“Why don’t you spend the night, Finn. You’ve been through an ordeal, and you don’t want the media hounding you.”
That was true. He was tired of the ever-present reporters and camera crews camped outside his house since Nina’s disappearance and death. He’d like a word with whoever leaked his address. He was betting it was Kip, hoping to collect more exposure for the Punishers. But there was no way he was spending the night at the owner’s mansion when he barely knew her. He had a feeling she didn’t plan on letting him sleep alone.
Imagine if he slept with her and things went sideways. He’d end up playing in Siberia or somewhere equally unappealing. He didn’t know if Georgiana was on the lookout for husband number whatever, but he had no desire to find out. His career afforded him the opportunity to make significant money—enough that he’d never have to work again if he chose. But he was nowhere in the league of Broderick Westfield’s billions. If Georgiana set her sights on him, she was slumming it.
“Thanks, but I need to get home.”
She made a noise that he couldn’t interpret as she leaned forward to retrieve a bottle of champagne from a chilled bucket and two glasses. They’d just buried Nina. He certainly didn’t feel like celebrating. She had no such qualms as she expertly poured both glasses, placed the bottle down, and handed him one. He accepted it to be polite, but he had no desire to drink the bubbly. She tapped her glass to his.
“Here’s to a successful negotiation next week.”
He didn’t know what to make of the toast. Maybe it was innocent, but he had the feeling she was issuing a subtle threat. Do what she wanted tonight, or he wouldn’t get what he wanted at the negotiation table. There was no way he’d sleep with her for a better contract. He’d walk first. Pittsburgh gave him his start and had been good to him for the past ten years. He loved the fans and most of his teammates, but if she expected him to prostitute himself for her, she had a rude awakening coming.
“You know, most people think I married Broderick for his wealth, but I didn’t. I had plenty of capital of my own coming into the marriage. That’s why he didn’t insist on a prenup.”
Finn had heard the rumors. She’d taken everything from his children: money, house, the hockey franchise. If she didn’t need the cash, you’d have thought she’d have shared the wealth.
“You’re not drinking, Finn,” she chastised as she refilled her glass.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling well. Raincheck for tonight. I’ll have Shawn take me home.”
She waved his statement away. “Nonsense. I’ve got plenty of room. I can take care of you just fine.”
Pangs of unease battered his stomach. Would she kidnap him? Gates opened, and they were motoring up the driveway to the impressive sprawling estate. The driver eased to a stop beside a soaring set of steps that led to the entry. Finn opened the door and wanted to make a run for it, but manners drilled into him by his mother had him turning to assist Georgiana. He studiously avoided looking at the provocative poses she struck as he helped her out.
“Come on in, darling. I’ll take care of you,” she purred.
“Thanks, but I’ll wait for Shawn.” His agent had been right behind them. Why wasn’t he driving up the road now?
“He was probably delayed. Follow me.”
When she turned to the house, he spun in the opposite direction and headed down the drive.
“Finn!”
He didn’t turn around. “Thanks for the ride. See you later.” He jogged the rest of the way until he encountered the gate. Shawn and Clint were on the other side, leaning against Shawn’s car with their arms crossed.
He looked for any kind of release button when the gates suddenly opened. He hustled for the passenger seat while Shawn slid back inside, and Clint climbed into the back.
“Bitch locked us out,” Clint grumbled as he fastened his belt.
“Yeah, well, she was trying to lock me in. Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter Two
A light rap on her open office door had Kayla glancing up to see Tyler Redmond standing in the opening. She’d grown used to his randomly colored hair, from shocking red to electric blue to neon green. But Tyler had grown up, matured, and married a few weeks ago. His new wife, Lyra, was a sweet woman whom Tyler doted on relentlessly. She might’ve been the teeniest bit jealous of their whirlwind romance and marriage, but she loved Tyler like a brother, and Lyra was perfect for him. He’d toned down his rebel ways, and though his sense of humor was still intact, his outrageous wardrobe had been retired for more appropriate business attire.
