Page 10 of The Maverick

Greg steppedout of the shadows and watched the three figures walk to a red Mustang.

How did she start dating so soon? Did she know this Nick Kincaid from before? Yes, he recognized the man fromForbesmagazine. Kincaid was notorious for guarding his privacy, but apparently, he could date her.

That wouldn’t happen for long. He’d see to it.

No one took what was his, and he’d make sure Nick Kincaid knew who she belonged to if it was the last thing he did.

* * *

Nick felt betterthan he had in a long time. Seeing Rachel was like a balm to his heart. He drove Rachel and Jake home, then walked them to the door.

“Rach, I want to go inside and make sure everything is okay.”

“I...all right. I was going to ask you in anyway.” She smiled and dug in her purse for her keychain. Finding it, she unlocked the front door. “Come on in.”

As soon as he entered, he saw something was very wrong. He had to get Rachel and Jake out of here. They weren’t safe.

The living room was trashed. The cushions on the sofa were cut up, as were both Queen Ann chairs.

“Rachel, call the police and wait outside. I need to make sure he’s not still here.”

Nick walked into the kitchen and saw the glass window on the kitchen door was shattered. Glass was all over the floor and amidst it sat a large rock. The window was clear of all glass, but a little blood clung to the frame.

Ketchup was used to write—I’LL NEVER LET YOU GO—on the wall above the table.

Nick cursed under his breath.

A sharp intake of breath behind him let him know of her presence in the room.

He turned. “Rach, I want you to pack a bag for you and one for Jake. You’re not staying here.”

“Yes. I’ll call the police now.” She looked up at him as she placed the 911 call. “Yes, my name is Rachel Foster-Bennett. Someone has broken into my house.” She waited a moment. “No, we were not home.” A moment later, she spoke again. “No, we won’t be staying here. We’ll find a place to stay and let the officers know where. Thank you.”

She turned back to Nick. “I can’t afford to go to a hotel for an extended stay, Nick. Greg wouldn’t let me work after Jake was born. Everything I managed to save was used to get us moved here. I don’t start my job for two weeks and it will be another two weeks after that before I get paid. We’ll stay. I have to get people out here to fix that door, and I have to clean the wall. Oh, God. He’s completely lost his mind.” She swayed.

Nick caught her, led her to the table, and helped her into a chair.

She settled for a moment, and then her eyes popped wide. “Where is Jake? Jake!” She pushed to her feet and hurried to the living room.

Her son stared around the room in shock. He looked up. “Mommy?”

Rachel rushed over and wrapped him in her arms. Holding him close, she leaned over and rested her cheek on top of his head. “Jakie. It’s okay. Everything will be okay.”

Nick walked over and wrapped his arms around them both. “Rachel. I wasn’t kidding. You can’t stay here. Pack a bag for each of you. You’re coming out to my ranch. You’ll be safe. Greg can’t get to you there.”

She didn’t move to acknowledge him or his words.

He pulled back and shook her by the shoulder. “Rachel. Do you hear me? Go pack your bag and Jake’s.”

She looked up.

Her eyes were filled with tears, and she looked sadder than he’d ever seen her. But he needed to get her moving. He wanted their bags in his car as soon as possible.

“Rachel! Move!”

She blinked several times. “Okay. I’m going.” She turned toward her son. “Jake, come get your suitcase and start packing your underwear and jeans. I’ll be in shortly and help with your shirts. Go!”

Jake ran off up the stairs of the small house.