by J. A. Owenby
Right now, all I needed to focus on was speaking the words aloud. I cringed at the thought because shit was about to hit the fan, and what had happened with Coen was only the half of it.
7
All eyes focused on me while I wiggled around in the oversized leather recliner like a little kid that had just been called to the principal’s office. As hard as I tired, I couldn’t find a comfortable spot.
I glanced at Vaughn, who nodded in encouragement, even though he had no idea what I was about to say.
“Claire, whatever it is, we’re here to support you through it. Can you tell us what happened tonight?” Sutton propped her elbows on her knees and leaned forward, her expression filled with tenderness.
“I …” I drew in a sharp breath and wrung my hands together. “When you guys were in the meeting, a lady named Edith asked me to help her. The zipper on the back of her dress broke. Of course I said yes. The poor girl was horrified.” I shook my head, my gaze dropping to the floor as embarrassment swept over me. How could I have been so stupid?
“I followed her upstairs, down the hall, then we walked into the last bedroom. Before I knew it, she’d hurried out of the room and locked me in. I tried the handle and banged on the door, but it was useless.” I stood, pacing in front of my chair, searching for the next words. “A man was waiting for me inside.” I placed my palms on my hips and tilted my head back as unwanted tears pricked the backs of my eyes. Swallowing down my fear, I found a little more courage and continued.
“He attacked me. He would have raped and killed me if Vaughn hadn’t burst through the door.” My attention landed on him, and I silently thanked him. Everything had happened so fast, that I’d not told him yet how much I appreciated his help. I didn’t miss Vaughn balling his fingers into fists before I returned my focus to Sutton and Pierce.
“Who was he?” Pierce’s voice was hard, gruff with anger.
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before. But … he knew me by name.”
“I’m sorry, Claire. I honestly thought you were safe at the party. The place was crawling with bodyguards and security. It never crossed my mind you’d be in any danger!” Sutton threaded her fingers together, her knee bouncing. “This is our fault. Pierce and I made a bad call.”
“No. It’s not. I shouldn’t have gone upstairs with a total stranger. She knew exactly what she was doing, and I just pattered along after her like a lost puppy. You’d think I’d have learned by now.” A sharp twinge of disgust for myself gutted me.
“Enough. We all thought it was safe. Don’t you dare blame yourself.” She looked at Zayne. “Zayne, when you went upstairs to do damage control. Did you happen to check his ID?”
Zayne pulled his phone out of his pocket, tapped the screen a few times, then handed it to Sutton.
“You’re so damned good at your job.” Sutton offered him a grateful smile.
Pierce circled around the couch behind her and leaned down, peering at the image. “Vladimir Pavlov. Can you text this to me? I want to dig into his background,” Pierce stated.
“He was still unconscious, so I searched his pockets. He began to stir a bit, and I hightailed it out of there. At the time, the only intel I had was that he’d attacked Claire, and Vaughn had intervened,” Zayne added.
“There’s more. Sutton, I’m so sorry.” I closed my eyes, guilt punching me in the chest. “I lied to you.” My attention swept the room and back to Sutton. “The night I called to see if I could move up here … someone had broken into the house.”
“What?” Sutton jumped out of her seat. “How could you not tell me?” Exasperated, she placed the palm of her hand on her forehead and closed her eyes briefly.
“It’s fine, Sutton. Mom and Dad weren’t even home. It was just me.”
“Keep talking.” Her tone was clipped.
“I didn’t tell you because I know him. It was a ruse. He couldn’t let anyone see who he was.” Coen’s hollow eyes flashed through my mind. “Coen is … was Tucker’s cousin. I knew him from the club. He told me I was in danger and needed to leave. You and Pierce were the only people I could turn to. You’re both trained in the martial arts, and Pierce owns a security company. At first, I thought leaving would be enough, but then … Coen. I couldn’t stay, or Mom and Dad would be in danger. If I left, I figured it would settle down, and everyone would be all right. But now. Please. Be pissed at me later. Mom and Dad need your help. I don’t think they’re safe. Not after.” I gulped. “Last night, I got a …” I flipped my phone over in my hand and pulled up the text I’d received last night. “Here.”
