Mended (5 page)

I hold on to his words, wishing so much he was here with me. Just hearing his voice helps to steady me.

“Savannah Miller,” a clerk calls out. Agent Hahn and Frank come toward me, and I feel panic setting in.

“Cole! I…I have to go.”

“Savi—”

“Thanks for the call.” I hang up and turn my phone off. I can’t listen to what he has to say. It might break the last straw holding me up.

The clerk holds open the door as I step into the massive courtroom. Surprisingly, there aren’t that many people inside. My head stays straight as I walk past the table of lawyers whose eyes seem to be burning holes in me. My heart pounds three beats for every one step I take. I stand in front of the chair and behind the table while the officer asks me to raise my right hand and place the other on the Bible. I swallow hard, my throat dry. I’m hot
. Why is it so damn hot in here?

I nervously take a seat as the prosecutor approaches to ask me a series of questions. Things seem to move slowly at first. I have to recall the day I was taken, then describe the events of my seven months in captivity, and finally about when I was rescued. I’m so tired, but I’m here, so I can’t stop now even if I want to. I keep my gaze fixed on Frank, who nods to let me know he’s with me. Then the questions start to pick up, coming at me faster and faster and not giving me a chance to think.

“You say you saw my client? But yet you said you couldn’t see his face? That doesn’t make any sense, Ms. Miller.”

“It was him, I know—”

“How do you know? How do you know it wasn’t someone else?”

“Because I know—”

The lawyer smirks at me. “You need evidence, Ms. Miller. You can’t just go on a hunch.” I start to speak, but he cuts me off
again.
“Now, you said my client allegedly killed Luka Donovan. Are you sure, or is this just another hunch?”

“I saw him pull the trigger,” I say, and can’t hold back a snicker. I see Frank shake his head, warning me to calm down.

The lawyer picks up a small remote and points it at a screen. “Ms. Miller, you have a reputation for getting the attention of the media, yes?” My blood boils, but he doesn’t wait for me to answer before a picture of me comes up on the screen. I gasp at the intoxicated picture of me published in US Weekly. He flips through several, and some I hadn’t even seen before. “I'd say the camera loves you.” His voice positively drips with sarcasm. “You never liked that your father was in politics, did you? And you obviously intended to make it a rough climb for him.”

“Objection, Your Honor, badgering the witness.”

“Sustained. Mr. Wilson, please get on with it.”

The lawyer holds a hand over his chest. “Of course, Your Honor.” He turns back to me. “You got yourself into trouble with the media quite a bit, yes?”

“No, that’s not what—”

“So you used the media as your outlet, smearing the papers with the fact that he has a drunk for a daughter.”

“Objection!” my lawyer calls out.

“Withdrawn, Your Honor.” The sleazy lawyer puts his hands in the air.

What the hell?

Withdrawn or not, the twelve jurors still heard that lie. He faces me again. “You have to admit the media was only too willing to jump at a chance to print pictures of you.”

He turns to the jurors and points a finger in my direction. “I think Ms. Miller was looking for a way to get back at her father for going into politics when he should have been at home helping her care for her sick mother. So she made a plan with Deputy Mayor Luka Donovan,” my mouth drops open at this ridiculously untrue comment, “a plan that she would be kidnapped with the help of her best friend Lynn, who has had a small taste of political life and wants more. So much more that she seeks help from an old friend who happens to be Raul Paru, a known drug carrier for the Mexican Cartel. Ms. Miller gets ‘taken’ and stays in Cabo for several months until the U.S. Army gets involved and things get messy. So Raul Paru gets spooked and decides to set up his brother-in-law.” The lawyer points to his client, who I can’t look at. “My client, Denton Barlow.” The jury looks at me, confused, like they’re trying to piece this new information together. “Ms. Miller seduced, used, and manipulated my client into thinking she loved him. She even went so far as to sleep with him. She used him for sex, information, money—”

That’s it! I hit my breaking point. I can’t take these lies any longer!

I jump to my feet with tears streaming down my face. “I was taken from my home in the middle of the night!” I scream, making everyone jump. “I was treated like a filthy animal, fed scraps, dirty water, bug infested bread. Beaten till I couldn’t feel the pain anymore, for seven goddamn months!” I point at The American, looking him straight in the eye for the first time. “You bought me like a piece of meat. You said you loved me, and I despised you. I wasn’t like the other women who believed your words. I am strong enough to see you for what you are, weak!” The judge is yelling something, but I’m not listening. As far as I’m concerned, it is just me and The American in this courtroom, and for once he can’t touch me. “I know the truth, Denton, no matter what happens here today. I know you’re a coward, that you buy women because they can’t love the real you, they
can't stand
the real you. Rot in hell, you sick son of a bitch.” My arm is being tugged as an officer hauls me out of the courtroom. I’m pressed into Frank's hold and taken into a small room.

