With Every Breath (35 page)

A moment later, a pale woman in her forties stepped onto the porch next to Thomas, looking up at him as though awaiting instruction.

Thomas stared hard into her eyes, holding her gaze in a fixed manner. The woman's eyes glazed and she swayed as though she were in a complete daze. A puppet awaiting its master's manipulation. But then that was what Thomas cultivated. Mindless followers incapable of making independent decisions.

“Get out,” he said sharply. “Leave and don't return until tomorrow.”

As if in a trance, the woman started down the steps, barefooted and only dressed in a nightgown, her gait jerky and stilted. She walked straight to a vehicle parked a short distance away, got in and then simply drove away, disappearing down the drive.

Panic swamped Eliza and she lifted her chin in determination, staring Thomas down.

“If you planted a compulsion for her to commit suicide, I'll never forgive you.”

In a sickeningly sweet and soothing tone he said, “You have no need to worry about the woman. No harm will come to her. She'll return to her home tomorrow and resume her pathetic existence. Now we need to hurry. We are also leaving this house and this town.”

“I didn't pack a bag,” Eliza murmured, her tone regretful and apologetic. “I wasn't sure what you wanted, what your plans were or if you even still wanted me.”

Thomas's eyes glittered, triumph and victory gleaming brightly. “You don't need anything, my love. I will provide everything you need. I only have one task for you before we depart.”

Eliza sent him an innocent, puzzled look. “You know I'll do whatever you want.”

Thomas nodded approvingly. “You will write a letter explaining that you are leaving with me and that you only want a quiet life with me away from the prying eyes of those who would judge and scorn you.”

“But why bother?” she asked. “No one would care. Everyone here hates me. They won't care that I'm gone. In fact, they'll be happy.”

Thomas made a sound of impatience. “If we both disappear, it will raise suspicion and we will never have the life I want for us. It will be suspected that I killed you in revenge so you have to convince the public that you willingly chose to go away with me.”

A chill slithered down Eliza's spine. She had been wrong about Thomas's obsession with her and her certainty that he would never harm her, only those he saw as a threat for her love. He was lying about the reasons for wanting her to write the letter. He had no intention of taking her anywhere. The letter would only serve to exonerate him when he killed her and she disappeared, leaving him free to also disappear and everyone would assume she went willingly with him. No one would even look for her body or blink an eye over her sudden disappearance.

Except Wade and Dane.

They'd never buy anything she wrote about loving Thomas and going away with him. But would they find the letter—or her—too late to save her? Did Thomas plan to kill her here or would he take her somewhere so he could make her suffer for as long as possible before finally killing her?

Thank God he couldn't read her now or he'd know everything. Everyone she loved would be a target. And because he couldn't read her he didn't know about her ace in the hole. Wade. She just had to buy enough time for him to find her. He wouldn't rest, sleep or eat until he found her. She knew that. She just had to pray that he found her in time.

“Of course I'll write a letter. Is there anyone specific you want me to address it to?”

She purposely injected excitement into her voice and then asked, “Where are we going Thomas? Where will we live? I can't believe we are finally free to be together. You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment.”

His smile was smug and victorious. He thought he had her right where he wanted her and he was positively gleeful over the idea of retribution and escaping justice yet again.

“You don't need to worry about a single thing. I'll take care of you just like I always did.”

She smiled despite the fact she was screaming on the inside. She had to hold it together. She couldn't fall apart. Everything was riding on her being able to deceive Thomas and buy enough time to either catch him off guard and take him down herself or for Wade to track her down and swoop in like an avenging angel and mete out his own brand of retribution.

“I know,” she said softly, her tone dreamy. “You always took care of me, Thomas. You always protected me. You've always been my hero.”

“Come,” he said, extending his hand to take hers. “We need to get you inside so you can write the letter and then we'll leave immediately.”

Eliza let him take her hand and managed not to shudder or recoil. She even leaned into him as they entered the house, but the entire time she was fervently praying that she would live to tell Wade how much she loved him again.

