Golden Girl (COBRA Security Book 16)

by Velvet Vaughn

  Clark caught up with her. “Hey, can we talk? I’ve tried to contact you, but you haven’t answered my calls or texts.”

  She didn’t want to tell him that her parents wouldn’t let her see him. That would make her sound like too much of a baby. Though it pained her to do so, she said, “I almost died because you kept making me drink, Clark. I don’t have anything to say to you.”

  “Aurora, wait.” He grabbed her arm before she could walk away and turned her to face him. “I’m so sorry. I take complete responsibility. I was showing off for my friends and you ended up getting hurt.”

  “How were you showing off?”

  “By arriving with the hottest girl in the city.”

  “Oh.” Aurora’s stomach flipped at the words. He thought she was hot? A lowly freshman?

  “I don’t deserve it, but will you at least let me buy you an ice cream cone from the place down the street. I hear it’s the best in town.”

  “It is,” she said absently, still caught up on the fact that he thought she was hot. She might be making a mistake, but she agreed to going with him. “Let me tell Mrs. Teller that I don’t need a ride home.”

  She hurried over to where Joni’s mom waited for the girls to arrive. She told her that she didn’t need a ride and Mrs. Teller waved in acknowledgement.

  As she headed back to Clark, she realized her breathing had sped up so fast, she was lightheaded. She didn’t want to pass out in front of him again, so she concentrated on inhaling and exhaling slowly.

  “I had to park down the street, so I’ll give you a ride home when we’re finished.”

  “Okay.”

  They ate their treats at a wrought iron table inside the shop. Clark paid for hers, making it feel like a real date. They talked and laughed and before she knew it, an hour had passed. She jumped to her feet, determined to keep her commitment to train. She wanted to get several laps in before Peyton returned in the early evening for her practice session. “I need to get home.”

  “No problem. Thanks for letting me apologize.”

  She smiled at him. “Thanks for apologizing.”

  Once they exited the shop, Clark led her in the opposite direction of the school. They waited until the road was clear before they crossed.

  Suddenly tires squealed and Aurora whirled around to see a dark car speeding directly at her. She froze—the proverbial deer in the headlights she’d always heard about—unable to move.

  “Aurora, look out!”

  Clark grabbed her and jerked her out of the way. They hit the ground just as the car brushed by so close, she felt the heat of the exhaust against her face. Pain shot up her arms where she’d tried to brace herself for the fall. Her hands felt scratched raw. But she was alive.

  Clark Madden had saved her life.

  #

  It was late afternoon before Peyton and the Addison brothers arrived at the hospital to check on Declan. Eric had texted Noah to let them know they’d moved him to a different room in the intensive care unit. Noah drove to a side door and dropped her and Ethan off before parking in a small lot away from the main entrance. When he caught up with them, they headed to the elevator.

  “Peyton?”

  She turned, surprised to see Mark Hixon standing behind her. “Mark, what are you doing here?” Noah had moved closer to her on one side, Ethan the other. It felt like she was squished between two very tall, very handsome trees.

  A muscle above Mark’s right eye twitched. “My sister is a nurse on the sixth floor. Why are you here?” His eyes roved over her looking for any signs of trauma, she assumed. She almost remarked that her boobs were just fine, and he could stop staring at them, but she held her tongue.

  “Just visiting.”

  “Anyone I know?”

  The elevator dinged. “I doubt it. Good to see you. Take care.” She turned to board the lift, but he followed close behind, jostling her as he squeezed between another couple already on board.

  “You haven’t returned any of my calls or texts,” he leaned close to whisper.

  She could practically feel Noah vibrating with tension. She knew he was itching to say something to Mark, either with his mouth or his fists, she wasn’t sure which one. “I’m sorry, Mark. Truly. But I told you that I’d be very busy this week.”

  “Too busy to check in with a friend to let them know you’re okay?” he accused.

  Now she felt bad. She never meant to hurt his feelings and didn’t want to do so now, but she’d told him repeatedly that she didn’t have time to date. She didn’t doubt that Noah’s arrival had fostered his hostility.

