“Let’s see how dinner goes. Bring a pair of shoes you don’t mind losing,” Porter’s father told her as he patted her back. “My wife looks sweet, but remember she was carrying the Acid Gun of Death. We’ll see you tomorrow for Porter’s next ride. We’ll save you a seat.”
Gemma smiled at her next. “Don’t worry about dinner. It’ll be fun. See you tomorrow,” Gemma said as she hugged her.
“Hey, wait. We need a ride home,” Kale called out.
“Your dad is on his way,” Cy said with a little wave.
The room was quiet and Willa heard Kale give a little sniffle as he stared at the puddle of goo that had been his car. “I can’t believe you melted my car.”
Willa snickered and her father farted. The snicker turned into a smothered laugh, then a full-blown belly laugh. She struggled to catch her breath. “When. Your. Dad,” Willa said between breaths. “Kicked in the door and your mom showed up with the brownies. And the car. Oh gosh. I can buy you a new one. Seeing it melt was so awesome.”
“You are a cruel and cold woman. Do you know what a car like that means to a man?”
Willa turned to see Kale’s father standing at the door.
She raised an eyebrow. “Most of the men I know who drive sports cars like that are making up for something. Or they’re cheating on their wives as they go through a midlife crisis.”
Willa saw the surprise on Ahmed’s face and then the lip twitch that told her he was amused. “Neither. I’m the one who likes it fast, hard, and dangerous. You can ask my wife about it if you’re really interested.” Ahmed looked down at her father and then at his son. “Get the baggage, Kale. I promised Nemi some ice cream.”
“Do I get ice cream?” Kale called out as he bent and hefted Brian Aldridge over his shoulder. “My car melted. Ice cream would soothe my broken heart. Oh, and Willa,” he said after calling after his father, “I’m not old enough for a midlife crisis and well, you can use your imagination based on what you can see in my jeans.”
“I already know it’s all about speed for you,” Willa called out. Her mouth was a runaway train. She’d never joked with people like this and certainly not about their penis size. And certainly not with her boyfriend standing there. However, Porter was grinning and the idea that she’d just called him her boyfriend in her mind was enough to make her giddy.
“The faster, the better,” Kale said as he walked out the door.
“Your poor girlfriends,” Willa called out and saw Kale stumble as Porter busted out laughing.
Porter closed the door, still laughing, and Willa felt her heart warm. This was fun. This wasn’t a stuffy relationship all about being a trophy for your partner. The type where you were constantly judged on what you said, how you looked, and how much money you had. This was real and it was great. Acid Gun of Death, farting father, and all.
“I’m so sorry about my dad. Normally he’s so laid back, but this must have really upset him.”
Porter came and wrapped his arms around her. Willa tilted her head up to look into his eyes. “It’s nothing to be sorry about. He’s looking out for you. I understand completely. I also know this is all very sudden. I understand if you want me to take a step back. I can send you back to your bodyguards and protect you from the shadows if that’s what you prefer.”
Greer had pretended to be Willa tonight and taken off with Willa’s bodyguards back to her rental with Tilly in tow before sneaking out the back and leaving Willa’s bodyguards visibly guarding the house. For anyone who was watching, it would appear Willa and Tilly were in Lexington.
“Is that what you want? To take a step back? I know your family is pushing you on our relationship, but I won’t push you.” Even as Willa knew she’d be proud and giddy to call Porter her boyfriend, she wasn’t going to push him. Porter didn’t seem like the type of man who liked to be pushed into something he didn’t want.
“If I wanted a step back, I would have taken it. Instead I moved you into my house. What does that tell you I want?” Porter asked as his eyes told her everything he wanted.
Willa blushed and licked her now dry lips. “Me?”
Porter nodded and a smirk played out on his lips. Lips she wanted to kiss.
“I guess it’s good that I want you, too,” Willa told him. “Even if your mother now hates my father.”
Porter pushed back the hair that had fallen from her ponytail. “No parents here now. It’s just you and me. No matter what our parents want, I know I want you for more than a case.”
