by Billi Jean
“For how long?” Lacey stared at her in disbelief, giving Mandy a boost of confidence with just a look. “Mandy, open your eyes. He’s not here for the wedding. He’s not here for anything but you. Listen to him, that’s all I’m saying. If he’s done something you can’t forgive, heck, I’ll let Ace beat his butt. He wants to you know.”
“He does?” she asked, then grinned.
“You bet.” Lacey winked. “He thinks Mac had to have done something to, and I quote, ‘fuck up a good thing like Mandy’ end quote.”
They all busted up at Lacey’s interpretation of Ace. The dance floor suddenly erupted with laughter from a group of rowdy Germans. Their calls and shouts in German made her laugh. Even Lacey grinned over when two of the men started doing some kind of jump and chest bump thing. Ace was good for Lacey, she thought. Her friend was happy, truly happy.
Ace was different, too, so protective of Lacey and she guessed her too. He’d always been so big and silent, the most intimidating of the guys Rob had brought over after a mission. Not that he hadn’t been respectful, even quiet like, but she sensed within him something that had always made him a bit sad to her. Kind of like Mac—but unfamiliar. Mac, his pain, she knew, had tried all her childhood to ease—until he’d shut her out. Had he done that because he’d wanted her even then, at sixteen? The idea brought a sad smile to her face. So much wasted time. So many wasted nights without him. Could she simply put that in the past?
She spotted the now sober-looking guys walking back towards them through the crowds by the bar. Mac was frowning—an intense expression she knew meant trouble on his handsome face. Something had happened. Had the men after Lacey found them? Fear made her shiver, but when she glanced at Ace, he didn’t seem concerned for Lacey, only harder, more the solider than she’d ever seen him before.
As soon as he reached them, Ace drew Lacey to her feet. “We gotta go. Nothing about you, but enough to worry about that we need to check on some intel, sunshine.”
Lacey nodded, a worried look flashing over her face.
Mandy met Mac’s harsh expression and stood. “We all have to go?” she asked as soon as he reached her.
“Yep, but don’t worry. We’ll talk on the way back.”
She glanced at her friends, seeing them already heading towards the front of the club. “Can we walk back on the beach?” She reached out, touching his wrist, and watched him turn back to her. He glanced at Daren, then back down at her.
“Sure, we can walk. Dare, see you back at the hotel.”
“Good, I’ll let Ace know. Watch your back, Wolf.”
He nodded casually, but the look he turned to her wasn’t the least casual. He wanted something, and suddenly she wished it was simply the sex he’d wanted early because she had a feeling he wanted answers.
Answers she wasn’t sure she could give him.
Listen to your heart, Mandy.
Mac took Mandy’s hand. They made their way through the crowded bar and out of the back door, only half conscious of not spotting Trigger as they headed down the stairs to the beach. Mandy pulled him to a stop before they cleared the steps and bent to take her high-heeled sandals off, letting go of his hand. He clenched his fist, holding in the feel of her in his palm.
As soon as she’d stood back up, though, she took his wrist again, sliding her hand into his trustingly.
“Mandy—”
“Mac, what happened? Why did you need to talk to the guys?”
Mac exhaled and walked for a bit before he responded, “There are some criminals we took down a few years ago. They’ve gotten out.”
“What?” She tried to stop him but he pulled her closer and kept on walking. “Mac, this is serious.”
“Mandy, it is serious, but until we have confirmation we do nothing.”
“But, you, you’re in danger, aren’t you?”
He shook his head.
“Mac,” she whispered stopping him that easily.
She turned and faced him, a full moon behind her, haloing her in silver. She looked so young, so small he wanted to pull her close and protect her, but from what?
“Is that the truth?”
“Yeah, baby, it’s the truth. We’re checking everything, though. Don’t worry, now, we need to—”
“I know. We need to talk. There’s a lot to say, but not now, okay? Not now. Just give me this walk back to the room, okay? I just need to realise you’re here, to think on what you’ve told me. It’s all so fast, you know? I feel like today was the first day I really got to know you.”
