Bold Bodyguards [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance)

by Paige Cameron

  “She’s headed to the high school after she finishes with her client,” he told the others. “I’d forgotten she’s involved with teenagers at the school and has other activities she does with younger children. But she will meet us at my office as you heard. Garrick, do you know where the school is located?”

  “I’ve driven by it.”

  “She has a blue 1994 Corvette.”

  Garrick looked surprised.

  “She doesn’t look the type but she loves that car. Drive to the hospital now. She’ll be leaving in about thirty minutes. I imagine if you’ve done the type work you said, you can follow her without being seen. After her meeting you can drive back behind her on the way to my office.”

  “She doesn’t know me or my vehicle, and she won’t be expecting to be followed. It should be a piece of cake.”

  “Then we have our plans made. Heather, I need some supplies from town. You’ll go with me,” Beck said.

  Heather frowned at the three men facing her. “You’d better work fast and find these guys, if they even come around. Cora and I aren’t going to like being guarded every moment of the day. I’m going to take a short nap before we leave.” She walked off toward the bedroom.

  “Until this is over we’re going to have two unhappy women on our hands,” Beck said.

  “Sorry, guys.” Garrick smiled. “Actually I’m sort of looking forward to getting to know Cora. I’ve only met her once and seen her around a few times. She sounds like quite a woman.”

  Gavin leaned across the table. “You better not hurt her, or we’ll hurt you.”

  “How would I hurt her? I don’t get physical with women.”

  “You know what I mean. Kohana broke her heart. You’d better not play around with her, unless you think you can really care about her.”

  “I get the message, and I’m not going anywhere like Kohana did.”

  “What if he comes back and wants her?” Beck asked.

  “I think you two are jumping ahead about something that will probably never happen. If it did, he’s my best friend, and we’d share Cora if she would let us. But I don’t know that Kohana is ready to quit his present job, and I don’t know if Cora and I will like each other. However, after this latest incident, Kohana might consider quitting.”

  * * * *

  Kohana woke gradually. Every tiny spot in his body throbbed. Where was he? What had happened to him?

  He heard muted voices nearby. He tried to open his eyes. At first the light hurt but gradually his vision cleared. He was in a white room.

  Did I die? Then he saw a man in a white coat at the door talking to another man dressed in a sport shirt and khaki pants. “Jarvis, is that you?” His voice sounded weaker than he’d expected. The two men turned to look at him and walked to his bedside.

  “I’m Dr. Clover, your surgeon. How do you feel?”

  “Like a mac truck ran over me several times.”

  The doctor grinned. “I believe it. You were in pretty bad shape when you got to the hospital. Another few hours and you’d been dead. I removed your damaged spleen, and your right wrist has been put in a light cast to stabilize it. You’re also covered in cuts and bruises. They’ll heal with the antibiotics you’re getting by IV.”

  “When can I get out of here?”

  “Don’t be impatient. You have to give your body time to recover. Without a spleen you’ll be more susceptible to infections. I want you to stay in the hospital until those cuts have started to heal and you’re well on your way to recovering from surgery. I’d say your stay will be at least a week, maybe ten days. And before you leave I’ll give you a list of things you can do to prevent infections.”

  “A week is too long. I need to get out of here.”

  “No.” Dr. Clover frowned at him and walked out. “I’ll be back to check on you later,” he said at the door before disappearing down the hall.

  “Did you call Garrick?” Kohana asked Jarvis.

  “Yes. You can quit worrying. He’s taking care of the problem.” Jarvis glanced around the room and then back at Kohana.

  “Why do you still look concerned, if it’s taken care of?” Kohana asked.

  “From what the doctor said I don’t think you’ll be able to go out on missions. We go in places where you’d be exposed to all kinds of diseases and the people who carry them. Also we often get scratched. It’s not a good environment for a man whose immune system is compromised.”

  “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  “No. I’m being practical and thinking about your health.”

  “Well don’t count me out yet. The doc said he’d give me information on how to avoid infections. There’ll be a way for me to still work.”

  “For now just get well.” He grinned. “Have you looked in a mirror lately? See you later.”

  Kohana waited until Jarvis was out of sight. Then he opened the bedside table where there was a mirror.

  “Damn, I’d frightened little kids and maybe some adults,” he murmured. He had two black eyes, a long cut across his left cheek, and a hairline cut on the right side of his forehead. There were bruises all over his neck, arms, and the rest of his body.

  “Not a very pretty sight, is it?” another man in a white coat said as he came through the door. “I’m Dr. Nielsson, a plastic surgeon. Don’t worry. I’m good at my job. I’ll mend your face where that cut will be barely visible.”

  Kohana frowned. “Maybe I don’t want it fixed.”

  “Then you’re a fool.” Kohana started to speak and the doctor held up his hand. “Let me finish. I don’t think you’re stupid. Why not look as good as you can?”

  “I thought it might help run off my enemies.”

  “I doubt that. They’ll chuckle whenever they see you and know they did the damage.”

  “You’re clever.” Kohana stared hard at Dr. Nielsson. “Won’t more surgery put me at risk for infection?”

