Saving amanda, p.11
Saving Amanda, page 11
Wanda clucked her tongue. “I know. So many of them are joining gangs and doing drugs. But if you can save even one, you’re making a difference.” She smiled from Amanda to Carter and back. “I’m sure you didn’t come in just to visit me, though you’re welcome anytime. What can I do for you?”
“Wanda, we’d like to look at the registry of people who’ve come to live on the reservation in the past year or two.”
“Looking for anyone in particular?” she asked as she brought up a computer screen and turned it toward Amanda. “We have had a few people return from other states after long absences. It’s always nice to see our people come home.”
“I’m not sure what I’m looking for,” Amanda admitted. “I just want to get an idea of who came to live here in case I’m missing a teen or young adult I should be helping.” Amanda felt a twinge of guilt that lying was getting to be easier. She should have felt worse about it, but she was looking for the good of her people. Finding the DEA agent could help. She needed to talk to the man. Maybe he had some insight into what was happening.
The other person she wanted to talk with had a name. “Wanda, you wouldn’t happen to know how I can get in touch with Trevor Spotted Elk, would you?” If anyone knew where to find someone on the reservation, it was Wanda Morning Light.
Wanda frowned. “Mona Spotted Elk’s boy?”
Amanda nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“He’s not a teen. Hasn’t been in a while.”
“I know, but he connects with a lot of teens and has some influence over them.”
Wanda snorted. “Not in a good way. You would be better off steering clear of that young man. He’s bad news to the reservation.”
“Still,” Amanda said, “I’d like to talk with him and get an understanding of what motivates teens to follow a guy like that.”
“Then the safest place to catch him is at his job.”
Amanda raised her eyebrows. “Job?”
Wanda’s lips pinched together. “I’ll never understand why, but he landed a job at the casino in security. If you corner him there, hopefully, he’ll behave himself. He would have to. The casino is equipped with cameras monitoring the gamblers and the staff. He’s probably there now until later this evening. I think he works the evening shift until around midnight.”
Amanda caught Carter’s gaze. That added up to tagging her house around 2:00 am.
“I can print that list of those folks who have come in over the past two plus years.” Wanda turned the monitor back toward her desk chair and sat behind it. “It will only take me a minute to get that for you.” Her fingers flew over the keyboard, and she hit enter with a flourish and a smile. “Check the printer.” She pointed to the printer in the corner of the office.
Amanda crossed to the corner where the printer spat out a sheet of paper. She took it and smiled at Wanda. “Thank you.”
“That’s just the names, ages and how they qualify to be here. I have addresses, though they might not be current. They only give them to me when they register to live on the reservation. Some folks don’t bother to register and move in with relatives.”
And some people who didn’t belong moved in—people who didn’t want the authorities to know where they were. With over 2.2 million acres of reservation, a person could get lost.
With pathetically few law enforcement personnel, between the Wind River Police Department and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Police, they couldn’t begin to keep track of everything going on.
To Amanda, teens dying suspicious deaths made the situation critical. She held up the page. “I’ll let you know if I need more information. Thank you.”
“I hope you don’t get attitude from Trevor. He might be able to charm teens into doing what he wants, but I’ve known people who got on his bad side.” Her brow furrowed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he had something to do with what happened to Joe and the damage to your house. He’s bad news.”
“Why would they hire a man like that at the casino?” Amanda asked, not really expecting an answer.
“I think it was more to keep the staff in line than the guests.”
“That could be the case.” It made sense to Amanda. The reservation residents fortunate to secure employment at the casino would know Trevor’s reputation. Guests came in from Utah, Colorado, Montana and more just to gamble. They wouldn’t know Trevor was a thug to be wary of. “Wanda, thank you for the information and the advice.”
She frowned. “When Joe comes around, you tell him I’m thinking about him. And I hope you two will be okay. Given last night’s attacks, I worry about you both. Most likely, it was a warning. Whatever you’re doing pissed off someone.”
Amanda nodded. “Yeah, and they piss me off.”
Wanda stared hard at Amanda. “Be careful. Some people play for keeps.” She shifted her gaze to Carter. “Keep a close eye on her if you want her to make it to the wedding.”
Carter tipped his head. “Yes, ma’am.” His hand came up to rest at the small of Amanda’s back. He bent and brushed a kiss against Amanda’s temple. “You ready, dear?”
Desire flared from each point he touched, reminding her of what they’d shared the night before. Heat burned at her core. She leaned into his body. “I’m ready.” For a repeat of last night, before the gang had trashed her house and Joe had been attacked.
Carter led her out of the council building and to the passenger side of his pickup. He held the door for her and helped her up into her seat. “Are you sure you want to confront Trevor Spotted Elk?”
The desire of moments before froze in her veins. Her lips pressed into a tight line. “Now, more than ever. If he’s responsible for what happened to Joe and what’s happening to the teens,” she clenched her fists, “I will take him down. One way or another. He can’t get away with murder. I don’t care how scary he is. He can’t get away with what he’s done.”
