Falling for Sarah

by Cate Beauman

  Morgan walked forward with a massive bowl of cold water and poured it on top of the grappling men. They broke apart, eyeing each other, gasping.

  Morgan crouched close to Hunter. “What is your problem? What are you thinking?”

  “He was—”

  She held up a hand. “I don’t want to hear it. I don’t even want to look at you right now. You clean yourself up and stay out of my face.” She stormed out of the room.

  Hunter got up, shook his head at Sarah, went after his wife.

  Sarah stared down at Ethan as he wiped blood from his puffing lip. “Are you okay?”

  He sat up. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  She walked toward the freezer. “Let me get you some ice.”

  “No. I need to check on Kylee, make sure she’s not afraid of me.”

  She grabbed his arm as he started past her. “I’ll talk to Hunter, Ethan. I should’ve talked to him about this weeks ago.”

  “I’ll take care of it. I want to change and clean up my lip before I see Kylee.” He didn’t look at her as he walked away.

  After Ethan left, Sarah rushed out to the porch where Hailey held Kylee. “I’m so sorry, Hailey.”

  “It’s okay. I think she’s okay too. She’s just a little shaken up.”

  Sarah took Kylee from Hailey’s arms. “Hi, baby.”

  Kylee hugged her tight.

  “Why don’t we go upstairs and read with Mr. Ruff.”

  Kylee nodded. “O-tay, Mama.”

  Sarah walked up the stairs with her daughter, trying to figure out how to fix this mess she helped make. She set Kylee down in the guest room, now crowded with toys and books.

  The day before Kylee came home, she and Ethan gathered and boxed most of her things. When they’d returned to Ethan’s, he’d surprised her by clearing out a spare room, telling her he would be turning the space into a playroom with Wren’s help.

  “What should we read, honey?”

  Kylee walked to her bag, grabbing Fuzzy Wuzzy Goes to the Park. “Dis one.”

  Sarah smiled. “Bring it on over.” She pulled Kylee on the bed, rested her back on the pillows, snuggling Kylee against her.

  “Knock, knock.” Ethan stood in the doorway, eyes guarded.

  “Ethan!” Kylee scrambled down, running with her arms out.

  He scooped her up, hugged her close. “Hi, kiddo.”

  Kylee pulled back, touching her little fingers to the raw wound on his swollen lip. “Boo-boo. I kiss it.” She puckered tiny lips, pressing them against his. She smiled at him. “All better.”

  He hugged her tight again, closing his eyes for an instant. “Thank you. It feels much better.” His gaze met Sarah’s, and she held out her hand.

  He walked toward the bed still holding Kylee, clasped his fingers with hers.

  Sarah smiled up at him and relaxed. “Come read with us.”

  He let go of her. “I should probably—”

  “Sit down and read with us,” she interrupted.

  “Ethan, read Fuzzy Wuzzy to me.”

  “Okay.” He held Sarah’s gaze for another moment before sitting on the bed.

  They settled back against the pillows, holding Kylee between them. He took her hand again. Sarah closed her eyes when his lips brushed her forehead. She laced her fingers with his, resting her head on his shoulder.

  He wrapped his arm around Kylee while she held the book in her hands, settling her head against his chest.

  Savoring the moment, Sarah smiled, listening to Ethan’s deep voice add expression to the words, delighting her daughter.

  Minutes later, Hunter appeared in the doorway, a bruise blooming on his jaw. Her eyes locked on his before his gaze traveled over the three of them, settling on her fingers still twined with Ethan’s. “There’s a call from Europe. It’s urgent.”

  Ethan’s fingers tensed on hers. “I have to take this.”

  “Of course. Go.”

  “Unke Hunte!” Kylee scrambled out of her and Ethan’s hold, ran to Hunter.

  Ethan brushed past Hunter as he knelt down to Kylee’s level. “Hi, baby girl.”

  “I a big girl, Unke Hunte.”

  He grinned. “Yes, you are. I keep forgetting.”

  Kylee pressed her fingers into his knotted purple bruise and he winced. “You boo-boo too.”

  Hunter traced the welt before he looked up at Sarah. “Yeah, I have a boo-boo.”

