Page 30 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

“A man,” Kit cut in. “He ran out in front of my car, covered in blood. He was beaten pretty badly. A cop and some guy in a plaid shirt was chasing him. They were angry when I saw them come into view. When they noticed me…I got scared. They hurt him, I’m sure of it.”

Palo cursed under his breath. “Of course they did. Your brother has the sheriff in his pocket. Probably the majority of the department, too. And more than likely they were just following his orders.” He glanced back up to me, only to cut them back down to her. “But what I want to know is why you went to Chase? Rory’s your brother. I bet you know all about what he’s done. I bet he sent you.” The anger increased as the revelation seemed to dawn on Palo. Even I felt my eyes blinking rapidly.

“What? Are you kidding me?” Kit exploded. “You think he sent me to hurt a priest?”

“Why not? He didn’t succeed in killing my friend the first time. Why not have you slip in the church and finish off the job for him? You’re more than capable. You obviously already wormed your way under his roof. Look at him. Chase hasn’t let you out of his sight since you connived your way in!”

“That’s absurd!” Kit thrashed and I tightened the grip again as I shook my head.

“Enough. Both of you. Kit isn’t a spy for her brother. She didn’t even want to come here, Palo. I kidnapped her.”

“So she made you believe,” he rushed out. “You don’t know this girl. She could be anyone. Are you even sure she’s Rory’s sister? She’s probably his whore!”

I didn’t think, couldn’t, as I reared my fist back and planted it into his face. The reaction was automatic, one I couldn’t stop if I’d wanted to.

A grunt came from Palo’s mouth and he stumbled back, hitting the ground.

“Goddammit, Father!”

“Don’t ever call her a name like that. Ever. If Kit is associated with Rory in any way other than the marriage of their parents, I’ll find out. If it’s true, I’ll deal with her accordingly. But don’t you dare let that word slip out of your mouth again. If it does, they’ll be wiring it shut from the damage I’ll do.”

Palo pushed to feet, turning his anger on Kit. “You better hope for your sake you’re not in with him. Because if you are, you won’t survive the hell that’ll be coming your way. Chase will remember exactly who he is soon, and when he does, I feel sorry for the wrath you’ll be faced with. He bows to no one. He’ll run this town, just like he was meant to.”

“Run this town? Are you listening to yourself? No one man runs a town unless he’s the fucking mayor. You all have lost your minds. I want out of here. I want to go home!”

“And I’m going to take you there right now.”

I turned, heading for the stairs. Pain exploded in my shin as Kit turned, kicking me with her boots. I clenched my jaw, throwing her over my shoulder, and spanking her ass so hard, her head flew up and she screamed.

“Do that shit again and we’ll be taking a trip downstairs. Now is not the time.”

“Fuck you!” She tried twisting in my grasp, but I held her thighs as I bounced her against me. The action had her sucking in air and I didn’t wait for her to start up again before I bound up the steps. Fists slammed into my back and she tore at my jacket like a wildcat. Had I thought she’d fought me before? The woman was vicious.

My steps ate up the hallway and I threw open the door, stomping to the bed. The moment I threw her on the mattress, she came at me with everything she had, kicking and clawing with her nails. Pain exploded over my cheek and I reared forward, grabbing her neck and pulling her to the pillows. My darkness roared within me and I let her see it as I tightened my fingers. Her hands flew to mine while she tore into them with her nails.

“Stop.”

Tears escaped and her chest wracked with silent sobs. Bright red began to surface and I was conflicted on how I should feel. I should be feeling something, but I didn’t. She knew my terms. Knew why she was here. She’d have to accept it. It was for her own good.

The fighting ceased and her arms fell heavily down by her sides. The submission had me easing my grip. She immediately gasped and began coughing.

“Raise your hands. If you don’t, I’ll forcefully cuff you myself. You don’t want that.”

“I hate you,” she said, her voice scratchy. “I wish I would have never met you. I wish I wouldn’t have…” Sobs had her growing quiet and something did stir then. God, what was I doing?

“You don’t mean that.” I knelt on the bed, covering the top half of her body with mine. My hand pushed her hair out of her face and she turned away from me. I had to calm myself while I brought her back to meet my eyes. “You know why I’m doing this. And you don’t mean that. Say it.”

Her lids lowered and she projected a coldness while she glared. “No. I do mean it. You have no right keeping me, regardless of your beliefs. We both know I’d be fine in Florida. It’s you. You’re the one blowing things out of proportion by doing this. And I do wish I’d never,” more tears escaped and she tried to turn back away, but I wouldn’t let her, “been with you,” she continued through a sob. “I hate that I was. I regret ever going to you or meeting you. I should have taken my chances with the sheriff.”

“You don’t mean that,” I said more forcefully. My fingers gripped tighter and I let go, pulling up one of her arms. I expected her to fight, but she didn’t. She didn’t do or say anything. Kit’s body turned into nothing but a shell as she closed herself off to me. Had people not been downstairs, I would have brought her back. But I’d let her think over how her life would be. This was the only way and the sooner she saw that, the faster she’d accept. She belonged to me now. In all ways.

Chapter 11

Kit

“Eat.”

The threat behind the order didn’t faze me as I lay there, staring at the ceiling. This was the third time Chase had come in trying to feed me a meal. When I hadn’t budged with the first two, he’d left me alone. Now that it was dinnertime, I assumed, he was all but forcing the food in my mouth. But I wouldn’t chew or swallow and it was driving him crazy.

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