“You’re only one person. With me, that makes it two. You saw the gang outside your house in the dark. They were probably hitting Joe at the same time. I’m thinking at least a dozen minions are working with whoever is doing this.”
“Probably more. The young people and unemployed have nothing else to do on this reservation. They like to belong to something. Gangs give them a sense of belonging, and there is power in numbers.”
“You think we can take down an entire gang?” Carter snorted. “Ask the Chicago police how that’s working for them. Or the LAPD. And there are more of them than you, me and all of the law enforcement personnel on the reservation.”
Amanda faced Carter. “You saw Tara. She’s scared. She’s already lost her brother. And she’s not alone.” Amanda turned back to stare out the front windshield and spoke softly. “I imagine the rest of the Young Wolves are afraid to step outside. No, they’re probably scared to death to go home and take their troubles to their families.”
This problem went deeper than one person or even two. It would take a huge effort, maybe even an army of people, to clean up the gangs on the reservation. Amanda didn’t want him to leave, but he was right. They couldn’t do it alone. She had to give him the opportunity to back out before it got any more dangerous than it already was.
“You don’t have to go with me,” she said. “I’ll understand if you want out. I won’t think less of you if you leave me at my car and drive back to West Yellowstone. You could tell Stone I fired you, and I decided to go it alone.”
* * *
Carter slowed the truck, pulled to the side of the road and shifted into park. Anger burned in his veins, making him want to…
He reached across the console, popped Amanda’s seatbelt loose and let it retract.
Her eyes rounded. “Do you want me to get out here?” With her hand on the door handle, she waited for his response.
Instead of words, he grabbed the hand closest to him and stopped her from getting out. “No. I don’t want you to get out.” Carter pulled her across to sit on his lap and held her close, burying his hands in her thick black hair. “I will not drop you at your car and let you do this alone. I will not drive back to West Yellowstone and forget I ever met you or any of the people on this reservation. I’m in this whether you want me here or not.”
“I want you here,” she whispered, “but I don’t want you hurt.”
“I want you out of here so you won’t get hurt. But I know you won’t let this go. It’s who you are and one of the reasons I’m doing something I never thought I’d do again in my life.”
She stared into his eyes. “Do what?” Her brow knit. “Hit me? Swear at me?” Tears welled. “Kiss me?”
He claimed her mouth in a hard, almost brutal kiss.
Damn her.
He wanted to hate what she was doing to him. Wanted to be able to walk away, not feeling a thing.
But he couldn’t. In one day, she’d crawled under his skin, and he couldn’t walk away.
She clung to him, her hands lacing around his neck, her tongue pushing past his teeth to war with his.
He couldn’t get enough of her, and yet she was too much. The feelings she made him feel threatened to overwhelm him.
Finally, he released her lips and crushed her to his chest, his lips pressed to her temple, her dark hair tickling his nose. “Damn you,” he whispered.
“Why?” she said.
“For making me feel things I never wanted to feel again.”
“Like?”
“Fear.”
She captured his face in her palms. “Are you afraid of Trevor?”
He shook his head. “No. I’m afraid of losing you. I lost someone I loved before. I didn’t ever want to feel that kind of pain again.”
“But you barely know me,” she said. “And yet, I feel like I’ve known you my entire life.”
“Exactly.” He cupped her cheek and brushed a thumb across her swollen lips. “I shouldn’t feel so connected to you. Not so soon. Hell, not at all. I don’t want to fall in love.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “If we’re together much longer, I may not have a choice.”
She chuckled. “Hey, I didn’t even like you when I first saw you. I keep asking myself what happened to make me like you so much. So, what if we were stupid enough to fall in love? Is that such a bad thing?”
He leaned back and stared into her eyes. “I’ve been shot at, injured and surrounded by the enemy. Nothing scared or hurt me more than when my commanding officer told me that my wife had been murdered at home, alone in our bed.”
“If you had to do it all over again, would you have married her?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Yes. I loved her.”
“Knowing you would lose her to a murderer?” Amanda asked softly. “You would miss the love you had, miss the memories you made all because you wouldn’t want the pain her death brought…”
He stared into her eyes, seeing the memories of the years he’d had with his wife flash through his mind. “No. I cherish those memories.”
“Then why would you deny yourself happiness? We don’t know what life will throw our way. We have to live in the present, love while we can and stock up on memories.” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “You don’t have to fall in love with me. But let yourself love again. You deserve to love and be loved.”
He held her close, letting her words sink in. “I don’t know if I could stand to lose another person I love.”
“Maybe you won’t lose her. Maybe you’ll grow old together with a dozen grandchildren scattered around you.” She smiled into his eyes. “The point is, don’t stop living because someone you loved died.”
He gave her a weak smile. “This whole conversation is crazy. And yet so real. Have I really only known you a day?” He kissed her and helped her back into her seat. When she was buckled into her seatbelt again, he shifted into drive. “Are we still going to the casino?” He glanced her way, catching her nod.
“We are,” she said.
