didn t work this way.
When the flash of blue and red disappeared over the side of the road, the movement furtive, his instincts clicked into overdrive. He slowed as he neared the spot, pulling up just before it, watching the area cautiously as he cut the lights of his car. He pulled his revolver from beneath the seat, the flashlight from the back floorboard and eased out of the car.
There was a small culvert beside the road, deep enough for someone to hide in the rocky ravine. He edged closer, using the darkness for cover though some inner instinct warned him that the danger to come would be more emotional than physical. But more damaging than an enemy s bullet.
As he moved into position, he saw the flash of pale features in the darkness, a shuffle of movement as a small form moved carefully among the rocks. Fury split inside him as he flicked the flashlight on, shining it directly into the small, terrified face below him.
Chapter Two
She didn t scream, she ran. Stumbling clumsily in the rocks, her feet bare, her dress torn as she made a dash to escape.
Blake didn t bother calling out to her. He moved just as quickly as he sprinted after her, jumping into the ravine as he pushed the revolver into the back of his jeans and catching her within feet of her original position.
She cried out then. Her hand flew back, fingers curling as her nails sought his face. She was crying, terror raking the night with the harsh sobs escaping her throat.
Anna, dammit. Hold up. He jerked her arms down, nearly losing his balance and his hold on her as she kicked back at him. Dammit it s Blake, Anna. Honey stop fighting me.
Her nails raked his wrists, digging in deep a second before his voice finally penetrated the fear driving her. She stilled, her breathing rough, rapid as he turned her gently in his arms.
The flashlight had fallen on its flat back, shining up, reflecting off her damp face as she stared up at him in dazed surprise. A bruise marred her cheek, a scratch along her neck that ran to her chest. One full, tempting breast was revealed from the loose bodice of her dress and her desperate struggles.
Anna, honey what happened? He reach down, pulling the side up the dress over the pale curve that her struggles had bared.
Blake? Her voice was rough, thick with fear and the tears that dampened her face.
Baby, what happened to you? He pushed her long hair back from her face as he stared down at her, fighting the knowledge he could feel burning in his gut. Did Austin do this to you, babe?
He would kill him. Blake kept his fury carefully banked with that silent promise to himself.
I got away, she whispered, her voice faint. I broke my shoe when I hit him. But he was going to get his friends. He said they would help him.
He could see her fighting for control, for dignity. Her large green eyes were dilated until little color remained, her body trembling in reaction to whatever had happened.
Did he rape you, Anna? He had to know. Don t lie to me honey. I promise, I can keep anyone from knowing, but you have to tell me so I can help you.
His fingers touched her cheek, one arm wrapped steady around her waist as he held her upright.
She frowned as she shook her head tightly. No, she cried out desperately. I told you. I hit him and broke my shoe. When I ran away he said he was getting his friends to help.
Her voice broke. No ones home, Blake. What if he s there waiting on me?
Come on. He jerked the light from the ground then swung her up in his arms.
Her breath caught at her arms went instinctively around his neck, holding tight to him as he carried her out of the ravine to his car. Lifting her over the door he sat her carefully into the seat of the convertible sixty-five mustang before moving quickly to his own side.
He jumped in and started the ignition quickly as he glanced at her. She was shivering, almost shuddering from shock.
Come here. He pushed the seat back the last notch before pulling her slight body into his
When the flash of blue and red disappeared over the side of the road, the movement furtive, his instincts clicked into overdrive. He slowed as he neared the spot, pulling up just before it, watching the area cautiously as he cut the lights of his car. He pulled his revolver from beneath the seat, the flashlight from the back floorboard and eased out of the car.
There was a small culvert beside the road, deep enough for someone to hide in the rocky ravine. He edged closer, using the darkness for cover though some inner instinct warned him that the danger to come would be more emotional than physical. But more damaging than an enemy s bullet.
As he moved into position, he saw the flash of pale features in the darkness, a shuffle of movement as a small form moved carefully among the rocks. Fury split inside him as he flicked the flashlight on, shining it directly into the small, terrified face below him.
Chapter Two
She didn t scream, she ran. Stumbling clumsily in the rocks, her feet bare, her dress torn as she made a dash to escape.
Blake didn t bother calling out to her. He moved just as quickly as he sprinted after her, jumping into the ravine as he pushed the revolver into the back of his jeans and catching her within feet of her original position.
She cried out then. Her hand flew back, fingers curling as her nails sought his face. She was crying, terror raking the night with the harsh sobs escaping her throat.
Anna, dammit. Hold up. He jerked her arms down, nearly losing his balance and his hold on her as she kicked back at him. Dammit it s Blake, Anna. Honey stop fighting me.
Her nails raked his wrists, digging in deep a second before his voice finally penetrated the fear driving her. She stilled, her breathing rough, rapid as he turned her gently in his arms.
The flashlight had fallen on its flat back, shining up, reflecting off her damp face as she stared up at him in dazed surprise. A bruise marred her cheek, a scratch along her neck that ran to her chest. One full, tempting breast was revealed from the loose bodice of her dress and her desperate struggles.
Anna, honey what happened? He reach down, pulling the side up the dress over the pale curve that her struggles had bared.
Blake? Her voice was rough, thick with fear and the tears that dampened her face.
Baby, what happened to you? He pushed her long hair back from her face as he stared down at her, fighting the knowledge he could feel burning in his gut. Did Austin do this to you, babe?
He would kill him. Blake kept his fury carefully banked with that silent promise to himself.
I got away, she whispered, her voice faint. I broke my shoe when I hit him. But he was going to get his friends. He said they would help him.
He could see her fighting for control, for dignity. Her large green eyes were dilated until little color remained, her body trembling in reaction to whatever had happened.
Did he rape you, Anna? He had to know. Don t lie to me honey. I promise, I can keep anyone from knowing, but you have to tell me so I can help you.
His fingers touched her cheek, one arm wrapped steady around her waist as he held her upright.
She frowned as she shook her head tightly. No, she cried out desperately. I told you. I hit him and broke my shoe. When I ran away he said he was getting his friends to help.
Her voice broke. No ones home, Blake. What if he s there waiting on me?
Come on. He jerked the light from the ground then swung her up in his arms.
Her breath caught at her arms went instinctively around his neck, holding tight to him as he carried her out of the ravine to his car. Lifting her over the door he sat her carefully into the seat of the convertible sixty-five mustang before moving quickly to his own side.
He jumped in and started the ignition quickly as he glanced at her. She was shivering, almost shuddering from shock.
Come here. He pushed the seat back the last notch before pulling her slight body into his
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