He bent down closer, framing her face with his hands like he’d done at their wedding. “It’s you for me, Jaz, you have to feel that.”
Jasmine didn’t move or respond besides pulling in quick breaths. Kaleb waited, praying, hoping.
Finally, she whispered, “Please don’t do this to me, Kaleb.”
“Do what?”
“Make me fall for you.”
Kaleb’s heart leapt as her dark eyes filled with longing, for him. She wanted him but she was fighting it. He couldn’t fathom her reasons for pushing him away, but he had to get past her barriers and make her fall.
She placed both palms on his chest and his heart took another jump. She was going to give him a chance. He bent closer, inches away now from tasting her lips again. Her dark eyes were full of longing and her lips looked soft and full.
A beep sounded from the security system. Jasmine slipped from his grasp, glanced at the camera, and then ran for the garage entry.
Kaleb’s hands slowly dropped to his side. Disappointment filled him. He could see Griff’s black Escalade pulling into the garage. Curse his brother. He’d interrupted their perfect kiss at the wedding and now he’d interrupted another opportunity for a kiss. It was more than just a mere kiss though; Griff had interrupted when Jasmine had finally been vulnerable and willing to let Kaleb in.
Griff might have more training and muscle than a superhero and Kaleb was grateful his brother wasn’t dating Jasmine, but he was still going to pummel him the first chance he got.
Chapter Eleven
Jasmine silently cursed and thanked Griff for the interruption. She could never let any of her security associates guess how quickly she was falling for Griff’s brother. Kaleb was too perfect. It’s you for me, Jaz. Wow. Had a sweeter line ever been said? Did he truly mean that? She’d been ready to kiss him and reveal how much she cared for him. Was that insane? Even if it was, it felt so right she didn’t know how to stop falling for him.
Griff’s Escalade cleared the third, empty bay of the garage. Jasmine pushed the button to lower the door again, so they could get Kaleb inside the vehicle without anyone seeing him. Kaleb appeared behind her with his bag in hand. He gave her a grim smile. She ached to reach out to him and tell him the truth—it was him for her as well.
And the world exploded. A fireball ripped through the partially opened garage, rocking the Escalade onto its front wheels.
Jasmine tackled Kaleb back into the house. She landed on top of him. He wrapped his arms around her and rolled quickly so his body was sheltering hers. What was he doing? She was supposed to protect him.
“Get in here!” Griff yelled through the Escalade window.
Jasmine peeked out from under Kaleb and could see that the Escalade was fine; thankfully the vehicle had been built to withstand almost anything. The garage door was hanging at a crazy angle, Kaleb’s Porsche sport utility in the next bay was mangled, and half of the garage bay door next to it was blown away.
“Let’s move,” Jasmine said to Kaleb.
He nodded and leapt to his feet, grabbing her hand and pulling her up. They ran hand in hand past his truck and Porsche to the Escalade. She tried to get in front of him, to shield him, but Kaleb kept pace with her.
She could hear men screaming and gunfire raging outside. Bullets pinged into the garage just as the Escalade door flipped open, Griff hanging over the console. “Get in!” he yelled.
Jasmine tried to push Kaleb in to safety but he lifted her off her feet and shoved her in, climbing in behind her. He needed to stop reacting like he was protecting her or he was going to get them both killed. Kaleb slammed the door and Griff shoved the vehicle into reverse.
The tires squealed as they spun out of the garage. The metallic ding of bullets hitting the reinforced metal sheeting of the Escalade and the bullet-proof windows made Jasmine cringe. She was used to battles like this, but having someone she cared about being the target brought an unfamiliar feeling of fear.
Sutton’s men were shooting at other men, barely visible in the night with their dark clothing and masks. Some were in hand-to-hand combat. Griff dropped the vehicle into drive and shot off down the formerly peaceful street of Kaleb’s high-dollar neighborhood. Jasmine yanked out her phone and dialed 911, hoping whoever was attacking their security guys would disappear when sirens approached.
