“Yes.” He winked. “Women find it endearing.”
“No. We don’t. It’s annoying.”
Broad shoulders shrugged. “It may be why I’m divorced.”
“You think?” She sipped her coffee. “I need to talk to Kevin. I’m going to tell him River had nothing to do with this. I want to make sure River’s safe.”
“Like hell you are,” River stated from behind her.
She turned her head, staring at him. He’d put on a shirt to cover his bare chest and had pulled his hair back into a messy ponytail. The frown he gave her was enough to show that not only had he heard what she’d said but he wasn’t happy about it.
“He’ll make sure you never work again and that’s not the only thing Kevin will do if we’re lucky.” She stood, keeping the blanket wrapped around her. “I wouldn’t put anything past him.”
“Nor would I.” Drake shrugged. “That’s why I took some measures when River told me he was involved with you. Don’t worry about Kevin Marthum. He’s got a reputation for doing stupid, impulsive things, and I called in a few favors.”
“What does that mean?” River took a chair on the other side of Brit, frowning at his brother. “What did you do?”
“Let’s just say that I made sure his phones were tapped after I called in a favor. I’d had it done to try to track Kyle to locate him but it’s a damn good thing we had it set up. I didn’t find Kyle before he found both of you but his father had another sort of phone conversation that I’m damn grateful we managed to record.” Drake smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. He glanced at his watch and then back at River. “He was informed half an hour ago of his son’s death. Three minutes later he placed a call to a man and offered him fifty grand to kill you.”
Brit gasped, horrified. “Oh my God!”
River’s jaw clenched. “Great.”
“They are on their way to place Kevin and the man he hired under arrest as we speak. The guy he called will flip on Kevin, make a deal to testify against him, and Kevin won’t leave prison alive. He’s had some heart troubles over the past year and I’m sure time behind bars won’t improve his health.”
“Thanks.” River chuckled. “I appreciate you using your feds connections for me.”
“That’s what brothers do.” Drake glanced between them. “They also know when the hell to leave two people alone so they can talk.” He stood. “I’m sorry I left the house to go riding last night and wasn’t here when that jackass broke in.”
“You got home just in time for the important part.” River nodded at Drake. “Thanks. I’m damn glad you were.”
“I’m going to bed. We’ll deal with the mess in your room later. The boys aren’t due back from fishing until tomorrow. Adam and Trip took Ryder out to their favorite spot before he could sober up after he was reminded of his past by Decon’s death. I didn’t call them to tell them what went down here so just take Ryder’s bedroom for now. Try to get some sleep. We could all use it. It’s been a hell of a morning.”
River stared at Brit, waiting until Drake left the room. “You were really going to go talk to Kevin? Are you nuts?”
It stung that he’d ask her that. “I didn’t want him blaming you for Kyle’s death and I had planned on calling Kevin. If I got close enough to see that man in person he’d hurt me. I am not dense.”
“The only one responsible for what went down is Kyle. If his daddy isn’t bright enough to know his son left me no choice but to shoot him, nothing you could have said would have made him see reason. You just would have been fueling that old man’s rage, daring him to come after you harder. What were you thinking?” Anger tinged his voice.
“I was thinking that I didn’t want you to get hurt.” Her temper flared. “I’m tired, it’s been, well, hell. Don’t jump on me.”
“You’re right. It’s been a real bad, long night and morning that is now officially over since it’s past noon. We’re both tired and we’ve been through hell.” He slowly stood. “Let’s go to bed. Rest is what we both need most of all.”
“I don’t think I can sleep.”
“Then don’t, but I’m holding you in my arms. We’ll lie down together.”
Brit tipped her head back to look up at him. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t.” He reached for her and pulled her into his arms. “None of this is your fault.”
“You killed a man to save me.”
“I know. I’m more than aware.” He hesitated. “I’d do it again. That’s why I’m taking it better than expected. I know what happened couldn’t be avoided and it beat any other outcome that could have gone down with Kyle showing up here.”
