Deadly Chase (8 page)

“I told you—”

“I know.” She held up a hand. “You aren’t a hero. At least we agree on something.” She wanted to turn, give him an ice-cold shoulder and find sanctuary inside her room, but she feared he would follow. “A hero would never use a woman as bait.”

He let out a long, deep breath and shifted from one foot to the other. “I can protect you.”

“Oh, really?” Sierra posted hands on hips. “When Kevin threatened me, I begged the SPD for protection, and do you know what they did? They gave me a restraining order. Guess what he did because of that piece of paper?”

Chase leaned forward as his lips formed a solemn line, his face transitioning into an unreadable mask. “I have an idea of what Eason did. After he stole your dignity, your sense of self-worth and any semblance of security you had, he stole the key to your home. Maybe he slipped into your office and took it from your purse. Maybe he lifted it from the locker at the gym. Regardless, he had a copy made and returned it before you knew it was missing.

“He bided his time. Watching from a distance and spending every spare moment keeping track of your life. But when you refused his gifts and failed to answer his calls, his actions escalated, becoming more frequent, more irrational. You knew he would follow through with his threats and you panicked. You filed for the restraining order and his temper erupted.”

Chase planted his feet wide and continued. “Eason let himself into your condo. He wore no gloves, knowing, as your recent ex-boyfriend, his fingerprints would be found there anyway. Outweighing you by over eighty pounds, he carried no weapons aside from his own strength, confident in his ability to overcome you. He found you in bed. Attacked with no warning.” Chase’s tone lowered and he took a step closer. “How am I doing so far?”

Stunned, Sierra’s voice cracked. “How did you know he did those horrible things? I never told anyone details. Not my friends. Not even my family.”

“I know what he did to you Sierra, because he’s done it before.”

Fear cloaked her anger, and she began to feel faint. “T-to whom?”

Chase stilled and said nothing. He didn’t even appear to be breathing.

A wind gust cascaded the crisp scents of pine and hickory across the area. Under normal circumstances, Sierra would relish nature’s calming effects and enjoy the scenery; the quiet valley, the mountain ranges creating waves of magnificence. But, her circumstances were far from ordinary, chilling Sierra and keeping her grounded. She hugged her arms around her middle, shivering.

Moments later, Chase broke his stance. “He did it to my sister.”

10

“Kevin stalked your sister? Just like me?” The anger lining Sierra’s features dissolved into concern and empathy.

“There are striking similarities between the cases.”

“Can I talk to her? Maybe she can help me sort through all this.”

Pain, sharp as a twin blade sword sliced into Chase’s core. He’d like to talk to Amber too, but that wasn’t possible. “Amber can’t speak with anyone. She’s dead.”

Sierra’s skin paled, and her lower lip trembled. Chase didn’t wait for her legs to give out before scooping her up and carrying her inside. To his surprise, she leaned into his embrace.

“H-how did…she die? When?”

“She was beaten and strangled last year.” Chase set Sierra on the bed as a deep, volatile pain erupted in his chest, threatening to burst forth. No matter how much time passed, acute pain lived just beneath the surface. As his thin ledge of control threatened to give way, he steeled his nerves. “Eason did it. I just can’t prove it.” He turned and paced the room, stopping long enough to close and lock the sliding glass door.

“I’m so sorry.”

Chase wanted to accept her quiet condolence, but he couldn’t. His conscience wouldn’t let him. “Your leg’s going to need treatment. I have a first aid kit in my rental truck.” His words came out gruff and methodical.

“It’s strange hearing you talk about a truck when up until about ten minutes ago I thought you were destitute.” Sierra commented, as if she sensed his need to change the subject.

“I never wanted to mislead you.”

“But you did. You could’ve just told me you’re a cop.”

“Yes, I could have. But, I was afraid you would run if you knew I was here because of Eason, and then I wouldn’t get the chance to protect you.”

“Or catch Eason.” She nipped her lower lip. “I would’ve never guessed you had such personal ties in all this.”

“As personal as it gets. My family hasn’t been the same since Eason took Amber’s life. My brother’s coping well enough, but my father has retreated into his own world, and my mother’s a shell of the charismatic woman she used to be. I’m just hoping catching Eason will allow Mom and Dad to begin to heal.”

