Bride Interrupted (8 page)

“I need to speak to someone regarding the woman’s body that was found on the beach yesterday.” No use in mincing words.

“And you are?”

“Kayla Boudreaux. And I do not want to speak to Detective Sawyer. Someone else please.”

She either was expecting her, or simply knew who she was by name, because the receptionist didn’t ask any more questions. She walked Kayla to a back office.

A tall, balding man stood when Kayla entered. He extended a hand. “Ms. Boudreaux, I am Sergeant Miller. What brings you here today?”

This man was the exact opposite of Sawyer. He was nice, cordial, and exuded a confidence in his job, not his male status. She immediately liked him.

“Sergeant, I had the pleasure of speaking with Detective Sawyer again today.”

The middle-aged man laughed. “I’m sure it was anything but a pleasure. I’m sorry, it’s just that I know how Sawyer operates. The man can be brutal.”

Kayla nodded. “That’s one way to say it. Anyway, he told me about the latest victim that was beaten. He asked if I had received any more presents. At that point, I had not. However, when I got home this afternoon I found this.” She dropped the bag on his desk and waited while he examined the contents. “Sergeant, how long have you been on the force here?”

He looked up at her, adjusted his glasses on his nose, and replied, “I’ve been here for the last twenty years. Sergeant for ten.”

Kayla pulled at her left earlobe. “Today I heard some disturbing news. I was wondering if you could shed some light.”

He peered at her over the rim of his glasses. “I’ll try my best. What’s on your mind?”

She repeated the incidents from the afternoon. “I realize I am new to the area, and I don’t know everyone, but since I work so closely with Colton, I kind of need to know a little more.”

“I don’t want to divulge any personal information. That’s between you, Colton, and Sawyer. But I can give you some of the facts pertaining to that case. Things that are public knowledge.”

“That’s fair enough.” Kayla listened to the man recount the events from six years ago. Andrea’s body was found floating at the edge of the water under a pier. The cause of death was an overdose. The coroner ruled it suicide, but Sawyer insisted on a full investigation. He insinuated Colton was involved. Colton had an alibi for the time of the murder, as did Sawyer. Records showed that Sawyer swore Colton’s alibi was a lie. After an intense investigation, the suicide ruling stood. Colton resigned from the force.

Sergeant Miller stood. “I hate to cut this off, but I have a meeting I cannot be late for. Two pieces of advice for you. One, be careful who you trust on this beach. Two, talk to your grandfather about Colton.”

That she would do. “Thank you for your time.”

The week drug by. Any slower, and Kayla would’ve wished for the hustle and bustle of the city. She and Maggie made plans for the wedding. Colton hadn’t exactly agreed to it, but he also hadn’t outright said no. So in Kayla’s mind, the plan was set in motion. Her conversations with Grandpa were few. Every time she went to his room, either there were too many people around, or he was sleeping. However, she did get him to open up about a few things. A nurse porter was going to bring him by the bar later that evening, so maybe Kayla could steal a few minutes with him. She was thankful he was feeling well enough to get out.

Colton. Since his outburst the week before, he hadn’t said more than ten words to Kayla. And those words were only out of the necessity of work. She almost wanted to throw her hands up and say to hell with it all. But her vision of the changes she wanted to make at the bar, and her booming career, overpowered her urge to give up.

She was behind the bar mixing drinks when the door opened and closed. An uneasy feeling sent a chill through her chest. Reluctantly, she glanced up. Craig’s tall frame filled her vision. His cold gaze locked onto her face. The glass she held slipped from her lifeless fingers and dropped onto the rubber mat at her feet.

Then, her fear turned to rage, making her entire body shake. She tore her gaze away and glanced desperately around, but no one seemed to notice she was freaking out.

Get ahold of yourself
… She took a deep, calming breath. She would
not
let this man get to her. She picked up the glass from the floor and set it in the sink, then grabbed a clean one and poured in a shot of vodka, while simultaneously shooting soda in from the gun. She shook off the feeling of anxiety. Her gaze tracked Craig’s movements. His perfectly fit, navy suit was out of place in the casual bar, but it did not deter him. He stalked right up to the bar.

“Do you have any idea how hard it was to find you?” His blue eyes darkened with anger.

“Apparently, not hard enough.” She hadn’t tried to hide from him, but she also didn’t encourage him to seek her out. Her friends would never give him any information as to her whereabouts.

“Kayla, we need to talk.” His brusque voice tweaked her anger.

“We don’t have anything to talk about.” She handed a tray of drinks to Maggie.

Craig stood and slurred, “Now.”

She eyed him. His good looks may have charmed her once, but she was aware of the controlling, violent man that lay beneath his well-put-together appearance. She fell for it once, but she was not the same person she was a year ago. She didn’t need his looks, money, or status to complete herself.

He didn’t want her. He only wanted someone he could control, someone who would be by his side while he climbed the business ladder. She would no longer be his pawn. No. His true self was revealed the night he got drunk and attacked her. That was the game changer for her. She was done with him. Not wanting to cause a scene inside, Kayla threw the dishrag on the counter and motioned Craig to the back door.

They walked out into the balmy night. She stood against the door while he stood a few feet away. “Kayla, I miss you. I need you to come back to me.”

She shook her head. “Never, Craig. It is over.”

He inched towards her. “Come on, sweetie. Give me one more chance.”

He was close enough for Kayla to smell the stench of alcohol on his breath. He reeked of it. Apparently, he had been drinking long before he entered the bar. Another reason she was done with him. He had a drinking problem and would not admit it.

