by Aliyah Burke
He cleared his throat. “Coat?”
“On the hook.” She didn’t look at him but was messing with something inside the clutch that matched what she wore.
He moved past her and grabbed the wool coat. As he came up behind her to assist her with putting it on, his mouth grew drier than the Sahara. Is she even wearing any fucking panties with that dress? And if he asked, and she said no, was he really going to be in a better state of mind?
He brushed his lips along the bare skin of her shoulder prior to dropping the material there. Then he offered his arm and waited for her to take it to escort her to the elevator.
The ride down was silent and he still hadn’t quite found his tongue as they walked arm in arm across the lobby to the door. He noticed a good number of people staring, and if it bothered her she didn’t say a word. Tara kept her gaze straight ahead.
Once they were in the car heading toward the dinner spot, he picked up her hand and threaded their fingers together. That got her attention. Tara lifted her head and looked at him.
Andrew cocked an eyebrow but didn’t speak. He didn’t want to. Right now, them speaking led to fighting. And he wanted a nice evening with his wife.
“How was your day?”
Her question threw him almost for a moment. He was pleased she didn’t try to remove her hand from his touch.
“Busy. But the hostile takeover was stopped so I’ll take everything as a win.”
A cute furrow appeared between her brow. “You mentioned a hostile takeover. From people within your company or those just trying to take over?”
He stretched out his legs and hooked his ankles. “A little bit of both. Mostly from the outside, but there was an inside man who was feeding them information to help them with their cause.”
She snorted. “Their cause? Please tell me you don’t feel sorry for them.”
“I’m not that nice of a guy. I don’t feel sorry for them, but they did have their own cause.”
“Laziness is not a cause, Drew.”
“Why do you think it was laziness?”
“The words hostile takeover. That means they want what you have, yet aren’t willing to work for it. Also known as stealing. People steal because they’re lazy and they don’t want to put in the work with the time and effort to get what you have gotten.”
He pivoted so he faced her completely. Bracing one arm on the back of the seat, he held her gaze as he stared into her eyes.
“That makes sense. But I fight for what’s mine. I won’t let it go or give it up.”
Her mouth formed a tiny little ‘O’ before she smoothed out her expression. “I’m sure your employees are grateful.”
“Possibly. I think it’s more that I’m selfish and I like to keep what’s mine.”
She didn’t back away. If anything, she inched closer. “So it’s all about possessions then. Is that what I’m hearing?”
Andrew took a finger and dragged it along the edge of her dress from one shoulder, over her breast, down to the bottom of the vee and back up the other side.
Her breathing hitched. It was only by the grace of God his didn’t do the same. He ran his finger along her jaw, touching her lips ever so lightly so as not to smear the gloss back up to the one wave of hair that curled down over her ear.
“I don’t know what you’re hearing. I’m stating clearly I won’t let go of what’s mine.”
Her pupils dilated and that cute small nose of hers flared. Fuck, he wanted to kiss her. Last night had been a blend of heaven and hell for him. Heaven had come in the guise of being able to hold her, sleep wrapped around her, yet hell, because she was so near and yet there was a chasm between them.
The car slowed to a halt before the restaurant entrance. He bit back a curse, wanting to prolong this—whatever it was—between them. As the driver opened the door, he got out and turned back to offer his hand to Tara.
She took it, allowing him to assist her from the town car. Tara moved with ease beside him. Warmth met them as they entered and he paused by the coat check. He took a moment and gazed around the area before he reached for Tara’s coat and helped her off with it. Allowing his fingers to graze along the silken smoothness of her skin, he pressed a gentle kiss at the base of her neck.
After checking her coat, he shrugged out of and removed his before handing it over. Offering his arm to her once more, he waited until she accepted before they progressed on. As he walked through toward their table, he noticed all the stares leveled in their direction by the patrons.
He couldn’t be sure if it was because they were together, the way she was dressed, or whatever. Quite honestly, he didn’t care—all he knew was the most beautiful woman in the room was on his arm, nobody else’s. Not only that, she was his wife. After another kiss to her shoulder as he seated her, he walked around and took his own seat.
“Ready to eat something?”
Tara gave him a slight smile before she nodded.
Andrew returned it then focused on the wine list. He was going to do whatever it took to make tonight special.
Chapter Eight
Tara stood in her office, staring through the double-pane glass to the thick flakes that fell. Her mind wasn’t on her task today. All she could think about was last night’s dinner and the time she was able to spend with Drew.
She hadn’t thought they’d be able to make it through the entire meal without some sort of argument or disagreement sprouting up. She had been wrong. Their time together had been enjoyable, fun and reminiscent of when they’d been in Thailand.
Figures, just when I’m getting over him he comes back into my life and makes it harder for me to forget.
The fact that he hadn’t pushed her into letting him back up to her apartment had her thinking. Just what game was he playing? Was he on the up and up about actually wanting this to work?
She exhaled and turned away from the view, focusing instead on the massive amount of papers loitering on her desktop. I have work to do. I can’t be spinning my time dwelling over what may or may not have happened with him last night.
