Safe In His Arms (Manhunt) (13 page)

“We can’t let you do that,” Henry said at the same time.

Mia turned to Alex. “Please, Alex. I can’t live with myself if anyone else is hurt because of me.”

There was no way Alex would let Mia put herself in danger. No damn way.

But she was reacting in shock and running on emotions, guilt topping the list along with fear.

He summoned a low, calming voice. “We’ll talk about a plan later. Right now, the paramedics need to examine you.”

“I told you I’m fine,” Mia protested.

“Humor me,” Alex said softly.

Her gaze met his, a dozen feelings warring in her eyes. He hated her ex more than ever. How dare Jones say he love her and torment her like this.

The bastard deserved to die.

He glanced at Henry and Joy. “You two okay?”

The couple clasped hands and nodded. “We will be,” Henry said. “Now I know my Joy is safe.”

“They want me to go to the hospital overnight for observation,” Joy said.

Henry’s brows furrowed with worry. “I’ll be there with her all night.” He leaned toward Alex. “You take care of Mia.”

“Don’t worry, I intend to,” Alex said, hating the icy terror that gripped him at the thought of Jones touching her again.  “I’ll assign a guard to your property tonight.”

Henry thanked him, and Alex conferred with the ME while the medics tended to the cut on the back of Mia’s head.

“We’re transporting Olander to the morgue. The sheriff will notify his family, if he has any.” Dr. Ponderson frowned.  “I just talked to the CSU team. They’re ready to release Joleen as well.”

Alex stepped aside and called the lieutenant. “Call me once you compare bullet casings, and on any forensics you find. I want someone combing the woods for the shooter and any evidence he left behind.”

The man agreed, and Alex straightened as the fire chief approached. “The fire’s contained, but it was definitely arson.”

Alex gestured toward Mia. “Mia said someone tossed an object through the window right before the fire started. If you can find whatever that was and lift prints, it would help.”

“We’ll sort through the ashes once things cool, and I’ll let you know what we find.”

“Thanks.”

Alex called the sheriff who’d remained with Olander’s body and asked him to send a deputy out to the Crossties for the night. He didn’t want any more damage done to the McCauley home than had already been done.

The fire investigator turned to Henry and explained about the arson. Alex was amazed at how calmly the older man handled the situation. But he obviously loved his wife and had his priorities in order.

Which made Alex think about Mia and how he’d always put work first.

Dammit to hell. He cared about her. He had from the minute he’d met her. He’d admired her guts in standing up to her bully of an ex and taking him to court.

And if he admitted the truth to himself, he’d wanted her a year ago when he’d met her.

He wanted her even more now.

But he wanted to comfort her, to hold her and keep her safe, even more than he wanted to make love to her.

To show her that not every man was brutal and possessive and twisted like Geoff Jones.

The medics were finishing with her by the time he made it back to the ambulance.  “Are you taking her in for observation, too?” he asked the paramedic.

The medic shook his head. “No, she refuses to go. She claims she’s all right.”

“Her vitals are normal, especially for what she’s been through,” the other medic said. “The cut on her head wasn’t deep. She has some bruises, but no broken bones or signs of internal injuries.”

Alex studied Mia, knowing she’d fake being well to avoid anyone hovering over her. “How about a concussion?”

“I am okay,” Mia said, cutting off the conversation.  “Now let them take Joy to the hospital.”

Alex knew she was far from okay. But he didn’t argue.

He wanted to take her away from the place as soon as he could, back to his cabin where he could make sure Jones couldn’t get his hands on her tonight.

“God dammit! What was that agent doing hovering so close to Mia? Was he fucking her?” Geoff squinted through the binoculars, every fiber of his body on alert just as it had been when he’d been locked in that infernal cell and he’d lain awake worried some asshole was going to try to kill him – or screw him – in the night.

He’d had to make friends fast. Exert his power. Find protection.

Those friends had served him well during his incarceration and had aided in his escape. They were loyal followers who would receive their payoff in the end.

As would Mia and that agent who had attached himself to her like a second skin.

His hand itched to pull the trigger again, and this time put the bullet between Sgt. Townsend’s eyes. Blow his brains out and let Mia see how pretty the asswipe looked when he was dead.

But there were too many people around. Medics, the sheriff, deputies, crime scene techs.

No, he had to be patient.

Another skill prison had taught him.

Shooting Townsend right now would bring a dozen men breathing down his neck before he could escape.

