Page 14

CHAPTER 14

G oddammit.

Taschen was on his feet as the attacker’s first shot fired. Ice-cold dread wrapped around the back of his neck, making the sweat turn to frost. The bullet missed Kevin, who yelped and skittered across the concrete.

Taschen charged over the damp earth through the low-lying branches. He aimed and fired. The bullets bounced off the bulletproof sedan, but the shots distracted the people long enough for Kevin to leap into the forest. Sephie opened her arms, and he ran to her.

Tires squealed and smoke rose from the pavement. The stench of burning rubber filled the air. The sedan whipped in a giant U-turn and sped from the parking lot.

Taschen let out a weighty breath and rubbed his palm down his face. Jesus Christ. He should have known not to stop. Ever since picking up the pizza he’d had an uneasy feeling, but the sedan hadn’t been tailing them the whole time—of that he was positive. Maybe someone had been following them earlier and sent the assholes in the sedan. Who the fuck knew.

Sephie’s soft cries assaulted him. He retreated to the trees and knelt down beside her. “Sephie, are you okay?” He caught her shoulder.

She didn’t lift her gaze to his but kept her face buried in Kevin’s neck. “They tried to kill him,” she said on a sob. Finally, her tear-filled eyes met his. “They shot at a dog. Who would do that ?”

Tears squiggled down her cheeks, leaving behind long dark tracks of mascara. Her teeth chattered almost as much as Kevin shook.

The fact that the bastards had tried to hit the dog drove more fury into his soul than he ever imagined possible. Sephie had lost everyone she loved. All she had left was the innocent French bulldog in her arms.

He clenched his jaw because if he let out any of the anger inside him, he’d probably break his fist on a fucking tree. “A dead man.”

She blinked twice. Her nostrils flared as she inhaled.

He moved his hand from her shoulder to scoop Kevin from her arms. Holding the dog close to his jaw, he kissed him between his ears. “They’re going to die for hurting you, Sephie. I promise you that.”

She ran her knuckles beneath her eyes. “I don’t need you to go all vigilante. I couldn’t handle it if something happened to you, too. But I want those responsible to be held accountable for their crimes. I want them to stop. Because I know if they hurt Pippa and Clay, they hurt others.”

He held out his hand and she slid hers into it. “I can’t promise you I won’t kill anyone if given the opportunity. But I won’t let anyone come near you or Kevin again. You have my word.”

She leaned forward and threw her arms around his neck. Kevin squirmed between them but she didn’t let go.

“I can’t keep you as my bodyguard forever.” Her soft, wistful words were as delicate as the wildflowers sprouting from the ground at their feet. “I wish I could.”

She pulled away and, with her fingers still wrapped in his, got to her feet. He passed her Kevin then pulled her into his side. He kept his gun in hand as he moved them out of the safety of the trees.

Rain splattered around them, the droplets picking up their pace. He bundled Sephie and Kevin in the passenger seat then rounded the vehicle.

Before getting inside, he scanned the lot and the trees around them, wishing like hell the bastards would come back now that Sephie was safe behind bulletproof glass. He clenched the handle of his 9mm. There were enough bullets inside for every body part the cocksucker had .

When no tires squealed back into the parking lot, he got into the driver’s seat. Despite the fire pumping in his chest, he flicked on the heat and punched Sephie’s seat warmer. “You good?”

She shrunk against the leather, her eyes flickering with exhaustion and fear. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms, but he couldn’t do that. Not here. Not until he calmed down.

The image of Sephie running across the parking lot and the car going after her would haunt him forever. He’d never run so fucking fast in his life, and if he’d arrived a few seconds later... she might not be here.

And that was one reality he couldn’t bear.

“Yes. Just tired.” She scratched Kevin’s muzzle mindlessly.

“Sit tight. We’ll be at the cabin soon.” For the rest of the drive, he stayed silent so she could rest. Every time he glanced her way, though, her stare was wide on the windshield.

