On the Scent

by Angela Campbell

  “Heroine? Ha.” Zach poked a finger at E.J. “Who’s your favorite heroine? I always liked Wonder Woman. She could kick ass.” He fell back, flat on the bed, out cold.

  The tension began to leave Hannah’s shoulders. “The doctor said it was ketamine.”

  She knew the drug was given as injections to people to ease their pain. She’d taken more than one patient to have it done.

  “I’ve seen it put people straight to sleep and others sing, talk nonsense and have hallucinations.” She checked Zach’s breathing and pulse and nodded. “I think he’s going to be okay. There wouldn’t have been enough in that dart to do much.” She hoped.

  A quick call to Brian assured her that her dog had suffered no injuries in the park. Zach’s partner had agreed to take the dog to the vet to put her mind at ease while she and E.J. dealt with Zach at the hospital.

  Handing the phone off to E.J., she wandered into the bedroom where Zach lay sprawled on her comforter. Abbott jumped onto the bed, sniffed around Zach’s face and then curled up by his side.

  Hannah perched on the side of the bed and reached out to pet the cat. “What are we gonna do, Abbott? Why won’t these people stop coming after us?”

  Her soft words roused Zach, who lifted up suddenly and glanced around the room. His arm brushed against Abbott’s fur. “Heeeey, cat. Buddy. What’s hanging?”

  Abbott narrowed his eyes but didn’t turn away from her. Could cats roll their eyes? Cause she was pretty sure hers did just that.

  Zach’s hearty chuckle filled the room. “He called me an idiot again. Said ‘You almost got us all killed, idiot.’” His laugh deepened with amusement. “He said not to worry. He’ll keep an eye out until I’m not acting sooooo stupid.”

  The bed shook with Zach’s hilarity. The movement agitated Abbott, who stood, arched his back and moved down near Zach’s feet. After a few minutes, Zach became more serious, piercing Hannah with blue eyes that had an unguarded, dreamy quality in their depths. Her shoulders tightened a little.

  “What?”

  “You are so beautiful. Do you know that?” He shook his finger at her. “You have a good heart, too. It would never work between us.”

  Her eyebrows lifted and she tried to fight a laugh—but it was no use. “You’re delirious. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

  “I know you want me to kiss you.” He turned on his side and reached toward her. His fingers couldn’t find their target because she was too far away. Hannah leaned forward a little, disarmed by his words. Had it been so obvious to him—how attracted she was to him? Gah, she was mortified to think of it. His hand fell and dangled off the bed. He groaned. “I want to kiss you. I really, really do, but I’m no good for you, Hannah. I’m not a good guy.”

  She entwined their fingers, fighting the urge to brush the hair back from his forehead. “You were willing to take a bullet for my dog, Zach. I think that makes you one of the good guys.” She bit her lip. “Did you know it wasn’t a real gun?”

  “Hell no.” His grasp tightened. “I sort of reacted. If I’d thought about it first, I probably wouldn’t have—hey is that a butterfly on the wall?”

  She turned, saw nothing and sighed. He was really out of it.

  He rolled onto his back and reached toward the ceiling. “Wow, this room is really tall. I can’t touch your ceiling at all.” His hand fell to his stomach. “Oh, Hannah. You’re really gonna hate me soon.”

  “I don’t think—”

  “You will!” His loud exclamation startled Abbott, who made a grousing sound and jumped off the bed. Zach gestured toward the cat. “See, he knows it. I’m a phony, Hannah. I’m not psychic. I’m not—hey, cat, that’s not very nice thing to say. I’m trying to be honest here. Okay?”

  Hannah glanced down. Abbott had collapsed on the floor near her feet. His tail swished around like crazy. She could imagine him cursing Zach in his little mind for disrupting their routine.

  Not psychic? Right.

  She wasn’t sure when she’d become so convinced of that, but she was.

  Needing a short break from, well, everything, she used the excuse of getting Zach a glass of water. She leaned against the sink and took a deep breath. How much more of this could she take?

  Zach was still awake when she returned, babbling nonsense as if he were still having a conversation with the cat. He held something in his hands—a photo?

