Tough as Nails (COBRA Securities Book 10)

by Velvet Vaughn

  She’d heard that her entire career so she didn’t take offense. Much. “I assure you I am. Let me show you around the house.”

  She started with the exterior, pointing out the now-boarded up window where the perp escaped. She led him up the porch steps, tamping down the urge to help him up. She didn’t think he’d appreciate the gesture. She showed him the message and then led him to the deck where Reed was attacked. “I’ve installed new locks on the three doors.” She handed him a set of keys. “All of the utilities are hooked up, so you have electricity and water. You can leave the lights on if you prefer. It might deter anyone from breaking in.”

  “You think I’m stupid?”

  Taken aback by the question, she shook her head. “Why would you ask that?”

  “Turn on all the lights so I can’t see outside but anyone can see in. I might as well paint a big red target on my ass.”

  Okay, good point. She felt her face heat. He was difficult. “What about a bullet-proof vest? My company requires them on all jobs.” She didn’t come on the trip prepared because it was a vacation, but she had her vest in the SUV. It wouldn’t fit him completely, but it was better than nothing.

  Arnold patted his chest. “Got one on.”

  “Okay, good. Do you have a cell phone?”

  If looks could kill, she’d be six feet under. “You think I’m too old to have a new-fangled phone?”

  “No, of course not.” He was every bit as ornery as Kellan implied. More so. “I wanted to give you my number in case you need anything.”

  “Got it already.” He sauntered away from her.

  Okay, then. “Well, if you need anything, I’m in the cottage next door.” She pointed towards the house. “I’ll keep an eye out for anyone lurking around outside.”

  “Are you saying I can’t do the job? If so, I’ll walk out of here right now.”

  Sheesh, he was trying. “I trust you to do the job. I’ll be going now.” He didn’t say anything, so Hillary made her way outside to her cottage. The sun had set and a chilly wind blew across the Atlantic. Reed and Kota were playing tug-of-war when she stepped inside. She froze at the sight of her highly efficient and well-trained dog lying on his back with a rope in his mouth, his paws batting at a laughing Reed.

  Reed noticed her first. “Hey.”

  Kota rolled over and rushed to greet her. She scrubbed behind his ears. “Hey, bud, are you having fun?”

  Kota woofed, his tongue lolling. Reed pushed to his feet using his good arm to help him rise. “I was about to take him for a walk on the beach, but he insisted on proving his alpha-ness by besting me in a game of tug-of-war.”

  Hillary smiled and tried to speak around the boulder lodged in her trachea. “Yeah, he loves to show off.” She cleared her throat. “Let me change and I’ll walk with you.” She hurried down the hall to the suite she’d claimed when she arrived. It sported views of the ocean from two sides, including access to the deck. The room Reed would be using didn’t have the ocean view, but it did have its own bathroom. There was one more room that featured double bunk beds and access to the bathroom down the hall.

  She didn’t know why seeing her brave dog playing like a puppy with a man who literally took her breath away choked her up, but it did. Not every man was good with animals and she always thought they were the best judge of character. If her dog didn’t like a man, she would never date him, simple as that…not that she planned on dating Reed. The opposite in fact. She worked for him now and she didn’t mix business with pleasure.

  Titanium blasted from her cell. It was the song she programmed for her roommate Kayla. “Hey Kay, what’s up?”

  “Reed Freakin’ Steele!”

  Hillary yanked the phone away from her ear, lest Kayla’s shriek shatter her eardrum. She was glad Reed wasn’t standing close or he’d have no doubt heard. “How did you find out?”

  “Kai Costa! Can you believe that? I had to hear this explosive news from a ten-year old! Unbelievable.”

  Kai was Dante Costa’s adorable son. He was the unofficial mascot for the agency and everyone adored him. “How does Kai know?”

  “The COBRA grapevine. He loves baseball, you know. Now he’s begging everyone to drive him over so he can meet Mr. Abs of Steele and get his autograph.”

  “Kai calls him that?”

  Kayla chuckled. “I added that myself. But the little munchkin has enlisted the help of his pint-sized cronies to plead his case.”

  She smiled “In other words, the Mullins twins?”

