Cowboy Sanctuary (The Dixon Ranch) Page 17

  “Don’t bother. I’m going to take you someplace while Mr. Stallings takes care of our business. I would advise you not to make a scene. I can promise that won’t work out well for either of you.”

  My heart pounded in my chest as the man stood. Derrick was surrounded by the rest of the men, unable to get to me even if he was stupid enough to try. I doubted his feelings for me were worth warranting the possibility of dying.

  The older man put the gun in his pocket, not once releasing my wrist. “Keep your mouth shut and walk out like a good girl, and I promise you’ll make it to see the sun rise.” Wherever this crazy man was getting his lines from, I got the gist of the situation Derrick had put me in. I wanted to kill him myself now, and probably would if I made it out of this alive.

  I wondered how fast he could pull his gun as I was escorted out of the building to a waiting limousine. This just kept getting more surreal, and I felt the air leave my lungs in quick gasps as I was shoved into the backseat. I hated this stupid city! Never had I longed for the country more.

  The man moved in to sit beside me, and another man came from the other side, putting me in the middle of the two of them. I’d never known fear like this and felt bile rising in my throat. Why hadn’t I listened to Brock? I could be in his arms right now, safe and secure. I wasn’t going to cry. Damn it! I wasn’t. The tears sliding down my cheeks made a liar out of me, and I wiped them away quickly as I wondered if I’d make it through this night alive.

  “You’re nothing like your sister.” The older man chuckled, handing me a handkerchief. I wanted to refuse, but I remembered reading some book that said it was best to go along with what your captive asked in a situation of kidnapping. Maybe I read too many books, but I took the advice anyway.

  “How did you know Danielle?” I asked. Another memory of that book was make your kidnapper see you as a human being. God, I was pathetic. This man was probably going to tie me up to a cement block and drop me in the lake, and I was trying to make polite conversation.

  “Your boyfriend tried to pay me to knock her off. We don’t handle jobs like that. I’m amazed you’re as stupid as she was. I don’t see why any woman would be attracted to a disgusting piece of work like that.”

  I was getting a lecture from a guy holding me at gunpoint? OK, he wasn’t aiming at me, but he had a gun, and that meant the same thing. Hysteria was setting in. “I didn’t have much of a choice,” I said. “He was threatening someone I loved.” Why was I telling this criminal that? Closing my lips tightly, I decided this man didn’t need more information that could be used against me.

  I’d always believed Derrick had paid someone to have Danielle killed or done it himself, and now it was confirmed. It didn’t make me feel any better, because now he was going to be responsible for my death too. Maybe it was inevitable I met my end this way. I started sobbing like a child. I didn’t want to die without telling Jeremy and Brock how much I loved them.

  Brock was right: women did need to be protected. I would give anything to have him here right now, holding me and fighting away all the things that terrified me. I couldn’t stop the tears. I wished that if my end was coming, they’d just get it over with. Waiting for it was probably worse than death.

  “Definitely not like your sister. Please stop all that sniveling, girl. I have no intention of killing you. That wouldn’t repay my investment.”

  Could I believe him? No, but maybe there was a slim chance I’d make it out of this.

  “Derrick is probably on his way to Mexico by now,” I said through my sniffles. I didn’t think for a minute he’d give enough of a crap about me to lose money. “How much does he owe you?” I’d pay for my own release just to get back to the man I loved.

  “A little short of a million dollars. He’s being escorted for that reason. Don’t worry your pretty little head. Stallings knows I could extract him from anywhere he goes, and he doesn’t want to cross me any more than he already has.” The man chuckled cruelly, and I was beginning to believe that he wasn’t a man anyone wanted to backstab.

  “I could give you a quarter of that. Please, I just want to leave this place and forget I ever came home.” I could beg, and do it well, I discovered. Anything to get me out of this mess.

  “I don’t deal with women, young lady. Trust me, I’ll get that money out of him, or make sure he’s taken care of.” I wasn’t sure if I should be happy he was a chauvinist or not. Who knew what his idea of dealing with was? “Now sit quietly, and let me enjoy the ride home.”

