Wanted by You, page 13
They were going to head back into town.
Riley was uncharacteristically silent as she slipped into one of the two awaiting carriages. Apparently, she and Kendra would be riding in this one, with an armed officer sitting next to the driver in order to keep guard over the two young women while their father, Scott, and more officers piled into the second one. When Riley saw Kendra, she couldn't help the tiny smile that littered her face, but as she tried to make eye contact with her older sister, whom she hadn't seen in a few weeks, she was met with surprising coldness.
"Kendra?" Riley began. She surprised herself when she heard her voice crack a bit, probably due to how strained she was to keep quiet while in the presence of her father. Riley refused to allow Scott to be punished even more so on her account than he already was going to be. "Are you all right? Have I done something to upset you?"
Kendra's eyes flashed up at her younger sister. Riley suppressed a shudder at how much they mirrored her father's at this particular moment. "Riley," Kendra began, her tone unfamiliar. "While I am glad that we have gotten you back and that you are quite safe ..." She let her voice trail off, pressing her lips together in order to control herself. "I find that during your excursion with Scott Lucas, the same Scott Lucas you have befriended, I have been suffering greatly. Nobody comes to speak to me anymore. I cannot play the piano at the saloon anymore. My reputation is as destroyed as yours is, but I'm sure you don't realize that. Because you are in love with Scott Lucas. Sometimes, Riley, I cannot believe how selfish you are."
"You honestly believe I welcomed his kidnapping?" Riley asked, completely flabbergasted at the mere notion of such a thing.
"I don't know," Kendra said as the carriage began moving. "But it wouldn't surprise me if such a thing transpired."
Riley couldn't speak. She honestly believed Kendra was on her side and now ... Now the only person who seemed to be in her corner had been arrested.
She was alone. She had no one.
So she would have to get Scott back.
* * *
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The carriage ride between Riley and Kendra was uncharacteristically quiet. Under normal circumstances, the two sisters had no trouble with conversation, whether it was as simple as the weather or as interesting as the latest gossip. However, Kendra didn't seem to be in the gossiping mood, and since she had made it quite obvious that Riley was the cause of her brooding, Riley wasn't going to go out on a limb and try to recover that.
At least not yet.
Riley hoped that this whole situation between herself and Kendra would resolve itself, just the way the other disagreements they had had in the past did. They were sisters. They would argue, but at the end of the day, the same blood ran through their veins. Certainly this meant they couldn't hold grudges against each other for very long.
Could they?
Riley couldn't be certain, and didn't want to ask, because she knew it would just provoke Kendra into another disagreement. Riley had already seemed to do her fair share of that. Instead, Riley let her eyes wander out the window, taking in the unfamiliar scenery, wondering just how far away from home she really was. However, as much as she wanted to shift her focus and keep it on something safe, she couldn't help but know that Scott was in the carriage behind them, going to jail. Her father would get the money that had been offered if he was captured, dead or alive, there would be a trial just for a trial's sake, and he would be hanged.
Scott Lucas, the man she loved, the man who was so vital and alive and everything she could ever want, was going to take his last breath in a manner of days because of her father.
Riley couldn't let that happen. He had saved her from Reese Hemmingway's brutal slap that day, weeks ago, and she would do the same for him. Even if it meant giving up the only world she ever knew. Even if it meant that she would die just for her mere association with him. Well, she would rather die standing next to Scott Lucas than live, carrying on her life as she had been. Such a thing was impossible. She had tasted freedom, and she wanted more.
She wanted Scott, and she would do anything in her power to get him.
Surprisingly enough, Riley was so consumed in her thoughts that it wasn't until the carriage pulled up in front of their house, did Riley realize she and Kendra were home. If Riley was hoping Kendra would have changed her attitude regarding her, Riley was sorely mistaken. The first thing Kendra did upon entering the house was head for the bedroom she shared with her sister, and once inside the door, slammed it shut behind her.
"Okay," Riley drawled under her breath. She still couldn't believe she was getting such a cold reception from her sister. This somehow must be her father's doing. Bradley must have poisoned Kendra against his youngest daughter by telling her things that weren't true, especially regarding things such as men, marriage, and family. Those things seemed to be Kendra's weakness.
Whatever he said worked. Kendra was not too happy with Riley.
Before Riley could even figure out what to do due with the fact that her room was occupied by someone who did not want her around, her father made his grand appearance. There was a touch of darkness in his blue eyes, but a smirk was saddled so naturally on his face that the contradiction threw Riley off for a fraction of a moment.
"You had best start living in reality and not this ridiculous fairytale you've orchestrated for yourself," he told her in an enigmatic tone, though it was clear he was mocking her. "Scott Lucas is going to get a trial, and once that's done and he's found guilty – and he will be – he's going to hang."
Riley didn't have to say anything to express just how she was feeling. Her eyes, her face, said everything, which just caused Bradley to get even more enraged. How was it possible that he had raised a daughter who fought with him every step of the way, and on top of all that, decided that when she finally did fall in love, it would be with a criminal like Scott Lucas? It was as though she was trying to spite him.
