Dixie Lynn Dwyer (16 page)

He squinted his eyes at her. “I don’t get it.”

“It was the prize-winning bull’s calf. A future major breadwinner for the tycoon.”

“You didn’t?” Tommy asked and she nodded.

For some strange reason, Vic felt proud of her. It wasn’t murder and the asshole was a thief anyway.

“So what did you do with the calf?” Tommy asked.

“I sold it to the tycoon’s competitor.”

“No?”

“Yes, and then I took the money and paid off Devlon’s debt and took off with the rest of the money. Hence, leading me to a bus, a few years on another ranch, and eventually I met Susanna and the girls.”

“Holy shit.”

“Did the tycoon ever figure it out?” Tommy asked.

“I don’t know and I don’t care. It saved my life.”

“This tycoon got a name?” Vic asked and Elise nibbled her bottom lip.

“It doesn’t matter, Vic. He can’t hurt me now and it’s all in the past. I just needed to tell you both, so you understand my fears.”

Tommy hugged her and Vic cupped her face between his hands and stared down into her beautiful, blue eyes. “Baby, you are an amazing woman and your secret is safe with us. You did what you needed to do and the past is the past. You’re amazing.” Vic kissed her.

When he released her lips, she smiled up at him.

“You two are amazing. Just do me a favor and protect your face next time someone tries to slug you,” she teased.

“Hey, my little cattle thief, how about I brand you so everyone knows that you belong to Tommy and I?”

Tommy caressed her ass cheek and Vic cupped her breast.

“Does it involve those handcuffs of yours?”

Vic saw the sparkle of mischief in her eyes. Immediately his cock grew hard and he wanted nothing more than to be deep inside of her.

“I think a spanking may be in order, too, besides binding you to our bed.”

“Oh God,” she whispered as he continued to massage her breast. Tommy was doing something to her ass as he stood close behind her.

“Your punishment awaits. Now move it,” Vic stated firmly as Tommy turned her and gave her a smack on her ass. She jumped but walked quickly back toward the truck and peeking over her shoulder ever so often to see them following her. Vic felt about to combust and prayed that they made it to their place, or he was liable to pull over on the side of the road just to get inside of her. He was a lost cause, and Elise would forever be part of his heart. No one could ever take her away from them.

“Do you have everything ready?” Tagart asked Carver.

“Yes. I have the limo parked out back. Depending on how difficult your passenger will be, I have sedatives on hand and the private jet on standby.”

Tagart smiled. “Good job, Carver. Although, I think she’ll come along willingly.”

Tagart watched Elise as she prepared for the first round of competition. She had done her little sexy number, and appeared to tone it down a bit, including her outfit. Her two men were nowhere to be found.

“How about the two deputies? Any sign of them?” Tagart asked Carver.

“They’re working the late shift. And I’ll be honest with ya. I am really relieved about that and so are the guys. Those two are big men and fierce looking. I sure as shit don’t want to find out what they’re capable of.”

“Not a worry. A bullet can take them down in a second, so size doesn’t matter.” Tagart lifted his button-down shirt up to reveal his revolver. Carver smiled.

Then they turned to see the first rider, Keith, begin the match as Gus announced him and his standing, in first-place position.

“I talked with Corey and Keith. I told them that they had a choice to make.”

“I thought they were considering going with us. We made the offer too sweet for them to give up.”

“Well, something spooked them, so I had to initiate plan B. Told them they could come along willingly, or we could kill their girlfriends. Either way, they were going to ride in Sunday’s event.”

“Well, keep a close eye on them. I noticed that the sheriff is here tonight and a few other security guys.”

“The only one who could screw this up is Elise and how you handle her. Keith and Corey are leaving with us first thing after the last round tonight. So my part is covered,” Carver stated and smiled, looking proud.

Tagart looked over at Elise. She was gorgeous and sexy as usual, and by tonight, she would be his to enjoy.

“I’ll take care of her, don’t you worry about a thing. Worst scenario, she dies before she makes it to Tennessee.”

* * * *

Elise was watching each rider and when it was Keith’s turn she smiled at his technique and noticed a bit of fierce determination on his face. She cheered him on as he beat his earlier event score and secured his position in first place. Now she wondered how Corey would do. He was slotted for second place, but some other cowboys from Cellar County were trying to beat him. Corey wasn’t up for another while.

As Keith exited the small corral, he didn’t look too pleased as he headed down the hallway. She wondered what was wrong as she followed him.

“Hey, Keith, are you okay?” When he looked up at her, she could tell he was angry.

“Fine. Good. Great.” He slammed his Stetson against his thigh.

“What’s going on then? You seem pissed off.”

“I am.” He looked up over her shoulder. She turned briefly to catch a glimpse of Carver. He tipped his hat then leaned against the wall.

“What’s up?” she pushed.

“Looks like I’m heading to Tennessee,” he whispered, but he didn’t seem happy.

“You made your decision?”

“Elise, let’s just say the decision was made for me.”

“What’s going on over here?”

They both turned to see Carver and another big guy standing behind Elise.

“We’re having a private conversation,” Elise stated.

“Not anymore. He’s got plans and so do you.”

Elise heard the footsteps then saw Tagart by the back door. She immediately got a funny feeling in her gut and looked up toward the security cameras hoping that someone saw what was happening here. But, they were covered with something.

“Elise, come with me now and don’t give a hard time.” Tagart held out his hand.

“I’m not going anywhere with you. What in the hell is going on?” she demanded to know.

“Yeah, this doesn’t have anything to do with Elise.” Keith tried to place Elise behind him, but Carver and the big guy blocked him.

“Come on, Elise, we need to go.”

