Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jack was in a good mood. He'd loved the ranch. The owner seemed pretty laid-back and cool, and the other employees he'd met were down-to-earth and seemed eager to have someone else to help out around the place.

His job duties would entail pretty much doing any kind of work around the ranch that needed doing. Mending fences, mucking out stalls, plumbing in the guest cottages, general maintenance, and, once he learned the trails, leading guests on hikes around the property. The ranch was on about a thousand acres that had both forest and flat land, where the houses and cabins were located, along with an arena where the horses could be trained by staff and ridden by guests. It was a big operation, and Jack was impressed.

But…there was something missing. It wasn't until he and Maisy had arrived at the small park not too far from her house that he realized what it was.

Mountains. There were hills and valleys, but the true mountains were west of the city. A pang hit Jack, and he felt homesick. But for what? Or where? It was frustrating not understanding what his brain was trying to tell him.

A jolt of pain flashed through his head, and he winced, glad that Maisy's back was turned as she spread the tablecloth that Paige had included in their basket. It felt as if he was on the brink of remembering everything, but for some reason the door to his memories was staying stubbornly shut.

Nights were now the worst. He dreamed such disjoined and terrifying things, but had no context for them. Names and people's faces flashed through his nightmares, names and people he felt as if he should know, but their connections to him remained a mystery. The only thing that kept him sane was Maisy. Holding her in his arms somehow kept the worst of the nightmares at bay. Having her near, smelling her apple scent, feeling her naked skin against his own, kept him from lashing out.

He smiled as she looked up at him from her position on the ground. She sat on her heels and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "Paige made peanut butter cookies," she said happily.

Jack lowered himself to the ground next to her and reached over to grab a container of grilled chicken. "How about we start with something a little more nutritious?"

"Peanut butter is protein. And there's eggs, and dairy, and carbs in the cookies," Maisy teased.

Jack chuckled and pulled the baggie of cookies out of her hand and placed it on his other side, holding the container of sliced chicken out to her.

She pouted. "You're mean."

"Nope. I care about your health and well-being. How about this…you eat the healthy stuff first, and then you'll get a reward."

Her eyes sparkled and she teased, "I'm thinking what I want as a reward isn't flavored like peanut butter and isn't in that little baggie."

And just like that, Jack's cock twitched in his jeans. On the night of their vow renewal, his wife had been…reticent. Not unwilling, but unsure about sex with him. His size, his desire for her, all of it. He'd been away from her for too long, and that was abundantly obvious. But now? Her sex drive matched his own, and it was all he could do not to push her onto her back and take her then and there. But they were in a public park and there were people all around them. He'd never do anything that would embarrass her or put her in danger. And having sex in a public park would do both.

"I'll take a rain check on that, Stellina . For now, cookies will have to do."

"Darn," she said with a small smile.

As they ate, Jack kept things light. Talking about the people around them, the gorgeous weather, how beautiful she looked in her red blouse…anything that wouldn't stress her out. But eventually he needed to talk about their next steps.

"I'm going to take the job if it's offered to me," he told her solemnly after they'd finished their lunch and had thoroughly enjoyed the cookies Paige had included in the basket.

She sighed and nodded. But she didn't look at him, instead focused on a family kicking a soccer ball around on the grass not too far away from them.

"Do you really not want to leave?" he asked. He had to know. She had to see how horrible her brother was to her. If it was anyone else, he had no doubt she'd be begging them to leave the situation. He didn't understand why she wanted to stay.

"No, I want to leave. But it's not that simple."

"It is," Jack insisted. "You're twenty-eight, Maisy. An adult. He can't control you forever."

"When I was eight…I was sick. Really sick. Jason slept on my floor every night, even though my parents forbade him to do so. They were worried that he'd get sick too, but he didn't care. He snuck in every night after they went to sleep."

"Maisy," Jack said, but she didn't stop.

"When I was twelve, there was this kid at school who picked on me. Spread nasty rumors that I was adopted and my real parents were serial killers. It was ridiculous, but when you're twelve, everything seems like the end of the world. Jason went to that kid's house and had a talk with him. I never found out what he said, but the rumors stopped. Immediately."

