Eye of the Abductor (29 page)

“We’ll shop,” Brance said.

“I don’t have any money, and it's not fair to let you keep paying
for everything.”

“That reminds me. I’ll add you to my savings and checking accounts,
so you can shop without me.”

She looked stunned. “You trust me that much?”

“Of course I do. You’re my wife, Allison.” Perhaps if he showed
how much he trusted her, she might do the same.

“But surely you’ve considered me stealing your money so I can
snatch my kid and disappear. Haven’t you?”

“I think you’ll keep your half of our agreement. I’m not
worried.” Brance didn’t care for the way her eyes became guarded.

They drove to Denny's and pigged out on blueberry pancakes with
heaps of whipped cream on top. Despite three cups of coffee, Brance’s brain had
a difficult time functioning. Once back at the apartment, he kept looking for
an excuse to stay with Allison instead of returning to his place.

“I’ll help you pack,” he offered.

“No, you’re tired. Why don’t you take a nap and after you wake up
we can shop for furniture before I go in. My shift doesn't start until five.”

Steamy sex sounds better.

I’d settle for a quickie.

Brance nodded. “Okay. I’ll set my clock for one.”

He pulled her in his arms, and she went willingly. As his mouth
settled over hers, he kissed her gently. Then he deepened the kiss, pushing her
lips apart with his tongue-exploring, tasting, and teasing her tongue. The
tight embrace allowed him to feel her feminine body.

For just a moment, her body tensed as though she were about to
bolt from his arms. Instead, she surrendered and eagerly accepted his kiss and
settled against his erection pressing against her.

Little by little, she was coming around.

Someday, Allison would love him. Soon, he hoped.

He broke the deep kiss only slightly, giving them time for a
quick breath before continuing. Since she wasn’t freaking out, he decided to be
bolder. He lifted her slightly, then let her slide down the length of his
erected dick. He held her steady and attempted to kiss her again.

“No, Brance.”

“Allison, we’re standing outside. We’re only sharing a kiss.
Relax”

She blushed. “A kiss? Try foreplay.”

“Come to my bed tonight.”

“I can’t.”

Brance waved the white flag and released her. He wouldn’t push
her before she was ready. “Forget it. I want you willingly not fighting me
every step of the way.”

Then he turned and hurried up the steps. Whether she wanted to
admit it or not, the lady wanted him. He’d continue to wear her down until she
gave in to her own desires.

Later that day, Brance strolled with Allison through Haverty’s,
expressing his opinions on the furniture. It surprised him how much their taste
were alike. They both liked big comfortable chairs rather than the dainty,
frilly stuff.

In a two hour span, Brance and Allison had selected a new living
room set consisting of a large taupe sofa and love seat, a patterned chair, an
ottoman, nice sturdy coffee tables, and a dining room set. For the bedroom,
they purchased a modern, king-sized, spindle bed with matching pieces composed
of dark wood.

“So what do you think?" she asked. "No interest or
payments for a year. Should we?"

“Nah, I have a little extra cash put back,” Brance replied, not
knowing whether he’d even have a job in a year.

***

After Monday’s briefing, Brance received another case. This one
was a no-ender. It’d be hard as hell to discover the park sniper who had
wounded two dogs with a pellet gun. He glanced at the Inspector. “That's it?”

“If you think you’re above it, you can always go back to giving
out tickets and directing traffic.”

“No, it’s not that. I can’t see solving this case. It's probably
some bored teenager.”

“It’s a very troubled teenager who might start using real guns
and shooting people instead of pets. That's how it started with the Baseline
Killers in Phoenix. Started with horses and then turned to people.”

Brance placed his hand on the back of his neck and rubbed the
tension from it. “You’re right. I’ll think about a strategy and see what I can
do.” He paused a moment. “Is it true that I was pulled from the pharmacy case
because I married Allison?”

Inspector Graham stared directly into his eyes. “I was
disappointed when you did, but that didn’t have anything to do with the
decision to pull you. This department doesn’t operate that way.”

“So my career isn’t on a collision course?”

“No. If you can take the crap from the others.”

