Deadly Peril_Military Romantic Suspense

by Emily Jane Trent

  It was all about waiting and watching, which Thaddeus was good at. He had the ability to stay mentally alert, despite no exterior stimulation. Watching women in tights sashay through the lobby was as exciting as it got during his wait.

  A couple of hours passed, then Jana emerged with her friend. The women had showered and were in street clothes. He supposed he hadn’t expected them to come out sweaty and breathing heavily. That wasn’t how women did things, preferring to look their best.

  Coley’s long hair was tied back, and she had the strap of her bag over her shoulder. When Thaddeus glanced at her, she beamed. He wasn’t sure what that was about. “Good workout?”

  “Yes, it was,” Coley said, still staring at him.

  “I got this for you,” Jana said, then handed over a drink in a tall cup. “It’s a protein drink. I thought maybe you could use it.”

  Thaddeus accepted it, unsure why she’d done it. “You don’t have to get things for me. I’m here to service you, not the other way around.”

  Coley giggled then hugged Jana. “I’m off to work. I’ll catch you later.”

  Jana lifted her hand to say goodbye. “I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

  Thaddeus raised his brows. “Something I should know?”

  “The next step to release the invention is to put the product to the test. Coley will practice over the next few days, before she does that trial at the biathlon club that I mentioned.”

  “Oh, sure.” Thaddeus took a sip of his drink. It wasn’t bad for a health drink. “This is tasty.”

  Jana glanced at him. “Ready?”

  Thaddeus motioned she should go ahead, then walked in step with her. “Coley seemed especially…smiley.”

  Jana laughed. “She’s often that way.” But the gleam in her eyes made Thaddeus think that he’d missed out on a secret.

  He slipped into protector mode, even though he carried a cup in one hand. At the first sign of trouble, he’d toss the thing. It wasn’t too unusual for a client to buy him a drink, like bottled water or a soda. But with Jana, it seemed more personal.

  In her sweater and wool slacks, Jana looked sleek and sexy. The copper and cream colors suited her. Her long hair was twisted up into a tortoiseshell clip. And she wore makeup, including a pinkish lip color that made her appear pouty.

  Jana’s fresh, attractive style captivated Thaddeus. She was tall, fit, and walked with subtle grace. He had to admit that she was a stunner. He’d best keep his eyes on the environment, as that was where any trouble would originate. But then, it depended what type of trouble he aimed to avoid. If he kept starting at Jana, trouble was sure to follow.

  Thaddeus needed to get a grip. “Am I taking you to the ski shop?”

  “Yep, for today,” Jana said. “I have a lot to catch up on. In the morning, though, you can drive me to the biathlon club. I want to double-check that all is set up properly for the trial. I’d hate to take things for granted, only to find out some detail has been overlooked.”

  The rest of the day was routine. There was no hint of another attack. That was good, but unsettling, too. Thaddeus was better at direct confrontation than this cloak-and-dagger stuff.

  On the way home, Jana talked about work, sharing the highlights of her afternoon. “I haven’t had a chance to speak privately with Alton yet. He’s preoccupied with what’s going on with his wife.”

  “Has there been a change in her condition?”

  “It’s up and down,” Jana said. “It’s been that way since she got ill. Alton explained that she’s going through a bit of a rough period.” She sighed. “I don’t feel right about discussing sensitive topics.”

  Thaddeus reluctantly agreed. He wasn’t inclined to think of her business partner as the enemy. But it was difficult to know for sure. He’d learned from experience not to make assumptions.

  *****

  After breakfast the next day, Thaddeus took Jana to the club. She spent an hour, making sure that all was in order. Satisfied, she motioned that it was time to leave. “I’ve done all I can.”

  “I think you might be overdoing it,” Thaddeus said. “At this point, it might be best to trust that the trial will go well.”

  “You’re right, of course,” Jana said. “But you haven’t been around during the years I’ve been working on my project.” She looked up at him. “I’ve just put so much time and effort into this, and the outcome still hangs in the balance.”

  “I can see how that’s stressful.”

