Page 2 of Taschen (Chosen Few #4)

CHAPTER 2

E xhaustion called Sephie to the king-sized bed in the hotel room, but she didn’t dare lay in it. Doing so would only make her more tired. She folded her arms tightly around her waist and stared out the window at the dark abyss that was Portland. After escaping her home, she’d hidden in a nearby alleyway and called Yvette while managing to get her shoes on and keep hold of Kevin.

Yvette had picked her up and taken her to the police station, where she’d given a full report. So many events had occurred in such a short time frame that it seemed as though the attack had happened days ago and not hours earlier. Now it was just after 1:00 a.m., and any minute she’d be taken god knew where with god knew who for god knew how long.

“Is all this really necessary?”

Yvette sat in the chair across from her at the small dinette table, her glasses low on her nose. Her brown hair was streaked with gray. Her tired eyes looked up from the screen of her phone. “Absolutely it is. Look what just happened. We have to keep you safe.”

A chill shook Sephie’s shoulders. “I knew I’d get backlash. I just never thought it’d come in the form of someone trying to kill me. I just—Do I really need to leave town?”

“For now, yes. I think that’s best.”

Sephie tilted her head. “You don’t have to do this. I’m not your client anymore.”

Yvette gave her a pitying look. “No, you’re not. But I’m your friend.” She leaned forward and cupped Sephie’s wrist. “I know you’re trying to protect Pippa’s memory. And you want to hang the people who you feel put you in harm’s way. But these allegations—”

“Are true and you know it.”

Yvette’s gaze shifted away, and she nodded slowly. “I won’t deny this industry is like an open sewage plant. I wish I could’ve done more to protect you and Pippa. Had I known then...”

Sephie also looked away. She couldn’t pin the blame on Yvette. While Sephie had never disclosed anything about the uncomfortable situations to any adults in her life, she’d guessed even back then that Yvette had her suspicions.

“You took over as my guardian. And it’s a damn good thing you did.” Yvette was the one who’d allowed her to skip the parties. She’d made up excuses for Sephie when her own parents would’ve thrown her to the wolves for a buck.

“Honey, I’m so sorry.” Yvette’s tear-filled eyes met hers. “About Pippa, and for all you two went through. You got out, and that’s the best—”

“Pippa didn’t.”

Yvette wiped tears from her cheeks. “No, but in her own way she’s free now.”

A sob caught in Sephie’s throat, and Yvette pulled her into a hug.

Sephie shook off the emotions that made her want to head into a downward spiral. She couldn’t go there. Not now. When she was in a safe place, she’d let out her pent-up feelings. For now, she had to get through the night.

A loud snore sounded from Kevin, who was snoozing on the bed. Yvette pulled out of their embrace and frowned. “What’d you give that dog, Xanex?”

Sephie chuckled. “Leave Kevin and his sleep apnea alone. He’s cute.”

Yvette looked at her as if she’d grown two heads and then laughed. “I’m kidding. He’s a darling. And he saved your life. He’ll always be a prince in my book.” She looked at her watch and sighed.

“You can go,” Sephie said. “I’ll be fine here until my babysitter shows up.”

Yvette rolled her eyes. “He’s not a babysitter. He’s a bodyguard. Backcountry Protection Services comes with quite the credentials. The entire team is ex-military and—”

“I know, I know, you told me. He’s probably going to be some grumpy old man annoyed by my very presence. I can book my own vacation and let this blow over.”

“And what if they hunt you down? You need protection. Clearly you’ve made someone very angry.”

“Like Raymond?” She dragged her teeth over her bottom lip. “It’s a little hard to believe he arranged a hitman, and so quickly. But he’s the only one I nailed to the cross,” she said, giving a slight shrug.

Knock , knock

Sephie’s stomach clenched. Kevin hopped up and ruffed his snorty way to the door, jumping and prancing as though he were her sole protector.

Yvette gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll get it.” She crossed the hotel room, peeked through the peephole, and opened the door. “Hi, you must be Mr. McAvery. Thank you for coming here tonight.”

The man replied in a gruff tone, but Sephie couldn’t decipher his words. He came inside and Yvette closed the door.

