Deadly Chase (3 page)

“I-I have an early morning. I’d better get going.” Her voice sounded thin and weary.

Chase didn’t want her to go. “Are you sure you’re OK? You look as if you’ve just spotted the grim reaper.”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.”

She appeared delicate and extremely vulnerable.

Chase gathered their trays and stood. “I have a hard time doing nothing when a woman is in need.”

“Yeah? I have a hard time looking past someone in need, too. Will you consider asking Luanne to set you up with a cot? Even though it’s spring, the nights are still chilly.”

“I can take care of myself. Besides we’re not talking about me.” He dumped the trash into a wastebasket, set aside the trays and tucked his hands into deep coat pockets.

Sierra stood, straightened and rubbed the nape of her neck, revealing another, darker bruise beneath her ear.

“What’s it been? Two, three weeks?” Chase shook his head, estimating the amount of damage done. “I’d guess you barely escaped alive. Is there a chance this guy could be in the area?”

She adjusted her shoulder-length hair forward, as if trying to cover the evidence. “Look, I appreciate you saving my life, but you’re not responsible for me.”

He ground his teeth, feeling as if they would crumble. If she only knew why he was there, she’d understand why he felt responsible. He wanted to tell her. But, he couldn’t. Not yet. “At least let me walk you home.”

Suspicion surfaced in her eyes. “No thanks. I’ll be all right.”

Her answer didn’t matter. He fully intended to see her home safely, whether or not she was aware of his presence. He shrugged and conceded, “Well, I’m glad we met.”

“I am too.” She gave a quick, hesitant smile and walked away, stopping to speak with Luanne.

Chase maneuvered around the crowded tables and slipped outside. The temperature had dropped, and the low-lying rain clouds had exhausted their reservoirs. He strolled along and stopped at the curb, waiting for Sierra to emerge. When she stepped outside, he resumed his slow pace. As her steady footsteps approached, he smiled. “Change your mind about me walking you home?”

She fell into step beside him. “No. We’re just heading in the same direction.”

“I see.” Chase dipped a hand into his pockets and fiddled with a few loose coins.

As if she heard the sound, Sierra glanced his way and her brows furrowed. “Luanne can help you…if you’d let her.”

Struck by her compassion, Chase studied her tense features. How could this woman be concerned about him when she had so much to worry about herself? He sneaked a peek at her bruised neck, and had to push down the rising anger. He had zero tolerance for abuse, especially when directed toward women. “To be honest, right now I’m more concerned about you.”

She lifted her chin and straightened her shoulders as if gathering courage. “Don’t be. I’m pretty sure the man who did this”—she indicated her bruised neck—”won’t find me here.”

“You don’t sound convinced.” Chase didn’t want to press too hard, but he couldn’t allow this opportunity to pass by. “Who is it you’re running from?”

“I don’t really want to talk about this right now.”

“Fair enough.” But, he wasn’t giving up that easily, not by a long shot.

Sierra stopped adjacent to the bakery. Lights illuminated each window in the second floor apartment, as usual. “Looks like you walked me home after all.”

Chase slowed beside her. “So, I’ll see you in the morning then?”

Her eyes widened. “You will?”

Conscious of her unease, he took a backward step and shrugged. “I was just going to stop by the bakery for breakfast. Unless…”

Sierra’s breath rushed out, and her shoulders relaxed. “Oh, yes. I almost forgot about the pastry. Of course, I’ll see you then.”

Chase brought forth his most charming smile and strode away until darkness claimed him and then he turned, making sure Sierra got inside safely. As soon as she closed the door, Chase slipped into the four-story building directly across from her apartment. One-Fifty-Seven Chapel Street had served his purposes well over the past few weeks.

Bypassing the rickety elevator, he took the steps two at a time. He headed to apartment 239, slipped the key into the lock and entered. A musty odor permeated the dank room, probably from years of grimy buildup on the shag carpet. Chase hadn’t seen that particular shade of orange since he’d been in elementary school.

His stale surroundings didn’t bother him. The location was perfect. He shoved aside the window’s thin curtain, unlocked the pane and eased it up. Cool air rushed in, but he didn’t mind. He wanted to hear Sierra if she screamed.

