men are scary.”
He didn’t like that she’d been injected with a drug, no matter how small the dosage. “You need to go to the hospital to be checked out. There’s no telling what drug they used or the lingering effects.”
Her eyes widened. “No, I can’t. I’d have to give my name.” She shook her head. “I don’t feel strange or nauseous, just a little tired.” At his narrowed glare, she added, “I promise I’ll tell you if I start to feel queasy.”
He wanted to argue but she was right. She’d have to fill out all kinds of forms. With the men after her, she needed to stay off the radar as much as possible.
She sighed and leaned back against the cushioned booth. “I ditched my car at the airport, so how does my stepbrother keep finding me?”
“Your phone. With very little know-how, they’re pretty easy to trace. I checked for any tracking devices in your belongings, but they were clean.”
“My phone. Why didn’t I think of that?”
#
Annabelle relaxed for the first time in what seemed like forever. It might be lingering effects of the drug, as Kellan suggested, or it could be the strong, handsome man sitting across from her in the cracked orange vinyl both in the busy truck stop outside of Los Angeles. He was just so—capable. That word instantly popped into her head. She had no doubt he could handle anything that came his way. Maybe he wouldn’t have to if Robbie couldn’t track her anymore. Why hadn’t she thought about her phone sooner?
She glanced at Kellan again. Not only was he easy on the eyes, but he’d recovered her money and he made her feel safe. How she could trust someone she just met so completely was a mystery, but she didn’t question it. Somehow, she’d known from the moment she spotted him at the airport that her life would never be the same. She wanted to crawl across the table and into his strong arms. The urge was overwhelming in its intensity. She’d never felt anything like it.
Her stomach took that opportunity to growl, jarring her from her thoughts. She couldn’t remember the last time she ate. The pancakes looked delicious and the bacon smelled divine.
“Are you hun—”
Andre came rushing back inside and grabbed her arm, tugging her from the seat. “Annabelle, get up! You gotta hide. The men are back. I just saw them get out of the car.”
Kellan was out of the booth in a flash, ushering them both inside the kitchen. Kerry, Andre’s mom, looked up from cutting a pie, her eyes widening.
“Andre, what are you doing?”
“Those men who kidnapped Annabelle are back. She needs to hide.”
The knife Kerry had been holding clattered to the counter. “You have to hide, too,” she insisted. “They’ll be mad you led them astray. Follow me.” The cook looked up from the griddle but went back to flipping pancakes, uninterested in the drama. Kerry herded them into a pantry lined with shelves that were stocked with food and supplies. “Over here. Behind the pallets. Crouch down. I’ll be right back.”
Annabelle dropped to the floor behind the wooden crates with Andre but Kellan wasn’t with them. She jumped to her feet. “Kellan? What are you doing?”
“They don’t know who I am, so I’m running interference.” He grabbed a green apron off a hook and tied it on. “I’ll pretend to be inventorying the shelves.”
Andre’s mom returned with a colorful quilt. Annabelle plopped back down and gathered Andre close to her side as Kerry shook out the blanket and covered them. She heard Kellan instruct the woman to keep the lights on.
“Good idea,” Andre’s mom said. “Here’s a clipboard to write on. I’ll let you know when it’s safe to come out.”
It was stuffy under the blanket with Andre pressed against her side, but Annabelle couldn’t stop the shiver that crept down her spine. If the men found her, they might kill her this time. And Andre. And Kellan.
“I won’t let them get to you,” Kellan murmured, obviously reading her thoughts.
“Me, either,” Andre piped up. She hugged him tighter.
“Get ready,” Kellan whispered. “I hear raised voices.”
Annabelle clutched Andre’s hand as hinges creaked. They’d opened the door. She held her breath.
“What the hell, dude?” Kellan exclaimed in a Texas accent that she’d think was real if she didn’t know better. Actually, she didn’t. Maybe he was from the Lone Star State.
“We’re looking for someone.” She recognized Thug B’s voice.
“An escaped criminal. She’s extremely dangerous,” Thug A added and she rolled her eyes. She wasn’t the dangerous one.
“You guys cops?” Kellan questioned.
“Yeah, sure,” Thug B lied. “Have you seen this woman?”