“Jesus Christ, Savannah!” Frank says, running a hand over his buzz cut.

I lean over the table, suddenly exhausted. “I want to go home,” I whisper.

“Savannah, you still need to testify against Lynn.”

I can’t. I won’t. I’m finished. “No.” I stand straight and my head spins. “I’m done, Frank.” I open the door and walk out.

***

Cole

Cole holds the little boy’s body close to his chest as they step off the chopper and head toward the safe house. Poor little guy passed out during the rescue operation. The kidnappers had Ryder for six days, tied to a bed in an old warehouse. All things considered, he’s all right. Abigail comes rushing up and takes Ryder from Cole, whisking him inside to a warm bed. His aunt is cleared to take him into a witness protection program tomorrow. For now, the little guy just needs rest.

During Cole’s much-anticipated hot shower, he hears his phone ringing next to the sink. He clears the glass on the door and sees it’s Frank. He reaches out and answers it.

“Frank, what’s going on?”

“Oh, fuck, they were rough on her.” Frank’s voice is bone tired “They called her every name in the book, saying she was the mastermind, that she seduced Denton. It was nasty.”

Shit.

“How is she?”

There’s a pause. “She lost it at one point and yelled at Denton, until she got kicked out.”

“Fuck.” Cole leans his head against the wet glass.

“Yeah, well, she left saying she was done. We lost her, her phone is off, and the hotel room is empty. So I’m guessing she’s heading home.”

Cole turns the water off. “All right, I’ll figure it out. Just deal with the shit on your end.”

By the time Cole starts downstairs, Keith is heading up. “She arrived at the airport. She’s in a cab heading back to her place. I’d have offered to go get her, but she didn’t call me. She called your mother.”

Cole nods and pulls out his phone, but Keith stops him. “I don’t care if she needs space, I’m not staying away. She’s family, and if she’s hurting—”

“I know, and I agree.” Cole sighs and brings the phone to his ear. His mother answers.

“Cole, she’s all right,” his mother says calmly. “I just left her place, and Jake said he’ll take her out to get something to eat. She’s upset, but she’s holding it together for now.”

“All right. Thanks, Mom.”

“Anytime, honey.”

After getting absolutely nothing productive done at work, Cole decides to check in on Ryder, who is still fast asleep in Savannah’s old room. “Looks so small,” he says softly to Abigail, who is sitting quietly beside the bed.

“It’s truly sad that anyone should be kidnapped, but a five year old child?” Abigail presses a hand against her chest. “Poor little angel must have been so scared.”

“Savages,” Cole mutters and checks the time. Seven thirty. “I need to go out. Call me if he wakes.”

“Of course.” She smiles slightly. “Tell Savannah I say hello.”

A short time later, Cole knocks on Savannah’s apartment door, but there’s no answer, and no answer at Jake’s either, so he heads down to speak with the security guard.

“She left about an hour and a half ago looking mighty pretty. She was with her neighbor. Think they said something about Chaps bar.”

Why would she go to Chaps to eat?

“Thanks.”

Cole heads back out into the cold air, wondering what the hell is going on. Is that why she didn’t want Keith coming to get her, because she had plans to go to a bar tonight? This doesn’t sound like Savi.

Chaps is loud and crowded. Every type of cowboy boot and hat known to man is in this bar tonight. He feels very out of place; this is
not
his scene. Nor did he think it was Savannah’s. He uses his weight to move through the sea of bodies, pulling down his black baseball cap to shade his eyes from the blinding lights as he scans the faces. He soon spots Jake and heads over.

“Where is she?” Cole shouts over
Big and Rich.

Jake sighs, shaking his head at his friend. “Look, Logan, she’s out on a date. She’s had a horrible day and needs a night off.”

Feeling like he just got sucker punched in the gut, Cole sees red. “Where is she, Jake?”

Jake rubs his face, then decides to make the right choice.

“Bruno’s Cheesecake. Please let her enjoy her evening. She’s in rough shape.” Cole doesn’t respond as he charges back outside.

Watching her through the cafe window, Cole sees she’s in a tight pair of skinny jeans and a black lace tank top, wearing red cowboy boots. Her hair is in big curls tumbling down her back, and silver earrings sparkle as she shakes her head, smiling at the man across the table from her, who looks very interested in
his
Savannah.