Sutton took my cell phone, horror registering on her face. Vaughn, Zayne, and Pierce huddled around her.
“Is that Coen?” Pierce’s tone was gentle.
“Yeah.” My voice shook. “I think the message is from Saul. The MC must have found out Coen warned me. He sacrificed himself to keep me safe.” A sharp pain penetrated my heart, and sobs shook my shoulders. I would have never asked him to do that for me.
Pierce moved toward me, his expression growing more serious. “You’re not to leave this house without a bodyguard. Do you understand me?”
I nodded. There was no way I would argue with him.
Pierce turned toward the guys and paused. “Vaughn, you’re assigned to Claire. If she leaves this house, or we’re not here, don’t let her leave your sight. If we’re home, then she’s our responsibility. Sutton, let’s see what we can find out about this son of a bitch that came after Claire tonight. Let’s see if there’s a connection between him and Saul. Claire, I’m going to see who I can send to Portland while Sutton calls your parents.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry. I never meant to put anyone in danger. I really thought leaving would be enough.” Swiping at the tears that were now flowing steadily down my cheeks, I tried to pull myself together. “There’s one more thing.”
A heavy silence descended over the room while they waited for me to continue.
8
“I’m not allowed to share this information with you but shit just got real. Hopefully I won’t be in too much trouble.” My chin trembled with my words. “I’m an asset for the FBI.”
Pierce ground his teeth together and rubbed his forehead.
“What?” Sutton scrambled toward me and sank to her knees. “Claire.” Tears slipped down her cheeks while she grabbed my hands. “Did you turn evidence on Saul?”
I nodded, afraid to look at them.
“When?” Pierce asked.
Not much rattled Pierce, but this did. I could tell by the rigid set of his jaw and the tension in his shoulders.
“Before I was kidnapped.” I snuck a look at Vaughn. His arms were folded over his broad chest, but his expression revealed nothing. Stoic. No emotion. I wanted to run across the room, shake him, and beg him to forgive me for hiding the truth. Did he hate me now that he knew what I’d done? How I’d put my family in jeopardy?
“What do you know?” Sutton asked, wiping her damp cheeks.
A lead ball plummeted into my stomach. “Saul knows. That’s why Coen risked his life. He wanted to tell me to run before the Motorcycle club came for me. Coen said that whatever I’d done, Saul had found out, and my life was in danger if I didn’t leave immediately.” Exhausted, I sank back into the chair.
“As stupid as it sounds, I don’t know anything helpful. Will Chapman of the FBI approached me one day at the downtown Portland library. All I had to do was slip a thumb drive into Saul’s computer and download files, then leave it tucked behind the 2015 Farmer’s Almanac. Will gave me a burner phone to text him when I’d dropped it off. The FBI also had me sign legal papers that I was granted full immunity of any crimes they charged the MC with now or in the future. That’s the only reason I agreed. Other than that, I have no idea what the FBI is searching for.”
“How many times did you do this?” Pierce rubbed his chin, his dark, attentive eyes trained on me.
“Four.” I slipped off my h
igh heels, pulled my dress partially up my legs, and tucked them beneath me. “Will made it clear that I wasn’t ever to discuss this with anyone. It would put everyone I loved in danger.”
“That’s a normal procedure for an asset.” Sutton squeezed my hand. “I think Pierce and I need to sit down and figure some things out.” Sadness flickered across her face. “Why don’t we call it a night. You should try and get some sleep.”
“Vaughn, for tonight, I’d like you to stick close to Claire,” Pierce ordered. “I realize the security system is set, but if these guys want to get to her, they will. I need to make sure she’s protected. Plus I doubt my wife or I will get any sleep if we’re worried about her. You guys did good work at the party. Thank you. Let’s all talk first thing in the morning. Zayne, why don’t you alternate with Vaughn tonight so you both can get some sleep.”
