The Tangled Series Complete Digital Boxed Set (Bad Boy Rock Star, Millionaire, and MMA Fighter Bundle) (46 page)

He sighed. “At least if we would have stayed home, Debbie could have said goodbye.”

“Maybe, but I get this feeling that it would have been worse for Debbie if you’d have stayed. Watching her daughter go through seizures and feeling helpless. Anyway, the point is, don’t blame yourself for something that you had no control over. You need to let it go. You really do.”

He nodded.

“You’re a good man, Fred. I’ll bet that your friend from Vietnam, Debbie, and Nadine are
all
agreeing with me right now, wherever they are.”

He looked up at the stars and pulled at his moustache. “At least they’re all together now.”

Emma stopped in her tracks. “Mommy?”

“What is it?”

Her lip began to quiver. “No,” she whispered, dropping her cone.

“Emma? What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Sam is now with grandma,” she squeaked. “They’re together now, too.”

The blood rushed to my ears as her words sunk in. “Sam and my mother?”

She blinked and tears rolled down her cheeks. “Yes.”

Sera

When we called the diner looking for Sam, they’d said his shift had ended and he’d already left. That was all they knew.

“He told me he was going to stay at a friend’s house,” I said, after Fred hung up the phone. “A guy named Mac. Do you know him?”

He sighed. “Not really. I believe they go bowling once in a while. I don’t know his last name.”

“What should we do?” I asked him.

“I’m going to call the police. See if they’ve heard from him.”

“Good idea. He was going to call Sheriff Dooly. Maybe they’re together.” Unfortunately, something told me that they weren’t. That Emma was right and Sam
was
dead. There was no way I’d give up hope, though. Not until there was evidence.

Emma grabbed my hand. “I want to go home, Mommy.”

“We will,” said Fred, answering for me. “I’ll drop you two off and then I’ll check in with Arlene.” He forced a smile. “Don’t worry, honey. I’m sure everything is okay.”

She just stared at him, her face pale.

I squeezed her hand. “Don’t be frightened, sweetheart. You might just feel like something is wrong with Sam because we were talking about sad grownup stuff around you, and we probably shouldn’t have. It may have triggered a false feeling.”

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yes,” I replied, not knowing if it was at all possible. I just wanted to take away her fear. It was killing me to see her frightened.

She let out a ragged breath. “I hope that’s what happened.”

We walked to the car and Fred gave us a ride home after making a couple of calls to the Seattle police department. They put him in touch with Sheriff Dooly’s voicemail, and he left a message, stating that he was concerned for his brother’s safety and to call him back.

When we were alone in the house, I put Emma into her pajamas, read her a book, and tucked her into bed. An hour later, Fred walked in the doorway.

“Did you hear anything?”

“Not yet,” he replied. He dropped his car keys on the counter and pulled out his cell phone. “I suppose I should try calling the station again. See if they’ve heard anything.

“Okay.”

Fred called and was able to speak to the Sheriff this time. Unfortunately, Dooly didn’t have any information.

“They don’t know where he is,” said Fred, hanging up. “And it’s too early to put out a Missing Persons Alert.”

“Did they go to his house?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yeah, nobody was home.”

“What about that Mac guy?”

“Without a last name, he couldn’t really do anything there either.”

“What are you going to do?”

He was silent for a few minutes and then looked at me. “I’m flying out there. You don’t have to be psychic to know something isn’t right. I’m going to call the airlines and take the first flight out.”

“Good idea.”

“If that bastard hurt my brother,” he said, his voice tight, “he’s going to have to answer to me. I may not be a handyman around the house, but, believe me … I know how to handle sleaze-balls like Ray.”

“Please be careful,” I whispered, touching his shoulder.

“Now, don’t you worry about me. I’m going to find Ray and make sure he spends the rest of his life behind bars, not terrorizing my family.” His eyes softened. “None of you.”

It was easy to see how Emma had gotten so attached to such a kindhearted man. “Thanks, Fred.”

He took my hand and squeezed it. “Just keep an eye on our two girls while I’m gone. Emma and Arlene.”

“I will. That reminds me; I’d better call Thane and let him know what’s going on. ”

“Good idea. Maybe he knows something.”

“I hope so,” I replied, pulling out my cell phone. As I dialed his number, however, I already had a feeling we were now beyond hope.

Thane

I’d just stepped out of the shower after spending a couple of hours at the gym, when Sera called me. She explained what was happening.  I immediately tried calling Sam after hanging up with her. When he didn’t answer, I left a message and then called Sera back.

“He didn’t answer his cell phone.”

“That’s because Ray stole it,” she explained.

I swore. “Ray
stole
it? Are you certain about this?”

