CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Sophie
“Soph, you comin’?” Kolan calls from his workout room, waiting for me to join him for our quick lesson.
“I’m here.” With the announcement I jump over the threshold, fists up at the ready. “Let’s see what you got.” Light on my feet, I dance around and punch the air, challenging him.
He stands in place, unimpressed by my brave moves.
“What’s wrong? Scared?” I tease.
“Hardly. You’re not even making a correct fist,” he muses, a slight smile twitching his lips. “Come on, we don’t have much time before Cooper and the others show up, and I want to work on this.”
“Yes, sir,” I salute, knowing it pushes his buttons. Something I’m really starting to enjoy doing.
With a growl, he spins me around, bringing my back against his chest. The small contact sets my body on fire.
He begins explaining how to get out of the current hold he has me in. I try to focus on his instruction but can’t. His smooth baritone in my ear and hard, warm body crowding me makes it impossible to concentrate on anything but the way he feels against me. Especially when I think about what he did to me last night in this room. In front of these mirrors…
“Sophie!” His warning penetrates my thoughts; arms tightening around me like a steel band.
“I’m sorry,” I moan, pushing my ass against him. “I can’t think with you touching me like this.”
“Jesus.” His hand begins coasting down my stomach, headed for the spot I ache to feel him. “You want me to touch your pussy instead, baby?”
God, I love it when he talks to me like this.
“Or maybe you want me to spank this pretty ass of yours again.” His teeth nip my ear, evoking a delicious shiver to travel through me.
Warmth gathers between my legs as I remember the feel of his heavy hand against my sensitive flesh. I’m just about to plead—no, beg for it—when the doorbell interrupts us.
“Fuck,” Kolan breathes out the heated curse. “Come on.” He tugs my hand, dragging me behind him.
“Wait!” I dig my heels in, bringing us to a stop.
He graces me with a sexy smirk and pulls me in for a kiss. “Don’t worry, baby. We’ll pick up where we left off as soon as they leave.”
When he turns away again, I cling to his hand, feet planted. “It’s not that. I…I need to get a scarf.”
There’s no denying the disappointment that flashes in his gaze.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I whisper, my heart pinching.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re disappointed in me.”
He cups the side of my neck, his thumb stroking my jaw. “I could never be disappointed in you. I just don’t think you should hide yourself from anyone. You’re too beautiful for that.”
I gaze up at him, his eyes conveying so much to my wounded soul. No, not wounded…healing. It’s healing.
I’m healing.
“You’re right,” I say with more confidence. “Let’s go.”
This time he’s the one who stops me. “Don’t do it for me, Soph. Do it for yourself.”
“I am. It’s time.” I give him a reassuring smile.
“Good.” He slings an arm around my shoulders and drops a kiss on my head before leading me out.
I stand at the edge of the living room and watch him open the door. My feet shuffle nervously as I fight the urge not to cover my exposed neck.
“Hey, Sophie.” Cooper greets me first, passing by Kolan.
“Hi, Cooper.”
I wait for his eyes to drop and for that brief flash of disgust. But it never comes. My anxiety dissipates when his eyes remain on mine and he pulls me into a hug. I’m stunned for only a second before I wrap my arms around his waist, my heart warming at his affection.
“You doing okay?” he asks, stepping back.
I nod. “I am. Thanks to Kolan.”
“Good.”
Nick and Ryder greet me next, shaking my hand, and both of their eyes remain on mine like Cooper’s did. Like I’m normal and not standing here with my mangled neck exposed to the world. Kolan’s words from last night invade me.
This might be all you see when you look at yourself but it isn’t what anyone else sees.
I’m pulled from the memory when Kolan places a hand on my back. “Let’s go to the kitchen.”
As we head to the table, my eyes stray to the thick folder that Ryder carries. I reach to take the chair next to Kolan but he grabs my hips and brings me down on his lap instead. The warmth of his hard body settles my anxious nerves further.
