Page 13

Chapter Twelve

Knox wasn’t happy. He didn’t like having her here in the Charleston hotel. It felt too exposed even with extra security cruising through the building per Bruce’s continuing orders.

He felt like they were at a standstill with Walker. And the man hadn’t made a threat or a move in a couple of days now. Harper wanted to believe that meant he’d given up or gone into hiding after the arrest of the arsonist he’d hired.

Knox knew better. A person didn’t go from hunting to disinterest unless something happened to alter or derail the plan.

Jenna and a growing team of researchers were looking for that event, combing arrest logs and incident reports for any sign of Walker. In the meantime, Knox reluctantly agreed to let her take this meeting in person.

In his opinion, hotels were generally safe. But when protecting one specific person, limited access was everything. There was too much access here.

By design of course. The Ellington was meant to be a welcoming and friendly experience. Blending luxury with charming Southern hospitality in perfect harmony.

At the moment, it made his job harder. Sure, up in the executive offices she was removed from most of the action and the folks meeting with her had been vetted. But he couldn’t vet everyone coming and going from the building.

He waited in the hallway, standing guard like the protector he was, while she took the meeting.

He wasn’t happy. And he wouldn’t be until this outing was over. Everywhere he looked he saw risk and danger. Since they still hadn’t located Walker—the man had fallen off the radar after the fire—they had to assume he was still in the area. It was a dumb idea to stick around, but Knox’s gut told him this guy wasn’t done. For whatever reason, he couldn’t seem to walk away. That sort of hyper-focus only enhanced self-destructive behavior. Walker would make a mistake.

But how long would they have to wait?

Knox would gladly take a lifetime assignment to protect Harper. He enjoyed her company, in bed and out of it. But it wasn’t practical. Not for her. She wasn’t meant for the shadows. She loved living boldly, building ties with her customers as well as her staff. Not to mention her family. The freedom so many people took for granted, she was being denied right now.

It was temporary, but he wanted it over. Day by day, he felt the pressure to know that she wanted to be with him just because of who he was and who they were together.

“And this is why we don’t get involved with clients,” he muttered to himself.

Sleeping with Harper wasn’t just breaking the rules or his own code. Professionally, it was just plain dumb. It complicated everything. Yet he wouldn’t trade a minute of the passion and desire they shared. It was a problem they’d have to address once the threat to her was over.

The radio he’d picked up at security when they arrived crackled. Knox listened to the report of smoke in the parking garage. Knox wanted to go investigate. Walker enjoyed fires.

He listened attentively as the security team worked the problem. Within minutes the fire department was on the scene. From the exchange over the radio, everything was soon under control.

Still Knox was unsettled.

According to her schedule, Harper had another thirty minutes in the conference room. He thought about interrupting her, but called Jenna instead. “Hey, are you on top of this emergency call near the Ellington downtown?”

“Yes,” she replied immediately. “No vehicles involved. Sounds small. Like maybe someone threw away a lit cigarette or deliberately set a trash can on fire.”

“I don’t like that.”

“I knew you wouldn’t. I’m already scouring all available surveillance video in and around the garage.”

“Any sign of our guy?”

“Not yet.” She cleared her throat. “I know it’s pointless to tell you this could be unrelated.”

“Yup. While you’re looking things up, why don’t you check and see the last time there was a similar incident nearby.”

“I’m sure it happens,” Jenna said. “The Ellington isn’t the only business with contracted space in that garage.”

“Run it anyway.”

“On it.”

He had a clear target. If he could nab Walker, Harper could resume her normal life. “We’ve gotta get this guy,” he said, mostly to himself.

“I’m aware,” she said.

He wasn’t implying any fault. “Jenna?—”

“Hold on.”

He held back the torrent of questions while listening to her fingertips flying over a keyboard.

“Got him.”

On reflex, Knox started moving toward the parking garage before he caught himself. He couldn’t leave Harper alone. “Call hotel security and get somebody up here to cover Harper.” He couldn’t let an opportunity to drop a net on Walker slip through his fingers.

“No, no. Past tense,” she clarified. “He was a block away before the fire started.”

“How long before?” Had they finally caught him in the act? He waited through more tapping.

“Two minutes,” Jenna said. “I have him in front of a store on King Street when the security guard calls the fire department.”

Walker had timed it well, letting himself get caught on a street camera to have a tentative alibi. Trouble was the store was only a block away. “Where is he now?”

