All I Need is You

by M. Malone

  “What club?” Eli demanded.

  “The Black Kitty,” Kay mumbled.

  Eli cleared his throat.

  Tank suddenly looked like he was trying not to laugh. “So she’s a stripper.”

  “No, Sasha isn’t a stripper. She just sings at a strip club. And I don’t believe she would ever hurt me. Not her. We’ve been friends too long. I would know if she was capable of something like this. We know each other too well to hide things.”

  “So, she’d know that Tim gave you that figurine?”

  Kay glanced up at Eli again before she sank back into her seat. Her shoulders sagged slightly before she answered. “Yeah, she’d know that. I showed it to her after he gave it to me.”

  “I’m sorry, Kay. But until we know for sure that she’s not involved, I need you to avoid talking to her. Just until we sort this out.”

  “But I already told her we were heading back today…”

  Matt looked at her, his eyes full of sympathy. “Why don’t you girls relax a bit? Watch some of those sappy movies you like so much, huh?” Matt squeezed her arm before following Eli and Tank out of the room.

  Mara smiled back as she watched them disappear into the next room.

  Kay looked devastated. That just wouldn’t do. She reached into her tote bag and pulled out the movies she’d brought and a chocolate bar.

  “You have every right to follow them and kick their butts until they tell you what you want to know. But if I was in your shoes, I probably wouldn’t want to know every detail. So if you want, we can ignore it all and distract ourselves with chick flicks and chocolate.”

  Kay reached for the chocolate bar immediately. “No contest. Come on, I need to medicate.”

  “NOW THAT THE girls are occupied, let’s talk for real.” Eli sank down in one of the dining room chairs, Hope perched on his knee. Matt and Tank sat on either side of him. Jackson took a seat in the corner. He looked up to see his brother watching him, a silly little grin on his face.

  “What are you smiling at, runt?” he teased. His brothers were all taller than he was, but he had them all on muscle mass.

  “You. You’re holding a business meeting with a baby bouncing on your knee.” Jackson pantomimed wiping away a tear. “I’m so proud.”

  Eli chuckled. “I learned from the best. You always made it look so easy.” He looked down at Hope, who was happily shredding the pages of the agenda he’d printed out for the meeting.

  He could only hope to be the kind of father Jackson was and that their own father had been. It was one of the most important roles he’d ever play.

  “I had a lot of help. You guys have been there every step of the way,” Jackson admitted.

  “Yeah, yeah enough of the trip down memory lane,” Eli grumbled, determined not to get all emotional in front of his brother and two of his employees. A man had to have some standards. “Who’s up first?”

  Matt spoke, templing his hands in front of him like he was in prayer. “I went to headquarters like you asked and we got a team ready to ride down to New Haven. They drove the same model SUV that you drive and the female agent was a similar height and weight to Kay. They even took along a car seat filled with blankets to make it more realistic. The ride down was uneventful, but as soon as they crossed into New Haven, they were followed.”

  “Did you get any plate numbers?” Eli asked.

  Matt shrugged, frowning. “Yeah, but they were all stolen.”

  “That’s what I figured. But at least we know. Sasha is definitely involved. She’s the only one Kay called yesterday.”

  “What do you really think about Kay’s friend? Do you have any reason to think she’s dangerous?”

  “I’m not sure. She’s always appeared to have Kay’s best interests at heart, but at the same time, Sasha knows a lot about Kay. Also, I find it hard to believe that there were no hard feelings when their group broke up. Kay got a solo contract and Sasha is now singing in some strip club. What if she thought ‘Why Kay? Why should she have all the luck?’ and took things into her own hands?”

  Matt didn’t look convinced. “That’s a lot of what-ifs.”

  “True, but I’m not suggesting we indict the girl yet. I’m just saying we should keep an eye on her. Maybe she’s selling Kay out, or maybe it’s just a coincidence. But either way, she bears watching.”

  “Fair enough,” Matt conceded.

  Kay appeared in the doorway with Mara behind her. Eli held up a hand to halt any further conversation. “Hey. Are you guys okay?”