Spiteful bitch.
"That is it," he spat, his temper flaring faster than a wild stallion. "You" – He thrust his finger in Riley's direction – "are not my daughter. My daughter would never treat me with such disrespect. My daughter would never do something as selfish and as foolish as giving all of herself to someone like Scott Lucas when a wealthy, respectable gentleman like Reese Hemingway is attempting courtship."
"I never gave myself over to Scott Lucas," Riley said, her anger starting to bubble up as well. "We were sharing a room because you never paid my ransom. If this is anybody's fault, this is yours."
Bradley felt his mouth drop open at such an accusation and before he could stop himself he slapped his daughter across her face once more. No one disrespected him in such a way, lest of all Riley.
"Get out," he said in a low voice, his eyes heavily lidded as he regarded his daughter. No, his daughter would never – "I have no more responsibility regarding you. You are of age. From this point forth, I do not know you, and do not care to. And Riley, believe me when I tell you that I do not care what happens to you. All I know, all you should know, is that you can never come back here, you can never see Kendra. You've ruined us, and we never want to see you again."
"And where am I supposed to go?" Riley asked, feeling her heart flutter nervously at the prospect of being disowned.
"I do not care," Bradley repeated. "But get out. Now. I'll allow you to keep the clothes on your back, but that's it."
Riley was still in such a state of shock that it was only when she reached the bottom of the stairs did it finally hit her. She had no home and no money, and Scott Lucas would be dead in a few days.
Scott Lucas ... Speaking of which ... There was some place she knew she might be able to go. Maybe her affiliation could actually help her cause rather than hinder it. And the taint to her reputation didn't really matter since her reputation was all but nonexistent.
Pushing her lips together, Riley placed her hands on her sides, needing to feel something, as she began to head to the brothel Scott had taken her to a few weeks ago. Hopefully the Madame would remember her. Hopefully the Madame would allow her to stay there for an indefinite period of time for a small price, because Lord knew she didn't want to actually have to start working there in order to make money. In fact, if she had to, she would rather steal than turn prostitute.
When she reached the building, she swallowed her nervousness and tilted her head upward, hoping to fake the confidence until she felt it truly. After the Madame looked up to see just who it was who decided to visit at this time of day, her steely gray eyes softened. Riley opened her mouth to speak, to explain everything, but the Madame held up a hand.
"My name is Madame Bethany Hill," she said in a firm voice. "I know exactly who you are, Riley Ledger, and I know exactly what has happened since you've left our establishment. Because I know Mister Lucas, and I know that he seemed to trust you enough to take you to his room, I have no qualms with allowing you to stay in his residence since it's been paid up for the year. Mister Lucas always likes to make sure he has a home here. Just in case." The smile on her face was enigmatic, holding a secret Riley didn't want to know. "I'm sure you remember where it is."
"Of course," Riley said, nodding her head a couple of times. She paused, gnawing her bottom lip gently. "Thank you."
With that, she turned and headed up to the third floor and into Scott's familiar room. It wasn't long before she shut the door and bounded on the bed, not realizing just how exhausted she was until her head it the pillow. She wasn't sure how long she was out, but when she started to wake up, she was sure she wasn't in the room alone.
"Well, well, well," a cold, familiar voice drawled at the foot of her bed. "Some of my close friends told me you'd be here. Imagine my surprise when they turned out to speaking the truth. Although ..." Reese Hemingway grinned but it didn't reach his eyes. "It really shouldn't surprise me, should it? Not with the company you like to keep."
Chapter Twenty-Nine
He had to get out of there.
That much was obvious, and since he had only been there for six hours, he knew he didn't have too much time before his speedy trial and hanging. It wasn't just his life he wanted to see spared; he also had every intention of rescuing Riley. Not that he automatically assumed she needed rescuing and was in any sort of danger, but she had seen the way her father had yelled at her, had slapped her, and Scott also knew that Reese Hemingway had heard about Riley's tainted reputation.
That could go one of two ways. Either Hemingway would be disgusted with Riley (despite that nothing had happened between her and Scott to warrant that disgust) and rid himself of any notion of being near her, let alone still court her, or – and this was the particular instance Scott was worried about – he would take advantage of the fact that Riley's reputation was in shambles, and instead of using the pretense of courtship and marriage to have claim on her body, he would attempt to take it anyway. Everyone had assumed she had already given it up to Scott, so there was no reason to treat her as a lady when she wasn't.
Now, Scott didn't exactly know Reese Hemingway personally, and he thanked God for that, but there was something about him ... Especially since he had threatened to slap Riley within moments of meeting her just because she spoke her thoughts out loud. And while Scott didn't know the man, his gut was telling him that if Reese had the opportunity, he would surely choose the latter option, at least when it concerned Riley. Because Reese was one of those guys who had to be in control. A demure young woman was too easy – Reese liked to control fiery-tempered women like Riley. To break them.
And Scott would be damned if he would allow such a thing to happen.