He shook his head, confused. “You know me, Mandy. You’ve known me since—”
“No. I’ve not. Not really. You cut me out for years. Yeah, I get that you did that because you wanted me to grow up, or whatever, but you cut me out. Avoided me. We never hung out, had fun. Never. Not until—” She paused. So help him if I cried he’d lose it. “Well, not until you and I made love,” she finished on a whisper. “I think that’s why I believed what I saw that night, you know?”
He nodded. She was right. He’d watched her, stalked her like some ghost for years, but he’d not let her know it. Never told her he slept in his truck more nights than not, simply guarding the house, while she’d been safe inside. He’d never given her a chance to get close, too afraid he’d not be able to hold back. He’d never given her the chance to catch him alone. Had she wanted that? He’d seen her come on base, but he’d hung back, out of sight. Had she come on to see him, not Rob?
“Why can’t we simply enjoy Hawaii, and being in this awesome place? Just for a little longer?”
He frowned at her wording. ‘A little longer’? He wanted to give her forever to enjoy life with him. She watched him, expectantly, her beautiful face open, touched with sadness still, but she wore a look like she simply needed him here, with her. “We can, sugar. Of course we can.”
“Tomorrow, we can go out again, maybe get some of those jet skis?”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him. “Sure thing. Just promise me one thing,” he said. She stiffened against him but didn’t pull away. Something more was up here. He knew it. Instead of pushing, though, he ducked his head and brushed a kiss to her forehead. Whatever else she had to say had her tense, but he held back, allowing her this bit of time before he demanded more. “No bikini, okay?”
She blinked up at him then smiled. “It’s all I brought, sorry.”
“Hell, how did I know that?”
She laughed and tugged on his hair, right where she used to play with it, over that light spot he’d got from a scar.
“You can wear a suit, too. I won’t complain if you do,” she teased.
He snorted. “I’m not built like you, so you won’t have to complain.”
“No, you’re built like you. I can see all the women staring at you, Mac.”
“Nuts, you’re nuts. Certifiable. No one’s staring at me, sugar, but you can.” He liked that she seemed to enjoy touching him, especially his chest and arms. She ran her hand up from his wrist to his shoulder and shook her head.
“You’re the nutcase, not me.”
He opened the door to the hotel, wishing they hadn’t made it back so soon. He didn’t want to have this night end, and he sure didn’t want to go to his room, alone.
“Wanna let me sleep on your couch?”
“What? Why would you want to do that?” She looked up at him and crinkled her nose, clearly thinking he was being funny.
“Why not? I’d sleep better.”
She hit the elevator button and stood back against his side. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders again and contented himself with having her close.
“You probably snore. No way.”
“I don’t snore, sugar.” He laughed and shouldered her into the elevator, catching her when she stumbled and shot him a grin. “Careful.”
“You shoved me.”
“Nah, just a gentle get up and go, not a shove.”
“Huh.” She tried not to sm
ile but he saw her dimple flash before she looked down. “Well, warn me next time, okay?”
“Sure thing. I’m going to kiss you. You know that, right? Before you let me sleep on your couch.”
“Mac”—she narrowed her eyes up at him, the dimple flashing a few times but she managed not to smile—“you’re not sleeping on my couch.”
“I’m kissing you, though.”
The elevator door opened and two guys entered, both dressed for the clubs. Mandy edged closer. His heart contracted oddly when she wrapped her slim arm around his waist. Shit, it felt so good. He eased her closer and simply enjoyed the ride. Maybe she did need time or maybe she simply didn’t trust him yet.
They reached their level and he kept her by his side while they walked down the hall. Ahead of them, a maid came out of a room and Mandy tensed.
“What? Why would a maid be in my room at this time of night, Mac?”