“I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do than be a
detective.”

“Yet you married this woman knowing it might put your job in
jeopardy.”

“Yes, sir. I love her. I believe she's innocent.”

“Then I hope everything works out. I heard you caught the Grinch.
Wish you could’ve solved the pharmacy cases as easily.”

***

On his drive home, Brance thought about all he had to do this
week. Besides moving into the new house, they had an appointment with an
attorney about Nathan. Allison didn’t believe talking to Reed would be
beneficial.

He parked beside Allison’s old two-tone Dodge and climbed out. He
noticed she’d left her purse in the car and the doors unlocked. Careless. He
opened the door to reach for her bag. The corner of an envelope poked out from
under the seat. He pulled it out. Inside, he discovered a birth certificate,
social security card, and driver's license. He flipped the license over and
stared at Allison’s picture. All the documents had been issued to the name
Laura Marsh. Boiling adrenaline shot through his veins.

Damn her
. With all he’d done for her, how could she even
consider snatching her kid and leaving? But here was the proof. God, he’d
trusted her. Believed in her.

He hoped Allison hadn’t heard his jeep. He pulled out a note pad
and pen and copied down the social security number and the driver’s license
number. Now if she disappeared, he’d be able to hunt her down.

Apparently, she hadn’t given up the notion of abducting her kid.
Not only would it be at his expense, everyone would see him as an idiot. She’d
rip out his heart in the process.

Was he a fool for believing in Allison? For wanting to trust her?
Now he wasn’t sure.

Chapter Seventeen

Brance shoved the envelope under the car seat before grabbing
Allison’s purse. He walked toward her apartment. At her door, he heard her
practicing her solo and frowned. Apparently, she planned to stick around for
Christmas. Maybe she was waiting until he inherited his grandmother’s money.
Then she could disappear with her son and live in style.

He banged on her door. When she opened it, he forced a smile.
“You left this in the car with the doors unlocked.”

“That was stupid of me. Both of my hands were full of moving
boxes. I intended to go back for it, but the phone rang, and I forgot.”

Brance fought the urge to blast her. Instead, he remained cool
and pretended nothing was wrong. “How was work?”

She sighed. “Busy. The last minute Christmas panic is on. My feet
ache after being on them all day.”

“Speaking of Christmas, what would you like?”

Her eyes softened. “Oh, Brance. The house and everything you’ve
done is plenty. Don’t waste the money.”

“We’ll consider the new furniture our Christmas present.”

“That’s fine,” Allison said, giving him a sweet smile. "I'm
happier than I've been in a long time. I owe it all to you."

Okay, maybe he’d jumped the gun. Now that the initial shock of
finding the documents was over, he realized she'd had the documents before the
break-in at her apartment. But if she didn't intend on using them, why not
throw them away?

“Are we going to put up a tree?”

Allison’s eyes dulled. “I’d rather not. It only reminds me that I
don’t have Nathan. It hurts so much.”

"I know." Brance placed his hand on her arm.

She taped another box closed before glancing back at him.
"I’ve already packed everything but the kitchen items, and I’ll do that
tonight."

"I don't want you lifting these boxes. It hasn't even been a
month since your surgery."

"I barely hurt anymore. But I'll let you move the heavy
stuff. How’s the new case coming?”

Brance shrugged. “No one's seen the shooter. No one knew of any
troubled teens.”

“Care for a cup of coffee?”

“No, I’d better get upstairs. Figured I’d change clothes before
clearing out the junk in my closet. The movers will be here around eight
tomorrow morning.”

“While you’re doing that, I’ll cook dinner.”

“Thanks, I’m starving. See you in a couple of hours.”

***

Saturday, Allison couldn’t stop smiling as they pulled into the
driveway of her new home. The moving van and the furniture company would arrive
sometime before noon.

She couldn’t believe this was her house. Only a year and a half
ago, she’d existed in an eight by ten cell. Now she owned this beautiful home.

Because of Brance. Without him she’d be homeless, broke,
and wouldn’t stand a chance of ever getting Nathan back. Guilt chewed away at
Allison over Brance’s sacrifices. The man seemed to be giving up everything.

