Love Inspired Suspense December 2015, Box Set 2 of 2 (21 page)

The woman smiled again before heading toward the kitchen. When she'd disappeared inside, Mia folded her hands in her lap and stared down at them. “I'm sorry to be so clumsy, Lucas. I'll be more careful next time.”

Something in the tone of her voice made Lucas's stomach twist, and he almost gasped aloud. The expression on Mia's face reminded him of a penitent child, one who was awaiting some harsh punishment. Mia might be away from Kyle, but apparently she was still paying the price of what he'd done to her emotionally.

After a moment he clasped his hands in front of him on the table and leaned closer. “Mia,” he said softly, “it's okay. No big deal. Just some spilled coffee. No one's angry with you.”

She didn't look up right away, but when she did, his heart pricked at the fear in her eyes. “Old habits die hard, Lucas. If this had happened at home with Kyle, I would be lying on the floor with blood pouring from my nose right now.”

Lucas swallowed the bile that rushed into his mouth and tried to smile. “Well, you're not at home, and Kyle is never going to hurt you again. In fact, we need to get going so I can get you to my parents' home.”

Her gaze drifted over his face for a moment before a weak smile pulled at her lips. “Thank you for being so nice to me, Lucas. But I should have known you would be. You always were a wonderful person, and I treated you so badly. I have regretted that more than you'll ever know.” She took a deep breath and straightened her back. “But I want you to know that you don't have anything to fear from me. I haven't come back into your life expecting that we can regain what we once had. I think we both know that isn't possible. We're different people now than we were then.”

“I'm glad you see it that way, Mia. It makes it easier for me to work for you.”

She nodded. “I realize you have your own life, and I don't want to cause you any problems. I also don't want to cause any problems for your parents or put them in danger by staying in their home. Tony has already found me at your house and at the hotel. What if he tracks me to your parents' home?”

Lucas shook his head and chuckled. “You're forgetting what business we're in. We're all well trained in firearms and defense techniques. My mother is as tough as they come, and my father can still take down my brother and me. My brother-in-law is a police detective. I'd say you have some of the best bodyguards around.”

She laughed, and he heard a bit of relief in the sound. “Okay. If you say so. Now I'm going to the ladies' room before we leave.”

He smiled and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Good. I'll try to call Mom again to tell her I'm bringing you over.”

Lucas watched until she'd stepped away before he punched his mother's cell phone number into the phone. She answered right away.

“Hello, youngest son. How are you today?”

Lucas smiled at the love that always filtered through her words. He especially liked it when she called him youngest son. For some reason it made him feel special.

“I'm good, Mom. I have a favor to ask you.”

“Uh-oh,” she said. “Is that motorcycle broken down again and you need a loan?”

He chuckled. “As if you'd ever spend a dime on my bike. But, no, it's not for me, and it's not about money. It's about a new client. She's in a bit of a jam. Her husband was murdered, and the accused killer jumped bail. Now he's threatening her, and she hired me to bring him in. She can't stay at home because he knows where she lives, and he's already attacked her there. I tried to put her up in a hotel, but he found her there, too. She needs a safe place to stay for a few days. Are you up to having a houseguest?”

His mother didn't hesitate. “Of course. Bring her on over. I can put her in Jessica's old room.”

“Thanks, Mom.” He bit down on his lip before he continued. “There's just one thing. This client is Mia.”

His mother didn't say anything for a moment, but he heard her sharp intake of breath. “Mia Fletcher?”

“Yeah. Only she's Mia Lockhart now.”

“Lucas, are you sure about taking this case on? You know what a hard time you had getting over her.”

“I know, Mom. But she's in bad trouble. She needs somebody like you to make her feel safe. She's never had anybody who loved her enough to protect her.”

“Except you,” his mother said in a voice so low it made every nerve ending in his body scream.

“Except me. But that was a long time ago, and I won't go back there. She's had a rough time.” He swallowed and tightened his grip on the phone as the memory of how Mia had looked minutes ago flashed in his mind. “Mom, not only is the guy who killed her husband after her, but she's been a victim of some really bad domestic abuse for years. I just want to help her.”

“Very well, then. This is the place for her. Bring her on, and we'll do everything we can. But be careful, Lucas. I love you and don't want to see you hurt again.”

