by Vaughn, Ann
His phone rang, drawing his attention. He told them he needed to take the call and walked out into the hall, leaving Lainey with her father.
"Tessa, thanks for getting back to me."
"You said it was urgent. What's up?"
"Do you have anything pressing on your plate at the moment?"
"No."
"I need you in Springfield. Riley's cousin, Lainey, has picked up a stalker and I'm going to need someone to keep an eye on her while I'm helping Colt install security systems. Can you be here tomorrow?"
"Um, yeah, sure, I think so. Let me double check with Shane but I don't think it will be a problem."
"OK. Thanks, Tess."
"No problem. Just send me the address. I'll let you know if I can't make it for any reason."
"Appreciate it."
He ended the call then called Colt back.
"Hey, Boss, whatcha got?"
"He tapped into her work computer, accessed her webcam. Can you track him through that?"
"Absolutely. Send me an email from her computer so I can get her IP address and that will get the ball rolling."
"Anything else?"
"Just that for now."
"All right. Thanks. I'm going through her offices right now, I'll send you the specs for the security upgrade. They have a system in place now, but it's just a basic system."
"Shouldn't be too hard to upgrade. I've got the system nearly pegged for her house. I'll just need to make adjustments when I'm actually there."
"OK. Thanks, Colt."
"No problem. See you tomorrow."
He finished up looking at the security system and making notes to send to Colt, then went into Kacee's office. She was at her desk, typing away on her computer. She offered him a smile when she saw him in the doorway.
"Hey, stranger. How are you?"
"Good. Have you received an increase in correspondence since the TV interview as well?"
"Yes. Is that where this guy saw her from?"
"I'm not sure." He stepped fully into her office and shut the door behind him. "What can you tell me about Lainey?"
"She's been my best friend since we were kids. What do you want to know?"
"She said she sends reply notes to every letter she's received."
"Yeah, so do I."
He nodded. "Do you remember any men who came in with kids that she counseled?"
"Oh, wow, no, not really. We have our schedules set up pretty tight. When patients enter the offices, they wait in the lobby until we finish with our current patient. We walk them out and escort the new one back. We might see each other's patients in passing in the hall, but we try to stagger our appointments so that we don't have patients in the lobby at the same time. So, I'm afraid I won't be much help there."
Mike nodded. "And she isn't seeing anyone? Or recently broken up with someone?"
Kacee smiled. "Her last boyfriend was my brother, Kevin. They broke up about four years ago when the idiot was dumb enough to cheat on her."
"She dated Kevin?" Mike asked, a bit surprised at that.
Kacee nodded. "For about two years, well, maybe a little longer. When we were in college and just after. They've remained friends, though, and are each other's fall-back date when they need someone to go to all our mother's charity events with."
"And last night, were they on a date?"
"We went out for drinks and dancing after work. Connor is in town and I wanted everyone to come out and party with us. Kevin stopped by after we'd been there for a while and they danced together for the rest of the evening. I guess this stalker guy was there and saw them, then followed Kevin when he left."
"And had she gone out with anyone prior to dancing with Kevin last night?"
Kacee sighed. "No. Lainey doesn't date much. She didn't love Kevin, but what he did hurt her nonetheless. She kind of shut down as far as the dating scene goes. I think the last time she went out with someone not Kevin was nearly a year ago...she had dinner with one of Connor's friends. That was it. She said she liked him, but nothing ever came of it."
Mike nodded and turned to go, then glanced back at Kacee over his shoulder.
"Connor Douglas? Tina Douglas' son?"
Kacee smiled, nodding. "We've been together for a little over a year now."
"Doesn't he still live in London?"
"Well, yeah, but only for another six months. He's actually going to switch jobs with my brother Justin."
That did surprise Mike. "Justin is going to move to London?"
"He and Kevin decided they needed an Adtkisson as head of European operations. They drew straws. Justin lost."
Mike shook his head. "Cazzaro."
Kacee laughed. "Every last one of them," she said, agreeing that her brothers were indeed, idiots.
Lainey looked up when Mike walked back into her office, wondering if she would ever get used to those eyes of his. They didn't just look at you; they pierced you with their intensity.
"I have all I need from here," he announced.
"Why don't we head home, then," Gavin suggested, eyes on his daughter. "Your mother will have dinner ready, and then you and Mike can head back to your house."
"To my...? But, the bugs..."
"Mike removed them all before we came here, and he'll be staying with you there at your house until this matter is resolved. Unless you want to continue staying with your mother and me, which you know you are welcome to do," he said, cutting off her protest.
"No, that's OK, I want to be able to go home," she said, shutting her computer down and gathering her purse and briefcase.
She waved to Kacee as she followed the men to the reception area and out the door. As they waited for the elevator, she glanced up at Mike, causing him to look down at her, brow raised in silent question.
"How do you think he is getting in to my house and the offices to put his bugs in?"
He glanced around at the drop tiles in the ceiling. "Wouldn't be too hard here, especially if he is as adept in computer skills as he's shown so far. Could bypass security and sneak in."
"And at my house? The same?"
He nodded, his gaze returning to her. "Pretty much."
