Lullabies and Lies (12 page)

Feeling a little dirty, he took a quick shower, telling himself it would make him feel drowsy. It didn’t work.
He couldn’t get Sunny Loveless’s hurt green eyes out of his mind.

He knew she was all right—she had Lillian to take care of her. But he’d feel better if he heard her say it. He didn’t allow himself to consider any other motive as he took out his cell phone and dialed her home number.

No answer.

His first instinct was to rush over to her house, but he stopped and forced himself to think logically. Maybe Lillian had managed to get her to go to bed early.

He looked toward his own bed and sighed. It was no use. He’d never get to sleep until he’d checked on her.

He pulled on jeans, a T-shirt and a white dress shirt, stuck his gun in its paddle holster at the small of his back and shrugged into a lightweight sport coat.

Habit made him grab the computer case before he headed downstairs. Outside, the rain had increased, but it was a quick sprint to his rental car.

Once he was headed toward East Nashville, he felt a little silly. Sunny’s house would be dark and still, and he had no reason to wake her.

He was just restless, and checking on her was nothing more than an excuse to assuage his guilt for his remark about no happy endings.

All he was going to do was drive down her street, then turn around and head back to the hotel and face a long sleepless night. He supposed he could stop in at one of the clubs where aspiring country stars sang their hearts out, hoping to be noticed by a record producer. But that held no interest for him. Not tonight.

He turned onto Kenyon Avenue, his windshield wipers slapping in rhythm with the blues guitar playing
on the car’s radio. The neighborhood was quiet and dark, blanketed by the rain. A few cars were parked on the street, but everyone seemed to be tucked in for the night.

However, as soon as Sunny’s house came into view, he realized something was wrong. Her porch light was on and her front door was wide open.

What the hell?
He killed his lights and pulled to the curb, his pulse racing. He jumped out and drew his gun. He had to blink to keep the rain out of his eyes as he crept toward two shadowy figures he could barely make out through the rain.

Two figures.

Sunny was in trouble.

Thankful for the curtain of rain that hid him, Griff quietly dialed 911, identified himself and requested immediate backup. Then he crept through Lillian’s yard.

By the time he was close enough to hear anything over the roar of the rain, the bulky figure had opened the driver’s side door of Sunny’s car.

“Stop your blubbering and get in the damn car,” a harsh voice said as meaty arms pushed a drenched and shaking Sunny into the driver’s seat.

Feeling a powerful urge to coldcock the bully, Griff silently stepped up behind him and pressed the barrel of his gun to the back of his head. “Freeze, or I’ll blow your head off.”

The man froze for an instant, then jerked backward, but Griff was ready. He shoved the bigger man against the open car door and sank the barrel of his gun an inch into the back of his neck.

“I said freeze! Now, spread your legs and put your hands on your head. Make a move and your hands
won’t have anything to rest on.” Griff heard the fury in his own voice.

Apparently the man did, too. He spewed invectives, but he stayed still.

Griff wanted to check on Sunny, but he didn’t dare take his attention off his quarry until backup arrived. He pushed the gun barrel in another fraction of an inch.

The bully tensed. “Ow! Careful, man. That thing might go off.”

Rage burned inside Griff. “Yeah, it might,” he growled. “My Glock doesn’t like cowards who manhandle women.”

Within seconds sirens pierced the sound of the rain. Thank God, Carver had made good on his promise to keep a police car in the area.

As two officers handcuffed the man and led him away, the rain slowed to a drizzle.

Griff bent and looked inside the car at Sunny. She was soaked to the skin. Her eyes were bloodshot and rimmed with smudged makeup.

To his surprise, when he held out his hand, she grabbed it and vaulted up into his arms.

SUNNY HADN’T MEANT to lose control like that. But she’d been praying that Griff would show up and save her from Burt, and suddenly, there he was, appearing out of the rain like a knight on a white horse.

She’d been so scared, and Griff’s body was powerful and warm and safe. The stench of cigarettes and motor oil was replaced by Griff’s calming scent. He smelled of rain and soap and a faint hint of cinnamon.