  “I kiss and make it better, just like Ethan.” She puckered up, kissed his jaw. “All better. I feed Mr. Ruff now.” She walked over to the stuffed dog and sat on the floor with the pretend bottle.

  Hunter stood, rocking on his heels. “Hey.”

  Sarah patted the bed. “Come sit down.”

  Running tongue over teeth, he sat, staring at her.

  They began to speak at the same time.

  “Please, Hunter, let me.”

  “Okay, shoot.”

  “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about Ethan and me. I certainly should have.”

  “I’ll admit I never saw this one coming.”

  She looked down, picking at the navy blue comforter. “You think I’m letting Jake down.”

  “No, I don’t.” He blew out a breath. “Jake loved you. I know he would want you to be happy.”

  Eyes watering, she glanced up. “I’m the happiest I’ve been since he’s been gone. I will always love him, Hunter. He’ll always be a part of my heart.”

  He brushed away the tear rolling down her cheek. “I made him a promise, Sarah. I hope you’ll let me keep it. I’m connected to you and Kylee.”

  Overwhelmed by his sweetness, she hugged him and sighed when his arms came around her.

  “Ethan is as much my brother as Jake was. I only want the best for both of you.”

  She brushed his jaw, touching the purple bump gently as she stared into bold blue eyes. “I’m so lucky to have you. I love you so much.”

  He touched her lips. “I love you too.”

  “And me too.” Kylee stood at his knee.

  Sarah chuckled when Hunter bent to her level and gave Kylee a noisy kiss on the cheek. “And you too, big girl.”

  He stood. “I really have to get downstairs.”

  “We’ll see you in a bit.”

  Ethan hung up as Hunter walked in his office. “David Enzo was shot critically. I have to go to Italy.”

  Hunter raked a hand through his hair. “Shit. What happened? I’m a little out of the loop.”

  “He’s been providing close protection for Fabiano International’s CEO, Nico Fabiano. Apparently Nico discovered major discrepancies in numerous accounts about a month ago. Someone didn’t like it. An attempt was made on him an hour ago. David took a bullet to the chest. It missed his heart by millimeters.”

  “Jesus. What about Nico?”

  “He’s fine.” Ethan stacked files into a briefcase. “I’m heading over now. Tino’s covering Fabiano at our safe house until I can get there. I’m hoping you can handle anything Mrs. Enzo will need long distance. She’s a mess, understandably.”

  “Yeah, of course. Why are you going over? Why can’t you send someone from one of the European branches?”

  “Because I’m the computer geek. If I get into Fabiano’s systems, I can get to the bottom of this faster.”

  “What about Sarah?”

  On guard, Ethan stared into Hunter’s disapproving gaze. “That’s a loaded question, isn’t it? We’ll have to save personal business for later.” Glancing down, he zipped his laptop into its case. “I called Austin. He’ll be here in fifteen minutes. You two are going to have to cover her until I get back. I’m hoping I can get this wrapped up in the next couple of weeks.”

  Hunter walked over, opened the file on his desk, picked up copied cardstock. “His notes are fucking sick.”

  “Yeah, they are.” Ethan blew out a long breath. “I think he followed Sarah and me to the grocery store the other night, the night the girl was killed behind the restaurant. I talked to Tucker down at the
Cop Shop. The time frame fits. The note sent the next day said, ‘I watched him touch you and now you’ll pay’. I’m the only person who’s been touching her, and that’s the only place he could’ve seen us.” He turned to the window, hating that he was about to leave Sarah. “The thing that concerns me most is I never spotted a tail. He knows what he’s doing.”

  “Maybe you weren’t paying close enough attention.”

  Anger burned in his gut, slow and hot. His fist clenched at his side as he turned back to face Hunter. “You may not approve of what’s going on between Sarah and me, but don’t ever question how I do my fucking job.”

  Hunter sat in one of the leather chairs opposite the desk. They eyed each other as tension choked the room, until Hunter finally spoke.

  “Let’s get this out of the way right now so we can move on. I’ll tell you, just like I told Sarah—all I want is what’s best for both of you. As much as I love you, man, as much as I think of you as my brother, I’ll be honest and say I’m not sure you’re what’s best for her.”

