Falling for Sarah

by Cate Beauman

  “He must be watching her,” Hunter said, flexing his fingers.

  Ethan boiled with rage, disgusted by the fucker who invaded Sarah’s privacy. Minutes later, the sick bastard went to the door, put on a fresh pair of gloves, cut through the glass, and let himself in.

  “Why the fuck didn’t the alarm go off?” Hunter stood.

  “He must’ve jammed it.”

  They both watched the masked invader run out of the house and back before running out again. He came back with his bouquet of roses, entered the house, shut the door.

  Ethan couldn’t take anymore. The fear of what could’ve been sent his stomach into a churning fit of nausea. He stopped the CD and stood. “I need a break.”

  “I’ll get more coffee.”

  He walked to the massive sliders showcasing the bright lights of Los Angeles in the distance. He’d almost been too late. He’d almost lost Sarah.

  Hunter stepped back into the room, carrying two steaming cups. “Ready to finish this?”

  “No. It makes me sick.” Ethan glanced at the city before he blew out a breath. He had to sit back down and watch the rest. They might miss something if they stopped where they were.

  He took his seat and the mug Hunter handed him. “Thanks.” He set it on the table. His system couldn’t handle another shot of caffeine. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Hunter pressed play. Nothing happened for several minutes until the masked man stormed out the door, leaving it wide opened.

  “What the hell? Why’d he leave?”

  “He must’ve gotten my message. I called her office line. It was the only one he missed.”

  They both came to attention when Ethan’s Rover sped into the driveway, and he sprinted forward, gun in hand. He rushed through the door as if his life depended on it. It had. If the bastard had hurt her…

  “Jesus, Cooke, what the hell was that?” They exchanged a heated glance. “What if he’d had her?”

  He thought of that a million times on the drive over to Hunter’s. His breach in protocol could’ve cost her her life. “Back off. I fucked up. I already know it.” In more ways than one.

  The two L.A.P.D officers hurried in just moments later, while others walked the perimeter of the house. They scrambled forward when they found their fallen man.

  Ethan shut the lid on the laptop. “That’s it. We both know the rest.” He sipped at the coffee gone cool and winced. “He’s escalating and becoming careless. It’s only a matter of time before they get him.” He had to believe that.

  Hunter looked at him. “He’s also getting more erratic. Austin or I will be on her at all times. Whoever isn’t with her will be with Kylee if they’re separated for any reason. Morgan’s finally speaking to me again now that I’ve properly groveled for not telling her about the incident that occurred while we were at the resort, so we’ve talked. She’ll work from home until we have to leave for D.C. next week.”

  “I don’t think it would hurt to have Hailey stay with you too. She spends a lot of time with Sarah. Not only will she be good company, but she’s a potential target. His anger toward Sarah seems to be increasing, making it more likely he’ll try for someone close to her, just to hurt her.”

  Ethan rested his weary head in his hands on the table. “If he can’t get to her, he’ll find other ways to bring her pain. Ultimately, that’s what he wants to do.” He met Hunter’s gaze again. “If Sarah’s parents weren’t leaving Saturday, I’d want us to put someone on them. The cops are on it, but I’d like someone closer.”

  “That’s the problem. There isn’t anyone. We’re stretched thin. I think we have to look at taking on new hires, Ethan. The business is only growing.”

  “I’ve already thought of that. I just haven’t had the chance to talk to you about it. That doesn’t help us now. We’ve got three-quarters of our men contracted for the World Leaders Conference next week and all but two on private duty. Most of our guys overseas will be here covering diplomats, so that pretty much leaves me. I’ll take Sarah and Kylee until the Conference is over or until the bastard is caught, whichever comes first. I can orchestrate the puppet show from my home office.” He pulled back from the table. “I’m going to head out.”

  “Later.” Hunter stood, taking the cups to the kitchen.

  Ethan walked toward the door but veered to the right and up the steps to the room he knew Sarah was staying in. He needed to be sure she was okay.

  He stood outside of her doorway. The hall light blazed bright, illuminating the darkened room. Sarah lay next to Kylee, holding her close. She moved enough that he knew she didn’t sleep. Just as he was about to poke his head in, Sarah spoke. “Austin?”