“Hey, Tyler. What’s up?”
“Just thought I’d check in with my favorite agent.”
She smiled. “Aw, you say that to all of us.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “Fine. I’ll admit it. You’re all my favs, but I have a special place in my heart for you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You want something.”
His eyes widened in feigned innocence, and he slapped a hand over his chest. “Kayla, you wound me. Can’t I just stop by to chat?”
“You rarely leave your bat cave. Your preferred method of communication is via text or email. What gives?” She uncapped a bottle of water and took a drink.
He sighed and plopped in the chair in front of her desk. “Fine. You got me. The reason I’m here is because of Finn Bates.”
Water spewed, and she smacked a hand over her mouth to stop it. Tyler jerked back to avoid the wet assault.
“Say it, don’t spray it, Kayla.”
“Sorry. And what are you, twelve?” She found a paper towel and dabbed at her desk. “What about Finn Bates?” she asked, trying for nonchalance.
“I know you two became acquainted at the wedding.”
She recapped the bottle. “Nothing happened, Ty.” Unfortunately. “He needed a quiet place to make a phone call.”
“I know. He told me. But I’m worried about him.”
“Why? Does it have something to do with the call? I saw on the news that his girlfriend was murdered.” And that had been a blow to the stomach. It shouldn’t have surprised her. The man was a hockey legend and gorgeous to boot. Of course, he had a girlfriend. Probably more than one.
“Ex-girlfriend. They only dated for a few. It wasn’t serious,” he quickly added, as if she needed to hear the information. Maybe she did. The news programs sure made it sound like a love match. She’d been profoundly disappointed.
“I think he’s in danger.”
That snapped her from her thoughts. “Why?”
“The man who organized Finn’s summer hockey camp was murdered a day after Nina disappeared. Until they found her body, they couldn’t be sure she was dead. But with her discovery, it’s the second death of someone close to him.”
One death was a tragedy, but not suspect. Two in a short amount of time was.
“That sounds suspicious, but why are you coming to me?”
“I was hoping you could go to him and do some digging around, see if you think there’s a viable threat. He would deck me for saying so, but he needs protection. He’d refuse me, but he won’t you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I know Finn.”
Her stomach pitched thinking of seeing him again. “Does that mean he doesn’t know I’m coming?”
Air rushed out of him, and his shoulders sagged in relief. “Thank you, Kayla. I knew I could count on you. That’s why you’re my favorite.”
“You didn’t answer the question.”
“What was it again?”
She rolled her eyes. “I take it he doesn’t know. How am I supposed to explain my sudden appearance?”
“You could tell him you haven’t stopped thinking about him and want to get to know him better. Guys dig that.”
He hit way too close to home. “Tyler.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll call and let him know. He can’t say no if you’re already on the road. When can you leave? You don’t have any weekend pl
ans, do you? You know, like dates or anything.”
Her mouth dropped open. “There’s no need to get snarky.” Maybe her dating life had been decidedly nonexistent lately. It didn’t mean it couldn’t pick up at any time. Perhaps she should go out to places where she could meet men instead of staying in the compound and hanging with her married or committed friends. Where that would be, she had no idea. The bar scene wasn’t her thing.
He held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Sorry. I didn’t intend for that to sound mean. You know you’re the most gorgeous woman on the planet after Lyra. Any man would be lucky to date you.”
“All right, you’re forgiven.” She checked the schedule on her desk. Nothing pressing all next week. She was free to go to Finn. “It’ll take me what, seven hours to get there?” Not that she’d calculated the distance several times over the last month or anything.
“Give or take. I’ll text you his address to enter into the GPS and the sequence to his gate.”
“You have the code?”
“Yep. I hired the crew who installed the system.”
That meant it was state of the art. Tyler was a genius in everything.
He handed her a folder. “This is all I have right now. I’ll keep digging for more information.”
