Forever in Love Read online

  What good was leading a life on the wrong side of the law if he couldn’t help those around him? He had more than enough money saved and stashed in various places that he could afford to give it to her. He glanced at the sky, daylight fading as the sun drifted lower on the landscape. Reds and oranges burned across the horizon.

  “Shouldn’t your sister be here by now?”

  “She’s running an errand.”

  He sat back on his haunches. “An errand? This late?” He glanced at his watch and with a sinking feeling realized what day it was. She didn’t need to be out on the streets. He stood, dusting off his clothes. “C’mon let’s go pick her up.”

  “I’m not supposed to leave the house when it’s dark.” The adolescent put away the tools. “She should be back in an hour.”

  “C’mon young blood. I haven’t gotten this far without listening to my instincts. Let’s go find your sister.”

  ***

  Bonnie adjusted the strap on her shoulder and glanced around the vacant bus stop. It wasn’t totally dark yet, but was fast approaching that hour and the darker it got the more her gut churned. She glanced at her watch. The bus should be here any minute. She hadn’t made a drop since Buck started hanging around her home.

  She couldn’t allow him to dictate what she could and couldn’t do, even though with him around she felt safer than she had in a long while. This time, she’d gone behind his back to do this. Now she wished she hadn’t. She peered into the gathering night. Warning bells clanged in her head.

  Something seemed off to her. She bounced the bag on her shoulder, threaded her other arm through the strap, and then tightened the pack on her back. Maybe she was being paranoid, but something was making her jumpy.

  She glanced around the area again. The hair on the nape of her neck stood on end. Someone was watching her. She reached in her pocket for the can of pepper spray she kept there. It wouldn’t be much, but it would give her a few precious seconds to run away.

  Air brakes squealed in the distance and she glanced to her left. Relief washed through her as the bus slid to a stop in front of her. She flashed her pass to the driver and found a seat near the back. She pulled her phone from her pocket and fired off a text to her brother, she was later than she told him and didn’t want him to worry.

  Ten minutes later she stepped off the bus and onto the curb three blocks from her home. The feeling of being watched returned with a vengeance. She gripped the dangling straps of the backpack a little tighter and palmed the can of pepper spray in the other. She paused at a crosswalk to allow a car to move through the intersection. Just ahead the sidewalk was dark. A glance at the other side of the street showed the same thing. With a deep breath, she hurried across the street scanning ahead for any possible threats.

  The porch light to her home beckoned. A smile creased her lips. Dexter left the light on for her. She quickened her steps. Just a half block separated her from inside and safety. A flash caught the corner of her eye. She shifted, narrowly deflecting the blow intended for her face. It caught her on the side of her head, near her ear and knocked her off-balance. She squirted the spray in her assailant’s face. He howled and clawed at his face. Bonnie tossed up an arm and turned her head as the fine mist blew back at her.

  Strong hands seized her from behind. She swung around, raising the hand with the pepper spray and her wrist was grabbed.

  “Stop. I’ve got you.”

  It took a moment for the voice to register, when it did she slumped against him. She stared into bright blue eyes, now cold and flat. Some of the ice melted from his gaze as it drifted over her.

  “Buck...”

  “Take her inside young blood. I’ll be in soon.”

  She turned when a smaller hand grasped her elbow and steered her toward the house. “Wait. I need...”

  “C’mon Bonnie before he gets really upset,” Dexter said tugging her along.

  One last glance over her shoulder showed Buck jerking a skinny guy to his feet. The door closed before she could catch a glimpse of his face.

  ***

  Buck made sure Bonnie and Dexter were out the way before he snatched the young man he knew as Cool-Ade to his feet. All he had to do was make a phone call and a couple of guys would handle this annoyance for him.

  “I’ll kill her,” Cool-Ade threatened alternately wiping his eyes and nose.

  “Really?” His voice was deceptively calm. “And what’s to stop me from doing the same to you?” He snatched the smaller man to his toes. “We’re going to a place a little more private.” Buck dragged the guy along, dug in his pocket for his keys and popped the trunk. “We’re going for a ride.”

  Cool-Ade dug in his heels while fear widened his eyes. “I’m not getting in there.”

  Buck pulled back his jacket just enough to allow the other man to see the handle of the 9mm tucked into his jeans. “It wasn’t a question.” In one swift movement, he belted Cool-Ade in the stomach, when he doubled over Buck knocked him into the trunk and slammed the lid.

  By the time he returned to Bonnie’s house, an hour had passed. He flexed his hands as he strolled up the walk. His knuckles were a little raw, but he’d accomplished what he set out to do. That little punk would think long and hard about his actions next time.

  The door opened as he stepped on the porch and Dexter shook his head. “She’s not here.”

  “What?” Annoyance burned in his gut. “Where did she go?”

  “I swear, my parents never asked this many questions.”

  He whirled at the voice behind him and Bonnie stood at the edge of the porch. Relief washed through him, even though she wore a scowl on her pretty face and her fists were planted on her hips.

  “You know exactly what day it is and exactly where I’ve been. So why are you acting like my daddy all of a sudden?”

