black gloves and hiking boots. The knife in one hand, and in his other he carried a circle of wound rope and a red bandana. She stopped about five feet from him and stared into his cold eyes, knowing this could very well be the beginning of the end. Too much to live for, she wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Perspiring from the adrenaline, David had snuck through the woods, slipped past the guards, and finally had Jenna in his sights. She’d made a mistake when she set up the trust for the land. That was a public record and his investigators had found it buried under three bogus company names she’d used years ago. Well, that and the bits of information a secretary in her lawyer’s office was able to funnel to him. The prick lawyer was so closed-mouthed about his precious client. Every document locked in a special vault only he accessed.
Luck, fate, the gods, everything lined up for him today. The ranch buzzed with activity, but he’d been patient and watched for his chance. David’s timing was impeccable as always. Even the rancher left this morning. It was a sign.
Nothing and no one would keep him from Jenna. He’d teach her that lesson once and for all. There was no place she could hide that he couldn’t find her.
He had her. Never far from his mind, he’d been trying to get her to see reason. This time, she wouldn’t refuse him. If she did, it would be the last thing she ever did.
“Come here, Jenna.”
“Where are the guards? Did you kill them?”
“You should hire better people if you think those guys could stop me. The guard watching you and that little brat went to check on the other side of the house. We’re getting out of here before he comes back.”
“Why are you doing this to me?” She tried to stall, hoping the guard would return and save her. “Didn’t you get married yesterday?”
“Ah, so you heard. No congratulations? Unlike you, she does what she’s told, when she’s told, whatever I tell her to do.”
“Go back to her and leave me alone.”
“Did you really think I could forget you? My family wanted me to marry her, to take the tarnish off after what you did. She’s got money and a good family name, but she’s not you. She doesn’t have your fire. It’s you I love. Come back to me and all this will be over. No more games.”
If she came back he’d have everything he’d always wanted. The shares in his company and her in his bed. So beautiful, more so now than when he’d first married her years ago. Just looking at her made him hard. She wouldn’t resist him this time. It didn’t matter if she did.
“I’ll never go back with you again, David. Stop this. Stop this now. Go back to your wife.”
He loved it when she begged, but her defiance inflamed him.
“I don’t want her! I want you! Now, come here, or I’ll get that little brat in the house and you’ll be sorry!”
Furious, he spit out each word. Jenna couldn’t stall any longer. She had to get him away from Lily. She promised herself this time would be different and she’d stop him.
He grabbed her when she moved forward, spun her around so her back pressed against his chest. He rubbed his groin against her bottom and ran his hand down over her breasts and belly. She shuddered with revulsion. He took it as acquiescence.
“I’ve missed you, my sweet. It’s been so long since I’ve had you.”
“Don’t touch me. You will never have me again.” She pulled away, but his arm locked around her waist and the knife handle dug into her stomach. She didn’t want to get cut. She didn’t want any more stitches, or worse, to bleed to death in the woods.
“I will have you if I want you. You’ll beg me to take you.” He grabbed her arms and pulled them behind her, tying her wrists together with the rope. The bandana around her mouth came next. No matter how she struggled, he held on to her.
“Scream, or call out in any way, and you’re dead. I’ll come back for the kid.” He yanked on her hair and pulled her head back. His lips pressed against her cheek and he spoke into her ear. “Understand? Maybe not today, or even tomorrow, but I will come back for her. Count on it.”