by Raine Miller
Jimmy rolled his eyes. “Don’t insult me if you expect me to help you. What’d the guy say?”
“I kept the message. I didn’t answer the call because I didn’t recognize the number.”
Nic turned to examine the wall behind him as Jimmy let it play. Anger and outrage sat like a lead ball on his chest, making it hard to breathe. He’d memorized the call.
“You took everything from me. I will destroy everything you hold dear. You can’t watch your pretty blonde all the time.”
He tried breathing in through his nose and out through his mouth like the military shrink had taught him but it didn’t help. Never did.
After what seemed an eternity, Jimmy whistled low and long. “You pissed off someone but good, didn’t you?”
Nic turned to find his brother staring at him intently. “He doesn’t sound like your run-of-the-mill whackjob. Short and to the point. And smart. He used a voice scrambler.”
Nic shook his head slowly. “Could be anyone.”
And that was the real pisser. There could be any number of people who’d want to hurt him. And most of them were capable of doing what they’d threatened.
“When’d you get the call?”
“This morning.”
“Alright.” Jimmy held up the phone. “Leave this with me. Take one of the burner phones upstairs and I’ll route your calls to it. I’m not promising anything. Like I said, Janey or Mal would be better with this.”
“I know it’s going to be a bitch but I don’t want to involve them. Not yet.” Nic tried to ease the tightness across his shoulders by rolling them. “Just do the best you can.”
Jimmy leaned back in his chair, eyes still closed. “Have you noticed anything suspicious lately?”
Nic released a harsh breath and thrust a hand through his hair, letting it get caught in the length so it yanked as he pulled it out. “Not a damn thing. I’ve been wracking my brain for anything out of the ordinary, and the only problems I’ve been having are due to our hired help.”
Jimmy snapped out of his trance with a laugh. “Yeah, I noticed you having all sorts of problems with Annie. It’s especially noticeable when you have to take a case across the country just to get away from her. Apparently someone else noticed, too.”
“Shove it, Jimmy.” His voice sounded like a growl. “That’s not why I took that job and you know it. It was an easy one, and it was in California. Gave me a chance to look up some old friends.”
And, yes, it put three thousand miles between him and Annie.
“When was the last time you took a guard job for a rock star?” Sarcasm laced Jimmy’s voice. “You can barely stand anyone who makes more than a hundred-thousand a year as it is. Besides, everyone knows you’ve got a thing for her. I think it’d be okay if you admitted that to yourself. Are you going to tell her about this?”
Shit. Was he really that transparent? No. Jimmy was just trying to rile him. He nodded back at his phone. “No, I’m not. And neither are you. Do you think you’ll be able to get anything we can work with from that or do you just wanna yank my chain some more?”
Jimmy lost the smile. “She has a right to know she could be in danger.”
“I’ll make sure she isn’t.”
Now Jimmy smirked and Nic had the almost overwhelming urge to wipe it off brother’s face with his fist. He’d always been bigger and stronger, able to best Jimmy in a fight. But Jimmy had been fast and intuitive, able to read Nic’s mind. There were things Nic didn’t want his brother to see.
“Can you do it?” Nic asked again.
Finally, Jimmy shook his head. “Oh, ye of little faith. Gimme a day. Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll show up on our doorstep demanding satisfaction or— Whoa, Nic.” Jimmy sat up straight, shock visible in his expression. “Jesus, I’m kidding. Take a breath. You look ready to stroke out.”
With a muttered oath, Nic turned away as he tried to get himself under control. He focused his gaze on the far wall, where Jimmy stored the dangerous chemicals he worked with. He kept them under lock, although this building was more secure than Fort Knox.
Jimmy was conscientious like that. Careful.
Nic was, too. But obviously not careful enough. And now it was coming back to bite him.
Some madman had threatened Annie. She was the only blonde in his life. He wasn’t seeing anyone and no one in his family had blonde hair. It had to be her.
“This guy gets close enough and he won’t have to worry about breathing.” Nic could damn well guarantee that. “I need to do more digging, see what you come up with.”
He turned back to Jimmy, now slouched in his chair and staring at him as if he’d suddenly grown a new head.
“All right?” His tone grew harsh when Jimmy didn’t say anything.
Slowly his brother nodded, and Nic saw concern in his narrowed eyes.
Ignoring it, he turned and headed for the stairs.
And nearly knocked Annie to the floor when he pushed open the door to the first floor.
He grabbed the arm she flung out and ended up pulling her off her feet and against him to stop her fall.
“Damn it, Dominic, watch where you’re going.”
Her green eyes flashed at him, jewel bright and angry, her expression tight. But he felt the slight tremble of her body, pressed tight against his.
Making sure she was steady before he released her, he tried to ignore the way his heart pounded and his cock thickened at her proximity.
“Sorry.” It wouldn’t be fair to take his frustration out on her even though she was spoiling for a fight and had been since she’d arrived this morning. “You okay?”
She lifted finely arched brows at him. “I’ll live.” Then her gaze narrowed, as if she’d read something in his expression. “Is something wrong?”
Damn. Could everyone read him so easily? He was losing it and he couldn’t afford to.
