The Bodyguard

by Adair, Cherry; Showalter, Gena; O'Clare, Lorie

  That voice . . . she recognized it and scowled. Thomas, her former boss at Eye Candy. He had his back to her, was facing Sean, but she knew it was him. There were four men with him, other dead bodies lying around them. They’d brought lights, so many halogens, and were shining them directly at Sean, preventing him from summoning his shadows.

  “Tell me where the girl is.”

  Thomas wanted her? Why?

  “Like hell,” Sean said. “I’d rather die.”

  “You might. Or little Gabby might. To save each other, I think you’ll do whatever I tell you to do, though.”

  Sean’s only reaction was a sneer. “Who says she’s still alive?”

  He was engaging them, she knew he was, holding their attention to allow her time to sneak away. Like she’d really leave him here to die. He’d come to mean too much to her.

  There, she’d admitted it. She wasn’t leaving this room without him. Because if they thought he’d killed her, they might kill him.

  “I’m here,” she said, stepping forward. “And as you can see, I’m very much alive.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “Motherfucker!” Sean paced from one corner of his cell to another. The moment Gabby had stepped into the light, he’d reacted. He’d gone ballistic, attacking everyone around him. They’d had to tranq him, but still he’d fought, managing to take two down with him. Never had he been more determined to save someone.

  The drugs had eventually zapped him, though, and he’d fallen. Why they hadn’t killed him as the guy had threatened, Sean hadn’t known. Still didn’t. About an hour ago, he’d woken up here. Inside a four-by-four prison, Rowan sleeping on the other side in a prison of his own.

  The floors were dirt, the walls stone and covered with chalk drawings. Meaning they weren’t the first prisoners. Meaning the guy holding them knew what he was doing—and how to get away with it.

  Both of their wounds had been bandaged, at least. But fuck, he hurt! His entire body ached and his limbs were trembling from blood loss. Clearly, he and Rowan were to be kept alive. The same was true for Gabby. Sean knew that. But that didn’t lessen his fear. They could beat her . . . rape her.

  They were drug dealers, after all. It had taken him a while, since Thomas had clearly disguised his features, but Sean had finally recognized Thomas as Gabby’s former boss—and the man who’d watched him outside the motel.

  Damn this! He wanted out of here. But unlike the time he’d abducted her himself, he had no weapons hidden on his body. They’d been confiscated.

  Where the hell was Gabby? Where had they taken her?

  There was an armed guard in front of the cages, watching Sean through narrowed eyes. He had already tried to engage the guard in conversation and gotten nowhere.

  Rowan moaned. It was the first sound the man had made since Sean had awakened, and he raced to that side of the cell. “Rowan.”

  Gingerly Sean’s friend sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

  “Hey,” Sean said, and Rowan turned toward him. “How were you captured?”

  “Quiet,” the guard snapped.

  With a grimace, Rowan rose and approached Sean. He said softly, “Fucker attacked me right after you left the coffee shop. I like to think I’m a pretty aware guy, but damn. I didn’t stand a chance. One minute I was standing, the next a sharp pain was exploding through my neck, and the next I was cuffed in their car.”

  So they’d known where Gabby was, just as Sean had feared. How? They didn’t have access to Dr. Fasset’s files. Or even Bill’s. They shouldn’t have been able to track her.

  “Her brain, as we suspected,” Rowan said, answering Sean’s unspoken questions. “The smug shit couldn’t stop bragging about himself and his plans. Anyway, Gabby isn’t the only one good with computers. This Thomas guy has some pretty smart badasses on his payroll and they were able to hack into Rose Briar’s system and learn what we’d learned.”

  “But we weren’t able to track her. They were.”

  “That I can only guess about. They must have found a way to access Dr. Fasset’s GPS, or whatever the bastard put inside her head. But the worst part is, they didn’t want her.” Rowan’s voice was grave. “Well, they do. But not as much as they want you.”

  Wait. What? “I don’t understand.”

