by Aliyah Burke
Adalyn dropped her fork on her plate, the clatter bringing everybody’s attention to her. “This? This is what you’re upset about? Us having to be protected because you’re doing your job very well. But you’re not upset about keeping your marriage from your parents? From your sisters? At least Eva.”
Again, Andrew expected Shai to step up and say she had just learned that they’d been married. She didn’t. Correcting assumptions was never done, instead she took some of the brunt of the withering and pained looks from their parents. His heart went out to her a little more.
They truly do protect one another.
“How long have you been married to my daughter? Apparently I need to speak to you since she is incapable of giving me straight answers.”
He set down the wine glass and focused his full attention on her mother. Correction, his mother-in-law.
“We’ve been married for five years.” Her mouth dropped open and tears swam in those blue eyes. “This isn’t all her fault, ma’am. It’s mine too. We’ve had a rocky marriage and at times weren’t sure if it was going to continue. I haven’t even been in the States for these past few years and it just seemed easier for neither of us to say anything.” He reached over and captured Tara’s hand in his own.
“Please know this was never an intentional slight to hurt either one of you or her sisters. Tara loves you all so much and has never said anything but the most amazing things about you. I know this feels like a betrayal and I get it, but we felt it best to go this way. Especially when we couldn’t always get along. We didn’t want it splashed all over the news about how this young ADA for the Quad Cities was having issues with her husband who happens to be a baron. I hope you can understand that.”
Tara opened her mouth so he squeezed her hand until she closed it and lowered her gaze. He had no trouble shouldering the brunt of this for her. Across the table from him, Shai met and held his gaze. When no one was looking he gave her a wink. It wasn’t returned but when she lifted her glass the next time for a drink, she tipped it toward him in acknowledgment. That he would take.
Throughout the rest of the meal talk swung between the protection they would have, and what he did, and where he lived currently. The woman beside him was subdued and he didn’t like it at all. This wasn’t the Tara he had known and fallen for. This one reminded him of someone who’d been beaten and put down.
After the meal was over and had been cleaned up, he sat in the living room while Tara spoke to her parents. A little bit later, Shai came in and sat beside him on the couch. She didn’t face the same direction he did—no, she turned to face him direct and had her feet up on the couch cross-legged.
“You and I had a talk when you were at my place and you didn’t answer me when I questioned you about what your plans were for her. I figured you didn’t think that you owed it to me to explain anything. And that you two should discuss it with each other before you said anything.” She shrugged. “While I find that annoying, I can see your point on that. However, after your behavior tonight, I’m thinking you have every intention of staying married to my sister, which then, by default, will make you my brother-in-law.”
He rested the ankle of one boot on his opposite knee. “And this is a problem?”
“Hell no.” She scooted closer on the cushion until her knees almost brushed against his thigh. “However, I’m not above bribery and wanting to get what I want. I want to know if you have any pull with any of the cooking schools over there.”
He wasn’t all that sure where this was going. “You want to come to Switzerland to learn to cook? You already know how to cook and you are a damn good one from what I’ve seen.”
“What I want from Switzerland is the chocolate and the cooking. What better place to go and cook? Not strictly to learn but also for the atmosphere around you. Being able to look out on the Alps…what an experience that must be.”
“If that’s what you want, I take my duty seriously as your older brother to get it for you.”
She flashed him a grin that bespoke complete impishness. As quick as it came it was gone and he was left with the woman he’d seen throughout dinner. Quiet. Assessing. Watchful. Shai inched back so they were no longer nearly touching. She just managed to swing around and put her feet on the floor when the others came back into the room.
Tara walked over and settled on the cushion between them. Andrew draped an arm around her shoulders, tucking her tight to his side. She rested her head on his shoulder when he pulled the tie from the end of her braid and began to release her hair. Her exhaustion seeped from her and he knew it was time to get her going so she could get some rest. Even with that knowledge, it was another two hours before they finally made their departure from his in-laws.
Outside, he escorted her to the passenger side and gave a sharp shake of his head when she opened her mouth to dispute him.
“Don’t.”
He slid behind the wheel, started the engine and backed out of the drive.
“Do you even have a driver’s license for here?”
“International driver’s license. Trust me, Tara, I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”
“So you say now,” she muttered. “Just wait until you have to go back to Switzerland.”
Andrew flexed his fingers along the steering wheel. He wasn’t about to get into this with her, not right now. Especially since he wasn’t sure she’d meant for him to hear her comment.
He knew the way back to her place and had every intention of spending the night with her. Sex wouldn’t be necessary, but would be a bonus, as it always was with her. He put the car in gear and headed home.
Even now, I think of anywhere with her as home.
Tara was silent as he slowed for a red light. He gazed over at her. She was out cold. Lashes resting against her cheek, she appeared at peace for the first time since he’d seen her tonight. The stress lining her eyes at her parents’ house had gone.
If only I could erase the circles from her below her eyes, too.
He parked in her spot and even when he lifted her in his arms, she never made a peep.