He’d wait for the perfect moment. Lure the man away and make him sweat.

Make Mia suffer for even looking at the Ranger twice.

Then he’d kill him and force her to watch before he made her his again.

C
HAPTER
E
LEVEN

Exhaustion pulled at Mia as she and Alex returned to her cabin. 

“Pack a bag, Mia. You’re not staying here tonight.”

Mia planted her hands on her hips. “I won’t allow him to run me off, Alex.”

“Be reasonable, Mia. He’ll do anything to get you. You need rest, and I doubt either one of us will sleep well here.”

“But if he breaks in, you can catch him.”

“No.” A muscle ticked in Alex’s strong jaw. “Putting yourself in danger will only reward him.” He touched her arms, his eyes beseeching her. “Trust me. We’ll find him, but offering you up is not an option.”

Emotions clogged Mia’s throat. She hadn’t trusted anyone since her disastrous marriage, not even herself.

But she did trust Alex.

He might be big and tough, gruff even, but he was an honorable man. He used his power and strength to save and protect others, not to force women to do his bidding.

She conceded with a weary sigh. “All right, give me a minute.” 

Mia ducked into the closet, removed an overnight bag, tossed in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved white t-shirt for the next day, then went to her lingerie drawer.

The lacy underwear that Geoff had left for her mocked her, and she began to shake.

She slammed the drawer. She refused to wear anything that vile man had chosen for her. Instead, she’d ask Alex to stop at a discount store and she’d purchase some new underwear herself.

Something practical and sensible.

Except for a brief second, she glanced at Alex and wondered what he’d like her to wear.

Don’t go there, Mia. He’s protecting you because it’s his job.

Frustration knotting her shoulders, she rushed to the bathroom and packed her toiletries, then decided to toss in an extra shirt and her denim jacket along with her pjs – boxers with a tank top.

Nothing that would look provocative or like she was trying to seduce Alex.

Seduce Alex…the thought held more appeal than she would ever have imagined. After being with Geoff, she never thought she’d want another man to touch her, much less make love to her.

And she’d certainly never imagined trusting a man.

“Are you ready?” Alex asked, his intense gaze raking over her as she joined him in the den.

She nodded, then remembered the revolver she’d bought and added it to her purse. If Geoff came for her or tried to hurt Alex, she’d shoot him without blinking an eye.

Alex didn’t comment when she slipped it into her purse.

He placed his hand at the small of her back as they left the cabin, offering her comfort and confidence even though he perused the property in case of an attack.

On edge, Mia glanced down the road at the farmhouse as they drove away. The scent of smoke lingered in the air, reminding her of the earlier violence, of Joleen’s death, and that Joy was in the hospital.

All because of her.

Hell, she hoped Geoff did come after her. She’d kill him for hurting her friends and for murdering Joleen.

Alex saw the turmoil in Mia’s eyes and knew she was blaming herself for what had happened tonight.

A dangerous mindset that could make her more vulnerable.

There was no way on God’s green Earth he would let her offer herself as bait to catch her ex. The man should be rotting in jail for what he’d done.

And he would go back there soon.

Or to his grave.

Prison would be more painful, but as long as he was alive, Alex had no doubt he’d come back for Mia. Time and time again.

Death was the only way to stop him.

Adrenaline pumped through Alex. If he had to kill him, he would. He’d do anything to keep Mia safe.

Mia turned to look out the window at the smoke and charred front of the farmhouse as they passed, and Alex scanned the perimeter to make sure the deputy was still guarding the place. Not that he expected Jones to return tonight.

The man was too smart and knew when to retreat.

He – or his hired goons -- had achieved their purpose by driving Mia from the house into Olander’s clutches. But in doing so, they’d already drawn too much attention to themselves for one night.

Although Geoff still hadn’t gotten what he’d wanted. Mia.

By God, he wouldn’t either.

Not as long as Alex had a breath left in him.

He flipped on the radio to find some music, hoping to soothe Mia, but a special bulletin about the prison escape was airing.

“All three prisoners are to be considered armed and dangerous,” the newscaster said.  “Women in the area need to be especially cautious. Robert Simpleton was a serial killer and targeted brunettes in the Austin area.”

Mia tensed, and Alex flipped the radio off, allowing the silence to fill the air. The last thing Mia needed was to hear more details about the prison escape. Even worse, she fit the profile of Simpleton’s victims.