Her Best Friend's Keeper (Finley Creek Book 1)

by Calle J. Brookes

  “You think I’d throw Sara’s best friend to the wolves? Hardly. Anyone else but her, maybe.” Chance pushed past him and made his way through the front door and into the kitchen. Elliot followed.

  “Then what exactly do you know about this?”

  “Where is she? I assume you’ve made some arrangements to keep the girl safe?”

  His brother was dressed more like an army ranger than a former Texas Ranger. Gray BDU pants and a black long-sleeved t-shirt and heavy boots made up his brother’s entire outfit.

  He looked dangerous, cold, and damned hard. Rough.

  “She’s here. Asleep in the spare bedroom.”

  “Putting you both in danger. Damn stupid, wouldn’t you think? I’m sure there are safe houses she could go to. All it would take would be the Chief of the Finley Creek TSP making a simple phone call to arrange it.”

  “What else was I supposed to do? I wasn’t letting her go through this alone. And I want the answers to whether this is related to our family. If it is, then she’s definitely my responsibility.”

  “And the chance to catch the sons-of-bitches responsible isn’t ninety percent of why you brought her here? Or is there more to it than that?”

  Elliot opened the fridge and pulled out a soda for each of them. His brother never touched alcohol. Something Elliot agreed on. “She’s a sweet woman. Who doesn’t deserve any of this.”

  “She’s beautiful, too. I’m sure that doesn’t hurt anything. Guy has a hard time resisting a woman who looks like her. I’m not blind. Considered it myself a few years ago. That why she’s really here? You want her in your bed?” Chance looked at him, speculation in his eyes. “You’d be stupid to get messed up with a girl like her, though. She’s too good for one of us.”

  That was something Elliot definitely agreed on. Gabby needed a stable guy without all the baggage. Someone who could see just how special she was. Someone who could give her a pretty house, pretty kids, and an absolutely pretty life. Elliot was not that man. “It’s not like that. She’s here until we figure out who trashed her place and we make sure she’s safe there again.”

  “She’ll have to go home sometime. Or this is going to mess shit up for you. Can’t have one of your employees living with you in sin, you know. You ready for that? Or you plan to keep her here with you forever? You got a thing for her?”

  “My interest right now is on finding the bastard responsible for the damage to her place. Nothing else.” He leveled a look at his brother. “They sliced up her underwear, Chance. All of her underwear—none of her other clothes. Tell me what you think of that?”

  “Doesn’t sound random. She got a stalker who’s going to come after you for bringing her here? Or is that something you’re planning on? Standing between her and the bad guy? I think you’re nuts, big brother. She’s going to get her hooks into you for sure. And you’ll never be able to shake a woman like her loose.”

  “Elliot?”

  She was there, in the hallway. Looking beautiful and soft. Sexy.

  Vulnerable…and mortified.

  She’d heard him and his idiot brother, then, hadn’t she? “Gabby, honey. I…”

  Her chin went up and pride flashed in blue eyes. “Hey, no need for explanations. I understand. And thou shalt not eavesdrop, right? Chance, I have no intentions of getting my hooks into your brother. I don’t even have hooks anywhere. I’m afraid I’ll poke myself or something. Mel and Brynna barely let me have kid scissors, after all.”

  So subdued. Her voice lacked the typical breezy, light Gabby tone. Her eyes weren’t as bright as he was used to seeing, either. She’d definitely heard them, and it had hurt her.

  He was the damned chief of police here, he could have arranged for her to have a safe house, to have a security detail assigned to her, or had her put up in a hotel with half the damned TSP post assigned to guard her if he wanted.

  But he hadn’t.

  He’d brought her to his home.

  What did that say about his expectations? He hadn’t been thinking of possible career ramifications by having her in his own home; he’d only been thinking that she was scared and he’d wanted to protect her. Stand between her and whatever bad came her way. Did that say something about what he was feeling for her? It went beyond wanting to keep her safe, didn’t it? It was him, wanting to protect her. Him not trusting anyone else to do the job. Because of her connection to his family? The connection between her and his family was tenuous at best now. This was about how he felt about her. Nothing more. “Gabby, sweetheart, you have to ignore my idiot brother here. He’s allergic to women at times. I think he’s a coward, actually. Afraid some decent woman will set her sights on him someday.”

