by Adriana Noir
The husky guard shifted on his feet, skin paling with the warning. “Understood, sir. It won’t happen again.”
“I would hope not. This,” Sebastian said leaning back in his seat and gesturing beside him, “is my fiancée, Taylor. Safeguarding her and securing the house in my absence is your main priority. Nothing else matters. Consider yourself her personal bodyguard. It’s your ass on the line if any harm comes to her. That means as much as a single hair on her head. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir. Crystal. It’s nice to meet you, Ma’am,” he said, flashing a courteous smile.
“I will brief you and the rest of the team on my expectations later.”
“We’re looking forward to it, sir.”
Sebastian scoffed beneath his breath. “We will see.”
“One last thing, Agent Baas. A man and woman arrived earlier and are waiting inside, a Mr. Josh Reevers and Ms. Monique Dupree. Mr. Reevers is the one who hired me.”
He forced a tight nod. “That would be my partner and my sister.”
“I hope that’s okay, sir.”
“It’s fine, Rupert. Thank you.”
After rolling the window up, Sebastian turned to Taylor with a slight roll of his eyes and hit the button for the garage door. “He’s a talkative one.”
She turned in her seat, worry clouding her face and darkening her studious gaze. “What happened to Henderson?”
Sebastian stiffened. He had known that one was coming. Sighing, he guided the car in the garage, killed the motor, and shut the door. He took her hand and kissed the tip of her fingers, his eyes searching hers in the darkened space.
“Henderson didn’t make it, baby. I’m sorry. We only have so many people on our medical staff. The doctors were busy tending to you and the surgical team was scrambling to keep Dominic from bleeding out.”
A sob welled in her chest. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cry. It’s just…he saved my life.”
He expelled a dry huff. “No, Taylor. He almost cost you your life. If security had done their job properly, none of this would have happened. At the very least, headquarters or the police would have been called and they could have a put a stop to things. That kind of lax performance is not something that will happen again. I promise you that much.”
“You don’t know what it was like,” she whispered. “You have no idea what they went through.”
His jaw tightened at the accusation, but she was right. He didn’t know. Letting his head fall back, he stared at the seam where the windshield joined the roof and fought to keep his temper under control. The faint smell of gasoline and motor oil hung in the air.
“No, Taylor,” he said softly. “I wasn’t there. I have no way of knowing what really happened that night, but even if he had given it his all, there was no way SKALS was going to waste their resources to save a man who meant nothing to them. Their hands were full enough as it was. He died a hero and for a worthy cause, Taylor. Leave it at that.”
“I mean nothing to them either.”
He shook his head and kissed the top of her hand. “Maybe not, but you mean everything to me. They owed me, Taylor, and after everything that happened, they owed us. The fact that you are still alive is the only reason Marx is still breathing, and he knows it. I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost you, baby. That was the worst night of my life. I was crazed and out of my mind with grief. You need to know I only said those things to Laychee to keep you alive and buy us more time, Taylor. You have no idea how much it killed me to say those things and pretend I didn’t care. I love you so damn much. I would have done anything to make them stop, but if I would have given them those passwords, we’d both be dead. Us and who knows how many innocent people. Even if they hadn’t offed us, if we told them those passwords, Marx would have. I was protecting you and our country. You have to believe that.”
She hung her head and nodded. Her quiet sniffle filled the car. “I know. It just hurt to hear it, and it killed me when I thought I would never get to see you again.”
He swallowed against the thick knot wedged in his throat. Reaching up, he threaded his fingers through her hair and gently rubbed the back of her scalp. “I know, baby,” he murmured, drawing her close and resting his forehead against hers. “I know.”
Remembering Josh and his sister were waiting inside, he fought to rein his emotions in and get them back under control. Whatever happened, whatever sights he saw, he had to stay strong. Not just for his sake, but for Taylor’s. Tipping her chin up, he ran his thumb over the soft swell of her lips and pressed a light kiss against them.