  “Yeah, we just paused the movie so we could make more popcorn. Ridley’s having pregnancy cravings and just inhaled the first bowl. Don’t stop the meeting just because I’m in here.” She made a show of going back into the kitchen.

  Eli raised his eyebrows. Matt and Tank nodded. Any further discussions of Sasha could wait until Kay was out of earshot.

  “Have we made any progress finding out who Elise Able is?” Elliott asked.

  “Ellie Sable? I know that name.” Kay poked her head back into the room. “I remember from when I was filing things at your office.”

  “Ellie Sable? You saw that name on one of the files at my office? So she’s one of ours, too.” He looked over at Tank. “Jeremy must have gotten the name wrong. Can you run it and find out what kind of job it was? It has to share a connection with the other case. Maybe this guy was a client at one point and he’s fixated on women with a certain profile.”

  “I wish I’d known that file was important. I would have pulled it out and brought it home,” Kay said.

  Tank held up a finger. “It’s okay. I’ve got it here. Ellie Sable is a six-year-old girl. She’s the daughter of a reality-TV-show star who hired us to supplement his personal security last summer.”

  “What does a six-year-old girl have to do with any of this?” Kay rubbed her arms.

  “I’m not sure yet, but we will figure it out. Everything indicates that the person we’re dealing with is intelligent and highly calculating. There is nothing random about this case. We just have to put the pieces together.”

  “Was there anything unusual that happened on that job?” Matt asked.

  Tank hit a few more keys. “Actually, there was. Not that it’s a big deal, but one of the guards was injured in a minor scuffle and Eli took his place.”

  “I remember that. I didn’t want anything going wrong on that case.”

  Matt leaned forward. “What about Tanya Cook? Did anything out of the ordinary happen then?”

  A few key taps later, Tank looked up. “No, nothing. Although Eli was on that job, too. Maybe you’re bad luck, boss.”

  “Wait, what was that?” Eli asked suddenly.

  “I was just kidding,” Tank deadpanned.

  “I know, but you may be on to something. I don’t go on every job, just ones where we’ve had problems or if the client is influential.”

  It was quiet as Tank tapped keys. He looked up a minute later. “I ran a search for all the jobs you’ve been on in the past year. A month before Kay got the first letter, there was a spike in incidents. But only high-profile clients, the ones where Eli showed up. Ones where he was photographed.”

  He turned the laptop around. There was a picture of Eli standing next to Tanya Cook. It was grainy but it was obviously him.

  “After that, the threats seemed to slow down and focus on one target. Kaylee.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “He was targeting jobs that you were associated with. Then he focused on Kay when you took over her case. Maybe that’s how Sasha originally got involved. Maybe he targeted her since you were guarding all the girls in the singing group.”

  “I don’t believe Sasha has anything to do with this,” Kay said.

  Tank winced and then sent an apologetic look to Eli. “Sorry. I, uh, well I shouldn’t have said that.”

  Eli took her hand and tugged her closer. He could tell she didn’t want to come but did it because she didn’t want to make a scene.

/>   “Kay, remember yesterday when I told you we were going home so you could visit your parents?”

  She shrugged. “Yeah, but Jackson and Ridley came up here instead.”

  “I only told you that because I figured you’d tell Sasha. This morning, we sent two agents down in a SUV similar to mine. I wanted to see what would happen. As soon as they got to New Haven they were followed.”

  “That could just be a coincidence. Or maybe they just thought they were being followed.”

  Matt spoke up then. “We ran the plate numbers on the car that was following them. It was stolen. As soon as they tried to lead the guy into our trap, he took off.”

  Kay crossed her arms. “That doesn’t mean it was Sasha. Maybe my cell phone is bugged or something.”

  “Maybe.” Eli didn’t look at her. He figured there was no point explaining that it was simply more likely that Sasha was telling someone else things about her in exchange for money.

  Matt stood and leaned over to see the picture on the laptop. “So basically the point is that this guy targeted our cases and then whenever Eli showed up, he stalked those women.”

  “So, he’s got it out for me? That’s what you’re saying?”

