Chase The Storm (Storm Warning Series Book 2) Read online

  They arrived at the police station just as Lucas made his way back from the jail. “I thought you two would show up.”

  “I know I can’t talk to him.” Kendall eyed the door leading back to the jail cells. “I’d simply like to find out what he wants.”

  “I spoke to him and he says you have a thumb drive that he has to give over or someone is going to kill him. Claims his life’s been threatened.”

  Good.

  “Do you believe that?” Kendall nibbled her bottom lip. “He’s still drunk, you know.”

  “He is, but he’s also scared to death. Made me promise not to advertise he was in jail or let anyone come to visit.”

  Marcus rubbed his chin. “That sounds weird. But, then again, we are talking about Bobby Joe Cochran. He’s always into something sketchy.”

  Kendall nodded. “Marcus is right. Bobby Joe can’t keep his nose clean. We all know he’s probably the one who robbed the gas station on the corner of Brookshire and Mockingbird last month.”

  Lucas put the cell key in his pocket and headed for his office. “We didn’t get a positive ID in that break-in. Until then, I can’t lock him up for a crime I can’t prove he committed.”

  “Tonight he attacked me and Kendall.”

  “He did, and he’ll face the judge Monday morning for that. I hope they give him ninety days for breaking the restraining order.”

  Kendall scoffed. “You’re dreaming. The judges don’t care about the way he treats me. Look at how many times you had to arrest him before the court would even grant me the restraining order.” She folded her arms and frowned. “Lot of good that did.”

  “Bobby Joe’s grandfather is a retired judge,” Marcus said. “It’s hard for them to turn on their own.”

  Kendall tossed back her long hair. “Yeah, and I have the scars to prove it.”

  “If Bobby Joe had been smart, he would’ve steered clear of you and went about his business.” Marcus put his hand on Kendall’s back as they followed Lucas to his office.

  “If only,” Kendall said with a sigh. “If only.”

  “Lucas,” Marcus said. “You and I know men like Bobby Joe never go quietly. He’s going to really hurt Kendall someday. And this could’ve been the day. Hell, if you hadn’t been there five years ago he would have killed her then.”

  “I know, I worry about her all the time, but I can’t do any more than I’m already doing because the law ties my hands. Now we have him for breaking the restraining order, breaking and entering, and assault. The judge will have no choice but to take all that into consideration.”

  “But what does he want with a thumb drive?” Kendall took a seat without waiting for an offer. She crossed her legs and propped her elbows on the arms of the chair. “And what makes him think if I had it I wouldn’t give it back. I don’t want anything of his.”

  “I made that clear.”

  The door of the station opened, and Rachel Snyder ran toward them. Once there, she reached down and squeezed Kendall tightly. “Are you okay? Your neighbor called and told me Bobby Joe broke into your apartment.”

  “I’m okay,” Kendall averted her gaze.

  Rachel cupped her chin and turned her face, allowing her to inspect Bobby Joe’s handiwork. “My God, I want to go back there with a ball bat and beat the crap out of him. What a monster.”

  Leaning against the wall, Marcus cleared his throat. “You can say that again.”

  Rachel looked at him and smiled. “I’m glad you were there. Thank you so much, Marcus. You’re really her knight in shining armor.”

  Marcus gave her a mock salute. “At least Bobby Joe is locked up now.”

  Rachel turned to face her fiancé. “And Lucas can throw away the key.”

  Lucas came to his feet. “Look, sweetheart, I can only do so much. It’s up to the judge.”

  Kendall kept glancing over her shoulder at the door to the jail. “Do you think it would be okay if I went back and tried to talk some sense into him? We all know the restraining order is crap anyway.”

  “No!” Rachel shouted. “You cannot reason with him and you know that.”

  “Rachel’s right,” Marcus said, not wanting her anywhere near the jerk by herself. “Plus, you worked really hard to get that order, don’t throw it away now. Even if it feels like it isn’t doing anything.”

  The stubborn set of Kendall’s jaw sent a message to Marcus that she didn’t need him to remind her of the helplessness of the situation.