“We will finish this conversation later,” he whispered with a begrudging sigh. “Let’s just get this over with. One hurdle at a time, darling.”
She leaned into his touch. “I’m too tired to run a race, let alone leap over anything.”
Sebastian forced a smile and unhooked her seat belt. “That’s what you have me for, baby. Just say the word and I’ll carry you. Regardless, we are going to get through this together. I promise.”
His mind spun as he got out and walked around the front of the car to open Taylor’s door. They’d been through so much lately. There had been more downs than ups. That truth flooded him with shame. It certainly wasn’t the life he’d envisioned giving her, nor the life he had promised. Laychee was no longer a threat, but as much as he wanted to, Sebastian wasn’t foolish enough to believe it was the last storm they would weather. Clouds and trouble always brewed on the horizon.
He steeled his jaw and clung to determination. This time, he would be waiting, and he would cut that trouble off at the pass. Compassion was no longer an option.
Kissing Taylor’s temple, he pulled her close and led her inside. A pleasant heat engulfed them the moment they stepped through the doors, rather than the brisk early spring chill he’d been expecting. When they wandered into the kitchen, he could see why.
Someone had replaced the sliding glass doors and windows that had been blown out in the fray. In fact, as far as he could see, the house was spotless. No broken glass or dishes littered the floor. There were no signs of blood or struggle anywhere. The only things out of place in the familiar surroundings were the huge Welcome Home banner draped across the fireplace wall and the hesitant faces of his partner and sister as they stood poised side-by-side in the great room.
Taylor sagged against his side. Squeezing her tighter, he released a slow exhale and allowed the first twinge of relief to sweep through his veins. It was a brief, momentary victory.
“Welcome home,” Monique said. Stepping out of the protective circle of Josh’s arm, his sister smoothed her light green sweater dress and walked across the room to join them. She greeted him with a gentle hug before turning to bestow the same on Taylor. Pity darkened her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and forced a tremulous smile. “I’m so glad you’re back,” she murmured. “Both of you. How are you feeling?”
“Tired,” Sebastian admitted.
His bewildered stare roamed past her to take in his surroundings one more time. Worry lined her face as Monique searched his, trying to gauge his reaction.
“I figured you might be, so I whipped up a week’s worth of food and stuck it in the freezer. It’s nothing special, just some casseroles, lasagna, and stir-fries. That way, if you want, all you have to do is heat and eat.”
Sebastian nodded and reached up to tuck a lock of honeyed hair behind her ear. “Thank you,” he said softly. “You didn’t have to do that. We would have managed.”
“I know you could have, but that’s not the point. You’re not a fan of eating out, and it’s no big deal. I wanted to help you guys out and make your transition as easy as possible. I was worried about you,” she admitted. “Both of you.”
“Quit fawning and let them breathe already, Mo,” Josh teased. He approached and offered Sebastian a nod before dropping a quick wink in Taylor’s direction. “All sappy shit aside, it really is good to have the two of you back. I hope you don’t mind th
e ambush.”
“I can’t believe you guys did all of this,” Taylor murmured, glancing around. “Thank you so much.”
Josh brushed her off with a dismissive wave of his hand. “It was nothing, kiddo.”
“No.” Sebastian shook his head. “This was a lot more than nothing, Josh.”
“Don’t go getting all sentimental on me, Baas.”
Taylor’s sniffle drew Sebastian’s attention. Some of his worry faded as he watched her hug his sister. The quiet words she spoke were lost on him. Frowning, his gaze darted to Josh. His partner offered a noncommittal shrug and thrust his hands into his front pockets.
Leaving the girls to their own devices, he wandered through the house in an automatic bid to reach his study. As hard as he tried, he could see no traces of any struggles or intrusion. Only the lingering smell of fresh paint and carpeting alerted him to the fact that anything was off. Unfortunately, it had happened. It wasn’t just some bad dream he could shake off and forget.
