by Caila Jaynes
“It’s an emergency.” She spotted a gas station up ahead and frantically gestured toward it. “Over there!”
She had her seat belt unfastened even before he was parked.
“I’ll be right back.” Not wanting to make the men suspicious, Claire left her tote and purse behind as she slammed the car door and practically sprinted into the station’s convenience store.
Chapter Fifteen
Grayson’s initial thought when he first laid eyes on Claire Parker was that her picture hadn’t done her justice. She was even more stunning in person, with long auburn hair a man could bury his hands in and an innocent heart-shaped face. When she’d looked up at him from the car with those big brown eyes, his breath had caught.
No need to go there, buddy. A debutante like her would never be interested in a nobody like you.
The expensive diamond bracelet she was wearing on her slim wrist simply proved she was out of his league. Those gems were real; he’d bet a month’s pay on it. Hell, his government salary wouldn’t even touch the cost of a piece of jewelry like that.
But do debutantes normally hug the help?
Back in the park, Grayson had noticed when Claire had hugged her father’s driver, not once but twice. The affection between them had seemed genuine, which didn’t mesh with what he knew about how the rich and famous treated their employees.
Is she for real? A normal person?
For a second, Grayson wondered how it would feel if Claire hugged him like that—her tall, slim body pressed against his. He could imagine enjoying that light, clean scent of hers that he’d noticed in the car, filling his senses as he lowered his face closer to that silky copper-streaked hair, inhaling deeply. But his body’s natural reaction slammed him back to reality, making him shut his thoughts down.
Annoyed at himself for letting his thoughts drift, especially in that crazy direction, he surveyed the street for suspicious vehicles. An SUV approached and he watched it idly, pegging it as a Ford, then he returned his gaze to the convenience store after it passed by.
What was taking her so long? Claire should be back by now.
Jeremy, who was topping off the Suburban’s gas tank, seemed to be having the same thought. He stood looking toward the convenience store with a frown on his face.
Grayson swore hard as he released his seat belt and threw open his car door.
“Think she ran?” Jeremy called out.
“Shit!” Grayson burst inside the building, skidding to a stop as he scanned the store before glaring at the older man behind the counter. “Where’s the girl? She came in to use the restroom.”
The man looked toward the back of the store and frowned. “I saw her, but she hasn’t come back. Must’ve gone out the rear.”
Cursing under his breath, Grayson ran to the back of the store and checked the women’s room to be sure. When he found it empty, he pounded the restroom door.
“Damn it!”
Barreling through the store’s back door, he exited onto a small strip of asphalt that bordered a wooded area. As he scanned the woods, he could just make out a flash of Claire’s light-colored blazer in the trees, moving away from him quicker than he’d think a woman in high heels could run. She was at least a hundred yards ahead of him as he darted into the forest, weaving around low brush and slapping away limbs as he raced toward her.
A minute later, he’d nearly caught up with her. “Stop running, Claire!”
She darted a glance over her shoulder. But instead of slowing like he expected, the damn woman sped up.
He pumped his arms and lengthened his stride, eating up the distance between them. When her lead shrank to a few feet, Grayson tackled her and rolled her over, pinning her wrists to the ground as he used his size and weight to subdue her.
“Get off me! Get off!” She struggled, throwing her weight from side to side as she tried to buck him off her.
Embarrassed by his body’s natural reaction to having a woman’s soft body beneath him, Grayson moved off her squirming form and was about to apologize when Claire flipped over and scrambled to her feet, surprising him by taking off for a second time.
“Hey!”
This time he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her stomach and held her close as she struggled hard, kicking back her feet and catching his shin with one deadly high heel.
“Ow!” He tightened his grip on her. “Why are you fighting me?”
“You’re not an agent! You’re lying to me!”
The words jolted Grayson. She was afraid of him; that’s why she’d run. “Calm down. I’m exactly who I say I am. If you’ll give me a chance, I can prove it.”
Since it seemed like she was finally going to remain in place, he let go of her and glared at her designer heels as he reached down to rub his shin. The one time she’d connected had hurt more than he’d expected it to. “I’m only trying to keep you safe.”
Tension and fear radiated from her as she stared at him, but there was no time for reassurances. They could easily be found here; Claire’s phone had only been turned off a short time ago. Her would-be kidnappers could be in the area, searching for her.
“We need to get out of here.” He reached for her elbow but she pulled away and glared at him, although her hands trembled at her sides.
“No way. Prove who you are!”
Realizing he was fighting a losing battle, Grayson snatched his phone from his pocket and thrust it at her. “Dial four-one-one and have Information connect you to the Phoenix Task Force in DC. Ask for Joanne; she’s our admin. She’ll tell you who I am. But for God’s sake, hurry.”
Her doubt written all over her face, Claire did as he asked. Within thirty seconds, she had the confirmation she needed and didn’t meet his eyes as she handed back his phone.
“Happy now?”
Staring at the ground, she nodded.
As he grasped her elbow firmly, Grayson steered Claire back toward the gas station, trying not to feel bad about the dirt stains on the rear of her expensive slacks and jacket. If she’d only listened to him, though, he wouldn’t have had to tackle her.