  His home was a sprawling, gated mansion with armed security guards. Who was I dealing with? I took in the beauty of the place, worrying I’d be stuck here for the rest of my life. I’d seen his face, so the chances of me leaving seemed slim. Depression was becoming a common companion for me lately. I wrapped my arms around my waist after I was escorted out of the car. I didn’t want to step inside this beautiful prison.

  “What are you going to do with me?” I wasn’t sure asking was smart because I didn’t want to know.

  “I don’t possess a dungeon, if that’s what you’re concerned about.” The man’s chuckle was filled with humor, but I didn’t find anything about this situation funny. Not walking inside wasn’t an option, since I was flanked by him and his friend, and I doubted I could outrun the younger man, who looked fit.

  The door was opened by a butler, and again I was hit with the insanity of this situation. The marble floors echoed the sound of my heels as I moved forward, and my eyes were drawn to the beauty surrounding me, even though the circumstances were morbid.

  “Shall I prepare a meal, Master Eric?”

  The polite servant had probably signed my death warrant, since I now knew his first name. I wanted to scream at him for the blunder, but for all I knew he was a monster too.

  “We’ve eaten. You’re dismissed for the evening.” My captor waved the man away, and I thought the way he treated his workers was arrogant. “Take the young lady.” He paused, looking at me. “What’s your name?”

  I stayed quiet until his look grew heated. “Dana,” I murmured. I wasn’t giving him more unless he asked, but his nod told me it was sufficient.

  “Take Dana into the living room and keep her entertained. It might be a long evening.” The other man nodded and grasped my elbow to lead me away. I didn’t want his hand on me, but shrugging it off was probably tempting fate.

  The living room was a huge, ornate affair, with a large sofa, enormous flat-screen television, and enough luxury to appear in some elegant living magazine. I sat on the couch since the huge man stopped there and seemed to be waiting for me to do it.

  “Here’s the remote. You should find something to entertain yourself.” He planted himself on my right side and crossed his arms over each other to look imposing. I scooted as far away from him as possible without melting into the armrest, then put the remote down. I wasn’t interested in television.

  My thoughts were back on a beautiful ranch where horses ran free and a waterfall spilled into a creek. It wasn’t just the scenery that focused my attention, but the people living there. I wondered what they were doing now and if they’d ever forgive me for my deception.

  The man took the remote and clicked on the screen, turning to some news channel. I had no desire to hear about the horrible events happening in the world when I was suffering one of my own. I had to talk to Brock. Hear his voice and beg for forgiveness. I still had my purse with my phone in it! “Am I allowed to use the bathroom?” My voice was shaking, and it wasn’t from a need to go. I was terrified!

  “Guess the boss wouldn’t want you ruining his couch.” The man stood and motioned for me to follow. He walked me down a long marbled hallway covered with artwork that probably cost more than the ransom I was being held for. “If you try and open the window, the alarm will go off,” he warned.

  Nice to know, I thought, walking inside and shutting the door. At least he was allowing me a little privacy. I inched my cell out of my purse, dialed Brock’s nu
mber, and waited impatiently for him to answer. When he did I almost couldn’t speak over the emotion clogging my throat up.

  “Dana. Where the hell are you?” Caller ID. There was no sweeter sound on earth than his griping tone demanding answers.

  “I’m not sure how much time I have, so please listen,” I whispered, hoping the man outside the door wouldn’t hear. “I’ve been kidnapped by some guys Derrick owes money to.” Brock tried to talk, but I took over, needing to say everything I could before I was discovered. “I was wrong to leave you. I love you so much, and if I never see you again, I want you to remember that. Please forgive me for not trusting in you to take care of me.”

  “Sweetheart, tell me where you are. I’ll come right now.” Brock’s anger quickly turned to compassion, and it made me long to have his arms wrapped around me.

