CHAPTER 12
“I don’t know if I can do it,” Demma murmured.
“Of course you can, honey. You’re a strong woman. Look what all you have been through.” Digger picked up her hand and pressed his lips to her fingers.
The aftermath of the attack had made every news and gossip column. Speculation on the identities of the two men that had invaded Demma's home ran rampant. Luckily, Digger had called Kathleen who had a publicity team there before the first news-truck caught wind of the incident. They had spun the entire event as a home intrusion and theft. The fact that her jewelry was still in Langley’s pocket went a long way toward believability. The official story was that Digger and Demma had surprised a couple of thieves who had taken her at gunpoint and forced her to withdraw money from her account. There was no mention of her background or that she had known them. The police did a cursory investigation then closed the case. Demma’s true identity was safe.
The soft notes of a sappy eighties love song drifted through the speakers and filled the silence. Ryker hummed along and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed she watched him for several moments with a smile on her face before she returned her attention to the scenery. She did that often, now. Instead of making him uncomfortable, it made him feel needed. He liked that.
The two rode in peace for several miles until Ryker spoke again.
“You know, you took a big risk by pitting them against each other.”
Demma chuckled and turned away from the window as the buildings fly by. “They were both so desperate for money; I knew it’d be a point of contention between them. I just gave them a little nudge.”
“It could have backfired.”
“Maybe. It didn’t though. I knew I had to do something. I don’t think Ellis could afford to let me live. If I had left that house with him, he was going to kill me. There was something in his voice. He had made up his mind to get rid of me once and for all.” She pressed her palm against his cheek. “You saved me, Ryker. You took care of me.”
He cupped her hand in his. It didn’t even bother him she was touching his scars. She accepted him exactly as he was. “I’ll always take care of you, honey.”
“I know you will. Pull over a second.”
Digger turned the rental car into a lot and put it into park. Demma unhooked her seatbelt and motioned for him to push his seat back. When he complied, she slid into his lap and laid her head on his shoulder. Tenderly, she kissed the marred side of his face. “I think you are the bravest man I know.”
He snorted. “Not even close. I did what I had to do.” He curled his arms around her protectively. Dropping a kiss on her head and inhaled her scent and smiled. Ever since he told her he loved the perfume he discovered on her dressing table, she had worn nothing else.
Digger shivered when Demma slipped her hand under his shirt and caressed the hard planes of his chest. He felt the stirrings of desire flare to life. Gently, he placed a hand on hers. “You little vixen. I told you, we have to wait until the hotel tonight. I’m not going to take you in a parking lot in broad daylight.” He lifted her chin and saw the heat swimming in her brown depths. He always loved it when she didn’t wear the contacts or a wig. She was most beautiful when she was just his Demma.
“Spoilsport,” she groused and pouted prettily.
He laughed and dropped a kiss on her nose before taking her lips in his again. He knew to keep it short, or they would end up in the backseat of the car. With a groan, he nudged her up and back into her seat. “Enough fooling around. You are going to do this, so let’s go.”
Demma exhaled and nodded. “Alright.”
“Good girl.”
***
Demma got out of the car and stood, staring at the ranch style home with trepidation. She felt Ryker’s hand as he grasped hers tightly. She could do this. She would do it.
“Alright, honey?”
She looked up at him and smiled sadly. “Yeah. I just hope everything will work out.”
“It will.”
She hesitated. “Ryker?”
“Yeah, honey?”
“I just wanted to tell you… I love you.”
He stopped and blinked before a huge grin stretched across his face. “You do?”
Demma nodded. “I do. I love you, and I wanted to tell you before we face whatever happens here.”
He cupped her face in his palm and took her mouth in a gentle kiss. When they had finished, he gazed down into her face with such emotion it stole her breath.
“Good thing, because I love you, too.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, honey. You slipped in under my radar and ensnared me in your trap. I think it started the first day and grew stronger every one since.” He kissed her again. “You’ve become my world, Beatrice Greenwood/Demma St. John. I don’t think I could live without you anymore and I don’t want to try.”
