Southern Comfort (13 page)

"Just give me the woman!"  Bulldozer shouted as Riley came at him again.

There was no way in hell Riley would let that man get his hands on Annie.  But his strength was waning.  Bulldozer landed a punch to the side of Riley's head that had him spinning around and losing his balance.  He went down and before he could recover the Bulldozer was on him.

Annie dove on the man's back but this time he flipped her over his head.  Riley heard the expulsion of air from her as she hit the ground and then nothing.  That scared him more than the three hundred pounds sitting on top of him and crushing him into the ground.

Big meaty hand wrapped around Riley's throat.  A rapid succession of punches did nothing to loosen Bulldozer's hold.  Between the man's weight on him and the choke hold, Riley's strength was fading fast.

"Stay down, motherfucker.  You don't have to die.  I just want the bitch."

Those words send a blast of fear induced adrenalin through him and Riley struggled harder.  Bulldozer gave a roar and squeezed harder.  That's when Riley's hand landed on something on the ground. A rock. Since he held to the notion that there was rarely such a thing as a fair fight, he used what was at his disposal, grabbed the rock and slammed in into his opponent's head.

God almighty, it took three hits to knock the bulldozer out. By the time Riley climbed to his feet, his legs were wobbly and he was splattered with blood. His and the bulldozer’s.

Annie darn near took him down when she launched herself at him. He clutched her against him, feeling her heart pounding in competition to his. After a moment he gently pushed her back. "We have to call the law."

Her eyes widened. "Oh my god, you're bleeding. Riley, you're – oh my god, are you okay?  You should sit down. We have to stop the bleed—"

"I'm okay. I'm fine. Please. We have to call the law." He felt for his phone. It wasn't there. Damn.

"You have your phone?

"It's in the truck."

"Get it and call 911."

She ran to the truck and returned in seconds with the phone. He didn't question when she handed it to him. Riley quickly dialed 911 as he turned to eye the unconscious man on the ground twenty feet from the truck. "Hey, this is Riley Morgan. I'm on Old Cotton Gin road, about a mile from the Creekside bridge. We were hit and I have an unconscious man on the ground. I need an ambulance and the Sheriff. This wasn't an accident. We were deliberately hit."

He didn't wait for instructions. He just ended the call, handed her the phone and made for the truck. Riley grabbed his shotgun from behind the seat, racked in two loads and stood leaning against the crumpled back panel of the truck where he could see the man and look down the road every few seconds.

Annie leaned on the truck beside him and he wrapped one arm around her. He could feel her trembling. "Are you okay?"

"I think." She rubbed at her head and he heard a sharp intake of breath. When he looked down he saw the blood on her hand. Riley quickly turned to take a look. Sure enough, she had a nice gash in her head on the right side. That was probably going to need stitches.

"We've got to get you looked at."

"No.  I'm okay. But you need a doctor, Riley. You're bleeding worse than I am. There's at least two deep cuts on the left side of your face and your mouth and nose are all bloody. You need medical attention."

"I'll be fine. The police will be here soon. Just hold on."

"Okay."

It felt like an eternity before he heard the sound of sirens in the still night. A blink of an eye later, Annie's body went limp. He manage to drop the shotgun and catch her before she fell.

Just as he was sweeping her up into his arms a police car skidded to a stop, billowing dust. Deputy Greene jumped out just as the firetruck and ambulance pulled up behind him. "You okay, Riley?  Ms. Becke?"

"She needs to be looked at. Took a good lick to the head."

Riley carried her to the ambulance. "Check her out."

"Sure, Riley." One of the EMT's stepped aside for Riley to carry Analise into the ambulance and place her on the gurney. Her eyes opened and she latched onto his hand.

"You're okay. You're okay. You're in an ambulance. They're going to take you to the hospital to check you out and when I'm done here I'll come and find you."

"No. I'm not leaving. Not without you."

Riley held up his hand to the EMT and knelt down beside Analise. "Look, I need to tell them what happened and you need to get checked out. As soon as I talk to the Deputy I'll meet you at the hospital."

"No, you shouldn't be driving. You're all – you're bleeding. You need to be checked out. Sir?  Sir!  You need to check him. He's—"

"Annie listen to me." Riley had to shout to get her to listen. When she fell silent he lowered his voice. "Listen. I'm okay. I just need to talk to the Deputy and I promise I'll come to the hospital."

"No. If you're staying, I'm staying."

"Annie."