His neck shot cold like it did when he was under fire. He reached for the gun he carried under his shirt and kept his hand on it behind his back.
The maid turned and glanced up at them, clearly startled as if they’d caught her at something. “I’m sorry. I thought I could deliver more towels before you returned.”
Mandy took a shallow breath and glanced up at him, looking confused. “I didn’t ask for towels.”
“Who asked for towels?” he demanded of the older woman. She looked nervous, suddenly shaking her head, and tried to get by him.
“I’m sorry, sir, someone from the desk said you would need more towels because you’d been to the beach.”
Mandy eased under his arm and shrugged. “Lacey, probably. Thank you,” Mandy said with a smile.
He nodded to the maid and watched her relax. Sometimes he intimidated women, especially now with the scar, he thought. Mandy dug her key card out and slipped it along her lock, opening the door and quickly going in. He caught the door and followed. She smiled back at him but stopped him inside the doorway.
“You’re not seriously sleeping in here, Mac.”
“Aw, come on.” He glanced around the suite, then inside the open bathroom doorway, relaxing when he saw the towels folded on the sink with a square hotel note attached to a bar of soap on top. “We could watch a show.”
“You told Daren you’d be back down to talk.”
He had, but suddenly he wanted to call Dare and tell him to go on without him. “I can stay for a bit.”
“Okay. Come in, I wanted to talk to you anyway.” She shivered, and he watched her rub her arms.
“Cold?”
She glanced up at him then looked away with a small laugh. “No, not really, just, a goose, you know, walking over my grave.”
“Damn, I hate that, but usually it means something.”
He stepped closer as she turned to set her shoes down and watched her walk to the open curtains. “Look, I know that you have to go down, but I just wanted to—Oh my God!”
Her gasp had him at her in seconds. She turned to him, burying her face in his chest with a muffled cry. He turned her so her back was fully to the bed and saw the shredded comforter and the double-sided throwing blade stabbed down into the bed. Someone had written a note next to the knife. He could read the bold strokes from where he held Mandy tight.
Fucking whore, I warned you what I’d do if you came near him again.
You’re going to die this time, filthy bitch.
“Mandy? Stay here, stay here.” He cupped her upper arms and made her look up at him. One glance at her frightened, pale face and he couldn’t leave her.
“Scratch that, you’re coming with me. Stay close, I mean, close,” he said. As soon as she nodded, he raced from the room. The maid gasped and stumbled back from where she was waiting at the elevator. She screamed when he hauled her closer by the front of her uniform and got in her face.
“Who sent you in that room?”
“Mac, don’t, God, don’t do that!” Mandy grabbed his wrist but he set her back with his free hand so she couldn’t interfere.
He shook the woman by the uniform and heard it rip. “Answer me!”
“The office, sir. The office.”
“To hell with that.” He dragged her back in the room and shoved her against the bed. “You see that? Did you do that?”
She scurried up from where she’d half fallen on the bed, shaking her head. Her black hair slipped out of her ponytail holder and her eyes grew round with fright.
“Answer me.” He took a step towards her but she backed up, blinking over at him, then sending Mandy a desperate look.
“Mac, stop, stop,” Mandy said, “You know she didn’t do this.”
“I don’t know shit, Mandy,” he snarled at Mandy when she tried to stop him again. She came to a dead stop, but stayed silent. He turned back to face the maid. “Answer me. Did you do this? I’m not asking again,” he said.
She shook her head, twisting her hands at her waist. Mandy moved closer but he kept his arm out straight to keep her back from the woman.
“No, no I didn’t. Oh, God, I didn’t. I just dropped off more towels. A man, he said he needed to leave a note, but I didn’t—”
“What man? What fucking man?” Anger surged through him so hot he couldn’t breathe. Someone has threatened Mandy. Threatened to kill her. Hurt her.