Her phone rang. She snatched it from the cradle and put it up to her ear. “Monroe.”
“Ms. Monroe, you’ve a detective out here to see you. A Detective Savvas.”
With her thumb she rubbed the furl between her eyebrows as she raced to put a face to the name. Or at least the name to a case.
It hit her—he was one of the detectives who had shown up when she’d been shot.
“Send him on in, thank you.”
Moments later, two sharp raps came at her door, followed by a tall, handsome detective stepping through. For a moment, she forgot she was a married woman. She skimmed him twice, taking in the brown hair, green eyes, and scruff lining his jaw.
I really don’t remember him by my bed and I don’t think this is a man I would forget.
“How can I help you today, Detective? Please come in and sit down.”
As he turned his head and observed everything in the room, she saw the small queue that his hair been pulled back into. And he gets hotter and hotter.
“Thank you for seeing me, Ms. Monroe. I won’t take up a lot of your time, but something’s come to our attention that we felt we should bring to you.”
Uncertain, she perched on the edge of her chair and noticed he didn’t sit or even attempt to until after she had. Even though he reclined in the chair, she had the faintest impression that he was more like a predator lying in wait. All coiled and ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.
“And what’s that?”
“We overheard some chatter from some of the inmates where your shooter is incarcerated. It appears he’s put out a hit on you.”
Tara exhaled and pursed her as lips she reached for a pencil and spun it in her fingers. After a few blinks, she stilled the pencil and stared at the man across from her.
“I’m not really sure how I’m supposed to react to that news. I mean, I know there are people out to get me for what
I do, for who I put away and the like. However, I don’t think I’ve ever had a direct hit put out on me before. What’s the procedure? And is this threat credible or is it just an inmate talking a lot of smack to try to make bones?”
He scratched his jaw before lacing his fingers and thumping his thumbs together. “I’m inclined to believe this is a credible threat. Even if I was one hundred percent sure I would stop to err on the side of caution when it comes to an assistant district attorney. Don’t get me wrong, I would be concerned were it an everyday citizen, however as it is towards you, I feel there is a bit more credibility behind it.”
“Because it’s me? Why, Detective, we don’t know each other that well and here you are saying that you believe people would have it out for me? Did I say something to you in the hospital room after I got shot the first time for you to feel this way?”
He flashed a grin she had no doubt would drop many a pair of panties. “I like your sense of humor. I think you’re going to need it. And no, you did not say anything out of line to me. I’m going to be honest, your sister, on the other hand, has read me the riot act numerous times.”
Tara nodded. “Shai would be the one who would have done that. She’s slightly volatile. But she means well.”
“I could tell. Entire family is close, and that’s one of the reasons I want you to take this so seriously. My gut is telling me if they can’t get to you, they will try to go after one of your sisters or your parents.”
And just like that, this wasn’t as amusing anymore. Tara leaned forward, resting her arms on the desk, and held his sharp gaze. “I’ll worry about me later, because I have no doubt I will have some kind of protection detail. My question is what happens with my family? Will they be protected?”
“You know as well as I do it’s gonna be hard to get protection for your entire family.”
She did know that. Hated it. Always had when it came to other people’s families, but this was hers and it pissed her off. Royally.
“Okay, and here it is. I want my parents protected first. Then my sisters and then me. I spend most of my days here anyway. I will be protected in this building. But Eva works at the hospital and Shai is a professor at the university. Both places that are accessible for anybody wishing to do them harm.”
The sergeant detective stared at her for a good minute before he nodded in a slow manner. “I’ll take this up with my lieutenant and let you know what he says.”
“I’m not budging on this. I knew the risks I signed on to be ADA. I knew this could happen at some point in my life. I didn’t sign on and risk their lives. Make it happen. I’ll also make it known that you came in and did your job but I’m fighting you every step of the way until my family has protection.”
“You’re the boss.”
She flashed a grin. “Glad you see it my way.”
He got up from his chair, gave her a sharp nod, spun on his heel and strode out without a look back. The moment the door closed behind him she buried her face in her hands and tried to control her breathing.
I have to tell my parents. And my sisters.
The question was who to tell first. Logically she should let Shai know, get her on board with the entire situation and then go to her parents with backup. When she pulled out her phone to send her sister a text, she got a call from her boss.
That would have to be addressed later. She hurried out of the office and into his to see what it was he needed. The rest of the day passed by in a blur of paperwork and impending migraine. She was late leaving again and had just waved to Marcus when she looked outside the door to see Drew waiting there on the front steps.
There was no stopping the smile that tipped up the corners of her mouth as she neared him. Pushing into the cold, she peered up at him and cocked an eyebrow.
“What exactly are you doing here, Drew?”
“What else would I be doing here? I came to see my wife.”
“You saw me last night at dinner.”
“And I’m hoping to see you tonight at dinner as well.”
She rolled her lower lip in her teeth and made a moment’s decision. “Give me a minute.”
She dug in her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. After a quick text to her parents and her sister, she moved closer to the man she’d married, soaking up the warmth he exuded as they stood there in the falling snow.