Apparently one of the Thug bros showed Kellan a picture of her. There was a low whistle. “Damn shame she’s a criminal. She’s a looker,” Kellan drawled. Another shiver ran down her spine, a delicious one this time. “Nah, I haven’t seen her. Wouldn’t mind running into her, if you know what I mean.” He added a guffaw that cut off abruptly. “Hey man, what are you doing. Get your hands off me.”
Annabelle’s heart rate kicked up. They were going to hurt Kellan. She grabbed the edge of the quilt, ready to surrender so they’d leave him and Andre alone when Thug B spoke.
“You’re going to help us search this truck stop. And if you try anything funny, I’ll blow off your kneecaps.”
“Cops can’t just go around shooting kneecaps off tax-paying citizens. Okay, okay, don’t get your panties in a twist,” Kellan grumbled. “I don’t mind helping you fine officers search. I’ll come along peacefully.”
The sound of retreating footsteps, followed by the slamming of the door, told her that the men were gone. That was good. But they took Kellan with them. That was bad.
“He’ll be okay,” Andre assured her. “The guy’s a beast. I bet he could take them both with one hand tied behind his back.”
She smiled and squeezed him harder. “I bet you’re right.” Her grin faded. “Andre, I’m sorry I got you into this mess.”
“Are you kidding? This is totally lit!”
“Lit? As in on fire?”
“As in the most fun I’ve had here in like, ever.”
Being chased by gun-toting kidnappers wasn’t her idea of fun.
“And besides, I made fifty bucks.”
She laughed softly. He’d be making more because she would see to it that his college fund was paid for as soon as she had access to her fortune. His random act of kindness very likely saved her life.
“What do you want to be when you grow up, Andre?”
“A professional basketball player. Or an astronaut.”
“Both admirable professions.”
“Or a video game designer.”
She smiled. “That would be fun.”
“Yeah, my mom said I spend so much time playing games, I should learn how to create them. What do you do?”
“I work with computers.”
“Cool. That’d be awesome, too.”
A knock on the door had her fumbling with the blanket to make sure they were covered, but Kerry’s voice calmed her nerves. “They’re gone for now. They took that man with them to search the convenience store next door. You should be safe taking off the blanket. I’m sure it’s hot under there.” She helped Annabelle tug it off their heads. The fresh air felt good. It’d been getting toasty under there. “Keep it close in case they come back. It won’t take them long to search.” She reached into her uniform pockets. “Here.” She handed them both a can of soda and a package of cheese and peanut butter crackers. “I’ll be back when it’s safe to leave.”
They ate their snacks and sipped the drinks while they chatted about Andre’s dream to become the next Los Angeles Lakers superstar.
“I’ve met LeBron James,” she told him.
His eyes widened to saucers. “No, you did not.”
“Sure did.”
“Where, when?”
“A few months ago. My stepfather has season tickets.” Actually, he owned a luxury suite. It was a different experience watching a game from there. No crowded bleachers, no long lines at the concession stand or restrooms. You didn’t have to worry if the rabid fan behind you kept his thumb pressed on the button of an airhorn all night or if the person beside you jabbered on their cell the entire game. The suites featured high definition televisions in case you didn’t want to gaze out the glass to the live game below, padded seats, granite bars, air conditioning and a wait staff on call. Actually, now that she thought about it, she guessed the suite was hers now, too. “My stepdad was very sick and one of his friends arranged for LeBron to meet him.” It was one of the last trips he’d make out of the house, besides the hospital.
Andre was hanging on her every word. “Wow.”
She nodded. “Yeah, wow. He was humble and kind, signed autographs and posed for pictures. He even gifted my stepfather with a game jersey.” She could still picture the smile on Rob’s face. He’d been a LeBron fan even before he’d signed with the Lakers. The trip to the Staples Center had worn him out, but it’d been worth it to see joy light up his eyes.
“Man, I wish I could meet him.”
Though Rob had treasured that game jersey, Annabelle knew that it would make him happy to see it go to someone who would appreciate it as much as he had. She made a mental note to send it to Andre. “Maybe you’ll play against him someday.”
A knock sounded on the door and then it opened to reveal Kellan’s handsome face. “They’re gone. Let’s get out of here.”
She stood and shook out her sore legs. “What about Andre? They might come back for him.”
“They think he was with one of the truckers. They have no idea he’s here. I doubt they’ll be back.”
Her shoulders sagged with relief. She didn’t want the sweet boy or his mother in danger because they helped her. She returned Andrés’ borrowed sweatshirt and said goodbye with hugs and exchanges of phone, email and mailing addresses. Kellan handed her a hat he picked up at the convenience store that depicted a skull and crossbones with the slogan: Certified Badass Truck Driver.