She sighed and lay back on the blanket and stared up at the sky. Jack lowered himself next to her and took hold of her hand. They lay like that, on their backs, staring up at the clouds lazily blowing overhead as she continued to speak.

"When Mom and Dad were killed, I was so lost. Scared out of my mind that I'd go into the system. Jason had just graduated from college, but he moved home, did the necessary paperwork to become my legal guardian. When I wanted to die, he got me to a doctor and got me the meds I needed to keep going day after day. "

"The meds that made you a zombie," Jack couldn't help but say with a frown.

She shrugged. "Yeah. But the fact is, for years he was my rock. The only person I saw. He kept me going, even when I didn't want to. His life hasn't been easy, Jack. He gave up everything to come home and take care of me."

"I understand that, Maisy, I do. But you aren't eight anymore. Or twelve, or fifteen. And you've got me now. I don't understand this hold he has on you, and it scares the crap out of me. Is this why we were separated?"

Maisy sighed but didn't respond for a long moment. Then she turned her head and locked eyes with him. "I want to leave, but I'm scared."

"Of what?" Jack asked.

She frowned. "He's different. He's not the big brother I remember anymore. He doesn't like you, and I'm afraid he's going to do something to…ensure we can't stay together."

"There's nothing he can say or do that will make that happen," Jack vowed.

Instead of reassuring her, his words seemed to make Maisy even sadder. She turned her gaze back to the sky. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Jack. I mean that," she said quietly. "No matter what happens, that's the God's honest truth. Take the job, you'll be awesome at it. I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't part-owner of that ranch in a couple of years."

"I won't do it if you really don't want me to. We can find another way to make ends meet," Jack said, her belief in him warming him from the inside out.

She shook her head and turned back to him. "No. I don't want to stay. I want to leave. With you. Start a new life. It won't be easy, but I'll do whatever I can to help. I'll get a job, I have no idea what, but I want to contribute."

"All I need is for you to support me," Jack told her honestly.

"I do."

"Good. The owner is supposed to call in a few days after a couple more interviews. If he offers me the job, I'll accept and we'll figure out our next move. I'll tell Jason that we're moving out, and I don't want you anywhere around when I do. If he protests, I'll set him straight. I won't give him another chance to abuse you. No one hurts you, Maisy. You're mine to protect. To provide for. As your husband, I take my vows seriously."

She swallowed hard. "And you're mine to do the same."

Jack brought their clasped hands up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles, but made no move to get up. "It's such a nice day," he sighed.

She chuckled. "Yeah, it is."

Jack felt more content at that moment than he had in what seemed like forever. He had his wife by his side, a future with her to look forward to, and a knowledge in his bones that he was right where he was supposed to be.

A noise in the distance caught his attention. Turning his head, Jack couldn't see anything in the sky, but the sound seemed incredibly familiar to him.

Sitting up, he stared in the direction the noise was coming from.

Ten seconds later, a helicopter came into view. It was flying fast and seemed to have a specific destination in mind. Jack recalled Maisy telling him about a hospital that wasn't too far from the park.

The sound of the rotor blades settled in his soul—and he had to close his eyes because of the intensity of the pain shooting through his head.

Pictures flashed through his mind…of a strong and sturdy cabin nestled among the trees…sitting around a large table laughing with a group of men…sitting at a console of switches and lights as he stared out the windshield at the ground far below…men in uniform and weapons, climbing in and out of a chopper he was flying…his friend and copilot, Owl, sitting next to him, frantically trying to keep the helicopter from crashing…pain, blood, a hospital…Owl laughing with a blonde-haired woman…warning that same woman not to touch Stone if he had a nightmare…joy at being at the controls of the chopper they were buying for The Refuge…waking up in a trunk, panic…

A gasp left his lips as his memory returned hard and fast. It didn't gradually come back, letting him acclimate to the sights and sounds his unconscious mind had been keeping from him. No, it played back like a horror movie on full volume.

"Jack?"

He heard Maisy calling his name as if from a distance. His given name, not the one he'd used for years—Stone.

He was Stone. Not Jack Smith. No, his last name was Wickett. He had no siblings, his parents were retired and living in New York. He was owner of The Refuge, a kick-ass retreat for people suffering from PTSD. Co-owner, actually, along with Brick, Tonka, Spike, Pipe, Tiny, and his best friend, Owl.

