Branding Gemma [Grizzly Pines 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (19 page)

* * * *

After Synclair left, Ryan wasn’t sure what to do. His brother had acted as a buffer between Gemma and him. Now he had to face her on his own, and he still wasn’t sure where he stood with her. He wasn’t exactly comfortable talking about it in front of his son either. And while Isaac might not be his by blood, he
had
started to think of him as his son. He’d thought of having a blood test done, just to prove to Gemma that he hadn’t sired the kid, but then he thought about what that would do to Isaac. The boy was starved for attention and so desperate for a daddy. How could Ryan deny him? He only hoped Gemma understood.

“Why don’t you go play with your cars for a little while?” Ryan asked Isaac. “I need to talk to Gemma for a minute.”

Isaac kissed Gemma’s cheek, and then Ryan’s, before sliding out of her lap and scurrying upstairs. Alone for the first time since their trip, Ryan felt nervous. He’d thought they’d grown closer while they were in San Antonio, but now he wondered if they’d backtracked.

“He’s a good kid,” Gemma said, rubbing her hands up and down her thighs.

Was she as nervous as he?

“Yeah, he’s a good boy.” He stared at the floor a moment before turning his gaze her way. “I know this isn’t what we planned, but I can’t say I’m sorry for it. If I didn’t take Isaac in, he would have gone to the state and been bounced from one foster home to another. As far as anyone is concerned, I’m that kid’s father. But between us? He isn’t mine. I didn’t lie to you, Gemma.”

“He doesn’t look like you.”

“He doesn’t look much like his mother, either. Except for his eyes. He has her eyes. I’m guessing the rest of him is all Daddy, whoever that might be. Knowing his mom, it was probably another cowboy. She was a buckle bunny, always chasing after the winners. I think she secretly hoped one would marry her and give her a better life, or maybe a more exciting one.”

“Does he talk about his mom?”

Ryan shook his head. “He’s talked about his old home though. They didn’t live in the best of places. He said he had to be careful where he walked or he’d fall through the floor, and that the roof leaked when it rained. He was so happy when he saw our large backyard. Apparently he didn’t have much of one at home, and because it wasn’t safe, his mother never let him go outside unless she was with him.”

“That’s so sad. It sounds like he’s going to have a better life here with Synclair and you.”

“I’d hoped that maybe you’d be a part of his life, too.”

“Baby steps, Ryan. I’m not exactly comfortable around him yet. I wasn’t one of those girls who dreamed of growing up, getting married, and having a bunch of kids. Maybe the married part, but I never thought about kids.”

“You don’t want any?”

She shrugged. “Just never thought about it. I’ve never really been around them so I’m not very good at it.”

“Are you kidding? I’ve watched you with Isaac, both that first night and today. You’re wonderful with him, a natural.”

“Maybe.”

“I want you back in our lives, Gemma. I’ve missed you this past week. So did Synclair. We both felt lost without you. When I thought you were gone for good, it made me sick.”

“I just needed some time,” she said.

“And now?”

“After talking to my cousin today, I feel better about everything. He pointed out that my fears were unfounded, at least the ones about our relationship. I’m still terrified I’ll screw the kid up somehow. You may say I’m a natural with him, but I feel awkward. I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to children.”

“You’ve done everything just right so far. I think you’re worrying about nothing.” Ryan reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “I don’t want to see you go again, but if you can’t handle being around Isaac, I’ll understand. He’s part of my life now and I’m not about to change that. Not even for you.”

“I’m not asking you to.”

Ryan wished he knew what she was thinking, how she really felt about the whole thing. She had a great capacity for love. He knew that much just from being around her. If she’d just let herself, she could easily love Isaac. Hell, he’d felt awkward around the little boy those first few days. He still didn’t have it all figured out, but he was taking it day by day. He wouldn’t ask anything else from Gemma, but he hoped she gave them a chance. A real chance. He could tell she was scared and he wished there was something he could do about it.