  “Ooh, don’t let them hear you call them that. They are already calling themselves Colton, even though Luke and Layla aren’t married yet.”

  “But Luke is officially adopting them…Layla, too.” A little over a year ago, everyone thought international singing sensation Layla Brooks had died in a car crash, when in reality, she had faked her death to save her twin step-siblings from their evil father, U.S. Senator Eugene Mullins. Even though Luke was co-owner of the company, he worked the case and was instrumental in bringing the former Senator down. He and Layla fell in love and the rest as they say, is history.

  “Tell Kai I’ll get him an autograph.”

  “You think that will appease him? You know he has everyone wrapped around his little pinky. Heck, I’m about to hop in the car and drive him myself. I mean, someone needs to verify those abs are, in fact, made of steel. I’m willing to take on that task for all womankind.”

  Hillary felt a spurt of jealousy at Kayla’s words, even though she knew her roommate was all talk. “It’s not a good idea, especially since I’m working a case.”

  “What? You’re working? When did this happen? Who are you working for?”

  “COBRA Securities. Didn’t you hear the whole story?” She filled Kayla in on everything from Reed’s attack to the fire.

  “Oh, Hill, I’m so proud of you. I know it had to be a hard decision. Why didn’t you call me? I’d have talked it over with you.”

  Hillary hated the hurt in Kayla’s voice. “I was going to call you tonight, but everything happened so fast. I haven’t had time to pause. From the moment Reed was attacked last night until right now, it’s been non-stop.” God, had it only been last night?

  “So…it’s Reed, is it?” Kayla’s tone was shrewd.

  “It’s strictly a professional relationship, Kay.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, my friend.”

  ‘I don’t mix business with pleasure.”

  “Neither did Luke or Logan or Dan or Dante or Dorian or—”

  “Okay, okay, I get it,” she chuckled. Her coworkers did have a frightening tendency of falling in love while working a case.

  “So…dish! Are they as rock hard as they look on television and in print?”

  “Kay, I just met the man last night. I didn’t ask for a private strip show. Besides, he’s spent a huge portion of that time in the hospital.”

  “Tell me you’ve at least had a peek.”

  “I haven’t.” The slip of the blanket didn’t count. “And I have to go. He’s waiting for me to take Kota for a walk.”

  “He’s waiting for you? At your cottage?”

  Hillary winced. “He’s sorta staying here while he recuperates.”

  “Shut the front door! You’re living with Reed Freakin’ Steele!”

  “Kay, it’s not what you think. I’m working for him now. Nothing can or will happen.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, Hill. Call me soon. I want updates.”

  As soon as she hung up, she changed into a t-shirt and running tights. After tying her shoes, she secured the pack around her waist to carry her weapon and grabbed a lightweight jacket. Then she took a deep breath and left her room. Reed Steele was a client. Nothing more.

  As Kayla said, if she repeated it often enough, she might start believing it.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Are you sure you feel like going for a walk?”

  Reed slid the glass door open with his good arm and motioned for Hill
ary and Kota to precede him. “The throb’s a dull pain right now. The fresh air will do me good.”

  Hillary wore a pair of black Nike tights with a discreet white swoosh on the left thigh, and a nylon jacket. It shouldn’t have been a sexy outfit, but on her, it was. “If you want to run, go ahead. Don’t let me stop you.”

  She shook her head, her blond ponytail swinging from side to side. “We’re fine walking. Kota’s just happy to be outside.”

  Her dog kept pace between them, his head watchful and alert, much like his mistress. They had him paying more attention to his surroundings. He noticed the old couple sitting on a bench holding hands, gazing at the waves. A young man ran towards them, his sneakers leaving prints in the hard-packed sand, only to be washed away when the waves rolled back in. There was such a peacefulness about walking along the ocean. It made him think of a saying he saw on a t-shirt once: Write your secrets in the sand and trust them with a mermaid. He glanced at Hillary. He could definitely picture her as a sea nymph, her hair unbound and flowing around her shoulders. Her blue eyes sparkling.

