Between Midnight and Dawn (18 page)

Sheryl’s gaze slid to Nicole, filling with concern. “He wants Nicole. Not me.”

“He won’t get near her,” Kyle bit out. His arm tightened around her waist. His voice gentled, a slight smirk lifting his lips. “Now, you get better so Rob here can take you home, get you tucked in all safe and sound-like. Then, we’ll go get this bastard.”

Chapter 19

Kyle opened the front door for Nicole, smiling as Charlie dashed across the living room and almost knocked her over in his excitement.

It’d been a stressful day. They’d spent most of it at Sheryl’s place. It’d been over a week since her rescue, and Rob was staying with her at the condo. Not only to take care of her as she healed, but also to keep her safe, although everyone knew she wasn’t who Barber wanted. But the sick freak would get to Nicole over his dead body.

No one had a clue where the guy was. It was like he’d dropped off the face of the earth after his arrest.
Had to be laying low somewhere. But for what purpose?
To wait for another chance at snatching Nicole? Or maybe he managed to get out of the country?

Nicole dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around the dog, hugging him. “Hey, Charlie. How’s my baby boy?”

He flinched. “Ouch, Charlie.”

Nicole raised one delicate brow. “What?”

“Way to mess with the poor dog’s self-esteem.”

She placed her hands on either side of Charlie’s head, scratching him behind the ears. “Charlie’s secure enough in his manhood to take it. Ain’t you boy?” she crooned.

Kyle grinned at her adorableness as she rubbed the top of the dog’s head. Charlie broke out in a round of staccato barks, licking her face like crazy, his back-end shaking like a maracas with a salsa beat.

He chuckled, his heart warming at seeing her lighting up with happiness. Getting to her feet, she strolled into the kitchen and reached into Charlie’s treat jar, tossing the dog a snack.

Kyle couldn’t help his body’s reaction at the sight of her all relaxed and happy. His gaze lowered over her curvy form, remembering how he’d been buried deep inside her most of the night.

His chest tightened, along with other parts of his anatomy. He didn’t think he’d ever get enough of this woman.

Nicole’s beautiful eyes sparkled as the temperature in the room rose, a flirty smile curving her luscious lips—lips that had been wrapped around him more than once over the last week. His cock swelled against his zipper, a commonly occurring theme around her.

At about the same time he was ready to scoop her up and carry her off to the bedroom for another round of lovemaking, Charlie barked and raced toward the back screen door.

Nicole sighed, giving him a ‘What can I do?’ look. “He’s been alone in the house all day. I should spend some time with him.”

Reining in his hunger for her, at least for the moment, Kyle nodded. Some time outdoors with her dog would do her good.

Rob hadn’t left Sheryl’s side since he’d hauled her into his arms at that filthy underground bunker. Kyle knew he’d stay with her until Barber was apprehended. They were both in contact with Dean every day, waiting for a break in the case. In the meantime, they’d keep the women safe.

Sheryl’s bruises were all kinds of colors now, and every time Nicole looked at her friend, her eyes shone with sadness. Everyone had assured her the abduction wasn’t her fault, but it did little good. It was evident that she continued to suffer with feelings of guilt, hovering over Sheryl like a mother hen.

The only way the women would be able to heal emotionally would be by capturing Barber and putting his sorry ass in prison.

Nicole went to the refrigerator, opening it to scoop up a handful of chocolate-covered cherries, before going over to slide back the patio door.

Charlie shot out and raced around the backyard. They followed him out and made their way over to the picnic table under an overhanging willow in the middle of her yard. Kyle watched him dig something out from under the tree. “Is that a bone?”

“Yes.” She shook her head, smiling fondly at the dog. “I bought him one of those supersized dog treats from the pet store. He buries it, digs it up to chew on for a while, then buries it again.” She popped a sweet treat into her mouth then held out her hand, offering Kyle one.

