“That was Agent Wolfe,” Shawn said as he placed his phone back on his nightstand. “I guess the honeymoon is over. I need to bring you back to Chicago. We’ll leave this afternoon.”
Cyd noticed that he was searching her face. Did he think I’d be excited by the news? Heck, no! She still had no idea where their relationship stood and going back to Chicago meant going back to reality.
“So they caught everyone involved?” she asked.
“The FBI and P.D. are confident that they’ve caught everyone involved and the DEA is setting a plan into place to bring down the entire operation. Paul Jensen sang like a canary when he was questioned and admitted that he had been after Jim Pearson ever since he’d gained employment at the Peter Vallant Company. Paul figured Jim was key in his quest to get revenge for TJ. He also admitted to knowing who I was the week I began working for the company. Like his family, he also blamed me for allowing harm to come to TJ, but he believed there had to be a reason I was at the company three years after the case. I guess he was conflicted when we met because we got along so well and he wanted me to do whatever I needed to do to find justice. I don’t think he’s a bad guy, but he’ll probably do some time for premeditating revenge, even though he never actually got the chance to harm anyone.”
“That’s sad,” Cyd said, sympathizing with Paul. Shawn had a look of apprehension on his face and Cyd could feel his tension. “Are you confident they caught everyone?”
He looked at the floor before looking back at her, as if he were trying to gather his thoughts. “No,” he said as he sat on the bed next to her. “But of course, I’ve been told that I’m paranoid at times. Until I feel comfortable with this situation, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
She saw the worry in his eyes, and although it warmed her heart, she wasn’t sure if his worry was misplaced. “Shawn, if the FBI and P.D. are satisfied, maybe you’re overreacting and—”
“I’m not,” Shawn said, cutting her off. “Make me a deal.”
“Okay,” she said since she felt like she really didn’t have a choice.
“Promise me that you will let my men watch you 24/7 until I get to the bottom of this.”
24/7.... Was he crazy? “Shawn, I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“Promise me,” he said in a stricter voice. She studied his face for any sign that he would drop the around-the-clock security idea and concluded that she was wasting her time.
“Okay,” she said with a sigh. “I promise.”
Chapter 17
“Shawn, is this really necessary?” Cyd asked him for the third time that day. Since returning to Chicago last week, Shawn had been accompanying Cyd everywhere. News had broken out about Jim Pearson, Paul Jensen, Bob Noland and a few others the day after they’d returned to Chicago. The FBI was credited for being a key part in demolishing the huge drug operation, and the identity of the woman who’d almost been kidnapped remained a mystery to the public. Agent Wolfe informed Shawn that he should be elated that the entire operation was destroyed and a case that had been open for the past three years was finally closed. The damage that was done in the cities of Detroit and Chicago was far from over after it was uncovered just how many individuals were involved with Leon Roberts. At least convicting Jim Pearson and Bob Noland was a huge plus and had exposed many layers of the drug operation.
Nonetheless, Shawn couldn’t quite pinpoint why he still felt the need to follow Cydney. She thought he was crazy, and from the looks he’d been receiving from Micah, he believed he was crazy, too. At least Micah’s brother Malik obliged his request and opened his search to other employees at the Peter Vallant Company. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he hadn’t found out if Jim had another inside source.
“Shawn, are you listening to me?” Cydney asked when they reached the front door of her parents’ house.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
She gave him a look of irritation and placed one hand on her hip. “I said that Sunday brunch is very important for my family. My mom and partners will probably throw questions at you left and right about our relationship. Make sure your answers are concise and to the point, especially with my mother. You don’t want to stumble over your words and give her ammo to use against us. Understood?”
“Of course,” Shawn said as Cydney rang the doorbell. “But you make it seem like we’re going to battle. It’s just brunch, right?”
Cydney gave him a look of frustration. “No, it’s not just brunch. If you say the wrong thing, my mother will have planned our wedding and named our kids before the day is over.”