“Great,” she deadpanned. “Thanks.” She twisted her hair in a knot and tucked it under the hat as she settled it on her head. The jacket he wrapped around her shoulders was at least three sizes too large, but it was, thankfully, slogan-free. Annabelle jolted when his hand touched the small of her back to guide her outside. He opened the passenger door and helped her in, making sure she buckled up before he rounded the hood and slid into the driver’s seat.
He started the engine and she placed her hand on his arm, almost jumping at the contact of skin on skin. It felt like little electric shocks shooting up from her fingertips. “Thank you for coming for me. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t agreed to help me. And I’m sorry I lied about my name.”
He glanced over at her. “I understand and no thanks necessary, but you’re welcome.”
“But I do have to thank you, Kellan. You canceled your trip home because of me.”
One light brown brow raised. “How did you know that?”
“I spoke with someone in your office. I lost your business card, but I remembered the name of your company, so I looked them up and called.”
“Probably BeBe. She’s the heartbeat of the company and keeps us running smoothly.”
“That name sounds right. She was very nice.” She realized she was still holding his arm so she pulled her hand free, instantly mourning the loss of his body heat. Her fingers were still tingling. “I want to hire your company—you specifically. I can give you a down payment, but I can’t pay the full fees yet.” She assumed. She had no idea how much it cost to hire private security. Mr. Windham had taken care of Andy’s retainer. The unhelpful jerk she spoke with at Cable Security told her that the man she was supposed to meet would have the information for her.
“We’ll work something out.” He put the SUV in drive and navigated around the busy truck stop to the Interstate on-ramp. “Now, why don’t you tell me what’s going on and why there are men after you.”
She did owe him an explanation, but where to start?
“How about at the beginning?”
Her head snapped to his. Apparently, she said that out loud. With a deep breath, she launched into the spiel. “My stepfather, Rob, passed away recently. He was…wealthy. He left everything to me instead of his biological son, Robbie.”
Kellan glanced over at her. He didn’t seem surprised by the information. “That had to piss him off.”
She turned to stare out the window at the passing scenery. “Understatement.”
“Did Robbie’s father leave him anything or did he completely cut him out of the will?”
“He left him family heirlooms, but as far as cash, only a million dollars.”
Kellan sputtered. “Only?”
“It doesn’t seem like much when you consider Rob’s net worth. Plus, Robbie honestly thought he’d inherit everything since he was the only blood relative. Rob was my stepfather, but he never officially adopted me.”
“So that’s motive. Question is, what’s his end game?”
“He wants me dead before the will clears probate so he can claim the inheritance.”
“Ah. Now it all makes sense. I’ll get our lawyers on the case, see if there’s anything they can do to speed the process along. I’ll keep you safe until then.”
The first spark of hope since the reading of the will flared to life inside her. Maybe there was a way out of this mess. Kellan made her feel safe and hopeful. Now she had no doubt fate played a part in their meeting.
“Full disclosure,” Kellan said, glancing over at her as he moved to the right lane and exited the freeway. “I went through your phone looking for information on you when you went missing. I saw the video you recorded.”
“That was Robbie, my stepbrother. He was meeting with a man called Bixby. I don’t know if that’s a first or last name. I think he’s Rob’s bookie or loan shark, I’m not sure which. But Robbie owes him five million dollars.”
Kellan’s jaw dropped open. “Five million?”
A horn tooted and Kellan faced forward and accelerated through the intersection.
“Now you can see why a one-million-dollar inheritance meant nothing to him. Plus, Bixby’s charging interest for every day that goes by without payment.”
“So he’s desperate. Do you know what shipment they were talking about?”
“I don’t, but I fear Robbie might be involved with human trafficking.” The thought made her sick to her stomach. How anyone could just buy and sell another human without remorse was unfathomable.
“I forwarded a snapshot of Bixby’s face to my office. They’re digging for information on him. If it’s out there, they’ll find it.”
He flipped on the turn signal and motored into the parking lot of a mid-level hotel not far from the motel where she’d been staying. He navigated to the end of the lot and backed into a space close to one of the side doors. After he shut off the engine, she gripped the handle to open her door but his hand on her arm stopped her. She turned to him and even in the dark interior, the only light coming from security lights around the hotel, his eyes were warm and rich and she felt like she could stare into them forever.