  “I know, I know. I’d just like to get to the bottom of this, once and for all.”

  Marcus tried to rub the tension from the back of his neck. “Maybe coming here wasn’t such a good idea.”

  “Why not?” Kendall asked, her brows raised. “I have to know what’s really going on. He’s so desperate he broke into my house and almost killed me—again!”

  Lucas dropped into the chair behind his desk and shoved aside the stack of paperwork. He looked older tonight, more used and tired. “Just let him be.”

  “Once he sees the judge Monday he’s going to be really mad at me,” Kendall said. Marcus noticed the tremble in her voice. “If he goes to jail, who do you think will take the blame for that? I’m always his target. Right now, he’s just mad. After Monday…he might just shoot me for causing him so much trouble, thumb drive be damned.”

  Rachel jammed her hands on her hips. “Kendall, you’re not his punching bag. You’ve done everything possible to stay out of his way and do the right thing. He has to stop pushing you around. Don’t throw away all your hard work.”

  Kendall shot to her feet. “I know, I’ve held my own for years. I put up with a lot because I once loved him and I thought he loved me. It took a while to learn that’s not love. It’s him being mean and manipulative.”

  Marcus’ heart nearly snapped in two at her mention of love. Hearing her say she loved Bobby Joe did something strange to his insides. It numbed his chest and made him want to leave, give up the fight and just walk away because it wasn’t getting him anywhere. Hadn’t gotten him anywhere for nearly twenty years. His gaze met Lucas’ in a flash of understanding. He knew how Marcus felt about Kendall and how hard it had been to sit on the sidelines and watch her being abused because they had a discussion or two about the possibility of him and her getting together.

  Marcus stopped and sucked in a giant breath. Of course, she had loved Bobby Joe. They’d been married for five years. How could he be jealous over the fact Kendall once loved her husband? He suddenly felt small and immature for even thinking Kendall still held feelings for a man who treated her so brutally.

  Lucas advised him to wait for her to be ready, and even though he wondered when that would be, he knew he had to be strong for both of them. Kendall’s life could never be described as a bed of roses. Even as long as it had taken, he knew she wanted to create a new life without Bobby Joe.

  “Kendall, there’s nothing here for us. We might as well leave and call it a day. Bobby Joe will be in court Monday. Let me drive you home.”

  She stared at him. “I hate to leave without learning anything.”

  “I don’t think Bobby Joe is going anywhere, and you’re exhausted.” He shoved away from the wall and took her hand to help her out of the chair. “We’ve both been through a lot. I think it’s time we call it a night.”

  Chapter 4

  Rachel crossed the room and took Kendall by the arm and pulled her aside. “Can I have a moment, Marcus. I want to make sure she’s okay.”

  He shrugged shoulders that were so sculpted they practically had her mouth watering. Once alone in the corner, Rachel took Kendall by the shoulders and hugged her tightly. “Please be careful.”

  They parted. “I’m trying. Remember, he came to my house. I didn’t go looking for him.”

  “I know, and I’m so grateful Marcus was there to help you.”

  Kendall looked behind her at Marcus who spoke softly to Lucas. “Yes, he saved me. I swear Bobby Joe had murder in his eyes.”

 
Rachel shook her head and stared down at the floor. “God, who knew Bobby Joe would turn into such a monster? I had doubts from the very beginning, but I thought I loved you too much as a friend that I didn’t want to share you with a husband.”

  Kendall reached out and rubbed her friend’s arm. “It’s okay, Rachel. I was so blinded by love, so enamored with the man he showed me he was, I didn’t even consider he’d hurt me. It came as a rude awakening.”

  Rachel’s gaze clashed with hers. “Keep close to Marcus. He can protect you. He cares about you, a lot, Kendall. He won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “I know, but I want to make sure I can return the same feelings. I won’t lead him on just to use him as a safeguard. He deserves more than that.”

  “You’re right. And you are a strong woman, all on your own. So be the strong woman I know you to be and take a giant leap toward happiness. You don’t have to survive all the time, Kendall. You can live too.”

  Kendall had no answer to that. Instead, she kissed her friend on the cheek and reached out for Marcus’ hand.