Tara waited for the response, then she took his arm and headed for her car. “Dinner is fine. But it’s not just going to be me. You can meet the rest of the family aside from Eva, who’s not here.”
Drew halted, in effect stopping her as well, then he looked down at her. “Why the change of heart? Not that I’m not grateful, but I’m a bit suspicious considering you wanted to keep me hidden from everybody.”
“I’m not giving any reasons until we get to dinner. You can come or not, it’s up to you, but the offer is there.”
“Oh you can bet your ass I’m going. I’m just curious as to why.”
“I guess you’ll find out at dinner. We should get going.”
She didn’t say anything on the way over to her parents’ house. Instead she took the time to figure out the best way to broach this. There wasn’t going to be a chance to get Shai on her side ahead of time, and to top it all off, now she would have a husband who no doubt would have an opinion on how this needed to play out.
Her nervousness had ratcheted up to well past ten by the time she pulled into their driveway. Christmas decorations were still up and her mother wouldn’t take them down until the new year, it was just how she was. She parked beside her sister’s Outback. In the time it took her to gather her breath, Drew had gotten out and was around to her side of the car to open it.
As they approached the door she noticed he was carrying something in his arm.
“What do you have there?”
“A bottle of wine I was going to give to you. Your parents drink wine, don’t they? Or should I say our parents?”
Her response was stifled because the front door opened and she found herself staring at her mother. She looked so much like Eva it never failed to make her smile. Within seconds, Tara was engulfed by a powerful hug.
“Look at me getting all mushy out here in the cold. Forgive me. Come in, come on in out of the cold and where it’s warm.”
Shai and her father were inside and both turned to observe them as they stepped into the foyer. No flicker of recognition moved over her sister’s face, and Tara wasn’t sure what to make of that.
“I know tonight wasn’t our typical family night for a meal, so thank you for allowing us to do this. I have some news to share with everyone and some news to share with Mom and Dad.” She wished her hair was looser so she could shove her fingers through it. “I got a visit today from one of the detectives who was there when I got shot and he told me that there is a hit out on me.”
Her parents and Drew all gasped and began talking. Shai remained silent and cocked an eyebrow. Holding out her hands, Tara implored them to pipe down. When silence once again reigned, she took another breath and looked at everyone in the room.
“We’re working on establishing protection for everyone and no, it’s nonnegotiable.” Ignoring her mother’s open mouth, because she knew what was coming, Tara continued. “The reason the gentleman beside me is here is for one reason only. His name is Andrew Coleman, Baron Andrew Coleman, and he’s my husband.”
She angled her head and looked up at Drew. “Now you know.”
She’d just thrown him to the sharks. Or was it wolves? Perhaps it was just quicksand. Either way, it wasn’t at all how he’d intended to be introduced to the family. Still, he had to give her credit that she wasn’t hiding it any longer. He wrapped an arm around her waist and dropped a kiss to her temple before stepping slightly in front of her as if to shelter her from the impending storm he knew was about to explode.
“Nice to meet you both.” He held out the bottle of wine to her father and waited for him to accept it then he followed it up with
a handshake. “Andrew Coleman.”
His father-in-law watched him with sharp blue eyes. “Frederick Monroe.” He set the wine down and turned to his wife. “Adalyn Monroe.”
Andrew extended his hand toward her. “Ma’am, it’s an honor to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Pain filled her eyes as she watched him. “I’ve never heard a thing about you.”
Beside him, he could feel Tara stiffen at the words her mother uttered.
“We need to hear a little bit more about this hit on our daughter, Mother. Then we will address why our middle child didn’t see fit to tell her parents she had gotten married, but from the looks of things, told her baby sister, who doesn’t seem all that surprised by this news. Then again, she also doesn’t seem all that surprised about the hit on her either. Maybe we’re just the last to know everything now.”
Shai didn’t defend anything, just sat there and waited. Her mother wiped her eyes and walked past them all with her head high.
“Well, I won’t be one to neglect my guests. We can talk while we eat.”
The others followed her into the kitchen, and Andrew stopped Tara and drew her to his chest.
“Hell of a way to spring this on me, Tara. As much as I want to be pissed at you right now for doing what you did, I think you need all the people you can have in your corner at the moment.” He brushed his lips over the corner of her mouth. “I always have your back.”
She squeezed his hand but didn’t say a word. They went to the kitchen and moved through to the dining area, where everyone else had already taken a seat. Andrew held her chair for her, sliding her in before taking his own at her right side. To his right sat Frederick.
“What does this mean exactly, Tara?” her father asked once grace had been said.
“It means everybody gets protection. I don’t know for how long the detective said they’re working on it, but they do believe it’s a credible threat and is not one to take lightly.”
“Are you having protection assigned you as well?”
Tara looked to the other end of the table where her mother sat, pain still in her eyes. “Yes, ma’am, I am. But I refused to accept it until they could tell me everybody else was safe. Protection will be put together for Eva when she gets back. Hopefully this’ll get wrapped up soon and nobody’s lives will be too messed up. I’m sorry about all this.”