Surrender to Desire by Tory Richards Page B

you’d realize how much I love you,” he said more to himself than
to her. His gaze was fixed on something he couldn’t see. “I’m really
disappointed, Callie.” He looked her. “But if you’re sure that’s what you
want.”
    She couldn’t believe it was going to be this easy. Her
threat of getting the police involved must have done the trick. “It is, Donald,”
she said firmly.
    He sighed with resignation. “Well then, I guess there’s
nothing more to say.” He gave her a long last look and then turned to leave.
    Callie released a sigh of relief and waited until the
kitchen door slammed behind him before moving. Thank God that was over. She
went to the door to lock it, when it was jerked open and Donald reached inside
for her arm. Caught by complete surprise, she screamed and tried to pull away
from him.
    “What are you doing?”
    He pulled her down the steps roughly. “Taking you home with
me! Where you belong, Callie.”
    Callie let out another scream, glancing around and seeing no
one. Then she remembered what day it was. She cried out for Blade anyway,
hoping he might be in the barn. “Blade!” She dug in her heels but Donald
wrapped his arms around her waist and began dragging her toward his car.
“Donald, don’t do this!” She twisted and kicked and dug her nails into his
arms, anything to make him let her go. “Help!” Callie let herself go limp.
    She slipped out of Donald’s grasp and hit the ground hard.
He swore and reached for her, pulling her up by her hair. Callie screamed as
loud as she could and began to pound at him with her fists.
    “Donald, this is crazy!”
    He backhanded her and she spun around, slamming into his car.
She hit it so hard that she bounced off and hit the ground a second time. Her
face smarted where he’d hit her, and her side hurt where she’d been slammed
into the car, but still she fought him to get away.
    Neither was aware of Blade and Chaz riding up on them until
their horses slid to a halt and they were sliding out of their saddles. Blade
descended upon Donald like an enraged warrior, his expression fierce. Once
Donald realized help had arrived he released Callie and opened his car door to
make his own escape.
    “Oh, no you don’t!” Blade said menacingly, jerking Donald
back by his collar.
    Chaz’s concerned gaze shot to Callie. “Inside the house,
Callie, now!”
    She didn’t question him, and she was too afraid to look at
Blade, afraid of what he was going to do to Donald. She rushed into the house,
and took a seat at the table, shaking like a leaf. She could hear the scuffle
going on outside. Fists against flesh, grunts, and then finally, a groan. The
quiet told her someone should be coming through the door at any minute and she
wondered which Evans brother it would be. One thing was certain, it wouldn’t be
Donald.
    The door was jerked open and she glanced up. Tears gathered
in her eyes immediately upon meeting Blade’s eyes. Other than being dusty, it
didn’t appear that he was hurt anywhere. His burning gaze went to her cheek,
which Callie knew was probably showing signs of a bruise. There was a wild look
on his face, and a muscle working in his lean jaw. It was obvious he was still
worked up over the fight.
    Callie couldn’t hold the tears at bay any longer, or her raw
emotions. She left her chair to rush to Blade, and at the same time he took a
step toward her. The next thing she knew he was wrapping her in his strong arms
and crushing her to him like he was never going to let her go. Callie could
hear his fast heart beat beneath her ear. He tenderly ran his hand down her
hair.
    Was his hand shaking? As the tears slipped down her face she
clung to his powerful frame. “I’m sorry, Blade.”
    “No!” He pulled her back so their gazes could meet. “There’s
nothing to be sorry about.”
    She sniffled. “Wherever I go he tracks me down.”
    “I promise you he won’t be doing that again.” His tone was
hard and uncompromising.
    Oh