Billionaire Bachelors 6 ; Runaway Heiress(50)

Chad threw his elbow back, connecting with the man's head, sending him sprawling to the floor. His yelling stopped as he was knocked unconscious.

"Let's go," Chad told her. Neither of them looked back as the Captain ordered one of his deputies to lock the man up.

"Have you verified his name? Done a background check?" Chad asked as they made their way down the hall.

"Got his name. Robert Loren. Just a small-time petty thief. He served about five years up state and has been out for two. He hasn't held a job longer than two weeks, but I don't think he's capable of being the mastermind behind this. I think he's telling the truth," the Captain stated.

"I agree. I was hoping he had useful information when you called, though."

"Me too, I'm sorry to have wasted your time," the Captain said.

"I'm glad we came, and we did get some information. Apparently, Mr. X isn't finished with his games," Bree said. She was more furious than afraid at that moment.

"Go home. If I get any other information, I'll call right away," the Captain said while leading them back to the lobby.

"It's been a rough day. We'll start over tomorrow," Chad told her as he led her down the stairs and over to his truck.

He helped her inside, then walked around and started the vehicle. They were silent on the way home, both lost in their own thoughts.

Chapter Fifteen

Bree woke up to a beautiful, bright, sunny morning and decided she needed a walk. She knew Chad would be furious, but it had been a week and no one had shot at her, left ominous notes, or tried to kidnap her. The ranch was surrounded by security men and she was safe to walk the short distance to the lake. She'd deal with Chad's lecture  –  it was worth it to get a little alone time.




 

 

She quickly showered and dressed in a light summer dress, thankful for a rare day of warmth in the unpredictable Washington weather. She didn't bother with makeup or doing her hair, just threw it up in a messy bun and called herself good.

Her foul mood the last few days had chased Chad to the barn, and even caused her brothers to back off. She was tired of being treated like the princess Chad had called her. She was a woman, and it was time he knew it.

Chad hadn't so much as kissed her all week, and she thought she may die of sexual frustration. She didn't want to be the one to make the first move  –  that was his job. His idea that them being intimate clouded his ability to protect her was getting on her nerves.

Maybe if she agreed to marry Chad, he'd actually take her to bed again.

Bree reached the pond and sat down, grabbing a handful of rocks and tossing them in the water, one by one, watching the ripples as they floated further from her.

She leaned her head back and enjoyed the sounds around her. She could hear the cows in the pasture mooing, the horses neighing, and all kinds of woodland creatures playing in the nearby woods. It was peaceful, relaxing, and soon she found herself drifting to sleep.

Bree stirred restlessly on the ground, her nightmare causing her body to sweat and her muscles to tense. Chad was standing such a short distance away. He was yelling something at her, but she couldn't hear him. She could see his mouth moving, but no sound was coming out.

Then, there was a man wearing a dark mask. He had a gun and it was pointed right at Chad. No! she screamed, but Chad wouldn't face the man. All of a sudden a shot rang out and she watched as he collapsed to the ground.

Bree jerked awake, tears falling down her face. She turned her head, trying to get her bearings. Where was she? Where was Chad? He was hurt  –  she had to help.

Upon becoming fully awake, she realized she'd only been dreaming, and vivid details of her nightmare came flooding back to her, overwhelming her in their intensity. Suddenly the fog in her mind began to lift and color filled its place, bringing her lost memories to life.

She remembered everything. Chad getting shot, the men capturing her, Chad saving her, and the man facing them, firing his gun. She flinched, remembering the fear as she saw that small puff of smoke rising from his gun right before the bullet struck.

Bree sat by the water for another half hour, too shaken up to move. With her memories back, she couldn't stop the overwhelming emotions that came with them.

After compiling all the pieces of the last several months together, she felt such relief at the picture of her life she was able to visualize again. She was one-hundred-percent in love with Chad. She'd started falling in love with him before she was hurt, but was even more in love now. He'd been by her side night and day  –  risked his own life for her. She couldn't imagine being without him. 

Her hand moved down to her still flat stomach as she fully comprehended she was having his child. They'd made a baby together. Their child was strong like its father. Her pregnancy survived Bree being shot, sitting in the hospital in a coma, and all the stress that was known to cause miscarriages.