Chapter 9

Chapter

Nine

Elizabeth was drained. It was well after midnight now. The emotional roller coaster of reconnecting with the people she loved most in this world—Hays, Jacey, and Quaid—and the fear of what her father could do to her siblings, their spouses, Hays, and other innocent people had left her exhausted.

The intense lie detector test had been worse than the surgery. But it had been worth it. Quaid and Jacey believed her, but more importantly, her siblings and these brave people knew the truth about their father and would take the necessary steps to get to safety. Would they have to hide forever? How could they hide everyone they loved? Father was an expert at retaliation and also at finding the leverage needed to make someone break.

It was a tearful goodbye on Jacey's part as they hugged. Aiden Porter and Quaid assured her they would relocate them to a safe place and be in touch to come up with a plan to take her father down. She would help with any information she could give but had no idea how they planned to win against him. Father would have to die like their mother had to put a stop to his underhanded and all-encompassing plans. Even prison hadn't stopped Catherine Oliver, and it definitely wouldn't stop Benjamin. He had too many hidden financial reserves, too many connections, too many men.

She'd protested that hiding was the only option, especially if they didn't send her away and tried to protect her. Father would literally move every mountain to find her. The men promised they were taking every precaution and not to worry, but she definitely, definitely worried. How could she make them understand the devious plans Father would come up with? Even she couldn't predict every depraved act he might have his men commit.

She loaded up in the sheriff's truck with Hays and the Coleville brothers—Clint, Easton, and Walker.

Easton and Walker were very talkative. They told her about their expansive twenty-thousand-acre Coleville Ranch, their security systems, cameras, perimeter fence, and sensors. They explained about the main house, the cabins, barns, outbuildings, and their trusted and trained former military ranch hands. Easton told her how they had protected Jacey for a year after her rescue. Elizabeth thanked them profusely. They humbly accepted her thanks and said they'd done other witness protection details but had upped their game twenty levels when Miles had brought the famous Jacqueline Oliver to them.

They explained that Quaid's friend, their brother Miles, had helped rescue Jacey. He was a Navy SEAL and on a mission currently. He had his own cabin but was rarely at home. Their brother Houston was also out of town, finishing his family practice residency in Nebraska. Sheriff Clint didn't live at the ranch but had a house ‘in town.' The town had all of a thousand people in it. Rhett also didn't live at the ranch but had a ‘mansion' near Kalispell and built even ‘huger mansions down that way' according to Walker.

Elizabeth listened cordially, wondering why they were explaining about the ranch and trying not to notice how closely Hays was pressed against her in the back seat. His warm scent messed with her already exhausted and stressed brain. She drew Easton and Walker out, asking questions about their ranch to distract herself, wondering what they'd think if they saw any of her father's three extravagant mansions on Long Island, in Virginia, and on Hilton Head Island. It was dark outside, and she thought they'd been driving about ten minutes.

"Are we using a different airport to fly to our destination?" she asked. Were these men coming with her and Hays? Would she and Hays be alone? That idea wasn't smart as one man could never stop a contingent of her father's men, but the thought of being alone with Hays made her tingle from head to foot. Could they finally talk through the deception and pain? Could he hold her tight and kiss her?

"Well." Sheriff Coleville spoke up from the driver's seat. "We aren't flying to our destination."

She'd committed to trusting these men and somehow she did, especially Hays. He shifted against her, and the sensation of his strong body distracted her. She had never let down her guard like this, but what could she do? She was trapped between Hays and Easton and not consciously choosing to but leaning into Hays's strong shoulder and abdomen and savoring every moment of the short drive.

Would he stay with her until this ordeal was over? She could hardly believe she had been ‘rescued.' She was more free at this moment than she'd ever been in her life, and she had Hays to thank for that. There was no possibility it would last, that even the accomplished Aiden Porter could best her father. She should insist she fly home and find her own path to distracting Father from hunting down her siblings, Hays, and their friends. Had she explained strongly enough how deep they needed to go into hiding? She'd tried but hadn't seen the panic in anyone else's eyes that she felt deep in her soul. Her father had connections all over the globe and would make finding them his focus, probably by drawing them out as he threatened someone they cared about. There was a reason she'd said that to Peter as a threat. She'd seen the horrific scenario repeated time after time after time.