“Naw, I’m good.” He threw a leg over the bench, tugging Nicole down between his thighs, and wrapping his arm around her tiny waist. Her back rested against his chest as they watched the dog enjoy his treat. “Never had much of a sweet tooth.” Thinking of their lovemaking, he added, chuckling, “For candy anyway.”

Her soft laugh flowed over him, and he leaned down to nuzzle her neck, inhaling her lavender scent. “Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”

Tilting her head back, she smiled at him, reaching up to curve an arm around the back of his head. Her eyes darkened, right before she tugged him down for a kiss.

Long moments passed as they necked in the backyard like a couple teenagers, and he decided chocolate covered cherries were quickly becoming his favorite flavor. Charlie ran up to them barking, with a tennis ball in his mouth.

Staring into his eyes, Nicole laughed softly. His body burned even more when her soft, pink tongue swept across her full lower lip, as though tasting their passion.

That quickly, his priorities did a final reshuffle as determination to keep his woman safe expanded inside him, flooding his system and overshadowing his desire for revenge.

He tensed at the knowledge that if given the chance, he was tempted to just kill Barber so she’d be safe. Even if that meant breaking the law and going to prison himself. Whatever it took to make sure no further harm came to Nicole.

She must have read something on his face because she straightened, taking the ball from Charlie’s mouth and tossing it for him to run after. She turned back to him with questioning eyes. “Is everything okay?”

Forcing his muscles to relax, Kyle gave her a reassuring smile. A feeling he hadn’t felt since before his mother died settled in and made itself at home. Pure, unadulterated happiness.

A grin spread across his face as he stared at his future. Knowing she had feelings for him too, maybe even love. “I’m good.” He stroked her cheek. “Never better.”

Charlie bounded up to them, dropping the ball at Kyle’s feet, with a short bark. Picking up the tennis ball, he gave it a hard throw and sent it across the yard, a bit shy of the tree line, before turning back to her to declare his feelings.

He leaned in. “Nicole, honey. I—”

The abrasive sound of his cell phone buzzing with an old-fashioned ringtone split the air. “Damn.” He answered it on the second ring, noting Rob’s number on the screen. “Hey. Everything okay?”

“No,” Rob answered grimly. “Looks like Barber grabbed another woman.”

Kyle’s stomach clenched.

“What?” Nicole asked. “Is it Sheryl?” Her voice grew panicked.

He shook his head. “No. Sheryl’s fine.”

Charlie ran up to them with the tennis ball, but Nicole just petted his head. Her worried gaze remained on him.

Returning his attention back to Rob’s call, he asked, “When? Do we have a lead?”

“This morning. We got an anonymous tip. Some guy called in saying he spotted a man at some flea-bag hotel near Richmond matching Barber’s description.”

“Anonymous, huh? You think it’s legit?”

“Sounds like. The description was spot-on. He also thought he heard a woman crying inside the room.”

“All right. What’s next?” Kyle asked impatiently, wanting Rob to get to the point.

Nervous energy roiled inside him, wanting to go after Barber, save the woman, and blow the guy’s brains out. He took a deep calming breath, trying to convince himself that he couldn’t just execute him, no matter how much he wanted to.

“I have a squad car on the way to keep watch over Nicole, and it should be arriving about now. I need you to get your ass to Dean’s office. We’re going after this prick.”

After taking a quick shower, Nicole put on her pajamas, a shorts set decorated with pink and purple butterflies that was comfortable enough to sleep in, but decent enough to sit out on her patio and relax without feeling naked. Especially given the security that had surrounded her home since she’d become the target of a serial killer.

For a moment her mood dimmed, as fear and worry tried to overwhelm her. Kyle hadn’t said specifically why he had to leave, only that they had a lead on Barber’s whereabouts. But she knew he wouldn’t have left her if it wasn’t important. Frowning, she forced herself to think about something else, otherwise she’d drive herself crazy.

Remembering the way Kyle had slowly stripped the silky material off her the other night—all the while telling her how good she looked in butterflies—helped, sending a swarm of said butterflies through her belly.