Shit, Owl! Was he all right? What about Lara?

So many questions ran through his brain…but then the most important one surfaced .

Who the fuck was the woman at his side, holding his hand? Because she sure as hell wasn't his wife. At least, she hadn't been a few weeks ago—before he was kidnapped.

Feeling sick, Stone thought about the renewal of vows ceremony he'd happily participated in. He had a feeling it wasn't a renewal at all.

He'd actually married the liar beside him.

"Jack? What's wrong? Are you all right? Do we need to go to the emergency room? Talk to me, you're scaring me."

Swallowing hard, praying the pain would recede, Stone turned to look at Maisy.

She was frowning, looking worried as she stared at him, her hand gripping his tightly. If he hadn't remembered everything, he would've believed that she was actually concerned about his well-being.

The level of betrayal he felt would've brought him to his knees if he wasn't already sitting.

He had no idea what to say to her. Not knowing the purpose behind her deception kept him from lashing out. He needed information. Who was she? Why had she and her brother kidnapped him? Were they working with Carter Grant, the serial killer who'd vowed to get revenge against Lara? Where was she and Owl? Shit, he needed to call Brick. Find out what the fuck was going on.

"Please, say something!" Maisy pleaded.

"I'm okay," he managed to get out, but even to him, his voice sounded flat and hard.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah…we should get back."

"Oh, um…okay," Maisy said uneasily.

He felt a twinge of guilt that he was obviously scaring her, but he pushed it down. He'd been fucking kidnapped . Duped into thinking he was this woman's husband! That his last name was Smith. He couldn't trust anything she said or did. She was obviously an extremely skilled liar.

He dropped her hand and stood. She did the same, and he began to pack up the picnic. She bent to help, and he said in a clipped tone, "I've got it."

Maisy nodded and stood back, watching him.

Stone's mind spun. He needed to figure out his next steps. He had free run of the house, so it wouldn't be hard to leave. But he needed answers before he disappeared. Needed to know why .

His head hurt. His heart hurt. Hell, it felt as if every nerve ending in his body hurt. The memories of his past wouldn't stop running through his brain like a bad B-movie. His time as a prisoner of war, the torture, the harrowing rescue, the calmness he felt in the mountains in New Mexico, his respect for his friends who'd settled there with him.

But along with those memories were new ones of Maisy. The way she looked above him as she rode his cock. How she felt against his side as she slept. How scared she looked around her brother. The mysterious bruises she claimed were from her clumsiness. The way Jason spoke to her when he thought no one was listening.

Stone was confused as hell. The feelings he had for Maisy hadn't disappeared the moment his memory returned. Instead, he felt even more protective of her. Which was crazy. She was obviously a part of whatever plot was afoot with his kidnapping. She'd deceived him from the moment he'd woken up in her bed. But he couldn't understand why. What the end game could be to this elaborate ruse .

They walked in silence toward the car and Stone got behind the wheel, barely waiting for her to shut her door before pulling out of the parking spot. Things were tense all the way back to the house, but Stone couldn't think of one thing to say that wouldn't give away what he was feeling and thinking. He needed some space. To try to figure everything out. To decide his next move.

One thing was for sure, he wasn't spending another day in that prison of a house. He might not be in chains and may not have been physically tortured, but lying to him, telling him that he was someone he wasn't, was a form of torture all the same. Mentally.

"I'll bring the basket back to Paige," Maisy said quietly after he'd parked.

"Okay," Stone told her.

"Jack? Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just tired. I'm going to go lie down; see if I can get this headache to go away. Give me some time, all right?"

"Oh, yeah, I can do that. Do you think you'll want to come down for dinner?"

"No, I'm not hungry. I'll see you tonight. We'll talk," Stone told her. He looked at her then, for the first time since the park. Her cheeks were devoid of color and she looked extremely worried. As well she should be. Her life was about to be turned upside down…and she had no idea of how ruthless he could be.

Maisy nodded.

