Cherished Enough, page 19
“Don’t make me hurt you, Morgan. You’ve been blinded by Ryan. You know you want me. I’ve seen the way you look at me.”
“Stay away from me, Rich or Bradford or whoever the hell you are! I don’t want you! I’ve never wanted you. There is only one man I love, and I’ll love him forever! You can rape me a million times, and I will never want you!”
Rage filled his face, and now I prayed to God I hadn’t imagined that there was someone outside the house.
“You did this to yourself,” he growled. “Remember that. We could have had a romantic first night together—but you ruined it with your filthy mouth!”
He tried to grab me, and I swung the chair again. No matter what happened, I was going to put up the fight of my life.
The front door burst open, and the startling sound of gunshots rang through the cabin. I dropped to the ground on instinct, screaming as I covered my head.
Bradford cursed violently, mumbling a question about how anyone had found him so soon. Then he ran out of the bedroom.
Mind racing, I knew I could either stay in the room, away from the gunshots—or I could run toward them.
I jumped to my feet, my decision made.
Men shouted, more shots were fired, and I immediately dropped back to the floor. I crawled toward the bedroom door, praying I didn’t get hit by a stray bullet. I needed to get to a window and break it.
As soon as I had that thought, another occurred to me. What if I couldn’t break the glass?
Then I froze in place and covered my head as I heard Bradford screaming.
“You won’t take either of us alive! I’ll kill her before I let you take her away from me!”
Change of plans. I needed to hide.
The sound of wood splintering into a million pieces caused me to scream again. Looking into the living room, I saw that the front door was missing, though I couldn’t see Bradford or anyone else. If I ran out there now, it was very likely I would be shot in the crossfire.
Suddenly, I saw Bradford dive behind a chair. He had a handgun and kept swinging both the gun and his head back and forth, pointing the weapon at the front door, then the back. A loud thud made him turn toward the back door, where he aimed his gun.
The wailing of sirens in the distance told me the police were on their way. Bradford’s gaze shot straight toward me.
I scrambled backward as he raced toward the bedroom. Before I could even get to my feet, he grabbed my hair and pulled. I screamed and started to struggle, but the more I thrashed, the more my scalp hurt.
He put the gun to the side of my head. “Stand up.”
His cold, hard voice sent chills throughout my body. I stood, and he slowly walked us back into the living room, using my body to cover his own.
“Is this who you want?” he shouted. “Your whore? Your lying little whore?!”
“Bradford—I mean, Rich, please don’t do this!” I begged.
“Shut up!” he yelled, pushing the barrel of the gun harder into my temple. Clamping my mouth shut, I frantically glanced at both doors.
“Ryan!” I screamed. Bradford swung me around by my hair and hit me so hard across the face, I literally saw stars.
Then I heard a furious scream that sounded like the devil himself was rising out of the ground.
I looked at the front door to see Ryan rushing in, a gun pointed toward us.
Bradford tried to turn me again to shield himself, and I bit down on his arm as hard as I could, tasting blood.
When he howled and pushed me away, I dove toward the floor—and the deafening sound of gunshots filled the air once more.
Then there was silence.
It was a strange, peaceful kind of silence…and I wondered for a moment if I’d been shot.
I was afraid to look. With my arms over my head, all I could hear was my own breathing. Then hands were on me, and for a moment I struggled…until I recognized that touch.
Looking up, I saw Ryan standing there.
I scrambled to my knees and threw myself toward him. He wrapped me in a tight embrace. The sirens grew louder, but all I cared about was being in Ryan’s arms…and that feeling of immense safety. I buried my face in his chest, my entire body shaking.
Ryan stroked my hair gently, trying to calm me. “He’s not going to touch you ever again.”
I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. Hell, I wanted to run out of that cabin, but I knew Ryan had me and I was going to be okay.
A sudden burst of loud voices in the cabin caused me to jump. Ryan helped me stand, tucking me close to his body. When I tried to look behind me, he grasped my chin, keeping my focus on him.