He checked his rearview mirror every few seconds. Every sense was on high alert, but no one followed them. Just to be sure, he drove around in a little town en route to the cabin for a few minutes. Still, they were alone.

Finally he pulled into the driveway of the cabin. He got out and went around the vehicle to help Sephie out. Kevin’s little feet hit the ground running, drawing a laugh from Sephie that thawed the anger beneath his skin.

“He feels at home here,” she said dreamily. He gathered their luggage, and she reached for the pizza and paper bag.

The showdown in the parking lot had made him lose his appetite. But now, with the scent of tomato sauce and melted cheese hitting him in the face, his hunger returned with a vengeance.

He carried Sephie’s bag to her room and dropped his in the other. She took the food to the kitchen then met him in the hallway.

Her eyes were big and held so many emotions that looking at her nearly broke him. He couldn’t hold back another minute. He pulled her into his arms.

She dropped her body against his as if holding herself upright took too much effort. Her face rested on his chest. Cupping the back of her head, he kissed her hair. They stood like that for several minutes. She didn’t cry, but small tremors shook her shoulders. Her body was probably releasing the shock and trauma of the last twenty-four hours.

“It feels like this is never going to end,” she said into his shirt, the words barely audible.

“It will.” He didn’t like promises. But dammit he’d make a million if there was a chance that one would lighten her burden. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but every time they make a move, they implicate themselves. It’s just a matter of time—”

“Everyone I love is dead.” The statement came out with the force of a whip.

He winced, grateful she couldn’t read his expression. “I know, baby.”

“You know what their next move is, right?”

“Hmm?”

“Me. They want me. Then this will stop.”

His muscles jerked involuntarily. Drawing back his head, he moved his hand to cradle her chin. “I won’t let that happen. This will end with them behind bars—or with bullets in their heads.”

She wet her lips. Tears glistened in her eyes. “It’s not that I don’t believe you. But they’re... so powerful. Look what they’ve gotten away with already.”

He ran the edge of his thumb along her jawline. “No one’s gotten away with anything. They’ve committed crimes that haven’t been solved yet. Let’s eat and call the camera guy. He might be a good lead.”

She nodded and sniffed. “Yeah, I forgot about Jack.”

“It’s something. I’m going to reach out to James Libby, too. His business is listed.”

She turned her head to brush her lips over his palm then stepped out of his hold. “That’s a good plan. I’m going to change. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

“Sounds good.” He kissed her forehead and stood back as she strode into her room.

Despite his assurances to Sephie, if Jack didn’t turn out to be a solid lead, they were fucked.

** *

Sephie needed the hottest shower known to man to chase away the chill frosting her bones, but her head was foggy and spinning. And although the symptoms were mostly from being frickin’ shot at, the other cause was lack of food.

After putting on sweatpants and a sweatshirt, she rolled socks over her feet and made her way to the kitchen.

Taschen had the pizza lids up, two plates out, and a large fork sticking out of the Caeser salad container.

She salivated as she picked up one of the plates. “This smells really good.”

He put a slice of each pizza on a plate for her.

“Thank you,” she said, as she reached for the salad fork.

Taschen loaded two pieces of cheeseburger pizza and two pepperoni slices on to his plate with a helping of salad. “I’m starving.”

She took a seat next to him at the table. Lifting the cheeseburger slice, she bit into it and groaned. The flavors of hamburger, dill pickle, and some kind of tangy orange sauce burst on her tastebuds. “Holy crap, that’s amazing.”

He grinned. “It’s the best. By the way, I just tried James while you were changing. Got his voicemail so I left a message. Might not hear back from him today, though. ”

“Hopefully you hear back soon. It’d be helpful to understand what he knows.”

Kevin whined, and she ripped off a piece of crust and fed it to him. The clock on the microwave showed it was after 4:00 p.m. It felt a lot later. Hell, if it weren’t for the ache in her legs, she wouldn’t believe they’d been chased down in a parking lot an hour and a half ago.

