Текст книги "Roped In"

Автор книги: L. P. Dover

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Текущая страница: 1 (всего у книги 14 страниц)

ARMED AND DANGEROUS SERIES

No Limit

Roped In

High-Sided (August 2016)

FOREVER FAE SERIES

Forever Fae (Forever Fae #1)

Betrayals of Spring (Forever Fae #2)

Summer of Frost (Forever Fae #3)

Reign of Ice (Forever Fae #4)

SECOND CHANCES SERIES

Love’s Second Chance (Second Chances #1)

What He Wants (Second Chances #1.5)

Trusting You (Second Chances #2)

Meant for Me (Second Chances #3)

Fighting for Love (Second Chances #4)

Intercepting Love (Second Chances #5)

Catching Summer (Second Chances #6)

GLOVES OFF SERIES

A Fighter’s Desire: Part One (Gloves Off #0.5)

A Fighter’s Desire: Part Two (Gloves Off #0.6)

Tyler’s Undoing (Gloves Off #1)

Ryley’s Revenge (Gloves Off #2)

Paxton’s Promise (Gloves Off #3)

Winter Kiss: Ryley and Ash (Gloves Off #3.5)

Camden’s Redemption (Gloves Off #4)

Kyle’s Return (Gloves Off #5)

STANDALONE TITLE

Love, Lies, and Deception

Who says a wild heart can’t be tamed?

For years, I lived for the job and let it control me. Violence was all I knew. I protected, killed, and served. My name is Blake Evans, one of the best undercover cops in the country. I thought I was about to live a quiet life on my ranch in Wyoming until an old friend showed up and changed everything. He brought me her, Hadley Rivers, country music sensation and the one woman I couldn’t have. I didn’t want her but she had me completely roped in.

My job is to protect her, to keep her away from some psycho who wants her for himself. However, there’s more to her story than I was led to believe. I promised to keep her safe and I won’t back down . . . even if I have to die trying. I can’t let him have her.

This book is dedicated to my oldest daughter, Abbey. She told me if I ever wrote about a singer, I needed to dedicate the book to her since she loves to sing. I’m living up to my promise. Singing has always been a passion of hers and mine. I really hope she follows her dreams.

Hadley

“Hadley! Hadley! Hadley!” the crowd cheered.

I blew a kiss and waved. “Thank you for joining me tonight. I love the energy here in Los Angeles! I have to say, I’ve missed this place. Make sure to listen to the radio this week for the debut of my new song, Whispered Words.”

“Sing it now!” one of the fans shouted. It was a little girl with blonde braids and freckles, sitting on her dad’s shoulders. She reminded me of myself many years ago, when I stood in almost the exact same spot, watching my idol, Martina Hill perform. One of these days, I was determined to do a duet with her.

I winked at the little girl and shook her tiny hand. “I wish I could, sweetheart, but it has to be a surprise.” Then I lifted my gaze to the thousands of fans in the stands and waved again. “I hope you all like it. Goodnight, everyone.” They went wild and I laughed as I ran backstage.

Waiting for me at the edge of the stage with a huge smile on his face was the love of my life, Nick Meyers. No one could resist his tousled, chocolate brown hair and gorgeous green eyes. The ladies loved him, almost as much as they hated me for having him.

“You were on fire tonight,” he shouted.

Rushing off stage, I jumped in his arms and squealed. “What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t going to be able to make it.”

Cameras flashed and he grinned, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “I can leave if you want,” he joked, releasing me from his grasp.

I gripped his arm and pulled him back to me. “Definitely not. What would the press think?”

Chuckling, he bent down to kiss me, knowing the reporters were taking note of our every move. “Was that a good enough kiss, or do I need to make it more convincing?” he asked, whispering in my ear.

Rolling my eyes, I playfully pushed him away. “I think you need a cold shower.”

“Care to join me?” he quipped, waggling his brows.

“Right now, we have work to do. Get your head out of the gutter.” We faced the reporters and he held me close as questions were thrown at us in rapid fire. A lady with bright red hair and huge glasses, pushed through the crowd and held out a recorder. “Miss Rivers, we’ve heard rumors you and Mr. Meyers are engaged. Is that true?”

Nick smirked down at me and I held back a snicker. It was crazy how rumors got started out of nowhere. The next thing I knew, we’d be married and having a baby. “If she was engaged,” Nick began, “I would definitely be letting the world know.”

We answered several more questions before it was time to go. I knew I was going to have a gazillion autographs to sign on the way to the dressing room. Relaxation was something I needed to schedule now, or it would never happen. I had to get home and get rested up before my early flight to Texas.