He lets out a heavy puff of air and leans back so she doesn't see him. He takes out his phone and allows his thumb to rub over the screen. His hand twitches with the need to call her. A movement draws his attention back to her. Her date is standing, says something, then walks off, probably to order a drink. Turning her face toward the window, he sees her expression fall like she is about to cry. She pulls out her cell phone, checks the screen, and looks disappointed.
Maybe
? A tap on his back makes him jump and almost drop his phone. “What the hell!” Mark is standing behind him with a huge grin on his face.

“Whatcha doin’?”

Cole can’t help but grin back; they are both spying on her. “How’s her night going?”

Mark leans to peek in the window. “She started out at Chaps, but she didn’t hang in there for long. She wasn't diggin’ it. On the walk back, buddy tried to hold her hand, but she wouldn’t let him. They’ve been here for about an hour. He’s interested but respectful, so we'll see how the rest of the night goes.” Cole glances over at her and sees her smile, but it’s not touching her eyes. “She seems sad tonight. I heard the lawyer did a number on her.” Mark clears his throat. “I think it would be good if she saw you tonight, Cole. Seriously, she’s hurting.”

“I don’t know,” Cole sighs, not knowing what to do.

“Fine, I’ll make the decision for you. I could be out here freezing my ass off, or I could be in bed with Mel.” He shrugs. “So, goodnight!” With that, he jogs away, laughing.

Fuck.

After climbing back into his SUV, he turns the heat up and hunkers down for a long night. Twenty-five minutes later, they’re up and leaving Bruno’s and heading down toward her apartment. He starts the engine and creeps down the street, parking a few spots away. She stops at the door and says goodbye, and the guy smiles and reaches for her hips, pulling her into him. She shakes her head as he goes in for a kiss, but he’s too quick and misses her signals, planting a kiss on her lips. Fire burns through Cole's veins and his hand flies to the door handle, but he quickly stops himself as he takes in her reaction. She raises her hands and pushes him away, saying no. The guy steps back immediately, obviously apologizing, and hands her something that looks like a card. She takes it, waving him goodbye, then waits for him to walk away before she disappears inside, leaving Cole more than a little relieved, but also feeling pretty shitty for spying.

Chapter Four

Savannah

I work my shift like a robot, not speaking any more than I have to. Jake is the polar opposite, and is chatting on and on, excited about Graham, the new member of the wait staff. Graham resembles Taylor Lautner, no joke. I keep waiting for him to bust into a werewolf. My mind is spinning with thoughts of going to the safe house tomorrow. I truly hope no one wants to talk about what happened in Washington. Frank called this morning and informed me I’m being ordered back to testify against Lynn. It’s out of his control, and he felt terrible for what happened with Denton’s lawyer.

Jake suddenly grabs my hands and shakes me. “Why are you so distant? I need my wingman!”

I push all my crap aside and try to be a better friend. “How do you even know he’s gay?”

“That’s what I need you for.” I raise an eyebrow, not sure I’m going to like this plan. “When he comes over here next time, lean over the bar to grab his order slip, then pretend to drop it and give him an ass view.”

Oh Lord
.

“What if he doesn’t look, gets distracted or something?”

He gives me a don’t-be-stupid look. “If he’s straight, he won’t be looking anywhere else.”

Seeing someone snag a seat, I turn to focus on him, and realizing who it is, I smile and bend down to take his order.

Davie leans over so I can hear him over the crowd. “I heard you were working here. We have the night off, and I thought we should stop in and say hello.”

“Well, thanks. What can I get you and…?”

“Two Fat Tires, and it’s Dell. The rest of the guys are at some place down the street.”

I pour his drinks, take a few more orders, and wait for the dinner rush to slow down a little. We normally have a slow dip at seven. Dell joins Davie, drinking a few beers. I try to engage them as best as I can, but Don, the woman repeller, is back, and apparently it’s his last night before he returns to wherever the hell the devil spat him out from.

“Savi!” Jake whispers, nodding his head toward Graham, who is heading our way. “You’re up!”

I roll my eyes and do as I was asked. I smile, lean in, grab the slip, drop it, and bend over. I make his order and fill my tray.

“Thanks, Savi.” Graham smiles.

“Sure thing, Taylor,” I joke back, but burst out laughing when he lets out a howl. Okay, so he’s been called that before.

“Heard it all before.” His gaze goes from joking to smirking as Jake appears at my side. “Nice performance, Savi, but I play for both teams.” He winks and walks away, and my jaw drops as Jake puts his head to my shoulder in a fit of laughter.

“Oh my god!” I hit Jake’s arm. “You’re welcome.”

