by Shauna Allen
I moved away from the window and went to my bedroom. I unpacked my weapons and laptop, quickly booting up to check for any updates from the team. Nothing. I shot off a text to Tito, letting him know things were under control on my end, tucked my pistol in my waistband, then headed back outside . . . and right into Rebekah.
“Oh!” She bumped into my chest on the top step and stumbled back.
I caught her arms and pulled her to me before she could fall and she grabbed onto my waist, slinging her little body into my chest, toppling us backward into the entry. I managed to right us before we fell to the floor.
Startled eyes lifted to mine. “I’m so sorry!”
“Don’t be.” I tucked a chunky curl back from her cheek.
She stepped away from me. “I, uh . . .” Her eyes flitted down to my boots. “Were you leaving?”
“Nope.”
“Then why were you going out the door?”
“To find you.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
I had to think fast. I couldn’t very well blurt out that I needed to keep her in my sights because I was there to protect her. “I wanted to apologize,” I said instead. “For making you uncomfortable earlier.”
She frowned. “You didn’t make me uncomfortable.”
I tucked my hands in my pockets. “Well . . . I didn’t mean to question you or how you protect your home. It’s just my job, so . . .” I offered her a shrug, hoping that was good enough.
“I get it.”
“Do you?”
“Sure. I notice if the coffee isn’t up to par at any restaurant I go to. I guess it’s kind of like that, right?” Her smile was pure sunshine and I wanted to eat it up.
“Right.”
I offered her a hand. “So . . . friends?”
Her gaze darted down to my fingers then back up to my face. “Uh, sure. Friends.”
We shook on it, but I’d always been one to live dangerously. I couldn’t help myself so I brushed my thumb along her hand in a subtle caress just to see how she’d respond. She didn’t disappoint. She sucked in a quick, shaky breath, those big, eerily blue eyes lifting slowly to mine as if she were trapped in a dream. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought she wanted me to kiss her.
All too soon, she drew back and inhaled again, wiping her palm down her shorts. “Well. I got Grandpa settled again with his lunch and a book. I need to throw that laundry in the dryer then I’ll clean up the bathroom real quick if that’s okay?” When I didn’t say anything right away, she hurried to add, “I’ll be out of your way as fast as I can.”
“You’re not in my way,” I said. “In fact, I’m enjoying spending time with you.”
She flushed adorably. “Oh. Well . . .” She fidgeted, making me laugh.
“Why don’t I throw the stuff in the dryer and make us lunch while you take a load off on the couch?” I suggested.
“What about the bathroom?”
“What about it? I’ll take care of it later. Don’t worry about it.” I saw her waffling, so I went for the kill. “Come on. I hate eating alone. You’ll be doing me a favor really. Plus, I’ve been told I make an awesome grilled cheese.”
Her expression softened. “Grilled cheese, huh?”
“You like?”
“It’s my favorite.”
“Perfect. It’s settled. Take a seat.” I indicated the couch that doubled as my dining area since the apartment was so small. I didn’t wait to see if she sat down. I rushed and tossed the clean laundry in the dryer that was tucked in a closet, then hurried back to the kitchen.
I shot her a glance and relief slid through me when I spotted her perched on the edge of a couch cushion, trying not to look at my stack of books on the table. I pulled out the ingredients and a pan. “Nothing exciting, I’m afraid,” I said, making her flinch, but I smiled and tilted my head toward the books. “I’m not much of a reader, but my friend, Bubba, is, and he keeps trying to convert me.”
Her brows lifted. “Bubba?”
I buttered the bread. “Johnny Ray is his real name, but we call him Bubba.” I glanced over again. “Kind of a nickname that stuck. He’s from Texas,” I added as if that explained it.
“Riiiiight.” She tried not to laugh. “And he doesn’t mind?”
I shrugged. “I dunno.”