"I said I'm staying." She crossed her arms over her chest and that was an action Riley understood all too well. Nothing said intractable and unmoving like a woman with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Fine, then will you please at least let Dave there check you out and wait on me in the ambulance?"

For a moment he thought she was going to refuse but finally she nodded. "Okay."

Riley gave her a kiss on the cheek and nodded to the EMT." How 'bout checking her out and waiting for me?"

"You got it."

Riley climbed out of the ambulance and made his way back to the Deputy who had the unconscious man rolled over on the ground and handcuffed. "I think we're going to need another ambulance. I don't want to send him with Ms. Becke."

"I'll drive her over to the hospital when we're done here."

"Then let me get him loaded up."

It took a few minutes to get the man loaded into the ambulance. Annie refused to get in the truck. She sat on the tailgate with her eyes on Riley. It was another twenty minutes before Riley finished telling the Deputy what happened.

"You're sure he said he wanted her?"  the Deputy asked.

"Yeah.  Twice."

"Why?"

Riley cut a look at Annie before answering.  "Her husband is apparently in trouble with some mob guys in New York."

"Mob?"

"Yeah.  Apparently Mr. Becke stole from them."

The Deputy nodded.  "I think that's all for now.  I need to search the car."

"Want some help?"

"You can join but I'd prefer you don't touch anything." 

"Whatever you say."

They approached the car and the Deputy Greene leaned down to look inside the open car door.  "There's a gun on the floorboard."

"I told you he shot at us."

"Don't touch anything."  Deputy Greene hurried to his car.  When he returned he was wearing latex gloves and carrying evidence bags.  He retrieved the gun, bagged it and laid it on the roof of the car.  Next he bagged two cell phones.

Taking the keys from the ignition, he opened the trunk. Inside was a laptop and a Kindle.  He bagged those and took all of the evidence to his squad car.

"What're you going to do with all that?"  Riley asked.

"See if there's anything that will help us determine what this is all about.  The phone was locked so we may have to call in help from the county."

"I know someone who can unlock it."

"Oh?"  Deputy Greene's eyebrows rose.

"He's not a criminal.  Just really good with this kind of thing.  He works for me.  Bobby."

"I need to check with the Chief on this.  Text me his phone number and if we can't get someone from the County, I'll see if the Chief will approve me calling him in."

"Okay.  Anything else you need from me, Tom?"

"Yeah, I need you to get Ms Becke to the hospital.  And get yourself checked out, Riley.  You look like you've been run over by a truck."

"Or a bulldozer.  I will.  Thanks, Tom."

Riley returned to Annie.  She was slumped against the bed of the truck.  "Come on, honey.  Let's get you to the hospital."

"Thanks."  She wobbled as she stood and he put an arm around her for support.  Riley helped Annie into his truck and started out behind the ambulance carrying the unconscious attacker.

After a couple of miles during which she hadn't spoken he looked over at her. "Annie, you okay?"

She didn't answer. Riley reached over and shook her and she still didn't answer. A bit of panic had him wanting to pass the ambulance and haul ass as fast as he could to the hospital, but good sense told him that the last thing they needed tonight was another mishap.

Chapter Eleven

Riley sat up, rolled his shoulders, then took off his hat and propped his elbows on his knees. He let his hands fall between his legs, holding onto his hat. He'd been sitting in the chair by Annie's bed for two days.

As it turned out, she did have a concussion.  They'd kept her awake until they felt it was safe for her to sleep. She had been grazed by the bullet that shattered the window, had cuts from the glass, some bruised ribs and a dislocated shoulder.  The bullet wound had been treated, as had the cuts, but they waited until they felt it safe to sedate her before setting her dislocated shoulder. She'd been out for nearly thirteen hours.

Riley had done a lot of thinking during the long hours of waiting. Annie had gotten to him in a big way. It'd been a long time since he'd let himself care about someone and hadn't intended to care for her,  but she'd blown down his defenses without effort. Last night he'd fully intended to take her to his home, to make love to her.

Today he didn't know what to do.  On one side of the coin was the way she'd acted when they were hit. She dove into the fight without a care for herself. It almost brought a smile to his face, thinking how she'd lit into the big man. And afterwards her concern had been for him rather than herself.

The other side of the coin wasn't much to smile about. The police had uncovered some interesting information about the man who ran into them. Information that led him to believe that being around Analise Becke was dangerous.