Stone turned from her then and headed for the stairs. He needed to make some calls. His friends had to be worried sick about him. And he needed answers. If Owl and Lara were still in the Seattle area, he'd find them and break them out of whatever fucking hole Carter Grant had stashed them.

"Jack?"

He wasn't going to turn around. Wanted to ignore the small and soft way she said his name. But he couldn't do it. He stopped and turned to look at Maisy.

"I love you more than I'm indebted to my brother. Whenever you want to leave, I'm ready."

Her words confused the hell out of Stone. But instead of storming over to her and shaking her and demanding answers to the hundreds of questions rattling around in his head, he merely nodded and continued down the hallway, walking away from her.

Every step he took felt like torture, and he didn't know why. She'd lied to him. Had married him against his will…no, that wasn't fair. He was willing, he just thought he was a different man than he actually was. But he couldn't block out the way she clung to him as if she was truly in love. The way she opened up to him. The things she'd shared, sounding so damn earnest about every confidence.

Gritting his teeth, he took the stairs two at a time, relieved he didn't run into Jason. He wasn't sure what he'd do or say to the man if he saw him right this moment. Before he did something rash that might get him thrown into the safe room Maisy said they had in the basement—he hadn't even been down there, he had no idea what he might find, but he had a suspicion he wouldn't like it—Stone needed to think. Needed to touch base with Brick, find out what the hell was going on.

After that, he'd make the decision whether to disappear like a thief in the night, or metaphorically burn the place down before he made his exit .

Either way, Stone was out of there. He'd vowed he'd never be a prisoner again. He wouldn't stay, not even for a woman he was afraid had already gotten way too far under his skin.

"Stone?! Holy shit, is that really you? Where are you? What happened?"

Stone couldn't help but smile at hearing Brick's stunned words. "I didn't think anything could flap the unflappable Brick," he couldn't help but say.

"Shut the fuck up and start talking," Brick ordered.

Stone sobered. "I'll tell you everything, but first, is Owl okay? And Lara?"

"They're fine. They're here at The Refuge. Holy shit, I can't believe you don't know. Grant hired a guy, Ricky Norman, to kill both you and Owl, and to fly Lara to his island lair. Norman sold you instead. And the man who bought you was supposed to take Owl too, but turns out, he just took you. So this Norman guy flew Owl and Lara to Grant, who was pissed way the hell off. They got into a shootout, Owl stole the chopper while those two assholes killed each other, but not before taking a round. He promptly passed out as soon as they were in the air. Lara flew them to an airport and now they're married and Lara's pregnant. Your turn. What the hell happened? Where have you been?"

"You aren't going to believe me when I tell you," Stone said, his mind reeling over everything he'd just learned. He was thrilled for Owl and Lara, but pissed they'd had to go through such a harrowing experience .

He spent the next five minutes explaining everything that had happened to him .

"Jesus! But you're okay? Not hurt?" Brick asked.

"No, I'm fine."

"Thank fuck . And you have all your memory back now?"

"I'm thinking so, yeah. I remember having a panic attack when I was in that trunk. I think my mind must've turned off to protect itself. I was being kidnapped again, and maybe I thought I was going to be tortured or something. So I just…forgot who I was."

"And these people, Jason and Maisy, they tricked you? Said you were her husband?"

"Yes."

"Shit, Stone, that's insane! Why?"

"I don't know."

"Do they know who you are? Like, where you're from or your name or anything?"

"I'm not sure. I obviously haven't seen my wallet or anything."

"Hmmm."

Stone waited. But his friend didn't say anything else. "That's it?" he asked impatiently. "Just, hmmm?"

"It doesn't make sense. There has to be a reason. Lara said the guy who dragged you away said his boss only wanted one guy, not two. That's why he didn't take Owl."

"I'm leaving tonight. I'll buy a ticket at the airport and be home tomorrow."

"I'm thinking we need to consider all the angles first," Brick countered.

Stone was stunned. "You don't think I should come back to The Refuge? "

"No, you're absolutely coming back home. But we need to figure out why you were taken. Were you targeted, or would any guy work? If you leave, will they come after you? We need more answers, and I don't like the thought that they'd be able to track you here if you buy a ticket. Give me an hour or so, let me tell the others that you're safe. I know Ry can get you home without leaving a trace."

