Protected by a Hero

by Susan Stoker, Cristin Harber, Cora Seton, Lynn Raye Harris, Kaylea Cross, Katie Reus, Tessa Layne

  Sighing, he put that on the backburner as he rolled his chair toward his other desk. He’d already plugged the unknown man’s obscured face into his custom-made—illegal—facial recognition software he piggybacked off other legal programs. He’d also put it into the casino’s software. Now it was time to check his DMV hack.

  He didn’t like to mess with the DMV, but he always covered his tracks. There was no way anyone would be able to trace him back to the hotel, not with all the false trails he left, but he still didn’t like to use the program more than necessary.

  Right now, it was very necessary. He wanted to find out more about the man asking about Angel, to see if the guy was somehow tied to the car vandalism. Unfortunately Mr. Botkin hadn’t had the entire plate number so Vadim was waiting for the list of potentials to come up. From there he’d have to narrow down the driver. When he saw the program had finished running and that he had fifteen possible cars, he printed off the list of names and owners. He didn’t save a file of it because he didn’t want a digital record anywhere on his computers.

  After closing down the program, he stared at his PC for a long moment, tapping his index finger against his desk. His gaze strayed to the small origami owl Angel had made for him the first week they’d met. He’d gone down to the Cloud looking for Hayden, and Angel had just been getting off work. She’d told him she’d seen him around the hotel, introduced herself in that friendly way of hers and sat at the bar with him, telling him she’d keep him company until Hayden came out.

  Nothing about her attitude had been flirty, she’d truly just wanted to talk with him and she was one of the only women in the damn hotel—and in general—not fucking afraid of him. He’d also seen a hint of loneliness in her hazel eyes, something he understood well. As they’d sat and talked, she’d made him the owl.

  Ever since then he’d resisted doing the one thing he always did with people. He hadn’t looked deeper into her past. Hell, he’d wanted to, but he’d known it would be the ultimate violation of privacy. Something he’d never cared about before. When he’d been in the Marine Corps, he’d been part of a deeply secret intel unit. He’d done a hell of a lot more than hack, but he’d violated people’s privacy every damn day. Just as he did as Wyatt’s employee.

  The billionaire had hired him for a reason—he was damn good at finding out people’s secrets. Hell, his Mercedes had been one of his signing bonuses, which told him how badly Wyatt had wanted him. Vadim scrubbed a hand over his face and pulled up the file Wyatt had sent to him this morning. He could have gotten the info off the system himself, but he’d been upfront with Wyatt about what he wanted and that he planned to look into Angel’s past.

  Part of him had hoped Wyatt would say no, but his friend hadn’t paused, giving him the green light. Wyatt didn’t like the vandalism or the fact that one of his employees might be in trouble. If Vadim could figure out who was behind it, then Wyatt was all for more digging, regardless of Vadim’s method.

  An hour later, he printed off the information he’d found on Angel, then deleted everything from his computer, erasing all of his tracks with more care than he’d shown in a long time.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “Thanks for the extra shift, Sierra.” Angel put her tips into her purse before sliding the straps onto her shoulder.

  Sierra snorted. “Thanks for coming in on such short notice…” She glanced over Angel’s shoulder at someone shouting near the galley window. “Damn it, I’ve gotta run. Get out of here before I decide to keep you,” she said half-jokingly.

  And that was all the motivation Angel needed to exit the kitchen. The dining area was a mish-mash of people. Even though Cloud 9 was considered fine dining, that didn’t matter in Vegas. Some people still showed up in their track suits. It was a little ridiculous, but as long as their money was good and people wore shirts and shoes, Wyatt didn’t care how they dressed. She quickly scanned one of the two bar areas, looking for a spot to sit. Vadim had told her he’d be ready to leave around six and it was only five-thirty so she had time to kill. She didn’t feel like heading up to his office either, even if he’d said she could wait there.

