A Reluctant Hero

by Dara Girard

  What had he done? He had stayed out of hiding to protect himself. He had no idea that being visible would have led to something like this. Why? He knew this woman was just trying to get his story, but she hadn’t written anything yet. So, who was trying to kill her and why? Maybe his hunch was true. He looked at Daniella again. She finally looked peaceful, thanks to several sleeping pills he had put in her tea. Why was this beautiful woman being targeted like this? He knew he had to do something. Murder or intimidation had never been on his mind. He had accepted his fate and was lying low, creating a new identity and starting a new life. Now it was time for him to figure out what was going on. Trenton Sheppard was no longer going to hide, he would bury Richard Engleright and come alive once more.

  * * *

  She couldn’t scream, she couldn’t cry out. Nobody could help her. Her mind was a blur of dark masks, Trenton’s hand, his voice, the sound of a cold, relentless drizzle soaking through her clothes. She thought of her sister Mariella warning her about heading into danger. This was the second time she’d faced death, another terrifying time in the woods, but there had been no Trenton to save her…but wait, he had been there. She remembered flashes of him. His arms, his voice. Or perhaps it had all been her imagination. Those two men would come back to get her and—

  “Shh…” a deep, soothing voice said. “You’re safe now.”

  Daniella opened her eyes and saw Trenton beside her and Layla sleeping at her feet. She felt the warmth and comfort they offered and promptly burst into tears.

  Trenton gathered her close. He didn’t ask her any questions, for which she was grateful. A part of her was still terrified it was all just a dream and that she would wake up alone in the woods with her arms and legs bound and left to die.

  “I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he said. “Who did this?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t see their faces.”

  “Who did you talk to?”

  “What?”

  “Before this happened. Who did you talk to?”

  “Um…your parents, a nurse, Dr. Brooks—”

  He swore.

  “You think he did this?”

  “I don’t know, but—” He shook his head. “Damn it, Daniella. I told you to go home.”

  “I just wanted to help you.”

  His patience snapped. He stood. “You call this helping me? Getting yourself nearly killed?”

  She tried to hold back tears, but he saw them swimming in her eyes anyway and sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout, but I nearly lost you. What would I have done then?”

  “Will you let me help you now?”

  “I should pack you up and drive you directly to where you live myself.” He turned on the radio.

  She frowned. “Is that country?”

  He shot her a glance. “Do you have something against country?”

  “No,” she said quickly. “I was just asking.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Are you going to stay angry with me?”

  “Do you expect me to applaud you?” Trenton looked at her for a long moment. He knew he was going to regret this, but he had no other choice but to find out what she knew. She’d gotten in too deep and he had to get her out of it. The only way to do that was to keep an eye on her. He’d underestimated her stubbornness. Just what he needed—someone else to worry about. Layla had had another of her attacks last night and now he had to deal with a delusional woman who felt it was her duty to save him. “Tell me everything you know.”

  “I don’t know much yet.”

  “Someone thinks you do.”

  “I saw Fayola.”

  He paused. “Where?”

  “In Dr. Brooks’s office.”

  Trenton stared at her for a long moment then fell on the bed and covered his face. “I shouldn’t be surprised. I am, but I shouldn’t be.” He swore.

  Daniella lightly touched his arm, feeling helpless to relieve his pain. “I’m sorry.”

  His shoulders tensed and his jaw twitched. “It’s not your fault. She found someone better.”

  “You still love her?”

  Trenton let his hands fall, defeated. “Does it matter now?”

  No, it didn’t. She changed the subject. “He’s hiding something. And…”

  He shook his head.

  “The lab results were suppressed. I spoke to—”

  “I don’t care,” he said, his voice hollow.

  “You did a minute ago.”

  “That was different.”

  “That was before I told you about Fayola.”

  He turned away.

  “I’m sorry you had hopes of getting back together, but I need you to care about the truth because it matters. Please don’t let my ordeal be for nothing. You can’t give up.”

  “Why not?” He tapped his chest. “What do you want from me? Why do you want me to be the man that I’m not?”

  “I want a chance to repay you.”

  “I don’t need it.”

  “I came after you for selfish reasons. I wanted to show Pascal that I could do investigative journalism. I wanted to tell your story for my own glory and I’m ashamed of that now. I realized that I don’t want to be the woman Pascal dared me to be. Digging into your past, hurting people is not the kind of legacy I want to leave. I need to feel valuable. I need to believe my life was really worth saving.”

  “It is.”

  “You don’t understand. What have I really done with my life? Nothing. If I’d died my family would have missed me, but that’s it. I didn’t do anything great. I’ve never really done anything impulsive. At least not on my own,” she said to correct herself, thinking of the challenge she and her sisters had come up with to catch a man. “I lived for myself and it was easy and fun. But I’m not that woman anymore. You saved my life and now I’m going to save yours.”

  “Okay, tell me more.”

