“Sounds creepy. What happened with the relationship?” Chase sat back as if relaxed, but an underlying tension radiated around him.
“Everything was all rose-colored at first. Kevin showered me with affection and gifts. Then after a few months, his strange behavior began.”
“What kinds of things did he do?”
“He pushed our relationship faster than what I consider normal. He tried to take over my life. He hated when I spent time with my friends or family. He showed aggression on several occasions and became extremely possessive. He insisted on knowing where I was at all times. One evening he lost his temper because I visited my sister without telling him. When I returned home, he was waiting for me. He cursed and screamed. He smashed a framed picture of my sister and her husband.” She shivered at the memory. “The glass shattered into thousands of pieces, and I just about fell apart too.”
A muscle ticked in Chase’s jaw, and the tension lining his features deepened as he listened.
“I told him it was over that night. But he ignored me. In public, he doted on me as if we were still together. In private…he turned into a different man. He constantly called, sent letters and showed up at my door. But, he’s extremely intelligent. He was sure never to write anything incriminating. To the world, he appeared as the ideal, affectionate boyfriend.” Sierra let the words flow as if a dam finally broke.
Chase listened, intent on every word she spoke as if her relationship with Kevin directly affected him.
Surprised it had been so easy to confess her problems, she added, “I shouldn’t be telling you all this. I’m not even sure why I am.”
“It helps to talk about traumatic events.”
She had begun to feel better, having someone to listen, as if the load had lessened. “The day after I refused a diamond bracelet, I found a dead bird inside my car, its neck broken, lying next to a wilted black rose. It was disgusting.” Sierra remembered the horrible stench and nearly gagged. “I couldn’t get the putrid smell out for days.”
Chase grimaced and curled his long fingers around his empty coffee cup. “I suppose that was the first of many not-so-subtle threats?”
“It was.”
“Did you report the incident?”
“Not right away. Kevin was one of my bosses. I had bills to pay. He had me under his thumb.”
“Just where he wanted you.”
Sierra quieted when a few customers filed inside. Had Kevin planned everything from the beginning? Had he so carefully orchestrated his moves that she’d played right into his hands?
After the customers purchased their goods and left, she answered. “It seems that way. Kevin insisted I become his personal assistant. I refused and spoke with Kevin’s law partners, but Kevin had the others in the office fooled. No one believed me. I was ostracized. I had no choice but to leave my job.”
“What did he think of that?”
“He hated the fact I wouldn’t be within eyesight during the day. He blamed me for shunning him and then gave me a black eye, a bruised rib, and sprained wrist so I would remember how horribly I treated
him
.”
Chase’s emerald eyes darkened, and he stared at her with an intensity that shot straight through her. He fisted his hands so hard his knuckles cracked. “You had him arrested?”
“Yes. But, he has connections. He managed to get the charges dropped. Weeks passed without a word. But, I was terrified he wanted revenge. So, I finally got up the nerve to file for a restraining order.”
“What did he do when he found out?”
Sierra drew in a quivering breath as her body trembled. “He tried to kill me.”
****
Chase clenched his teeth. He already knew the answer, but hearing it come from Sierra’s lips fueled his anger. He wanted to pound his fist into something—preferably Eason’s face. Forcing his voice to remain calm, he dipped his gaze to her neck. “Is that where the bruises came from?”
Sierra lifted her hand to her slim throat, and her fingers glided over the faint injuries. “Y-yes.” She looked away, but not before tears pooled in her eyes.
“That’s why you ran last night. You thought I was Kevin?” Chase ground out the words.
“I wasn’t sure who you were. I live with the fear of him finding me every day. I’m becoming afraid of…too much. I despise the way he makes me feel so helpless.” She waved her hands as if exasperated. “I’m not usually like this. I’m not someone who hides in fear and jumps at every noise. Or, at least I didn’t use to be. I really thought the restraining order would keep him away.”
Chase covered her hand with his. “A piece of paper can’t protect you. But I can.”
“Why would you even want to?”
“I have more reasons than you can imagine.” His heart rate increased as he thought about telling her. She needed to know her options and to know she wasn’t alone. “I’m not who you think I am.”