  The thought of being alone with him, all cooped up…no thanks. She was still reeling from losing her apartment. It seemed too surreal. But she was also grateful Vadim had stopped by to pick up all her things. She needed to call Mr. Botkin again to thank him for boxing up everything. He’d probably only done it because he felt bad about her losing her place. Even so, she was glad she hadn’t had to do it on top of everything else.

  When she spotted an open seat at the bar, she waved at the bartender who grinned and grabbed a bottle of wine—Angel’s favorite brand—and poured a glass without having to be asked. As she started to slide onto the seat, she paused and looked at the man next to it. There was a couple on the other side of the seat, clearly involved in only each other, but she wanted to make sure he wasn’t saving the seat. “Are you saving this for someone?” she asked as her friend slid the glass in front of her.

  “Nope. Just waiting for you to get off work,” he said.

  His words made her freeze and his eyes widened. “Oh, sorry, Vadim has me watching you today. Said there was an issue. I thought you knew and that’s why you were here…” He trailed off, as if unsure that he’d said too much. “I’m Logan, by the way.”

  Immediately she relaxed. Vadim had told her he’d have someone in and out today keeping an eye on her, which was something she wouldn’t complain about. She looked at the dark-eyed man with reddish-brown hair carefully. Now that she was paying attention, he looked very familiar. “One of the twins, right?”

  Grinning, he nodded and motioned to the bartender who brought him a beer instead of what looked like the ice water in his current glass. “I’m off the clock now so I can join you for a drink. So, you’ve heard about my brother and me?”

  She nodded, trying to remember what she’d heard about them. One of the waitresses had been talking about Logan or…Roman, who was the other brother. But Angel couldn’t remember what the conversation entailed. “I recognize your name. You’re not regular security though, right? You work directly for Mr. Christiansen.” That, she found a little disconcerting. She didn’t want Vadim using any special resources, not when she was in a public place surrounded by co-workers. Besides, they weren’t even sure that the thing with his car was more than stupid vandalism.

  Logan nodded, half grinning at her in a way that was probably supposed to come across as boyishly charming—which it did. This guy was a player with a capital P. “That’s right. So what’s up with you and V?”

  She blinked, unsure what he was referring to. “You mean about the car?” Jeez, did everyone know what had happened to it?

  His brow crinkled slightly. “No, I mean you two. How long have you been dating? He’s so quiet about these things and I’m nosey.”

  “Ah, we’re not dating. Just friends.” She took a sip of her wine, thankful to have something to keep her hands occupied. The restaurant was getting busy, the noise level a welcome and steady hum of distraction.

  “Oh, in that case, what are you doing tomorrow night?” he asked, his expression one of perfect friendliness. She’d gotten good at reading people and the man wasn’t creepy, no, far from it, but he had that same vibe to him Vadim did. Like a predator waiting to strike. He was likely former military too, she guessed. Which made sense if he was part of Mr. Christiansen’s security.

  “Why?” she asked.

  His eyebrows rose in clear surprise, his lips tugging into a smile that, if she’d been remotely interested, would have likely gotten her hot and bothered. “Because I want to take you out on a date.”

  She started to tell him no. It was her knee jerk reaction anytime anyone asked her out. Being on the run wasn’t conducive to dating or relationships. But then that woman’s voice as she answered the phone in Vadim’s hotel room came to mind and something inside Angel hardened in anger. There was no reason she couldn’t go out on a date. She
was young and single and it had been a long time since she’d been out with a man. “Okay.”

  Logan looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected her to say yes. Which she found odd. “Were you not serious?” she asked, taking another sip.

  “I’m very serious. Just couldn’t decide if you’d been telling the truth about not dating Vadim. Now I know you are.” He grinned in that charming way and held out his hand. “I’ll program my number into your phone so you can call me. If you want to cancel, no hard feelings.”

  Yeah, probably because he had a harem of women waiting on standby. She dug her cell out of her purse, typed in her security key, then slid it over to him. “This is just a date. Don’t expect anything.”

