Keeping What's His(35)

“The killer. He’s taking everyone out in the dark.”

Tate frowned. “You’re right; all the attacks are happening during a certain time of night.”

Sutton nodded. “He doesn’t want to be seen.”

“Either that or he’s busy during the day.” Tate placed his hand on the nape of her neck, pulling her close. “Borrow Holly’s car to drive into town. I’ll fix yours tonight.”

“So, you’re admitting to disabling my car?”

Tate gave her a quick kiss. “I’m a Porter; I never admit to a thing.”

* * *

Sutton waited patiently for Cheryl at King’s restaurant. There was a large group of women sitting at one of the tables in the bar. Their loud laughter was being ignored by the owner of the restaurant. She understood why when he went to the table and talked to one of the beautiful women. It was obvious by the closeness between them that they were a couple.

Cheryl came rushing in, sitting down across from her. “Sorry I’m late. The store’s busy.”

Another round of laughter had Cheryl looking over at the group of women. Sutton wondered if they were eating as much as they were using the opportunity to gossip.

Cheryl’s shoulders dropped as she gave the waitress her order.

“Something wrong?” Sutton asked after the waitress left.

“Those are the wives of The Last Riders’. The redhead is Evie. She’s the owner’s wife.”

“So? Don’t you get along with them?”

“No.”

“I recognize Lily and Beth Cornett and Winter Simmons. From what I remember about them, I can’t imagine them being hateful toward you.”

Cheryl shrugged, avoiding her gaze. “I was kind of mean to a couple of them when I went through my divorce.”

“I’m sure they understand it was a difficult time for you.”

“I was with Cash.”

Sutton was crushed for Rachel. “He slept with you after he and Rachel were married?”

“No … no. Before.” Cheryl looked miserable at the admission.

“You were with Tate, too.”

“Yes.”

“I’m sitting here with you, and I still consider you my friend.”

“You always were a sucker,” Cheryl said, tears brimming in her eyes.

“No, I discovered good friends are hard to come by.”

Cheryl smiled at her in relief.

They ate their lunch, and it was when they finished and were leaving that Sutton noticed Cheryl wince as she opened the door to the restaurant for them to exit.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I lifted a heavy box at work and must have strained something.”

Sutton stopped dead in her tracks, critically looking Cheryl over.

“Don’t lie to me.” Sutton reached out to touch a barely noticeable bruise on her jawline.

Cheryl took a step back from her touch. “I fell the other night when I drank too much …”

Sutton remembered the excuses all too well. She broached the subject carefully, the way she wished someone had taken the time to do with her.

“Cheryl … I know what it looks like when someone is hurting you.”

Immediately, Cheryl went on the defensive. “Don’t be crazy, Sutton. I’d call the sheriff if someone touched me …”

“I know,” Sutton stressed.

Cheryl didn’t understand what Sutton was trying to tell her until Sutton grabbed her hand, preventing her from continuing to walk.

“I know, Cheryl. I. Know.”

Cheryl stopped, comprehension finally dawning, and she held Sutton’s hand tighter.

“You were abused by your husband?”

“For over ten years,” Sutton admitted without embarrassment. It was Tate who had finally suceeded in convincing her she had been a victim. It was her chance now to pass along the same gift to Cheryl.

“It was my fault. I shouldn’t have been flirting while I was working.”

It sickened Sutton at the excuses men made to hurt women, convincing them they were the cause of their own pain.

“Listen to me, Cheryl. Nothing you did would give him the right to lay a hand on you.”

“I need the job.” Another excuse. Sutton remembered the many she had made for Scott, but she had never given herself one reason for why she should put up with the torture she had tolerated.

“We’re going to go talk to Knox.”

“I have to finish work. Today’s payday. I need the money, Sutton. I’ll go talk to Knox when I get off. At least I’ll have enough money to live off for a couple of weeks.”

