Between Midnight and Dawn (16 page)

“Maybe,” Rob agreed grimly. “That’d also mean she’s been alone, with no food or water for days. And we have no idea what condition she’s in. She might not make it through another night.”

Dean shook his head. “Are you talking about the same Sheryl I know? Then you don’t know her too well. She’s tenacious, and there’s no way she’s giving up. She’ll fight to survive with everything she’s got.”

There was a long moment of silence.

“All right,” Rob said, raking his hand across the top of his head with a sigh. “Tomorrow.”

Kyle watched as his partner collapsed onto the back seat, leaning against the black leather headrest and staring out the side window, but he appeared to have come to terms with waiting. “Hang in there, Rob . . . we’ll get her back.”

Then I’m gonna make Barber pay.

He’d spent half his life tracking down his mother’s killer, and he wasn’t about to let the bastard slip through his fingers.

Chapter 16

Rob slammed down another cup of coffee, glaring at Ramsey. After a sleepless night, everyone had convened at the local sheriff’s office to go over the day’s action plan. And he was past ready to get this search rolling, but it seemed Ramsey liked to hear himself talk a bit too much.

Pretentious prick.

He rolled his shoulders back to relieve some tension, not willing to waste one more minute listening to this guy rattle on about the proper methods of conducting a search. “Yeah. We got it.”

He leaned over to Dean, sitting next to him. “Can I borrow your car?”

Dean dug the keys from his front jeans pocket and handed them over. “I’ll tag along with the sheriff. We’ll be searching the property to the north, about a mile outside of town.”

Ramsey scowled at them.

“Okay,” Rob said, ignoring the blowhard up front. “Call my cell if you find anything.”

“You too. Good luck.”

He turned to Kyle, nodding toward the door. “You with me?”

It was light enough to see, that’s all that mattered to him. Without a word, Kyle got to his feet to follow him out. A handful of local volunteers joined them as they exited the building, Ramsey’s irritated ramblings echoing behind them.

“We’ll meet you at the property,” Rob called over to them.

It was early, the air cool and the sky gloomy as a thundershower threatened. Hopefully the rain would hold off long enough for them to search all the properties.

“Okay,” one of the volunteers returned, everyone heading for their vehicles.

Rob clutched the car keys in a tight fist, the metal digging into his palm. They’d already pissed away two hours of daylight, and he wasn’t waiting any longer. It’d take them at least fifteen minutes by car to reach the property they’d be searching. Fifteen more minutes Sheryl had to endure being in the hands of this sadistic bastard.

He slid behind the wheel of Dean’s car as low rumbling rolled across the darkened sky. The pressure from his tightly clenched jaw sent shooting pains through his temples. The steely determination to locate his woman settled over him. And as much as he’d tried to deny it, she was his. Or would be, if he were given the chance to make it so.

Memories of the video he’d viewed cut through him like a hot, poisonous blade. He gripped the steering wheel hard as the horrific images flashed across his vision.

“You okay, partner?”

The sound of Kyle’s concerned voice drew him back from the dark abyss he was circling. He forced his hands to relax, struggling for calm as he started the car. He needed to keep his shit together.

“Yeah.” He headed down Main Street and then out of town. He was far from okay.

“You don’t look okay.”

His mouth pressed tight while he collected himself before answering, shoving back a little more anger, a little more frustration, a little more fear for Sheryl’s well-being. They’d deal with the fallout after she was safe in his arms.

I’ll get her through this.
But he had to find her first. Nervous tension rushing through him, he gave the car more gas, breaking the speed limit by at least twenty miles an hour.

He flicked a glance toward Kyle. “How’s Nicole holding up?”

His friend arched a brow, one corner of his mouth curved, but there was nothing close to resembling amusement in his eyes. The man knew a diversion when he spotted it.

“She’s hanging in there . . .”