Now she did laugh and it was music to my ears. I asked her more about her dream café while I cooked just to keep her talking and comfortable, and honestly, because I liked the sound of her voice. I also needed her to trust me so when the time came to tell her the truth about who I was and why I was there, she wouldn’t balk and would let me take care of her.
Take care of her.
As much as being back in this town was torture for me, the idea of caring for this woman somehow made it all worthwhile, and I wanted to do it more than anything. I needed to do it.
I plated up the perfectly grilled sandwiches, along with a handful of pretzels and a couple pickle spears, and served them with a flourish.
She stared down at her plate. “Wow. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been served. I’m always doing the serving.” She looked up, her eyes sincere, which gutted me. “This is really nice. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I swallowed thickly and grabbed us both a bottle of water then joined her on the couch, pulling the coffee table closer. “Thanks for staying to eat with me.” I took a bite. “You sure James is okay over there?”
She nibbled on a corner. “He’s got his remote control and I already gave him his medication. He’s fine.”
I turned back to my food, not wanting to pry into her grandfather’s illness. Not my business. Still, I could tell it was hard on her and a part of me wanted to ease the burden for her. “What does he do when you work nights?” She shot me a suspicious look. “He told me you work nights at a casino.”
“Right. Of course, he did.” She took another bite. “The neighbor, Mrs. Clancy, stays with him.”
I nodded, popping a pretzel in my mouth. “That’s good.” I almost offered to do it myself, but there was no way I was going to keep my eyes off her at the casino. I was certain the sicario would be after her, not her grandfather, so that was where I would keep my attention. Not that it was a hardship.
“You said you were from around here?” She peered at me from beneath thick lashes. “Do you have any family in the area?”
My stomach clenched in a sudden grind and I looked away, yanking up my water bottle for a long drink before smacking it down on the table again. “Nope. Not anymore.”
“Oh. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“It’s okay. Ancient history.” But it wasn’t, was it? As far and as fast as I ran, the memories still threatened to close in on me everywhere I looked in this place. Everywhere, but where this woman was, and that was probably the scariest thing of all.
We finished our meal in silence and she rose to throw her paper plate away. “Well . . . thanks for lunch. I need to . . . I guess I’d better go check on Grandpa then get ready for work later.”
I glanced up and saw the uncertainty in her face. Uncertainty that I’d put there. God, the woman wore her feelings on her sleeve and that was so fucking endearing. “Right,” I choked out, rising to see her out, but she left before I could say another word, leaving the place surprisingly empty.
~ ~
While Rebekah was tucked away in the house, presumably resting or getting ready for work, I called my best friend, Red.
“Hey, man. How’s it going?” he said when he picked up.
“Good. You?”
“Perfect. Got Wolf’s folks safely back here to his place in less than a day and now we’re laying low.” He cleared his throat. “So . . . I’m thinking about proposing to Danielle when this is over.”
A surprised smile lit my face. “Really? That’s great, bro. Congratulations.”
“Thanks, brother. I appreciate that. And you know I want you to stand up with
me, right?”
“I’d be honored. Hopefully, we’ll wrap this shit up soon so you can get on with that.”
“Absolutely. Speaking of, how are things with Tex’s cousin? How is she taking things?”
“Uh . . .”
“Maverick.”
“What?”
“You have her, right?”
“I have her. I had her the first day,” I snapped, irritated he would doubt me.
“But . . .?”
“But I might not have told her everything yet.”
“Why the hell not?” he demanded.
“It’s a little complicated,” I hedged, peering through my blinds, waiting for her to mosey out to her truck. “She has an elderly grandfather she cares for. It’s just the two of them. They’re kind of a package deal, so I’m looking out for both of them until I fully assess the situation.” He was silent a long, telling moment. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it under control.”
“Does this have anything to do with her being hot and you needing to get laid?”
I reared back. “What? No!” I took a step away from the window and raked a hand over my head. “Look, Red. She’s fucking cute, I’ll give you that. And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was attracted to her. But I’m here to do a job and I’ll do it. I know how to keep my focus.”