  “We’re going to keep you on antibiotics for ten days at least. Your wound was cleaned very well when you arrived, so it should heal without a problem. Of course there will always be certain risks with surgery.”

  “I don’t know. I’d like to think about it.”

  “Sure. You need to be on your way to recovering from your splenectomy before we do any further surgery that isn’t life threatening.”

  Kohana put his head back on his pillow after the doctor left. He was tired and couldn’t think straight, but he had to make one call before he let sleep overtake him. He punched in the number for Garrick.

  “Hi, man. How are you doing?” Garrick asked when he answered.

  “I’m alive. Listen, this medicine they’ve given me is about to put me to sleep. Tell me what you’ve done about Cora.”

  Garrick quickly outlined their plan. “At present I’m sitting outside the high school waiting for her to finish with her group.”

  “Thanks, pal. I hope to see you soon.” Kohana clicked off his phone, lay back, and let the medicine take him away from all the problems circling in his mind.

  Chapter Two

  Cora looked for the silver truck when she came out of the school. She’d noticed it following her from the hospital. Then she saw it. Whoever was driving had parked on the other side, one street down from her.

  She got in her car and locked the doors. Then she called Gavin. “Hi, I’m leaving the high school now, but I have a problem. Someone is following me.”

  “Are you sure?” Gavin asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t worry. He’s friendly. He’ll be at our meeting.”

  “This is getting more mysterious. I thought it strange when you called me.”

  “Come on to the office. We’ll talk.”

  “I’m headed your way.” She started the car and eased out of her parking space. When she turned right, she saw the truck pulling out. A chill ran down her back. I’m not sure I want to hear what Gavin has to say. I can feel the vibes and something is very wrong.

  At the office she w
aited at the front door and watched the truck park two blocks down. When she didn’t move, the man got out and ambled down the sidewalk in her direction.

  “How’d you know I was following you?” he asked.

  “The better question is why you were?”

  He smiled, and his light-green eyes caught her attention. Her heart fluttered something it hadn’t done in a long time. Sunlight shone on his golden-brown hair, and he was tall and lean.

  “My dad taught me to always be alert to my surroundings,” Cora said.

  “He taught you well. Shall we go in and see Gavin? Then all your questions will be answered.” Garrick reached around her and opened the door.

  His masculine scent of sandalwood and sage had her taking a deep breath. He waited for her to enter before him.

  Gavin must have been watching for them. He strode across the waiting room. “Come on back to my office.”

  He led the way.

  When Cora got to his door, she stopped abruptly and Garrick bumped against her. “This messy cubby hole is your office?” Cora asked.

  “It’s an organized mess. Step inside.”

  “Are you sure we can all three fit?”

  “Yes, Cora, there are two chairs and once we get inside we can close the door.”

  Warily Cora took the two small steps to get in the room and Garrick followed. She sat on the chair to the left. “You’d better make this fast, or I think I’m going to become claustrophobic,” she teased.

  Once seated, Gavin nodded to Garrick. “Do you want to explain?”

  “I guess I’d better.” Looking directly at Cora, he started to speak. “This morning I got a call from my old boss. He told me Kohana Shanley had been kidnapped and tortured. They’d rescued him and he was in surgery.”

  Cora’s hand went to her throat and her heart almost jumped out of her chest. “Is he going to live?”

  “Yes. I spoke to him while I waited for you at the school. He’s out of surgery, groggy, but worried about you.”

  “Why?” she asked and wrinkled her forehead. “We haven’t seen each other or spoke in over eighteen years.”

  “He fears his captors will be after you next,” Garrick said. “They know your first name and might find you. If they do, they’ll try and take you prisoner to get the information from Kohana that they couldn’t obtain by torturing him.”

  She shook her head. “This doesn’t make any sense. How would they know my name, and why do they think it would matter to Kohana?”

  “Did you give him a necklace with your name on it?”

  “On his nineteenth birthday, but I doubt he still has it.”

  “He wore it whenever he wasn’t out on a mission. They jumped him when he was at his home base, and they kept the necklace. You may very well be in danger. But we have a plan to protect you.”

  Cora was stunned. She thought he’d thrown the necklace away. But to know he’d kept it and worn it confused her. What did it mean? If he cared about her, why didn’t he keep in touch? There hadn’t been a phone call or letter in all this time, and now her life might be in danger because of him.

  “Cora, did you hear what Garrick said?” Gavin asked.

  “I’m sorry. My mind was wandering.”

  “It’s understandable. This is a lot to take in,” Garrick said. “I asked if you had any vacation you could take.”

  “I seldom take time off, so I have over six months accumulated.”

  “Then I’d like you to request a month off. Don’t tell anyone where you’re going. Say you need time to rejuvenate and want privacy.”

  “I’d have to tell my parents where I’m staying.”

  “If you do they may be in danger.”

  Cora got up and stomped her foot. “Damn this room. There isn’t any place to pace. And you”—she glared at Garrick—“can’t come into my life and take it over. My parents may be in danger either way. They have to know for their own protection.”

