Close Contact

by Lori Foster

  Miles narrowed his eyes, and that worried Maxi. “He seems like a very calm, controlled person to me.”

  Donny laughed. “It was only five or six years ago that he got in his last scuffle. Caused such a spectacle, the whole town knew about it.”

  “In a town this size,” Maxi said, “I imagine everyone knows everything about everyone else.”

  “True.” Donny leaned closer in a conspiratorial way. “This was huge, though. Fletcher went after a couple of bad-news dudes with a baseball bat. Put them both in the hospital, too.”

  Miles lifted his brows. “Was there a reason?”

  “Young and dumb,” Woody grumbled. “That was the reason.”

  Twenty-five or -six wasn’t all that young, Maxi thought, curious about this other side to Fletcher.

  “C’mon, Woody,” Donny said, “you know Fletcher always liked to hit first and ask questions later.”

  Gruff in his defense, Woody said, “The boy has a temper, that’s all. He went through a lot, losing his folks the way he did. But he turned it around.” Woody glanced at Miles. “I’m real proud of him for being county police.”

  “And actually,” Donny added, “the guys were hassling Anna about something. Fletcher doesn’t tolerate anyone giving his sister grief. The two of them are real close.”

  Miles didn’t look impressed with any of it. “If he assaulted two people, what came of it?”

  “The guys threatened to file charges. They yelled it all over town.” Donny shrugged. “But then they split and no one ever heard from them again.”

  Maxi tried not to look as surprised as she felt at the disclosures. “I don’t think I’ve met Anna.”

  “Um...she’s not around here anymore.” Donny sent a furtive glance at Woody, then quickly focused on his brother. “We’re late as it is. Tell Fletcher if he needs to talk more to Hull, he’ll have to come to our house, with our folks there.”

  “Tell him yourself,” Woody said. “I’m heading out with you.”

  “I’ll tell him,” Maxi offered, just to keep the peace.

  Miles watched them go, his expression probing.

  So many things bombarded Maxi that she wasn’t sure where to start. The indecision ended quickly when she spotted Sahara going into the house with an empty pitcher of tea.

  She turned to Miles. “Will you please sit down?”

  “What for? My legs weren’t injured. Besides, I want to take a look—”

  She threw up her hands. “Fine. Suit yourself.” Arguing with him had never done her any good, and if she didn’t hurry, Sahara would be right back outside again. Sahara was not a woman to dawdle. “If you get hurt again, I’m going to...” While she tried to think of something dire, Miles grinned.

  Gently, he brushed the backs of his fingers over her cheek. “What?”

  Blast, but it was so easy for him to distract her. “I’ll think of something.”

  He stopped her from running off. “You sure you’re okay?”

  Impatient now, she nodded. “I’m going in to get a drink. Do you need anything? Aspirin maybe?”

  Unconvinced, he studied her. “No, I’m fine.”

  That made her roll her eyes. The man was wounded, not fine, but she didn’t want to lose her opportunity to speak to Sahara alone. She turned to Leese. “Watch him, okay?”

  Leese said, “Uh...yeah, sure.”

  With no more assurance than that, she walked quickly into the house. Sahara was just on her way out, but Maxi relieved her of the pitcher, saying, “Can I ask you something?” as she hooked her arm and led her back into the kitchen.

  Sahara never faltered, switching direction and going along without a single objection.

  In the kitchen, Maxi put the pitcher back on the counter and asked without preamble, “How can I get a gun?”

  Without a single show of surprise, Sahara said, “It’s not difficult as long as you can pass a background check.”

  “I’m sure I can.” If she ever found the person who had hurt Miles, it might become a problem, since he was the one she wanted to shoot.

  “Then I can help you. What type gun would you like?”

  She knew nothing about guns, but she understood her own limitations. “Something easy to load, and easy to use.”

  “A revolver, then. Small?”

  Thinking that she might have to hide it from Miles, she nodded. “Please.”

  “Have you ever shot a gun?”

  “Does laser tag count?”

  Sahara gave her a look. “Unfortunately, no. But I can get you a gun with a laser on it so you’ll know if your aim is true.” Leaning back on the counter, arms crossed, she asked, “Why do you want it?”

  “For protection, of course.”

  “Miles is your protection.”

  Yes, he had been...and now he had a giant gash on his arm. “I’m going to let him go.”

  Sahara shot forward, her relaxed posture blown. “You’re firing one of my bodyguards?”

  “Shh,” Maxi cautioned. “I’m not firing him. I’m just calling it quits.”

  “No, absolutely not.” Sahara turned and started out of the kitchen with a determined, militant stride.

  “Where are you going?” Maxi rushed to keep up with her.

  “I will not have the agency’s rep damaged.” Finger thrust in the air, she stated, “Body Armor finishes what it starts!”

  “But this isn’t ending,” Maxi explained in a panic. She got ahead of Sahara and, arms spread, barred the door. “You saw what happened. You know how long it’s been.”

  “Pfft.” Sahara lifted her nose. “Hardly any time at all has passed, and clearly the danger has amplified. If you fire Miles now, it’s not only going to infuriate him, but it’s going to reflect badly on the entire agency.”

