Darke Heat (21 page)

“Why?”

A simple question. But a minefield of hidden pain.

“I’m not going to spend another night with you. As you said, it was a mistake.”

“There are mistakes and then there are mistakes. Our only mistake was in putting the cart before the horse. But now it’s a little late to close the barn door.”

“That’s way too many clichés in one sentence. What are you trying to say?”

“The reason it was a mistake was not the reason you assumed. It was the timing of our coming together, not because of a lack of interest. “

“Do you really think that makes it all okay? I should have kicked you out the door the second you came looking for one of my dogs, and when you threw in a little side romance, I should have run. Do you have any idea what it’s like to come in second to a dog?”

“Yeah, Paige, I do.”

He said it as if he meant it.

“You are just not my type,” she said, with as much emphasis as she could.

“Oh, I’m your type all right,” he said as he ambled close to her and kissed her on the sensitive spot between her neck and shoulder. “I started thinking about it, and figured out the dogs were loyal and trustworthy to you when everyone else had left. Once I put their relationship to you in perspective, I knew I was going to have to prove I was trustworthy and loyal. Then you’d want me as much as you do your dogs.”

She listened to what he said; it was spot on. She didn’t trust people, not even the ones she loved. He continued to nuzzle her neck and she needed him to stop.

“Cut it out, Bryce. I’m not the plaything of the hour. I need to get some sleep before one of your bad guys come and blow up my house as well.” She thought she’d throw him off with an accusation.

“Paige, these attacks have been what had me second guessing coming here for what I really wanted…you. But when both of us could be killed tomorrow, I’m not willing to waste another opportunity to have you.”

“What are you talking about? Another chance?”

“Nothing I can explain right now. We are sitting targets for a drug lord who has the talents of a bomb making terrorist. But when this is over…”

She cut him off, impatient to get to the bottom of what he was really saying. “I don’t see what that has to do with what you and I did or didn’t do.”

“No, but it has a major influence on how much I’m willing to put you in danger by associating with me.”

“News flash, Prescott. You’re staying at my house. I’d say the news is out that you and I know each other and are on friendly terms,” she said.

“Yeah, and it puts you at greater risk, but your brothers are home and I’m glad you’ve got more protection.”

“Really? What about you? If I’m in danger for being friendly with you, how much danger are you in?” She paused to run her hands through her hair in a gesture of frustration. “What am I saying? They blew up your house and almost blew up your rental. Bryce, how is this going to end? Is it possible to even get these guys?”

“I believe we’re getting close, but I need for you to take extra precautions with your safety. We’ll have enough eyes on you to keep you safe.”

The conversation seemed to have cooled his amorous intent. She felt both relieved and disappointed, but maybe it was for the best. They just weren’t going to be able to bridge all the obstacles in one conversation. She didn’t even know if he wanted to. He could be just talking about sexual interest. In which case, she was definitely not going there. She had enough emotional baggage from trying to figure out what to do about that last time they were in bed together.

It was devastating, this effect he had on her. She went into total meltdown. He just
did it
for her. She took one more look, and decided to leave the kitchen and find some other way to get through the night, before she did another stupid thing. Pride was the only thing keeping her from throwing herself at him. She knew he wasn’t into her the way she was into him, and she just couldn’t settle for anything else. She’d settled enough in the love and emotion department. On this, she wouldn’t budge.

“Good night again, Bryce. I need to go to my room.”

“Okay, Paige, but the day is coming when I’m not going to let you run.”

”I’m not running. It’s called self-preservation.” She climbed the stairs and the thought of sleep was like lying on a bed of nails. She so didn’t want to be in that bed alone, but she needed to wake up and still respect herself. The way she’d felt after reading his brief note, when he’d left her the morning he’d taken Sheba, was damn near crippling. She wouldn’t make it if she had to live through that again. How do people do one-night stands? She pulled her chair up to the window and looked out at the moon. She wasn’t sure she’d get any sleep, but the thought of getting in her bed alone was anathema.

The truck came back while she sat there. Her brothers had returned from their fact-finding mission. She thought about going downstairs to hear what they found out, but she really didn’t think she wanted to be in the same room with Bryce right now. She needed some balance, and with him near, she wasn’t going to find it. She heard their voices, but curled tighter into the chair and stared out at the night.

Colt came in first, followed by Dane.

“Big Hoss, what are you doing up? Shouldn’t you be in bed?” asked Colt.

“I’ve been in bed long enough. What did you find out?”

“Well, we crashed a party out at the old farm where sis saw the dogs. Big dog fight in progress along with some moneyed supporters and Willy,” Dane proudly announced.

“You remember Willy don’t you? He was a couple of grades behind us in school. Always was a bottom feeder. Never worked for what he wanted, just bullied his way into taking it,” Colt interjected.

“So we know there is a dog fighting ring in the area. What else?” Bryce asked.

“That’s it, but the big money players were interesting. We took some pictures to run through the government databases to see what kind of matches we can get,” Dane added.

“Good, well I’m heading to bed. Night.”

“Bryce, what are you going to do about Paige?”

The question from Colt threw Bryce, even though he was expecting it.

“Well, right now, I’m just wanting to keep her safe while I wrap up this case.”

“There is always going to be another case and the bad guys will always put anyone around you in danger.”

This from Dane. Just looking at his face, Bryce could tell Dane was speaking from experience. “I will not have Paige be in danger because some psycho is out for my blood,” Bryce told them.

“Then why did you agree to stay here?” asked Dane.

