Her Keeper

by Rianna Campbell

  “Amanda…” her mother scolded.

  “What? They’re engaged and they live together, mom. I said it as diplomatically as I could, alright?”

  “Still. You could have just said she was busy.”

  “Fine, sorry. So how about it? Can I come stay with you?”

  “Well, uh, the thing is, honey, I’m not at home right now.”

  “Where are you?” Amanda asked, frowning into the phone. Where would her mother be if not at home at this time of night?

  Oh… Oh, no.

  “Nevermind. I don’t need to know. Have a good night.” Amanda added in a rush.

  “Amanda-”

  “Bye!” Amanda shouted, ending the call before her mother could say anything else. This was information she did not need and did not want. Although, at least she would have something else to focus on instead of the disaster that was her life.

  She called the next number on her list and begged the universe to give her one teeny, tiny break.

  “Hey.” Angel’s voice on the other end of the line was like a light in the darkness.

  “Are you busy?” Amanda asked, crossing her fingers.

  “No, why?”

  “Do you think I could hang with you tonight? It's a long story but I can’t go home.”

  “Sure,” Angel said brightly. “My sleep schedule is still set for the night shift so I’ll be up for hours.”

  “You are a literal angel and one of my absolute favorite people at the moment,” Amanda replied with a sigh of relief.

  “Thank you?” Angel laughed nervously. The girl did not know how to take a compliment. Which was ridiculous since she was an absolute stunner.

  “I’ll be there in about an hour.”

  “K. See you in a bit.”

  Amanda hung up the phone, ordered a car using the app on her phone, and took a deep breath as she stood up and tested her legs. They held her up and seemed steady enough. Right, now she just needed to get out of the building without having a meltdown.

  Piece of cake, right?

  She peered around the door like she was trying to sneak out after curfew, but she didn’t care. She could not handle running into Parker right now. She was going to utilize all the tools she’d developed as a teen and then some, and she didn’t feel bad about it.

  Seeing no one, she made her way down the hallway to the landing. There was no sign of Parker, so she hit the stairs and went as fast as her stilettos could carry her. She looked left at the bottom of the stairs and saw no sign of Parker or Kate.

  She turned right and ran smack dab into a brick wall. Or more accurately into a wall of muscle. She looked up and up until she recognized Ian’s mean mug.

  At least it was better than running into Parker. Wasn’t it?

  Ian raised one dark eyebrow as he looked down at her, but before she could figure out what he was trying to communicate, he scanned the crowd, nodded once to himself, and then jogged his head toward the front door.

  Amanda took a tentative step toward the exit and looked back over her shoulder to make sure that was what he’d intended for her to do.

  Ian was following her, leaving at least a foot of space between them, and watching the crowd around them as if he was expecting an assassination attempt.

  She continued toward the door, feeling oddly secure in the knowledge that Ian was at her back. She was relieved not to see anyone she recognized at the door and heaved a sigh as she passed through it and out into a cool, clear night.

  She turned to Ian to say thank you, but he wasn’t paying any attention to her. He’d turned back to face the building, again, as if he was waiting for an attack from the rear. She bent at the waist to peer around him but saw nothing suspicious.

  After a moment of hesitation, she tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and cocked his head to the side. His concerned expression seemed to soften his features a little. Or maybe that was the gratitude talking.

  “You good?” he asked, his voice a deep rasp she felt in her bones.

  “Yeah,” she lied. “Thanks.”

  He nodded, not saying anything.

  “How… how did you know I wanted out?”

  “I know the look.” He shrugged and looked over her head, scanning the darkness for God only knew what.

  “Well, I appreciate it,” she said with a shrug. “Can I ask you a small favor, though?”

  Ian nodded.

  Amanda hesitated. She didn’t know Ian very well, but he’d certainly done her a solid tonight. And Connor trusted him, so he had to be a decent guy.