"Oh," she managed. "Driving then, or a yacht?"

"We're taking you to our ranch, ma'am," Walker said.

"Your ranch?" She now understood why they had shared so much information. What she didn't understand was their plan. "Isn't your ranch the closest neighbor to Cade and Jacey's?"

"Yes." The sheriff seemed unconcerned about the proximity. "About twenty minutes, but our ranch is set up against the mountains just down from Cade's canyon. With our state-of-the-art perimeter security fences and sensors, nobody gets close without us knowing about it."

Elizabeth was concerned. Very, very concerned. "Won't my father look there first?"

"I don't believe he will," Clint said evenly. "It's too obvious. But if he does, we would welcome that fight."

"None of you believe how powerful he and his men are," she protested.

"Bring it on," Easton said, and Walker laughed.

Crazy, egocentric men. She gazed up at Hays. In the dim light of the cab, she could feel his determination.

"If they somehow found you at the ranch, it is a veritable fortress," Hays said. "We have the manpower, weaponry, and skill to protect you, and we hold the defensive position."

Elizabeth studied him and then looked around the cab at these brave but overly-confident men as they pulled up to a solid wrought-iron gate. Clint conversed with a guard and the gate swung open.

As they pulled through, she realized the truth. "You're using me as bait to lure my father in. Do you have an army? Will you bring in a famous talk-show host and expose him on national television and the internet like Sutton Smith and Aiden Porter did when they rescued Quaid?"

"You are absolutely not bait," Hays said, gazing down at her. "We are protecting you at Coleville Ranch while Quaid and Aiden brainstorm with Sutton Smith and work out a plan to destroy your father and his empire."

"Hays. That is not possible."

"Which part?"

"You all need to go into deep hiding." And send her back to her father. Selfishly, she didn't insist on that just yet.

"I promise you; I will keep you safe, and I know Quaid and Aiden have the right connections to destroy your father." Even in the dim truck lighting, he looked unwavering, handsome, and able to protect her.

Elizabeth bit at her lip and simply shook her head, looking out the window. They were surrounded by a thick pine forest. She fought through seemingly impossible struggles every day, but this one was beyond her scope. All these men insisting they could fight and win? Absurd.

"If I'm not bait, how can you believe your ranch is the safest option?" she asked the Coleville brothers.

"Your father has no idea where Jacey was. We guarded her for over a year with no leads coming near our ranch," Easton said proudly. "Even when they went to Cade's place, they didn't so much as glance our way. We are ready and able to protect anybody in danger. You'll be safe with us."

Elizabeth deflated against the seat. She didn't want to fight another battle. Her entire life was a nonstop battle. These men were trustworthy, but they'd be killed because of their pride in their own abilities.

"Knock knock," Hays said softly.

"Who's there?" she asked, appreciating the distraction as she had no way to change what was happening right now. The elusive freedom she'd felt would be gone soon, and would most likely cost these brave men their lives.

"Alice."

"Alice who?"

"Alice fair in love and war."

She peered up at him in the darkened truck interior.

"We will win against your father," he said.

Elizabeth wished she could believe him. Even more, she wished she could be free to love him.

The truck pulled into a clearing and drove toward a massive wood lodge. It was too dark to see much beyond the lit lodge and some lighted paths beyond it. Another large structure with lights through the trees might have been a horse barn.

The truck eased around a circle drive. A sloping lawn and walkway bordered by flowers led to the wide front porch decorated with thick wood beams, flower boxes, and rocking chairs.

"Oh my. This is lovely."

She felt like she had walked onto the location of a cowboy movie. Hays smiled at her, opened his door, and helped her out. His hands lingered on her waist and their gazes entangled. It was nice to be distracted.

Distracted? Riveted by him was more like it.

