Close Contact

by Lori Foster

  She squealed, backing up fast. “Don’t you dare!”

  “A challenge?”

  And the chase was on.

  * * *

  THE GUYS SWAM in the pond while the women grilled and prepared the food. The boys especially got into it, running fast along the bank and leaping in with big splashes that they called cannonballs. Stack swam to the bottom and brought up some freshwater mussel shells.

  Armie, doing a funny flip, almost lost his loose shorts, which caused the women, watching from up the hill, to hoot and holler.

  Maxi had just called them up, the food now on the tables, when she heard a car pull up. Shading her eyes with a hand, she looked but didn’t recognize the white Mercedes-Benz sedan. Still, something inside her froze.

  She heard Miles shout something to her, felt Fallon come to stand beside her, then Catalina and Sahara. But she couldn’t acknowledge them and she couldn’t look away.

  The car parked behind the others, temporarily out of her view. She heard the car door slam, the crunching of shoes on the gravel drive.

  Of course she knew who it’d be. She even recognized the sound of that confident gait.

  Miles reached her, his arm, still wet, dampening her shoulders when he slipped it around her.

  And then her sister, Harlow, stood there, her disdain more withering than the heat.

  Maxi forced air into her lungs, but she couldn’t bring up a smile. “Harlow. I didn’t expect—”

  “Obviously,” Harlow said in her moderate, even tone. Her short, tousled blond hair was chic, her nude heels stylish and her powder blue dress fit to perfection. A designer purse hung over her arm. One brow arched above the lens of her sunglasses. “A party, Maxi? Really?”

  No, it didn’t feel like a party any longer. She stiffened her resolve. “Just some friends helping me with repairs.”

  Harlow’s gaze scanned everyone, stuck on Sahara, and her smile turned mean. “Yes, the work outfits are adorable.”

  Sahara laughed. “Oh, honey, when I dress for work, it’s far from adorable.” She leaned forward, the shark smile in place, and said, “It would put you to shame.”

  Harlow had no idea what to say to that. Suddenly Miles stepped forward. “I’m going to guess that you’re Maxi’s sister, Harlow?” He held out his hand. “Miles Dartman.”

  Harlow quipped, “Her latest mistake?”

  Maxi’s eyes widened over that insult. She stared at Miles, sending him a silent message: don’t say it, don’t say it—

  “Actually, I’m her bodyguard.”

  Maxi almost groaned. Aware of the small crowd now surrounding her, she separated, joining Miles and finally finding that smile, sickly though it might be. “I can explain that, Harlow, if you want to step inside?”

  Harlow crossed her toned arms, her stance provoking. “No. I think I’d like to hear him explain it.”

  “Miles—” she tried again.

  He put his arm back around her, belying the idea that he was only a bodyguard. “Someone has tried to hurt her. Repeatedly.”

  “Hurt her?” Mildly alarmed, Harlow asked, “How?”

  “Let’s just say it’s a very dangerous situation.”

  Harlow snatched off her sunglasses. “I’d like details.”

  “No,” Miles denied her. “I’m not comfortable with your relationship to her—”

  “I’m her sister!”

  Sahara laughed, doing her own provoking.

  “I know that,” Miles said. “But I also know a lot more, and since I’m not sure where the threat originates, I’m not taking any chances.”

  Blast! Why would he say something like that? Maxi knew the second her sister’s temper ignited.

  Her eyes narrowed, her mouth tightened and then Harlow jabbed a finger toward the house. “Inside, Maxi.” And off she stalked.

  Resigned to another confrontation, Maxi started to follow... Only, everyone suddenly stood in her way, blocking her.

  It surprised her so much that she just stood there, mute.

  “You don’t have to jump to do her bidding.” Miles squeezed her shoulder and drew her around to speak to her. “Let her wait a minute.”

  That made her scowl. “I wasn’t jumping.” No, you were just following orders. Exasperated, as much with herself as anyone else, she explained, “If I leave her to stew, she’ll only get more furious.”

