Saving Sophie: Book Seven In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series

by Cate Beauman

  “I guess we both have our secrets then.” He stood, quickly losing his patience. “Goddammit, Sophie. I don’t understand this. He’s destroying us, and you’re happy to let him.”

  “He’s in Maine, Stone. You and me, we’re right here.”

  “God.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “Why don’t you see it? He’s here too, ruining everything.”

  “We were fine. We were watching a movie and laughing, then I found out you went behind my back.”

  “Went behind your back?” he laughed incredulously, turning away, afraid he might punch a hole through his new wall. “Last time I checked, trust is a two-way street.” He turned, facing her again. “I’ve tried to be open with you. I’ve tried to discuss this entire situation, but you shut me down whenever I bring it up.”

  “That’s because you bring it up all the time. I don’t want to keep going back. I don’t want to keep remembering and being afraid. That’s why I left.”

  “So what am I supposed to do?”

  “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” Her breath heaved out, and she pressed her fingers to her lips. “What are we doing, Stone?” she trembled out as tears fell down her cheeks. “It’s been, what, half an hour? And already we’re back here.”

  “Looks like it.” He grabbed his keys and flip-flops, starting toward the door, not sure what to do anymore.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Out.”

  “You’re going to leave?”

  That was the only thing that made sense. He wasn’t going to stay here so they could rip at each other some more. “Yeah, I guess I am.”

  Shaking her head, she walked to the bedroom, closing herself inside.

  He shut his eyes with his hand on the knob, hesitating, and walked out. What he’d done was right. Not talking to Sophie about it first wasn’t, but he didn’t regret telling Eric Winthrop to back the fuck off. He got in his Mustang and drove up Highway One, trying to banish the vision of tears on Sophie’s cheeks.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Sophie woke t0 the alarm and turned her head, sighing as she stared at Stone’s undisturbed side of the bed. Her eyes filled, overflowing, as she brushed her hand over his pillow. He never came home last night, or at least he hadn’t by the time she drifted off at some point after three. Sitting up, sucking in a quaking breath, she wrapped her arms around her legs, staring out the window into the brilliant sunshine, unsure of what to do. Everything was falling apart.

  For a little while yesterday they’d been okay. He’d made love to her in the shower, staring into her eyes the whole time, and they’d lain together, laughing on the couch the way they used to. Then Jeremiah called and they fought again. Now she was here in their bed. Alone.

  She closed her eyes, resting her forehead against her knees. Why wouldn’t Stone stop with the Eric stuff? Didn’t he realize the man would never leave her alone? They could draft up useless document after useless document and waste years trying to make him stop. Why couldn’t he understand that she needed to leave her past behind? Every time Stone brought it up, he forced her to remember the wild fear and painful beatings. She didn’t want to keep going back; she couldn’t, yet he forced her to. She’d run, risking her life for a fresh start. She wanted to move forward without having Eric thrown in her face every single day.

  She wiped her eyes and glanced at the clock, realizing fifteen minutes had slipped away. With her shoulders heavy, she stepped out of bed, fixing the sheets and quilt. She didn’t want to go to work today and sit through meetings. Even the idea of seeing Abby didn’t cheer her. It was impossible to find her enthusiasm for fashion shows and jewelry making when her marriage was a mess.

  Trying desperately to shrug off the depression, she selected a bold pink, thigh-length tank-dress and slipped on black heels. Earrings, a necklace, and bracelet came next before she headed to the bathroom for makeup, giving her dark under-eye circles extra attention. She swept mascara on her lashes and added blusher to her cheeks, then twisted her hair into a loose up-do, not finding the usual fascination in the transformation from sleepy Sophie to runway ready.

  Murphy ran into the room, wagging his tail.

  She turned, giving him a small smile as she bent down to pet him. “Moring, Murph.”

  He lapped at her hand.

  “Thanks. Do you want to go outside?”

  He barked.

  “I thought you might.” She kissed his head and righted herself. “Come on,” she said, moving down the hall to the door, opening it, gasping when she crashed into Stone standing in front of her.

