by Elle James
“Help me!” Emily called out, her arm aching and fingers slipping loose.
A shot rang out.
The man in black vaulted over the railing, grabbing her legs as he came down.
The added weight made her fingers slip free of their grip and she dropped from the second-story balcony, landing with a thud on top of the intruder who’d dragged her down. Not only had he ended up breaking her fall; he’d had the wind knocked out of him and lay still for blessed moments. Now was her chance.
Emily took the opportunity to scramble to her feet and dart away. And she almost made it, but a hand grabbed a hold of her ankle and yanked her back.
“Emily,” Grace cried from above. “If you can get away, move to the side so I can get a clean shot.”
“Emily! Grace!” cried out male voices in the darkness.
The man holding her ankle released it and scrambled to his feet.
Another shot rang out, the sound reverberating in the darkness.
Her masked attacker stumbled but kept running. As he disappeared into the darkness, the men of Declan’s Defenders appeared from the opposite direction.
Emily pointed. “That way!”
Five of the six men took off running after the disappearing attacker.
Mustang stayed behind. Instead of following his counterparts, he hooked an arm around her shoulders and hustled her toward the back door leading into the house.
As soon as they reached the door, Emily turned and braced her hands against Mustang’s chest. “Don’t worry about me. Go get him,” she said.
Mustang shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere.” He edged her in through the door and closed it behind them. Then his gaze raked her from head to toe. “Are you okay?”
As the adrenaline rush receded, Emily could feel every one of the bumps and bruises she had acquired in her fall. “I—think I’m okay.”
“What were you doing outside?” he asked. “I thought you’d gone to bed?”
“I heard a crash,” she said. “I went out onto my balcony to see what had happened.”
“Then how did you end up down here?”
She snorted. “The attacker hit me from inside my bedroom and knocked me over the railing.”
Mustang’s eyes widened. “You fell from the balcony?” His gaze scanned her once again, slower this time as he seemed to make sure she really was in one piece. “Sweet heaven, you could have broken your neck.
Emily nodded.
Mustang shook his head. “We need to get you to a hospital and check you out for a concussion.”
“No need,” she said. “I didn’t hit my head. In fact, I landed on my attacker.”
The next thing she knew, Emily was being scooped up into Mustang’s arms and carried into the living room. Nestled against his chest, Emily had to admit she felt safer there. But at the same time, unsettled and very aware of the man.
“I’m quite all right. I can walk on my own,” she insisted.
He didn’t answer, just kept walking.
“Seriously, I can walk.” Emily didn’t struggle. She told herself it was because she didn’t want to throw him off balance. But the truth was, she really didn’t want him to put her down. And he didn’t put her down until they reached the living room and he laid her on the couch.
“I’m calling the doctor.” He reached for the telephone.
“Don’t.” Emily shot up from the couch and put her hand over his. That same electric jolt shot through her arm and into her chest that had startled her earlier when they’d first touched. For a moment she forgot what she was going to say. Then it came back to her. “I tell you, I’m okay.” She held her arms out to the sides and smiled. “See?”
Mustang frowned mightily. “I’d feel better if you had a doctor at least check to see if you have any concussion.”
Emily chuckled softly. “I didn’t hit my head. If anybody hit their head, it was my attacker. He’s the one who needs to see a doctor about a concussion.”
“Hopefully they’ll catch him so that they can give him a concussion or send him to the hospital.” Mustang ran a hand through his hair.
Emily rubbed her arms with her hands, suddenly aware she was wearing only her night clothes. “I hope they catch him, too.”
Mustang stared at her for a moment. Then he reached out and pulled her into his embrace. “Are you cold?”
Emily shrugged. “Not really. I think it’s just that the adrenaline has run its course.” She shivered, her entire body quaking.
Mustang closed his arms around her, pulled her really close and rested his chin on top of her head. “You scared the crap out of me.”
She laughed. “Scared the crap out of you? That man scared the crud out of me. I don’t ever want to fall off a balcony again.”
“I don’t ever want you to fall off a balcony again.” For a long moment he held her without saying a word.
Emily didn’t move. She enjoyed being up against him with the strength of his muscles beneath her fingertips.
They remained that way until footsteps sounded in the hallway.
“Oh, Emily. Thank God.” Grace entered the room and rushed toward her.
Emily stepped back from Mustang to be engulfed in Grace’s embrace.
“I nearly had a heart attack. When you went over the balcony rail, I thought for sure you were dead.” She hugged Emily so tightly she could barely breathe.
Emily leaned back. “Was it my imagination or were you firing at my attacker?”
Grace grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ve had a lot of practice. I’m a pretty good shot.”
“As long as I’m not the one you’re shooting at.” Emily shook her head, a smile tilting her lips. “When did you learn to fire a gun?”
“Declan’s been taking me to the range. He even bought me an HK .40-caliber pistol and a shoulder holster.” She patted her jacket and opened it, showing the pistol tucked beneath her arm. “It took some time getting used to wearing it. But I’m glad I did.”
Emily laughed. “You and me both.” She shivered and rubbed her hands up and down her arms.