She was sitting partially on top of Kaleb in the bucket seat. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her fully onto his lap. She should’ve protested or pushed away, but she was in the middle of describing the situation to the 911 operator and she’d been scared for him. Fighting and battle was her element, but with Kaleb involved, she felt decidedly unsettled.
Griff was talking to someone on his phone, if she placed bets she’d say Sutton. She tried to half-listen to Griff’s side of the conversation as she answered the operator’s never-ending questions. Kaleb’s firm grip on her waist and the feel of his body pressed against hers was distracting her almost as much as the two conversations she was trying to listen to. She kept looking in the side mirror but couldn’t see anyone pursuing them.
Finally, the 911 operator assured her officers had arrived at the scene, had the situation under control, and were making arrests even as they spoke. Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief as the operator let her go.
“Are you all right?” Kaleb asked as soon as she ended the call.
She glanced up at Kaleb. No, she was not all right and he shouldn’t be holding her like he was. Minutes ago she’d almost kissed him and declared her devotion. The attack had helped her remember who she was. She was Kaleb’s protection detail, not his girlfriend. She had to be stronger than to fall for him. “Fine. You?”
He nodded, studying her with those too-blue eyes. She tried to shift away from him but there was nowhere to go except the middle console.
She heard Griff sign off with “Heart of a warrior”. Definitely Sutton then.
“What’s the plan?” she asked, her heart thumping wildly. Whether that was from Kaleb holding her so close, or the bomb and attack, she couldn’t be sure.
Griff glanced briefly at them and one eyebrow lifted, but he didn’t comment, as per usual Griff style. “I’m taking you straight to Sutton’s Gulfstream.”
“What? Why? The police are arresting men at Kaleb’s house right now. They’ll capture more people at Balboa Park when they try to pick up the money and we can easily find out who instigated the threat and attack.”
Griff was shaking his head. “There was a bomb at the park too. The person who came to pick up the case killed himself and one of ours.”
“No!” Jasmine pulled in and out several breaths. “Who?”
“Jake,” Griff muttered.
There was silence in the car for a while. Jasmine couldn’t believe it. Jake. He was a nice, easy-going guy. He’d served with Griff in Afghanistan and Kuwait. She wished she knew how to comfort Griff, this had to be hard on him, but did anyone know how to comfort Griff?
Kaleb released one of his hands from around Jasmine and placed it on Griff’s forearm. “I’m sorry, bro.”
Griff grunted in response, keeping his eyes focused on the road. Finally he pushed out, “At some point, you’d think I’d be numb to it.”
Jasmine caught Kaleb’s gaze. This was the most insight she’d ever had into Griff’s mind and from Kaleb’s look he was thinking something similar.
“We’re never numb to losing those we care about,” Kaleb said.
Griff nodded and then he glanced at his brother. “Whoever is doing this is after you. I wish I could come with you, but Sutton needs me here. You’ll be safe where you’re going, but please listen to Jasmine and do exactly what she says. She’ll protect you.”
Jasmine’s heart swelled with Griff’s words, the most she’d ever heard him speak in one stint. She knew he trusted her to fight well but in the past two years she’d never been certain if he trusted her not to turn back to the wrong side of the law. He was the one who’d taken her
down in a sting op, protected her from a bomb, and when she’d come to she’d been in his and Sutton’s power. She’d begged them to kill her, rather than turn her into the police, or worse, back to the monsters who controlled her. They gave her a chance at redemption instead. To know that Griff now trusted her to protect his brother touched something deep within her.
“I trust her,” Kaleb said. He removed his hand from Griff’s arm and wrapped Jasmine up tight again.
Jasmine was feeling so warm and cherished, she almost forgot who she was and that she couldn’t allow herself to fall for this gentle yet strong man. She had to keep her head on straight and remember that she could potentially put him in more danger than a bomb exploding his house. “The first thing you need to do is take your hands off of me,” Jasmine said.
Kaleb stared at her. “Why?”
“You said you trust me to protect you. I can’t do that if you’re … muddling up my thought process.”
Kaleb’s eyebrows lifted. “So you at least admit my touch affects you?”