Nick was always patient with me when dealing with the press, but I did the same for him too; he was just as famous. I was a rising, country starlet with one of the best hockey players in the country as my boyfriend. Unfortunately, our romance was all for show, but we played the parts beautifully.

Once we were behind closed doors, I breathed a sigh of relief. “The questions keep getting more outrageous don’t they?”

“Same shit show, different day.” He helped me pack up my things and stuffed them into my bag.

“I thought you were busy with the team tonight?”

“I was, but I made sure to get away early. I missed my buttercup.”

I rolled my eyes, nudging him with my elbow when he pulled me into his arms. “You have a life too, Nick. I don’t want you sacrificing everything to be with me. You should’ve stayed with the team.”

“Trust me, baby, I’m not sacrificing a single thing. I enjoy every minute of it.”

“Even if you don’t get anything in return?” I asked, lifting my gaze to his.

For the last four months, he was mine, but not really. It was his and his sister’s idea for him to be my fill in boyfriend. His sister, Felicity Myers, was also my agent and the one who’d introduced Nick to me. I guess they were right, it was safer for people to see me with someone, instead of single and living alone. And I enjoyed having him with me, but I didn’t want to drag him into the danger surrounding my life.

His smile faded, his gaze serious. “I get plenty in return, Hadley. I’m happy where I’m at, even if I have to steal your kisses. It’s not that bad being with me, is it?”

“Are you kidding? You’re gorgeous and could have any woman you want, but yet you choose to be stuck with me. It makes no sense.”

“It does to me,” he murmured.

“I’ve asked you this before, but I need you to be honest with me.” He sighed and nodded for me to continue. “What did Felicity promise you? Surely you didn’t just agree to be with me for nothing in return.” I had often thought about what it would be like to take things further, but I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. When I met him two years ago, we instantly clicked. I considered him more of a best friend than a lover.

Grazing his finger across my cheek, he answered, “My sister didn’t promise me anything. I offered to do this. Believe it or not, I like being with you. At least it’s gotten that fucking psycho off your back.” And there it was, the sole reason for the mess I was in.

“So we think,” I corrected. “What happens when we can’t keep this ruse up? What if he comes back?” What started out as innocent letters had quickly turned into stalking, then to trespassing. Presents were left on my doorstep, and the ever watchful eyes of that creeper could be felt every time I left the house. It got to the point where I was scared to be alone. I used to be able to run around my neighborhood and go shopping by myself, but I couldn’t anymore.

Nick stepped closer. “That bastard isn’t going to get near you as long as I’m around. I believe this plan will work. Eventually, this guy will give up and find someone else to fuck with. Now stop thinking about him, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about and I’m not going to do it here.”

“Oh yeah? What is it?”

“You’ll just have to find out. Come on,” he said, opening the door.

There were two security guys standing by the door, I nodded at them as we passed. Their steps could be heard on the concrete floor, following closely behind. I never thought having a security team was important, until I heard horror stories from other singers. Luckily, I hadn’t had anyone break into my house to steal my underwear like my nemesis, Lydia Turner. The attention she got after that incident, inflated her already enormous head. I would’ve been scared shitless to know some pervert was in my house. Not her; it was just another way to get free PR.

“Where’s Scott? He usually comes inside to get me,” I mentioned.

Scott Wilson worked security for my father, until he’d been sent to protect me. I didn’t mind having a bodyguard, but I had boundaries. Thankfully, Scott and I had come to a shaky agreement; he wouldn’t hover, unless I wanted him to. He loved to test my patience though.

“He’s waiting out by the car. When I came in through the back, I told him I’d bring you out.”

“Wow. Hopefully, he’s taking what I said to heart.”

Nick shrugged. “Possibly. You ripped him pretty hard the other night. The guy’s just trying to do his job.”

I sighed. “I know, and I hate how I took my anger out on him and not my dad. Scott’s a good guy. I just wish the whole country didn’t think I got my career because of my dad and his money.”

“They don’t. Did you not hear the thousands of fans cheering for you tonight? You have an amazing voice. Money can’t buy what comes naturally. Besides, you know why your father’s so protective.”

I leaned into his shoulder, as memories of my mother came flooding back. It had only been two years since we’d lost her to cancer. The first song I ever wrote was about my parents’ love for each other; it was what skyrocketed my career. It didn’t help I looked exactly like her. My father couldn’t look at me without the pain showing on his face.

“I know,” I whispered, blinking back the tears.

Once we were out the back door, there were more security guards who flanked us as we walked toward the car. Up ahead, Scott straightened his suit jacket and opened the car door. He was in his early forties, with a closely shaved head and an athletic build. In New York, he didn’t have to worry about the paparazzi taking his picture. Now, he was all over the tabloids as one of the sexiest bodyguards alive.