Willa’s eyes fell closed as she offered up her lips to Porter. He didn’t hesitate to take them in his as he kissed her slowly and seductively. His hands ran down her spine, over the curve of her hip and up her sides until they cupped her breasts.
Willa gave a little gasp of pleasure and Porter deepened the kiss. His fingers were like magic and Willa found herself melting into him. Her hands rested on his chest and she moved them to yank his shirt free. She had to feel the warmth of his skin against her palms. Only Porter shoved her away, and before Willa knew it, she was flung to the floor and Porter had the rifle in his hand.
“Identify yourself or I’ll shoot!” Porter yelled.
Willa looked up at the rifle and saw a small three-inch screen above the scope. The screen showed through the wall and into the darkness of the night. A greenish-white figure could be seen clear as day and Porter had the person right in his sights.
“Just me, Porter!”
“Me who?” Porter yelled.
“Lucas,” the man yelled back. “Talon is on the other side of the house and Jackson is checking out the woods.”
“Try knocking next time,” Porter yelled as he lowered the rifle and placed it back onto the counter.
“Who are they?” Willa asked.
“Greer’s brother, Jackson, and his FBI hostage team.”
A knock came at the door a second later and Porter answered it. A giant man came through, followed by a skinnier one with a big goofy smile on his face. Lastly, a serious looking man with silver eyes walked in.
“You’ve made the text tree blow up like Kale’s car,” the silver-eyed man said, finally grinning.
Porter smiled and hugged the man. “Couldn’t be the boring cousin,” Porter joked back. “And we all wanted that car melted. Now we’re safe from Kale’s driving for a couple of days.”
The silver-eyed man laughed.
“He’s scarier than Bertha the morning she wakes up after missing a meal,” the skinnier man with the easy smile said with a chuckle.
“Who’s Bertha?” Willa asked.
“She’s my polar bear,” the man said. “I’m Lucas. I’m from northern Alaska and Bertha lives nearby. She’s the strongest, most dangerous predator, but she’s also my cuddleumpkins.”
“You know,” Porter said with a mischievous grin, “my cousins in Shadows Landing have an alligator named Bertha. They say she’s the toughest predator around.”
Lucas’s happy-go-lucky smile fell. “Take that back right now. A little gator has nothing on a polar bear.”
“I don’t know. I’ve seen Bertha the gator in action,” silver eyes said, clearly taunting Lucas.
Lucas narrowed his eyes, opened his mouth to argue, but the mountain of a man stopped him. “Hi, I’m Talon.”
“Willa Aldridge.” Willa held out her hand. “Where are you from? I can’t place your accent.”
“I’m part Australian.”
“Don’t tell my mother I didn’t introduce myself right away,” the silver-eyed man said. “I’m Jackson Parker. My wife is Evie, and she can’t wait to meet you.”
“You’re Greer’s brother. It’s so nice to meet you. All of you. You’re so nice to help me out. I feel horrible putting you in this position,” Willa told them.
“Taking down bad guys is what we do,” Jackson told her.
“It’s more fun than running from Bertha when she’s feeling feisty. That old girl loves to play,” Lucas said, holding up a photo for her to look at. Sur
e enough, there was Lucas wrestling a giant polar bear. “Let’s see a gator do that,” Lucas said smugly.
“Anyway, we’re here to help. You’ll see us out and about, so don’t shoot us. We’ll be at the horse event, too, but we won’t be dressed like this,” Jackson said, motioning to his full military gear. “Piper, one of our cousins, sent these over.” Jackson dropped a backpack and opened it up. He tossed two windbreakers to her and Porter. “Wear them all the time. Sydney put decals for your farm on it. She said it would help you blend in while wearing it.”
“I think she said something along the lines of bulletproof doesn’t mean ugly,” Talon said with a smile.
“Bulletproof?” Willa held up the light jacket.
“This is nanotechnology. This jacket is bulletproof and stab-proof,” Porter said as he looked at the PD Rodeo on the chest. “I like the decal.”
