Protecting Medusa

by Elizabeth Andrews

  He settled onto a cushy leather sofa with Jason. His son brought out some drawings of the horse he’d ridden. Half of Ryder’s attention, though, remained on the two women in the kitchen, making sandwiches and preparing plates of snacks while they spoke quietly.

  His friend lounged in a nearby chair, one foot resting on his knee. “Had an email from Joel earlier, too,” Danny said after a few moments, once Jason’s chatter paused. “Since you’ve been driving, you won’t have seen it. You’ll want to.”

  Ryder frowned, but Aggie reached him with a plate then, shooing Jason off his lap. “Thanks, Aggie,” he murmured, shooting her a quick smile.

  “Thank you,” she whispered back, smiling as she patted his shoulder.

  He sighed as she moved away, handing a plate to Danny before she returned to the kitchenette for more plates. Mena set several plates of goodies onto the blanket chest in front of him that served as a coffee table, then sat beside him, letting out a long breath.

  He patted her knee, then held out his plate. “You didn’t eat either.”

  Her mother handed her a plate. “She will. Eat yours, Ryder.” The older woman sat on the sofa across from them.

  He relaxed as his son chattered from the floor while he colored another horse picture. Mena spoke quietly with her mother, evading a few questions about their trip so far and asking some of her own. When Ryder had finished his sandwich and several cookies, Danny cocked his head toward the kitchen. Ryder nodded once and pushed to his feet. He tousled Mena’s curls when she shot him a questioning look, then walked to the breakfast bar.

  His friend had his laptop open by the time he got there, and turned it so the screen faced Ryder. Joel’s email.

  “Same men returned to the house in Virginia.” Ryder paused in his reading. “So Ari is still there. Or is back there. Hm.”

  “Overheard complaints regarding time demands being made of them, one said he was going home to wife and kids no matter what after this follow-up meeting. Gripes about the cousin Elek who Ari is grooming.”

  He scanned the rest of the email, which Joel had copied to him. So they weren’t all happy. He wondered if he could use that to his advantage somehow. Probably not. He doubted they were all family men. The man he’d killed at Aggie’s hadn’t worn a wedding band and had nothing in his wallet to indicate he had anyone waiting for him if and when he’d completed his task.

  “I figured you hadn’t seen it yet, but it’s not very useful,” Danny said, leaned on one of the stools, elbow on the counter.

  “Maybe not, but still good info to have.”

  His friend produced a large special delivery envelope next, and Ryder pulled out paperwork from the attorney he’d had Carys contact. A set for Aggie and a set for Mena.

  She’d fight him on this, he figured. But she’d sign them, because it would keep Jason safe.

  He smiled grimly and stuffed the pages back into the envelope. That could wait till later.

  Philomena knew the time was coming when she had to say goodbye to her mother and Jason again. The afternoon rushed by, and now they all sat with supper plates balanced on their laps, or, in Jason’s case, at the breakfast bar. The knot in her belly had returned, making the meal on her plate quite unappetizing.

  Ryder rubbed one hand up the middle of her back, his touch reassuring, but not enough to erase the fear.

  She played with her food, nibbling at the mashed potatoes, but mostly just pushing everything around on the plate.

  “You’d better eat more,” he said quietly, leaning nearer.

  “I’m not very hungry.” Still, she lifted another piece of fish to her mouth, forcing herself to chew, then swallow it, and hoped her stomach would keep it. She forced a smile for her mother, too, though her mom would know it was insincere.

  Ryder and Danny spoke casually of things like basketball and preseason baseball. She watched Jason, who played with his dinner, too, though he ate more than she did, taking breaks to spin around on his stool, grinning at her when she caught his eye. Her mother ate slowly, her gaze more observant than Philomena would have liked when it landed on her and Ryder.

  “Ladies,” Ryder said after everyone had finished, “you’ll remember we talked about setting up a trust for future safety, right?”

  Philomena tightened her grip on her fork, shifting her gaze to the blazing fireplace. Her stomach flipped over.