  “So?”

  So...she didn’t enjoy the conflicts with her family. Never had and never would. Too often she felt like an outsider, and too often she was the one to blame for it.

  Miles didn’t understand what it was like with her family, how they felt about her and the choices she’d made—

  When he bent down and pressed his mouth to hers, she snapped out of the fog of uncertainty. “Miles!”

  “Maxi.” He smiled. “Don’t let her bully you.”

  “It’s not like that.”

  Armie snorted.

  She glanced back in time to see Sahara roll her eyes. The others wore varying degrees of reaction, from annoyance to understanding to pity. She hated it.

  Turning back to Miles, she glared. “It’s complicated.”

  “No, it’s not. She came here spoiling for a fight. Disappoint her, but do it on your own terms, not hers.” When she didn’t exactly look convinced, Miles cupped her face. “It took little more than a split second for me to get it. You deserve better, okay?”

  Maxi bit her lip. That was the crux of it, the reason for her uncertainty. “And what if I don’t?”

  “I’ll convince you that you do.” He took her hand. “Ready?”

  “You should wait out here.” Maxi already knew the accusations would be flying, and it’d get ugly quick.

  “I’m your bodyguard. I go where you go.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I know what she wants.” Just as she knew she couldn’t give it to her. “It won’t be dangerous, but it’s definitely going to be uncomfortable.”

  “I can handle it.”

  Blast him, why did he have to look so jovial about it? Arguing with him in front of everyone wouldn’t solve anything, though. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  He smiled. “Duly noted.”

  “Maxi!” Harlow snapped from the doorway.

  Sahara gave an exaggerated wince. “Please, if I ever screech like that, force me to resign.”

  Maxi fought the urge to defend her sister...but then, Harlow really had screeched, so instead she smiled and said, “Please, everyone, enjoy the food.” She glanced at the pond to see Hull, Billy and Lee still swimming. “And someone get those boys out of there before they’re eaten by turtles.”

  Without waiting for Miles, she marched ahead, yet he still reached the door before her and held it open like a gentleman.

  Luckily Harlow had disappeared back inside.

  Maxi headed for the kitchen and found her sister pacing around the small table and chairs. “What—” Harlow started but abruptly cut that off when Miles came in behind Maxi. Annoyance stiffened her posture. “I assumed we’d talk privately.”

  Yeah, Maxi had assumed that, too. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “Scotch?”

  That took her off guard. Her sister, the health nut, usually drank only as a precursor to a real blowup. A little alcohol might’ve soothed her temper, but she’d thrown out all the liquor after being drugged. “The best I have is a beer, but I made fresh iced tea or—”

  “No,” Harlow said with derision, “thank you.”

  Maxi gestured to the dining room. “Let’s sit at the bigger table to talk.” Making it clear that he wouldn’t budge, she added, “Miles is more comfortable in those chairs.” This time she was the one to walk away from her sister.

  Harlow
joined her quickly enough, with Miles trailing her...almost as if he didn’t trust her at his back.

  He really needed to stop thinking the worst of her family.

  Apparently Harlow felt the same. “What did you tell him to make him think I’d be the one to try to hurt you?”

  Blast. Not a great start to their confrontation. “Nothing. In fact, I’ve insisted that it definitely wasn’t you or Neil.”

  Harlow slanted her gaze at Miles. “But you didn’t believe her?”

  He shrugged. “I have a few reasons to consider you suspect.”

  Copping an attitude, she said, “Let’s hear them.”

  Miles’s smile wasn’t friendly. “You came here pissed off.”

  Eyes sparking with challenge, Harlow asked, “Did she tell you why?”

  “Yup, she did.”

  As if he hadn’t spoken, she continued, “We need the money this place would bring, but she selfishly refuses to think of her family.”

  “Our grandmother is family.” It didn’t surprise Maxi that Harlow ignored her.