“I know. I had her make FBI ones for us,” Jackson told him. “I know your dad has the farm rigged, but tonight Talon will stay and patrol. Tomorrow Lucas will, then I will.”
“Thank you,” Willa said, feeling overwhelmed. None of these people knew her, but they were all here to help her.
“And Grandma Marcy invited us to family dinner. I can’t wait. I’ve been practicing with the spoon Miles gave me. You’re going down, Porter,” Lucas taunted.
“I have my combat gear,” Talon said. “I’m ready for family dinner.”
Willa swallowed hard. Maybe family dinner really was something to be worried about.
18
“Oh my stars,” Tilly said the second she found Willa at the event. “I’m moving to Keeneston. I have never seen so many hot men in my life.”
Willa hugged her friend and enjoyed a bit of normalcy. Her bodyguards were stationed around and Greer, dressed as her groom, was hanging out near Apollo’s stall.
“I met Greer’s brother and his friends last night. Too bad her brother is already married,” Tilly rattled on.
“I thought you liked Parker,” Willa said, trying to keep up with whomever Tilly was currently lusting after. Ironically, Tilly had less of a social life than Willa did. Neither of them hardly ever dated and when they did, it usually resulted in disaster. Yet they had each other and many pints of ice cream.
Tilly sighed. “I think he thinks I’m goofy. I’m trying to be more outgoing and I just come off as silly.” Tilly had been painfully shy when Willa met her as a child. She was still shy, but recently she’d forced herself to be more outgoing.
Tilly was hilarious, sweet, and good. She devoted all her spare time to charity and helping others. When they got together to hang out, they’d joke about the hot men they’d love to date but never would. Marguerite and Valentina had done a number on Tilly’s self-confidence. She still saw herself as the small shy kid huddled in the corner at the party instead of the confident sexy woman she was when she wasn’t around those bullies.
“I’m sure he doesn’t think you’re silly,” Willa said, trying to reassure her friend.
Tilly shrugged. “They’re all out of my league. You see how hot they are. I’m just me. But it’s fun to look nonetheless.”
“Tilly, you are totally in their league.”
Tilly blushed and then changed the topic. “How did last night go with Porter?”
Willa laughed and filled her friend in on the acid gun, her father’s bad behavior, and the way Porter had kissed her senseless and then held her all night long.
“He didn’t push you to sleep with him?”
“Sleep, yes. Sex, no,” Willa said, sounding disappointed.
“But you would have?” Tilly asked.
Willa didn’t even think about it. “Yes. There’s something there between us. I know it’s soon, but Tilly, he’s the one. Like, no question about it. He’s the one.”
“July second would be the perfect date for a wedding!” Greer called out from the stall. How she’d even heard their conversation was beyond Willa.
“Three weeks from now? We haven’t even gone on a date without someone being killed or made it past some serious making out. I think it’s going to take a little time,” Willa said with a chuckle.
“Not with the men in my family. Once they know, they never veer from the path. They love and love hard. They don’t waste time with proper dates before making a move. I can guarantee Porter is already realizing his feelings for you. If you know yours, then you two will be good to go by the next assassination attempt. Romance and gunfire. How romantic.” Greer smiled to herself and gave a little sigh.
“What about you, Greer?” Tilly asked as they all joined Greer at the stall door. “Do you have a man in your life?”
Greer frowned. “Nope. The men on my team are off limits. In hostage rescue, we have to know we can trust each other completely. I can’t mess that up with dating any of them. Then the rest of the FBI support and the guys I train with on different teams either think I’m a joke or are too intimated to ask me out. It doesn’t help that my brothers have whispered they’ll deal with anyone who hurts me. Do you know I’m twenty-nine years old and my brothers are still intimidating my dates and my dates are falling for it? Unfortunately, it works. I couldn’t date someone who can’t stand up to my family. So that leaves me single.”
Tilly slipped her arm around Greer. “You and me both. We’ll just ogle them from a distance.”