  “No, they’ll hurt you. Just take care of Jeremy, and never forget how much I love you. I’m so sorry. I’ll never forgive myself for leaving the two of you.” A knock on the door told me my jailer was getting antsy. “I love you, Brock, from now until forever.” After ending the call, I slid the phone into my purse. I did have to go, so I hurried to finish that task. I didn’t bother washing my hands, because what did I care about germs at this point?

  “You women take too long.” The guy was a real gentleman as he grabbed my arm and pulled me back into the living room. I stumbled, and he righted me at least, instead of letting me crash into the solid floor.

  The next several hours were thankfully boring, but my body was getting tired of sitting in the same position for so long. I stood up, and Mr. Jailor jumped like I was getting ready to flee. “I just need to stretch my legs,” I pleaded. Sheesh, jumpy much? Where was I going to go in four-inch heels and a straight pencil skirt? Neither were conducive to running.

  “If you’re bored I’m sure I can find a way to entertain you.” The disgusting smirk on his face gave me a pretty good idea of what he considered entertainment.

  “If you’d like to keep your hands attached to your body, I’d suggest not going there,” I replied. Probably not the smartest thing to say, but the jerk threw back his head and laughed.

  “Tiny little thing like you? I think I can hold my own.”

  I decided to keep my mouth shut. I sat back down even though my butt was still feeling numb, and I squirmed uncomfortably in my seat.

  “I hope our guest has been behaving herself.” Eric—which was what the servant had called him—joined us. Adrenaline pumped through my veins.

  “Boring babysitting job, boss, so yeah.”

  I wanted to say something snarky to make myself feel better, like he could have left any time, but decided that wouldn’t be smart.

  “Mr. Stallings was able to come up with only part of the money, which is unacceptable. He assures me that you have someone else who would be able to take care of the rest?” Eric suggested.

  He couldn’t mean . . . ? I would kill Derrick if he got Brock mixed up in this.

  I didn’t answer, because if Derrick hadn’t told him, I wasn’t going to involve the man I loved in this nightmare. Crossing my arms over my chest, I looked away, hoping the fear I felt in my heart wasn’t showing in my eyes. I would rather force this man to shoot me than have Brock risk his life.

  “I see he was right?” Eric chuckled. “Get in here, and don’t make me wait any longer,” he shouted to Derrick. “You’ve disrespected my family for the last time, so make sure you fix this situation.”

  Seeing Derrick walk in with an eye that was already bruising and several other lacerations covering his face didn’t distress me. He deserved what he got.

  The older man held out a phone, and Derrick took it. I wanted to kick him in the balls. “Don’t you do it,” I yelled. “I swear by all that’s holy I will make you suffer the rest of your life if you get him involved!”

  “Shut the fuck up, Dana. That cowboy better have what I need, or I’ll burn his fucking ranch to the ground.”

  One of the other men who had entered with Derrick punched him in the gut hard, and Derrick fell to his knees.

  “Keep your mind on the task,” Eric instructed. The man didn’t seem upset at all that one of his men had decided to act on his own, and I felt my unease grow even more. This was a situation that wasn’t going to end well for either of us.

  “I told you I could give you a quarter of what he owes. Please, I’m begging you don’t involve anyone else.” I couldn’t say Brock’s name in case they didn’t know it yet. Without even thinking I ran over to the older man, grabbing his shirt, my finger clenching the material as I looked up into his eyes helplessly.

  Eric held up a hand to what I’m guessing was someone coming up behind him, and shook his hand. “I’ve already explained I don’t do business with women, young lady. Your other friend won’t be harmed. I will give you my word. All I want is what I’m owed.”

  The word of a criminal, because of course I was going to believe that. Derrick dialed the number, and I released the man’s shirt. I felt lightheaded, and the world spun out of control for a moment. Before I hit the floor, I was lifted into a pair of strong arms. My mind had taken all it could, and maybe this darkness was a blessing.