  “It’s not your fault, but maybe you’re the reason he’s doing it.” Tank closed the laptop. “He’s not stalking Kay. Or at least, he wasn’t in the beginning. He’s stalking you. And he’s using her to find you.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  KAY SAT BACK on the bed, watching as Mara fiddled with the DVD player. She was trying to keep her mind on their conversation, but all she could think about was Eli. If Tank was right and someone was really after him, then that meant he wasn’t safe. Had he put himself in more danger by sticking around to protect her?

  Hope yawned in her arms.

  “Excuse me, ladies. I’m going to put her down for a nap. I’ll be right back.” Kay carried Hope into Eli’s room, where he’d placed her playpen. Hope didn’t even protest when she laid her down, just clutched her teething ring and rolled onto her side. Kay watched her for a few minutes to be sure she wouldn’t wake up again and then left the room.

  The distinctive rumble of male voices coming from the front of the house brought her mind back to Eli. Not only was she worried about his safety but also about Tank’s allegations against Sasha. She hadn’t called anyone else to tell them about their surprise trip home. If someone had followed their decoys, then there was no other explanation. No one else could have passed that particular message along. With a sigh, she plopped down on the end of the guest room bed. Ridley moved over slightly to make room.

  “Are you okay, Kaylee? Things were pretty intense in there.” Mara placed the DVD they’d just finished watching back in its case.

  “I bet I seem really stupid, huh? For not wanting to believe what they’re telling me.”

  Mara pushed a few buttons on the remote to start the next movie. “Not stupid. Loyal. You want to believe the best of your friend. There’s nothing stupid about that.”

  “She’s right,” Ridley added. “But Eli and the guys have to assume that anyone is capable of doing this. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be doing their jobs.”

  “I know. It’s just hard. We’ve been friends since the third grade.”

  Mara sat on the end of the bed and tucked her long legs beneath her. “You’re lucky. We were military brats. It’s pretty much impossible to have long friendships when you’re moving around all the time.”

  Ridley promptly grabbed the spare pillow Kay handed her and shoved it between her back and the wall. “Thanks. I love movie marathons, but it’s hard to find a comfortable position.”

  Kay understood completely. She’d gained a lot of weight while pregnant with Hope, and it had been like trying to maneuver around with a beach ball under her shirt. “I appreciate you coming. I’m sure this has been hard on the Alexanders, too, having Eli gone all the time.”

  She turned to Mara. “So, how did Matt rope you into coming? Did he bribe you? Hold some of your stilettos hostage?”

  Mara grinned. “He’d be taking his life into his hands if he went anywhere near my closet. But he didn’t have to bribe me. I wanted to come. I figured you had to be going a little stir crazy stuck here with just Eli for company.”

  Kay blushed and avoided Mara’s eyes. Images of just how crazy Eli made her flashed through her mind.

  “Wait a minute? What is that look?” Mara sat up straight and peered at Kaylee. “Are you blushing?”

  “No! I’m not. It’s just warm in here,” Kay insisted.

  “It’s like twenty degrees outside,” Ridley teased.

  “Well, we aren’t outside.”

  “Oh, give it up. You are practically glowing. Oh my God.” Mara squealed and bounced closer on the bed. “I thought you two were acting really cozy. What happened?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “That smile on your face doesn’t look like nothing. I guess that means Eli has been treating you right?”

  Kay finally gave up trying to suppress the large, cheesy grin trying to take over her face. “Very right.”

  “Good for you. You both deserve to be happy.” Mara’s face fell slightly and she turned back to the movie.

  “Are you okay?” Kay asked.

  “Huh? Oh yeah. Of course.” Mara swept a stray lock of her dark, wavy hair behind her ear. “I was just thinking how lucky you are. Enjoy this time you have together when everything is new and exciting. It’s a really special time. You need these memories to get you through the rough patches.”

  Mara blew out a breath. They were all ignoring the movie playing in the background. Kay and Ridley exchanged a look. Ridley shrugged. Apparently she didn’t know why Mara looked so down either.

  “I have to confess I did have an ulterior motive for coming up here this weekend,” Mara said suddenly.

  “You did?” Ridley asked.