He ran his fingers through his thick brown hair for the millionth time, trying to figure out just what to do. There were two different lawmen watching over his cell rather than the normal one thanks to his reputation, but after observing them off and on for the past six hours, Scott knew that given the opportunity to escape, he could take both of them.
At that moment, Scott's sharp ears heard a collection of hooves beating against the dirt road. His lips curled into a knowing smirk, especially upon regarding his two guards and their confused faces. How could he have forgotten the possibility that his crew would come and grab him? It was so ... simple that it just might work. If it did – when it did - Scott would make sure his posse was paid handsomely.
When the guards realized that the horses had stopped outside the jail, they looked at each other with puzzled faces. Both had let their hand drop to their side, where their guns were hanging, but neither made any move to go outside. Scott looked between both men, completely and utterly amused at the prospect that his two guards were afraid.
In all fairness though, they really should be.
Another tense moment went by when one decided to man up and make the trek outside, making sure the other knew to stay with Scott. After five minutes the guard still hadn't returned, nor had a scuffle, a shout, or any gunshots been fired. The second guard, after much contemplation, decided to make his way out, wondering just what had happened to his partner, hoping it was nothing bad.
Once he stepped outside, Scott felt himself relax. He knew exactly what his posse was doing – he had taught him this particular tactic – and now all he had to do was wait. Luckily for him, he didn't have to wait for very long. Eric made his way into the small jail, a ring of keys hanging from his long fingers.
"Them boys were more scared than I first thought," he drawled, trying to find a key that would unlock the cell Scott was currently occupying. "But Preston and Carl are tying them up as we speak so Ledger will get a nice gift when he comes back in here." He finally managed to find the key he was looking for and opened Scott's cell. "Orders, boss?"
"Throw the guards in the cell," Scott said, his mind going a mile a minute thanks to his release.
"And then we're out?" Eric asked, walking alongside Scott as they made their departure.
"No," Scott said, snapping harsher than he had originally intended to. He swallowed and glanced sideways at his second in command. If he had been a sailor, Eric surely would have been his first mate. "No, we need to get Riley and then we can get on up out of here."
Eric sighed through his nose, leaving Scott unsure if his friend approved or not. Not that it mattered, of course. Once Scott had made his mind up about something, there was no changing it, and somehow, Eric had known that Scott made up his mind long before Scott even realized it.
"You think she's in trouble?" Eric asked, raising a brow. He glanced at Preston and Carl who had the indisposed guards. "Take 'em and lock 'em in the cell." They nodded and did as Eric told them while Eric looked up at Scott, waiting for an answer.
Scott walked over to his horse and reached in his sack, grabbing a stick of tobacco. He hadn't had one in a long while and he needed to taste the smoke on his lips. The sun was already leaving the sky, and after Scott lit the cigarette, he realized he didn't have much time. Wherever Bradley was, it was likely he would be returning soon.
"I think there's a good possibility she might be," he told Eric. "And I need to make sure she's all right before we leave."
Eric nodded, pressing his lips together. It wasn't long before they had geared up, preparing to head to wherever Scott thought Riley was. He just wondered if it would take Scott the ride over to realize he was in love with her.
Riley could hear her heart pulsate in every crevice of her mind. She hadn't even had time to collect her bearings of being in Scott's room when Reese had made his appearance, and he looked decidedly determined to take something from her she was not willing to give. It was all in those green eyes of his. She was paralyzed, unsure of what to do.
How did he get in here anyway? Maybe the Madame just believed him to be a friend, and since this was a brothel...
"What are you doing here?" she forced herself to say, and even though it came out somewhat shaky, she was proud that it came out at all. Riley wasn't completely naïve. She had some inkling of why Reese was there, but she needed to buy time. Because she'd be damned if she let anything happen to her.
"Why, for you, of course," Reese replied as though it was an obvious answer and Riley should have known better. "To take what is mine."
His words sent a cold shiver down Riley's back but she fought the urge to swallow. She had been in Scott Lucas's company for the past few weeks, and hoped his indeterminable courage had rubbed off on her.
"I'm not sure I know what you mean," she said, her voice still shaky but her eyes trying to hold a firmness.
"You know exactly what I mean," Reese contradicted, his lips curling up into a dark smirk. "I put too much time and effort into you not to get my just rewards." And before Riley had time to blink, Reese lunged at her.
Riley didn't know what to do – everything was happening so quickly that she couldn't grapple with what was happening – so she started fighting Reese to the best of her abilities. Her hands reached up and tried to smack him, punch him, do something. Her body squirmed, her legs kicked. At first, Reese laughed at her efforts, loving the fact that she was fighting against him. It would be more fun to break her this way.
Up until the point where her struggles actually began to work. Her slaps hit his face, her kicks connected with his legs and he was having trouble actually keeping her in one place. He was beginning to get frustrated so it wasn't long before Reese grabbed her, his fingertips digging into her soft skin, and carelessly threw her on the bed. Before she could get up, he managed to jump on her, pinning her down in such a way that struggling was impossible.
