She wanted to moan in protest at the sudden disconnect, but by his expression he wanted to stay centered on teaching her. “Okay. What’s next?”
“Stance is important too. Spread your legs,” he demanded.
Blinking, she felt her face flush. “As you wish.”
“Not too wide. Shoulder width is fine. Very good. Now bring the gun up, remember to keep it at a forty-five-degree angle.”
“How’s this?” She looked over at him, sweeping the tip of her tongue along her bottom lip. His jaw tightened under his five o’clock shadow.
“Behave yourself, Novah,” he growled.
“Behave myself? I’m only following your direction.”
He took the distance between them in one long stride and he leaned in, brushing against her. Sending the flames inside her to an inferno. He was so close he could kiss her and every nerve ending in her body came alive with hope. Her lids closed on their own accord and she waited. Then it came, “I’m taking the gun.”
Snapping open her eyes, she looked at him, seeing the humor in his expression. He knew what she’d wanted, what she’d anticipated. He took the gun from her hands and she watched him load it. “Why are you doing that?”
“You’re going to shoot.”
“Is that necessary?”
“It is a gun, isn’t it?”
He turned the gun around and held it out safely. “Now take it. The safety’s on.” He pointed to a release button.
Feeling a little shaky, she refused to show vulnerability. Wasn’t this a test, after all? She took the pistol, remembering how to grip the handle, lifted it, holding it steady. “I just want you to remember our bargain.” Feeing brazen, she clicked off the safety, aimed at the row of bottles and pulled the trigger five times, hitting her target every single shot. With a smile, she lowered the gun, then took out the magazine, making sure no bullets remained in the chamber then checked for loose bullets. “It’s all clear.” She held it up for him. “Did I pass?”
He narrowed his gaze. Several heart beats passed. “I believe I’ve been swindled.”
“Look, you didn’t ask if I’d taken lessons.” She wanted to laugh at his gobsmacked expression, but she maintained herself.
“But you hate guns.”
“Yes, I do, but when we were married you always had them in the house, locked up of course but still in the house. I wanted to learn gun safety. Finley and I were home alone many nights and although I didn’t want to ever think I’d have to be put into a position to save our lives, I knew it could be possible.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I never got the chance. When shall we get in the kitchen?”
“I did make a promise, didn’t I?”
“Yes you did.” She sighed. “Also, I’d like to see Finley.”
“Novah, I know you do. So do I.”
“I still think we should go to the police.” The fear invaded her spine again.
“And tell them what?” He blew out a long, frustrated breath.
“Let Lindsay tell them her story.”
“Novah, listen. She can’t prove anything.”
“What if she has a blood test and the drug they gave her is still in her system?”
“Most drugs are gone within twenty-four hours, and even if there were traces of it remaining, Langley has money. He’ll use it to keep himself out of trouble.”
Although she didn’t want to admit it, she did see how the problem could be manipulated. “She’s carrying his child though.”
“Yeah? She’s his mistress. In this instance, that’ll be used to diminish her character.”
“She’ll never be safe, will she?” Her throat burned.
“Pao and I have a plan.” He pushed his gun into the waistband of his jeans. “Let’s get back to the house. We can talk to Lindsay over dinner.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
SHE WAS SO damn beautiful that it hurt.
Egan could barely take his eyes off Novah from where he sat across from her at dinner. She was having a casual conversation with Pao about football. Although she was smiling and seemed at ease, Egan could see the worried lines around her eyes and how she kept touching her hair, a sure sign that she was stressed. She was worried about Finley, and so was he, but he needed to keep his head clear. If this were anyone else, not his daughter, he’d do the same as he was now. Justice would keep his daughter, and Rita, safe.
“More corn, Egan?” Hannah held up a platter full of fresh ears of corn.
“Sure.” He grabbed the corn and placed it on his plate.
“Still have a healthy appetite I see,” Hannah said with a wagging of her brows. She passed the platter to Pao. “You men and your endless stomachs.”
“We’re still growing at almost forty,” Egan said, biting into the tender corn.
Hannah placed her hand on his shoulder and he didn’t think a darn thing about it until he caught Novah’s gaze. Now she had him feeling awkward although there wasn’t a damned thing between him and Pao’s sister. Sure, they’d had a quick dance with a relationship, but things fizzled just as fast. They’d decided they were better as friends. Maybe he should have told both Novah and Hannah the truth. Novah didn’t know he’d slept with Hannah a long time ago, after the divorce when he was reeling, and she had no idea that Novah was his ex. He hadn’t seen the importance and he’d been a bit preoccupied. The way Novah held him in her cool gaze, he guessed she’d find it important.
Dropping the cob, he wiped his mouth on a napkin and took a long guzzle of his beer. Thankfully, Novah was no longer staring at him like she wanted to cut him to shreds.
“Pao, do you remember when you used to go out into the corn field, pull an ear off the stock and eat it right there?” Hannah laughed. “We used to make fun of you.”
“What’s wrong with that? No different than people going out into the garden, taking a saltshaker to eat a tomato right off the vine. Ma used to do that.” Pao buttered his corn liberally. He pointed at Egan. “I bet you did some crazy stuff in your lifetime, buddy.”