  “Can we keep this between us?” Amanda asked quietly. “Me being here and… all this?” she added, gesturing toward her tear-streaked face and smudged makeup. The last thing she wanted was Parker finding out that she’d cried- fucking cried- over what happened.

  Amanda Hughes was not a crier. And certainly not over a man.

  Ian pursed his lips as if he were thinking it over and then surprised her. With a surprisingly gentle touch, he wiped away a stray tear with his thumb

  Ian gave her a long look, his eyes hard, his jaw clenched, and Amanda was suddenly a little frightened. But he simply looked at her for a good minute and then nodded once.

  His attention shifted to something behind her and she turned to see her ride pull up. She smiled at Ian and offered one more “thank you” before she climbed into the back seat and closed the door behind her.

  She gave Elysium one last look, feeling an uneasy sense of deja vu. There, at the top of the stairs, stood Parker, looking out into the dark and directly at her. She swallowed hard, willing the tears not to fall.

  Ian chose that moment to step in front of her window, his broad back blocking her from Parker’s view. He didn’t move a single muscle until the car had pulled away.

  Apparently, she had at least two angels in her corner tonight. If it hadn’t been for Ian, she might not have been able to hold it together long enough to avoid making even more of a fool of herself. She’d done enough of that for one evening, thank you very much.

  One thing was certain, this time she would take his advice. She was never going back.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  A red haze filled Parker’s vision, which had dwindled down to a pinpoint. All he could see was Ian. Touching her. Touching her. His fists clenched as he watched her get into the cab and Ian turned to block her from view, glaring straight at him.

  Oh yeah. It was definitely time for a come to Jesus moment.

  As soon as the car was out of sight, Ian uncrossed his arms and started walking toward him. Parker descended the steps and met him halfway.

  Chest to chest, Parker had to tilt his head back to look Ian in the eye. Whatever. He’d gone up against guys bigger than him plenty of times and he always came out on top. The rational part of his brain tried to point out that he wasn’t sixteen anymore and that Ian was in a class of his own, but he was way too far gone for reason to reach him.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

  “What did you do?” Ian ground out, sounding like a wood chipper working on a tree stump.

  Parker scowled up at him, ignoring the stab of guilt that hit him in the gut. What had he done?

  “It’s none of your business. You just stay the hell away from her,” Parker growled.

  “Maybe you should stay away from her.”

  “Fuck you.”

  “Same,” Ian grunted, shoving past him and sending him stumbling to the side.

  “You asshole,” Parker snarled, lunging forward and grabbing Ian around the waist in a tackle that carried them both to the ground.

  Ian rolled until Jackson was trapped beneath three hundred pounds of muscle. Parker bucked, trying to roll them again, but he only managed to give Ian the space he needed to elbow him in the ribs.

  The air rushed out of his lungs, but he ignored it, scrambling to get an arm around the big man’s neck. He got one arm around, but before he could get a good grip on him, Ian had thrown his head backward, aimin
g for Parker’s nose. Parker dodged, catching a glancing blow to the side of his head, but he’d had to sacrifice his hold to do it. Ian rolled away and sprang up to his feet.

  Parker followed suit, but before he could throw the first punch, someone had come up behind him and snagged him around the waist.

  “Dude, chill the fuck out,” Cam said, doing his best to hold Parker back.

  “Let. Me. Go,” Parker said, steel in his voice.

  “Nothing doing, boss,” Cam replied, sounding unconcerned. “Not until you calm down.”

  Ian simply stood in front of him, hands loose at his sides, but not trying to take advantage of Parker’s momentary incapacitation. Parker took a deep breath, trying to get himself under control.

  He stopped struggling and Cam hesitantly eased his hold and stepped away, arms extended as if he was ready to jump back in if needed.

  But Parker had come to his senses, at least enough to realize that fighting on company time was a dumb-as-shit move.

  “I’m fine. I’m calm.” Parker lied.

  “You sure? ‘Cause you don’t look calm,” Cam asked, raising a skeptical brow.

  “Yeah.”

  “Big guy?” Cam asked.

