Page 28

Chapter

Sixteen

Tears streamed down Lizzy’s face as she drove to the center, parking out back.

She should’ve said hello to her workers and all the darling kiddos, or called her mom or Janie.

They all would’ve made her feel better. Instead, she slinked up the back staircase to her apartment, lugging her too-heavy suitcase. Her legs were tired and bowing in.

She made it inside, and it was hotter in the apartment than it had been in her car.

Sweat poured down her face, back, and chest. She hurried to turn on the air conditioner and then took a shower and yanked open her suitcase.

The sight of all the lovely clothes made her want to cry all over again.

She slid into a comfortable Lululemon T-shirt and shorts, then started hanging up the gorgeous dresses.

Where would she ever wear these? She’d give most of them to Janie.

A rap came on her door.

Her heart slammed against her chest.

Chase?

Could it be?

She ran for the door. Well, ran as fast as she could. Her legs suddenly felt strong, her body light.

Chase had come for her. Maybe there was money involved, but Chase needed a chance to explain. Lizzy could imagine forgiving him, could imagine kissing and loving him.

She yanked the door open.

All her hopes crashed to the ground, and her legs went so weak she had to lean against the doorframe for support.

“Darren?”

He gave her a snake’s smile, his dark eyes triumphant. Then he slapped a hand over her mouth and shoved her inside the apartment, kicking the door shut with his foot.

“Help,” she screamed against his hand, but very little sound came out. She struggled, but he was huge and terrifying and she had no hope of escape.

“Hello, sweetheart,” Darren said. His voice was condescending.

“Now.” He shoved her down onto her threadbare couch, his hand still covering her mouth as he pressed into her, his huge body overshadowing her.

“You’re home, and you’re going to recognize that I’ve won and you have no choice but to help me. ”

“Never,” she tried to scream against his hand. It came out muffled and weak.

“Ah, Lizzy. So fiery for one so weak and needy.”

His hand pressed even harder. She was having a hard time catching a breath. Her heart raced and fear made everything cloudy.

“You have no hope; you have no help. Your little boyfriend ditched you.”

Lizzy’s heart sank. He was right about that, and she felt as weak as he thought she was. She had to fight. Somehow, she had to show she wouldn’t give in to him.

“I’ve won. Again.” His smile was triumphant. “I’ve been sending you all those notes the past month. Not Grady Worthen.”

Her eyes widened, and she stopped struggling.

“That’s right, love. Then I paid Grady, Tate, and my friend Paul to follow the tracker I put on your phone several months ago all the way to Austria.”

She remembered Paul. Darren’s buddy from the gym. He looked similar to Darren and had been a Marine. Now it made sense that she’d thought she’d seen Darren, and how Grady was able to get to Europe and get past her security.

“See how brilliant I am?” Darren crowed.

“Paul helped Grady and Tate on the first night in Hallstatt with the attack, and he helped Grady on the second night after Tate got caught and arrested. Those idiots could never have accomplished anything without Paul, and now they’re both taking the rap for it.

I paid them cash, of course. No paper trail. ”

He smiled. “You know I’m the champion and I’ve already won. But now we’ve played enough games. You have no choice. You are going to elope with me tomorrow to Cedar Crest Lodge, make Grandfather happy so I get my money, or Paul will kill your European boyfriend. He’s trailing him even now.”

Lizzy couldn’t catch a full breath. Paul would kill Chase? No! She had to find a way to warn him.

She prayed for strength and then she bit Darren’s hand. He screeched in protest and pulled his hand back.

“I will never elope with you,” she screamed at him.

“You’re weak, and you’ll do what I say,” Darren pressed his huge body against hers, glowering.

“No,” she yelled.

He might be able to control her physically but he couldn’t conquer her mind or her heart. She loved Chase, and she’d fight to be free of Darren and protect Chase.

She jabbed her finger into his eye. He yelped and grabbed her hand, cursing at her.

The door flew open and banged against the wall.

Darren released her and jumped to his feet.

Chase stood framed in the door.

“Chase,” she cried out, relief and fear filling her. “Paul is after you!”

Chase looked at her, his blue eyes solemn. “Paul is in police custody.”

“Yay!” She stood, her legs shaky.

“I don’t believe you,” Darren growled.

Chase stepped into the room. “You’d better, and you’d better stay away from Lizzy.”

Darren lunged at him, wildly throwing punches. Chase slammed his fist into Darren’s face and knocked him clean off his feet.

Lizzy cheered.

Darren hollered and struggled to get back up. Chase watched him but didn’t advance. As if Darren were no threat at all. Darren jabbed viciously at Chase again, but Chase dodged, grabbed one hand, and twisted Darren’s arm. There was a sickening pop, and Darren screamed as he fell to his knees.

Two policemen stepped into the room. She recognized them.

“All right, Lieutenant Tenley. We’ll take him from here.” Sergeant Bradley grinned at her. “He pulled rank on us, Lizzy.”

Lizzy’s eyes widened as Chase handed Darren to them.

“Technically, Brandon Richards bullied us,” Cameron, her friend from childhood, said with a wink. “We’ll give you two a minute, then come back for statements.”

“More statements,” Lizzy groaned.

Chase gave her a half smile. “Welcome to my world.”

“We’ll take extra time processing him,” Cameron said. “I’ve hated this jerk since I found out he hit you a month ago.”

“Thank you.”

They nodded and dragged a whining Darren out the apartment door.

Lizzy stood facing Chase. “You came for me,” she whispered.

“We need to get some things straight,” he said in that lyrical, husky voice she adored, his blue eyes concentrated on her face.

“Get this straight,” she sassed, and arched up to kiss him.

Chase smiled against her mouth, then lifted her off her feet, spun, and pinned her against the wall. He kissed her deeply, and he kissed her thoroughly.

Lizzy pulled back just enough to stare into his handsome face and savor those blue eyes looking hungrily into hers. “I keep instigating our kisses.”

Chase smiled. “We’ll have to remedy that.”

Then he bowed his head and took command of her lips.

Lizzy might still need some questions answered, but Chase had come for her.

It was more than enough.