  Jana walked up to her truck then stopped. “That says it all…stressful.” She smiled. “You know what I’m going to do?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “I’m going to take your advice, and trust that things will go smoothly.” When Thaddeus opened her door, she hopped into her seat. Then he went around to the driver’s side.

  As soon as he shut the door, Jana touched his arm. “It’s easy to say I’ll trust but harder to do. Waiting is the difficult part,” she said. “So I need a distraction.”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “When I want to get away, I go to places around South Lake Tahoe. There are many things to do there, besides skiing.” Jana smiled. “And I take it you haven’t seen much of this area?”

  “Haven’t had the pleasure.”

  “That settles it,” Jana said. “We’re escaping to a hidden castle.” She giggled. “It’s a real castle and you’re going to love it.”

  Thaddeus followed her directions and drove to Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. The castle was Vikingsholm, built in 1929. It was on Fannett Island in the bay and was visible from the shore.

  “The owner was of English descent, but Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she’d seen on her travels in Scandinavia,” Jana said. “She commissioned her nephew, a Swedish architect, to build the castle.”

  Thaddeus stood on the edge of the bay, gazing at the fairy-tale castle perched on a small, snow-covered island.

  “It’s so much better up close, but tours aren’t open in the winter months,” Jana said. “I’ve been through it several times. The castle is made of granite boulders embedded in mortar, typical of Swedish castles in the eleventh century. There are massive hand-hewn timbers with carvings around the doors.”

  “That must be something to see.”

  “It really is,” Jana said. “And the carvings extend along the roof ridges, with dragon heads at the roof peaks. And there’s a sod roof with wildflowers.”

  Even from a distance, Thaddeus could tell the castle was a fine example of Scandinavian architecture. “Too bad it’s not summer, so we could do the tour.” He looked out at the serenity of Emerald Bay, surrounded by dense forest. “It doesn’t keep us from enjoying the scenery.”

  Jana sighed. “It’s exquisite, don’t you think?”

  “This is a beautiful area.”

  Jana strolled along the path by the water. Thaddeus walked beside her, glad to see her more relaxed. A different environment was good anyway, since it made her harder to track or follow. It was to Jana’s advantage that she tended to do the unexpected.

  “This whole Tahoe area has much more to offer then just snow sports,” Jana said.

  Thaddeus already knew that. He looked at Jana, appreciating the chance to be with her. It was in the line of duty, but that didn’t mean that he couldn’t enjoy it. “What next?” He’d let her lead, since she seemed in her element.

  “I vote for a boat ride.” Jana motioned toward the distance. “The Tahoe Queen cruises year-round. And it has a glass bottom for viewing.”

  “I’m in. That sounds like a good way to spend some time.”

  Jana took him back to the truck, then gave directions to Ski Run. She guided him to the paddlewheel boat departing from the marina, and they joined others preparing to cruise the bay. Thaddeus found himself floating in the middle of a clear lake, surrounded by 360-degree views of the majestic peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

  “I’ve done this cruise before, yet it’s breathtaking ever
y time,” Jana said.

  Thaddeus took in the panoramic views. “I haven’t seen anything quite like it.” The boat cruised through glacier-carved Emerald Bay, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The trip was over two hours, and Jana seemed to find it invigorating.

  The fresh lake air suited Thaddeus fine. He had the chance to see the beauty of the region and view the castle on the island from a different perspective. Tourists snapped photos as the boat paddled through the glassy water.

  Thaddeus sat next to Jana, watching the scenery and breathing in nature. The excursion was more memorable, because he was with her. Floating along on a paddleboat hardly seemed like working, but he stayed alert.

  However, Thaddeus had most of his attention on Jana. She seemed happy, and that was good to see. In other circumstances, he would have reached out and taken her hand. The atmosphere of the moment made him want to hold her, to share with her.

  But to share what? Thaddeus didn’t know. He didn’t know much—except he was where he wanted to be. He was with Jana, and that had to be enough. He wasn’t about to take things further, no matter how he felt.