  He grabbed her arms, keeping her from stumbling.

  She stepped back, pressing her hand to her heart, blowing out a long breath. “You scared me.”

  “Sorry.” He stared at her from unreadable eyes, wearing the same gray shorts from last night.

  She cleared her throat under his steady gaze and turned, making her way to the kitchen, grabbing the blueberries and raspberries from the freezer, the milk, yogurt, and OJ from the refrigerator, and a banana from the counter, preparing her morning smoothie as Stone set the coffee maker to work in the tense silence. She flipped on the blender and glanced over her shoulder, realizing he was looking at her.

  “I uh—I’m going to—” She shook her head, turning off the blender. “I’m going to work,” she whispered, her eyes filling, her stomach a mess.

  “You’re leaving already?”

  Pressing her lips firm, doing her best to pull herself together, she reached into the door-less cupboard for a glass. “Yes. I have an early meeting with Lily, Abby, and the caterer, then Carolyn and I have a full day.”

  “Who’s Carolyn?”

  She closed her eyes, truly understanding just how bad things really were. A week ago they’d talked several times a day, even if there wasn’t much to say. Now they were so disconnected he had no idea she had an employee, and she still had no clue why he’d left for Spain for almost a week. “My assistant. I hired her while you were gone.”

  “Oh.” He slid his hand through his hair, sighing. “I’m leaving again. Tomorrow. I have to go to Atlanta.”

  She nibbled her lip to stop it from trembling, knowing deep down they were through. How could they come back from where they were if he was never home long enough to fix it? “Okay.”

  “It’s just for a couple of days—risk assessment. Ethan called me last night. We’re all trying to lighten Jackson’s load so he doesn’t have to travel so much with the new baby here.”

  She gave him a small smile. “That’s nice of you to do that.”

  He pulled his coffee from under the spout and sipped in the quiet. “So, I guess I’ll see you around, probably when I get back.”

  That was it? Their relationship was in tatters, and he would “see her around”? “Yeah, bye.” She took two steps and stopped. If she and Stone were finished it wasn’t going to be because she gave up. “Do you—do you think you’ll be home for dinner?”

  He moved to take another sip and set his cup down. “I was going to run some errands and stuff, but I could be.”

  “I can cook.”

  He sighed again, holding her gaze. “I’ll be home for dinner.”

  She nodded, clinging to the small glimmer of hope that maybe tonight they could get this right. “I’ll see you at seven.”