  “We had Carys get our attorney to prepare the paperwork for you. All it needs are your signatures.” He set one hand on her knee, but she didn’t look at him, her jaw tightening, along with her spine.

  Her mother sat forward. “Give it to me. If it will keep Jason safe, I’ll sign it. Then I can sell the house and buy something else. Somewhere safe.”

  Philomena bit her lower lip. Trust her mother to push the guilt button right away.

  Danny whipped out a large messenger envelope and pulled a handful of papers from it.

  Her mother quickly scanned, then signed the pages.

  Ryder took another set and put them into Philomena’s lap. “Mena.”

  She glared at him. “That’s my home,” she said, keeping her voice low. She knew she was being stupid. As long as the Harvesters were after her...

  “It was your home,” he countered, his dark gaze steady on her face. “It’s no longer safe.”

  She swallowed around a lump in her throat. Signing this paper was too final. Selling her house would mean she could really never go back. Ever.

  “Are you going to make me play the guilt card, too?” he teased.

  “Don’t you dare.” She scowled at him. He didn’t need to remind her that her family was in danger because of the curse she carried. She’d do anything to keep them safe, out of the Harvester’s reach. “Give me a damn pen.” She yanked the papers from his grip, her vision blurring when he held out the pen, too.

  His big hand settled on her back when she took the pen with shaking fingers. “Breathe, baby,” he murmured, his warm breath stirring the hair at her temple.

  She sucked in a quick breath, blinking hard to make the tears go away. At least enough for her to see the papers she was about to sign.

  “Now what?” she managed after scrawling her signature several times and handing the pages to him.

  Danny cleared his throat, leaning his elbows on his knees. “These get sent back to Carys, who’ll get them to the attorney who finalizes everything. When you’re ready, the houses can be sold via the attorney, the money deposited into a bank account set up for your trust, and you can buy your next home without anyone knowing who’s doing the buying.”

  Philomena blinked away more stinging tears, turning her gaze to the orange flames in the fireplace. “I suppose you have a realtor ready, too, don’t you?”

  Ryder sighed. “I believe in being prepared, Mena.”

  Of course. She pushed to her feet and walked to the window, looking out at the dusky sky. She didn’t want to cry in front of Jason. She’d managed not to do much crying in all the time she’d had him, but his father was making it a real challenge right now.

  Papers shushed behind her, and then she heard heavy footsteps crossing the room away from her. Danny, putting the paperwork away. Then quieter footsteps coming toward her. Too light to be Ryder. Mom. She shut her eyes, feeling one of those hot tears slide down her face.

  “Philomena, dear.” Her mother’s hand settled in the center of her back. “I know it’s hard, but it must be done.”

  She took in an unsteady breath. “I’m so sorry, Mom.” She couldn’t even look at her mother.

  Aggie sighed softly and slid her hand to Philomena’s shoulder. “It isn’t your fault, my girl.” She kissed Philomena’s cheek.

  But she couldn’t help thinking it was.

  If she’d moved away when the curse chose her, away from her mother, the danger would be following only her now.

  If she’d moved away then, she wouldn’t have had Jason for the last six years.

  A sob lodged in her chest, and she t
ried desperately to swallow it down, but it wouldn’t be budged.

  A heavier arm landed on her shoulders from the other side, and her mother’s hand fell away.

  She turned into Ryder’s chest, letting him gather her close. She gripped his shirt, the cotton bunched tight in her fists, while she pressed her face nearer.

  “It’s all right, baby,” he whispered.

  The sob grew bigger. She wasn’t going to be able to keep it in much longer.

  As if he understood, Ryder guided her out of the cabin, away from the little house. Far enough away for her to release the sobs crowding now in her throat. He held on while she cried, anchoring her.

  Her furious grief and helplessness passed quickly, leaving her drained. She shivered and felt goosebumps on his arms, too. “You didn’t even put on your coat,” she managed raggedly, wiping one wet cheek with the back of her hand, her gaze taking in the giant wet spot in the center of his chest.

  “It wasn’t important.”

