He stalled again. Perhaps talking to Colt was a bad idea. He placed his hands in his pockets. "For what?"
The Marines had transformed her brother into someone nicer, but he was still her family. She nodded. "For support no matter what I choose."
Colt glared at John who stayed quiet throughout all this. "You're my sister. I'll kill him for you if I have to." Colt then kissed her forehead.
Too much discussion about death. Everyone's heads stayed attached to their bodies in her mind, and no bullet would graze any of them. "Personally, I like John's head on his body. We do have to talk about something else."
John ducked out of the room, scratching the back of his head. "What?"
She lowered her voice. "Peter Morgan wants to end our contract."
Colt's gaze turned to ice. He reminded her of their mother as he said, "Then let's find new buyers."
"It's one of the things I wanted to work on at my condo, away from distractions."
"Close your bedroom door and use the computer." Colt crossed his arms. "You think John will stop you from working?"
John''s footsteps echoed behind her. Her body tensed. "No."
"I had already prepared this. Wish you could stay." John came in with a cheese tray. As neither of them were speaking, he asked, "What's going on?"
Her brother shrugged. "We're talking business. Alice just told me that your brother canceled the contract."
She took the tray from John and set it next to the iced teas as he said, "I'll buy all your products and get them into stores."
Alice waved her arms in front of the men. No one would shake on that offer. "You don't have the business to do that. You're not Peter."
John's expression steeled. "I hope I'm not."
"Then don't try to throw money at us like we're desperate. We'll find a buyer. I know what I'm doing and my family will not take charity."
Her voice was sharp and left no room for argument.
John took a step back, his expression confused as he tried to understand her. He nodded, but countered, "Can I approach this again if I have a business plan you approve of?"
If she said no, she'd sound like a harpy. She rubbed her arms. "Sure."
John's smile dazzled the room. "Perfect. It gives me a reason to get to know the farm better. Did Colt get you to say why you left?"
This was not going to happen. She stood between the men and crossed her arms. "We should talk alone."
Then she turned and gave her brother a slight nudge toward the door.
"That's my sister's way of telling me to leave. I'll go home to Clara. Do we still have that patrol car around the farm?"
"Absolutely." John nodded.
"Stay safe, Sis." Colt opened the door to slip out.
Alice unlocked the door ready for him to leave. "I love you, Colt. I'm glad you're home."
"Me, too."
John walked next to Colt and asked, "Who's Clara?"
Alice's heart went cold like there was some clue in what she said though it made no sense. "His daughter. She's a sweetheart."
John's eyes widened. "I had no idea you had a child."
Colt stepped out the door. "If you're still dating my sister, then you'll meet the moppet soon enough."
John waved from his side door, and Alice stood beside him. To the outside world, they must seem like a couple who waved off a loved one. John shook Colt's hand and said, "I'm looking forward to it."
Colt hugged his sister and then stepped into the garage. "See you both later."
From the window, Alice blinked and saw a black car across the street from John's house. John's gaze must have followed hers as he pulled her inside and locked the side door. "Those are Morgan men. Don't worry."
Good. His family intended to save her. She sucked in her cheeks and walked away. John followed her without another word. In the living room she slumped on the couch. He sat next to her. "What's up? Why did you run this morning?"
Her heart beat grew loud in her ears as she said, "I have wanted to be independent for years, John."
Her hand shook, but she hid it to her side for him not to see.
He scooted closer to her. She played with her necklace as her heart raced. He then said, "Last night we ended up in bed. Did I disappoint you somehow?"
All she could do was blink. That was definitely not it. She reached out and brushed his arm. "Absolutely not. It was the best night of my life."
He nodded. "Mine too. Then what?"
His too! Her head became dizzy as she stared back at him. "I can't be one of those girls who forgets everything they are supposed to do because my childhood crush finally noticed me."
The light in his eyes dimmed as if her words might have hurt him. He asked, "What are you saying, then?"
The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. John was like the sunshine that fed the plants at her farm. Her mouth went dry. "That I want to take things slow."
He shrugged. "You could have told me that this morning."
The right words did not bubble forth. If she apologized and said she'd stay forever then she'd be a fool. She rubbed her arms and changed the topic. "I intended to talk to you. I didn't know you would get some threat against me."
"I told you someone threatened you before."
Her lips were dry. She swallowed the entire glass of iced tea, but it didn't help. "Nothing had happened since I moved in. You never gave me any updates. I assumed it was a misunderstanding."
He reached for his tea as she placed her glass down, and their hands touched. Instead of pulling back, he laced his fingers through hers. "As soon as I find out who it is that is threatening you, then we can go as slow as you like."
The hum in her veins begged for him. "John, if I'm going to stay here, then we're going to have to be honest."
His voice lowered. "What do you want to know?"
She tugged her fingers back. If they touched, she'd be all over him within minutes. "What is it about me now that was missing before?"
"Nothing. I was just young and foolish which made me blind."
The boom in her soul woke her up, though she listened to the ache in her chest. "So this isn't about sticking it to your father, even though he is dead?"