Thomas urged her to the kitchen table where pen and paper were already laid out. He directed her to sit, forgoing any attempt to be tender and loving as he'd been earlier.

He stood over her, dictating word for word what she was to write and he watched closely, ensuring she did as commanded. It took all of Eliza's hard-won and practiced self-discipline to maintain her composure and calmly write exactly what Thomas recited without her hands shaking or her handwriting being illegible.

She made a mental sigh of relief when she completed the letter without giving herself away. She signed her name and dated it and then tilted her head up to look at Thomas and smiled.

“So do we leave now? Where are we going? I'm so excited, Thomas. You have no idea how much I've longed for this. It's like a dream come true.”

Thomas reached over and snatched the paper, folding it neatly and then laying it aside.

“Stand up,” he said coldly.

She adopted a hurt, confused look as she rose from the chair. “What's wrong, Thomas? Did I do something wrong? I wrote the letter verbatim as you told me to.”

His hand slid inside his jacket and he pulled out a handgun, aiming it directly at her. Her heart sank. She'd known this was going to happen but a secret part of her had hoped she was wrong. Was he going to kill her right now? How could she buy time? Time had run out for her.

“What are you doing?” she whispered. “I don't understand.”

His eyes glittered with rage. “Did you honestly think that I would just forget and forgive what you did? I loved you. I would have done anything in the world for you. There is nothing I wouldn't have given you. And you betrayed me. You are a lying, deceitful whore. I've spent the last ten years dreaming of this moment. To return the pain and suffering you caused me. I lost years of my life because of
you
. You ungrateful bitch. I gave you everything and you gave me lies. Now it's my turn to make you suffer. To cause you unspeakable pain and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.”

TWENTY-SIX

WADE
tore recklessly down the bumpy dirt road leading to the residence belonging to the wife of the cop who'd been responsible for Harrington's release, his heart pounding with fear and praying the entire way that he would get there in time. That he wouldn't be too late. God, please don't let him be too late. He'd sworn to protect Eliza, that nothing would happen to her and he'd fallen neatly into Harrington's trap.

As he rounded the bend, he was blinded by oncoming headlights and then yanked the steering wheel to the right to avoid a head-on collision. The other vehicle veered to the left, losing control and spinning in a complete three hundred and sixty-degree circle before skidding to a stop, hitting a large tree that lined the road.

Fuck! He didn't have time for this shit!

He slammed on the brakes and bolted from the SUV, running to check on the driver, hoping no serious injury had been incurred. All he could do was call 911 because he couldn't stick around when Eliza was in the hands of a madman and every minute counted. Every second he was delayed could mean the difference in Eliza living or dying.

He yanked open the driver's side door and blinked in confusion. A woman was sitting stock-still, her gaze fixed through the windshield as if she had no awareness of the situation. Even more alarming was the fact that she was dressed only in a nightgown and her feet were bare.

“Ma'am, are you okay?” he asked sharply.

Slowly she turned her head and an eerie sensation slithered over Wade's skin, raising chill bumps as he stared into vacant, lifeless eyes.

“I have to leave,” she murmured. “He told me to leave and not to return to my house until tomorrow. But where will I go?”

Oh sweet Jesus. In a flash, he knew this was the cop's wife. And that it was Harrington who had compelled her to leave. She was the victim he had used to lure Eliza to come to him. A bargain. Her for the victim. Harrington got to Eliza in the one way she would never refuse. He would have known all too well the guilt and grief that had crippled her. He'd used her compassion and inherent goodness against her, knowing she would never refuse to save the life of another woman.

Wade grasped her shoulders and gave her a gentle shake, desperate to break through the fog. “Was anyone else there? A woman? Did he tell you to leave after she arrived?”

Confusion clouded her eyes and her brow puckered as if she were trying to recall what exactly had happened.

