Golden Girl (COBRA Security Book 16)

by Velvet Vaughn

  Maggie sighed audibly. “Thank you so much, Peyton. You’ve calmed my nerves. I was about to jump in my car and head to Chicago. I knew if I called either one, they’d swear they were perfectly fine even if one limb dangled from a tendon. Can’t trust ‘em. Big, dumb, macho idiots.”

  Peyton chuckled, since that’s what they both did to her, too.

  Maggie’s voice was muffled when she said, “Oh hush, Carter, I am not bothering her. I know what you told me, but I don’t believe you, either. Go away.” Then clearly, “Am I bothering you, Peyton?”

  “Absolutely not. I have a hard-headed brother, too, so I know what you’re feeling. He won’t tell me when he’s hurting, either.”

  “That would be Owen, Noah’s teammate. I know Noah’s been trying to talk him into joining our company.”

  “He told me, and I really hope Owen takes him up on it. It’s hell worrying about him in war zones.”

  “Tell me about it,” Maggie commiserated. “My worry was times two, since they were both SEALs.”

  Peyton hadn’t thought about that. Maggie’s worries were doubled. It was hard enough for Peyton to worry about one brother, she couldn’t imagine having double the burden.

  Maggie’s voice softened. “How are you doing, Peyton? I don’t really know what’s going on other than you’ve received disturbing notes.”

  “I’m okay. I just wish whoever it was would stop.”

  “I know I’m extremely biased, but you have the absolute best protection there is. Even banged up, my brothers will watch out for you and keep you safe.”

  “I believe you.” It was so easy to talk to Maggie, she found herself telling her everything, including her fears of trying to make another Olympics and failing. They chatted for over two hours when Peyton glanced at the clock. “Oh my gosh, Maggie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize it was so late.”

  Maggie gasped. “Me, either. I kept ignoring my husband pointing to his watch and miming for me to hang up. He finally threw his hands in the air and went to bed.”

  Peyton chuckled. “Thanks for letting me unload on you.”

  “Anytime and I hope we’ll get to meet soon.”

  “I hope so, too.”

  After she disconnected with a promise to let Maggie know if either of her brothers got so much as a hangnail, she jumped in the shower and then made her rounds to check on the patients. She started with Ethan, having to call his name three times, her voice rising with each successive try. She resorted to shaking him and was on the verge of panic when his blue eyes snapped open, instantly alert. He relaxed when he saw it was her.

  “I’m alive,” he murmured.

  “Well, wake up faster next time.” Her heart was still hammering.

  His lips curved without opening his eyes. “You could try kissing me next time. That’d wake me right up.”

  “A slap to the face or punch to the gut would do the same thing.”

  His grin widened, showcasing dimples. “Bloodthirsty. I like it.”

  Her lips twitched. “Sweet dreams. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

  She smiled at his groan and flipped off the light. Her heart picked up speed as she entered Noah’s room. She could make out his form on the bed from the light filtering in through the many windows. He was lying on his back with the sheet pooled around his waist to reveal his chest—his naked, ripped, perfect chest.

  She tiptoed closer and then rolled her eyes at herself. The idea was to wake him up, not sneak up on him. His lids popped open before she reached him, and she couldn’t fight the pull to move closer until she was practically in bed with him. One tug of her hand and she was.

  “Noah, you’re hurt. We can’t—”

  He tossed the sheet over her and tucked her against his chest. “Shh. Just want to hold you.”

  “Okay, but only a minute. You need rest.”

  #

  Noah woke with his nose buried in Peyton’s hair, her body spooned against his, and his hand resting on her smooth stomach, pressing her close. His lower body was primed and ready to go. He was sore and ached in a few places, including a dull throb in his head, but nothing he couldn’t handle. He brushed the yellow strands aside and nuzzled her neck.

  She hummed, tipping her head for better access without opening her eyes. He accepted the invitation and traced a path towards her collarbone.

  Her eyes popped open. “Ethan!”

  “Uh, no. Noah.” He jerked upright. “What are you doing calling out my brother’s name?”

