Chapter Sixteen—Swayze

It had happened. The one thing Swayze had hoped wouldn’t happen when first meeting Mont’s stare at Megan’s. Falling for a man shouldn’t be stressful, but Swayze couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d find her this time.

Her head was nearly gone after their pond date.

“Momma.”

Swayze looked down, pushing her insecurities to the side. “Go bye bye?”

Swayze nodded. “Yeah, let me get dressed, and we’ll go.”

Ryker sat at his small Mickey Mouse table and watched YouTube on her phone while Swayze went to get dressed.

Part of Swayze wanted to walk to Mont’s house and tell him it was over because she was falling way too fast, and the other wanted her to run to his bed and hide there forever.

She gathered her clothes for the laundromat and carried them into the living room.

Ryker’s chair was empty, which didn’t surprise her, because getting a three-year-old to sit compared to pulling teeth.

“Ryker?” she yelled, grabbing her keys to the house and shoving them into her pocket. “Ryker, baby? You okay?”

Nothing.

Putting down the basket, she searched the kitchen and her room, panic setting in when she didn’t hear his little feet puttering to get to her. “Ryker,” she screamed, her throat constricting with fear.

The dread in her chest slithered up to strangle her throat. The front and back door were bolted tight, so she figured he hadn’t gotten outside, but checked anyway. Nothing but a warm Saturday morning.

“Ryker,” she cried again.

The memories from the last two years replayed in her head over again. He wouldn’t hurt Ryker, would he? Judging by her dead husband, she assumed he would do anything to get to her.

“Ryker!” she screamed again.

She found him in the bathroom, staring up at the vent at the top of the ceiling. “Ryker,” she whispered, bending down to kiss his cheek. “Answer Momma when she calls. What are you doing?”

“What’s that?” he asked, pointing toward the vent.

“It’s a vent,” she said, sitting back against her legs. “Are you ready to go now?”

Ryker grinned up at her; his dark eyes looked more like Dylan than ever lately. She pressed a kiss to his cheek and stood up. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Swayze and Ryker walked the three miles to the laundromat. The option to call Mont lingered, but she didn’t want to rely on him for everything. It wasn’t healthy.

The laundromat was next to an abandoned building in the small, rundown square that screamed unsafe. There were two other people there when they walked inside, which was a relief because it was mostly packed during the day.

She gave Ryker one of his toys and told him to sit down while she got them started. The older woman at the front of the row turned to give her a quiet smile, when she noticed Lena standing beyond her.

“Swayze?” she said.

“Hey, how are you?”

Lena walked over, rubbing her palm over Ryker’s hair. “I’m great. I miss you guys. I guess you don’t work at the diner anymore?”

It wasn’t shocking that she knew. “No, I quit. Long story.”

She nodded. “You work with the Kings now, right?”

Swayze felt nervous telling her for some reason. “Yes, I took over Abigail’s spot as receptionist.”

She lifted her dark brows but didn’t move. “It’s shocking, to be honest. They don’t normally have people work for them like that. Are you sleeping with Montgomery?”

Heat flushed her skin. Had everyone been talking about them? What were they saying? “Has everyone been talkin’ about me?” Swayze whispered.

Lena’s mouth turned into an O, but she snapped it shut. Was that a yes?

“No, I just overheard that someone said you and Mont ride together a lot.”

On the back roads?

“He is my boss,” Swayze said. “And I don’t have a vehicle to get to work. You know that.”

She dropped her gaze to the worn, tile floor. “I didn’t mean to ambush you. I’m sorry. It’s none of my business, really.”

No, it wasn’t, really.

Swayze shrugged. “All is forgiven.” She turned to check on Ryker. “But, yes, I work there, and it’s been what I need to get back on my feet.”

“I hear ya. What made you choose this place anyway? Everybody wants to know. Mostly people marry here or grow up here.”

These were the questions she wanted to avoid. The questions her own—boyfriend?—didn’t know about her. “I just needed a scenery change.”

Lena didn’t believe her; it showed through her narrowed eyes. “Well, I guess that’s a good enough reason. I guess I’ll see you later. I’m headed home. Do you want a ride? I could come back and get you?”

So she could interrogate her even more?

“We’re fine. Thank you. It was nice seeing you.”

Lena leaned down to kiss Ryker’s cheek and gave Swayze a wave over her shoulder. Maybe she was being paranoid again.

They finished their laundry as quickly as the machines would let them, leaving with a load of laundry over her shoulder. They’d made it to the old pipeline road when a truck pulled over to the shoulder beside them, idling.

