by Desiree Holt
She frowned up at him, realizing this would be the first time since he’d walked into her office that they’d be separated. “What will be the transportation arrangements, then?”
“Greg will fly you to the ranch and back here. L.Q. and Charlie will be with you. Tomas will stay here to make sure we don’t have any uninvited guests.”
Tomas nodded. “I’m keeping the day shift guards over an extra two hours so we’ll have a double squad. You’ll be fine, Miss Scott. We’re in wide open land here too, so there’s really no place for anyone to hide.”
Taylor inclined her head, determined not to show her nervousness. Be in control. Stay in control. “Thank you. I’m sure it will all work out. Noah, what time shall I meet you?”
“Seven thirty.” He helped her up into the helo’s cabin. “Will that work for you?”
“Yes. I’ll see you then.”
“L.Q.?” Noah looked at the man cradling the rifle as if he were holding a baby.
The shooter looked at him. “Yeah, boss?”
“Take care of her. When in doubt, shoot first.”
L.Q. nodded. “Not to worry.”
“All right then. On your way.”
Noah closed the door, Greg spun the rotors and they took off.
* * * * *
The shower washed away much of the day’s tension and John Martino’s encouraging words that he was unraveling the mystery of the reports and the policies, albeit slowly, gave Taylor an extra measure of relief. Tonight she was more than grateful for Audrey and the multitude of clothing. A simple black cocktail sheath wouldn’t do it for this crowd. She’d chosen an ankle length satin sheath slit to the thigh, the deep royal blue enhancing the creaminess of her skin, the long sleeves and modest neckline somehow more enticing than if all her skin was exposed. Her hair was pulled to one side and held in place with a gold and diamond clip, a legacy from her mother and her mother’s diamond studs glittered in her ears. Finishing the outfit were new stiletto heels in gold and blue Audrey had paired with the dress, heels she’d spent twenty minutes practicing in, with Jocelyn’s good-humored encouragement, before leaving the ranch. When she stepped off the helicopter she caught the flare of desire in Noah’s eyes. She almost missed it, however, stunned as she was by the magnificent sight of him.
In his business suits or in jeans he was imposing, formidable, strong, appealing. A whole string of adjectives. But in formal attire he was a sensual god, his black hair reflecting the color of the tux, the white shirt accenting the darkness of his skin. He was magnificent, a man women would throw elbows to reach, claw to claim ownership of. And again, beneath the layer of civility, the raw power of the ancient warrior, surrounding her and drugging her senses. She had to remind herself to move.
His eyes burned into her and capturing every inch of her. “You are…exquisite.” His voice was slightly unsteady.
“You’re pretty magnificent yourself,” she grinned, taking the hand he held out to her.
He handed her into the big black SUV as if she was a delicate piece of porcelain, then turned to Tomas. “Everything clear here?”
“No problems. Charlie and I will be right behind you.”
Noah fastened his seat belt and cranked the ignition as the vehicle behind them also fired its engine.
Taylor smoothed imaginary wrinkles in her sleek satin skirt and picked at invisible threads. Somehow she was more intimidated meeting San Antonio society than she had been facing the sharks at Arroyo.
“You’ll be fine.” Noah flashed a quick glance at her and repeated what he’d said earlier in the day.
“Fine.” She let out a breath. “Sure. Fine. I’m more nervous about meeting Josiah’s friends than his employees and business associates. Talk about being under a microscope.”
“Most of these people weren’t his friends, Taylor. He socialized with them but he wasn’t close to many people.”
She fiddled with the catch on her evening purse. “All the more reason for their curiosity factor to be at an all-time high.”
“They’re just people, Taylor.” His voice was hard and flat. “They can only hurt you if you let them.”
“Speaking from experience?” She bit her tongue, knowing her question was uncalled for.
“The society Josiah traveled in and you grew up in, thinks people like me should be in the stable shoveling the horse shit.”
The bitterness in his voice shocked her. She would have pushed for more but the stiffness of his body and his tone of voice made it plain the subject was closed. They made the rest of the short trip in silence.