“And being in that town isn’t messing with your head?”
I rolled my neck. My friend knew me too well. “Maybe a little, but I’m managing, and definitely nothing that’s getting in the way of the mission.” I took a breath. “I’ve got this, man. I promise.”
I heard a door so I peered back out the window. Rebekah was sliding into her truck in her cocktail waitress uniform, looking good enough to eat. “Gotta go, bro. It’s showtime.”
Chapter Seven
Tex
The storm made the drive longer than it should’ve been and I felt like a raging lunatic by the time I finally made it to the mountain retreat. I roared to the front entrance and skidded to a stop before jumping out and loping inside the main building.
A woman glanced up, startled, from behind the desk, eyeing me in my soaked T-shirt. “Can I help you, sir?”
“I’m looking for my wife and daughters. Melody Keegan.”
Her gaze narrowed skeptically, as if she wasn’t sure I was to be trusted, which I appreciated. She slowly lifted the phone. “Just give me a moment. I’ll get the manager.”
“Just tell me, has there been any trouble?” I leaned in. “Is everyone safe here? Have you seen them today?”
Her eyes widened and she looked me over again as I towered over her. “I . . . uh . . . I haven’t seen them, but I haven’t heard . . .”
“John?”
I snapped around at Melody’s voice, relief making me dizzy.
Akilah was right behind her, holding Hope’s hand. “Daddy!” They bum rushed me and I lifted Hope into my arms.
I caught sight of Melody’s concerned gaze as I grabbed Akilah’s hand. “Why didn’t you answer your phone?” I murmured, trying not to bark.
She seemed confused. “I didn’t . . .” She pulled out her phone and looked at the screen. “You called?”
I frowned. “About a million times.”
She shook her head. “I got nothing.” She showed me a blank screen.
I bit back a curse. They’d gotten to her phone as well, blocking our communication. Son-of-a-bitch. I squeezed my eyes closed a moment, getting my shit together, then refocused on the fact that they were fine. “Where are you guys off to?”
“We were just heading to breakfast.”
“Okay.” I nuzzled Hope’s cheek, inhaling her sweet little girl scent, so thankful all of my girls were all right. “Let’s eat then we’ll talk.”
She didn’t move. “Is everything okay? Why are you here?”
“I’ll explain everything when we’re alone, I promise.” She still didn’t budge, fear on her face. I leaned over and kissed her. “I’m here now,” I whispered. “I’ve got you and I’ll tell you the whole story, but let’s not scare the girls, okay?”
She blinked and seemed to cue in to my unspoken message. “Okay.” She grabbed Akilah’s other hand, creating a three-way chain, and we made our way to the breakfast area.
A few heads turned, making me feel a bit uncomfortable as it became obvious I was the only man at a mother-daughter retreat. I offered a small smile and wave as we made our way to get our trays and sat at a corner table.
Melody sat close to me, seeming to need my comfort because she sensed something was off. As the girls ate, she leaned over and whispered in my ear. “Is the team okay?”
My heart warmed that her automatic thought was of the team. “Yes, baby. All good.” I brushed the hair back behind her shoulder and glanced over to make sure the girls were occupied with their food. “But I have to ask, have you noticed anything out of the ordinary since you’ve been here? Anyone suspicious?”
Her eyes filled with fear. “No. Should I have?”
“No, no, but we have to leave. I’m sorry.”
Her gaze darted around the cafeteria, taking everyone in with new eyes. “It’s not safe?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
I loved how she didn’t fight it, didn’t question me, didn’t even act disappointed. She simply trusted me and trusted that I would always do what was best for her and our family.
I brushed a kiss to her lips. “I love you, Mel.”
She offered me the sweet smile I loved so much. “I know.”