Doors slamming yanked her from staring at him. Hays kept an arm around her and escorted her along the walkway and up the porch. A tall, broad man and an average-size brunette woman opened the door before they reached it.

"Now, now, get inside, my darlings," the woman exclaimed, ushering them into a brightly lit foyer and off to the left into an open dining and kitchen area. It smelled delicious, like cinnamon and sugar. The walls were white with large windows, and the rustic decorations appealed to Elizabeth. She'd never been in a home that wasn't modern and professionally decorated. "I'm Mama Millie and this is my love, Jared."

"Lieutenant Hays West." Hays shook Jared's hand and got a hug from Millie. "And this is Elizabeth Oliver." He introduced her as if she were the most important person in the world.

"Ah, Elizabeth." Millie hugged her tightly. Very, very tightly. She smelled of clean laundry, cinnamon, and sugar. Elizabeth had never had a ‘mama' hug, and she found herself leaning into her. The gesture was comforting and full of love, even though this woman didn't know her.

"I'm so very glad you've come to us. We all fell in love with your sister Jacey. Ah, that doll."

Elizabeth flinched and pulled away. She felt awful for her reaction. Millie couldn't know that the word ‘doll' was a trigger for her.

"Thank you for watching over Jacey," she managed, then shook Jared's hand. "Thank you, sir."

"None of this ‘sir' garbage," Jared boomed. "We're here to help."

"Now, we've got plenty of leftovers, treats, and drinks. What would you all like first?" Millie beamed.

Elizabeth hated to refuse the kind woman, but she'd eaten more at the dinner at Jacey's home than she had in her life. Her stomach was full, and the stress of this very long evening and night made it impossible to eat any more.

"Mama," Clint said in a soft but firm voice. "It's one in the morning. They're exhausted. I'm going to show them to their rooms. Why don't you bring up some drinks and treats and they can eat them while they get settled in and rest?"

Bless the sheriff who had seemed so stern.

"Of course, of course." Millie patted Elizabeth's hand. "We'll get acquainted tomorrow. I'm so thrilled you're here, beautiful girl." She hugged her again.

Elizabeth leaned into the hug. It was comforting and reassuring. These men all wanted to protect her, but Millie wanted to nurture her.

"Thank you." Elizabeth glanced around. "I only hope I won't endanger your family or home."

Easton chuckled at that and exchanged a look with Walker. "The Colevilles are much too tough and experienced to worry about any danger."

"You should worry," she exclaimed. "When my father's men track me to your location, they will destroy you, your home, and everyone else you love."

All the men but Hays smiled at her.

"She sounds just like Jacey," Walker said fondly.

"Please," she begged. "I'm only trying to protect you."

"And we're going to protect you," Hays said, sliding his arm around her waist again. "Clint?"

"Yes, sir." Clint gestured back toward the foyer and an open staircase.

"Don't you worry about anything, sweetie," Millie said, smiling at her. "My boys could protect the President from the Taliban without a sweat. You get some rest."

"Night." Jared tipped his head to her, touching an invisible cowboy hat, a true cowboy gentleman.

"Goodnight," Elizabeth managed.

"Night." Easton and Walker each lifted a hand goodbye.

Elizabeth let Hays direct her up the stairs and down a wide hallway to the left. "Mama and Dad's room is downstairs along with the living areas, kitchen, an office for the ranch, and a security center," Clint explained. "There are four suites up here and a game room and theater."

"Do Easton and Walker have rooms on this floor?" Hays asked.

"No. They have each built their own cabins on the property."

Elizabeth briefly wondered how large the property was. Easton had said twenty-thousand acres, but being raised in a city it was hard to visualize how expansive that might be. Her parents' estate in Virginia had five acres of trees and horse barns. That seemed like a large property to her, but it wasn't even in the same league as this mountain escape.

Clint pointed to the two doors in front of them at the end of the short upstairs hallway. "You'll take these two suites. No one else is staying on this floor currently but the two of you. Elizabeth, there are some clothes in the closet for you and toiletries in the bathroom."

