by Beth Rhodes
What an idiot.
Tancredo drove into the alley behind her, but didn’t stop.
She dropped her phone back into her purse and got out.
He’d followed her home, always staying far enough behind there were times he’d disappeared from her view altogether. When he pulled around the other end of the alley, she grabbed her purse and got out. He could do his thing. She would do hers.
She slid her key into the back door, jiggled it twice then turned it clockwise. The bolt stuck. She jiggled again, lifted up on the handle then turned it clockwise. Like a charm, the door opened.
“You’re going to have to fix that.”
Liz yelled, whirling to Tan. The door slammed shut. “Don’t do that!”
“I’m sorry. I thought you knew I was here.”
She frowned. She knew his tone—the careful speak of a man who was afraid she would break, afraid she was breakable. Her dad had spoken to him.
He reached around her for the handle.
His gaze held hers as his body invaded her space for the moment it took him to open the door. His breath smelled of mint, his body radiated heat, and his arm brushed against her shoulder. “Excuse me,” he said quietly.
When her pulse raced in her neck and her head swam, she stepped out of the way. It was a slow anger at herself, which coursed through her veins. She’d known him a few days. Her shallow attraction to his person had ratcheted up a notch. He’d been kind and concerned and protective. Aside from his looks, he was a nice guy, and she was attracted to this man. Why? Of all people.
He held the door. “After you.”
Clearing her throat, she started through. “I’m just—”
She pointed up the stairs. “I think I’ll go…do something.” She tripped on the bottom step before getting her feet solidly beneath her. Then she forced herself to take the stairs at a moderate and calm pace, her confidence somewhat jostled. Holy crap with her rushed pulse and the urge to take one more look…she was so in trouble!
She’d never had this…not before, not even when she’d thought it was love.
With each step, Liz’s resolve to ignore anything resembling attraction strengthened. He was unbelievably hot, sure. And he played the protector role like he was born for it. All serious faces and puffed-up chest.
But, she had a pretty good sense she was merely another client in a long line of clients. She reached the top step and looked around the kitchen. She’d already been with a man who, in the end, had hated her.
“Right behind you.”
Liz felt that rush of tears again, only this time determination and relief were the causes. She pushed herself over the threshold, part of her wanting to warn him to stay out. He could watch from his car, couldn’t he? No one could possibly get in if he was watching the door.
“Look, I’ll stay out of your way. I promise. I know we thought last night was going to be a one-time thing. I swear, you won’t know I’m here.”
“I’m sorry.” She blew out a breath. “I’m just so mad.”
“I get it. It’s not unusual. I promise. Most people don’t like having their privacy invaded.”
If only! She’d mastered a career that put her in the public eye with every competition and every win. No, she was mad at herself, mad at being attracted to him, and mad she was still afraid.
She’d read the books. Low self-esteem, lack of self-worth, these things led to unhealthy relationships and attachments to men who propagated those very feelings of low self-worth.
For the love of God! Self-worth? She was an Olympic athlete and had spent years training with the very best coaches and skaters around the world. Now, she owned a business. She had a family who loved her. How deep in her subconscious could this low self-esteem be?
Five years ago, one man tried to destroy her.
She was not going to let that happen again.
Liz slammed her purse onto the kitchen table. “I’m going to change then I’m going to work. Jay will be here at three.”
He was watching her with a wary gaze. “Okay. Is everything okay with you? You seem a little out of sorts.”
“I’m fine.” And tense and messed up.
Not to mention sore…
And a little afraid. “Oh,” she whispered. The realization hit her hard. Her gaze flew to his, and of course, he noticed. She could see in his eyes as he watched her. Her mother had always said she was like an open book. But she’d spent years learning to cover up what was really going on inside her, pretending to be fine.
And in one moment, this man was breaking down those walls—not good.
“It’s normal to feel scared or uncertain.” Tan said with conviction, shrugging. “Especially after what you’ve gone through.”