Chase shrugged out of his long, dark overcoat and tossed it aside, relieved to be free of the heavy material. Slipping his cell phone out, he sank into a pea-green winged chair. Dust particles flew from his dirty clothes and he swiped them away. When he returned home, he would burn the old-ragged sweatpants. If he never encountered another pair again, he’d be satisfied.

Propping steel-toed shoes on the windowsill, he dialed his brother’s number. The phone rang once before Jake answered with clipped words. “It’s about time. You like to keep people in suspense. Don’t you?”

“You’ve never had much patience. Have you?”

“You know I don’t. What’s going on?”

“I met her in person.” Chase braced himself for Jake’s rebuttal.

Silence and then a deep, exhaling breath came over the airwaves. “What happened to lying low? Did you tell her who you are?”

“Not yet.”

“But you are going to, right?”

“She’ll find out eventually. For now, my cover’s secure.” He let out a humorless chuckle. “When Eason shows up, he won’t recognize me—not the way I look. I’m even getting used to this scratchy beard.” Chase fingered his whiskers absently.

“I understand your motives, but I’m not convinced this is the best way.”

“I’ve exhausted all other options.” Chase shifted into a more comfortable position, but still kept watch on Sierra’s apartment. “She’s my best hope.”

“I wonder what your bait would think of this idea.”

“Think of it this way, she’s getting protection she wouldn’t otherwise have.” Sierra was alone, running from a man determined to destroy her. Chase’s stomach twisted and unease weighed him down. He knew what Kevin Eason could do. He would not allow it to happen again.

“I hope this plan of yours works.” Jake’s voice cut through his thoughts.

“I’ll make it work.” Chase imagined his brother rubbing his hair as he often did when troubled. “Don’t worry. I’m going to stop this guy.”

Jake cleared his throat. “If Amber had only told us how bad things had gotten we could have—”

“Regardless, I should’ve recognized the signs early on.” Chase jerked from the chair and paced the room. He slipped a hand in his pocket automatically reaching for the agate worry stone he and Amber had taken turns carrying around, but came up empty, painfully reminding him the rock was still missing.

“When are you going to stop blaming yourself?”

“I don’t know. Maybe when Eason is behind bars. Maybe…never.”

“You should call Mom,” Jake added after a long pause.

“I will when I have something to tell her.” He peered through the window. Each light in Sierra’s apartment remained on. “Did I tell you she never turns out her lights?”

“Eason attacked her at night.”

“I know. He must’ve stolen a key from her somehow, since there was no sign of forced entry.”

“There was no sign of anything. No evidence.”

“You don’t have to remind me. We both know his methods. He won’t stop hunting her, but that will work to our advantage. Sierra might not be glad she filed for a restraining order, but at least something good will end up coming out of it.”

“So it’s Sierra now, not Miss Malone?”

Chase had never thought of Sierra as Miss Malone, but Jake didn’t need to know that. “I told you I met her in person.” He leaned forward and scratched his itchy, scruffy beard, wishing he could shave it off. Maybe he hadn’t grown used to the extra facial hair after all. “If you had a chance to meet her, you’d understand. She’s…likeable.”

“Uh huh. Likeable. Right. Gorgeous is more the word I would use judging by her picture.”

Chase agreed. Since the first moment he’d seen Sierra months ago, she’d blown him away. The attraction was instant, and she’d invaded his dreams ever since. But, there was more to the hold she had on him than physical appeal. Something about her vulnerability made him want to protect her at all costs, but with Sierra’s life at stake, he had to be careful not to allow his attraction to become a hindrance to his ultimate goal.

Chase cleared his throat. “Listen, I need to let you go. It’s going to be a long night.”

“Mom will have my hide if you don’t call her.”

He relented. “All right. I’ll talk to her soon. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing Mom take you down a notch. You’ve been full of yourself since you got that promotion within the National Park Service.”

“What can I say? I like the outdoors.”

“I think you like bossing people around. Talk to you later.” Chase disconnected with a slight grin and plucked a Granny Smith apple from a grocery bag. He started to polish it against his T-shirt, then thought better. The filthy, thin cotton material had seen better days. He mentally added burning his shirt to his to-do-list when he returned home. The apple looked clean enough and he shrugged, sank his teeth into the tart fruit, and let his mind wander.