He was an amazingly tender lover . . . Except for those few times when both their passions had burned out of control. There’d been nothing gentle about him then. Her face flushed hot, along with other parts of her body. The way he’d touched her, bringing her such intense pleasure, before finding his own release, had been sweet. And sexy as hell . . .

Nicole fanned herself with one hand, her mind flashing on how his broad shoulders looked between her thighs as he kissed her intimately. She blew out an amused, but needy breath.

God, she loved that man.

She froze.
Love?
Was she in love with him?

Heading to the back patio to let Charlie in, she considered the possibility that she’d fallen in love with Kyle.
Does he love me back?

Sliding open the door she spotted Charlie’s collar on the ground, still attached to the chain. Smiling, Nicole shook her head. She really needed to get him a better collar.

She opened the door and called his name. But there was no response. She figured he was chasing squirrels again, and she’d have to go looking for him. Stepping onto the patio, she called again. “Here, Charlie.”

Still no response. Taking a couple more steps into the backyard to scan the area, a hint of unease slid through her. Maybe she should go back inside and have one of the police officers go check on Charlie. It might not be a good idea to wander to the back of the yard on her own.

Turning back, her heart leapt in her throat. She froze, too frightened to scream as she saw Allan Barber blocking her entrance back into the house.

A slow, evil smile broke across his lips before he said, “Hi, Nicole.”

That’s all it took to shake her from her stupor. Letting out a bloodcurdling scream, Nicole spun around, but Barber reached her before she could run, grabbing her arm.

Instinct took over, and it was as though Kyle was there whispering in her ear.
Go for the throat. Use your body for momentum. Strike to the solar plexus, knee to the balls.

Every move performed perfectly, Barber groaned, clutching himself as he went down on his knees, giving her the opportunity she needed to run.

“Help,” she screamed as she took off toward the front of the house, hoping to reach one of the police officers before Barber could recover and come after her.

“Fucking bitch,” he snarled in a pained gasp.

Heart racing with terror, Nicole rounded the corner, taking a quick peek over her shoulder. She spotted Barber already on his feet, and closing in, an enraged look on his face.

His gaze pinned her with lethal intent. “You’re going to be sorry for that.”

If he catches me, I'm so—

Before Nicole could finish the thought, she tripped over something lying on the ground and went down hard. She raised her arms in an attempt to break her fall, but still had the wind knocked out of her. She lay there for one stunned moment. Glancing down, a scream tore from her as she realized the object she’d tripped over was a dead man. Her palms landing in a pool of blood, from where his throat had been sliced open.

With a shudder and an anguished moan, she scrambled back to her feet to run, frantically brushing her hands down her pajama bottoms in an attempt to wipe off the blood.

But she didn’t move fast enough, and Barber grabbed her arm and spun her around, jerking her roughly against his chest. The look of fury in his eyes made her tremble, as he pressed the edge of a sharp, cold blade to her throat.

She stilled. Her thoughts flashed to Kyle, afraid she’d never see him again. Never have the chance to tell him that she loved him.

Tears fell down her cheeks.

Now that he’d caught her, Barber’s tense features eased, and he gave a humorless chuckle that sent shivers down her spine. The grip on her arm tightened painfully. “Hey, doll. Miss me?”

Nicole squeezed her eyes shut. His cruel laughter surrounded her as he dragged her back inside.

Chapter 20

“Well, that was a waste of time,” Rob grumbled, veering off the freeway toward Port Huron. “If I could get my hands on the asshole that made that crank call, I’d wring his damn neck.”

Mouth pressed into a grimace, Kyle nodded in agreement. It pissed him off that someone had taken him away from Nicole for a wild goose chase. Glancing down at his watch, he noted it’d been over two hours since he’d left, and anxiety gnawed at him to get back to her. “So, how’s things between you and Sheryl? She getting over her ordeal?”

“She’s doing better.” Rob gave him a solemn look. “Though she’s still having nightmares.”

