Millie's Second Chance Read online

  “She’s under a lot of stress right now Jeremy. I looked into this Frank guy last night and I plan on talking with Stacy today, too. I want to know the whole story. Plus I think the five of us need to sit down and talk tonight.”

  “Talk? About what?” Jeremy asked.

  “About our attraction to Millie and how we plan on getting to know her and whether or not Hank and Dalton are on board,” Anthony said then nodded his head toward the door. Jeremy walked out first and then Anthony and Marco followed, except Marco sat on the front porch waiting for Millie to get ready to go. She more than likely forgot that the truck was in the shop and she would need a ride to the ranch.

  * * * *

  Millie walked out of the cottage and was surprised to see that Marco was still there. His blue eyes bore into her as he leaned against a rather large truck with tinted windows that nearly shared the color of his eyes. She turned from him, giving an annoyed expression, but truly she was relieved that he was there. While alone in the shower and her bedroom, she thought about the events of the last week and couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt over Clare’s murder. It didn’t matter what Wyatt and the deputies told her. She was to blame.

  She locked the door and turned toward Marco.

  “I told you that I was fine. I don’t need babysitting.”

  He looked her over and it made her body hum in an awareness she was finding difficult to fight off. Her conversation with herself about staying away from Lewis men appeared to have been forgotten every time one of them looked at her like that.

  “Your aunt’s truck is in the shop, remember? I figured you might not feel up to walking in the heat all the way to the Triple C.”

  She had completely forgotten and she shook her head then looked out across the yard toward the horse stables. The sound of pebbles and dirt crunching under Marco’s boots warned her of his quick approach.

  She stood at the top of the three steps to the porch and he stood level with the walkway. He was still taller despite her position.

  She locked gazes with him, and damn, did he look commanding.

  “If you think I’m going to let you get a ride with some other cowboy besides me or one of my brothers, you’ve got another thing coming, woman. Now let’s get a move on it, I’ve got a couple of hours before work.”

  He reached his hand out for her to take it, but she was trying to get over the emotions his words brought out in her. In an attempt to hide their effect, she skimmed past him, brushing against his body without his assistance toward the truck.

  Before she could reach for the handle of the door, Marco was there. Their fingers brushed against one another’s and she pulled back only to bump into his chest.

  His hand landed on her waist to support her, and she froze in place.

  Near inches from her head and neck she heard his intake of breath as his body gently swayed against hers. She felt the thick, long, ridge of his cock against her backside and unintentionally gasped. The heat hit her cheeks. She felt flush with instant desire and was grateful that her back was toward him. Marco then pulled away before she could enjoy the close proximity.

  “You smell real good, Millie.”

  She swallowed hard, trying to destroy the lustful feelings circulating through her veins as he opened the door and guided her toward the seat with a hand still at her waist. It was high up, so she grabbed the roll bar on the door and was about to hoist herself up, but Marco lifted her as if she weighed nothing at all and placed her in the seat.

  She squealed slightly and more out of shock and surprise at his move, but then he went further by leaning across her to push some papers toward the middle compartment. His muscular arm brushed against her breasts, and damn it, did her body renege on the agreement of ignoring her attraction to this man.

  His face was inches from hers as he turned toward her.

  “Not all men are assholes, sweetness.”

  What?

  “Safety first, honey. Let’s get this seat belt on and head to the Triple C.”

  She sat in utter shock as he guided the strap across her body, buckled her in, and then stepped down from the truck. He closed the door and she ordered herself to breathe and not look into what his comment meant.

  Was he trying to justify his actions? Was he trying to tell her that he was interested in her? Maybe he just wanted her to know that not all men were assholes so she didn’t feel like crap for ever getting involved with Frank?

  She hadn’t a clue and she knew she was in trouble. She couldn’t even have a regular conversation with a man without analyzing his intentions, or, at minimum, confusing herself about them.

  She stared straight ahead as Marco started the truck and chuckled as he headed out of the driveway.

  * * * *

  Millie was lost in thought as she painted the walls of the rec center. She had spent time talking with Anna and Stacy when she first arrived at the ranch. Stacy had gone outside to talk with Marco while Lena and Anna discussed the events from last night and how Millie was handling things. She knew that Anna, Stacy, and Lena understood what she felt like. But no matter what they told her, she felt guilty about Clare.

  As she walked toward the other room and began painting, she was soon lost in her own thoughts. Millie figured that she had a few decisions to make. After going over every scenario in her head, she realized that she had to give Detective Flynn time to locate Frank and handle things. She also decided that Anna and Stacy were right about her being protected in Pearl. There were plenty of men around the area and, due to the new facility, security had to be good. She had learned that Hank and Dalton had trained all of the deputies in town. Apparently, there were a lot of ex-military and active military living on the outskirts of town as well as inside Pearl. Her concern over baby Hope as well as Stacy and Anna would be resolved by Millie staying toward the edge of town at her aunt’s ranch. She might be alone most of the time, but that’s where her other decision had been made.