Kyle didn’t need to say the word
barely
. The anger in his eyes said it all.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at the old abandoned farmhouse, and it was starting to drizzle. Two cars of volunteers drove up behind them. Four hours later, after a thorough search of the home and surrounding acres, they had nothing.

Rob wiped at the rain wetting his face as he exited the forested area behind the house and headed toward the back porch. It wasn’t raining heavily, but it’d been steady enough to make the search that much more difficult, wiping out any potential signs that could lead to Sheryl’s whereabouts. The smell of rain reminded him of her fresh scent, and the knot in his gut coiled tighter.

He ruthlessly shoved away the doubt threading through him that they might not get to her in time.
Not going there.
Kyle, who’d given the house another once-over, hurried over to him. From the intense look on his face, something was up.

“What?” he barked, breaking into a trot to reach his partner.

“Dean called. They’ve located the property where Sheryl was held.”

Rob’s gut sank. “Was?”

Kyle nodded grimly as they both raced toward the car. “They haven’t been able to find her. But it’s definitely where the video was shot from.”

It didn’t take them long to reach the property, a dilapidated two-story cabin that’d seen better days. Weeds had grown up around it, nearly reaching the windows. Rain pinged off the cars lining the narrow dirt driveway. The air smelled fresh and clean, in total contrast to the horrors that undoubtedly went on inside the building.

Jumping from the vehicle they both raced up the crumbling brick stairs, and through the open door. Dean was standing in the entryway, speaking with a volunteer, but spotting them, he headed over. “Hey.”

His somber expression cranked up Rob’s tension. “What’d you find?”

Rob entered a partially furnished room, quickly taking in the scene. A half-eaten burger and an empty bottle of beer sat on the coffee table, crushed cigarettes overflowing an astray. The place reeked of rotting food and garbage.

He fisted his hands when he spotted the table she been strapped to, and scraps of her blouse littering the floor. Blood splatter dotted the dirty wood floor. Even though he’d been expecting it, fury still tore a hole through him.

“Looks like there was a struggle,” Dean said, telling him something he’d already figured out.

Kyle crouched down in front of the bloodstains, studying them. “It looks worse than it is.” Standing, he turned to face Rob, his expression contained. “She was bleeding, but not heavily.”

A couple of the volunteers came inside and up to them. “She isn’t outside. We’ve covered every inch of the property twice now, and there’s no evidence she was ever anywhere but in the house.”

The distant sound of rolling thunder echoed in the background, the light in the room dimming as the sun slid behind a cloud.

“Okay,” Kyle said, surveying the cramped space, “there has to be something here. Everyone look again.”

His throat tight, Rob nodded, still reeling from the sight of blood, even though he knew she’d been hurt.

“Right,” Dean said, glancing at the volunteers. “Let’s do it.”

Everyone spread out and Rob headed up the rickety stairs, followed by a volunteer he’d met earlier, Bob something-or-the-other. An older man who seemed genuinely concerned for Sheryl’s welfare.

Rob indicated the first bedroom on the left at the top of the stairs. A blast of thunder split the air, cold wind and rain blowing in through a broken window at the end of the hall. “We’ll start here.”

Rob was intent on personally tearing apart every room in the house. Because his instincts were screaming that she was there. Somewhere. And he wasn’t leaving until he found her.

His gut nothing but a hard knot of tension, knowing that each second that passed decreased the odds of finding her alive. It didn’t take long to determine she wasn’t upstairs anywhere.

Adrenaline coursing hard through his veins, Rob went back downstairs and went over every inch of space that’d been gone over twice already, finding nothing. Sounds of the increasing storm mimicked the feral emotions roiling inside him.

“I’m sorry, Rob,” Dean said, coming up to him in the kitchen, where they’d torn apart the walls in the hopes of finding a hidden space between the rooms. “I don’t think she’s here.”

“You’re wrong,” Rob snapped, shoving past him and back into the living room.
She has to be here, dammit!

“Rob,” Kyle began.

