Undercover with the Heiress

by Nan Dixon

  “Josh,” Courtney warned.

  He rolled his eyes. “May I have a piece of bacon, please?”

  “Yes.” She helped Issy select a sausage. When she finally had a chance to bite into her muffin, she moaned. “What is this? Apricot?”

  “Yes,” Abby said. “New recipe. What do you think?”

  “Heavenly.” She took another bite.

  Abby grinned. “I’m glad.” She touched Courtney’s arm. “How are you feeling?”

  “Pretty good.” She didn’t want to say anything negative with the kids around. “Excited to get into the center today.”

  “Marion and the cleaning crew were over there for the last two days. Thanks for sending her the information on cleaning. It was really helpful.”

  “Since I couldn’t do anything but sit, I did research.” It was strange to be talking business with Abby. In a really cool kind of way. “The kids and I are unpacking and organizing today.”

  “Kaden will do all the lifting.” Abby pointed at Courtney’s cheek. “I don’t want you to set back your recovery.”

  Kaden. The muffin she’d swallowed made a lump in her stomach. She didn’t want him hanging around all day.

  “I’m strong. I can lift stuff.” Josh bounced a little in his chair. “Maybe we can play Quarto.”

  “Maybe.” And beating Kaden at the game might be the perfect salve to her ego. He thought he was so smart that he could keep up a lie and fool her into believing she mattered to him? He was no different than all the men who hadn’t seen beyond her face and body. She’d show him strategy was her game.

  Cheryl came in just as Courtney was getting the kids out of the door. She kissed her kids. “Have a good morning. I’ll see you at lunch.”

  As they headed to the day care, Josh scouted the jungle of courtyard plants. Bess had designed the space with too many hidden alcoves. Issy’s mother could be hiding anywhere. Kaden’s spy cameras had better be working.

  To Issy she said, “Let’s see how fast we can walk.”

  Issy nodded, moving her feet a little faster.

  Since her last visit, a six-foot-high wooden fence had been built around the play area. The gate had a keypad lock.

  Was all this security for Issy? She tried her code and the gate clicked open. The fence would keep the noise down for any guests in the courtyard. And they wouldn’t be able to wander in.

  Josh slipped through the opening. To his sister, he said, “You’re safe.”

  Courtney smiled as she keyed in her code to the door into the center. Inside, her smile slipped away.

  Kaden stood among the boxes filling the entry. His arms, folded across his chest, emphasized the muscles she’d examined intimately the night of her foolishness. His long legs were spread like he was balancing on a ship deck during a storm.

  “Hello.” He gave Josh a fist bump and turned to Issy. “Good morning.”

  “Morning.” Issy tucked her head next to Courtney’s knee.

  Kaden came close—too close. He stared at her face, but his gaze didn’t linger on her scar; it moved to her lips and then back up to her eyes. “How are you?”

  “Ready to work.” His darn piney scent made her salivate.

  She didn’t want to get into a heart-to-heart discussion. Or listen to him apologize again. She didn’t want him around at all. But since he was here, she would use his muscles. “Let’s start on the furniture.”

  He pulled out a box cutter and sliced through packing tape.

  She grabbed a pair of scissors out of her bag.

  “I break down boxes for my papa at our work sites,” Josh said. “I’ll help Mr. Kaden.”

  “Issy, you’re with me,” Courtney said.

  They stripped away plastic and tape. Issy was big enough to drag the small chairs into the classrooms. Courtney kept her back to Kaden as he and Josh assembled the tables.

  But every time she looked around, Kaden was staring at her.

  “Where do you want these?” he asked.

  “The taller tables go in room two. The shorter ones in room one.” She didn’t look up after giving him the directions. “The really large table will go in the activity room.”

  Kaden and Josh carried the tables into the correct rooms.

  Would she really have enough students to fill the day care? It didn’t matter. Plan for success, Gray had said.