“Think!” Wade said forcefully. “I need you to focus.
Fight
him. I need your help.
She
needs your help.”

The woman's hand fluttered to her forehead, pressing in as she closed her eyes in concentration. Then her expression crumpled and she brought both hands to cover her face as a sound of utter despair seemed ripped from the deepest part of her soul.

“He said he loved me. That we would be together. But then she came and he told me to leave.”

Assured that she had sustained no physical injuries, he guided her back into her vehicle and issued a harsh command for her to stay there until help arrived. Then he ran to his SUV and roared down the road, every muscle in his body tense and coiled, preparing to fight the most important battle of his life. To save the woman he loved.

As soon as the house came into view, Wade doused the headlights and pulled as close as he dared before shutting down the engine. He grabbed the Glock laying in the passenger seat and quickly popped in a thirteen-round clip as he jumped out and ran the remaining distance to the house.

Two vehicles were parked in front and the house was illuminated with light, nearly every window reflecting lights on in the residence. He skirted around the front, pressing himself against the brick exterior of the side, peering into each window before he ducked and moved on.

When he reached a window toward the back of the home, he saw that it was the kitchen and he halted in his tracks, his relief so profound that his knees buckled and he nearly went down.

Eliza was seated at the table and Thomas stood a few feet away. Wade gripped the pistol resting in his palm tighter, quickly assessing his entry options. Eliza handed him a piece of paper and after Thomas snatched it from her fingers, Eliza rose from her seat. Then Wade's heart stuttered and nearly stopped when Thomas suddenly pulled a gun from the inside of his jacket and aimed it directly at her head.

Eliza stood frozen as she stared down the barrel of the pistol Thomas pointed at her. It was akin to an out of body experience. She stepped outside of herself, a passive observer to the goings on. Where before there had been a multitude of emotions reflected in Thomas's eyes, now only one stared malevolently back at her. Hatred. His features were twisted in a sinister expression. His aim was steady. He appeared completely calm as if killing her was just an item to check off on his to-do list. But then she supposed it was.

“You won't get away with this,” Eliza said softly.

“People are easily manipulated and controlled. You should know,” he said mockingly. “I can command people's will. No one can stop me.”

“Is that why you went to prison?” she mocked back.

His hand dipped the slightest of inches before steadying, the pistol leveling at her head once more. He opened his mouth to speak but a crash sounded and Wade barged into the room, gun in hand, pointing it straight at Thomas.

Oh God. No. This wasn't happening. She'd prayed for Wade to find her, but not now, not when Thomas was armed. She couldn't lose him—wouldn't lose him. She'd never survive knowing he died for her. It had to be her that Thomas chose to kill. Choking fear paralyzed her, freezing her blood in her veins as her heart plummeted, her stomach bottoming out. Her mouth went dry and tears burned the edges of her eyelids.

“Drop it now,” Wade said in a savage tone.

Oddly, Thomas showed no fear at all. There was a sense of triumph in his eyes as he stared thoughtfully at Eliza. Then he smiled, and that frightened her more than the fact he had a gun pointed at her head. Wade moved closer to her, moving to shield her, to form a barrier between her and Thomas.

Thomas's smile became sinister. “You're much stronger now. I hadn't been able to read you at all, couldn't forge a pathway into your mind. Until now. But love is stronger than you are and now I know. I would have never hurt you back then. Never killed you. But you betrayed me and so you became my target, not the people you care about as you assumed. Now I know how to hurt you the most, how to make you suffer far more than ending your miserable existence. Yes, my darling Melissa. You're much stronger now, but not as strong as love, and now you will suffer for an eternity for betraying me.”

In a swift move, he moved his hand so the gun was now pointed at Wade and not her. And she knew exactly what he was going to do. Her love for Wade and her overwhelming fear for his life had weakened the barriers she'd spent so long strengthening and now she was an open book. He was going to kill Wade because he knew it would utterly destroy her. Far more than killing her.