  Damn. He needed to get a hold of his attraction to her. He feared he was developing a serious infatuation with the security agent. She hadn’t given him any indication that she felt the same way. If anything, she acted as if she barely tolerated him. Hell, she tried to address him as Mr. Steele. That’d really pissed him off.

  “How’s the arm?” the object of his thoughts asked.

  Now that he took stock, it was throbbing. Maybe he should’ve listened to the doctor and wore the sling. “Fine”

  “It’s hurting, isn’t it?”

  “A little.”

  She stopped and unzipped a pocket on a belt around her waist. Then she pulled out his sling.

  “You brought it?” He was touched by the gesture.

  “I take my responsibilities seriously, Mr. Steele.” He jerked back, only to see her smile. “Kidding. Reed.” She helped him secure it around his neck and settle the cast inside.

  Oh damn, he couldn’t help but lean forward and sniff her hair. Wildflowers. Vanilla. Everything about this woman turned him on. She said something but he totally missed it. He’d been daydreaming of running his thumb along her bottom lip and then lowering his head to taste it. “What was that?”

  “I said I signed on to watch out for you, so that’s what I’m doing.”

  Right. He was just a job for her. He motioned to the pack around her waist. “What else you got in that bag of tricks?”

  “Just my cell, identification, my weapon.”

  Reed’s brows lifted. “You’re packing heat?”

  “Always.”

  “Damn.” Sexy as hell. “So…no handcuffs?” If she had metal restraints in there he might do something foolish like dropping down to one knee and proposing. Or suggesting they test them out on her king-sized bed. Yep, he’d peeked in her room.

  “No. But I do have these.” She held up what looked like zip ties. “Flex cuffs. Much easier to carry around.”

  Oh man, he pictured securing one end around her delicate wrist and the other a headboard. She’d be spread out, a delectable feast, completely at his mercy to do as he pleased.

  Suddenly a loud pop sounded and before he knew it, he was eating sand and laboring for breath. He’d landed on his damn cast and it punched the air from his lungs. Hillary had launched herself on top of him, covering his body with hers. Kota butted up against them, growling menacingly. He lifted his head long enough to see that somehow, Hillary had managed to finger her weapon. Her hand smashed his head back to the sand and grains packed his nose. He might as well forget about breathing because it didn’t look like that was going to happen anytime soon.

  “Stay down.”

  Laughter drifted to them and then another pop. He managed to pry one eye open. The other was wedged deep into the sand. Two young boys were playing with firecrackers. Hillary rolled off him and he mourned the loss of her weight, slight as it was, even as his air-deprived lungs greedily sucked in life-sustaining oxygen. When his brain functioned on all cylinders again, he marveled at the fact that she’d managed to take him down with no problem and he was easily double her weight and several inches taller. The woman had mad skills.

  “Sorry about that.” She gave Kota a command and tucked the gun back into her bag. The dog stood and wagged his tail. She held out her hand to help him to his feet but he stayed on the ground, pinning her with the one eye not buried in sand.

  “What just happened?” When a blush crept up her neck and flooded her face, he felt instant remorse. “Hillary—”

  “No, you’re right. I owe you an explanation.” She exhaled. “I thought it was a gunshot.”

  And she’d thrown herself over him to protect him, having no care for herself. That pissed him off. She could’ve been shot. When she held out her hand again, he took it and stood, half the beach raining down from inside the sling.

  “Oh gosh, did sand get inside your cast?”

  He pulled his arm from the sling and dangled it down. Sand poured out in a steady stream.

  “That can’t be good,” she muttered. She had her phone out and was dialing before he realized what she was doing. She explained what happened to whomever answered. “We’ll be right there.”

  “Who was that?”

  “One of the nurses. She gave me her number in case I had any questions. She said it happens all the time here and they have a device that can suck the sand right out. Let’s go.”

  He grabbed her wrist, surprised to feel her pulse hammering away like a hummingbird’s wings. She’d genuinely been scared but hadn’t hesitated to throw herself over him. It was humbling. Maddening, too. Call him a caveman, but he wanted to be the one doing the protecting. Still, he owed her. “Thank you.”

