Page 13 of Shadow
“O-ookay. I guess whatever works.” Teagan looks to me for reassurance, and I nod.
“Shadow is going to do what he does best, and you’re going to go on leading your life.” Grimm pats Teagan on the back and leads her to the door of the room. “Go have a drink. Shadow will be there in a few.” Grimm waves to one of the bartenders, and she hurries over, “Carla, make sure you take care of our guest.”
Teagan follows Carla to the main part of the clubhouse, where the party is picking up. I shut the door and waited for further instructions because I knew they were coming.
“I need you to keep an eye out for those Russian motherfuckers. I’m pretty sure they had something to do with this. We’ll have Flyboy sticking close to the girl, but I want you in the shadows.”
I nod my head in agreement because that’s my job. But something doesn’t sit right with me. This time I don’t want to be in the shadows. I want to be beside Teagan to protect her, and with that thought, I know without a doubt that I should keep my distance.
Nine
SAFE AND SOUND
TEAGAN
It’s been a few days since this started, and I’ve been staying in the same suite with Shadow. I called my job to take time off, but they acted as if missing a few days was out of the question, so I quit. I was going to put in my notice anyways since I’ll be starting the show in a few months, but it pissed me off that they didn’t want to give me some time after I haven’t missed a day since I started.
At least now, I don’t have to try and act normal or think about how it will be to go about my regular routine. I didn’t want to have to go to work and constantly look over my shoulder for an unseen threat. However, I also don’t want to leave Vegas now that I have my chance to live my dreams. I don’t want to end up as somebody’s cautionary tale either. My thoughts make me feel kinda guilty because I don’t know if Trey is alive or not, and I’m worried about my career, but then I remember that he tried to use me as collateral, and that guilt fades quickly.
I tighten my grip around Shadow’s waist because I am once again on the back of his motorcycle, and I’m trying not to freak out. Finally, after two days at the hotel, I convinced him to let me come home.
When we finally pull up to my apartment, Shadow helps me off his ride, and I have wobbly legs once again. He catches me before I fall, and although he doesn’t smile, the twinkle in his hazel gaze is amused.
“Jell-O legs. You’ll get used to it,” Shadow says.
His raspy voice sends a sexy chill up my spine, which is hard to do in the middle of a Vegas summer.
“Thanks. Do you want to come in? I can get you some coffee or tea or something?” I want to palm my forehead because I just offered this badass, motorcycle riding, gun totting, sex on a stick, some damn tea.
“Yeah, alright. I need to check out your place anyway. Gotta make sure you don’t have any unwanted guests.”
Shadow is only being straight with me, but now I have chills for a different reason. Somebody could really be in my apartment waiting to kidnap me for payment. The thought has me nauseous.
I lead Shadow to my apartment, and everything looks normal, so I relax a little.It’s broad daylight Tea. There’s not a monster under your bed. Chill.
My little pep talk works, and I open my door. When I walk into my apartment and flip on the light, everything looks exactly how I left it. I sigh in relief.
Shadow comes in behind me and shuts the door. As he looks around my place with a blank expression, I can’t tell if he likes what he sees or not. I’m not sure why I care, but I want him to feel comfortable in my space.
“You can make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.” Shadow nods and heads toward the kitchen.
I enter my bedroom and take off my shoes and jacket. Something doesn’t feel right, but nothing looks out of place. Then I notice the light in my bathroom is off.
Did I turn it off before I left on Friday?I’m trying my best to remember if I left the light on like I usually do, but so much happened that I honestly can’t remember.
Before I can chalk it up to paranoia, a figure dressed in black comes toward me!
“Teagan, get down!” I drop to the floor when I hear Shadow yell.
The fight is on, and it’s like watching two brawling giants. The sounds of fists hitting flesh are so loud I know my neighbors have to hear it.
Shadow and the man are going tit for tat, and they’re almost the same size, but Shadow is a little taller. However, the other guy is a little bulkier. And although I’m sure Shadow can handle his own, I remember that I have a stun gun in my nightstand. It isn’t a taser, so the electricity doesn’t shoot out, but if I can get close enough, maybe I can shock the guy and help Shadow take down the intruder.
I scramble to the drawer and get out my weapon, but when I peek to see what’s going on, Shadow is standing over the other man with a gun to his head.
Okay, so I don’t need my stun gun.
“Who the fuck are you working for?” Shadow questions the bloodied man.