  She shut her eyes, heart racing at his simple declaration and all it meant. She was in so much trouble, trouble that had nothing to do with the men hunting her. She inhaled deeply, steeling herself before she swiped her hand over her other cheek, then looked up at him. “How much of a mess am I?”

  He cocked his head to one side, his dark gaze sliding over her face. “I guess that depends on how many times Jason has seen you cry.”

  “Pretty bad, huh?” She took another deep breath and let it out. “Well, I suppose it can’t be helped.” She stretched to kiss his cheek. “Thank you, Ryder.”

  They walked back to the house hand in hand. She headed straight to the bathroom and attempted to repair some of the damage, rubbing cold water on her puffy eyes and red nose. It didn’t help much, but she felt a little better when she’d finished.

  Jason didn’t even notice when she returned to the living room. He was too busy demonstrating his horse-riding skills to his father. She leaned against the doorway and studied them, the beautiful boy she’d spent the last six years raising, and the sexy, dangerous father she’d spent the last six years avoiding. They looked so much alike, with their dark eyes and the dimples when they smiled.

  She realized Ryder was watching her now, and she flushed a little at his thorough perusal.

  “Hey, buddy,” he said when Jason finally paused for breath. “Isn’t it bedtime?”

  “Aw, Daddy.”

  Philomena smiled behind her hand.

  “Yep. Plus Aunt Mena and I have to get rolling.” He scooped his son into his arms. “So get your pj’s on, and then we can tuck you in before we go.”

  They passed her on their way into the hall, Ryder’s arm brushing hers as they went.

  Philomena shifted her gaze to the fireplace, not wanting to think about leaving Jason so soon.

  “Philomena, have you heard from your sister?”

  She focused on her mother, who was cleaning up the living room. “No. But I heard she was heading toward home.”

  “I emailed your cousins Electra and Thalia to tell her that the house isn’t safe, but I don’t know if Desi will get the message.” Aggie frowned, concern lining her brow.

  “I’ll email Electra when I get settled tonight. Let her know it’s vitally important that Desi knows not to go there.” Philomena rubbed one hand over her forehead, tension knotting behind her eyes. If anything happened to her sister, that blame could be laid at her feet, too.

  “I’ll call Aunt Lydia later, too, and see if she’s heard anything we haven’t. She might know where Desi is.”

  Philomena tried to remember where her sister had been the last time she’d heard from her. California? New Mexico? She wasn’t sure. It had been a year ago. Well over a year, now that she thought about it.

  Ryder returned with a pajama-clad Jason riding piggyback and giggling.

  She smiled at the sight, pushing her wayward sister from her mind for now. “Wow, look at you. All brushed?”

  “Yep.” Jason looked at her. “I know a secret.” He grinned, and her heart squeezed.

  “Really?” She lifted one eyebrow and followed them to the sofa, where Ryder sat to let his son get off.

  “Yup.” He continued to grin at her.

  “Huh.” She glanced from him to Ryder, who wore an identical grin.

  “But I can’t tell you.”

  Her gaze got caught on Ryder’s, which danced with mischief. “Well, that’s what a secret is, something only two people know and can’t tell anyone else.” Her heart beat faster at the look in Ryder’s eyes.

  “You gonna tuck me in, Aunt Phila?”

  She dragged her gaze away from Ryder’s, back to Jason. “You bet, buddy.” She bent to scoop him off the sofa. “Kiss Grandma goodnight.” She moved to the other sofa, where her mother had taken out her crocheting needle and yarn.

  “Night, Gramma.” Jason leaned down to plant a smacking kiss on her cheek.

  “Good night, Jason. Sleep well.”

  Philomena carried him back the hallway to the room he was sharing with her mother, and plopped him onto the bed he said was his. She pulled the blankets down so he could scoot in, then tugged them to his chin when he finally lay down. She brushed his dark hair away from his forehead. “You’re going to keep being a good boy for Grandma and Danny, right?”

  His mouth twisted. “You know I’m always a good boy.”

  She smiled. “Yes, you are.” She kissed his forehead.

  “I hope you have the best dreams,” he said.