“I love you, too, Mom. We'll be there in a little while.”

Lucas disconnected the call and slipped the phone back in his pocket. Twenty-four hours ago he would never have believed that he would be having dinner with Mia and that he would be making plans to have her stay with his parents while he tried to track down her husband's killer. But then, in his profession, he was used to sudden surprises. He was a bounty hunter with an appetite for living free and doing what he liked. That was what he'd decided he wanted years ago, and he wasn't about to lose control of the life he'd carved out for himself. That wasn't going to change because Mia had walked back into his life.

Mia was just a client. Nothing more. He would do everything in his power to find Tony Chapman. When he did have him back in custody and the case was over, he was going to walk away and not look back.

And Mia Fletcher Lockhart could go wherever she wanted, as long as it was far, far away from him.

CHAPTER FIVE

W
hen Lucas stopped his car in the driveway of his parents' home, a momentary flash of panic rippled through Mia's body. Lucas had assured her his mother wanted her to come, but she still found it hard to believe. How could the Knight family welcome her into their home after the way she had hurt their son?

Beside her Lucas turned off the ignition and glanced at her. “Here we are. Ready to go inside?”

She stared out the window at the two-story brick home that sat in the cul-de-sac of an upscale neighborhood and sucked in her breath at the sight. Christmas lights beamed in a blaze of glory along the rooflines, windows and porches of every home up and down the street, and Mia felt as if she'd stepped into a Christmas winter wonderland.

Her gaze shifted to the door on the Knights' front porch, where an evergreen wreath glittered with huge red bows and red berries. The glimmer of electric candles sitting in the windows cast a glow across the porch, but it was the lights from a Christmas tree inside one of the rooms to the right of the door that took her breath away.

“I really hadn't realized that it's getting so close to Christmas,” she whispered.

Lucas chuckled. “How could you ignore all the holiday shopping advertising on TV and in stores?”

She shook her head. “I guess Tony Chapman is the only thing I've been able to think about for weeks.” Her brow wrinkled, and she looked at Lucas. “But you know my father and I never celebrated Christmas. He thought it was a waste of time, and so did Kyle.”

Lucas smiled. “Then you'd better get ready for a rude awakening. The Knight family goes all out for holidays. And with Christmas a little over a week away, my mom is on a mission to make this the best one ever. This year we're thankful to have two new additions to our family—Ryan, in addition to Adam and Claire's expected baby.”

His words pricked at her heart, and she thought about what it would be like to celebrate Christmas with a family. The memory of visiting the Knights in happier times assaulted her, and she blinked back tears. She remembered Lucas's twin sister, Jessica, and his brother, Adam, and wondered how they would feel having her back in their lives—even if it was only for a short time.

She tried to smile, but her mouth seemed to wobble. “Maybe it won't matter. I should be gone from here before Christmas anyway.”

He pressed his lips together and opened the door, hopped out and came around to the passenger side of the car. Before Mia could grasp the handle, Lucas had pulled the door open and stood smiling down at her. She inhaled a quick breath and glanced up at him, her pulse pounding. It had been a long time since a man had offered her such a courtesy. All Kyle had ever done was berate her for not getting out of the car fast enough. It felt so good for a man to show her this small bit of respect, and she was glad it was Lucas.

Still smiling, she climbed from the vehicle and followed him up the stone walkway to the entrance to the house. As if those inside were watching for their arrival, the door swung open before they stepped on the front porch. Lucas's mother stood in the doorway, a warm smile on her lips.

“Come on in,” she said as she pulled the door open wider. “We've been waiting for you.”

Mia stepped into the house and inhaled. “What is that amazing scent?” she asked.

Mrs. Knight smiled as she closed the door. “That's some cinnamon spice potpourri I have simmering. I think it gives the house a festive aroma.”

“It's wonderful,” Mia said.

Lucas laughed. “One of Mom's old recipes and one of my favorites. Christmas wouldn't seem the same without that smell in the house.”

Mia glanced at Mrs. Knight, who was staring at her son with a slight smile on her face, her love for him evident in the way her eyes caressed his features. Did Lucas realize how lucky he was to have someone love him like that?

Mia cleared her throat. “Mrs. Knight, I want to thank you for opening your home to me. I know it's an imposition, especially at this time of year, but I do appreciate it.”