  “I understand. I can still go to a hotel, if you think that would be best. I know there’s nothing romantic between us. Why would there be? Something like that between you and someone like me?”

  Wow. Her eyes could stab a man straight in the gut, couldn’t they? He ignored his brother’s rude snort. He’d deal with Chance in a minute. “My focus right now has to be on keeping you safe. And damn it, that is exactly what I am going to do. ”

  “Thank you. I do appreciate it. This isn’t going to cause you problems being the division chief, will it?” Still so subdued. Did she believe him? He couldn’t tell. She turned toward his brother, a wary look still on her face. “Chance, it’s…well, can’t really say it’s good to see you again, but I’m glad you’re looking well. I’m sure the two of you have lots to talk about. I’ll just go back to the guestroom and let you do it. Good…uh…night.”

  “Good night, Gabby,” Chance said. His tone had changed, softened. Elliot glanced at his brother’s face.

  There was a gleam of interest in his brother’s eyes.

  He got it. Gabby looked beautiful with her long blonde hair falling in waves down her back, her light pajamas hinting at the delicate feminine body beneath. He loved it when her hair was down. How it made a man want to wrap his hands in that gold mass and use it to hold her still while he kissed the hell out of her. No doubt Chance knew exactly what Elliot was thinking.

  It was very clear to him—and probably his damned brother, as well—that Gabby Kendall was a damned attractive woman. One that would draw a man’s attention from a thousand miles away.

  She was beautiful, intriguing, and sexy as hell.

  Damn it.

  He waited until she was out of the room then glared at his brother. “Thanks, little brother. You don’t have to look at her that way, either.”

  “Why not? She looked damned sexy just now. How can a man not look? No wedding ring. And she doesn’t want to mess anything up for you. But I’m not TSP…”

  “No. Don’t even think it.” Chance and Gabby? His brother was the last man any decent woman would need in her life. Chance wasn’t the kind of guy who stuck around for anything. It was clear with just one look at him. Was everything Chance owned in that duffle bag? Elliot wouldn’t be surprised.

  “You want to think about it? Have you already?”

  How was he supposed to answer that? “I’m not going to answer that.”

  “Coward. Until you make a claim on someone like her, you can’t stop a guy from looking. Imagining just what is under those kitten covered pajamas.”

  “We need to focus on the task at hand. Like it or not I can’t be there every second. Even at the TSP. And I want someone I know and trust on this. Just until I’m satisfied it’s not connected to our family, at least. If it’s something else, we’ll let my people handle it following protocol.”

  “You have an entire police force at your disposal. Shouldn’t they be able to handle finding a burglar? Keeping your little hot stuff there safe? Isn’t that kind of a perk of your position?”

  “Her name is Gabby, Chance. Use it. She’s safe at the TSP during the day. But I want you in the house at night. Dig around during the day for me. We have to sleep sometime. I need eyes. And you understand the stakes here. You’re just as invested as I am, if
it’s something from ten years ago.”

  “And then it’s our fight. If it’s the same bastards as before, I want them, El. And I’m going to do whatever I have to in order to get them.”

  “Maybe. But you are not using her.” On that he was absolutely serious.

  “Why not? If they’ve already targeted her, why shouldn’t we use that to our advantage?”

  “Because…” His brother had a point, and if it was anyone else, he’d be the one suggesting it. But Gabby…Gabby was a part of Sara. The last one he still had, and one he didn’t want to risk. And because of the way she’d looked when he’d first found her in her apartment. How vulnerable, how she’d looked at him like he could protect her from any asshole who’d ever looked at her sideways. How for a moment there, he’d felt like he could if she’d just smile at him again. “Because she was Sara’s best friend. And I didn’t protect Sara, the least I can do is protect her best friend. And…and she’s Gabby. Sweet, funny, beautiful. There’s something about her…I won’t risk her in this.”

