Chapter 15

"Don't be mad because I called my brother," Toni began. "Your safety is the most important thing. He and Dylan need to be aware that Bergmann is on the loose. Somehow, he found out where you are, and it's like he's lost his mind."

"I can't possibly be that important to him," she protested. "Hasn't he moved on to someone else?"

"Not yet. He always said you were his greatest challenge. I think he's finally gone off the rails. Just don't be mad at me. Let me speak to Rob again[JR14]."

He took the phone back. "Anything else? Okay I'm getting hold of Dylan. Tell me what kind of car he drives so we can be on the lookout for it. Okay, gotcha. I'll get back to you."

"Listen," she said when he disconnected. "It's better for everyone if I just leave. I can't bring this mess here to the ranch."

"Dylan would crush my nuts if I let you walk. We take care of our own. The new crowd doesn't check in until tomorrow, so let's get together and do some planning."

"He called the stable," she told him in a small voice.

"What do you mean?"

She told him about the phone call, watching his eyes narrow with anger as she did.

"I'm getting Dylan. Do not leave here until we both get back, you hear?"

"I still think - "

"Stay. Here." He annunciated each word. "Toni told me what kind of car he drives so I need to give everyone a heads up on it. Then I'll be back with Dylan."

Jenna didn't know whether to laugh or cry or scream in frustration. She was sure that Dylan would want her off the property now, regardless of what Rob said. He wouldn't want this to spill over onto the ranch business, and rightfully so. Sighing, she went back into the office and sat down at her desk. She had to force herself to concentrate on preparing the individual guest packets. When she heard steps on the tile floor, she sighed, prepared for a big discussion. But when she looked up, it wasn't Dylan standing there, or even Rob. It was Tim Bergmann, his face set in angry lines. Instead of his usual custom-tailored suit and tie, he wore slacks, a pullover shirt, and a leather jacket. She didn't think she'd ever seen him dressed like that. Or with his hair so untidy.

Apparently he'd gotten onto the property before Rob and Dylan could spread the word to everyone. Great. She was torn between wanting to scream and throw up. But one look at the light of hysteria in his eyes and she knew she had to handle this very carefully. Swallowing her fear, she forced a smile.

"Hello, Tim. How are you?"

"A lot better now that I found you. Bitch." His lips twisted in an expression of distaste. "Thinking you're too good for me. You're nothing. Understand? Just another piece of ass. I'm going to have you and, when I'm done, I'll make sure you never work in the industry again."

Involuntarily her eyes looked past him to the main area. Surely someone would come in any moment.

"Looking for help?" he sneered. "Forget it. Everyone seems to be busy out there and besides, I locked the door when I came in."

Stay behind the desk, she told herself. Don't move forward. Rob said he and Dylan would be back in a minute. They had keys and could get in. She wondered why that hadn't occurred to Tim. She just had to keep him occupied.

"Perhaps I made a mistake." She made her voice as calm and even as possible, even though her pulse was probably racing at two hundred beats per minute. "Why don't you sit down and we'll talk about it." She gestured to the chair in front of her desk. "Would you like some coffee? I can see if the kitchen will bring us some."

"I don't want any fucking coffee." He slammed his hand on the desk, making her jump. "I came to collect what's mine. Then I'm done with you."

She wanted to ask him how he got in here, since she'd heard Rob ask Toni what kind of car to look for, but she didn't know what would set him off. Somehow she had to stall him until Rob and Dylan got back. She could press the emergency button on the radio except the radio was on the corner of her desk. She was afraid, if she reached for it, she'd set Tim off.

"No coffee? How about some wine? We have a very good collection here from the Hill Country. Some unique blends - "

He banged the desk again, so hard he made her jump. "I don't want any fucking wine, either." His smile was that of an insane person. "I hired a private detective when you went off the grid and guess what he found out about you, sweet cheeks? He told me all about your membership at that sadist dungeon. I'm going to take you someplace where I can inflict all the pain you can handle. And more."

She would have told him that he had it all wrong, but she was sure he didn't care and wouldn't believe her. To people like Tim, what she did and what she liked were dirty and perverted. Well, he was the pervert, but now wasn't the time to tell him.

Come on, Dylan. Come on, Rob.

Where on earth were they?

She glanced over his shoulder toward the big main area and Tim laughed.

"Nobody's coming in. I got detailed reports on this place, believe me, I found out everything I need to. Then I called here and learned the guests don't arrive until tomorrow. It's just us, sweet cheeks."

Jenna's stomach clenched with fear. She'd been right when she wondered if he hired a private detective. That's what he had to mean about a detailed report. If she could just keep him talking long enough...

Before she could move out of the way he was behind the desk and yanking her to her feet and shoving the chair out of the way. He wrapped his strong fingers around her throat and squeezed until she had to struggle to breath.

"I'm going to make sure you don't fight me, bitch. Then we're going to walk out of here together. If anyone says anything, you tell them we're old friends, and we're going to spend a little time together."

All Jenna could think of was how truly out of his mind he was, if he thought no one would try to stop him. She just had to stall him until Rob and Dylan got here.

She swallowed, hard. "Whatever you say, Tim. I'm happy to go with you."

He laughed, that same crazy sound again. "No, you're not, but that just makes it better. I can't wait until we're alone. You like punishment so much? I've got plenty stored up for you."

A slight noise in the main area caught her attention, and she did her best not to acknowledge it. Rob came into view, his eyes taking in the scene, and he held his finger to his lips, stepping aside so she could see Dylan was with him. She had to keep Tim distracted so one of them could get behind him.

"Where are you planning to take me?" she asked, hoping her tone of voice was calmer than she felt.

He laughed; the sound edged with the same insanity she saw in his eyes. "Someplace where we won't be disturbed."

She wet her lips. "Okay. I'll go with you. It's not necessary to hurt me."

"Oh, but that's half the fun.

He gave her a hard stare. Then, as if he realized she was trying to placate him, he slapped her across the face, the blow so sudden and violent, it snapped her head back. As she was trying to get her breath back Dylan eased quietly around the desk. Tim still had his fingers around her throat, although they had loosened slightly, when Rob struck. He yanked the man around and smashed his fist into Tim's face. Dylan vaulted over the desk and grabbed Jenna, pulling her into his arms.

"We've got you," he told her. "I've got you."

Tim was screaming obscenities and trying to get away, so Rob coldcocked him and caught him as he fell.

"Call the cops," Dylan told him. "Get this piece of trash out of here."

He swept Jenna into his arms and carried her into the main room. She was so grateful no one else was in there. She'd have been so mortified to have anyone else witness this whole scene.

"We locked the door again when we came in," Dylan told her. "Didn't the idiot think anyone had keys around here?"

"I think he's finally lost his mind," she told him, huddling against him. She couldn't stop shivering.

"Rob filled me in when he came to get me. I'm guessing he got onto the ranch before we could get the word out."

Jenna didn't much care as long as they got him out of there.

"If you call the police, everyone will know what happened," she told Dylan in a small voice.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of." His voice was warm and firm. "This is not your fault. But, don't worry, we'll cook up a story to placate everyone. As soon as the cops get here and haul him out of here, I'm taking you back to my house."

Jenna knew she should be reassured, but she wondered if she was leaping out of the frying pan and into the fire.