She couldn’t let him know how much his touch affected her or they’d both be in trouble. “Release my waist and scoot over so I can sit next to you or I’ll knock you out,” she hissed between her teeth.
“You understand she’s not bluffing, right?” Griff asked.
Kaleb still hadn’t released her. “She knocked me down today and almost speared me with a knife.”
“Good girl,” Griff said approvingly.
“I don’t want to hurt you, but I will,” Jasmine told Kaleb.
Kaleb simply stared at her, not giving any indication that he would back down. Jasmine didn’t want to hurt him again but he wasn’t listening.
Griff grunted. “You two will have to fight about this later. We’re here.” He turned in to a small airport.
Jasmine wished she would’ve won the battle as Kaleb still had his arms locked firmly around her waist. She knew he had a kind heart, but it was a stubborn heart too. She hated to do it but he was backing her into a corner, so she’d probably have to knock him down again. She had to do something to make sure he stopped touching her like this. No matter how strong she was Kaleb’s touch was irresistible and she had to remain detached from him, so she could protect him.
Chapter Twelve
Kaleb sat half a foot away from Jasmine in the private jet, wishing it didn’t feel like a hundred miles. She’d shut herself off from him, again. The entire flight he’d tried to start conversations with her and she’d give him one-word answers. The past couple of hours she’d simply pretended she was asleep. Maybe she was asleep. He knew he should be sleeping. It had been an insane day and all was dark and quiet in the jet.
Instead of sleeping, he stewed about the woman seated next to him, replaying every conversation, look, touch, and that kiss at their wedding. Was she made of stone? Did she simply not care for him? Or was she telling him the truth and staying away from him was her way of protecting him? He looked over her delicate features, relaxed in sleep. Why would he need protection from her? She claimed to be the devil, but there was goodness and light in her. It came through in her eyes and the way she took care of those around her.
His mind spun with song lyrics and he wished he would’ve thought to grab his laptop and guitar. He laughed at himself. Recording or playing his songs was the least of his concerns at the moment. Someone had blown up his garage. Someone wanted him dead. Was it just a deranged fan or had Amelia come back? He shuddered. She’d been insane after they’d broken up.
He glanced over at Jasmine again. This beautiful woman was his protector. Four of Sutton’s hired men had joined them on the flight. From what Griff explained, they were Sutton’s private security, not ex-Navy SEALs. He’d promised there was also a good crew of men at the home they were flying to on the small island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. They’d be safe and away from danger. Now if only he could get Jasmine to open up to him, to let him love her.
Kaleb must’ve dozed off because the next thing he remembered was the stewardess making sure they were buckled in for the landing. It was still dark outside, probably early morning by this point, and he could only see a few lights on the remote island. He wondered if they had an airstrip big enough for the jet to land on.
Jasmine was obviously awake but ignoring him. How was he going to get past her barriers? She’d been defensive toward him from the word go. He thought back to the first time he’d seen her at Ryder and Bree’s wedding. She’d been so intriguing and beautiful to him, but made him mad at the same time. She’d threatened his brother, hadn’t even responded when her own sister had said she loved her, and been standoffish with little Tate. Something about her not responding to her sister was bothering him almost as much as her not responding to him. Why wouldn’t she let the people in who loved her?
They descended and landed smoothly. As they stood and stretched then exited the airplane, Kaleb could see the landing strip better, outlined by the runway lights. The pilot must be an elite flyer. The landing strip was smaller than Kaleb had feared. There were some Hummers waiting for them. Kaleb had the surreal feeling that he was in a Tom Clancy book or movie.
“Bullet-proof windows in these things like Griff’s Escalade?” he asked Jasmine.
She nodded. “We’ve got to keep the famous singer safe somehow.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m not worried about keeping me safe.”
She focused on him, really focused on him, for the first time in hours. “I am,” she whispered.
Kaleb’s heart thudded quicker and quicker. She did care. She just wouldn’t admit it.