  Before the boat delivered the passengers to the marina, it began to snow. When the light precipitation began, Jana put on a knit cap and Thaddeus turned up his collar. The sun was blocked by clouds, and the brightness of the day had dimmed.

  Jana wasn’t put off by a little snow; she thrived in the stuff. “Let’s walk along the water for a bit.”

  A flock of graceful, long-necked birds flew overhead. “Look, those are tundra swans. I love when I catch a glimpse of them,” Jana said.

  “I would have thought that birds migrate out of the mountains to warmer climates before the winter.”

  “Oh no, there are dozens of species that spend the winter at Lake Tahoe.” Jana peered up at the sky. “The swans make a wintertime pilgrimage from the Arctic tundra. Thousands spend the winter here. They breed in the Arctic during the summer, then migrate south.”

  The snow flurry had picked up steam, and it had started snowing heavier. Thaddeus was about to suggest heading back to the truck when he spotted an animal at the edge of the water. He pointed, and Jana followed him.

  A swan was trapped and struggling. It had pure white plumage, and a black bill with a smudge of yellow at the base. It appeared to be on the small side. When Thaddeus stooped beside it, he noticed a second swan in the water.

  “That must be the mate, watching. He’s larger, so I’m guessing that he’s the male,” Jana said, then leaned toward the bird at the edge of the water. “We have to help. This one is caught.”

  “I can see that,” Thaddeus said. “It looks like fishing line is wrapped around the neck, and the bill is stuck in it, too.”

  “That’s awful.” The male swan made a defensive hissing sound. “It’s all right,” she murmured softly. “We’re here to help.”

  Thaddeus took a pocket knife and opened it up. “You hold the swan, keep it still. I’ll cut the wire.”

  Jana began speaking in a soothing tone, and the swan eyed her with a look of desperation. Wiggling and making a sound in its throat, it tried to get free of the wire. She stroked the smooth feathers then put her arms around its body.

  Thaddeus gently slipped his fingers under the wire. In several places, he snipped the blade through the wire, so the line began to unravel. The swan lifted its bill and tipped its head back. The mate floated over and nuzzled against the freed bird.

  The swan made a smooth, high-pitched bugling sound, and the partner responded. Then the swan freed of the fishing wire called out. It sounded like oo-ou-oo.

  “That’s the swan call when members of a pair reunite,” Jana said.

  The birds shook their partially extended wings, then glided on the water’s surface. Thaddeus watched as they took flight and stretched out their necks as they flew. They circled above, with air whistling through their wings. It was a magnificent sight.

  Jana shuddered from the cold. The snowfall had increased. “That was lucky…that we happened to come by.” She watched the birds fly away.

  “Did you know swans are associated with romance?” Jana looked at Thaddeus. “Their tendency is to form permanent pair bonds by the time they’re two or three years old. Once a pair forms, tundra swans feed and roost together year-round.”

  Thaddeus marveled at the nature of the birds. It seemed like they had a better grip on things than he did.

  Jana stuffed her hands in her pockets. “I’m freezing.” She peered at the darkening sky. “We better make a run for it.”

  Once inside the truck, Thaddeus started the engine and cranked up the heater. “It would be a smart move to get indoors.”

  “I know just the place where we can grab a snack and a hot drink.” Jana gave him quick directions. The place wasn’t far.

  The ever-growing attraction was hard to fight. The longer Thaddeus was with Jana, the more he wanted her. The beautiful scenery, the boat ride, and the mutual saving of a swan…it was getting to him, deep in his heart where he hadn’t thought he could be touched. He’d intended to keep his desire under control—but his resolve was breaking down.

  Chapter 13

  Jana chose a coffee shop in town. After parking, Thaddeus took her hand and they jogged through the falling snow to the warmth of the café.

  Inside, the place was buzzing. The weather had sent people indoors, so the tables were nearly full. Jana spotted a couple of open seats in the corner and pointed. Then Thaddeus followed her over and they settled at the wooden table.