"No."
That one word held so much depth that she didn't know if he was sincere or if she over-read the strong negative reaction. She lowered her gaze. "He didn't like me."
"I am not him."
She straightened out a wrinkle in her jeans. "Have you let go of his shadow? Seems to me you made your life choices because of him."
On a hunch, she gazed at him. The light was gone, and in its place was a riot of emotions. "That's really deep, Alice. Let me sort that out."
Had she pushed too far? Overthinking never helped anything grow. Taking her own advice, she decided it was time for levity. Safe at the house meant no outside forces would get her. The only issue was how she was falling for John Morgan. She stood up and smiled. "Deal. Now what are we having for dinner? I'm getting hungry."
John rose after her and they walked into the kitchen together. She fell behind to memorize his strong broad shoulders and his squeezable butt. Last night, her hands had raked all over him. Tonight, she'd hold back. Last night she realized how much she loved him. Now she was tied to him, but he couldn't know how deeply.
Chapter 25
With a flutter in her belly, Alice sautéed the vegetables as John finished with the chicken in the frying pan. The flutter had everything to do with the man next to her. He added a few spices to his dish. She decided to test John's fortitude and reached for the pepper, adding it to the vegetables. Her brother and father said that real men handled spices. Pepper wasn't much, but she was curious.
After their conversation on the couch, she'd decided that everything would be all right if they did end up dating. John walked away from the meat and set the table. She found a bowl and added her vegetables. Then she opened the refrigerator and grabbed the bag with the rolls. Together.
The
accent wall that separated the kitchen and dining room was yellow. If she lived here full-time, she'd suggest something brighter. In Miami, bland was not part of the decor. Alice smiled as they passed each other—their partnership had the table set in no time. Her father never helped her mother in the kitchen, but then he was in the fields until Ellie called him.
John's brow shot up. With a wink, she continued to smile. He grabbed the rest of their dinner and called behind her, "What has made you so happy?"
First she put the food on the table, and then placed her hand on her hip. "You."
He took a step backwards. "Me?"
Light-hearted, she felt as if she were floating as she rearranged the dishes and then sat down. "Yeah."
"I thought you wanted to be free of me."
As he sat, she scooted her chair closer so their knees brushed. "No. I said I wanted to go slow. There is a huge difference."
The color of his eyes darkened. "Explain how you see us then."
Fireworks exploded inside her. "You want an us?"
As his hand fell onto her thigh, her body melted. "Yes," he answered.
Every cell in her body woke up. She needed a kiss. "I wanted to hear that, I guess."
As her eyes closed, her heartbeat grew loud in her ears. She opened her lips, and then his met hers. The embers of last night burned hot inside her, and she ached for more.
Her hands wrapped around his back, feeling the muscles underneath his clothes.
An alarm rang loudly in the air. John jumped out of his seat and her body felt shaken from his sudden departure. "Go to your room and lock the door."
Her eyes scanned the area as her heart thrashed in her ears. Her voice was fast and shaky. "You said this house was safe."
John walked out of the dining room and assessed the front door. She ran behind him. "The police will be here and Morgan security is on the way," he said. "I need my gun."
Of course he had one. The FBI didn't let agents not carry. Then, as if he was walking toward a battlefield, he turned and headed toward the living area. Nothing seemed out of place, except for the blare of the alarm.
Her limbs trembled as she followed him down the hall. John pointed to her room. "Go inside. Lock the door."
She looked behind her, but no one was there. Her hands were clammy and she tried to stop shaking to tell him, "No. I'm staying right beside you."
He kept his pace toward his room. "You're impossible to protect."
Her chin trembled, and every step they took echoed in her head. "Likewise. John, if this guy wants to hurt me to get to you, then he'll target you. I can't let that happen."
Glass shattered behind them. John pushed Alice in front of him and then turned around in the hall. "Get to my bedroom so we can get my gun."
A whimper escaped her mouth, but she turned around and went for his room. He needed his weapon. Alice swung open the door, and John rushed them both inside and then headed right for the dresser drawer. The second he stepped away from her a coldness entered her. He grabbed a key from his pocket and unlocked a drawer.
More glass shattered. Alice said in a low voice, "They have to be inside now. Hurry."
The clip of the gun made a snapping noise as he put everything together. John rushed back into the hall. With tight shoulders, she followed behind him. She grabbed his hip so she'd at least touch him. "If you won't lock the door and stay here, then stay behind my shoulder."
With her elbows pressed to her sides, she ducked back. "What are you going to do?"
"If someone is in my house, here to hurt you, then he's a dead man."
The image of how John held her to protect her from the bullet, and how safe she felt in his arms, replayed in her mind. She swallowed.
Nothing stirred from the living room.
Sirens echoed in the air as the police arrived. Her stomach had rocks in it still, but she managed to breathe. A moment later, the house was flooded with lights. She rubbed her arms as John walked them toward the front door. The tingling in her chest stirred, but then he let in security to check every dark corner.