“Tommy and Vic are heading here. They’ll be here any minute,” she stated then wondered why she even brought them up.

“No they won’t. They’re dealing with a potential break-in all the way on the other side of town,” Carver stated confidently.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Unless you want your boyfriends to end up like Devlon, I suggest you hurry along now. Carver, you get Keith and grab Corey and head out in the second car,” Tagart stated.

“I thought we were leaving together.”

“I want some alone time with Elise. You know, to explain things.”

“I’m not going. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Elise tried to turn to leave. Tagart grabbed her by her arm and threw her up against the wall. Her head hit the hard surface and Carver had to grab Keith before he reached for Tagart.

Tagart was in her face, looking down at her as he held her throat.

“I killed Devlon for Mr. Cobbs. I beat that little weasel and shot him three times so that he’d suffer for his scam. I’ll do the same thing to your two deputies if you don’t cooperate.”

The tears hit her eyes and her chest tightened. Tagart killed Devlon. Tommy and Vic could suffer the same fate as him if she didn’t go with Tagart.

“Mr. Cobbs?” she whispered.

Tagart smiled as he slowly released her throat and took her hand.

“Is waiting for you in Tennessee. I sent him your picture for the contest we’re doing and he recognized you immediately.”

She shook her head and tried to pull away.

“No, I’m not going. I won’t go with you. You can kill me. I don’t care.”

He backhanded her across the mouth. She fell against the wall and he grabbed her hard.

“Move the plan along, Carver. We’re headed out,” Tagart ordered as he exited the building with Elise. She had no choice. She had to go or Tommy and Vic would die. But she didn’t want to leave. She loved them, and she could be carrying their baby. Life was supposed to be perfect now. How could this be happening? She dragged her feet and tried to stop him from putting her into the limo.

He wrapped his arm around her waist as the driver hurried to open the door. She screamed as Tagart tossed her into the limo as if she were nothing but a rag doll. He followed immediately and she scurried to the other side to grab the door to open it. He practically tackled her. She felt the pain of his weight, and then she heard the door close and felt the car moving.

Tagart pulled her by her hair.

“Get up, Elise. It’s over and you have no choice.”

There was always a choice. She wasn’t nineteen, alone, and stupid. She was older now and had fought and worked hard for everything she had without a man’s help or spreading her legs. She wasn’t giving up hope. She wasn’t going to Tennessee. She would rather die.

* * * *

Keith waited to make a move as he wondered what the hell he was going to do to save Elise. He had to get to BJ and the twins.

Carver gave orders to the big guy.

“Go get Corey and meet me outside by the car. We’re going to have to head out sooner,” Carver stated.

The guy started to leave and Carver looked at Keith.

“You threatened Corey, too?” Keith asked.

“He’ll make the boss some big money. Now move it and don’t make a scene. If you do, then Elise is as good as dead.”

As they headed down the hallway and back to the bull-riding section of the club, Ava came looking for Elise.

“Hey, Keith, Carver, have you seen Elise?” she asked.

“No. The last time I saw her, she was heading to the ladies’ room,” Carver lied as he turned away from Keith to check out Ava. That woman had a great body on her. She was filled with class and sophistication and that platinum hair was stunning.

Keith made his move. He grabbed Carver, pulled Carver’s gun from his waist, and placed it against his head. Ava gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.

“Ava, call BJ and the guys. Tagart just abducted Elise. He’s bringing her to Tennessee.”

* * * *

Elise sat next to Tagart in the backseat of the limo. Her mouth was throbbing and she was scared. How could this be happening to her? Did Tagart really kill Devlon?

The thought unnerved her, but also angered her. She never knew who actually beat Devlon and shot him three times. She wondered who had been so ruthless and sick to do that to Devlon. The man responsible sat next to her. She tried to scoot away, but he grabbed her.

“I won’t go with you. You can’t force me. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

He grabbed her by her upper arms and shook her as he placed her on the floor, on her knees, between his legs.

“Cobbs wants to talk with you. He recognized your picture right away when I showed him.”

“My picture?”

“From the contest. We need a sexy, young thing like you to show off your body before the rounds. The wealthy men who frequent the fights will love you.” He stared at the cleavage of her blouse.

“I plan on sampling you, personally, before they bid for you.”

He released her arms and ripped her blouse open. Elise tried to scramble backward to escape, but he grabbed a loop on her jeans and pulled her back toward him. She smacked at his arms and hit him in the mouth with her forearm.

She hadn’t anticipated what it would feel like to get beaten by a man his size. She felt each blow until she was nearly unconscious. The pain was immense. Everything throbbed except for her face. He hadn’t struck her again since inside of Dixie Chix.

He was over her. The pain in her ribs, her stomach, and legs made her cry, and now his face was a blur as she held her side and moaned.

“Cobbs is going to be pissed off if I bruise you up badly. The men won’t want a bruised and battered-looking whore.”

She felt his fingers pushing the straps of her camisole down her arms.

“Don’t. Please don’t touch me.”

“Oh, I’m going to do much more than touch you. I’m going to fuck you. Right here in this limo and then again on the plane and maybe more than a few times.” He cupped her breasts and licked his lips.

She felt the palm of his hand smooth over her belly and to the buttons of her jeans. She cried and begged for him to stop.

“Shhh…I’m going to have you before Cobbs can get his filthy, grubby hands on you.” She felt the anger consume her and she lost all ability to try and cooperate and stay calm. She was with Tagart, so Vic and Tommy were safe. That was most important. She was away from the club, so her friends were safe, too. There was only herself to worry about, and she wasn’t letting Tagart rape her and she knew she would die before she allowed it.