Tempting the Light: Legends and Myths Police Squad (L.A.M.P.S. Book 1) (21 page)

“Jump up and hit that switch with your nose. I’m too short.”

“My feet are twisted. Why don’t you come over here and gnaw through the ropes.”

“Wow, someone’s crabby today.”

“You bet I’m crabby. Thomas better hope River and Ottar catch him, because I guarantee they will be a lot easier on him than I will.” Pepper said.

“Can you at least try? I think that’s the garage door opener.”

“Nope. I’ve already tried standing. I’ll flip over on my stomach. See if you can unknot the rope on my feet.’

She knee-walked over to Pepper’s feet and tugged on the rope with her fingers. “He’s really pulled these knots tight.”

Pepper let out a long frustrated sigh. “Keep working on it. What’s going on with you and River?”

“You’re asking me this now?” She continued to pick at the knot with her bound hands.

“Sure. Why not? What else do we have to do?”

Abby looked up at Pepper revealing her sad-eye look. “Who knows? He’s upset.”

“Yeah, I bet the whole police car scene had him second guessing things.”

“You’re not helping.”

“He’ll come around.”

“I’m still sort of pissed at him for shooting me.”

“Things will work out.”

“Hey, I almost got it. Wait. Darn, well at least the cord loosened up a bit. See if you can move your feet so you can stand.”

Pepper worked her way up to her feet and hit the button with her nose. The large door grinded, and lifted up at a slow pace.

Thomas and his mother armed with a gun and a hacksaw waited inside.

Abby’s stomach clenched and she thought she might hurl. Mrs. Livingston pointed the gun at Abby, and her eyes glistened with about as much humanity as a shark’s gaze. The vertical lines between her eyebrows deepened with her scowl. “Our prisoners thought they could escape,” she said in a voice filled with hate and discontent. “Maybe we should hobble them.”

Chapter 31

“What?” As the word flew out of Abby’s mouth, scenes from the movie Misery flashed in her mind.

Mrs. Livingston’s glare jumped with wildness while pointing a gun at Abby’s head. It was bad enough her ankles were tied, but her imagination ran crazy with the threat of hobbling.

“Let us go,” Pepper demanded.

“Go get the boards, Thomas.” His mother kept the gun trained on Abby, her aim strong and steady.

Abby couldn’t move, her legs still and numb. Tremors shook through her body like little earthquakes.

Thomas shoved Pepper’s upper arm and she tumbled to the ground, falling on her side. A loud smack accompanied her landing. He didn’t look back while he hotfooted it into the garage.

“You girls are going to be our key to leaving this God-forsaken place.” Mrs. Livingston pointed the barrel of the gun while she talked. First she aimed at Abby, and then down at Pepper. “Hurry up, Thomas. We don’t have all day.”

“I’m coming.” Thomas carried a board out of the garage along with a sledgehammer.

When Pepper spotted the wood in his hands, her eyes bulged with worry.

Flashing blue lights signaled the sheriff’s car approaching. Abby slumped, and the rigidness in her spine turned to a mashed potato consistency. A deep exhale expelled every molecule of air from her lungs. She had never been so happy to see the
“Oh shit”
lights of a cop car pulling up the driveway. River must have had a spare car. Surely he hadn’t repaired the one she trashed.

Thomas jerked Pepper to a stand. She swayed off balance and leaned up against him, and he placed the hacksaw blade against her throat.

Mrs. Livingston wrapped her gnarled fingers around Abby’s bicep and dragged her in the direction of their car. Still on her knees, she moved them as fast as she could, trying to stay upright. She was positive she’d left a trail of skin from her knees in her wake.

“Come on,” Mrs. Livingston urged. Spit spattered from her lips with the words.

They were about five feet from Thomas’s vehicle when River’s car drove up behind the old Ford. Both River and Ottar jumped out, guns drawn, but they kept cover behind the open car doors.

“Drop your weapons,” River commanded. He focused his crystal blue eyes on Mrs. Livingston. Ottar fixed both his stare and weapon on Thomas.

“Don’t come any closer or they’re both dead.” Thomas tugged Pepper in front of him using her as a body-shield.

Abby braced her arms on the opening of the car door while the old woman pushed on her back. One thing was for sure, she wasn’t going to let that woman shove her into that car. She felt the cool steel of the gun barrel against her temple.

“Sheriff, I’ll blow her brains out. You need to back out of the driveway so we can leave.”

Pepper turned to Thomas. “How can you do this to me? Are you really going to slit my throat?”

“I will, if I have to. You think you’re too good for me. You never returned my calls after our night together. I could have made you happy.”

“Dude. That night was a one shot deal and a mistake.” Pepper squirmed and fought his grip.

“A mistake? It seemed to me you wanted it as much as I did. I was a little disappointed.” He tsked. “I would have thought you would have been a better lay.”