“Do you hate me?” She couldn’t look at his face as the question popped out—her worst fear. After all, if it wasn’t for her, River never would have been in that situation.
“No!” He leaned back, one hand gripping her chin to force her to meet his gaze. “Never. I—” He lips slammed together. “Let’s finish this conversation after we wake up when we’re both fully awake. I’m wiped out.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
River led her upstairs to the room across from his. Ryder’s room caused her mouth drop open when they stepped inside. The walls had been wallpapered with outdoor murals. She found herself in the middle of lush woods with a stream pictured predominantly on one wall. She gaped in stunned wonder.
“I know,” River chuckled, glancing at her when he closed the door behind him. “It’s amazing that we’re twins. This actually beats how it looked when we were in our teens. He went through this heavy metal period.” He sighed. “Skulls everywhere.” He glanced around the room. “He finds this peaceful to write his songs.”
Brit studied the room as she followed River to the big, wooden sleigh bed. “No canopy and chains, I see.”
Another chuckle sounded from River. “I’m the dominant twin. Handcuffs and chains aren’t his thing. He loves aggressive women, which mostly describes his groupies.”
“He’s got those?”
River removed his clothes. “Many.”
Naked, River climbed into bed after pulling back the covers. He stretched his big frame out and patted the mattress next to him. “Come here.” His mouth opened and a yawn had him covering his mouth. “I’m tired and I know you have to be too.”
She hesitated and then stripped. She tried to ignore how strange it felt to be in Ryder’s room as River used his foot to hook the covers, pulled them up enough to grab them, and pulled them over both of them. He reached for her then, snuggling her against his side as another yawn broke from him.
“I could have lost you.” He rolled onto his side, staring at her, and then his hand settled on her stomach under the covers. “When we wake up we should talk.”
She nodded. She knew she had no reason to stay at the Raine ranch any longer. Kyle was dead and Kevin would go to jail for trying to have River murdered. She shivered and curled tighter against him. They really did need to talk but not at that moment. She needed time to think.
She lay there until she realized that River’s breathing had slowed. She lifted her chin to stare up at his handsome face and study his lax features in sleep. She undeniably loved him. Leaving would be hard to do but she remembered he wasn’t the settle-down type. He’d admitted it freely. The last thing she needed would be a long-term relationship as well.
Brit closed her eyes and clung to the man she loved. For right now, he belonged to her and they were together. Tomorrow… She pushed that thought away as she drifted to sleep.
* * * * *
The bed shifting woke River instantly and his eyes flew open. Memory of the night before hit him brick-hard. He turned his head, heart pounding, but instead of Brit’s ex-husband in the room with them, he met his brother’s amused gaze.
“This is a nice surprise.” Ryder’s knee dented the other side of the bed and his jeans were unfastened. His twin looked away to smile at the woman sleeping on her stomach between them. “She change her mind about letti
ng me fuck her?”
“Finish taking those pants off and we’re going to blows,” River threatened softly, hoping Brit didn’t wake.
“You put her in my bed.”
“There’s too much damn blood in my room and I didn’t think you’d return today or I would have left you a note that I’d taken over your room for the time being. I heard you were kidnapped by Adam and Trip in an attempt to make you human again.”
“Blood?” Ryder’s eyes swept over him and Brit. “Whose?”
“Her ex-husband showed up with a shotgun. I got to my gun first.”
“Fuck.” Ryder paled. “Seriously?”
“He died.”
They stared at each other. Ryder backed off the bed, stood there gaping at his brother, and then blew out air. “Are you all right?”
River hesitated. “He left me with no choice when he came here to attempt to take her from me. I wasn’t about to allow him to ever hurt her again.”
Ryder stood there for long moments, his color returning as he fastened his jeans. “You killed for a woman?”
“Yeah.”