“Yeah, well Kevin wasn’t who I thought he was either.” Her gaze dropped to Chase’s hand on hers. “When he tried to kill me he said he’d gotten away with it before, and he would again.”
Sucker punched in the chest, Chase sat stunned. Had Eason been referring to Amber? Sierra might already have information he needed. He leaned forward and squeezed her hand. “Tell me exactly what Eason said.”
Sierra began to reply, then her face paled, and she jerked from his grasp. “I never told you Kevin’s last name. How did you know?”
Chase’s stomach dropped. “I can explain.”
“You didn’t just happen to run into me last night, did you?” Sierra stood and her panicked voice echoed through the bakery. “You
were
following me.”
Allie stepped from behind the counter, holding the broom handle tight. “What’s going on? Sierra, what did he do?”
Chase addressed Allie, trying to work damage control. “It’s all right. I’m not here to hurt her.”
“I don’t believe you.” Sierra shook her head, looking as terrified and wild as a caged animal. “Why are you doing this? Did Kevin hire you to find me? Did you tell him where I am?”
“Sierra, it’s not what you think.” Chase stood and took one step toward her.
“Stay away from me.” She backed away and stumbled out the door.
Chase started to follow, but Allie intercepted, poking the broom handle at his chest. “Let her go. I’m calling the sheriff. You can explain everything to the authorities.”
As much as Chase wanted to follow Sierra, he didn’t want to complicate matters. “There’s no need to call anyone. I will
not
hurt your friend. I’m trying to save her from the man she’s running from.”
“Is that so? Do you have any proof of your good intentions?” She prodded him again as if she could intimidate him with the dull handle.
Chase could easily disarm her, but didn’t want to add fuel to the fire. “As a matter of fact, I do. I’m going to show you.” He withdrew his wallet, flipped it open and presented his ID.
“Oh, my.” Allie’s mouth dropped open as her eyes grew wide. She released the broom and the wooden stick clattered to the floor. “What kind of trouble is Sierra in?”
5
Sierra entered the Hope Center, trying to catch her breath. The building smelled of leftover soup and garlic bread, and a musty odor accompanied the scents, churning Sierra’s already fitful stomach.
Had her would-be-killer hired Chase to find her? Had Chase saved her intending to deliver her to Kevin? Regardless, she’d allowed herself to be an easy target, and she vowed it would never happen again.
She sprinted toward the locker room where she’d stored an emergency satchel.
“Is that you Sierra?” Luanne called from an opened door.
Although her instincts screamed not to stop, Sierra couldn’t ignore Luanne. The Hope Center’s manager had helped so many people, maybe she could help now. Sierra skidded to a halt, her tennis shoes squeaking on the polished floor, and headed toward Luanne’s voice. She found the redhead sitting behind an office desk. “Can you help me get out of town?”
“What’s going on?” Luanne’s eyes widened.
“I’m being followed.” Sierra didn’t know if that was exactly true. She hadn’t seen Chase running after her, but she suspected he wouldn’t be far behind. “I have to hide. Now.”
Luanne nodded, opened a drawer, withdrew a set of keys and surged to her feet as if she had been presented with these types of situations before. “Get your things. I’ll start the car.”
“Thank you.” With a little hope to grasp onto, Sierra raced to the locker. She’d be leaving behind a few belongings inside the apartment—a couple items of clothing, basic toiletry supplies and the novel she had yet to finish reading. But, material goods could be replaced—her life couldn’t.
After grabbing her satchel, Sierra checked to make sure her new pre-paid cell phone was inside before tossing the old one into the trash, and then pushed through the back door. Luanne sat, engine idling in an older model compact. Sierra climbed inside. “Let’s get out of here.”
Luanne spun gravel as they left the parking lot. “I never expected you to have trouble nipping at your heels.”
“I never expected to be in this situation, either.” Chase had claimed to be in circumstances he hadn’t planned for. What could that mean? Was he a hired thug?
Luanne pulled out onto the street. “Which way are you heading?”
“I’m not sure where to go. I just need a safe place to stay tonight.”
“Consider it done.”
Sierra finally caught her breath. “What do you know about Chase Price?”
“Not much. He started coming into the center…” Luanne scratched the nape of her neck. “Well, now that I think about it, he showed up about a day or two after you came into town.”