“I was crazy all the way up until I had Finley,” he admitted.
“So what was Egan like before he had a kid?” Pao asked Novah.
“Don’t let him fool you. Having a kid didn’t change him. He’s still an adrenaline seeker.” Novah and Egan held each other’s gaze for what seemed like a good decade.
Hannah paused her fork mid-air. “So you two knew each other before Finley was born?”
“Damn, where have you been, sis?” Pao joked.
Egan saw something change in Novah’s expression. “Novah’s my wife,” he said easily.
Hannah dropped her fork and shifted. “Wow. I thought your last name was Coffman,” she said to Novah.
“Correction. Ex-wife. I took my name back after we divorced.” Novah pushed her chicken around the plate with her fork.
Egan wanted to change the subject and fast. “Lindsay?”
She sat at the end of the table, poking her food, seemingly disconnected from the easy chatter that flowed around the table. He didn’t know a lot about nothing, but he did know a little when it came to trauma. He’d dealt with it enough with his buddies who came back from across the pond who were different. Egan felt for her and her predicament.
Dark circles lined her worried eyes. “Yes, Egan?”
“Pao said he spoke to you a little about what we think you should do.”
She lowered her fork to her unfinished plate and placed her hands in her lap. “Yes, he did but he said you would explain more.”
“We want what’s best for you and the baby.”
She glanced at Pao. “That’s what you said but I have to make the final decision.”
Egan had never been good about sensing things, but he did notice that Lindsay seemed to trust Pao. “Wyoming isn’t a safe place for you now.”
Egan eased back into the chair, hearing it creak under his weight. “I think it’s best you leave the area too.”
&nb
sp; “It’s not that easy.” Her skin paled.
“It’s the best option.”
Her hesitation shown in her pained expression. “B-but—”
“Lindsay, this is a chance to start over. For your sake and the baby’s,” Pao said matter-of-factly.
“What’s the difference if I’m here or anywhere. He can still find me if he wants.”
“We can help. We can place you somewhere, even change your identity if necessary.” Egan said.
“Do you, any of you,” she scanned her gaze around the table. “Understand how hard I’ve worked in medical school? I can’t walk away. I’ll be leaving soon anyway for residency.”
“Lindsay, we’re only trying to help,” Novah said.
She stayed quiet for several beats, then stood. Tears welled in her big blue eyes. “I-I need to think about this. It’s a lot to process. Would it be possible for me to speak to my family?”
“Yes. We can make that possible,” Pao said.
Egan didn’t need to ask to know why she hesitated. She was scared, and her career was on the line. And maybe she did still love Langley. Turning the heart off for someone you once cared about never came easy. He’d gotten under her skin and no matter how badly he’d treated her, or lied to her, she still cared. Egan’s chest filled with the heaviness of what he was seeing—knew the addiction to a person all too well. He darted a glance Novah’s direction. She’d needled her way under his skin like a branding and forever he’d have her embedded in his heart and soul.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m no longer hungry.” She dropped her napkin onto her plate and stormed through the screen door. Novah’s gaze searched Egan. “There must be something we can do. She can’t stay here. If she does, she’ll be at risk, the baby will be too.”
“Novah, we can’t force her to do anything. She has to want this, otherwise it’ll be a waste of resources because she’ll only come back.” Egan hated seeing the worry on Novah’s face, but she needed to hear the cold-hard facts. “She has to agree and leaving isn’t for everyone. Although it sounds easy and clear cut, it’s never that easy.”
Novah stood. “I’ll go talk to her.”
With a shrug, Egan eased back into his chair. “If you think it’ll help.”
“I agree, Novah,” Hannah added. “She’s confused and has pregnancy hormones rushing through her. She needs someone who’ll just listen.”
~~~~~
Lindsay was sitting under an ancient oak tree along the white fence with a barn cat who was missing a chunk of one ear. “I’m sorry about walking away. I needed a minute.”
Novah sat down beside her in the thick patch of grass. “An apology isn’t needed. You have every right to be upset.”
Lindsay plucked a blade of grass and rolled it between her fingers. She looked at Novah with an expression full of worry. “What should I do?”
Although a part of Novah wanted to encourage her to get away and protect herself and the baby, another side warned Novah that allowing Lindsay to make the choice for herself was best. Just as Egan had said, if she wasn’t into leaving one hundred percent she’d come back. “Only you can decide for yourself.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Do you attend church?”
“Huh?” Her brow popped up.
“The cross tattoo on your shoulder. Are you religious?”
Rubbing the ink, she sighed. “Not really. I haven’t been to church in years. My dad—he was a minister until he retired—and he used to force all of us to attend. I decided when I turned eighteen, I’d do what I wanted to do. He didn’t like the new and improved Lindsay so he kicked me out of the house.” She laughed but it was raw and full of emotion. “When I call my mom she tells me, “You’ve lost your way. Come back”. She says Dad has forgiven me, as if I did something wrong. Now look at me, screwed up and proving him right.”
“We all lose our paths at times, but you shouldn’t feel guilty for being independent.” Novah looked into the distance where two white horses grazed.