  She and Issy knelt next to a box. “Let’s open the books.”

  While Kaden and Josh put together bookcases in the classrooms, she and Issy organized books by age group. Then Josh carried them into the correct rooms.

  “Why don’t we bring the boxes into the room?” Kaden asked. “Then you only have to make half the number of trips.”

  “I guess that makes sense.” Although she liked having a room separate her from Kaden.

  He stacked two boxes and carried them into one of the rooms. Then came back for another load.

  Courtney moved into a classroom and took a seat in one of the small chairs. “Thank you.”

  It took a little longer to get the books unpacked, because the kids oohed and ahhed over each new story.

  “Can I read one?” Josh asked.

  “Sure.” She touched Issy’s shoulder. “Do you want Josh to read to you or do you want to keep helping?”

  She pointed at Josh.

  “Use your words.” She wouldn’t let Issy backslide because of Heather.

  “Josh,” Issy whispered.

  “Hang on.” She found the right box. “Kaden, can you open this one?”

  “Sure.”

  Inside were beanbag chairs. Kaden fluffed up a bright blue chair and Josh grabbed it. “Cool.”

  He dragged it next to the window. “Come on, Issy.”

  Kaden pulled out three more chairs. “Two in each room?”

  “Yes. One blue and one yellow.” She wanted everything bright and cheerful.

  She went back to sorting books.

  When Kaden approached her, he took another small chair and sat. What was the weight limitation on the chairs?

  Kaden set a hand on her thigh. “How are you really feeling?”

  She jerked her legs out of reach and his hand slipped off. “I’m—” She would have said fine, but he shook his head.

  “Sore.” She shrugged. “Tender.”

  “I wish I’d gotten to you faster. I hate that Issy is so afraid. And that Josh needs to protect his little sister.” He held up his hands. “I hate that you were hurt.”

  “This wasn’t your fault.” She pointed to her cheek and lowered her voice. “This was Heather’s fault. You’re responsible for not keeping me informed.”

  “I know, but I still feel responsible for your injuries.” He reached for her hand.

  She didn’t want his touch. He’d used her, controlled her, lied to her. “I thought you were being replaced.”

  Kaden snatched his hand away.

  “I’ve asked. Roger, my superior, hasn’t sent anyone yet.” He stood and sliced through the packing tape on another box. In a low voice that didn’t carry over to where the kids sat, he said, “I didn’t sleep with you because of my job.”

  She swallowed, unable to respond.

  “I wish I could...make it up to you. I—”

  “Do you know how you can make this up to me?” she interrupted.

  “What?” He stumbled closer and took her hands. “Tell me.”

  “Teach me to defend myself.”

  * * *

  KADEN’S MOUTH DROPPED OPEN. Courtney wanted him to teach her self-defense?

  “I’ve had years of training.” He’d never taught anyone. Sure, he’d helped Quantico classmates when they were having trouble with moves, but... “I don’t think this is a good idea.” />
  “I don’t believe that. There are self-defense classes all over. I thought it would be easier if you taught me.”

  Cheryl bustled in with a basket. “Lunch is here.”

  He wasn’t going to say anything with Cheryl listening, but he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. “I wouldn’t want you to get too confident. That happens sometimes. People get a few moves and then get cocky and hurt.”

  “What are you two discussing?” Cheryl set the basket on the table where he and Courtney were sitting.

  “I want Kaden to teach me self-defense.” She glanced over at the kids. They were engrossed in their book, ignoring the adults. “In case she comes back.”

  “What a great idea!” Cheryl placed a hand on his arm. “I want in, too.”

  “What?” He didn’t want to do this.

  “What if Issy and I are alone?” Cheryl kept her voice low. “She may not be my biological daughter, but I love her. She’s mine. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

  Courtney stood and linked her arm with Cheryl. “Please, Kaden.”

  Didn’t Courtney understand that he would have to touch her to teach her? Was she trying to kill him? “We’d need a—a gym.”

