“Ah!” he yelled, pulling back in shock as his hand went to his mouth. He backhanded her. “I’m bleeding, you bitch.”
Taking advantage of one free hand, Lindsey hit him in the face and twisted to try and get away. He pulled her by the hair and then slapped her again. This time harder. “Stop fighting and make this easy on yourself.”
Dragging her by her hair, he yanked her back to the bed. Lindsey cried out, feeling as if her hair was coming out by the roots. She kicked him, and he hit her again. Pain lashed through her cheek and eye, making her shake from head to foot. Or maybe it was from a combination of fear and adrenaline. Darkness threatened to take over as spots appeared in front of her eyes.
In her head, she yelled. No!
She wasn’t ready to die.
* * * * *
Standing in front of the courthouse, sticky with perspiration, Mark dialed Lindsey’s cell phone, trying to remain calm.
This was his third attempt with no answer. Pacing the sidewalk he felt tense, agitated, afraid. Where was she? Something was wrong, really wrong. He felt it in every inch of his body. Maggie had confirmed Lindsey had gone to Steve’s but Steve hadn’t seen her.
He dialed Steve again. “She’s not answering her phone, home or cell. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
Steve cursed into the phone. “I’m going to head to her apartment since it’s only a few blocks from where I’m at. But then—”
“Just go, and I’ll meet you there. Just be careful. I’ll be about ten minutes behind you.”
Mark hung up and started to run down the street, feeling his pulse pounding in his temple. Wherever Lindsey was, she needed him, he could feel it. It felt like forever, though it was only minutes, before he arrived at her apartment. He took the stairs two at a time, not bothering with the elevator.
Standing in front of her door, he raised his hand to knock, but then dropped it. Instead, he tested the doorknob. When it turned, he knew it wasn’t good. He fought the urge to run through the door, and yell Lindsey’s name. Pushing the door open, he tried to see what he could hear.
Then Lindsey screamed.
Mark took off running, headed towards her voice, desperate to get to her. Red-hot rage exploded inside when he saw the man on top of her. Lunging forward, he reached for the man’s shirt, yanking him off of her body. “You son of a bitch!” he screamed as he flung him to the ground.
Mark’s breathing was erratic as he took in Lindsey’s bruised face, pain wrenching at his heart.
A low growl from the attacker drew his attention. Realization hit with a bitter sting. “Garth?”
The other man let out a burst of harsh laughter, pushing to his feet and lunging at Mark all in one move. His arms wrapped around Mark’s waist, as he sent him stumbling backwards. Mark managed to get his arms under the other man’s, and pry him off. Garth countered by throwing a punch, but Mark managed to block it.
* * * * *
Pure adrenaline powered Lindsey now. Her mind went back to her options. Gun. In purse by door. Had to get to her gun. She kept repeating her objective in her head, afraid the fog would take over. Stumbling, fighting dizziness, she managed to make it through the room and into the hall. She stumbled, falling to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. Crawling the rest of the way, she found her purse and dumped it.
The front door burst open, and then Steve was there, squatting down beside her. “Oh, God,” he said. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, swallowing a sob as she grabbed his arm. “Help Mark. It’s Garth, Steve. It’s Garth.”
Steve frowned, but he acted without haste as his training dictated, pulling his gun and rounding the corner with stealth-like speed. Steve holstered his gun as he took in the two men going hand to hand. He might shoot Mark. He had no option but to do this the physical way.
He moved forward, yanking Garth from behind just as Mark jabbed him with a right hook to the face. Garth toppled over on Steve, knocking him to the ground. In a split second, Garth flipped around and yanked Steve’s gun from his holster.
Pointing the gun at Steve, he laughed, “Too slow,” he spat. “Get up.” Cutting a sideways glance at Mark, he added, “One wrong move and he’s dead.”
“Drop the gun, Garth,” Lindsey said from the doorway, her gun pointed at him.
She felt Mark’s eyes. “Lindsey—”
“I’m fine Mark.” But she wasn’t and she knew it.