Alamo Country Club sat on forty acres of land on San Antonio’s northwest side. Established long before the creeping residential encroachment, the founders had been wise enough to purchase enough surrounding real estate to maintain the natural environment. Consequently the property was surrounded by untouched acreage and stands of oak and sycamore trees that provided an effective shield from the steadily advancing growth.
Enough daylight still existed for Taylor to catch a glimpse of the world-class golf course and the manicured landscaping as they moved slowly up the curving drive to the entrance of the graceful two-story stone building. The valet attendant helped Taylor alight from the Expedition and she slipped her hand into the crook of Noah’s arm for support as they climbed the long flight of stairs.
“What will Tomas do?” she asked. She’d noticed the other SUV following them through the gate and pull ahead of them toward the parking area.
“He and Charlie will check out the area and keep an eye on things.”
An attendant in a dinner jacket stood just inside the door, a polite but questioning look on his face. Noah reached into his inside beast pocket and slid out the heavy white linen envelope Taylor had handed him earlier, removed the engraved invitation inside and handed it to the man.
“Thank you.” He bowed his head slightly. “Mrs. LaForte is greeting guests in the room to your right, where you will also find the bar.”
“I think the doorman’s tux cost more than mine,” Noah muttered.
Taylor squeezed his arm. “Not so. I know an Armani when I see one. Come on. I can’t wait to be fed to the vultures.”
The evening was a mixture of experiences for Taylor. Sherry LaForte greeted her with an excessive dose of Texas hospitality, gushing effusively and offering her condolences on Josiah’s death. Others Sherry introduced them to as they sipped their drinks were equally as cordial. There were just as many, however, who looked as if they wanted her to produce her birth certificate and DNA test.
Noah might have been a plastic mannequin for all the attention anyone paid to him. In their environment he obviously didn’t exist. Taylor took pride in the way he handled it all, ignoring everyone who ignored him, seeing to her needs, fetching drinks for her. She did her best to compensate. At dinner, as the other couples at the table tried to engage her in prying conversation, she directed most of her attention to Noah, introducing him as her guest despite his orders to identify him as her bodyguard.
She even insisted he dance with her.
“You’re asking for trouble,” he told her as they moved easily together on the dance floor. “These people will look at you fraternizing with the hired help and knock you down a few notches on their social scale.”
“Like I care. I’m here to hold Arroyo together until we shake out the bad guys. That’s all.”
His arm tightened across her back. “And then what? Back to your comfort zone? Hiding out in Tampa? I thought you wanted to make major changes in your life.”
I didn’t know those changes would include you, Noah Cantrell, or addictive sex.
“I never really intended to make this permanent. Besides,” she reminded him, “why would you care? You’re leaving anyway, right? Isn’t that what you want?”
He bent his head so his mouth was close to her ear. “I’ll tell you what I want. I want to take you somewhere after this high society shindig and fuck the breath out of you in more ways
than you can imagine.”
Heat coursed through her body. She could feel the growing thickness of his erection pressing against the softness of her belly and wondered if the moisture seeping from her sex would show on her dress and embarrass her.
“What if I said yes? That’s the last thing you expect, isn’t it.”
He said nothing, only tightened his arm around her.
The music ended and Noah released her. Before the auction could begin and she changed her mind, Taylor sought out Sherry LaForte and handed her the substantial check Carmen had prepared for her.
“I’m sure you understand if I beg off early,” she told the older woman. “It’s been an exhausting few days and I’m just getting myself acclimated.”
“Of course, honey.” Sherry hugged her. “I’ll give you a call next week and see if you’re free for lunch. Josiah was a very old, important friend and I’d like to get to know his daughter better.”
Then Noah was calling Tomas on the small walkie-talkie he pulled from his pocket and escorting Taylor down the wide stairway. She was grateful for his hand on her arm, because the anticipation of the evening ahead made her slightly unsteady. So many images whirled in her head as she tried to imagine what Noah had in mind.