“I’ll lend you money until you find another job. I’ll help—”

Cheryl stubbornly shook her head. “I’m getting my money. I worked for it.”

Sutton bit her lip. She didn’t want to push Cheryl too hard, or she could refuse to go to Knox for help.

“Okay. How much longer before you get off?”

“Four hours.”

“Then I’m not leaving your side. I need to pick up some things for my house and Tate’s. Will Jared get suspicious if I hang out that long?”

“No, I always have customers who stay and talk.”

“All right. I hope you have a lot of flood lights.”

“Flood lights? What do you need flood lights for?”

“Tate wants to set them up at my house so he can catch a possum.” She was indirectly telling her that she and Tate were living together.

“Oh.” Cheryl didn’t seem thrilled by the information. “So, you won’t be leaving to go back to Calfironia? When I move in with your friends, you won’t be there?”

Sutton had believed she was upset about Tate living with her; however, it was because she had decided to move and wouldn’t know anyone.

“No, but my boss is driving up next week. I’ll introduce you. I think it would be a good idea for you to go ahead and leave.”

“If I can manage to get my paycheck away from Jared, I might drive back with him,” Cheryl conceded.

Sutton wound her arm through hers. “I’m not going to leave you alone until after you see Knox.”

“Be careful. Jared’s got a temper.”

Sutton reached out and touched the faint bruise that Cheryl had tried to hide with her makeup.

“Jared’s the one who needs to be careful. The next time he thinks he’s going to touch you, he’s going to find out something I wished I had known.”

“What’s that?”

“You’re not alone.”





Chapter 23



“Is that all for you?” Jared asked when she laid another item on the counter.

“No, not yet. Where’s the rope?”

“Last aisle on the left.”

Sutton took her time looking at the rope, as if it was the most important decision she was ever going to make. She picked up a bright yellow one that looked as if Tate could somehow use it. She frankly had no idea, nor did she about the numerous other items she had pretended to be shopping for. She would have come out cheaper if Cheryl had taken her offer of money.

Sighing, she turned to go back to the register, bumping into Jared who came up behind her.

“That it? We’re about to close.”

“Okay. I think that’s the last of it.” She followed him to the register, paying him after he rang up her purchases.

While Cheryl bagged her purchases, she saw Jared begin to take the receipts out of the cash register.

“Go ahead and lock the door after her,” Jared ordered.

“Cheryl, is there a bathroom I could use?”

“Sure. It’s at the back of the store on the left. It’s next to Jared’s office.”

“I’ll show you. I’m going to my office to count the money. When you’re done locking up, Cheryl, come back and pick up your paycheck.”

“Okay.”

Ignoring the aggravated frown Jared threw her, she followed him to the restroom. She made sure he went into his office before she entered the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Taking out her cell phone, she saw several missed calls, calling Tate she knew he was going to be angry she hadn’t already done so. She was angry at herself, She knew better than to try to take on a monster by herself.

He picked it up on the first ring.

“Tate …”

“Where are you? I got home and found out you weren’t there. Then I went to your house, and you’re not here, either.”

She lowered her voice. “I know I’m not at home,” she snapped. “Listen to me. I’ll explain later. I’m still at the hardware store with Cheryl. Could you come and meet me outside? I found out Jared’s been hurting Cheryl, and I’ve talked her into going to Knox when she gets off. I’d feel better if you were here.”

“Get the fuck out of there. I’ll be right there. I’m going to call Knox.”

Tate hung up before she could say anything. She flushed the toilet and washed her hands before opening the door, coming face to face with a furious Jared.

His hand struck out, hitting her in the face and knocking her into the sink. She barely managed to catch herself before she hit her head.

“Jared, have you lost your mind?” Cheryl shoved him out of the way, rushing to help Sutton to her feet.

“You dumb cunt, do you think I’m stupid?” Jared yelled at Cheryl.

“Can I answer that question for you?” Sutton regained her balance from her reeling senses. Her fingers went to the blood running from her split lip.