Page 44 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

Chase got quiet, reaching forward and lowering the man’s eyelids. “Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. Roman’s 14:8”

My eyes widened and I blinked past the shock. It was the first time Chase had ever said a scripture, or anything having to do with religion. Swallowing was almost impossible as he looked up to me and stood. There was something different in his gaze. Something...no, I was looking at a man I didn’t recognize.

“You’re remembering more, aren’t you?”

A few seconds went by as he returned his stare to the young man. “There’s nothing left to remember, Kit.” He lifted me and I didn’t question it. I was still slow from the limp. “I’m putting you back in the safe room until I can deal with the authorities. Someone got away and there’s no telling if they’ll come back.”

He took the stairs at a fast pace and didn’t stop until we came to the headboard. Only then did Chase lower me. He reached behind, hitting something, and urged me toward the closet. As his fist hit the wall, I tried to stop the dread setting in. I didn’t want to go back in there.

“There’s a switch at the back. Turn it on and grab one of the guns. They’re all loaded. If I don’t come back in a few hours, take as much cash as you can carry and get the fuck out of this town. Don’t go back to Florida, they’ll find you, and they will kill you.”

I stepped into the room as his finger pointed to the back wall. The light switch had a small sense of relief flooding through me, but it didn’t last long. The moment I hit the switch, the metal door was shut. The sound of the panel registered and a hum had me spinning around. Monitors kicked on and my eyes narrowed as I walked toward where they sat on the far side.

Chase raced for the stairs, his gun still in his hand. I glanced over the multiple views of the home, following him down into the living room. He walked to the kitchen, reaching into one of the drawers, withdrawing a cell phone. There was a hesitation as he dialed, but he brought it to his ear. My heart nearly stopped when he looked up at the camera. It was almost as if he knew I was watching. My eyes held his and I couldn’t stop the pounding of my heart. He’d just killed a man. One he knew. Was he okay?

His chest rose in what appeared to be a large inhale and he looked away, beginning to talk. His fingers ran through his hair and his head shook as he paced. When he ended the call, he placed the phone on the counter. What felt like hours went by while he stood there, staring off into space. What was he seeing? Was it his attacker? The actual event? Was it everything he’d lived up to this point? Or did it revolve around tonight? About what he’d done? Whatever it was, he changed. That was as clear as day to me. Even his aura was different. If he’d wanted me to be afraid of him before, it didn’t compare to the fear I held for him now.

Chase’s head snapped up, pulling me from my thoughts. He placed the gun down next to the phone and took off toward the door at a fast pace. I watched in the screen as three men stood, awaiting his answer.

The barrier dividing them opened and they came inside, following Chase into the living room. They were already talking. I couldn’t hear what they were saying and I couldn’t stand it. From their rigid postures and Chase’s glare, I didn’t get the impression it was good. One of the deputies even had his hand on the butt of his weapon, as if the priest was the threat.

In jerky movements, Chase shook his head, pointing to the dead man on the floor. From the looks of it, he was yelling now. Or at least, speaking heatedly. Slowly, the deputy withdrew the gun, but kept it at his side. Sickness swarmed my stomach and increased as the man in the front turned, giving me view of his face. The sheriff. I knew he was the leader of the group. He was the cop. The one I’d seen on the side of the road.

My fists clenched and I leaned further down to try to see better. The officers were getting closer to Chase. They appeared angry; the sheriff even sliced his hand down as he brought it back up to point at the intruder’s body. The need to go out there as a distraction was almost unbearable. If they had me, they’d leave Chase alone. Or maybe not. Maybe they’d kill us both.

Movement rushing past the front door had relief flooding me. Palo and three men entered, moving in close to Chase while the sheriff continued. Within seconds, my heart stopped. With all the chaos and commotion, I never expected to see my brother arrive.

Rory made his way to the group at a leisurely pace. His expensive suit hugged his small frame tightly, but he threw off a sense of self like I’d never seen where he was concerned. He was somebody here. He was someone…big. I hadn’t been able to believe all the talk from Palo, before, but seeing Rory now…God, they were telling the truth.

The sheriff walked around the body, pushing the basement door open. Chase’s jaw tightened while he swept past and led the cops downstairs. Heat crept over my skin, but I couldn’t think about what we’d just done. I was too worried about how this scene was going to play out. More people were coming in. A man in a suit, I could only guess to be some sort of detective or forensic personnel. He was followed by two EMT’s. It was hard to pay attention to them. My focus kept going to everyone in the basement. I had no clue how the conversation was going. Other than a few looks from my brother and the deputies, I knew nothing.

Within minutes, they headed back to the main floor. The sheriff made a gesture and Palo began shaking his head and yelling. When the handcuffs were pulled out, my hand shot to my heart. Were they seriously going to arrest Chase for protecting himself?

Again, the gesture was made.

Anger tightened Chase’s face, but he turned, putting his hands behind his back. I didn’t think. I couldn’t. This was wrong. They’d get him alone and with as evil as that cop was, they’d kill him. Just like they wanted.

I ran for the door as best as I could, pulling it open and pushing the panel. My pants were on the dresser and although I almost didn’t bother, I knew how this was going to end. I slipped them on, not even bothering to secure the button as I limped down the hall at a fast pace. Voices were raised and by the time I hit the top of the stairs, they filled me with even more dread.

“You have no right,” Palo exploded. “The man broke into his house.”

“That man,” the sheriff yelled, “was an undercover police officer. If he was here, he had a reason. How do I not know Mr. Harrison didn’t let him in before he shot him? Until we have sufficient evidence, he’s being arrested.”

“Then you’re taking the wrong person,” I said loudly.

The group spun in my direction and Chase growled, pulling his hands free of the sheriff’s. One pointed back toward the second floor. “Upstairs, Kit.”

My head shook and I couldn’t look at him. Not with how much rage he was displaying. “I shot the intruder. Father Harrison is just doing what he feels is the right thing and trying to cover for me. He’s trying to protect me. It was me who pulled the trigger. If you have to arrest someone, I’m right here. Rory...” I looked at my brother for the first time, pleading to him for some kind of help. Even if I was afraid of the new him.

“Kit, what are you doing here? I’ve been worried sick looking for you.”

My eyes cut to the sheriff, but I went back to my brother. “I’ll tell you, but in confidence. As my lawyer.”

He nodded, meeting me at the bottom of the stairs. When his arm went under mine to help me down, he glanced at my foot.

“You’re hurt. Did Chase do that to you?”

Only then was I brave enough to look up. But I couldn’t stare for long. Guilt ate at me, along with regret. I didn’t want to leave. I was scared at the outcome of this. At least Chase would be safe. Palo and his men would look out for him.

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