Allison wiped tears from her eyes several times as she strolled from
room to room of the two-story villa style home.

“What’s wrong?” Brance asked, placing his palm on her cheek.

“These are tears of joy. Thank you, Brance.”

“I think we’ll be really happy here. I’d like to put a swimming
pool in later. Maybe build a barbecue pit.”

Allison zeroed in on his long-term plans. He expected to stay
married. Despite all he’d done, would she still divorce him?

She could hardly think about the alternative which was to let her
love for him grow stronger. She wouldn’t wait around until the inevitable
happened.

He pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear, “Let’s go
see our bedroom. Now that I have you under my roof, I’m hoping you’ll relax a
little.”

He obviously expected her to share his bed. Not that she hadn’t
fantasized about it or didn’t want to. She couldn’t stand near him without
sexual sparks shooting to every nerve ending of her body. She recalled how much
she'd wanted him that morning at the Double Tree. She'd almost surrendered to
her desire.

Upstairs, she studied the layout of the enormous master bedroom.
Inside the bathroom, she eyed the huge garden tub. Nice. Very nice.

She checked out the other rooms and found one bedroom down the
hall that was almost as large as the master bedroom with its own bathroom. For now
it would be hers.

“Looking for where Nathan will roost?” Brance walked up behind
her and wrapped his arms around her, his breath kissed the side of her face.

“No. I’ve decided to sleep in here.”

He dropped his arms and stepped back. “I thought we’d share the
master bedroom. I've been patient, but there's only so much a man can
take."

She faced him. “Look, Brance. Sex will only complicate matters
when we divorce.”

"I see." His eyes grew distant. “So you don’t have any
intention of trying to make our marriage work. You want what’s behind door
number one, and you’re not willing to take a look at what could be behind door
number two.”

“I can’t have my heart broken again. I won’t allow myself to take
the risk.”

“Life is full of risks, Allison. You have to take chances or life
isn’t worth living.” Anger replaced the dullness in his eyes. “Everyone has to
face things that have the potential to cause pain or sadness.”

“You’ve never been married. You don’t have a clue what it’s like
to have your heart ripped out.”

“Wrong, sweetheart. You don’t think Carla did a number on my
heart? We’d been together three years.”

She crossed her arms but remained silent, unsure of what to say.
She hadn’t realized he’d been with Carla for so long.

He continued. “I know what it’s like getting betrayed by people
you love. You can’t live in the past. I am willing to sacrifice everything for
you. You don’t think this marriage scares the hell out of me too?”

“This is just a business deal to you.”

“Like hell! You think I’d trade my self-respect, career, and my
family to gain Gramie’s money.”

She inched back as the intensity of his voice grew. Her stomach
clenched when he angrily moved forward, staying in her face.

He gripped her arms, holding her tightly. “I figured by now you’d
see straight through it. I never wanted Gramie’s money. I wanted you. I love
you, Allison. I fell in love with you when you walked that straight line in
those ridiculous boots. And when you poured water on Linda, my love for you
doubled. It showed you had guts and pride.”

Allison thought she might faint. “Why didn’t you tell me this
before now?”

“Because you wouldn’t have believed me. I thought you’d come
closer to believing I was a greedy bastard who couldn’t wait to get my hands on
my grandmother’s money. Why? Because you’re always expecting the worst from
people.”

Guilt consumed her. “You’re right. But that’s what I’ve always
gotten from people. My mother, Rob, and now Jill.”

Softness entered Brance's eyes. “What do you really feel for me?
Just give me an honest answer.”

"I’ve buried my feelings for you.”

“Allison, listen to your heart.”

Brance caught her off guard and before she could pull away, he
lowered his mouth over hers. His lips crushed hers as though he was trying to
convince her that his declaration of love was sincere.

He eased up, letting his lips rest on hers. His tongue traced
over her bottom lip until she parted them, allowing him to deepen the kiss.

A pool of desire erupted in her as his hard erection brushed
against her, making her burn with need. She wanted him. She couldn’t deny it.