  “I’ll give a sterling recommendation.”

  “And say what? That we failed? Unthinkable. I’ll help you get a gun. You can even come to the agency to practice shooting if you’d like. But you can’t dismiss a bodyguard in the middle of a case.”

  From behind Maxi, Miles said, “No one is dismissing me.”

  Eyes widening, Maxi bit back her groan and instead, in a harsh whisper, complained to Sahara, “You could have told me he was there.”

  “When I was going out to explain all this to him? You just saved me the trouble.” She reached for the door handle, paused to say, “The tea. I almost forgot,” then pivoted back for the kitchen.

  Maxi huffed out a breath, girded herself and turned around to face Miles.

  Holding the door open, he stepped into her space, crowding her back, his eyes piecing in their directness. “We are not done.”

  She’d never seen Miles volatile like this. Furious, yes. Sarcastic, sure. But now he looked ready to implode.

  She stiffened her resolve. “Sahara is going to help me get a gun.”

  He said, “No.”

  Her eyes flared. Of all the... “You don’t tell me what to do!”

  Moving closer until her shoulders touched the wall, he leaned in to brace his uninjured forearm beside her head. “Let me rephrase that. You don’t need a gun. I’m your protection.”

  “You,” she emphasized, “got hurt.”

  His mouth tightened. “So what? You know I got hurt as a fighter, too. Far as injuries go, this was nothing.”

  Incredulous at his attitude, she dropped her head back to the wall with a thunk. “You could have been killed.”

  His forehead touched hers. “And if you’d been here alone, Maxi? You think you’d have fared better?”

  As she passed with the tea pitcher, Sahara said, “I’m going to help her get a gun and teach her to shoot.”

  Miles closed his eyes, then straightened to say to his boss, “No you’re not.�
�

  Unperturbed, Sahara kept going.

  “If you weren’t injured,” Maxi growled, “I’d sock you.”

  His gaze bored into hers. “I have guns. If you want to learn to shoot, I’ll teach you.”

  She opened her mouth...but rethought blasting him when she realized what he’d said. “You will?”

  “Yes.”

  “When?”

  His eyes narrowed more. “In a hurry?”

  Given everything she’d realized today, all her new suspicions? “Definitely.” If need be, she’d protect him.

  “Then we can start tonight if you want, after our company leaves.”

  Anticipating her first lesson, she asked, “Any idea when that might be?”

  “You want to boot out my friends, too?”

  Ignoring the growled tone, and the implication that she didn’t like their guests, she said, “No, of course not. It’s just that—”

  “They already started stringing the wire fencing, so it might be late.”

  Maxi weighed her need to tell Miles of her suspicions with the need to have that area fenced. Everyone was already here, and the day had been crazy enough without adding her suspicions—suspicions that could be totally ungrounded.

  She’d still tell Miles, of course, but she made the decision to wait until they were alone.

  “Well, excuse me.”

  At that intrusive voice, Miles and Maxi stared at each other. He lifted a sardonic brow. “Want me to handle this so it’s over once and for all?”

  Since she’d just been thinking about murder, it was no wonder his acerbic tone had her whispering, “What are you suggesting?”

  “This.” He stepped away, putting himself in Gary’s path. “You’re going to leave, and not come back.”

  “But—”

  Muscles flexed in his biceps and shoulders. “And you won’t call her anymore.”

  “But I—”

  “And,” Miles said, his quiet tone somehow extra threatening, “if you bother her again, you’ll answer to me. Understand, Gary, I’m not nearly as patient as she’s been.”

  Silence pulsed around them.

  Miles took a step closer. “Go.”

  “This is bullshit!” Even as he said it, Gary turned to run out, almost knocking over her sister.

  Harlow, insulted, glared at Gary’s retreating back. “He is such a disappointment.”

  “But I’m not,” Miles said, drawing her startled attention. “So knock it off, okay? I don’t know about Maxi, but I’ve had more than enough ridiculous drama.” He shouldered his way around her and went back out to the yard.

  Maxi grinned at the way he’d shut down her domineering sister. “He’s amazing, isn’t he?”

  Nodding, Harlow said, “In many ways.” She looked Maxi over with concern. “You’re okay?”

  “Yup.”

  Harlow sighed. “You’re not going to leave, are you?”

  Feeling absurdly cheerful, Maxi said, “Nope.”

  Looking away, Harlow whispered, “When I realized what could have happened today, God, what you’ve already been through...I don’t mind telling you, Maxi, it made me feel like crap.”

  “I never wanted that.”

  “I know.” She rubbed her brow. “You’re my sister, and although we’ve had our differences, I hope you know—”

  “You love me,” Maxi said for her. “Back atcha.”

  “We’re family, through thick and thin. I lost Mom. I don’t want to lose you, too.”

  That statement was so full of acceptance that Maxi hugged her. “You won’t,” she promised.

  With a touch of desperation, Harlow squeezed her tight, then thrust her back the length of her arms. “Since you rarely listen, I’m only going to tell you this once—your bodyguard is a keeper. Do your best not to screw it up.”

