Protecting Her Life: (Rescue Me Book 2)

by Remi Grey

  "Haley, are you hurt?" I yell sternly, watching my surroundings and laying low.

  "No, I'm not hurt, I'm okay." The front door flew open, followed by the two blues on guard bursting inside with their weapons drawn.

  "Everyone, okay, anyone hit?”

  "No officers, stand down, no one’s hurt,” I shout, looking towards Haley. She understandably frazzled and completely frozen, where she landed on the floor. I rush to her looking to see if she's been hurt and where the sound of the broken glass came from. I find the bullets point of entry at the far-right window closest to the street.

  This was a professional hit, my God, what did this woman find out?

  I make a quick call to the station to report what happened then move towards Haley's aid.

  "Are you sure you're all right, no cuts or scrapes," I ask, checking her for any evidence of physical harm. She's shaking like a leaf.

  "You're fine, I got you," I hold her placing her head against my heart.

  When I had nightmares as a child and would wake up hysterically in the middle of the night, my mom would lay my head on her chest so that I could hear her heartbeat, and that would always calm me down.

  "Now that scared me," she looked at me with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I just need a minute."

  "Take as long as you need, I'm not letting you out of my sight Snappy." I could feel the warmth of her breath through my shirt, her hair, that’s where that heavenly scent is coming from. I held her tightly with one arm while rubbing her hair gently with the other to calm her.

  Whoever did this will definitely be back to try and finish the job. I have to get her out of here, and I know exactly where I need to go.

  Chapter 4

  Haley

  The way he held me made me forget that the world around me even existed.

  "You're fine, I've got you." He said as he comforted me. Damn, his shirt smelled good, like fresh laundry and man.

  It was intoxicating. I couldn't help but to want more even though I knew that I shouldn't. Besides, why would he ever be interested in a woman like me, I'm damaged goods.

  I also have that little matter of being haunted by my ex-husband, an abusive sociopath whose family would rather kill themselves than accept defeat. Even I know that doesn't sound very appealing. Once this whole mess is behind me, maybe then but highly unlikely.

  If I had only known about what I would come to find that day I went into the office and read those files, I would have done things differently. I just knew something hadn't been adding up for months, the numbers never lie, and boy was I good at numbers.

  I never turn down an opportunity to see where they can lead me; I guess that's why I'm so good at my job within the firm. If you talk with others about me, they would say something totally different.

  Everyone thinks that I'm only there because of my connection with the Clark's. Arm candy to be precise, but all of that is irrelevant. I know the truth, and that's really all that matters.

  I busted my ass in and out of college to get where I am today. But if I'm being frank with myself, I know I got the job because of my ex-husband's family ties, but I've held my own, which I'd like to think speaks volumes.

  The constant snickers and office rumors made me stronger. I stayed late more times then I can count burning the midnight oil reading files, getting to know clients, and how they'd decided to invest their money.

  I studied well, and as time passed, being married to Kevin with his cold nature gave me thicker skin.

  Silly interoffice rumors and snickers had nothing on my ex-husband when he got some liquor in him.

  Strangely enough, work became my escape. I started to spend more time there than I did at home. That's when I slowly noticed the discrepancies in the client's financial records.

  Holt and Decker is one of the largest investment brokerage firms in the country. Who would think to look at the numbers, who would have the time to look at them?

  The Clark's didn’t take someone like me into account. I was a smart woman who had a lot of time on her hands and access to all the data I needed to bring them down.

  The numbers led me right to them. It was quite brilliant what they did. Taking a tiny bit of cash that rich people would never miss over several decades and feeding it into unmarked bank accounts under false names.

  Lying bastards.

  I was almost shocked when I discovered the family's scheme. The Clark's, why do they need even more money?

  So, I had a friend of mine from college do some digging. It turns out the Clark's squandered the family money away back when Eisenhower was president, their penniless.

  They've had their hands in dirty money since prohibition. They haven't looked back since the honest money earned on the backs of Kevin's ancestors has been long gone. The money they've been slowly leaking from Holt and Decker is just one of the many deceitful ways they fund their lies.

  My mistake was confronting Kevin about everything.

  I was smug and arrogant about what I had discovered trying to get a rise out of him. Hoping he would stop the threats of taking everything away from me even after our divorce. I needed what was owed to me, to live on my own, and finally, start my life again entirely without him.

  He would never let me have a dime of his money, nor would I want it now that I knew where it's really been coming from all these years. I told him I had found everything I needed to confirm my findings on the flash drive I found marked with the same file name that started me looking into the missing money in the first place. And, that if he didn't let me go, I was going to tell the authorities everything I had dug up on his beloved family.