“It’s okay, Sunny. It’s okay. He’s gone.”

His low voice tickled her ear as he held her tightly.

She yearned to mold herself to him, to accept the comfort his body offered.

He’d promised her he’d give his life to find her child. At this moment, she believed he could do anything. She pressed her face into the hollow of his neck, soaking up his strength.

He took a sharp breath, stiffened, then stepped backward.

She’d been leaning against him, so she almost stumbled, but he grasped her upper arms to steady her.

Pain shrieked through her sore muscles. She cried out.

He frowned and loosened his grip. “Let’s get inside.”

Even though the temperature was mild and summery, Sunny began to shiver. She let Griff lead her up the steps and into the house.

“Towels?”

She pointed at the door on the left side of the foyer. The downstairs guest room had its own bath. “I—I’ll get them,” she said through chattering teeth.

But Griff ignored her and disappeared through the door, reappearing a moment later with a white fluffy towel. He scrubbed his face and hair, then approached her.

She held out a shaky hand.

Griff cursed under his breath. “That sorry scumbag.” His voice was harsh as he reached out toward her, his fingers stopping a fraction of an inch away from her arm.

She winced involuntarily, then looked down. Large red ovals on her skin were beginning to turn a deep blue-black.

“He hurt you.” His voice was soft, but fury blazed from his eyes. “Did he—”

She shook her head, and rubbed her sore arms.

“Who was it? Did you know him?”

“It was Burt Means.” She shivered, reaching for the towel.

“You’re going to have to wait until the police examine you. Here. I’ll dry your face.”

Sunny closed her eyes as he gently, carefully patted away a few drops of water from her eyes. She shivered when he brushed a lock of wet hair off her forehead.

“He came here to get Emily.” Tears clogged her throat. “He doesn’t have her.”

“You’re sure?”

She nodded. “He was too angry. He’s convinced I’ve hidden her somewhere.”

“Yeah? Why would he think that?”

Sunny pushed a lock of wet hair out of her eyes.
Because he’d seen her putting Emily’s diaper bag in her car.

She couldn’t tell Griff that. He would know immediately what she was planning to do. He’d know the kidnapper had contacted her again.

Holding her breath to keep from sobbing, she reminded herself that as tempting as it was to trust him, she couldn’t. She had to get rid of him and the police as soon as possible, so she could get on the road to Philadelphia, to her baby. She’d lost too much time already.

“He demanded I take him to Emily. I tried to explain that I have no idea where she is. That’s when he—” a shudder racked her body “—he said if I didn’t tell him, before he was finished with me I’d beg him to kill me.”

Griff’s face darkened ominously. His jaw clenched. Turning on his heel, he stalked over to the front window. “The officer in charge will be in here in a minute. He can take your statement.”

She stared at his broad back. His sport jacket and jeans were soaked, and clung to his lean, muscled body. His back was rigid, as if he was barely holding himself in check.

She shivered and felt her breasts tighten. Looking down, she realized what her wet clothes revealed. Her nipples were clearly outlined through the thin material of her top.

Oh no
. She had on white slacks and thin silk bikini underwear. Everything—everything was probably visible through the wet transparent material. Her face burned. “I’m going upstairs to change.”

“No.” Griff turned. His gaze raked her from head to foot, lingering at the apex of her thighs. He blinked, then met her eyes, new fire burning in his.

Incredibly, Sunny felt her body react. She was terrified, still aching from Burt’s brutality, but Griff’s violet gaze stirred her.

“I told you, the police have to check your clothes and—you for trace evidence.” His throat moved as he swallowed.

Just as Sunny opened her mouth to ask if she could wait in the kitchen, a knock sounded on the door and the police were there.

It was almost an hour before the last officer left, taking her wet clothes with him. She’d promised the officer in charge she’d come down to the station in the morning to file a report.

By the time they left, her nerves were frayed to the breaking point. She surreptitiously glanced at the clock.
Midnight
.

She had to get rid of Griff and get out of here. Emily was waiting.

Just a little longer,
she told herself. If she could stay calm just a little longer, Griff would leave, and she could get on the road to Philadelphia and her baby.