Greer laughed and Willa had a feeling there was a lot going on under Greer’s no-nonsense exterior. “Let’s go watch Porter,” Greer said to the group and they took off with the bodyguards surrounding them. Although Willa was pretty sure the most dangerous person around was the pretty woman laughing next to her.
Willa had cheered for Porter along with what appeared to be the entire population of Keeneston. Porter exited the ring and easily swung off the back of Miss Trix. He leaned forward and kissed Willa, using the brim of his cowboy hat to give them a smidge of privacy.
“I missed you,” Porter whispered.
“We were only apart for thirty minutes,” Willa said with a little laugh.
“That was enough. I was thinking, how about we try that date thing again? We can go to the Blossom Café tonight if you want.”
Porter smiled down at her and Willa nodded. “I’d love to.”
Porter got ready for his date in the guest room while Willa got ready in his room. Last night he hadn’t wanted to let her out of his sight so he’d brought her back to his room. They’d lain in bed together all night. They’d kissed and talked until he curled her into him and they’d drifted off to sleep.
Waking with Willa in his arms was the best feeling he’d ever experienced. He was falling and falling hard for her. Now he had the chance to have a date with her without someone trying to kill them.
There was a knock on the front door and he rushed to answer it as he buttoned his shirt. Porter answered it with his gun in hand.
“Mr. Aldridge.”
Willa’s father was staring at Porter’s half-buttoned shirt. Behind Brian was Ahmed, leaning against the SUV. Ahmed smirked as if he were expecting a bloodbath. He should know better. Porter wouldn’t beat up Willa’s father and he was certain Brian Aldridge had probably never thrown a punch in his life.
“Am I interrupting?” The meaning of Brian’s question was clear.
Porter shook his head as he invited him in. “Just getting dressed for dinner. We’re going to the Blossom Café. Would you like to join us?”
Mr. Aldridge looked back toward the bedrooms.
“We got dressed in separate bedrooms,” Porter told him. They hadn’t slept in those separate rooms, but he didn’t feel the need to tell Willa’s father that.
“Willa is an adult.” Mr. Aldridge took a deep breath but looked relieved nonetheless. “I’m sorry about my behavior last night. I’ve already apologized to your parents. I can only justify myself for being worried for my daughter’s safety. I’ve lost her mother. I can’t lose her, too.”
“I understand, sir.”
Brian Aldrid
ge dropped onto a living room chair, set his elbows on his knees, and ran his hand over his head. “Kale and I worked all day today and haven’t gotten anywhere with The Panther. Until his money and intelligence sources are turned off he’s a constant threat to us. It’s almost enough for me to end the encryption program all together.”
“Kale is the smartest man I know. He’ll figure something out. Until then, Willa is safe here. I promise.”
“I know, but you shouldn’t have to promise. You’re a young man with his own life and we’ve come in here and messed it all up.”
Porter could tell him not to worry about it. He could tell him meeting Willa was the best thing to have happened to him. He could have told him all this and more. However, the stress lines on Brian’s face told him right now wasn’t the time. He wouldn’t be able to hear it.
“You just focus on what you do best and I’ll focus on keeping Willa safe. We’ll attack this together from two separate sides. The whole town is here to support you both,” Porter told him.
Brian nodded and stood slowly up. “Again, I’m sorry I said those things about you last night. I didn’t mean them. You seem like a good man.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Brian let out a sigh and turned to look out the open front door. “That man scares me. This morning he was walking around with a dog in a baby sling and then threw a knife at his son-in-law’s balls when they came over for breakfast.”
Porter chuckled because he’d seen both things happen. “Ahmed Mueez is a living legend in military circles around the globe. His son-in-law is my cousin Dylan, who is almost as talented as Ahmed. Pair him with Ahmed’s daughter, Abby, and you’re at the safest breakfast table in the world. The knife thing is how they bond.”
“Bond? I always wanted a son-in-law I could play chess with, not try to murder.”
“It’s more of a flinch game between Ahmed and Dylan. They try to see if they can get the other to flinch as they throw knives. If they wanted each other dead, it would be done, the body would be gone, and they would be back eating their breakfast before you could blink.”
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