MONICA STARED THROUGH the rain splattered window after she’d cleaned up the puddle of whiskey and shattered glass. Somewhere in the darkness was her life, people that knew her…and yet, where were they? Did they even care that she had disappeared? Hadn’t she already been through this inside her head? That it wasn’t possible that she had anyone who cared. So, that would only mean she was lonely and alone.
Here with the Cades she did have friends. They made her smile and gave her purpose.
Then there was Cull. Although she felt like he wasn’t telling her the complete truth, she also felt like he wanted to do what was right for her. How many men would have pushed aside ethics and slept with her?
Could she blame him for not wanting to complicate things? He knew her less than she knew herself. Where in all this was she allowed to be happy?
She wrapped her arms around her waist and sighed. It was cold in the apartment but going to bed in Cull’s arms was where she would find the warmth she desired—needed. Her cheeks flushed. She might not remember who she was, but she certainly knew attraction when she felt it. There was one heck of a draw between them. She’d bet her life that she’d never experienced these feelings with anyone before.
When they’d kissed, the desire spread through her as powerful and strong as a forest fire. Even now she was still aroused, still wished he was here with her. She was shocked that one man could have so much affect over her body that she would have slept with him, no questions asked. What woman wouldn’t want this feeling? Maybe this was a new beginning.
A chill raced over her skin. She hadn’t started a fire in the woodstove, but she remembered how Cull showed her. Going to the stove, she stacked the wood, placed in kindling and paper and used a lighter, satisfied when the blaze caught. Then she went into the kitchen, poured water into the kettle and set it to heat on the stove. Maybe a cup of chamomile would help her sleep better, but what she really wanted was another glass of whiskey. No, she wanted Cull.
A smile turned up her lips.
While the water heated, she went to the selection of records on the shelf and thumbed through them slowly. Unfortunately, she couldn’t remember any of the artists, but there was quite a selection. Taking one record out of the sleeve, she placed it on the turntable and switched it on. Soon a comforting slow tune drifted from the speakers. It was familiar. She read the name on the cover, “Nat King Cole.”
She went back into the kitchen, humming along to the song and eventually she sung the words.
They’d played the song at a party.
She stopped. How the hell did I know that?
The hair on her neck lifted. She tried to focus on the memory. Whose party? Was it a friend’s? Or hers? She gripped the edge of the counter as another memory came to her. A tall man with dark eyes, smiling. She could see his face and it was the first real image she’d had of someone. But who was he? A lover? She didn’t feel any love when she thought of him.
Unsettled, she sipped at her tea. She and the man had danced to the song, but her stomach knotted. Something warned her it wasn’t a happy moment.
When she thought of Cull she felt alive.
When he was near she was happy. To be attracted to someone when she barely knew herself was frightening. She should be making better choices, but who really got to choose who they were attracted to? The heart made those choices.
They were together in this—whatever this was for now.
The strong smell of smoke engulfed her, and a throbbing sensation slammed into her head. Another image assaulted her. The tall man wearing a black. Who was he? Fear. Pain in her body, then her head. The sound of glass breaking. The smell of smoke grew stronger. She blinked. What was happening?
Smoke billowed from the woodstove.
What had she done wrong?
Then she remembered she didn’t open the flue.
She almost fell as she raced over and threw open the door. A cloud of smoke poofed out from the belly of the stove and she covered her mouth and nose. The fire had gone out, but the smoke was overpowering, making her feel dizzy.
“Oh no.” She could have caught the place on fire.
Going to the front door, she stepped outside to breathe in fresh air, tears falling to her cheeks. She gripped the rail and leaned over it, sucking in oxygen, trying to focus on her thoughts, but everything seemed out of place.
She didn’t realize that someone was watching from the shadows.
****
Tinman hunched down, waiting. He was sweating, his head hurt and his heartburn was bad. This was dangerous. He was here on the Cade Ranch and he kept looking over his shoulder. He needed to get this the hell over with and get the fuck off this land. He was shocked he’d made it this far. They were all at the rodeo and this had been his chance. Why the fuck had the chick gone too? He’d almost shit himself when Cade and the broad had come back early.
She was alone…and it was now or never.
He stepped onto the first rung of the steps, clenching his teeth against the pain in his leg, when he heard the door open to the apartment. He ducked into the shadows, pressing against the cold wall and listened. Hearing soft footsteps above him, he held his breath, then carefully leaned forward until he could see the girl. His eyes were blurry and he rubbed his eyelids. It helped, some. He could make out that she was standing against the rail. She was coughing. Smoke flowed from the open doorway. He smiled. The bitch almost did the job for him. It’d be easy just to push her over the rail, but the porch wasn’t high enough to kill her.
Feeling for the piano wire tucked in his pocket, he almost felt sorry for her—almost. Yet, this was Cade’s fault. A lawman was never so fucking stupid to bring a criminal whore home, and then start thinking with his dick and not his brain. Tinman got it though. He really did. The bitch was hot and probably had a nice, tight pussy, but if Cade was smart, he would have done the right thing from the beginning.
Tinman didn’t like when his job was made this difficult.
He dropped his gaze over her sweet little body leaning over the rail and licked his lips. He liked a woman with a nice, round ass. What he wouldn’t give to drive his cock deep inside her, even if she’d had every man and his brother in that snatch. He’d bet his eye teeth that she would satisfy him. A woman like that would smell good too. He wished he could sample some of that pussy before he put her out of her misery. Yeah, that sounded real good. His zipper stretched and he bit back a moan. Here lately he’d had more erections than he had in the past five years. Ironic really. The medicine was to help with the pain, not give him hard ons.
As much as he wanted to fuck, he’d deny himself the pleasure. A skilled man knew his boundaries. He couldn’t take the risk that she’d squeal like a pig and give him away. He was going to die, but it’d be on his terms, not at the hand of Cull Cade.
He needed to get this shit over with so he could get back home, take the money that was coming to him, and get on that plane. Excitement made his blood pressure rise. He looked forward to living life for the first time ever.
Reaching in, he took out the wire and rolled the ends around his gloved hands. He loved the adrenaline rush. He’d enjoy this kill immensely. Who’d miss a whore?
Taking the first rung of the stairs again, he planned his attack. She was tiny enough that he’d easily drag her inside, wrap the wire around her pretty neck and be gone before anyone was the wiser. Cade was probably next door whacking off so he’d be busy for a while.
He heard tires on gravel.
Headlights feathered across the wall and he dropped down, holding his breath. What the fuck? A car was coming up the lane.
He crept back into the shadows, his heart pounding hard enough to break a rib.
A second later he heard, “Hey, Monica!” It was a woman’s voice, but Tinman didn’t dare take a peek. “I’m coming up. It’s too early for bed.”
Sliding along the wall, he made himself scarce. The plan was thwarted again, and he was getting sick and tired of this shit. The widow was breathing down his neck.
The Monica broad was one lucky bitch, but it wouldn’t last forever…