  “Lack of funds,” Miles said, “didn’t keep you from a new car, did it?”

  Startled, Maxi realized that Harlow was in a new car. She stared at her sister and saw her flush.

  “Because of my elite clientele, I have to keep up appearances. It’s an important business expense.”

  Miles nodded as if he bought into that but then said, “You knew her ex cheated on her, yet you sent him here to be aggressive with her anyway.”

  Harlow gasped. “That’s a lie!” She stormed up to Miles. “Yes, I sent him here, but I did not tell him to be aggressive.”

  “Forceful, then?”

  She snapped her mouth shut, glared at Maxi, then pivoted to pace. “I told him if he really wanted her, he had to go after her.”

  Maxi fought back the hurt. “And what I want doesn’t matter?”

  Harlow flapped a dismissive hand. “You said you wanted back in the good graces of your family.”

  The careless comment cut deep. She imagined what Miles was thinking and that, more than the cruel way Harlow had stated things, crushed her. “So I’m supposed to buy my way back in?”

  “Don’t be dramatic,” Harlow snapped. “You were happy enough with Gary before you decided to play Suzy Homemaker.” Her eyes narrowed. “Or is it your bodyguard who swayed you away from Gary?”

  Her own temper started a slow boil. “I was done with Gary before I ever met Miles.” Expression impassive, she said, “I feel like I deserve better than a cheater, whether you do or not.”

  “Oh, as usual, you’re the victim? Please.” Harlow pointed at Miles. “Do you deny you’re sleeping with him?”

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I don’t deny it. I met Miles right after I found out...everything. I already had a relationship with him—” a relationship she all but ruined “—before I realized I needed protection.”

  “Protection from what?”

  Maxi pulled out a chair. “It’s a long story, so you may as well sit down.”

  Frowning, Harlow joined her at the table. Her shoulders were straight, her posture impeccable, but Maxi knew her well enough to recognize the belated worry.

  Her sister loved her, damn it. She was sure of it.

  Maxi sat at the head of the table, Harlow to her left, Miles to her right. She didn’t wait for Miles’s permission, or for him to guide the conversation. With as little emotion as possible, she shared everything that had happened.

  Harlow was suitably horrified, and she looked at Miles with new eyes. “Dear God.”

  “She softened it for you,” Miles said. “I guess because you’re her sister and she cares about you.”

  “Well, it’s settled, then.”

  Maxi had no idea what Harlow meant. “What is?”

  “You have to move.” Discounting all the reasons Maxi had previously given for why she wouldn’t leave, Harlow slapped both hands on the table, half stood and insisted, “This ridiculous lark is over. Never mind the financial reasons, you have to sell this place for the sake of your own safety. And I, for one, am relieved.”

  That did it. Maxi pushed to her feet in a rush and faced off with Harlow. “I am not moving! Accept it.”

  “My God,” Harlow breathed. “Your stubbornness is absurd! Whatever you’re trying to prove, forget it. It’s too late—”

  Sudden loud blasts shocked the air. They all three jumped, staring toward the door and the continuing noise outside.

  Miles barked, “Stay inside,” and then disappeared into the bedroom, but only for a second. He came past them, gun in hand, and rushed outside.

  Maxi looked at Harlow, who’d gone pale.

  Hand to her throat, Harlow whispered, “Is that gunfire?”

  “I don’t know,” Maxi replied honestly. It almost sounded like cannon blasts to her, it was so loud.

  Suddenly Justice was there with Catalina and Fallon. He deposited the women inside, saying, “Please don’t budge.”

  “Sahara!” Fallon reminded him.

  “She ran off.”

  “I did not,” Sahara gasped, as if he’d offered a terrible insult. She had all three protesting boys corralled, more or less forcing them into the house. They must’ve come straight from the lake, because they dripped a puddle on her floor.

  Maxi darted into the bathroom to grab towels, and through the window, she saw the men spreading out, one behind a tree, another at the side of the house, one at the barn... Her heart tried to thunder right out of her chest.

