Bodyguard

by Lori Foster

  His stomach started churning; absently he rubbed it, trying to fight off the familiar sickness. Butch appeared, his little furry face so expressive, so concerned. He whined as if he’d sensed Riley’s upset, then crawled up onto his chest and curled up under Riley’s chin.

  Stupidly enough, it helped.

  Emotion clogged Riley’s throat, but he hugged Regina with one arm, patted Butch with his other hand, and wished the damn story didn’t still hurt so much.

  Regina was frozen and silent for a long time before asking, “What ever became of Phil’s wife?”

  “I stuck around until after the birth, trying to help her out. She had a baby boy she named Phil, after his daddy. Phil had a life insurance policy so she’s not too bad off financially. After that, I left. I quit my job and moved here. I heard she got remarried about a year ago. Her kid would be…I dunno, almost five now.” He stroked his fingers through Regina’s hair, taking comfort in her warmth and softness. “I hope she and the kid are happy.”

  Suddenly Regina sobbed.

  Startled, Riley tried to see her face but she pressed herself so close, it felt like she wanted to crawl inside him. Butch panicked, whining at Riley, poking his nose into Regina’s cheek.

  “Hey. Honey, what’s the matter?”

  She hiccuped and in a strangled voice said, “I want to give you something, Riley, okay?”

  As she spoke, she turned her face up to his and Riley grimaced. She didn’t cry well. Already her eyes were watery and red, matching her nose. Her cheeks were blotchy. He smiled. “Yeah, sure. But please, don’t cry, baby. I can’t stand it.”

  That made her start sobbing again. She crawled out of the bed, still sniffling, and headed out of the room.

  “Regina?”

  “I’ll be right back,” she wailed.

  Riley watched her go, enjoying the way his shirttails barely covered her tush. He looked at Butch. “Women.” Then he added, “But damn, she looks good in my shirt, doesn’t she?” And he murmured, “Even better out of it, though.”

  She came back into the bedroom, the framed photo in her hand. She plopped into bed, burrowed into Riley’s side, and dropped the photo on his lap. “Here, you can have it.”

  Lip curled in distaste, Riley lifted the smug, smiling face of Senator Welling away from his body and dropped it on the nightstand. “Gee, thanks. Just what I always wanted.”

  Regina gave a choked laugh, lightly punched him, and then hugged him in a stranglehold. “You asked me earlier why I brought the stupid thing along.”

  Stupid thing? “Uh, yeah.”

  “I see the photo and I remember his commitment to his family and how he stands for all the things I value. It gives me hope that someday I’ll have those things, too.”

  Riley rolled his eyes. “Regina…”

  “It gave me hope that some day I’d meet a man like him. But I don’t need him for inspiration anymore.” She smiled up at Riley and even with the blotchy cheeks, she looked beautiful. “You’re the finest man I know, Riley. No one else could ever measure up to you.”

  Oh hell. It was bad enough when he thought she used Welling as a masculine measuring tape. But if he became the damn tape, she was bound for disappointment. “No, Regina, I’m just a man.”

  “A good man. A real man. And that’s better than a public persona any day.”

  Riley’s heart about stopped. Was it possible she loved him, too? Had he finally gotten through to her? He started to tell her so when his phone rang. Riley reached for the nightstand and snatched up the receiver. “Hello?” And then with foreboding, “Yeah, Dermot. What’s up?”

  Just as he suspected, Earl had been released. The judge returned not more than a few hours ago, but Earl had made his call and somehow gotten things expedited.

  “Thanks for the heads-up. I guess all we can do now is hope he doesn’t jump bail.” He hung up and rubbed his face. “Looks like we’re back to square one unless Senator Welling can remember something vital.”

  Regina gasped as if someone had pinched her. “Oh no. Senator Welling and the ceremony. We’re going to be late.”

  Riley glanced at the clock and cursed. “We’ll make it if we hurry.” He threw the covers aside and stood.

  Regina remained in bed, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. “Riley? Are you sure we can’t just skip it? Somehow, I’m not as excited about seeing him as I had been.”