Sierra’s stomach somersaulted. “I don’t believe it was a coincidence.”
“I thought this guy was decent. Did he hurt you?”
“No. He just…I don’t know.” Sierra nipped her lower lip. “He knows something he shouldn’t.”
“Did you ask him how he knew? Could Allie have told him?”
“You think I jumped to conclusions?” Maybe she had, but considering what she’d been through, she didn’t care. She wasn’t taking any chances. “No. I didn’t tell Allie. I asked Chase how he knew about my ex, but I panicked and didn’t hang around for an answer. Chase is too strong. He could hurt me just like Kevin.” Her voice trailed off and she shivered. How had Chase known Kevin’s last name? It didn’t make sense.
“I don’t suppose you want to share who this Kevin guy is with me?” Luanne stopped the car at a red light.
The lack of motion caused anxiety to rise inside Sierra, churning her emotions and threatening a panic attack. She wrapped her fingers around the satchel’s straps so tight her knuckles protested. “I’m so scared right now I can’t think straight.”
Setting the air conditioning to high, Luanne suggested, “Let the cool air blow on your face. It works wonders to help calm anxieties. Just like on airplanes.”
“I wish I could afford to hop on a jetliner right now.” Sierra released her bag and adjusted the vent, relieved to find Luanne was right. The cool, flowing air dried her damp forehead and helped calm her.
The light turned green, and Luanne pressed the accelerator. She drove for a few minutes without commenting, and the silence unnerved Sierra. She figured Luanne must be thinking all kinds of things, but none of them mattered as long as she kept to her word and took Sierra somewhere safe.
“I have no idea how to get out of this mess I’m in.”
“Don’t worry about it now. I’m going to take you to Valley View Motor Lodge. It isn’t exactly fancy, but it’s clean.”
“Is there a bus station somewhere close?” Sierra scanned the sidewalks. No public transportation signs were visible in the small town as they passed convenience stores, insurance offices and various Mom-and-Pop establishments.
“You can catch a bus in Front Royal. From there, you can head in a number of directions.”
The thought of getting on another smelly bus made Sierra’s skin crawl. The diesel fumes and swaying ride had kept her nauseated for most of her trip across the country. “I miss my car. I miss my life.”
Luanne gave a sympathetic glance. She took a few more turns, adhering to traffic signs and keeping her speed within limits. Ten minutes later, she maneuvered into the parking lot of a faded forest green motor lodge. The thatched roof looked odd for a motel, but Sierra didn’t care what the place looked like as long as she was safe.
“I don’t know how to thank you, Luanne.”
Luanne shifted into park and draped a worn hand over the steering wheel. “I don’t need thanks. I’m just doin’ my best to help those in need.” She slid the key from the ignition. “Now, you stay here. I’m going to check you in.”
“Let me get some money—”
“Nonsense. I have an account set up just for these kinds of emergencies. You make sure you get some rest tonight. You never know. Maybe you’ll wake up and find things aren’t as bad as they seem.”
Sleep might be able to help her temporarily, but it provided no permanent answer. She’d either have to face Kevin and pray she survived or keep running, and she didn’t know how long she could continue such a grueling existence. Concerning the situation with Chase, she just hoped he’d lost her trail.
Luanne secured the room and handed over the key. Sierra thanked her again before trudging toward the first floor room. Her tired limbs felt as heavy as her heart as she entered. A sliding glass window led out to a small back patio, and she checked the lock to make sure it was secure, glad the room had a secondary way out if she needed it. She drew the curtains shut and peeked in the small bathroom. The shower looked inviting, but that luxury would have to wait. She needed to call Allie and explain she wouldn’t be coming back, but first, she wanted a touch of home.
Sierra tossed her satchel onto the quilt-covered bed and dug out the new pre-paid cell phone. She dialed Piper’s number and fell back onto the mattress. Talking to her sister had always calmed her and she hoped hearing Piper’s voice would keep her grounded.
Piper picked up on the first ring. “Sierra?”
“It’s me.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” Her voice sounded breathless.
Something in her sister’s tone made Sierra’s hair stand on end. Her body tensed. “What’s wrong?”