Chased - A Titan Novella (Titan (Novella))
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Contents
Title Page
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
COPYRIGHT
CHASED
Cristin Harber
CHAPTER ONE
Asher McIntyre left the keys in the front door of his Georgetown row house and stared at the note taped to the mirror right inside the door. His heart thudded, more angry than apprehensive. He didn’t need to read the printed paper to know who it was from.
He turned to his alarm system panel. It blinked disengaged and ready to arm. He had turned the pricey piece of garbage on that morning. His note-leaving friend had officially upgraded himself from creepy to criminal.
Asher couldn’t stand in his doorway all night and growl at a piece of paper. It was safer to turn around, walk to a coffee shop, and call for investigators to sweep his townhouse, just like they’d done with his car and office days ago. But his head pounded after hours of congressional hearings, constituent meetings, and lobbyist meet-and-greets. He wasn’t in the mood to smile pleasantly if he accidently bumped into a reporter or blogger. His soured attitude would be speculated about and end up as political fodder. Every misstep would be analyzed for the next six weeks, until Election Day.
Asher cracked his neck, snagged his keys, and took a step inside. His shoe echoed on the hardwood floor, and he swiped the note off the mirror.
Dear Congressman McIntyre,
Still watching you. Still waiting. Time to right your wrong. Let’s meet soon.
Best wishes,
Maxwell
Asher shouldn’t have touched it. Could have read the note’s nonsense while it remained taped to his mirror, but he didn’t want the stupid thing mocking him until the investigators came. He shrugged off his jacket, loosened his tie, and pulled his smartphone out of his pocket. Is all this worth it?
He scrolled through his contacts and found the special agent who had handled his previous notes and hit send.
It rang once. “This is Murphy.”
Asher scowled. “A new note was waiting for me today.”
“Give me one second.” The agent excused himself from someone on the other end of the line. “On your car again?”
“Nope. Inside my townhouse, taped to a mirror.” He paced his living room. An invasion of his privacy wasn’t anything new, but Asher had no idea what Maxwell was after.
“Son of a bitch. Don’t touch—”
“Too late.” Asher tugged off his tie, tossed it on the couch, and headed for the wet bar.
He ignored the People magazine he’d thrown there the night before. It wasn’t his type of magazine, but his campaign consultant had mailed it to him. The headline stared up from the bar. A fifty most beautiful people list. Five bucks said his name was on that list somewhere, and for the next few weeks, he would have invitation after invitation to events that he didn’t care about from women who wanted to appear with him like he was their fashion accessory. Every time a list came out, the same charade unfolded, and every time, it gave him a headache.
“Are you kidding me? You know better than to touch evidence.”
That made Asher chuckle. Murphy was formal because he was supposed to be. But they were about the same age and had the same get-the-job-done disposition. By the time they found Maxwell, he and Murphy would probably be buds.
Asher poured a glass of scotch and shrugged. “Sorry, man. Anger got the best of me. I would’ve stood on my front porch, giving the finger to anyone interested, but then I’d have to deal with that picture on the front page of the Washington Post. One nuisance at a time.”
“I’ll head your way with a couple guys. We’ll be discreet.”
Asher swirled the drink in his hand and walked into the kitchen. “Thanks, man—”
Another note was centered in the middle of his stainless steel refrigerator. His Georgetown home was where he crashed, not really his home. That was in New York. Asher had no personal items in DC, certainly not a picture magnet of his sister and her best friend. They were younger by five years and had spent the past week in Disney World for a wedding reception. The picture on the fridge showed them posing in front of Epcot Center.
His hands shook, and his jaw cemented shut. A harsh breath flared through his nostrils. “Murphy, send the whole goddamn FBI.”
“Care to explain?”
“There’s a recent picture of my sister and her best friend, along with another damn note from Maxwell. Aren’t they cute?”
***
Jenny Chase tugged her carry-on bag out of the overhead compartment. The flight from Florida to DC had been bumpy, and she wanted off the plane. In the seat beside her, Molly was unfazed and casually powering on her phone and listing off where they should grab dinner before they headed home to their apartment in Eastern Market.
As long as Jenny could grab a cocktail, she didn’t care where they ended up. Molly’s phone buzzed. Once. Twice. Then kept going.
“Jeez, popular much?” Jenny watched her best friend’s phone continue to vibrate.
Molly laughed. “Just Ash. I’m sure whatever it is, it’s super important, and I need to know super right away.” She slipped the phone into her purse. “Let’s have pizza delivered instead of going out.”
Just Ash. Just the man that starred in every fantasy that Jenny had ever had since she could remember fantasizing about a guy. Of course, he was probably the star of many women’s dirty imaginations. He was Hollywood handsome and Washington powerful. That combination did wicked things to a woman’s fantasies.
Jenny silently chanted, “It’s only Ash.” Only Ash…That was how she needed to think about him because both Molly and Jenny had given up that anything would develop.
Shoot, even now her cheeks felt warm. What thirty-year-old woman couldn’t kick a high school crush? How many nights over the years had Jenny confided to Molly that she loved her brother? Too many, all starting back in high school when she’d circled his name in hearts. Even when Ash had flirted with her in college, the sparks had never panned out to anything more than heated glances and breathless moments.