  Chance stared at him for a long moment. “So we find another way, then. One that doesn’t put that pretty little ass in the line of fire.”

  “We find another way. I want her free from all of this, Chance. For ten years she’s lived her life afraid. While we’ve been pissed and hunting, she’s been afraid and hiding. Seriously afraid. And I hate that. Hate how she’s been hurt.”

  “You’re falling for her.” Chance snorted. “Hell, I think you’re past that point. You’re totally gone. Might as well pack it in and call a minister. You’re a goner.”

  “I just realized who she was a few days ago. Not even a week.” No. He wasn’t. Elliot was for damned sure not getting involved with a woman like Gabby. A woman like his mother, one made for families and cooking large Sunday dinners and snuggling on the couch. That kind of woman definitely wasn’t for him. Just because Gabby wasn’t the kind of woman he wanted in his life didn’t mean he was going to let her face this alone.

  “I know you, big brother. And I know you already have. She’s got all the earmarks of the type you like, but won’t do anything about. It’s the eyes, right? Or the body. Or the hair. A man looks at that hair and thinks of other places he wants to see it.” Chance prowled around the kitchen, checking the windows. Then he did it a second time. Elliot wasn’t surprised; his brother always had been like a caged wolf. He’d only gotten worse in the last ten years. “I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not. Don’t do anything stupid. Women like her…they make a man stupid, vulnerable. Make him think of things that he shouldn’t. Like forever type of things. Houses, kids, dog. Mortgage. You ready to sign up for that shit, El? This here is a good start.” Chance lifted the cat off the table where he had jumped up to investigate—he held the beast out significantly.

  “Opinion or advice, whatever, noted. Now, shouldn’t we discuss what you’ve been doing the last few months?” Elliot took the cat and put him on the floor.

  “I followed a lead in Oklahoma. It didn’t pan out. Ran down a kidnapper in St. Louis last week. The usual.”

  “You thinking of finding a job any time soon? Or still freelancing?” His brother had private investigation licenses in at least three states that Elliot knew of. Chance would take on high risk jobs for private clients and live off the proceeds for months at a time. Chance had always said his needs weren’t much. Half the time Elliot feared his brother was sleeping in a car, or hotel, or on a park bench. The rest of the time he knew better. His brother had a home, somewhere. Elliot just didn’t know where.

  His brother wasn’t homeless, but nothing he did was ever permanent. And hadn’t been in ten years. For a moment, Elliot cursed the bastards from the past again—this time for what they’d done to his brother. Chance had been so different ten years ago.

  So normal.

  “I’m flush for a while. I’m not looking for permanent commitments until this is done.”

  “Obsession is never healthy, Chance.”

  “Maybe not. But they deserve justice. And I’m going to give it to them.”

  Elliot understood the drive; he was just starting to question the final cost. He didn’t want anyone else in his life lost to the past. “Just don’t let it keep you from living your own life. That would just piss them off; we both know that.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO.

  ***

  GABBY tried not to let the embarrassment make her do anything too stupid. Like her going back out there and insisting they take her home. Or back to the TSP post and let her sleep there, surrounded by a wall of blue. Or rather dark green—TSP wore dark green uniforms to differentiate them from the city cops around here.

  To hear Elliot and his brother discussing her that way? No wonder her cheeks were still burning. Hooks? She didn’t want to hook Elliot!

  “I won’t think about it right now. I’m going to sleep. In this nice cozy bed. With two strong men out there to protect me, and two highly trained TSP officers outside to stand watch. I am not helpless, nor will I allow myself to be a wimpy mass of useless fear any longer. I am going to go to sleep and that is final. And I won’t think of Elliot Marshall, Jr. that way. Not like that. Hooks, my rear end.”

  Yeah, like that would work.

  It was a long time before she slept.

  ***

  SHE beat Elliot to the kitchen the next morning. Chance was there already, looking all gorgeous and broody as he sipped a cup of coffee.