Mustang slipped out of his jacket and draped it over Emily’s shoulders.
She smiled up at him, grateful for the gesture. The leather jacket still radiated Mustang’s body heat and smelled of his cologne. Emily could easily get lost in how good it felt.
Declan, Gus and Jack Snow entered the room.
Mustang’s gaze shot to them. “Did you catch him?”
Declan shook his head. “Snow is our fastest runner. He made it out to the fence in time to see the man climb a ladder over the top.”
“Why didn’t he get him while he was on the ladder?” Mustang asked.
“He was at the top of the fence before Snow could get to him, and then he pushed the ladder to the ground,” Declan said.
“He had a car waiting on the other side,” Gus said. “By the time Snow got the ladder back up and was at the top of the fence, the guy got away in his car.”
“Did you get a license plate?” Mustang asked. He knew the answer before Gus responded.
Gus shook his head. “No license plates.”
“I wish we knew why he was targeting Emily.” Mustang paced the floor.
Charlie entered the room. “I put a call out for the police. They should be here in the next five minutes.”
“I don’t know what good they’ll be,” Emily said. “The guy was wearing gloves. He would not have left any fingerprints.”
“Then he wouldn’t have left fingerprints in the truck he used to smash the fence,” Mustang said.
“And he had to have had some help. He probably had someone waiting in the car to drive him away,” Gus said.
“That’s right, there have been two men working the operation,” Declan said. “One to provide the diversion. The other to get inside the fence.�
�
Mustang stopped pacing, coming to a halt in front of Emily. “All I know is that Emily isn’t even safe inside the perimeter of the Halverson estate.”
Declan nodded. “Agreed. That’s why I’ve got Mack and Cole guarding the perimeter.” Declan tipped his chin toward Mustang. “I need you to stay with Emily through the night. We can’t count on her being safe even inside the house. As we’ve already seen.”
Mustang locked gazes with Emily. “She’s not getting out of my sight.”
Emily’s body quivered.
“You two need to get some rest,” Declan said. “Tomorrow you’re going to the Russian language training class with Emily.”
Mustang nodded. “I guess I’d better bone up on my Russian.”
Emily tilted her head to the side. “You speak Russian?”
“A little,” Mustang said. “It’s not like I have a chance to use it much.”
Emily grinned. “Then you can help me grade papers.”
“Uh, no. My Russian isn’t that good.”
Declan chuckled. “You haven’t heard his Russian.”
Mustang’s lips twitched. “My Russian is about at the kindergarten level.”
“That would be better than most people’s,” Emily said.
“Tomorrow, Mack and I will chase down the private investigator.” He glanced at Emily. “Is there any chance that we can talk to some of the staff at the embassy?”
Emily shrugged. “Some of them live at the embassy. But for the most part they live on the economy. They have apartments and houses just like the rest of us.”
“Then I’ll see what Cole can find on the computer. Perhaps we can dig up some addresses and go and question some of the staff to see what might be going on with them.”
“Don’t forget, I’d like to make a stop at my apartment tomorrow and gather some of my things. I can’t continue to borrow from Grace,” Emily said.
Mustang nodded. “We can do that.”
The police arrived and Arnold ushered them into the living room. They all gave statements on what they’d seen and what had happened to Emily that day. The police made a cursory investigation of Emily’s bedroom. As Emily had suspected, they found no fingerprints.
Emily and the others waited in the living room until the police finished their search and left.
By that time, it was getting late and Emily was beyond tired. She glanced down at the robe and nightgown Grace had loaned her and the dirt smeared across them. “I guess I’m going for another shower,” she said. She glanced up at Mustang. “I guess you’ll have to take your eyes off of me long enough to let me have some privacy in the bathroom.”
“Are there any windows in the bathroom?” Mustang asked.
“No,” Emily said.
“As long as you let me clear the bathroom first, I’ll allow you that privacy.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Allow?”
Mustang gave her a twisted grin. “Until we get this attacker situation resolved, you’ll have to play by my rules.”
Emily frowned. “I’m not used to someone else dictating my life.”
“And I’m sure you’re not used to being shot at and attacked.” Mustang tilted his head to the side, challenging her.
Emily sighed. “Point made.” She turned to Grace.
Her friend grimaced. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have another nightgown to loan you.”
“I have a spare T-shirt,” Mustang offered.
Emily nodded. “That’ll do. Thank you.”
“I guess, then, that we’re calling it a night,” Charlie said.
She turned to Emily. “I’m sorry this has happened to you on my property. I thought my security was pretty tight, but it seems that I wasn’t prepared for a dump truck crashing into my stone wall. Nor did I conceive of someone infiltrating my house. I promise, I’ll look through the security footage and determine from where he entered and shore up the locks.”
Emily reached for Charlie’s hands and squeezed them. “And I’m sorry I brought this trouble into your home.”
Charlie waved a hand. “Don’t you worry about us. We’ll get things under control. That’s why I hired Declan’s Defenders.”
Declan nodded. “Our main job right now is to keep you safe and to figure out who’s attacking you.”