  “Yeah?”

  Ethan followed the voice, saw his bodyguard lying on a cot across the room.

  “Don’t leave tonight, okay?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I’m scared. I feel like I can’t admit that to anyone else, so I’ll tell you. I’m so damn afraid.”

  Ethan fisted his hands at his side as her voice vibrated with fear.

  “I’m not going to let anything happen to you or Kylee, Sarah. Neither is anyone else. Try to get some sleep.”

  Ethan turned, walked back downstairs. Had things changed so much between them? Was this what was left? He needed her right now as much as he wished she needed him. If he hadn’t screwed everything up, they’d be lying in each other’s arms at the resort.

  He’d been stupid, jealous, and had hurt her because of his own insecurities. He wanted it all back.

  The conversation she’d had with Austin should’ve been something they shared together. They always had. As much as he wanted more for them, maybe friendship would have to be enough. Having her in his life was what mattered. Going backwards would be better than losing it all.

  CHAPTER 12

  THREE DAYS LATER, AUSTIN PULLED away from Morgan and Hunter’s house. Sarah held Kylee up to the window so she could wave.

  “Bye-bye, Austin.”

  “Did you see that? He waved back.”

  “Yes.” Kylee squirmed to get down. “I go play with Auntie Morgan now.”

  Sarah held her tight. “Not right now, Kylee. Auntie Morgan is busy with her work. You can see her later.”

  Kylee smiled. “I go play with Ethan and Hailey.”

  Sarah nuzzled Kylee’s neck. “Have fun. I’ll be in in just a minute.” She set Kylee on her feet, and her daughter ran to the living room. She turned back to the window again, stared out at the bright, beautiful day before she cringed and moved away, fearful of who might be watching. She bumped into a solid wall of muscle and spun around, gasping. “Oh, Ethan, you scared me.”

  He grabbed hold of her arms, steadying her before he let go. “Sorry. You okay?”

  A fleeting smile crossed her lips. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.” This was the first they’d spoken since the night of the break-in. She’d heard the door open and Ethan’s voice greet Kylee, Hunter, and Hailey ten minutes before, when she’d been upstairs, quickly folding a load of laundry. By the times she’d come downstairs, Ethan had wandered into the other room and Austin had been leaving.

  As Sarah stared into eyes she knew as well as her own, she wanted to hold on to the anger from the day at the resort, but it didn’t seem to matter anymore.

  Ethan shoved his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat. “Can we talk?”

  She glanced toward the living room, hating the thought of being away from her daughter, even a few feet.

  “She’s okay, Sarah. Hunter’s with her.”

  “It’s that obvious, huh?”

  He smiled. “No, I just know you.”

  Hunter growled and Kylee screamed in delight before her deep belly laugh echoed through the house.

  “How about a walk?” Ethan gestured toward the door.

  Sarah hesitated before Kylee laughed again. Kylee would be fine without her for a few minutes, and she’d allowed Morgan and Hunter’s home to become her fortres
s. Every moment she was afraid, the man who stalked her won. She nodded. “Okay, let’s talk.”

  “Phillips, Sarah and I are going for a walk. I have my phone on me.”

  “All right,” Hunter called back before he growled again and sent Kylee into another fit of screams.

  Sarah grabbed her sunglasses from her purse. They stepped outside into the warmth, and she sighed, feeling instantly lighter. “This was a good idea.”

  “Fresh air makes all the difference.”

  She knew Ethan scanned the area under his sunglasses as they walked; she tried to ignore it.

  “So, how are you holding up?” He brushed her arm before he dropped his fingers.

  She shrugged. “Pretty well, I guess.”

  “Good. That’s good.”

  They stepped apart when two young boys soared past on their bikes, closed the gap again as youthful laughter faded.

  Ethan blew out a puff of breath. “Sarah, I’m sorry about the other day, really sorry.”

  She glanced at his profile. “It’s water under the bridge.”

