The Black Sheep's Redemption (11 page)

Demi lifted a brow. “Have my own bodyguard?”

He nodded. “Something like that. Tonight Ryan said he’d have someone watching my house. I think it would be a good idea if he did the same here.”

Her eyes went to the cabinet, now minus the coffee can with the message. “It seems like someone has pretty easy access into my apartment, doesn’t it?”

“Unfortunately. I think it’s time to change the locks.”

She nodded, her eyes troubled, scared.

Charles could almost see her brain processing the memory of the attack in the store and the one in the woods. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Ryan’s number.

His brother answered on the second ring. After making the arrangements, Charles hung up and said, “Someone’s on the way. Ryan agreed it might be the smart thing to do.”

She pulled in a deep breath, rubbed a cheek against Chloe’s head then nodded. “As long as you think Fiona won’t be upset with me. I don’t want to chase away any customers.”

“She’ll understand. She’d much rather you be safe than sell a few books if that’s what it comes down to. Besides, security is always a good thing.”

Demi hesitated. “Well, it would be nice having him out there at night, but I don’t think it’s necessary during the day.”

Charles touched her cheek, his concern for her safety embedded deep in his heart. “Demi, I know we’ve only known each other a short time, but I…” He stopped. What could he say? He was a murder suspect.

Her wide eyes told him to back off. She wasn’t ready for anything more than friendship and a professional working relationship. At least not yet.

Then her expression softened and she took his hand. “Charles, I think you’re a wonderful man and a great father. But until I know who I am—” she shrugged “—I feel like I’m living in limbo. I mean I don’t think I’m married.” She shook her head and looked at her ringless hand. “I really don’t. Somehow, I think I would know that. But I don’t know if there’s someone else or…” She trailed off with a sigh. “I just don’t know.”

He frowned. But he understood. “I know. And until this murder case is wrapped up, I’m right there with you, although in a different kind of way.”

She walked to the window and looked out. “But the fact is, if I don’t get my memory back soon, I’m going to have to make the decision to live with it and move on with my life. I can’t live like this forever,” she finished on a whisper.

“I agree.” He followed her and placed a hand on her shoulder, hoping to offer comfort. He swallowed hard and turned her to face him. “Once this murder case is wrapped up, if you haven’t gotten your memory back, or even if you have and there’s no one…” He stopped and closed his eyes as he searched for the right words. “Just…after…you know? Could we…”

“Yes. After,” she said, then bit her lip.

Elation filled him. She wasn’t shutting the door on a possible relationship with him. “Good. After.”

He left it at that.

“And on that note, I’ll say good-night.”

“Good night, Charles. I loved spending the day with you and the children in spite of…well, everything else.”

Charles ran a finger down her soft cheek then turned to leave. He paused and swung back to say, “I know this is short notice, but would you go to Douglas and Merry’s wedding with me on Saturday?”

She gave a gentle smile. “It’s not after yet.”

Charles stepped forward and took her warm fingers in his hand. “I know. But go to the wedding with me, then we’ll worry about after…after that.”

When she hesitated, he groaned. “Am I pushing you too much?”

“No. Not at all. I’d love to go to the wedding with you.” A pause and a sigh. “And then, yes, we’ll worry about after…after.”

Charles pulled her to him in a hug, breathing in her scent, enjoying the feel of her in his arms, next to his heart.

Then he set her back from him, looked into her eyes and said, “After.”

TWELVE

E
arly Friday morning, Demi stood at the window, sipping her coffee and pondering the fact that she had a police car sitting outside her home. Watching her.

Because she might be in danger.

Danger. She shivered.

This morning, that word brought back a sense of dread and fear she couldn’t shake for more than a couple hours.

Although, she had to admit, she’d surprised herself and slept well last night after Charles had left. She’d expected to toss and turn. Instead, she’d felt safe, protected, because of Charles and his brother Ryan’s willingness to put an officer outside.

And the fact that she now had shiny new locks on her door thanks to a friend of Charles’s who’d arrived bright and early this morning to change them.

But she couldn’t help wonder if it was a false sense of security. She also wondered if whoever was after her was watching and just waiting for the moment to make his move. Because he knew as well as she did that the time would come when she wouldn’t have someone with her or her guard would be lowered. The police officer would leave soon and she would be alone again.

And what about riding to work on the bike? Would she be safe?

Her cell phone rang and she snatched it up after seeing Charles’s number on the screen. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.” Just hearing his voice sent a different kind of shiver through her. Which worried her. Being attracted to him wasn’t a bad thing. At least she didn’t think so. However, she couldn’t get the worry out of her head that she might have someone else in her life. Someone she might not be able to remember, but someone who remembered
her
.