  He shook his head, a dimple appearing in his left cheek as he typed in his number. “I’m always hopeful, but never expect a thing. I can pick you up or meet you out some place. Think about it then call or text me later with what you want. I’m easy.”

  “I bet you are,” she murmured before she could stop herself.

  He let out a loud bark of laughter that had heads turning their way as he handed her phone back to her. Before she’d put it back in her purse, Vadim was suddenly there, standing next to them.

  And he looked pissed, his glare icy and cutting as he watched Logan. “Your services aren’t needed anymore.” His slight accent was heavier than normal, as if he was barely containing his rage.

  Alarm slid through her at Vadim’s reaction to Logan.

  “I don’t know, I think Angel might disagree with you.” Logan’s voice was smug.

  Dear God, what was Logan doing, poking a rabid beast? She wanted to tell him to shut up. How could he not sense Vadim’s anger simmering beneath the surface?

  When Vadim looked at her, his expression softened. “Are you ready?” He still sounded pissed though, his voice vibrating with anger.

  She nodded. “Yes, but I need to pay first.”

  “I got it,” Logan said. When she started to protest, he shook his head. “If it makes you feel better you can buy me a drink tomorrow night. On our date.” He looked at Vadim almost challengingly as he said the last part.

  That was when she realized Logan was intentionally trying to rile Vadim up. Maybe that was the only reason he’d asked her out. The fact that she didn’t even care told her she should cancel the date. When Vadim actually took a step toward Logan, she slid off her chair and stepped in between them. She placed a hand on Vadim’s chest and her traitorous body flared to life. Just like that, her nipples hardened at the feel of all that strength underneath her fingertips. She clearly needed her head examined. “Let’s go,” she murmured, pushing against him.

  She couldn’t have moved him if he hadn’t wanted to go, but Vadim took a step back, his body rigid. Angel glanced over her shoulder and thanked Logan for the drink before being herded out by Vadim. To her surprise, he placed his hand firmly at the small of her back in a way she knew he meant to be proprietary as he propelled her away from Logan and the restaurant. Why did she have to like his touch so much? Just the feel of his hand on her back, not even on her bare skin, got her hot and flustered.

  His behavior surprised her, but maybe it shouldn’t. Maybe it was a ridiculous guy thing. Another man was showing interest so he decides to get all macho and stupid. Ugh. This wasn’t even about her, she realized, as Vadim steered her across the main lobby to a door she knew led to one of the private, employee parking garages. This was all about male ego.

  Vadim slid a key card over the scanner then yanked open the heavy metal door. She stepped into the hallway that would lead to the garage ahead of him, but before she’d taken more than a couple steps, she found her back pinned against the nearest wall.

  Vadim’s pale eyes were dark with anger as he crushed his mouth over hers, rolling his hips against hers in such a dominant display she knew she should be angry. Knew she should shove him away. But as his tongue danced against hers, she moaned into his mouth, linking her fingers together around the back of his neck.

  She truly, utterly needed her head examined. She didn’t like this caveman routine, let alone that he’d been with another woman last night. Hell, she hadn’t thought Vadim capable of it. But she loved the way he was pressing her tightly against the wall, loved the feel of his thick erection pressing against her lower belly.

  Taking her completely by surprise, he eased his hips back then cupped her mound, rubbing the heel of his palm against her clit. Even with her pants and underwear in the way, the friction felt amazing. Her inner walls tightened, heat flooding between her thighs as she imagined what it would feel like to have him pushing deep inside her. But she needed to stop this. What the hell was she doing? Before she could protest, the sound of the door opening made her snap her head back.

  Vadim dropped his possessive hold on her most intimate area, but kept his body pressed tight against hers as he glanced toward the door.

  Two laughing women entered—she immediately recognized them as blackjack dealers—talking animatedly until they spotted her and Vadim. One of the women’s eyes widened. “Sorry,” she murmured, grabbing her friend’s elbow as they whispered and hurried down the hallway, their shoes clicking loudly against the tile.

