Rushed

  “Yes. Okay. I can do it.”

  “I love you, I’m coming El.”

  The line went dead and a loud sob tore from my throat.

  Get it together El.

  I had a job to do. A photo might get us one step closer to finding this guy. I turned and snapped a few pictures. Half of the number plate was covered by another car.

  I dialled Reeve.

  “Hey El.”

  “I’m being followed.” I blurted out.

  “What?”

  “Lawson said I had to call you and stay on the line until he gets here.”

  “He’s on his way?” He demanded.

  “Yes.” I whispered.

  “Take a deep breath El.”

  I tried to do what he said.

  “You’ll be okay. Lawson won’t let anyone hurt you.”

  I nodded and tried to remember to breathe.

  “Tell me about the car.”

  I took another deep breath. “It’s a black BMW sedan. It’s got heavy tints, I can’t even make out a figure in there. It’s parked about half a dozen cars back.” I whispered.

  “Where did it follow you from?”

  “I’m not sure. I noticed it about five minutes after I left work, so I guess it was from there.”

  “This shit is getting out of hand.”

  I could hear him pacing the room, he was probably in his apartment. “Shit I forgot about Quinn. Can you text her and make sure she’s okay?”

  “Yeah okay hang on.” I heard him tapping out a message to Q. She must have replied instantly. “She’s just pulled into the garage, I’ll head down to get her.”

  Thank god.

  “Thank you Reeve.”

  “Shit.” He muttered. “This is bullshit.” I heard him get into the elevator and I was surprised the connection didn’t drop.

  I was watching the BMW through my side mirror when it indicated to pull out into traffic. “Reeve, he’s moving.”

  “Towards you or away?”

  “Towards.” I squeaked.

  “Okay El I want you to look away from the road, I want you to laugh and look as though you don’t have a care in the world. Don’t let this creep know he’s spooked you. Can you do that honey?”

  I dropped my eyes from the mirror and laughed. The minute the fake sound left my mouth I was overcome with hysterical giggling. “Oh god.” I cackled.

  “El, I think your over doing it.”

  I heard Reeve talking to Quinn in the background. He passed her the phone.

  “El?”

  My laughter stopped. “Q.” I snivelled.

  “Is he gone?” She asked quietly.

  I peaked up and saw the car turning the corner. “He’s gone.” I whispered.

  “He’s gone.” I heard her tell Reeve in the background.

  A loud knock on my passenger window had me just about jumping out of my skin.

  I sighed in relief when I saw Mark standing on the sidewalk. “I have to go Q. Mark’s here.” I hung up and lowered the window.

  “Where is he?” His voice was all business.

  I pointed down the road. “He turned left no more than a minute ago. Black BMW.”

  Mark lifted his phone and barked orders at whoever was on the other end. His eyes softened as he looked back at me. “Are you okay Ellerslie?”

  I nodded. I’d been better – but I was safe. “I’m okay. Do you know how far away Lawson is?”

  Mark looked around and pointed down the street. I swung around and saw him running towards me. I was expecting him to head to Mark, but instead he came to the driver’s side, swung the door open with so much force I was concerned it was going to come off its hinges, and tugged me roughly into his arms.

  The minute our skin met, I was okay. His touch calmed me, even though I could tell he was anything but calm himself.

  “Thank god you’re okay baby. Fuck I was going crazy.”

  “I’m okay, it was just a scare. You’re here now.”

  “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.” He growled. Cars started honking. Between my car door and Lawson’s giant frame, we were blocking half of the road. “Scoot over Ells.” He unbuckled my belt and I shimmied into the passenger seat. Lawson climbed in the driver’s seat.

  “Mark, can you get in?”

  Mark nodded and climbed into the back seat of the Jeep. “My man got the number plate, but couldn’t get through traffic to follow him. We lost him at a light change.” He told us.

  “I want more men on this. I don’t care about the cost.”

  Mark nodded. “Consider it done.”

  He looked at me. “Ellerslie?” His voice was soft. “Did you get any photos?”

  I nodded and handed him my phone. “They’re not great. And the tints were to dark to make out who was driving anyway.”

  “Can you email these through to me? You never know what we might be able to pull from them.”

  I took the phone back and sent them straight through. “Done.”

  “Hopefully the number plate will turn up a clue.” Lawson looked at Mark. “What do you think?”

  Mark sighed. “I can hope, but considering there was no effort made to conceal it, I can only assume it won’t be overly helpful.”

  Lawson ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

  I reached out and took his hand in mine. “Can we go home? Everyone will be arriving soon.”