For a brief moment she expected to see Mont, but she knew that wasn’t his truck.

It was Kaden’s.

“Y’all need a ride?”

Swayze didn’t want to get in, at all. Would it be rude to tell him no? He was her boss.

He gave her a bored look from underneath his hat after a few moments of silence. “I ain’t gonna be mean to you. Get inside. It’s important.”

That doesn’t sound good at all.

“Okay,” she whispered.

She grabbed the handle and hauled them both up the side and slammed the door, turning immediately to look at him. “What is it?”

Kaden swallowed hard, pulling back out onto the road toward the duplex. “I know we don’t see eye to eye, and I’m not here to apologize because I don’t think I’m wrong.”

Wow, what a great way to start the conversation.

“What’s the point to this?”

Kaden cut his eyes at Swayze. “Mont noticed someone in the woods, and if you’re the reason someone is snooping around, you’ll regret it.”

Regret it? The threat lingered heavily in the small cab of his truck. Part of her wanted to reach over and strangle him, but in reality, she couldn’t because there was a possibility it was because of her.

“You’re threatening me?” she asked.

Kaden shook his head. “No. I’m warning you to get out if you’re bringing your problems to my family. When my family is in danger—let’s just say you never know what you’ll do. Do not bring your demons here.”

Swayze could only nod. What would she say without incriminating herself? The image of Kathryn or Abigail hurt because of Swayze—or Mont? Anyone, really. It would be on her shoulders, in her conscience forever.

Kaden kept quiet the rest of the ride to her house.

The blur of greenery on the side of the road had her mind drifting somewhere it didn’t need to. The night she received the scar on her hand was the night everything hit her like a spray of water to the face, a brick to the head, and a dose of reality.

He had been waiting on Dylan to go to work and for Ryker to fall asleep. I’d taken my shower, got ready for bed, and slipped underneath the cool sheets when my phone lit up from a call.

His number crossed the screen, and my stomach did a flip-flop inside of me, twisting and pulling until I felt like I would throw up if I moved.

Dylan knew my brother had fallen off his rocker when our mom passed, but he didn’t realize the severity of it, me either, not until it was too late.

When I didn’t answer, a knock sounded from the front door. “Oh no,” I mumbled, staring at the doorway.

I hid the spare key the week before, so I knew he didn’t have a way to get inside. Ten minutes later, I heard someone knocking on the windows. I could call the cops? On my own brother?

He raised me.

Cursing, I slung the covers over, grabbed my robe, and started down the stairs. I tightened my robe as I went, seeing his silhouette through the glass of our front door. “Luke, it’s late—”

“Open the door. I need to see you.”

I screwed my eyes shut and leaned my forehead against the cool glass. Slowly, I cracked the door open, seeing Luke standing in the dim light of the moon with both hands shoved into his pockets and a look of dismay on his handsome face.

Luke hadn’t been book-smart growing up but knew everything there was to know about a car, though he could never keep a garage job because of his attitude.

His disheveled chocolate hair looked like he’d been running his fingers through it, and the shirt he wore hadn’t been washed. I could smell it. That sharp jaw he’d grown into was covered with a light blanket of hair.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

Luke shook his head. “Can I please come inside?”

That wasn’t the best idea without Dylan being there, but the look of sadness on his face broke me of any doubts.

Luke stepped inside, standing close as I shut the door. “You look beautiful,” he said.

The hair on my arm stood on end as he looked me up and down in my thin robe. “I look like death,” I said. “What do you need? Dylan is at work, and Ryker is asleep. I’m tired.”

Luke’s blue gaze met mine, and he slipped his hand against my cheek.

“What are you doing?” I asked, stepping away. We’d been close growing up, but it’d always been a normal sibling relationship, or so I thought, until our mom passed.

Had he always harbored these unnatural feelings? How had I not picked up on them?

“You need to get Ryker and come with me now.”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t—”

“Now, before I make you,” he hissed, stepping closer. He wrapped a palm around my upper arm and began to pull me up the stairs.

“Luke, stop.”

Luke continued to drag me up the stairs by my arm, kicking toys left behind by Ryker, and ultimately shoving me inside my room. “Get your bags, and we’re leaving.”

I snatched away, stumbling against the bed. “Luke, I’m married to Dylan. This is where I live—”

“I’ll do it,” he shouted, pulling bags from my closet, and tossing them onto the floor.

My cellphone still sat on the side table where it charged. Could I make it over there in time to call someone? Of course, he’d catch me. Luke was a lot bigger than me. Most people were, and knowing my brother’s strength, there was no way I’d beat him.