“No idea,” Jenna admitted. “He goes into a shop.” Knox waited through her long pause. “Never comes out. At least not yet.”

“Do me a favor, call the police and report it.”

“Sure thing. Be safe,” she said, ending the call.

Knox wanted a location on Walker, ASAP. The jerk was playing games now, but Harper would not be his prize.

He wished Bruce was on site. Maybe with that kind of backup he could convince Harper to stay put while he investigated. Not an option right now. His primary assignment was to stick close to her, so that’s what he would do.

He kept the radio on, only turning it off when the door opened and the people she’d been meeting with filed out. Still tense, he walked inside and caught her smiling. Her eyes were glowing. “Guess I don’t need to ask how it went,” he said.

She dropped her gaze to the stylish tote that served as her briefcase. “What do you mean?”

“Come on.” He leaned against the edge of the glossy table. “It’s all over your face that you won.”

“Close the door. Please.” When he did, she broke out a happy dance, throwing her arms high into the air. “Yes! I did win.”

He was so happy for her. “Does anyone tell you no?”

“You did,” she replied pointedly. “For far too long.”

“In my defense, you didn’t exactly ask me anything.” Because he’d done his best to run away from her. “Besides, I think waiting was the best thing for us.”

“Us?” She arched one deep-gold eyebrow. “I like the sound of us.” She slung her bag over her shoulder and moved close enough to kiss his cheek.

He felt the tips of his ears going hot. “I like the sounds we made last night.” He was rewarded with her wild blush.

Taking advantage of the privacy, he kissed her, lingering over the pleasure of it. When he eased back, her eyes were a little dreamy. Now he felt like the victor. But he still had a warning to impart.

“Uh-oh. What happened?” she asked before he could say a word.

“An incident at the parking garage. Something I would normally write off as kids screwing around, but Walker is still loose in the area.” And the guy had a thing for fire. “Is there any chance I can convince you to stay here tonight?”

She shook her head.

Right . She wouldn’t like the staff seeing him sharing her room. “Okay. Let’s be prepared to move quickly and without any detours from here to the truck.” He hated the flicker of worry in her eyes. “Everyone’s looking for Walker. He can’t avoid us forever.”

“Because he’s too fixed on me.”

“Possibly. But that’s why I’m here.” He smiled. “I don’t want you feeling like bait. I won’t let him hurt you.”

Her palm caressed his shoulder, slipped down to rest over his heart. “I trust you Knox. With all of it.” She straightened her shoulders. “Let’s go.”

He unclipped the radio and left it behind on the desk. “Security will find that right?” he joked. “I’ve already sent a text.”

“Typical.” He grinned at her. “We’ll move from here to the truck and it’s straight back to Brookwell.” At her nod, he asked, “Stairs or elevator?”

“Stairs. I’ve got too much energy.”

He walked with his hand at the small of her back down the hall to the stairwell and across to the parking garage.

He could smell the smoke and hear the voices carrying up from the level below. “Straight to the truck,” he reminded her. “We don’t need to get involved.”

They were almost to his vehicle when someone pounced from between two parked cars. Arm outstretched, the man aimed a canister at them.

Knox twisted, swinging Harper away from the threat, putting his back to the assailant. A loud hissing sounded and he felt the spray hit his back. Curling around her, he smelled the pepper spray and drew her down.

Crouched with her between the nearest car and the wall, he pulled his gun to face the threat. Harper shouted for help, though he wasn’t sure it did much good from where she was tucked against the wall. His eyes stung and watered from the burning spray hovering in the air, but he hadn’t been badly hit.

“Don’t move,” he ordered Harper. He scanned the area, braced for more, when he heard footsteps running away. Rising, he confirmed it was Walker racing away from the scene. Damn it.

Holstering his gun, Knox focused on her. “Are you hurt?”

“Not really.” Coughing, she reached for her eyes.

“Don’t rub,” He caught her hands. “Just makes it worse.” He couldn’t shelter her and wrangle the bad guy simultaneously.

“Go after him!” She said, her voice laced with pain. “I’ll be fine.”

He wanted to believe her. Couldn’t take the chance. Walker was growing more brazen and desperate. A dangerous combination.

She needed treatment right away. Water and a cool compress were the best way to mitigate the damage. Knox couldn’t afford to split his focus. “We need backup.” He pulled out his phone. Jaw locked, he searched the shadows, knowing it was useless. Walker was gone.