  The elevator bumped to a stop and the doors slid open. Noah and Ethan swept her outside. She barely had a chance to offer a goodbye wave to Mark as the doors swished shut on his hostile face.

  “That was too coincidental,” Noah muttered. “I don’t buy the sister angle.”

  “Hixon is his last name?” Ethan asked. At her nod of confirmation, he said, “I’ll find out.” Then he spun around and headed in the opposite direction. She had no doubt he’d be able to charm the information from one of the nurses eager to please him.

  They reached Declan’s room and Peyton eased the door open with Noah behind her. The room was dim, the only lights coming from the monitors beside Declan’s bed and a floor lamp behind the chair where Eric was reading a book. He closed it and stood when they entered.

  Declan looked even paler than yesterday. Yogi was still tucked against his side.

  “Any change?” Noah asked.

  Eric lifted a shoulder. “His vitals are improving. If he keeps getting better, they’ll slowly bring him out of the medically induced coma in the next few days. Then we’ll find out if there’s any permanent damage.”

  “Have you been here the whole time?” Peyton asked.

  “Yeah. I’ve caught sleep here and there. I don’t want him to wake up alone.”

  “We’ll stay with him if you want to run home and change or if you need to take care of anything,” Noah offered.

  “Thanks, but I’m not leaving him.”

  “Understood,” Noah said softly. Peyton had the feeling he was thinking he’d do the same if it was Ethan.

  A nurse came in to check on Declan, so they stepped in the hall. “If you won’t leave, can we bring you anything?” Peyton asked. “Food, clothes?”

  “You guys are very nice. I’m good, but I’ll let you know if I think of anything.”

  Ethan returned and after they chatted with Eric for a few more minutes, they headed to the elevator. Once they were inside, Ethan said, “Hixon’s story checks out. He does have a nurse sister and she’s on shift today.”

  The door slid open and two doctors deep in conversation stepped aboard. Noah waited until they were walking to the exit before he spoke. “It’s still too coincidental that he showed up at the same time Peyton was here.”

  Peyton started to agree when she glanced over to see a man rushing inside with a woman in his arms.

  “Oh my God.” She took off running.

  “Peyton, wait,” Noah made a swipe for her but missed. “Where are you going?” He hurried to catch up with her.

  “Stop!”

  The man grinded to a halt and turned around. What the hell was Clark Madden doing with Aurora in his arms?

  “You can put me down, Clark,” Aurora said.

  “You sure?” His voice was filled with concern.

  “I’m okay.”

  He eased her to her feet, and she took two steps forward and threw her arms around Peyton, sobs wracking her body.

  Panic started to build. Did something happen to Henry or Avery Benton? “Aurora, what’s wrong?”

  Aurora stepped back and wiped the tears from her eyes. “S-someone just tried to kill me!”

  Peyton gasped and would’ve hit the floor when her knees gave out if Noah hadn’t clamped his hands around her arms to steady her.

  “What happened?” Noah demanded.

  Aurora sent a shy glance at Clark, who
hadn’t moved from her side. “Clark wanted to apologize for the party on Saturday night. He’s sorry, he really is.” Aurora’s pleading glance begged Peyton to absolve him, but she wasn’t so forgiving. When Peyton didn’t respond, Aurora flicked another look at Clark and then continued. “We went for ice cream after school and then he was going to drive me home so I’d be back in time for practice. We started to cross the street when out of nowhere a car came speeding right at me. If Clark hadn’t pushed me out of the way, I would’ve been run over.”

  Peyton’s heart pounded like a bongo drum. Had the person out to get her targeted Aurora?

  “Someone intentionally tried to run you down?” Noah questioned.

  Aurora’s brows dipped and she glanced at Clark again, who shook his head.

  “I don’t think it was on purpose. I caught a glimpse of the driver and it was a kid texting. I didn’t get a chance to get the license number because I was too worried about Aurora’s safety.”