  The touch on her arm squeezed a startled yelp out of her. Harlow whispered, “Sorry.”

  “Don’t do that!”

  “Come back in here with us where I can see you.”

  Again, she saw the worry in her sister’s eyes. Nodding, Maxi led the way back to the room and gave the towels to the boys.

  Looking worried, Lee said, “It’s fireworks, right?”

  “Of course,” Sahara said, as if she really believed it. “But someone is playing a prank, and I don’t like it.”

  She sounded so mean, Hull blinked at her. “You don’t?”

  “Someone will pay,” she murmured with a small smile, “because this just got personal.”

  Maxi thought of those big strong men outside...and realized that the bigger threat was Sahara, at least to anyone who crossed her.

  * * *

  FOR A BIG MAN, he could move fast when he needed to. Shooting the fireworks at them was genius. Some landed on the roof of the barn, others exploded in the field. He hadn’t used any with a big flash; that would defeat the purpose of causing confusion. He wanted loud, not bright.

  The disorienting noise forced everyone to take cover while deciding if it was gunshots or something else. That gave him time to set the trap...and get out of the area. Once they reached the woods, they’d have a surprise waiting.

  It was not that he wanted anyone hurt, but she gave him no choice.

  Why wouldn’t she leave?

  She’d been to town, gabbing it up with everyone, planning a fence, and now she was having a damned party, as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Strange girl, but she shouldn’t push him.

  He’d already proved himself. He’d taken care of things in the past. He could, and would, do what needed doing now.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  MILES REALIZED WHAT was happening at about the same time as the others. He didn’t relax. He was too enraged.

  “Fucking fireworks?” Armie crouched next to him at the side of the house.

  Stack was there, too. “What the hell is going on?”

  “I told you,” Miles said, his gun in his hand. “Someone is menacing her and I’m about done with it.” He stepped out cautiously, inhaling the ac
rid scent of smoke.

  “Shit,” Justice said. “The barn roof!”

  Backing up enough to see the roof, he realized small flames were beginning to lick upward. That wasn’t from a firecracker, damn it. Had the bastard somehow launched a Molotov cocktail at them?

  Leese pointed toward the back property. “They were shot from back there. Loud blasts.”

  Miles waffled. Chase after the fucker, or put out the fire?

  Armie gave him a push. “Go on. We’ve got this.”

  Already Denver had found the garden hose, Stack was leading it forward and Justice was halfway up the ladder. Miles glanced back at the house.

  Brand said, “I’ll go in with the women. They’ll be fine.”

  With all that taken care of, Miles took off in a full-out run. Leese was right behind him. They ran past smoldering blotches on the ground. Thank God for the recent storm. There was so much dry brush, they might have been putting out fires everywhere.

  As they reached the edge of the woods, Miles slowed, his gun out and ready...and his instincts screaming.

  Leese said, “I feel like he’s gone.”

  “Same.” Miles scanned the woods. “But something feels off.” He put out an arm to stop Leese from going any farther.

  They both breathed evenly, alert, listening, looking...

  And finally Miles saw it. “Shit!” He pushed Leese back and down with the momentum of his own dive, landing half over his friend just as an explosion shook the ground. Thank God it wasn’t as powerful as it sounded, but the pile of exploding debris sent a shard of something into his left forearm, the burn searing.

  Leese must have heard his grunt, because he immediately rolled Miles to the side and rose up over him. The way he winced told Miles he’d been hit, but he confirmed it with a glance—then cursed a blue streak.

  The others were starting toward them. Miles sat up and shouted, “Don’t!” He struggled to his feet, telling Leese, “We have to move. There could be more traps set.”

  Leese asked, “Do you need help?”

  He shook his head. The chunk of glass that had sliced into his arm hurt like hell, but it didn’t affect his legs. As they walked, Leese tucked his gun into a pocket, then pulled off his shirt to catch the steady trickle of red blood.