“You did well tonight, Hadley,” he said.

“Thanks, Scott. I really appreciate that. But what I want to know is, how are you going to chase down the bad guys in a suit?” I winked and it made him smile. The last thing I wanted was tension between us when he was obviously going to be working for me long term.

“You’d be surprised what all I can do. But hopefully, we won’t have to find out. Get in.”

I slid into the car and Nick scooted in next, putting his arm around me as soon as he settled into the seat. Once Scott got in the front, we headed out for the thirty minute drive back to my home in Santa Monica.

“I take it you’re not mad at me anymore?” I asked Scott.

He chuckled. “It’s hard to stay mad at you, kid. You just need to understand, I have a job to do.”

“I know,” I said with a nod. “I’m sorry for being a bitch.”

His gaze met mine in the mirror. “You’re forgiven.” All too soon we arrived at the house and he parked the car. “You two have a good night. If you need me, you know where I’ll be.”

I nodded. “See you in the morning.” Nick opened the car door and helped me out.

Scott got out of the car and headed to his apartment over my garage. “Be ready by seven, Hadley. We don’t want to miss our flight.”

I saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

Grinning, he shook his head and disappeared into the garage.

Nick slid his arm over my shoulders and squeezed. “Babe, you ready?”

“Yeah, let me get my keys.” We started for the door while I dug in my purse, my heart thundering out of control. Was I ready to hear what he had to say? “So . . . what did you want to talk about?” I asked, voice shaking.

Chuckling, he stopped mid-step. “Nervous much? Surely you must already know.” His expression turned serious, his fingers made their way to my cheek.

I was nervous, but not in the way he assumed. “Please don’t do this, Nick. It’ll only complicate things.”

“How? When I’m not at my games, I’m with you. Everyone thinks we’re together. Why can’t we make this real?” Body tense, he stared at me with those blazing green eyes of his. “Is it really just an act with you?”

My heart ached but my decision was firm. I knew he had feelings for me, and I’d made damn sure I didn’t fall for him. “It’s not all an act, but you’re my friend. Being with me will only tear us apart. The media has already tried, you know that. We don’t need feelings clouding our judgment.”

He scoffed. “Speak for yourself.” I watched his jaw muscles clench; it was something he did when he was angry.

“Hey,” I murmured, “I do need you. But the last thing I want is to jeopardize what we already have.” He lowered his gaze at my words. “Now let’s go inside and eat some Ben & Jerry’s. It’ll help clear our minds.”

“You got anything for an aching heart? You’re killing me here.”

I shook my head. “I’m sure you’ll be just fine. Now, come on. There are countless girls who’d kill to be yours. It will be easy to forget about me.”

Sliding the key in the door, he mumbled under his breath, “Not going to happen,” but I pretended not to hear. My heart already hurt enough for him. Inside, the house was pitch black. That was strange. I always kept lights on. Sliding my hand against the wall, I found the switch and flipped it. Nothing.

“Is the power out? I don’t remember seeing the rest of the neighborhood this dark.”

Nick followed me into the house. “No, the other houses have their lights on,” he said, pointing to the neighbor’s house through the window. “Let me get a flashlight.” Shuffling through the kitchen, he pulled out our junk drawer and grabbed the flashlight we kept in there. He turned it on and brought it over to me. “Maybe the breaker tripped. Wanna check it out with me?”

“Sure,” I laughed. “I’m sure Scott will be busting through our door any second.” We started for the laundry room, but then a sound above caught my attention. “What was that?” Frozen in place, I kept my gaze on Nick. My heart pounded so hard, I felt sick.

Nick glanced up at the ceiling, eyes blazing. The footsteps were light, but audible as an intruder moved around. “Get out of here, now,” he hissed low. His fingers dug into my arm and he pushed me out the door.

I kept hold of his arms. “I’m not leaving you.”

He jerked out of my grasp and clutched my face, his grip firm. “Stop being so fucking stubborn. Go get Scott and call the police, now!”

Turning his back on me, I got one last look at him before he disappeared into the darkness. I ran out of the house, hands shaking as I tried to dig for my phone. It felt like I was running through quicksand, similar to that feeling you get when running away from someone in your dreams. You can never move fast enough.

“Hadley!” Scott shouted, rushing out of the garage. I ran to him and he pulled me to the side, shielding me.

“Someone’s in the house. Nick’s still in there,” I cried, my hands shaking out of control.

“Go next door and call the police. Don’t step out until I come for you.” Once I nodded, he took off inside the house.