She scowled. “My dad painted a bleak picture, I’m sure, but I don’t usually jump at shadows anymore…and, if we ignore each other, I’m sure we’ll get along fine.”
“We got along fine last night.”
Before she realized she actually liked him…liked him.
She hated that he knew her past. Her idea had always been to let the past go. She didn’t want to be with someone who knew everything. A man who wouldn’t pity her, wouldn’t treat her differently because of what happened.
A sigh escaped. It wasn’t like she’d ever had a chance of fulfilling some kind of deep, dark secret with Tancredo. To be normal. To be unnoticed.
To be loved.
~ 9 ~
The moment of her first kill ran like a movie through her brain, and she knew she had the means to really fix the wrongs.
No one had to lose again.
None of her boys.
She was a woman so she understood how those desires worked, how having one person could take over her life. But, because she was a woman, she had to be the one to make it right. Make up for all the ones who wronged her boys.
Today it was a trip to the library. Even at the library you could find things. Old newspapers, new ones, and online searches. She was smart. Her mom had always said so. She’d been the first to learn to read out of all her siblings. And she was a real math whiz, too.
A quick glance at the clock made her heart pound. She really needed to get home.
At work, she had access to lots of information. Private information. Public information. Finding people was easy.
She’d found three last week.
Tonight, she would deal justice. And then one by one. One down. Two down…
Smart and resourceful. She hadn’t realized how easy it would be.
The watch on her wrist beeped.
Time to go. Stuff to do.
So much stuff to do… and then tomorrow.
Tomorrow would be a good day, too.
Yup. Things were definitely looking up in her world.
***
Thirty minutes went by and then forty and still Liz hadn’t come out of her bedroom. Unless she had a workshop in her closet, she was probably—
Hell, Tancredo didn’t know what she was doing. That was part of the problem. She could be leaving through the fire escape, and he’d really be pissed. With the exception of yesterday’s gym workout, she’d been an ever-loving handful since day one. No wonder her dad had hired Hawk. She was unpredictable, ornery.
But Tan had upset her, which wasn’t something he liked to do with a client. He was supposed to be building rapport. If she didn’t trust him to have her best interest in mind, he might as well call Malcolm in to take over. Malcolm had a way with women. He could pal up with them and make ‘em think he was their best friend.
Tan didn’t always have finesse.
Women either fell all over him until he was firmly setting them aside, or they hated him, told him he was too bossy, too unfeeling, insensitive. He wasn’t; he just rarely dated, didn’t get the practice women would insist on. He had no lukewarm with women. Unfortunately, Liz seemed to be on the hating team.
When an hour had gone by, Tan knocked softly on her door but got no answer.
W
ith a roll of his eyes and an inward wince, he opened it and held his breath, ready to duck or run or whatever he needed to do to protect himself, but nothing came at him.
He opened the door wider.
Liz had crashed on the bed, her lithe form on her back and her legs from the knee down hanging over the edge. Her arm rested over her face.
She looked tiny on the double size bed. He stared, shocked, at a room completely devoid of color. Unlike her shop and the rooms downstairs, her apartment was lifeless. Or maybe she really liked clean. Or maybe he shouldn’t be reading so much into her lack of decorations. Because she might not have had time.
She was a flash of color, having changed into a pair of pants that were a burst of rainbow, and a red, long-sleeve tee that really showed off her long blonde hair—sort of messed up and flared about her shoulders.
Another tug of desire made him scowl. She was a trap. He was not going to get caught in this sticky web of desire over her. He knew what it meant to be taken down by a spoiled, rich, daddy’s girl. His brother had paid that price—
“Hey.”
Tan’s heart pounded at the sound of a man behind him. Shit.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Little brother spoke quietly, come to save the day most likely. No doubt about it. They might not be official twins, but Liz and Jay were definitely the same model of Whitney.
