Cowboy Rescue [Men for Hire 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (16 page)

“I’m telling you that one of the lights was on.” Chase, a blond man who was a bit shorter than Brad and his brothers, was adamant. His feet were planted apart and his hands thrust into his jeans.

“We’re not doubting you, man.” Mike slapped him on the shoulder. “But whatever or whoever it was that turned it on must’ve taken off. Plus, when Brad got to the barn, the light was off.”

“Damn it, Mike. There you go again. You’re not saying it outright, but you may as well say it. You think I don’t know what I’m talking about. I should’ve gotten everyone up when I first saw it. Instead, I let your big bro talk me out of raising the alarm.”

She wasn’t sure, but she’d bet anything that Brad had made it to the barn after Chase left and had turned out the light.

“What I don’t get is why you three aren’t more curious about it.” Chase’s hazel gaze shifted to her. “You’re the ones who have a job to do.”

Gabriel had gathered all the men together the morning after the barn incident to tell them about Maria. He’d explained that another team had been sent to Maria’s home in Destiny, but that the Granger men were the point team and the ones the others should report to if they saw anything suspicious. Chase’s insistence that someone had been in the barn had gathered a group of men together.

“We’re staying on top of this, but I’m encouraged. We haven’t heard a thing from her stalker since we brought her here.” Mike planted his feet apart, crossed his arms, and faced the group of men. “I’m hoping it means that he’s given up.”

Like Mike, she’d hoped that the lack of any contact from King was a sign that he’d finally moved on. She took a deep, steadying breath. Was she free from danger at last?

They’d been curious, a few more so than the others, but they’d respected Gabriel’s wishes and kept to themselves.

She walked away from the group and hoped that one or all of the Granger men would follow her. Over the past two days, she’d started to feel more at home on the ranch. Together and separately, the men had shown her around while keeping her close to the house. She’d learned the names of all the horses and most of the men. At times she even found herself wondering where they wanted to build their house.

But am I ready to give up my life in Destiny?

She loved her apartment and her job. Although the small town wasn’t too far away, making a daily commute was impossible. As she’d done so many times before, she warned herself not to get too excited. Since the night when they were in the barn, Brad hadn’t mentioned the house.

But they’d told her several times how much they cared for her. She hugged herself and let the warm sun try to compete with the warmth inside her.

“Hey, sugar. Want some company?”

“Sure.”

Jack sidled up beside her. She yearned for him to wrap his arms around her, but they’d agreed that to do so in front of the other men and Gabriel would prompt too many questions.

“What do you have planned for the day?”

His dark eyes bored into her, turning her stomach to mush. “Not much. I might try my hand at cooking dinner for you guys tonight. And Gabriel and the Wright cousins, too.”

“Aw, hell. Do we have to invite them?”

She laughed, feeling the same way he did. “Or I could pop a frozen pizza in the oven and we could watch a movie.”

“I’d rather watch you as you sit on top of me.”

How could he still make her blush? “I would, too. But we decided—”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. We decided that it’s too risky after your and Brad’s near miss in the barn. I don’t think Chase is ever going to shut up about that.”

“I feel sorry for him.” She made sure no one was within listening distance. “He almost caught us, and now we’re making everyone doubt his word.”

“Don’t feel too bad for him. He’ll get over it soon enough.”

“Jack, hold up.”

They pivoted to find Gabriel striding toward them with Mike and Brad in tow. His face was a mask of fury and, for a moment, she considered running.

He got up close, too close for her wishes. Even though he kept his voice low, the intensity of his anger filled his tone.

“Brad just told me what happened the other night. It’s a good thing, too, since I was about to call for a search of the ranch. Instead, I’ve set up a watch perimeter around the place with guards at every road leading in and out of the ranch.”

“And I told him to butt out of our personal business.” Brad squared off with Gabriel while Mike stood behind him. Both men were as angry as their leader.

“Damn straight,” added Mike.

“When you’re on this ranch, it is my business.” Gabriel shook his head, his features softening as he confronted her. “I’m sorry for what these dogs are doing. No one should ever take advantage of a woman while she’s vulnerable.”