River sat up slowly and then eased his body from beneath the covers to climb to his feet. Ryder tossed him sweat pants and they walked toward the door. River hesitated at the open door, making certain Brit slept on, and then followed his brother into the hallway. He carefully shut it quietly behind them.
“Talk to me.” Ryder reached out and cupped his shoulder. “How screwed in the head are you over this shit?”
River took a deep breath, meeting a concerned gaze. “I’m better than you’d think. He abused her, would have done it again, and he fired at me first.”
“Shit.” Rage tightened Ryder’s features. “I wouldn’t have left if I knew trouble would show up.”
“From what I heard, you weren’t given a choice about going fishing. When Adam called, he said they dumped your drunken, passed-out ass into the back of the cab. I assumed you wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.”
Ryder hesitated. “I demanded they bring me back.” He paused. “Her old man died and there will be a funeral.”
Understanding dawned in River’s eyes. “You think Summer might come back for it and you want to see her.”
“Fuck that and stop saying her name. You know the damn rule. Her name is a foul word. I just didn’t want to sleep in the back of a pickup listening to Adam and Trip arguing about Trip’s recent drinking activities.”
River let it slide, knowing bullshit when he heard it. Ryder loved a good argument, loved to egg his brothers on. The real reason had something to do with the fact that the love of his life might show back up in Hailey for her father’s funeral. He changed the subject.
“We didn’t know Brit’s ex-husband could really find her and come here. I’m actually glad it happened. Now she won’t have to live in fear or have to look over her shoulder. It’s done, she’s safe, and Drake made sure her ex-father-in-law got arrested.”
“For what? Did he show up here too?”
“He attempted to pay some jerk money to take me out.”
Ryder’s hand dropped. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah.”
Ryder’s eyes glittered. “You could have died over a piece of ass.”
Anger rose inside River and he glared at his twin. “She’s more to me than that. I—”
“Don’t say it.” Ryder took a step back. “Not you too. What the hell is going on in this house? Navarro got married and then Trip. Of course that second one turned to shit but are you for real? You know nothing good comes of loving a woman and trusting one with your happiness.”
“I know you’re bitter still over Summer. She—”
Ryder backed up, stumbling in his haste. “Don’t say her damn name. I never want to hear it again. We don’t talk about that cold, heartless bitch.”
“Not every woman takes off without a word.”
“Right. Just the only woman I had to fall for did.”
“I’m sorry.”
Ryder shoved his hands in his front pockets. “Drop it. So is your physical therapist going to stay? Just give me notice if you need a best man. I won’t book a band gig on that day and you damn well better ask me if you totally lose your damn mind.”
“I have to talk her into staying first before we get to the needing-a-best-man stage.”
“You could chain her to your bed.”
River smiled. “It’s a real possibility.” He paused, his lips twisting into a grim line of disgust. “Can you help me clean up my room? It’s a damn mess and I’ve never been so grateful we didn’t carpet the floors. I don’t want her to see all that blood again.”
“Sure. I’ll go get the bucket and mop.”
“Thanks, man.” River’s gaze drifted to the closed bedroom door. He hoped Brit didn’t wake before they finished. “I think this is going to be a breeze compared to keeping her with me.”
“Chains,” Ryder said softly. “If I knew back then what I know now, I would have tied her to my damn bed so she couldn’t leave me.” He spun away, quickly disappearing down the hallway.
River’s shoulders slumped, hating to see his brother hurt. What if I can’t get Brit to agree to live with me? What if she wants to leave? He realized he needed to decide how far he’d go to keep her.
* * * * *
Brit followed the sound of voices into the kitchen. River, Ryder, and Drake were grouped together over three pizzas spread out on top of the table. She had woken in a strange room and had gone in search of River.
“I can’t believe they didn’t get him.” Ryder sounded disgusted. “What are they doing to locate him?”
Drake frowned. “Everything they can. It’s just a matter of time.”
“I’m taking Brit out of here. I’ll drive the motor home somewhere on the ranch where we can’t be found.” River stood. “I’ll go wake her up.”