“What do you have for us?” Kolan asks.
“Unfortunately, not what you are hoping for,” Ryder says, setting the folder down in front of him. “Obviously, we know he’s here and trust me, we have eyes everywhere. Cooper has put out a statewide APB on him.”
I smile over at Cooper as he gives a nod of acknowledgment.
“I wanted to see you guys today to let you in on what I have found out.” His eyes shift to mine. “I know one of the officers who dealt with your case back in California. Reid Cunningham.”
“Officer Cunningham, yes, I remember him.”
He was one of the officers who showed up that very first night when we caught Daniel looking in my bedroom window. He went above and beyond for me after Daniel was served the restraining order. He checked in often to make sure I was doing okay. Tess had a huge crush on him. He was very attractive; however, for what I was dealing with at the time, it was the furthest thing from my mind.
“He was really great to me and my family,” I tell him quietly.
“Yeah, Reid is a good guy. He comes from a family of law enforcement. I’ve encountered him and his brothers a few times,” he says. “Anyway, he only just phoned me back yesterday because he’s in the middle of a case right now. We spoke for a while. Apparently, he wasn’t notified either when Daniel was released from the hospital. When he got word of your attack last year, to say he was pissed is an understatement. His brothers are spread out all over the country and he made sure every single one them had Daniel on their radar.”
My heart warms that he went out of his way for me, especially when it wasn’t his case anymore.
“He also went to St. Louis to see you in the hospital last year. But uh, you were gone by the time he got there.”
My gaze falls to the table, guilt lancing through me. I can only imagine how it felt for my family, too, when they found out I was gone.
“He’s glad to know you’re all right, and I told him I would say hello.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Thankfully, he moves on. “When he got back to California he did some digging on his own, going all the way back to Daniel’s childhood. Did you know his parents died?”
“Yes. I knew that because he lived with his grandmother.”
He nods. “He was originally born in Oregon and lived there until his parents passed when he was ten.”
“What happened to them?”
There’s a beat of silence, something passing over his expression. “Freak accident. One night they went out to their hot tub for some…alone time and got electrocuted when the stereo fell in.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s horrible.”
“Yeah, well, what would be even more horrible is if it wasn’t an accident.”
“What does that mean?” Kolan asks.
“Reid was able to track down the detective who headed up the investigation back then. He’s retired now but spoke candidly about Daniel. When Reid told him about what happened to Sophie, he wasn’t surprised. He’d had his suspicions surrounding the incident with Daniel’s parents. He was convinced it was not an accident. However, he was unable to collect enough physical evidence to back it up.”
“How can that be? He was only a child,” I say in disbelief. “Why would he kill his parents?”
“Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason for the things people do,” Cooper says, choosing that moment to cut in. “Especially if he’s as mentally fucked up as we know he is.”
“But why?” I ask, frustration thick in my voice. “Why is he like this? I don’t get it. Were his parents cruel to him? Were they sick, too?”
Ryder shakes his head. “Not according to the detective. He told Reid Daniel’s parents were good people, gave him a good life, there was nothing to support why he would hurt them. As for his psychopath tendencies…” He trails off with a brief pause. “Did you ever meet his grandmother?”
“No. I don’t even know what she looks like. Why?”
“Reid said when he first met Daniel and served him the restraining order, there was something off about her.”
“I know she believed Daniel and I were dating, but I figured Daniel was just good at lying to her.”
“After his parents died, he was sent to live with her in San Francisco. They remained there until his senior year and that’s when they moved.”
With a sullen expression, Ryder pulls a picture from the open folder and lays it down on the table in front of me. It’s of a beautiful young girl with long brown hair and big blue eyes. She has the most infectious smile and looks to be about fifteen years old.
“Who is this?” I ask, unable to take my eyes off her.
“The reason Daniel moved to Huntington Beach in the first place.”
