Lost & Found (Possessed 3)

“Which side would you watch her from?” James asked him.

His head jerked up to stare at the other man. It was a good question. Closing his eyes, he thought about the pros and cons of observing her from either side. “Wherever Roxie isn’t. He had the chance with the window, but I think Rox deterred him.” Disarming another, he handed it to James. “Put this on the right. We’ll make sure Roxie’s on her left, that way they can both get off the porch quickly.”

Eyeing the other device, he knew he had to take some of the ammunition out of it without it being noticeable. Each device was about the size of his fist, so while they weren’t huge, they certainly packed a punch. He needed to lessen that punch.

As he began unswirling the tape fro

m around the pipe, he realized it wasn’t a pipe at all but a pop can with duct tape around it to stifle the crinkling noise of the metal. Taking the top off, he was shocked to see low-grade ammunition, fertilizer, and what he assumed was sugar mixed in there somewhere. Carefully emptying the contents onto the table, he split it up. Assuming there was enough to do extensive damage, he stuffed a wad of napkins into the bottom then filled about a quarter of the ingredients back in. Praying it wouldn’t be nearly as bad and hoping he wasn’t making a decision he would regret.

James and Ace came back in looking to him expectantly. “Put this one on the left, right side up.” Handing it to Ace, he really hoped it would be enough to flush Medina out. That they would catch him before he caught Pepper.

They sat in silence waiting on Pepper and his dad, no one in the mood to reminisce or talk. All he could think about was her and what she would do once they caught the bastard.

He wanted her to stay. Hell, when his dad had mentioned marriage, he’d been on board. He was up for it. There was no doubt she was it for them. To see her in their home every day, swollen with their child. It was a dream come true. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that the minute she made the choice, to stay or leave, he would either do his best to impregnate and get his ring on her finger or follow her. For Nick, there was no other choice to be made. It was either make her his or convince her she needed to be. Thankfully, he knew Ace was on the same page.

“Do you think she’d have said yes?” Ace asked, nearly echoing his thoughts.

“No idea,” he told the man.

“She would have,” James said knowingly.

“How can you be so sure?” Ace asked.

Nick watched James like a hawk as he answered. “She went to you when some of her memories were coming back. She didn’t even hesitate.” He shrugged like it was no big deal. “Pep isn’t trusting by nature. She’s shy, she’s introverted, but goddamn does she love something fierce. She believes in fate and happily ever after. Love is the answer to everything with her.” He smiled fondly. “When our parents died, it had been months later that we found out about the driver’s wife and child. She went to them, scared as I’ve ever seen her, with a basket of cookies and a Transformer. After that day, it was like a weight had lifted from her shoulders. She’s still in contact with them. She’s always telling me fate has a plan.”

“Can’t say I’m shocked,” Nick laughed.

“Destiny is divine. It’s a saying she has mounted on a plaque on her wall at home. You make sure to bring her home so she can get it. That thing is one of her most prized possessions.” There was a sadness in his voice.

“You know,” Nick began, “I’m looking for another deputy.”

Before anyone could answer, Pepper and his dad came bursting through the door, a limping Roxie on their heel.

“You boys have a plan?” Always to the point, his dad.

Chapter Thirteen

“And you think this will work?” Pepper asked them all tentatively. She was all for catching this man, just worried about being the bait. Not that it wasn’t a good idea.

“I do,” Nick told her, kneeling on the floor at her knees. “I wouldn’t allow it otherwise. None of us would.” She took strength in his conviction.

“Okay, let’s do this,” she told everyone.

When they’d mentioned not one but four bombs had been placed around the house, she’d gone slightly hysterical. Knowing how close they’d all come to death wasn’t an easy pill to swallow.

“I just sit on the porch, right? I don’t have to do anything? How will I know he’s here? What do I do when I see him?” And there were the hysterics again. She was babbling with nerves.

Ace’s hands landed on her shoulders from behind. “Calm down, baby, listen to Nick.” His steady coolness helped mollify her anxiety.

“When he shows, you’re going to run, so make sure your boots are on tight. He’s going to chase you. But Ace will have him in his sights.” His words were easy, but she saw his fear reflected back at her. Oddly, that made her feel better than anything else could.

“Where do I run?” she asked, unsure of where anyone but Jake was going to be.

“You remember the field with the deer Dad took you to?” Nick asked.

“There was a bear trap that way.” She knew she sounded horrified.

“I promise, baby, nothing will stop you. Run there. Wait for one of us.”