  Ian nodded without taking his eyes off of Parker.

  “If you say so.” Cam shook his head. He sounded completely unconvinced.

  “You better get back inside,” Parker said, hoping to get another private word with Ian.

  “Sure thing. Why don’t you come with me?” Cam said, clearly reluctant to leave them alone together.

  “Cam…” Parker looked at him, trying his best to look calm and nonthreatening. “It’s fine. We’ll both be there in a second.”

  Cam, once again, looked at Ian as if trying to make sure everything was really okay. Ian nodded and Cam shrugged. He walked away shaking his head and muttering under his breath.

  “What. Did. You. Do?” Ian asked, his voice cold.

  “Nothing,” Parker said, putting one hand on his hip and running the fingers of his other hand through his hair. “We talked. I showed her around. That was it.”

  “You sure?” Ian asked, his brows furrowed.

  “Yes.”

  Ian shook his head and took a step toward him, stabbing him in the chest with a single index finger. It was like getting poked with a pool cue. The thick end.

  “She was crying.”

  Parker’s heart stopped and he squeezed his eyes shut, stricken. A wave of guilt hit him so hard he took a physical step back. There were a lot of times in his life when he’d hated himself, but none more than that particular moment.

  You fucking tool. What the hell is wrong with you?

  “What did she say?” Parker asked, his voice a little shaky.

  Ian just glared at him, jaw clenched, and shook his head. Ian turned and walked away, leaving Parker alone with the crushing guilt and a healthy dose of self-loathing.

  For the first time since he’d been alone with Amanda, he thought about the situation from her perspective. He’d led her into a dark room to watch other people have kinky sex and then he’d practically held her there against her will.

  Nice move, asshole.

  She must have been terrified. She hadn’t seemed terrified, but what the hell did he know? Why else would she have run out of there in tears?

  Jesus… he’d really screwed up this time. How the hell was he going to fix this? Was it even possible? Would he even get the chance? He was sure down in his bones that he’d finally done what he’d set out to do. He’d scared her away. For good. Except the only thing she was afraid of was him.

  ✽✽✽

  “Oh, lord. Are you alright?”

  Angel’s sincere concern nearly started the waterworks again, but Amanda managed to keep them under control. She even managed to give her friend a weak smile.

  “It’s been a long night, but I’m fine.”

  “You’ve been crying,” Angel pointed out, ushering Amanda inside and closing the door behind her. She took a moment to lock it and arm the security system that Connor had installed when Alexandra was living there.

  When she turned back to Amanda it was to shove her into a comfy chair and drape a blanket over her lap.

  “I’m not sick, Angel,” Amanda said with a small laugh. “Just... “ As the sentence trailed off, Amanda realized part of the problem was she didn’t know what she was. She’d been trying to figure it out in the cab, but she hadn’t gotten any closer to an answer.

  “Wine?” Angel asked, cocking her head to the side.

  “Dear God, yes.”

  “Just a sec.”

  Angel flitted into the kitchen and returned with two glasses and a bottle of red. Nectar of the gods.

  “Okay,” Angel said, sitting down and pouring them each a glass. “Now talk.”

  “Not really sure what to say,” Amanda sighed. More like, not sure what she could say. Not only had she signed the NDA the first time she’d visited, but she didn’t really want to get Connor and Alexandra involved in all this. And if Parker or Ian’s name came up, it was almost guaranteed to happen.

  “Well, why don’t you start with the basics. Why can’t you go home?”

  “I’ve been banished from the apartment in case my roommate gets lucky on the couch.”

  “Gross,” Angel said, wrinkling her nose.

  “Tell me about it. It’s my couch. And apparently, it wouldn’t be the first time.” Amanda paused to sip her wine. “I think I ate a Cheeto off the cushion the other day,” she muttered to herself with a shudder.

  “Okay, so where were you before you came here? Someplace fun, I gather.” Angel gave her a thorough once over, taking in the heels and the leather skirt and barely-there blouse. “I’m guessing it wasn’t though, was it?”