"How did you …" They hadn't planned on her staying here. How could they have? Eight hours ago, everyone had thought she was her mother reincarnated.

"We prepare for every contingency." He shrugged. "Now I don't think I have to tell you this, but even on the ranch you cannot go anywhere without Hays by your side."

She blinked up at Hays. That seemed an easy concession to make. Was that for her protection or because they still didn't trust her? Hays was her assigned bodyguard. If only she could guard her heart. She'd already hurt Hays enough. She wasn't willing to endanger him even further by falling for him and giving her father one more target to manipulate her with.

"Of course," she said to Clint. "Thank you for all you're doing for me."

"It's my job." The sheriff flashed her a rare smile and then pivoted and walked back down the hallway and disappeared down the stairs.

Elizabeth found herself alone with Hays. She clasped her hands together to keep from instinctively reaching for him. Fourteen years ago, she could have grasped his shirt, tugged him close, and …

She couldn't let herself think about the only happy moments of her life. She had no right to be touching or kissing him now. They'd both been through too much pain. Healing and happiness weren't on the agenda.

Glancing up at him, she found his deep-brown gaze honed in on her.

"Liz." His voice was soft and husky. He wrapped his hand around hers. It was a tender, unassuming touch that shot thrills clear through her. "There's so much to say, so much I want to ask."

Elizabeth nodded. She could imagine. But did she have any answers for him? Letting herself fall for him, as if she were innocent and had any hope of a future, was ludicrous. Anything she did to grow close to him, especially revealing the depravity of her father and her past, would only endanger him. The darkness inside her would destroy his goodness.

"I …" She had no idea what to say to him.

"You're exhausted," he supplied.

"Definitely." She stayed ramrod straight as she'd been taught, but she let herself feel the warmth and strength in his fingers and bask in the longing for her written in his dark eyes.

"I bet."

Hays didn't say anything for a beat, and she could only focus on his gaze, lost in his eyes.

"Knock knock," he said softly.

She smiled, and relief and disappointment intermingled. She yearned for him to come close and give her one sweet goodnight kiss, but it was smarter to keep an emotional distance. "Who's there?"

"Al."

"Al who?" She clung to his hand and moistened her lips.

Hays's gaze darted to her lips, then back up to her eyes. He seemed to change his mind about something, but then he said, "Al give you a hug if you need one."

Elizabeth's heart thudded in her chest. Against all that was smart, she whispered, "Yes, please."

Hays's smile lit up the dark night. He released her hand and wrapped his arms around her lower back, drawing her against his solid chest. Elizabeth slid her hands around his back and clung to him. She let out a sigh and nestled in against him. Hays would comfort, protect, strengthen, and thrill her. If only she could stay with him always.

Glancing up at him, their gazes tangled and held. With one look, he promised to be her everything. She knew that couldn't happen, but he tenderly cupped her cheek with one palm and tilted her head up toward his.

Elizabeth should not let down her guard and kiss him, but she had no idea how to resist.

Anticipation filled her. This was the moment. Hays would take command of her lips and she would float away on a cloud of happiness. Every pain and worry would disappear. Her father would never find her in the shelter of Hays's arms.

Footsteps came up the stairs.

Hays straightened and quickly ushered her behind him, stepping in front of her.

Numerous guards had protected Elizabeth throughout her life, but she'd never felt truly protected until this moment. Hays would jump in front of a bullet for her. His only purpose was to keep her safe, never to control her or make certain she wasn't stepping out of line.

She loved him.

Not that love could factor into the equation. No matter how Hays made her feel, even her Superman could never stop the manipulative genius that was her father. She doubted Sutton Smith, Aiden Porter, and her determined brother could either.

"Oh, there you are. I made up a tray of treats and drinks for each of you."

Hays stepped to the side, and Elizabeth saw Millie beaming at them with Jared trailing her.

Their moment had been interrupted. She was sick with disappointment. She needed some rest before she did something stupid like tell Hays he was the only real happiness she'd experienced and begged him to create more happiness with his touch and his kiss.