Protective Custody Read online

  She hesitated before accepting the items. “I’ll call. But if he blows me off, I’m done with the sheriff’s office.”

  He smoothed his hand over her hair as she hit the buttons. “Fair enough.”

  Chapter Seven

  John Jarity sped along the entrance ramp to the highway. Digging his fingers into the steering wheel, he growled. So close. He’d been seconds from silencing that bitch forever when that pickup had arrived. He couldn’t chance getting caught.

  This was all Nisha’s fault. He hoped she burned in hell.

  Without a woman to screw, he had no way to relieve the constant pressure inside him. And it was killing him.

  He shoved aside the ski mask on his seat and grabbed his cell phone. Passing a slower minivan, he hit the speed-dial button to call his brother.

  “Harvey Jarity.”

  “Where are you?” He checked his rearview mirror to be sure no one was following him.

  “Hello to you too. I just deplaned in Colombo.”

  “Where?”

  “Sri Lanka. I have to get my luggage. What do you want?”

  He didn’t have to be rude. “I was hoping you’d located a couple of girls by now.”

  His brother laughed. “You know how long it takes to get here, John? Cool your jets. But I do have a line on a girl in one of the rural provinces. I’m headed there in the morning to look at some jewelry for the airport stores.”

  John gritted his teeth. Why did this have to take so long? And only one girl? “Tell me about the girl you’re thinking about.”

  Harvey lowered his voice. “Do we have to do this now?”

  “Yes, damn it.”

  “Her mother works at one of the factories in a remote province. She’s widowed with seven kids.”

  Perfect.

  “My contact in Delhi says she’s already offered him one of her older daughters, cheap. The paperwork should be waiting for me at my hotel.”

  “Excellent work, brother. But see if you can locate a couple more.” His cock hardened as he pictured what she’d look like. Silky black hair, big doe eyes, nubile body and a willing smile.

  Harvey lowered his voice. “I don’t know if I can do that. Remember, John, this is the last time. It’s a big risk. Being jailed in a country like this would be…it’d be a freaking nightmare.”

  Harvey knew that greasing a few palms over there would get him out of any jam. Why did he have to be such a pussy? “It’ll be fine. See you in a few days.” He disconnected, then threw the phone on the seat beside him.

  The tension in his neck finally eased.

  Until his phone rang. He checked the display, then rolled his eyes. “Hello, Ruth Ann. What’s up, dear?”

  “How am I supposed to plan a Thanksgiving for fifteen people without Nisha?” Her shrill voice instantly ignited a headache.

  “I have no one to do the baking, no one to clean the house. I’m behind on the laundry. When will the new maid get here, John?”

  “I told you, I’m working on it. She’ll be here soon. I promise. Thanksgiving is weeks away.”

  She heaved a sigh. “I suppose you’re right.”

  He veered onto the exit ramp and imagined the unrecognizable animal corpse on the roadway was his wife’s. Tweaking his wheels to the right, he flattened the roadkill. “I just saw something that reminded me of you.”

  Someday you’ll get all you deserve, Ruth Ann.

  “Oh? What?”

  “I think it was an adorable bunny rabbit.” He allowed himself a satisfied chuckle.

  “Oh, John. That’s sweet.”

  “I’ll see you this evening.” He disconnected.

  That Megan Jackson wouldn’t get the best of him. Luck had always been on his side. If she knew his identity, the cops would have already come sniffing around. But they hadn’t.

  She was just like that ingrate Nisha. His blood boiled at the thought of the girl’s sheer gall. He’d brought her to this country, put a better roof over her head than she’d ever had. Ruth Ann had even taken her under her wing and let her do those silly crafts she wasted her time with. Stupid kid thought she had a talent for making jewelry just because a few of Ruth Ann’s snooty friends told her so. Wanted him to set her up in her own shop. Or else she’d tell Ruth Ann what he did to her.

  As if she hadn’t flaunted her body in front of him night and day. Like she’d been completely innocent and hadn’t come on to him.