  “Yeah, that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day pretty girl.”

  We finished up with Mark and Lawson drove me back to my apartment. He assured me that he’d sort out getting his truck back, and sure enough, when Quinn, Lawson and I arrived back to his house, it was there waiting.

  Lawson hadn’t let me out of his sight the entire time I packed and talked to Reeve. My brother hadn’t been much better, he was spinning out. He and Lisa weren’t coming to Lawson’s place until tomorrow and I could see he was having a hard time letting me go.

  It was comical really, Lawson was constantly within arm’s reach of me, but yet Reeve was still worried. The two of them were going to go prematurely grey if they didn’t calm the hell down.

  I plopped down on Lawson’s couch and called Zef in. Having him near me made me feel safe. I’d booked him into some classes for next week and I was excited to start training him alongside Lawson.

  I hoped that getting Zef trained properly might help Lawson relax a bit too. I’d have my own four legged body guard. Lawson sat down next to me and rubbed Zefer’s head.

  “I booked him some classes for next week.” I told Lawson.

  “Oh really? Thanks baby.”

  “No problem. I’m looking forward to it.”

  He looked at me in confusion. “You want to come?”

  My heart sank. “I don’t have to… I thought it would be fun, but that’s okay.”

  His face spread into a megawatt grin. “I’d love you to come, I just didn’t realise you’d want to.”

  I smacked him lightly on the arm. “You know I love this dog.” Zef bumped my hand with his head and I gave his ears a scratch.

  “You love me more though right?” Lawson asked.

  I laughed as I got up off the couch in search of a shower.

  “Ells? I’m serious.” He called out after me.

  I just laughed louder.

  62. Lawson

  I got out of the shower and could already feel the lack of testosterone in my house.

  The girls are here.

  I could hear the laughing and squealing coming from downstairs. Even Zef had come up to my bedroom to hide out. I chuckled at his face as I wrapped a towel around my waist and went to find some sweat pants.

  I was hoping to god that no one wanted to go out tonight – I wasn’t sure I could handle it after El being followed today.

  Fuck.

  I couldn’t believe I’d been stupid enough to let her drive around alone like that. At the very least I should have made sure Quinn was with her. It was a mistake I wouldn’t be
making again.

  I heard El squeal from downstairs and Zef and I both took off towards the noise. I burst into the living room and was met with five sets of eyes staring at me.

  “I told you to shut up.” Quinn pointed at El.

  El grimaced and skipped over to me. “Sorry cowboy.” She whispered.

  Zef nudged her legs until she rubbed his head.

  “I was just freaking out, Jem got married in Vegas.” She jumped up and down in excitement.

  I chuckled and looped my arm around her waist.

  Brooke stepped out and smiled at me. “Good to see you again Lawson. I’d hug you, but you forgot a shirt.”

  I looked down.

  Shit.

  El giggled. “I’m not complaining.”

  I kissed her on the head. “Give me two minutes.”

  “I’m not complaining either.” I heard one of the girls call as I left the room and I smirked.

  Trouble.

  I raced up the stairs and threw on the first t-shirt I could find. When I got back down the girls were all swarmed around who I assumed was Jemma – rapid firing questions at her.

  “Sorry Brooke. How have you been?” I gave her a light hug. Brooke was a pretty girl, she had dark skin, hair and eyes. She was about the same height as Quinn and was slim like her too.

  “I’ve been good. Thanks for offering to have us, especially you know, after last time.”

  I chuckled at her guilty face. “Yeah I’d say you owe me one.”

  El cocked her head with an amused expression on her face.

  “My sister and her friend here got me into some trouble the last time I saw them together. Just about got my ass kicked.” I explained to her.

  “That doesn’t sound like them at all.” She replied dryly.

  Quinn stuck her tongue out at El.

  “Lawson this is Jem.” She led the blonde girl towards me.

  I hugged her and congratulated her on her marriage. She was shorter than El and Q and had dark eyes.

  “And this is Stacey.” Stacey was short with light brown hair and blue eyes.

  “Girls, this is my boyfriend Lawson.” I loved hearing those words come from her mouth. I caught her eyes and they were shining. She liked it as much as I did.

  I gave Stacey a hug too and made small talk with them all for a few minutes.

  “Does anyone want a drink?” I asked them. I got a chorus of yes so I snuck off to the kitchen.

  “Holy shit El.” I heard Stacey say. “That man is banging. Where do I find one of them?”

  I chuckled. There was going to be trouble when Josh arrived. He was the pretty boy of the group – all the girls went crazy for him.