He needed to tell Cody, tell all the Sweets. They deserved to know everything so they could decide if they wanted Annie to continue staying at the ranch. Hell, he needed to tell Annie. He needed to look into her eyes when he told her and see if the news surprised her. He hoped to god it did, because if it didn't then that meant she had willingly put him and the entire Sweet family in harm's way.

Analise woke and blinked in confusion. Where was she?  It took a few seconds to remember what had happened. Her eyes moved around the room and she saw Riley sitting in a chair beside the bed, slumped over with his elbows on his knees.  She watched him for a few minutes.

When she'd seen him fight that man, she'd experienced something primal. Despite her fear, she wasn't willing to risk injury to rush to his aid.

Later, seeing the blood on his face and splattered on his clothes had scared her half to death. She hadn't given a thought to whether she was intact or injured. All she could think about was him. She'd been sitting on the tailgate of his truck, waiting on him when it hit her. She didn’t just have a crush on a movie star. She'd fallen in love with Riley. He'd been her friend for over a year, a friend whom she respected and admired. He was a man she admired. Regardless of what his life had been when he was Nate Bridges, as Riley Morgan he was the kindest and most honorable man she'd ever known. He made her want to be just as good as him.

Not to mention that he lit a fire inside her like nothing she'd ever experienced. She'd met Rodrick when she was an inexperienced girl. He was handsome and wealthy and it was exciting to be pursued. He was her first lover and she'd never had another.

But she'd never felt the kind of desire for Rodrick that Riley inspired. She dreamed of Riley, of his touch and wanted him more than she knew how to handle.

Now, looking at him, sitting there slumped over, she wanted only to comfort him, to ease any worry or strain, to take care of him. She reached out and ran her fingers over his hair.

Riley felt her touch and looked up. Her fingers drifted away but not before trailing over the side of his face. The concern he saw on her face filled him with dread and a fair measure of guilt.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, honey."

"Are you sure? Riley, don't lie to me.  That man... I thought he was going to kill you.  When I saw him on top of you—"

"I'm okay, Annie."

"How long have we been here,?"

"Two days."

"Two days?  That's not possible.  I was just--"

"You had a concussion.  And you were grazed by the bullet that shattered the windows and have bruised ribs, some cuts from the glass and your shoulder was dislocated.  Do you remember any of it?"

"I remember something.  People telling me I couldn't sleep and doing things to my head.  A machine?  They were running tests or something. It's kind of foggy.  I was so tired."

"Yeah, they had to keep you awake for a while until the swelling went down and it was safe for you to sleep."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"About thirteen hours."

"It's morning?'

"Yep. Half past nine."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine.

"Riley."

There it was. Again. Two little syllables he'd heard more times than he could count in his life, yet when spoken by her had the power to incite something inside him that he didn't know how to control. He straightened in his chair, steeling himself.

"Annie. We have to talk."

"About what happened?"

"No, about the man who ran into us."

"Okay." She fumbled for the remote to raise the bed into a sitting position.

"Deputy Greene ran the man's license and finger prints through the database and the guy's a criminal."

"A criminal?"

"Yeah, been in and out of prison several times and is apparently associated with some big time criminals in New York."

Her eyebrows drew together in a frown. "What would someone like that be doing here?"

"Apparently trying to grab you."

"Me?" She shook her head. "That's crazy. I don't know any criminals."

"No, but I think your husband does."

His words sent a jolt through her that had her sitting up straight as a rod, wincing at the pain in her shoulder and down her side. "What?"

"Apparently the guy who rammed us, Leo Scarletti, has been known to work for Giancarlo Moretti. And Moretti owns companies that do business with your husband's company, Becke Ltd. Which is, by the way, under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice."

He reached over to take her hand.  "Annie, the police recovered a cell phone from the car and thanks to a friend were able to unlock it.  There are calls between the guy who attacked us and this Moretti guy.  Also, they recovered a laptop and a Kindle belonging to you.  Do you have any idea how the guy got those things?  I called Cody and she said your laptop is still in your room at her ranch.

She looked down, twisting the wedding ring on her finger around and around.  She knew that what she said next would affect everything between her and Riley.  She felt pulled in two directions.  On the one hand, she didn't want to sell Rick short.  She still held out hope that whatever his family was involved in, he was an unwitting accomplice.  To think that the man she's spent half her life with was a criminal was a bitter pill to swallow.

However, on the other hand,  she and Rick had not had a true marriage in years.  He'd been cheating on her for a good while and she had stopped caring about the lack of affection or attention.  If he was innocent of wrong doing the investigation would uncover that.  If he was guilty, well in this case, she had no sympathy for him because it would mean he'd chosen to do something illegal.