She took a deep breath and released it slowly when the elevator doors opened. They filed into the car and rode quietly down, the ride only marred when the car stopped on the sixth floor. Two men tried to step inside but Mike stepped forward to block them, and her father held his badge up when they protested. Other than that, everything was uneventful all the way to the parking lot.
She hesitated outside her car door, looking from the car to Mike.
"What is it?"
"Could you, you know, check the car for bugs, too?"
"Sure," he said, placing his bag on her trunk and pulling the electronic device out. He swept the outside and found a GPS tracker just under the wheel carriage of the back left wheel. Lainey looked up at her father's clenched jaw, then back at Mike as he checked the inside of her car. "Inside is clean," he said, making her sigh in relief.
"Thank you," she said, stepping forward to put her briefcase and purse into the car.
"Just follow me," he dad told her, "Mike, follow her."
"Will do."
She saw Mike walk over to a black Escalade and get in. That wasn't the same vehicle he drove to Jenna's, she noted. He'd been in a sleek black car then.
Mike filed in behind Gavin and Lainey to follow them to their house. He couldn't believe she used to date Kevin Adtkisson. A stick-up-the-ass, nose-in-the-air Adtkisson. And not just any of the Adtkissons. Kevin. The oldest; the proverbial heir to the fortune. Kevin and Justin were his biggest rivals growing up. They competed for everything. And she'd been with Kevin for two years. That grated, he couldn't lie.
To distract himself, he called up Riley's number and called him.
"Hey, what's the status?" Riley asked without preamble.
"Found more bugs in her office and a GPS tracker on her car."
"Who the hell is this guy?" Riley
growled.
"He tapped into the webcam on her office computer, too. Got Colt, Tessa, Coop and Whit coming tomorrow. We're going to get security systems installed in her house and upgraded at her offices. Colt is already trying to track him through the computer trail, but he'll have an easier time when he's actually here...and you know he'll get him. Colt's the best at that kind of stuff."
"Yeah, I know. I'm coming home at the end of the week. Jenna knows I can't handle not being there. Lainey is like my baby sister. If anything were to happen to her..."
"Nothing is going to happen to her. I swear it. I will keep her safe."
"I know you will, man, and I appreciate it. I still gotta be there."
"I understand. We'll get him."
"Yes, we will. How is she?"
"Seems to be taking it all in stride. The bugs and cameras have shaken her a bit, but she's staying strong."
"Lainey's not a crier. Can't even remember the last time I saw her cry."
"We're at her parents' house now. I'll call you after we get back to her place."
"OK, thanks, Mike."
"No problem."
Mike cursed under his breath when he saw the other car in the Riley's driveway. He shouldn't have been surprised. Lainey's mother worked for his uncle. They ran in the same social circles. He closed his eyes a moment, took a deep breath and then got out and prepared to jump from the frying pan directly into the fire.
Lainey was just getting out of her car when he walked up beside her. He held his hand out to help her. She placed her hand in his after a brief hesitation and allowed him to help her stand. He wordlessly took her briefcase from her and gestured for her to lead the way inside. She gave him a puzzled look but led the way up the front steps to the door and inside.
"There you are," her mother said, greeting her at the door. Behind her, Lainey saw Mike's mother, Jeannette Chandler-Casiano and she suddenly understood the tiny scowl she'd seen on his face when he looked toward the house.
"Hello, darling," Jeannette greeted her son.
"Mom," he returned, "what are you doing here?"
"Lisa invited us over for dinner. A chance for us all to get to know each other since you'll be protecting Lainey until this crazy person can be caught."
"Unbelievable," Lainey murmured, heading up the stairs.
"I already packed your bag for you, honey," Lisa called after her, making Lainey pause halfway up the stairs and look down at her.
"What?"
"Well, I know you are eager to get back home."
Lainey's eyes drifted over to Mike briefly, then she continued up the stairs, shaking her head and talking to herself under her breath the whole way. When she hit the landing at the top of the stairs, she was surprised to see that Mike was only a few steps behind her. She hadn't even heard his footsteps on the stairs!
"What are you..." she began when he reached the top but stopped when he put his hand on her elbow and looked down at her.
"Which one is your room?" he asked in his soft voice.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"We haven't had a chance to talk, and I'd like to lay a few things out before we consider heading to your place, and I'd like to talk where there aren't several ears straining to hear every word."
She sighed. "Fine. Last door on the right," she told him and together they headed down to her room. He released her elbow when they stepped inside. She hugged her arms over her chest to ward against the chill that the absence of the heat of his fingers on her arm caused.
"Did anyone even discuss with you about me taking on your personal security?" he asked softly, those eyes boring into her.
She offered a little half laugh. "Of course not. Discuss something with Lainey? Why would anyone do that?"
He nodded. "That's what I thought. Riley has always spoken of you as if you were a little girl; something precious to be seen and admired."
"But that doesn't have a brain of her own. Trust me. I know. Story of my life."