Determined, I ran as fast as I could to my neighbor’s house. By the time I reached their door, I’d found my phone and called for help.

“911. What’s your emergency?”

“I’m Hadley Rivers and someone’s in my house. Please send help.” I gave the operator my address and hung up just as my neighbor, Gabriella Emerson, opened the door. She was dressed in her workout clothes with her midnight colored hair pulled high into a ponytail.

Her smile disappeared the second she looked at me. “Oh my God, Hadley, what’s going on?” she demanded. She quickly dragged me inside, and her husband, Paxton, hurried over. They were both MMA fighters and had seen their fair share of violence over the years. If anyone could help, it’d be them.

“Someone broke into my house. They’re still in there,” I shouted.

Gabriella grabbed my hands and squeezed. “Calm down, honey.”

“I can’t! Nick and Scott might be in trouble.”

Paxton started for the door. “I’m going over there.”

“Pax, wait!” Gabriella called. He took off and she huffed. “Dammit, why doesn’t he ever listen?” She rushed out after him and so did I.

Scott had told me not to leave their house, but I couldn’t listen. Again, it felt like everything moved in slow motion. I couldn’t get to them fast enough. Before we could reach the edge of my yard, a gunshot fired from within my house and I screamed, ducking down to the ground. Paxton and Gabriella did the same and crouched low. Dread settled into the pit of my stomach as another shot fired, and another.

I had to make sure they were okay. Charging toward my house, I didn’t get very far until Gabriella tackled me to the ground.

“Dammit Hadley, you’re not going in there.”

“Nick! Scott!” I shouted.

I tried to fight her off, but there was nothing I could do against an MMA fighter. Paxton glanced back at Gabriella, a silent plea on his face; Gabriella nodded. “Go.”

“Nick doesn’t have a gun. What if he’s hurt?” I cried. Gabriella loosened her grip, but kept a vigilant watch of the house. I wished I was strong like her. I’d be able to take care of myself instead of having others do it.

“Don’t worry, everything’s going to be fine,” she said, but even I could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

“Gabby!” Paxton yelled from inside the house. “I need help in here.”

She jerked me to my feet and we both took off for the house. When I got inside, the smell of blood was overwhelming. Everything came crashing down the second I saw Scott and Nick on the floor, covered in blood. But it was Scott who was unmoving, lifeless, his unseeing eyes staring up at the ceiling.

“Scott!” I cried. Paxton rushed over and took his pulse. The pained look on his face was answer enough. I stumbled over and fell to my knees beside him. “He has to be alive.” But he wasn’t; he was gone.

“Hadley,” Nick croaked. Gasping, I crawled over to him and placed a hand over his. Blood oozed out of the wound in his gut. He glanced over at Scott’s still form and closed his eyes. “He . . . saved me.”

“Where did the shooter go?” Paxton demanded.

Nick swallowed hard. “Back door.” His eyes rolled into the back of his head and his body shook.

“Nick! Hang on, please,” I cried. Putting my hands over his wound, I attempted to stem the blood flow.

Sirens blared down the street, but they were going to be too late.

Growling, Paxton dashed toward the back door. “I’m going after the fucker.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched Nick’s life slowly slip away. Gabriella rummaged through my house and came back with a towel. I took it from her and placed it over the wound.

“Nick, stay with us,” Gabriella commanded, as I applied pressure to the wound. It seemed to help, but what did I know.

He turned to me, his sea green eyes glassy and full of tears. His body stopped convulsing, and was replaced with a sense of calm. “I wanted . . . to protect you.”

“Did you see who it was?” Gabriella asked softly.

He closed his eyes, his grip on my arm loosening.

“Nick? Nick. Don’t you dare die on me,” I shouted.

The police and paramedics burst into the room and rushed over. Gabriella put her arm around me and everything moved in slow motion. I subconsciously noted how Nick and Scott’s blood had soaked through my jeans, but I didn’t care. All I could do was sit there, realization staring me in the face. Scott was dead and Nick laid in a pool of his own blood . . . because of me. It was all my fault.

Hadley

“You gonna be okay by yourself?” Gabriella asked.

Nodding, I hugged her and Paxton both. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for trying to catch the guy who did this. You risked your life,” I said to Paxton.

He shrugged. “I just wish I’d caught the fucker. Let us know if there’s anything we can do.”

I nodded. “I will. But I think you’ve done more than enough for me at this point. I really can’t thank you enough.”

They made their way to the door just as my phone started to ring. It was Felicity. Everything had moved so fast, all I could tell her after the accident was that Nick was in the hospital and that she had to get there. I dreaded having to explain the details.

“Felicity.”

