“I can’t figure it out,” Garrett said, scooping his phone from the table. “If the guy wants to kill you, then why warn you in a note?”
“It doesn’t make sense.”
Garrett frowned. “So what is he really after?”
Marlene sighed. “I wish I knew.”
“He’s taking risks. Shooting in a public place makes the likelihood of getting caught much greater.” Garrett stood and walked over to the fireplace. He rested his hand on the mantel and put one foot on the stone hearth, staring at the unlit logs. “It’s more than just taking risks…the dude is showing off.”
Garrett turned to look at Marlene. “Shooting out a crystal chandelier is dramatic. It makes a big splash, says look at me. He’s bragging.”
“Why would he do that? What does he want?”
Garrett thought about that for a moment. “I keep coming back to the military…something to do with the military. It’s easy to think of servicemen as fighters. But we’re trained that it’s smarter to run when that’s an option. There’s no need to prove anything. It’s better to avoid conflict whenever possible. If getting away isn’t realistic, the next choice is to outsmart the enemy, and to engage as a last resort. In truth, a military man is often the least anxious for combat, because he knows the consequences all too well.”
“So you think he didn’t shoot to kill? That he just wanted to scare us?”
“Either that,” Garrett said, “or he’s a coward. He won’t come out in the open.”
Marlene pulled a shawl from the back of her chair and wrapped it around her shoulders, shivering even though it wasn’t cold.
“I don’t like involving the police.” Garrett sat down on the sofa again. “The restaurant will give them a list of guests, so you’ll be contacted. It’s another way to get to you, harass you. A public attack means your name in the news again, and police interviews.”
Marlene had a thought. She’d played many types of characters, and was familiar with a variety of personalities. She had an idea. “You know, killers want their crimes in the news. They want to be known and recognized. It’s an ego thing.”
“That’s true. He doesn’t want to execute his deeds quietly. What’s the glory in that?” Garrett stared at the note, as if trying to glean its full implication.
Marlene watched him, wishing the nature of their relationship was different than it was. After what she’d been through, it would make sense to go to her bedroom and hide under her covers. But she didn’t want to leave. She wanted to be with Garrett. What she really wanted was for him to hold her, so she could breathe in his masculine scent and feel his strong arms around her, while he whispered in her ear that everything was going to be okay.
She wanted to run her fingertips through his silky hair, and trace his lips with the tip of her thumb. And then she wanted him to kiss her like he meant it. Still watching Garrett study the note, Marlene resisted the urge to go to him, to sit on his lap and put her arms around his neck. Just to see how he’d react. To find out whether he felt the same way she did.
Marlene’s body heated at the images she couldn’t put aside. Garrett was sexy as hell in the dress pants and suede jacket. His biceps filled the sleeves, the material bulging against his rock-hard muscle, and the shirt buttoned tightly over his wide chest.
There was no doubt that Marlene had a crush on her bodyguard. Maybe it was natural. Under threat, it was probably normal to fall for the guy who rescued you. That was all. Once this was all over, her life would be back to normal and Garrett would move on. This was all temporary, so she shouldn’t let the relationship get too intimate. No matter how much she wanted it right then.
Garrett looked up and their gazes locked. His expression was tender, and just for a moment, Marlene felt like he’d read her mind. He knew what she’d been thinking, what she wanted. The look in his eyes said that he wanted her too. Her heart skipped a beat.
Then it was gone. Garrett leaned back and stared up at the ceiling. When he looked back at her, his expression had changed. He looked at her with concern. “There is something nagging at my gut.”
Marlene held her breath.
“There are reasons I’d be a killer’s target; many enemies who would gladly take me down. But…none of my enemies are in this country. I left them behind, on one mission or another.” Garrett tossed the note onto the table. “He said in the note that he almost killed me yesterday. That next time he won’t miss.”
The thought of Garrett getting killed because of her made Marlene feel a bit ill.
“What if he was at the charity event because of me? I have this sick feeling that the guy might not have been shooting at you at all. What if he was after me, and without realizing it, I led him to you?” Garrett took a deep breath. “Jesus, Marlene, what if I brought all this grief to your doorstep? You just happened to be in the line of fire?”
Marlene shook her head. “No, Garrett. Don’t think that way.”
“I have to,” Garrett said. “I must consider the possibility that I drew the asshole to you, Marlene. He intends to kill me, not you.”
Marlene drew the shawl tighter around her. She didn’t know what to think anymore. In a twisted way, what Garrett said made sense. Fear arrowed into her heart. “Or maybe…he wants to kill both of us.”
Cold Peril (Stealth Security Book 1) – a standalone military romantic suspense novel
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Ruthless Peril by Emily Jane Trent ©2017 All Rights Reserved
Published By Camden Lee Press
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