  “Then we’ll tell them,” Garrick agreed. “But no one else can know.”

  His green eyes had darkened, and he gave her a steady, determined look. He’s as formidable a man as I always thought Kohana was.

  “What’s your relationship to Kohana?” she asked Garrick.

  “We worked together. He’s my best friend.”

  “You left the job, whatever it is, why?”

  “I wanted more.”

  “How can I stay at your house? I don’t know you.”

  “We’ve been introduced.” Garrick’s lip curved into a half smile. “But if you prefer, you can stay with Gavin and his family at night.”

  She lowered her eyebrows and looked at Gavin. “You don’t want company. You all are still like newlyweds and Heather’s pregnant. I don’t want to disturb your family.”

  “Heather suggested the alternative. It’d be fine with us.”

  Cora shook her head. “No, I can’t do that.”

  She glanced back at Garrick. “If you try anything, I’ll take you down. I’ve been trained well by a friend who’s very good at karate. I have the skills to defend myself.”

  Garrick raised his hands up and open. Then he grinned. “I’ll be a proper gentleman.” Then he leaned closer and spoke softly. “Unless you decide you want to change the rules.”

  Her face flushed and she looked away from him. “Then we have this settled. Although I don’t like having to turn my patients over to someone else, I’m not stupid. My staying could put them in danger.” She turned to Garrick. “I have to put in for vacation. I can’t just leave today.”

  “Yes, you can,” Gavin said. “I’ll call your supervisor and tell her I’m recommending you take some time off starting now. I’ll be vague about why. She’ll believe me because you never miss work.”

  “I hate this.”

  “I know. I would, too,” Gavin agreed. “Go home and pack. Then drive out of town. Garrick will see if anyone is following you. If there is, he’ll call you on your cell and tell you what to do.

  “Otherwise, you’ll go to the ranch. Garrick will show you to his place. It’s secluded, and your car can go in his garage.”

  “You made these plans in a hurry,” she said.

  “We did. You and Heather can spend the days together. One of us will be with you. At night, Garrick will protect you. Any questions?”

  “Probably after the shock wears off, but not now.”

  “Then let’s get you in a safe place,” Garrick said. He stood and opened the door. “Ladies first.” Cora stomped off down the hall.

  * * * *

  Garrick glanced over his shoulder at Gavin. “I like her. She’s got spunk, and she caught me following her. She’s a smart lady.”

  “Just remember what Beck and I said about not hurting her,” Gavin warned.

  “I’ve never taken Kohana for a fool, but he was when he left her behind.” Garrick walked briskly out of the office in time to see Cora driving off.

  He sprinted to his truck and went after her. When he got right behind her car, he saw her glare at him in the rearview mirror. Oh yes, this was going to be more enjoyable than he’d expected.

  After a few miles, she drove into a short drive and parked in front of a small house. Garrick got out.

  “Wait and let me go in first.” He pulled his gun out. She handed him the key, and he unlocked the door.

  Then he carefully opened it and swung it wide. “Stay here.” He crouched and moved around behind the furniture. Then he systematically checked each room.

  “All clear. You can come in.”

  “I feel like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, as though I fell down a rabbit hole and nothing makes sense or is real.” Cora walked pass him and into her bedroom. She glanced his way.

  “Don’t ask me to leave. You might as well get used to my being your shadow.”

  Cora took three quick steps and pushed him backward. Then she slammed the door in his face and locked it. “You said the rooms were empty,” she yelled. “Give me some space, or I’ll punch
you.”

  He had to laugh. She was like a tiny person swatting at a giant. He loved her fortitude in defending herself, but it wasn’t enough to keep her alive if those men got hold of her.

  “And don’t laugh. I’m serious.” She threw something at the door. Perhaps he might be wrong. With her personality, she was dynamite, in more ways than one.

  * * * *

  Cora checked her house before leaving. Garrick had taken her suitcases out to her car. She stood in the living room remembering how proud she’d been to buy her own home. In some crazy way she had a feeling she was leaving forever.

  Don’t be silly. These men will be caught and it’ll all be over. It won’t be that long before I can return to my regular life.

  She walked to the front door and closed it behind her. She locked it and stood still for a second. Then after straightening her shoulders and taking a deep breath, she went to her car. She waved to Garrick and drove toward Gavin and Beck’s ranch to face whatever the future held.

  When she got to Heather’s house, she slowed and called Garrick on the phone. “Are we going to stop and say hello to Heather?”

  “No. I’ll bring you back. I’d rather get your car into the garage and your suitcases inside. Then we’ll drive back in my truck.”

  She clicked off the phone without responding. Cora had never liked to take orders and certainly not from someone she didn’t know that well.

  Garrick drove around her to lead her to his house. They rode along a blacktopped road. After a mile or so, he turned right onto a two-lane dirt path. The trees were thicker in this area. They passed a bunk house and then went right again. At the end of a long drive, after passing a thicket of trees, spruce, pine, and oak, she saw a large, modern ranch house.

  The garage door went up and Garrick parked in front and motioned for her to ride on into the garage. When she did, he came to her side and immediately shut the door.