  He was the darkest of the brothers. Where Elliot’s hair was a rich brown, Chance had almost black hair. Chance just looked like a meaner, harder version of his older brother. Whereas Elliot looked like a hero-type, this one looked a little more like a villain.

  She’d never really gone for the bad guy type, even though she knew Chance was good-at-heart.

  He’d inherited his father’s green eyes just like his brother, though. Deep and piercing, and enough to have her squirming and dribbling coffee down the front of her shirt.

  She pulled the cotton away from her skin and fanned it back and forth, hoping to at least cool the hot liquid off. It was just a few spots, after all. Meaningless in the grander scheme of things. Besides, she spilled something on herself at least four times a week, didn’t she?

  She felt like a complete idiot when Elliot walked in and looked at her like she was…well…a complete idiot.

  “Cloths are in the drawer there on the left.”

  “Thanks.” Gabby turned away from him, knowing her cheeks had to be red—again. She’d been nothing but embarrassed since realizing he was the new police chief.

  Well, at least she didn’t need to wear make-up anymore. She had permanent blush on her cheeks, now.

  At least in his presence.

  “I…I’m good. I’m on the schedule to be at work at nine. I don’t know how you want to do this. I can just take some time off. Vacation time, comp time, big-chicken-needs-to-hide time. Find a hole and hide out in it for a while. I don’t want to put you out. It probably wasn’t the murderers anyway. I mean, what are the chances? It’s not even the anniversary, or anything. I can talk to Benny, tell him what’s going on. Brynna’s going up to St. Louis today to see her sister, but Benny can call one of the swing shifters in. I know he can.”

  “Gabby, you’re rambling.” Elliot dropped his hand to her shoulder and squeezed. So warm.

  She looked up at him and tried to ignore his brother. It didn’t work. He was more intimidating than Elliot could ever hope to be. And that was saying a lot. “That surprises you?”

  “Not at all. You do it when you’re nervous.” He stepped closer, then reached behind her and pulled a hand towel from the drawer right behind her. He held it up level with her chest. “You don’t have to be nervous here. And you’re not going anywhere. I promised to keep you safe, and I meant every word. I’ve adjusted my schedule to fit yours, and I’ve spoken with your department head. Benny understands what’s going on. Until this is settled, you’ll be working the same hours as I am. And you
are to go nowhere alone, outside of this building.”

  “Isn’t that going to put a crimp in your style, for your…head of the TSP post stuff?”

  “I’ve not been in this position long enough to have a style. Don’t forget that. I don’t do agendas, other than my own.” He put his hands on both of her shoulders and turned her to face him. “My main goal is to keep you safe right now. Don’t forget that. Journey can handle rescheduling if needed. We’ve deliberately kept my schedule light until Monday so that I can take a look at each department appropriately.” He shocked the tar out of her when he leaned down and kissed her—right on the lips. Not a long embrace; just a quick enough brush for her to taste coffee on his lips. For him to comfort. Gabby just wanted to stay right where she was for a while. He pulled away. “It’ll be ok, Gabby. I promise.”

  “Hey, I’ll be ok. I’ll just hide out with Benny. That’ll work, won’t it?” Gabby’s hands climbed up around his neck like some puppeteer was controlling them with a string. She couldn’t help herself. His slipped to her waist and he held her. Close. Tight. Safe. Just as he had when she’d practically cried herself to sleep the night before. Long before Chance had shown up.

  Chance coughed behind them, reminding her that they weren’t alone in the kitchen.

  And Chance was watching them.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE.

  ***

  CHANCE watched the way his brother practically hovered over the girl. Elliot was definitely toast. Already gone over her. In less than a week. It didn’t make a damned bit of sense to him. Yeah, she was pretty and sweet and smart and the kind of woman a guy wanted to keep forever.

  But what was Elliot thinking? How could he even consider letting a girl like her get under his skin?

  His brother was thirty-six now. Chance took a quick look around. The townhouse was nice. His brother had worked his ass off to move up the TSP ladder and it was paying off. Elliot had a great job, decent place to live, and had just moved home after ten years away.