  He opened his mouth and snapped it shut. “Get inside.”

  She rolled her eyes, but stalked past him into the house. “I don’t need you to watch my every move.”

  He slammed the door. “That guy was out to hurt you.”

  “Really? I thought he was asking for my phone number?” Sarcasm dripped from her voice as she shoved past him to get to the kitchen.

  He grabbed her by the elbow, forcing her to face him. Her face was red and irritated on one side. A small bruise disappeared into her hairline, while a few dots of blood stained the collar of her shirt. “It’s too dangerous.”

  She widened her eyes. “Are you saying this because I’m a girl?”

  “Bad move,” Dexter muttered and returned to his homework.

  Buck glanced at the youth, then Bonnie. “No, it’s because...” He scrubbed the heel of his hand over his face and released her. “Are you okay?”

  She shrugged and continued to the kitchen. “I’m fine.”

  He leaned against the wall observing the way her hands shook as she pulled a small meatloaf from the oven.

  “Did you make the potatoes, Dex?” she asked lifting the lid on a pot.

  “Back of the stove. Peeled, quartered and salted per your instructions.” He closed his books, then shoved them in his backpack. “Want me to smash ‘em?”

  “Knock yourself out.”

  Buck regarded the scene a moment. “Bonnie? I need to talk to you a moment.”

  She stiffened and followed him from the kitchen.

  Dishes rattled in the kitchen as Dexter moved around, Buck sat on the sofa and patted the cushion next to him. She chose the chair and perched on the edge of her seat.

  “I know you don’t want to depend on my help, but right now I know your brother is the most important thing to you. He has no one else if something happens to you,” Buck began keeping his voice low so as not to be overheard. “You tell me what you need and I’ll make it happen, but you can’t work for me anymore.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. Be mad at me all you want. I’ve already told Red to find another runner.” If he wasn’t mistaken fear drifted through
her eyes, before it slid from view. He could practically see her weighing her options. He dug in his pocket and pulled out an envelope.

  She eyed the paper in his hand with suspicion, but pulled it from his fingers. She lifted the flap and extracted a nondescript debit card.

  “A permanent card will arrive in a few days.”

  “I make my own way. We don’t need you to take care of us.” She thrust the card and envelope back at him.

  He closed his hand over hers and gently pushed it back. “Yes you do.” He met and held her gaze. Uncertainty and an emotion he couldn’t quite define lingered in her irises. “Have I let you down thus far?”

  She shook her head.

  “No matter what happens this,” he tapped the card, “will have whatever you need on it.”

  “How do I know you won’t walk away from us the way my parents did?”

  “Because I need you as much as you need me.”

  A sharp inhale and an eyebrow raise were his only indicators of her surprise. He surprised himself with his admission.

  “What’s in this for you?” she asked, returning the card to the envelope, folded it and shoved it in her pocket.

  “The satisfaction of keeping a family together and a young lady with a promising future off the streets.”

  She studied him a long time. For one so young, she seemed to miss nothing and for a moment, Buck believed she knew the truth.

  “What?”

  “No one does something in this neighborhood, just because it’s the right thing to do.”

  He held her gaze. “I do, but if it makes you feel better. You owe me one.”

  She chuckled. “See, you want a favor.”

  “A simple thank you will suffice.”

  She stood, and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. “Thank you.”

  He returned her squeeze. She straightened and he watched her return to the kitchen. One day, when she was older, she’d understand.

  Chapter Two

  Bonnie stepped into a light spring drizzle. She was the last to leave the office for the evening, due to a glitch in the payroll program. And if that hadn’t been enough one of the suppliers delivered the wrong wood and she had a project waiting for it in the morning. Thankfully she worked everything out so all she had to do was make sure the correct order was delivered in the morning and checks would be on time for the employees.

  Vibrations shook her hip and dug her cell from her jeans pocket and checked the display on her phone as she adjusted the strap on her purse. She frowned and paused at the bottom of the stairs. Why would he call her after all this time? Curious, she slid her thumb across the screen.

  “Well it’s been a long time,” she greeted.

  “Hello sassy.”

  She halted. Had his voice always been that deep and sinful? She closed her eyes and waited for him to speak again.

  “I really need to see you.”

  The sentiment warmed her straight to her toes. “Now why would you do that? It’s been like ten years.”

  “That means you’re all grown up.”

  Her keys fell from her hand. She stooped to retrieve them. “And that means what?”

  “Bonnie.”

  At the new voice, she turned her head. Pain exploded in her skull. The phone skittered from her hand as she dropped to her knees. The next blow caught her on the shoulder, knocking her to the ground. She threw a hand up, deflecting the third, but she wasn’t in time to dodge the kick aimed at her ribs.

  “Didn’t think I’d find you, huh?” her assailant taunted.

  Tears blurred her vision while her head swam. If she could get away. Get to her car, maybe she’d have a chance. Bonnie got to her knees, crawling toward her vehicle. Her attacker cackled above her. Something cold touched her hand. She glanced down. Her keys. She snatched them up.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Fingers tightened in her hair and yanked her to kneeling.