  He smiled, caught her under the arms and lifted her from the bed. “No, we can’t skip it. I don’t want to miss this chance. If we get there early, we can talk to the senator before the ceremony begins and get it out of the way.”

  “Then come back here and make love some more?”

  Riley feigned a scandalized gasp. “Why, Ms. Foxworth, you surprise me.”

  She grinned. “When we get home, I’ll surprise you even more.”

  Home. He liked the sound of that. “It’s a deal.”

  Chapter 10

  BUTCH PUT ON AN AWFUL, MELODRAMATIC FIT about being left alone. He was a smart little dog who understood everything whenever the mood suited him, and right now he understood that two dressed humans heading for the door meant he’d be alone.

  He didn’t like it, and he didn’t hold back in letting them know his deepest feelings. Not only did he howl pitifully, but he lay flat on his belly and did an army crawl, as if his little legs wouldn’t work.

  They tried stepping out and waiting to see if he’d calm down. He didn’t. He made such a racket that he sounded like a pack of wolves. Riley feared complaints from his neighbors if they left Butch carrying on so enthusiastically.

  In the end, since the ceremony would mostly be outdoors, Regina gave in and tucked him away in her satchel. She hooked his leash to his collar as a precaution in case he attempted to escape. She kept the leash wrapped around her hand and the strap of the big bag over her shoulder with Butch close to her side.

  He seemed to like that just fine. He curled up and went to sleep like a baby in a knapsack.

  “And you said I’d spoil him?”

  Regina scowled at that accusation. “He’s still getting used to us. There’s been no stability in his life yet, what with me bringing him home, then bringing him here….”

  Riley drew her close without mussing her hair, and pressed a warm kiss to her forehead. “I do understand. Even cantankerous little dogs need reassuring.” Then he grinned. “Just remember that us old dogs need it, too.”

  Regina intended to reassure him in a big way as soon as they returned. She was going to tell him how she felt. Love was love and it should never be denied. To get it, you had to give it. That was the argument she’d used when choosing Butch, and now she’d apply it to Riley. She’d give him her heart and hope he gave his in return.

  It had worked with Butch.

  Riley drove his truck to the ceremony. Regina felt the difference now in just being with him. There was a new comfort, a new ease that existed between them. She thought of everything he’d told her, everything he’d gone through. No wonder he hadn’t wanted to get involved again. He had not only the emotional turmoil of an unfaithful spouse, but he also had a battle with his professional conscience for being untruthful.

  Regina considered his thoughtfulness for Phil’s wife one of the most commendable things she’d ever heard. Riley had put his own hurt aside to protect someone else—and that, more than anything, defined the type of man he was.

  Milling crowds filled the lawn in front of the museum center where the Historical Society had planned the ceremony. Keeping Regina tucked close to his side with a precautionary, proprietary air, Riley repeatedly flashed his badge to dispatch a path to the quiet chambers inside the museum where Senator Welling passed the time until his introduction. In the end though, it was Regina who got them beyond the final barrier of guards.

  She gave her name and politely asked them to inform Senator Welling that she would greatly appreciate a moment of his time. One unconvinced guard did as she asked, then returned with a smil
e, saying Senator Welling would love to see her again.

  The guards wouldn’t let Riley in, though, and Riley wouldn’t let Regina in without him. He was most firm on that issue, so Regina stuck her head in the heavy carved wooden door of the museum’s inner sanctum and requested that her escort be given entrance as well.

  Senator Welling, smiling and as jovial as the last time she’d seen him, rose from behind a large desk and bid them both inside. “Ms. Foxworth—Regina—how wonderful to see you again.”

  It was enough of a surprise that he remembered her, but he also sounded sincerely happy to see her. Regina smiled with true pleasure. By rights, the Senator should have looked exhausted from his recent travels. The commendation from the Historical Society came at the tail end of a two-week tour. Instead, he looked vital and energetic. “Senator Welling. I hope we’re not imposing.”

  “Of course not. And please, no formality here. Call me Xavier. After all, we’re old friends now.”

  “Why, thank you. I’d be honored.”

  Another guard came forward to frisk both her and Riley.