“Yes. He also called me earlier. I’m sure that’s how he found my number. From Sam’s cell phone.”

I frowned. “You actually spoke to Ray?”

“I told him he had the wrong number, and then hung up on him.”

“I’m sure he didn’t buy that.”

Sera sighed wearily. “No, I’m sure he didn’t. He was a cop and knows my voice. I’m sure I had him at ‘
hello
’.”

I grunted. “What a mess. Do you think Ray would actually harm Sam?”

She was silent.

“Sera?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, in fact, I’m pretty sure he’s already done it.”

I grit the back of my teeth. “Did you call the police?”

“We have no proof, and they won’t take it seriously until he’s been missing for twenty-four hours.”

I thought about Sam and what a fun-loving guy he was. My dad had known him longer, but we’d gone fishing a few times. The thought of anything bad happening to him pissed me off. “I’ll fly to Seattle with Fred.”

“Really? You’d better talk to him then. He’s leaving for the airport in an hour. I guess he lucked out and was able to get a late-night flight.”

“Is he around?”

“Sure,” she said and then handed the phone over to him.

“I’d prefer it if you’d stay here and help keep an eye on Sera and Emma,” said Fred after I told him I what I wanted to do. “If something bad has happened to my brother, Ray isn’t going to stick around in Seattle, and there’s a good chance he may have already found out where she is.”

“Maybe they should stay at my place?” I replied, surprising myself. My condo was small and the idea of bringing Sera and her daughter here was probably jumping the gun a little, but I couldn’t think of anything else.

“You know, that might not be a bad idea,” he answered. “Or, better yet, maybe you could stay here? It would be easier for Emma.”

“I could do that,” I answered, walking through my condo to the bedroom. I put the phone against my shoulder and grabbed a red duffel-bag out of the closet. “In fact, I’ll pack some stuff and head on over. Why don’t you give me your address?”

“I really appreciate this, Thane,” he replied, after I wrote down his street address. “I feel so much better knowing you’re going to be around. I doubt Ray will find them, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

“No problem. Do you have a security system on that place?”

“No. I’m normally the security system.”

I chuckled. “Whatever works, right?”

“I work pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. Which reminds me, do you own a gun, Thane?”

“I own a couple. They are registered, by the way,” I said, knowing that Fred was a retired cop.

He grunted. “I trust you, Thane. It might be a good idea to bring one. Just in case. You know, strictly for protection. Worst-case-scenario.”

“Okay.”

“I’d better get to the airport. Thanks again, Thane. Let me tell you, I feel a lot more comfortable knowing you’re going to be around. Protecting these girls.”

“Like I said before, no problem. Good luck finding Sam. Hopefully, he’s holed up in some motel and nothing sinister has actually happened.”

“Damn, I hope so. If that asshole has done anything to my brother, though, I’m going to hunt him down and make sure he spends the rest of his days behind bars. That is if I don’t decide to save the state some money and just kill him first.”

“Send him to prison. He killed a defenseless woman, beat his wife, and was a hot-headed cop. I’m sure he made a lot of enemies who will make his days there… interesting.”

“I’d love to be a fly in the shower room during his first few days in the pen,” he said in a low voice.

I grinned. “No doubt. Tell Sera I’m on my way over, too.”

“I will.”

We hung up.

I threw some clothes into the bag and then went to my safe. I pulled out my .357 Ruger and a box of bullets, knowing that it probably wouldn’t come down to having to use any of them. But there was no way in hell I was going to be defenseless around some half-crazed maniac who’d already killed at least one innocent person unarmed. I knew how to fight, but nobody could escape a bullet if it had your name on it.

Ten minutes later, I was on the road and heading toward Fred’s place, with Sera on my mind.

Sera

“He’s coming
here
?” I repeated, after Fred hung up with Thane. “To sleep?”

Fred smiled. “Yes, and to protect you. He volunteered to have you girls stay at his place, but this makes the most sense. We don’t want to upset Emma.”

“No, I agree there,” I replied, trying to ignore the fluttering in my stomach. I couldn’t decide if it was just nerves, or the fact that Thane and I would be sleeping in the same house.

“Arlene is driving me to the airport. I’ll explain what’s going on and let her know who Thane is.”

“She doesn’t know Sam is missing, yet?”

“I didn’t want to worry her. But, now I think that being worried could help and keep her safe, as well as you. She sees anything strange going on from her place, she can call the police right away.”

“True.”

“Anyway, I’d better get over to Arlene’s. Give Emma a kiss for me, I don’t want to wake her up.”

I nodded and followed him to the door.

“Keep your cell phone nearby and if Ray calls you, give the phone to Thane. Maybe if Ray knows that you have someone protecting you, he’ll back off.”