The two SUVs were lined up one behind the other at the top of the circle. Tomas opened the passenger door of the lead car for Taylor, Charlie standing right behind her as Noah moved around to the driver’s side.
As Taylor gather her skirt to step up into the vehicle, her tiny purse slipped from her hand and she bent to retrieve it. At the same moment she heard a sound like a thunk and she felt Charlie fall forward against her, pushing her into the open door.
Chapter Nine
“God damn it.”
Noah’s voice, angry and tense.
Taylor pushed away from the Expedition and turned, a small scream erupting from her mouth as she saw Charlie lying on the ground at her feet. A thick river of dark red was seeping out from beneath him. Tomas bent down to turn him over and Taylor saw the entire front of his jacket covered in blood.
“Down.” Noah was shouting to people standing there. “Everyone get down.”
People were yelling all around her, a cacophony of sounds like the screeching of chalk on a blackboard to her ears. People rushed from the clubhouse at the sounds of the screams, not sure what was wrong and what to do.
Taylor was rooted to the spot where she stood, mesmerized by the sight of Charlie. Then she felt Noah’s strong hand on her arm.
“Get her out of here,” he said in a hard voice to Tomas, shoving Taylor into the vehicle and slamming the door. “Drive until I call you. Go, go, go.”
“Going right now,” Tomas acknowledged.
Noah banged twice on the roof of the vehicle, Tomas threw the vehicle into gear and roared down the driveway.
Taylor couldn’t stop shaking. She clutched her purse as if it were a lifeline. “W-What just happened?” Stupid question. Charlie got shot.
“Sniper.” Tomas’ voice was as harsh as Noah’s. “Damn, damn, damn. We should have had people checking out all those trees. My bad. And my very stupid. I just didn’t think…”
“I don’t think any of us did.” Sniper!
“It’s my job. Mine and Noah’s. We fucked up big time and Charlie paid for it.”
“Is Charlie…” She swallowed, “Is he dead?” She could barely get the words out.
Tomas shook his head. “No. And if Noah gets him to the ER in time he won’t be.”
Taylor was shaking so hard she thought her body would break into pieces. All she could feel was the pressure Charlie’s body as he fell forward against her. She didn’t think the memory would ever go away. “If I hadn’t dropped my purse that would be me lying there. Right?” When he didn’t answer, she repeated, “Right?”
“But it’s not you and that’s what’s important.”
“Are you kidding me?” She almost shrieked the words. “A man could die from a bullet meant for me and I’m supposed to say good for me?”
Tomas drew in a deep, controlling breath and blew it out. “Miss Scott…
“Taylor.” She gripped her purse harder, every muscle still shaking. “I think tonight’s adventure qualifies as a condition for the use of first names, don’t you?”
“All right, Taylor. It would be a disaster if these people were able to kill you as they did Josiah. Charlie will be all right. Noah will see to it. Right now our priority is you.”
She reached over her shoulder and tugged at her dress. Something sticky was gluing it to her skin. When her hand came away it was stained red. Blood! She felt sick, nausea clawing its way up her throat. She stared at her hand and felt suddenly lightheaded.
“Oh, my God,” was all she could say.
Tomas was concentrating weaving skillfully in and out of the evening traffic but he spared her a quick glance. “Put your head down between your knees,” he ordered.
She couldn’t do anything except focus on the blood staining her palm.
“Taylor,” he snapped. “Miss Scott. Put your head down. Now.” He reached over with one hand and shoved her head forward, holding it down in her lap. “Take deep breaths,” he ordered. “Now. Do it.”
In a moment she felt the dizziness recede. When she was sure she could sit up without vomiting she lifted her head. “I’m sorry. I’m very sorry.”
“Don’t be. Stronger people than you have fainted in situations like this. You’ve had some real shocks to your system.” He spared her a glance again. “Better?”
She wet her lips. “Yes. A little. Thank you.”