My gaze snaps to Ryder’s, a sick feeling forming in the pit of my stomach at the quiet rage in his green eyes. “There were others?” I ask quietly, praying with everything I am that I’m wrong.
He confirms with a solemn nod. “Her name is Lana Caldwell. It turns out Daniel had taken quite a liking to her back in San Francisco. According to a few of her friends, he followed her like a shadow. He made her uncomfortable but she thought she could handle him. When she couldn’t take it any longer, she confided in her best friend that she was going to tell her parents. Except she never got the chance, she disappeared that night.”
“No,” I whisper, my heart sinking with devastation. “He killed her?”
The regret in his eyes says it all. “They never found her body. She’s still missing to this day.”
Tears burn the back of my throat, desolation consuming me for a girl I never knew but that I strangely feel connected to.
It could have been me.
It almost was.
“How the fuck did he get away with that?” Kolan snaps.
“The cops investigated the hell out of him. They could not find a single piece of evidence to connect him to her disappearance. All they had was hearsay from a few of her friends about him following her. Even the grandmother gave him an alibi, which leads me to believe she somehow helped him. This kid…” He shakes his head. “I don’t know how he’s done it but he’s not just crazy, he’s fucking smart.”
“He’s right,” I say, wiping away the few tears that managed to escape. “He’s more than smart. He’s outplayed everyone. Including his doctors. He’s unstoppable.”
“No, he’s not.” Kolan pulls me against his chest, his arms hugging me tight while his lips press a gentle kiss to my temple. “We’ll stop him, baby. I promise.”
“We will,” Nick says. “We know where he is now and that’s more info than we had before. Everyone trips up sooner or later and we’ll be ready when he does.”
I wish I felt as confident.
“I expect it will be sooner rather than later,” Cooper says. “The longer he’s away from you, the more desperate he’ll become. It’s important you don’t leave Kolan’s side for a second. Not for any reason. Do you understand?”
I nod. “I won’t.”
My eyes land on Lana Caldwell’s blue irises one last time before Ryder takes her picture back and begins gathering up the files.
Suddenly, I feel Kolan’s body tense beneath me. “Whoa, hold up,” he says, reaching across the table. “Go back.”
A confused scowl pulls at Ryder’s face. “What?”
“Turn back the fucking pages,” he bellows.
Slowly, Ryder flips back through.
“There!”
“What? Her?” Ryder asks, holding up the picture of an old lady.
“Yeah, her. Who the hell is that?”
“His grandmother. Why?”
Kolan’s body turns to stone, the room dropping in temperature. I look back at him. “Kolan, what is it?”
“I’ve seen her before.”
“Where?” Nick asks.
“At the boutique in town. She’s the one I bought the scarf from a couple of weeks ago.”
All the blood drains from my body, horror slamming into my chest like a freight train.
“Are you sure?” Ryder asks.
“I’m fucking positive. She said she was new in town. She was even talking to me about her grandson and how she was trying to convince him to buy his girlfriend a scarf. Fuck me!”
“Which boutique?” Cooper asks, jumping to his feet.
“I don’t remember the name of it. It’s the one across from Grace’s bakery.”
Cooper whips out his cell phone and hits a number. “Liz, do me a favor and put me through to Southern Charm… Yeah, thanks.”
Silence descends upon us as we wait with bated breath; my heart pounding so loud it’s all I can hear.
“Donna? Yeah, it’s Sheriff McKay. Are you alone right now? Good. Listen, you hired an elderly lady recently, is that correct? Can you tell me her name?”
He gives Ryder a nod.
“When was the last time she was in?” Something flickers in his expression. “She was supposed to come in today but never showed,” he repeats for our benefit. “Okay, I need her address.” He pinches the bridge of his nose, his patience wearing. “I realize that, but I don’t have time to get you a warrant. It could be a matter of life and death. You know me, Donna… Great, thanks.” He covers the speaker. “She’s getting it for us.”
