Leather, Lace and Rock-N-Roll

by Mia Dymond

  She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  He followed her gaze to her thigh, smeared in blood. “Max! She’s hit!”

  Max appeared in seconds, hoisted Rachel in his arms, and headed for the Suburban. Hawke’s thighs burnt as he tried to match Max’s stride.

  Max moved Rachel to one side and threw open the Suburban door with a free hand. “In the truck, Hawke.”

  Hawke stepped inside the Suburban and scooted to one side while Max set Rachel in the empty seat beside him.

  “Give me your shirt.”

  Hawke yanked his t-shirt over his head and tossed it to Max. Max tore the cotton in half and wrapped it around Rachel’s left thigh. It was then Hawke noticed the wound, now seeping blood at a fairly steady pace. Rachel sucked in a quick breath when Max squeezed the edges together.

  “Just a graze,” he said, “but she may need a couple stitches.”

  Hawke glanced at Max, ready to demand answers. Max gave his head a slight nod from side to side and closed the door.

  Hawke looked at Rachel, now ashy and pale. His heart ached and adrenaline pumped anger through his veins. He reached to smooth her hair from her face. “If you wanted me to take off my shirt, all you had to do was ask.”

  She gave a weak smile as Max drove out of the parking garage, cell phone tucked between his shoulder and ear and issuing orders to Greg Huntington.

  “Max?”

  Max twisted the phone away from his mouth.

  “Could you please ask Greg to call Cameron and ask her to come get my delivery?”

  Max nodded and then continued speaking.

  Rachel reached to soak more blood with the shirt and hissed at the contact. “This will be all over YouTube in a matter of minutes.”

  Mad as hell, Hawke couldn’t help but grin. “Now who’s being dramatic?”

  Rachel raised her head and the pain that sparkled in the depths of her eyes damn near made him grit his teeth in two. “I’m serious.” She took a deep breath and then released it. “Check it out.”

  Hawke bit the inside of his cheek. Even in pain her logic took over.

  Max snapped his cell phone closed and caught Hawke’s attention in the rear view mirror. “Huntington called Diablo Memorial. No media.”

  Rachel leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. “Thank you, Max.”

  Max pulled back onto the main road. “Won’t be long.”

  Hawke gripped the armrest as Max swung the Suburban into the Emergency Room drive at Diablo Memorial and crammed it in park. In mere seconds, the sliding doors opened and a nurse arrived with a two hundred pound orderly and a wheelchair. Max opened the passenger door, eased Rachel into the chair and then gestured at Hawke to get out.

  Both men followed Rachel inside until the orderly stopped in front of a set of metal doors. “Sorry, gentlemen, you’ll have to wait out here. The administrator is on her way to take you to the lounge.”

  Hawke opened his mouth to argue when he felt Max’s hand grip his shoulder. “Thank you.”

  Hawke backed up against a wall and ran a hand across his forehead. “Can this day get any worse?”

  A rush of wind swept down the hallway when the entrance doors opened and Cameron blew inside.

  “Yes,” Max growled. “Your agent is dead meat.”

  Dressed to the nines as usual, Cameron swayed toward them, the click-clack of her stilettos announcing her arrival.

  “What happened? Groupie attack?” Her eyes traveled the distance of Hawke’s upper body. “I don’t see any scratches.”

  The same wind that followed Cameron inside tickled the surface of his chest and then Hawke understood. Until that moment, he’d forgotten he was naked from the waist up.

  “Did you get the tube?” Max barked.

  Her blond curls whipped the air as she shook her head. “Yes, I did. Funny how you’re more concerned about design plans than Rachel.”

  “Relax, short stuff, the bullet just grazed her thigh.”

  She flicked Max an irritated glare then turned her attention back to Hawke. “Good grief, Hawke, maybe you and Rachel should move into the new hospital wing.”

  Hawke winced. What a way to start a relationship.

  Cameron squinted one eye and tilted her head to the side. “You couldn’t convince the nurses to let you back?”

  Hawke shook his head.

  “Really?” she pressed, “Even undressed?”