Kyle studied his friend, taking a sip of the scalding coffee he’d picked up when they stopped to tap off the car with gas. He’d known Rob most of his life, and he could tell Sheryl meant a lot to him. “Things getting serious between you two?”

“Yeah,” came the fast reply.

“Just be there for her, man. What she went through was rough.”

“I know,” Rob said in agreement, his hands white knuckling the steering wheel. He glanced at Kyle. “What about you and Nicole? Have you asked her to marry you yet?”

Kyle sprayed hot coffee across the dashboard in front of him, sending his buddy a wide-eyed stare. “Seriously?”

He’d only recently realized he loved her. Wanted to spend all his time making love to her until she didn’t have enough energy to crawl out of bed. But marriage? He’d seen firsthand what marriage had done to his father. After his mom’s death, his dad crawled into a bottle and never came out. Kyle had sworn to never care about a woman that way.

Too late.

He was already ass over elbows in love with Nicole, and wasn’t about to let her slip through his fingers.

The knowledge settled around him like a warm blanket. He grinned broadly.

Marry her?
Hell yeah
. If she’d have him.

Rob chuckled. “Just like I figured. You’re toast.”

Kyle shrugged, still smiling as he took another sip of the steaming joe.

After Rob dropped him off at the sheriff’s department to pick up his car, he made the twenty-minute drive to Nicole’s, managing not to break the speed limit too badly.

He pulled into her drive, noting the squad car still parked near the front of her house. As he approached, a feeling of dread crawled through him.
Something’s off,
floated across his mind. Pete was too still and didn’t seem to hear his approach. Kyle’s heart lodged in his throat, nearly choking him with fear for Nicole’s safety.

He quickly scanned the area, but didn’t see Pete’s partner anywhere. What was the guy’s name? Bernie or something.
Where the hell is he?

Instinct had him reaching for his cell phone to call Rob for backup as he brought the car to a stop.

“Twenty minutes, Kyle. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Yeah, sure,” he mumbled, before tossing the cell on the car seat. Jaw tight, he retrieved his weapon and exited the car. The fact that Nicole didn’t come out to greet him increased his worry.

He carefully made his way over to Pete’s car, but knew the man was dead when he spotted him slumped over the steering wheel. Even as the voice in his head told him to get his ass inside as quickly as possible to make sure Nicole was okay, he quietly opened the car door and gripped Pete’s shoulder and tugged him back onto the seat.

“Damn it,” Kyle muttered, as the man’s nearly decapitated head hung off to the side. Fear punched him in the gut at the thought of Barber hurting Nicole. He couldn’t afford to wait for backup, and needed to get to her right now.

In the next instant, Nicole’s pain-filled scream had his feet racing toward the house.

Grinning triumphantly, Barber grabbed Nicole by the hair and yanked her onto her feet. The bitter taste of blood filled her mouth as she gritted her teeth, swallowing back the sob that fought to escape. She wouldn’t give this sadistic monster the satisfaction of hearing her cry again.

Jerking her in front of him, they faced the door. Fisting her hair, Barber tugged her head back onto his chest. The sickening smell of his cologne was nauseating, and Nicole fought the need to gag. The steel edge of his blade pressed against her throat. His mocking laugh whispered in her ear as he waited for Kyle to run inside.

Exactly what he’d wanted when he’d struck her moments earlier. She despised herself for crying out. But when he’d followed it up with a kick to her thigh, she hadn’t been able to contain it.
It’ll be my fault if something happens to him.

The door burst open and Kyle flew in, coming to an abrupt stop when he spotted her. Taking a wide stance, he leveled his weapon on Barber. His gaze flicked around the room for the barest of a second, and the tightening of his jaw indicated he’d seen the explosives lining the walls.

“Kyle,” she breathed, so glad to see him . . . yet not. Her stomach knotted painfully. They would both probably die tonight.

“What do you want, Barber?” Kyle demanded in a hard voice.

“What do I want?” Barber spat. “You little prick. I’ll never be a free man again. Because you just couldn’t let it go, could you?”