“We’ll stay here tonight, but my recommendation is that we get you out of town first thing in the morning. I can make sure your stepbrother can’t find you.”
“I do want to leave, but there are a few things I need to take care of first.”
“Nothing that can’t wait a few weeks?”
She shook her head. “I need to go to my house and gather some belongings. There are things I have to have before we go.”
“Can’t you buy anything you need?”
“I don’t care about the clothes or shoes or anything, but I’m afraid Robbie will try to take the things he knows are important to me. Priceless heirlooms from my parents. I’d also like to have my passport and my computer.” God, she hoped he hadn’t ransacked her room already. It’d been fine when she left for the reading of the will, and Mr. Windham said the security codes were being changed. Theoretically, Robbie hadn’t been able to get back inside the house, but she wouldn’t put anything past him.
“You won’t be able to use your computer. It can be traced.”
“It has programs on there I need. I also want to get the key to my safe deposit box. Robbie might try to clear it out.”
“He wouldn’t be able to access it without your key, could he?”
“He has friends everywhere. I wouldn’t be surprised if he finagled his way inside.”
“Okay, your house and the bank. Is that it?”
“The lawyer’s office called. I have to sign some forms before I go.”
“That it?”
“I think so.”
Kellan nodded. “Okay.” He opened his door and she followed suit, meeting up with him on the sidewalk. “I’ll get in touch with the LAPD and we’ll head to your house in the morning.”
Annabelle grabbed his arm again, forcing him to stop walking. “No. No police. I was serious about that. My lawyer told me not to trust them just before he was murdered.”
“I have a contact I trust. He just helped with a case we worked on. I’ll make sure he knows it’s confidential.”
“Please, Kellan. I don’t want to risk it.” She took Mr. Windham’s warning to heart. If someone on the force was dirty, they could lead Robbie right to her.
He stared into her eyes and she almost got lost in his again. He nodded slowly. “Okay. No police.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. He’d listened to her and bowed to her wishes. Going back to her house wasn’t negotiable, nor the bank. She didn’t care about her clothes or shoes. Those things could be replaced. It was the irreplaceable things that she wouldn’t leave without. She’d have made Andy go back for them before they left, too.
The thought of Andy made her heart clench. What if she was putting Kellan in the same line of fire? If anything happened to him, she’d be devastated. She’d just met him, but she felt a connection with him that defied logic.
“You okay?”
He was staring at her with concern and her heart skipped a beat. She could so easily fall for this man. Forcing a smile, she nodded. He guided her inside to a room on the first floor. She stood back as he inserted the key card and opened the door when the light flashed green.
He tossed the card on a dresser and turned to face her. “Are you hungry?”
Her stomach loudly answered his question and he chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes. Pizza okay?”
“Perfect.”
#
Kellan tracked Annabelle’s movements as she wandered around the room while he placed an order for pizza. She had to have noticed there was only one bed. Though it was a king with plenty of room, he’d be sleeping on the floor. He could call the front desk and switch rooms, but they’d only be here one night, and he didn’t want to draw any attention to the fact that there was another person in his room. He was confident Annabelle’s stepbrother wouldn’t be able to find them, but he wasn’t taking chances. One little slip might mean the difference in keeping her safe.
After he placed the order, he dialed the office. He needed to let Luke and Logan know what was going on. It was almost time for them to go home to their families, but he managed to catch them both before they left the office. As he was explaining about locating Annabelle and then her abduction, she tapped his shoulder.
“Are you talking to your boss?” she mouthed.
He held a hand over the phone. “Bosses. Yes.”
“Can I speak with them?”
He studied her and then nodded. He spoke into the phone. “Ms. St. John would like to talk with you. I’ll put you on speaker.” He punched a button. “Annabelle St. John, these are my bosses, Luke Colton and Logan Bradley.”
“Thank you for speaking with me, Mr. Colton and Mr. Bradley.”
“We’re not formal. It’s Luke and Logan. Can we call you Annabelle?”
“Of course. I want to thank you for allowing Kellan to take my case. I’m not sure if he’s had a chance to explain, but I fully intend to pay the fees as soon as I can access the money.”
“When Kellan told us about the case, we did some background research,” one of the men said, and she wasn’t sure if she felt offended her privacy had been invaded or not. She decided not to take it personally. Of course, they’d check up on her. “We’re sorry for your loss, but understand that you are in line to inherit a substantial sum of money.”