Taschen gobbled up his pizza and paused to wipe his face before moving on to the salad. Her stomach gurgled at the weight of the food, but she finished what she’d put on her plate.

He reached for his phone and brought up the social media app. Jack’s profile was still open on the page.

Her stomach clenched. “What are you going to say?”

He typed something then handed the phone to her. The message waited, unsent.

Hi, Jack.

I’m a security specialist with Backcountry Protection Services out of Seattle. If you haven’t yet heard, Yvette Mars was found dead early this morning. I’m assisting with protection of those connected to her and was hoping you had time to discuss your work history with Yvette.

If you’d like to speak, please call me.

Taschen McAver y

Beneath his name was his phone number. Sephie nodded. “Yeah, I think that sounds good. I suppose you can’t say I’m with you.”

He snorted. “Not a chance.”

“I realize the risk.” She steered the phone in his direction. “Who knows how he’ll respond. I wish I had a way of getting his phone number.”

He hit send and settled back in his chair. “It’s the best we can do for now. Hopefully he’ll call and we can go from there.”

She inched her plate away, the lightheadedness gone now that she had fuel in her system. But sadness still clung to her shoulders.

“What is it?” Taschen’s scrutinizing gaze pierced the facade she was trying to keep up. No matter what she did, Yvette’s face filled her mind’s eye.

She wanted to call Yvette. To bear her heart to her. She couldn’t do that. Never again would she hear Yvette’s laugh. Their weekly lunch dates were a thing of the past. She was more alone now than she’d ever been in her life—

Taschen’s hand covered hers, jolting her from her grief. His long fingers reached her wrist and were as firm and comforting as a life vest.

She turned her hand over to cup his palm. “I’m sorry. I just—I can’t stop thinking about Yvette.” Tears filled her eyes and she shook her head as the gripping tension in her throat cut off her ability to speak .

“Don’t be sorry.” He hauled her out of her chair and pulled her onto his lap. “You lost two of the most important people in your life. It’s—Christ, it’s not fucking fair.” He threaded his fingers into her hair. “So the last thing you need to do is apologize to me. You want to cry? Let it out. You want to scream? Yell at me. I’ll shoulder whatever you need to see you through this.”

Appreciation made tears fill her eyes even more. “I’m not going to yell at you,” was all she could muster.

He snuggled her close. His arm was draped around her hip, his hand resting just above her knee. Lord, it felt so good to be held. No one had ever held her like he did. No one had ever shown her the level of affection he did.

Which was unnerving.

Her parents had thrown her to the wolves, so she’d had to learn to fend for herself. There’d been no one to save her. Until now.

Until Taschen.

“All right. Don’t yell at me. But don’t apologize, either, okay?”

She chuckled. “That’s fair.” She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I need to return to Portland for Yvette’s funeral.” She massaged her temple, grief creeping back in. “I just—I don’t even know how to reach her son. I don’t know—”

“Hey.” She dropped her hand and looked at him. Earnestness folded his brow. “Let me figure that out. I’ll send a message to Pearl and she’ll get in touch with whoever’s making the arrangements.”

She grimaced. “Really?”

“’Course. It’s not like you can make calls right now. Not safely, anyway. Pearl’s great at this stuff. As soon as the funeral date is scheduled, she’ll let us know.”

She sighed.

“And I’ll take you there.”

Sephie fought the overwhelming surge of emotion. “You don’t have to do that. I mean, it could be a week. I don’t think hers will happen as quickly as Pippa’s. By then... I might not need you.” How untrue those words were. Speaking them made her tongue work extra hard.

Truth was, she needed Taschen more than she cared to admit. Over the last couple of days, he’d become her only lifeline. Though that in itself was unsafe.

Once Pippa and Yvette’s killers were caught, and Astral Productions was exposed, she wouldn’t need a bodyguard anymore. Taschen would return to the land of the normal, where she’d never belonged.

