Nowhere Safe

by Dianna Love

  The flight attendant said, “We’re sorry for the inconvenience, but thought you wouldn’t mind swapping for this seat.”

  Second row. Window. First class?

  “I’d love to. Thanks,” Trish said, confused, but not complaining. She stowed her carry-on in the overhead and sat down into her new seat with a sigh.

  This was more like it.

  An attractive, early-thirties man with mahogany skin, short black hair and smiling gray eyes entered the cabin. He wore a lightweight brown leather jacket and business-casual clothes. First he visited with the senior flight attendant then stuck his head in the cockpit and joked with the pilot, then he moved to Trish’s aisle and took the seat next to her.

  Not that she didn’t appreciate the unexpected upgrade, but weren’t there enough available seats in first class without him sitting next to her? He seemed to be a crew person so maybe they were expected to fill in the single seats.

  She didn’t care. The guy had a great smile and everyone seemed to like him.

  “Going to Atlanta for business or pleasure?” he asked, dimples flashing at her.

  “Business. To a convention. What about you?”

  “Actually, this started out as business, sort of, but it’s taken a pleasurable turn. I’m Hugh Cavanaugh, but everyone calls me Hugh.” He winked and extended his hand, flirting. After the week from hell and finding out Josh might be making time with Leanne, Trish’s female ego could stand a little stroking.

  That wouldn’t change the emptiness she felt in her chest at the loss of Josh, but the distraction would be nice. Especially with someone attractive.

  Staying away from men hadn’t worked so maybe she needed more experience. No harm in flirting when she was surrounded by plenty of people and it was going nowhere.

  She returned Hugh’s smile and shook hands. “Patricia, but everyone calls me Trish.”

  Over the next two hours, she discussed ReSolution and antique appraising, enjoying the freedom of being so far away from everything going on back home that she could pretend her life was as fine as she made it sound.

  Hugh explained that he was employed by the airline they flew on, providing him with the opportunity to jump a flight when he needed to, like today.

  When they reached the Atlanta airport, she deplaned ahead of Hugh and wished him a nice trip. Loneliness swamped her when she walked away, not because she’d taken an interest in Hugh, but he’d been so nice that all she could think of was Josh. She wheeled her little suitcase to the shuttle area and watched for the special service the convention had arranged. The airport bustled with activity outside in the brisk evening air.

  Trish had just found her seat on the shuttle to the hotel when Hugh dashed up and jumped in.

  He sat right next to her. Empty handed.

  “No luggage?” she asked, suspicion creeping up her spine.

  “I don’t have a layover, just making a quick stop at the hotel and if everything goes as I expect there I’ll head out right away.” He beamed a sexy smile at her. “Wouldn’t mind a layover, though.”

  She began to worry about the coincidence of Hugh’s ending up at the same hotel. But thousands of people were staying at that hotel and not all would be attending her retail show. Still, she shifted around in her corner seat, so that she had a view of the shuttle door, but also faced Hugh and could see if he made any sudden move. By the time the shuttle parked under the hotel canopy, lights outlined the streets.

  Would the stalker be so bold as to sit right next to her on a trip? Hugh didn’t give her the creeps, but how many times had an axe murderer been described as a nice person who everyone liked?

  And what about her misreading Josh?

  Like she needed a reminder?

  She wouldn’t drop her guard, but in reality, too many days of terror could have her imagining things. She would not allow this spineless, faceless stalker to undermine her confidence. Every man was not out to kill her and she was being very careful, staying with a crowd of people at all times, but maintaining a bigger bubble of space around her than usual.

  Except for Hugh.

  Josh might disagree, but she hadn’t broken her word.

  She’d love to see his face when he realized she’d beaten him at his own deceitful game.

  Ever the gentleman, Hugh helped her from the shuttle when it reached her hotel and he accompanied her to the check-in desk, chatting with the staff as if they’d been friends for years. Still, she moved her suitcase to her other hand so it would roll between them, to give herself a little more distance. He didn’t really concern her, but this was no time to get chummy with a stranger from an airplane.

  She saw him glance down at her suitcase, then he winked at her and moved a half step further away, as though he sensed her caution. Nice. Hugh was adorable and charming, but still, all she could think about was Josh.

  Damn him for waking up her heart then breaking it.

  The line to check-in was daunting, but the hotel manager spied Hugh and came around the desk to shake his hand. “Mr. Cavanaugh. So nice to see you again.”

  Trish waited for old-times week to pass. This obviously was not his first visit, which helped to ease her misgivings about the coincidence.

  She tried to dismiss Hugh again. “Thanks for your help, Sug. I’ve got to get in line.”

  “That’s not necessary.” Hugh guided the manager’s attention back to Trish when he suggested, “Let’s take care of the young lady first.”

  Really? Trish took a step back and Hugh cocked his head to the side just a little. She swore she saw something flicker in his eyes that bordered on surprise and maybe..respect?

  Hugh was a frequent customer at this high-end hotel. Good friends with the manager. First name basis with airline pilots. She clicked through her checklist for assessing a person and he passed every test. Except Arnie taught you there’s no such thing as coincidence. Okay, fine. But she could see no obvious danger in taking advantage of a small break. “Thanks. I am kind of tired.” Feeling a little guilty over getting ahead of that long line, but not enough to turn down the perk, she gave the manager her name and placed a charge card on the counter.