Ryder and Nick get to their feet, scooping up the rest of the papers. Kolan takes the opportunity to stand as well, placing me on my feet while he paces like a caged animal.
“Yeah, I’m here,” Cooper says, drawing our attention back to him. “Got it. If for some reason she comes by there, do not tell her about our discussion. Go somewhere private and call me immediately. Thanks.” Hanging up, he pockets his phone and moves for the door. “Let’s go.”
“Hold the fuck up!” Kolan reaches out and grabs his arm. “You mind filling me in on what the hell the plan is?”
“The plan is we’re going to the damn house and praying like hell he’s there. It’s only a block from where she was living.”
Those words have my heart dropping like an anchor, sinking into the pool of fear I have flooding me.
“I want him,” Kolan grinds out, the lethal note to his voice causing a shiver to shudder through me.
Cooper takes a step forward, getting up in his face. “Well, you can’t have him. It doesn’t work like that, Slade, and you goddamn know it.”
Kolan remains silent, the stiffness in his body conveying more than words ever could.
Cooper spins back around and storms out the door with Ryder close on his heels.
Before Nick can leave, Kolan grips his shoulder. “You know what to do.”
Nick nods. “I got it, man. I’ll call as soon as we have something. Keep your phone on you,” he says, then hurries out the door to follow the others.
“Fuck!” Kolan kicks the door shut, slamming it so hard it almost breaks. “I can’t believe I never caught onto that shit.”
“It’s not your fault,” I tell him, my words nothing more than a choked whisper as I hug myself, trying to ward off the chill racking my body.
He turns to me, his angry expression easing. “Hey.” He closes the distance between us, cradling my face between his hands. “You okay? You with me?”
I shake my head, my hands securing around his wrists. “He was living a block from me and I had no idea. He killed his parents,” I add with a whisper, my head still reeling with the information. “He killed a beautiful young girl who had so much to live for, and for what? Why? Why is he doing this?”
He gathers me in his arms, a furious breath escaping him. “Because he’s a fucking psychopath, Soph. It’s a shitty answer but there’s never going to be a good one. You can’t understand someone like that. All we can do is stop him.”
“I hope they get him,” I murmur into his chest. “I just want him gone, Kolan…for good.”
“I know, baby. Me, too. We’ll get him. No matter what,” he promises.
Eventually, we move to the couch and try to distract ourselves by watching TV while we wait to hear back from Nick. Kolan warms us up some leftover pizza from the night before, but my appetite is gone and by the looks of it, his is, too.
For the most part we just wait.
Words are few and far between. I try to find comfort in his strong arms but his body is stiff and rigid as he holds me. His heart thunders beneath my cheek, echoing the rage he has locked inside. Each second that passes feels like an eternity and Kolan checking his phone every few minutes only adds to my trepidation.
Finally, when I can’t take much more, I get up to use the bathroom. I splash cold water on my hot face and look at myself in the mirror, my eyes as hollow as I feel. “Please, God. Let him be there,” I pray, my fingers gripping the sink.
“Stone! Tell me you have him.”
At the sound of Kolan’s harsh voice, I exit the bathroom and find him in the kitchen with his phone to his ear. My breath ceases while I anxiously await the verdict.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me!” he bellows in disbelief, his expression outraged.
My eyes close, any hope I had deflating.
Without saying good-bye, Kolan ends the call and whips his phone across the house, thankfully not shattering it. “Motherfucker!” His hands brace on the counter, head hanging in defeat.
I stare at him, trying to find the words that simply aren’t there. They are buried somewhere deep inside of my hopeless soul.
“She’s dead,” he tells me, shock rendering me in place. His head remains low, fingers gripping the counter. “He killed her. He wasn’t there but they found more evidence. Not that it fucking matters.”
He’s right. It doesn’t because it still won’t lead us to him. All we can do is wait for him to strike again, and I can’t help but wonder who will be next.