His expression didn’t change but his eyes softened. Compassion lit the beautiful hues she’d come to think of as home. “You might not need me, but I’ll still be here. ”

A lump pressed against her throat. Words jumbled on her tongue but she didn’t dare speak them. Not after the events of the last couple of days. She wasn’t thinking clearly. Emotions were high. But Taschen’s stare held no compromise.

He wasn’t offering protection services. And his unwavering devotion both calmed her anxiety and sparked a hundred burning questions.

He tipped his chin down, forcing her eyes to his. “Unless you don’t want me to stick around.”

She guffawed. “Of course, I do.”

“Then what?”

She lifted a shoulder and shook her head. Raising her gaze to the ceiling, she prayed the right words came to her. That she could express her feelings without sounding pathetic. “I just—No one’s ever shown me so much kindness.”

He tugged on a lock of her hair, once again making her look at him. Keeping her attention off him was easier than usual given the nature of their conversation. But oh god, his hazel eyes had a way of capturing her.

“Well,” he drawled, “I’m not in the business of making promises. But I can assure you that you’ll never receive anything from me but kindness and respect.”

Not an ounce of desire coated his tone. Nonetheless, she’d never wanted anyone more. Maybe she just needed to get lost once again. To feel human, womanly, and anything but the victim she was right now.

Steeling her nerves, she turned on his lap so she faced him directly. She rested her hand against his stubble. “I know we made things very, very physical. But thank you for being my friend, too.”

His eyes darkened. “I promise, no matter what, we’ll always be friends. And I’ll always protect you.”

She stroked the scar on his face. “I have a feeling you’ve said that to a lot of women.”

His nostrils flared. “You think I fall for women all the time?”

She blinked, his words hitting her with the force of a cannonball. Swallowing, she hoped to hell he couldn’t see her squirm. “Do you think you’re falling for me, Mr. McAvery?”

He caught her wrist. “Honey, I already have.”

Her heart rate kicked up a thousand paces. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.

“Don’t.” The firmness of his voice shocked her. “You’ve been through enough. We can talk about it later. Let’s just get this sorted out and then maybe you’ll let me take you on a proper date.”

Warmth spread through her so quickly she nearly tumbled off his lap. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his briefly. When she pulled away, she left only an inch between their mouths. “Thank you for being you.” Her stomach turned over, but she couldn’t stop the rest from coming. “It’s exactly what I need. ”

Before he could respond and before she could put her foot further into her mouth, she kissed him again. This time, his mouth sealed over hers. He swooped his arm around her lower back and lifted her to wrap her legs around his waist. Dishes clattered and then he plopped her on the wooden table.

His hands grasped her hips and his tongue slid expertly between her teeth. Her toes curled and desire ran rampant through her body.

She let her hands roam over his T-shirt and stopped at his belt buckle.

She wanted him.

He brought his hand over her hip to cup her sex. The feel of his warm, strong fingers between her legs made her head spin. Moisture pulsed as he rubbed gently over her pants.

“Ah,” she moaned. “Don’t tease me.”

He smiled against her lips then slipped his hand inside her waistband and down her panties. His thumb found her clit and jiggled the sensitive nub.

She gasped and withered as her climax built. So close. She just needed—

He slipped two fingers inside her. The abrupt invasion made her cry out. He surged his fingers in and out. The table creaked and shook beneath her. He didn’t stop.

She would’ve died if he did.

Her insides clenched and he groaned. His mouth moved to her ear, and his tongue flicked over her earlobe. Pleasure exploded inside her. Her lips throbbed with every rush of her orgasm, and in seconds she was soaked.

Taschen brought his mouth back to hers. This time his kiss was slow and gentle. He continued stroking her, long and slow. The final ripples of ecstasy ebbed away. The kitchen lights suddenly became too bright.

Ring , ring

He grumbled but withdrew his hand. She sat on the table, legs spread wide, unfortunately fully clothed, her mind still fuzzy.

Reaching for his phone, he stilled.

She pressed her hand to her beating heart. “Who is it?”

“Unknown caller. This might be Jack.”

Anxiety crawled up her spine as Taschen straightened and pressed the phone to his ear.