“Where is he?” I asked.
He placed his hand on the side of my face and brushed his thumb softly over my cheek. “The bastard hit you.”
“I’ll be fine. Where is he, Ryan?”
“He’s gone, Morgan. It’s over.” Holding me even tighter, he started to walk us out of the cabin.
Everything inside of me screamed not to look…but I had to see for myself that he truly couldn’t hurt me anymore. I quickly glanced over my shoulder.
Bradford lay on the floor face down, a pool of blood slowly seeping out from under his body.
I sucked in a shaky breath and looked straight ahead. The feel of the fresh night air hit my lungs, burning in a glorious way.
“I’m so tired,” I said quietly as Ryan walked me toward the ambulance that had pulled up. “But I’m okay. I’m not hurt.”
“Your body’s cold, and I want someone to look you over.”
I didn’t have the energy to argue, so I let him lead me toward a paramedic. After a few minutes of repeating that I was okay, that Bradford hadn’t touched me, I heard my mother shouting my name.
My head shot up, then I bolted toward her and my father. They both engulfed me.
“Oh, my sweet girl!” my mother cried as she wrapped her arms around me. My father kissed my forehead, holding both of us tightly before giving me a once-over.
“You’re okay?” he asked anxiously.
I nodded. “I’m okay. Ryan got here just in time.”
“Bradford didn’t touch you, did he?” Dad asked.
I shook my head. “No, he didn’t.”
Night soon turned into morning, and I was beyond exhausted. I had to give a statement to both the police and the FBI, and so did Ryan and Nox. It was Nox who’d been the one to deliver the fatal gunshot to Bradford. When Ryan had seen me jump out of the way, he’d run toward me. According to Nox, Bradford’s pistol had been aimed at Ryan, but Nox had shot him from behind first, killing him instantly.
I also learned Ryan had texted the cabin’s address to Detective Billings right before he and Nox had arrived. They hadn’t wanted any police sirens to tip off Bradford before they could gain entrance into the cabin.
“I don’t want to go back to the apartment,” I said softly.
Ryan nodded his head and looked at my parents. “Can we stay in the guest house for a couple of days?”
Taking my hands in hers, my mother said, “Of course you can. As long as you want.”
“Come on, we’ll drive you there,” Dad said. “Hunter can get your truck, Ryan, and bring it over later today. I think we’re all going to need a bit of sleep.”
Once we got to the guest house, my mom fussed over changing the sheets on the bed. I was practically falling asleep on my feet. It was clear Mom was still running on adrenaline at that point, but my body was drained.
“Lincoln, our daughter is literally falling asleep against Ryan,” Dad said. “Let’s get out of here and let them get some rest.”
After kissing them both goodbye, I crawled under the covers and Ryan wrapped himself around me. I was asleep the moment I closed my eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Six
RYAN
When I opened my eyes, the bedroom was dark and I was lying in the exact position I’d been in when Morgan and I had fallen asleep. The poor thing had been out as soon as she’d hit the pillow.
Kissing the back of her head, I carefully slipped out of bed. I stretched my aching body then headed to the bathroom to splash water on my face. The cold felt good on my skin and instantly had me wide awake. I felt like I’d slept for days.
After I dried my face and glanced up, I saw Morgan in the mirror, standing in the doorway of the bathroom.
“Did I wake you?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t think so.”
Turning, I leaned against the counter. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“He was watching us, Ryan,” she said quietly.
I met her tear-filled gaze. “I know. The cameras are all gone.”
She slowly shook her head. “I don’t want to stay there.”
Pushing off the counter, I took the few steps toward her and opened my arms. She walked into them, burying her face in my chest.
“Can we move somewhere else?” she asked.
Stroking my hand up and down her back, I said, “Of course we can. Are you going to be okay in the design studio and the store?”