“And what about you? Will catching him help you?”

The question struck a nerve and Chase flinched. For now, he wanted Eason off the street. He’d deal with the rest later. “I don’t know. I’m going to go get my first aid pack before gangrene sets in and we have to amputate your leg.”

Sierra scrunched her nose. “You’re exaggerating. It barely hurts.”

“Maybe, but I still want to take a look.” He strode outside and grabbed the first aid kit, taking a moment to breathe in fresh air and think. Following Sierra had opened up a world of pain, but he had no regrets. He was determined not to allow Eason the opportunity to kill again.

When Chase returned, he focused on Sierra’s injury. Her jeans had torn and splashes of blood dotted the material. He knelt, set down the kit and carefully lifted her pant leg, exposing the wound. The four-inch gash probably looked uglier than the actual injury warranted, due to fresh blood mixing with the drying outer rim, but it needed treatment.

Chase trailed his finger around the bruised, swollen area. Guilt nudged him. Sierra wouldn’t have this injury if she hadn’t been afraid of him in the first place. “I’m sorry this happened. But, I think you’ll live.”

“Yeah. But, for how long? If Kevin has his way—”

Chase jerked up his head. “He won’t get what he wants.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I’m staying with you until this is over.”

“Are you telling me the SPD will pay for twenty-four hour protection? That is hard to believe considering they didn’t want to help me before.”

“It’s not a matter of what the SPD wants. It’s a matter of limited resources. Besides, the Seattle Police Department is not offering you protection.
I am
. I’m not here in an official capacity, Sierra. I took a leave of absence, both to protect you and apprehend the man who murdered my sister.”

“But there’s no guarantee Kevin’s even looking for me. You could be wasting your time.”

Chase stiffened. “Do you really think he’s given up?”

Sierra smoothed a wrinkle out of the multi-colored bedspread, looking lost and desperate. “If I did, I wouldn’t be here.”

The tears pooling in her eyes twisted his gut. This wasn’t the first time Chase wanted to pull her into his arms, and he suspected it wouldn’t be the last. “I will do everything I can to keep you safe.” He lived with the knowledge he hadn’t protected Amber, and to add anyone else to the list would be unbearable—especially if it was Sierra. He studied the cramped motel room. Although the front door had adequate locks, the sliding glass door would provide an easy point of entry. He made a mental note to take extra precaution in securing it later.

“I’ll need to stay close to you.”

“You can’t stay here”—she looked around—”with me.”

Although he wanted to keep her within eyesight at all times, staying with her wasn’t a feasible option. With his strong attraction, temptations would arise, and he knew better than to take the risk. “I’m not suggesting we share a room. I’ll rent the adjoining one.” He nodded to the connecting doorway.

“What if it’s already occupied?”

“I’ll have them or you moved to another room. We’ll get some rest, and then we’ll figure out what to do tomorrow.”

“
We
will? It’s nice to know I still have some say in the matter.”

“It’s not my intention to make you feel as if you have no control. As a matter of fact, it’s the opposite I’m hoping for. If you have ideas, tell me. I’m willing to listen. I’m just trying to keep you safe.”

Sierra’s shoulders relaxed as she looked at him with widened eyes. “That’s not what I expected to hear from a cop.”

“I’m just full of surprises aren’t I?” He waited, watching to see if her anger had fully dissipated. When her lips curled into a smile, relief flooded through him, and he took that simple act as a sign she’d forgiven him.

He returned her smile, cupped her calf and lifted her leg onto his bent knee. Her skin felt warm and smooth, and he had to force himself to concentrate. Her wound served as a reminder of all that was at stake. “The first time you ran from me you nearly got crushed by an SUV. And this time”—Chase met her gaze and lowered his voice, emphasizing his point—”if Eason had found you before I did, you’d be dealing with much worse than a scrape.”

“Kevin can’t possibly know I’m at this motel. I’ve only been here a few hours.”

Chase lifted a brow. “I found you, didn’t I?”

Her blue eyes darkened with fear, and the slight color that had returned to her cheeks drained away. Chase fought the urge to comfort her. Unnerved by the effect she had on him, he concentrated on his task. He unlatched the first aid box and thumbed through the contents.