“Yeah, right,” Shawn said with a laugh. “She can’t be that bad.”
Cyd smacked her lips and shook her head. “I love her dearly, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” The minute Cydney finished her statement, the door opened and Hope Rayne, Cydney’s mother, wrapped her in a big hug.
“Mom, I’m okay, really.”
“I know, but I still needed to hug you.”
“Mom, you came to see me the day after I got back to Chicago.”
“And I haven’t seen you since then,” Hope replied as she moved to let them in the door.
“Hello, Mrs. Rayne,” Shawn said as he leaned in to hug her.
“How are you, Shawn?” she asked with a smile before leaning in to give him a hug.
“Crazy busy since every day I have to convince your daughter to let me protect her.”
“She may be stubborn, but I don’t want you to let her out of your sight.”
“I won’t, ma’am,” Shawn said, returning her hug and greeting Mr. Rayne, who had walked over to shake his hand. Shawn hadn’t seen her parents since Daman and Imani’s wedding, but he felt as comfortable around them as he felt with Mama Jessie and Papa Willie.
Shawn followed Mr. and Mrs. Rayne into the living room where Cydney was giving hugs to her partners.
“Hey, man,” Daman said as he slapped hands with Shawn.
“Hey, man, how are you?”
“Good, now that my sister-in-law is safe. Imani was freaking out when I told her what happened.”
“I figured,” Shawn said, stealing another glance in Cydney’s direction. “It was a scary moment for me, too.”
“Yeah, I can imagine,” Daman stated. “Having the woman you love almost kidnapped not once, but twice. That’s scary for any man.”
“Exactly,” Shawn replied, only hearing part of Daman’s comment.
“Oh, so you do love her?” Daman asked.
“Wait, what?” Shawn replied while shaking his head. “Did you ask if I love her?”
Daman shook his head and laughed. “Man, you’re usually more alert than this. Does Cyd know?”
Shawn looked from Daman to Cydney, then back to Daman again. The way he saw it, he had two options—either deny the truth or admit he had feelings for her. Neither option suited him at the moment.
“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything,” Daman said, slapping him on the back. “If it’s any consolation, I think she feels the same way.”
“Really?” he asked, although he hadn’t meant to sound so eager.
“Yeah, really,” Daman replied, laughing once more. “I know how you feel. My love for Imani sneaked up the same way. One minute, you think you’re just having sex with an incredible woman and enjoying her company. And the next, you realize that no woman you ever meet after her will compare or make you feel complete. Next thing ya know, you’re down on one knee proposing.”
“Naw, man,” Shawn said, waving his hands in front of him. “Cydney will definitely expect more than a knee proposal. She’d want the works. You know, something to tame that spontaneous side she has.”
Daman gave Shawn a look of confusion. “You do realize that you basically just admitted to the fact that you’re ready to propose to he
r, right?”
Shawn glanced back over at Cydney and shook his head. “Damn,” he said with a chuckle. “When the hell did that happen?”
“Oh, sweetie,” Mrs. Rayne said as she touched his shoulder with her hand. “Love just has a way of sneaking up on you.”
Shawn turned his head at the sound of Mrs. Rayne’s voice before he turned to Daman, who was sipping his untouched soda and masking a laugh.
“Um...Mrs. Rayne, I... Um...”
“Don’t worry, sweetie,” she said, giving him another squeeze and winking at Daman. “I won’t tell her anything. It’s best if she hears how you feel about her directly from you. But if you need my advice on when and where to propose, Daman can give you my cell number.”
“Sweetie, how about we set the table for brunch?” David Rayne, Cydney’s father, asked with a smile on his face as he led his wife away from Shawn and Daman.
“You’ve done it now, son,” Mr. Rayne said for Shawn’s ears only. “Welcome to the family.”