Once he reached the familiar sanctuary of his office, he dropped into his leather chair and poured himself a drink from the crystal decanter perched on the corner of his desk. The glint of a metal flash drive caught his attention, and he leaned forward to pick it up and turn it in his fingers.
“It was hard to get a read on you out there. In all seriousness, Baas, I hope you don’t mind that we came in and cleaned things up,” Josh said from the doorway.
Glancing up, he motioned his partner in and gave a slow shake of his head. “No, it’s fine. Come in and shut the door behind you, please.”
Josh did as requested and stood sentry with his hands clasped behind his back.
“I will reimburse you for whatever you spent here.”
“That won’t be necessary, Baas.”
“It doesn’t fall on you to shoulder the expenses of fixing my home,” he stated in a stiff voice.
“No, it doesn’t,” Josh agreed. “We took up a collection at work. All of the guys pitched in. All of them. Everyone wanted to contribute something.”
Sebastian felt his brow twitch and tighten as a brief wave of confusion rolled through him. The kindness threw him off guard. It also made him think—think about the kind of men they were trained to be and the kind of men most of them secretly ached to be. Forcing a tight nod, he took a drink and grimaced against the sweet burn of the amaretto-flavored liquor. “I will take that into consideration when I return.”
“No one wanted you to come home to that kind of chaos, Baas, and Taylor certainly didn’t need to relive it. It was pretty bad,” Josh admitted. “I know you though. There’s some pictures and video footage on that flash drive if the need to see it ever does arise. I just wouldn’t advise it.”
He clenched his jaw and leaned back against his seat. “What happened?”
“As far as we can tell, they started the attack by launching flash-bang grenades at your security. Blind, deaf, and disorientated, they never stood much of a chance. It was a massacre out there. Laychee’s men probably gunned them down while they were still fighting to regain their senses and scaled the gates. Some of the wrought iron bars were chipped like they’d used anchoring hooks. The frenzy made it easy to scale the gate. We also found casings on the deck, up against the rails. Its percussion blew the glass in.
“From what we can tell, Taylor was in the kitchen at the time. She started to run toward the foyer. We’re guessing whatever men were stationed out front were trying to beat the front doors in by then and spooked her. There were signs of her doubling back around and hiding in the cupboard in the wine room for a while. They ransacked the entire place looking for her. I’m not sure when or how they located her, but there was a mass struggle in the hall leading down here. I’m guessing that’s where she broke the one guy’s nose.”
Pinching his sinuses, Sebastian nodded. His heart wrenched with the notion. “She was trying,” he mumbled. “She was trying to get away and get to my guns.”
“She’s a fighter, Baas. As far as local officials are concerned, a group of crazed radicals was trying to break into a decorated FBI agent’s home. When you weren’t here, they attacked your fiancée. She managed to get away with one of your security staff and was treated for minor injuries in a private facility. Henderson, unfortunately, did not survive. Be that as it may, it’s now a federal matter and none of their concern.” A wry smile twisted his lips. “Not that there’s anyone left to prosecute. None that they will find, anyway.”
Blowing out a deep breath, Sebastian then downed the rest of his drink. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. You all right?”
He clenched his teeth until the muscles along his jaw bulged with the force. “I will be,” he said, setting his glass down.
Clinging to that simple statement, he embraced it as fact. Things would be different. He would do better, be better. He would do whatever it took to keep Taylor safe and be the man she needed him to be. Nothing would ever come between them again. Not some two-bit thug with a grudge, not some backstabbing traitor who felt he had something to prove to the world, not even Marx. He couldn’t risk going through that. Couldn’t risk losing her again. Taylor was the glue, the only thing still holding him together, and that was a fragile, perilous thread at best.
As for work, that situation would also improve. He would deal with his team when he returned. Dominic would answer for all he had done. He would answer and pay dearly. Of that much, he was certain. But as Marx would say, today was not that day. Now was the time to focus and rebuild his life with Taylor. One step forward, one day at a time. It was the only way to move.