  She ignored him to scramble out of bed, her feet tangling in the sheets. He wanted to help her, he really did, but hearing Ethan’s name uttered from her lips while he was touching her was as effective as a bucket of ice-cold water. He did reach out to grab her before she took a header off the bed.

  She turned panicked eyes on him. “I was supposed to wake him every two hours. I had to call his name three times. What time is…” She groaned. “I slept for hours!” She pointed at him as she slid on a pair of flip-flops. “This is all your fault for being all sexy and strong and irresistible. I never should’ve climbed into bed with you.”

  He couldn’t help the cocky grin. She thought he was sexy? Irresistible? Then her earlier words penetrated. “Wait, what about calling his name?”

  “He didn’t wake up right away! It took me three tries and I had to—”

  Noah was out of bed and down the hall before she finished the sentence. He burst into the room like a freight train, the door slamming so hard against the wall, he was sure it’d leave a dent. Ethan spun around, his hand automatically reaching for his non-existent weapon, before he slapped a hand against his chest and groaned.

  “Damn, brother, that’s a pretty rude way to enter a room. A sore noggin and a couple of cracked ribs wasn’t enough for you? You wanted to give me a heart attack, too? Sheesh, I was just going to the bathroom.”

  Noah’s shoulders relaxed. Peyton crashed into him and then shoved around him.

  “Ethan, thank God,” she sighed.

  “What’s your problem with clothes?” Noah grumbled. At least this time, Ethan wore a pair of black boxer-briefs.

  “Those in glass houses,” he motioned to Noah’s attire, or lack thereof as he was only wearing black boxer briefs, too, “who spend the night cuddled together, forgetting about the other poor injured party,” Ethan motioned between the two of them, “should not cast stones.”

  Peyton’s face flamed red. “How—”

  “Did I know that you slept together? I was a good brother and went to check on him during the night. When I saw you two snug as bugs in a rug, I figured if he’s up to a little canoodling, he must be just fine.”

  Noah gritted his teeth. “Nothing happened and I’m the good brother, dammit. I saved your life last night. And what the hell? Canoodling? Who talks like that?”

  “Ethan, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault.”

  Ethan’s smirk disappeared instantly. “Oh no, I wasn’t blaming you, Peyton. I was just giving my big brother a hard time. I didn’t mean it.” Then he wrapped his arms around her for a hug, which Noah quickly broke up and shoved Ethan towards the bathroom. “Put on some damn clothes.”

  Ethan’s chuckle as he sauntered away eased Noah’s worry. He felt guilty for not checking on his brother during the night, but he’d slept like the dead with Peyton curled against him. Yet another reason he should’ve never gotten involved with her. What if Ethan’s concussion had been worse than they thought?

  “Do you think he’s upset?” Peyton fretted as they left his room. “I feel guilty.”

  “That was his intent, but with me, not you. He’s not upset. Ethan rarely gets upset. He’s pretty laid back and easy-going.”

  “Still, I should’ve checked on him.”

  “We’d have seen signs last night if he was in bad shape and we both would’ve kept an eye on him.” He firmly believed that. “It’s on me, too.”

  She stopped by a room down the hall from the one he was using. “I’m goi
ng to shower and change. You should give your sister a call.”

  “Maggie? Why?”

  “She worries about you…Nature Rain.”

  Noah’s chin hit his chest with a groan. “You talked to her.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Sure did and she’s pretty mad at both you and Earth Replenish.”

  His sister had such a big mouth. “Fine, I’ll call her,” he grumbled.

  “Tell her I said hi.” The smile she flashed before she disappeared behind the door had him clutching at his heart much the same way Ethan had a few moments ago. He was in trouble. Deep trouble. He was falling hard for Peyton Durant. The golden girl.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Peyton made it on time—barely—for Aurora’s morning swim practice. They’d gone through the ruse of switching cars, but thankfully the garage Noah’s office manager found wasn’t too far away. She was surprised to see the girl already in the water swimming warm-up laps. That was a first. Usually Aurora dragged herself to the pool with less than a minute to spare, moving like an arthritic octogenarian. Today’s session went smoothly, with Aurora doing everything Peyton asked of her without complaining once. Another first. Maybe she truly was committed to getting better.