  Daniella told him everything and he listened then hung his head when she was through. “This much we know. They wanted to scare you because they left you alive. If you stop asking questions, maybe whoever did this will relax and not worry. You need to stay safe. You’ll lie low here for a few days and then we’ll start again. Fortunately, we have time. We can use that time to let him get comfortable again. I need him to drop his guard.”

  “Okay, what should we do now?”

  “Sleep.”

  “Oh,” she said in a quiet tone, the room suddenly becoming more intimate. She was in his domain and she quickly realized how vulnerable she was to him. “You have another bedroom?”

  “No, but I’ll be a gentleman and sleep on the couch.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  He paused. His voice caught. “What do you mean?”

  “You can stay here.”

  Trenton laughed. “I’m not that much of a gentleman.”

  “But I don’t want to be alone.”

  He pointed. “I’m just down the hall and there’s Layla.”

  “Please,” she pleaded.

  Trenton rested his hands on his hips then released a fierce sigh. “All right.” He brushed his teeth, changed into his boxers, turned off the lights then got in the bed. He stiffened when she snuggled up against him. “Wait, what are you doing?”

  “Keeping warm.”

  “You need an extra blanket?”

  “Not if you hold me.”

  He groaned. “I can’t hold you.”

  “You did before.”

  “That was different.”

  “Please.”

  “Daniella—”

  “Pretty please?”

  He was silent a moment then said, “Fine. Five minutes.” He drew her close then looked at his watch. “Starting now.”
/>   “I’m glad you’re the one who found me.”

  “Hmm.”

  “At first I thought I was dreaming.” She snuggled closer, rubbing her cheek against his chest. He was hard, warm and smooth, just as she’d hoped he’d be. “Who would have thought you were so cuddly?”

  “I’m not cuddly,” he grumbled.

  “Yes, you are—so warm and tender and—”

  His voice deepened. “Stop moving like that.”

  “I can’t help it, it feels so good. I wish this moment could last forever.”

  Trenton jumped out of the bed. “Okay, time’s up.”

  He left and minutes later, Daniella heard the shower turn on. She fell asleep with a smile on her face. At least he wouldn’t be thinking about Fayola tonight.

  Trenton didn’t think about Fayola at all. A cold shower didn’t help either. He wrapped a towel around himself and went downstairs to the kitchen where he grabbed a bag of popcorn and then he went to the couch and watched TV until he drifted off to sleep.

  * * *

  “What do you mean you left her in the woods?” Dr. Brooks said.

  “Just to frighten her.”

  “You were supposed to scare her not kill her. She could die from exposure out there in the mountains.”

  “Don’t worry, Doc. When we drove back there she was gone,” he said, not wanting to admit that he’d forgotten about her because he’d spent some of his money on drugs and a hot whore with a name he still couldn’t pronounce.

  “Are you sure she didn’t know who you are?” Brooks said.

  “Positive. She was real scared. Near tears. You don’t have to worry about her anymore.”

  Chapter 10

  Trenton woke to the smell of smoke. He jumped up and headed to the kitchen where he found Daniella opening the windows and waving away black billows of smoke. She was wearing his robe. It was too big for her but he liked what he saw. He glanced at a burnt pan lying in the sink.

  “What happened?”

  She turned to him then quickly dropped her gaze, embarrassed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  He walked over to the sink. “What were you trying to make?”

  “Breakfast.”

  “We can just go into town.”

  “I wasn’t sure you’d want to be seen with me.”

  “Why not?”

  “People will talk.”

  “People are already talking. Eating together won’t make a difference.” He poured himself a glass of orange juice.

  The doorbell rang.

  He set his glass down. “I’ll get it.”

  Daniella flew at him and blocked his path. “No!”

  He halted. “What?”

  “You can’t answer the door.”

  “Richard?” a voice called.

  He groaned. “It’s Vera. Don’t worry, I can get rid of her. At least for a while.” He took a step around her.

  Daniella jumped in front of him again and tried to push him back. “Are you crazy? You can’t answer it. She’ll talk.”

  He frowned. “She’ll talk anyway. She knows I’m here. In a minute she’ll peek through the window.”

  Daniella threw her arms around him and glanced behind her. “Shouldn’t you close the blinds?”

  “There’s nothing to see.” He stared down at her, confused. “I’m not saying I’m not enjoying this, but what’s wrong with you?”

  “Don’t you care?”

  He gently, but firmly, unlatched her arms. “No, I can handle Vera.”

  Daniella rushed in front of him again. “Not like this. Look at you.”

  He glanced down then glanced over at the couch where his towel from last night still lay. “Oh. That explains why you felt so good against me.” He glanced up and waved at Vera who was peering through the window. Daniella blocked her full view of him. She turned and remained in front of him. “We’ll be right there,” she called to her.

  Vera nodded then went to the front door.

  Daniella turned to Trenton. “Go put something on.”

  “Wearing you seems to be working.” He narrowed his gaze. “Actually, I have a better idea.” He reached for her robe.

