by Vaughn, Ann
"I love you, Lainey."
Downstairs, Whit was pacing while Colt and Coop were watching the monitors around the warehouse, Lainey's house and her offices. He glanced occasionally at Mike's bedroom door, but kept pacing.
"Will you sit down, Whit?" Coop said, not looking up from his monitor, "You're making me tired just watching you."
He turned to face them. "I've never see him like that."
Colt looked up then. "Who? Mike?" Whit nodded. "Love does strange things to a man," Colt said.
"He's scared," Whit said, "I've never seen him scared before. Not even that last day, when...well, you know."
"He's human," Coop said, "we all feel fear. He's just never cared about anything like this before."
"I'm just scared he's not looking at this objectively."
"Hell, no, he's not looking at it this objectively," Colt said. "You can't when it involves a woman. And you know him. He's keeps everything inside."
"Then what the hell was that earlier? Beating the shit out of his knuckles. He's lost focus."
"Then we keep his focus for him," Coop said.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Monday morning, Lainey stood flanked by Coop and Whit, Colt in front of her, Mike behind her as they entered her offices for the first time in weeks. They had her stand with her back to the wall while Mike searched the offices and made sure everything was clear before letting her walk freely into her own office. She was used to being surrounded by the guys but was grateful to be back in her office at her desk, alone. She wasn't seeing patients this week; she wasn't comfortable bringing the kids into the office when they weren't sure whether Charles would show up or not. She would more or less do the same work she usually did from her laptop at the loft; it was just this way she was getting out into the public. Kacee wasn't coming into the office yet, either. Just another safety precaution.
Colt had unblocked her office computer webcam that morning. It made her a little nervous to know that Charles could be watching her as she made her phone calls and worked on case files, but she decided to force it out of her mind and just relax. She needed to take advantage of the time she had in the office to contact some of the organizations she worked with for referrals.
When a slight knock sounded on her door she looked up to see Mike standing there, his intense gaze on her. She hadn't even heard him approach.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
She blinked at him then glanced at the clock. It was 11:30. She couldn't believe the time had gone that fast.
"Give me just a minute to check my email. I just have -" her voice trailed off, causing him to come to her side.
"What is it?" he asked. She nodded to the monitor. It was an email from Charles. "Colt!" Mike called, placing his hand on her neck to give her a squeeze of comfort while they waited for Colt to come into her office.
"Yeah?" Colt said, stepping in.
Mike nodded to the computer, helping Lainey to her feet so Colt could sit down. She'd gotten an email from Charles. She hadn't opened it, just saw that it was there. She leaned into Mike's side and watched numbly while Colt's big hands danced over the keyboard. Mike kept his arm around her shoulders while they watched, rubbing his hand on her arm occasionally.
"He had it set up to automatically deliver whenever this particular I.P. address became active...so he'd know when she was back in her office."
Mike cursed under his breath but Lainey took a deep breath, squeezing him.
"It's OK. This is what we wanted, right?" she asked.
"Doesn't mean I have to like it," Mike ground out.
"Were you done working, Lainey?" Colt asked, drawing her attention.
"Yes."
He hit a few more keys then shut the computer down.
"I've got a tracking program running on it. He's bounced it around off several signals. Chances are, though, he's long gone from wherever he originally sent it. But, we're one step closer now."
"What did the message say?" Lainey asked.
"Just that he's glad to see you back at work," Colt replied.
A shiver ran through her and Mike leaned down to kiss the side of her head.
"I'm OK," she told him.
He nodded. "Riley called. They're at the hospital now. Want to go see Trevor?"
She smiled up at him. "Yes, please."
"Let's go."
Mike let Whit drive this time and sat with her in the backseat, holding her close to his side. She twined her fingers with his and held his hand close to her heart while they rode. They'd made it through the morning with only the email incident and for that she was thankful. Knowing that Mike was so anxious about her being out in Charles' crosshairs had her on edge as well. It was nice to have an incident-free morning when they were so stressed about everything.
Once at the hospital, Riley met them as Whit pulled up so she wasn't exposed while Whit parked the truck. No one spoke until they got into the elevator, then Riley stepped to Lainey and embraced her.
"How's he doing?" she asked when he pulled back.
"Much better. His leg is still bad but not as bad as they first thought, thank God. They think with extensive rehab he should be fine. Not quite as good as he once was, but not bad. He's still in a lot of pain, but they're trying to ease him off the meds."
"How are his spirits?" she asked when the doors opened.
"Oh, you know Trevor. Got the nurses eating out of his hands...except the therapist. She seems indifferent to him."
Lainey laughed. "Oh, really? Bet that's driving him crazy."
"She's in there with him now, you'll see."
She held tight to Mike's hand as they followed Riley into the room where the therapist was helping Trevor work his leg. The girl had deep auburn hair pulled back in a ponytail. Lainey thought she looked familiar but didn't stare at her long enough to place her; her eyes were on Trevor. He looked awful...his skin had a yellow-tinge to it; his eyes were dull and sunken in...and a deep grimace was on his face from the obvious pain he was in from the therapy session.
"Looks like you've got visitors," the girl said, "so I'll let you off the hook and skip that last set."