She took it from him. “Have you told the dynamic duo?” Luke and Logan were the best bosses she could ever ask for, and she had no doubt they’d approve her trip.
“No. I wanted to make sure you’d agree first.”
“I’ll talk to them.”
“Thank you, Kayla. I appreciate you doing this. I might be overreacting, but better to be safe and all that.”
“I understand. If my friend were in danger, I’d feel the same way.”
“I owe you one.” He jumped to his feet. “Peace out.”
Kayla finished organizing the files on her desk. She sent a text message to Logan and Luke asking to meet with them for a few minutes. They both immediately responded, letting her know they were available for her anytime.
She made a list of the things she’d need for the trip and then headed to their offices. Luke was in Logan’s office, so his assistant instructed her to go on in.
“I just spoke with Tyler.” She explained about the two deaths close to Finn. “It might be a coincidence, but Tyler wants me to check it out.”
“We don’t believe in coincidence,” Luke stated.
“Take whatever supplies you need and check it out,” Logan said. “If you think there’s a threat, let us know, and we’ll send backup.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“Keep us updated,” Luke said as she stood to leave.
“Will do. I’m leaving in the morning to drive to Pittsburgh.”
Once she left Logan’s office, she headed to the misnamed supply room to gather items she’d need for the trip. It was actually an entire wing off the first floor of the office building. Her Cadillac Escalade was already equipped with weapons and additional gear, but there were a few things she wanted to add before she headed to her house to pack.
“Hey, Tank,” she greeted the former marine in charge of equipment and supplies. Trent “Tank” Hale was new to the job, but he knew more about weapons than anyone she’d ever met. He was a walking encyclopedia of handguns, rifles, explosives, knives. You name it. He’d lost his leg in combat, but he didn’t let it slow him down. Luke and Logan were known for hiring wounded warriors. Tucker Nash, their head of security, was a double amputee, having lost both his legs in Afghanistan.
From Tank’s first day on the job, he came in and expertly reorganized the supplies, bringing everything together in one central location. He worked with a contractor to set up the space and with the tech department to create a program to keep track of inventory. The room was locked up tighter than Fort Knox at night with heavy-duty steel gates across the entrance and windows. There was also a biometric lock agents could use after hours or if Tank was away. What used to take hours to prepare for an op now took minutes.
Tank looked up from the gun he was cleaning. He also maintained the equipment and made sure everything worked. “Hi, Kayla. What can I help you with?”
“I need to pick up some supplies for a case.”
He handed her a hand-held scanner. “Help yourself. Let me know if you need help.”
“Thanks. I will.” She grabbed a cart and loaded it with things she might need. It was a security specialist’s dream to wander along the rows and rows of equipment. SIG Sauers, Glocks, M9 and M7 bayonets, K-bar knives, flashbangs, and bang snaps. There were other items, as well. Communications equipment and a wide variety of tracking devices. Clothing ranging from tactical pants in a range of sizes to COBRA Securities polos, sweatshirts, and t-shirts. Boots, socks, and gloves. Backpacks, water bladders, tents. Protein bars, trail mix and MRE’s, or meals ready to eat. If it might be needed on a mission, they stocked it. Not to mention Kevlar vests. If an agent required a specialty item that wasn’t in stock, Tank would find it.
Once she finished, she handed Tank the scanner. He plugged it into his computer to remove the items from the master inventory list. When her assignment was over, she would return what she didn’t need or use, and Tank would add it back to the stockpile.
His workspace was comfortable and spacious, featuring an L-shaped desk. One wall sported a television with several smaller screens showing the security camera feeds. A docking station for the handheld rechargeable scanners rested on a long credenza against the back wall. Inside were all the tools he needed to clean and maintain the weapons in working order.
