Bodyguard

by Lori Foster

  The flesh of her palms stung as they scraped across the rough concrete ledge. Her feet pedaled air before finding something solid, and then she slid forward, wedging herself under the heavy, rusting door. She blinked several times to adjust her vision, then wrinkled her nose at the stale, fetid air. Donner had certainly picked an excellent place to do his business. It didn’t appear as though anyone had been inside in ages.

  Emily got to her feet, then hastily looked around for a place where she could hide, and still be able to take her pictures. The warehouse was wide open, so she should be able to capture the deal on film. The entire perimeter was framed with stacks of broken crates and rusted metal shelving, garbage and old machine parts. Not a glimpse of the vague light penetrating the dirty windows reached the corners, so that’s where Emily headed. She shuddered with both fear and distaste. But she reminded herself that it could easily have been Judd here, risking his life. That thought proved to be all the incentive she needed.

  Just as she neared the corner, she heard the screeching whine of unused pulleys and one of the gates started to move. With her heart in her throat, she ducked behind the crates and crouched as low as she could. She wondered, a little hysterically, if they would hear her heart thundering. She listened as footfalls sounded on the concrete floor, and voices raised and lowered in casual conversation. Then she forced herself to relax; no one was aware of her presence.

  When Donner and the man from the picture came to stand directly in front of her, not twenty feet away, Emily silently fumbled for her camera. A van backed up to the gate, and the driver got out—Emily recognized him as Mick—and began unloading wooden cases. She almost smiled in anticipation, despite her nervousness.

  Just a few more minutes and…A soft squeaking sounded near her. Emily didn’t dare move, her heart once again starting on its wild dance. Then she heard it again. She very carefully tilted her head to the side and peered around her. Then she saw the red eyes. Oh my Lord, Emily! A dark, long-bodied rat stared at her.

  She drew a slow deep breath and tried to ignore the creature. But it seemed persistent, inching closer behind her where she couldn’t see it. She felt the touch of something, and tried not to jerk. The camera was in her hands, she had a clear shot between the crates where she hid, and Donner was winding up his business. All she needed was a single picture.

  The rat tried to climb the crate beside her, using her leg as a ladder. Emily bit her lip to keep from breathing too hard. And she was good, very good. She didn’t make a single sound.

  But the damn rat did.

  A broken crate collapsed when the rodent tried to jump toward her, and in a domino effect, other containers followed and Emily found herself exposed. She fell back, trying to hide, but not in time. Within a single heartbeat, she heard the click of a gun, then Donner’s voice as he murmured in a silky tone, “Well, well. If it isn’t the little bird. This should prove to be interesting.”

  JUDD CURSED, not quite believing what he’d just seen. How had she known? He’d been so damn careful, even going as far as faking frustration to make her believe that the deal had been called off. But somehow she had found out. And now she was inside, with Donner holding a gun on her. He lowered himself away from the window, then swiped at the mixture of rain and nervous sweat on his forehead. His stomach cramped.

  Cold terror swelled through him, worse than anything he’d ever known, but he pushed it aside. He couldn’t panic now, not if he hoped to get her out of there alive. His men were stationed around the warehouse, but at a necessary distance so they wouldn’t be detected. Judd had planned to make the deal, recording it all through the wire he wore, then walk out just as his men arrived, making a clean bust. Now he’d have to improvise.

  Speaking in a whisper so that Donner and the others wouldn’t hear, he said into the wire, “Plans have changed. We’ll have to move now, but cautiously. There’s a woman inside, and I’ll personally deal with anyone who endangers her.” He allowed himself one calming breath, then said, “I’m going in.”

  With icy trickles of rain snaking down his neck, he took one final peek through the grimy window, then lowered himself and inched forward until it appeared he’d just arrived directly at the back entrance of the warehouse. His stance changed to one of nonchalance, and he walked through the door beside the gate.

  Emily looked up at him in horror. Mick, his grin feral, held her tightly, with her arms pulled behind her back. Donner and the other man stood beside him. Judd feigned surprise, then annoyance. “What the hell is she doing here?”