At that moment the cell phone in Tomas’ pocket rang and he took it out to answer. “Go ahead.” He listened for a minute or two, saying nothing. Then, “All right. Thirty minutes. Your lady’s not in great shape but she’s a trooper. Fine. See you then.”
“Was that Noah?” Taylor had finally figured out she wasn’t going to pass out and embarrass herself.
“Yes. First off, Charlie’s at the hospital. He’s critical but they think he’ll pull through. The bullet hit him on the right side and splintered a rib.”
“Thank God.” Taylor felt a constricting band around her chest loosen.
“He’s taken care of things with the club and the police and now…”
“How? How can he handle it just like that?”
Tomas was silent for a moment. “When you mention Arroyo it gets you a lot of perks.”
“Oh.” She was startled. “I don’t think…”
“Right. Let Noah do the thinking for you in this situation. He’s meeting us in thirty minutes.”
Taylor dug a handkerchief from her purse and scrubbed at her palm with shaking fingers. “Tomas, I have to change clothes. I’ve got…I can’t…”
They were on the Interstate now, Tomas constantly checking the rear and side view mirrors. “All in good time.” He voice softened a little. “I know you want to get rid of that dress but we’ve got to make sure you’re safe first.”
“Can’t you just take me to the ranch?” Yes. The ranch. Safety.
Tomas shook his head. “We have no idea where these people have eyes. They went to a lot of trouble to set up that sniper tonight. We need to give them a red herring.”
Taylor stopped rubbing her hand and stared at him. “What do you mean?”
“You’ll see. I’ll let Noah explain.”
Now they exited the Interstate into downtown San Antonio, Tomas zigzagging back and forth in the traffic lanes, sweeping around corners, rushing traffic lights. “Just checking to see if we have a tail,” he said in answer to her unspoken question.
Taylor gritted her teeth to hold back the returning nausea and tried to forget that Charlie’s blood was drying on her back. In a few minutes they drove into the Rivercenter Garage next door to the Marriott Hotel and the Rivercenter Mall. She saw Tomas carefully checking to see who followed them in. Then the drove, up, up, up nearly to the top level. Finally Tomas pulled into an empty space n
ext to a dark gray four-door pickup.
“Stay here,” he cautioned as he got out.
A man as tall and dark as Tomas, also in a black suit, got out and the two men shook hands. Taylor watched them chat for a few minutes, then saw Tomas lean into the vehicle to exchange words with a woman sitting there. Finally everyone nodded and the other SUV took off. Tomas climbed back into the driver’s seat.
“What’s going on?” Taylor asked, “Who are those people?”
“Decoys.” Tomas glanced at his watch.
“Decoys?” She tried to keep her voice reasonable but her tenuous hold on her nerves was nearly frayed.
Tomas nodded. “They’ll go to the corporate helipad, Greg will pick them up and fly them to the ranch. In case anyone’s watching.”
“But then why couldn’t I just go?”
“Because you aren’t armed and you’re not a trained security guard.” He started the engine and backed out of the space.
“Where are we going now?”
“To meet Noah. At my house.”
And that was all he said for the balance of the ride. Taylor could feel the hysteria demanding release, screams bubbling up in her throat and her sanity about to disintegrate. But the core of steel she’d finally discovered helped to push it all beneath the surface. At least for the moment. She just concentrated on not almost passing out again.
Twenty minutes after they left the garage Tomas turned into a quiet neighborhood and pulled into the driveway of a darkened adobe and limestone house. Noah was leaning against the side of a vehicle parked in the driveway. He uncrossed his arms and came forward to open Taylor’s door, reaching out a hand to help her alight.
“Anything?” he asked Tomas.
The man shook his head. “The switch was smooth as glass. Greg should be lifting off with them right about now.” He pointed at Taylor’s back. “She’s doing remarkably well but she needs to get out of that dress.”
Noah’s eyes narrowed as he saw the blood covering the back of Taylor’s dress. His eyes flashed to her white face and the death grip she had on her purse and he pulled her to his side.