  Jana looked up at the chalkboard menu to decide what she wanted. But she kept thinking of Thaddeus and how gentle he’d been with the swan. The vision of him stooped by the water, carefully freeing the bird from its binding, was going to stick with her for a while.

  Thaddeus was tall, and his broad shoulders gave him a warrior image. His formidable size and the delicate form of the bird had sharply contrasted. He could be a fierce protector, as she’d witnessed, and was often stoic.

  But the gentleness of his touch on the swan’s smooth feathers and the look of kindness in his eyes had moved her. In that moment, Jana had seen into his heart. He would probably prefer that she not see that side of him.

  It was too late for that. The warmth Thaddeus had shown for the trapped animal provided a window to his soul. For all his sternness and soldier-like demeanor, he had a softer side. It had touched Jana.

  “What will you have?” Thaddeus said.

  “I can’t pass up the cappuccino.”

  Thaddeus went to get their orders at the counter. Jana watched him walk away. He’d taken off his coat, so she had a good view from the rear and liked what she saw. His broad shoulders veed to a narrower waist, and his masculine stride sent a ripple of excitement through her.

  The woman who eventually hooked up with Thaddeus would be lucky. And it would happen, despite his aloofness. He was a decent man and as sexy as Jana could imagine. Someone would melt that rough exterior and connect on a deeper level.

  A flicker of desire warmed her, and briefly she wished that she could be that woman. That wasn’t realistic. It didn’t stop her from imagining what it would be like, and the vision was luscious. Jana tingled at the thought of feeling his bare skin underneath her palms.

  Thaddeus walked back. “He’ll bring the drinks over in a minute.” He sat across from her, with his forearms on the table, and his hands close enough to touch. “You look thoughtful. What’s on your mind?”

  Jana glanced out the window. “Oh, not much.” She took a breath. “Just wondering how long it’s going to snow.”

  Thaddeus nodded, but she had the distinct feeling that he knew more than he let on. The drinks arrived, giving them something to focus on besides each other. Jana sipped the hot coffee through the foam and let the warmth seep into her.

  Sitting across from Thaddeus, the coffee tasted better than she remembered. Many things were better with him there. She watched him drink black coffee then take a bite of a donut. If
he was hers, she’d cook him breakfasts and…

  It wasn’t like her to daydream like that.

  Thaddeus motioned toward the other donut. “It’s good. Don’t you want one?”

  “I’ll just have the coffee for now. You can have it.”

  Jana watched him enjoy the food, and her mind drifted to other things he might enjoy. She’d better start a conversation or do something as a distraction. Without thinking, she blurted out, “Why are you a bodyguard?”

  The question didn’t fluster Thaddeus, and she wondered if anything would. He shrugged. “It’s all I’m good at.”

  And that said it. Thaddeus believed that was where he belonged. “You are good at it,” she said. “But it’s not all you’re good at.”

  “It’s all I’ve done…protection, I mean. I joined the Navy right out of high school. I acclimated quickly. It seemed I was cut out for the military.” Thaddeus took the last bite of donut. “I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’d be like a fish out of water.”

  “Don’t you have a social life? Friends…other interests?”

  “What for?” Thaddeus looked at her, and she realized he meant it. “Let’s put it this way: I’m lousy at that stuff.” He leaned back. “I’m not completely antisocial. I go for a beer with the guys sometimes. And I visit with family.”

  “Is that enough for you?”

  Thaddeus stared at her. “I’ve never thought about it.” He shifted in his seat and gazed out the window. “The snow is coming down heavier. I think we might have a problem.”

  Jana took out her phone. “I’ll send a text to Eva and tell her I’m at the lake. She’s used to me being away. But with the threat still unhandled, she might worry.”

  The weather grew increasingly worse, and after another coffee, Jana wasn’t inclined to drive the mountain roads to get home. Her decision was made for her when a weather warning beeped on her phone. Heavy snow was predicted into the night.

  Thaddeus checked the weather report. “A Pacific storm moving inland has brought heavy snow and high winds.” He scrolled on his phone for more details. “The road is closed.”