Condemned (22 page)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“Almost there,” Brett growled as he pushed her from his
thigh.

Where? Almost where? Andie hoped she wasn’t shaking enough
for him to notice. She felt a drop of sweat roll down her back as he closed the
car door, leaving her in her seat. What if he just went away and deserted her
there? Andie couldn’t decide if she were relieved or not when he guided her out
of the car. After all, he’d still need it to get home, with or without her.
Someone would surely find it then.

“Stand right there,” Brett instructed. “Just need to cover
this.” He kept his voice even as he shook open what she guessed was a tarp and
covered her car. “Easy now.” he tossed her back over his shoulder.

As Brett carried her, Andie heard crunching beneath his
feet. Between that and the branches that brushed against her, they could only
be tromping along some overgrown path.

“Here’s the tricky part,” Brett stated. “Andie, this is very
important. Nod if you’re listening.” She nodded. “I need to carry you up a
ladder and then we’ll be there.” He turned her and moved her hand so she was
touching the ladder. “It’s a little rickety but we should be fine as long as
you don’t struggle. We’ve got about twenty-five feet to go. You need to be very
still so I don’t drop you. Okay, Andie?”

Frantically, Andie nodded again. “Good girl,” he praised. He
hoisted her back across his shoulder, making sure she was properly balanced
before he started climbing. “I won’t let you fall,” Brett assured her as he
made his way slowly higher. When he reached their destination, he slid her
inside before following. “Very good, wench. Just let me take care of this and
I’ll be right with you.”

Andie knew she wasn’t doing well at controlling her shaking.
When he’d told her about the ladder, she had been afraid to breathe. If he fell
and was injured, no one would ever find them. She heard a scrape and a thud and
knew that he had pushed the ladder from the building. How would she ever get
out of here?

“Sorry. Didn’t want you to feel neglected but I can’t have you
trying to leave before I’m ready.” Brett stood close enough for her to feel his
breath on her cheek. “Do you remember what you kept telling me that night we
spent together? You insisted that you would never lie to me. You meant it then.
Have I hardened you enough that you are capable of being dishonest? Can you lie
to me now?”

Andie could feel him waiting for her to respond. For weeks,
she’d told herself that if she ever had to, she would do whatever it took to
protect her heart from him. Unfortunately, she knew she still wouldn’t be able
to lie. Andie’s mind balked. What was it going to take for her to learn? First,
the man used her, broke his word, and trashed her feelings completely. Now,
though he’d promised to stay away and give her time to trust him again, he had
her tied, gagged and blindfolded, God knows where, to do God knows what, and he
calmly asked if she was going to be truthful with him. He was insane! How he’d
managed to it hide from his friends and her aunt all this time was beyond her but
it was perfectly clear. Brett Hudson was a certifiable lunatic.

“I’ll know if you’re less than honest, wench, so think
carefully before you respond,” he advised.

Andie fought back the terror that threatened and shook her
head. Damn her for being such a decent person. She couldn’t even lie to the
fruitcake when it meant saving her skin.

“Excellent,” Brett said as if pleased. “I bet you’re ready
to lose the gag.” She nodded. “Not that there’s anybody within miles who would
hear you, but I need you to promise you won’t start shrieking if I take it off.
I’ve decided not to punish you for making me come get you since you made it
surprisingly easy. And I will also remember that you didn’t give me any trouble
on the ladder. So what’s it going to be, wench? Want me to remove the gag? Once
I do, we can discuss a few things before we get started.”

Discuss things? Get started? He was going to let his lust
take over and use her body as he had before, wasn’t he? If that wasn’t it, what
did he have planned for her? Andie forced down a scream as she indicated she
wanted the gag out of her mouth.

“Much better,” Brett whispered as he rubbed his thumb over
her trembling lip. When he brushed a light kiss over her mouth, she flinched,
not quite managing to contain her gasp.

Brett dropped his hand and stepped away from her. As he
watched, he could see that Andie was shaking. His heart lurched when he
realized that his illusion worked too well. Andie was afraid of him. He’d meant
to scare her a little bit, so she would be less resistant, not terrify her.
He’d wanted to create an atmosphere of danger, not make her believe she was
truly at risk. The longer Brett stayed silent, the more he could sense Andie’s
panic growing.