Sephie stood, and her knees shook as she inched her way across the room. Nerves made her bunch her fingers together in front of her pullover, which bore the name of her favorite football team.

The man was huge. Easily a foot taller than she was and rounded out like a linebacker. His sinewy muscles bulged beneath the sleeves of his black T-shirt. Tingles of awareness shot down to her toes. He didn’t smile, not quite, but his face relaxed and warmed as he turned his attention to her. A thin scar slashed across his cheekbone. The fresher-looking one on the side of his head made warning flash through her senses.

He definitely wasn’t some washed-up, high-paid babysitter. Whoever this guy was, he was dangerous as all hell.

“Evening, Miss Burgess.” He jutted out a large bronzed hand. “Sorry to keep you waiting. It was a long drive from Seattle.” His eyes landed on her face, calm and seemingly free of judgment.

Nevertheless, the contents of her stomach curdled. This man was a complete stranger, and because of her video, he knew some of the darkest secrets she’d carried. Of course that wasn’t his fault. But meeting someone face-to-face knowing they held preconceived notions was unnerving. Shame wrapped around her spine and a wall slapped up around her.

She might have stepped out of the spotlight, but she still remembered how to act. She could hold her chin high and pretend he wasn’t judging her. Because somewhere behind all that bronze and muscle, he was.

She cleared her throat and slipped her palm into his. “Not at all. Thank you for coming. ”

His fingers closed around hers, and then his free hand settled on top of their joined ones, sending a shockwave of warmth and electricity to her core. His hazel eyes bore into hers, trapping her with their sympathy and... awe? No, that wasn’t it.

Yvette spoke, but Sephie couldn’t process her words. Not when anxiety had dropped her beating heart on the floor. She wondered if the badass hunk might just pick it up.

She let her hand rest in his hold. The cushion of his palm was so comforting, so inviting she just wanted to melt into him.

Yvette’s voice finally punched through Sephie as the bodyguard slid his hand away from hers. “Where are you taking her? Can I speak with her while she’s with you?”

Kevin grunted and snuffled at the guy’s feet. If she weren’t so tongue-tied, she’d have told him to lie down.

The guy looked down at Kevin as though he weren’t sure whether to pet him or nudge him away.

“Kevin,” Sephie finally hissed. The damn dog ignored her but stopped grunting. “Sorry about my dog, Mr. McAvery. He’s a little out of sorts after tonight.” Who was she kidding? Kevin had been born out of sorts.

He smirked. “Call me Taschen.” He swiveled his attention to Yvette. “For your client’s safety, I can’t disclose where we’re going. Rest assured she’ll be safe and out of harm’s way. If you need to get in contact with Miss Burgess, just reach out to the office and we’ll get any necessary messages to her.”

Sephie blinked. Holy hell. She sucked in a breath and glanced at Yvette, shaking her head. Reality hit her like a fifty-ton truck. “Maybe this is going too far. I can’t just... leave.”

The dizzying realization of what was happening made nausea bubble in her belly. Financially, she was set up. After her grandfather’s death shortly after she left the show, she’d inherited a large sum of money. Money her pop hadn’t wanted his daughter, her mother, to get her hands on after what she’d put Sephie through. Thanks to Yvette, all of Sephie’s money had gone into a trust, and she’d been able to access it when she turned twenty-five. But she still had a home, responsibilities, a life. She couldn’t abandon it.

She might not work a nine-to-five like most people, but she divided her time with freelance editing and volunteering at the local animal shelter.

Taschen’s gaze darkened. “Miss Burgess, your manager was right to contact us as early as she did. The fact you escaped an attempt on your life is a miracle. Given the message you put out, I have no doubt these people will try again. And the media will be on her like a blood hound by morning. The sooner we get you out of the city, the better. ”

Tears hot with regret spilled through her lashes, and awkwardness settled over the room for a moment. Taschen dug into his pocket and pulled out several small bone-shaped items. “Can I give these to your pup? Just some dried liver.”

She nodded, grateful. He dropped to his knee to acknowledge Kevin.

Yvette pulled her into a hug. “I’m so sorry, honey. I just want you to be safe. The police are working on this and I’m sure it’ll be resolved in no time.”