  She was going to have to take care of herself and her own safety, beginning with getting Hank to train her as if she were law enforcement or military. If Frank came looking for her in Pearl, she wanted to be physically ready to fight for her life since mentally she was scared of him. She needed to learn how to turn off that fear and rely on her abilities and training. If she were going to die by Frank’s hands, then she would die fighting.

  “It looks great in here.”

  Millie jumped at the sound of the male voice. When she turned to look and see who was there, she was surprised to see Hank.

  “Thanks,” she whispered then mentally tried to prepare herself to ask him for assistance with the training.

  “How are you doing?” he asked as she stepped down from the ladder, placed the brush on the top, and looked around the room.

  “Okay.”

  “Do you need some help?” he asked, and she realized that he was there because Marco probably asked him to come and babysit her. Damn, why was Marco so controlling and bossy?

  “Listen, I don’t need a damn babysitter,” she stated with a bit more attitude than she intended.

  Just then, Dalton walked in. He glared at her as if he had heard her tone and for some odd reason she felt intimidated. He always looked so damn angry. Did the man know how to smile? And that scar of his made him look hard and intense. He wore it well, though, like a pirate with a black patch over his eye.

  “Hey, we’re not here to babysit you, as you called it. We stopped in to see Lena, Anna, Stacy, and you to discuss the schedule for offering self-defense classes here at the rec center,” Hank replied.

  She took a deep breath and felt guilty for accusing him of something he hadn’t done. She was on edge, and now would be as good a time as any to ask for the help.

  “I’m sorry.” She looked down toward the ground then back up into Hank’s eyes. Now Dalton stood next to his brother, and Dalton just stared at her.

  “I’m a bit on edge. I know everyone is concerned and I have a lot going on in m
y head. I’m sorry.”

  “That’s understandable.” Hank gave her a small smile. She noticed how bright his blue eyes were and also the slight dimple in his left cheek.

  “I’m actually glad that you’re here, Hank,” she began after staring at him for an awkward few moments.

  And Dalton raised his eyebrows at her as if he were offended that he wasn’t included in that “glad you’re here” sentence. Deep inside, she was happy to see them both. What woman wouldn’t like a visit from two big, strong, sexy cowboys? But she had a plan here that needed to be set in motion.

  “I was hoping to talk with you about me taking a different class at your dojo.”

  “Well, that’s a definite, or you’d be bored in the class you’re in now,” Hank stated with a small smile. “Well, actually, I had an idea and was hoping that you could maybe train me like you train the law enforcement and military around town.”

  “What? Why?” Dalton asked, interrupting her conversation with Hank. His voice was deep and firm and she actually shuddered from it.

  She felt her cheeks warm and she placed her hand on the ladder for a bit of support.

  “What exactly is going on in that head of yours, Millie?” Hank asked.

  “I’m interested in that type of training.”

  “No, you’re thinking that those detectives aren’t going to locate this guy Frank in New York and that he’s going to come here to Pearl,” Dalton stated and Hank looked at his brother and then back at Millie.

  “Will you help me or not?” she asked.

  “You’re a beautiful young woman, why would you want to learn such things?” Dalton asked.

  “Listen, I don’t need to explain myself to you.” She attempted to walk away, but Dalton blocked her path and grabbed her wrist. She froze in place as she looked up into his mean, green eyes.

  “That’s where you’re wrong. You need a damn good reason to get that type of training and ‘for self-defense’ isn’t good enough.”

  She clenched her fists despite his hold on her one wrist.

  She glared up at him. “How about for survival? Would that be good enough reason, Dalton? Maybe because I’ve been abused and nearly killed by the man before and I’m scared of him and I’m tired of being a victim!” She shook with emotion. The man surely got under her skin.

  He released her wrist and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

  “I don’t think you know what this type of training entails, Millie. This isn’t like in the movies, where you learn things in one try. We don’t take it easy on our students male or female. We teach survival and the principle of ‘kill or be killed’ as the final and last resort.”

  “You’re not military and you’re not law enforcement,” Hank added.

  “I just want to be better trained and somewhat prepared if they don’t catch Frank in New York. I know you offer the training, but if you’re not willing to help me, then I suppose I’ll be forced to look elsewhere. I’ve already looked up a few places in Turbank and farther south.”

  They were both silent a moment and then Hank spoke. “Come to the dojo tomorrow at seven.”

  “Okay,” she whispered as Hank and Dalton exited the building.

  Millie released a long sigh and shook with fear she had been desperately trying to hide. That hadn’t gone as badly as she feared it might have. They could have downright refused her.

  They were seriously intense men and she hoped that she could follow through with her decision. She was truly tired of living in fear and being scared of Frank. Perhaps Dalton and Hank could help her gain some confidence back so she wouldn’t be such a scaredy-cat anymore.

  Chapter 11

  “Why are you doing this, Frank? Please talk to me. We can discuss the feelings that you’re having,” Sheila pleaded as Frank pulled the restraints tighter. She had opened up a savings account for him after he cried about not being able to get a job as an ex-con. His acting and sob story worked and he was fifty thousand richer. He had withdrawn the money and decided to keep her around for a little longer. He had gotten a little information from Clare about Millie’s ex-lover, Stewart. The little fuck used Millie for her body and now he would suffer. Millie never should have been with another man. She belonged to him and no one else. Hadn’t he made himself clear the last time they were together? He walked over to the piece of shit and tugged on the ropes.