“Save it.” He studied the room again. Or what was left of it. Chunks of plaster missing, just like in the kitchen, as they’d punched through the walls in their attempts to find her. His gaze lowered to the wooden floor, searching for loose boards, but seeing none. “Tear the floor up.”

“Okay,” Kyle said, reaching for the hammer he’d used on the wall. “You heard the man.”

Everyone grabbed their tools and the sound of splintering wood filled the house, searching for hidden access under the floor as the storm increased, rattling the windows.

Lifting his foot, Rob shoved aside the square coffee table in the center of the room, knocking the beer bottle to the floor. He kicked it out of the way and reached down to flip back the faded rug. Falling to his knees, he slipped the crowbar he was using into a crack and pried up a floorboard. His heart stilled when a gaping hole was revealed.

“Kyle,” he shouted above the noise, prying up another panel. Dropping the crowbar, he tore at the boards with his bare hands. “I’ve got it!”

In the next instant, Bob crashed to his knees next to him, and they ripped up the floor. Everyone stilled as Kyle, standing beside Dean, shined a flashlight into the gaping space underneath.

“What the hell,” Dean murmured, as they all peered into the six-foot drop to a dirt path below.

Rob swallowed against the bile rising in his throat, remembering the far-too-many incidences of women being held underground as sex slaves over recent years. Except Barber was a serial killer, and all he could think of was Sheryl terrified and kept in a dark underground dungeon before being murdered.

The anger tearing through him was brutal as he dropped into the space. His eyes grew accustomed to the dim light filtering in from above, and he could vaguely make out a pathway. “Get me a flashlight.”

“Move.” Kyle joined him in the narrow space, shining the beam of a penlight down a short tunnel that led to a door, and swearing.

“What is it?” Dean asked.

“The sick bastard has an underground bunker,” Kyle bit out.

Eyes trained on the door, Rob reached up with one hand. “Hand me the crowbar.”

Dean leaned in and gave it to him. “Need more help?”

Kyle answered, “No. The space is narrow, and not sure how stable these dirt walls are. So, hang tight up there.”

“All right.”

Bending slightly so he didn’t hit his head, Rob’s feet quickly ate up the distance to the door, Kyle following close behind. The air was stale and muggy, and the sound of the storm muffled.

“Sheryl,” Rob called out as they neared the door. He twisted the knob, not surprised to find it locked. “Honey, can you hear me?”

Not waiting for her answer, Rob was already shoving the crowbar into the crack of the door, and with Kyle’s help, within a very short time they managed to pop it open. Rob rushed inside with Kyle hot on his heels. The size of a large closet, a light bulb hung down off a wire, dimly lighting the cramped space.

Rob snarled at the sight of Sheryl lying battered and unconscious on a thin mattress tossed on the floor. Blood and bruises covered her face. Through her tattered clothing, he could see more bruises marring her body. The fury he’d managed to hold back to search for her, erupted, blasting through him like an inferno. Barber had beaten the hell out of her, and Rob wasn’t sure she was breathing.

Behind him, Kyle swore.

By the time Rob reached her, pressing his shaking fingers to the hollow of her throat checking for a pulse, Kyle was draping his shirt over her nearly nude body. Although the storm still raged outside, the airless room was hot and muggy, and Sheryl’s skin felt like it was burning up.

“Is she . . .?” His friend couldn’t finish the sentence, his voice clogged with emotion.

Keeping her covered as best he could, Rob lifted her protectively into his arms as relief dulled his anger, at least for the moment. “She’s alive.”

Chapter 17

God, they’d found her.
Alive!
When Kyle had called with the news, Nicole had wanted to jump in her car and race to the hospital, but he’d convinced her to wait until he got to her place. But now he was here, and trying to talk her into waiting until morning.

She shook her head vigorously, needing to see Sheryl and find out that she was okay for herself. “No. I need to be there.”

“Honey, she’s stable, but sedated, and you won’t be allowed in to see her tonight.”