  And there, Maxi thought with errant humor, was her bossy, judgmental sister. She didn’t mind the warning; at her age, she was well used to her sister’s general attitude on things. This time, however, it was probably out of her hands. After all, she and Miles had hit it off from the start, but she was afraid she’d already burned that bridge by walking away.

  Now only time would tell.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  HE TRIED TO hide it, but Miles was so furious he couldn’t see straight. He’d walked away from Maxi and her annoying sister before he said too much.

  Maybe he shouldn’t have given Gary the option of leaving. Punching someone, especially that asshole, would have alleviated some of his rage. Problem was, Gary wouldn’t even come close to being a match for him. He had friends here who’d offer a real challenge, but he didn’t want to pound on them.

  Maxi had ended things with him once—and now she wanted to end them again.

  Would he ever understand her? At times she seemed so content, as if her world were near perfect despite the ever-present danger. She’d included him in that contentment, he knew it, had felt it. So why start pulling away again?

  He liked her. Hell, he more than liked her. The longer he spent with her, the deeper his feelings became.

  Fuck it.

  It was time, past time, that he settled their relationship. And damn it, it was a relationship, whether she wanted to think that or not. Even if she fired him—ha, let her try—he wasn’t going anywhere. He’d sleep in the barn if he had to, but he would ensure that no one hurt her.

  He wanted to join the others working. Physical labor was the next best thing to pounding a heavy bag to alleviate rage. But then he caught sight of Fletcher just as he was about to leave.

  A target. Not that he could rip Fletcher apart without a really good reason. But at least he could vent some of his anger.

  Before the officer could leave, Miles jogged over to his car and tapped on the window.

  Startled, Fletcher lowered it, and cool air-conditioning blasting from the console hit Miles.

  Nodding at his arm, Fletcher asked, “You’re okay?”

  Miles stared a moment at the passenger seat...and a pair of long-range binoculars. Did the good officer own a rifle, too? Likely.

  “Yeah,” Miles said, pulling back before he gave himself away. “I’m fine. Just a few stitches.”

  “A few dozen?”

  “Something like that.”

  After following Miles’s gaze, Fletcher put up the window and got out. “No need to cool the area.” He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, arms crossed—which blocked Miles’s view of the inside.

  He acknowledged that with a snide grin. “It’s a nice ride.”

  “It gets me around these old country roads.”

  So they were both going to hedge? Fuck that. “Did you find anything?”

  “I’m going to check on some of the materials that were around or part of that idiotic ‘bomb.’”

  “Like?”

  “Brick, pipe, glass from a beer bottle. They could be from anywhere, even the junkyard, but it’s a starting point.” He stared at Miles, unblinking. “Also saw some boot prints in the dirt.”

  “Yeah?” Miles lowered his gaze to Fletcher’s boots. “Like yours?”

  “A lot like mine.”

  Was that a taunt, or defiance at the indirect accusation? Miles didn’t know, didn’t care and didn’t ask. He’d make all the accusations he wanted. “I don’t suppose you have a rifle and an ATV?”

  Fletcher gave a mock bow.

  “Both, huh?”

  “It’s the country, son. Everyone has a rifle and an ATV.” He straightened away from the vehicle. “Whatever you’re thinking, feel free. I don’t give a shit. But don’t get in my way while I do my job.”

  “Actually,” Miles said, “I’m thinking of calling in the city police. Tow
nship police isn’t cutting it.”

  “You do that. ’Course, they usually defer back to us, so the best you might get is another officer. There are four to choose from. But hey, knock yourself out.” After glancing behind Miles, he said, “Tell Maxi I’ll be in touch.” He got back in the Suburban and slammed the door.

  No, he wouldn’t be telling her shit, because Miles wasn’t going to let Fletcher around her again. He didn’t trust Fletcher, never would.

  But he wasn’t convinced of his guilt either.

  Yeah, the guy was cocky and abrasive, but if that made him guilty, then he had a yard full of guilt, because no one did attitude like an MMA fighter.

  * * *

  FRUSTRATION RODE HIM HARD, made his neck sweat and his vision burn.

  Would they continue with the work, or had he done enough damage to dissuade them? He wasn’t sure, and it made him testy.

  He’d almost said too much today.

  Not a good thing. He had to remember that they weren’t his friends, would never be his friends. When it came down to it, they were nothing. He needed to keep his edge.

  It should have been so easy, but instead it got more complicated. Lately, nothing had gone as planned. Every day he got closer to blowing it—and every day Maxi came closer to discovering his secrets.

  Secrets that should have been buried for good.

  What would it take to make her go?

  How far was she going to push him?

  * * *

  THE SUN WAS setting by the time everyone left, but the fence was mostly complete. Miles would be able to finish up on his own in the morning. He wanted more solar spotlights attached to the posts.

  Maxi’s goats would be protected.

  He was still a little pissed at her, and she was definitely pissed at him when he locked the front door and went into his bedroom.

  She followed.

  That didn’t surprise him. She’d been dogging his heels and fretting over him ever since Fletcher had left. His friends, Armie especially, would never stop razzing him about her coddling instincts.

  Didn’t matter that Cannon told her he was fine.