  She swung her fist, the metal snagged the thick jersey material, ripped through the fabric until it sliced flesh and caught the man in the groin. He released her with a howl. She scrambled to her feet, hitting the lock on her vehicle.

  A hard body crashed into her sending her flying face first into the unyielding corner of her car. Blackness raced to the edges of her mind as she was dragged away from her car and kicked. She tried to roll away, but something heavy kept her pinned in place. Hands tightened at her throat, forcing the air from her lungs. She clawed at his wrists and the backs of his hands. Every breath she gasped fought past her lips, until her body went limp from exhaustion, the brain doing its best to preserve what precious oxygen it needed.

  Shouting stilled her attacker’s movements. He leaned close to her, his breath hot and fetid against her cheek. “You tell that arrogant asshole I’m coming for what’s mine. Tonight’s your lucky night, ‘cause the next time I catch you alone, I’ll kill you.” With a final strike he moved off her.

  Even with his weight cleared from her chest, she still had trouble breathing. Stabbing pain blasted through her system. Bonnie whimpered and rolled to her side, curling into a ball.

  “Bonnie!”

  Footsteps pounded across the pavement. She must’ve blacked out. The cold from the concrete seeped into her clothes and chilled her bones. Every breath she inhaled sent a shiver of agony scurrying along nerve endings. She tried to focus on the frightened voice, but she could barely open her eyes. All she managed was cracking one lid. The face so familiar and worried swam before her vision.

  “Bonnie.”

  Who was this Bonnie? Gentle fingers brushed her hair from her face. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

  “Stay with me, sis. Ya hear me? Stay with me.”

  ***

  The room was quiet. Bonnie managed to open her eyes and peer at the tiled ceiling. She’d been dreaming, but couldn’t remember about what. She shifted and her body erupted in aches and pains that caused her to cry out. A figure moved.

  “Hey. You’re awake. Take it easy.”

  “What happened?” Was that her voice? Why was it so scratchy?

  A gray-haired middle age woman moved into her line of vision. “Do you remember what happened?”

  Remember...Bonnie concentrated a moment. Fuzzy images. She was walking. “I got off work.”

  “Where do you work?”

  “Cal’s Construction, I’m the office manager and bookkeeper.” Now that she remembered. “My brother works there.”

  “Your brother’s name?” The nurse prompted as she slipped a blood pressure cuff on her left arm.

  “Dexter.”

  “Good. Can you tell me your name?”

  She opened her mouth and froze. What was her name? As if sensing her agitation the nurse patted her hand. “I-I can’t remember.”

  “It’s okay. Don’t exhaust yourself.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You know what your name is.”

  The nurse smiled. “You’ve got fight, that’s good.”

  “I can remember where I work and my brother’s name, but not mine?”

  “It happens. Do you know where you are?”

  “Obviously I’m in a hospital with some serious injuries. Goodness I hurt all over. My head is killing me.”

  The nurse documented the numbers. “I’ll get you something for that. In the meantime you’ve got a concussion, a couple of broken ribs and a few lacerations that required stitches.”

  Vague images flashed through her mind. Keys falling. A garbled voice calling her name, she focused on the voice. She squinted and rubbed her temple. “Bonnie. My name is Bonnie.” Relief washed through her. Thank goodness. She let her hand drop to the cover. “Is it okay if I rest now?”

  “Sure.”

  As the nurse walked out two men walked in. Bonnie cracked a smile at the medium height man with the caramel complexion and mist gray eyes. “Dex.”

  “Hey. Good to see you awake.” He leaned down and carefully hugged her.

  “Yeah.” She l
ooked beyond his shoulder to the tall, lean man lounging against the wall. Equal parts apprehension and awareness flitted through her veins. “What’s he doing here?”

  Dexter glanced over his shoulder. “I thought you called him.”

  She settled into the cushions. “I wouldn’t do that.” She rubbed her temple, but maybe she had. “What happened is a blur. I don’t remember much of the attack.”

  “The doctor said she had a moderate concussion,” he explained to the other man. “And she may not remember what happened.”

  She stared at her brother a moment. “Could you find me some water?”

  He patted her hand. “Sure. Be right back.”

  “You shouldn’t have come,” she said once her brother left the room.

  The other man stepped closer and she held her breath. She hadn’t seen Buck in almost ten years, but time had been good to him. He had a little more gray at the temples while more streaked through his chocolate brown hair and his vivid blue eyes still had the power to mesmerize her. He perched a hip on the bed.

  “You shouldn’t have.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have answered the phone,” he countered.

  His smooth dulcet tones soothed her. “I don’t remember that.”

  “I do.” He held her hand between both of his. “We were on the phone before the attack. I heard everything.”

  She gasped. “Buck...”

  “Even though I’m not in the game anymore, I protect what’s mine,” he murmured an edge in his voice.

  “Don’t do anything—”

  “Stupid?” he demanded. “It’s far too late for that. We may not know who did this to you, but it’s only a matter of time before we find him.”

  “Who’s we?” Fear made her voice wobble.

  “Your brother. The security cameras caught the whole thing, but the angles were all wrong to catch the guy’s face. You better hope the police get to the attacker before I or your brother do.”