  “See ya.”

  ~~~~

  Stone sat at the bar, sipping his beer while he and Shane watched the Dodgers versus Marlins game. He should’ve been home working on the kitchen; that had been the original plan, but being there wasn’t as relaxing as it used to be. Now that Sophie was gone all the time, it was too quiet. He missed seeing her jewelry stuff all over the kitchen and hearing her voice while she chattered away on the phone with Abby or talked to Murphy. More than once he’d wished things back to the way they used to be, but that was selfish. She had a right to her dreams.

  He glanced at the time, knowing he needed to be on his way. Sophie would be home within the half hour. H
e planned to help her throw together whatever she had in mind for dinner, hoping they had as much fun as they did slapping meat and bread together for their sandwiches last night. He clenched his jaw, remembering how everything went to shit not long after that. He’d driven around for hours after he left, dissecting their latest argument. She wanted him to give the Eric thing a rest, and he wanted her to fight for herself and their future. Maybe he was being selfish there too.

  He rubbed at the tension squeezing his neck as a round of boos erupted when the Marlins scored another run. More than once she’d asked him to drop the Eric situation, but he didn’t know how. She was terrified of the fucker. He understood that—or he was trying. He would never know exactly how she felt, but he remembered the pictures on the thumb drive well enough. The same bastard who’d bruised her body was messing with her now. How was he supposed to forget that? He wasn’t the type of guy to sit back and do nothing, not when it counted. The very idea went against who he was, but he would try for Sophie. He couldn’t stand that he kept making her cry, so tonight was going to be different. Reaching in his wallet, he tossed a ten on the bar. “I’m heading out.”

  “I was going to pick up a pool cue. You sure you don’t want in?”

  “Sophie and I are having dinner.”

  “Smart man.” Shane smiled. “A meal with a beautiful woman wins every time.”

  He fist-bumped his friend. “Later.”

  “Later.”

  He pushed through the door and walked toward his Mustang, noticing the florist half a block down. She’d all but melted the last time he brought her flowers. He would have to grab another bouquet, maybe some wine too. She liked white. The liquor store—

  He stopped dead when he spotted the white Toyota Corolla parked among the other cars. Eric’s PI sat inside, taking a picture of him. “You son of a bitch.” He started toward the vehicle with murder on his mind but stopped, remembering Sophie’s pleading to leave it alone. Gritting his teeth, swearing, he whirled around and walked back into the bar, moving to where Shane stood by the pool table. “I’m in.”

  He frowned. “I thought you were having dinner with Sophie.”

  His pulse pounded with the waves of anger. He couldn’t go home right now. If he did he would issue ultimatums and demand they do something. The evening would end like all the others lately. Neither he nor Sophie could take much more. “I can squeeze in a game.” Hopefully by the time he finished a round of eight ball he’d have himself under control.

  “Nice,” Shane said as the door opened and two women walked in—Amber and one of her equally hot friends. “I told her I was going to be here. I guess she decided to show up.”

  He didn’t care about Amber or the woman with her; he just wanted to knock the shit out of a few balls and go home.

  “Hey, Shane. Hey, Stone. I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

  He grunted, not in the mood for conversation.

  “This is my friend Talya.”

  Talya smiled, brushing her long black hair off her shoulder as she showed off a set of straight pearly whites. “Hi.”

  “How about a game?” Shane said to the ladies. “Stone and Amber, me and Talya.”

  “Sure. Whatever.” He picked up a cue, rubbing chalk on the tip as his cell phone rang. He glanced at the readout, steaming out a breath through his nose. Sophie. He didn’t want to talk to her right now, not until he shored himself up. You didn’t call me back, echoed through his head as did her wounded violet eyes. He yanked up the phone. “Yeah.”

  “Stone?”

  He swallowed, gentling his voice. “Yeah. Hi. What’s up?”

  “Um, I’m running a little behind. I still need to stop by the store. I was thinking of getting something for the grill, maybe steak or chicken.”

  Why did it bug the hell out of him that she was going to be late when they only had tonight before he left? If he wasn’t cross-eyed pissed he wouldn’t have cared one way or the other, but he did now. “I’m down at Smitty’s with Shane. Why don’t you just come here and we’ll go out.” Being out tonight was probably a better idea anyway—staying someplace neutral.

  “Oh, okay. Sure. I’ll see you soon.”

  “Bye.” He put his phone back as Amber leaned over the pool table in her snug top and tighter jeans.

  “I call solids.” She fired a hell of an opening break, sending the solid red ball into the pocket.

  He raised his brow. “Nice shot.”

  She smiled. “Thanks.” She leaned over again, sending the solid green ball home. “Oh, losers buy the winners a drink.” She grinned at Shane and Talya.

  “I think we’re going to be buying drinks,” Shane said to his partner.

  “I can get behind that.” Stone held out his knuckles, waiting for Amber’s return bump. “I had no idea you were a shark.” He gestured toward the table.

