Running Scared

by Velvet Vaughn

  Jamal decided that was the coolest thing ever and he wanted to train dogs now.

  “That ginormous building is the workout facility. It has everything you could possibly think of exercise-wise.”

  “A pool?” Jamal was bobbing in his seat.

  “Two. Both Olympic sized. One indoor and one out.”

  Jamal was so excited he was practically hyperventilating. “I can swim all the time?”

  “You sure can.”

  He fell back against the seat dramatically. “I must be dreaming.”

  “Behind the gym is a shooting range and a facility we use to train for…various scenarios.” He almost said war games but didn’t want Jamal to worry it was something dangerous. “There are the apartments where we’re going to live for a while and over there are the offices.” He rounded a curve and hit the brakes. Several golf carts were parked along the road as he neared their destination.

  Jamal pointed through the seats. “Look at all the people…and dogs!”

  It looked like the entire COBRA Securities office and their families were out in force. Grills were smoking from the outdoor kitchen beneath an expansive pavilion, tables were set up with tons of food and drinks, and a sign was strung between two trees that read: Welcome Declan, Kenzie and Jamal.

  “Do they do this for all the new hires?” Kenzie stared out the windshield.

  He parked his truck and turned off the engine. “I have no idea. But I think I know who organized this one.”

  “Peyton!” Jamal ripped off his seatbelt and flew out the door, leaping into Peyton Durant’s arms. They were both laughing and crying.

  “He’s going to thrive here,” Kenzie murmured.

  “I hope so. Ready to meet the gang?”

  #

  Jamal was afraid he really was dreaming. If so, he didn’t want to wake up. He was going to live with his bestest friend in the whole world, Declan, whom he considered his father, and Kenzie, his second-best friend, even over Peyton—and that was saying something. He wanted her to be his new mom.

  Before they left Chicago, Declan sat him down and explained to him that his real mom was gone. He’d cried because he remembered the times she’d been good to him. He might not have wanted to live with her again, but she was still his mom. Declan told him that she was now with Jamarcus and though his brother had been cruel to him, it made him feel better knowing they had each other. Kenzie took him to a church and they lit candles for Aunt LaLa first and then his mom. As he stared at the glowing orange flame, he swore he felt Aunt LaLa’s presence. He’d never tell anyone this in case they thought he was crazy, but he swore he heard her tell him that she was happy he was with Declan and Kenzie and she knew they’d take care of him and she could rest easily.

  Sucking in fresh air, he couldn’t stop the huge smile that overtook his face. This was the most special place on earth. Some people said Disney Land was best, but he’d never been there, so to him, this was it. There were pools he could swim in, dogs he could play with and Peyton! She looked exactly like he remembered. She threw back her head and laughed when he told her that.

  “It’s only been a month.”

  “Still. I missed you.”

  She hugged him tight. “I missed you, too.”

  “Excuse me, Peyton, could you ever so kindly give the rest of us a chance to meet Jamal?”

  Peyton grinned. “Why I’m ever so sorry, Kai. Please, introduce yourselves.”

  Jamal turned to see a black-haired boy a couple of years older than him standing with a group of kids all close to the same age.

  “Hi, Jamal. I’m Kai Costa. This is usually where I’d tell you a joke, that’s kinda my thing, but your face already looks like it’s on the verge of bursting with happiness. I really don’t want to be the reason your head explodes.”

  Jamal smiled wider. It did feel like his cheeks might pop at any moment. There were kids he could play with, too. Kai introduced him to everyone, and he was afraid he’d never be able to remember their names. He met Kai’s sister Grace, RJ and twins Sean and Tiffany. Isabella Bradley was practically glued to Kai’s side.

  “I hear you have a stuffed friend,” Kai said.

  Jamal tensed, hoping they weren’t going to make fun of him like Jamarcus. His brother taunted him mercilessly. He wanted to be friends with these kids. “Y-yes.”

  “We all want to meet him.”

  Jamal’s eyes widened. “You do?”

  “Absolutely,” Kai said, and he looked like he meant it. “I do have a question for you. Do you know what they call bears without teeth?”

  He thought of Yogi and the stitched smile on his face. He didn’t have teeth. “Yogi?”