  Donner smiled, then inclined his head. “I’d thought to ask you that when you arrived. You’re late.”

  With a casual flip of his wrist, Judd checked his watch. “Four o’clock exactly. I’m never late. Now, what’s she doing here? I didn’t want her involved.”

  “As you can see, she’s very much involved.” Donner held up a camera. “I believe she had some photography in mind.”

  “Damn.” Then he stomped over to Emily. “I thought I told you to knock that crap off?”

  He gave an apologetic grimace to Donner. “She’s been thinking of doing a damn exposé on the east end. She’s taken pictures of every ragtag kid, every gutter drunk or gang punk she can find. Annoys the hell out of me with that garbage.”

  Donner gave a lazy blink. “I think she’s stepped a little over the line this time.”

  Judd lifted an eyebrow. “Got some interesting pictures, did she?” He turned to Emily, chiding her. “You just don’t know when to quit, do you?”

  “Actually,” Donner persisted, “I don’t think she took a single photo. But that’s not the point, now, is it?”

  Judd crossed his arms over his chest. “If you mean what I think you mean, forget it. I’m not done with her.”

  “Oh?”

  “She promised to buy me a Porsche. I’ve been wanting one of those a long time.”

  Donner moved his gaze to Emily. With a nod from him, Mick pulled her arms a little tighter. The dark sweater stretched over her breasts and her back arched. Judd had to lock his jaw.

  “After today, you won’t need her. We can make plenty of money together.” He dropped the small camera and ground it beneath his heel, then paced away from Emily. “Get it over with. We’ve been here too long already and there’s plenty more to do.” As he spoke, he watched Judd.

  Knowing Donner was waiting for a reaction, Judd did his very best to maintain an air of disgust. But his mind raced and he tried to gauge his chances of taking on all three of them. He planned his move, his body tense, his mind clear.

  The man from the picture grinned. He hefted an automatic weapon in his hand, the very same make that had been sold to Emily’s brother. He held the gun high in his outstretched hand and aimed at Emily. Judd roared, lurching toward him, just as the gun exploded.

  EMILY SQUEEZED her eyes shut, so many regrets going through her mind, all in a single second. She’d been a fool, a naive fool, thinking she could help, thinking she might make a difference. She’d ruined everything, and now Judd would die, because of her.

  She heard the blast of the gun and jerked. But she felt no pain. A loud scream tore through the warehouse, echoing off the stark walls. She opened her eyes and realized the man who’d intended to shoot her was now crouching on the cold floor, his blackened face held in his hands. Blood oozed from between his fingers. The gun had backfired?

  Judd reacted with enraged energy. His fist landed against Donner, who seemed shocked by what had just happened. She felt Mick loosen his hold and she threw herself forward, landing hard on her knees and palms, her shoulders jarring from the impact.

  And then the room was flooded with men.

  There was so much activity, it took Emily a moment to realize it was all over, that Donner and his men were being arrested. Judd appeared at her side, helping her to sit up.

  “Are you all right?”

  His voice sounded strange, very distant and cold. She brushed off her palms, trying to convince
her heart that everything was now as it should be. Her throat ached and speaking proved difficult. “I’m fine. Just a little shaken.”

  Lifting her hands, Judd stared at her skinned palms, and his eyes narrowed. “I think you should go to the hospital to get checked over.”

  After flexing her shoulders, still sore from the way Mick had held her and the impact on the hard floor, Emily rubbed her knees. “No. That’s not necessary—”

  “Dammit! For once, will you just do as I tell you?”

  Her heart finally slowed, in fact it almost stopped. He sounded so angry. She supposed he had the right. After all, she’d really messed things up and nearly gotten them both killed. You might as well begin apologizing now, Emily. From the looks of him, it’s going to take a lot to gain his forgiveness. She reached out to take his hand. “Judd, I—”

  He came to his feet in a rush and his eyes went over her, lingering on the dark slacks. He ground his jaw and looked away. An ambulance sounded in the distance, and when Emily looked around, she realized the man who’d been about to shoot her was very seriously wounded. Donner looked as though he wasn’t feeling too well, either. He’d been close enough to receive some of the blast from the gun, and he bore a few bruises and bloody gashes from his struggle with Judd.