  “After Bill approached Thomas, the owner of Eye Candy, and told him to get lost, Thomas followed Bill, found out who we are and what we do. He wanted Gabby because she can do what his hackers can’t, working quickly, getting into impossible places. Then he saw you manipulate the shadows and decided you were the better prospective employee.”

  Him? Sean shook his head, sure he’d misheard again. That couldn’t be right.

  “Think about it. With you, he can commit crimes anytime, anywhere, and never be seen.”

  Now that made sense. “Gabby,” Sean said, rubbing at his suddenly raw throat. He’d placed her in danger. He was the reason she was here. They’d want to know what she knew about him; since they didn’t feel they needed her ability as much as his, they wouldn’t mind roughing her up.

  Shit!

  Rowan’s expression darkened. “We’ve got to kill him, Sean. He wants money, power, and doesn’t care what he has to do to get it. Sell our secrets, even. Which means we need to ki—neutralize Gabby, too. She’s just too dangerous in the wrong hands, and as trackable as she now is . . . Thomas may not want her quite so desperately anymore, but others will.”

  “Hell, no. We’re not hurting her.”

  “I know you like her. I know—”

  “No!” Gabby was a part of him now. He couldn’t imagine his life without her. Didn’t want to imagine his life without her. She was more important than his job. Hell, more important than his own life. Besides that, he’d told her he wouldn’t push her away, that he’d give her everything, and he meant to keep his word. He’d run with her if he had to, and that was all there was to that.

  “Fine. She’s yours. I won’t touch her.”

  “Good.” Sean’s gaze flicked to the guard. “Now, let’s find a way out of here,” he whispered fiercely. As powerful as Rose Briar was, as many agents with unusual gifts as there were, he knew it would be just the two of them now. Thomas was too good to have let anyone discover their whereabouts.

  Rowan nodded, straightened, and squared his shoulders. Determination radiated from him. “I’ll take care of it.”

  Thomas and crew had underestimated him, Sean knew. Most people did. They didn’t understand the depths of Rowan’s charm or that it was far more dangerous than Sean’s own power.

  With a few words, Rowan could make you blow your own brains out.

  And that was exactly what was going to happen, Sean thought, as he watched Rowan turn his killer grin on the guard.

  “You will tell me what you know about Sean Walker, Gabrielle, or I will put a bullet in your chest while he watches.”

  Gabby glared up at Thomas, not even trying to hide her hatred. He was blond with green eyes and very tanned skin. His features were different than she remembered, leaner, his jaw dusted with stubble. But he was still a bastard.

  He’d tied her to a chair, the bonds so tight she might never feel her hands again.

  “Well?”

  “I told you. I don’t know anything.”

  Slap.

  Her head whipped to the side. This time—how many times had he already hit her? She’d lost count—her teeth cut into her gums and blood trickled onto her tongue. Pretty soon, he was going to close his fist and start pounding. The determination in his eyes told her that.

  “And I thought you were such a smart girl. You’re really starting to piss me off, Gabrielle.” He uttered a long-suffering sigh. “I’m not a bad guy. I’m really not. I have a family I love, a family I want to support. Your continued defiance is the problem here. Not me. Do you think I enjoy hurting you?”

  Hell, yes, he did. “How do you know I even like Sean? I might hate his guts.” Her gaze circled the room. They were in a wa
rehouse of some sort, sectioned off by thick, steel walls. This section was spacious, with a long table piled with bags of cocaine and weapons. Some of those weapons were already bloody. Besides Thomas, there was a handful of guards. Each had a gun in hand and each was watching her, waiting for the word to plug her full of holes.

  Some looked bored; some looked eager for a turn. Some were simply enjoying the show. She was sweaty, dirty, shaking, and scared. For herself, yes. Pain was not fun. But mostly she feared for Sean. Fear she couldn’t allow herself to feel full measure without a terrible ache in her temples. An ache that would fog her mind and make her weak.

  For her own sake, she kept her breathing even, her heart rate slow.

  What did they want from Sean? What did they plan to do to him? If they hurt him . . . she’d what? Want to die herself, she thought—after she killed them all, slowly and painfully. She’d do to them what she’d always wanted to do to the doctor who’d screwed with her. She loved Sean. With all of her heart, all of her soul, she loved him. She knew that now.