“You got it, boss. I’m glad you’re all right, Claire.” He flipped a lock of brown hair from his eyes while he offered me a kind smile.
“Thanks.” I pulled myself out of the recliner, refusing to look at Vaughn. Now that he was my babysitter, I would need to practice ignoring him. Anything that had almost happened between us in the kitchen had been a fleeting moment based on the adrenaline from my attack. Nothing more.
“Hey.” Pierce crossed the room to me. “I know you’re scared shitless, and I suspect that’s why you didn’t tell us sooner. As far as the FBI goes, don’t stress about sharing. I’ll reach out to my contact and see if I can learn anything. I’ll make sure they don’t come down on you. But Claire …” He placed his hands on my shoulders and pinned me with his intense gaze.
My heart stuttered, and I stopped breathing for a split second. Was he about to ask me to leave? If so, where would I hide?
“I’m not angry with you. If anything else had happened tonight, it would have crushed me. Now that we have full disclosure, it’s my job to protect my little sister.” Pierce pulled me to him and embraced me. “I love you, kid.”
“Love you, too.” And I did. Tears mixed with gratitude spilled over my cheeks.
Pierce placed a brotherly kiss on the top of my head, then passed me to my sister.
“We’ll talk in the morning. I don’t know how yet, but it’s going to be all right. I’ll talk to Mom and Dad, too, but expect a call from them tomorrow. They’ll want to hear your voice.”
“Thank you for not hating me.” There it was—my biggest fear wasn’t death. It was losing the people I loved most in this world.
“Oh, hon, I could never hate you. I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions earlier. It’s a lot to process. One more thing. You’re the most beautiful and brave woman I know. You’ve got nerves of steel, working for the FBI. You’re strong, smart, and have so much to offer everyone around you. Even with all the hell you’ve lived through … your smile still lights up a room. I love you, and nothing can change that. Now … now you’re not only my sister; you’re also my hero.”
Well fuck. I hadn’t expected that. I peered at her through swollen eyes. “Really?”
“Really.” She gave me a quick hug, then joined Pierce’s side. “If you can’t sleep, we’ll be in the office.”
“Thanks.” I picked up my heels off the floor and rubbed my throbbing temples. “Night guys. Sorry to dump all this on you, but I appreciate your help. Vaughn, thanks for breaking down the door.”
“We’re all in this together, Claire. We’ve got your back. Always,” Zayne said, reassuring me.
Vaughn’s jaw clenched, but he remained quiet.
I lifted the hem of my dress and wearily trudged to the stairs, placing one foot in front of the other. My mind finally gave way to the exhaustion and shut down. I welcomed the break from my tormented thoughts.
The soft carpet caressed my bare feet while I walked down the hall and into my bedroom. I was more than ready to step out of my evening gown and slip into my tank and sleep shorts. Maybe I would even try sleeping in the bed tonight. I kicked the door with my foot, tossed my heels into a corner, then unzipped my dress, exposing my back. Allowing it to drop to the floor, I reached up, slid the bobby pins from my hair, and shook it free. It cascaded down my back, and relief flooded through me that I was no longer zipped and buttoned up for society. I wasn’t sure how Sutton played dress up all the time.
I made my way to my dresser, opened the drawer, and pulled out my sleep clothes, then I slipped on my tank and pajama shorts.
“Hey.”
I spun around, my back slamming against my chest of drawers. Panic crept up my throat, and my heart thundered against my chest. How long had Vaughn been standing there, and why hadn’t my door closed all the way? Shit.
“You scared me.” I tugged on my top, only revealing more cleavage. Frowning, I folded my hands over my chest and waited for him to explain why he’d just startled the shit out of me.
“I didn’t mean to.” Vaughn leaned on the doorframe, his heated gaze traveling over me. He’d changed from his tux into more comfortable clothes, and from the bulge in his jeans, he’d seen me—at least from the back, which included my ass since I was wearing a thong.
I bit my lip. “What do you need?” I looked at him and dropped my hands. Other than my nipples peeking through the thin fabric of my shirt, he’d seen more of me in my booty shorts and workout bra.