“I doubt it,” I replied, biting my lower lip. “It might make him angrier.”

“Then… just hang up.” Fred sighed and the lines on his face looked deeper. “Oh, hell, I don’t know, maybe you should stay somewhere else? A hotel or something? Just until I get back into town.”

“Don’t worry, Fred. Thane will be here and I don’t think we have anything to worry about. Just go and find your brother.”

He tugged at his moustache. “I wish that was enough to make me feel better.”

“We don’t even know if Ray has found out where we’re living.” 

“No, but give him time and he will,” he replied, looking frustrated. “The more I think about it, the less I like you staying here. It’s just too dangerous.”

“We’ll be fine. Go find Sam.”

“I wish I had your confidence,” he said, opening the door.

I patted him on the back. “You are worrying about the wrong person right now. Go to Seattle, Fred. Find him.”

“I’ll do my best,” he replied, turning around. “Call me if anything happens.”

“You too,” I answered.

He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “You’re like a daughter to me, you know that, don’t you?”

My heart warmed and I smiled. “Thank you, Sam. Emma and I both adore you. We love you.”

His eyes became moist and he looked away. “You know, the feeling is mutual.” He cleared his throat. “Now, may sure you lock the door behind me. Thane should be here shortly.”

“I will.”

I watched as he made his way over to Arlene’s and prayed that my gut feeling was wrong this time. That Sam was okay and Fred would bring him back to California.

*****

Thane arrived twenty minutes later, wearing a pair of black warm-up pants and a white T-shirt. His hair was slightly damp and hung to his shoulders, behind his ears. As he stepped past me, I could smell a hint of the aftershave from earlier and found it even more appealing.

“I didn’t know you owned a gun,” I replied, staring at the case in his hand.

He set it on the kitchen counter. “We’ve only known each other for a few days. There’s a lot you don’t know about me. Or, hell, maybe you know more than you’re letting on,” he said, his lip curled up to the side.

“What do you mean? I asked, searching his eyes, not sure if he was teasing or if he was irritated about earlier. It certainly made everything a little more awkward.

“Nothing,” he said, lowering his eyes to the case. Thane opened it up and pulled out a silver revolver with a black handle.

“What kind of gun is that?”

“It’s a .357 Mag double-action revolver,” he said, opening up the chambers and the box of bullets.

“Is that thing pretty powerful?”

He grunted. “Believe me, this
thing
will stop a bear if it needs to.”

“Good, I guess,” I answered, feeling nervous and jumpy. “I just hope we don’t have to find out.”

“Me, too.” He looked around the kitchen. “I’m going to keep this loaded and ready, but I’ll put it somewhere safe. Where Emma can’t get her hands on it.”

“I would appreciate that,” I replied, watching as he loaded the gun. “Um, do you really think a weapon like this will be necessary?”

“I hope not. But, from what I hear, Ray is dangerous and I don’t want to be caught off guard if he does show up here. He’s obviously armed and we need to protect ourselves.”

I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered. “I just can’t believe this is happening. First my mom and now maybe… Sam? He must have really lost his head. I had no idea he was capable of murdering innocent people.”

“Desperation can make a person do some crazy shit,” said Thane. “Especially an unbalanced person.”

“I think he’s well past desperation. I also think he’s using drugs.”

“That would explain a lot then. Anyway, I know it’s late. You should probably get some sleep. I’ll sleep on the couch and keep watch.”

“Okay. Um, Arlene should be back soon. She drove Fred to the airport and you’ll probably see her lights. She lives next door.”

“Fred told me about her. I’ll keep a look out and make sure she gets inside her garage safely, too.”

I smiled. “Thanks for doing this, Thane. I know it’s asking a lot.”

“It would be asking a lot if anything happened to you and I had to find another nail technician,” he joked. “As you can probably tell, I’m not much good with interviews.”

I smirked. “I figured it had something to do with that.”

“What’s that old saying? Good help is hard to find?” he replied, putting the gun case above one of the cupboards. He turned around and stared down at me, a piece of hair falling forward. I had to resist the urge to tuck it back behind his ear. “You’re already making a good impression with the other staff and customers. Your boss, as well.”

I blushed. “I guess I can’t ask for much more than that.”

“Exactly. That’s why I can’t afford to lose you now. In fact, I’m going to drive you to work tomorrow. I checked your schedule and noticed you have some appointments beginning fairly early. You really don’t want to piss off the clientele by canceling already. On your third day.”

“What about Emma?”

“She goes to school, right?”

“Yes, she’s in first grade. I need to make sure she gets on and off of the bus safely. Fred usually meets her after school.”