  Hawke glared in response, hoping she’d drop the subject. Instead, she turned on Max.

  “Let me see what you’ve got.”

  Max peered over his Aviators. “Excuse me?”

  “Take off your shirt, maybe you’ll have more luck.”

  Max gave a low snicker. “You wish.”

  Cameron shrugged. “Well, lucky me. I have rock star status. I’ll let you know what I find out.”

  When Cameron disappeared behind the set of metal doors, Hawke released a rough breath. “Is it just me or does she just wait for an opportunity to make us look like idiots?”

  Max pushed himself off the wall. “I think there’s more to it.”

  “Like what?”

  “Seems to me blood runs deep between her and Rachel. She’s like a lioness protecting her cub and her mouth is her weapon. Problem is, she doesn’t know when to shut it.”

  “You think she’s that way with everybody?”

  “Can’t be. Bitchiness doesn’t usually breed success.”

  Hawke folded his arms across his chest and propped himself against the sterile wall with one hip. “Ever wonder what she’s like under all that mouth?”

  “Don’t know, don’t care. Do you?”

  “Hell no. She’s definitely not my type.”

  “What makes you think she’s mine?”

  Hawke raised an eyebrow. Max’s quick retort confirmed what he suspected all along. But he knew better than to point that out. “Didn’t say she was.”

  “Let it go, Hawke,” Max growled.

  Hawke pushed off the wall and looked over Max’s shoulder. “We have company.”

  “Tall, curvy redhead?”

  Hawke nodded.

  Max smirked. “Hospital administrator.”

  Max turned and leaned back against the wall as she stopped in front of them, gave a big smile, and handed Hawke a surgical shirt. “Nice to meet you, gentlemen, I’m Kimberly Scott.”

  Hawke eased the shirt over his head and shoulders then stuffed his arms through the sleeves. “When can I see her?”

  “The doctor is with her now.” She handed Max a white, plastic card. “We thought you’d be more comfortable in our VIP lounge. If you’ll follow me, the card opens the elevator at the end of the hall.”

  Hawke frowned when they stopped in front of the elevator, irritated that she hadn’t answered his question. “Ms. Scott, we appreciate your assistance, but I’d like to see Rachel.”

  That same, professional smile never wavered from her lips. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hawke, it is hospital policy to limit visitors in the Emergency Room. As soon as the doctor completes her exam, he will visit you in the lounge.”

  Undeniable rage began to consume him. “Either you take me to her or I’ll find someone who will.”

  Kim raised both eyebrows and her face paled. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hawke, I didn’t realize—”

  “Just show us the lounge,” Max interrupted. He shoved Hawke inside the elevator. “Can it, Hawke.” He gestured for her to follow. Once all three of them were on board, she pushed the button to close the doors. The elevator gave a slight jolt and then climbed the floors.

  Hawke swallowed hard as a wave of nausea rolled through his gut. Suddenly the walls closed in and the numbers just wouldn’t flash quickly enough. He wanted to be downstairs with Rachel, not tucked away behind closed doors. Finally, the car stopped and the doors opened. Kim stepped off first into an elaborate suite. Two oversized recliners rested on each side of a full-sized leather sofa. All three sat directly in front of a flat screen TV str
etched the length of the wall. Nothing close to a simple waiting area.

  “We ask that you refrain from cell phone use while in the hospital. We provide a telephone for your convenience. Is there anyone else expected to arrive?”

  “Devil in the miniskirt,” Max mumbled.

  Kim frowned, obviously confused by Max’s remark.

  Hawke smirked. “Cameron Tremaine.”

  “Of course.” The smile was back. “Cameron is in the exam room with her. Shall I send her up?”

  “Yes,” Hawke answered.

  “No,” Max said at the same time.

  Kim cleared her throat. “Which is it gentlemen, yes or no?”

  Hawke shot Max an irritated glare. “Yes, please, Ms. Scott.”

  She tossed Hawke a remote control. “No one up or down without a key or an escort.” She turned to offer Max a square white card. “Make yourselves comfortable and call me if you need anything further.”

  She boarded the elevator and Max tucked the card in his pocket.