Ottar’s pupils grew double in size, and his fingers shook as he opened and closed them in a fist. His other hand wrapped around the shotgun he held out in front of him, aimed at Thomas’s face.

Abby’s jaw tightened and she bared her teeth at Thomas. “You’re a real asshole.”

River adjusted his stance.

BANG.

Mrs. Livingston shot at River but missed and hit the Squad car door.

River’s gaze pinned Abby and the deranged gun toting old bitty behind her. Still on her knees, Abby launched off the car door opening and dropped down to her belly. She rolled halfway under the car. The woman caught her hair and yanked trying to pull her from disappearing underneath.

A sweat bead dripped from River’s forehead trailing down his cheek. When Abby dropped down to the ground, he seized the opportunity, and took the shot. Mrs. Livingston clutched her hand, and the gun fell.

Ottar kicked into motion at the same time. He vaulted at Thomas, pulled his arm holding the saw away from Pepper’s neck, and slammed the idiot onto the asphalt. He sat on Thomas’s back and swung the gun, smacking the back of his head. Thomas’s unconscious body went limp. Ottar took out two hardy zip ties and secured the man’s hands behind his back, accidently smacking his face into the ground a few times.

River kicked the gun away from Mrs. Livingston and snapped the handcuffs around her wrists. He checked her wound, but the bullet just grazed the top of her hand. It barely bled.

Mrs. Livingston wailed out, “I’m going to have a heart attack. I’ll sue the police department.” Her face flamed bright red and she twisted her lips into a snarl.

“Shut up,” River shouted at the old woman. “You have the right to remain silent and I’d jump on that right if I were you.”

He peered down at Abby. Her hands and feet were still bound, and she rolled away from Mrs. Livingston. When she looked up at him with her sad wide eyes, his heart ricocheted off his ribs and plunged into his stomach. Her dirt smudged face and blood matted hair indicated she didn’t go easy.

“Do you need to go to the hospital?” he asked her.

“I don’t think so.” Abby looked at her purple and blue wrists before she held them up.

He took out his knife and sawed through the ropes until they dropped. “I’ll be right back.” He pulled Mrs. Livingston over to the squad car, shoved her into the back seat, and slammed the door.

Abby sat on the ground, her ankles still bound tight, and patiently waited for him to return.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” He cut through the ropes on her ankles and inspected the dark bruises. “Can you move your feet?” She was so small and frail, not at all resembling the huge beast she’d turned into last night.

She wiggled them back and forth and then lifted her hand to the back of her head. “My head hurts a bit. The jerk over there”—she nodded at Thomas—”walloped my head and knocked me out.” She pushed to her feet, then collapsed to her butt, before struggling to get up again.

River helped her to her feet and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I’m calling an ambulance, honey. You and Pepper need to get checked out. I’ll come by the hospital after I get these two behind bars.” The last thing he wanted to do was release her. But he did. He loved having her wrapped in his arms.

Somehow he had to find a way to remove the curse. The only problem he faced now was how to get L.A.M.P.S. off the Jersey Devil investigation.

Chapter 32

Abby paced in the kitchen. It had been a week since the whole kidnapping incident and she hadn’t seen River since. Sure, he called a few times to check on her and to make sure she was okay, but not once had he swung by to visit.

She handed Pepper a full glass of lemonade. “I’m sorry about Thomas. If you want to talk about it or need to cry on a shoulder, I’m here.” Several times she’d tried to get Pepper to talk about the fiasco but she clammed up every time.

“I’m okay. It just sickens me that I had sex with such a psycho. I’m more upset about him kidnapping and threatening to kill us.”

Abby took a gulp of the sweet and tart drink. “I feel so bad that I wasn’t there to look out for you.”

“I’m fine. Let’s just drop it okay? I’m going out to feed the animals.” Pepper strolled out the back door.

She wished she could make everything better for Pepper. Right now all she could offer was to be there for her.

A knock sounded at the door and jarred her out of her thoughts. She leaned back in her chair to see who was there.

River. It’s about time.

She waved him in. “Hi, Sheriff. Is anything wrong?”

“No not at all. Ottar took the prisoners and the Gnome to Eastern Headquarters.” He pulled off his hat and held it in his hands. “I’m sorry I didn’t come by sooner. We’ve been tied up with red tape and paperwork. How are you holding up?”

“I’m all right. Her answer was a little short but jeez, he was too busy to stop by for five minutes?

A small smile peeked out, and he pointed at the glass. “Do you have any extra?”

“Sure.” She got up and poured River some lemonade, and they both sat back down at the kitchen table.

“Mr. Livingston didn’t know what Thomas and Mrs. Livingston were up to. Apparently he’s suffering from two fast spreading cancers. They needed money to pay for his surgery and treatments.”