Jenny tried to act nonchalant. “Maybe you should see what he wants. That sounded like a lot of phone calls.”
“Text messages too,” Molly added. “He hates to be ignored. Not everyone hops to his attention when he wants something. Drives him crazy.”
Kind of like he drives me crazy. Jenny shuffled through her purse without reason. Pathetic, really, but every time he came around or called, she became a mess.
Over the years, Asher had become rich and famous. Incredibly important. She wasn’t in the same ballpark as him with her hodgepodge of jobs. Nothing that would constitute a career. Jenny helped her sister, Sugar, with the gun shop and range she owned. But mostly, she honed her craft. She was an actress. A few good parts here and there. A few commercials. A couple of cable pilots that had never taken off. But live performances were what made Jenny’s heart flutter and pound.
Much like Asher McIntyre did. She laughed and ignored Molly’s sideways glance. Her mind had come back full circle to him. No one stacked up to him because, like it or not, she’d been in love with him since she’d met him. Just like no other type of acting stacked up to the roar of an applauding crowd on opening night.
Whatever. When she needed an Asher fix, all she had to do was read a newspaper or check a tabloid. He was all over it, pretty girl hanging on his arm.
“As long as we stop and grab a bottle of wine.” They moved into the plane’s aisle and trudged into National airport. The crazy flight was the topping of a crazy week. Jenny couldn’t comprehend that Sugar was married now. Her sister was the wildest, toughest girl she knew, and Sugar had basically eloped in Vegas, adopted a kid, then celebrated her wedding reception at Disney World. Sugar always knew what she wanted and got it. Me? Not so much. Part-time gun-range assistant, full-time wannabe acting star. At least it kept the bills paid and offered a super lax schedule.
“Wine. Good deal.” Molly nodded.
They rounded the corner from the long hallway into the airport waiting area. Six men in black suits waited, watching each passenger. Their stances and their looks screamed that they were packing heat.
Jenny knew those types all too well. Hard to ignore them when Molly worked with the high society of the political world, and when Ash was the Asher McIntyre, Mr. Rising Star Politician, the congressman who was soon to be the senator to New York State. Hell, probably soon to be president, give him enough time. And even if he didn’t carry that title, he had any number of Most Eligible, Most Handsome, Most Beautiful crowns that had been printed for the whole world to see the smile that about made Jenny pass out from hormonal over-exposure.
Congressman today. Senator in a little more than a month. President…whenever he wanted. His career was just another reason why nothing would materialize into a relationship. Ash was world famous; everyone hung on his every word. And she was clinging to an acting career where no one seemed interested in watching her say anything on stage. Stop that! Big audition in a couple days. They’ll love me.
The leader of the suits brigade stepped in front of Molly. “Ms. McIntyre, Ms. Chase, come with us.”
Molly turned to her, rolling her eyes and cracking a smile. “Guess I shouldn’t have stolen the bathrobe, huh?”
“Should’ve checked your text messages and voice mail,” Jenny whispered back.
No matter how many times law enforcement escorted Molly somewhere for work or inspected their apartment after the McIntyre family had another threat, men with badges made her nervous.
Other passengers streamed around as the obvious men encircled them. “Congressman McIntyre has asked that you come with us.”
“Of course he has.” Molly was used to the protective detail routine. She never looked concerned. “And you are?”
“Special Agent Murphy—”
“FBI?”
The man nodded.
“Give me a second to talk to Ash.” Her best friend fished her phone out of her purse, hit a button, and had a fast conversation that ended with her mouthing, “Fine. We’ll go with you.”
Jenny picked up her carry-on bag and let the men whisk them to baggage claim. “Least we don’t have to take the metro.”
Why not have an armed caravan take them home? It was the perfect ending to a crazy week and crazy flight.
CHAPTER TWO
Asher stared out his sister’s living room window. The FBI entourage pulled up and double-parked. He’d had the apartment swept, and nothing out of the ordinary had turned up.
Molly jumped out of the black SUV.
He kept watch. Waiting. Waiting… And there Jenny was, back turned toward him. He wanted to look away. Needed to, in fact, but didn’t. His hand rubbed over an ache in his chest. He’d been forcing his thoughts away from Jenny Chase for the better part of knowing her. Little good that had done.
When he found Maxwell, Asher was liable to give up his entire political career and tear him apart limb by limb for threatening either woman.
Molly ignored the fanfare of an FBI escort, grabbing her bags and trouncing toward the front door. But Jenny stood outside the SUV, not shutting her door. Apprehension hung on her shoulders, and still she wouldn’t turn around.
Look at me.
Then she did. They locked eyes, and he swallowed hard as her gaze fell to the street. Such a gorgeous girl. He knew the deep caramel bronze that painted her eyes, could see her dark hair even when his eyes were closed. Years ago, he had sworn off any woman who would be a distraction from his career. Maybe that made him self-centered, but really, he considered himself determined. Why be in a real relationship if he couldn’t commit to anyone but himself? Man, that made him sound like a jackass. But it was the truth, and he didn’t want to hurt his sister’s best friend. Hell, he didn’t want to hurt Jenny.