Kyle’s upper lip curled. His voice dripped with contempt. “You murdered my mother.”

“Yeah,” he said, chuckling. “Nice little piece she was too.”

Kyle’s jaw clenched as he visibly struggled to get his anger under control. “Let Nicole go, and I might not kill you.”

Barber laughed, a mean, full-bellied laugh. He yanked on her hair again, but she was prepared this time and managed to remain silent, though it felt like he was tearing it out by the roots. The sharp edge of the blade at her throat slid from side to side, in a dangerous caress. “Naw. I’m not through with her yet.”

Kyle’s eyes bore into Barber with a look of pure hatred, and he bared his teeth. “Let her go if you want to live.”

“Fuck you, Wade. We both know my days are numbered. And I have no intention of going to prison.” He moved the blade again, this time nicking her skin. A warm trickle of blood ran down her throat.

Kyle’s gaze followed the thin stream as it slid between her breasts, his eyes dropping to the bloodstains on her pajama bottoms. His nostrils flared.

“I’m okay,” Nicole managed to say, her voice thick with restrained tears.

Kyle’s eyes lifted back to hers, his mouth tightening. The pain she read in his eyes physically hurt her. He thought he was going to lose her.

Face hardening, he lowered his weapon. “Let her go. Take me instead.”

“No,” Nicole whispered.

Kyle’s eyes softened for an instant, and he gave her a quick look of reassurance, before flicking his gaze back to Barber, his features hardening again.

Barber released her hair, but kept the knife pressed against her neck as he pitched a pair of handcuffs at Kyle, who caught them with one hand. Voice dripping with sarcasm, he muttered, “You two are breaking my goddamn heart.”

Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her tightly to his side. “Toss your weapon on the ground, Wade, and take a seat in that chair.” He nodded to a high-back dining chair he’d set in the middle of the room. “Handcuff your hands behind your back.”

“No, Kyle,” Nicole mouthed. If he gave up his gun, neither one of them would make it out of their alive. As hard as she fought against them, tears filled her eyes, a few escaping down her face. She blinked furiously, stopping any more from falling.

Kyle gave her another reassuring smile as he took a seat in the chair. Squaring his shoulders, he stretched his neck from side to side, then clicked one side of the handcuffs to his wrist. “You plan on blowing yourself up, asshole?”

“Eat shit,” Barber snarled. “And tighten the damn cuffs.”

A whirring noise sounded as Kyle tightened the handcuff around his wrist.

The knife lifted from her neck as Barber waved it toward Kyle. “Now the other, behind the chair-back. Do it!”

“Kyle, no—”

“Shut up,” Barber growled in a low, dangerous tone, bringing the knife back to her throat. “Now, Wade. Or she dies.”

Kyle’s arms slid behind the chair. “Okay, okay. Ease up.”

The clicking of the other cuff indicated his compliance. Nicole closed her eyes and fought against more tears. Crying wouldn’t help them get out of this. She needed to stay alert and help Kyle in any way she could.

The next thing she knew, Barber released her with a rough shove in the middle of her back. She cried out and fell, landing painfully on her hands and knees. He tossed a pile of thick red rope in front of her.

“Tie his legs to the chair.”

Glancing up, she saw Barber standing over her with a gloating smile. “Though, you do look really nice down there, doll. We’ll have to try that position real soon.”

“Don’t touch her,” Kyle ground out.

“Again, fuck you, Wade,” Barber returned, squatting down next to her, fisting her hair at the back of her head. “I’ll do exactly what I want, and there ain’t shit you can do about it.”

Jerking her head back, he pressed the knife under her breast, near her heart, and roughly slammed his mouth over hers.

Nicole pressed her lips shut, refusing him entrance.

“I swear to God,” Kyle said in a voice as hard as ice, “I’m going to rip your fucking head off.”

The ugly kiss was over as fast as it began. With a laugh, Barber released her. Standing, he pointed the knife at Kyle, who’d begun to struggle to his feet. “Don’t move.” Then glared at her. “Tie him up.”