  As they left the station, Kendall wondered if she might lose out on a good thing because she hung on to the past too tightly. She didn’t dare compare Marcus to Bobby Joe. They were as different as night and day, and she knew that Marcus would never hurt anyone, especially a woman.

  Why am I stalling?

  Kendall’s chest constricted and a cold chill covered her body.

  They drove in silence until his vehicle came to a halt in front of her apartment. He slid out and opened her door, taking her hand to help her out. She wanted to invite him in, but was worried that, at the late hour, it would only make things between them awkward and uncomfortable. They walked, holding hands, until reaching her door.

  There, she turned to face him. “It goes without saying that I had a wonderful time until Bobby Joe showed up.”

  He kind of chuckled. “Yeah, so did I.”

  She clutched his arm. “I hope you’ll invite me out again, Marcus. I honestly feel better than I have in a long time.”

  He leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek. “Sleep tight. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  Then he left her standing in front of her apartment. She wanted to chase after him and beg him to stay longer, but she couldn’t do that. Not now. Not after what Bobby Joe had done.

  Inside her apartment she felt sad to be alone with her thoughts. She locked all the windows, checked the doors a dozen times and made sure all the curtains were closed. Bobby Joe might be locked up, but she didn’t want to take any chances. Experience taught her to be cautious. She knew that familiar, desperate look on Bobby Joe’s face. The one that drew his brows together, made his nostrils flare, and tightened his lips into a thin line. He had something going on and all her instincts shouted, highly dangerous and probably illegal.

  She had to protect herself. She purchased a gun last year and Lucas showed her how to use it. Did she actually have the nerve to pull the trigger? Perhaps if her life was truly in danger, or someone else she cared about was, she would.

  She went in her bedroom and opened the drawer to her nightstand, took out the Glock semi-automatic and checked the ammunition. Fully loaded and ready to use. At that exact moment, Kendall promised herself if Bobby Joe came to her door, she’d pull the trigger.

  She meant business now. He couldn’t go around disrupting her life every time something happened to him. And the restraining order had been a waste of paper. It was time she took matters into her own hands. Touching her battered cheek, she swallowed, then, stiffened her spine. She intended to find out exactly what Bobby Joe was in to and, if necessary, stop him from harming anyone else. She reminded herself she once had the strength to walk away from him despite the threats. Now, the time came to put him completely out of her life for good.

  * * *

  Marcus returned to his car, leaned his head against the headrest and let out a strong breath. What a night they’d had. It started out wonderful. Having drinks, listening to good music, Kendall all smiles and relaxed. Pretty much a dream come true. He had hoped the good vibes would continue all the way into her apartment.

  Instead, they’d walked into a nightmare. Bobby Joe came at them with a vengeance, scaring the hell out of him. Who’d expect to walk into their apartment and find their ex trashing the place? Not only that, he’d become so violent. He reminded Marcus of a wild savage trying to kill an enemy.

  A shiver tiptoed down his spine as he suddenly realized how lucky they were to be alive. Thank God, Kendall finally found the strength to leave him. They’d all been there to help, trying to get her away from him, but it was something she had to do on her own. And he was damn proud of her that she had.

  For a long time, Marcus thought with Bobby Joe out of the way he might have a chance to get closer to Kendall, but the pain her ex had inflicted damaged her to the point he didn’t think she’d ever give love another chance.

  Pain gnawed at his heart as he thought of how badly he wanted to wrap her in his arms and protect her from the cruel world. To embrace her with love and kindness and prove that not all men were bad.

  But Marcus knew he had to take it slow. Kendall couldn’t be pushed, coerced or tricked into making a move she didn’t feel comfortable with. Especially not by him. Not that he’d even try such a maneuver.

  Too wound up to even consider going home, Marcus headed for Frankie’s place, where the music’s loud, the beer’s cold, and the company suited him just fine. He felt restless, rowdy, and filled with the need to let off a lot of steam to calm his nerves.

  He arrived and parked in the gravel parking lot, slid out of his car and went inside. Friday night and the place was still abuzz with activity. Marcus bet half the town filled the place, enjoying themselves.