Watching him take charge of the scene, directing the officers, her heart had yearned for his strength. But if she showed up with a lawman, the woman who had Emily would panic and run, and Sunny would lose her baby forever.

As the last of the police cars pulled away and Griff walked back up the steps toward her, she blocked the doorway.

“Thank you,” she said, putting on a mask of relief, as if the knowledge that Burt Means was locked up had calmed all her fears.

He didn’t stop, didn’t acknowledge her gratitude. He stalked right past her into the house. With no other choice but to be overrun, she scrambled out of his way.

Standing in her foyer, he pushed his wet hair back with both hands, and slung the water away.

“All right. The police are gone. I want to know what the hell is going on.”

She stared at him. “What—what do you mean?”

He sent her a disgusted look. “You gave the officer a good story.”

“A good story?” Fear skittered up her spine. Griffin Stone was too perceptive. Sometimes he terrified her.

Griff scowled. “You lied to the officers. How did
Means get inside? The door wasn’t forced, and I know you didn’t let him in.”

“He—” She couldn’t think. “I’d gone outside. I was getting something out of my car.”

His gaze drilled through her bravado. He was the enemy, standing between her and her baby. If she thought he would help her, she’d beg him. But he couldn’t, not with this. She had to rescue Emily alone.

“Something out of your car,” he repeated derisively. “What?”

Sunny was too tired and too beaten down to spar with him. At this moment, she couldn’t remember what she’d told the police.

“My—my suitcase. I needed to unpack.”

“Unpack.” His voice held a cold derision. His eyes were hard as amethysts.

“Yes.” She raised her chin. “Like I told the officer, I’m a terrible procrastinator. That suitcase has been in the car for over a week, since—since a trip I took.” Her attempt at lying was a miserable failure. But she was desperate. She had to get rid of him and get on the road. Every minute wasted was a minute closer to
too late.

His eyes accused her. “Right. Your suitcase, your purse, your baby’s diaper bag. I listened to your statement.”

She nodded, her heart pounding so loud she was sure he could hear it.

He emitted a soft, sharp laugh and shook his head. “You’re a really bad liar, Ms. Loveless.”

“I’m not lying.” Sunny clenched her teeth. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m tired.”

He started toward her. She stepped aside, out of his way, but he didn’t head toward the door. He headed for her.

He wrapped his fingers around her upper arms in a grip that was surprisingly gentle, and sat her down on the window seat, then dragged a chair over in front of her. Sitting down, he took her hands in his.

Sunny shivered at their comforting warmth.

“The kidnapper called you, didn’t he?”

“No, I—” Sunny squeezed her eyes shut. He was so sure, so strong. And she was so tired. It was so hard not to just tell him everything and let him help her. She shook her head.

His grip tightened. “Look at me.”

She didn’t want to meet his gaze, but something in his voice, something in the way he cradled her hands in his, made her feel safe.

“You may have fooled the officers, but you aren’t fooling me. I’ve been doing this for eight long years.” His expression was solemn.

“You would never have opened your door to Burt Means. You were outside, and you weren’t getting anything out of your car in a rainstorm in the middle of the night. He caught you outside because you were putting something
into
your car. Your packed a suitcase, your purse and Emily’s diaper bag.”

He rubbed his thumbs across her knuckles. “You were very lucky I was here. Otherwise, you might be in the clutches of a man who thinks you ruined his life and stole his child.”

Sunny shuddered. He was too close. His hands holding hers felt too good. “What
were
you doing here?”

“I called to see if you were okay. You didn’t answer.”

Tears gathered in Sunny’s eyes. She tried to pull away, but he held on.

“Now Means is out of the picture. He’ll go back to prison for violating his parole. The police will check on him and Brittany, but I think you’re right. He doesn’t have Emily. The kidnappers called you, didn’t they?”

“No, I—”

“Can the act, okay? I know you didn’t receive a call on your house phone, or the police would have been notified. So the kidnapper called your cell phone. He gave you a meeting place or a drop place for the money. And of course he told you not to go to the police or the FBI.”

“Please don’t,” she whispered. “Just leave me alone.”