Morgan drew her head back and sighed. “Yes. I think I’ll be fine there. It’s just, knowing he was watching us in the most private areas of our home… I feel so violated. I know I won’t be comfortable in that bedroom or bathroom anymore.”
“Then we’ll find somewhere else to live.”
She let out a humorless chuckle. “The beginning of this relationship sure has been a journey.”
“It sure has.”
The look she gave me about broke my heart. “Thank you for not leaving.”
Lowering my head to look her directly in the eyes, I cupped her face. “I will never leave you, Morgan Shaw. You are it for me. You’re the one woman, the only woman, I’ve ever dreamed of having a future with. I’m so sorry I didn’t see through Bradford.”
“None of us did. It’s not your fault.”
“It still pisses me off he fooled us all.”
“I’m sorry about the bar.”
“I’m not. As much as I love tinkering around with brewing beer, it’s not my future. I love what I do at the horse ranch, and I love standing by your side and watching your dreams come true.”
“But what about your dreams, Ryan?”
Smiling, I pressed my mouth to her forehead and whispered, “You are my dream, Morgan. You are my past, my present, and my future. There’s nothing I want more than to simply exist in your world.”
Tears slowly trailed down her face, and I moved my mouth to her cheeks, kissing them away. She gripped my T-shirt in her fist and mumbled something I couldn’t understand.
“What was that?” I asked.
With her face buried in my chest once more, she mumbled something again.
“I…so…never…life.”
Stepping back, I laughed. “I can’t understand a thing you’re saying.”
Sucking in a few breaths between sobs, she attempted to breathe normally before she closed her eyes and slowly said, “I am so in love with you, and I never in my life thought I could feel this way.”
“I will love you until the day I take my last breath, Morgan Shaw. And even past that.”
She gave me her first genuine smile since she’d been abducted. “That’s so beautiful. I don’t think I could even say anything to top that.”
“I know something you can say.”
Raising a brow, she asked, “What?”
“Tell me you love me.”
Her eyes went dark with passion. “I love you, Ryan Marshall, more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”
Pressing my mouth to hers, I kissed her tenderly, praying she could feel the love I had for her. When we finally drew apart, Morgan lifted her hand and ran her fingers through my hair. “Make love to me, Ryan. Please.”
Scooping her up in my arms, I carried her back to the bed and proceeded to do exactly what she’d asked.
Morgan and I walked up the steps of the white, one-story house for rent. I could see the excitement in her eyes as she took in its ranch-style design.
It had been three weeks since Bradford had kidnapped her, and I’d never in my life met a woman so damn strong. She was seeing a counselor whom her Aunt Kaylee had recommended, and I could tell it was doing her a world of good to talk to a professional.
“The porch wraps around both sides of the house and would make a wonderful place to sit in the evenings,” Bailey, our real estate agent, commented.
“What a charming house,” Morgan said as we walked into the front foyer.
Bailey nodded. “Lots of wood in this one, so I hope you like it!”
“Oh, definitely. It’s so warm and welcoming!” Morgan laced her fingers with mine and we walked from the open foyer to the large living room.
Bailey walked ahead of us, pointing out its features. “It’s big enough for a sectional sofa, as you can see. The living and dining rooms are all one open space, but you could make this another sitting area if you wanted to, since the kitchen is big enough for a small dining table.”
“I like the idea of doing a separate little sitting area,” Morgan said as we walked farther into the house.
Large, plank-wood floors ran throughout. The crown molding was also wood, adding to the warm feeling of the house.
“Now,” Bailey said, “the kitchen is my favorite part. Knotty alder wood for all the cabinets and a farm-style sink. Look at all this room!”
I nodded. “It’s a big kitchen, for sure.”
“The cabinets are stunning,” Morgan agreed. “And the granite’s just as beautiful.”
We toured the rest of the house with its three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. Everything about the place was stunning, and I could tell Morgan really liked it.
“It’s a three-minute drive to the boutique for you, Morgan, and about fifteen minutes to Ryan’s horse farm.”