  “Give me some credit,” Thomas said. “I let Rose Briar, or whatever they call themselves, think I left the country as they’d commanded, but I remained here and watched the club instead. Waiting. I knew Agent Walker had an unusual ability, but I just couldn’t find out what he could do. Him or the other, Rowan. Until he escorted you from that motel and he treated those shadows like his pets. The things he’ll do for me . . .” Thomas laughed, a little giddy, as if he was flying high on his drugs.

  “So what do you want to know from me?” she asked as if she finally meant to play ball.

  His expression was almost fond as he regarded her. “That’s better. How does he control the shadows? Tell me.”

  She’d expected the question but couldn’t think of a believable lie. “Why not ask him?”

  Frowning, Thomas leaned down and planted his hands on the arms of her chair, placing them nose to nose. “Because I’m asking you.”

  “Why?” she insisted. “Maybe he didn’t tell me anything. Maybe he’ll be willing to talk to you.”

  “He’s an agent. Used to this kind of thing. He’ll tell me a little, omit a lot. He’ll lie. Pain and threats won’t bother him. And yeah, he talked to you. Otherwise, you’d be crying right now, begging for your life. But you’re not. You’re trying to protect him. You, who will buckle under the pressure. Start. Talking. Now.”

  People like this needed to be stopped. Sean had offered her the chance to help do that. At the time, she hadn’t had an answer for him. Now she did. Hell, yes. She would help. She would work for Rose Briar.

  Slap.

  Her brain rattled against her skull and for a moment she saw stars, her heart thundering against her ribs. Do not fear. Do not freaking fear. “I’m trying to remember,” she said. “Give me a minute.”

  Slap.

  Do not fear! “Let me see him and I’ll tell you everything I know.”

  Punch. “Why do you make me hurt you like this?”

  A grunt of pain gusted from her split lips. The adrenaline rushing through her helped dull the pain in her face and head, but oh, was she going to feel it tomorrow. If she was still alive. You will get out of this. You have to.

  At least when Dr. Fasset had abducted her, he hadn’t abused her like this. He’d simply locked her away, taken some blood, given her some drugs, and sawed off half her skull while she slept. When she’d woken up, he’d kept her sedated until she healed and then finally let her go.

  “I just want to know that he’s alive.” The words scraped against her throbbing lip. “I just want to know I’m not spilling his secrets for nothing.”

  Thomas popped his jaw, silent for a moment. “Bring Agent Walker in here. And make sure to keep the lights on him at all times.”

  Two of the guards strode silently from the room.

  “See. I can be accommodating.” Thomas rubbed his jaw. “But you know, Gabrielle, I’m not sure you realize just how precarious your predicament is.” He walked leisurely to the table and lifted one of the knives. One of the larger knives with a curved blade stained crimson.

  The scent of dried blood hit her nose, and she gagged. “You might have bruised my brain a bit, but I think I’m smart enough to figure out my predicament. Being held by a huge asswad was a big clue.”

  He tapped the tip against the table. Tick, tick, tick. “You shouldn’t have insisted Sean be brought to you, because now I want to give him a show. I want him to see what will happen to you if he disobeys me. I want him to know what I’m capable of.” Thomas closed the distance between them.

  Gabby shrank back. Didn’t matter, though. She had nowhere to go.

  The blade hooked to the collar of her shirt. She was gasping at the touch of cool metal, then unable to breathe as Thomas ran the tip down her top, slicing the material in two. Interest filled his eyes as he took in her lacy black bra. A bra Sean had purchased for her.

  “Pretty,” Thomas said, “and unexpected. Did you wear that for Sean?”

  He didn’t wait for her response; he didn’t need to. He’d already gotten what he wanted. Terror. Her temples were on fire.

  Thomas grinned, but his amusement didn’t last long. Impatient, he whipped toward the open door. “What’s taking them so long?”

  Could Sean have escaped? Could the men be searching for him? “Yes, he picked it for me,” she said to distract Thomas. “It has a front clasp and was easy for him to work on and off me.”