  He walked up to the bar and Frankie, the owner, met him with a smile. They had been friends for years. They graduated from high school the same year. While Marcus took off for college, Frankie bought the old place that had been the town’s watering hole for over fifty years.

  “Hey, buddy, what’s up?” Frankie asked good-naturedly. “You look like hell.” Without waiting for Marcus to answer, he set a tall draft in front of him. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you got girl trouble, but I can’t imagine who that would be.” Frankie winked.

  “Dumb ass Bobby Joe broke into her place tonight. She and I returned from having a few drinks and when we walked in, he was there going through her things.”

  Frankie shook his head as he polished a clean glass. “The man never learns. I swear one of these days Lucas is going to put him away for a long time, but Bobby Joe’s too stupid to consider the possibility.”

  “It can’t be too soon for me. I’d love him out of here where he couldn’t bother Kendall anymore. He gave her enough hell while they were married.”

  Frankie slung the bar rag over his shoulder and leaned back against the shelf. “You can say that again. Mean as a rattlesnake. What was he looking for? And doesn’t she have a restraining order against him?”

  Marcus took a long drink of beer, allowing it to swirl down his throat. He sat his glass down and exhaled loudly. He needed that.

  “Damned if I know what he’s up to. Said she had something belonging to him and if he didn’t get it back he’d be dead.” Marcus propped his elbows on the bar. “Wish I could get my hands on it. If it wouldn’t cause her more trouble, I’d hide the damn thing just to spite him.”

  “You can never tell with Bobby Joe. But he came in here the other day with a couple of shady looking characters. They didn’t appear too happy.” Frankie pointed to the corner of the dark bar. “Bobby Joe sat over there sweating bullets.”

  That piqued Marcus’ interest. Could Bobby Joe really be in trouble? Did someone honestly want to kill him? Normal people wouldn’t think that, but they didn’t know Bobby Joe, nor what he proved to be capable of. Marcus bet he made a deal with the Devil, and now the Devil wanted what was due.

  “Did you over
hear anything, Frankie? If Bobby Joe really is in trouble, Lucas needs to know.”

  Frankie shook his head. “Nah, I didn’t hear anything. But I don’t listen, either. I don’t want to get mixed up in Bobby Joe’s troubles. It can get a man killed. And I don’t want to be that man.”

  Marcus drank the rest of his beer as he went over the events of the evening. Bobby Joe claimed he’d left a thumb drive in Kendall’s stuff and now he wanted it back. Those things can hold practically anything, with enough memory. Who knew what he had stored on there. Kendall said she had no idea what it was all about, and Marcus believed her.

  Still, he worried that if Bobby Joe didn’t get what he wanted, Kendall would be the one to pay. He’d come after her and hound her until he got what he wanted. And no telling what all he would drag her into trying to save his own hide.

  He shoved his glass closer to Frankie. “I’ll take another, it’s going to be a long night.”

  Frankie removed the glass, filled it and returned it to Marcus’s open hand. He took a long swallow as he made up his mind. He’d stop Bobby Joe no matter the cost. He’d find out what he wanted, give it to him and demand he leave Kendall alone.

  If Bobby Joe didn’t go away, Marcus wouldn’t be responsible for what might happen.

  Chapter 5

  Kendall looked at the clock in her living room. Ten thirty. Still relatively early, however, her cheek throbbed and exhaustion drenched her body from the fight with Bobby Joe. The excitement of the evening left her drained, but that didn’t keep her nerves from feeling like they were on fire.

  Grabbing her purse, she pulled out her cell phone and instinctively called Marcus. He answered after the second ring.

  “Kendall, you all right?”

  “Yes, no. I mean, I’m alone…and I guess I just felt like calling you. I assume Bobby Joe is still in jail, at least I hope he is, but…you know…I’m a little shaken.” Except for the sound of a jukebox in the distance, silence filled the airway between them. “I wanted to call and apologize for tonight. I didn’t mean for all this to happen.” She struggled for the right words. “The situation is hard sometimes, you know?”