Page 5

CHAPTER 5

J esus H. Christ he had a problem.

That problem might be barely five foot four and a buck fifteen soaking wet, but she was a problem all right. A problem for his head, a problem for his cock, and maybe even a problem for his job if he wasn’t more careful.

But Sephie’s fuck-me eyes and pouty lips had done him in. Shit. She didn’t just have fuck-me eyes. She had a fuck-me face, fuck-me body, and fuck him he needed help.

He’d let words slip that he shouldn’t have. He could practically hear Brick screaming in his ear about not having a professional bone in his body.

He kept his focus on the road for the rest of the drive. He didn’t normally talk about that day with Gigi. He still hated that she’d been captured under his watch. The guys ribbed him constantly about his scars, but that didn’t bother him. It didn’t matter what he looked like when he knew how to fuck the way he did .

But that wasn’t where his head should be. Matter of fact, his head, hands, and cock needed to stay far away from Sephie if he wanted to get through this job without getting torn a new asshole by his bosses.

A contract with a former celebrity was one of the biggest stateside gigs Backcountry had earned. And if he screwed it up by getting handsy or coming on to the client, he’d be the one getting fucked.

“I’m starving,” Sephie said, finally breaking the silence as they pulled into the long, tree-lined driveway.

“Me, too. Why don’t you unpack your things and I’ll make lunch?”

“That sounds amazing.”

He parked in the carport and she got out at the same time he did. He rounded the vehicle just as she opened the back door to grab the bags. He took them from her hands. “Come on. I work for you, now. Let me do the lifting.”

Her lips worked into a mischievous smirk. “Is that how this goes? You have to do what I want because I’m paying you?” She was too close. Her scent, warm vanilla frosting or some shit, floated to his nose, nearly knocking him off-balance.

He tried to breathe the fresh, piney air, hoping it would sober him. It didn’t. He took a step backward. “Basically, but I’m a shitty employee so keep that in mind. ”

A hint of self-consciousness flashed across her face then vanished. Ah, hell. He’d insulted her. This was going to be a tough tightrope to walk—not leading her on and insinuating anything sexual, but also not seeming so disinterested he hurt her feelings.

She moved away from the vehicle toward the front of the cabin. He muttered a curse, grabbed some more bags, and followed.

She waited on the front porch, her arms wrapped around her middle. He set down a handful of bags and pulled out his keys. Fitting the correct one into the lock, he bumped open the door.

Kevin yapped excitedly as he hopped and skittered in circles around them. “Come on, buddy. Inside.”

Sephie snickered and bent to scoop up the squirming animal. “I’d like to say Kevin’s a good listener, but he just can’t hold his composure when you come home.”

“I can tell,” he said with a laugh. He kicked off his shoes and carried the bags to the kitchen. Kevin’s nails tapped in his wake like Shirley fricken Temple. If he didn’t know any better, he’d guess the dog suspected they’d shopped for him.

He dug into the bag and pulled out a stuffed squirrel. He ripped off the tag and tossed it into the living room. Kevin let out a hoot, chased and picked up the animal, and hopped onto the couch to snuggle the stuffy.

“You realize you’re now going to have to do that every time you come home, right?”

Taschen’s smile faltered. Her words pulsed through the air, hitting him in the chest.

Home .

For as long as he could remember, all he’d wanted was a family of his own. A wife, a dog, and kids to chase around and keep him young. Thirty-four wasn’t old, but the time to start a family and enjoy playing with his children before he got old as fuck was running out.

Sephie’s brow wrinkled with interest. “Did I say something?”

“Ah—no.” He reached into the grocery bags. “Just thinking there’s a nice trail out back. Maybe we can take Kevin for a walk later?”

Her eyes sparked with interest. “Sure. He’d love that.” She approached the island and took the three bags containing her items. “I’m going to unpack these.” She turned, paused, and pivoted back to face him. “And Taschen. Thanks.”

He froze with a tub of sour cream in hand. “For what?”

She shrugged. “Everything. For the clothes, for taking care of Kevin—and me—and for sharing things about yourself. It helped keep my mind off things.”

Amusement flooded through him. “I’m glad my getting shot in the head helped you. ”

She let out a gruff laugh and rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.” She sauntered out of the kitchen and he let his smirk spread.

Goddamn he had it bad.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen. Rami. “Hello?”

“Hey man. All settled?”

“Pretty much.” He started putting away the items. “I hope you’re calling to tell me they caught the guy who broke into Sephie’s apartment and attacked her.”

Rami grunted. “According to the police report, the guy was gone when they got there. Signs of forced entry, and they even found a needle that must have fallen in the struggle. Forensics are being done, but that will take time.”

“Something tells me they won’t have this guy in the database.” Distaste filled him. He wished like hell they had an ID on the perp. He’d find the bastard himself.