  I thought I was strong enough to handle him, I had it all perfectly calculated in my head, but I didn't take into account that he would attempt to murder me. That was a shocker even for him.

  We were happy once.

  Back in college, when we first met, he was charming, witty, and he swept me right off my feet. Fancy parties every week, gallery openings, including my younger sister's, which is how we first met.

  It was at her first big opening near campus, and my sister mentioned to me how some super-rich guy bought several of her paintings. She pointed Kevin out to me.

  Even though my sister is younger than me, she has always known what she wanted to do with her life. Her talent showed at a very early age, so I really wasn't surprised or impressed by someone taking a liking to her work.

  He must have seen us talking about him. He then came over all confident flashing his million-dollar smile spouting nonsense I could care less about. So, I thanked him for the support, hugged my dear sister, and excused myself.

  However, he followed.

  I should have run screaming for my life then, had I had known better. I would have followed my original instincts and just continued to excuse myself.

  ~~~

  Where were we going, I wonder? After the police came, took our statements, and collected the evidence, Darren packed me up and swooped me out of there so quickly that I didn't know what hit me.

  "You're safe," he answered as if he could read my thoughts.

  "Can I ask where we're going?"

  "Someplace safe, but it's quite the drive," he answered calmly. I could tell that he was on full alert.

  "Is it a police safe house of something?"

  "No, it's somewhere personal."

  "Oh?" I comment as all kinds of lewd thoughts pop into my head. He's too straight-laced Haley; he would never take advantage of you two being alone together off the grid.

  "I promise I won't bite," he chuckled, stopping at a gas station to fill up the tank.

  I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he popped the tank and climbed out of the car to fill it.

  He's one damn fine-looking man, tall, slender yet muscular and that red hair, although short it was just enough for a woman to run her hands through and grab in the moment of passion.

  "You want anything,” he asked, interrupting my carnal thoughts tapping on the
window. "We have quite a drive ahead of us, Snappy." I loved my new nickname; it made me giggle a little bit to myself.

  "I would love a sandwich."

  "Coming right up, Madame," he joked, walking towards the convenience store of the gas station.

  Afterward, we set out again. We traveled for several more hours until we finally came to a small underpass.

  Darren takes it all the way until it emptied out into what looked like a dead-end. It wasn't; however, it revealed a large fence covered by what seemed like decades of weeds, vines, and brush.

  Darren got out of the car, moved them to the side, and pushed the large fence open. It wasn't wide enough for a car to get through. After he got me safely inside the gate, he hid the car nearby while I waited.

  He ditched the car, met me through the fence, and we walked towards a small cabin hidden within the folds of some trees adjacent to a slightly overgrown garden.

  The place was unkempt, but it was also beautiful and calming, I love it already. It's been so long since I've taken time to relax and enjoy just being.

  "Everything okay?" He asked, reaching for my hand, guiding me towards the front door.

  "Yes, I'm good, really good actually," I smile, taking his hand. The lock is a little sticky, but after a good turn of the key and a hard shove, we're right in.

  It's dusty and dirty, but even with the thick layer of dust that's settled, I can still see the appeal.

  "I'll go turn on the lights, can you help me move the covers off the furniture,” he said as he flicked one light switch after another.

  "What is this place?" I ask.

  "It's a special place that my mother and I used to come to when I was a child." I had a gut feeling this place had lots of good memories attached to it.

  "It's lovely, Darren."

  "Thank you, it’s been in the family for as long as I can remember,” He boasted. “I’ve had renovations done to it since I inherited it, but it's pretty much the same as it was when I used to play here with my cousin and my best friend in the eighties.

  "Sounds amazing, my sister and I used to go to a place sort of like this when we were young, but it wasn't own by my family, we just visited during the Summer months."

  "Good, that means you not as spoiled as I thought you were," he winked then walked away.

  God, as much I love watching that man walk towards me, the view of him walking away is so much better.

  "See, just when you thought you had me pegged, I throw you a curveball.”

  "Silly me," he turned, unbuckling his gun belt and laying it on the table next to him. I don't know why, but the sound of his belt hitting the table was very erotic. I felt myself becoming flush, so I looked away.

  "Something wrong, Haley?"

  "Did it suddenly get hot in here?" I asked, fanning myself with my imaginary hand fan.

  "I don't feel it. Maybe it's just you, you've had an exciting day and a long trip maybe you need some rest."