Chapter Nine
The heavy veil of sleep lifted from Tara’s eyes as she slowly came alert. Barely any light came through and what did was a muted gray.
Still snowing.
She sat up and ran her gaze over the baggy T-shirt covering her body. Nothing else. Not even a pair of panties.
What the fuck happened last night? She lay back, physically and emotionally exhausted.
I remember telling all about the hit on me, the protection they were all going to need and—
She bolted back up again, jackknifing in the bed.
I told them about Drew.
It all came rushing back. The look of betrayal from both parents, but most of all the one from her mom, Adalyn. Tears sprang up at the recollection. Fighting them back, she frowned as she stared at her bedroom door. Almost shut. She slept with it open. Always.
Is Drew here? Tara sighed. If he is here, would it truly be so bad?
She didn’t think so. However, lying there wondering did not help her, so she decided to find out.
Later.
Later turned out to be mere moments when she heard male voices in the outer space of her apartment. Not voice, voices.
Spurred into action, she exited her bedroom and went to the living area, where she stopped short at the view before her. Drew stood there talking to Detective Savvas and two uniformed officers.
In fact, he acted like he owned the area. There was also the matter of his state of dress. Or the lack thereof. Dress pants were the single article on him and he didn’t seem at all perturbed by that as he conversed with the men.
Pivoting on her heels, she retreated for some pants at least. It wouldn’t do for her to be entertaining officers of the law in a shirt.
The men were still conversing when she returned. Drew gazed at her, a private smile tipping up his bow-shaped lips. “Morning, beautiful.” He gestured to her.
She was over halfway to him before she realized he was ordering her around in her own place. Furious she’d responded to his beckon, she scowled at him.
Doesn’t even give a damn. His smile never left his face and when she got beside him, he kissed her as he wrapped an arm around her waist. Her gut tightened as she pressed up against his warm body. His hard body.
The man smelled divine. She didn’t know how he did it, not to mention if he’d been with her all night. No way she had anything in her place that would have him smelling like this. Because if she had, she’d have clothes in it so she could wear his smell even when they weren’t together.
“The guys and I were just talking.”
She struggled to control her eyebrow from jacking up at his statement of the ‘the guys,’ as in her mind they should have been there only in an official capacity, not for setting up a time to head out to the local ball park for a beer and a game.
Sliding her gaze over to the detective, she held his for a moment before saying. “Morning, Detective.”
If he was uneasy by standing in her place talking to her husband—who, until a few days ago, no one had known she had—he didn’t show it. If she wasn’t mistaken, there was amusement lingering in his gaze.
“Ma’am,” he said.
“Ms. Monroe is fine.” Drew’s hold on her tightened but he didn’t contradict her statement. “Are we discussing the protection on my family?”
The man nodded. “Yes. I was telling your husband that we’ve assigned units to your parents and to your sister. As soon as we hear that your sister is back in town, we’ll have another on her. As it is, we’ve alerted Orlando PD about the situation and they’ve agreed to have a unit on her while she’s down there, all without letting her know she’s got plainclothes on her. We figured you would want to tell her.”
Stepping away from Drew, she reached out her hand to the man before her, held his green gaze and said with heartfelt thanks, “I can’t thank you enough for taking this seriously in regards to my family.”
He shook her hand, his grip strong and sure. “I’m glad to be of service, even though it sucks we have to. These two, Officers Kellen and Markowitz, will be around. Please don’t try to lose them. Our goal here is to keep you alive, not spend time trying to hunt you down in order to do so.”
Drew returned her to his side, his large body sheltering her even further. “I have no problem paying for protection on her or her family.”
Savvas shifted his weight. “We’re cops, Baron Coleman, not private contractors. So thank you, but we don’t need it.”
Drew didn’t hesitate. “Does she?” He cleared his throat. “Do they? Look, Detective, I am not about to lose my wife because your police force is understaffed and stretched thin. I know you have a lot of territory to cover and if it’s something that would be fine, I’ll hire personal protection for the entire group of them.”
She kept her mouth shut, knowing Drew well enough to know he wasn’t joking. Maybe she did know him better than she’d been trying to convince herself she did.
The detective didn’t hesitate either. “I can’t tell you how to spend your money. We protect our own and she’s part of our family. If you do decide to bring in personal protection, I would simply ask that you let us know who they are and what they look like so we don’t spend time and resources trying to make sure they are men or women who are okay to have around your family.”
She licked her lips and cleared her throat. “I don’t think it will be necessary to bring in any personal protection.”
“You’re my wife,” he uttered, his voice no longer friendly or easygoing.
“And I like to think we have the best cops in the country. They’re damn good at their job.”
“Fine, we’ll do it your way, for now.”
“I should get going. They’ll be downstairs when you are ready to head to work.”
Tara gave them a smile before they left. The detective remained by the door, hand on the wood. “Thank you for your cooperation.”
“I know how this works, Detective. Can I ask who you have on my family?”