Yvette’s words lacked conviction. With a case like this, it could take months—or years—to prove Raymond had caused harm to minors on his show, let alone that he’d tried to kill her. She had no proof he’d harmed Pippa. All she knew for certain was that he’d been inappropriate with her on set.

Sephie swallowed. Part of her wished she could rewind the last few hours, wished she’d never done that stupid broadcast.

Pippa’s laughing eyes flashed in her mind. No. She had to fight for her friend. For the innocent soul who’d been ripped from this world, and for the many others hiding in the shadows.

If her story brought even a shred of scrutiny to Astral Productions and Raymond Schaffer, then every minute of her discomfort was worth it. She pulled out of Yvette’s embrace and straightened her shoulders.

Taschen rose to his towering height. His mouth was set in a determined line.

“Okay,” Sephie breathed. “Let’s go.”

***

Taschen had expected to meet a starlet, but the woman who’d slid her slight hand into his was nothing short of angelic. If he could have wiped the worry and agitation from her pretty green eyes, he would have in a heartbeat.

He couldn’t blame her for not wanting to leave with him, but he also wanted her to know he wasn’t some creep. Lifting his gaze to the rearview mirror, he took in the strain around her eyes, the makeup tracks down her cheeks, the messy strands of her dark-blond hair.

With one hand, he gripped and released the steering wheel, over and over. Just hours ago, someone had tried to take her life. One thing was certain—he’d stand between her and whoever wanted her gone. “Do you need to stop for anything? Hungry?”

She lifted her eyes to meet his. “It’s two o’clock in the morning,” she said flatly.

He shrugged. “I’m sure something’s open.”

She gave a light snort. “Thanks, but I couldn’t eat if I tried.”

Shifting his gaze back to the road, he held his tongue. Poor woman was exhausted and shaken. They were close to Seattle, but they still had a drive ahead of them. At least there wasn’t much traffic. With any luck they’d reach the cabin in less than ninety minutes. “Feel free to shut your eyes. You might not sleep, but the rest will do you good.”

He glanced at the mirror again and saw her stroke the dog’s ears. The little mutt hadn’t moved from her lap since they got in the truck.

“Yeah. Thanks.” She turned her face toward the window, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes.

Taschen stayed silent for the rest of the trip. The only sound inside the vehicle was the gentle drone of smooth rock and Kevin’s snores.

By the time he’d pulled into the long gravel driveway near Mount Rainier, he could barely keep his eyes open. After steering the truck beneath the carport, he turned off the ignition and stepped out. Warm mountain air filled his nostrils. The moon hovered high in the sky.

Taschen opened the rear passenger door and Seraphina jerked up her head, her eyes electric with fear.

Shit. “Just me. Sorry I didn’t wake you sooner, but we’re here.”

Kevin leapt from his owner’s lap and bounded for the grass as though the property were his usual weekend getaway.

Seraphina rubbed her eyes with the back of one hand and fumbled for the seatbelt. “I guess I passed out. ”

“Good. Then my driving isn’t as bad as my coworkers tell me.”

His joke was met with a quizzical expression. He stifled a groan. Man, he was losing his touch.

She slid from the seat and the top of her head dropped to the height of his sternum. He’d seen pictures of the former actress. Maybe it’d been the heels and posture, but she sure as hell had seemed taller in them. Exhausted and in running shoes, she was pint-sized next to him.

He grabbed his bag from the back seat and gestured toward the door of the house. “In the morning, feel free to make a list of things you need. We’ll grab them tomorrow.”

She folded her arms beneath her breasts and nodded then followed him to the house.

Quiet.

She’d barely said two sentences to him since he walked into the hotel room. He didn’t want to diminish what she’d gone through, but the silent treatment was killing him. He’d rather she be angry or upset than closed off. Her silence was irrelevant. She was just a client. He was being paid to be her protector, not her confidant.

It would serve him well to keep that top of mind.

He climbed the front steps and removed the key from his pocket. Kevin bounded up the stairs, an extra pep in his step after relieving himself.

At least the dog didn’t seem to mind his company.