“I need to go get Ryker,” I said. “If we’re gonna go.”

Luke stopped shoving my clothes into a bag and nodded. “He’ll fall back asleep as soon as we hit the road.”

His personality changed at the drop of a hat.

I nodded slowly, walking down the hallway to lock Ryker’s door from the outside, putting the key I had hidden under a plant back, and I snuck toward the stairs.

Fear had a hold of my throat, and every move I made felt like a lucky one. Once I hit the end of the stairs, I bolted toward the kitchen and grabbed a knife.

Could I hurt my brother?

I wasn’t sure.

But I knew I would do anything for my family.

When I turned, Luke stood at the threshold from the hallway to the kitchen, staring at the knife in my hand.

“I want us to be together forever, Demi.”

The amount of disgust and fear in my throat fought to suffocate me.

“I need you to leave. You’re scaring me,” I said through a sob.

“Put down the knife, Demi. Put it down now.”

I shook my head, holding it out in front of me. “Get back. Now!”

I walked a semi-circle around the kitchen island, as he carefully stalked me. I couldn’t let him hurt Ryker or Dylan. He needed help.

Tears pooled at the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision of him.

In a sudden movement of Luke jumping, he had the knife and slashed it out at me, my hand catching the force of it.

Hot blood trailed down my hand. I whimpered.

Luke tossed the knife onto the counter and grabbed my hand. “Let me help you—”

“Get away from me,” I shouted, holding my palm to my chest when the front door opened, and Dylan walked inside.

“What in the hell?” He grabbed Luke’s shirt in his fist as sirens rang out from the open front door.

Had someone called the cops? A neighbor? I didn’t care because I was safe. Ryker and Dylan were both safe.

“Swayze.”

She pulled herself back from the memory, focusing on the driveway in front of her and Mont’s truck.

“Mont’s here,” Kaden said.

Mont stepped out of his truck, an angry look on his face. Stalking over, he knocked his knuckled against the passenger side window. “What is going on?”

“Kaden picked us up from the laundromat on our way home.”

Mont narrowed his green eyes at Kaden, twisting his baseball cap around backward. “Umhmm, why?”

“Mont!” Ryker yelled.

“Hey, buddy. Come on.” He opened the truck door and helped them both out. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, “What did he say to you?”

Swayze looked up at him and then to the back end of Kaden’s truck as he drove away.

“Nothing,” she said.

Mont gave her a bored look, staring at her face like he knew the lie that was there. “He said something. What was it?” He stopped in front of her, crossing his big arms across his chest. “He threaten you?”

God, how did he just know things?

“No—”

“I’ll whoop his ass again. What did he say?”

“He thinks whoever was in the woods has something to do with me.”

Mont scoffed, throwing a rock toward Kaden’s truck that had already pulled out onto the highway long before.

“It’s fine,” Swayze said. “It’s not like I didn’t expect that he thought it, ya know?”

Mont closed his eyes. “He has no right to assume—”

“It is his right. It could affect his family if it were true. He is just trying to do what he thinks is right.”

Mont watched her with careful eyes. “I guess.”

“What were you doing here?”

“I was just stopping by,” he said. “Why didn’t you let me know you needed to go to the laundromat? I would have taken you. Or you could have used mine.”

“Because I don’t want to rely on you for everything, that’s why.”

Mont tilted his head to the side, his eyes roaming her, which settled heavy in her stomach. “There is one thing I plan to do for you soon,” he whispered, looking up through a heavy-lidded gaze.

Swayze felt herself slipping into what it would be like when it finally happened. “Hmm, so you say.”

Montgomery stroked the dark scruff on his cheek and reached around her to pinch her bottom. “You’ll see.”

She hoped for it.

Montgomery stayed for dinner, giving Ryker a bath while Swayze cleaned the kitchen. It felt nice to hear them talking in the other room. Ryker showed him around the bathtub, pointing toward the right toys and bath soap.

It’d been even better when Montgomery read Ryker four books and got him to sleep before nine o’clock.

When Montgomery closed the bedroom door, Swayze sat on the couch with a glass of cheap red wine. “Thank you.”

Mont sat beside her, drawing her legs into his lap. “I don’t mind at all.”

Swayze stared at him from over the rim of her glass. “Who do you think you saw in the woods?” she asked. “I ordered those cameras; they should be here soon.”

Montgomery shrugged, his wide shoulders sagging with a heavy breath. “I don’t know. Hunters normally wander over on occasion, but they never run when I call after them.”

