Susan Mallery - Straight From The Hip

The third book in the Lone Star Sisters series, 2009

IN THE MOVIES there was always a warning before something bad happened. Music swelled, the good guy promised everything would be fine now or the camera suddenly went into slow motion.

Life wasnt so tidy.

Izzy Titan sat in the window seat, as she had every day for the past month, staring out at a blurry world and feeling sorry for herself. While it wasnt a career choice everyone would make, it filled the day. She ignored her sisters pleas that she join them for lunch or shopping or even come downstairs to dinner. Like a regular person. When it got too annoying, she pointed out she wasnt regular anymore-she was handicapped. If that didnt work, she slammed the door and locked it until they went away. Shed always given everything she had, so she was ready to become the self-pity queen, if necessary.

Finally her sisters stopped bugging her. Which should have been a really big clue.

There wasnt any warning. One minute she was sitting in her usual spot, the next, someone grabbed her around the waist, pulled her to her feet, then tossed her over a very broad, very hard shoulder.

What the hell do you think youre doing? she yelled as blood rushed to her head, making her a little dizzy.

My job. Go ahead and fight me all you want. You cant hurt me.

It was a challenge she couldnt ignore. But when she tried to kick her attacker, he wrapped one arm around her legs, holding her still. Wiggling didnt help either. The man had muscles like rock and a month of immobilizing self-pity had left her girlishly weak.

I swear, she began, as the guy turned and started walking. Do you know who I am?

Izzy Titan. Hey, Skye.

Hey, Skye?

Izzy raised her head and tried to make the room focus. Unfortunately it was dark and blurry and she couldnt see any details.

Skye? she yelled. Are you there?

Oh, Izzy. Her sister sounded concerned, but not worried. Not afraid. We didnt know what else to do.

We?

Im here, too, Lexi, her other sister, said. This is for your own good.

Having me kidnapped?

Nick comes very highly recommended. You told us that your doctors wanted to put you on an antidepressant, which you wouldnt agree to. This is better.

What?

You wouldnt leave your room or talk to us. Its been a month, Izzy.

Youre having me kidnapped because I wouldnt go shopping with you? Are you insane?

They moved into the hallway. She could tell because the room got darker and her fingers brushed against the walls. Then they were going down, down, down into more darkness.

Each step jarred her entire body. If shed had that lunch her sisters were so hysterical about she would be throwing it up, right about now.

Im not kidding, she yelled. Stop this right now. All of you. Nick, I dont care what my sisters said, I didnt agree to this. Put me down or I swear Ill throw your ass in jail for so long, youll actually learn to enjoy being Bubbas love slave.

You signed a release, rock-guy said calmly, still moving through the house.

What?

You signed a release. Ive got it here in my pocket.

Izzy wanted to scream in frustration as she remembered Skye asking her to sign a few checks so her sister could pay Izzys bills. She tricked me. Im blind! I didnt know what I was signing.

They went outside. She saw the blurry outline of trees and the welcome light and heat of the sun.

You shouldnt sign what you cant read, Nick told her.

She could hear the humor in his voice and that really pissed her off. Seconds later, he opened a car door and dumped her onto a smooth leather seat. Before he could close the door, she pushed past him and bolted for freedom. She made it all of three steps before he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her against him.

It was like pressing against the side of a mountain. She kicked and tried to pull her arm free. Irritation turned to fury and betrayal. She turned toward the house-at least she could see something that big-and assumed her sisters were on the porch.

How could you do this to me? she demanded. Youre my family.

Izzy, we love you. There were tears in Skyes voice.

Good, Izzy thought furiously. She hoped Skye felt guilty for the rest of her life.

We didnt know what else to do, Lexi called, sounding less than sure.

I would never do this to you, Izzy screamed. Dont think Ill ever forgive you. Ever!

The last word was cut short as she was tossed back into the rear of a car or SUV. She couldnt tell which. The door slammed shut before she could run again. She lunged for the door handle, only there wasnt one. Nor could she open the windows.

Seconds later she discovered a thick, mesh screening behind the seat and between her and the front of the vehicle. She was trapped.

She heard the door open and vaguely saw Nick slide behind the wheel. Then they were driving away. Her sisters had hired a stranger to take her from her home and do God-knows-what to her. Theyd abandoned her. No. This was worse-this was actual action on their part. The two people shed counted on her entire life had discovered she was too much trouble and had tossed her out like the trash.

FOR THE NEXT THREE HOURS, Nick Hollister drove ten miles above the speed limit. He wanted to go faster, but knew he couldnt outrun the inevitable. His pretty, dark-haired passenger was staring out the window with a determination that told him she was about ten seconds from losing it.

You can cry if you want to, he said. It wont bother me. Hed seen a lot worse than tears.

Izzy didnt turn toward him. I wont give you the satisfaction.

You think I win if you cry?

Dont bullies always enjoy knowing theyve hurt someone? You didnt win. You cant break me.

She raised her chin as she spoke, instinctively defying him. Good, he thought grimly. She was going to need every ounce of strength she had if she wanted to find her way back. Which was his job-to make sure she did.

Break you? he asked, ignoring that shed called him a bully. Hed stormed into her life and taken her away from everything she knew. Hardly comfortable circumstances. He understood the fear of the unknown, although her unknown was a whole lot more controlled than his had been. Dramatic much?

Hey, youre the one who tossed me into the back of a car.

SUV.

Whatever. This is kidnapping. I get to be however I want.

Your sisters know where you are and what will happen when you get there.

And I should find that comforting why? She swallowed. Dont even talk to me.

He heard the fear in her voice. He could see it in the way she kept herself stiff. Behind fear was terror and while he wanted her attention, he didnt need it that bad.

My name is Nick Hollister, he said, using the same tone that calmed unbroken horses. I run a school that teaches corporate survival training. That pays the bills. I also take in kids who have suffered a traumatic loss or been victims of a violent crime. I teach them how to survive in my world. That helps them cope with their own.

Izzy stared out the window, obviously ignoring him. He wondered how much she could actually see.

Your sisters asked me to take you on for a few weeks, to help you adjust to being blind.

Im not blind, she snapped. I have thirty percent of my sight.

Youre acting like youre blind, he told her. Youve been hiding in your room for a month.

Its not like I can do anything else.

Your life is over? Because of one little challenge? Thats impressive.