Confer, Lorelei - Deadly Revenge (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (9 page)

“Si, senor.”

Sue ran to the house for the first-aid kit, and when she returned, she and Brandon jumped into their beat-up pickup truck with rifles on the back window and headed to the meadow, taking the dirt road along the main highway. They kept their eyes peeled for anyone coming onto or leaving their property.

* * * *

Brandon and Sue arrived within minutes in their pickup truck and pulled in beside Dave and Tory, who was now standing, wobbly, but standing. After Dave explained to them what had happened and that he’d already attempted to call the police, Brandon filled him in on his 911 call and told him the police were already on the way.

Sue opened up the first-aid kit and held a clean bandage to the back of Tory’s head.

“Where exactly do you think the shot came from, Dave?” Brandon asked.

“I think it came from over there,” he pointed to the woods to the east from where he thought he heard the sound coming from, “but I can’t be sure because of the echoing mountains.”

“That’s what I thought, too. Since our land is posted, we can press charges for trespassing if nothing else. That’s assuming we catch the shooter.”

They didn’t have long to wait for Chief Carr to arrive.

“Howdy, boys. What kind of trouble do we have here now?”

Dave explained what happened with a few interjections from Tory. The three men searched for a bullet or fragment of one that had been meant for Tory, but their search was futile.

They went to the approximate site of the shooting. Dave got down on his haunches once they reached a clearing and ran his hand around the stomped or smoothed down tall grasses. He checked for heat but found none. He ran his hands through the tall grasses looking for and hoping to find a shell casing but came up empty-handed. There was no evidence left behind if indeed this was the place the shooter stood within to make the shot. The flattened grasses could have been made by a deer or some other animal bedded down for the night.

“Pretty clean shot from here though,” Chief Carr said as they looked to where the pickup sat with Tory and Sue. “You and Tory were really lucky the shooter wasn’t a very good marksman or markswoman.”

“What makes you think it could be a woman?” Dave asked.

“A lot of women around here hunt with guns and bow and arrows. So it stands to reason it could be either,” Brandon answered.

“You’re right about that Brandon. If we could only find some evidence that would point us in some direction. I really feel Tory’s in danger and being threatened by someone. She’s been run off the road, and now she’s been shot at. I hate to think who may be doing this to her and what they might have planned for her next. And why choose her? Why pick on her? She hasn’t been in town long enough to cause any trouble. I can’t imagine what kind of message they’re trying to send.”

“Who has the most to lose by you being in town, Victoria?” Chief Carr asked.

“No one, I can’t think of a soul I’d be hurting by being here.”

Brandon stood looking across the meadow, rubbing his chin. “Maybe they just want her out of town for some reason. We’ll have to think about this and see if we can come up with something the two incidents have in common and see where it takes us. To me, family comes first, and nobody’s going to get away with hurting one of mine.”

“Now, you boys, don’t go taking the law into your own hands. I’m all for protecting Victoria but abiding by the law at the same time,” Chief Carr said as he made his way back to where he had parked his car. “We’ll be working on this from a lawful angle, and we’ll find the culprit.”

* * * *

Sue checked Tory’s injury herself and decided she didn’t need stitches after all. “Tory, I think you’ll live to ride another day. I’ve got you all cleaned up and bandaged for now. All you can do is apply an ice pack to take down some of the swelling and ease the pain.”

Tory took the ice bag and winced when she placed it on the back of her head.

Because they weren’t exactly sure of the whereabouts of the unknown assailant, they took extra precautions.

“Who’s riding with whom here?” Dave asked.

“Tory and I will take the pickup back to the barn,” Sue said, “and you fellas can take the horses, okay?”

“I’m going to get back to the office and see if anything has come in about snipers in the area,” Chief Carr said as he got in his car and started across the meadow.

Tory waved out the window as Dave and Brandon mounted their horses and headed back to the barn.

* * * *

Missed, damn it. How could that have happened? Especially after almost 75 hours of target practice. There was a clear shot, a wide-open shot. The perfect opportunity, the perfect alibi, perfect wide-open space. Maybe it’s time to implement plan B.

Chapter 13

After returning home, Sue parked the truck beside the barn, got out of the truck, and helped Tory get out of the high vehicle.

“I have some beef stew in the crock pot. How about you and Dave stay for dinner? Then I won’t have to worry about you sitting at home alone with a huge headache.”

“Dinner sounds great, but I’m going to have to go home at some point tonight, aren’t I? Besides, by then the perpetrator will be off doing in someone else, I’m sure of it. Let me talk to Dave and see what he thinks,” Tory said as they walked slowly to the house, holding the ice bag on the back of her head to quell some of the raging headache making itself known.

“Dave, would you and Tory like to stay for dinner? I’ve got beef stew in the crock pot and dinner rolls ready for the oven,” Sue hollered to the guys as they walked behind them toward the house.

“Her beef stew is nothing to turn your nose up at either. I think she got her cooking skills from her mother,” Brandon muttered to Dave.

Dave looked at Tory for an answer. She nodded. It was finally agreed they would stay for dinner.

* * * *

While Sue and Tory put the finishing touches on dinner, setting the table and baking the rolls, Brandon and Dave had meandered into Brandon’s study and had their heads close together talking seriously about something when Tory interrupted them.

“Just wanted to let you guys know dinner is ready and on the table,” Tory said.