Her thoughts were scrambled. She crossed her hands until she saw Officer Rafe Soliz and John together, near the front door. Rafe said, "You two didn't let me finish my dinner."
A nervous laugh escaped her lips, but then she swallowed. "We're sorry, Rafe."
Her vision blurred, and the truth was she wasn't focused on anything other than her heartbeat.
Officer Soliz said, "At least you're safe, Alice, and we'll keep you that way."
Without another word, she scooted closer to John. Closeness helped rally her spirits, and she could see sharply again.
A security guard came out of the garage and announced, "The window was broken, but it's not large enough for a man to get through."
She shook her head. No, the goosebumps over her body weren't for nothing. There had been danger. Alice called out, "What about a woman?"
Without thinking, she reached out and took John's hand. Heat traveled up her body as he asked, "What?"
Alice turned back to the officer—her suggestion wasn't out of left field. "Women can be assassins or trained killers."
Officer Rafe nodded his head. "We'll search the house to be sure."
Like the royal son, John lifted his head and the security guard reported, "I've called in a team to fix the window. They should be arriving soon."
Her breathing returned to normal, and her body temperature regulated. "The House of Morgan has everyone on speed dial?"
He pressed his palm toward hers, and the skin to skin contract sent her an electric pulse. "Yeah. Alice, I need you to be safe."
Another round of adrenaline hit her, but for an entirely new reason. Her body trembled. "Why?"
Her knees knocked together as he said, "You talk about homes and families like everyone should have one. I like it and hope to hear more about these things."
Talk about the perfect answer. She sighed. If they were alone, she'd throw herself at him.
Officer Soliz interrupted her thoughts as he said to her, "That's a big admission coming from this guy, Alice. Between the Morgans and the Gonzales family, everyone else at school seemed to have normal lives."
A bark of a laugh escaped her lips. Jennifer's home life never crossed Alice's mind. She had never tried to spend time with her or think about her. "We all have difficulties in our families. My mom and I disagree, but despite her parting words, I know she cares about me."
John shook his head. "At least you have a relationship where you can fight with her. She knows you're there, right in front of her."
Rafe turned red, clearly thinking about his own affairs, and then stepped away from the two of them. "I'm investigating a break-in."
He walked toward the garage.
Now they were alone. Her heart raced. Alice reached up and placed her hand on John's chin. He gazed into her eyes. With everyone around, she'd not beg for a kiss though she'd like one. She sighed instead. "I don't know how you're so together despite everything."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. Every cell in her woke up and begged for his attention. "I can't let anything happen to you."
"That's all you have to say?"
His eyes narrowed. "What else did you expect?"
Perhaps that he cared about her and might love her. Not that she'd say that. Small pieces of ice went back into her veins. She stepped out of his arms. "Nothing, I guess."
John, stiff, stood next to her as the house swarmed with people.
A few seconds later, Rafe came from the garage as security came out of the house. She stayed next to the cheese plate from earlier that made it somehow seem they were there for a dinner party. Alice's heart rate spiked at the thought she might have just been an idiot. Someone might be in her house. She swallowed, but then security spoke first, "No one is here, sir."
She released a huge breath. But then a car arrived outside and a team of security went out to greet the new arrival. She hugged her waist a
s she waited.
John nodded at the security officer without speaking. Who would be outside, now?
Rafe returned to join them. "I didn't find anything in the garage or attic. I'm going outside to check the grounds."
John smiled. "Thanks."
The police were supposed to collect fingerprints and clothing molecules to be brought back to a lab. That's what she saw on every cop show as procedure, but Rafe had no evidence bags. She stroked her throat. Then she held her breath as the door opened and two men carrying new panes of glass came in. Afraid, she stepped behind John, who reached behind her and rubbed the base of her spine. "It's okay. They will replace everything."
Over his shoulder, she peered at the two new men. "This is crazy."
His massage helped calm her. He asked, "Why?"
"Nothing on the farm gets fixed this fast when it breaks. Normally we have to patch things up and then when we have the time we head to the store to buy whatever we need to put everything back together as best we can."
His eyes closed while he took in her every word. At least her heart didn't race quite so much. He said, "I've never done that."
Sometimes his life seemed so strange. "What about when your bike chain went off the track?"
John shrugged. "I never thought about how it was fixed."
"John, your world is very weird to me sometimes. Next you'll tell me you've never ordered off the dollar menu."
A smile broke out on his face like he'd dared something exciting. "I was on stakeouts, though I usually had delivery from restaurants I approved of, but I went for fast food once, last year. I'm still not a fan."
Once, last year, were words that spoke volumes about his life. She shook her head.
The glass repairmen were noisy but fast and slammed their car doors before driving away. Alice jumped but tried to stay calm. Not every noise had to scare her. Whoever broke the window was gone now. There was no evidence of a break-in. Could've been a ball from a kid next door, but she didn't believe that. There had to be a rational explanation.
John locked the front door, showed her a number combination to set a new security code and then let his shoulders slump. Alice gazed around the empty house. Everyone was gone and they were alone, again.
[House of Morgan 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set Page 16