Having no memory of herself was one thing. What if she couldn’t remember someone she’d made a promise to? A husband. A boyfriend.

Was she betraying another man by having feelings for Charles?

The thought made her gulp. Just like she’d told Charles last night, she felt sure she would know that instinctively even if she couldn’t actually remember it. Wouldn’t she?

“Dad and Burke are meeting in the park at ten o’clock sharp to have some sort of debate that Burke’s come up with,” Charles said. “It was on the news late last night. Victoria brought Paige over this morning to play with the twins and said she’d just bring them to the park. Do you mind meeting me there? My secretary called and said I have two last-minute appointments but I should finish in time to meet you.”

She heard the relief in his voice. “Really? That’s wonderful.”

“Yes, it is. So, see you at ten?”

“I may be a little late, but I’ll be there.”

Ten o’clock rolled around fast. Demi soon found herself in the park along with a horde of people. Word spread fast in this little town. Reporters milled, waiting for the two candidates. She wondered if Judge Ronald Monroe would show up, as well. She’d heard something about him wanting to throw his hat into the ring, but hadn’t yet done so simply because Aiden and Burke had so many supporters.

Demi kept an eye on the parking lot across the street. She figured Charles would meet Victoria to get the twins and then stroll over to her.

She caught sight of Aiden Fitzgerald and the rest of Charles’s brothers and sisters. All but Fiona appeared to be here in an official capacity.

Because of the strong animosity between the two candidates, security was out in force. Uniforms and plain clothes patrolled the area. Her eyes landed on Judge Monroe. He stood near the platform, looking thoughtful and troubled.

Microphones were set up behind two podiums, ready for the candidates to take the stage.

Demi saw Burke arrive with his wife, Christina, who held their toddler daughter, Georgina. He looked proud, confident and almost strutted as he approached the microphone.

Aiden looked determined, calm. In control. She had a feeling control was very important to Aiden and he would do anything to keep it—in all areas of his life. She wasn’t sure why that stood out to her, but it did.

Charles strolled the children up beside her. Victoria waved as she and Paige headed toward Owen who stood near the stage. Demi waved back, a twinge of envy unsettling her as she watched Owen wrap an arm around his fiancée’s shoulder and tweak Paige’s nose.

However, when the twins saw her, their eyes brightened and Demi felt the envy subside. She dropped to her knees to greet each child with hugs and raspberries to their sweet cheeks. Their giggles rang in her ears.

Then she looked up at Charles and said, “I hope this goes well for your father.”

His jaw went tight as he looked at the man. “Yes, me, too.” He didn’t sound like it, though.

“Something wrong?” she asked.

“Yes. Very wrong.”

Concerned, she stood and laid a hand on his arm. “What?”

He sighed. “It’s something I need to discuss with my father—a conversation I don’t want to have.”

“I’m sorry.” She wondered if whatever it was had to do with what happened in the shed the day they went fishing. Ever since then, Charles’s tension level seemed to rise whenever he was in his father’s presence. He’d talked about needing to process something that day, too.

A voice from one of the podiums spoke, “As you are aware, we have two candidates running for mayor. Burke Hennessy and Aiden Fitzgerald. Burke has called this impromptu debate and we appreciate you all coming out.”

He went on to introduce each man and then said, “I have a list of questions, given to me by various town members.”

“This ought to be good,” Charles muttered loud enough for her to hear.

It was crowded and people milled around her. A slender man in a gray hoodie caught her attention. He looked like the man who’d tried to get into her building last week. And the one she had seen on the beach. Curious, she moved toward him wanting to get a better look.

A hand caught hers and she looked back to see Charles watching her with a question in his eyes. She pointed. “I think I’ve seen him before.”

“Who?”

“That man in the hoodie.”

Charles followed her pointing finger. “I don’t see anyone.”

She looked and the man was gone. A shiver slid up her spine. Who was he? And why did she feel like he was watching her? That he was here specifically because of her? The strange sensation refused to leave her alone even when she tried to reassure herself that no one would try anything in this crowd.

Then her attention was back on the debate that had started without her even noticing.

Burke gestured with his left hand. “And how can we want a mayor who is so lax in his current position as the police chief? One who can’t even solve the murder of the young woman, Olivia Henry?”

“Now, wait a minute,” Aiden protested.

“No, you wait a minute,” Burke blustered as he jabbed a finger at Aiden. “Your own son is a suspect in the murder. Clearly, because he’s your son, an arrest has not been made.” Burke looked out at the audience. “Is this who you want for mayor? A man who allows his judgment to be impaired because he doesn’t want to arrest his own son?”