  Philomena shut her eyes against the stinging. “I hope you have even better dreams, buddy.”

  “No, you have the bestest.” He sat up and gave her a tight, squeezing hug.

  She squeezed him back, swallowing hard around the lump in her throat. “You have the bestest, bestest dreams ever, Jason.” His little heart beat steadily against her chest, making her heart ache. She’d do whatever she had to to keep him safe. Easing her grip on him, she kissed his cheek. “I love you, sweetie. Sleep well.”

  When she got to her feet, Ryder was there to take his turn kissing his son goodnight. She moved to the doorway, concentrating on breathing steadily and dislodging the lump in her throat.

  Ryder joined her here a moment later, catching her hand and guiding her back out to the living area. “It’s time to go.”

  Worry lined her mother’s forehead. “Do you have to? At this hour?”

  He nodded. “The more distance between us, the better.”

  Philomena wondered if Danny had shared any of their Harvester run-ins with her mother, or if this was just plain old Mom worry for their safety.

  Aggie nodded slowly. “If you think it’s best.” She got to her feet and hugged Philomena tight, making her tear up again. “I packed some cookies for you. And a couple sandwiches. I didn’t know how long you’d drive tonight.”

  Philomena squeezed her back, refusing to let the tears fall. When she stepped away, Ryder hugged her mother, too, murmuring something she couldn’t hear. She lifted her coat to distract herself from the goodbyes, sliding her arms into the sleeves.

  Ryder waited, food packages in hand when she’d finished buttoning, and caught her elbow to guide her to the car.

  It was cold outside now, and a million stars lit the sky overhead. She looked up at them for a moment, wishing her life hadn’t been turned upside-down, before getting into her seat. She took the foil packets from him, then watched him walk around to get into the driver’s seat.

  “Thank you,” she said when he put the key into the ignition. “For bringing me here to see them.”

  “We weren’t too far.” He shot her a quick smile and pulled out of the driveway.

  She didn’t argue, just shut her eyes.

  “We need to find a place to stay tonight, baby, if you would do a quick search.”

  She nodded, twisting to put the food in the back seat, then reached for her laptop.

  “Maybe across the state line into Georgia,” he said as he drove, watching the road signs
ahead.

  “Okay.” She pulled up the search and scanned for something. “How about Rome?”

  “I’ve always wanted to see Rome,” he teased.

  She smiled reluctantly and found them a place.

  “We’ll figure out our next destination tomorrow. After we’ve had some rest.”

  Philomena nodded, then opened her email program. Nothing new. But she shot off a note to her cousin, asking her to pass along the message to Desi if she could that she absolutely could not go to Aggie’s. And another to her sister to warn her the Harvesters had found them and the house wasn’t safe.

  Just thinking about it made her stomach tighten with worry.

  For once, it would be nice not to have to worry about Desi doing something she shouldn’t.

  Philomena shook her head. Unlikely.

  Ryder felt better when they got underway in the morning. He’d been cautious, watching the rearview mirror all the way from Alabama into Georgia last night. Even after they’d checked into the motel, it had taken hours to sleep, despite spending an hour or so making love to Mena. His brain wouldn’t shut off.

  Today, though, confidence replaced the tension. Sharing his plans for the future with Jason last night had been impulsive. Telling his son he intended to marry Mena and make her officially Jason’s mom had made his son very happy, in turn making Ryder even happier. This morning, they’d had a leisurely breakfast at the motel restaurant, planning their route into Florida as they ate. He’d also had Carys arrange for him to get a new rental car in Atlanta. That would be their first stop. Then they could get on the highway and drive south.

  It was a good plan.

  The car swap at the airport in Atlanta went smoothly. Mena insisted on driving part of the distance, so he let her get behind the wheel when they left with the new car.

  The drive out of Atlanta was slow, the highway congested, and he kept an eye on the other cars and their occupants. No prickly feeling at his nape.

  After lunch, he took over the driving. There were no new emails, though he knew Danny was moving his little band to a different spot today, as well as getting the trust paperwork expressed back to Carys.