  Relief that it wasn’t intentional made Peyton relax. It wasn’t the work of her stalker. She studied Clark for any signs of deceit, but he seemed sincere. He looked as if he truly cared about Aurora. He was still too old for her and he’d plied her with enough alcohol to hospitalize her, but Peyton had to admit she might’ve misjudged him a tiny—and she meant tiny—bit.

  Aurora’s yellow top sported a smear of red. “Are you bleeding?”

  The girl held out her hands. “Just scrapes.”

  “You need to get checked out.” She led Aurora to the admissions desk and signed her in. “Have you contacted your parents?”

  “My mom’s on her way.”

  A nurse called Aurora’s name and took her back to be examined.

  “Ms. Durant?” Clark stood in front of her, looking pensive and unsure. “Can I speak with you alone a minute?”

  She glanced at Noah and then said, “Okay.”

  She crossed the waiting room to a group of chairs against the wall. When they were seated, he said, “Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I really care about Aurora.” He held up a hand to stop her objection. “Not romantically. I know she’s too young, but I still want to be her friend.”

  “Listen, Clark, I appreciate what you did for her today, but I can’t help but feel you’re a bad influence.” She almost said too mature for Aurora but that certainly wasn’t the case.

  He appeared contrite. “I know the party was a huge mistake on my part. I shouldn’t have taken her or given her anything to drink.”

  “You shouldn’t be drinking either,” she scolded. He wasn’t legal for three more years.

  He gave her a look that she interpreted to mean yeah, right. Or maybe, mind your business, old lady.

  “Aurora’s parents hate me.” When she didn’t contradict him, he stood with a sigh. “I should go before they get here. One last thing, Aurora respects you and I guess I wanted you to respect me.”

  She couldn’t say the words because she didn’t. It’d be a lie. Though he was technically an adult at eighteen, he was still young and impulsive, and he made bad decisions. Despite his heroic deed today, his youthful indiscretion on Saturday night almost killed Aurora. When she stayed silent, he nodded with grim acceptance. “Okay then. See you around.”

  Peyton watched him leave, his cocky swagger in full effect. She really didn’t like the guy. She walked to where Noah and Ethan were waiting for her.

  “What did he want?” Noah asked.

  “I’m not really sure. I think he wanted me to put in a good word with her parents.” Her brows dipped. “Do you think someone almost running over Aurora had anything to do with me?”

  “Going by what the kid said, I don’t think so,” Ethan said.

  “I don’t either,” Noah agreed. “It was close to the school, so a kid texting is a plausible explanation.”

  She exhaled. “Good.” That lifted a huge weight off her shoulders.

  The entry doors swished open and Aurora’s mom came rushing inside. She did a double take when she spotted Peyton and hurried over. “Did you bring Aurora here again?”

  “No, I was visiting a friend when she arrived.”

  “Who brought her?”

  “Her friend Clark Madden.”

  Avery Benton’s jaw clenched. “I forbade her to ever see him again.” She shook her head. “Do you know what happened?”

  “Apparently Clark wanted to apologize for getting her drunk Saturday. He took her for ice cream and when they were crossing the street to his car, a distracted driver headed towards her. Clark saved her from getting hit.”

  “Oh my God.” Avery slapped a hand against her chest and dropped into a chair. “I’m going to have to keep her home twenty-four seven. She’ll never leave the house again.” She blinked up at Peyton. “Was she hurt?”

  “Just scrapes.”

  Avery jumped to her feet. “I need to see her.”

  “They took her back about five minutes ago.”

  “Thank you.” She rushed for the admissions desk and the nurse took her back.

  A few minutes later, Peyton’s phone chimed a text. She knew it was from Aurora before she checked since she was the only one with the number. “Aurora says she’s fine and they’re letting her go. She plans on practicing tonight.” She dropped the phone in her purse. “I guess we can go since we need to make the car switch.”

  “And get some chow,” Ethan added, rubbing his flat stomach. “Growing boys need to eat.”