  “Oh, Miss Jackson, yes. Your room is ready.” The manager fell all over her. He handed her charge card back with a keycard to the room and called for someone to go with Miss Jackson to make sure everything was acceptable.

  Miss Jackson this and Miss Jackson that.

  Thank you, Hugh. She could get used to the royal treatment.

  Okay maybe she’d been pissed and pushed the edges of her promise to “not take chances” when she’d decided to travel alone. She’d been training this past year so that she could take care of herself on her own. But Josh hadn’t given her enough credit to even think she could make it to Atlanta on her own. He’d made one heck of a show of concern over her safety and she’d bought it. Had found it, and him, endearing.

  But she felt smothered enough at home in Ft. Lauderdale. She didn’t want somebody playing bodyguard here.

  Hugh told the desk manager, “Your people are slammed. I’ll show Miss Jackson where her room is on my way up to the restaurant.”

  Her comfort level took a nosedive. Not okay, not okay, not okay. She opened her mouth to state flatly that she’d rather go alone, but the look of relief on the manager’s face, and the big smile he gave Hugh made her stop short. The manager said, “That would be a huge help, if Miss Jackson approves.” Both men turned questioning looks at her.

  Shit. There were cameras all over the building. And the manager knew she was here, knew where she was going and who was escorting her. No stalker would be stupid enough to try something under those circumstances.

  And she’d leave Hugh at the elevator. She would not let him follow her to her room.

  Her heart thumped hard all the same, and she chose the elevator that was already half full, rather than the empty one. Once again, Hugh cocked his head sideways at her. She swore he was sizing her up.

  On the eighte
enth floor, the entire group of people exited the elevator car and the door closed before Trish could tell Hugh goodbye. With the entire noisy, laughing group going down the hallway toward her room, Trish figured she was as safe as she was going to get. And she’d really rather not offend Hugh after he’d been so nice. Maybe she’d call the manager, make an excuse, and request a room change so nobody knew her room number except hotel staff. Hugh took the handle of her suitcase and continued charming her all the way down the corridor. When she paused by the door, and said thanks, he returned the handle of her luggage and backed away.

  Perfect gentleman. She’d likely been paranoid for no reason, but still, she would not unlock the door while he stood there.

  Once he walked away, she keyed the lock and took two steps through the doorway and froze, shocked at the layout. She wheeled around and yanked the door open, headed for the hallway. “There’s been a mistake,” she said, and Hugh turned around. “I booked a standard room, not a suite.”

  “No mistake, Trish,” a male voice boomed from behind her.

  Chapter 33

  Trish tensed at that voice behind her.

  In the suite she hadn’t booked.

  Hugh smiled at her and tipped his head in a parting salutation. “Nice meeting you.” He strolled away quickly though, like he didn’t want to be a part of whatever transpired next.

  She pivoted and dropped the suitcase just inside the room, letting the heavy door slam closed as she barreled across the room. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’ll answer that as soon as you tell me why you’re here?” Josh snapped right back in a voice so sharp it could slice through bone. He stood over by the plush, high-back sofa and two side chairs with his feet apart and arms crossed as if braced for a battle.

  She was ready to give him one. “I have business in Atlanta. You don’t.”

  “Not exactly correct. Where you go, I go.”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  “I know you’ve had some training. But knowing the moves and using them in real situations is not the same.”

  Now he sounded like Arnie. And how did he know she’d had training? Had Zane told him? Or Heidi? “I know that, but my point is that I’m not defenseless.” She rubbed her aching head. “Look. Stay as long as you like. I have my own room, which I plan to stay in. Alone.” Hard to believe she’d been missing him the whole way here, but she’d been missing the Josh she thought she knew. Not this undercover operator.

  “Wrong again. If you want to remain in Atlanta, you’re residing here. With me.”

  She considered everything she knew about Josh to this point. “Did you confiscate my room?”

  “Yes.”

  “How’d you do all this in so short a time frame?” This would be impressive for Zane who could fly his own airplane, and her brother was just one step short of a superhero in her book.

  “FBI?” Josh said as if reminding a child he had the master badge.

  One more slick move by him and she would not be held responsible for her actions. Trish stalked around for a moment and finally gave up. “But how did you get here ahead of me?”

  “It wasn’t easy.” With Josh standing that way she started to see the dangerous undercover operative she hadn’t looked for before. “Once I had you covered, I called in some personal markers and hired a Learjet.”

  “What do you mean by had me covered?” A Learjet? No wonder he’d beaten her to Atlanta. But a Lear? Good grief, how much had that cost? She felt her heart squeeze at the trouble he’d gone through. She’d put him through. But she was still pissed at him.

  “Do you think the airline just moved you to first class because they like you?” Josh’s calm tone was countermanded by his clipped words and taut jaw. She’d studied those blue eyes enough to read an inferno blazing behind them. He was furious.

  “So Hugh works for you?” she asked.