In the end what mattered to her now was her son, and Riley. She was in love with him and he was an honorable man.  He deserved the truth.  She looked back up to find him watching her.

"When I was at the writer's convention someone broke into my room.  They sliced up all my clothes and took my laptop and Kindle.  I and the police chalked it up to a random act."

"You never mentioned it."

"I know.  I'm sorry. I thought it was just – well, random."

"And your husband?"

"I know about the family business being under investigation. I told you, remember? I mean at the time there was the threat of an investigation. I didn't know it had actually happened."

"It has."

"I'm sorry, but what does that have to do with us getting rammed?"

"Apparently it's connected.  That man who attacked us.  He had your things and he wanted you.  He said so.  Are you sure you don't know why?"

"I don't. God is my witness, I don't Riley. If it was the man who broke into my room in San Antonio, I can't even imagine why.  And I was never privy to any of Rick's business dealings. Hell, for the last ten years I don't think he even remembered I existed until he needed to throw a party or entertain a client and then he just assumed I would handle it."

"Did you ever meet Moretti?"

"No. I never heard the name until you said it."

"So, you don't think Moretti being involved with your husband and the investigation could have anything to do with a gangster showing up in Cotton Creek and trying to kill us?"

"No. I mean what's the point?  I'm not part of Rick's business. I don't know a thing about it. And …and I told you that he's been having an affair for the last few years with some young woman so it's not like someone could use hurting me as leverage against him."

"You sure about that?"

"Well, I don't think he would want to see me hurt but I – oh my god."  The lights suddenly clicked on in her muddled brain as the pieces came together. "David!"

"Your son?"

"Yes. Where's my phone? I need my phone."

Riley got up and looked in the tiny cupboard.  There was a plastic bag inside containing Annie's belongings. He handed the phone to her. "Someone tried to call you."

"It was Rick." She quickly accessed the voice mail, turned on the speakerphone and hit play.

Rick's voice came through the speaker. "Analise, it's Rick. Wherever you are, you have to call me. You have to give that money back. Now. It's vital, Analise. Life and death. Call me. And call David. I can't reach him. Just make sure – make sure he's okay. Call me Analise. Call me."

Analise looked at Riley. "I have to call David."

She quickly placed the call. David answered on the third ring. "Hey Mom, what's up?"

"David, are you okay?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Have you heard from your father?"

"He's called a couple of times but I've been busy so I haven't talked with him."

"Where are you now?"

"Headed home from class."

"Okay, well do me a favor and call me when you get there, okay?"

"Sure, or we can talk on the ride."

"No, I've – I've got a bad connection anyway. Just-- just be careful and call me back."

"Okay, will do."

"Okay, I love you."

"Love you too, Mom."

She ended the call and looked at Riley.  "I'm scared.  Should I have kept him on the phone?  What if--?"

"Don't panic.  Chances are he'll be fine and he'll call back shortly.  But what was that bit about the money that your husband was talking about?"

The last thing she wanted was to discuss the details of her marriage with Riley, but she didn't see any way to avoid it. "Before I left, I took half of what Rick had in several offshore accounts and put it into a trust for our son, David. And I cleaned out two joint savings accounts we had and put it in my own account."

"How much money are we talking about, Annie?"

"For me, it was close to a million."

"And the rest?"

"Twenty-three million."

Riley blew out his breath and took a seat. "Twenty three million dollars?"

She nodded. A picture was starting to form in her head and it wasn't a pretty one. In fact, it was one that was starting to terrify her. "Riley, I have to get out of here. I have to get my son somewhere safe and I have to do it now."

She started to get out of the bed, but he stopped her. "Hold on. Just hold on. Before you do anything, I want you to explain things to me. You said you took half of what your husband had in those offshore accounts, which means there was sixty-four millions dollars stashed away."

"Yes."

"Was that honest money?"

There was the question she didn't know the answer to and didn't really want to know. "I don't know. Especially now. With what happened to us – what the police told you and now that message from Rick. I think he may have gotten himself into some deep trouble with some bad people.

"And color me having a big imagination, but I'm scared that's what has happened. And if those people want their money, they'll come after me and David."

"Because you have the money? "

"No. Because David has it. And if he dies, the trust reverts to me. Unless…"

"Unless you're dead."

Analise nodded. "I have to get my son to safety."

"Yes. You do."

"So, you'll get me out of here?"

"I will, but before I do you have to answer one more question."

"Okay."