“What the hell is going on? What happened to Nick?” she demanded, her voice rough. I could hear squealing tires in the background.

I had cried so much, I didn’t think it was possible to shed another tear. My mind was numb and my whole body hurt. “Someone broke into my house and shot Nick and Scott. Scott didn’t make it. They told me to run, and . . .” I stopped and threw a hand over my mouth. The guilt came rushing back. I hated myself for putting them in that situation. “They told me to run and I did. Scott would be alive if it wasn’t for me. And who knows about Nick,” I sobbed.

“It’s not your fault. Nick will be okay. We have to believe he’ll be okay.” We cried together until the police chief, Robert Wilson, cleared his throat.

“Felicity, call me as soon as you find anything out about Nick. I have to go.”

We said our goodbyes and I turned to face the chief.

“I know this is a difficult time for you, but I need to ask you some questions,” he said. Robert was a middle-aged man with salt and peppered hair and almost a head taller than me, which was pretty tall considering I was five foot ten. I looked up at him and nodded.

“Okay. But I should probably call my dad before this gets onto the news.”

He shook his head. “No need. I called him already.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. “Does he know about Scott?”

He sighed and when I opened my eyes, he nodded. “He was a good friend of your father’s, just like I am. George and I go way back, Miss Rivers. And with everything that’s happened, I have a solution to keep you safe. Now follow me. We have a long night ahead of us.”

“You’re moving me where?” I gasped, shooting to my feet. Robert sat back in his chair while I paced his office.

Before he could respond, my father spoke up first, his deep voice resonating out of the telephone speaker. “I’m sorry, pumpkin. I know this isn’t want you want, but we have to keep you safe, at all costs.”

“I understand the concern, but why do I have to go all the way to Wyoming? Why can’t I stay in California, somewhere closer to home?”

“Because,” Robert interrupted, drawing my attention, “we need you in a safe place; where no one will recognize you, and no one would look for you. Even your father isn’t going to know exactly where you’re going.” He leaned forward, his gaze serious. “With that being said, no one can know of your location, not even your friends. Understand? You will be going dark until we catch this bastard.”

My gut clenched and I nodded, tears springing to my eyes at the thought of not seeing Nick, or going to Scott’s funeral. My mind shifted to Scott’s family, and the pain they’d be going through. I wouldn’t be around to tell them how sorry I was. Then there was Nick, who was going to be fighting for his life without me to help him through. He’d always been there for me, and now I’d be leaving him in his greatest hour of need.

My dad sighed and the sound startled me. “Not to mention, sweetheart, your tour will have to be put on hold.”

I gasped, I’d totally forgotten about my upcoming commitments across the country.

“There’s just no other way. Once word gets out to the media, your fans will understand. You’ll be too easy of a target if that bastard knows where to find you.”

Exhausted, I sat in the seat across from Robert. “When do I leave?”

“Tomorrow morning, once all your papers go through. You’ll no longer be Hadley Rivers. We’ll have to give you a new identity.”

Nodding, I wiped at the tears sliding down my cheek. I would be abandoning everyone I cared about, while they dealt with my mess. “How long will I be gone?”

Robert shrugged. “Hard to say. Obviously, if we don’t have luck finding the cocksucker, we can’t keep you hidden forever. But you’ll just be putting yourself at risk if you come back too soon, and without a plan in place.”

“I understand.” I couldn’t stay away forever, and I definitely didn’t want to ever step foot in my house again. The memories were too powerful. I’d never be able to walk in my kitchen and not see Scott and Nick laying in pools of blood. “Where will I be staying tonight? I can’t go back home.”

“You’re coming with me,” Robert explained. “My wife already has the guest bedroom ready for you. Deputy Savage is at your house now, grabbing some of your things. It should be enough until you get to Wyoming.” He looked down at the phone and cleared his throat. “George, I think that about wraps it up. I’m going to step out so you two can talk.”

“Thanks, Robert. I appreciate you taking care of my daughter.”

“Anytime.” Robert grabbed his keys and stepped out of the room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, I picked up the phone and sat there; the enormity of the situation hitting me all at once.

“Hadley, you there?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m here. I keep thinking I’m going to wake up from this nightmare.”

“Don’t beat yourself up. It’s not your fault.”

“Does Scott’s family know?” I asked, swallowing hard. He didn’t have a wife or kids, but he still had parents and siblings who loved him.

The line grew quiet before he came back on. “Yes. They’re upset, but they knew the risks.”

“Will you please tell them I’m sorry?”

“Yes, pumpkin, I will. Now why don’t you go home with Robert and get some rest. You have a long day tomorrow.”

That was an understatement.