  I’d only fainted once before, and I wasn’t sure how long I was out. Sitting up, I glanced around, wild-eyed. Derrick was tied and gagged in an oversize chair beside the couch where I was laying. I wanted to hurt him more than whoever had beaten him had already done. I didn’t know what had happened, and my helplessness was growing by the second.

  “Did you call Brock?” I screamed the words, sanity being so far from my mind that I couldn’t control myself any longer.

  Derrick glared at me, giving a quick upward lift of his swollen jaw. I slid off the couch and walked over to slap him as hard as I could, not caring that he already looked like a piñata. I wanted him to suffer more!

  “I hate you!” I screamed. I was pulled off him when I raised my hand again, and the person doing it was laughing gleefully.

  “Guess you’ve pissed off all the wrong people tonight,” the man told Derrick. He turned to me. “Can’t let you kill him, though. He still owes the boss money.” The same jerk who had watched me earlier. At least I knew who was grabbing me.

  I struggled out of his arms and stormed back to the couch with grief and rage filling my heart I couldn’t deal with it.

  “Easy now, little lady. Don’t want to hand you back looking worse for the wear. That’s not our policy. There’s some brandy on the table. Boss man thought you might need it.”

  I wasn’t a drinker, and probably should have worried about it being laced, but I picked up the decanter and poured myself a huge goblet. I drank it down, not caring about any of that. All I worried about was my beautiful cowboy coming in to save the day and getting himself killed in the process. The warmth seeping through my body calmed me down a little, but it would take the whole bottle before I would relax.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Bearing Rein

  Brock

  Losing Dana on the phone turned me into a raving lunatic, and I was determined to drive to Chicago and knock down every door in that stupid damn city until I found her. I was at my folks’ house. All the family was there for our dinner, and they knew how close I was to going off the deep end. Pop pulled out a bottle of beer, the strongest thing he kept in the house, then popped the top and handed it over.

  “We gotta have a game plan. Going off half-cocked ain’t gonna help Dana and might end up getting her killed.” Of course I’d told them everything, and Travis was already putting in calls trying to figure out what kind of help we could get from his friends in the sheriff’s department up there.

  Then a second call came through from Derrick. That fucker had just signed his death warrant for getting my girl mixed up in his screwed-up life.

  I put the phone on speaker because I knew Travis would know about how to go about something like this better than I. Trust me, it didn’t make me feel real macho needing som
eone else’s help to save my woman! He sounded like a desperate man, but he had no idea what desperation was until I got through with him.

  Half a million dollars by first thing tomorrow morning, or Dana was dead. We could pull that together. Our land was worth ten times that amount, but getting it before the bank opened wasn’t likely. After getting an address of where to make the drop, and feeling like this was some cop show on television instead of real life, we knew what kind of danger Dana was in. Derrick could get shot in the head, for all I cared.

  “I’ll call Martin Bridges down at the bank and explain what’s going on.” Pop had friends all over town because that’s the kind of good-hearted man he was.

  “We need to get the FBI involved in this,” Travis insisted. “I don’t have the knowledge or the manpower to deal with something of this scale.” Travis and his damn rules!

  “There’s no need to involve anybody else. You know as well as I do if we come bringing shit like that, it’s a death sentence,” I said. We didn’t know who we were dealing with besides Derrick, but if it involved that kind of money, it couldn’t be some local bookie.

  “If we don’t involve someone else, the money could just be gone and they’ll still kill her. We need people trained in this situation.” Travis could talk all the crap he wanted right now. I was going to get Dana back. It was my only concern.

  “Son, I know you’re worried, but your brother’s right. We want to make sure they don’t hurt her,” Pop chimed in, making it impossible not to at least listen to Travis’s judgment. I respected my father above all others, and I owed him that.

  Travis was on the phone again, and I guess it didn’t matter what I thought. My head wasn’t clear enough to make logical decisions, and I’d remember that later. I had only one concern, and once I had her safe in my arms again, she was never leaving this ranch again! I’d tie her to my bed if need be.