  Now that he’d taken care of Nisha, this Megan woman had become a damned thorn in his side. She deserved whatever he dished out. He’d be sure not to let anything stop him next time. But taunting her was so easy. He was enjoying watching her fear.

  Truth was, he could have fun with a hot piece of ass like that. Fuck her good and hard before he killed her, make her blow him too. His cock hardened at the image of her on her knees, begging for her life.

  Instead of taking the turn onto State Road 35, he made a U-turn and headed back to the interstate. That truck-stop titty bar twenty miles west toward Pensacola employed a few girls who’d do just about anything for a fifty. After all he’d been through today, he deserved a treat.

  Just knowing he’d get his rocks off soon eased the tight knot between his shoulders. He needed a blow so bad his cock ached. Harvey had better find him a girl and get her here soon. He couldn’t go much longer without a steady fuck.

  Maybe Ruth Ann would… Nah. The thought of screwing her turned his stomach. Bad enough he had to do it on her birthday and their anniversary. If she weren’t such a prude, he never would have had to resort to banging the help. What was the big deal about letting him put his cock in her mouth?

  His cell phone rang, and he hoped it wasn’t her again. He grinned at his client’s name on the display. “How are you, Rick?”

  “Good, good. Listen, John, when do you plan to get that…cargo in?”

  “My brother is overseas right now. I think he’s located what you’re looking for.”

  “I sure as hell hope so. And you…uh…guarantee the merchandise, right?”

  “Guarantee it? How could I do that?” What did the guy want, blood?

  “I mean that it’ll be here, be…attractive.”

  “We’ll do the best we can, Rick. That’s all I can promise.” But first pick was his.

  “Okay. I just hope it’s soon.”

  “Working on it. I’ll call you when it arrives.” He snapped the phone shut. Asshole. Shaking his head, he pulled into the rest stop and drew a relieved breath at the flashing neon Open sign over Girls, Girls, Girls.

  He popped a mint into his mouth, then headed for the door. It took a minute for his eyes to adjust to the dark, a stark contrast to the midday sun.

  The place was practically empty except for a burly male bartender and a couple of nearly naked girls standing at the far end of the bar. A lone customer sat at a table by the stage with a half-drained pitcher of beer. The guy looked like a truck driver and probably belonged to the rig he’d noticed on the outskirts of the parking lot.

  Blaring music pounded, and one of the girls swayed in rhythm to the beat. He fixed his gaze on her swaying hips, but she was as blonde and pale as his bitch of a wife.

  The bartender ambled toward him. “What can I get you?”

  John sat on a high stool midway along the bar. “Whatever you’ve got on tap.”

  The blonde sashayed toward the stage. He turned his seat to watch her but glanced at the other girl. She wore a glittery silver G-string and shoes that looked like silver stilts. Maybe that was why she held on to the edge of the bar. He grinned at the thought of her taking a step only to fall flat on her ass.

  She met his stare and smiled. Her hair was short but dark, and her skin was the color of the muddy pond behind his parents’ old place. If only her hair were longer, there might be enough for him to grab. Her tits were small, but that didn’t bother him.

  Regardless of what they said, women liked it rough. They wanted a man to yank on their hair and bite their nipples, fuck
them in the ass every once in a while. Not that he’d ever fuck a whore in the ass. Hell no. All he wanted from them was head.

  Lights started flashing, and the song changed. The girl onstage swayed to the music, but her heart wasn’t in it. And why would it be? He didn’t blame her for not trying very hard, since her audience was just the drunk trucker and him.

  The bartender set down a mug of beer. “Want to run a tab?”

  John took out his wallet and pulled out a twenty. “Nope, just having this one.” He set the bill on the bar. “Keep it.”

  The man snatched it quicker than he could blink.

  He sipped his beer, then started over to the dark-haired girl. As he neared her, he realized she was Asian. Maybe a mix of that and Latin. His cock stirred. “Always this dead here during the day?”

  She shrugged but took a step closer, wobbling on her ridiculous shoes. “Depends. Weekends are pretty good.”