  “That guy stopped by to see you again,” Aurora said as she toweled off.

  “What guy?”

  “Kinda tall, brown hair. I can’t remember his name. Matt, Mike…”

  “Mark?”

  “That’s it. Mark. He wanted to know how to get in touch with you and he was adamant that I tell him. He said you weren’t returning his messages and he was worried.”

  She hadn’t returned messages because she didn’t have her phone anymore. Plus, she’d made it clear that there was nothing between them.

  “He made me uneasy, so I told him that you were fine, but I didn’t know how to get in touch with you and I didn’t know when you’d be here since you were leaving soon. I figured the white lie was okay since it’s sort of true.”

  “That was good. Thanks, Aurora. I appreciate it. Mark’s harmless,” she hoped, “but he doesn’t know how to take no for an answer.”

  Aurora sent her a sly glance. “The other guy’s cuter anyway.”

  “What other guy?” she asked, though she already knew the answer.

  “Noah, the one who carried me out of the house, according to Julia, who couldn’t stop gushing about his muscles. He’s a total McDreamy.”

  Ah, teen-speak. You had to love it. Rico arrived to clean the pool, saving Peyton from blurting out her undying love for Noah Addison. It was becoming harder and harder to keep her feelings leashed.

  Grabbing her iPad, she passed Rico as she followed Aurora from the pool. Peyton acknowledged him but didn’t speak, nor did he, but then, he rarely did. He was so meek and shy. He didn’t strike her as the one leaving the messages.

  Noah drove this time, refusing to even discuss it. He wound through so many side and back streets even their own shadows wouldn’t be able to stay with them. Once they switched vehicles, they headed back to the house. Noah had some information on the names she’d given him of possible perpetrators. He waited until they were inside and seated at a table before telling her that Earla Yount had passed away from a drug overdose. That made Peyton sad. The woman had talent until she started stealing other designers’ work.

  “Did you know Sarah Sanderson coaches at a nearby high school?”

  Peyton’s brows lifted. “No. I completely lost track of her years ago.”

  “She’s married and has a stepdaughter on her team.”

  “It sounds like she’s doing well. Her beef with me was so long ago, I can’t see her being responsible.”

  “But proximity keeps her on the list. She could easily drive here to leave the messages.” He scanned his email, his jaw firming. “Curtis Milburn has disappeared.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He hasn’t shown up for any of his court-appointed counseling sessions that were required for his release. We’ve tried to track him down but keep running into dead ends.”

  “I don’t think he’s the culprit either. He hasn’t contacted me in years. I’m pretty sure he lost interest as I aged.”

  “His disappearing act keeps him on the list.” He was quiet for a minute while he read a message. “We ran the backgrounds of the men working for the lawncare crew. Two are red flagged, including Rico Pena. He’s here illegally from El Salvador.”

  “What would he gain from harassing me?”

  “Maybe medals are the way to a woman’s heart in El Salvador,” Ethan quipped. “He could be looking for a bride to keep him in the States.”

  Noah shot Ethan a scathing look. Ethan shrugged. “Could happen.”

  “I don’t want to accuse Rico of anything unless we’re completely sure,” Peyton insisted, drawing their attention back to her. “I don’t want him to get shipped home if he’s innocent. He probably needs the job to feed his family back home.”

  Noah made a noise that could mean anything from, I agree with you, to I’ve got ICE on standby, ready to round him up and ship him back to Central America.

  “The other name that caught our attention is Stanley Pruitt. He was arrested for harassing a woman who lived in his building. Instead of pressing charges, she moved away, so he was never charged with a crime.”

  Peyton gasped and Noah’s gaze sharpened. “You know him.”