Vulnerable? She’d never felt less vulnerable in her life since coming to the ranch. Brad, Mike, and Jack made her feel strong and able to handle anything, including Gabriel.

“You’ve got it all wrong. They didn’t take advantage.”

“Look, Maria, I know it may not seem like that, but you’re not thinking clearly right now. You’ve been under a lot of stress, so it’s understandable that you don’t get what’s going on.”

“What? No, that’s not—”

“I know, I know. But trust me and let me handle this for you.”

“Gabriel, you’re not listening to me.”

“Man, you need to back away.” Jack was getting as angry as his brothers were.

But what disturbed her even more was the way the big man was looking at her. The expression of pity in his eyes was unbelievable.

“Gabriel, please stop and listen to me.”

“Now, now. Don’t you give it another thought. I don’t blame you for what they did. And I don’t want you to worry your pretty little head about it.”

Her mouth dropped open as Brad and his brothers started backing away.

“Oh, hell. Tell me he didn’t say what I think he said.” Jack waved his hands in front of him. “Sugar, remember who said that. It sure as hell wasn’t me.”

She wasn’t sure if it was what he’d said or how he’d said it. Or maybe it was the fact that he was rubbing her on the arm like she was some pitiful little girl. He couldn’t have made her more upset if he’d patted her on the head.

She shoved his hand away and saw his stunned expression as the realization of what he’d said hit him. “I know exactly what’s going on. But either way, I don’t like being treated like I’m too stupid or too fragile to comprehend what the big, strong men are talking about.”

Gabriel’s hands came up, protecting himself. “Hey, hey. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“The hell you didn’t. Now you listen up. I’m going to take my weak little ass away from you and every testosterone-filled bozo within five miles. If you know what’s good for you, you won’t try and stop me.”

She waited, daring him to tell her not to leave, then spun on her heel and charged away. Why didn’t any of the men who supposedly cared for her stick up for her? How could they let Gabriel say that?

She stalked across the yard then around the back of the house and toward the field beyond. Her heart pumped, pounding against her chest as she put distance between herself and the irritating men. Although a part of her warned her to turn back, she kept going, determined to defy Gabriel’s orders to stay close to his house.

“Maria, hold up.”

She whirled to face Mike. “Not a chance.”

“You can’t just go wandering off like this.”

“Why not? I’m on the ranch, for God’s sake, surrounded by lots of big, strong men. Besides, you said it yourself. King hasn’t bothered me in days, so he’s probably given up.”

“We don’t know that for sure.”

He was right, but she wouldn’t, couldn’t admit it. Not yet anyway. “You know what I do know? I know I don’t want to be around any of you right now.”

“But what did we do? Gabriel’s the one that opened his yap and said that stupid shit.”

“And you just let him.” She lifted her hands, palms out to stop him as he moved forward. “Stay away and give me some room to breathe. I’ve been trapped on this ranch, and I want some time to myself. Back off, Mike.”

He called to her as she strode away. “Fine. But stay close, okay?”

“I’ll do what I damn well please. Leave me the hell alone.” Still, she knew he was only looking out for her, and she relented. “I’ll stay within shouting distance, but unless I yell, give me my time alone.”

She kept moving, sensing that he wanted to follow, yet that he’d respect her wishes. As she came to a small rise, she turned and saw him standing where she’d left him.

Giving him a quick wave, she crested the hill then hurried down the other side, putting the Mike and the ranch house out of sight.

“Damn stupid men.”

“No, sweetheart. We’re not all stupid.”

She whirled, fear gripping her. The face of the man behind her barely registered as he pressed a cloth over her nose and mouth.

Her head hurt and something hard poked into her back. Maria groaned, then tried to open her eyes. It was difficult, but at last, she managed to see through slits. The room was lit by a single lantern that cast shadows on the walls. She forced her eyes open, then moved. Pain seared in her arms and raced to join the ache in her head.

“Good. You’re coming out of it.”

It’s him.

Dreading what she would find, she pushed her body off the floor and into a sitting position. The pounding in her head intensified and a wave of nausea swamped her. She moaned, hating that the sound showed how frightened she was but needing to free some of her pain.

