The Reckoning (5 page)

Claire walked her to the door with the rest of the family following. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to lie down in one of the guest rooms? I could call a doctor for you.”

Elizabeth
took Claire’s hand and gave a gentle squeeze. “No, I’m sure I’ll feel better in my own bed, but thank you for a lovely evening.”

Mike pulled the door of the SUV open for
Elizabeth
and waited for her to climb in. He turned and winked at Claire. His sister had a heart of gold; she cared for everyone, even if he didn’t agree with her attempts at playing matchmaker. Mike had felt
Elizabeth
’s body stiffen beneath his palm. At first, he assumed it was the topic of discussion but she was a doctor. It didn’t make sense and he had no idea what was going on with her. He’d seen the flash of fear in her eyes seconds before she’d attempted to cover it with a smile. It was the same fear he’d seen in the parking garage, and he didn’t like it. It was in times like this he’d have liked to have Claire’s gift. She had the ability to read minds, where Mike could only visualize the actions that someone had just taken. 

Mike pulled out of Claire’s drive and reached for
Elizabeth
’s hand, entwining his fingers with hers. He’d meant for the gesture to be one of reassurance to calm her fear. He’d instinctively felt the need to make her feel safe. The moment his hand touched hers, he wished he could take it back. He was acting as if they were on a date. He shook his head at the thought and reminded himself; there was nothing wrong with them being friends as long as he didn’t act on what he really wanted to do with the doctor, then he would be fine.

Her hands trembled. Mike glanced over at
Elizabeth
, curious at the change of events. “I’m sorry we bored you with work.”

Elizabeth
let out a sigh, leaned her head against the door, “You didn’t.”

She turned her head, never lifting it from resting on the window. “You know, you could have stayed. I could have just called a cab.”

Mike brought
Elizabeth
’s hand to his lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “Nope, I promised to keep you safe from the boogey man, and that’s just what I intend to do.”

Elizabeth
let her eyelids fall closed.

“You want to tell me what happened back there?”

Elizabeth
shook her head. “Not really. I just want to go home.”

Mike had been surprised that
Elizabeth
hadn’t tried to lie and tell him that nothing was wrong. He was expecting her to deny it, to play it off like she wasn’t bothered. Now if he could just figure out why, he’d be a step closer to figuring the little doctor out.
Elizabeth
rode the rest of the way in silence with her eyes closed. The heaviness that permeated the air hung like a cloak veiling her reluctance to confide in him. She was distancing herself, and it was driving him crazy. He knew she was not only capable of a verbal fight but pretty damn good at them too. Heck, she’d held her own when he’d first met her two years ago and cornered her in her office at the hospital. He’d had no idea at the time Emma’s attending physician would have been so hot. It had taken everything he had not to throw her over her own desk and take her right there. Unlike him, and his lack of self-control, she’d had no problems telling him to take a hike after he’d pulled her into his arms and tried to kiss her senseless.

****

Mike pulled up in front of her condo, put the SUV in park, and killed the ignition, pulling the keys as he opened his door.
Elizabeth
lifted her head and glanced around at her familiar surrounds. Mike pulled her door open and extended his hand, helping her down.

“What are you doing?”
Elizabeth
asked.

“Just what I promised; I’m giving you a police escort to your door in case I need to fight off any monsters.” Mike’s grin grew bigger, offering her a surprising glimpse of dimples. He reached for the small of her back. She was unsure if the feel of his hand or the need to run was the cause of her stomach doing summersaults. The threat for falling for this man was as real as the threat of her old stalker being the one from the garage.
Just a few more minutes and then I’ll be safe in my house.

Elizabeth
trembled as they moved closer to the door. A note stuck to the door, lodged there with a knife, was a hard thing to miss.
It’s too late.

“What the hell!” Mike’s voice was threaded with anger. He gripped her arm as he shifted in front of her, pulling his gun from his shoulder holster. “Wait right here.”

Mike stomped to the door and read the note in silence. He glanced both ways. His gut told him that something wasn’t quite right. He swung his gaze around hoping to find the threat.

Her road was empty and
silent
with no
neighbors in sight, he grabbed Elizabeth by the hand and pulled her back to the SUV, nestling her behind the protection the steel provided. He pulled open the glove box with determination, and pulled out his revolver. He flipped the barrel to the side and pushed it shut.

“
Elizabeth
, do you know how to use a gun?”

Elizabeth’s brain was still processing the knife in her door until Mike placed his palms on her face
,
his pleading eyes begging for an answer. “Doc, do you know how to use a gun?”

Elizabeth
stared into his crystal-blue eyes and watched Mike’s jaw clench. “Mike, what did the note say?”

He shook his head. “Answer my question,
Elizabeth
. Do you know how to use this gun!” Mike’s stern voice resonated through the confines of the SUV.

“Yes, damn it. Now tell me what the hell the note said!”
Elizabeth
demanded.

“Where’s your key?” Mike asked, his fingers fumbling to open her purse.

Elizabeth
pushed his hands out of the way, reaching in for her keys. She found them and clenched them in her palm. “This is ridiculous.”
Elizabeth
pushed on Mike’s chest. “Move out of my way.”

Mike didn’t budge; it felt like trying to push a boulder. “Uh-uh, Doc, you’re staying right here.” He pulled his phone from his clip and hit a button. “Abby, this is Mike. I need you to come over to
Elizabeth
’s house and bring your gun. I’ve got a situation that I’m going to need your help with.”