  She grasped the collar. “What are you doing?”

  “I’ll just put this on.”

  “You can’t.”

  He frowned. “Why not?”

  “It was going to be a surprise after breakfast.”

  “A surprise?”

  “Yes.”

  A slow, sensuous smile spread on his face. “You mean you’re not wearing anything underneath?”

  “No.”

  “You can surprise me now.”

  “There’s Vera.”

  He furrowed his brows as if she’d said a foreign word. “Vera?”

  “Yes, she’s at the door.”

  He nodded as if suddenly remembering. “Oh, right, her. I’ll get it.”

  Daniella grabbed his arm. “You forgot your towel.”

  “Oh.” He quickly grabbed the towel, wrapping it around his waist and headed for the door then stopped and pointed at Daniella. “Promise not to change your mind.”

  “About what?”

  “My surprise.”

  She grinned, briefly baring her shoulder before hiding it under the robe again. “I won’t, just answer the door.”

  Trenton stared at her while he fumbled for the door handle.

  Daniella covered her mouth to keep from laughing then said, “Do you need help?”

  Trenton turned to the door. “No, I’m fine,” he said then opened the door and welcomed Vera inside. “Sorry to have kept you waiting, Vera.”

  “That’s okay,” she said, giving him an odd look then sending a suspicious glance Daniella’s way. Then she sniffed the air. “What’s that awful smell?” she said heading for the kitchen.

  “I was making breakfast,” Daniella said.

  Vera looked at the burnt remnants. “My Emma knows how to cook.”

  “So does Daniella,” Trenton lied. “It’s my fault, I distracted her.”

  “Oh. Well, I brought you a few things. You love Emma’s deviled eggs, don’t you, Trenton?”

  Trenton didn’t reply. He was too busy staring at Daniella with a big grin on his face, like a child who knew he was about to open the perfect birthday present. Daniella couldn’t help grinning back.

  “Richard?” Vera snapped.

  He blinked and looked at her. “Huh?”

  “You didn’t hear a word I said, did you?”

  “No,” he said flatly.

  Vera set the rest of the items on the counter and turned to Daniella. “I heard you got attacked. What were you doing out in the woods all by yourself?”

  “That wasn’t her,” Trenton said.

  “The description certainly sounded like her.”

  “It wasn’t. She was with me.”

  “Oh.” She measured Daniella with a cool look. “Fine. I was just looking to see that you were okay, but I guess I didn’t need to.” She walked past him to the front door. “Sorry to have bothered you.”

  “Me, too,” he said then winced when Daniella hit him. “I mean, thanks.” He ushered her out the door. “There goes my free meals. I will miss their cooking.” He turned to Daniella and rubbed his hands in anticipation. “Surprise time.” He reached out for her.

  “Wait,” she said, holding him off. “Not yet.” She turned.

  He grabbed the belt of her robe, stopping her. “You promised not to change your mind.”

  “I haven’t changed my mind. I just thought this would be better upstairs.”

  “Why not here? No one’s looking.”

  “Upstairs or no surp
rise.”

  Trenton sighed, resigned, then grabbed her hand. “Okay, you win,” he said, running up the stairs and dragging her behind him. He raced into the bedroom, lifted her onto the bed then rested his hands on his hips. “Better now?”

  “Almost.” Daniella jumped down from the bed and pulled out a condom from her robe pocket. “First I have to check and make sure you’re ready.”

  “Honey—” his voice broke into huskiness “—I’m more than ready.”

  “I want to find out for myself,” she said, slipping her hand underneath his towel. She stroked the inside of his thigh, surprised by how smooth and firm he felt. He was definitely a well-made man. She then wrapped her fingers around him. “You’re getting there,” she teased.

  His eyes caught and held hers. “I’m as hard as a pole.”

  “Let me be the judge of that.” She opened the condom then pulled off his towel.

  He lifted a mocking brow. “Convinced yet?”

  “Almost. Just one more test.”

  “Test?” Trenton’s voice cracked with impatience. “I’m waiting for my surprise.”

  “It’s coming.”

  He reached for her again. “I want it now.”

  Daniella stepped out of reach. “Here it is.” She let the robe slide to the ground then she put the condom in her mouth and got down on her knees and began rolling it on, stopping halfway.

  “What’s wrong?” Trenton glanced down at her.

  Daniella cleared her throat without looking up. “You’re more than I expected,” she said, rolling the rest of the condom on with her hand.

  “You haven’t done this before?”

  “I have, I just…you’re more than a mouthful. I haven’t had to deal with so…” She let her words fade away.

  “Much?” Trenton finished.

  Daniella felt her face grow warm. “Size doesn’t matter.”

  Trenton reached his hand down and raised her chin, forcing her to look at him, his tone playful. “It does if you know how to use it to your advantage.”

  “Then you have a big advantage!” She glanced down. “You’re as hard as a rocket.”

  “Ready for takeoff.”