Garth sneered at her. “No you’re not, darling. You’re bleeding. Why don’t you just hand over that gun and sit your pretty little ass down. Poppa will be right over to kiss it all better.”
Mark took a step towards Garth. “You son of—”
“Call off your dog, Lindsey,” Garth warned. “Or Steve’s a dead man.” He jabbed the gun to Steve’s temple.
Mark stopped dead in his tracks. “Garth,” Lindsey said stepping forward. “This little game is over. Drop the weapon.”
“Or what, darling?”
“I’ll shoot you.”
“I doubt that.”
“If you think for a minute I will hesitate, you’re dead wrong.”
He laughed again, the sound making Lindsey shiver. “Let’s find out. How about a little game of chicken?” He shoved Steve. “Get over there beside Mark.”
Lindsey kept her gun aimed at Garth. “I bet I can shoot one of them before you can manage to put me down.” He smiled. “You choose which one will live and which one will die.”
Garth waved the gun between Steve and Mark. Lindsey kept her gun aimed at Garth. She didn’t doubt he would shoot one of them. Maybe both. He was crazy. She should shoot him before he could shoot them. But . . . . she was foggy. It was hard to think. Should she?
“Game’s up, Lindsey,” Steve said quietly.
Lindsey heard his words, and absorbed their meaning. He was telling her what to do. She pulled the trigger, no hesitation. A second later, Garth crumpled to the floor.
Lindsey had shot him.
Steve’s words washed over Mark. He had reminded her of her training, of her only option. She had to shoot first. And Steve knew she wouldn’t wilt under pressure.
Mark’s eyes darted from Garth to Lindsey as he watched her lean against the wall and then slip down to the floor. Mark ran to her side, pulling her into his arms. The courage she had shown amazed him, but most of all it made him proud. She was amazing, such a combination of vulnerability and strength. She was the woman he loved and he was thankful she was alive. Losing her would have been a nightmare. Stroking her hair, he rocked her, whispering comforting words.
“He’s dead,” Steve said.
It was over.
* * * * *
Finally, after hours at the hospital, Mark carried Lindsey through his front door, her head resting on his shoulder. He had taken her to the emergency room as soon as Steve’s back-up arrived. She had a concussion and a lot of bumps and scrapes. More than anything, she had the trauma of the experience.
Lindsey had turned over her weapon to the authorities, and would now be subjected to an internal investigation. Standard procedure, even though she was on leave. Still, he hated it. He didn’t want this to get dragged out any longer than it had to. She deserved to put this behind her.
Ever so carefully he set her on the bed. Lindsey’s eyes fluttering open. “Where are we?” she asked.
“We’re home, baby,” he said as he bent down and kissed her forehead.
She blinked and looked at him through swollen eyes. “I hurt all over.”
“I know. You’re due some more pain medicine,” he told her. “Let me get you something to drink to take it with and then we’ll get you undressed.”
She nodded. He started to turn. “Mark?” He gave her a questioning look. “You saved my life.”
He sat down on the edge of the bed. “And you returned the favor, if I remember correctly.”
Her lips trembled. “I should have listened to you.”
He kissed her hand, afraid of hurting her
if he kissed her anywhere else. “It’s done and over. I’m just glad I didn’t lose you.” Emotion lodged in his throat. “Rest. I’ll get your pain medicine.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, her eyelashes fluttering to her cheeks. “I’m so tired. So very, very tired.”
* * * * *
“Hey Maggie, have you seen Mark?”
“He went out for a bit, but I don’t know where.” She studied Lindsey’s face. “That black eye is really looking better now.”
Lindsey touched the spot under her left eye. “Yes, finally. Now it sorta looks like a bad birthmark.”
“Gives the rest of us females a chance for once,” Maggie said with a playful smile.
Lindsey snorted. “Right. You too funny.”
Mark rounded the corner. “What trouble are you two cooking?”