“You’re probably right. If this was a professional hit, there won’t be anything to trace back to the intruder. But she did good. They’d have nothing if it wasn’t for her quick action.”

Taschen lifted his gaze to the hallway. Sephie sure as hell was resourceful. She just shouldn’t be in this position to begin with.

***

Sephie pulled the sky-blue T-shirt over her head. The color was bright and pretty and nicely matched the light-wash cutoff shorts. Combing her hair to the side as she stared in the mirror, she let her gaze drift to the makeup on the counter.

She’d bought only mascara and eyeshadow because she’d been practically sweating with Taschen shopping next to her. The last thing she wanted was for him to think she was trying to doll herself up for him. But not trying also said something, too.

Groaning, she picked up the palette and applied the dusty-pink powder then flicked on the black mascara. There. At least she looked human. And if he read too much into it, that was on him.

She’d already put her items away and was starting to feel more at home. Maybe it was because Kevin seemed to love it here. Or because being so close to nature lowered her cortisol levels.

Or maybe it was the ex-soldier in the kitchen.

She shook her head, tucking away that thought. Taschen was... unique. Intense but with a sense of humor. Huge and formidable but with a side of cinnamon roll. And enough masculinity to fill a fighting ring.

Enough. She had to keep her head on straight. Pippa just died for god’s sake and— Oh no . She had to find out about the funeral. Since she’d had to leave her phone with Yvette and couldn’t communicate directly with anyone right now, she was out of the loop .

She made her way back to the kitchen. Her footsteps faltered at the doorway. Taschen stood with his back to her, a tea towel thrown over his black T-shirt and a utensil in his hand. He tossed food around a pan.

Grease sizzled, and the scents of bacon and hash browns filled the air. “Smells good,” she said, as she crossed the floor to the island.

Taschen turned. “Hope you’re hungry.” His pearly whites flashed and his eyes warmed.

Her belly constricted. She was hungry, all right. Starving for a giant slice of man cake. “Um, yeah. So hungry.” The words came out forced. All she really cared about was if his abs were as tight and built as the rest of him.

“I made you tea.” He nodded at the cup on the island. “We forgot honey, so it’s plain.”

She wrapped her hands around the porcelain that read The Only Life Is Cabin Life . “That’s perfect. Thanks.”

He turned off the stove and removed two plates from the cupboard. His large bronzed hands worked as he served their food with all the fixings. “Grab a seat.”

She followed him to the table. He placed the plate in front of her and took the seat beside her. They ate and then cleaned the kitchen in comfortable silence.

“Want to go for that walk?” he asked, as she tucked the last utensil in the dishwasher. She glanced at the window.

“Sure, it looks beautiful out.”

“Good thing I grabbed a leash for Kevin, too.”

She wiped her hands on the dish towel he’d left on the counter, and minutes later they were strolling along a narrow path through the woods. The bright-green leaves and buzz of nature revitalized her senses. “It’s a nice day.” She ducked away from a low-lying branch.

Kevin jogged beside them. Taschen held the leash.

“Sure is.”

“Do you come here often? Or is the cabin just used for clients?”

“It’s Toth’s cabin, used mainly as one of our safe houses. He and Savannah usually come out a couple times a month to maintain the property, but me and the guys have been helping since Toth and Savannah had their son a few months ago. You should meet Roman. He’s really cute.”

The idea of Taschen holding a baby made her grin. He was so big, so masculine, that picturing him with a little baby made her heart melt. “I’d love to. It’s nice you get to spend some time here.”

“I come once in a while to clear my head. It’s a great spot. I’d love to have something of my own close by.” His voice held a wistful note. Curiosity pulled at her.

“So why don’t you?”

He cocked an eyebrow then shrugged. “I don’t get away very often. I either help out my parents or sister on my days off, see friends, things like that. I go for hikes,” he added, his voice still full of longing. “But not enough to justify owning another property.”

She nodded. “I get it. I don’t like to leave town by myself. I usually plan trips with friends, and I traveled when I was with Danny.”

He stiffened, and his hand seemed to tighten on the leash. She tilted up her chin and noted the tension along his jaw.

“Did I say something?”

“Nope. Not at all. Just—I was thinking about why you and Danny split.”

She made an O shape with her lips. “That’s boring. But long story short, he and I were too different. He liked to party. Always wanted me to get back into acting—I think he just wanted the connections. I explained that it wasn’t part of my life anymore, but he never understood. Said I’d made a name for myself and such good money that I was crazy to throw it away.” She swallowed as her mind stretched toward the dark places she fought to keep away from.

Raymond’s slimy hands massaging her shoulders.

She shook off the feeling. “We stuck it out for a while, about a year. I think he was already seeing someone else by the time we parted ways.”