  Mara shrugged. “I might need Eli’s help with something soon. But it’s nothing you guys need to worry about. You’ve got plenty of your own troubles—you don’t need to hear mine.”

  “It’s better than thinking about the fact that Eli suspects my best friend of conspiring against me. Besides, I’m glad you’re here. You might be able to help me figure this thing out. I know they suspect Sasha’s behind it, but I just can’t believe that. Maybe if I can put the clues together, I can figure out what’s really going on. Whether he’s ultimately after me or just using me to get to Eli—either way, if I can figure it out, maybe we can catch him.”

  “I’m happy to put my diabolical mind to good use. There is nothing like the mind of a woman scorned.” Mara’s words were upbeat but her smile lacked its usual cheer.

  “Scorned?” Ridley asked. “But Trent adores you. It’s so obvious how he feels about you.”

  Mara let out a little sigh. “But am I the only one he feels that way about or am I just one of many? He’s been flying so many places lately. Denver, Illinois, California. He claims it’s all for business, but his company doesn’t have offices in those locations.”

  “Maybe he’s visiting clients?” Kay suggested.

  Mara shook her head, sadly. “He designs financial models. He’s more of a behind-the-scenes geek. Why would he need to meet with clients, anyway?”

  “There has to be a reasonable explanation.” Kay hoped there was. She didn’t know Trent that well, mainly just what she’d heard from Jackson and Ridley. But if he was lying to Mara, he’d be hurting a lot of people. Her thoughts turned to Matt. He’d be caught in the middle, between his sister and his best friend.

  “You’re probably right. I’m just overreacting. I’ve always had an active imagination.” Mara leaned her head back against the wall and stared at the television.

  Eli poked his head around the doorjamb. “Ridley, Jackson said you guys need to go check into the hotel.”

  Ridley patted Kay on the knee. “We’ll be back later. After we check in, I’m going to take a nap and then we’ll be back
for dinner. Eli agreed it’s safe to go out to eat as long as we pick a restaurant he’s familiar with and we don’t tell anyone in advance.”

  Kay clapped. “I never thought I’d be so excited just to go out for dinner.”

  Mara waved good-bye as Ridley left. Then she turned back to Kay. “Well, Matt and I are staying here. So, that means we can watch movies and eat chocolate all day.”

  AFTER JACKSON AND Ridley left, Eli pondered the best way to convince Kay to leave, too. If he was the guy’s target, then it wasn’t in anyone’s best interest to stay near him. Jackson hadn’t wanted to leave, but fear for his pregnant wife came first and foremost.

  Eli wished he could wave a magic wand and move them all to a safe place. If he told Kay what was going on, she wouldn’t want to leave him behind either. He wasn’t sure what he’d done in another life to deserve all the people in his life who loved him so much, but putting them in danger seemed like a crappy way to repay their loyalty. The only thing he could do was leave without telling her. Tank and Matt could stay behind to protect her. This guy clearly knew Eli well if he’d figured out that hurting Kay was the best way to get to him.

  He shouldn’t be surprised, really. He’d known it would only be a matter of time before his past caught up with him. Considering the types of guys he’d run with back in the day, it was only surprising it hadn’t happened sooner.

  Tank appeared in the doorway. “We’ve set up a surveillance van. What should we tell the girls?”

  “Nothing right now. Eventually I’ll figure out a way to get Kay out of here without arousing her suspicions. If I’m the one he’s after, then I’m the one he’ll get. No one else.”

  Tank and Matt left so Eli could start getting his things together. Leaving Kay wasn’t what he wanted to do, but it was inevitable. Being together was a dream. Reality was that he was a hazard. She’d come into his life and brought joy, laughter, and light. He wouldn’t repay that by knowingly putting her in danger. He would make some calls, get things in order. She would be protected always.

  But not by him.

  The sounds of feminine laughter floated through the walls. Mara and Kay were still in the guest room watching a movie. He moved around quietly since Hope was asleep in the corner. After he’d put together a week’s worth of clothes, he zipped them into a duffel bag, then walked over to the playpen and looked down at Hope. She was asleep with her bottom in the air and her blanket clutched in her fist. The sight filled him with a bittersweet longing.