Morgan and I had been staying at my place over the barn at my parents’ ranch. The only time she’d gone back into the apartment over the boutique was to pack up all her things. Rose mentioned that once she was out of school, she’d be interested in renting it. I think Lincoln was honestly hoping we would stay in the guest house for good, but my folks’ ranch was closer to town than the Shaw’s place.
“And they’re open to going month to month after the first year’s lease is up?” I asked.
Bailey nodded. “Yes. I told the homeowners you were in the process of looking for land and were going to have a house built at some point. They are more than happy to accommodate that. And if you want to get a dog, they’re fine with that as well. The lawn is a great size for it. And I don’t have to mention the view of the valley and the Bitterroot Mountains.”
Morgan looked at me and smiled. “Do you like it?”
I nodded. “I do. I like it a lot. It’s a lot of room, but I’d rather have more than we need than not enough.”
Bouncing on her toes, Morgan asked, “So it’s a yes?”
I grinned at how excited she was. “It’s a yes.”
Morgan threw her arms around my neck and squealed in delight. I couldn’t help but laugh. I loved seeing my carefree girl back again. I’d missed her.
Bailey smiled. “I assume I can tell the owners you want to take the house?”
“Yes!” we said in unison.
“Wonderful! Let’s get back to the office and draw up the lease. Once everything is all set, you can move in anytime.”
Morgan spun around and gave me the biggest grin I’d ever seen. If I could put that same look on her face every day for the rest of our lives, I would be the happiest man in the world.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
MORGAN
Everyone in the design studio was buzzing with excitement. We were T-minus three weeks until Georgiana and Blayze’s wedding, and today was the last day of fittings for the bridesmaids’ dresses that I’d designed.
Rose, Lily, Avery, and Lady Mary—or simply Mary, as we called her—were all busy getting changed.
“We’re coming out!” Avery, the youngest of the group, shouted.
My mother, Kaylee, Timberlynn, and Merit all sat on the sofa and chairs as they waited for their daughters. Since I’d asked them to send Lily out first, Timberlynn stood and came to stand next to me.
“I’m so excited to see these dresses!” she exclaimed as she hugged me—then gasped at the sight of her daughter. Lily went to school at Montana State and had been gone all summer for a study abroad program in Europe, so it was nice having her back home. At least until she headed back to Bozeman for school at the end of summer.
“Oh my goodness,” Timberlynn whispered as a chorus of oohhs and ahhhs came from behind me.
“Lily Hope, you look breathtaking,” Grams said from the doorway, and everyone turned to see her walking into the room.
“Stella! You made it,” Lincoln said, standing to hug my grandmother.
“I’m sorry I was late. Did I miss anyone?”
“Nope,” I said as I turned Lily so she could look at herself in the mirrors.
Smiling, she said, “It makes me look like I have boobs!”
Laughter erupted while I adjusted the cutout maxi dress. Georgiana had picked out a blush chiffon fabric with a tiny sage green and pink flower pattern. It wasn’t overbearing at all with the pattern only adding to the beauty of the dress. When I’d suggested making one of the dresses with an exposed midriff, Georgiana had loved the idea. The bodice of Lily’s dress had spaghetti straps, with the front middle attached to the full-length shirred skirt, allowing a bit of her midriff to show. Her lower back was exposed, giving the dress a bit of a sexy vibe.
“It fits you perfectly,” I said, making sure the top didn’t need to be taken in anywhere.
“Do you think Georgiana will like it?” Lily asked.
I rested my chin on her shoulder and stared at my beautiful younger cousin in the mirror. “She’s going to love it. Trust me.”
“I still can’t believe she wants to be surprised with the dresses,” Merit said.
“Me too, but she trusts me for some reason.” I studied the top of the dress. “I’m going to make one small adjustment,” I said, grabbing my notebook and then glancing at Lily. “I hope you don’t mind if your boobs get pushed up a bit more?”