Lindsey laughed. “That’s for us to know and you to find out.”
Mark moved forward, aware that his pulse was beating rapidly, tension lacing his body. He had something important to tell Lindsey. “Come to my office, and let me try and pry it out of you.”
Lindsey laughed and followed Mark. Once they were in his office, Mark pushed the door shut and pulled her into his arms. “I have ways to make you talk.”
Lindsey unbuttoned his jacket and dipped her hands beneath it. “Please, make me talk.”
“Actually, there is something I need to talk to you about.” He took a step backwards, taking her hand in his. “Come sit with me.”
Mark pulled the chairs around so that he could face her. He’d taken a big step. One meant to help Lindsey let go of the past. He could only pray it was the right move. He loved her. He had no question he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
Lindsey touched his cheek. “What’s up?”
He let out a breath. “I’ve given a lot of thought to you and me, and to the firm.” Her eyes widened. “I know you don’t want to run Paxton, and I came back on a limited timeline.”
Lindsey nodded. “I know, and I appreciate what you have done for me.”
Mark smiled, thinking of how things had changed between them. He wanted her to let go of the past. To choose to be with him out of desire, not pressure to run Paxton. “You have a job waiting for you in Washington.”
Her voice was almost a whisper. “Yes, but you have a consulting business to get back on track.”
“If I leave, it’ll force you to take over, and then you’ll resent me. I can’t deal with that. And he couldn’t. It would destroy any hope they had of a future.
Her eyes clouded. “But it’s not fair for you to stay and miss out on your own business. I understand if you need to leave.”
He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. Better to just get it all on the table. “I made an offer to buy Paxton, and this time your father accepted.”
Lindsey blinked, her expression dumbfounded. “What?”
He nodded. “I don’t want you to leave, but deep down I know you don’t want to stay. To have you practice law here at Paxton, by my side, would make me very happy. But it would be selfish. I care enough about you to want you to be happy.”
Lindsey stood up and walked to the window, placing her back to Mark. “So this is goodbye,” she said without turning.
It took every ounce of willpower he possessed not to go to her. “I hope not. I want you to stay. But I can’t kid myself. You left this place once, and when you returned you never intended to stay. I can’t win either way things go.”
Lindsey stared out, her voice shaky as she spoke. “You should have talked to me.”
“Maybe,” he admitted, “but I have thought about this until it felt I might go nuts. This was the only way I could make the choice yours. Now you have options. Stay or go, but follow your heart.”
He heard her draw in a breath before turning around to face him. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say what you feel.”
“You’re a good man, Mark.”
Mark tried to smile, but failed. Her eyes were distant, her body stiff. His heart felt like it was being shattered into pieces. A good man. Not good enough, it seemed. He’d so hoped she would come to him. That she would choose a life with him. “You’re a free woman, Lindsey.”
Then afraid of what he might say next, he pushed to his feet, and strode out of the room. He had never needed air as badly as he did at that moment.
Chapter Fourteen
Three Months later
Lindsey slipped through the doors of the elegant New Yorker Museum feeling apprehension from the top of her head clear down to her freshly manicured toes.
Already her father’s retirement party was in full swing. The dance floor was filled, the tables packed. He’d made an amazing recovery, her father, nothing shy of a miracle. And Lindsey had been talking with him on the phone a lot. He’d even made amends with Mark, often talking about the great things he was doing with the firm. His turnaround was baffling, but welcome. As daughter and father, they were on the mend, and for that she was thankful.
But there was still one person she needed to connect with.
Mark.
She’d spent three long months in Washington, away from him, missing him every minute. Every day she hoped he would call. But he didn’t. She’d dialed his number too many times to count, and then hung up at the last minute.
Her nightmares hadn’t gone away. The dark images still woke her in the night, leaving her shaken and scared. But now she understood them. They’d never been about the murders. They were about her fear. About losing herself, her life, and her love . . . Mark.