Even if the chance for something to materialize out of their spark had existed once, he had missed the chance, and an unspoken rule had formed between them. Don’t cross the line.
The door flew open, pulling his attention away from Jenny. Molly stormed inside, tossing her bag and a purse. “Want to explain the security detail in more depth than ‘there was a threat’?”
“In a second.”
Jenny walked in but didn’t speak. She avoided eye contact, and Asher craved all their flirty fun that rarely happened anymore. Maybe she’d grown tired of their game. If anything, he was more entranced with Jenny now that her interest in him was waning. It wasn’t in him to lose. She’s not a game, dick. Get yourself in check.
Three agents followed Jenny, reminding him that this wasn’t a social call. Shit, he didn’t care. He needed to hear her sultry voice. “Jenny.”
“Asher.” Her glossy lips teased him, making his name purr.
God, was she a sight. Every part of his body had readied for her to walk in. Even the hair at the nape of his neck continued to tingle.
“Haven’t seen you around.” That was what he came up with? He sounded like a dull politician, and that was how she saw him anymore, anyway.
She shrugged.
He’d blown her off too many times. For all your smarts, you’re a moron, McIntyre. In Jenny’s eyes, he was nothing more than a suit who gave speeches. His eyes fell to a pile of magazines on their coffee table. The same damn People magazine was top of the pile. Great. So he was either a dull politician, or, according to tabloid crap, he was hopping from one actress’s bed to the next.
Molly tilted her head toward the waiting agents. “What’s with the welcoming committee?”
He gave an apologetic smile to the agents. “How about you girls sit down? I need to chat with Agent Murphy.”
She shook her head. “Nope. Jenny and I planned to order a pizza, throw on our PJs, and drink a bottle of wine. None of that can happen until you’ve explained whatever the incident is this time and everyone leaves.”
Murphy cleared his throat and tilted his head down the hall. This wasn’t going well. “Give me a minute.”
Asher followed him to the kitchen.
“We can leave a man here if you’d like, Congressman. Other than that, there’s not much to do other than keep an eye out.”
Asher’s gut tumbled. He liked proactive measures and was sure that the investigators working on the notes were chasing all possible leads. But still, one man outside? It was better than nothing, but he wasn’t thrilled and couldn’t call in a federal favor to babysit them. “If that’s what you recommend, we’ll take it. Thanks.”
He returned to the living room as Murphy pulled his men and left.
“Here’s the deal. Someone left me a couple threatening notes. Nothing out of the ordinary. But today, one of the notes included a picture of you both at Disney World.”
Molly’s face paled, and Jenny’s jaw dropped. He wanted to comfort them both for the same reason in very different ways.
“No one’s going to hurt you. They’re just trying to get my attention.” And they fucking have it. “This is precautionary.”
“What’s precautionary?” Molly asked.
“There’s an agent outside. He’ll stay there and keep an eye out.” Asher wasn’t ever unsure of his moves, but the one he decided that minute made him both unsettled and uncertain. He plowed forward. “And I’m staying on your couch tonight until I figure out what the best
move is.”
What did Jenny sleep in? His throat constricted. Silk draped over her curves would be nothing short of spectacular. The woman was his walking, talking dream. Shit, this spend-the-night-on-the-couch idea had major flaws. What good would he be if all he could think of was don’t touch instead of watch out?
“The couch?” Molly’s shaky voice brought him back to reality.
Jenny didn’t move. Didn’t respond. Her hands clung to the couch cushion as if the idea of him sleeping under the same roof was dangerous. And it was.
He took a long breath and pulled out his phone. “Pizza and wine is on me. We’ll figure out what to do so I don’t have to sleep on the couch another night.”
“I’m leaving tomorrow.” Molly rubbed her hands on her thighs. “Work trip for two weeks.” She jumped up and paced. “We should have a bottle of wine in the kitchen. I’ll grab it and some glasses.”
If he did spend a second night, it would be just him and Jenny? His mind raced. The idea was too much to comprehend. He had spent years avoiding her temptation, and now he could barely stay away. Why? Because he’d put her in danger?
Molly started down the hall. “I can’t believe someone followed us in Disney World.”
He watched his sister then turned back to Jenny. “We have to talk tonight. Hang tight.”
He followed Molly, and she spun. Her lip quaked. “I hate this stuff, Ash. I need a minute to wrap my head around it, then I’ll be fine. Okay?”
She clung to the door jamb in the kitchen. She liked her privacy, and every time he dropped a bomb on her, she needed a few minutes on her own, then his kid sister was back. “Got it.”
If any of the tabloid magazines had a clue that he was getting booted back and forth by the two women he was trying to take care of, they’d have a field day. Two different ladies. Two different, very raw feelings bit at his mind. Protecting them both was crucial. He wanted to go all patriarchal on Molly and all alpha possessive over Jenny.
Rubbing palms into his eyes, Asher tried to think of anything besides Jenny’s pouty, pink lips.