  He stopped, took her hand. “It’s not. I was way out of line, way out there. I said things—implied things that were so far off base…” He shook his head, tightened his grip against hers. “My assumptions were knee-jerk. There isn’t anyone I trust more than you. I want you to know that.”

  Any residual hurt washed away with his words. Sarah touched his cheek. “Ethan—”

  “You’re my best friend,” he interrupted, “and I think we’ve taken a wrong turn by trying to be something more.”

  “Oh.” Her stomach sank and she dropped her hand away. This wasn’t how she’d anticipated their conversation going. The sharp slap of shock left her speechless. Although she’d been hurt and angry, she’d fully expected them to work things out and move along with their relationship. While she lay awake during the endless nights, staring at the ceiling of the guestroom, she’d found solace in thoughts of Ethan, of their night away, and she’d realized the extent of her want for him, her need for him. One argument didn’t have to be the end.

  “I need you in my life,” he went on. “If the only way to keep you there is by going back to where we were before, I’m okay with that.”

  “But—”

  “Let’s leave it here, Sarah. It’s better like this.”

  Confusion joined the gamut of her swirling emotions. Was this his polite way of telling her he wasn’t attracted to her after all? Unable to deal with anymore rollercoaster rides in her life, she reluctantly resolved to find peace with this new turn of events. “Then I’m okay with it too.” She was glad she wore her sunglasses, or he would’ve seen the lie.

  Ethan pulled her into a hug, holding her tight against him. “I’ve missed us, Sarah. It’s been too long since we’ve been easy with each other.”

  “Yeah, it has.”

  This wasn’t what she wanted. Finding her courage, she eased back to tell him so, but he smiled at her, looking more relaxed than he had in days. This was what he wanted.

  Ethan took her hand as they turned at the end of the street, starting back toward the house. As they approached the pale green cedar shingles and white trimmed porches of Hunter and Morgan’s charming home, Ethan stopped in front of the mailbox, pulling letters and junk mail free. They stepped inside, and Ethan handed Sarah the stack as he locked the door behind them.

  Sarah leafed through the pile. “Lisa said she would be sending the swimsuit edition contract here.” Spotting Celebrity Magazine’s letterhead, she grabbed the envelope. “Here it is. I’ll be right back.” She walked upstairs to the room she and Kylee shared. Her brows furrowed as she studied the package, surprised by its light weight. The contract was usually an inch thick.

  She tore the envelope open. As she pulled papers free, crisp, brown rose petals fell to the floor. She stared, confused, before it finally clicked.

  Heart pounding, legs buckling, she sat on the edge of the bed, eyes locked on the mess. With trembling fingers, she picked up the newspaper clipping at the top of the small pile and looked down at a picture of herself. The shot had been taken the night of the break-in. She sat in the backseat of Ethan’s Rover as he drove away from her home. Hunter’s arm draped her shoulder. The caption read ‘Celebrity Favorite Under Attack’. Ethan and Hunter’s heads were colored over with dark red marker.

  As she grabbed the next clipping, her breath came in shuddering gasps. Memories rushed back, bringing with them staggering pain. Tears stung her eyes as she read, ‘The Price of War’. She remembered the firestorm the photo had caused when a reporter froze her grief in a moment that would last forever.

  She sat in a chair close to Jake’s draped casket. Hunter, in his dress blues and arm in a sling, rested his hand against her shoulder. Ethan flanked her left side, gripping her hand in his while he held her infant daughter in his free arm. She clutched the American flag folded tight in a triangle as tears drenched her face. The photographer had captured her agony for all of California to see. This clip had ‘Widow Whore Bitch’ scrawled across it in the same angry red.

  The plain white backing of another photograph glared up at her. Unable to stop herself, Sarah picked it up, flipped it over. A long, keening moan escaped her throat as horror shuddered through her. Kylee’s smiling face stared back at her. It was a picture from the day they’d spent at the beach building sandcastles. ‘Isn’t she lovely?’ was followed by a vicious looking smiley face. Not my baby. Not Kylee.

