Page 111 of Resisting Temptation (Men of Honor 3)
She nods and trembles. “Otay, I won’t.”
I gasp when I hear glass shatter. “Remember what I said, Ruthie, don’t leave this spot until Sheriff comes. I love you. I promise everything will be okay.”
I hit the redial button on my phone then put the clothes hamper in front of her before closing her in the closet.
I continue to hear glass shattering which I’m assuming is the window in the back door, as I run out of her room and into mine, going for the gun that Cade keeps there, thankful it’s still here. I immediately hear footsteps pounding up my stairs and frantically shove my hand under the mattress for the gun; a panicked sob escapes me when I don’t feel it. Oh please, please, where the hell is it? I finally feel it just as both men come barging into my room.
Even though they are almost fully covered, I still recognize Spike and the kids’ father, Floyd Dennison. I scream as they both rush at me, I pull the gun out but before I can even raise it Floyd backhands me across the face. The painful blow sends my head slamming into the nightstand and has black spots dancing in my vision.
“Go find Ruth Jean!” he orders Spike.
Panic shoots through me, but before I can recover from his powerful blow he wraps his hand around my throat and lifts me off the ground. He slams me down on my bed and tightens his grip, robbing me of air. I fight against him with every bit of strength I possess. When my hand collides with his face, my nails gouge into the skin on his cheek, he howls and sends another slap to my throbbing face.
I fight to remain conscious and barely register Spike running into the room. “I can’t find her.”
A small measure of relief washes over me and I pray for Cooper to hurry. Floyd leans over me, his eyes wild and crazed, “Where’s my daughter, bitch!”
When I don’t answer, he grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks my head back painfully, “I said, where the fuck is my daughter?”
“She isn’t here.” I sob out. He raises his hand, not believing me. “Please. I swear she isn’t, she’s with Cade.”
His gaze snaps to Spike. “I thought you said that asshole was alone?”
“No, I said I thought he was, but I couldn’t be sure.”
“Fuck!” he rages then looks back at me. “Well let’s hope your rich granddaddy is still willing to pay a pretty fucking penny for you and my worthless, piece of shit son.”
“Oh god,” I sob again, knowing he has Christopher escalates my fear. “What have you done to him?”
His venomous smile has me crying harder, and as he raises his hand to deliver a blow that I know will knock me out, all I can think is, I can’t believe this is happening again. I briefly recall the sound of sirens before his fist smashes into my face and everything goes black.
CHAPTER 33
Cade
I’m lying in my bed, that I haven’t slept in for a long time, feeling cold and empty without the delicate, warm, naked body that I’m used to feeling against me, and stare up at the ceiling feeling numb. I haven’t moved in hours, not wanting to leave this state, it hurts so much less. It feels better, which is why I haven’t answered my ringing cell phone, worried I will snap out of it if I do.
When a loud pounding starts on my door I ignore it, figuring it’s probably Evans, and the last thing I want is to fight with my best friend again. Only the voice on the other end of the door isn’t Evans’, it’s Jaxson’s, “Walker, man, open up. Something’s happened.”
His words and tone snaps me into action, and has me moving to the door quickly.
As soon as I swing it open and see his expression, I know something bad has happened. “What? What is it?”
He watches me regretfully. “I’m sorry, man, but you have to get to Faith’s. She and Christopher are missing.”
I stare at him and try to understand what he just said, but panic has my heart pounding in my ears so loud I can’t grasp what he’s telling me. “What the fuck are you talking about? What do you mean, missing?”
Rage fills his expression. “She was taken from the house, and we’re pretty sure they have Christopher too.” Terror slams into me, turning my blood to ice. I hurry to put on my boots while he continues to explain, “Ruthie called it in, Faith hid her in the closet and she won’t come out. She just keeps crying and she won’t answer anyone’s questions. Katelyn and Grace can’t even get her out.”
Before I realize it, I’m running down the hallway, fear fueling my speed. I hear Jaxson slam the door and he catches up quickly, telling me to get into his truck. The ride over is silent but quick.
My dread grows stronger when I see all the cop cars lining the street. I jump out of the truck before Jaxson comes to a stop and I can hear Ruthie’s sobs as I race into the house. “Ruthie!” I yell, heading toward the stairs.
“Hey, wait, who are you?” A cop attempts to stop me, but I throw him off and send him flying into the kitchen.
I continue up the stairs, only caring about getting to Ruthie, and reach her room quickly. “Ruthie!” I call again, forcing my way through the many bodies crowding the small space. I push through an opening and am met with the most heartbreaking sight—my girl huddled in a corner, her face pale with fear and her body trembling with sobs.
She stops crying when she sees me, and her eyes widen in disbelief. “Tade?” she asks with a whisper, as if she’s not sure I’m really here.
I bend down and open my arms, “Yeah, kid, it’s me, come here.”
She crawls toward me quickly; I don’t miss the fact that one of my shirts is engulfing her tiny form. I meet her halfway, scooping her up then cup her face, forcing her to look at me. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