He sent the text message. He should have accepted Jess’s offer for more help from the start. Harper Ellington was too important to leave to just one protector. And he was screwing this up, letting his emotions get the better of him.

First and foremost, she was a client. He was supposed to assess the risks and guarantee her safety. Instead, he’d let her dictate too many terms simply because he wanted her to be happy and comfortable.

“I’ll be fine,” she repeated. “It wasn’t a direct hit.” Tears streamed down her face.

“Come on.” He pulled her in close. “I’ve got you.”

* * *

Harper felt Knox trembling all around her. Or maybe that was just her fear quaking through her and into him. Either way, guilt swamped her. “This is my fault. I’m sorry.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” He guided her to take a seat on the bumper of the truck. A moment later, he was rummaging through her bag. “I’ve got your water bottle here to rinse your eyes. Just relax as much as you can.”

The cool water was a tremendous help and she gasped in relief. His voice was so gentle, his care for her so thorough, that she felt even worse. “You wanted to go after him,” she said.

“Sure, I did. But you’re more important to me.” He brushed a trail of water from her cheek. “Round two. You’re doing great.”

She’d have to take his word on that. “It’s helping. You really?—”

“Stop. This is where I need to be. You’re not just a job, Harper.”

“But I’m keeping you from doing your job.”

“Not even close.” He pulled off his button-down shirt and used it to blot the run off from her face and throat. “You know your sister, Hannah, is one of the best researchers at the agency.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Don’t you understand what she does? Most of the Guardian Agency’s assignments involve a single protector against the world for their client. We manage that because we have excellent researchers who help us out in the background. I called Jenna. She found Walker once, she’ll spot him again.”

“Okay, good.” She would be mortified if her sister knew what was going on professionally when Harper had kept it all locked down personally. That felt like a betrayal, even if it might have been necessary.

“Jenna’s local and knows the area. She’ll find him,” he repeated.

“I just feel terrible,” she said. “I know you want to get this guy.”

“We need to get this guy so you can get your life back,” he said.

She nodded. What would life look like once this crisis was over? It wasn’t as if she wanted to stay under this constant stress, but she suddenly realized when he solved the case, Knox would move on.

On to another assignment. Likely in another town. Leaving her just as alone as ever. More so after the forced intimacy of this past week.

That was probably what she needed to remember. She loved him and she needed to be grateful for this time, however short it might be. She’d been fortunate enough to spend several glorious nights in his arms now. But it wasn’t permanent.

She might want that with all her heart. That didn’t mean he was on the same page. He had obliterated any doubt about mutual attraction. The deep connection she felt when they were together, whether it was having coffee or being rescued, was undeniable.

Still, it had to be rushing things to suddenly start asking him to move in or to reassess his career path. After everything he had told her about why he had joined the Guardian Agency, she didn’t want that to become a wedge between them.

“Come on. Let’s get you out of here,” he said.

“And go where?”

“Back to Brookwell.”

“I suppose it sounds petty to say I want to go home. Especially since my home is gone.”

“It sounds normal. What you’re going through isn’t easy.”

“So you keep saying.”

“Harper, you’ve been in the public eye your whole life, and there have been times when security has been closer than others.”

“But never like this,” she finished the reminder for him. “You really have been amazing.”

He bobbed his eyebrows, and she laughed. “I don’t mean in bed,” she rushed to clarify, but he cut her off.

He sobered quickly. “I know. As much as this assignment differs from the norm, keeping you safe is my top priority.” He slid an arm around her waist and guided her to the front of the truck, boosting her up into the passenger seat and securing the seat belt as if she was precious. Although she should have felt edgy or nervous about another attack, the opposite was true. She felt utterly protected.

“Where can we go?” she asked. “Is anywhere secure enough? The hotel should have been secure, but…” An arsonist had gotten through all the layers of security at the resort and burned down her home. And Landon had just tried to jump them in the hotel parking garage.

“But the hotel also comes with more people who have access,” Knox pointed out. “Staying here would mean looking over your shoulder and wondering who might let the wrong person through the door.”

“Didn’t you just suggest we stay here tonight?”

His brows dipped into a hard scowl. “That was before you got assaulted with pepper spray. Besides, do you really want to stay, knowing Walker is likely nearby?”

She was shaking again. “No, you’re right. I do need some distance.”

“Trust me. We’ll get some distance and regroup, and then we’ll catch this bastard.”

She hoped it was that simple.