  Hunter’s words wounded. “Fuck you.”

  Hunter held up a hand. “Let me finish. She’s not like the other women that float in and out of your life. Sarah needs someone who’s gonna stick. She’s happy. You make her happy. As long as that continues, I wish you two nothing but the best.” His eyes hardened. “But if you have any doubts, Cooke, you better figure them out now, before this goes any further, because if you hurt her, I’ll break every fucking bone in your body.”

  They continued to stare at each other as Austin walked in. “Hey.”

  Neither responded.

  “What’s going on? Is everything okay with Sarah?”

  Ethan glanced at Austin. “Sarah’s fine. Thanks for coming so quickly. As I said on the phone, I’ll be out of the country for the next couple of weeks; less, I hope. You and Hunter are in charge. Sarah has several photo shoots and meetings coming up, which means we’re on red alert. This guy is smart. He knows what he’s doing, and he’s become extremely volatile. Every day he goes without seeing her appears to make him more unstable. I want a two-man team on her when she leaves the house. Pull Matthews to come stay here with Morgan, Hailey, and Kylee when Sarah goes out.”

  “Maybe we should just pull Matthews and have him stay here,” Austin said as he took the seat next to Hunter.

  Hunter shook his head. “I don’t think that’s necessary. If he could get in, he would’ve already.”

  Ethan nodded. “I agree. With the two of you and the dogs, no one’s getting to anyone here on the grounds, but outside’s a different story. I want you to watch yourselves as well. The profiler I spoke to says anyone seen with Sarah is perceived as an enemy, especially people who are actively trying to keep him from her. The last three victims he’s killed, including the girl behind the restaurant, have almost been decapitated. He’s sick, escalated, and extremely dangerous.” He glanced down at his watch. “I really need to go.”

  “Don’t worry, boss. She’ll be safe with Phillips and me.”

  “I’m counting on it.” He looked at Hunter one last time and left the room.

  Sarah stood next to Ethan’s Rover as he shut his trunk and walked to the driver’s side. “You be careful over there. I’m going to worry about you.” She didn’t want him to leave.

  He opened the door. “I’ll be perfectly fine. I want you to take care of yourself. Stay close to Austin and Hunter when you’re not at the house.”

  “They’ll be my shadow.” She smiled, wrapping him in a hug.

  He held her tight. “I have go, Sarah. I’ll miss my flight.”

  She eased back, keeping her arms around his waist. “I’m going miss you.”

  “I’ll hurry home.” He brushed his lips across hers.

  As she stared into his eyes, she worried. Something was different.

  All thoughts vanished when he took her face in his hands, pulling her into a kiss. His tongue sought hers, and she held on, reeling, treasuring their last moment until he came home.

  Just as quickly as it began, he pulled away. “I’ll see you in a week or two.”

  “Okay. I-I’ll see you then.” She hesitated, stopping herself from telling him she loved him. Despite the warm kiss, he seemed distant, as if he’d taken a step back.

  Ethan got in his Rover, drove around the circle, giving her a wave. He stopped, hollering out the window, “I’ll call when I can”.

  “Okay.”

  She watched him until the tail lights disappeared down the long drive.

  Nibbling her lip, Sarah walked toward the front door. What had changed? Everything had seemed fine—normal—while they’d read together with Kylee.

  He was probably worried about his agent. He’d call her when he could. Everything would be just fine, she tried to tell herself, but in her depths, she couldn’t make herself believe it.

  Ethan waited at the gate with twenty minutes to spare, thinking of Sarah, wanting to stay. If the situation he was walking into wasn’t as volatile as the one she faced now, he would’ve packed her and Kylee up and brought them.

  His conversation with Hunter continued to bother him. Was he really wrong for her? Could he stick and be what she needed him to be? He thought of the way they’d been together, of the way it felt when he was with her, and believed he could.

  Perhaps the time away would be a good thing. It would give him a chance to clear his head, think everything through, be sure he was making the best choice for Sarah and himself.

  They announced the boarding for his flight. He turned from the window overlooking the tarmac and stopped. His father and newest mistress strolled to their gate across from his, hand-in-hand.