She giggled. “Good, because you’re moving in with me when we get back to California.”
He drew back. “Oh, I am, am I?”
“Mmmmhm. I’m not living apart from you anymore, and frankly, your apartment is too small. My closet is bigger than your bedroom. Besides, you’ve halfway moved in already since I started the remodel to make things more secure. The panic room isn’t even started.”
“Don’t remind me.” He let out a groan. “I guess I’ll be moving then.”
She smiled warmly and rose on her toes to kiss him again. “Thank you for being sensible.”
“You say that now. Wait until you see the man cave I make out of one of your empty bedrooms.”
“Our bedrooms.”
He nodded and drew her against him. “Ours. I like the sound of that.” Digger released her and faced the house. “Alright, are you ready to go?” When she nodded, he tugged her toward the dwelling.
Together they climbed the steps to the porch. Drawing in a deep breath, Demma let it go slowly before pushing the doorbell.
“Just a minute,” a man called out.
The lock clicked, and the door opened. Demma blinked as her father stood in the doorway with confusion on his face.
“Ms. St. John? Excuse me. Please, won’t you come in?”
Demma shook her head. “Not before I tell you the truth. Once you hear it, you may not want to see me again.”
Charles Greenwood wrinkled his brow. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
Demma dug into her purse and pulled out the little photo album that she kept in her bedroom. Holding it out, she waited as he looked at it and then at her. Taking it in his hands, he ran his fingers over the worn cover, embossed with Beatrice Greenwood in the corner with silver letters.
“How did you get Bea’s album?”
“I managed to hide a couple of things in a storage locker - a couple of quilts and that.” Her eyes stayed on the book as she continued. “You gave it to me on my twelfth birthday,” she whispered. “It was wrapped in shiny pink and purple paper with a big pink bow. I didn’t want to open it and mess up the paper, but Momma teased me into finally doing it. I was so excited to have it that I went through roll after roll of film until for Christmas that year...”
“...we got you your own thirty-five-millimeter camera.”
The book hit the porch as her father grabbed her in his arms and hugged tightly. “Bea. My beautiful, sweet, little bumble bee. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you. You’ve brought my baby home to us.”
Tears filled her eyes as she felt her father’s arms for the first time in years. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I’m sorry for everything you went through. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. I’m so sorry for letting you think I was dead. I had to. The Cobras would have killed you, Momma, Allie, Grampy... everyone in the family if they knew I was still alive.”
“Shhh. It’s alright, Bea.”
“But Zach,” she sobbed. “I killed him. He followed me, and because of it, he died.”
“No, he made a choice. That was on him, not you.” Charlie finally let her go but held her hand tightly. Looking over her head, he asked, “Who is your friend?”
She glanced behind her and saw Ryker had her photo album in his hands, watching them. “Daddy, this is Ryker. He saved my life a couple of months ago. He’s my...” She hesitated not sure what to call him.
“I’m her boyfriend,” Ryker told him. “Hopefully, more soon.” He winked at Demma making her blush.
Her father shook Ryker’s hand and pulled him in for a hug. “Pleased to meet you.” Letting him go he turned toward the open door. “Come inside. Your mother is in the kitchen with Allie.”
Demma reached back and took Ryker’s hand. He had been right. He had told her that her family would understand. She knew she had a long way to go to regain their trust, but she could do it. Today was the first step in taking back her life. Several years ago, she had started down a path which had shredded her family. Today, she was putting it back together. She knew she could never do anything to bring Zach back, but she hoped that she could at least help ease a little of the pain they were feeling. She hoped that he was up there, looking down at her and smiling to see her making the right choices now.
“Mona, come in the living room. We have a very special visitor,” her father called out to her mother.
Ryker’s heat warmed her back, and she relaxed marginally. It had taken her years to face her demons and return home finally. And it was all because of him. Ryker had given her the strength to be here today. She smiled. Thank God she had made that decision to hire Starpower, Inc. They hadn’t just protected her career and her life; they had given her hope and a future. They had given her Ryker, and for that, she would be eternally grateful.