Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Ajax

A sharp beep pulls me from sleep. A second has me diving off the bed . . . someone is near the RV, near my family.

My heart pounds.

Snatching my cell off the nightstand where it’s been all night, I pull up the security cameras from around the van.

Police. A lot of them.

Fuck!

They should be busy at the crime scene I left for them. They’re not focused on our van yet, too busy with the one next door. Looks like they’re going from lot to lot.

There’s nothing for them to find in here . . . except Lulu .

I grab a pair of jeans. “Lulu,” I whisper. “Louise,” I hiss when she doesn’t stir.

The hidden cameras show the cops stepping into the RV next to me. After one last look at the phone where I threw it onto the bed, I make a decision.

Lulu needs to go now.

I press my lower leg against the ottoman at the foot of the bed, shoving it aside with my weight, then lean down and roll the rug. Wood flooring stares back at me. You’d never guess that part of it lifts. No one knows what’s below except me and, in a moment, Lulu.

Carefully so as not to scratch the floor, I lift the connected wooden slats. A small compartment appears. I leave the second door locked for a few more minutes. Lulu needs to be ready first.

I hate to access the under compartment from here. It’s for desperate times only, but that’s what this is.

I grab the black rope from the ottoman. It’s probably best cops don’t find it anyway.

Time for a rough wake-up call.

Grasping Lulu by the ankles, I tear her down the bed. A short squeal escapes her, but I cover her mouth quickly and slap her naked ass, so she stills quickly. Her panicked breaths hit my hand.

“If one more sound leaves your mouth, I will take off this belt and whip your ass until my arm hurts. Do you understand?”

Lulu nods, rolling her lips between her teeth, but it doesn’t hide her whimper. Despite my threat, I let the sound go. Her body is shaking, so she won’t be a problem.

My chest heaves as I drag in much-needed air. I might be rushed, but my hands are steady as I weave the rope around her body.

It’s smooth to the touch as it wraps around her chest, framing her breasts. I knot it along her back before looping around the front again. Steadying her arms at her lower back, I secure them. Pulling tight, I lead the two pieces down her ass crack and up between her legs at the front.

Because I am the man that I am, I make sure they lay over her clit. Feeding the rope under the row at her lower belly, I let go long enough to turn Lulu onto her side. Bending her knees, I weave the rope over her thighs, working my way down until they are trapped together and pulled up toward her body.

I see on her face the minute that the rope rubs her pussy. Her eyes widen, and her cheeks flush with more than anger and outrage.

My cock responds at the sight of her. She’s wrapped up like a gift, one I’m more than ready to open.

We literally have minutes, and my hard-on is demanding that I fill her. I need it more than I need my next breath.

My phone beeps again.

I need her quiet. Blindly, I grab the first thing I can—a pair of socks. Separating them, I roll one .

Lulu shakes her head.

“Open,” I order, pinching her cheeks together.

Lulu fights, trying to turn her head away, but I force the cotton in.

The second door hidden in the floor opens with a click, and the smell of death hits me hard in the face. It only makes my arousal grow.

Thank fuck I went for jeans.

Settling Lulu into the storage below isn’t easy. The rope is almost too tight to fit my fingers beneath, and the hole in the floor is too small for both of us. Grabbing one of the knots running along her back and behind her thighs, I carry her the small distance sideways and lower her carefully.

The entrance may be small, but the storage isn’t. She’d have plenty of room if she weren’t bound so tightly.

A knock sounds just as I close and replace the flooring. Scampering, I move the rug and furniture back, then snag a shirt on my way out.

By the time I get to the front door, I have calmed my breathing. With one last breath, I crack the door open.

Three officers greet me.

“Officers, is everything okay?” I frown, a concerned look in place.

“Why would you think otherwise?” one of them rushes. My eyes drop to his name badge, Maxwell. A badge for Greenover Sheriff’s Department also sits on his chest .

“Because you’re knocking on my door at . . .” I pause to glance at the clock on the kitchen counter. “Eleven thirty.” This time, my frown is genuine.

How the fuck did that happen? I feel like I just closed my eyes. Mary Lou’s bedtime will not go easy tonight.

“May we come in?” the shorter man asks.

“I’d rather you not.”

All three shuffle at my denial.

“My daughter is sleeping.”

Maxwell glances at his watch, probably wondering why we’re not up and about for the day at almost twelve.

Me too.

“We had a rough night and didn’t get much sleep,” I explain.

“Sir, there have been two murders. We’re looking at everyone traveling through town,” the second man says.

My brows rise at his words, and a gasp falls from my lips. “What? I heard the rumors that there was a serial killing a few years ago, but I assumed it was just that, rumors.” I glance back into the RV with a concerned look. “Maybe my daughter and I should head out today. I don’t want her around anything . . . dangerous.”

The two men get a little twitchy, trying to peer inside.

“No one is allowed to leave town right now. Feds orders.” Maxwell glares .

“Perhaps I can come in and have a look around. I’ll be as quiet as a mouse,” the female officer offers.

“Officer Garcia,” I say, making a show of looking at her name badge, “Mary would be scared if she were to wake to a stranger in her room, police or not.”

“She’ll never know I was here.” She smiles.

I twist my mouth, but finally, I nod.

“Her room is the first one down the hall.” I gesture.

“Step outside, please, while Garcia goes inside.” Maxwell huffs.

I do without protest.

“How far was the murder?” I ask while we wait.

“We can’t discuss an ongoing investigation.”

You already did, dipshit.

The two men seem happy to stand in silence, so I drop any pretense of small talk.

I’ve never been this close to the police, not while it’s me they’re hunting. I didn’t think I would find it so . . . thrilling.

The image of Lulu bound and gagged, waiting for me to return, amps me up further. Everything happens for a reason.

Stopping in Cromwell Town had been a last-minute decision, one of the best I’ll ever make.

Officer Garcia exits my home just as quietly as she entered.

“All clear. No one in there other than the girl. Who is sound asleep,” she reassures me. “No signs of blood, and nothing out of place.” Stepping down, she turns to me again. “Thank you for your time and patience, sir.”

Together, the three officers move on to the next lot.

More than ready to get to my girl, I head inside, locking up tight as I do.

“Daddy?” a sleepy voice calls from the kitchen entrance.

Shit.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” I coo.

Mary smiles, rubbing her eyes.

“I’m hungry.”

“I bet. You slept so late you could probably eat a horse.” I tickle her. “Pancakes or Froot Loops?” I ask.

“Froot Loops!” She grins.

I give one last look toward my bedroom. Lulu is secure and not going anywhere. My stomach flutters at the idea of leaving her down there, but it might be just what’s needed to take that last bit of fight out of her.

Can she take it?

The kitchen clock ticks loudly. A quick breakfast it is.

“How about breakfast, and then we get ready for a day at the park?” I ask Mary, lifting her onto the counter.