And he was early by a good hour. And he must have a key as well. Tan wondered how many other brothers or guys had a way to get in. He’d need to make a list. “I’m Tan Byrnes with Hawk Elite Security.”
Keeping his voice down as well, he held out his hand for the guy.
“Jay,” the man answered, taking Tan’s hand with a firm grip. “What’s going on?” He nodded toward the bedroom doorway.
“I’m checking on her. She’s sleeping.” Tan stepped aside when the brother seemed intent on seeing for himself. The frown had yet to disappear from his face.
Tan left him to do his checking and smiled when he heard the bedroom door close soundly. Jay followed him into the living area.
More territorial bullshit, Tan imagined, and geared up for the stand-off.
Did no one in this family realize Liz could take down a full-grown, trained man?
Tan sat on the couch and relaxed, as if he belonged, if only to rub the brother the wrong way. Why? He’d never had this strong urge to make trouble.
“So, you’re taking care of Liz.”
Tan bit back the urge to remind her brother she could take care of herself. She was tough, and he had to admire her. She’d been attacked last night yet still managed to be on her feet today. A lot of guys he knew would have milked that for all it was worth. “I’m here on protection detail. Are you going to be here for a while?”
This was the one who’d decided to become a lawyer, and his wheels were obviously turning as he studied Tan. And Tan let him study, saw the accusation in his eyes.
So, he’d been looking at Liz. He had been checking up on her. Her attractiveness had nothing to do with it, had only come up because he was looking at her. Shit. He wouldn’t apologize for finding her attractive.
“I’ve got a paper to work on so I’ll be here through the night.” Jay picked up a briefcase from the straight back chair in the corner. “You don’t need to come back until Monday morning. My first class is at eight. I’ll be leaving at seven fifteen.”
“As much as I appreciate it, that’s not how I work.” Tan didn’t often feel subordinate. He didn’t now either, but he loved how Jay was doing his best to remind him he was merely hired help. He got up, stood a full five inches over Jay’s five nine, and smiled. “You’ll see me tomorrow.”
He started for the kitchen then turned. “Oh, by the way. When Liz wakes up, tell her to check her bandages and change them if she needs to.”
“Jesus,” Jay answered, swallowing hard and looking contrite. “How did this happen again?”
“I wish I knew.” He left, wanting to reassure the guy, but it was like he didn’t have it in him. False assurances weren’t his thing. “I’m only a phone call away if you need anything. Anything,” he said, giving Jay a pointed look. “A team is better than going solo if something comes up.”
Jay nodded. “Got it.”
Time to check in with Hawk. Instead of calling, Tan drove the twenty minutes west of town, down the small country road, and into the long rural lane to Nathan and Stacy’s home. The old farmhouse stood like a white beacon against the darkened sky. He stopped at the top of the circle drive and reached for his computer case in the back seat.
“Tan!” The youngest Hawkins—Willy—leapt from the top step of the wide front porch and scrambled down the stone path. Tan took the six-year-old’s momentum and lifted him into the air and flipping him over before setting him down on the ground with a moan.
“Stop growing, dude. You’re getting way too heavy.” He grinned as he ruffled the kid’s floppy haircut. The brown was a perfect blend of Stacy’s blonde and Nathan’s brown. The blue eyes were all Stacy. “How’s it going?”
He led the way up the steps as Willy continued in his squeaky kid voice. Vibrant with energy, loving everything Lego and video games. “Mom let me watch Netflix this morning. I watched three episodes of The Middle before she realized I was still in front of the television.” He laughed, and it reminded Tan of a kid who’d gotten away with murder.
Hawk opened the door to let them in. “Your brother’s waiting for you out back, Willy.”
The kid streaked toward the back of the house.
“I wish I were headed that way,” Tan said, the longing to be carefree striking hard against his breastbone.
“Go ahead,” Hawk answered, waving him to the back door.