  “No…gummy bears!” Kai chuckled. “Get it…no teeth, gums, gummy…”

  Jamal laughed. “I get it and you’re funny.”

  “I try. Do you like to parkour?” Kai asked him.

  “You mean the butter?”

  Kai chuckled again. “No, that’s Parkay. I mean obstacle courses.”

  Jamal scrunched his nose. “Oh, I don’t know. I’ve never tried it. The butter, either.”

  Kai laughed and threw an arm around his shoulder. “Jamal, I can tell you and I are going to be besties. I’ll teach you all about parkour…if your da—uh, Declan says it’s okay.”

  A family, pools, dogs and friends. Man, this place was magic. Jamal would forever miss his aunt LaLa, but he hoped she rested easy knowing he’d found happiness.

  #

  Was Kenzie ready to meet Declan’s coworkers? She was definitely intimidated. The woman Jamal was currently attached to like Velcro had enough Olympic gold medals to fill Fort Knox. She recognized the two women holding hands with—wow—dreamy men. Juliet LaRue and Layla Brooks. “Sure.”

  The next hour was a blur of meeting new people and feeling like she’d found a family. Everyone was so nice. Despite their fame, Juliet and Layla were extremely friendly and down-to-earth. Juliet preferred her real name of Jade, so she’d have to remember that. Harlow Duquesne Oldham was fascinating, and she was stunned to recognize Olivia Larrson and Kendall Buckley, though they were both married now. She’d watched them on the news in New York City. Melody Colton was delighted to discover Kenzie used her products religiously and promised to keep her stocked. One of the biggest shocks had been meeting Taylor Hudson Costa. She was a big fan of the mystery writer. She couldn’t wait to get her alone to talk to her about the business and any mutual acquaintances they might have in common.

  Kayla had been right on the money—all the men were devastating. Every. Single. One. She thought Declan was the most appealing man she’d ever met, but Taylor’s husband Dante came a close second. Good grief, the eye candy was to die for. She almost went all fan girl when she spotted her television crush, Reed “Abs of” Steele.

  She couldn’t get over how charming the compound was, too. The lakeside setting was peaceful and serene. The portion they’d set aside for the park rivaled any she visited. A black fence surrounded the perimeter, but gates were open that led to steps trailing down the hill to a boardwalk connected to a dock and pier. A pontoon boat was tied up with lights. It even sported a slide from the top level. Jamal would love it when it was a little warmer outside. The day was immaculate, with blue skies and a light wind, but the water would still be too cold for swimming.

  Next to the steps was a ramp that wound down the hill for wheelchair access. She’d met BeBe Davis and the woman was as prodigious as Declan claimed.

  Though she hadn’t toured the building yet, she was excited to make use of the gym facilities. She’d need to get in top shape to keep up with Jamal. He was a ball of energy.

  Though they hadn’t talked about marriage, that’s where her mind instantly went. She just hoped Declan was in the same place.

  #

  Declan leaned against a tree and sipped from a bottle of ice-cold beer. The sun was setting over the lake, casting the water with an orange glow. Lights twinkled merrily from strands wrapped around trees and
lighting the paths. Soft music wafted from speakers placed strategically around the area. The food had been delicious and the company fabulous. He had the chance to get to know more of his coworkers and he was excited to begin the next chapter in his life with them.

  He’d planned on keeping Kenzie close so she didn’t feel left out, but she’d been swallowed up and he hadn’t seen much of her all afternoon.

  “She fits in here perfectly.”

  He nodded his head slowly at Noah, never taking his eyes from Kenzie as she chatted animatedly with Peyton and Ethan’s girlfriend Esme.

  “Jamal, too.”

  He glanced over to see him with Kai Costa and a group of kids learning the correct way to hold a baseball by former major leaguer Reed Steele. He hadn’t mentioned his plans to adopt Jamal in case something went wrong. He didn’t want to get his hopes up. If something did happen and he wasn’t allowed to adopt him, it might crush Jamal, but it would devastate him.

  Noah took a drink of beer. “How’s Eric?”

  “Improving daily.” Thank goodness. He wouldn’t have left him, but Eric insisted. He knew how much this job opportunity meant to Declan. Plus, the nurse Declan hired for him was working out well. “He’s coming to visit next week. I’m hoping to talk him into moving here.”