Fear for her friend was still a livable force inside her. “But what if he comes back for her?”

That thought chilled her blood.
But it’s me he really wants.
Her emotions churned harder, the tight knot expanding in her chest making it difficult to breathe.

He took her face between his hands, bending his knees to bring his eyes level with hers. “There’s a guard outside her room.” His lips quirked. “Besides, Rob’s with her. He finagled his way into her room and refused to leave. So stop worrying. He won’t let anything happen to her. She’s in good hands.”

The knot eased to a less painful level, but didn’t go away completely. “Can you at least tell me how she’s doing? What did he . . .? H-How badly is she hurt?”

Kyle tugged her against him. Pressing her head into his chest, he dropped a kiss onto her hair.

“Shh . . .” he murmured. “We won’t know until she wakes up, but the doctors say she’s going to be fine. She has some bruises, a bit of a fever, but no life threatening injuries.”

Visions of the video flashed across her mind, knowing he was downplaying Sheryl’s injuries to try and comfort her. It was more than a few bruises. “Was she . . .?” God, she couldn’t even say the word, but he read her thoughts anyway.

“No. There’s nothing to indicate she’d been raped.” He hugged her tight. “Sheryl’s going to be fine.”

Physically maybe.
Emotionally was another story. But at least Sheryl wouldn’t have to deal with the aftermath of being raped.

Nicole planned to be there for Sheryl every step of the way. But Kyle was right. There was nothing she could do tonight. Some of the tension left her body. “I want to be there as soon as visiting hours open.”

“All right. We’ll get there first thing in the morning. They have her at a hospital in Ann Arbor.” His hand lifted from her waist and stroked down her hair a couple times, before resting on her hip in a firm, but gentle grip.

“Okay,” she said softly, leaning into his comforting embrace, enjoying a long moment of being held in his arms.

Charlie whined, wanting outside, then let out a short bark.

Nicole stepped back and, with a sniffle, wiped at her face. “I better let him out.”

“Let me.” Kyle gently took her by the elbow, and walked her over to the couch so she could take a seat. Crouching down in front of her, he took both her hands between his. “You going to be okay?”

The caring she read in his eyes warmed her heart. “Yes,” she assured him. “Now that Sheryl’s out of the hands of that monster.”

Charlie, having come over to get their attention, nudged Kyle’s arm. He laughed, releasing her hands to stand and ruffle the top of the dog’s head. “Okay, buddy. I’m coming.”

Charlie pranced excitedly as Kyle walked over to slide back the glass patio door to let him out. He snapped on the chain that gave the dog enough room to reach the weeping willow in the backyard where she knew he’d immediately dig up his latest treat and plop down to happily gnaw on it.

When Kyle turned back to her, the look of hunger in his eyes made her nipples peak and her stomach flutter. He strode back over to her with purposeful strides, and took a seat next to her. Without a word, he scooped her up and settled her onto his lap, his arms wrapping her in a gentle cocoon of safety and caring.

Her pulse raced, her body warming fast. Laying her head on his shoulder, she snuggled closer. Desire rose up inside her, and she wanted to spend the night with him, wrapped up in his arms, too worn out from his lovemaking to think.

For one night at least, she wanted to forget the past couple months ever happened. Forget how she’d been attacked by someone she knew, surviving only to become the target of a serial killer, and putting her best friend in danger.

“Kyle,” she began hesitantly, her voice trailing off. She wanted him, but wasn’t sure how to ask. The need swept through her, making every cell in her body all too aware of him. A flush burned her cheeks.

“Yeah?” he asked, smiling, flashing his sexy dimple and making her pulse race even harder. His fingers flexed on her hip, tightening his hold.

Nicole wanted to take their conversation to the bedroom, but Kyle sat quietly and watched her, although she could see desire in his eyes.

She nervously swiped her tongue across her bottom lip, not missing the way his gaze followed the movement, his pupils flaring. The feel of his erection growing harder by the second beneath her bottom indicated he wanted the same thing. Her confidence grew.