  #

  Though Aurora was sore from her earlier encounter with the pavement, she practiced hard and her times were good. She’d need to do well on Friday evening in order to advance directly to the finals on Sunday. If she faltered, she’d still have a chance to make it to the finals, but it was a longer road with more competition on Saturday.

  Peyton ended practice so Aurora could do her homework, but the girl didn’t want to leave the water. Maybe she truly had developed the determination and fortitude to succeed. Peyton hoped so, because she had unlimited potential.

  With Aurora swimming laps, Peyton walked to where Noah was lounging in a chair, keeping an eye out for any trouble. Ethan was doing the same at the front gate.

  “Rico finally left,” he said as he came to his feet as gracefully as a jungle cat.

  When they arrived, Rico was cleaning the pool and the surrounding deck. He hastily gathered his equipment and scurried away. She was sure Noah’s presence had something to do with his abrupt departure.

  “We’re not going to get him in trouble, remember?”

  “Until he’s cleared, he’s a person of interest and I make no promises.”

  She sighed but silently appreciated his vigilance. He would keep her safe.

  Each Tuesday, the landscaping crew worked late into the afternoon. Rico’s coworkers had been busy tending to the yard when they arrived, including Stanley, who winked when she inadvertently made eye contact. There was something about him that made her nervous. They were gone now, so the area around the house was quiet as they made their way to the vehicle where Ethan waited for them.

  Peyton buckled her belt and picked up her purse to slide her iPad inside. She froze when her hand connected with something foreign. She knew what it was without looking.

  “Ethan, did you see anyone around the SUV?”

  Alerted to the tone in her voice, he twisted in the seat to face her. “No, but I was focused on traffic. Why?”

  She withdrew the envelope and shoved it through the opening between the front seats. Noah cursed and took it from her hand. Digging through the center console, he found a latex glove and snapped it on.

  “There won’t be any fingerprints,” Peyton assured him. “There haven’t been on the others.”

  “Perps get careless. All it takes is one stray print. It might be the break we needed to solve the case.” He ripped the flap and tipped the medal into his hand.

  Peyton craned her neck to see over his shoulder. “What does it say?”

  He turned the g
old disk over. “Someone.”

  “For every medal you won someone,” Ethan said, reciting the words from the other notes.

  “Someone will what,” she growled in frustration. She was so tired of the ridiculous cryptic messages. “What are they trying to say, dammit? Just come out with it.”

  Noah ignored her angry outburst. “When was the last time you looked inside your purse?”

  She ran through the events of the day. “I think it was when we left the house for the hospital. I needed my sunglasses, so I’m positive it wasn’t in there this morning. I kept my phone in my pocket.”

  “So sometime between the hospital and right now, it was slipped in your bag.”

  “Could’ve been any member of the landscaping crew,” Ethan mused. “I checked on them periodically, but I couldn’t see the SUV from where I was sitting.”

  Noah slapped a hand against his leg. “Son of a bitch.”

  “What?”

  “Remember who we ran into at the hospital?”

  Realization dawned and Peyton fell back against the seat. Mark Hixon. He’d even jostled her, using the excuse that the elevator was crowded. It could’ve been a ploy to drop the envelope in her bag. Was it possible that Mark was her stalker?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ethan wondered what the fetching Esme Jovanovich was doing right now. He thought about texting her but decided to wait until he returned home. He just hoped she didn’t forget him. He knew he’d never be able to forget her. She dominated his thoughts, especially at night when he tried to sleep. Or random times throughout the day. Her image was burned into his brain.

  He hoped she’d call or text to let him know she made it home, or to just check in, but his phone stayed depressingly silent. Had he imagined the connection? He didn’t think so, but she had his insides twisted in knots. Usually when he saw a woman he wanted, he went for it, no hemming or hawing. He wasn’t shy and he’d been accused of having an overabundance of confidence by more than one woman. So why did this one reduce him to a bumbling teenager asking the prom queen for a date?