  “Not particularly. No,” Amanda said with a shake of her head.

  “A date gone wrong, then?”

  “No. No date.” Amanda’s face flamed as she remembered everything that she’d seen and felt at Elysium.

  “Okay,” Angel said, biting her lip. “Did something happen? Did someone… hurt you? Should I call Connor?”

  “No. God, no. Nothing like that,” Amanda replied hurriedly. “I just… I’m so confused I don’t even know how to explain it. But I’m fine. I promise.”

  Angel gave her a sympathetic smile and reached over to squeeze her hand. They sat in silence for a moment until Angel took a sip of her wine and cleared her throat.

  “You know, there happen to be several poisons that are all but undetectable in an autopsy. Just, you know, a fun fact for you.”

  Amanda blinked at her sweet little friend who, until now, had seemed so wholesome that she could have starred in Little House on the Prairie.

  Amanda was speechless for a moment. Angel gave her a wry smile and she could see the resemblance between her and her brother. They were different in so many ways that had nothing to do with the fact that Connor was Scottish and Angel’s father had been Brazillian. But they definitely shared a sense of humor. And they were both protective to the core.

  “I never realized you could be so bloodthirsty.” Angel began to say something in protest, but Amanda cut her off. “I like it. Don’t ever change.”

  “So, who are we plotting to poison?” Angel asked, tucking her feet up beneath her on the sofa.

  “Nobody. At the moment.”

  “Okay, so who are we potentially plotting to poison?”

  “It won’t come to that. It’s stupid and I’m sure I’ll get over it.”

  Amanda sighed and took a healthy sip of her wine. She moved her head side to side trying to relieve some of the tension.

  “If you say so. But clearly, someone made you cry. If you don’t want to tell me who, then I won’t push. But don’t even try to convince me that you’re this upset over something stupid.”

  Before Amanda could protest, Angel pressed on.

  “You’re not a crier, Amanda. If you’re this upset, it had to be something bad. And person
al.”

  Damn Angel and her knack for logic and reason.

  “Yeah, it was personal. But I don’t even know what to think about it yet. I think I’d better at least sleep on premeditated murder.”

  “Good point. But just say the word and we’ll get to work.” Angel winked and Amanda couldn’t help but laugh a little.

  “You’d take my word for it?” Amanda teased.

  “Absolutely.” Angel nodded, smiling brightly.

  But bless her trusting soul.

  “Thanks for that, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be necessary. I just feel stupid, I guess. And disappointed. And I'm a little embarrassed.”

  “Ah, I know the feeling.”

  “You?” Amanda asked before she could think better of it. “I mean-”

  “I know what you mean,” Angel sighed. “And don’t get me wrong, I am very much the choir girl everyone thinks I am, but I have had a crush or two. I’m only human.”

  “So what happened?” Amanda asked, relieved to have something else to talk about, even if only for a few minutes.

  “Nothing. That’s the point. I could never just come right out and say something, so I’d always sit back and wait, hoping they’d notice me. Of course, they never did.”

  “Oh, honey,” Amanda said. This time it was her turn to squeeze Angel’s hand. “Then they were first class morons and you didn’t need them anyway.”

  “Thanks,” Angel said with a smile. “Maybe some of us just aren’t meant to have that whole fairytale romance.”

  “Yeah,” Amanda sighed. “I’m beginning to think you’re right on that one. Not everybody gets their Phil Collins moment.”

  “Ooh, with the song?” Angel’s pink cheeks told Amanda that at least one person out there understood what she was talking about.

  “Angel, you may be my favorite person right now,” Amanda laughed.

  “Really?” Angel asked, sitting up straight. “Good. ‘Cause, you’re one of my favorite people too.”

  Angel stood up and reached for their empty wine glasses.

  “You sure you don’t want to talk about it?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure. I can’t understand anything right now. My head hurts just thinking about it. I think I just need to get some sleep and try to figure it all out in the morning.”