  “Not really. A few days ago, I was running late for a meeting and noticed I had a flat tire. Stanley showed up and offered to fix it for me. I agreed to his help, even though he makes me uncomfortable. Fortunately, Mr. Benton arrived home, so I didn’t have to speak with him for long. Mr. Benton suggested that I stop by an auto shop to have the tire looked at, which I did. I was told there was no reason for the flat, no nail or puncture of any kind. The mechanic said someone purposefully let the air out.”

  “You think Stanley did it?” Ethan asked.

  “I don’t know but he seemed to be watching me. He might’ve been waiting for the opportunity to swoop in and save the day.”

  Noah’s jaw tightened. “Stanley Pruitt just shot to the top of the suspect list.”

  #

  For once, Aurora Benton was anxious to get home to practice. Peyton would only be her coach for a few more days and she wanted to make the most of it. Actually, she wanted to convince Peyton she was serious so she’d stay.

  Aurora knew she hadn’t really been applying herself before. But she was in high school now and her friends were all doing stuff together after school and on the weekends. If Aurora kept skipping out to practice, they’d eventually quit inviting her and then she’d have no friends at all. High school would be four long, lonely years.

  She’d known who Peyton Durant was when her parents hired her as her coach. Who didn’t? Her face was all over promoting everything, it seemed. But Aurora had never watched her in the Olympics. When her parents brought her home from her super-embarrassing drinking binge for which she’d been grounded until she was thirty, her mother gently encouraged her to watch YouTube videos of Peyton’s events. Aurora had played the videos and wow, she’d been in awe. Peyton was incredible! In some of the races, there wasn’t another swimmer even close. Her entries into the water were quick and efficient, her turns were clean, and her technique was flawless. With each medal Peyton won, Aurora’s own drive to succeed had strengthened to the point where all she wanted to do now was swim. And win. It was a defining moment.

  She’d taken the first steps this morning, getting up earlier than usual so she’d beat Peyton to the pool. It’d been hard to drag herself out of bed, but hopefully she’d be able to convince Peyton of her sincerity.

  Aurora headed to the parking lot after her high school swim practice. Her mom shared carpool duties with Joni and Becky’s moms and today Joni’s mom was picking them up. Joni was a cheerleader and they practiced after school, too, as did Becky who twirled in the marching band. They all usually finished around the same time, but she hadn�
��t seen either girl yet.

  She’d just pushed through the door when someone called her name. She turned to see Clark Madden shove off from the side of the building and head her way. Her heart fluttered as it did every time she saw him. He went to a different school and she’d been so flattered when he started talking to her at the mall a couple of weeks ago. She’d been shopping with her friend Julia when Clark and his friend Richie approached them. When she learned they were seniors, she thought he’d run the other direction when they discovered she and Julia were mere freshmen. But they didn’t. Then she thought that maybe Peyton had scared them off when she made them leave the other day, but Clark kept calling. Then came the party Saturday night.

  Aurora had been so excited to attend her first senior party. She and Julia had spent hours on their hair and makeup. They’d even shopped for new outfits to wear. Though Clark hadn’t tried to kiss her yet, she hoped he would at the party. Her first kiss!

  She’d been so nervous walking up the sidewalk to the house. Loud music was already playing and there were several people milling about that she’d never met. Once they got inside, Clark handed her a plastic cup filled with beer. She’d never tasted one before, but she wanted to look sophisticated in front of Clark. She almost choked on her first taste. It was so bitter! Clark guzzled his like it was water. She wanted him to see her as grown up, so she’d gritted her teeth and drank more…and more…and more. So much that she didn’t remember most of the evening. She thought she might’ve thrown up at one point, but her mind was blank. If Julia hadn’t called Peyton, the doctors told Aurora’s parents that she would’ve died. That had been a rude awakening. She never realized you could die just from drinking too much alcohol.

  If there was one positive from the evening, it was that she never wanted to drink another beer in her life. Ever.

  When her parents found out she’d attended the party with Clark and Richie, they forbid her to see them again. At the time she wanted to argue, but then she’d had her swimming epiphany and she decided they were right. He was a bad influence. Her mind might be on board, but her heart was still hung up on him.