“How did you find me?”

“I told you. Luanne—”

“Not today. I mean, the first time. How long did it take you to trace me to Shenandoah Valley?”

“Less than twenty-four hours.”

“I don’t understand. I left my car in Seattle and took public transportation from there. I used cash, no credit cards. I even bought pre-paid cell phones. I never told my sister I was in Virginia. How was it so easy?”

“I’m a detective, remember?” He selected a small bottle of hydrogen peroxide, a tube of antiseptic cream and a bandage.

“Right. It’s your job.”

Something in the tone of her voice made him pause. Compelled to explain, he said, “It is my job, but I’m not on the clock.”

“Well, for what it’s worth…I am glad I’m not alone in all this.”

Chase had been surprised when Sierra had opened up at breakfast, but he shouldn’t have been. She’d probably needed someone to confide in. A tinge of satisfaction coursed through him because that person had been him. He opened the bottle of peroxide and hesitated. “This is going to sting.”

Sierra flinched when the liquid hit her wound, feasting on germs and covering the entire area in white bubbles. “I’ve been through worse.”

“I know you have, honey.” Chase hadn’t intended to use the endearment, but he’d been enamored by her so long, it slipped out easily. He reminded himself to use caution—he’d known her a lot longer than she had known him. He leaned close and blew on the area. “This should help keep any infection away.”

Sierra nodded. “Did you use your police connections to track me down?”

“Partly. It wasn’t as difficult as you might imagine. I figured you’d want to stay as far away from Eason as possible.” Chase gently dabbed the excess peroxide from her skin. “You can’t get much farther away from Seattle than here, at least not without leaving the country. And, considering you were attacked in a large city, I assumed you’d head for a smaller town.”

“But, there are so many places I could’ve gone.”

“True, but most people seek help from relatives or friends. Maybe someone in their past they think no one would still connect them to.”

“Allie.” Sierra’s shoulders slumped in defeat.

“That’s right.”

“But she was my college roommate. We had kept in touch, but I hadn’t seen her in a long time. I never suspected…I thought I was doing everything right. I guess I’m not so good at this cloak-and-dagger stuff.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. It takes months of preparation and research to drop out of sight for good. I’m willing to bet you hadn’t planned on going anywhere until the night Eason attacked you. Am I right?”

“Yes. I’d hoped he would leave me alone.”

“He’s obsessed with you, Sierra. No amount of time or distance will change that.”

****

If Sierra hadn’t been sitting, she would’ve hit the floor as a wave of dizziness washed over her. “You make Kevin sound as persistent as the Terminator. What am I going to do?”

“For starters, you can let me help you.” Chase smoothed antiseptic ointment on her wound, and secured a large bandage over the area. “This should heal up nicely in a few days. Just keep it covered, and when you shower, change the bandage.” He set out two more bandages, shoved the peroxide into the kit and cleaned up the trash.

“You’re pretty good at doctoring injuries. Maybe I can return the favor one day.” As soon as she’d said the words, she wished she could take them back. “Not that I want you to get hurt…or anything. I just meant…well, thanks.” Flustered, Sierra clasped her fingers and bit her lower lip. She hadn’t expected tenderness from such a virile, authoritative man, and she didn’t quite know what to think about it.

“You’re welcome.” He stood and found the empty donut wrapper. He lifted it between two fingers. “Is this what you ate for lunch?”

She nodded. No wonder her head spun. The sugar rush had waned, leaving her weak and disoriented. “I didn’t have a lot to choose from.” She considered telling Chase about what happened in the convenience store, but just because she’d caught the scent of peppermint didn’t mean Kevin was the source. Deciding her fears were unjustified, she kept the incident to herself.

“There’s a diner next door. Let’s grab something to eat.”

“I’m not sure I can eat anything right now.”

“You should try. You need to keep up your strength. I don’t want to give Eason any kind of advantage.”

Chase was right. She had to remain vigilant. After adjusting her jeans back over her bandaged leg, she took his offered hand and stood, bringing her eye-level with his chest. His masculine presence filled the small room, and her heart skipped a beat. Wary of her strong reaction, she slipped out of his grasp. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to see what they have there.”