After a comfortable dinner and a few more ibuprofen, Tory didn’t feel too bad. She helped Sue clean up the kitchen and was ready to make an exit. The events of the day seemed to come falling down around her, and all she could think about was lying down in her own bed and getting some much needed sleep. One look from Dave and he must have read her mind because he stood up from his comfortable chair in Brandon’s den and took her by the elbow.

“I think it’s time we hit the road. Tory appears to be done in and we all have had enough excitement for one day,” Dave said as they made their way to the front porch. “Good night and thanks so much for the delicious dinner. We’ll probably talk to you tomorrow. In the meantime, I think your ranch should be on full alert since we’re not exactly sure who the shooter was aiming for. Right, Brandon?”

“Don’t worry about us. We’re always on alert to trespassers and such. You take care of yourselves, okay?”

Sue hugged Tory good-bye and whispered something in her ear before giving Dave a hug as well. Brandon shook Dave’s hand and gave Tory a hug, and then they waved to them as they made their way to Dave’s truck.

Once settled in Dave’s truck, neither one said anything for the first five minutes or so. Both were so involved with their own thoughts of the day’s events.

“What did Sue whisper in your ear?” Dave asked as he laughed out loud.

“Are you really sure you want to know?” Tory asked in return.

Dave thought a minute and then said, “Yes, I’m sure. I want to know what I’m up against.”

“If you must know, she told me you’re a keeper, don’t screw it up.” Tory giggled as she said it.

“Wow, sounds like I passed big sister’s qualifications, huh?”

“You sure did.”

“What about you, Tory? Have I passed muster with you yet?”

“I need more time.”

“How about tomorrow night we go someplace nice for dinner?”

Dave asked as he turned into her driveway and parked the truck.

“Unfortunately, I think we need a break, a night off to think about what we’re doing and where our relationship is going, okay with you?”

“How about the next night? Wednesday?”

“That’s good for me. Let’s say I pick you up about seven, okay?” Dave asked as he put his hand on the door handle.

Tory answered, “Sure, seven is fine.” Dave opened his door at the same time Tory did, and he was there to help her down. His arms closed around her, and he leaned down to kiss her soft, moist lips. She put her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his thick, wavy hair. His hands roamed up and down her back, holding her closely as the kiss began to deepen. She opened her mouth for him and there was a tangling of tongues that lit him on fire for her. He put one hand behind her head, and the other one reached for a breast. Her nipples were hard and erect and begging to be sucked. He slipped his hand underneath her shirt and unfastened her bra, then realized where they were. He slowly turned around and headed toward her doorway, kissing her off and on the entire way.

Once inside her house, she pulled her shirt off and reached for his, wanting to feel their naked, hot bodies touching each other.

He pulled her closer until his erection was totally against her abdomen. She unfastened his belt and unzipped his pants while he struggled with getting her jeans unbuttoned. She helped him unfasten her jeans and quickly threw them aside. He removed his pants and underwear and reached for her. He slowly drew her to the couch while he removed her panties. Once there, he kissed her urgently, as if it would be the last time. His hands roamed her body, reaching between her legs to caress her tender thighs. He felt her quiver. He moved his hand to her feminine curls and played with her, inserting first one finger and then two. She thrust her hips against his hand. He knew she was ready for him. He kissed her lips, her ear, her soft neck, and then her nipples. He moved on top of her and entered her. She was so hot inside. He began thrusting into her back and forth while kissing her and nuzzling her neck and breasts.

She was enthralled with each stroke, each kiss, nibble, and nuzzle. She had dreamed about this, about how it would be to have sex with Dave again. She couldn’t believe how good it felt. She became delirious with sensations. She grabbed the edge of the couch and reached for Dave’s arm. She closed her eyes to concentrate on just feeling. She was overwhelmed with all the emotions. Awe-inspired. She felt such sensitivity and awareness to what was happening. It was wonderful, she couldn’t get enough. The flames were getting higher and higher and finally consumed her. She turned her head back and forth, her vision blurred.

Dave groaned a deep guttural sound and fell toward her, his breathing labored, his heart pounding in his chest. They lay side by side on the couch clutching each other until their breathing returned to normal.

* * * *

“I’ll see you Wednesday night at seven, okay?” she asked just to make sure while they walked hand in hand to her front door.

“Yes, Wednesday at seven.”

“Good night, Dave, see you then,” Tory said as she reached up and lightly kissed his lips.

“Good night. Make sure you lock all your doors. And windows, too. I know how you like to sleep with the windows open, but until we find out what’s going on with these attacks, it’s better to be safe than sorry.” He kissed her lightly and stood on the front porch until he heard her close and lock the door and saw lights go on as she made her way through the house.

He looked down the street and was relieved to see an unmarked security car parked there, doing what he was being paid to do. “Protect Tory at all costs.” Too many things were happening too fast.

Chapter 14

Tory tossed and turned, unable to sleep with all the windows closed. She lay awake in her bed, wondering what she would or should say to Matt at dinner. She played out different scenarios in her head. How would he react to her words? Words previously left unsaid. Words she had waited almost two years to say to him.
You jerk. You fool. What have you done, what did you do? You ruined it all, you ruined everything. Where are those women now? Did sleeping with them give you peace, satisfaction? What? A reputation? Where is it now? Where are they?

For the rest of the day, Tory couldn’t get Matt off her mind. How handsome he still looked, how he smelled. She remembered how it felt when he caressed her, how he tasted, and the way his eyes darkened when he was aroused.

Stop, stop! What am I thinking? This man is not a one-woman man and never will be. Haven’t I learned my lesson yet?