  “I know you’re awake. You can’t be that much of a wuss,” he yelled at Stewart, who was tied to chair, bloody and nearly unconscious.

  “Please, I don’t know what you want,” Stewart moaned.

  Frank looked over at Sheila, who was as white as a ghost and perspiring with fear. The good doctor would see firsthand what he was capable of. No therapy of any kind could truly help a man like him. He wasn’t sick. He was in love and would do anything for that love. No one was going to stand in his way.

  “Where is she?” Frank asked Stewart.

  “I don’t know,” Stewart cried like a blubbering sissy.

  Frank struck him with a backhand across the cheek. Stewart moaned.

  “Don’t, Frank. Leave him alone,” Sheila cried out.

  He pointed at her from a few feet away.

  “Shut up, bitch! You’re next.”

  He grabbed Stewart by his shirt and shook him.

  “Think, Stewart! Think, damn it. Where the hell is Millie? I want my woman back, asshole.”

  “I don’t know. I can’t think.”

  Frank punched Stewart in the stomach.

  “You worthless piece of shit. You hurt her. You destroyed her with your evil words. I’m going to kill you, Stewart.”

  Sheila screamed and Stewart cried out.

  “She has friends. Her friends from Texas. She talks to them all the time. Maybe she’s there.”

  Frank stopped and stared at Stewart.

  Millie used to live somewhere in Texas. Did Stacy and Anna move out there? Is that where my baby is? Stacy probably talked Millie into leaving. That bitch will die for interfering again. I should have killed Stacy then the bitch wouldn’t be such a problem right now.

  “Please don’t kill me. Please,” Stewart begged, and Frank smiled as he walked away from Stewart and toward the duffle bag.

  He watched Sheila, her eyes red with fear and her body shaking.

  “You think you could make me forget about my woman, Sheila? You think you know me and know what it’s like to feel true pain?”

  Sheila shook her head.

  “Please, Frank. Don’t kill him. Let us go and get the help you need.”

  Frank smiled.

  “I don’t need any help. I know exactly who I am and what I want. It’s people like you and Stewart here that hide behind your money and education, thinking that you own this world and can manipulate anyone you choose to. He took my woman. He hurt her and now he’s going to die.”

  “I can help you, Frank. Listen to me. You don’t want to do this. You don’t really want to take another life. Let’s talk this through. I care about you. I stood behind you when no one else believed that you were cured. Come on, Frank. Put down the knife.” Sheila spoke in that condescending, therapeutic tone that irked him.

  “I think you’ve read too many text books, doc. You can’t cure men like me. I like to kill and to cause pain when I don’t get what I want and what I deserve. I deserve Millie. I want Millie. If I have to kill to get her, then so be it. Besides, it makes me feel good inside.”

  “No, I don’t believe you. You love me. You told me so and promised that we would start a new life together,” Sheila replied.

  “Ha. I lied. I would do anything to get what I want. I have determination, desire, and hunger. People like you and this sniveling idiot frown upon people like me. I’m the underdog. I don’t need to be rich or have some mansion or fancy car. No, all I need is the love of my woman. I’m going to find Millie. First, I’m going to kill this piece of crap nice and slowly while you watch and then you and I are going to have some fun. You’re goin
g to learn firsthand what it’s like to be a victim, doc. All those people you helped get out of jail only for them to kill again was because of you. I’m going to help you see reality before you die.”

  * * * *

  Wyatt had given Millie a ride into town on his way into work so she could start her training with Dalton and Hank. Her truck would be ready by nine and she would wait around for it after the workout.

  Wyatt informed her that Frank’s therapist was still missing and so was her car.

  Detective Flynn discovered evidence indicating that Frank’s therapist was in fact aiding him on a personal level. She had notes indicating that she was falling in love with Frank and he was falling in love with her. She apparently set up a savings account with fifty thousand dollars in it for him, and he drained the account. Millie felt sick to her stomach. But the fact that a therapist was so unethical and that she chose to fall for Frank was more bad luck for Millie. It seemed that odds were against Millie to ever be free from Frank’s threats and abuse. The news made her feel worse, but Wyatt reminded her of how cunning and manipulative Frank had become. Wyatt said that Flynn believed Frank manipulated his therapist and lied to her to get out of prison so he could find Millie. Some notes from his doctor explained counseling sessions where Frank admitted feeling incomplete for not killing Millie or possessing her fully for eternity. Millie couldn’t handle some of the other information Flynn told Wyatt. The bottom line was that Frank could be anywhere at this time.

  Millie knocked on the door to the dojo because it was locked. At first she wondered if Hank and Dalton had changed their minds, but then she saw Hank.

  He wasn’t wearing his gi but instead baggy martial arts pants and a tight T-shirt that showed off his perfect physique. “Good morning.” He let her in.

  “Morning,” she replied then he closed the door and relocked it.

  “No one else is coming to this session?” she asked, feeling a bit nervous.