“Some of our best are on your family. Sergeant Torres is on your father during the day. Officer Patron is on your mother and your sister.” He paused and flipped through a small notebook he’d pulled from his pocket. He gave a heavy sigh. “She’s being difficult. Right now, it’s Officer Meshton.”
“I’ll talk to her. Thank you.”
His smile was a bit strained as he nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Have a good day and thank you for your time.”
The door closed behind him and seconds later it was just her and Drew. She stepped away from him and scowled. “Who the fuck do you think you are to allow men into my apartment and discuss my safety while I’m sleeping?”
“Wow, an entire five seconds before you lit into me after he left.” There wasn’t any emotion in his tone and that bothered her. “You’re still my wife, Tara, even if you are trying not to remember that fact. I’m still here because I carried you in last night, as you were exhausted and passed out before we even got here after leaving your parents. And before you ask, yes, I undressed you.”
She stared into his blue gaze for a bit. Acknowledging she’d been a bitch, she thought about what to say but settled on, “Thank you.”
That got him. The widening of his eyes told her that. About to head into the kitchen, she halted at his light touch on her arm. Lifting an eyebrow, she waited for him to say something.
“I’ll always protect you, Tara. You have to know this. And I want you have more protection. The best money can buy.”
“I trust the cops in my city to keep us safe.”
His gaze shuttered. “More than me.”
“That’s not it, Drew.”
“Andrew.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “That’s what you want to quibble about right now?”
He shook his head and waved a hand in her direction.
“The cops of this city know the city. Know the family that has put this hit out on me. Honestly, I think they are more than capable of keeping us safe.”
“That so?”
She crossed her arms. “I just stated that, didn’t I?”
“Then explain your scowls when the names were listed. Not the one on your father but the other two. Is it because they’re just officers and not holding any rank? Or is it because you don’t think they can do anything if something were to happen?”
She hated being caught like this. “I’m sure they’ll be fine.”
He crossed his arms. “Don’t lie to either of us. What are you thinking?”
“Nothing,” she protested.
“Tara.” There was warning in his tone.
With a frustrated sigh, she marched into the kitchen, making her way to the coffee maker. She drew short on her heels. The man didn’t speak—he didn’t have to. She felt him around her. Always had. Always will. At least until he is no longer part of my life.
He blocked her in with his strong arms. Shit, he still hasn’t put on a shirt. It wasn’t fair to tempt her with all of this muscled fineness.
“I’m not moving until you tell me. And personally, I hope you take a long time, because then I get to be pressed up to you like this. Gives me time to get you thinking about something else.”
“Shai,” she squeaked as his hard erection brushed against her ass. “She’s going to be a problem. She hates having someone shadow her. Unless it pertains to her school schedule. This Officer Meshton is going to have her work cut out for her.”
He nibbled along the skin of her bare shoulder. She shivered and cursed her weakness, even as she tipped her head more to give him more access to her needy skin.
“So, talk to her. Make your point of how much you need her to go along with this. If not for her, but for your own state of mind. I see how she protects you, even though she holds the title of the youngest.”
“How do you know this?”
“I saw this last night. She co
uld have corrected what your parents assumed happened and the length of time she’d known about me, but she didn’t. She shouldered some of the blame and angry stares. She’d move mountains for you if you needed it.” He shifted his hand up beneath her shirt, skimming his calloused palm along her belly, and she trembled.
“Okay,” she admitted on a sigh. “I’ll talk to her later today.”
“Damn,” he whispered against her ear. “I was hoping I would get to change your mind.”
She turned in his embrace. “You did.”
* * * *
“Dammit, Wendy, this is starting to piss me off.”
“I’m so sorry my handling of your things isn’t to your liking. Perhaps you should drag your wife back and handle it yourself.”
Frowning over the actual anger in her tone, he pulled up short from the pacing he’d begun in front of Tara’s large picture window that showed off a stunning landscape of the Quad Cities area.
“Wendy?”
“What?” she growled. “If all you’re going to do is snap at me, then I’m done. I am following your instructions to the letter, so don’t get mad at me because it’s not going how you wanted it to.”
“Fuck the deal, Wendy. What’s going on with you? I’ve never heard you like this before. What’s the problem? Who do I have to kill?”
She hesitated and that again threw him, for this woman didn’t hesitate. Wendy was a woman of action, even if she wasn’t one hundred percent confident in what she was about to do. She still went in without the slightest bit of hesitation. So for him to hear hesitation in her tone was more than a tiny bit disturbing.
“I don’t need you to kill anyone on my behalf, Mr. Coleman.”
He narrowed his eyes at his reflection in the window. Behind him, he watched the front door, waiting for Tara to come home from her day of work.
“What’s with the Mr. Coleman? Christ, Wendy, if you need me to come back, tell me and I’ll be on the first plane. I’m not concerned about the deal, I mean, yes, it will suck royally if I lose this deal, but if keeping the deal means I lose you, then it’s not worth it to me. You’re more important.”