Mrs. Knight pulled her gaze away from Lucas and smiled at Mia. Then she stepped closer, put her arms around Mia's shoulders and drew her into an embrace. “Mia, it is no imposition at all. We're glad to have you.”

A loud crash accompanied by a man's voice rang out from the back of the house. “No problem! I just knocked a chair over. No damage done.”

Lucas and his mother both laughed, and Lucas arched his eyebrows as he stared at his mother. “It sounds like Dad's back in the kitchen again. I thought you had put it off-limits for him.”

His mother shook her head in despair. “He wanted to make some cocoa for us to have with my fresh batch of oatmeal cookies when Mia got here. Let's check on him.”

Mia followed Mrs. Knight into the kitchen. As she walked through the door, she remembered happier times when she had visited here with Lucas. Back then, she had thought this room seemed to be the heart of the household, and it still gave off that same feeling.

Mr. Knight came around the table when they entered and stopped next to Mia. He took her hand in his and stared into her eyes. “Welcome to our home, Mia. Lucas tells us you're having a rough time right now. We're glad you've come to us for help. And, please, know you're welcome to stay as long as you need to.”

Mia stared up into eyes so like Lucas's and blinked back tears. These people should hate her. Instead they had opened their home and welcomed her as if she was an honored guest. It had been so long since anyone treated her with kindness that she hardly knew how to respond.

“Th-thank you,” she finally stammered.

Mr. Knight pulled out a chair. “Have a seat, and I'll pour you a cup of cocoa.”

Mia sank down in the chair and smiled as Lucas and his parents settled at the table. A comfortable feeling spread through her as she listened to them discuss their plans for the upcoming Christmas dinner. She wrapped her hands around her cup and relaxed back in her chair, watching the way Lucas's face beamed with happiness at the lively conversation.

It was good to see him laugh and enjoy himself. In the years they'd been apart, she had often wondered what his life was like, and now she was getting to see for herself. The hypnotic lull of the voices around her combined with the marshmallow-topped hot chocolate drifted over her like a warm blanket, and she found herself almost nodding off to sleep.

A chime from her cell phone startled her, and she jerked up straight in her chair. Before she had time to consider what she was doing, she had pulled the phone from her pocket.

Lucas jumped to his feet and pushed his chair backward. “Mia, don't read that.”

But it was too late. She'd already opened the text message, and all she could do was stare in horror at what she saw.

A photo of Tony Chapman's profile filled the screen. Mia gasped and covered her mouth with her free hand at the sight of the red blistering welts that streaked his face. As gruesome as the picture was, though, it was the words across the bottom of the text that sucked the breath from her throat.

You're going to pay for this. Can't wait to hear you beg for mercy.

* * *

Lucas charged around the table and jerked the phone from Mia's hands. His eyebrows shot up as he saw the picture and read the message. Mia cringed in her chair, her fists clutched in her lap, and stared up at him with a panic-filled expression in her eyes. His heart lurched. He'd failed again and let Chapman get to her.

He glanced at his parents, whose shocked faces gaped at him. “What is it?” his mother asked.

“Mia threw a pot of coffee in Chapman's face when he came after her at the hotel. He sent her a picture of the burns.”

His mother held out her hand. “May I see the picture?”

Lucas nodded at her mother. The tone of her voice told him she had gone into nurse mode. “Sure. Look at this and give me your diagnosis.”

She studied the photo for a few moments before she glanced up. “Definitely second-degree burns. Were the police going to contact the emergency rooms?”

Lucas shrugged. “I don't know. I'll call Ryan and ask him.”

His mother looked back at the picture. “These burns may not be bad enough to leave scarring, but they have to be very painful.” Her mouth pulled into a big grin as she handed the phone back to Lucas. “Mia, I have to hand it to you. That took some fast thinking.”

Lucas crouched down beside Mia's chair and covered her hands with his. “It did, but I'm sorry it happened. I should have told you to turn your cell phone off, so he couldn't harass you anymore. But you have to realize, Chapman is playing with your head right now. He wants to frighten you so you'll make a mistake.”

She stared down at his hand covering hers. His thumb gently brushed across the top of her hand, and she didn't move for a moment. Then she looked up at him, and a slight smile curled the corners of her lips. “I-if h-he's trying to frighten me, he's doing a good job.”