He shook his head, making sure to maintain eye contact. “Nothing’s wrong. I’ll be upstairs if you need me.”
He couldn’t handle her questions right now, not when he was so pissed off and worried.
As her brow furrowed and her lips parted as if to speak, he turned his back on her and headed to his apartment through the back stairs. He made sure not to slam the door and didn’t bother to turn on the radio or the TV. He needed to think and he usually did his best thinking on his feet.
So he paced, from the front door to the windows that overlooked Market Street then to the kitchen.
But after a few minutes, he wound up standing in front of his king-size bed. He hadn’t bothered to make it this morning, and the rumpled black sheets and comforter testified to a restless night. If he was honest with himself, he’d admit that Annie had contributed to at least some of that restlessness.
He’d dreamed about her last night, in this bed with him.
Since she’d started working for his family, he’d had more than a few dreams starring her. And like last night, they ended when he work up with a hard on that he took care of in the shower.
He didn’t blame her for those dreams. No, his obsession had gotten out of hand long before she started working here. But now that she was underfoot every day, it played havoc with his head. So much so, someone who wanted to hurt him had discovered the best way to do it was through Annie.
He wanted to get away from the office for a while, draw away whoever had put a target on her back but he knew that wouldn’t guarantee the guy would follow and he couldn’t leave Annie unprotected.
What he should do was go back downstairs, tell her she was in danger then tell her what he was going to do to keep her safe.
And then she’d read him the riot act and tell him to keep away from her.
Why did he have the feeling his life had suddenly gone out of control?
***
Around five that afternoon, Nic sat in his office, grinning as he listened to Annie curse like a sailor. Four-letter words he never thought he’d hear coming from the proper Miss Reed’s
incredibly beautiful lips.
Despite her cool appearance, Annie had a volatile nature. Most people only saw the cold front moving in. He found it interesting that the only heat she seemed to generate almost always was directed at him.
Although right now…
She swore, a string of profanity that made every muscle in his body clench and his cock throb against his zipper. Damn, her foul mouth turned him on.
Sighing, he cricked his neck back and forth, trying to make the bones pop back into place. Of course, they wouldn’t cooperate.
“Arrrgh.” A metal ping and a muffled grunt followed her latest outburst.
Must’ve kicked the cabinet. That had to hurt. She was wearing spike-heeled pumps today, and he’d bet the farm she didn’t have steel toes in those babies.
He knew she thought she was alone. His parents hadn’t come in today. Jimmy had gone to the police station and wouldn’t be back for the rest of the day. Janey and Mal had both left for the day and she must think he was gone, too. Otherwise, she never would’ve let her tongue get so loose.
“Oh, come on, you slimy pig,” she hissed. “Open up. I can’t believe this. Why tonight? I’m going to be late, and we all know what Mummy dearest thinks about tardiness, now, don’t we?”
That quickly killed his grin. So, Annie was going to her mother’s tonight. Well, that would explain her mood today. She’d been as jumpy as a cat, and as quick as one to bare her claws.
“Son. Of. A. Bitch.” Another ping. “I am not going to go upstairs and ask that man for help. I absolutely refuse.”
His grin returned, and he swallowed a laugh. Now sounded like the right time to make his entrance. Couldn’t let her be late to her mother’s, now, could he?
Getting up without a sound, he made his way down the darkened hallway to the front of the building and the only room still lit. Warm yellow light cast a glow into the hallway to the front door, which he could see was locked.
She had her back to him as she tugged at a file drawer in a cabinet against the far wall. Bent over at the waist, her bright red skirt outlined her slender ass. Not only that, but the position made her skirt ride up above mid-thigh.
Nic’s jaw locked, but he took it all in.
What he wouldn’t give to walk up behind her, put his hands on her hips and pull that ass back against his already half-hard cock. He wanted to grind against her, wanted to feel her wriggle against him, making him even harder.
Then he’d make her stand straight so they were pressed together, her back against his chest, his cock nestled against her ass and his arms locked around her. His hands would cover her breasts, cupping them through her silky shirt.
He’d put his mouth on her neck to taste her skin then he’d turn her around and start to strip her.
Christ.
She was the only woman who could turn him on simply by being in the same room.
He still remembered every detail of that kiss she’d laid on him seven years ago in her dorm room. The way her mouth had firmed before she’d leaned in, as if she’d set her mind to it and nothing would stop her.
He’d let her kiss him, soaked in feel of her lips pressed against his for as long as he could stand before he had to break it off. He’d had enough sense to know he would’ve frightened her if he’d kissed her the way he’d wanted to, which would have involved running his hands down her body and tearing away her clothes so she stood naked before him.
Instead, he’d forced himself to sit still as a stone then cut her to ribbons with a few words when she’d pulled away.
Just released from the hospital, he’d needed to make life-altering decisions. He’d already talked to his parents, but he’d needed to see Janey. Even at eighteen, she’d been levelheaded and able to think things through clearly. He’d always been the one with a temper, hotheaded and eager to fight his way out of every situation.
He’d come back from Iraq with a few more holes than he’d been born with. His superiors had wanted to sit him at a desk. He’d been tempted to tell them to shove it. But he was a Ranger. There was no way in hell he’d say that to his commanding officer.