  Vadim took a step back from her then, putting a foot of distance between them. He was dressed casually in black pants and a thick, cable knit blue sweater. He shoved his hands into his pockets, his expression unreadable. “Why did you make a date with Logan?”

  His question surprised Angel, though maybe it shouldn’t have. She shrugged, trying to act casual, but the motion was jerky. “Why shouldn’t I?”

  He rubbed a hand over his face and for the briefest moment, he looked shattered. Which killed her. But screw him, he’d slept with someone else. That rigid mask slipped back into place so quickly though, she could almost believe she’d imagined that streak of vulnerability. “I thought you had feelings for me,” he said quietly.

  “Yeah well, I thought you had them for me too,” she snapped, unable to hide her anger.

  “I do.” He sounded so convincing. “Did you agree to go out with him to make me jealous? I didn’t think you played games,” he said stiffly.

  She snorted. “I’m not playing any games! You’re the one who slept with someone else so blame yourself for—”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” he asked, his angry tone taking her off guard. “I haven’t slept with anyone since I met you. Hell, I hadn’t slept with anyone in the six months before that.” While he seemed embarrassed by the admission, he also seemed impossibly sincere.

  Either he was the world’s best actor or he was telling the truth. Relief detonated inside her like an atomic freaking bomb. She nervously licked her dry lips, some of her earlier steam subsiding. “I called your hotel room after your car was vandalized. Well, first I tried your cell, but when it went straight to voicemail I called the hotel. A woman who’d clearly just woken up answered and I could hear a man in the background.” A man she’d assumed was him.

  Vadim smiled suddenly, an actual full-on smile that made her breath catch in her throat. But she couldn’t imagine what there was to be happy about when she’d just called him out on being a liar. “That’s why you’ve been so angry at me?”

  Frowning, she nodded.

  “If you called right after my car was damaged, then you would have called late Friday, long after we’d left. The reason I didn’t answer my cell is because it was off—because I was on Wyatt’s jet. We finished our business early. We didn’t even stay at the hotel a single night. Just checked in that morning, then grabbed our stuff again that afternoon before flying out.”

  All the anger left her then and she felt, well, she didn’t know what she felt other than staggering relief. Now that she thought about it, it actually made sense, especially since he’d gotten home not too long after, scaring the crap out of her with that gun. Not wanting to wait another minute, she pulled her cell phone from her purse and texted Logan, telling him there wouldn’t
be a date tomorrow night. She knew he’d get over it, if he’d even care at all. When she was done, she looked up to find Vadim watching her with a mix of curiosity and wariness. “I just texted Logan and told him there won’t be a date.”

  When Vadim smiled this time, it was one of his half-grins, the sexy predator back. “Good, I won’t have to kick his ass now.”

  For some reason, she didn’t think Vadim was kidding. “I’m sorry I’ve been so…distant, I guess. I just thought, well, after our kiss when I thought you’d slept with someone else, it hurt me.” Way more than she’d imagined it would.

  Vadim took a step forward, eliminating the distance between them. Gently, he cupped her jaw and stroked his thumb over her cheek. “I don’t want anyone else but you,” he said softly, the conviction there making her toes curl in her slingbacks. Before she could respond, he dropped his hand, though it appeared to pain him to do so. “Let’s get out of here. I don’t want any more interruptions.”

  The implication of those words made heat bloom inside her, rapid and scorching. Not trusting her voice, she simply nodded and let him guide her toward the parking garage. She really hoped the reason he didn’t want any interruptions was the reason she was thinking.

  Now that she knew he wanted her as much as she did him—and wasn’t screwing around with other women—her imagination ran wild about what he’d do to her, and let her do to him. Suddenly the thought of being under his roof for the next week or so sounded like a lot of fun.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Angel slipped her sweater over her head and pulled her damp hair through, letting it fall down her back. Vadim had received a work call almost the second they’d gotten in the SUV. Then he’d received two more and had still been on the last one when they’d reached his house. He’d looked so apologetic, but she didn’t mind the calls.