Several people in the audience murmured among themselves. Those around Demi and Charles stared at him. She felt his tension magnify tenfold. Wrapping her fingers around his, she squeezed tight, hoping he got her message of support.

Aiden countered with, “And do you want a mayor who will order the arrest of a man when there’s no evidence to back it up?”

And so it went back and forth for the next thirty minutes. Demi was amazed at the difference between the two men. Burke was all bluster and puffed-up pride. Aiden kept his cool and answered with thought and wisdom. The red in his cheeks said he kept a tight rein on his temper, but even that was far more impressive than Burke’s lack of restraint.

She knew who she’d vote for. If she could vote. She frowned. The lack of identity was troubling in more ways than one.

“Come on,” Charles said suddenly. “I need to get out of here.”

“What is it?” Demi looked up to see a muscle jumping in Charles’s cheek.

“Burke Hennessy gets to me. I can’t watch this anymore.”

A loud crack interrupted the ongoing argument at the podium. Demi gasped as something stung the flesh of her upper arm. And then she was surrounded by screaming people.

Another pop and the ground puffed up right where Charles had been standing a split second earlier. She felt an arm wrap around her waist and yank her down.

And then she realized it.

Someone was shooting at them!

“The babies!” she cried.

“Head for the cars, duck behind one,” Charles hollered in her ear.

“Everybody down! Down! Shooter!” an officer to her right yelled.

Terror thumped a steady beat in her heart, as she turned to see Charles hunched over the twins’ double stroller and she knew he’d take a bullet in order to protect the children.

Gasping, hurrying, she made her way to the nearest car and hunched behind several other people. Charles shoved the stroller next to her and dropped to his knees beside her.

Trembling, she tried to reassure the crying children that everything would be all right. Terrified screams echoed in her head, rattling her. The screams sounded familiar, as did the fear now coursing a steady path through her veins.

Brianne held out her arms and lunged for Demi, but trapped in her stroller, she couldn’t get free. “Out! Out! Now!”

“I’ll take you in a minute, baby,” Demi gasped as she peeked around the tire to see what was happening. Her heart thundered, her lungs felt starved for air.

Law enforcement officials swarmed the area. She thought she saw Ryan and Owen heading to the spot the bullets came from.

One more shot and Demi lurched back with a cry as the bullet pinged off the front bumper.

Charles shifted behind her. “Stay with the children.”

“Where are you going?”

“Away from here to protect everyone. He’s shooting at
me
.”

* * *

Charles rushed from behind the safety of the vehicle, his limp more pronounced under the stress of the situation. He prayed that if he got far enough away from them, Demi and the children would be safe. That if the shooter couldn’t spot his target, he would have no reason to shoot again.

The guy had shot twice into the crowd. The only reason he’d missed was because Charles moved and messed up his shot. The third time had nicked the car Charles’d been hiding behind.

He moved away from the crowd, his body taut, nerves humming. Who was the man shooting at him? One of Burke’s hires?

Someone wanting revenge for Olivia’s death and thought Charles was responsible? He kept moving, away from the crowd, his mind back in Iraq, prepared for anything.

His breathing came in pants, but his cool control never slipped. He’d been a medic, but he’d also trained as a soldier. He slipped into that mode now as easily as pulling on a comfortable shirt.

Darting behind a large SUV, he paused, heart thrumming, but his breathing was even, his senses on hyperalert.

He looked back to see Demi watching him with wide, scared eyes, but she held her body over the children.

The sight of her caring for them, protecting them as though they belonged to her, did something to his heart that he’d never felt before. Something he’d have to examine a little more closely at a later time.

Charles let his eyes scan the park, the buildings surrounding it. Numerous hiding places. But the shots had come from behind him. Probably from a higher floor where the shooter would have a good view of the park.

Already officers swarmed the buildings. More sirens sounded. Chaos ruled, but Charles didn’t let that distract him.

He moved to the left, exposing himself for a brief second then slipped back behind his cover. Nothing happened. No shots rained down on him.

He let out a deep breath and wondered what that meant. Had the shooter been caught—or had he escaped?

Officers appeared, shaking their heads. He saw Ryan put his gun back into his holster.

Well, that answered that question. The shooter was gone. Escaped. Free to return and cause trouble at another time. Trouble that Charles may not be able to dodge next time.

Not allowing himself to dwell on that possibility, Charles raced back to Demi and the kids. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and reassured himself that she and his children were still in one piece.

Then he noticed the blood on her arm.