“Yes. I am.”
“That’s good enough for us. We’ll email a contract to Kellan for you to sign to make it official.”
They chatted more and then Kellan took the phone off speaker. Annabelle disappeared into the bathroom and he heard the shower turn on. He tried like hell not to imagine her standing under the hot spray, water sluicing off her naked—
“Kellan?”
He shook his head to clear the forbidden images. “Sorry. What was that?”
“I asked what your plans are now,” Logan repeated.
“I need to get her somewhere safe until the will is settled. Her stepbrother is gunning for her.”
“You could bring her here,” Luke suggested.
Kellan breathed a sigh of relief. It was the best place for her to hide out for a few weeks or months if she was willing. He was going to ask for his bosses’ permission, but they beat him to the punch. “Thanks, I appreciate it. She needs to run a few errands before we can take off. I’ll let you know a timeline as soon as possible.”
“Do what you need. You have the full resources of the office. If you want backup, we can have someone there tomorrow.”
“Thanks. I should be okay, but I’ll let you know.”
“You can’t fly commercial without having her name show up on the manifest and it’s a long drive. When you figure out when you’re leaving, let us know and we’ll send the jet.”
Another thing he was going to ask but they were one step ahead of him. He thanked them, promised he’d keep them updated and disconnected as a knock sounded on the door.
After listening to make sure the shower was still running, he withdrew his gun and checked the peephole. A teenage boy wearing a hat with the name of the pizza joint he’d called stood with a large box in his hand. Kellan opened the door and checked the hallway before he handed the deliveryman cash for the order plus a healthy tip.
“I’ll get your change.”
“Keep it.”
The boy’s eyes widened. “Thank you, sir. Enjoy.”
Kellan relocked the door and slid the box on the table. A bag on top held paper plates, napkins and plastic forks. Annabelle hadn’t come out of the bathroom yet, so he pocketed the key card and headed to the vending machines to purchase drinks. He wasn’t sure what she liked, so he fed bills into the machine and selected a Coke, a Diet Coke and two bottles of water.
He’d just returned to the room and locked the door when Annabelle emerged from the shower in a cloud of steam. Her light blond strands looked darker when wet. The hot water added a rosy hue to her creamy complexion, making her aquamarine eyes sparkle. But it was seeing her in nothing but a towel that had his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth. Something crashed to the floor and he realized one of the bottles had slipped from his grip. He didn’t spare it a look. He couldn’t take his eyes off the vision of beauty in front of him.
Annabelle broke eye contact first. “I, uh, didn’t have anything to wear and I can’t put those clothes—”
Her words ended on a sob and he realized she was barely holding it together. She’d been kidnapped and drugged for hell’s sake, and he was staring at her like a lust-filled teenager. He dropped all the bottles and in two steps, swept her off her feet and carried her to the bed, holding her in his arms as he sat with his back against the headboard. She buried her face against his chest and cried, the sounds breaking his heart. He wanted to tell her to stop, that her tears were killing him, but she needed the cathartic release. The least he could do was hold her and let her know she wasn’t alone. Her sobs eventually slowed and the shaking ceased. He glanced down to discover she’d fallen asleep.
Careful not to wake her, he shifted her in his arms and tugged down the sheets, settling her on the bed. The corner of the towel had come loose and he eased it back in place. Gingerly, he tucked the covers around her body and ran the back of his fingers down her cheek. She was so lovely and he’d take away her pain if he could.
After picking up the bottles of soda and water he’d dropped, he placed them on the table beside the now-cold pizza. He twisted the lid on one of the bottles of water and took a drink. The pizza smelled delicious. Lifting the lid, he slid two pieces on a paper plate and ate while he watched her sleep. He wished she’d gotten some food in her before she crashed, but her body needed the rest. He doubted she’d gotten more than a few hours the last couple of days.
#
Annabelle awoke disoriented, a nightmare jarring her from sleep. Her surroundings were unfamiliar. Panic threatened until her gaze landed on the man sitting beside her bed, sound asleep in a chair. Kellan. Curtains completely covered the large window that faced the parking lot, but he’d left the bathroom light on with the door cracked to allow a soft glow into the otherwise dark room. She shifted and froze. She was practically naked under the covers. Had they…no, she’d have remembered. The last thing she did recall was standing in the shower, barely holding it together. Then when she came out of the bathroom and saw him looking so strong and handsome and capable, she’d broken apart. He’d picked her up and held her as she sobbed. He must’ve tucked her in, towel and all when she finally fell asleep.