"Aren't you generous?" Trevor bit out.
The redhead smiled and took his arm to help ease him back against the pillows, and Lainey's eyes widened when Trevor stiffened at her touch, cursing under his breath.
"Gee, aren't you Mr. Cheerful today?" the therapist shot back. "I thought Uncle Sam taught you guys to be more pleasant around civilians."
"Bite me," he growled.
The therapist laughed and turned to leave, and then Lainey recognized her.
"Aubrey Donovan," she said, smiling at her.
Aubrey smiled, quickly embracing Lainey.
"How are you?" Aubrey asked.
"Good. I didn't know you were back in town."
"Moved back about six months ago."
"Yeah, it's great," Trevor cut in, "could y'all catch up later or out in the hall? I've got a headache."
"Trevor," Lainey said, drawing his attention, "you're being an ass."
"Why does that surprise you?" Riley said, glaring at his younger brother.
Aubrey shook her head and looked back at Trevor. "I'll be here same time tomorrow, Stanton. Count on it."
"Lucky me," Trevor said.
Aubrey laughed, rolling her eyes when she looked back at Lainey.
"It was good to see you again, Lainey," she said, then left.
"Good riddance," Trevor muttered.
"Good grief, Trev, what has gotten into you? She's just doing her job."
"She's too damn perky," he grumbled. He looked past Lainey to see Mike standing there, arms folded over his chest. "So, what's going on between you and Casiano over there?"
Lainey glanced at Mike, then came to sit beside Trevor on the bed.
"First," she said, leaning down to embrace him, "I'm so glad you're home and you're doing better."
"Thanks, Tink," he said against her hair, the grip from his good arm s
trong.
"And second," she said, sitting up, "be nice to Aubrey. She was one of my good friends in high school."
"I know that...she just...I don't know, gets on my nerves."
Lainey studied him a moment, holding his hand between both of hers. "Does she? Interesting."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Don't start trying to get into my head, Tink. And you didn't answer my question. What's going on between you and Mike?"
She glanced over her shoulder at Mike, who was still standing just inside the door, leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest, his icy gaze intense as he regarded Trevor. A smile touched her lips as she took in his posture, then turned back to Trevor, still smiling.
"Geez, never mind, I can see it for myself," Trevor said, settling back against the pillows.
Another nurse came in to check his vitals and Lainey could see he was his normal self around this girl, flirting, even though she could see that his pain medication was starting to kick in and draw him under. She waited until the nurse left, then stood and leaned down to kiss his cheek.
"Go to sleep. We'll come by again."
"K. Thanks," he said, his tone drowsy. "Love you, Tink."
She smiled. "Love you, too, you nut. Get some sleep. And be nice to Aubrey."
"Course I won't," he said, closing his eyes.
"Be right back, T," Riley told him.
"Not going anywhere," Trevor replied.
They walked out, then stopped outside of his room.
"Has he been belligerent like that with anyone else?" Lainey asked Riley.
"Nope. All the other therapists who have worked with him he's treated normal. But he's been an ass to this one from the minute she walked into the room."
"She looks a little bit like Jenna, did you notice?"
Riley rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah."
Lainey caught sight of Aubrey at the nurses' station just down from them and headed that way, her entourage closing ranks around her. She ignored the guys and focused on Aubrey. They were in the same class growing up, and Aubrey's brother was one of Trevor's close friends. She had a feeling she was looking at the real person Trevor had had a crush on all those years ago, rather than Jenna.
"Hi, Aubrey," she said as she approached her.
Aubrey looked up, smiling, her eyes widening when she saw all the men surrounding Lainey.
"Did I miss something?" Aubrey asked, her eyes sweeping over the guys.
Lainey gestured toward Mike. "This is my," she paused, looking up at Mike, then smiled, "my boyfriend, Mike Casiano, and these are his colleagues, Colt Harris, Jack Cooper and Derek Whitten."
Aubrey shook hands with each man, then turned to Lainey.
"Can we talk over here for just a minute?" she said, nodding toward the nurses' lounge.
Lainey met Mike's gaze briefly, and at his slight nod, turned back to Aubrey.
"Sure."
Lainey could tell that Aubrey was puzzled over what just took place as she hesitated slightly before leading her into the lounge. Then she saw Aubrey's eyes narrow as the guys closed themselves around the door.
"What's going on?" Aubrey asked when she shut the door.
Lainey waved her hand in dismissal. "I have a stalker. What's going on with you? I thought you were living in London."
Aubrey's eyes bugged. "You have a stalker? Lainey! Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. I've got the brute squad watching out for me. You were in London?"
Aubrey nodded. "I was, but got a little homesick, I guess. Listen, Trevor is..."
"He's being a jerk to you, isn't he?"
"Yes, but that's nothing new. He's always been an ass to me."
"Really? That Trevor?" Lainey asked, pointing in the direction of his room. "My cousin. Trevor Stanton."
Aubrey chuckled. "Yeah, Lain, Trevor Stanton. Don't you remember how he used to pick on me in school? Called me Red or Freckles. The boy drove me insane. Which, is what I wanted to talk to you about. You saw how he is with me. He fights me on everything. I know he's in a lot of pain, but we have to get him up and moving so that his muscles don't stiffen up and make it that much harder for him. Do you think I should step aside and let someone else work with him? That our history is getting in the way of his recovery?"