“Oh, no. Is he going to be okay?” She liked Mr. Livingston even though the old goat could be grouchy at times.

“I don’t know. But two men lost their lives so Mrs. Livingston and Thomas are being charged with murder and kidnapping.”

“How will that work? Are you going to release the news to the public that Gnomes are real?”

“No. The Livingston’s will be tried by a special jury and incarcerated in our facility. Then we wipe the incident from their brains.”

She did a double take. “Wait. Did you mean erase their memory?”

“Yes. Our scientists hook up a device that removes the memories of the Cryptid from the subject’s mind.”

“Isn’t that unethical?”

River shook his head. “No. Not really. Not if it prevents mass panic in the country.”

Interesting. “Just how many people have had this procedure?”

“I don’t know. It falls under the scientist’s job description. I’ve been thinking about having the procedure done on you and Pepper.”

Abby placed her palms on the table and leaned toward River. “No. No one is messing with my brain or Pepper’s. What happens to Mr. Livingston? Who’s going to take care of him?”

“They have a daughter but she lives out of state. Hopefully, she’ll step in and care for her father. It’s too bad our country doesn’t look after our older generation. I don’t think Mrs. Livingston would have done anything so reckless if she weren’t so desperate. But kidnapping and murder are two crimes that can’t go unpunished.” He took a drink of his lemonade and licked his lips. “Ottar is still at headquarters interrogating them. They’ve been most difficult. We need to learn how they were paired up with the Gnome.”

“I hope you guys find out.” She poured herself another glass. “Not to change the subject, but do you know where I can find a natural spring in the area?”

“What for?”

She sat back at the table. “I’ve been reading through the journal. The spell to banish the genie needs spring water and I don’t trust the stuff in the bottles at the grocery store.”

“No problem. I know where there’s one in the woods.” He took another drink, set down the glass, and laid his hand on Abby’s. “I’ve been thinking about so much this past week. I don’t care about the curse. I care about you. I’m sorry I shot you.”

She tilted her head, reading the apology in his eyes. “What if we can’t lift the curse?”

“Then we’ll figure out something. Maybe someone in my . . .”

“Nah-ah. Don’t you dare turn me over to those guys.” She stood and placed her hands on her hips.

“You don’t understand. I’m trying to tell you that I’ve fallen in love with you. Curse or no curse, you fascinate me.”

She sucked in a deep breath and her heart fluttered. She looked into his now royal blue eyes. Deep down she felt he really did care for her. She needed to decide what she really felt for him. “River I don’t know what to say.”

He approached her and laid two fingers on her lips. “Don’t say anything. I know you have been through a lot lately. I’m going to prove to you over and over through time that you can trust me.”

“So much has happened.” She shook her head. Too much, and this whole Jersey Devil mess wasn’t over yet. She’d fallen hard, flat-on-her-face hard for River, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to trust him. What if she couldn’t remove the curse? Or worse, what if he cheated on her?

“I know a million thoughts are running through your mind. I can see it all over your face.” He brushed a curl out of her eyes.

She blew out a deep breath. He didn’t know the half of it.

He leaned in and parted his lips. His warm breath blew across her mouth before they touched. Abby’s body responded and she kissed him back, wrapped her arms around his neck, and her tongue dove deep into his sweet lemonade mouth. River hugged her and the warmth of his body soaked deep into hers. He had to be the best kisser ever.

“Can we go into your room?” His voice deepened with a smooth seductive tone.

“That depends. Are we going to finish what we start this time?” she teased. Stopping in the middle would be unacceptable.

“I have several backups so we’re all good.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of wrapped condoms.

She grinned. He must have emptied the whole box in his pockets.

“My room’s this way.” She led him down the short hallway into her room and closed the door behind them.

River sat on the bed next to Abby with her hand in his. His thumb made light circles in her palm.

“Are you sure you’re ready?” he asked her.

“Yes.” Her answer little more than a breath.

He brought her hand up to his mouth and placed a light kiss on each of her knuckles. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”

“So have I.” She swallowed hard. She reached for him and he leaned away.

“I want to take this slow so I can savor every bit of you.” More kisses followed, and his lips moved up her arm leaving a trail of pleasure in their wake.

She lunged this time and wrapped her hands around his large biceps. She didn’t want to take it slow, she wanted him this minute. She tugged him toward her and pulled off his shirt before gliding her hands over the tight toned muscles in his shoulders and arms, then over to his sculpted chest.

River pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it over his shoulder.

His smile widened when he looked at her bra.

“Your body feels so good.” His smooth taught skin made her fingers tips tingle. She needed more.

“Yours feels better,” he murmured, and traced his tongue down her throat. He unhooked her bra so it slid down her arms.