  She smelled of stale cigarettes and cheap perfume. Her gaze slid over him. “You an undertaker or something?”

  He glanced down at his clothes. Probably should have changed out of the solid black getup. “Something like that. I guess you’re not making any money when it’s like this, huh?”

  She moved closer. “I try to make the most of my time here.” She slid a finger over his arm and met his stare.

  “How much?”

  He didn’t miss the subtle wink she threw the bartender.

  “Fifty for me, thirty for Joe.” She gestured toward the bartender.

  He nearly choked on a sip of beer. He set his glass down and smiled. “I’m not asking for your firstborn, honey.” He knew a twenty-dollar whore when he saw one.

  Her smile faded. “What do you want?”

  “Just a blow.”

  She huffed, then looked up at him. “Fine. Thirty for me and twenty for him. Show him your license so he knows you’re not a cop.”

  He shook his head. “Sorry. Ain’t happening. You’re just going to have to trust me.”

  Without another word, she held out her hand. He pulled the bills from his wallet, folded them and slipped them into her G-string.

  She plucked them out and handed the money to the bartender. Then she clomped past him, crooking her finger. He followed her through a black door into a dimly lit room. An ancient couch and a desk chair were the only furniture.

  She pointed to the couch that might have been green once upon a time. Then she teetered over to a dresser and took out a condom packet. “Take everything off. I want to see what I’ve bought.” He sat, and she stepped out of her shoes, then rolled her G-string down her legs and kicked it away. His cock hardened at the sight of her shaved pussy. “Come here.”

  She moved closer, and he tugged on her nipples. Despite the curses she muttered, he knew she was enjoying it. “Open my pants,” he ordered her.

  She knelt on the floor and unzipped his fly. His dick was good and hard. The girl tore open the condom packet and rolled it onto his erection. He hated that they always used a condom. Fucking faggots and their AIDS plague had ruined sex for everyone.

  She wasted no time sucking his cock into her mouth. He shut his eyes and pictured Megan’s face. She’d beg him to spare her, promise to do anything, and he’d assure her he’d spare her if she sucked him just right.

  She licked him like her life depended on it, swirling her tongue over his shaft, sucking on his balls. He pictured her head bobbing over his cock when he spurted his juice into her throat.

  Yeah, he had to get her alone next time, make sure her boyfriend wasn’t in a position to jump to her rescue. He’d have his way with her, then shut her up for good.

  ***

  Will followed Megan to her office and waited while she ran inside to pick up a key to an empty cottage. While he waited, he phoned Ed and told him he’d be taking a few days off to keep Megan safe.

  “I told you she’d have you whipped in no time.”

  He stiffened. “Like you’re one to talk.”

  Ed let out a deep belly laugh. “You’ve got big balls, Will, but you’re right. I’m the voice of fucking experience. And I’m telling you, stop and get the hell out while you can. It’ll only get worse. She’ll be leading you around by your dick any day now. Take my advice, kid. If you don’t, you’ll regret it.”

  He rolled his eyes. This was the last thing he wanted to discuss with Ed. “Listen, I need a favor.”

  “Another one?” Ed chuckled.

  “Tell you what. I’ll pay for your services, just like any other client. But I need you to watch Megan’s house for me. My buddy at the sheriff’s office is processing the crime scene at the vacant house where Megan was attacked. But the SO doesn’t have the manpower or the inclination to do a stakeout to flush this guy out. I have to be here for Megan, or else I’d do it myself.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Please, Ed. You’re the only person I trust for this. I know he’s going to make a play for her again. I can feel it in my bones.”

  “You think so, huh?”

  He glanced at Megan through the window and nodded. “You know that cop instinct you told me about when I first started at the SO? Like when your whole body stands on alert ’cause you know something’s about to go down?”

  “That’s just your libido, kid. You’re so fucking pussy-whipped that it’s affecting your instincts. Don’t come cryin’ to me when she breaks your heart in a million pieces.”

  “I’m serious. This guy isn’t going to quit until he kills her.”