It didn’t sit right with Swayze, but there was nothing to prove her right.

“Hey,” Mont said, running his palm up against her calf. “Don’t worry about it. You’re safe. You don’t think otherwise, do you? Any reason you’re scared?”

Swayze shook her head. “No.”

It was a small lie because she always felt scared, but nothing stood out for her to fear him being there. Mont nodded, leaving his palm against her bare thigh. “You don’t have to be,” he said after a few moments of silence.

Swayze placed her wine glass on the small end table to her right and turned to swing her leg over his lap, loving the look of surprise on his face. She’d been so guarded with letting herself savor him, that he really didn’t know her like she wanted him to.

Her playful side had turned to bitterness for the longest time.

The risk had been too high.

She didn’t feel it like she used to, and she didn’t know if it was pure ignorance on her part, or her lust-ridden eyes.

Montgomery’s palms cupped her bottom, pulling her against him in the slowest way, never losing her gaze.

“Do you torture all the girls you plan to sleep with?”

Mont smirked. “No. If you were any other girl, I would have tried that first day at the diner.”

Swayze had a feeling that being in the rodeo ring, and being a winner, put him in the groupies’ target range. It wasn’t a secret that he was good-looking and could pull other girls easily.

“Is it because I said no so many times? Some kind of reward for you?”

Montgomery slowly shook his head, bringing one hand up to her cheek, rubbing his knuckles down her jawline, and then gently clasping his palm around her neck.

“Oh…it’ll be a reward, but not for some game I’m playing. I haven’t lied to you since we’ve met. I left that life because I want something real,” he whispered. “I want to meet someone that will marry me, move in with me, have my babies, and take care of me. And in return, I’ll love her, work hard for her, only want her, and take care of every need she has.”

Swayze felt herself believing him.

It was scary.

But it felt more real than it had with Dylan. Why? She didn’t know. Fear started to strangle her throat, and Mont noticed it.

“Why so sad, Sways? You miss him?”

“Yes, but that’s not what it is,” she said. “I’m so scared to want this, but I do, so bad. I want to lean on you, Montgomery. I want to take another step with you, be with you.”

Mont reached forward, drawing her closer by the back of her neck. “There is nothing stopping you. I’m yours for the taking.”

She nodded, closing her eyes and bracing her forehead against his. “I know.”

Mont pulled back, his green eyes and dark hair stood out in the dimly lit living room. Moonlight spilled in from the crack in her blinds, which would have put her on edge any other time, but it wasn’t any other time.

He pressed his lips against hers, sweetly at first, despite the inferno growing between her legs. Then when she felt the feather softness of his tongue, she gripped his head and showed him all that pent-up frustration.

It’d been better since their romp in the water, but nothing felt like the real thing, she didn’t care who argued it. “You have no idea what I want to do to you, sweet girl,” Mont whispered.

Swayze chuckled, turning her head toward the door. “I think I have some things in mind.”

“Next Saturday.”

Swayze met his heavy-lidded gaze. “What about next Saturday?”

Montgomery grasped the butt cheek his palm had been nursing and tugged at a handful of her hair. “I’m gonna live up to my promise. We’ll get pizza, a movie, Ryker to sleep, and then we’ll have all night, in my bed. You underneath me.” He lowered his voice, biting at the edge of her jaw. “On top of me. My hands in your hair, and the soundproof walls will keep all those moans for me.”

Swayze felt dizzy on the inside. Saturday was a week away. The couch they sat on now was fine with her, but privacy did sound better. His bed sounded like heaven.

“Okay,” she whispered. “Can we have some wine first?”

Mont’s eyes looked playful, but he lifted a brow. “Do you think you’d need a few glasses to sleep with me?”

She laughed. “No, I’ll need a couple because it’s been a long time.”

His playful smile turned serious, which wasn’t seen often. “I’ll take good care of you,” he said. “Over and over.” He grinned. “I want you to be sober.”

Swayze dropped her gaze, her fingers worriedly playing with the button of his shirt. “Don’t be nervous,” Mont whispered, wrapping her into a bear hug and tossing her underneath him on the couch. When he settled, he was between her legs, looking down at her.

“The anticipation has me nervous; we might as well do it now to put me out of my misery.”

Montgomery leaned forward, his breath minty against her mouth. “No, baby. This is gonna be an all-night event. I’ll even get up while you sleep in the next morning.”

“You think you’re gonna wear me out that much?” she asked.

Montgomery shrugged. “I know it.”

Swayze banked on it.