  “What for? Managing to fill your cast with half the Outer Banks? Or saving you from a rogue spark? It was a firecracker for Pete’s sake.” He didn’t laugh with her and her smile died.

  “You didn’t know that and you risked your life for mine.”

  “It’s what I do.”

  The trip to the hospital was quiet and traffic was non-existent. He brooded all the way there. He honestly thought he was okay with her job. She was strong and capable. She’d proven herself already. But knowing she put herself in danger, willingly taking a bullet for another person…it was frightening. Noble, honorable, but terrifying. Then he flashed on the scar on her chest and knew she’d suffered. The thought of anything hurting her was a pain he wasn’t willing to examine too closely. He respected her, admired her, and he was desperately afraid he was falling for her.

  As soon as they arrived to the hospital, the nurse whisked him to a room and then fretted about the amount of sand inside the plaster. She paged the doctor and after he examined it, he decided to replace it. “I warned you about getting dirt or debris in the cast.” Reed nodded, feeling duly chastised. “You should always cover it if you’re going to the beach to protect it from the sand and water.”

  It felt good to have the cast off, but all the jostling and movement caused his arm to throb. The nurse gave him pills and they soon dulled the ache. He started to refuse the capsules but one look at Hillary and he knew she felt guilty for causing him pain. The plaster cast was replaced with a lighter fiberglass one that he could get wet.

  “What were you doing rolling around on the beach, anyway?” the doctor asked with a raised brow.

  Hillary flushed red. No way would he let her take the blame. She’d been trying to protect him. “I tripped.”

  The doctor looked skeptical, but didn’t press the issue. After they signed forms, Hillary led him from the ER. The drugs were starting to kick in and his lids were drooping. Before he knew it, they were back at the cottage. He roused himself enough to open the door and stumble out of the SUV.

  “Looks like all’s quiet over there.” He followed Hillary’s gaze to the reno house. The man she hired to stand guard watched them from the window. Hillary waved but he turned away. She si
ghed and opened the door.

  “Can you make it to your room or do you need help?”

  “I’m good.” He swiped a hand down Kota’s back and plodded to his room. He barely managed to close the door before he collapsed on the bed and fell sound asleep.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Rocky smacked his hand against the beeping alarm clock, trying to make the incessant noise stop. He finally managed to silence it but it crashed to the ground in the process, waking him the rest of the way up. He glanced at the time. It was the wee hours of the morning. He ripped the cover back and staggered to the bathroom to empty his bladder. He needed to search the house, the sooner the better. Hopefully his message had done the trick, but in case it hadn’t, he figured no one would be paying attention this late at night.

  After changing into dark clothes and stuffing the ski mask into his pocket along with the gloves, he grabbed his key and left the motel. He crossed the street and walked along the shore, keeping his pace casual. Nonthreatening. Nothing to look at here. Just a tourist enjoying a late-night stroll on the beach…or early morning, depending if your cup was half-full or half-empty, he supposed. He was a half-empty kind of guy. Always had been. When you grew up in Granny’s house, you were lucky to even have a cup.

  He crossed the boardwalk over the reeds two houses down and approached Calvin’s home. He’d noticed earlier that the gray house next door was unoccupied, so that helped him to move stealthily along. Calvin’s house was completely dark. He came to the side door and cursed when he realized the lock had been changed. He’d jammed a stick in the other one so he could get inside easily. If this one was different, they all would be. Hands on hips, he sighed. Looked like he’d be going through a window. The one he’d broken earlier was all boarded up so that wouldn’t work.

  He spotted an old wooden ladder beneath the house next door. He quickly tugged on his gloves and the mask and then eased it out. Damn thing was heavier than it looked. It took considerable strength to right it and place it against the side of Calvin’s house as quietly as possible. It’d be hard to explain if he got caught, so he said a quick prayer to Granny’s Jesus that he didn’t. He didn’t expect the Big Guy to grant his request since he hadn’t any of the others he’d winged skyward in his thirty-five years on earth, but what the hell. After climbing a few rungs, he came to a window on the second floor. He pushed and almost shouted in triumph when it opened enough for him to crawl inside. He eased through and dropped ungracefully to the floor. Damn, that hurt.