He wondered if the sink-or-swim method might work. It had for him. Even Synclair was good with the boy now. Both of them had floundered for a few days but had found their footing. Most of the time. Maybe if she were left alone with Isaac for just a short while, even just fifteen minutes, she’d see that she could handle it. And if she completely freaked out about it, then he’d back off.

“I know you’re scared,” he said, “but I have a huge favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“I need something from the office. Some papers for a case I’m presenting next week. Would you stay here with Isaac, just for fifteen minutes or so? I promise I’ll hurry.”

He thought she was going to refuse him at first, but she slowly nodded.

“It’s just fifteen minutes, right?” she asked.

“I swear I’ll hurry back, quick as I can.”

Ryan rose and pulled his keys from his pocket. Before he left, he called up to Isaac, letting him know he was leaving but would return shortly. The little boy appeared at the top of the stairs, holding his favorite car in his hand.

“Is Gemma staying with me?” he asked.

“Yes,” Ryan said. “She’s going to be here with you. Will you be a good boy for me?”

“Of course, Daddy.”

Ryan smiled and headed out to his SUV, knowing that everything would be fine at home. Gemma might not be completely at ease with the situation, but he knew she would do fine. She had a gentle touch with Isaac. He didn’t doubt that he’d return to find her playing cars with him in the middle of the living room floor, or watching another cartoon with his son firmly planted in her lap.

He just hoped his plan worked.

Gemma heard little feet running down the stairs and she stood, thinking she should tell him to walk before he fell. Before she could move, he came barreling into the room, a huge smile on his face. He had a big yellow dump truck in his hands and she wondered if he was going to sit in the living room to play with it.

“What’s that you have?” she asked, leaning down to inspect it.

“My truck. It’s my outside truck.”

“Outside?” That didn’t sound like the best of ideas but, really, how much trouble could one little boy get into in the front yard?

“I suppose I could sit on the steps while you play, as long as you stay close by,” she said.

The little boy whooped and ran for the door, not giving her time to catch up. She was about to admonish him to slow down, but as she stepped through the front door, she froze. Isaac was no longer happy about playing outside. Instead, he was clutched tightly in Trevor’s hands. How had he found her? She’d been so careful.

“Your parents were kind enough to tell me you had moved to Grizzly Pines,” he said. “After I told them I wanted to reconcile with you, of course.”

His grin chilled her to the bone. Her gaze dropped to Isaac and she wondered how she could get the little boy away from her crazed ex. Gemma had no doubt that Trevor would hurt him if he thought it would serve his purpose, whatever that might be. She didn’t believe for one minute that he wanted to reconcile with her. Kill her and hide the body, maybe.

“Let him go, Trevor. He has nothing to do with this.”

“Imagine my surprise when I followed you first to a tattoo shop then here. One man wasn’t enough for you, Gemma? You had to whore yourself out to two of them?”

She swallowed hard. “Take me, Trevor. But let Isaac go. He’s just a little boy.”

“I never saw you as mommy material.” His gaze swept over her. “I’m surprised that cowboy of yours left you alone with his kid. You’re about as maternal as a rock.”

His barbed words hit their mark, but she tried not to show any emotion. He was right though. If she’d been better parent material, Isaac would be safe with her right now and not in Trevor’s hands. She’d let down Ryan and she’d failed Isaac, just like she’d feared she would.

“Please, Trevor. Let him go.”

He had the most sadistic grin she’d ever seen and she knew it didn’t bode well for her. She may or may not get out of this alive, but she had to make sure Isaac was safe, no matter what happened to her. Ryan would never forgive her if his son was harmed when she was supposed to be watching him.

“Begging already?” he asked. “You’ll be begging even more before I’m done with you. Come closer.”