Lucas chuckled and squeezed her hand once more before he released her. “He only wins if you let him. We'll get through this, but you have to be strong. Don't start doubting yourself. We can't let him think he has the upper hand.”

“I don't feel very strong at the moment.”

Lucas glanced at his parents. “And this from the woman who has already gotten the upper hand with Chapman twice. Once she sprayed him with pepper spray, and the second time she threw hot coffee in his face.”

Mr. Knight shook his head and laughed. “With skills like that, Mia, you may have the makings of a bounty hunter.”

Mia's face flushed as she glanced around the table. “Thank you, but I don't think that's going to happen. I'm not a very brave person. All of you, on the other hand, are the opposite.”

Lucas took a deep breath. “You have it in you to be brave, too.”

Mia waved her hand in dismissal. “What makes you think that?”

“Do you remember when we were in college, and you got sick with the flu the week before you were to dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in
The Nutcracker
?”

The muscles in her throat constricted as she swallowed. “Of course I remember.”

“And your understudy was bragging all over campus that she was going to get to dance the role since you were sick.”

A soft giggle bubbled up out of Mia's throat. “Her name was Cindy Gray. She was really upset when I won out over her.”

Lucas chuckled. “Yeah, I remember. After all, the Sugar Plum Fairy is the most sought-after role in the whole ballet.”

Mia closed her eyes for a moment. “I was so sick the week before the performance, and I didn't think I could do it.”

Lucas took her hand in his. “But you did. That's the point I'm trying to make. You came to the theater, and you went out on that stage and danced better than you ever had in rehearsal.”

Tears filled Mia's eyes. “I did, didn't I?”

“And you did it because you were determined not to let anything stop you from dancing that night. I was there, Mia, and it was a stunning performance. You even got a standing ovation.”

“Yes, I did,” she whispered. “But, what's your point, Lucas?”

“My point is that you didn't give in to fear or doubt that night. You reached down inside yourself and found the courage and strength that you needed to get you through that performance. You've had some bad things happen to you since then, but I believe that girl I once knew is inside you somewhere. I want you to reach down and find the drive that's going to get you through this ordeal with Tony Chapman. We're going to catch him. But until we do, I need you to be strong. Can you do that?”

She thought for a moment before she slowly nodded. “I can.”

Lucas smiled and pushed to his feet. “Good. Now I want you to give me that cell phone. Tomorrow I'll get you a burner phone that you can use while I'm looking for Chapman.” He held up her phone before slipping it in his pocket. “Then, when this is over, I'll give the phone back to you.”

Her lips trembled as she smiled. “Thanks, Lucas. I knew I'd come to the right person to help me.”

Before he could answer, his mother pushed to her feet. “Mia, you look exhausted. Let me show you to your room, and you can take a shower and get in bed.”

“Oh, that sounds good,” she said as she rose and glanced around the table. “Good night, and thank you again.”

She started for the door but turned and glanced back at Lucas. “When will I see you next?”

“I'll come by in the morning.”

“Do you think I might be able to go home and get some clothes?”

“We'll talk about it then,” he said.

She nodded and followed his mother from the room. Within seconds he heard the clatter of them climbing the stairs. He turned back to his father, who was regarding him quizzically. “Are you okay, son?” he asked.

Lucas frowned and nodded. “Yes. Why wouldn't I be?”

His father sighed and shrugged. “I just wondered how you felt about seeing Mia after all these years.”

That was a good question, and one he didn't have an answer to. Finally he said the only thing he could think of. “I'm okay. She's just a client.”

His father studied him for a moment, before he nodded and stood. “I need to check the Christmas lights outside. I'll see you before you leave.”

Lucas sat back down in his chair and wrapped his hands around his cup. He didn't say anything as his father walked from the room. Tangled thoughts raced through his head.

Mia as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Mia telling him she wasn't going to marry him. Mia appearing on his doorstep. Mia's battered face staring at him from his computer screen. He closed his eyes and squeezed the cup harder.

“Are you okay?”

His mother's voice startled him, and his eyes flew open. He straightened in his chair and tried to smile. “Dad asked that, too, but I'm just tired. I'd better get on home.”