Although he hadn’t intended to get to know Sierra personally, Chase recognized the advantages. His chances of keeping her safe would increase. He could also gain valuable inside information about Eason—information that might finally lead to an arrest.

Chase finished the apple, tossed the core into the trash, and stared out the window. The street remained quiet with no signs of pedestrians and only a few passing cars. Tonight he would watch. Tomorrow he would take action. He only hoped his efforts would prove fruitful…this time.

3

Sierra glanced in the mirror and did a double take. Kevin’s influence had far reaching effects, and her dyed hair proved a constant reminder that her life had transformed into something unnatural. She stared at the dark strands, missing her lighter brunette color and wondering how long she’d have to live like this.

She sighed and pushed open the bakery’s back door, stepping into the sunshine. The morning dew had dissipated since she’d come in three hours ago to help her long-time friend. Allie would open the doors at seven, and Sierra had a precious few minutes of solitude before the morning rush.

Sierra walked across the back lot with shoes crunching on damp, loose gravel and sank onto a wooden bench. The small, grassy area behind the shop had provided her a quiet place to reflect and rest during breaks.

Last night’s cool breeze had disappeared, and Sierra lifted her face, soaking up warm sun. The scents of wildflowers mixed with car exhaust fumes as early morning traffic remained steady. She glanced toward the Blue Ridge Mountains, missing home and praying she’d be able to return one day. She’d tossed and turned last night, thinking about her brush with death and how Chase had saved her. He seemed so confident, so self-assured, she wondered what had led him to a life on the streets.

Sierra’s cell phone rang and her heart leapt as it did each time the generic tune sounded. Fearing Kevin had acquired her number, she checked the caller ID. Her sister’s name appeared on the screen, and she relaxed, until she remembered she hadn’t checked in last night.

“Hey, Piper.”

“Hey to you. Why didn’t you call me?” Piper’s voice held concern.

“I…uh…something came up. Sorry.”

“If you’d call like you’re supposed to, I wouldn’t worry so much.”

“Please don’t. I gave you my number. You can reach me whenever you want.”

“You say that, but you ditch your prepaid phones so often I never know if you’ll pick up when I call. I miss you. Come home and stay with us.”

Longing to see her sister, Sierra was tempted to accept the offer, but she knew better. “It’s too dangerous.” She dug her tennis shoes into the ground, absently shoving aside pebbles.

“Zeke can keep you safe,” Piper continued, referring to her husband. “You know he’s a triple black belt. Remember last year when he took out those muggers? Both of those guys ended up in the hospital.”

“I remember, but Zeke is also out of town a lot on business. I refuse to put you at risk. Besides, this is my battle to fight.”

“You’re not alone, Sierra. Let us help.”

“You are helping. Have you checked my post office box lately?”

“I picked up your mail yesterday. You’ve got quite an assortment.”

Sierra’s heart paused. “Did…
he
send anything?”

“No. Nothing from Kevin. But, you did get a credit card statement, a mortgage bill, and something from the Cancer Society.”

Sierra braced an elbow on her knee and rested her forehead in her palm. No matter how many miles she travelled, complications followed. “OK. I’m glad I put your name on my bank account. Go ahead and write a check to pay the credit card and send twenty-five dollars to the charity. How much will I have left in my checking account after the mortgage?”

“Enough for another few months.”

“Pip, I’m going to have to give up my condo.”

“You can’t let Kevin do this. Why don’t you try the police again? Or, maybe hire a bodyguard?” Exasperation came through her voice.

“You don’t understand. The police won’t help. And I can’t afford a bodyguard.” Tension coiled inside. Although Allie allowed Sierra to work in the bakery in exchange for letting her stay upstairs, she received no paycheck. Without a source of income, bankruptcy could soon become a reality. She could end up on the streets…or in a shelter like the Hope Center.

“What about your savings?” Piper pressed. “You could use some for the mortgage and some for protection.”

Sierra explained, “The money would run out too fast, besides, no one can protect me indefinitely.”

“We have some savings—”

“Forget it. I’m not taking your money.” She thought of Chase. A part of her understood why he didn’t want to accept charity. Sierra felt the same way when it came to her own finances.