Jasmine spun and hurried away from him, greeting a short, powerfully built man with dark hair and eyes and a huge smile. She glanced back at Kaleb and gestured with her hand. “Let’s go.”
Kaleb walked to her side.
“Manuel,” she said, “this is Kaleb Quinn.”
The man reached out his hand, and when Kaleb put his hand against his he beamed at him and pumped his hand. “I’m a huge fan, sir. Huge! Bless you for your songs.”
Kaleb swallowed hard, unusually touched by the sincere praise. “Bless you and your family also.”
Manuel grinned even wider and kept clasping his hand.
“Ugh! Enough with blessing each other.” Jasmine slid into the back of the Hummer.
Manuel released Kaleb’s hand and shut her door. “She’s a prickly one, but a good heart.”
Kaleb nodded. “You’re spot on, my friend. But how do I get past the prickles?”
Manuel chuckled. “Many have tried but all have failed.” He winked. “I pray you succeed, my favorite singer.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s get you to the house and settled in.”
Kaleb nodded his thanks and walked around the Hummer, settling in next to Jasmine. She had her arms folded tightly and stared out her window. Manuel loaded up in the front with one of the security guys from the plane in shotgun. Their convoy drove over narrow, sometimes rough roads. There wasn’t much to see in the dark. Kaleb wished Jasmine would turn and at least give him one look.
They stopped at an imposing metal gate with a high fence extending out from it in both directions. The vehicles waited until the gate swung wide, and then they eased through. Half a minute later they pulled up to a well-lit, stately three-story mansion. They all climbed out. Since none of them had any luggage because of the rushed trip, they headed inside.
“I will bring by some clothes for you in the morning,” Manuel said to Jasmine and Kaleb. “Well, later this morning. There are plenty of toiletries in your suites.”
They cleared the front door and Kaleb caught a glimpse of large open areas and lots of windows overlooking a lit pool area. The ocean was probably down below the forested area behind the pool.
Manuel walked with them to a graceful staircase curving up and down. “Everything is ready for your stay. The security men have nice rooms downstairs and your two suites are side by side upstairs. My men will also be patrolling—”
&nbs
p; “No!” Jasmine stopped midway up the staircase and glared at Manuel. “I stay downstairs with the security guys. I have my own room down there.”
“Mees Jasmine,” Manuel said patiently. “I am under strict instructions that you stay in the suite next to Meester Quinn.”
“Manuel, please.”
“I can’t disobey Sutton Smith, you know this.”
She lowered her voice and darted a glance to Kaleb then back to Manuel. “We’re safe here. He doesn’t need me holding his hand.”
“But I’d like it,” Kaleb interjected.
Manuel threw back his head and laughed. Jasmine shot Kaleb a death glare.
“Come on, Jaz, hold my hand.” Kaleb put his hand out and smiled at her.
“Ugh!” She glowered at both of them, and then stomped up the stairs.
Manuel pumped his eyebrows at Kaleb and muttered, “Prickly.”
“I heard that,” Jasmine yelled back at them.
Kaleb and Manuel laughed together as they ascended the stairs. Jasmine was waiting in the hallway, arms folded across her chest, her beautiful face unhappy and … scared. Was she scared of him? That made no sense when she knew she could take Kaleb down at any moment.
Manuel stopped next to the open doorway. Kaleb peeked in. A huge suite had windows covering the back wall and a glass door that led onto a wide patio. “This is where I leave you, my friends. I’ll see you in the morning.” He nodded to Jasmine. “Please text me if you need anything besides clothes and shoes.”
Kaleb stuck out his hand and they shook. Manuel grinned and added, “Even more my favorite now that I’ve met you.” He leaned in. “Good luck getting past the prickles.” Manuel laughed to himself and sauntered down the hallway, then disappeared down the stairs.
Kaleb turned to Jasmine, surprised she hadn’t disappeared into the beautiful suite and slammed the door on him. “Which room would you like me to take?” he asked.
“It doesn’t matter.” She clenched her arms tightly to her chest and sighed. “You can take this one.”
Quinn Family Romance Collection Page 20