But the kitchen stopped him. The smells of roast chicken made his stomach growl. Stacy was at the sink, shredding lettuce into a big bowl, and Moira was chopping at the butcher block.
Tan rested a hand on Moira’s shoulder and peered over her shoulder. “What are you making?”
“Winter squash, brushed with olive oil, rubbed with the brown sugar and cinnamon, sprinkled with kosher salt.”
“Kill me now. I am definitely staying for dinner.”
“Of, course you are.” Stacy came up behind him, patted his back. She looked good. Since last summer, she must have gained fifteen pounds in pure muscle. She had more energy since their return from Belize than she’d had in a long time. She’d wanted back in the business, wanted to be a vital part of the team. “Tell me about the new client.”
Tan shrugged. “She’s…” a pain in the rear, stubborn as hell, wreaking havoc on my focus. “…as expected. Athletic, hard-working. Independent. She doesn’t like being told what to do.”
“But who does?”
Tan shrugged. “True.”
“I just got off the phone with Jenkins.” Hawk stepped into the kitchen, his hand barely brushing against the edge of the counter as he felt his way to the sink. He turned the water on to wash his hands then tilted his ear in Tan’s direction. His blindness had hardly put a dent in his abilities. The frustration was there, especially at work, so it was good to see him here, at home, where he was most comfortable.
“What did he say?”
Walking to the fridge, Tan opened it, and pulled two beers, handing one off to Hawk. “Here.”
Hawk took it, unscrewed the top, and drank from the long neck before answering. “They found the kid, on the south side of town, got picked up for possession.”
The news set Tan back. “Really? Jenkins called you?” He ran a hand through his hair. He hadn’t expected to be worked around.
“He called the offices.”
“Well, good.” Tan thought ahead. “I wonder if I should try to get over to the police department tomorrow. Who do we have available for Liz’s personal security detail?”
“John’s on loan to the FBI for the time being. Jaime headed down to Mexico with Bobby. Malcolm’s in town, and so are Luke and Craig. The rest are on an assignm
ent in Germany for another week.” Stacy rattled off the line up. Her thumb remained on the pulse of the team.
“Malcolm will do.”
“Good. Keep me posted,” Hawk answered. “Hopefully we can wrap up the assignment fairly quickly. Put the Whitney family at ease and give Liz her life back.”
“I’m not sure we should expect it to be simple,” Tan admitted. His thought was cut short when Stacy pulled the roast from the oven.
She covered it with aluminum and stepped out onto the back porch. “Boys! Come set the table!” Her voice carried down the hill and into the trees. Hawk shook his head, smirking and then reaching for her and wrapping his arms around her.
“What’s wrong?” she asked Tan, having followed the conversation through her sidebar of yelling. “With the Whitney assignment, I mean.”
“Oh,” Tan went to the cabinet and pulled down some plates. “Besides the gut feeling? The police are looking at the attack as a burglary. I think they’ll rule that out fairly quickly—”
He broke off at the sound of footsteps pounding on the wooden steps. Willy rushed in, arms flailing, and John sauntered in at a more leisurely—too cool—pace. “Hey, Tan.”
“Good to see you, John. How’s senior year going?”
“Fine. I hate calculus. Hate it.”
“John wants to find a place to draw and never come out of his hole.” Moira stood in the threshold, arms crossed over her chest, eyebrow slightly raised.
“Shut up, Moi.”
“Shut up, John.”
“Shut up, both of you.” Stacy turned John with a hand on his shoulder. “Go.”
Stacy turned back to Tan. “You think someone has targeted her?”
“I don’t know. It’s too convenient, you know? Gabe gets out? And then a robbery in which she gets violently hurt? I think we’re missing pieces, and it wouldn’t do us any good to start making assumptions.”
Tan’s phone rang and he pulled it from the cargo pocket of his pants, turning away to answer. “Hey, Andrea.”
“Hi, Tancredo.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Where are you?” Her small, lost tone broke his heart. Mom must be working late.