  “I really miss him, cat. I screwed up. I shouldn’t have left him behind.”

  Rather than sit on the bed, Hannah sat in the chair in the corner. “Who?”

  “Dylan. My little brother.” He sighed, long and hard.

  She hadn’t asked him many personal questions because she’d sensed they weren’t welcome. Maybe this was her chance to get to know him better. “Are you close to your brother?”

  He shook his head. “I left home when I was a few months shy of graduation. Haven’t seen him since.”

  Left home? As in, ran away from? Wow. She hadn’t expected that. “What about your parents?”

  A sneer lifted one edge of his mouth. “My dad was a cop. Died when I was a kid. He stopped a robbery, got shot. Died.” He tossed the photo onto the bed. “My mom married a real asshole a few years later. Never liked me. Hated my guts, so I left.”

  “You left?” His comment from earlier made more sense. I shouldn’t have left him behind. “Your mom didn’t look for you?”

  “I dunno. She’s dead now. Cancer. That’s what I heard.”

  She moved closer and reached for his hand. “I’m so sorry, Zach.”

  “I shouldn’t have let the asshole make me leave.” Zach struggled to sit up, only to fall back when he couldn’t hold himself up. “I don’t even want to talk about what happened in Kirkland. What’s the use? Won’t change anything.”

  Maybe she shouldn’t pry too deep, too soon. It seemed kind of…invasive. She leaned forward. “Zach, you’re not a bad person.” She picked up the photo, not wanting it to get lost or damaged. The picture was old and faded. A teenager she recognized as Zach stood with his arm wrapped around a younger version of himself.

  He didn’t respond, and she wondered if he’d dozed off again. Then he said, so low she barely heard him, “You only say that because you don’t know me.”

  Well, duh. Her point from earlier still held. Besides, her animals seemed to like him, and they were impeccable judges of character. She remembered the one time Eric had come to the house, looking for her after she’d first started living with Ellie. Costello had nearly maimed her ex five seconds after meeting him. A tiny smile played at her lips. Eric hadn’t come around again after that.

  She cleared her throat, told herself not to, under any circumstances, say what she was thinking, but the words tumbled out anyway. “I’d like to know you better.” She swallowed. There was a good chance he wouldn’t remember any of this tomorrow anyway. “But I guess you know that.”

  He pushed himself up onto his elbows and fixed his gaze on her, brows drawing together. “It’s no good, Hannah. This is karma trying to put me in my place.” He shook his head, seeming almost like himself again. “I can’t cross that line. I want to, but I can’t. You’re my client.”

  True. Sarah’s similar warning came to mind, but while she was being open and honest, Hannah had to admit she didn’t care whether it was appropriate or not. She had feelings for this man. Strong feelings. Maybe it was time she wandered out of her comfort zone to find out if those feelings were real.

  “Well, I won’t always be your client.” Tentatively, she slid her hand over his. “Right?”

  He didn’t answer. His forehead was creased in thought.

  “Besides, I’m not your client.” She turned her thumb toward the cat lying on the floor beside them. “They are, remember?”

  He blinked slowly and seemed to be considering her words. “You know what?” He shifted and sank backward a little. “You make some good points.”

  Zach suddenly pushed himself forward again, toward he
r, and curved a hand around her face, whispering her name. Hannah leaned toward him, waiting for his next move. He was going to kiss her. There was probably something wrong with her for taking advantage of his current state, but who knew if the chance would come again?

  He whispered her name a second time, then a third, his warm breath so close it tickled her lips.

  “Yes?” She tilted her head a little, giving him easy access.

  His soft snore teased her ears.

  Hannah pulled back a little and cocked her head at him. “Seriously? Now?” She felt like a fool for expecting—and craving—his kiss. She should have known better. He wasn’t exactly in his right mind at the moment. Sighing, she pressed her hand over his heart—oh yeah, it was still beating steady—and let it rest there for longer than was probably wise. He was so warm and solid and alive. She liked touching him.

  She started to stand, but his hand jerked her against him, causing her to tumble onto the bed. Right on top of his warm, hard body.