Still, desk duty was out. Not while everyone else was fighting.
Janey had taken one look at him and told him to resign. Start over. Find something else.
Problem was, he’d only wanted to be a soldier. He never would’ve admitted it to anyone, but he’d been scared. What the hell was he going to do with the rest of his life?
He didn’t think anything frightened Annie. She certainly wasn’t afraid of him. She’d never seemed afraid of him and the icy facade she showed to the world melted when she fought with him.
Still he couldn’t help remembering the way she used to look at him when she thought he walked on water. She knew better now and she didn’t know half of what he’d done.
She kicked the drawer again.
“So. You need help or what?”
Annie gasped and spun so quickly, she nearly fell off the four-inch heels that made her long legs look even more unforgettable. Her red patent-leather pumps matched the silk suit that delineated every feminine curve on her beautiful body. Each article of clothing seemed to have one express purpose in life—to drive him crazy.
“Dominic!” she nearly shrieked but the alarm in her eyes quickly turned to anger. “You scared me. What are you still doing here?”
Yeah, what are you doing here, old man?
He stepped into the room, stopping at her desk. “I had work to finish, and I heard you cursing the furniture.”
A blush heated her fair skin but she didn’t lower her gaze.
“The drawer’s stuck. Forgive me if my language was a little rough for your delicate ears.”
He suppressed a smile at the ice in her tone. “Nothing I haven’t heard before. Not from your delicate mouth, though.”
Her eyebrows arched. “A gentleman wouldn’t have mentioned it.”
His grin resurfaced and he swore her eyes widened in surprise before she could control her reaction.
Damn it, now he wanted her to smile.
“How long have you known me, babe? I’m no gentleman.”
He expected a comeback and was actually disappointed when she didn’t say anything. Instead she let her gaze drop to her desk for a second before she pointed at the cabinet. “Are you going to help me or not?”
Of course he was. But as soon as he was done, he’d have no reason to stay.
Was she that uncomfortable around him?
He’d been coming down hard on her lately. Maybe a little too hard. Maybe it’d be better if he just stayed the hell away from her.
Stifling a sigh, he closed his eyes for a second before he re-opened them.
And noticed the bare expanse of her desk. Only her monitor and a pristine desk pad sat on the polished surface. No pictures, no plants.
With a frown, he looked around the rest of the room, searching for something, anything in the room that was hers.
There was nothing. If she left tomorrow, she wouldn’t even need a box.
“Nic?”
He glanced up and caught her looking at him, concern in her eyes.
For the first time in a long time, he let himself wonder what it would be like to have this woman as his own. To be able to steal a kiss whenever he wanted, to curl around her warm body at night.
But this infatuation wasn’t only physical. If it had been, he’d have been able to do something about it.
No, his emotions were involved. So that meant no casual sex. Not that sex with Annie would be casual. Hell, it would be the farthest thing from casual and that mean no sex.
Stupid reasoning, but necessary. He wanted her so much he found himself grinding his teeth because of it. He couldn’t love her and leave her because he wouldn’t be able to leave her.
So just love her.
Not in the cards.
She couldn’t stand him. And she was seeing someone else.
Something of his thoughts must have shown on his
face, because she blinked. And drew back two inches. Even though she stood behind her desk and out of reach.
“No, nothing’s wrong.” He shook his head and sighed. “So, you need me or not?”
Maybe it was his words. Or maybe it was his tone of voice. But an expression he’d never seen on Annie’s face made his gut clench with lust.
She stepped back again and bumped against the file cabinet. “I…I can’t get the bottom drawer unstuck. I need a file for the Jenkins case. Mal needs something researched. I didn’t get to it today, and I knew I was going to be a little late tonight. We’re going to my mother’s for dinner. But Brad’s running late.” She dropped her gaze now. “I thought I’d do a little work.”
He froze, the mention of her current lover making him want to throw something.
Christ, you’re an idiot.
Stepping around the desk, he dropped onto one knee, wincing as his knee cracked, and reached for the drawer. “So, what’s this dinner party for? Your mother buy a new painting she wants to show off?”
She huffed nearly silently. “No, I think she might be celebrating the fact that I’ve had a steady job for more than a month.”
He glanced up and noticed she was closer than she’d been a few seconds ago. Close enough to touch, if he wanted to. And, god, he wanted to.
Her slim legs, covered only to mid-thigh, filled his field of vision.
Then her comment made him frown. “What are you talking about?” he demanded.
She shook her head and looked out the front window. “Nothing. Nothing at all. Can you get that open for me, please?”
No way was he letting her off that easily. “How many jobs have you had in the past few years?”
Without meeting his gaze, she shrugged. “Maybe six.”
He’d known about one of her previous jobs, as the office manager for a downtown lawyer. Her name had been splashed all over the front page of one of the daily rags after the scum lawyer who’d tried to rape Annie had claimed she’d come onto him.
Nic hadn’t been able to keep his mouth shut and had made a late night visit to Jason Carlson’s office. He’d scared the guy pretty good and his father had finished the job with the man’s boss. But Nic had needed a trip out of the country to cool down afterward.