"Who?"

"Oh, shit, I forgot you don't know. You know Ryan, the newest housekeeper?"

"Yeah?"

"Her real name is Ryleigh. She's a computer genius. Tex admitted she's even out of his league—which pisses him off. She's been close-lipped about why she's here or what she's hiding from, and she's definitely hiding from something or someone, but she refuses to say. Has been working day and night to try to figure out what happened to you. She's going to be relieved as hell that you're okay, but pissed that she wasn't the one to find you," Brick said. "Tiny's been keeping an eye on her. Making sure she doesn't run."

Stone was stunned. "Holy crap, seriously?"

"Yup. Okay, lay low, don't let on that you've remembered who you are. Let me talk to the others and Ry, and I'll get back to you. This number okay to call back?"

"Yes."

"You'll probably have to dump the phone when you leave. If your kidnappers are smart, they could probably get the phone traced and figure out that you called here, but that will take a while, I'm thinking. Not everyone has a Tex or Ry in their back pocket to do their illegal computer hacking shit for them." Brick snorted. "And, Stone?"

"Yeah?"

"Fucking thrilled you're okay. We were all going out of our minds here. I don't like the situation, not at all, but it's a huge relief that you're all right. Lara's going to lose it. She blamed herself for not being able to stop that guy from taking you. And Owl's gonna want to hear for himself that you're good. I'm thinking you'll have us all on the line when I call back."

Stone closed his eyes. It felt amazing to have such good friends at his back. He hadn't realized how alone he'd felt until that moment. "Thanks."

"Don't thank me," Brick grumbled. "Stay close to your phone, I'll call back as soon as I have more info for you."

"Ten-four." Stone ended the call and sat down on the bed.

As soon as he did, he could smell apples.

Sighing, he leaned over and rested his elbows on his knees and stared at the floor.

He wanted to believe that Maisy had nothing to do with this fucked-up situation. But what else could he think? She'd lied to his face time and time again. She might not have planned his kidnapping, but she'd perpetuated the farce when he'd woken up and discovered he had no memories.

Straining to remember the moment he woke up, Stone frowned. He recalled Jason speaking to Maisy harshly, issuing a veiled threat when she begged him not to do "this." Was she referring to whatever Jason had planned for Jack? He could only assume so.

He also remembered the way she'd stumbled over what he'd thought were the easiest of questions. She'd been coached by her brother, he had no doubt of that. But why? To what end?

Rubbing his temples, Stone sighed again. There was no doubt that Jason Feldman was an asshole and a bully. He was abusing his sister, mentally and probably physically. Did she deserve it? Stone honestly didn't think so. He'd spent almost every minute of the last few weeks with her. And now that he had a moment to think it through, he knew how scared she was of her brother. She'd even come out and told him that today, but with everything else that had happened, namely his memory returning, he'd blocked it out.

He didn't know why he'd been kidnapped, and if he left without a trace, where would that leave Maisy? He shouldn't care. She'd participated in the scam to keep him in the dark about their sham of a marriage. But he couldn't help the feeling that if he left her alone with her brother, serious harm would come to her.

Then another thought shot through him—and he sat up straight on the bed.

He'd had unprotected sex with Maisy every night since their farce of a vow renewal. Sometimes several times a night.

She could very well be carrying his child right now.

And there was no way he was leaving his son or daughter to be raised in this house, by his kidnappers.

His decision made, Stone felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He hadn't realized how anxious he'd been about leaving Maisy behind. It made no sense. She'd lied to him and pretended to be his wife…but he couldn't stop hearing her say she was afraid .

Well, she might be scared of her brother, but she'd be terrified once she met Brick and his other friends. They could be intimidating bastards when they wanted to be. There'd be no way she could keep whatever plan she and her brother had devised a secret when they interrogated her.

All he had to do now was wait for Brick to call him back so they could discuss arrangements to get him home without leaving a digital trace, make sure they knew he wouldn't be alone, that Maisy would be coming with him, and then wait for the right time to make his escape.

Whatever the reason he'd been brought here and lied to, Stone was done playing their game. By the time the sun rose, he'd be on his way home. To his true home. To the men and women who'd never lie to him.