  I poured five wines and after opening myself a beer I sent Logan a text.

  “Can you bastards hurry up, I’m knee deep in females over here.”

  I grinned as I read the reply.

  “I’ll be something else deep inside a female by the end of the night. Be there in five”

  That had to be Rome. Logan must have been driving. I put my phone on the kitchen counter and took the girls their wines.

  “The guys will be here pretty soon.” I told El.

  My girl was so beautiful. Her cheeks were filled with colour from talking excitedly with her friends – actually I wasn’t sure they were talking to one another, they seemed to be all talking over each other. They sure as shit were excited.

  “I can’t wait to meet them.” El beamed.

  Stacey let out a loud shriek and I winced.

  El giggled. “Sorry, but I did warn you cowboy.”

  “You did. And yet somehow I was not prepared.” I teased.

  She snuggled into my side and I kissed the top of her head.

  Quinn caught my eye and smiled. She looked as happy as El did.

  I heard a loud knock on the door at the same time as my phone rang loudly from the kitchen.

  “I’ll get the door, you get the phone.” El called as she walked in the direction of the front door.

  63. Ellerslie

  I laughed at Lawson’s face as I went in the direction of the door, it was as if I was walking into the lion’s den.

  Hell maybe I was.

  I could handle these boys. I ran a company for god sakes. Three men weren’t going to scare me.

  I pulled open the door and was met with an absolute giant of a man. Lawson was a big guy, but sweet baby Jesus, this guy was huge. He caught sight of me and a sly smile crept onto his face.

  “Well, well, well, aren’t you just a pretty little thing.” He had smooth caramel skin, dark brown hair and eyes, and a cheeky grin on his face.

  Rome.

  I smirked back at him. “And aren’t you just the size of a bus.”

  He gaped at me for a fraction of a second before barking out a laugh.

  I moved aside so he could come in.

  Oh hell.

  This must be Josh. He was gorgeous. I could see exactly what Quinn had been talking about. He gave me a once over before smiling at me. His blonde hair was perfectly styled and his blue eyes sparkled.

  Yip… my girls were screwed.

  He was your typical pretty boy – thank heavens, I was more into the tall dark and handsome type.

  The Lawson type.

  Last came Logan. He looked like a sweetheart. He took off his baseball cap as he walked in revealing his short dark brown hair. His eyes were an inviting deep blue. I liked him already. The other two I was still debating.

  I shut the door and assessed the three of them. “Rome, Josh and Logan.” I pointed to each of them individually.

  Rome’s eyes lit up. “Heard about me have you sweetheart? And who might you be?”

  Oh yeah. This one is trouble.

  I heard Lawson’s deep chuckle behind me before I felt him slip his arms around my middle. He kissed the skin just below my ear and I shuddered, leaning into his touch.

  “Get lost Rome, she’s mine.” Lawson chuckled at his friend’s shocked face.

  He let me go and gave man hugs to all of them. I smiled at all the fist bumping and back slapping. “This is my girl.” He came and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Ells, these are my boys, Rome, Josh…”

  “She hit the nail on the head actually man.” Logan interrupted him.

  Lawson laughed. “Yeah, I’m not surprised. She’s been talking to Quinn.”

  Rome groaned and came over to hug me. “Don’t listen to her. She’s just torn up about wanting a piece of this.” He grabbed his crotch and winked at me.

  Lawson shook his head. “Jesus Christ man, get a filter would you.”

  I busted out laughing. “Oh I can see why she’d be desperate for a piece of that. I’m barely holding back myself.” I said dryly.

  Josh laughed and smacked a shocked looking Rome on the chest. “I told you that you need to work on your game man.”

  Josh held out his hand for me to shake. “It’s nice to meet you Ellerslie. It’s good to know you’re real, we thought Lawson might have been blowing smoke up our asses.”

  I raised one eyebrow at Lawson and he laughed. “I told them you were smart, funny, successful and a complete knockout… they said I was full of shit.”

  I grinned.

  “But who’s laughing now boys?” Lawson taunted them.

  Josh gave Lawson the middle finger and Rome grabbed him in a headlock and wrestled him in the direction of the lounge. I laughed as the three of them tussled and fought.

  “It really is good to meet you Ellerslie. I’ve heard a lot about you. You’ll probably never know what a difference you’ve made to him.”

  I smiled and watched the boys disappear out of sight before meeting Logan’s eyes. “I’m glad he’s happy. And It’s good to meet you too.” I squeezed his arm. “You’re the only one Quinn was looking forward to seeing.” I teased.