  “I’m sorry,” Xavier said with a wry, philosophical shrug. “They’re quite insistent on doing their jobs.”

  “Oh, I understand. You’re a very important man. Of course they have to protect you.” Regina held her arms out to her sides and submitted to being patted down. Butch didn’t take it well, snapping at the guard and startling him when he peeked inside the bag. The Senator, a lover of animals, was merely amused when Butch peeked out at him and growled.

  Unlike the others who’d called her dog a rat and worse, Xavier said, “Such distinctive coloring. A pure-bred Chihuahua?”

  “Yes, thank you. I think he’s beautiful, too.” Regina beamed at Xavier for his exquisite taste in animals.

  Riley didn’t take the invasion of privacy much better than Butch had, but at least he didn’t try to bite anyone. He introduced himself, showed his badge, and still got roughly checked for hidden weapons. Regina watched him warily, unsure what he might do.

  When the security check had been completed, he merely nodded. “Senator Welling—”

  “Xavier, please,” he reminded Riley.

  Riley conceded with a nod. “Xavier. Thank you for seeing us.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” After sharing a hearty handshake with Riley, he took Regina’s hand and winked at her. “We have plenty of time to spare before the ceremony and I’ve only been sitting here hoping I won’t trip over my words.”

  His charming, self-deprecating grin could win over the worst skeptics, Regina decided. “I’m sure you’ll keep them all enthralled.”

  Laughing, still holding her hand, Xavier turned to Riley. “My biggest fan, or so she tells me.”

  Riley’s mouth flattened. “Yeah, she tells me that, too.”

  Regina frowned at Riley’s tone—and noticed he was staring at Xavier’s hand clasping hers. Could he be jealous? He’d made that comment about old dogs needing reassurance, too. Trying to be inconspicuous, she pulled away from Xavier. “Senator, how is your intern? That lovely young lady I met at the park with you.”

  His gray brows rose in confusion. “My intern?”

  Regina forged on. “I recall she was very quiet, but you told me she worked hard and was very dedicated to you.”

  Xavier cleared his throat. “Yes, a hard worker. I’m sorry, but you know, I can’t keep up with all the interns. They come and go, and…” Suddenly he stopped. He turned to his guards and said, “Wait outside.”

  The guards shared a look, hesitant to obey.

  Xavier frowned and rounded his desk to shoo them away. “Really, I’m quite safe here with the young lady and her friend. Go. I’d like some privacy.”

  Regina was stunned at the sudden turn of events. Both men were forced out a door at the back of the office, behind where Xavier had been sitting. In a heartbeat, Riley was there, standing mostly in front of her, blocking her with his body. She tried to nudge him aside, but he wouldn’t move.

  “Riley, really,” she whispered.

  Glancing over his shoulder, he gave her one brief, hard look that stopped all other protests in her throat.

  When Xavier turned back to them, his expression had become strained. “There. Much better, don’t you think?” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Please, take a seat and tell me what you’ve been up to.” Xavier returned to his chair.

  Regina started to take the nearest chair opposite the desk, but Riley stopped her by backing further into her.

  “With your permission, Senator, I’d like to ask you a few questions about that day in the park.”

  Xavier’s complexion paled. He looked down at his desk a moment, then faced Riley squarely. “Is there a problem?”

  Regina could feel the tension in Riley, but she didn’t understand it. He seemed braced for an attack, ready to charge. But why?

  “Since that day, Regina has been repeatedly threatened by someone. I believe it started with the car that ran her off the road.”

  Xavier swallowed, and in a murmur said, “Thank God she wasn’t injured that day. Terrible, terrible thing to happen to a young woman. She could have been killed.”

  Riley’s arms hung loose at his sides. It was a negligent pose, but Regina had taken enough lessons from him to know he was readying himself, keeping limber, poised.

  “Yes, she could have. And that wasn’t the only incident. She’s been accosted several times. The worst, however, was the fire.”

  Xavier’s head shot up. “A fire?”

  “Yes. A deliberate fire, in my opinion. It burned a building to the ground and almost took Regina and her friend with it.”