  “Where ya going?” He slurred. “Thought we were gonna get sum’sleep?”

  A few more minutes, and he would be out for a while. She laughed and tried to untangle herself from him as gently as possible. His grip was tenacious.

  Hannah finally gave up and relaxed against him. A few minutes like this wouldn’t hurt anything. He shifted and she slid beside him, fitting into the crook of his arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

  “M’better.” He tilted his head until it rested against hers. “This is nice.”

  She slid her arm across his chest, hugging him, and settled more comfortably against him. She hadn’t been this close to a man since Eric, and it was a strange feeling to be so comfortable with a man she barely knew.

  Did she actually trust him?

  Yes. She did.

  She felt so safe with Zach. All of the tension she’d been holding inside seemed to melt away beneath his touch. The sad truth was she’d never felt so safe with anyone—not even Eric.

  “He was an idiot.” Zach’s mumbled words hinted that sleep wasn’t far off.

  “Who?”

  “Eric Meester.” His arm tightened around her, pressing her even closer against his side. “No man with half a brain would have left you at the altar.”

  How had he known she was thinking about —?

  Wide-eyed, she lifted her head and realized his eyes were closed. A soft snore escaped his lips.

  Hannah sank back into the curve of his arm. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt anything if she stayed here a while longer—and did some serious thinking while she was at it.

  Zach realized two things when he opened his eyes.

  He was in Hannah’s bed, and he was alone.

  No dog. No cat. No beautiful woman nearby to distract him.

  Letting his head fall back onto the pillow, he rubbed the early morning crud from his eyes. Damn. He hadn’t slept that good in a while. He felt totally refreshed and relaxed. Had he taken something? He couldn’t remember.

  The bedroom door opened slightly, spilling a crack of light into the room. The sound of music and laughter from outside grew louder, too. Blinking, Zach saw a black and white tail slowly circling the end of the bed like a shark’s fin. It stopped, sank out of view, and Zach waited for the attack.

  Abbott pounced onto the bed and walked up Zach’s chest. The cat rammed its head against Zach’s nose, and purred.

  “Hey, buddy.” Tentatively, Zach’s fingertips grazed the animal’s fur. When he wasn’t swatted or hissed at, he dug in for a more vigorous petting. “You sure are in a good mood today.”

  The cat sat on his chest and began kneading Zach’s muscles. Zach ruffled the fur on the cat’s head.

  The cat immediately stopped kneading and looked straight into his eyes.

  Whoa. Don’t get too friendly. Just because I’ve decided to trust you doesn’t mean you can take liberties like that.

  Zach dragged both hands back. “Okay.”

  The cat did a slow blink and started kneading again.

  We can trust you, right? The woman who feeds me needs to be protected at all cost. You’re gonna help her?

  Zach nodded. “Of course.”

  He was rewarded with another head ram. The cat’s fur swiped his nose, tickling it.

  Abbott stopped kneading and sank down.

  This thing on my neck. Take it off.

  Zach glanced at the cat’s neck, seeing nothing but his collar.

  Take it off, idiot.

  “Okay, dammit. Give me a second.” His fingers fumbled to undo the clasp. The leather strap tinkled when it fell against him.

  The cat jumped up and ran away.

  “Hey!” Zach frowned at the cat’s backside as it shot out of the room.

  Dumb animal had tricked him.

  Slinging his legs over the edge of the bed, Zach couldn’t help but chuckle at the wily animal’s deviousness. No, Abbott wasn’t a dumb animal. He was too damned smart for his own good. Now he supposed he would have to chase the cat down to get this back on him.

  “Geez.” Rubbing his face again, he fingered the collar in his other hand. Glancing down at it, Zach’s smile faded.

  There were three tags hanging from the collar instead of the two he expected to see. He flipped each one over. A tag showing Abbott’s name and Hannah’s phone number. A rabies tag. On the third tag was an unfamiliar address.

  “I’ll be damned.”

  Was this a clue the cat had been trying to give him?

  “You’re getting extra tuna tonight for that, buddy.” Clasping the collar firmly in his hand, he hurried in search of a computer. Where was his smart phone? Where was —?