“You need to leave. Now.” She turned to go inside. His hand slammed against the door, forcing it closed. Terror gripped her heart. She couldn’t breathe.

He grabbed her shoulder and turned her around. His forehead creased, his mouth puckered, and sweat beaded on his upper lip. His scowl was inches from her face. His rough lips crushed hers, cutting off her scream. Kayla wanted to vomit from his touch. She jerked her head away.

“I mean it, get out of here!” She tried sucking in some fresh air, but all she could do was gasp. She grabbed for the wall, trying to support herself from falling.

“No, bitch. You need to listen up. I want you, and I will have you.”

Fear wrapped around her insides. Red flashed before her eyes. Memories of the pain he inflicted on her before made her dizzy. He beat her within inches of her life. Over nothing more than a comment that he needed to stop drinking. She barely remembered the Emergency Room visit, or the days in ICU. Her doctor said that one day the memories would crash back on her. Today was that day.

She folded into herself during the days in the hospital. Weeks of meekness followed. Thankfully, she had supportive friends who had the patience to deal with her for several months until she pulled out of the depression. Once she was free of the endangering thoughts in her mind, she was empowered. That was when she took control of her life once again. And she would never give it up. Especially not now.

Her hands flailed wildly as she tried to make contact with Craig’s face. She kicked at him, but to no avail. He simply smirked.

“Bitch.” He reached for her arms. Rage consumed him. She feared it was a repeat of the nightmare. His tight grip on her wrists cut off her circulation and hurt like hell. She twisted her arms, but his strength was too much. He pinned her back against the wall and pressed his body against hers.

Kayla froze, bracing herself for his touch. She closed her eyes, not wanting to look into his blue hell. She turned her head from side to side. Craig groaned, and his weight lifted off her. Kayla slowly opened her eyes. Colton threw Craig’s body against the wall. His frame landed next to her with a thud.

“Stop, man.” His voice was weak now that he was no longer in control.

Colton’s fists pummeled Craig’s face. Every punch elicited a painful grunt from Craig until he could barely stand. His body slumped against the wall, right next to Kayla. The odor of his sweat mixed with the alcohol on his skin turned her stomach.

Colton stepped back. He looked at Kayla. “Is this man bothering you?”

Kayla wanted to laugh. Only Colton would kick ass and ask questions later. “Yes, but he’s leaving.”

With blood oozing out of his mouth, Craig glared at Colton. “What are you, her bodyguard?”

Colton’s breathing was fast, but he didn’t look like he had exerted much effort in beating the shit out of the other man. He grabbed Craig by the shirt and pulled him close. His words were heavy and full of impact as he spoke right in the man’s face. “The lady doesn’t need a bodyguard. She’s perfectly capable of handling herself, but consider me her back up.” He shoved Craig to the ground. “It’s time for you to go. Now.”

Craig picked himself up. He cast one final look at Kayla before he staggered away. Somehow, she knew this would be the last time she saw this man. Finally.

Now to figure out the man still standing in front of her. She had no idea how to handle him. He was burning with rage. Anger rolled off him. He could be brutal when needed. But Kayla had seen glimpses of a softer side of him. It was there, although he hid it well.

This man just saved her life. Or in the least, saved her from Craig’s brutal wrath. Kayla wanted to reach out to him, but wasn’t sure what his reaction would be. She stared into his dark eyes. Eyes deep with anger that slowly turned to tenderness. He brushed his fingers down her cheek. Her eyes closed at his gentle touch.

“Fuck. Come here, fireball.” The nickname he pinned on her was starting to sound like a sweet term of endearment. He pulled her into his embrace and hugged her tight against him. “God, when I saw him on top of you, I lost it. Totally fucking lost it.” He sighed heavily. Then he held her at arm’s length. “Did he hurt you?”

Kayla locked her eyes on him. “Tonight, no.” She rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “You asked me once who hurt me. It was Craig. He always had a temper. He attacked me one time. It was bad. ER, ICU. When I got out of the hospital, it took me one second to kick his ass out of my life, but it took months to get myself together and strong enough to face the world again.”

“Shit.” Colton looked around into the night.

“What are you looking for?”

“The fucker, so I can beat the shit out of him again.”

Kayla had to physically restrain Colton from bolting and chasing after Craig. The rage in him was released in the mist in his eyes, in his ragged breathing.

“Leave it. He’s gone. And he’s not worth the effort.” Images of Colton and Andrea popped into her head. The anger he portrayed minutes earlier could lead anyone to believe he was capable of killing someone. But the compassion in his voice, and his touch, convinced her he would never hurt a woman. No matter how badly she betrayed him.

“Kayla. You…” He sighed. He took her by the arm and led her to the storage room several feet away from the bar. Inside there were crates of alcohol, boxes of paper products, and plastic cups. Colton’s desk was full of papers and receipts. Colton backed her up until the metal pressed against the backs of her thighs. She surveyed the room and then looked at Colton.

She wanted him to kiss her. Instead, he held her away from him. Dark eyes kept her captive. He lifted his hand, cradling her chin and rubbing his thumb across her bottom lip. She slipped her tongue out just enough to moisten the soft skin, allowing his thumb to run more smoothly, sending tingles through her body. She was high on adrenaline and the heat from Colton’s touch. He let out a groan then sucked in a sharp breath.

Kayla put her hands on his waist and tugged him closer. The heat from his body coursed into hers, running through her veins. His hands circled her neck. The skin behind her ears tingled when his fingers caressed her there. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, exposing her neck. His breath teased her sensitive skin. His tongue stroked her, sending shivers down her spine. She moaned softly.