  Courtney pointed to the activity room covered in soft gym flooring.

  “Please,” Courtney whispered again. It was the same voice she’d used when she’d begged him to sink into her while they’d made love.

  He hadn’t ignored her then. He couldn’t now.

  Heaving a sigh, he shook his head. “We’ll start after your doctor clears you for strenuous exercise.”

  “I didn’t even think about that.” Courtney held her hand near her face. “All right.”

  How long a reprieve did he have? Could he catch Bole before Courtney healed? Or maybe Roger would send down his replacement. No matter what happened, teaching Courtney self-defense would be torture.

  * * *

  “I’M NOT SURE what I should teach them,” Kaden complained to his grandfather as they played chess a week later.

  His granddad moved his bishop. “You’ll come up with a plan.”

  Kaden frowned at the board. Shoot. He was losing. Again. He stared and stared. Then finally tipped over his king. “You got me.”

  “You’re letting your worry for Issy distract you.” Granddad stuffed the chess pieces back in the box.

  Granddad was only half-right. He was worried about Issy, but his stress was because of Courtney. He wanted to convince her that what they had together—present tense—was real. It wasn’t about his job. It was about her.

  “Abby stopped by yesterday,” Granddad said. “When I’m released, she wants me to stay in Carleton House.”

  Kaden caught his grandfather’s hand. “I’m glad.”

  Since Roger still hadn’t sent another agent, Kaden had worried about taking care of his granddad and keeping watch for Heather if Nigel moved back to Tybee.

  Maybe after the incident with Courtney, Heather would never return. He didn’t want Courtney, Issy, or any of the Fitzgeralds or Foresters hurt because of Bole. He wanted to capture that scum of a mother and shut down her drug ring.

  But Roger had promised to replace him.

  “I won’t be treated like an invalid,” Granddad grumbled.

  “How about an honored guest and friend?” Kaden asked.

  “That would be fine.” Nigel waved his hand at the plants and flowers and boxes of food. “I’ll take a bit of what the Fitzgeralds and friends have left for me, but I want to share with people who don’t have family here like I do. I’ll want you to deliver them the day I leave.”

  “I will.” His granddad had the biggest heart around.

  Kaden set the chessboard and pieces in a drawer. “You know you’re going to get out of here in time for the Fitzgeralds’ annual picnic.”

  “Good planning on my part.” Granddad’s head sank into his pillows and his eyes closed. “You’d better get to your self-defense class. Take care of my ladies.”

  “I will.” He brushed a kiss on his grandfather’s forehead. “I love you.”

  His granddad touched his chest and whispered, “I love you more.”

  Kaden waved to the receptionist and hurried to his car. Love filled in some of the gaps in his heart. How much longer would he have his granddad? There might be more action on the drug front in Atlanta, but maybe he needed to request a transfer to Savannah. Then he could be here with Granddad...and Courtney.

  He had to convince Courtney that although he’d started hanging out with her because of his job, after getting to know her, everything had changed. He cared about her. She was finding her way to an honorable life just like his granddad had. He wanted to be around to watch her flourish. Over the last week, he’d missed hearing about her successes and setbacks. Missed touching her. Missed her.

  His chest ached. Had he fallen in love with Courtney?

  How would he know? He’d never loved anyone but his brother and Granddad. Maybe his mom and dad, but that love had died. This need to see Courtney, to have her smile at him, was more than friendship.

  Love.

  Reeling at the thought, he headed to the B and B. What could he offer someone like Courtney? She’d had the best in life. His job, his need to get drug dealers off the street, was everything to him. But not being able to watch a smile dawn across her face made him ache.

  Damn. His mouth dropped open. If he had to choose between getting Courtney back and his job, he would choose her.

  He’d planned to arrive before his students, but when he keyed in his code, he heard voices, female voices. More than two.

  From the doorway, his gaze tracked directly to Courtney as if he was a compass and she was his due north. His heart pounded a little faster and his body ached.