  “Oh, I’m all kinds of things,” she replied, sending him a wink.

  Stone smiled, concentrating on relaxing his shoulders instead of thinking about David or Eric or Sophie. Right now he wanted to kick some ass, cash in on another beer, and forget about his problems.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Sophie hung up, setting her phone on the passenger seat next to Murphy, frowning over the tension she’d heard in Stone’s voice. He never cared when she was running late, but he seemed to now. She blew out a long breath, stopping at another red light, afraid that their evening was already off to a shaky start—and it hadn’t even begun. Tonight needed to be perfect; she wanted that for them desperately. The light turned green, and she accelerated along with the rest of the traffic, trying her best to relax. Meeting Stone all keyed up certainly wouldn’t do anything to ease their rocky situation.

  Maybe Stone had the right idea. A night away from the house would do them both good. No cooking and cleaning up, just time alone together. They’d had so much fun on their double date with Abby and Jerrod, yet their hectic schedules hadn’t allowed them a chance to be out as a couple since. They still hadn’t taken advantage of their Domain gift certificate. Fine dining with a little wine and… She spotted the Malcom’s sign up ahead and slowed, grinning as a new plan started taking shape. “Perfect.”

  She took the right into the parking lot and pulled into a space. “Give me five minutes, Murph. I’ll be super quick,” she promised, making certain to keep the windows rolled down three quarters of the way and ran inside, coming back out with two cheeseburgers, an order of fries, onion rings and a large vanilla shake—the same meal they’d eaten the night Stone took her to the mountain with the view. “I’m pretty sure I’m a genius,” she said to Murphy, rubbing him behind the ears the way he liked.

  He barked.

  “I’m so flattered you agree.” Chuckling, she started the car, driving the five miles to Smitty’s, eagerly anticipating Malcom’s delicious burgers by starlight with Stone at her side. Finally they would catch up and reconnect before he had to leave again. “I’ll get Stone and be right back. Don’t even think about helping yourself to our dinner.” She tapped Murphy’s nose with the gentle warning and hurried inside the busy sports bar, blinking in the dim light as her gaze tracked over dozens of patrons in her search for Stone, but he was nowhere to be found. Frowning, she continued looking, stopping on the pool tables, watching as he took his beer off the waitress’s tray. He said something to Amber, toasting her bottle, grinning as he hooked his arm around her shoulders and she smiled at him.

  She swallowed, pressing a hand to her stomach, absorbing the quick, cruel punch of realization. Stone was having a good time. He seemed so happy. He fit in here with his friends. She glanced down at her five-hundred-dollar black pumps and designer dress, then around the biker bar atmosphere knowing she didn’t fit in at all. She didn’t drink beer or know how to hold a pool stick. This wasn’t her scene, but it was certainly Stone’s, and she was keeping him from it.

  “What am I doing?” she whispered, shuddering. “Why am I doing this?” Clutching her purse, she
turned blindly, pushing her way out the door, ignoring Stone calling her name. The warm ocean breeze rushed around her, bringing her no comfort as she hurried to the car, got in, and pulled out into traffic seconds before the light turned red, accelerating on Highway One.

  Why had she been fighting so hard to save something that wasn’t real? Why was she just now realizing she should have let Stone go from the beginning? She’d been so selfish, holding him back from his life. Great sex and a promise to help didn’t obligate him to forever or even the year he’d offered. Somewhere along the way she’d confused a complicated friendship with something that didn’t exist. He didn’t love her. He wasn’t interested in “‘til death do us part.” She was the one who’d hoped for more, but it was time to stop. It was time to let Stone move on.

  What if you meet someone?

  I won’t.

  You could, then where does that leave us?”

  Exactly where they were right now, because he had. Amber and Stone were always together—at the office, at Ethan and Sarah’s, and today at Smitty’s. Why hadn’t she figured that out sooner?

  She pressed a trembling hand to her lips, her breath heaving, sure her heart would stop beating. Never had she felt so empty, not even after mom died. Her phone started ringing, and she jumped, shaking her head, unable to keep her tears from falling.

  “God. God.” She listened to the incessant ringtone, knowing who waited for her to answer. She didn’t want him to call. He didn’t have to pretend anymore. There was no need for him to be “all in.” Tomorrow morning she would fix the mess she’d made.

  She slowed and turned right, heading to the cliffs, pulling into the driveway. Tonight she didn’t admire the big, cheery blossoms in the pretty pots or watch the waves as she and Murphy made their way to the house. Letting herself in, she set the Malcom’s bag and soupy shake on the coffee table and walked to the bedroom, pulling the suitcases Abby had given her from under the bed. She moved to her drawers, transferring tops and jeans to the luggage, then grabbed the hanging items and her shoes from the closet. She started toward the bathroom as the front door opened and closed.