“Does anyone actually work here?” I hear her call out from the other side of the bar. Jake mutters something as he approaches Christina, the evil bitch. “No,” she flicks her finger, dismissing Jake, “her.”

Oh hell, speaking of the Devil’s shit
…I make my way over, not missing the way Dell is scowling at her. “Three margaritas, one Stella, one glass of pino, and two shots of tequila,” she barks at me. “You think you can handle that, or should I write it down?” I bite my tongue just as her friend comes up. “I was with him again last night,” she says loudly enough for me to hear.

“Who?” I decide to play the game.

“Logan.” She glances at me, making sure I can hear her as she turns her attention elsewhere. “He came out to the bar, then we went back to my place.” She looks at her friend. “I love running my hands over his tattoo.” I tune her out, mainly because Cole said he never slept with her. I hate that she can even get a rise out of me. A small niggle of doubt nestles inside me, right by my heart. I place her drinks in front of her and tell her the total. She flicks her credit card at me, hitting my arm.

Don’t hit her, don’t hit her
.

After she signs the slip with no tip, she leans over but talks nice and loud. “If you know what’s good for you, sweetheart, you’ll stay away from him. He’s mine, and I have ways of making people like you disappear.”

I have a great comeback, I really do. I can be feisty, but the word
disappear
sends me three steps back. So instead, I change course. I wait for her to leave and pretend not to see the concern written all over Dell's face. I turn to Don and make my move. Leaning over, I whisper in his ear. He smiles and checks my cleavage once more before he grabs his drink and heads over to her table.

Davie is shaking his head when I return to watch the show. “What did you say to him?”

“Just that if he wants a farewell fuck, he's guaranteed to find it over there, because after three drinks she’ll be pouring herself into his bed.” I smirk and head off to take some more orders.

“It’s dead,” Zack announces by eleven. “Chaps is having some BOGO special, so why don’t you guys go home early?” Jake and I don’t move. It’s sad we don’t have Friday night plans. “All right, let’s do one better,” Zack says, shaking his head at both of us as he drops three shot glasses on the bar. He slips two straws over the hole, pouring the tequila in three different streams, filling all the glasses at once.
Impressive. “
Cheers.”

I slide my butt onto the bar top and take the drink, chasing it with a lime. Graham drops off his tray on the bar and asks Jake if he knows of a place to go for a late meal. Jake smiles at me knowingly as he grabs his tips. I laugh and wave them both off.

“So, Savannah, how are you liking living in town?” Zack asks as he pours me another.

I drink it quickly. “It’s nice.”

Zack hops up on the other side of the bar top and turns to face me. “I know this is none of my business and a little late, but I am sorry about what happened in your life.”

“Thanks.” I shrug, taking a moment to think. “I think the worst part of it all is feeling like I don’t really belong anywhere. I can’t go back to New York for so many reasons. I have no family or friends there. I left Shadows because I felt like I needed to find myself, like they were worrying about me when they should be focusing on their open cases.” I glance over at him, realizing I’m complaining. “Sorry, didn’t mean to toss you into my pity party.”

He shakes his head. “No, it sounds exactly like someone should in your situation. The only difference is their hearts aren’t invested in someone tall, dark, and handsome.” I smile and throw a sigh. He’s right. “When I retired from Shadows, I couldn’t leave. My family is here. What’s that saying? Home is where the heart is. This is where my heart wants to be, and I lucked out that my brother came and joined me.” He pours me one more, but stops me when I go to drink it. “You may not think you’ve settled or put down any roots, Savannah, but you have a house full of people who care about you up on that mountain, and you have two in this restaurant. Stop worrying about what you
should
be feeling and just feel. Life is too short to float, so sink a little and start living.” He holds up his glass. “To you.”

“To me.” I raise my drink and drop it back, letting his words absorb. “Now,” I clap my hands together, needing to change the subject, “I want some juicy stories on Cole and Mark when they were younger.”

***

Cole

Cole hangs up the phone with Frank feeling
off
with their conversation about Ryder’s parents. They owe a lot of money and are more concerned about their casino than where their child might be. Abigail said the boy isn’t coming out of his room, which seems normal, but they only had one child here before, and she was a little older. This is new for everyone. He was glad Dr. Roberts would arrive around twelve to evaluate him, then Frank could take him into town where is aunt is waiting.

His phone alerts him he has a text.

Mark: Living room.

Cole makes his way down the hallway, hearing all kinds of voices. The smile on Abigail’s face makes his stomach twist, then he sees her hugging June. It’s been three weeks, but she’s really here in his living room. Savannah sees him and gives him a little smile, one that makes him want to grab her toss her over his shoulder and take her upstairs.