A few seconds later Shawn was still standing there with a stunned look on his face while Daman laughed harder than he had since their arrival. Even the women looked over to see what was going on. Cydney gave Shawn a look of confusion and waved her hand toward the direction of her mom, who was walking out of the room with her dad with an extra pep in her step. Shawn didn’t know what to tell her so he rose up his hands in defeat and mouthed sorry. Cyd’s eyes got bigger as she mouthed I warned you before turning back to talk with the women.
Mrs. Rayne popped her head into the living room and asked Shawn to help her set the table. When he didn’t answer quickly enough she flashed a smile and asked him again. As he made his way to Mrs. Rayne, he heard Daman’s voice behind him.
“Enjoy the talk with your future mother-in-law,” Daman said with a chuckle.
Shawn was about to comment, but Mrs. Rayne stuck her head back in the living room before he could. “I heard that, Daman,” she said as she pointed her fingers to her eyes before pointing at his eyes. “I’m recruiting you to help me clean up after brunch so you can explain how long you plan on making me wait before you give me some grandkids.”
“Aha,” Shawn said as he laughed and pointed at Daman before going into the dining room to help Mrs. Rayne.
* * *
“Shawn is sexy,” said Lex.
“I agree,” stated Mya. The women had escaped to the upstairs den so that they could talk and gossip without any interruptions.
“Ladies,” Cyd said, getting the attention of Lex, Mya and Imani. “I think I’ve really fallen hard for this man.”
“Oh, sis, we already know that,” Imani said as she waved her hand in the air. “The two of you have barely stopped looking at one another the entire day. And Mom and Dad are on cloud nine.”
“Yeah, I can tell they like him,” Cyd responded.
“Like him?” Imani said in a surprised voice. “Have you forgotten how many crazy antics you usually get yourself into? All the times you’ve unexpectedly left the country without warning just because you felt like it? Shawn’s an FBI agent and Mom and Dad love the fact that he seems to keep you more grounded.”
“I didn’t need to be more grounded,” Cyd retaliated.
“Oh, yes, you did,” Lex interjected. “Need we remind you about the mess you recently got yourself into? Following a man who turned out to be a dangerous criminal?”
Whoops! They have me there. “Okay, but that’s over now.”
“Because your knight in shining armor saved you,” Mya responded.
“Twice,” Lex added.
“Geesh,” Cyd said as she slunk down into the sofa chair a little. “You almost get kidnapped twice and no one lets you forget it.”
All three women just gave her blank stares. “I’m kidding, guys,” Cyd said with a laugh before sitting upright in her chair again. “Tough room.”
“You scared the crap out of us,” Imani said. “But we don’t just like Shawn because he saved you. We also like Shawn because as complicated as you are sometimes, he understands you and lets you be yourself.”
Cydney looked down at her hands before looking back at the women. “I know,” Cyd replied. “He understands me more than I understand myself sometimes. And I understand him, too, and connect with him way past an intimate level.”
“So what about your list?” Lex asked. “I think I remember you stating a few of the attributes that you needed for Mr. Right, and if I remember the Mr. Wrong list, Shawn’s career definitely puts him at the top of that list.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Cyd said with a sigh. “But while we were cooped up in the cabin I started to realize that although he may not be perfect, he’s definitely perfect for me,” she continued, quoting Gamine’s diary.
“And that’s all that really matters, sis,” Imani said as she gently squeezed Cyd’s hand.
“So,” Lex said as she curled her feet Indian-style on the couch. “You have to tell us about this cabin hide-out with Shawn. We’ve been dying to know what it’s like to be in witness protection with a man like that.”
“Oh, this is definitely something I can tell you all about,” Cyd said with a laugh, as the women got comfortable so they could listen to all the juicy details.
Just as she was about to start the story, Shawn popped his head in the den.
“Sorry to interrupt, ladies, but, Cydney, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Um, sure,” she said, looking from her partners to Shawn. Each woman had a look of interest in her eyes, wondering why he needed her at that particular moment.