  Hawke waited until the doors closed before he threw the remote on the sofa. “This is ridiculous. I need to be downstairs. Make it happen, Max.”

  “No way in hell.”

  Anger bubbled Hawke’s blood. “You’ll just have to beat my ass to a bloody pulp then. I’m going.”

  Max curled his upper lip. “Your call.”

  Hawke squeezed the back of a chair until his knuckles were white. Words refused to come.

  Max lowered himself to the sofa, palmed the remote, and clicked channels. “You know as well as I do, you’d only make things worse, Hawke.”

  “How?”

  “You’re a chick magnet. I’m good but even I can’t take on a whole Emergency Room full of women.”

  Despite his anger, Hawke had to agree with Max. But still … “In my current state of mind, I’d be willing to help.”

  Max snickered and settled on ESPN. “I realize you have a plan but I’m not convinced it’s going to play out the way you want.”

  I don’t have a choice, Max. I have to tell her about the mission.”

  Max’s eyes didn’t waver from the screen. “Agreed. I’m now convinced she’s an unwilling participant.”

  “You think Diego knows we have the evidence?”

  “Positive. The decoy was delivered this morning. Shadow found a flash drive hidden in the layers of the cardboard of the original one.”

  “Weapons?”

  Max nodded. “The tube Rachel was after is probably packaged the same way.”

  “You think the sorry bastard is here?”

  “Hard to say, but someone wants her extinguished. You’re going to have to step up your game.”

  “I’ve got her hooked. It won’t take long.”

  “No way can we keep this quiet. My suggestion is the two of you stay in for awhile.”

  “We’ll have more privacy at her house.”

  Max nodded. “That’s probably doable. The neighborhood is exclusive. I’ll have to beef up the alarm system. You gonna move in?”

  “Hell yeah.” He gave Max a twisted grin. “We were interrupted.“

  “No details, Hawke. I get it. But now she really can’t be alone.”

  “You told Cameron I wouldn’t leave her alone, remember?”

  “I’ll put Steele on her.”

  “Hell no.”

  Max ran a hand across the surface of his head. “What did you just say?”

  “No freaking way. Steele’s twice the smooth talker I am. I’ll ask Cameron.”

  “We need a Rottweiler, not a Chihuahua.”

  “Gee-zus, Max! What is it with the two of you? Can’t you just ignore each other?”

  Max’s expression didn’t change. “Okay, here’s what’s gonna happen. We put everyone in Rachel’s house, Motor Mouth included. Twenty four hour security is the only option we have.”

  Even with desperation kicking him in the ass, Hawke knew Captain Sterling was right. Diego was pissed and out for blood. None of them were safe.

  “I suggest you tell Rachel immediately. This whole thing will get ugly fast.”

  “What about Cameron?”

  “What about her?”

  “Some prick shot her best friend. We have to tell her something and she won’t accept some half-assed explanation.”

  “There’s media crawling all over the place. We’ll just play it off as an ongoing investigation for now.”

  Hawke glanced at the elevator, the red light above the double doors shining like a beacon. “Well Captain, here’s your chance.”

  Hawke took a deep breath and prepared to face the firing squad. The chrome doors slid open and Cameron stepped from the elevator, barefoot with her hooker heals hung on two fingers. Hawke’s eyes widened and he clenched his jaw to keep it from falling open. Her normal, bright glittering eyes appeared dull. Her shoulders slumped.

  She eased herself into a vacant chair. “They’re keeping her.”

  Hawke frowned. “Why?”

  “Apparently, there’s quite a bit of muscle damage.”

  “Can I see her?”

  Cameron gave a half smile. “She put up quite an argument. The doctor finally sedated her. She’s out like a light. I’ll stay the night.”

  Max smirked. “Don’t they have a no pets policy?”

  Hawke squeezed his eyes closed, pinched the bridge of his nose, and waited for Cameron’s wrath. Instead, the sound of the television was the only conversation in the room. He opened his eyes in time to catch Cameron’s small, weak shrug. He glanced at Max and glared.

  Max cleared his throat. “You need anything, short stuff?”