Mustang frowned. “Not that we’re doing such a great job so far.”
Emily shook her head. “You are. I would be dead if you hadn’t showed up when you did earlier. And you couldn’t anticipate a breach in the estate security.” Emily sighed. “I appreciate all your help in keeping me safe. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m beyond tired.” She turned and started for the door.
Mustang fell in step beside her and hooked his hand through her elbow. “I’m not trying to push you around. Consider it part of me just trying to do my job.”
He climbed the stairs with her. When they reached the top, he walked with her to her bedroom. Once inside, he secured the French doors, locking the dead bolt. Then he checked the closets, beneath the bed and anywhere else someone might potentially hide. He even checked the cupboards and shower in the attached bathroom. When he was satisfied there were no other intruders in her room, he opened the adjoining door between his room and hers. “I’ll get you that shirt,” he said.
He gripped her arms, marched her across the room and positioned her in the doorway. “Stay right there.”
Emily chuckled. “Isn’t that taking it a little too far?”
“Not as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “Last time I left you alone, you were pushed over a balcony.”
Emily shivered. “I have to say, he did take me by surprise.”
“And we thought the house was pretty secure.” Mustang shook his head. “We can’t assume anything.” He walked to his go-bag, pulled out a T-shirt and handed it to her. “It’s kind of ragged, but it’s soft. It’ll feel good against your skin.”
She took the garment and pressed it against her cheek. “It is soft. I really appreciate it. At least I won’t have to sleep in muddy clothes.”
She turned and started to pull the adjoining door closed between their rooms.
Mustang caught the handle before she could completely close it. “Leave the door open,” he said. “You can close the bathroom, but there are too many other entryways that can allow entry into your room. I would just as soon have my eyes on all of them.”
She nodded, entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her.
Mustang waited until he heard the shower turn on. Then he walked into her room again and once more checked the windows, the French doors and the lock on her door to the hallway. He couldn’t assume she was safe anywhere. If he didn’t have his eyes on her, he had to know that there was no way anyone else could get to her.
While Emily showered, Mustang moved a wing-back chair up against the French doors leading out to the balcony. He pulled another chair from his room into hers and used it to block her bedroom door.
The shower turned off and a moment later Emily emerged, wearing his T-shirt and carrying the borrowed nightclothes. She had pulled her long blond hair into a messy bun on top of her head and there were droplets of water glistening on her shoulders and neck. Wearing his T-shirt, which came down over her thighs, she looked like a young girl in his oversize clothes. However, Mustang wasn’t fooled. She was a full-grown woman with all the curves in all the right places. When she touched him, his senses went wild. Staring at her long, slender legs, all he could think about was wrapping those legs around his waist and—
Whoa! He couldn’t go there. She was the job, not his next bed partner.
Emily stared at the two chairs. “Are we expecting another attack tonight?”
“No, but I want to be prepared in case one happens.”
She nodded at the adjoining door that was closed. “I thought you�
�d leave the door open between our rooms, so you could keep an eye on me.”
Mustang shook his head. “I won’t be staying in there.”
Emily’s brows rose. “Uh, you’re not sleeping with me.”
He chuckled and nodded toward the chair leaning against the French doors. “I’m sleeping in that chair.”
She frowned at the piece of furniture. “That won’t be very comfortable.”
“If I have any difficulties sleeping, I’ll just stretch out on the floor. I’ve slept in worse places.”
“That’s right. You’re a marine. I imagine you’ve slept in foxholes or out in the sand of the desert. Or beneath a tank or something like that.” She grimaced. “I take it you’ve been deployed?”
He nodded. “A few times.” He didn’t bother to inform her that he’d been deployed over eighteen times to twelve different countries across the world. It might sound like bragging and he wasn’t into bragging about what he did on active duty. He’d done what was asked of him. Guarding Emily was different. He hoped he didn’t screw it up.
Chapter Eight
Emily slipped into the bed, climbed beneath the sheets, pulled the comforter up over her chest and stared at the man standing in front of her. “I mean, I know you are a marine. But what about before that?”
His mouth quirked upward on the corners. “What more do you want to know?”
She tilted her head and touched a finger to her chin. “How about...where did you grow up?”
“In Montana,” he replied.
He wasn’t going to help her with her interrogation. But Emily was persistent. “What did you do before the marines, in Montana?”
He crossed to the chair by the French doors and dropped down into it. “I was in high school like most kids my age.”
Emily gave him a crooked grin. “You aren’t going to make this easy, are you?”
His lips twisted into a wry grin. “Okay, so I grew up on a ranch.”
Emily leaned forward. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” She raised her brows. “Go on. What part of Montana are you from? The open plains side or the mountains around Kalispell?”
Mustang tipped his head back against the chair’s cushion and closed his eyes. “The nearest town to the ranch I grew up on was Cutbank. It’s a town that’s as close to Canada as you can get without actually being in Canada. But we didn’t live there, we lived out on a ranch just south of that. It’s on what they call the Front Range. Mostly plains, but we could see the mountains from my home.” He raised his brows and opened his eyes to look across at her. “Does that help?”