"I'm not your family," he said, his direct gaze on her. "I won't treat you like your thoughts don't matter. The bottom line is, I'm here to handle this situation for you and to keep you safe. I'm not saying that there won't be times that I won't need to tell you what to do, and when I do, I expect you to do as I say without question. Not because I'm trying to order you around, but because as far as your safety goes, I know what I'm doing."
She shook her head and began pacing, mumbling under her breath. Mike couldn't quite make out what she was saying but found it amusing. He let her go for a few moments, hands shoved in his pockets, watching her. When she finally calmed down, she raked her fingers through her short blonde hair and sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at him.
"I'm too tired to fight you on this. I want to go home and my dad absolutely won't let that happen unless you're part of the deal. I just want to not be afraid in my own house."
"I can do that for you. I have the rest of my team coming tomorrow. Riley says he will be home by the end of the week. Once he is here, we will look into trying to flush this guy out. Until then, the priority is getting the alarms installed and just shadowing you and keeping you safe."
She closed her eyes a moment, then looked up at him. Mike couldn't control the jolt that ran through him at seeing those huge emerald eyes lock on him. Her face was pale but her cheeks were slightly flushed, making her look even more like an angel than before.
"How long do you think this will take?"
He shook his head. "I have no idea."
"Lovely. Look, you'd better get downstairs before our mothers start planning our wedding. I need to change clothes and make a few phone calls. Tell them I'll be down as soon as I'm done."
He nodded. "Fine...but don't leave me down there too long. A man can only take so much."
She watched him go, closing the door behind him, then fell back on the bed. What had she done to deserve this, she wondered. She'd always tried to be nice to everyone. Why did some crazy man have to take it to an extreme? An image of Mike flashed in her mind. How was she supposed to survive being in the same house with him?
Pulling her phone from her pocket, she called Kacee.
"Hey, chickie, what's up?" Kacee greeted.
"My mother invited Mike's mother over for dinner." Kacee busted out laughing. "It's not funny."
"Oh, honey, I'm sorry...but it really kinda is."
"You aren't helping."
"How does it feel to be up close and personal with your teenage crush?"
"Oh, my gosh, I'm sorry I called you."
Kacee laughed even harder. "It'll be all right. Will he be coming to work with you, too?"
"His whole team minus Riley will be. They're upgrading the security system at the offices."
"That will make my dad happy."
"Mine, too."
"Look...I know I haven't really talked much about Mike over the years...but you know I grew up around him and his brothers and sister. Mike is...a really, really good guy, Lain. And he's been through a lot."
She sighed. "I know. Riley told me some of what happened to them. I know that Mike allowed himself to be captured in order to save Riley's life and for the team to recover Zig's body. I know that Mike was tortured for nearly twelve hours before Riley and the team were able to rescue him...and I know that Mike technically died twice, once en route to the hospital and once on the OR table."
"So then you know to be nice to him."
"I'm nice to everyone," Lainey huffed.
"Yes, but Mike is special."
"Good grief, Kace, do I need to have a talk with Connor about your feelings toward Mike Casiano?"
Kacee laughed. "Ha ha ha. Just remember what I said when he pushes you to want to strangle him, because I know you, chickie. You'll get to that point."
"Yeah, well, you're forgetting one thing."
"What's that?"
"He's been Riley's best friend for years, and Riley never really introduced him to me. Must have had a reason for that. I go
tta go before my mother launches a search party."
Ending the call, she got up to change into leggings and a sweater and boots, then went downstairs, placing her bag by the front door. Mike's eyes locked on her the moment she walked into the family room. She met his gaze briefly, gave him a soft smile, then went into the kitchen where their mothers were chatting while fixing food.
"How are you, Lainey?" Jeannette asked her. "I haven't seen you in a while."
"I'm good, considering."
"My Michael will get everything sorted out for you."
"I certainly hope so. I can't stand the thought of some creep out there stalking my girl," Lisa said.
Mike walked in and Jeannette reached for his hand. "I can't stop touching him," she told them, smiling up at her son. "It's been so long since he's been home for longer than just a weekend here and there."
"I don't blame you," Lisa said.
Lainey met Mike's gaze and they shared an indulgent smile behind their mothers' heads. Dinner passed fairly quickly, then Mike asked her if she was ready to head home.
"Absolutely."
"Why don't you leave your car here and ride with Mike," Lisa suggested. "We can bring your car to you later. I would just feel better if you were riding with Mike," Lisa said.
"Oh, no, I can..."
"I think your mother's right," Gavin spoke up. "I'd feel better with you in with Mike."
Mike could tell Lainey wanted to protest but she stayed quiet. He could see the embers of that Irish fire burning behind those big green eyes and was surprised that she was able to keep it banked. He was beginning to see, though, that she did a lot of holding back.
He helped her into his Escalade and started down the road toward her house. She was gazing out the window, head turned away from him, but he could feel the anger pouring off of her in waves.
"You aren't the docile little thing your family thinks you to be, are you?"
Lainey looked over at him. "What makes you say that?"
"Because from the minute I walked into your offices, you looked ready to strangle someone, and you wanted to take your own car but decided it wasn't worth the war you'd get from your parents to fight it."
"My family tends to forget that I'm not a child anymore."