  "Maybe you right, can you show me where I can freshen up?"

  "Of course, let me clean up in there a bit first, this place has been closed up for a couple of seasons.”

  "Then I'll wait here until you finish," I said, dropping my bag on the floor.

  "This shouldn't take long. The cabins aren't much to look at, but you can have a look around if you want."

  "Take you time," I yell. "I'll be here."

  One very quick walk around and two separate showers later, it was time for us to have a bite to eat and get some rest.

  Darren gave me some clean linen for the bedroom upstairs while he set up shop downstairs on the couch closest to the front door. I noticed by the redness of his eyes when we first met that he isn't the type to get much sleep.

  I'm sure a man like him always has a lot on his mind. I can only imagine the things he's seen that keep him up at night.

  "You sure you don't need to get some rest, you've been driving all day, and you’ve got to be tired?”

  "I'm used to it, Snappy," he grinned. I had a strong urge to reach out and hug him so, I did.

  "What are you doing, Haley?" he moved away, obviously surprised by what I had done.

  "I don't mean to cross the line that's drawn here. Just allow me to extend you the same kindness that you extended to me when I needed it most.” Our embrace was felt foreign, but only because Darren wouldn't let go.

  "Relax, Ginger, I got you." His whole body relaxed right into me.

  What began as a friendly gesture quickly develop into something more sensual. His hold on me was fierce and strained; I could tell he was having a battle of what was right and what was wrong with this situation within him.

  "We shouldn't," he says while trying to ease up on the embrace but still holding me tightly.

  "We should," I say, enjoying the feel of his strong arms around me.

  "Once we go down this road, Snappy, we can never go back, and I won't do that to you. It's not fair to either one of us."

  He tried to move away from where we'd been standing, but I wouldn't let him. I wouldn’t let go until I saw the truth in his eyes.

  "Look at me," I told him, letting go of him just enough to be able to look into his eyes. "I know that this isn't protocol Darren, but I can't help it if I’m drawn to you, I have been since the first time I saw you.”

  His breath hitched.

  "You're not ready for me," he answers breathy.

  "I'm aware that I'm not the ideal catch. A broken woman and a divorcee whose ex-husband is out to kill her. Trust me, I know how bad this looks, and starting something with you could backfire."

  Wow, that was a mouthful Haley, I wouldn't even sleep with me after that declaration.

  "I'm here to do a job, Haley. I need things to remain professional for me to do it," he huffed, unwrapping my arms from around him. "If we become romantically involved, my personal feelings will start to get in the way. My judgment will become compromised. I need to stay alert to keep you safe."

  My heart dropped at his admission because deep down inside, I knew that he was telling the truth.

  "I understand, and I'll respect your decision,” I contested.

  Embarrassed, I turned away, bid him goodnight, and walked up the stairs to the bedroom he'd prepared for me and shut the door.

  Why me, I thought to myself covering my eyes in shame and flopping face down on the bed. What the hell was I thinking of throwing myself at him like that? I've never done anything like that before?

  Then suddenly there’s a knock at my door. My nerves start to set in as I begin to wonder what's awaiting me on the other side once, I open it.

  Chapter 5

  Darren

  Why did she have to tempt me with that hug? I honestly thought I was going to lose my cool, but I stood my ground and pushed past my personal desires.

  I did the right thing. I know I did, so why do I feel like I should run upstairs, break down the door, and rip off all of her clothes.

  You can't Darren, remember one of your biggest rules is no sleeping on the job. Even though this really doesn't qualify technically as what I meant when I made that rule.

  Damn, I just can't stop thinking about it and not being able to sleep it off doesn’t really help to make this situation any better.

  I'm wide-awake and horny with a smoking hot, barely dressed blond who wants to have sex with me right upstairs.

  I’m a moron I probably made her feel like crap when I told her no knowing full well how much I wanted to kiss her after we hugged. Being so close to her and not being able to act on my feelings at that moment proved that I had all the right intentions, but I don't know how long I can keep this up.

  Maybe I should get some rest. I'm pretty sure that we're safe here, and only one other person knows our whereabouts, and I completely trust them.

  Sleep, yes, get some sleep, Darren.

  I close my laptop, turn off the lamp, and settle into my palette on the couch, hoping to sleep away my growing erection. It's not working.


  Suddenly I hear a noise outside the cabin. It sounds like it's coming from the side of the cabin that Haley is on.

  I throw my blanket to the side, keeping my eyes and ears open for any strange movement. Then I reach under my pillow, grabbing my gun and my handcuffs and walk up the stairs pulse racing, nerves at complete attention.