  A passing officer caught Judd’s eye, and he was suddenly hauled over to stand before Emily. Judd seemed filled with annoyance. “See that she gets to the hospital. I want her checked over.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Remarkably, Judd started to walk away. Emily grabbed for him. Her hands shook and her heart ached. “Judd? Will I see you later at the house?”

  He didn’t look at her. “I already got my stuff out. Your house is your own again. Go home and rest, Em. We can question you later.”

  She watched him walk away, not quite believing her eyes, not wanting to believe it could end so easily. And then it didn’t matter anymore. She wasn’t giving up. She may have been a fool, but she refused to remain one. She wanted Judd, and she’d do whatever it took to get him.

  HE CUT HER COLD. Emily tried numerous times to reach Judd. Three weeks had passed, and the police no longer needed her as a witness. Evidently, Judd no longer needed her…for anything.

  She had no reason to seek him out, but she still tried. He’d remained at the small apartment. She’d been there several times, but he either didn’t answer the door, or he was so distantly polite, asking her about her brother, wishing her well, that she couldn’t bear it. They might have been mere acquaintances, except that Emily felt so much more. She loved him, and even though her parents tried to convince her not to make a fool of herself, she couldn’t give up.

  She had tried apologizing to him for mucking things up. That had made him angry all over again, so she’d refrained from mentioning it further. John had gone to him once, to see how he was doing. Judd received her brother much better than he’d received her, and Emily felt a touch of jealousy. It bothered her even more when John claimed Judd was “absolutely miserable.”

  “He wants you, Emmie. I know he does. He just doesn’t realize you want him, too.”

  Much as she wanted to believe that, she couldn’t allow herself false hope. “I’ve made it more than clear, John. I can’t very well force the man to love me.”

  But John had shrugged, a wicked grin on his face. “Why not? At least then you’d settle things, one way or another.”

  She thought about that. How could she “force” a man who was nearly a foot taller and outweighed her by ninety pounds? She decided to try talking to him one more time, and went directly to his apartment. His old battered truck sat out front, and as Emily passed, something different caught her eye. At first, she had no idea what it was, and then it struck her.

  She bent next to the driver’s window and peered inside. The black lace that used to hang so garishly from his rearview mirror had been replaced by the tie from her dress. Emily vaguely remembered that night when Judd had shoved the pale strip of material into his back pocket moments before they’d made love.

  And now it had a place of prominence in his truck.

  It was ridiculous how flattered she felt by such a silly thing, but she suddenly knew, deep in her heart, that he did care. At least a little.

  She remembered the day he’d allowed her to indulge her fantasies. He’d said he had fantasies of his own, and he’d whispered erotic suggestions to her while they made love, wicked things about her really stripping—performing for him. She had been mortified and excited at the same time. Some of the things he’d suggested had been sinfully arousing, and she’d promised herself, once she could gain the courage, she’d fulfill every single one of his fantasies.

  But she hadn’t. She’d let inhibitions get in her way, even though she knew how wild it would make him. But maybe it wasn’t too late. Maybe she could still set things right between them, and show him how much she loved him by giving him everything she possibly could.

  She started away from the truck, her confidence restored. But she stopped dead when a little old lady blocked her path.

  “What were you doing there, girl?”

  “I…” What should she say? That she was admiring an article of her clothing, strung from a rearview mirror like a masculine trophy? That she intended to seduce a man? Get a grip, Emily. “I was just about to call on my…brother. I see his truck is here, so I know he must be—”

  “He ain’t home. He’s taken to walkin’ in the park every evening. Usually picks up a few necessaries for me while he’s out.”

  “I see.” Emily’s disappointment was obvious.

  “I’m the landlady here. You want me to give him a message?”