  She wore yoga pants and a clingy top. Her exercise clothes weren’t seductive, but they showcased her body. A body he longed to touch again. Surgical tape crisscrossed her cut.

  Cheryl and the Fitzgerald sisters were also dressed in exercise clothes. Issy and Josh played at a table nearby. Gray and Liam installed cubicles along one wall with the two Forester brothers.

  “Here’s Kaden.” Courtney was all business, not meeting his gaze. She clapped her hands. “Let’s get started.”

  “I thought it was going to be you and Cheryl?” Had dumber words ever come out of his mouth?

  Dolley waved her hand to encompass the group—her sisters, Cheryl and the men. “All of us.”

  “Okay.” He grabbed the mats he’d picked up this afternoon. They wouldn’t be enough, but they might cushion some of their falls. “I didn’t plan for—” he counted “—nine of you. We’ll have to take turns.”

  They lined up on the opposite side of the mats from him. Courtney made fists, her face scrunched up like she was ready to box.

  He widened his stance and asked, “What’s a person’s best self-defense?”

  Answers rang out. “Running!”

  “A gun?”

  “Kick them in the groin.”

  He shook his head and held up his hand. “Prevention, people.”

  “Why didn’t I think of that,” Courtney muttered.

  “Because you’re all thinking of attack. First you need to know what’s going on around you.” He pointed to his eyes and his ears. “These are your best tools to keep you safe. Be aware of your surroundings. At night, stay where it’s lit.” He dug into his pocket. “Thread your keys through your fingers.”

  He kept going, sure he was repeating things they knew. “Pay attention when the hair crawls up the back of your neck. Someone might be watching.”

  “Should I make the lighting brighter in the courtyard?” Bess asked.

  He glanced out. “I don’t think you need to do that. The walkways between the two houses
are bright. That’s good.”

  “Let me know if you change your mind,” Bess said. “Or have suggestions.”

  “I will. I hope you never have to use any of this advice.” He talked about getting loud. About pushing. Then walked through the vulnerable parts of the body. “Sandra Bullock had it right in her movie. SING.”

  “We’re supposed to sing a feckin’ song?” Liam asked.

  “No.” Dolley gave him a friendly elbow.

  All the women had apparently watched the movie. They chanted together. “Solar plexus, instep, nose, groin.”

  Everyone laughed. Courtney’s laugh sparkled above the rest. The other men hugged their mates. Kaden shifted on the balls of his feet, wanting to wrap his arms around Courtney.

  Not going to happen. He’d ruined their chance of being together.

  Kaden clapped his hands. “It’s time to work on how to react if someone attacks you.”

  Before he could ask, the couples had paired up, leaving Courtney by herself.

  He inhaled. “Courtney, can I use you to demonstrate?”

  She didn’t look him in the eye. “Sure.”

  Demonstrating attacks and defenses and touching Courtney was torture. It was as close as he’d been since they’d slept together. And a lot less satisfying.

  He put Courtney in a choke hold. “Get your hands up around your neck before someone can strangle you.”

  She jammed her hands up and poked his chin.

  “Good.”

  Her dark, sinful scent filled his nose. Damn, he’d missed the smell of her hair and the feel of her silky skin under his fingers. Her curls tucked into a ponytail brushed against his skin, driving him crazy.

  He described how they could break different holds, then demonstrated on Courtney.

  As everyone worked, he attacked by grabbing her shoulders. She swung her arm around, then kept spinning like he’d taught her. And clocked him with her elbow.

  He went down. Hard. The room wobbled.

  “Kaden!” She knelt, her hand stroking his chin. “Are you okay?”

  The room went silent. He lied on the mat, letting Courtney touch his face.

  “I’m so sorry.” She leaned over him, touching his arms and chest.

  It was wrong, but damn it, he couldn’t take his eyes off her cleavage bobbing near his chest.