Chapter Nine
Rebekah
By the end of the week, two things were blaringly obvious. One, I was either going crazy or someone was definitely stalking me now—more than a feeling and someone going through my locker, now my truck had been broken in to and I’d found fresh footprints in the mud outside my bedroom window. But nothing had been stolen and no harm had come of it, so I wasn’t sure if I should report it or what the cops could do even if I did.
And two, I had a crush on my tenant. A big crush.
Not that one thing had anything to do with the other, but having a big, strong guy living in our garage apartment did make me feel just a tad bit safer at night . . . even if it did make sleeping a little more difficult for other reasons. God, the man made it hard to concentrate. He conveniently seemed to always be around, ready to lend a hand if I needed it or just to talk, and he made me laugh more than I had in ages.
And the way he was with my grandfather? He seemed almost perfect, and I knew better. But, ignoring my own better judgment, I let him talk me into dinner. Not a date exactly, but when he found out that Friday was my first night off in basically forever, he insisted on celebrating by buying me a steak, and he played dirty by getting my granddad on board.
“You’re still a young woman,” Grandpa said when we were alone late Friday afternoon. “You need to go out and have some fun once in a while. You can’t sit around and waste a perfectly good Friday night with an old man like me when you have a nice looking young man ready to court you.”
I felt myself blush. “He’s taking me to dinner, not courting me, Grandpa.”
“I may be old, Rebekah Anne, but I doubt things have changed that much. The man is smitten with you and he is definitely courting you, sweetheart. Enjoy it.”
“Pfft.”
He waved me off, dismissing my denial. “Go pretty yourself up for the young man. Make him sweat a little.”
I shook my head and made my way to shower and dress, but I couldn’t help the way his words rolled around in my brain. Smitten. Courting. Such old-fashioned terms, but they still made my heart race. Could this possibly be more than dinner? Could Tanner possibly be more than a tenant here temporarily? I’d do good not to hope for too much. The man had too good to be true written all over him in big, fat, bold blinking neon letters.
Still, I took extra time showering and shaving and doing my hair and makeup. Then I obsessed a little bit over what to wear. I was vertically chall
enged, so I only had a few things that I thought looked really good on me, so the question was, what kind of signals did I want to send? Friendly, celebrating my night off casual? Flirty and charming with a touch of cute? Pull out all the stops sexy, you’re-getting-laid-tonight-Tanner?
In the end, I opted for friendly with a touch of flirty, hoping that if my grandfather was right, and Tanner had any more-than-friendly feelings, he might find it sexy. I tugged on my favorite jeans and a clingy baby blue blouse, and just as I was strapping on my heels, I heard his knock. I let Grandpa get it as I swiped on some lipstick and a dab of perfume.
I took a breath and looked at myself in the mirror. “Here goes nothing.”
I strode into the living room like I walked around looking like this all the time and picked up my purse. I pecked Grandpa on the cheek. “See you later.” I waved at Mrs. Clancy, who was already engrossed in their episode of CSI. “Bye, Mrs. Clancy.”
“Bye, dear.” She didn’t even glance away from the television.
Grandpa winked at me. “Have fun, sweetheart.”
“Okay.” I rose and finally faced Tanner, who was still standing by the front door. “Hey . . .” I froze when I saw the way he was staring.
He ran a hand over his head. “Wow. You look . . . you look amazing.”
Grandpa cleared his throat behind me, but I ignored him. “Thank you. So do you.” And he did. The man cleaned up nice in khaki cargo pants, a charcoal gray button-down, and boots.
He held open the door. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
I stepped out as he said goodbye to my granddad and he followed me outside, where he led me to his truck and opened the passenger door for me. I climbed inside and he closed the door, encasing me in with his scent.
I smiled over at him as he got in. “Hungry?”
“Yes. I’ve hardly eaten all day.”
“Well, if I remember right, this place has the best steaks. I hope it still does.”
I nodded and he started driving, chatting me up and easing my nerves as he drove, though if I didn’t know better, I would’ve sworn he kept his attention always riveted all around us at all times. I guess that was the security guard in him, always on alert.