  Xavier squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. “This is dreadful. Just dreadful.”

  By small degrees, Riley started backing up, forcing Regina toward the door where they’d entered.

  The sense of foreboding was so thick in the air, Regina thought she might choke on it. “Senator?”

  He shook his head. “I’m only a man, flawed, damn it.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Riley demanded.

  The senator looked up, then beyond Riley. His face went ashen.

  Someone had stepped into the room behind them.

  Startled, more than a little frightened, Regina jerked around—and let out a relieved breath. Mrs. Welling stood there, elegantly dressed in a turquoise suit with pearl jewelry.

  Riley started to move Regina to his side, but Mrs. Welling reached out and took her hand. “Hello. I heard Xavier had guests.”

  Flustered, Regina all but gushed. “Mrs. Welling! It’s so wonderful to finally meet you. I didn’t know you were here, too, but then you always accompany Xavier, don’t you?”

  “‘Xavier’?” She slanted a sardonic look at her husband. “I see you’re a close friend, to call him by his first name.”

  “Oh.” Regina felt the heat pulsing in her face. “No, not at all. He just—”

  “It’s all right. My husband has mentioned you, Ms. Foxworth.” Mrs. Welling was tall, softened with age, but still striking in appearance. Her brown hair was stylishly laced with gray, her eyes a stunning, clear blue. She held Regina’s hand overlong.

  Regina was aware of Xavier slowly standing behind his desk, of Riley stepping aside so that he stood between husband and wife. Regina prayed Riley wouldn’t lose his temper and do something outlandish.

  She was trying to send him a warning look to behave when the door behind Xavier opened. Regina’s view was blocked by Riley, but she heard him curse. With Mrs. Welling still clasping her hand, she stepped to the side to better see.

  A tall man, probably a guard, stood there. He wasn’t smiling, and he kept his narrowed, alert gaze on Riley. Slowly he lifted his right arm and pointed a gun.

  Regina gasped. Instinctively, she tried to move toward Riley, but Mrs. Welling kept her immobile. “Meet Earl Rochelle, Ms. Foxworth. I believe he’s made himself something of a nuisance to you.”

  Confusion warre
d with fear. “You…you’re the one who broke into my apartment?” Regina had a hard time taking it in. Mrs. Welling seemed so cold, Xavier was rocking back and forth on his heels, muttering to himself and shaking his head. Riley just stood there, as sturdy and unshakable as a stone wall.

  Earl nodded at Riley. “Your lover boy roughed me up. But now it’s time for payback.”

  Riley shifted the tiniest bit. “You son of a bitch.” His voice was calm, without inflection. “So you’re working for the senator?”

  Xavier violently shook his head. “No. No, I’d never hurt anyone….”

  Mrs. Welling laughed. “Xavier, be truthful. You hurt me all the time.” Her lovely face contorted—with pain, with anger. “Every single time you crawl into bed with another woman. But no more, you bloated pompous ass. I’ve stuck with you this long, and I’ll be damned if I let you ruin our family now.”

  Regina turned to face her, her brain blank with shock, with disbelief. “Mrs. Welling…I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “Of course you didn’t. Along with a good portion of the constituents, you think Xavier is an honorable man, a family man. In truth, my dear, he’s a lying cheating pig.”

  Xavier shook his head, his face now bright pink, his eyes pleading. “No, dear. It was only those few times….”

  “I’m not a fool, Xavier. I’ve known of every single affair. Your intern—who by the way, Ms. Foxworth, is no more than a well-paid prostitute—was only one in a long line of young women. You preach family values, all the while you’re paying for sex with a common whore.”

  Her voice had risen with her ire, and Earl moved closer. “Mrs. Welling, please. Discretion is necessary.”

  She released Regina to wave away his concerns. “I dismissed the guards for now. I told them to return when it’s time for Xavier’s introduction. We’ve at least fifteen more minutes.”

  Regina suddenly understood. “The photograph.” She stared at Mrs. Welling. “It has the intern…I mean, the prostitute, in the picture with the senator. They were…” Aghast, she turned to stare at Xavier. “They were having an affair in the park?”