“I took the first shift to watch over you tonight.” He rubbed his chin and appeared deep in thought for a moment.
“That was noble of you.” My tone was short, and I wished I could take it back. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be a bitch. Too much happened tonight.”
“Can I come in?” Vaughn waved toward the only place to sit—my bed.
“Yeah.” I plunked down on the foot of the mattress. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. I’m sorry I snapped at you. My nerves are just on edge, but that’s no excuse.”
He settled in next to me. “All the way home, I kept thinking if I’d been seconds later …” His nostrils flared, and he gritted his teeth. He folded his hands together in his lap and drew in a deep breath. “Are you going to be okay?” He released a sharp laugh. “That’s a stupid question.”
A small smile pulled at the corner of my mouth. “It kind of was.” I tugged on the edge of my shorts, searching for any last shred of courage that might be lurking deep inside me. “Vaughn.” His name rolled off my tongue, and I suddenly imagined him thrusting in and out of me. What the hell? Apparently being this close to him was pure torture, and my hormones were incapable of managing it. “Would you talk to me until I fall asleep?”
Silence filled the space between us, then he swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “If that’s what you need, yeah.”
“Thanks.” I crawled up the bed and slipped under the down comforter. I sank into the mattress, allowing the luxury to wrap its arms around me.
A deep frown etched into Vaughn’s forehead. I followed the direction of his intense gaze.
“What the hell?” Vaughn crossed the room and shook out the blanket, my knife tumbling to the floor near his feet. “You’re sleeping in the corner?”
I bolted out of bed and shut the door. “Vaughn. Don’t.”
He pointed to the pillows piled up against the wall, then picked up the weapon. “I’m glad you have some protection, but I’m going to take a wild guess that you don’t know how to use it.”
My lips pursed together, and I placed my hands on my hips. “You can’t tell Pierce and Sutton. I mean it. They have enough to deal with.”
“Let me make sure I’m putting all of this together correctly. You’re sleeping … or not sleeping in the corner, with a knife?”
I refused to answer. He could draw whatever conclusion he wanted to. Then it dawned on me that he couldn’t protect me if I wasn’t honest with him.
“I can’t sleep. I’m fucking terrified all the time. There are windows in my room … I realize I’m on the second floor of the house that has a state-of-the-art security system, but if they want to, you
and I both know they can get to me. The sad part is, I know I’m safer here than I was in Portland, but it’s not like I wasn’t sleeping in the corner there, as well.” I rubbed my temples with my fingers and closed my eyes for a second. “I’ve been like this since the kidnapping.”
Vaughn’s shoulders tightened with tension, and anger flared to life in his gaze. My response obviously disturbed him. Hell, the whole situation was a new level of fucked up.
“Get into bed. I’ll probably get fired for this, but you’re going to sleep tonight and not on the fucking floor.” He placed the knife on the nightstand and positioned the pillows and blanket on top of the bed.
My gaze narrowed. What was he up to? I slid under the covers again as he slipped off his shoes and lay on top of the blankets, fully clothed.
“Vaughn, you realize if Pierce or Sutton sees this, they would get the wrong idea.”
“No one has to know, but I’ll be damned if I stand outside your room while you’re huddled in a corner with a knife in your hand, terrified of who might come through the door. Also, Pierce doesn’t just have security for the house; it’s also for the fence that surrounds the property. Anyone who attempted to get to you would be dismantled before they even reached the front door.”
“Snipers, Vaughn.” I pointed outside toward the trees beyond the gate. “You and I both know they wouldn’t hesitate to kill me in my sleep since I turned evidence on them.”
“When Pierce and Sutton designed this house, they took every attack under consideration. Pierce is seriously wealthy, and he has a lot of enemies. Not to mention, he’s making even more in this line of work. Claire, the windows will open, but as long as they’re closed, they’re bulletproof. That’s the only reason Pierce asked me to stand outside in the hall of your room instead of in here with you.”
“What?” I asked, relief rushing over me like a waterfall. “I’m really safe here?”