  “Son of a bitch. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” he muttered.

  He almost walked to the line forming at the jetway but moved forward instead. What the hell? He’d give Wren’s casual approach to their parents’ lifestyle a try.

  His father’s eyes widened and conversation halted when Ethan stopped in front of him. The stunning brunette turned.

  “Dad.”

  “Ethan, what are you doing here?”

  He held up his briefcase and carryon. “I have business overseas. And who’s this?”

  His father’s eyes glinted. “Ethan, this is Jessica. Jessica, my son, Ethan.”

  The brown eyed beauty smiled invitingly. “Nice to meet you, Ethan.”

  I’ll bet. “So, how’s Mom? Does she know you’re off to—” he glanced at the departing flight screen—“Milan, or is she too busy with the personal trainer?”

  His father gripped his arm, pulling him aside. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “What the hell are you doing?” Ethan pulled away when his father yanked on his arm again. “You’re going to want to let go of me.”

  He dropped his hand. “Why are you doing this, trying to embarrass me in front of Jessica?”

  Ethan scoffed in disgust. “You embarrass yourself. Did you see the look she gave me? She’d just as soon fuck me as you.”

  His father’s cheeks reddened as his fist curled. “That’ll be enough.” He started to walk away.

  “Let me ask you something first. I think you owe me an answer.”

  Grant blew out a weary breath. “What?”

  “Why do you and Mom do this? Why don’t you call it quits? In all the years I lived under your roof, on the few occasions Wren and I actually saw the two of you, there wasn’t even a pretense of a marriage. So why?”

  “Because it works.” He shrugged. “We have an image to uphold and it’s easier on the accountants if we stay together.”

  Ethan pivoted away, revolted.

  “We’re Cookes, Ethan.”

  He stopped, turned. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “We’re just not marriage material. Never have been, never will be.”

  Ethan walked toward his gate without looking back, fearful that his father was right.

  CHAPTER 17

  “SARAH,
WAKE UP.”

  Foggy with sleep, Sarah blinked into the dark as Hunter rubbed her arm. “What is it?”

  “You and Kylee need to come with me—right now.”

  The urgency in his voice cleared away any dredges of fatigue as she focused on Reece and Bear’s vicious barking in the distance. She reached over, pulled Kylee into her arms. Heart thundering, she stared up at Hunter. “He’s here, isn’t he?”

  “Just come on.” He took her hand, pulling her to her feet, keeping her close.

  They walked down the stairs and down the hall. As they passed Ethan’s office, she noticed the flashing red lights on the large screen attached to the wall—the security panel for the house. “Oh, God, he is here. Where are Morgan and Hailey? Where’s Austin?”

  “Austin and the dogs are out on a perimeter search. Morgan and Hailey are waiting for us.”

  Her gaze darted left and right as they passed through the darkened rooms, convinced that the man with the black mask and crazy eyes would jump out at any second.

  Hunter stopped in front of the downstairs bathroom closest to Ethan’s gym and knocked on the door three times. “It’s me, Morgan.”

  The doorknob rattled as Morgan twisted the lock. When they stepped in, Morgan threw her arms around her. “Oh, thank goodness.”

  “I want all of you behind the shower wall,” Hunter said, locking the door again.

  Hailey, already sitting where Hunter asked, gave Sarah a weak smile. “I have a nice big towel we can cover Kylee with. It’s super soft.”

  “Thanks, honey.” She sat against the granite wall of the massive walk-through shower, clutching Kylee close. “I’m sorry I’ve gotten you into this mess.”

  Hailey gave her knee a squeeze. “This isn’t your fault, and I’m safer here with you than I am on my own.” She handed over the creamy white bath towel, big enough to cover all three of them.

  Sarah tucked it around her sleeping daughter before she looked at Morgan. “What’s going on, exactly?”

  “You need to whisper or stop talking,” Hunter said, pressing an earpiece into place. “I have to be able to hear Austin.”

  “Sorry.” Sarah watched as Hunter murmured into his mike, spreading out a blueprint, using the dim glow of a nightlight to read it by. All traces of the loving friend she’d known for years were gone. The serious man with deadly eyes sitting on the opposite side of the room was in full-work mode.