Page 69 of Claimed by the Lawman

Chapter 23

KACE STOMPED INTO his office and there she was. Ruby was in the cell, her mascara smeared and her thick hair in disarray. Phoenix had found her a hundred miles away from Bohannan. Kace didn’t say a word as he went to the door and unlocked it, motioning for her to go into his office.

He and Cullen had gone to the Tower but didn’t find a damn thing but an old bloody rag. Kace had called in Payne to sweep the area, but Tyler wasn’t there, and the longer this continued the antsier he became. He was ready to take someone’s head off.

Once alone with Ruby, outside of Cullen who was quietly sitting on the couch, Kace pointed at the chair. He was still reeling. His patience was gone.

Ruby took a seat and he took a place on the edge of his desk. The last few hours had been the longest in his life. After what someone had done to Rogue, his gut twisted. If one hair on Tyler’s body was harmed he’d hunt them down and take care of them himself, badge or no badge.

Ruby whimpered and it didn’t even phase Kace.

“You’re in big trouble here, Ruby.” He wondered if his brother could hear the tightness in his voice.

“I-I haven’t done anything.”

“Then why were you running away like a rat from a storm?”

“I have the right to leave, Sheriff. I don’t know why that beastly man brought me here and locked me away like I’m some criminal. I demand that I get my phone call.”

“You’ll get your call, Ruby, but you’re going to answer my questions.”

“That’s against the law. I’m allowed to have my call. My attorney will have your badge for this, Sheriff,” she stammered.

“Right now, I don’t really give a shit, Ruby. You and your sidekick, Frankie, failed.” He saw her eyes widen. “Yeah, we know everything. Rogue Posey is alive and he brought a gift. I do believe this belongs to you.” He took the lighter from his pocket and held it up. Her mouth trembled and he dropped it back into his pocket for safekeeping. “Thought so. We have the entire story, except where you took Tyler. You’re going to tell me.” His voice was low and unwavering.

Several expressions flickered across her face until finally he saw a thread of fear. “I-I didn’t do anything.”

“While you’re at it, you can tell me about this.” He reached over and tugged her shirt several inches, exposing the puffy, white scar, the same exact one that Susy had on her body. “How does it feel to be branded like a cow?”

“Fuck off, Cade.”

He laughed but it was raw and his patience thinned even more. “I know it’s Bane, Ruby. It’s only a matter of time before we nail the sum’bitch. Are you willing to go down also for the murder of Tyler Posey? That’s what’s going to happen if we don’t get to her soon. I have a witness that can identify you as being close to the Posey ranch this afternoon.”

Tears streamed from her eyes.

“It’s over.”

She shook the handcuffs that bound her wrists. “Unlock these,” she seethed.

“Not until you start cooperating.”

“I’ll never cooperate.” She nailed him with her invisible daggers.

“Well, then, this is useless. Take her back to the cell,” Kace told Cullen.

Cullen stood and started for Ruby, but she jerked. “I’m not going back in there. I haven’t done anything.” She sobbed.

“We’ll work something out if you confess. Now’s your only chance, Ruby. What happened? Where is Tyler?”

~~**~~

Tyler tugged against the rope that bound her wrists behind the chair. They were tight and cutting into her skin. Her feet were also bound to the wooden chair. She had no clue where she was, but she’d put the pieces together. The brand that they’d thought was an M was actually a B and belonged to Bane. The redhead who brought her here was Ruby, the nameless woman Susy had mentioned in her diary.

Tears filled Tyler’s eyes, but she blinked them back, not willing to show any emotion. If she planned to get out of this alive, she’d have to keep her wits about her.

Frantically, she looked around the bare space. It was a basement with concrete walls and floor, and across the room was a staircase. The only light came from an overhead bulb with a pull string.

The door opened with an eerie squeak and she heard the stairs creak as someone descended. A balding man with a pockmarked face wearing a nice suit stepped into the light. “Who are you? Let me go!” she demanded.

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