“Do you expect her to stop training dogs and going in where there are potential bombs?” Colt asked. “I’m trying to protect her and I don’t know how you can stand her being in danger. She could get killed.”

“She chose her profession just like we chose ours, and we have to live with the risks, but it’s the job we feel we need to do. So you need to ask yourself if you are willing to let her do hers, and be willing to do yours, knowing there is danger to those you love. It’s a decision you should make together if you are contemplating any kind of a future with her.”

“I’m going to bed now. Any more preaching can happen later. Night, gentlemen,” Bryce said, and made his way slowly back to the room he’d been given. Deep in thought, he was still aware that one, or both, of his friends followed him.

“Bryce, just so you know, Paige has had to live with every one of us working in a dangerous job and it didn’t cause her to back away from entering a profession that was dangerous as well, and one that’s put her in a position to help others.”

“Colt, I know she has a valuable profession. I and my team have benefited from her talents, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“Point taken.”

Thor was dead on the pit floor. The dogfight was over and another champion found. Willy made sure all the bets were paid out. There were a lot of losers on this fight. Thor was a big pit bull. His loss was going to make a dent. The dog was worth a quarter of a million; now his offspring would be tested to see if any of them would be the fighter their sire was. His cell phone rang. He looked down at the lighted screen and saw that it was Van DeMere

“Sir, how can I help you?”

“I’ll be coming into your area tomorrow. I’d like to meet up with you at one of the Indian casinos. There’s one on a reservation near where you are. It’s the Chippewa Cliffs reservation. You know where that is?”

“Yes, when would you like me to meet you?”

“Tomorrow morning at eight, and don’t be late.”

“Yes, sir.”

The line went dead and Willy was sweating. Mr. Van DeMere was the sickest man he’d ever met, and that was saying something because he knew some really deranged people. He needed to wrap up tonight’s show and get ready for tomorrow. What should he do about the dead dog? Hmm, he’d just dump it over in the lake like the other one.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming tonight. Please be sure to check with our bookie on your way out.”

His crew would clean up the rest. He’d just get the dog bagged and make the drop off before going home. He’d been burning them, but the light from the fire would attract too much attention, what with the wildfire warnings posted everywhere from the dry summer. Not that he cared if he burned down the area, but the high over growth hid his activities nicely.

Willy took the dog and threw it in the back of his souped-up truck. He drove to the back of one of the man-made lakes and threw the heavy sack as far as he could. Then he went back to his apartment where one of his regulars would be waiting for him. He had a gram of crack to insure her willingness.

He needed to get the edge off before he met with Van DeMere.

Paige woke early wanting to see Sheba and the pups. She loved all her dogs, but she paid extra attention to new puppies to make sure they knew her. Even if her extended family were only canines, they were faithful and she could count on them. Their loyalty was never in question. All the things she wanted, they gave. Her dogs already knew she was worthy. It was everyone else who had to figure it out.

The puppies greeted her with tiny yelps of affection, and she was pleased to have them. She looked at each of the pups in turn, holding them and talking to them. They mostly resembled dark German shepherds, except for one, which looked like a light-colored Rotty. Hopefully they could be trained to be great bomb sniffing dogs.

She’d still search the animal shelters for any purebreds. Most police departments wouldn’t pay for anything but a purebred. She’d figure it out. The pups were adorable and Sheba was proving to be a great mother. None of the pups seemed underweight or malnourished, so she was keeping up with them. From the paw size, they were going to be big dogs. She’d need to see about feeding them soon: just another cost of doing business.

Colt was the first to come into the kennels and see what was going on as the pups were causing quite a ruckus. “I haven’t had much time to check on these beauties. Look at that one. Now that’s a pup,” he said looking at one of Sheba’s babies. His gaze studied the rest of the babies. “Sis, I want that one.” He pointed to a pup with really big paws.

“You’ll have to pass the home test. I’m not giving her pups to someone who will ignore them.”

“No prob. I’m thinking of settling down a bit. A dog like that monster will be just right for my place.”

“Well, let me know when you get the place. Until then he stays with me,” Paige said with vehemence. She realized she wasn’t going to be able to keep all the pups, but she wasn’t ready to have people take them yet. It was too hard to deal with the reality of having them and seeing them leave. It must feel like this to send your kids out into the world. Bryce and Dane came into the kennel next, and checked out the litter.

“They are going to be monsters,” Dane said.

“No, they aren’t. They are going to be really well behaved dogs,” Paige said. She knew she sounded like she was in proud mama mode, but anything less than praise was going to earn them a nasty response.

“They are really cute,” Bryce added. “Are you going to let me have one of these?”

She looked at him and all the problems seemed to come to a head for her. She couldn’t answer him. Yeah, he’d take one of her dogs… but what about her? What was wrong with her that she wasn’t the one people wanted? She turned and walked away, unable to deal with the question, but threw one last remark over her shoulder. “Sure, Bryce, have a dog.”

He watched as she ran out the door and back to the house.

Dane punched Bryce in the shoulder. “What’d you do?”

“I don’t know,” he said just as bewildered.

“Well cut it out and go fix it,” Dane replied.

Bryce stood there, not knowing what had caused Paige to react the way she had. He didn’t know how to make it better. He walked toward the back door, but didn’t dare take a step inside. Paige was slamming cupboard doors as she pulled out what he guessed were the makings for breakfast.

“Paige, is everything all right?” he asked once he gathered enough courage to open the back door.