Pure Vengeance

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Mirage

Hannah Bowman

“What can I get you?” The bartender leaned closer to be heard over the rhythmic thud of the club’s bass line.

Mirroring the gesture, Hannah raised her voice. “Three gin and tonics, please.”

“Got it.” He nodded, turning to organize the drinks, and Hannah’s attention flitted back to her friends.

Shannon and Milly were seated at a nearby table and appeared to be engrossed in conversation. Hannah smiled as she watched them. She’d forever be grateful for their love and support. They, along with ample therapy, had pulled her out of the darkest pit of her life and empowered her to start thinking about a future again. For the first time in years, she was ready to contemplate a new relationship. Given what Hannah had been through, that was nothing short of miraculous.

“Here.” The bartender’s voice caught her attention as he pushed the drinks across the bar. “Anything else?” he prompted.

“That’s all, thanks.” She reached into her purse for her credit card and thrust it in his direction. Tall and dark-haired, he might have been a decent candidate for her to ‘move forward’ with, but it was damn near impossible to strike up a spontaneous conversation in a club this loud.

Anyhow, I’m not desperate. She smirked. I deserve to take my time and find the right one.

“Thank you.” The bartender handed back her card, his gaze spearing her. “Why don’t you sit down? I’ll bring the drinks over to you.”

“Oh, thank you.” Taken by surprise at his generosity, she slipped her card back into her purse and watched as he loaded their gins onto a tray. The club wasn’t heaving, but there were enough patrons waiting to be served that she hadn’t expected the offer.

Maybe he likes the look of me, too.

The thought was encouraging as her focus followed him around the side of the bar. It lingered too long on his tight-looking backside before her brain instructed her feet to catch up with him. Tottering forward on her heels, she almost bumped straight into another person who was waiting in the line behind her.

“I’m sorry!” She steadied herself as her attention rose to greet the face of the stranger she’d inadvertently careened into, but as she acknowledged his knowing expression, her heart nearly stopped beating altogether.

“Hello, Hannah.” His lips stretched into a shrewd smirk. “I was wondering when you’d notice me.”

“Lawes!” She spat out his name, leaping away from him as though she’d been stung.

It had been more than five years since she’d last set eyes on him, but he didn’t look much older than she remembered, and despite her best efforts, she did remember him. Hannah could never forget the face of the man who’d captured her.

Vivid flashbacks burst into her head of the things he’d done—the cages, the leashes, and the sheer cruelty he and his partner had inflicted on not only Hannah but on other women under the guise of their dental practice. Her breath was labored as she fought for air, attempting to steel herself.

How the hell was he there?

He was in prison, wasn’t he? The last Hannah had heard, he and his sick partner in crime were both detained at His Majesty’s pleasure.

“Hannah?”

Hannah spun at the gentler voice, its resonance barely audible over the bassy strum. She was stunned to find Shannon standing beside her.

“Are you all right?” Concern flickered in Shannon’s brown eyes. “The bartender brought the drinks over, but you seemed to be in a trance over here.”

Trance?

“He’s here!” Hannah’s voice trembled as she recalled the hard look in Lawes’ eyes. It was that same dark expression she’d witnessed so many times before.

Too many times.

“Who’s here?” Shannon grabbed her hand. “You’re cold, Han. Maybe we should get you home?”

“No, I…” Hannah flung an arm out in Lawes’ direction. “This is one of the guys who abducted me. He’s back!”

The old, familiar tension from those bad days clawed at Hannah’s throat, threatening to cut off her air supply. Lawes had found her! Somehow, he was out of prison, and he’d managed to track her down. He?—

“Honey.” Shannon squeezed Hannah’s fingers, and moving closer, she whispered into her ear. “There’s no one there.”

“What?” Hannah twisted around to the place Lawes had been standing, anticipating his pitiless smile, but to her incredulity, he was gone. “Where’s he gone?” The adrenaline rushing through her system was making it difficult to think. “He was right there.”

“Come on.” Tugging her toward the table, Shannon urged Hannah back to the relative sanctuary and ushered her onto the seat beside Milly. “Let’s talk.”

“What happened?” Milly’s gaze slid between her two friends.

“I saw Lawes.” Maybe it was only her imagination, but the music seemed to have subdued around them.

“The guy who hurt you?” Milly threw Shannon an apprehensive look.

“Yeah,” Hannah went on, trying to catch her breath. “He was in the club.”

Milly rubbed Hannah’s forearm. “There was no one there. The bartender delivered the drinks, and you just sort of stood there.”

“What?” Hannah’s brows knitted. “No.” That didn’t make sense. “He was there, Milly. He spoke to me.”

“It’s been a long night.” Shannon reached for her glass and drained half of the contents. “Why don’t we call an Uber and go home? You’re staying with me, Han, so I’ll make sure you’re okay.”

“No, I…” Hannah paused, unsure what she was going to say. Was she about to insist she was alright? If so, maybe she ought to take a long look at herself first.

Either Lawes had truly been there to spook her—a prospect that terrified her half to death—or she’d imagined the entire encounter in the middle of a club. Both outcomes were troubling, at best.

“It’s okay.” Milly’s voice was soothing. “I’m ready to go home, anyway.”

“But I just got us cocktails.” Hannah gestured to her untouched gin.

“Drink up.” Shannon forced a smile as she pulled her phone from her purse. “I’ll order our ride home.”