His mouth tickled her neck and followed the plane of her collarbone down. Then he made his way to her chest. His warm tongue circled her nipple. The tip perked up when the cool air hit and his kiss injected tiny spasms of life into her breast.

“Hmm.” Her body’s heat was at the forest fire setting.

She guided him back up so she could nuzzle his lightly salted neck while she pulled his blond hair around her fingers. If River could make this feeling into a pill he would be a rich man.

He pulled her pants down her legs. Her thighs tightened under his bare body. She followed his lead and yanked his pants off.

She held onto his bare trim hips and pulled him closer. His hardness rubbed against her hip, turning her on more.

“Not yet.” His sultry words whispered into her ear. His sexy voice added to the moment.

“Why not?” She wanted this before anyone or anything interrupted them.

He scrambled down to her panties. His teeth latched on to the string on the side of them and tugged the blue silk down to her toes. His nose brushed the length of her legs sending a teasing sensation all over her body.

He lightly nipped her skin all the way up her calf, and his teeth skimmed her knee, tickling her.

Abby’s mouth dropped open. She swished her tongue over her lips, and her breathing increased.

He looked up at her and let out a laugh.

Abby smiled her don’t-stop smile back at him. Her desire grew with each of his strokes.

River continued following her inner thighs, licking her and sending more pleasure. He spread her legs apart. “Perfect.”

The moment his tongue slid over that oh-so-sensitive spot she sat up in reaction.

“Honey, relax.” He pushed her back.

Relax? She was skipping on the edge of having one hell of a climax and she’d yet given him any pleasure in return. How could she relax?

The heat from his mouth and the swirls of his very talented tongue sent tremors rolling through her body. She slammed her eyes shut and held on for the ride that started out with small shudders and quickly turned into a full out blast of ecstasy.

“Mmm,” was all she could say. Not one coherent thought came to mind. Just full out brain-numbing sexual bliss filled her head.

More quivers shook her core.

She maneuvered and shimmied into a position so she could wrap her hand around his shaft.

River’s leg muscles flexed. He pulled her closer. “Oh, Abby. I don’t know how long I’ll last.”

River gazed down at the top of Abby’s head. It was all he could do to hold back. He wanted to savor every second with her. When her small hand gripped his erection, he knew it wouldn’t take long, but when she took him into her mouth he made up his mind to find a way to last a little longer.

He licked his lips tasting her cherry scented lip balm.

She swished her tongue around the tip of his shaft before pulling him deep into her warm moist mouth. Sheer heaven, those soft, demanding plump lips.

“I can’t wait any longer.” River pulled away and sat back on his heels. He fumbled for a condom, dragged one out of his pocket. His fingers franticly tore the package open and the condom flew into the air.

Jeez, he acted like a high school virgin. “Sorry about that.” He chuckled like a nervous baboon and jumped off the bed. Scrambling around on the floor, he finally found it. “Here it is.” His hands shook with anticipation while he rolled the condom down his iron hard flesh.

Abby’s sultry smile slid over her lips driving an ache into his body bone deep. Her pale glistening skin drove him mad. Must
have her now. Must be inside her now.

Enthusiastically, he climbed on top of her and nuzzled his face into her neck.

He reached down and stroked soft curls between her legs plunging his finger inside her.

“Mmm.” Shit. Even her moans were downright sexy.

Happy that she was primed, he placed his tip between her legs and pressed inside.

Her response to his touch, his mouth, and his body excited him. He wanted to take her every way he could. Every way she would let him.

Her tiny nipples tasted like honey. Was she an angel sent down to bring him to heaven? He loved her slim hips and the way her small pelvis called to him every time he pulled back. He was glad he had brought all the condoms in the package because if he could have it his way, he would make love to her the entire night and into the morning.

Her tight muscles closed around him even more when she came. The spasms around his cock sent him into climax. Finally catching his breath, River rolled to the side and gazed down at Abby. Her skin flushed the prettiest shade of pink he’d ever seen. The afterglow of making love suited her well.

They fit together perfectly.

A while later, after their third time, River brought up what plagued his mind. “I was thinking about quitting the agency.”

“Why would you do that?” She turned to him and rested her elbow on the pillow to prop herself up.

“I’m tired of being on the road. I want to settle down. I think being a sheriff here would be a nice change of pace.”

“Why did you start hunting monsters in the first place?” She traced her fingertips around his nipples sending tickles of desire throughout his chest.

“The monsters are called Cryptids. I’ve studied them since I was young.” He could almost call it an obsession.

“Why?”

“A Sasquatch killed my brother. We went camping with my parents. My brother and I stayed up late talking beside the campfire. The Bigfoot rushed into our camp and carried him away. He was ten years old. I was twelve.”

Her eyes popped open wide. “Oh, I’m so sorry. That must have been tough on you.” Abby reached over and placed a kiss on his cheek, and her hand brushed down his arm.