He sat on a plain wooden chair, hidden in the shadows. He leaned it backward so that it rested on its two back legs. She squashed an urge to hurl herself at it and knock him to the floor. But she didn’t have the strength to stand up, much less to attack him.

The room was small and sparsely furnished with only a table and chair. It had one window that was so covered in grime that she doubted she could see through it. Was it one room in a bigger house? Or was this all there was? But where was it located? Was she still on the ranch? Or had he taken her far away from her men and any possible rescue?

“Who are you?” She had only the one name for him. “You’re King, aren’t you?” Her voice cracked, and her tongue felt like it was coated with fur.

“King of the Night? Yes. But I like it. King is shorter, and so appropriate.”

“But that’s not your real name, is it?”

He pushed out his lips in a pout. “Well, no. But I like it better.”

Maybe if she treated him nicely, she’d live long enough to figure out how to get away. Or long enough for help to arrive. “I like the name King, too. But I’d really like to know your real name. Please tell me.”

“Oh, all right. Just this one time. But don’t ever call me anything other than King.”

“Whatever you say.”

“My given name is Victor Stephanopolini.”

“That’s a mouthful.”

“Not to worry. I’m no longer Victor. I’m King.”

He lurched forward, putting the chair on all its legs. Leaning forward, he came out of the shadows. His blond hair shone under the light of the lantern. He was a good-looking man with an average frame. Gold jewelry hung from his neck and wrists and adorned three fingers on each hand. But his eyes were what made her throat clog with fear.

He’s insane.

She’d figured him for a freak, a stalker with an obsession, but she hadn’t let herself believe that he didn’t possess the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Gazing into his eyes, she knew his version of right and wrong had gone off the deep end.

“Where am I?”

He glanced around, the disgust registering on his face as well as in his tone. “This isn’t where I’d hoped to first meet you, sweetheart, but you gave me little choice.”

“It isn’t? What is this place?”

“It’s my little hideaway.” He giggled, the high pitch of his voice sounding like a young girl. “Don’t you see how delicious this is? I was so close to you, watching you these past days, and yet, these idiots never knew. I was right under their noses, but they never thought I’d be that bold, did they? They were so sure I wouldn’t dare venture onto their land. I followed you, you see, when they brought you here.”

His eyes glittered. “No one can keep us apart. No one.”

“We’re still on the ranch?” But the ranch was huge and he could’ve brought her to the farthest edge.

“Unfortunately, we are. I was waiting for my chance to take you, but I never thought you’d walk off on your own. Of course, I had to jump at the opportunity. I’d wanted to take you away, but they’d already positioned men at the exits. We will, my sweetheart, have to skulk our way off the ranch and walk to my car. I had to ditch it off the main road so I could get onto the land without getting noticed.”

She closed her eyes as the sinking feeling swept over her. She’d been such a fool to take off on her own like she had, and now she was paying the price for it.

“I’d hoped to drive the car closer once I was ready to get you, but that’s all changed, hasn’t it? If I’d had it my way, I would’ve taken you to Tulsa. You know, to a big hotel with a four-star restaurant where we would dine on caviar and champagne. Then, afterward, we’d dance until it was time to retire.”

She didn’t think he was older than her, but he possessed an old-fashioned way about him. “Retire?”

He stood, moving in front of her so that he towered over her. But he wasn’t that tall. Or at least not as tall as her men.

My men. Where are they? Do they know I’ve been kidnapped?

“We’d retire to the bedroom, of course.”

He bent low and tracked the back of his fingers along her cheek. Desire flared his nostrils and gleamed in his eyes. She clenched her teeth and fought to keep from jerking away from his touch.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

He reeled back as though she’d physically struck him. “You’re joking. I told you in our e-mails. I love you and I want us to be together for the rest of our lives.”

“You don’t even know me.”

She’d had the same thought about the Grangers, but that was a completely different thing. They hadn’t spent much time together, but they’d gotten to know the real her, and she’d felt like she’d known them all her life. As though she’d waited for them and hadn’t even known that she was buying time until they came along.