Page 37 of Rescuing Carolyn

“This isn’t my first rodeo,” Steve replied. “I know what we need. Probably take me another twenty-four hours.”

“Thanks. I owe you.” While we’d talked, I had turned into Carolyn’s driveway. The garage door was down, which wasn’t unusual, but no lights were on in the house. She’d said she would be home by now after speaking with the insurance adjuster.

I got out of the car, fingering her house key in my pocket. I’d refused to use it earlier, a decision that now seemed childish and petty. I’d never been good at managing my emotions, ruthlessly suppressing them instead, but I’d been unable to do that when my panic over the mere idea of Carolyn being hurt hit me square in the chest. I’d lashed out, and instead of supporting her as I should have, I’d added to her troubles.

The Admiral would be disappointed in me, I acknowledged. I was disappointed in myself. And worried since she didn’t appear to be home yet. I weighed my options, deciding quickly to use my key and go inside. I paused to listen after the door swung open. No sounds. If Austin was awake, the house should have been filled with chatter. I moved into the kitchen, looking around. Carolyn’s purse wasn’t on the counter, nor was the bag she carried for Austin.

They weren’t home, which compounded the feeling in my gut that something had gone sideways. I took a quick look through the house for any signs of a disturbance or struggle but found nothing.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Carolyn’s number. After four rings, it beeped and went to voicemail. I left a message for her to call me as soon as she could.

Something was wrong. She kept her phone on her and always answered, out of concern for Austin. My every instinct was on high alert. I scrolled through my contacts, calling Carolyn’s mother.

“Hello, Faith. Is Carolyn there?” I was being barely polite, but my concern was overriding everything else.

“Not yet,” Faith replied, sounding surprised at my question. “She was dealing with the insurance at the store. Austin’s with me, though. Do you want to say hi to him?”

I did want to talk to my son, but I needed to know Austin’s mother was safe first. “Kiss him for me,” I said. “Are you sure you haven’t heard from Carolyn?”

“Stop worrying, Zach. She just got held up at the store. Insurance issues always take longer than you think they will.”

“Where’s Charlotte?” My concern shifted to include Carolyn’s sister. She’d nearly been killed in the fire. And if this guy had a personal grudge against the Evert family, then that meant she was a potential target as well. They all were.

“Here with me. What’s got you so worked up?” Faith asked.

“Lock your doors and stay there. Inside,” I commanded. “I’ll send someone over soon to protect you.” I hung up before she could object or demand an explanation.

The store was the logical place for Carolyn to be and the first place I needed to look. I jogged back to my car, gunning the engine on the quiet street. I called Colin first, instructing him to go to Faith’s house. I gave a brief recap of the situation, and he said that he’d call Alex and Chance, to tell them to meet me at All That Sparkles. I could count on their help no matter the situation we were walking into.

19

CAROLYN

Ibacked away, bumping into the remains of a display case. I held my hands away from my body while my mind plotted possible actions. Running wouldn’t work. He held the gun, and it was a tight space. A bullet would hit me before I could get down the hall to the office. Talking him down didn’t seem like an option either, since his hatred appeared boundless.

My only choice was to fight. I’d spent hours in martial arts classes growing up, working my way up through the gradings until I received a black belt at seventeen. I’d been trained never to attack except in self-defense, but that described this situation precisely. The gun he held on me was the first thing I had to deal with. And then him.

“Maybe we can find some other way,” I said as I subtly moved my feet to improve my stance. Thank goodness I’d worn flats and my dress had a full skirt. I’d have the freedom of movement I needed. “I could pay you compensation.”

“With what?” He chuckled maniacally. “Your business is on the ropes.”

“The safe’s full of jewels,” I countered. “I could open it, and you could take your pick. Take it all.” I’d tempted him. I could see that by the greedy gleam in his eyes, but he didn’t look away toward the safe as I’d hoped he might, giving me the opportunity to strike.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Watching me get picked up by the police when I tried to pawn some fat diamond. No, there’s only one way this is going to end. You’re going to die here in the store your family stole from mine. The ultimate revenge. I wish my mother could see this moment, see the destruction I’ve caused. The fire was so beautiful. Even the smell of the ashes”—he drew in a breath—“is sweet. She’d be so proud of me. I got revenge for all the wrongs your family caused.” He stared straight at me as he spoke. The gruesome satisfaction I saw in his eyes terrified me, but I fought to stay calm.

“Our mothers were friends,” I said. “Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

“Yeah, it means your mother’s a bitch. She backstabbed a friend. I think I’ll go after her next. Too bad I wasn’t able to get your sister in the fire, but her time will come.” He inched even closer, within range of a strike. Any second now, I’d take my chance. “I’ll save your little boy for last, to make sure the family name can’t continue.”

The mention of my son filled me with a fierce determination. When a noise to his left distracted Dale for a split second, I went into action, targeting his weak left leg with a powerful kick and knocking him off balance. The gun dropped from his hand and I kicked it away, but I wasn’t finished. With all the force in me, I drove an open hand up and into his nose, feeling the bone crunch. He screamed in pain but still came at me, landing a punch on my jaw and sending me back into the cabinet. Before I could right myself, he was on me, grabbing my hair.

“That’s it, you bitch. I’m going to kill you with my bare hands.” He raised a fist to punch me again. Before he could, he was yanked backward and thrown to the floor.

Zach was on him, landing blow after blow to his face and body. Oh, God, he was going to kill him. Enough violence had already occurred without that. I rushed forward, risking a hit to put my hand on Zach’s shoulder.

“Stop, Zach,” I pleaded. “He’s not worth killing.”

Another punch connected with the man’s face before Zach stood up. Dale Huntly was out cold.

---