Songbird(37)

“Bastard,” Taggert whispered.

If Rand was responsible for any harm or fright to Emily, Taggert would kill him.

He kept good distance between them though it made him frantic to think of Rand getting to Emily so far ahead of him, but he couldn’t let Rand know he was on to him.

And what if he’s doing something perfectly innocent?

Then Taggert would be wrong, and hopefully Emily was safe wherever she was, but he wasn’t taking any chances.

For half an hour he followed Rand until he saw him turn off the road. Taggert immediately slowed and waited. What the hell was Rand doing out here? It was the middle of nowhere. Only rocks, hills and…caves.

Oh shit. No. No, no, no.

Taggert hit the gas and careened up the road to the spot where Rand had pulled off. He bumped over the rough terrain, his head hitting the ceiling. His hands slipped off the wheel but he grabbed on again and raced over the barely discernible trail.

When he caught sight of Rand’s truck he no longer worried about discovery. He roared up and slammed on the brakes beside the other vehicle.

Goddamn it, Rand was already gone from sight. No matter, he’d been up here plenty of times as a boy. There was only one real possibility as far as a cave. Or at least it was the only one he knew about, and he prayed Rand didn’t know of any others.

He hurried around rocks, up the hill to where the boulders became larger and hid the entrance to the small cave. It couldn’t really be called a cave. It was more of an enclosure. An area dug out of the side of the hill with no path further into the earth.

As he neared the carved out entrance between two rock outcroppings, he slowed, listening for Rand, for Emily, for any hint of activity.

Carefully he edged closer, his hand sliding along the rough surface. Still, he didn’t hear anything. With a decisive lunge, he burst into the opening, prepared to fight Rand. But he didn’t see the man anywhere.

It was dark, but not so dark he couldn’t see the figure lying on the ground. Still. So very still. Emily.

Forgetting Rand, forgetting everything but the agony burning through his mind like a blowtorch, he dropped to his knees beside her.

“Emily. Emily!”

He started to tear at the ropes tying her hands, then stopped and pressed his fingers into the side of her neck. Then she moved. A slight turn, but he felt it and relief crashed through him like a tidal wave.

“Emmy, oh my God, my sweet Emmy.”

His voice was nearly destroyed. He was nearly destroyed. In the dim light, he barely made out the tape covering her mouth. With trembling fingers he pulled at it, wincing when it didn’t come immediately free.

With a murmured apology, he yanked, pulling it away in one clean motion. She immediately shoved the rag out with her tongue and coughed hoarsely.

“Taggert.”

It barely came out in a whisper, but he’d never heard a sweeter sound.

“Shhh, baby. Let me untie you so I can get you the hell out of here.”

“I didn’t think you’d find me.”

She sounded weak and tearful, and her fear tore at him, ripping what little control he had away from him.

He went nuts trying to get her hands and feet free, and as soon as he succeeded, he yanked her into his arms, rocking her back and forth as he absorbed the feel of her heartbeat.

“Rand is here. He’s close. I need to get you out of here, baby.”

She shuddered and went still against him.

“He’s crazy, Taggert. Not clinically crazy. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing. He killed Sean.”

She grabbed hold of his shirt with both fists, and her entire body trembled with rage.

Taggert’s brain exploded with the impact of her statement.

“What?”

“Later,” she said hoarsely. “Please. Let’s just go. He’s so determined to save you from me. There’s no telling what he’ll do if he finds you here.”

Taggert couldn’t even wrap his brain around all she was saying, but one thing registered. The need to protect her. To get her home.

He hastily got up and pulled her to a standing position beside him. She stumbled and let out a cry of pain.

“My feet,” she gasped. “Hurts!”

Taggert swore. He couldn’t afford to tie up his hands by carrying her out. Not when Rand could show up at any time.

“Hold on to me,” he said gently. “You’ll get the feeling back as soon as the blood starts circulating good again. Just hold on to me and we’ll take it nice and slow to the truck.”

She clutched at his arm, and he started forward, careful not to rush too much, but damn it, they needed to move.

She hobbled along, making little breathy sounds of pain that seared his soul. But she didn’t stop, and she didn’t complain.

Her hand went up to cover her eyes as soon as they stepped into the sunshine. She turned away, and he could see how pale she was and the deep shadows under her eyes. God. She’d been here for almost two days. Two f**king days while he and Greer had been chasing all over the damn state. He was going to kill Rand with his bare hands.

He killed Sean.

Emily’s words sawed like a dagger. Was it possible?

“I knew you couldn’t stay away.”

Rand stepped from behind a rock. His eyes were wild, his clothes dirty and rumpled. And he held a gun pointed directly at Emily. “I saw you following me. Why couldn’t you just leave her alone?”