  “No. He’s a friend I’ve known a long time who has connections and exceptional defense skills in addition to being an ace pilot. I managed to get a few others into place quickly. Good thing for you or you would have been yanked from the flight.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “No. I’d have told them you were a threat if I had to.”

  Her skin chilled at how close she’d come to being removed as a criminal.

  Everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours hit her at once. She felt wounded that he would have humiliated her that way and failed to keep the pain out of her whisper. “Would you really have done that to me?”

  They stared at each other for the longest time. An angry standoff until he finally said, “I would have done far worse to keep you safe.”

  AA

  Josh kept his arms folded so he wouldn’t yank Trish up against him where he could feel her heartbeat. He was sure nothing could have abated all his righteous anger until he’d heard the deep hurt in her voice.

  What the hell had he done that was so wrong?

  Lunch with Leanne? He didn’t believe for a minute that having lunch with a coworker had upset Trish that much. His intentions hadn’t been as a coworker, but anyone watching him and Leanne should have interpreted it that way.

  Trish asked, “Does anyone at the task force office know you’re here?”

  “Zane does. Don’t give me that look, Trish. I haven’t told him anything about the stalker. Zane found out from Heidi that you were on the way here when he called right after I did.”

  “Wasn’t a secret. My brother just forgot.”

  “When he found out, he went ballistic when he heard you’d left town alone. Then he called me demanding to know how I let that happen if you’re supposed to be in my custody.” Getting Zane off his back had cost Josh precious time. “Once your brother stopped yelling into the phone, he ordered me to, and I quote, ‘stick to Trish like tar on an asphalt roof.’ Are we clear now?”

  He leveled her with a glare she should have no problem reading. Starting this minute, they were inseparable.

  Trish didn’t deflate, exactly, but she looked away and he had the distinct impression she’d just given up. Walked out of the room mentally, even though her body was still here. She dumped her shoulder bag on the sofa and walked over to the window overlooking the twinkling city.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming here tonight?” he asked. “You gave me the impression you weren’t coming here until Saturday morning.”

  “I just wanted to leave early. Wanted to get out of town.”

  She sounded...hurt? Why?

  He alternated between wanting to shake some sense into her for scaring years off his life over the last couple of hours and dragging her to bed so he could burn off the adrenaline still pulsing through him.

  Trish leaned against the window edge, all her fight having fizzled. He had no reason to feel guilty for making sure she was safe, but he did. Wouldn’t change anything.

  If he knew Trish was here, the stalker probably did, too.

  Josh was not letting Trish get away from him again.

  “Trish, if you want to get unpacked and freshen up, we’ll grab some dinner. I assume you haven’t eaten since lunch.”

  Damn. The minute the word “lunch” popped out of his mouth he wanted to suck it back in. Somehow, he would clear up the Leanne fiasco, which shouldn’t be a fiasco.

  But tonight wasn’t shaping up to offer any opportunity.

  Twisting around, she sent him a hostile gaze that couldn’t be spoken in polite company if that look had been translated into words. Then she returned to staring at the nighttime view, dismissing him.

  Josh crossed the room and placed a hand on each of her shoulders, determined to repair some damage.

  That lasted two seconds.

  She spun away from him, lips taut and unyielding. “If we’re sharing this suite, there are ground rules. The first one being that you keep your hands to yourself. The second being that I’m here for business, so don’t interfere.”

  “Fine, i
f that’s the way you want this. But we never did get lunch cleared up.”

  “Yes, we did. You have your job and I have mine. The two don’t need to conflict or intertwine.”

  No chance of intertwining with a woman having a...a fit of jealousy?

  Well, hell. He didn’t do anything wrong. She was just jealous. Very jealous. Sorry bastard that he was, for some reason that lifted his spirits.

  Josh pressed his lips together to keep from grinning at that possibility. She wouldn’t be upset if she didn’t care.

  But he didn’t want anyone to care about him. Right?

  So why did the idea of Trish caring feel like a gentle caress to his heart?

  He was not examining that any time soon, but now he had renewed hope of soothing Trish. Letting her know the direction of his thoughts would be unwise, though.

  Keeping with the tone she’d set, he warned, “I’ll stick to your rules as long as you stick to mine.”

  She waited, silent as a smoldering ember.

  “I want to know your schedule each morning,” he said. “You go nowhere without me. You take no chances.”

  “I’ve already agreed not to take any chances and–” She stopped him with a finger she wielded like a weapon. “I was not in any danger at the airports or here in the hotel. There will be over a thousand people around me most of the day tomorrow.”

  He would not snap at her. “You’re far more at risk in a crowd than alone. If I was the stalker, this would be the perfect situation for getting to you.”

  Her face softened, erasing frown lines. She raked a hand through her hair. “Shit. You sound like Arnie and I know you’re right. I just don’t want a bodyguard. Especially...”

  Especially me.

  Right now he wanted to wrap her up close and hold her, but that wasn’t going to happen until he could figure out what the problem was. He asked again, “Want to eat?”

  “No.” She yawned. “I want to take a shower and go to bed.” Trish walked toward one of the two bedrooms, stretching as if she were stiff.

  Watching made him stiff.