The second Amanda stepped into the police station she spotted Bill. His face was red and some guy in the room with him was yelling. It was Samuel Taylor, the face that had come to her first after waking up in the hospital. Her legs felt week and her head spun. She moved forward, keeping her gaze zeroed in on Sam.



The desk sergeant looked at her funny but didn't try to stop her. Could be because he could hear the damning words Sam was saying or maybe he didn't care. She pushed open the door and they both turned to her. Sam's anger blazed through his gaze, Bill's look of pity there for the taking. But she didn't want pity any longer.



"Bill, Sam, I could here you out there, and so could the desk sergeant. Those were some harsh words."



"Amanda, nice to see you. Glad you're alive."



"Not glad that I fingered you as the guy who attacked me, but I'm sure you'll forgive me at some point."



"Already forgiven." Sam tried to smile but the movement was quick and the anger burning in his eyes was quick to return.



She did her best to raise her eyebrow and look sardonic but her face felt tight. It must have worked because his face went white before he bent down to kiss her cheek. His lips felt soft against her leathery skin. She couldn't believe anyone would ever want to get close to her again. The way she used to look haunted her. Her body had been ravaged by the sun and salt. Her skin was destroyed. People stared, it made her uncomfortable.



"So, Bill, Sam, why all the yelling?"



Both men ducked their heads and did their best to avoid answering her question. She hadn't seen this much squirming since she put on a yellow mini skirt ensemble and asked how it looked. Yellow wasn't her color, she looked washed out and crappy. She needed to take charge, but doubt circled around her thoughts. Damn that little fucker for making her doubt herself. That one trait had taken her from barroom singer to mega-hit star.



"Sam, talk."



"Delanie is being used as a pawn to capture the freak who did this to you."



"What? Delanie Skhye?"



"Yes, Ms. Skhye came up with the idea, no me. She wants to capture this guy. We have people in place to keep her safe. I don't–"



"It's not enough." Sam interrupted.



Amanda pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. "You've got to be kidding me."



"Amanda, we have the situation under control."



"Really? Why are you here talking if she's out there alone?"



Sam straightened, his face a mixture of pain and anger. "I'm on my way out to go get her."



"Sam, I can't believe you went along with this." Amanda wagged her finger in Sam's face.



"I didn't. Delanie wouldn't be talked out of it."



Amanda wanted to shout and scream but her voice was still raw. "Bill, seriously, you didn't suggest that she go alone to find the bastard."



"She's the one who came up with the idea and wanted to do this. And she's not alone."



Exhaustion hit her like a gale force wind. "I can't believe that either of you went along with her. She's notoriously pigheaded. You have to fight fire with fire when dealing with Delanie."



Bill closed in on her, making her feel claustrophobic. "This guy needs to be caught. Delanie wanted to help. We have it under control. Delanie isn't alone. I'm headed out there in just a bit to help."



"Of course she wanted to help. That's who she is. She does all those action movies because of the thrill."



Sam slammed his fist down on the desk, causing papers to fly and a stapler to flip to the floor. "Damn, I can't believe I fell for this. She's going to die and her death will be on my head."



"No, Sam. I'm responsible for letting her go." Bill ran his fingers through his hair and blew out a huge breath.



"You both need to realize that every minute this guy has to attack Delanie the less chance she has to live." Amanda wanted them to understand how desperate Delanie's situation was. If this guy got her, there would be no happy ending for Delanie ever again. "Don't you realize how much an attack like this would fuck Delanie up?"



Bill drew her into his arms. He held on tight even when she tried to push him away.



"Amanda, I'm sorry. I know you've been hurt."



"You don't understand what this guy is capable of." Sobs racked her body.



"Shhh, we have a plan. You were alone. Delanie isn't. She knows what to do. She won't be taken captive. It will work...Trust me."



She swiped at the tears streaking her face. She wanted to say so much more but her throat squeezed with anguish wouldn't let the words come.



After a minute she felt she would be able to speak. She pushed out of Bill's arms immediately wanting to return to his save embrace. "Since you are going through with your plan I want you to find this guy and kill him. He doesn't need a trial. He needs to go away."



Bill reached out and grabbed her shoulder, his eyes bore into hers. "I can't shoot him unless provoked. It's more than just the law, it's my conscious."



She turned, her gaze zeroing in on Sam, "Fine, then Sam you kill him and say he was attacking you."



He said nothing, only the smallest movement of his head. She took it as a nod, confirmation that he would take matters into his own hands and do away with the bastard if he had the chance.

Copyright Sara Thacker 2011