He briefly listened. “It can’t wait, code sixty-three.”

He flipped his phone closed and put it back in his clip. “What the hell is a code sixty-three and what did the damn note say?”

She’d had enough; he could see it in her eyes. If she’d been holding the revolver, he didn’t doubt that she would have pulled it on him for not answering her question. Mike placed a steady hand on her cheek. “The note and the code means death threat, doc. Someone left you a death threat.” Mike handed her the gun. “The safety is on. Do you know how to take it off?”

“Yes.”

Mike grabbed the keys out of her other hand. “Now stay put. If anyone other than my family or someone in uniform tries to get in the SUV, you shoot. Do you understand?”

Elizabeth
nodded and tightened her hold on the gun.

“I’m going to check to see if the guy is in your house. Please stay in the SUV until I check it out,
Elizabeth
.” Mike leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to her trembling lips before he locked and shut the door.

Elizabeth
was mad as hell. The psycho had ruined her life for the last time. She wasn’t running again. She was going to fight, even if it meant that she ended up dead. It was going to be over this time if she had anything to say about it.
Elizabeth
waited for Mike to unlock the door and slide inside. She hopped out of the SUV, gripping the gun, and marched to her door. There was no way she was letting Mike die when she was the one the bastard wanted.
Elizabeth
stopped at her door and glanced at the note.

Time To Die, Little Lizzy
. 

She whispered, “You’d think the bastard would have come up with a better line by now.”

Elizabeth
slid through her doorway and kept her back against the wall, just like her dad, the General, had taught her. She kept her gun in front of her, aimed, cocked, and with the safety off as she made her way to her small kitchen. She hadn’t left the light on, but it was on now, a possible sign someone had been there and could still be inside. She poked her head around the corner. Empty. The half-eaten sandwich on her table caught her eye.
What the hell?
She jumped when Mike slid up next to her, putting his hand over her gun.

“Easy, baby, I didn’t want you to shoot me,” Mike whispered, and nodded toward the kitchen. “I’m guessing you didn’t eat a sandwich before dinner.”

Elizabeth
shook her head.

“I didn’t think so.” Mike turned with his own gun in the air. “Stay behind me.” He glanced over his shoulder. “And, please, try not to shoot me, Doc.”

Elizabeth
stayed on his heels as he made his way down the hall toward the music coming from her room. Just like the sandwich on
Elizabeth
’s table, she hadn’t left the radio on either. Mike placed his hand on the door to turn the knob, but she put her hand over his, stopping him, shaking her head.

Elizabeth
signaled for Mike to move to the side of the door. She adjusted to the other side and bent down, just as her dad had taught her. There was no need to go charging in and give this asshole a target. They’d stay behind what little shelter the door provided. She repositioned her gun and nodded at Mike.

He reached for the door, turned the knob, and pushed it open. He peeked around the side and gave her a hand signal her dad had taught her years ago. The coast was clear. They eased into the empty room, checking all of the hiding places as they approached her bathroom door. The music streamed through the closed door, and her shower was running. Whoever had broken in seemed like they had made themself at home.
Elizabeth
shook her head. She couldn’t believe her luck; not only had the asshole found her, but he thought he’d be staying.

Mike reached for the knob and pushed the door open. “Freeze! Put your hands where I can see them.”

A female voice screamed at the top of her lungs, a scream
Elizabeth
had heard her entire life.
Her sister
. Gracie grabbed for a towel through the shower curtain as
Elizabeth
reached for Mike’s gun and pushed the barrel toward the ground.

“Don’t shoot.”
Elizabeth
stepped in front of Mike and pushed him back out of the bathroom door. “Gracie, put some clothes on and come out to the living room.”

Elizabeth
pulled Mike by his arm out of the room back toward the living room.

“Who is she?”

“Not the one who left the note,”
Elizabeth
said as she walked to the kitchen and pulled out two beers from the fridge. “That uninvited guest is my baby sister, Gracie Lou.”

Mike took a sip of his beer and holstered his gun. “You care to tell me why you didn’t stay in the truck like I told you too?”

Elizabeth
raised her chin. “I know how to take care of myself, Mike. My dad taught me how to shoot a gun when I was barely big enough to hold one.”

Elizabeth
didn’t understand why Mike’s eyes widened in disbelief. Hell if anyone should have expected it, it should have been him. She’d heard stories of his sisters and how Mike had taught them to take care of themselves; why her being able to do the same would shock him was beyond her.
Elizabeth
hopped up on the kitchen counter, her mind running away with the possibilities of why her sister was here unannounced.

In three strides, Mike wedged his big body between her hanging legs and pressed his lips to hers. His kiss wasn’t soft like before; it was demanding as he cupped her butt, sliding her body across the counter and tighter against his. His tongue licked at the seam demanding entry as his hands slid up her back, caressing her flesh as it went. She opened for him, lost in a haze of lust, wanting more, wanting anything this man would give her. Mike’s hand caressed her back as his mouth devoured hers. Their tongues entwined in a sensual dance as she savored his taste and the feel of his hands on her body.

All thoughts from the day’s events vanished. What mattered was right here and right now. The way he made her feel, the things he made her want. Her thoughts had turned from fear and a bit of despair to feelings of home…she should have known he’d do something to ruin the moment. 

Mike pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. “I don’t care who taught you, baby. Next time I tell you to stay put, you stay put.”