“Kyle,” she repeated softly. “Please make love to me.”

A grin spread across his face. “Whatever you want, ma’am.” His sexy chuckle thrilled her.

Clutching his shoulders, her lips parted in anticipation as he lowered his mouth to hers. His lips slid across hers in a tender kiss. A low moan rose in her throat, and she melted against him. The stress from the past few days fell away as she was swept up in his masterful kiss, his touch.

His hands slid up to frame her face, tipping her head slightly to the left so he could fuse his mouth more firmly over hers, deepening the kiss as her body went up in flames.

Their tongues entwined with an urgent need. He tasted like strong coffee and spearmint, the heat coming off him warming her in all the right places. Tilting her head back, he placed soft, nibbling kisses down her throat. His lips warm and intoxicating, she was putty in his hands. The air around them became heavy with passion.

With a moan, she weaved her fingers into his thick hair and maneuvered his head back up to hers so she could mold her mouth to his, loving his taste, the feel of his lips against hers. She squirmed, wanting to get closer, every part of her trembling with the fierce need.

“Nicole,” he murmured reverently into her mouth, one hand dropping down to massage her breast over the top of her blouse, pinching the nipple between his finger and thumb as he cupped her in his palm.

As desire took over, her shyness vanished. Readjusting, she straddled him and pressed her center against the hard length of him under his jeans. That sexy groan of his only inflamed her more.

She wriggled, enjoying the pleasurable feeling, wishing there were no barriers between them. He grasped her hips and tugged her more fully against him as he devoured her mouth. Greedy, wet kisses that drove her pleasure higher.

“Kyle. Please,” she whispered against his lips. “I need you.”

“You got me, baby,” he murmured, his breathing labored. “Whatever you want.”

He stripped off her top and bra, his mouth latching onto her breasts, first one, then the other, sucking, licking, and nibbling. But it wasn’t enough. She tore at his shirt, but her trembling fingers couldn’t work the buttons.

Chuckling softly, Kyle tugged his shirt off over his head and tossed it to the floor. His darkening gaze traveled over her as his erection thickened under her. “We have all night, honey. Slow down.”

The lustful resonance of his voice, in total contrast to his call for constraint, sent shivers of desire through her.

Nicole didn’t want to slow down. She wanted him right now, here on the couch. Sinking back onto the soft leather material, his eyes held a hunger that matched the overwhelming need uncoiling inside her. Her heart leapt at the sight of his magnificent chest, and the smattering of dark hair reaching down to the top of his jeans.

He easily cupped her breasts, filling his palms. “Perfect,” he murmured, before dragging his thumbs across her sensitive nipples, sending ripples of pleasure directly to her core.

“Such pretty little rose peaks.” His lips curved into a smile that sent moisture gushing between her legs. “But I need you completely naked.”

Ohmygod, yes.

In a rush of movement, the rest of their clothing ended up on the floor. Kyle reversed their positions, pinning her beneath him. And that was Nicole’s last rational thought as he began a thorough exploration of her body that soon had her reaching for an orgasm. Sucking on her earlobe, his erection poked at her entrance, and she parted her legs, wrapping them around his hips as he sank deep and set up a slow pace.

He felt fabulous. “Oh, God. Don’t stop,” she begged, lifting her hips to meet him.

He peered down at her with desire-filled eyes. “Didn’t plan on it,” he promised, before claiming her mouth with the same intensity he was claiming her body. Making love to her ever so sweetly with deep, pleasurable strokes.

Her world fell away, lost in a sea of blissful sensations, spiraling higher as the most exquisite tension flooded her. Eyes closed, she arched up against him. Nothing existed, but him, her, and the way they melded together in tender passion.

Kyle filled her up both physically and emotionally, leaving no room for despair or fear-only joyful exhilaration. Her breathing grew ragged, her legs tightening around him, her fingernails scraping across his back as his muscles flexed under her touch. Cool air brushed over her overheated flesh, soft gasps and moans filled the room.