Shaking, she managed to reach for the rope and move to Kyle, kneeling in front of him. Their eyes met. “Do as he says, babe. Whatever he asks.” The gentle smile he gave her belied the fury burning in his eyes.

She nodded, and took the coils of rope and tied his legs to the chair.

“Make ‘em tight,
babe
,” Barber mocked, watching her with narrowed eyes.

She secured them as tightly as she could, too afraid not to, sitting back on her heels when she was done.

Barber crouched down and checked them for himself. “Nice job,” he said approvingly, getting to his feet, then gripped her upper arm and hauled her up.

Her aching scalp was thankful for the reprieve.

Barber stood back to peer down at Kyle, the sound of victory surging through his words. “Now, while you watch . . .” He trailed the tip of the knife slowly down her cheek. “I’m going to fuck your girlfriend, the same way I fucked dear old Mom.”

Leaning forward, Kyle’s eyes glittered with rage, his arms straining against the handcuffs. “I swear to God, you’re a dead man.”

Barber laughed as he fisted her hair again, staring down at Kyle. “Maybe so. But not before I have my fun.”

He dragged her over to the couch, shoving her down onto it. She landed half on, half off, and attempted to scoot away, ending up on the arm of the couch before Barber grabbed her by one leg and yanked her back down, until she was lying flat on her back on the soft leather material. Her pajama top had slid up, bunching under her breasts and she frantically tugged it back down.

Standing over her, still holding the knife, Barber reached for another pool of rope on the coffee table. Victory shone in his eyes as they raked over her. He licked his lips, smirking. He knew he’d won. “If you fight me, your boyfriend dies.”

God, how she hated this man.

Knowing there was no way she could stop him from raping her, she looked over at Kyle. He was watching the interaction, a wild look in his eyes and a murderous expression on his face. “Don’t watch,” she pleaded. Tears now blurring her vision, she turned her head away and squeezed her eyes shut.

That only made Barber chuckle as he straddled her waist and reached down to squeeze her left breast. It hurt and she cried out, then slammed her mouth shut, not wanting to upset Kyle any further than he already was.

Barber’s evil stench surrounded her. Revulsion raced through her, every muscle tightening throughout her body.

Kyle went crazy. Threatening him with every imaginable method of death. When Barber finally released her breast, a shudder of relief swept through her. Only to be replaced with a silent cry when he grabbed her wrist and wrapped the rope around it, yanking her arm over her head and binding it to the leg of the end table nestled against the couch.

A crashing sound split the air, followed by the sound of splintering wood. Barber swore, his weight lifting from her.

Opening her eyes, she took in the scene in a split second, even as she frantically tugged at the rope to free herself.

Barber stood poised before her, while Kyle slammed himself against the floor, the wooden chair falling into pieces around him. Kyle’s wild-eyed gaze flashed to her. “Get out, Nicole. Go!”

Panic gripping her, she twisted her wrist until it slipped from the loose knot. Barber leapt for Kyle’s gun on the floor.

Kyle’s legs came free in the same instant, and he slid them under his handcuffed arms until his bound hands were in front of him. “Now, baby,” he yelled, as he rolled to his feet, his fury locked on Barber with deadly intent.

The faint sound of sirens approaching filtered inside, as everything went into slow motion.

Barber scooped the gun from the floor.

Kyle lowered his shoulders and rushed toward Barber, his arms up like a battering ram.

Scrambling to her feet seemed to take forever, as she watched Barber raise the weapon and aim it at the man she loved.

“No,” she cried out, rushing forward, ready to throw herself between the men as piercing sirens grew closer. Her only thought was to save Kyle, but she’d be too late. Grief and sorrow hit like a physical blow, crushing her heart.

The furious sound of a dog snarling exploded into the room, and Charlie came flying through the open front door. But this wasn’t the Charlie Nicole knew. This Charlie had teeth bared, ears back, fur raised, and a look so ferocious that if she didn’t know and love him, it would have frightened her.