Lindsey handed her coat to a checkperson, and eyed the room, looking for Mark as discreetly as she could. Her hand smoothed her black satin slip dress, nervous about looking her best. She’d dressed with care, taking extra time to fix herself, wanting to look her best.
She’d come to a life-altering decision. She could only hope it wasn’t coming too late. Mark was the love of her life, and she wanted to be with him. Nerves were jangling through her entire body as if she were a schoolgirl with a crush.
Taking several deep breaths, she took a moment to take in her surroundings. She had always loved the Museum, and a moment to explore its beauty would help take her outside of her anxiety. Lindsey had spent hours on the phone with Maggie planning the party. It was exciting to see how beautifully it all had come together. Surveying the room with pride, Lindsey took in the high ceilings and the dim lighting. The setting was elegant, the music soft and soothing, the tables of food delectable, even from a distance.
She sucked in a deep breath, and willed herself to step forward. She’d barely taken two steps when Maggie found her. “Lindsey,” she said with a warm smile and big hug. “We’ve missed you.”
Lindsey hugged her back, feeling the words with more emotion than expected. “It’s good to be missed.”
Maggie pulled back. “Have you seen Mark yet?”
Lindsey nodded apprehensively. Maggie, angel that she was, had made a point of filling her in on Mark on a regular basis. Lindsey never asked, but she darn sure listened. And Maggie was no fool. She knew Lindsey hung on every word.
“No, not yet. I just got here.”
Maggie surveyed Lindsey, stepping back and inspecting her appearance. “His eyes will pop out when he sees you in that dress, sweetie.”
Lindsey tried to smile, but she didn’t quite make it. “We’ll, see,” she said, and changed the subject. She was getting more nervous by the minute. “The party’s lovely. You did a wonderful job.”
“We did a wonderful job,” she corrected. “Come,” she said with a nod of her head. “Let’s go see your father.”
Together they maneuvered through the crowd, making their way across the room. Lindsey kept an eye out for Mark, but to her disappointment, he was nowhere in sight. Her father’s table was near the front of the room. Lindsey saw him before he saw her, which gave her a moment to digest his incredible transition. He’d put on a good fifteen pounds, and his colo
r was healthy, his smile happy.
The minute he spotted Lindsey, his eyes lit up and he pushed to his feet. Maggie grabbed Lindsey’s arm to gain her attention. “I better circulate. Catch up to you in a few.”
Lindsey nodded and moved towards her father. The minute she was within his reach, he pulled her into a bear hug, holding her tightly and rocking. “I missed you,” he said softly.
Lindsey looked up at him, fighting back tears. She couldn’t believe how good he looked. “I missed you too, Daddy.”
“I want you to meet Elizabeth,” he said, motioning towards a short, dark-haired woman, who pushed to her feet and smiled.
She looked familiar . . . oh my. Lindsey remembered. “Aren’t you one of the nurses from the treatment center?”
She nodded and laughed, her eyes friendly and happy. “Yes, I’m the only one who would put up with your father.”
Lindsey laughed, feeling herself relax ever so slightly. “Well, that makes you a saint, doesn’t it?”
Edward laughed with the two women. “Lindsey, Elizabeth has agreed to be my wife.”
The words hit her with such surprise she sank down into a chair. “W . . . wife?”
Elizabeth reached out and patted Lindsay’s hand as Edward sat down. “Yes, but I know I can never replace your mother nor would I try. I love your father very much, and I promise to be good to him.”
Lindsey looked at Elizabeth and then at her father. He had changed, and she would venture to say this woman had a lot to do with those changes. Lindsey smiled. “I’m very happy for you both.” She paused. “I mean that.”
“Good, because we’re happy together,” Edward said, as he looked at Elizabeth and smiled.
Lindsey watched the two of them, a smile turning the corners of her mouth up. No doubt, these two were in love. Her mother would want them to be happy. A rush of emotion threatened. What she shared with Mark had been special. She’d allowed fear to take it from them. “If you two will excuse me, there is something I need to do.”