He sighed. “We’re going to need an army to resolve this situation.”
“I was hoping you might know where we can get one.”
“Maybe not an army, but Hank Patterson knows people. I’m hoping he has an idea what to do.”
“In the meantime, I want to confront Trevor Spotted Elk in a public setting like Wanda suggested.” She held out her hand.
Carter took it in his. “I’m hoping that, surrounded by other people, he won’t try anything stupid.”
“Me, too.” She squeezed his hand.
Carter braced himself for the meeting, praying Trevor wouldn’t be there, thus putting off what would eventually have to happen. Amanda wasn’t going to back down. If Trevor was responsible for the deaths of the teens and the attack on Joe, the asshole would know Amanda’s fury.
Chapter 10
Amanda sat beside Carter, her hand in his, feeling stunned, elated and scared all at once.
One day.
And one amazing night making love.
It was infatuation. That’s all there was to it. People didn’t fall in love that fast.
She cast a shy glance his way.
The man wasn’t the most handsome man she’d ever seen.
Oh, who was she kidding? His broad shoulders, six-pack abs and toned muscles were positively delicious.
Why would he be interested in her? She was just…Amanda, a mixed breed who looked much like the other women on the reservation, except for her blue eyes…the only thing she had inherited from her white mother.
She liked him. A lot. Was that enough? Was it love? She’d never really been in love. Yeah, she’d dated in high school and college, but nothing that had lasted. There hadn’t been enough of a spark to keep a flame burning.
Now, with Carter…there were sparks enough to light a forest fire. Was it enough to last? Should she take her own advice and live in the present, love while she could and stock up on memories?
Hell, yes. Even if the present didn’t last very long. Whoever was behind all the murders and attacks was dangerous and not afraid to kill. Their days could be numbered.
Her hand tightened around Carter’s. Could she stand losing someone she loved? The only person she’d ever really loved was Joe. He’d saved her from the foster system and had been the father she’d always wanted. The thought of losing him made her heart squeeze hard in her chest. Seeing him lying in the hospital bed, battered and nearly beaten to death, had been heartbreaking.
But she was forever grateful for having been a part of his life and would do it all over again, even knowing she might lose him. She’d been afraid to love when Joe had taken her in. Her own family had abandoned her. The foster families had never loved her.
Amanda had been certain she would never know what love was…until Joe had taken her home and treated her like a daughter should be treated.
When he’d been mad at her, he hadn’t hit her. He hadn’t belittled her or given her back to the foster system. He’d stood by her and helped her navigate the remainder of high school when she’d been behind and had to catch up. He’d helped her enroll in college, bought her books and paid her living expenses until she’d graduated.
They’d spent their holidays together, celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, just the two of them. He was family, and he’d taught her what unconditional love was.
Could she love someone else? Was she willing to try? Was that someone Carter?
Her heart swelled inside her chest at the same time as butterflies filled her belly. A one-night stand was easy. No commitment. No false promises. No messy feelings.
Falling in love?
Whoa.
Her stomach roiled, and her heart beat faster. She was scared. No, terrified. And strangely hopeful.
And they were in the middle of a potential gang war that had a very uncertain outcome.
Was it worth the risk to let herself fall in love?
She drew in a lungful of air and let it out slowly. With that steadying breath, a rush of well-being filled her.
Why not let whatever was going to happen happen?
If it was love, great. If it wasn’t meant to be, at least she wouldn’t regret not giving them a chance.
All the crazy thoughts went through her head as they drove to the casino.
Carter was silent beside her.
Amanda wondered if he had the same ideas going through his head as she had going through hers. She couldn’t tell just by looking at him.
As they neared the casino, she pulled her attention back to what was even more immediate and important.
Carter parked the truck as close to the entrance as possible, got out and hurried around to help Amanda down.
She waited for him, wanting to feel his hands on her body, so reassuring in their firmness.
For a moment, she stood on the ground in his embrace, girding her loins for the encounter with Trevor.
“Let’s start this by looking like any other gamblers,” Carter said into her ear. “We go in and have a look around before we start asking about Trevor. Are you okay with that?”
She nodded, looked up into his eyes and smiled. “Thank you. You ground me.”
He gave her a tight smile, kissed her briefly and drew her hand through the crook of his arm. “What’s your favorite? Poker, roulette, craps or slots?”
“I’ve never actually gambled in a casino. I’ve been here a couple of times to talk to parents of some of the teens I work with, but never to play. I do know how to play poker. I earned some spending money playing in college.”
Carter grinned. “I like you more and more each day. A good mix of virtue and vice. Come on. Let’s see how good your poker face is.” He walked with her into the casino.
Like she’d told him, she’d been inside the casino on a few occasions. The constant pinging of bells and whirling sounds made by the slot machines filled the air like a cheap carnival. Many of the patrons were older, gray or white-haired, some with their walkers, others smoking cigarettes, parked in front of slot machines, pulling the handle or pressing the spin button—the cylinder in front of them spinning, spinning, spinning, before finally coming to a stop.