Lindsay pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on her hands. “So, you still love him, don’t you?”
Novah met the girl’s gaze. “What?”
“Egan. Come on. It’s obvious that he loves you too.”
“I don’t know.” She carried her gaze to the house. “It’s a lot harder than just loving someone. Even having a child together.”
“If I had someone who looked at me the way he looks at you I think I’d find a way.”
Novah wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Sorry. Relationships can stink.” Lindsay pulled a lock of her straight hair behind her ear, showing off a hoop earring. “Pao thinks I should go.”
“You’ve grown to trust him, haven’t you?”
Her bottom lip quivered. “I think I just need someone to rely on and he’s been there. He said whatever I decide he’ll make sure I get on my feet.”
“I think Pao’s a good guy, and he and Egan really do want what’s best for you, but it has to be what you want.”
“My career is important. And so is my baby.”
“I understand this is hard for you. Sometimes things happen not when we want them to but when they’re supposed to.”
“Peter was the first man to treat me with such tenderness. Kindness. I mean, I guess I knew it was too good to be true, but I wanted to believe that for the first time in my life someone cared for me—genuinely cared for me.”
“I know we don’t know each other very well, but I do care for you and your safety. Everything you’ve been through has made you stronger,” Novah said.
One corner of her mouth lifted. “Thank you for caring.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
NOVAH HEARD THE knock on the door, knowing who it was before she opened it.
“Can we talk?” Egan asked.
“What’s there to talk about?” All she wanted to do was fall into his arms and allow him to comfort her but then what? There were always consequences.
“I think we both know there’s a lot to talk about.”
“Fine.” She stepped back and allowed him to enter the guest bedroom.
He closed the door softly. “Pao is preparing to leave with Lindsay after she finishes her phone call with her family. You did great with her. You convinced her that this is the best option for her.”
“I didn’t convince her of anything.”
“You’re upset.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Oh, so the steam coming out of your ears is normal?”
“Maybe your eyes need tested. And then your brain.”
“Really?” he smirked. “Would you like to talk about the issue?”
“You wanted to talk, so talk.” She busied herself picking lint off the black skirt laid out on the bed. Anything to keep from looking at him.
The tension radiated off him. “I think it’s time we were honest—”
Her phone buzzed and she reached for it. The screen read “unknown caller”. “I don’t know who this is but they’re sending files.”
“Can I see?”
She handed him her phone. “Do you think it’s Mom or Finley?”
“No.”
Seeing his tight expression, she knew something was wrong. “Egan? What is it?”
“That fucking bastard!”
“Show me the phone.” There was a picture of Langley kissing her in his office. Then a picture of Finley popped up.
“What the hell?” she blurted. Her heart dropped not her knees. “We need to go to Finley.”
“Wait. Gather your emotions,” he said in a calm voice.
She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze, frustrated that he showed no signs of worry. “Don’t tell me to gather my emotions. You can stay but I’m going.” She took another step, but he blocked her path to the door. “Move, Egan! I’m leaving.”
“Novah, listen. They don’t know where Finley is. This is a scare tactic.”
“Yes, it is, and it’s workin
g.”
“I understand.” Then the phone buzzed again, and he clicked the keypad. “Here’s a text.”
“What does it say?” She took a step back, wrapping her arms around her waist, feeling like she’d be sick.
“Silence is golden’.” He sighed. “That’s all it says.”
“I knew I should have been with her.”
Without a word, Egan clicked the keypad on her phone. She listened to him say, “Justice, Egan here. How are things? All fine? Yeah, put her on.” He stuck out the phone for Novah to take.
She took the offering and pressed it to her ear. She heard Finley say, “Mommy?”
“Fin? Hi, baby. How are you?” She forced the quivering from her voice.
“We’re having fun. I rode a horse. And fed a baby goat. His name is Snuggles. I named him.” The energy in her daughter’s voice made Novah smile although her heart was breaking. “I have to go. Grammy made ice cream. Call me later, Mommy.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you.” Then a click ended the call.
“See, she’s okay. Trust me. If I doubted her safety, I would have never left her with Justice.”
She dropped to the bed and the tears streamed down her face. “What have I done?”
Egan joined her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “You haven’t done anything.” He soothed her by massaging her head.
“I swear if I were with Langley right now, I’d wring his neck. We need to go to Fin. I know you say she’s okay, but I need to be with her.”
“We can. We’ll go to her.”
She looked at him through wet lashes. “What will we do? In the pictures, it looks like Langley and I are in an embrace, kissing. That’s not how it was, Egan. Not at all.”
He nodded. “He didn’t have anything to hold over your head, so he scraped the bottom of the barrel. This is his way of discrediting your character. If you go to the press, or the police, he’ll make you look like a spurned lover.” He stood and rubbed his jaw. “I should have wrung his neck while I had the chance.”
A rapid knock came on the door. “Banks? You in there?” It was Pao.
Egan stood and stepped over to open the door. Novah could see Pao standing in the hall, his jaw tight and his lips thin. “I came to tell you that Lindsay is gone.”
Protector of Novah (Valor Knights Book 1) Page 16