  He stopped in the hallway, suddenly remembering what had happened to him yesterday.

  Tranquilizer.

  Had he and Hannah —?

  He glanced down to verify he was still dressed in his clothes from the day before. His belt was still clasped at his waist. The pants probably hadn’t come off.

  Shit. He remembered some things, but there were holes.

  He remembered tugging her down against him and feeling content with her resting in his arms. He remembered almost kissing her.

  Oh no, had he actually sung?

  He groaned.

  The sound of paws hitting the floor heavy brought his attention back to the present. Costello charged down the hall and leapt up against him, nearly knocking him over.

  It’s our man. Are you okay, man? Are you okay? I’m so happy to see you! Will you feed me?

  As soon as Zach petted the dog, Costello bounded back toward the living room.

  He’s okay! Man is okay!

  E.J.’s voice said something he couldn’t make out, and Hannah laughed. Music started playing again.

  Rounding the corner, his assistant and the woman he was supposed to be protecting were hopping around like children. Suddenly, Hannah threw up her arms.

  “Awwww, girl, you won again? Damn, that ain’t right.” E.J. spun around, punching the air. He spun back around. “One more time. One more.”

  Zach’s eyes were drawn to the TV where a grungy-looking cartoon man stood with a guitar.

  Guitar Hero.

  A lunatic was out to get them, and they were playing Guitar Hero?

  “E.J.” Zach barked the kid’s name. “What the hell are you doing?” He glanced around. “Why the hell are we here? I told you to take her somewhere safe.”

  Hannah spun around with a red guitar strapped around her neck. E.J. turned too, and his expression looked like a child who’d been caught with his hand under the Christmas tree a week early.

  “Calm down, Zach. It wasn’t E.J.’s fault,” a deep voice said.

  Zach hadn’t noticed the man sitting in the corner until he stood. Kellan crossed his arms and nodded. “You okay?”

  “What the hell are you doing here?”

  His tall, blond employee didn’t even flinch. Kellan was like that. He didn’t react. He thought things through. It’s one of the
things that had made him a great bodyguard—before he’d started sleeping with their client. “Brian called me. I’ve been here since last night. You’ve been in a coma for about nine hours. We were starting to get worried.”

  Zach looked down at his watch. Damn. “What happened?”

  E.J. filled him in on the details of what had happened in the park, and after. “Man, you was actin’ punk.” His laughter was punctuated with a fist pump.

  Zach didn’t really know what the hell that meant, but he figured it wasn’t good.

  Hannah lifted the guitar strap over her head and handed it to E.J. “I’ll let Costello out, then I’ll fix us something to eat.” She gave him a shy, wary look as she brushed past him. She whistled, and her dog bounced after her.

  Feed me. Feed me. Feed me. Oh, gotta pee first. Gotta pee.

  She opened the patio door and stepped outside. She slid the glass door shut behind her and then leaned against it to watch her dog.

  She was giving them some privacy.

  He focused on Kellan. “What about Katie? Shouldn’t you be on set with her today or something?”

  Kellan uncrossed his arms and stepped over to the window. “She’s on vacation, visiting her grandma up in Canada. She didn’t want a shadow for that.” Letting the curtain fall back, he looked at Zach and nodded to the ground. “Looks like you’ve made a friend.”

  Zach glanced down. Abbott was standing right beside him, observing the action. His furry face looked up, then his tail started swishing.

  What?

  Zach almost spoke to the animal, but then reminded himself others were present. He shook his head and gripped the collar tight.

  “I need to figure out an address. Where’s my phone?”

  E.J. scrambled around the room, trying to remember where he’d put it. Kellan pulled out his mobile and moved closer. “What is it?” He typed in the address Zach read, and while they waited for the result, Kellan sighed and said, “I know you’re pissed at me right now, but there’s no reason I can’t help out on this case for a few days.”

  “Don’t feel obligated.”

  Kellan cursed. “Look, I didn’t plan for it to happen. It just did.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “If you only knew how much I’ve been beating myself up over it, but I can’t change how I feel about her.”