“Truth, Andie, are you frightened right now?” She nodded
instead of answering. “You’re seriously afraid? Of me? And what I have planned
for you?”

“Yes,” Andie whispered, biting her bottom lip.

Brett pulled the blindfold from her eyes so he could see
them. She’d answered honestly. He could see raw terror reflecting back at him.
Brett groaned as he pulled her against his chest, wrapping her tightly in his
arms. Words of comfort flowed while one hand found hers, still bound, folding
them securely within his. The other gently rubbed her back in a soothing
motion.

“I’m sorry,” Brett repeated, his voice full of anguish. “I
never meant to scare you like this.”

Andie couldn’t contain her sobs and cried against his chest.
“What did you want then?” she asked.

Brett released her and began to pace. “I wanted you to
listen. In the park, it was obvious that you weren’t willing to let me say
anything that mattered. I thought if I could make you believe I was the only
person for miles and you needed me that you might talk about the important
things that we need to get out in the open. God, I’m sorry.” Brett pulled his
phone from his coat pocket. “I could never hurt you. I’d die first,” he
declared. “Hey, it’s me. Can you come over? I’m in the attic.”

Andie’s tears continued as she remained motionless. “Where
are we?”

Brett couldn’t answer as he slipped the key from its hiding
place and unlocked the door. She’d know soon enough. As soon as Shane got
there, she’d see that all he’d done was drive around before he brought her
home. How had he been so wrong? When he’d come up with the plan, Brett was sure
that Andie’s passionate nature would override any fear. He’d thought she’d know
he wouldn’t really do anything to harm her. He’d thought she’d figure out that
it was all a set up to give her the freedom to respond to him as he was
positive she wanted to. He’d thought she would let go of the resistance she
forced herself to hang on to and give in to her true feelings. He was so
certain the love she’d had was still there, beneath the surface, just waiting
to give to him again. He’d thought she’d be able to open her heart and accept
his love in return. He was wrong. About all of it.

“Where the hell is the door?” Shane yelled.

“Other side,” Brett answered.

Shane opened the door and stepped into the room with Jesse
on his heels. “What is all this?” They stopped at the sight of Andie, still
bound.

“A very bad idea that couldn’t have made things worse if I’d
been trying to.” Brett half expected either Jesse or Shane to take a swing at
him. “My intentions were good,” he said to Andie. “You’ll never know how sorry
I am.” He pulled her car keys from his pocket, along with his own and a packet
of papers. “I’ll get out of your way.” He walked from the room without looking
back.

“You okay?” Jesse untied her. “Did he hurt you?”

“No,” Andie replied. “Where is this?”

“Brett’s attic,” Shane supplied. “How’d you get in here?”

“Through the window,” she told him as he opened it to look
out at the yard.

“He carried you up here?” Andie nodded as she and Jesse
joined him. “He must have worked non-stop on this. I helped him move some boxes
up here three days ago and none of it was here.”

“How’d he get you alone?” Jesse asked.

“There was a note on my car. I thought it was from Flynn
even though there was no name. I went to that place he took me before and Brett
caught me. He had me tied up before I could react. He blindfolded me and gagged
me. It seemed like we drove around for a long time. I thought he was carrying
me through the woods and then he climbed up here.”

“He pretended to kidnap you?” Jesse was shocked.

“Yes and no,” Shane interrupted, understanding part of
Brett’s intentions. “He did take you. I think he wanted to overwhelm your
senses so nothing but the two of you existed. After we got home Thursday, Brett
told me how you’d kept yourself shut off from him when Sadie sent you to talk.
I suspect he wanted to get beyond that so you might listen when he told you how
he feels about you.” He held out the papers to her. “These are for you.”

Andie sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her name on
the pack. While they watched, she opened the papers. Each stunned her more than
the last. “Oh my God,” she whispered as she started to read the letter she
found.