Her eyes tracked his face, mostly shadowed by darkness. His chin rested on his chest, one lock of hair slanting across his forehead. Her fingers itched to brush the silky strand aside. His hands were clasped in his lap and his feet crossed at the ankles. No way he was comfortable with his big body stuffed into the small seat. Grasping the cover to her chest, she started to sit up when his eyes popped open and he shifted upright, instantly awake.
“Annabelle, are you okay?”
His voice was gravelly and deep and sleep-roughened. The sound danced along her spine, sending her hormones into a tizzy. “Yes. Thank you. But I, uh…”
“On it.” Pushing to his feet, he lifted a t-shirt from the bedside table and handed it to her. It was one of his. Breathing in his wonderful scent, she threaded her arms through the sleeves and adjusted the fit as he turned his back to give her privacy. If she were the brave sort, she would forgo the shirt, drop the sheet and flash him her sexiest smile.
“You hungry?” he asked over his shoulder.
Now that he mentioned it… “Starving.” Though it didn’t register at the time, the pizza smelled wonderful when she stepped out of the shower. It’d be cold now, but she liked it that way, too.
Tossing the covers aside, she slid out and grabbed the towel she’d wrapped around herself after her shower. She draped it over a rod in the bathroom before walking to the table to eat. Though the t-shirt was a dress on her, she felt naughty without underwear. Kellan had a plate and napkin waiting for her, along with a bottle of water. She thanked him as she dug into a gooey slice. It tasted as good as it smelled. She polished off two pieces before calling it quits.
“That was good. Thank you.” She met his gaze and he smiled, dimples bracketing his mouth. Damn, there went her heart again. This man was potent. She reached for the water, needing to quench the sudden flash of desire burning her from inside. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
“Nothing to apologize for,” he murmured.
She studied his handsome face. He’d showered and shaved. He wore a black t-shirt that hugged his impressive shoulders and biceps. So strong and brave. Her lids drooped and she blinked, fighting the pull of sleep. Bad things happened when she closed her eyes. Her dreams were unsettling and she’d rather keep staring at Kellan, but lingering effects from the drug Thug B injected her with were too strong to fight.
The next thing she knew, she was in his arms again. “I can walk,” she protested weakly, burrowing closer to his warmth. She really couldn’t. Her limbs were jelly.
“I know you can,” Kellan agreed as he placed her on the bed again.
Before he could move away, she clutched his arm. “Lie down with me, Kellan. Please?” Her eyes closed. “Keep the nightmares away,” she whispered. She’d probably be embarrassed in the morning, but right now, she didn’t care.
He stood silent so long, she was afraid he’d refuse. Instead, he kicked off his shoes and lifted the sheets. She scooted over to give him room. The mattress dipped when he crawled inside. Once he was settled, she rolled closer and melted against his body. His arms came around her and her last conscious thought was how right it felt to be lying in his arms.
#
How in the hell was Kellan supposed to sleep with Annabelle pressed against him? Though she wore one of his t-shirts, she was naked beneath and his body had no trouble remembering that juicy fact. His lower body was primed and ready. When she’d burrowed her heart-shaped ass against his groin, he was afraid he’d offend her but she was out like a light. Whatever drug the kidnappers used lingered in her system. He hoped to hell he’d made the right call in not insisting she get checked out at the hospital.
What he wanted to do was buckle her into the SUV and head East as fast as possible. It’d be a long drive, but every mile they put between her and her stepbrother was crucial. The man couldn’t harm her if he couldn’t find her. But, he understood her need to take her important belongings with her, especially since she’d lost three parents, all before the age of thirty. He was fortunate that both of his folks were still alive, so he couldn’t imagine what she’d been through. Now she was all alone except for a psycho stepbrother intent on doing her harm.
He hadn’t brought up the subject of her staying with him at the compound for an extended period of time. Everyone involved with the company was family and they’d welcomed him with open arms when he arrived. They’d do the same with Annabelle.
If they stopped by her house first and then the bank, they should be able to make it to the lawyer’s office in the early afternoon. He could request transport home tomorrow evening or the next morning. But, as he’d learned throughout his police career, things rarely happened according to plan.