  Cameron shook her now-flattened curls. “No, thank you. Have you heard anything from the police?”

  Tension built in Hawk’s shoulders. He hoped like hell she accepted Max’s answer.

  Max spit out the lie as planned. “Not yet. Maybe tomorrow.”

  Cameron stood. “They won’t let us in the building.” She glanced at Max. “Rachel’s tube is downstairs in my car. Would you mind dropping it by her house? She’ll want it when she gets home.”

  Max nodded. “Keys?”

  “It’s unlocked.”

  “You left your car unlocked with her package inside?”

  Hawke raised an eyebrow at Max’s question, not quite sure how he would cover up that slip.

  Cameron rolled her eyes. “What’s the big deal? They’re sketches, not diamonds.”

  “Safety 101. If someone has access to your car, they have access to you.”

  “You’ve been Hawke’s bodyguard way too long. This is Diablo, Arizona, not Hollywood.”

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  Cameron stood and headed to the elevator. “I’m too tired to argue. Just get the tube and we’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Hawke waited for the elevator doors to close before he spoke. “Somebody has to stay and watch the room.”

  Max nodded and dialed his cell. Hawke shook his head. So much for hospital policy.

  “Shadow’s on his way.”

  “Think he can dodge Cameron?”

  “Shouldn’t be too hard. He got lucky. Looks like she’s dead on her feet.”

  Hawke agreed. In fact, this side of Cameron was almost tolerable.

  Max snickered as they stepped inside the elevator. “Don’t worry, she’ll be back in true form tomorrow.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Hawke stood in the middle of Rachel’s living room watching the activity around him. Someone, most likely him, would have hell to pay when Rachel saw this. He scrubbed a hand across his jaw. Damn it to hell. Since when had he become such a pantywaist? He knew going in his life would never be the same. Hell, super stardom had a way of doing that to people. It had been perfectly clear that there was no escape from Jaydon Hawke. And since that persona provided pretty much everything he wanted, there hadn’t been a problem. Until Rachel.

  He’d be a lying fool if he said he hadn’t wanted her from the minute he saw her. Her beauty alone
reeled him in, but that he could work around. Her calm, peaceful, reasonable, compassionate nature, though, well, that sucker punched him right in the gut. And now he would have to throw a few punches of his own. Right to her heart.

  “You gonna stand there all day or help us catch this prick?”

  Hawke glanced at Captain Sterling. “Thought I’d check her e-mail.” He forced guilt to the back of his mind and reminded himself this was all for her safety. Without it, she’d die at the hands of Manuel Diego.

  He sat down in front of the laptop computer and punched keys to hack into Rachel’s e-mail account. Within seconds, he broke her password and messages lined up on the screen.

  “Sonuvabitch,” he muttered.

  “Find something?” Max twisted two wires together then shoved them back into a panel in the wall.

  “He sent another package, this time by private courier.”

  “When?”

  Hawke glanced at the date again, just to be sure. He looked back at Max. “Yesterday.”

  Activity stopped around him as all four soldiers digested the meaning of what he’d just said.

  “He was there.” Steele’s eyes darkened and Hawke felt the sniper go on full alert. “In the parking lot.”

  “Whoever took that shot was either lucky or a skilled marksman.” Hawke dropped his gaze back to the screen. “I had her covered yet they managed to hit her.”

  Steele asked the one question no one could answer for sure. “Diego?”

  Hawke nodded. “Most likely one of his men. He doesn’t like to get his hands dirty.”

  Steele propped himself against the back of the sofa. “Maybe we should move her.”

  Max punched numbers on the alarm pad. “That might be possible if Hawke had let her in on the secret.”

  Steele raised both eyebrows. “You didn’t tell her?”

  “Timing wasn’t right,” Hawke mumbled.

  “She’s lying in the hospital with a gunshot wound and the timing wasn’t right?” Steele shook his head. “Damn Hawke, you have it bad.”

  Max snickered. “Understatement of the year.”

  “I’m going to tell her as soon as she gets home.”

  Steele released a heavy breath. “Oh shit.”