Andie, if you’re reading this without me, you already
know my plan didn’t work the way I’d intended. I meant to make you think you
were trapped in the middle of nowhere with just me to take care of you. I
thought if you saw that you could trust me not to hurt you after I captured
you, you might be able to let your heart listen to me.

Something must have gone wrong. Whatever it was, I will
regret it for the rest of my life. I won’t bother you again. Jesse mentioned
that you were interested in this house when you thought it would be sold. I
can’t stay here without you so I want you to have it. I’ll have Jordan get my personal
things sometime when it’s convenient for you. I rebuilt the screened-in porch.
I thought you might like a solarium to give piano lessons in. It’s all ready
for you. I made some of the other changes you suggested the first time you were
here. As you must have guessed, I hoped to convince you to stay with me when I
offered to release you.

I love you, Andrea Sloan. I hoped to share everything
with you. I don’t think I can stay in town either. Seeing you would hurt too
much so I signed over my part of the station. Jordan has excellent ideas so
please consider what he suggests. I know he’ll understand if you won’t but this
is a great town. The station could be good again and I hope you’ll give it a
chance. I don’t know where I’m going but I doubt that it’ll be anyplace where
I’ll need a car. You can sell mine or torch it if it makes you feel any better.

I set up an account for you at the bank near the station.
I’m only taking what I think I’ll need to get away from here. The other paper
gives you control over my investments with Jordan. He’ll help you with them if
you ask him to. Don’t be mad at any of them. None of them, including Flynn,
knew what I was doing. They are all good people and, if you let them, will
become your friends. I’m sorry for how my stupidity hurt you. Don’t let the
actions of one very foolish man effect the way you are. Don’t stop being you
because of me. You are the kindest, most generous and loving woman. Don’t judge
all men by me. There are good ones out there. Jordan, Shane, and Jesse should
prove that. Whether you believe me or not, all I wanted to do was find a way to
love you openly. I’m so sorry I failed. I’ll love you forever. I will stay away
so don’t think you need to spend your life looking over your shoulder.

Be happy, Andie. Yours in all ways,

Brett

Andie let Jesse and Shane read Brett’s letter. The men
exchanged a meaningful look before Shane muttered, “I guess I better go check
on him. I’m sure he’ll be at Jordan’s for tonight at least.”

Jesse followed Andie through the house, discovering all the
things Brett had done with her in mind. When they made their way downstairs,
they wound up in the solarium. As Brett claimed, it was perfect for Andie. He’d
even bought a piano for her.

“It’s beautiful,” Andie whispered.

“And all yours,” Jesse reminded her.

“I can’t keep this. I can’t keep any of it. Why would he do
something like that?”

“Because he loves you. Think about it, Andie. You never
asked him for anything so he wants to give it all to you. I suspect he would
have given it to you even if you were here together.” Jesse pointed to the box
on the piano. “I think there’s more.”

Andie had to force herself to pick it up. When she opened
what was obviously a jeweler’s box, she found a gold heart necklace. The back
was engraved,
Yours Forever
and Brett had written,
Andie, All my
love, Brett
inside the box.

Crying, Andie set the box aside and reached for the drawings
that had been under it. She saw image after image of herself. Some showed her
with his friends. There were sketches of Andie with Charlie and Kiley at the
piano, her with Flynn as he assumed they looked at Flynn’s private spot, her
with Sadie, and her with Max and Bear. There were also visions of the night
they’d shared. He had drawn everything they’d experienced together. The last
few pages depicted what Andie guessed were what he hoped they’d share once he
managed to make her stop denying the feelings they had for each other. Some
were so graphic that she could practically feel what he’d drawn.

“Uh, Andie,” Jesse reminded her he was still there.

“Oh God.” She groaned as she blushed hotly.

“Don’t worry about it.” Jesse grinned. “I knew you were
hot.” He urged her to sit and faced her. “I think it’s time for you to tell me
exactly what happened the night you spent with Brett.” He wasn’t going to let
her hide from him. “This is not the time for embarrassment, Andie. I’m guessing
that the two of you bring some unexpected desires out in each other. I saw the
restraints on the bed up there. I saw the hook hanging from the ceiling too. I
suspect that Brett felt you would be willing to do the things they suggest.”