Shawn waited until she was in the hallway to talk to her. “I just had a three-way call with Agent Wolfe and Peter Vallant. Due to all the bad media that the Peter Vallant Company has been associated with, Mr. Vallant still wants to have a final formal ball here in Chicago to wrap up the appreciation tour. He decided to pass out awards to the top contributors as well, so he’ll need both events combined. And he still wants you to lead the planning, although he said he would understand if you don’t feel up to it.”
Cyd let out a big sigh, not prepared for what Shawn had just said. “Well, I guess since all the other events were canceled, it’s not fair that Mr. Vallant’s company has to suffer because of the recent course of events. What do you think?”
He lightly touched her cheek before he spoke. “I think that it’s your decision, but know that me and my security team will definitely be there during the entire ball. I don’t want you to think you’re alone in this.”
“We’re all here,” Imani said as she stepped out into the hallway with Lex and Mya right on her heels.
“We will be at the ball, too, sweetie,” her dad said, standing next to her mom and Daman at the end of the stairs. Cyd followed Shawn’s eyes as he looked around at her family members with slight disbelief.
“We don’t keep many secrets in this family,” Mrs. Rayne said in response to his confused look.
“I’m beginning to see that,” he said, smiling at Mrs. Rayne before he turned his attention back to Cyd.
“One of us could also oversee this event,” Imani added.
“No, that’s okay,” she said, looking at her sister before her eyes landed back on Shawn. “With your security team and all my family and friends around me, I should be fine at the event and it will be easy to plan, depending on how much time I have. When did Mr. Vallant want to reschedule the final event?”
“He was interviewed by the Chicago Tribune yesterday and told them that he would be having a formal right after Thanksgiving.”
“Okay, that gives me about a week and a half,” Cyd said as she clamped her hands together. She didn’t know why, but she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling she had in the pit of her stomach. “Then I guess I have a lot of work to do before then.”
“We’ll put s
ome of our projects on hold and help with this event,” Imani said as she went to her sister and gave her a quick hug.
“Don’t worry,” Shawn said as he gave her a hug right after Imani. “I’ll be right by your side every step of the way. Just breathe,” he continued while holding her close to his heart as her suddenly quickened breaths started to subside.
Cyd noticed her mom lean into her dad as they watched the scene unfold between her and Shawn. She buried her face in his chest before looking up at him and giving him a peck on the lips that quickly turned more intimate. After that kiss, her family would definitely be more suspicious of her relationship with Shawn, although in that moment, she didn’t care. She’d needed his kiss more than ever.
“Okay, ladies,” Cyd said, clapping her hands together and trying to liven up the mood. “Shall we continue our conversation?” She looked toward her partners, who excitedly nodded their heads.
Her parents and Daman made their way back downstairs and eventually, Shawn followed suit. When she was at the doorway of the den and he’d descended a few stairs, he looked up at her and gave her a half smile. She returned his half smile and softly bit her bottom lip. Even from a distance, she could see the desire build in his eyes before he turned and walked down the rest of the stairs.
As she sat with the ladies and began telling them her story, she thought about her reaction to planning the formal awards ceremony for the Peter Vallant Company. She’d definitely underestimated how much the situation had affected her, but she had a great event to plan and she wasn’t letting anything stand in the way of planning a successful one. Besides, there happened to be a lot of people in her corner who were willing to keep her safe. And with Agent Shawn Miles by her side, and in her heart, she felt safer than she’d felt in her entire life.
Chapter 18
After almost two weeks of restless nights and extensive planning, Cyd and the staff of Elite Events, Incorporated had worked day and night to bring the Peter Vallant Company Formal Awards Ceremony to life. She was exhausted, but she’d wanted everything to be as close to perfect as it could be, given the bad press that the Peter Vallant Company had received because of Jim Pearson. But luckily the company also had extremely loyal clients and contributors who RSVP’d despite it all.
If Only for Tonight Page 15