She walked down the steps on shaky legs and approached him, trying to give Isaac a reassuring look. She wanted to comfort him and tell him everything would be okay, but she couldn’t bring herself to lie to the little boy. If only Ryan hadn’t left! At least Isaac would be safe then. Gemma had no doubt that Trevor would have lain in wait and grabbed her on her way to her truck.

As she drew nearer to Trevor, he shoved the boy away, knocking Isaac to the ground. The little boy cried and ran to Gemma, wrapping his arms around her legs. She ran her fingers through his hair, hoping to soothe him. What she had to do next would be the hardest thing ever. She could pick him up and run for the house, locking Trevor outside, but he’d just find her another time. If she didn’t face him now, he’d never go away.

“I need you to be brave for me, Isaac. Can you do that?”

He raised his tearstained face and nodded.

“Go inside and wait on your daddy. He’ll be home soon. Be sure to lock the door.”

“But what about you?”

She forced a smile. “I’ll be all right. Now, go be a big boy for me and wait inside.”

He ran for the house, and a moment later the front door slammed shut. She heard the lock click into place and turned to face Trevor. There was so much evil in his eyes. She’d swear she could see the fires of hell burning in their depths. She approached him, not surprised when he reached out and grabbed her wrist in an iron grip, nearly jerking her off her feet. Her body slammed into his and his lips twisted into a cold smile.

“You and I are going to go for a little ride.” He began tugging her toward a car at the curb. A car she hadn’t paid attention to until just then. If she got in that vehicle, there was no telling where he would take her. Her heart raced, but she couldn’t think of a way to stall him. Then again, she wasn’t sure she wanted Ryan going up against him. She didn’t want her cowboy getting hurt. He might be tough enough to ride bulls, but Trevor didn’t play fair.

He shoved her into the passenger seat and slammed the door. She could bolt, but something told her she wouldn’t make it far. Calling the cops wouldn’t do any good. Trevor would just disappear before they could arrive and wait until she was vulnerable to attack again. He was a coward who beat on those weaker than himself. He’d never come for her when Ryan or Synclair were around. He’d been too worried that someone would beat his ass. Trevor never started a fight he couldn’t finish.

He got in the car and patted her leg. “Good girl. I was worried you’d run.”

She looked at him. “Where would I go? You’d just find me again.”

“Yes, I would.” He smiled. “You and I are about to have a lot of fun.”

A shiver went down her spine. She’d lived through his version of fun before, and she wasn’t sure she’d make it this time. It depended on what he had in mind. If he’d brought his friends, she’d sooner slit her wrists than live through it again. She still hadn’t told anyone what had happened then and she wasn’t sure she ever would.

They stopped at the edge of town and Trevor hauled her out of the car and up a broken walkway to a dilapidated house. The porch was sagging, the paint peeling, and more than one window was broken. Gemma knew they had entered the bad part of town about five minutes ago, the side where people minded their own business and wouldn’t be the least bit disturbed if she were to scream her head off.

He forced her into the house, the smell of mildew hanging heavy in the air. The carpet looked like it had last been replaced in the 1970s, the paneling on the walls not in much better condition. Paint peeled on the ceilings, which were cracked in areas. The light fixtures were just bare bulbs and she wondered if there was even power. There would be plenty of daylight for several more hours, but she really didn’t want to be in this house in the pitch black.

All of the rooms were bare, except for a bedroom at the back of the home. There was a dingy mattress on the floor and he shoved her down onto it. She hoped he didn’t plan to use it for more than a place for her to sit. If he thought she would willingly take her clothes off for him, he’d better think again. She’d rather die than feel his hands on her skin.

He walked over to a sack in the corner, something she’d missed when first entering the room. He pulled out a length of rope and bound her hands behind her back. Her shoulders pulled and the rope was so tight the circulation was cut off in her hands. Already they were tingling and going numb. Next, he removed a roll of duct tape. She had little doubt as to what it was for and wasn’t the least bit surprised when he tore off a strip and slapped it over her mouth.