Did she squeal …?
Maybe so.
That’s a secret you’d hate to know.
I win.
Knowing that I’m coming for him next, he does exactly what I hoped he would. He runs.
It’s a shame he’s too fuckin’ flustered with his need toescape, that he totally misses one major detail—when the cops show up, it will be his DNA and fingerprints all over the room.
NOAH
36
An unexpected noisejolts me from sleep, and I suck in a strangled breath. Launching to a seated position, I blink, eyes unaccustomed to the haze of predawn darkness. Something isn’t right. The peaceful calm I’d felt when Sage and I climbed into bed last night has been broken.
Then, I hear it again—the crunch of slow-moving tires chewing up gravel. My entire body goes numb, the mere thought of what that sound could mean sends apprehension rippling down my spine. Because that isn’t the boys. Rhett’s been in contact to let us know everything had gone to plan. They won’t be home until late afternoon at the earliest. My nerves prickle with warning.
I spare only a glance at Sage sleeping peacefully beside me before slipping out of bed. Quickly crossing to the window that’s situated over the porch, I peek outside. Asleek, black SUV approaches. The kind only rich pricks like my husband drive.
“Sage.” My hand gently nudges her shoulder. “I hate to wake you, but I think we’ve got trouble.” She stirs, stretching at first, but I can plainly see the second the meaning behind my words sink in.
Her eyes widen, and she sits up. “What’s going on?” Voice thick with sleep, she peers at me, concern shadowing her features.
Under my breath, I murmur, “There may or may not be a lunatic rapist coming our way. We’ve gotta move. Fast.” I shove my feet into jeans and yank them up. “I’m going downstairs to make sure the doors are locked.” My eyes meet hers. “The rifle is in the safe in Rhett’s bedroom.” My heart tugs the same way it did when he gave me the code. March 12 was the date Rhett and I shared our first kiss, back when neither of us knew what the hell we were doing.“It’s zero three one two.”
“I’m on it.” There’s not a trace of nerves in my friend’s voice. “Hope you remember how to shoot, city girl.”
“Couldn’t take the country outta me.” A second later, we part ways as she goes after the gun, and I fly down the stairs, my feet hardly touching a single step.
When I get to the bottom, headlights bounce throughout the first floor of the house as the SUV rolls toa stop in the front yard. My stomach knots angrily as I begin to check the doors and windows.
In my pocket, my phone vibrates, and when I pull it out,Joflashes on the screen. I answer, but before I can say anything, Josie’s no-nonsense voice greets me. “Baby doll, I hate to tell you this, but trouble’s come callin’. I got an alert from that fancy camera app Jace set up for me. Saw Bradley snoopin’ around. By the time I got out there, he’d already headed in your direction.”
My eyes flick toward the front window as a car door slams. “We heard him pull up the lane. Doors are locked, and Sage is getting the rifle.” I swallow, hearing keys jangle and footsteps echoing on the other end of the line.
“Hang tight, dolls,” she commands, voice clipped. “I’m leavin’ now. I’ve got Big Berta’s double barrel with me. Don’t confront his sorry ass.”
My heart thuds loudly in my ears as footsteps sound on the porch, the boards creaking as Bradley stalks closer. In an effort to calm myself, I tug Rhett’s shirt more tightly around me and creep to the glass panel beside the door to have a quick look outside.
Bradley’s face is a mask of snarling fury, the set of his shoulders rigid, fists clenched tight.A shuddering exhale escapes my lips. With every step he takes, I come face to face with the memory of what he did to me.Hasn’t he already done enough damage? What does he think he’s going to gain from coming here?This is all about control, sohe and Hemstock Holdings remain untarnished. To protect his image, he needs access to country superstar Noah Lane.
A moment later, Bradley hammers against the front door. “Noah! You can’t run from me! I own you!”
As I move into view, a battle cry rips from my chest. “Get fucked, rapist!”
He throws his head back, a manic laugh spilling from his lips.
“Get over yourself, Noah. Do you really think anyone will believe you if you say your husband raped you? On your wedding night?” His cackle ricochets through the hardwood. “Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?”
I drag in a breath and use the door to block Bradley’s view. Glancing over my shoulder I see Sage at the top of the stairs, her eyes trained on me. I shake my head in silent warning, holding a finger to my lips. Bradley can’t know she’s here, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if he hurt her.
I’m barely breathing when a heavy fist pounds on the wood again. The door shakes and hinges rattle at the abuse. “Open up, bitch!” he shouts. “You think you’re fucking clever sending your hillbilly cowboy after me?”
Temper flaring, I step to the window and raise my voice, certain he can hear every word. “I’m not going anywhere with you, you abusive fuck.” His head whips toward me, staring with beady anger-filled eyes. I swallowdown my fear and spit, “Get the fuck out of here before I tell the entire world every bit of what you did to me. The deal is off. You made sure of that when you invited your friends to the party.”
His jaw twitches with wild rage. The next thing I know, glass shatters inward, shards dancing violently at my feet. A gasp is torn from my lips as I stumble backward. Shock and surprise roll over me in a wave as he slips an arm through the broken window and flips the lock. I don’t even have time to take a breath before the door slams open, catching me in the shoulder. “Have you lost your fucking mind?” My hands shove at his chest. “Get the fuck out of my house!”