“Easy. We’ll both drop her off at school and pick her up at the bus stop. How’s that?”

“Thanks,” I replied, feeling relieved. It was an easy fix, but I’d been too emotional to think of it myself. “That will work.”

“There you go. Problem solved.”

“I guess so.”

He rubbed his hands together. “So, where’s your bedroom?”

My eyebrow arched. “Why?”

He chuckled. “So that I know where you’re at. In case something happens.”

I blushed. “Yes, of course. My bedroom is down the hallway from the living room. Second doorway on the left.”

“And Emma’s?”

“Hers is across the hallway from mine.”

“Okay. Well, like I said – go and get some sleep. I’ll keep an eye on things.”

“Are you really going to sleep?”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll sleep in my office tomorrow if I have to.”

“Are you sure? Maybe we can take turns sleeping? I feel bad you’re staying up like this.”

“Don’t worry about me. I have a hard time sleeping at night anyway. I usually only get three or four hours of shuteye, at the most.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Really? You never look tired during the day.”

“Coke is a wonderful thing.”

“Coke?”

He laughed. “As in the soda. I know it’s bad for you, but it’s one of my vices. I’ve been trying to limit it to a couple of times a week now.”

“That’s not too bad.”

“There are worse things.”

“Definitely.”

We stared at each other in silence for a few seconds and then his eyes darkened. “You really should get some rest.”

“You don’t have to tell me more than three times,” I chuckled, walking away. “Oh, and by the way, help yourself to whatever is in the refrigerator. Fred is an outstanding cook and there are a lot of leftovers.”

“If he’s such a good cook, why so many leftovers then?” he teased with a twinkle in his eye.

“Because he makes these
huge
portions. We’ll have to have you over for dinner, someday. You’ll see exactly what I mean.”

“Can you cook?”

“I can hold my own. I haven’t had to for so long, though. I may have forgotten. What about you?”

“Actually, I do cook quite a bit. It’s healthier when you make your own meals.”

“What about all of those lunches at work? You seem to order out a lot.”

He grinned. “Okay, so I obviously cheat during the day. And there’s that Coke thing. It’s why I spend so much time at the gym.”

I stared at his muscular biceps. “It must help because you obviously have no fat on you whatsoever.”

He looked down and then over at me. “You look like you’re in pretty good shape, too. You work out?”

“No. I have a pretty high metabolism. Fear and paranoia instigate that.”

He laughed. “I suppose.”

“Well, goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Sera.”

I walked out of the kitchen and I could feel his eyes on my backside. I’d once been proud of that area, until Ray had started calling me a “fat-ass” when he was drunk. Although I knew he was doing it to be cruel, it now made me self-conscious. I wasn’t looking to impress Thane and it shouldn’t have mattered what he thought about my body, but for some reason, deep down, I knew that it sort of did.

***

Thane

I watched as Sera stepped out of the kitchen. She was wearing a hoodie and shorts that were by no means… revealing, but they hugged her hips and ass in a way that woke me up downstairs. She also had nice legs, short but tan and slender.

My cell phone began to vibrate, breaking my thoughts.

Fred.

“Hey, Fred. I’m here. At your place.”

“Good. I’m sorry to bother you – hope you weren’t sleeping.”

“No, I can’t sleep. I’m too wired now with everything going on.”

“I hear you. Anyway, one thing I forgot to mention, and it’s something that I doubt Sera will volunteer to tell you….”

“What?”

He chuckled. “You’re probably going to think I’m a naïve old man when I say this, but,” he cleared his throat. “Sera has these… intuitions that usually come true.”

I smirked into the phone. “You mean like, women’s intuition?”

“It has nothing to do with being a woman. Her mom told Sam that she believed Sera was a psychic.”

I rolled my eyes. Here we go. “Is that right?”

“It’s true. I know it sounds crazy, but, if she has any of her ‘gut feelings’, don’t hesitate to believe her. Same with little Emma. Both of them may have this gift.”

“Okay,” I answered, humoring him. “I’ll make sure to listen to her when she has a premonition.”

“Good. You won’t be sorry.”

I rubbed my forehead. I didn’t believe in fortunetellers or psychics, but it was very last and I wasn’t in the mood for a debate. “Okay, well, you have a safe flight and call me as soon as you learn anything.”

“I will. Thanks again, Thane.”

“No problem. Talk to you soon.”

After we hung up, I walked around the house, checking the windows and locks. When I was satisfied, I sunk down into the couch and turned on the television. Fifteen minutes into flipping through the stations, I saw a commercial about the Psychic Network and the prices they charged for a so-called ‘reading’. I grunted and changed the channel again, amazed that Fred and Sam believed in such mumbo-jumbo.