She studied him as his fingers flew over the keys. He’d earned his nickname because he was built like a tank. His Hawaiian heritage was evident in his dark hair and tanned skin. Though neither one had said anything, she’d noticed the sparks flying between Tank and BeBe Davis, their office manager extraordinaire. She hoped they got together. If not, she might have to do something about that when she returned from her assignment. Both deserved someone special in their lives, and she had a feeling they were meant to be together. Maybe they just needed a little nudge to make it happen.
“Have you seen BeBe?”
Tank’s fingers stopped, and a blush crept up his tan cheeks. “BeBe? Uh, no. I haven’t.” He turned his head. “Why?”
“I need to let her know I’m leaving.”
“Isn’t she in her office? Did something happen to her?” Worry had him reaching for the phone.
Guilt stabbed at her, and she reached over to keep him from dialing. “You don’t have to call her. I’m sure she’s there. I’ll stop by as soon as I leave.”
He didn’t look appeased, and again, she felt terrible for provoking him. Sheesh, she should’ve kept her big mouth shut.
Once he finished cataloging her supplies, she bid him goodbye and loaded the items in her golf cart before returning the basket she used to Tank…only he wasn’t there. Stepping up to the biometric lock, she scanned her retina and waited for the steel gate to slide open. She returned the cart to the corral and keyed in the code to close the gate before heading to BeBe’s office.
As she suspected, Tank was there. BeBe was staring up at him adoringly. She hid a smile.
“She’s here,” Tank pointed out unnecessarily.
“That she is. Hey, BeBe, I just wanted to let you know I’m heading to Pittsburgh in the morning on an assignment.”
“Does this have anything to do with a certain hunky hockey player who is too gorgeous for words?”
Tank’s brows narrowed at her description of Finn, and Kayla bit her cheek to keep from smiling. He had it bad for her. “Yes. Tyler asked me to check things out.”
BeBe spun her wheelchair around and accessed a program on her computer. “Do you need me to make any reservations?”
“Not right now, but I’ll let you know if that changes.”
“I’m here if you need me.”
“Thanks. See you both soon.” With a wave, she turned to leave.
“S
tay safe,” BeBe called after her.
“Always,” she responded.
Climbing in her golf cart, she motored to her house. She unloaded the equipment into her SUV before heading inside to pack. She wasn’t sure how long she’d be gone, so she included enough clothing for at least a week.
Once she finished, nervous excitement had her pacing her deck long after the sun had set. The thought of seeing Finn again had her heart racing. Could he be the target of a killer? Tyler thought it possible, and she trusted him. It was nearing midnight when she finally convinced herself to go to bed.
Kayla woke early on Saturday morning and worked out at home instead of heading to the gym where she might get waylaid by coworkers. With her SUV geared up, her bag filled, and no pressing work—or dates, as Tyler so callously pointed out—she hit the road after she showered. Depending on traffic, she should arrive at about three in the afternoon. Before exiting the compound, she stopped in the office and took the elevator to the sub-level to see if Tyler was around, but he was home with his new bride. She left a note on his desk, letting him know she was leaving for Pennsylvania and reminding him to call Finn so he’d expect her arrival. She backed it up with a text, just to make sure he didn’t forget.
Traffic was light, and the drive was uneventful until a crash on the highway outside of Columbus, Ohio, caused gridlock for over two hours. While she was waiting for the tow trucks to clear the wreckage, she texted Tyler, reminding him to notify Finn. He responded immediately, promising he would and thanking her again for taking the job. When the cars started moving, she continued her journey. After a brief stop in Wheeling, West Virginia for gas and a bathroom break, she programmed Finn’s address from the text Tyler sent earlier and followed the onboard instructions.
The crash delayed her expected arrival, but it wasn’t too late to knock on his door. Tyler texted the code for his gate and assured her that Finn was expecting her. She thought the house of a multi-millionaire professional hockey player would be a grand mansion along the lines of Buckingham Palace. As she pulled up to the gate, she realized the house in the distance, while beautiful, wasn’t the size she imagined.
Iron Cross (COBRA Securities Book 20) Page 3