“You didn’t date anyone after him? ”

She chortled. “Have you seen the dating pool? My god, it’s horrific out there. Everyone just wants sex. I don’t have anything in common with anyone.”

It was the cold, stark truth. Not only did no one understand her, no one cared. She’d tried a few dating apps, and between the dozens of raunchy profiles promising sexual acts, there’d be the odd person who seemed to have their shit together. Then after a few short discussions, she’d find they had no spark.

Taschen grunted, and she grimaced at her choice of words. He was too observant. He might not pry, but he’d come to his own conclusions, and the last thing she needed was for him to make assumptions about her—if he hadn’t already.

“I feel that,” he finally said. “Most women I talk to don’t want anything serious.”

She widened her eyes. Thankfully her focus was on Kevin hopping over a branch, so Taschen couldn’t see her reaction. “And you do?” She glanced up to read him.

“I want someone with a sense of responsibility. Someone who cares about their health and future.” A long pause dragged out before he continued. “I want a family.”

Something twinged in her chest. She used to dream about having a family someday... about being a mom. Not anymore.

How could she learn to be a mother when her own mother had exploited her?

She kept that tidbit to herself. They walked for an hour before heading back to the cabin. Taschen excused himself to make a phone call in the backyard, so she put on a TV show.

An hour later, she clicked off the mind-numbing program and found Taschen in the kitchen. “There’s something I need your help with,” she said.

He looked up from the steaks he had marinating on a plate. “What’s that?”

“Can you find out about Pippa’s funeral? I—I really need to go.”

His hazel eyes widened. “Shit, Seph. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

She wet her lips. “I figured you’d say that.” The familiar sting of annoyance hit her in the chest, but she shoved it away. She wouldn’t react like she had this morning.

Besides, at the end of the day, she wasn’t a prisoner. He could offer advice regarding her next move, but he couldn’t make it for her. “I want to go. It’s important to me that I attend. Can you please reach out to Yvette for the details?”

His eyes grew small and he compressed his lips. “Yeah. Of course. I’ll text our receptionist Pearl and she’ll find out whatever she can right away.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

He washed his hands then pulled out his phone. When he’d finished, he slipped it back into his pocket. “Done.”

“Thank you.” She knotted her hands and swayed back and forth. “There’s something else.”

He tilted his head. “I was picking up on that. Go on.”

“I know this sounds dumb, but... I need to see what’s being said online.” She closed her eyes as waves of emotion crashed inside her. She couldn’t explain the pull. The need to know what was being said and uncovered about Pippa’s death. Yes, a lot of it would be speculation. But she wanted to know even if she couldn’t vocalize her opposition right now.

Taschen frowned. “Uh, well. I mean as long as you don’t log in to any of your social media accounts or, you know, comment anywhere. I think that’s safe enough.”

Gratitude made some of her sadness trickle away. He hadn’t even asked her why. Was he always this easygoing? She was used to having every decision questioned and argued.

She respected him for his silent acceptance. His patient and understanding ways. He unlocked his phone and held it out. “Have at it. Think you’ll be hungry for dinner in about an hour?”

“Yeah, that’s perfect. Let me know if you need a hand.” But her mind had already drifted toward the world she hated so much. She swiped her finger over the glass screen and meandered to the couch, dropping into the leather .

Kevin hopped up and curled against her side. Following Taschen’s advice, she didn’t access her personal accounts but instead went to one of Pippa’s public social media pages. The image pinned to the top of the page was a picture of Pippa and her, coffees in hand and smiling at the camera. The caption beneath announced her death.

The photo had been taken only six weeks ago. They’d spent the morning shopping and had lunch. Little had she known it would be the last time she’d see her best friend alive.

Her mind drudged up the conversations they’d had that day. Sephie raked through them, dissecting everything Pippa had said. No red flags came to mind. Nothing had alerted her to the fact that Pippa might harm herself. But that’s how these things often went. Sometimes even the closest family members and friends knew nothing was amiss with their loved one before they took their own life.

She’d read the caption numerous times when she first heard the news. Now, she flicked through the comments. Many celebrities and colleagues expressed their shock and devastation. One comment, by Sikko101, jumped out at her.

Her breath caught in her throat and she straightened. She read and reread the words, and each time, her stomach clenched.

She knew. Pippa had proof and was working with James Libby .

The air thickened. If Pippa knew something, was planning some elaborate exposé, she’d have told Sephie.

Right?

She couldn’t let one comment from a random person online throw her into a frenzy. But was there any truth to the remark? She clicked on the person’s profile. Zero posts and zero followers. Probably a troll account.

But if someone wanted to get information out there, make people look closely at Pippa’s death without incriminating themselves, they’d do it anonymously. Just like Sikko101.

As much as she wanted to ignore the comment, she owed it to Pippa to examine every angle.