Each sensual thrust of his hips sent her rocketing toward what she knew would be unlike anything she’d ever experienced before, where nothing existed but her and Kyle and the pleasure they could bring each other. No stalker ex-boyfriends, no serial killers or death, nothing but peaceful oblivion.

When he broke their kiss, her eyes flew open to find him staring down at her, all the while keeping up his driving pace. Forearms resting on either side of her, hands curling around the back of her head, he covered her with his body while his long, sensual strokes had her core quivering in response. Their gazes clashed, his eyes filled with the same fire that was burning her alive.

“You are so beautiful,” he ground out between gritted teeth, before taking her mouth again in a possessive, fiery kiss.

His words, the touch of his lips against hers, the erotic feel of his muscular form over hers, the hard length of him plunging deep inside her core, narrowed her world to just this moment, just this man.

Time ceased to exist as she was caught up in a wild storm of ecstasy.

The orgasm that blasted through her was earth shattering. Tiny tremors from deep within her core spread through her with sharp pleasurable bursts, growing in intensity until all she could do was hang on to the gorgeous man above her and ride the waves cascading through her.

Kyle didn’t let up for an instant, plunging into her again and again, until his name fell from her lips on a gasp of pleasure. A last powerful crest surged through her, then she collapsed back onto the couch, unable to think, unable to move. Only feel.

Nicole was vaguely aware of Kyle tensing above her a second later. Lifting heavy lids, she watched with total delight as he threw back his head, tight lines bracketing his face as he yelled her name, shaking with his own release.

Awareness slowly came back to Kyle, his body flush with satisfaction after the best sex of his life. Whether it was the woman underneath him, the desperation of the moment and the need to comfort and care for her, he didn’t know. But never had he been so overcome with desire that he’d failed to think clearly.

No condom.

The knowledge had barely registered in his mind, when he realized he didn’t really give a crap. Nicole was his. Shifting slightly on the narrow space so he was no longer crushing her, he brought her with him and tucked her close to his side, her head resting on his shoulder. His breathing gradually returned to normal.

From the moment he’d seen her outside her pottery shop, he’d been attracted to her. Her petite, curvy body and sweet face had mesmerized him completely. After meeting her and learning how special she was, that attraction had turned into desire, then something more. Something he now realized might be love.

Love? Even that word couldn’t encompass what he felt for Nicole. It was so much more than that. He wanted to be her everything, to protect and cherish her, make her happy and share her life. And if he’d gotten her pregnant tonight, they’d deal. Because he wasn’t giving her up, ever. So it didn’t matter.

Feeling her tense, he glanced down to find her staring off in the distance. And although her cheeks were flushed from pleasure, her lips red and swollen from his kisses, he could read sadness in her eyes and knew she was thinking about Sheryl.

His mouth tightened. She needed another distraction. But before he could put his plan into action, her eyebrows knitted.

“Um, Kyle,” she said softly, tilting her face up to him, one hand playing with the hair on his chest.

He forced himself to relax, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. It was his job to keep her happy the rest of the night. She’d have enough to deal with tomorrow when they got to the hospital. “Yeah, honey?”

“I don’t think we, um . . .” Her voice trailed off.

“Used a condom,” he said with a smirk. He watched with interest as her tongue swept across her mouth.

“Well. Yes.” Studying him with questioning eyes, she stroked a slender finger down the side of his face.

Kyle cupped her cheek, loving the feel of her silky soft skin under his palm. “That’s not a problem for me.” He kissed the tip of her dainty nose. “And you don’t need to worry, I’m clean.”

Her eyes widened. “I wasn’t worried about that, and you shouldn’t be either.”

“No worries.” Unable to resist, he kissed her. A short peck, but it was enough to get his blood flowing again, directly to his groin area.

“Kyle,” she said again, in the same hesitant manner.

“What is it, baby?”