Damn stubborn woman . . .
Jeremy had come through the convenience store and was waiting for them at the edge of the woods. “Everything all right?” His worried gaze shifted from Grayson to Claire.
“Everything’s fine.” Grayson tossed him the keys. “You drive. I’ll keep Miss Parker company in the back.”
They hadn’t even gotten into the Suburban before she stopped short and said, “I can’t go anywhere until my family knows where I am.”
Grayson closed his eyes and did his best to summon more patience. It was like drawing water from a dry well. “You said they couldn’t be reached.”
“Then I need to call my father’s chief of staff.”
“Fine.” He yanked his phone from his pocket—again—and handed it to Claire.
“But I don’t have his number. I need my phone.”
Grayson huffed out a frustrated breath as he fished her phone from his pocket and set the battery pack inside. Once she’d retrieved the number, he removed the battery again and stuck it and the phone back in his pocket.
“Peter!” Claire spoke quickly once she reached him on Grayson’s phone, explaining what was going on. She was silent for a few seconds as she listened before saying, “Yes. With a unit called Phoenix.”
She handed the phone to Grayson. “He wants to speak with you.”
As Grayson set the phone against his ear, an angry voice boomed, “This is Peter Cooley, Senator Parker’s chief of staff. What the hell is going on?”
Grayson identified himself and gave the man a rundown very similar to the one Claire had relayed. When he’d finished, Peter demanded, “I need to know exactly where you’re taking her.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t tell you that.”
“Then I’ll need the name of your supervisor.”
Clenching his teeth at the man’s rude t
one, Grayson rattled off Eli’s name and number.
“Nice guy,” Grayson muttered once he’d ended the call.
Claire gave him a sheepish look. “We need to stop at my place now.”
“What?”
“I need to get my dog.”
She no longer looked scared. If anything, she looked embarrassed. And she should be. His leg was still throbbing where she’d kicked him.
“I’m here to worry about you, not a dog.”
In a move he’d thought only a three-year-old could pull off, Claire folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not going anywhere without my dog.”
Exasperated, Grayson shook his head in disbelief. What is with this woman? Doesn’t she get the danger she’s in?
“Who cares if we die as long as the dog’s okay,” he said sarcastically as he glared back at her. “Do I have it right?”
Claire drew in a sharp breath through her nose and clamped her mouth shut.
Dropping his chin forward, he rubbed the back of his neck as he thought, trying to summon patience. “Who was taking care of your dog while you were gone?”
“My dog sitter. She should have dropped him off at my place by now.”
Grayson’s head snapped up. “Then let her keep taking care of him.”
“How can she if I can’t communicate with her?” Claire’s voice rose, sounding shrill. “Please take me home. If you don’t, this really is a kidnapping.”
Jeremy caught his eye. “Let’s get the dog, Gray. Metro has been keeping an eye on her place since we left, so it should be fine.”
He met his partner’s gaze and grimaced. Jeremy might still have patience with this debutante, but he hadn’t been the one who’d had to chase after Claire.
Grayson threw his hands in the air. “Fine. We’ll go back for the damn dog.”
Chapter Sixteen
When Agent Cox finally pulled into an open parking spot on the street in front of Claire’s building, she finally allowed her tense shoulders to relax. The whole way here, she’d been afraid they’d renege on their agreement to drive her back to get Charlie.
That Agent Matthews is crazy if he thinks I’d leave my dog in danger.
As Cox stopped at the curb, she opened her door.
“No.” Matthews’s hand shot out, gripping her by the arm. “I’m going in by myself.” He caught Cox’s eye in the rearview mirror. “Got her?”
Claire stiffened. The man was treating her like cargo and his bossy attitude was beyond belief, but that was fine as long as he got Charlie. Left with no other choice, she handed him her keys and watched him stalk across the street.
Oh! Charlie’s things!
Opening her door, she called out, “Wait!”
Matthews turned around, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “What is it?”
“I need to tell you where Charlie’s things are. His leash is in the drawer next to the sink, and his food—”
“Save it. I’m only going in for the dog.” He held up a hand to shut down any further protests. “Get back in your seat and close your door.”
Claire slumped back into her seat in disbelief. Leaning forward, she asked Agent Cox, “Is he always like that?”
The burly young agent rested his wrist on the steering wheel as he scanned the street, watching both passing cars and pedestrians. “Yeah, pretty much.” He turned around enough in his seat to catch her eye. “Both of us want you safe, Claire. And since we’re going to be spending some time together, you might as well call me Jeremy. He’s Grayson, but we call him Gray.” Smirking, he added, “His bark is worse than his bite.”
The friendly words and cute grin that accompanied them eased some of Claire’s frustration. Jeremy seemed to be a pretty okay guy, but Agent Matthews—Grayson—made her want to tear her hair out. Which was a shame, because he was really, really nice to look at.
This whole situation was crazy. How had she ended up in the middle of a kidnapping scheme? Did they know who was behind it? Her instincts told her the agents knew more than they were saying.