  Pulsing with anger, Sarah rushed to her feet. Breath heaving, she threw the vulgar clippings and photograph, watching as they sailed to the floor. She fought the urge to clear off the dresser as helpless rage consumed her. Kylee’s picture landed face up and the fury vanished as quickly as it invaded.

  Defeated, shattered, Sarah staggered back to the bed, collapsed against the mattress, fighting for each gulp of air. A tear fell, followed by another as a sob escaped her lips. Eyes wide, she covered her mouth with an unsteady hand, trying to hold the next back, but she couldn’t stop it.

  Bright hot fear left her body shuddering as disgust curdled her stomach. She lay on the bed, burying her face against her pillow, and began to weep wildly.

  “Lisa must’ve sent you two… Sarah?” The bedroom door closed and the mattress sagged when Ethan sat at her side. “Hey, hey, hey,” he said gently, pulling her up to sitting.

  She wanted to say so many things, to tell him she was sick and terrified, but could only shake her head as he nestled her in his strong arms.

  Ethan lay them down, his body cocooning hers as her sobs were lost against his chest. “I can’t… I can’t take this anymore.”

  “Shh,” he whispered next to her ear as he stroked her hair.

  “Oh, God, Ethan. He took pictures of Kylee,” she choked out.

  He kissed her hair, bringing her closer.

  “Not my baby. Not Kylee. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to make him go away. I want him to go the hell away.”

  “I know. I know you do.”

  She held on to him, absorbing the warmth of his body, finding comfort in his murmurs of reassurance.

  Several minutes passed as Sarah cried herself dry, purging herself of the helpless grief that had threatened to suffocate her over the last few days. Weighty exhaustion slid into its place. She stared into Ethan’s gaze as her lids drooped. “He found me already,” she said sleepily.

  “Yeah.”

  “I have to get Kylee out of here. She’s not safe. He sent me stuff. It’s on the floor.”

  “I saw. I’ll take care of it. We’re going to figure this out. Let’s talk about it in a little while.” He skimmed his thumb against her skin, drying her tears. “I know you’re upset. You have every right to be, but I want you to try to rest.”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m fine.”

  “Turn it off, Sarah. You need to sleep. Hunter has Kylee right now and I have you. Getting some rest will only make things better.”

  Ethan’s gentl
e voice hypnotized, and Sarah’s eyes slid closed. She was in danger, her daughter was in danger, but she was drowning in a sea of fatigue. She struggled with her heavy lids. She’d hardly closed them in three days. When she fought them open, she looked into Ethan’s smoky gray pools.

  The familiar scent of his aftershave and his big hands moving in gentle circles over her back brought comfort.

  “Go to sleep, Sarah,” he whispered. “I won’t let you go.” He snuggled her closer as he brushed firm lips against her forehead.

  She blinked once, twice more before her world went black.

  Ethan brushed his fingers through Sarah’s soft hair as he stared into her tear-stained face. He fought to keep his body relaxed as fury raged. His capacity for violence was at peak.

  Sarah’s breathing was just now steadying out after she’d cried as he’d only seen once before. If the fucker was lucky, the cops would find him before he did. The bastard was going to pay for every drop that had run down Sarah’s cheeks.

  A light knock sounded at the door.

  Ethan turned his head. “Yeah.”

  Hunter peeked in, frowned. “Is everything—” He shoved the door wide as he walked to the mess on the floor. “What the fuck is this shit?”

  “Keep it down,” Ethan said with a calm he didn’t feel. “She’s finally asleep.”

  Hunter glanced at Sarah, then at the hardwood. “She found this?”

  “She thought it was the contract for the swimsuit edition. She was almost hysterical, Phillips. I’m going to kill him.”

  Hunter crouched down by the petals and paper. “Jesus, he’s been busy. The envelope is from Celebrity. He had to get into the newsroom to get this. And these newspaper clippings… The one about Jake is original print. He would’ve had to buy this from a collector.” Jaw clenched, Hunter stood, staring hard at the floor. “He’s not going to stop until he has her.”

  Ethan cradled Sarah closer as fear mixed with the fury. “He’ll die first.”

  Hunter met his gaze, held it. “I’ll get some gloves and get this out of here.” He left the room.