"Do you think you can push him to do what he needs to do?"
"Oh, I'm sure of it. But, I don't know if he needs that kind of stress right now."
Lainey smiled. "Trevor has had women doting on him his whole life. You know how he is. Ever the ladies' man, he knows all he has to do is flash those dimples and flex his muscles and everyone falls at his feet. You keep pushing him. It's what he needs whether he wants to admit it or not."
Lainey's phone rang, drawing her attention. The caller ID said Kacee, so she held a finger up to Aubrey and answered.
"Hey, Kace, what's -"
"I'm not Kacee," Charles' raspy voice said on the other end, sending her shooting to her feet to yank the door open to grab Mike.
"What have you done with Kacee?" she demanded, eyes locked on Mike.
"Just relax, Miss Lainey, I haven't done anything with your friend. I just cloned her phone, which was not an easy task, let me tell you."
"What do you want?"
"I just want to see you. I was glad you went into your office today. You looked so pretty."
Mike started to take the phone from her but she dodged him, shaking her head. She wanted to talk to Charles, to try to get him to understand why what he was doing to her was wrong.
"But I can't see my patients, Charles, because I'm scared of you. I can't bring those children into my offices if I'm afraid that you will come in and try to harm them. Don't you see? I can't give these kids help like I gave to you when you needed it because of you."
"I would never hurt little children," he snapped.
"But you are. Can't you please, just turn yourself in? I can't do my job and help these children because of you, Charles."
"No, no, no!" he yelled. "It's not because of me! It's because of that Ice Man you've got watching out for you. Don't you see? He's the one who won't let you see the kids. Not me. I would never hurt little kids."
"Then turn yourself in and let them come back to me."
"I'M NOT THE ONE KEEPING THEM AWAY!!!!" he screamed into the phone, so loud that she had to pull the phone from her ear. When she did, Mike took it from her.
"This is Mike Casiano, Conroy. It's time to put an end to this and let Lainey get on with her life."
"You put her back on the phone right now, you son-of-a-bitch!"
"Not going to happen. She's asked you nicely to put a stop to all of this and turn yourself in. Me, I'm not so nice. Why don't you come make a play at me? You know you want to. I'm the only thing standing between you and the woman you love. So come take me out."
"Mike!" Lainey gasped.
"I can take you out at any time you arrogant prick," Charles seethed.
"Bring it on. But come meet me face-to-face like a man. You want Lainey to notice you, to be with you, you need to come show her you're a man and not some weak, sniveling little ass."
"I'm not weak!!"
Mike smiled. Hit a nerve there.
"You are weak. Hiding behind a sniper's gun. Come fight me face-to-face for her." He locked gazes with Lainey and mouthed the words, I'm sorry, to her, then plunged the knife even deeper, "You really should at least try to fight for her. Best I've ever had. Her tongue alone is enough to make a man come just thinking about it."
"Don't you talk about her like that!!"
"Not to mention her...shall we say more intimate places? Sweetest pu-"
"I'm going to kill you!!" Conroy screamed and then the line went dead.
Mike handed the phone back to Lainey then drew her into his arms, holding her tight.
"I'm sorry, cara mia," he whispered against her ear.
"It's OK," she replied, "I understand."
He pulled back to briefly kiss her, then straig
htened to meet Riley's intense gaze. They didn't speak for a moment, then Riley took a deep breath, hand on the back of his neck.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Riley said, his tone dark.
"Playing a hunch," Mike said.
"That's a hell of a chance to take," Riley countered, angrily.
"Riley," Lainey began but he held a hand up to cut her off.
"I gotta stay here with Trev until my mom gets back. I'll catch up with you in a few hours," he said tersely, then walked away.
"Riley!" she called after him but Mike's hand on her arm stopped her. "Let him go. I was there the other day, remember? But if we're going to put you out here to draw him out, then we need to draw him out. This is our chance."
She nodded, taking a deep breath. He was right. This was what they wanted. Then why was she so scared?
Chapter Thirty-Three
They went to lunch at Antonio's Bistro, one of Lainey's favorite Italian restaurants that was owned by an extended member of Mike's family. Mike led her in, his arm around her shoulders, and the woman at the hostess station immediately squealed and began shouting for Antonio, who came out of the kitchen cursing in rapid Italian at the woman, who was gesturing toward Mike. Antonio looked up from the woman and Lainey thought his jaw might hit the floor.
"Michael!!" Antonio boomed, coming to embrace Mike, who, Lainey noticed had stiffened slightly but did not back away from the embrace. "It's been too long since you've darkened my door. And, wait, I know you, you're Kacee's friend, Lainey."
"Yes, sir," she replied, smiling when he lifted her hand to kiss her knuckles.
"And you're with our Michael?"
Lainey glanced up at Mike, seeing that his stoic mask was back in place, and hated that he wouldn't relax his guard.
"Si, Antonio," Mike replied, making Antonio quickly kiss both of Lainey's cheeks.