Claire’s thoughts were still spinning when Grayson left her building a few minutes later and trotted their way.
She bolted upright. Why wasn’t Charlie with him? Had someone come looking for her and hurt her dog in the process?
Not registering the warning Jeremy shouted from the driver’s seat, she jumped out of the car to run toward Grayson.
“Back inside!”
Claire froze as Grayson rushed at her, giving her no choice but to drop back into the backseat. His tall form loomed over her as her heart thumped panicked beats.
“Where’s Charlie?”
“The dog wasn’t there.” He thrust a piece of paper at her. “There was only this.”
As Claire read Verna’s note, her pulse rate began to steady.
Dropped Charlie off at Sheryl’s.
Dread filled Claire as she realized what she needed to do. It was going to annoy the hell of him, but she had to do it.
She met Grayson’s exasperated gaze. “I need to make a call.”
“To who?”
“My other dog sitter. I need to make arrangements with her and tell her to stay away from here. It’s not safe.”
“We’re not turning your phone back on.”
“But—”
Before she could say another word, he shut her door.
“You can use mine.” Jeremy handed his phone over the seat. “Look up the listing online.”
Claire stared in amazement at Grayson as he stalked around the car, but she forced out a thank-you and took Jeremy’s phone. She found a listing for Sheryl and pressed the link to call the number.
“Do you have Charlie?” she asked once Sheryl answered.
“Yeah. Verna dropped him off because she wasn’t feeling so great.”
Claire frowned. Verna was in her early seventies but was usually the picture of health. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She said she’s getting a cold and is a little achy. Nothing to worry about.”
“Oh, good. Do you mind keeping Charlie for a few more nights?”
“I don’t mind at all.”
She closed her eyes in relief. “It’s really important that you don’t go to my condo.”
“Is everything okay?”
Sheryl sounded worried, so Claire scrambled for an excuse.
“The building’s being fumigated and it won’t be safe for pets there for a few days. I’ll call you when I can pick Charlie up. Thank you for everything.”
Grayson was looking out his window as she ended the call. Even in profile, he looked annoyed. She tried not to take it personally as she passed the phone back to Jeremy.
Grayson glanced her way. “All set?”
“Yes.”
“Terrific.”
Jeremy tucked his phone inside his pocket. “Any other stops I need to make?” He glanced at her in the rearview mirror.
Shrinking a little in her seat, she shook her head. This whole situation had been so embarrassing. These agents were simply trying to keep her safe, and she’d done nothing but make their job harder. Now that she knew Charlie was safe, she needed to apologize for her escape attempt at the gas station.
She caught Grayson’s eye, giving him an apologetic smile. “Listen, I’m sorry about running. I was confused and scared.”
His sharp gaze narrowed on hers but he didn’t reply. She stared back, unable to look away, her breath quickening.
After an awkward pulse-pounding moment, Claire jerked her gaze away and looked out the window. Still feeling guilty, she reviewed the events at the gas station inside her head. Yes, looking back, she’d let her imagination run a little wild, but she hadn’t been trying to be difficult. She’d simply done exactly what she’d been trained to do.
Claire opened her mouth to explain further, but then shut it. Maybe it was better to just go with the flow.
After all, it was what she did best.
Claire stared out the window on the drive to Spr
ingfield, not sure what to expect. When Jeremy pulled the SUV into a large suburban housing development just outside DC, she perked up with interest. There were hundreds of houses here, and although the homes didn’t have large yards, the development itself had plenty of green space.
As he turned into a driveway in the back of the development, Claire studied the two-story red-brick house. Given the structure’s faded roof and worn appearance, it had to be at least thirty years old and hadn’t been well maintained. But it fit in with its neighbors, which Claire guessed was the whole idea of a safe house.
Jeremy shut off the engine and went inside to make sure the house was secure. Claire’s muscles tensed as she waited with Grayson in the car, silence hanging between them like a thick curtain. Avoiding eye contact, she stared out her window at the neighbors’ homes, cast with a golden glow by the late-afternoon light.
A moment later, Jeremy stepped into the doorway and gave them an all-clear sign.
“Let’s go.” Grayson’s tone was abrupt as he shoved open his door.
On the drive here, Jeremy had asked Claire questions about her law school program and life in DC, giving her the impression he’d moved here recently. Other than a slight grunt or two at some of Claire’s answers, Grayson hadn’t contributed a word to the conversation.
She got out of the SUV and followed him to the trunk, averting her eyes when she realized she’d been staring at Grayson’s backside as he retrieved her bag.
“You don’t travel light, do you?” he said as he set her oversized suitcase onto the driveway.
Claire stiffened at his remark. There was no way her wardrobe for the weekend could have fit in an overnight bag—after all, she had to be prepared for anything when entertaining with Gabe—but she wasn’t going to bother explaining that to Grayson. If the safe house wasn’t big enough for Claire to keep her distance from this overbearing man, she was going to be miserable.
When Grayson made a move to pick up her bag from the driveway, she quickly stepped forward. “I’ve got it.” There was no way she was going to invite another comment about how heavy it was.