  Thomas swung back around, facing her. His eyes narrowed. “I’m not stupid. I’ll fuck you if I want to fuck you, but don’t think you’ll be winning me over with your body. You’ve never been my type.”

  Meaning he liked big boobs and blondes. He’d paraded his flavors of the week through the club constantly, going through women like they were Kleenex and he had a cold. Yeah, he was a fabulous “family man.”

  “Give me a chance,” she practically purred. “I can become your type.” Just then, a dark cloud swept into the room and Gabby almost cried with relief. “Or not, since you’re about to die.”

  “What do you—” Thomas paled, and it was the last thing she saw, her entire world going black.

  She was blind but not deaf and could hear gunshots, grunting, bodies falling.

  “What the hell?” someone shouted.

  “Stop; please stop,” another begged.

  “No!” Thomas shouted. “No, don’t—” His voice gurgled to quiet after a loud pop.

  Then, there was only silence.

  “Sean!” Gabby called. “I want to see you.”

  Warm fingers brushed the back of her neck, but he didn’t appear and the cloud didn’t dissipate. “Not yet.”

  Did he think she’d meant what she’d said to Thomas? “I was just trying to distract him. I didn’t—”

  Sean chuckled, but it was a harsh sound. “I know, baby. I know. I just don’t want you to see the . . . bodies. Are you okay?” His voice had thickened, there at the end.

  Her shoulders sagged with relief. “Now I am.” It was over. Really over. Sean was alive, safe. Right? She stiffened again, concern beating at her much harder than Thomas had. “Are you?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You were shot earlier. You—”

  “I’ll be fine. Swear.” Pause. Then, a gasp. “Oh, baby. Your pretty face.” Those strong fingers gently caressed her cheek, her jaw, her swollen lips.

  “I’m fine.”

  He sliced her bonds. “I want to kill the fucker all over again.”

  Hands free now, she rubbed at her wrists. Sean’s shadow form gently clasped her arm and helped her stand. She swayed, and he dragged her into the shadows with him, into his embrace, holding her tight.

  “I knew you’d come,” she said.

  “You trusted me?”

  “Yes.”

  His arms tightened even more. She couldn’t breathe, but that hardly seemed to matter. She was exactly where she wanted to be, doing exactly what she wanted to do.

 
; “Bentley and team are on their way,” Rowan said from the doorway.

  “Come on,” Sean said against Gabby’s temple. He ushered her from the room and building, not removing the shadows until they’d stepped outside.

  The sun was setting, but still she had to blink against its brightness. When she focused, Sean’s beautiful, tattooed face came into view and white-hot tears filled her eyes, even as her heart swelled with love for him.

  “Sean,” she said, but he shook his head.

  “We have some things to discuss, you and I,” he said, wiping those tears gently from her face. “But not here and not now.”

  As he’d spoken, cars had sped from the surrounding forest and toward the building. Rose Briar had arrived, she supposed. No wonder Sean wanted to wait. What these agents would want to do with her she could only guess. And none of her guesses ended well for her.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The next fifteen minutes of Gabby’s life were surreal. One minute she was alone with Sean, breathing him in, happy to be alive and hopeful for the future; the next they were surrounded by agents of every age, size, and ethnicity. Some rushed inside the building. To clean up, she supposed. Some searched under every rock, every wood plank, tearing the building up piece by piece. For Thomas’s secrets, she was sure. His home would probably receive the same treatment. Someone even approached her and gave her a bag of ice.

  Gabby stood in place, one hand holding that bag and pressing it into her cheek and the other fisting her side. She wanted to be back in Sean’s embrace. He was next to her, but that wasn’t close enough. Not anymore. No longer would she hold him at a distance. Look how close she’d come to losing him. Like him, she was going to stop pushing. She was going to give everything.

  She sighed. She knew what she wanted to tell him during their discussion—I love you—and wondered if he planned to do the same. She trusted him not to hurt her. She did. Not emotionally and not physically. So she knew he wasn’t going to drop her now that the mission was over. But still, she couldn’t guess what he wanted to say.