“Hi.” Her eyes are deep and dark. “Can we talk when you have a moment?”

“Sure,” he nods as her eyes drop to his lips momentarily. At least he sees she’s still drawn to him, and his pants tighten as he breathes her in. He needs to be alone with her now. “You want to talk in my office?”

“No!” June squeals. “She just got here. You can talk about whatever later, but right now I want to hear all about what she’s been up to.” She grabs Savi’s hand and starts pulling her to the couch.
Damn you, June…

They talk and talk…you would think Savi has been gone for months. The only thing keeping him going is listening to her voice. God, he missed her voice, her laugh, the way she sneaks a peek at him every once in a while. Just letting him know she’s thinking of him.

After some time, he heads back into his office. He has some emails to send before he can take the evening off. Now that Savannah is here, he wants to wrap this up faster.

“Cole,” June whispers from his doorway. “Cole, you’ve got to come see this.” He groans when he loses his train of thought. “It’s Savi.” He looks up and sees her smile now that she’s got his attention. “You have to see this.” He follows her out the door. “After everyone started doing their own thing and the place quieted down, Keith asked Savi to make him his favorite cookies, and,” she pauses, “just look…”

He peeks around the corner, seeing Savannah in an apron, hair pulled up and speaking quietly.

“You want to crack the egg?” she asks Ryder, who is sitting on the island helping Savannah make the cookies. He turns back to June, who’s beaming.

“He came into the kitchen and took her hand. She sat on the floor and started talking to him, then asked if he wanted to make cookies, and he said yes. She even lifted him up on there. He doesn’t like being touched, Cole. He doesn’t really take to any of us, but he likes her.” June signals her sister to come see what they’re looking at.

Savannah picks up a spoon and dips it into the jar of peanut butter from Ryder’s sandwich. “You know what I love to do when no one’s looking?” Ryder shakes his head and giggles when she scoops a spoonful of peanut butter and pops the spoon in her mouth. “You want to try?” She picks up another spoon and hands it to him. He hesitates, but she encourages him to do it, and he shoves a huge glob of peanut butter into his little mouth. “Great job!” She high-fives him.

“Natural born mother.” Abigail peeks up at Cole.

“What are we looking at?” Dr. Roberts whispers, making the three of them jump.

“Ryder likes Savannah,” Abigail answers.

Dr. Roberts takes a peek, then steps into view. Cole moves into the kitchen too, but stays back. Ryder spots the doctor and grabs Savannah’s arm. “Good afternoon, Savannah. What are you making?”

“Hello, Doc. Ryder and I are making Keith’s favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.”

“They smell good,” he says, staying a few away. He watches as Ryder buries his head into her shoulder. Her hand runs along his back, soothing him. “I was wondering if Ryder would come and draw me a picture.” Ryder doesn’t move, but Savi bends down to his eye level.

“You know what, Ryder? My favorite color is purple. Would you draw me a picture so I can hang it on the fridge? The boys in this house never draw me any pictures.” She gives a loud sigh and smiles at him lovingly as he looks from the doctor to her again. He finally nods his little brown head and reaches out so she’ll help him down.

“Let’s go to the dining room, it’s just right there, and draw Savannah a picture.” Doc Roberts leads the way, leaving the two of them in the kitchen. Savannah goes back to making the cookies.

“That was pretty impressive,” Cole says, coming to stand by the island where she’s working.

She rolls some dough into a ball, dropping it on the tray. “He’s a sweet little boy.”

“You got him to eat. He hasn’t eaten in two days.”

“I know that feeling,” she whispers, turning to stick the tray into the oven.

“How are things working out at Zack’s?” he asks, trying to feel her out.

Davie comes in and scoops some of the cookie dough out with a spoon. “Other than the threats, I’d say she’s doing pretty good,” he says. Savannah glares at him, but he’s too busy eating to notice.

Cole stiffens. “Threats?”

“It’s nothing,” she says over her shoulder.

“Nothing! That bitch has it out for you, Savi. I’d watch my back. You should have heard what her and her friends were say—”

“Davie,” Savannah interrupts, “could you tell Keith the first batch is in the oven?”

“Sure.” He takes another spoonful of cookie dough before he leaves.

“Who?” Cole’s voice is harsh. “Don’t lie, Savi.”

She drops her head and sighs. “Christina.”
Fuck me
. “I handled it, but if you could tell her not to threaten me at work, that would help. I don’t need to hear about you two hooking up with all the customers around.”