Pieces clicked into place so fast he shook with rage. Things Mandy had said. Reactions that had felt wrong. She needed time. Things he’d said, jokes he’d made with her about sex. How she’d responded to him. How she’d pulled away and held him close all at once. All of that could have been caused by her thinking he’d cheated, but it could also be explained by something a great deal worse.
He took the maid’s arm and held her in place when she tried to back farther from him. Her pulse raced under his hand. From fear, or guilt? “Answer me.”
“Mac, stop, you’re scaring her.”
“Answer me. Did you see him?”
The maid shook her head frantically. He watched her face, saw the truth there, and released the hold he had on her arm. She backed quickly away from him.
“Tell me what happened. Again. From the beginning.”
She exhaled shakily and nodded. “I was in the bathroom, I didn’t see him. He asked if he could leave a note. I barely had time to clean the tub out—I saw someone had forgotten, you see—then I heard him leaving. He said thank you and then he was gone. I swear it. He scared me, at first, but he sounded…okay. I’m sorry. So sorry. I didn’t see him. I swear. Just the towels. I just cleaned the bathroom up a little. I swear. Then I left her the towels she asked for.”
Mandy circled his wrist with her small hand halting him in the process of grabbing the maid again.
“Mac, please, you’re scaring her.”
He blinked and glanced away from the maid to see Mandy’s grimace. Did he frighten her as well? He watched her carefully. She reached out with her other hand and tugged the bottom of his shirt.
“Mac, come on, you’re being a knucklehead. She didn’t do this, you know that.”
Obviously, he didn’t scare Mandy. But he didn’t know shit. The world was risky, and anyone could knife you as soon as look at you if the money was right. He turned back to the maid. She was telling the truth, though—her dark eyes were wide, and she looked ready to faint.
“Don’t say a word about this to anyone. Not anyone. Do you hear me?”
She nodded rapidly, clearly willing to agree to anything at this point.
“Don’t come in here again.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Go, and don’t say a word.”
She nodded again and quickly left. He could feel Mandy watching him, and he suddenly didn’t have a clue what to do. They needed to get her out of here. They needed to get out of this room. The heavy weight of his Glock resting against his spine eased some of the tension running through him. He’d sworn to protect Mandy, to make sure she was never hurt. He picked up the note and examined it. The team would scrutinise it, but he
would bet his left nut they’d not find a trace of a fingerprint or any kind of DNA.
“We have to go to my room, now. Get your things. Did you unpack?”
“No, no, not yet.” Mandy sounded faint, distant, no doubt in shock.
He wanted to ease her, to hold her tight and promise it would all be all right, but he knew it wouldn’t be. His guesses were killing him and, although she’d asked for time, he doubted now he could give her that. Is this what she’d kept from him? What was holding her back from them? He watched her pick up her suitcase, gather her things from the bathroom and within seconds she stood waiting for him.
“Baby, this isn’t going to touch you. That, I can guarantee.”
She looked away instead of saying anything but what was there to say? She knew he’d not let her out of his sight now, she knew he’d call the men, and she knew he’d kill the bastard who’d touched her.
Yeah, she knew that five years ago, too.
Chapter Eight
Mac ushered Mandy into the room to the right of hers, ignored her immediate grumble about him having a room so close, and pressed her inside and shut the door. He’d got a room next to hers? When?
“When did you—?”
“While you were swimming.” He read the note, probably memorising the handwriting as well as the threats there. Without looking up, he said, “This changes everything. You gotta know that.” He threw the note down on the bed and watched her.
It changed everything, didn’t it? What would they have been like, without this lunatic attacking her five years ago? Would Mac have come home and explained what he’d meant? Would they be happy now, in love and maybe even married?
“It’s what I wanted to tell you,” she whispered and stepped backward when he spun around to face her. The sheer anger on his face, the disbelief in his eyes made her swallow before she could reassure him. “Not that, not that, Mac. I wanted to tell you that I was, I mean, way before, I was…” Staring at the horror filling his hazel eyes she bit her lip, unable to voice what had happened to her.