About the author: Adriana hails from a small town where unpredictable weather and inspiring locals abound. She shares her house with Boo, who keeps her in shape, because she believes she is a mountain lion trapped in a domestic house cat’s body. When she's not busy writing or being hunted by her mascot, Adriana enjoys interacting with her readers, running from large insects outdoors, or sharpening her culinary skills.
You can find out more about her, her hijinks, and any upcoming projects or releases at www.adriananoir.com For teasers, first looks, contests, and giveaways please join her official page on Facebook. She’s also on Twitter and Goodreads.
~Edge of Obsession (SKALS #3) Coming Summer 2013!~
Excerpt below:
CHAPTER 1~
Sebastian stared into the flickering flames of the candle, his thoughts distant and disjointed despite the laughter echoing around the table. His food sat mostly untouched. Leaning back in his seat, he took a long sip of wine and turned his attention to Taylor, watching her, gauging her mood and reaction as Monique regaled her with stories of their childhood. His jaw tightened as he tried to pull his focus back to the present, but it seemed determined to linger in the past. The smell of fresh paint and new carpet lingered in the air, overriding the spicy Chinese blend wafting from the table. He shifted uneasily in his seat, not caring for the changes around him.
Though Josh and Monique had done a wonderful job of cleaning things up and the rest of the house remained the same, the dining room chairs were different. A necessity after Laychee’s men had ransacked his home and broken one of the previous set while they’d brutalized Taylor.
Guilt and rage seethed below the surface. Deep down, he hoped Josh and Henderson had made those bastards pay. Fists clenched beneath the table, his lean body trembled with silent fury.
“Sebastian?”
He glanced over at Taylor. His brow furrowed with concern as he watched her smile falter. Swallowing, he fought to pull away from the dark tide of his emotions. She’d been through so much over the past few weeks. The last thing she needed was to suffer through one of his violent moods. He regretted their audience, wanting nothing more than to pull her out of her seat and hold her close. Instead, he settled for tucking her hair behind her ear and forcing a smile.
“Are you okay?” she asked. Worry lined her face as she nibbled her lower lip in uncertainty.
; “I’m fine, sweetheart,” he soothed. “I’m just not very hungry.”
She leaned into his touch before turning her head to kiss his palm. The distinct creak of wood drew his attention, and he glanced up to see his sister squirming across from him. Even Josh gaped his way, his dark blue stare full of questions. Sebastian sighed and pushed his chair away from the table with a quiet apology. Shaking his head, he strode out of the room, carrying only his wine glass with him.
“Do you want me to heat you up something else?” his sister asked.
Turning, he found she’d followed him into the kitchen. “No, Monique. I ordered what I wanted. Dinner was fine. I promise.”
Nodding, she wrung her hands. Apprehension creased her usually flawless features as she draped a tentative hand over his forearm. He tensed, looking at her in inquiry, but he made no move to pull away.
“I won’t insult you by pretending to know what you are going through, Sebastian. I don’t, but I do know how strong you are and how much you hate not being in control.” She lowered her head, her next words coming in a plea. “You aren’t going to be either of those things if you don’t take care of yourself.”
Backing away from her, he raked a hand down his face and squeezed the bridge of his nose. “I know that, Monique,” he said in a measured tone. “But I assure you, one night of not eating isn’t going to kill me.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to tell you what you should do. I’m just worried about you.”
He dumped the rest of his wine in the sink and rinsed his glass before setting it on the counter. Needing to stay busy, he snagged a checkered dishtowel out of the drawer and started wiping down the faucet and handles even though the brushed stainless steel already gleamed. He felt his sister looming behind him, watching him as she waited for some kind of reaction. Flinging the towel over his shoulder, he spun on his heel to face her.
Monique staggered back a quick step. Her already pale skin lightened even further.