“I’m awake,” Brit said softly, meeting River’s angry gaze as he turned to face her. “What is going on?”
He crossed the room with grim determination. “I don’t want you to panic.”
“That’s never good when someone says that.” She lifted her chin, studying him when he stopped in front of her. “It’s Kevin, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Drake said. “It took longer to get the arrest warrant issued than it should have and he’s in the wind. They are searching for him though and when he’s found, he’ll be locked up.”
Fear spread up her spine as she turned her attention on Drake. “Does he know he’s going to be arrested?”
“Yes.” River answered, his hands reaching out and brushing down her arms in a comforting gesture. “They will find him.”
Dread and fear fought for dominance as her gaze flew to River. “He’s coming after me. He’ll blame us both for Kyle’s death.” Fear for him won out over all her emotions. “You’re in danger.”
“I’m not worried and you shouldn’t be either.”
Brit held her tongue, realizing River would be too stubborn to listen to her. He didn’t know her ex-father-in-law the way she did. Kevin made Kyle seem like a harmless puppy in comparison. Where her ex-husband had been short-tempered and mean, his father had to be the coldest, cruelest, most devious person in existence. There would be no way he’d allow her or River to keep breathing when his precious and only child wasn’t.
“It’s going to be fine,” River assured her softly. “We’ll fire up the motor home and I’ll take you to my favorite fishing spot. No one but my brothers will be able to find us until that asshole is locked up tight.”
“That sounds great. Good plan.” Drake stood. “My friends in law enforcement are all over his ass and he won’t be able to stay off the grid for long since they froze all his assets. Rich people are helpless without funds.”
Ryder nodded. “I’ll pack up food supplies while you grab some clothes.” He crossed the kitchen. “We’ll let you know when it’s safe to come home.”
“And I’ll keep Nav and Trina at my place whe
re they are out of harm’s way.” Drake pulled out his cell phone and smiled tightly. “It will be over before we know it.”
They have no clue how devious and cagey Kevin is, Brit thought, keeping it to herself. She feared River wouldn’t listen. The longer she stayed at the ranch, the more danger she put the Raines in. Her gaze locked on the handsome man standing before her and her heart squeezed painfully in her chest. He’d put his life in danger to save hers. She had to do the same.
She forced a smile she didn’t feel when River lowered his chin to gaze at her face. “That sounds good but we should move my car. If it’s gone it makes it appear that I’ve left already and if someone shows up looking for me, they won’t try to search your land.”
“Good idea,” Ryder called out from across the kitchen while he shoved canned food into a plastic bag. “I’ll drive it over to Trip’s house and park it in that big shed he has.”
River hesitated and then he released her. “Go upstairs and just toss some of our clothes into my bag. I have to deal with your distributor cap.”
So that’s what he did to my engine. “That’s it? You loosened it? I could have probably fixed that.”
His shook his head. “I hid the damn thing. I didn’t want to take a chance on you knowing your way around an engine and be able to fix your car just by fiddling with it. Hurry up. I want to get us settled in a camping spot and comfortable before the sun goes down. We napped most of the day away.”
Brit jogged upstairs, her mind working on how to save River. Even if they managed to locate Kevin and lock him up, that didn’t mean he couldn’t hire another killer to go after River. The only way to keep him safe was if Kevin had no reason to hate the man she loved.
She paused at the top of the stairs, acknowledging just how deeply she’d fallen for River Raine. If anything happened to him she wouldn’t be able to take the guilt or heartache. She’d rather set him free than bury the man who owned her heart. A plan formed. She could only think of one thing to do to make sure Kevin left River alone.
Chapter Thirteen
Brit froze inside River’s room, her gaze fixed on the spot where her ex-husband had died. Someone had cleaned away the blood but the memory of him slumped against the wall remained. Her emotions see-sawed between guilt at not being sorry over his death and the sheer relief that he’d never stalk her again.