  Jamal threw the ball to Reed standing a few feet away and even from here, Declan could tell he had a natural delivery. Reed said something that made Jamal’s entire face light up with pure, unadulterated joy. He made a mental note to look into T-ball or pee wee baseball.

  Gage Monahan waved as he gingerly made his way to a golf cart to head to his apartment for the night. Declan was surprised he lasted as long as he had. He was hurting but he’d be back to full force soon.

  “Have you heard from the Harmon sisters?”

  “Scarlett called Tyler and they hit it off. He thinks he can talk her into a job once she graduates. He’s even trying to coax her into ditching the government and selling her tracking program to us.” Noah finished off his beer. “That’s my cue. See you tomorrow.”

  Declan bid him good evening as Kenzie strolled leisurely towards him. The smile on her face made him want to tumble her to the grass and have his wicked way with her.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey, yourself. Are you having a good time?”

  She rolled her eyes and dramatically tossed out her arms. “Are you kidding me? The place is splendid, and I love every single person here already.”

  He wrapped a hand around her waist and pulled her close to taste her lips. It’d been too long, and he couldn’t help himself. Moving his hand from her hip to her face, he murmured, “You’re splendid and I love you.”

  Though they’d said the words to each other when she was in the hospital, she might’ve been high on painkillers. It was the ideal time and setting to speak the words his heart felt with every breath.

  Tears flooded her eyes. “I love you, too, Declan. So much.”

  He kissed her again but eased back before he made a scene in front of his new crew. She twisted so her back rested against his front and he wrapped his arms around her. She took the beer from his hands and finished it off.

  “Dad, did you see that? I threw the baseball all the way to Reed and he said I was a natural.”

  Declan’s heart burst. It just flat out blew up inside his chest. Jamal called him Dad.

  “Yeah…” He had to clear the frog from his throat. “I did. You are a natural.”

  Jamal wrapped his arms around both Declan and Kenzie. “I love it here with you two and I’m so happy.”

  “Us, too,” Kenzie said in a watery voice.

  Jamal leaned back so he could look Declan in the eye. “Does this mean I don’t have to run scared anymore?”

  “Nope, buddy. You’re safe. And you’re home.”

  # # #

  Notes

  I hope you enjoyed Running Scared, the nineteenth book in the COBRA Securities series. Several characters from previous books made appearances in Running Scared. If you would like to read their stories, you can find them here:

  Dorian Demarchis from Trust No One

  Alex Mylonas from Vigilante

  Kai Costa from Hide and Seek and Kidnapped

  Noah Addison and Peyton Durant from Golden Girl

  Ethan Addison from Fatal Dreams

  About the Author

  Velvet Vaughn is the author of The List, The Fan, Committed, Violets are Blue, Trust No One, Hide and Seek, Killer Cuisine, Vigilante, Face the Music, Tough as Nails, Total Surrender, Hunted, Say Goodbye to Melody, Last Dance, The Viper, Golden Girl, Fatal Dreams, Without a Trace and Running Scared, the first nineteen books in the COBRA Securities series, as well as Saving Santa, and Kidnapped, COBRA Securities Short Stories. In addition, two novellas: A Christmas Miracle and Flying High Christmas are available as stand-alone books or in the anthologies All I Want For Christmas and Yuletide Treasures, respectively. Iron Cross, the twentieth book in the COBRA Securities series will be published soon.

  Connect With Velvet

  Website: ww.velvetvaughn.com/

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  Twitter: https://twitter.com/velvetvaughn/

  Email: velvetvaughn@yahoo.com

  From Velvet

  Thank you so much for purchasing Running Scared. I hope you enjoyed Declan and Kenzie’s story. If you did, I would appreciate you leaving feedback. Thank you!

  The twentieth book in the COBRA Securities series will be out soon. Iron Cross is COBRA Securities agent Kayla Hepburn and professional hockey player Finnegan Bates’ story.

  If you would like to read the story of one of the characters from my books, let me know. You can reach me through the contact page on my (newly redesigned) website or my Facebook Fanpage. I'd love to hear from you. And be sure to like my Fanpage so you can take part in giveaways and sign up for my newsletter for a chance to win a gift certificate in each issue.

  Thank you again for your support!