  “No. I had hoped to…surprise him.” Her mind whirled. “It’s his birthday today. And since he doesn’t have any other family, I thought maybe I could make this day…special.”

  “His birthday, you say? Well, now we can’t let it go by without a little fun, can we? I could let you into the apartment, if that’s what you’re wantin’.”

  Already Emily’s pulse began racing. “Yes, that would be wonderful. And I promise, he’ll be so surprised.”

  JUDD DRAGGED himself up the steps to his apartment. The weather had been considerably mild lately, and he wore only a T-shirt with his jeans. The early-evening air should have refreshed him, but he still felt hollow. He’d felt that way ever since Emily had been endangered—by his own design.

  His drive, his need to see Clayton Donner sent to jail, had clouded his reason and cost him his heart. He’d thought losing Max had been the ultimate hurt, but knowing he’d endangered Emily, knowing he’d risked her life, used her, loved her, was slowly killing him. He couldn’t bear to face himself in the mirror.

  He also knew he’d love her forever, and it scared the hell out of him. Time and distance hadn’t helped to diminish what he felt. But what could he do? Ask her to forgive him, to spend her life with him? How could he? She deserved better than him. Her grace was always with her, whether she was working at the soup kitchen, or sneaking into a warehouse full of danger. She was elegance personified, and he was a man who went to any extreme to get what he wanted, to see a job done, including stripping off his clothes for a pack of hungry women.

  Self-disgust washed over him. He rubbed his face, wishing he could undo the past and be what Emily deserved.

  Mrs. Cleary met him in the hallway, a huge smile spread over her timeworn features. Struck dumb for a moment, Judd stared.

  “Did you fetch my bread and eggs?”

  “Here you go, Mrs. Cleary. Are you sure you don’t need anything else?” Judd had taken to the older woman with her gruff complaints and constant gossip. He figured she was probably every bit as lonely as he was.

  “No, I got all I need. Now you run on home. And happy birthday.”

  Judd blinked. “But…” She winked at him, and he decided against correcting her assumption. Age could be the very devil, and if she wanted to believe it was his birthday, for whatever reason, he’d
let her. “Thanks.”

  When he reached his apartment and stepped inside, he knew right away that something was different. He could feel it. All his instincts kicked in, and he looked around with a slow, encompassing gaze. His bedroom door was shut.

  That seemed odd. Then odder still, music began to play. He recognized the slow, brassy rhythm as one of his favorite CDs, and his instincts took over. Without real thought, he inched his way to the cabinet where he kept his Beretta, slowly slid it into his palm, and crept forward.

  The beat of the music swelled and moaned, and Judd flattened himself beside the door. Then, with his left hand, he slowly turned the knob and threw it open.

  He waited, but no bodies came hurdling out, and he cautiously, quickly, dipped his head inside then jerked back to flatten himself against the wall.

  No. It took his mind a second to assimilate what he’d just seen, and still, he didn’t believe it. He blinked several times, then peeked into the room again.

  Yes. That was Emily.

  Standing in the center of his rumpled bed.

  He moved to block the doorway, his gun now held limply at his side. The black leather jacket he’d used as part of his stripping costume hung around her shoulders, the sleeves dropping past her fingertips. It wasn’t zipped, and he could see a narrow strip of bare, pale flesh, from her black lace bra to her skimpy lace panties. Her navel was a slight shadow framed by the zipper and black leather.

  Max’s hat sat at a rakish angle on her head. She grinned.

  Sweat on his palms made it necessary for him to set the gun aside. He stumbled to the dresser, then took two steps toward her before he stopped, unsure of himself, unsure of her.

  With her eyes closed, her hips swayed to the music. As he watched, her face blossomed with color—and the jacket fell away.

  He licked his lips, trying to find some moisture in his suddenly dry mouth. It had been three long weeks, three endless weeks, since he’d made love to Emily. She lifted her arms over her head, her nipples almost escaping the sheer lace, and he felt his body harden. His erection grew long and full, pressing against his suddenly tight jeans.