  “Yeah, okay. Just because I like you. Maybe if I catch this asshole, you’ll stop thinking with your dick and get your ass back to work.”

  Doubtful. “Okay, buddy. I appreciate it.” He gave Ed Megan’s address and the rest of the pertinent details, then hung up as she opened the passenger door. The bruise on her neck had turned a light purplish color. His chest tightened at the visceral reminder of how close he’d come to losing her.

  She sat beside him, then fastened her seat belt. “Ready?”

  He nodded, afraid his voice might fail him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He reined in his expression. “Just lost in thought, sorry.”

  “Don’t you need to pick up a few things from your apartment?”

  He started the truck, then steered onto the street. “Just a quick stop at a convenience store for a toothbrush and a razor. I always carry extra clothes in my vehicle.”

  Her eyebrows snapped together.

  “Work stuff. Don’t ask.”

  She shrugged, then settled in. “The cottage is on the south shore of the lake, just past the country club.”

  He held his breath a few seconds at the mention of the place his parents had taken them the night of their last date.

  Her expression darkened, and she turned away.

  He skimmed a finger over her cheek, and much to his relief, she leaned into his touch. Sliding closer, he drew her into his arms.

  Megan tried to convince herself Will’s embrace didn’t feel so perfect, that she’d feel as safe with someone else. Only she knew better. The attack this morning had shaken her to her core, and no one could make her feel safer than Will. No one else could restore her spirit. But the memory of that awful night at the country club reminded her the cards were stacked against them. She should back out now and save them both further pain.

  How could she make him believe she didn’t want to see him anymore when she couldn’t persuade herself? The notion of being without him made her heart ache. She gathered all her courage. Will deserved to know the real reason she’d ended their relationship But it would be kinder to blame her grandmother than to admit his mother had had a hand in their breakup.

  “I’m sure you know Gram wasn’t fond of the idea of us being together.”

  He shrugged. “With time she’d have grown to love me. Everyone does.” A playful grin lifted one corner of his mouth.

  She couldn’t help but laugh, but too quickly, she recalled the seriousness of the discussion. “She’s l
ived through an awful lot of hardship and prejudice. After my mother died, Gram didn’t hesitate to step into that role. I once asked her why she didn’t let me go live with my dad.”

  “I didn’t know you ever had that option.”

  “Gram never even considered it. She saw him for what he was—a liar and a cheat. Somewhere along the line she lumped every white man into that category.”

  “I tried my best to make her like me.” The hurt in his eyes broke her heart.

  She squeezed his thigh. “It was her, not you. She has a particularly deep distrust of…” She sighed.

  “Of rich white folks?”

  She longed to tell Will about her conversation with his mother, to explain the pressure to end things had come from his family too, not just hers. But what was the point?

  “I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of us being together.” He rubbed her thigh.

  As long as her life was stuck in this precarious limbo, she had no choice but to stay near him. Why shouldn’t they indulge in the pleasure they drew from each other? As long as she remembered it was only for now. She couldn’t give him hope it would ever be more.

  Will drove the rest of the way a few miles over the speed limit. And that was fine with her. If she didn’t touch him soon, she’d explode. He whistled when they turned into the circular drive. The cottage resembled a storybook house complete with flowerboxes beneath the windows and a wraparound porch with an old-fashioned wooden swing. She could have picked a property that wasn’t quite so romantic. But deep inside, she’d wanted the mystique of this place that resembled her vision of a honeymoon cabin.

  She couldn’t wait to show him the best part—the large deck overlooking the lake. Anticipation lifted her mood. Then she remembered why they had to stay here, and her shoulders sank with the weight. “Will, do you think the cops will find the man who attacked me soon?”

  He stiffened. “I don’t know. But I’ve asked my boss to help out. Ed was in law enforcement for more than twenty-five years. I’d trust him with my life.”

  Satisfied with his answer, she opened the car door, then headed to the cottage. Scanning the surrounding area, Will followed her. And he insisted on entering each room before her and checking the closets, windows and doors.