Tough as Nails (COBRA Securities Book 10)

by Velvet Vaughn

  Hillary walked into the room dressed in a long-sleeved black polo shirt with COBRA Securities stitched in white on the left breast and khaki cargo pants. Knowing it was there, he detected the slight bulge from her Kevlar vest. Her hair was secured into a ponytail. She looked capable and confident and in two steps, he had her in his arms again.

  “We have to stop or we’ll never get any work done,” she admonished in between kisses.

  “Work’s overrated.” He captured her lips again, slid his hands around to her behind and lifted her into his body. Arousal was a constant state around her. He slowly walked her towards the master bedroom.

  She moaned and broke the kiss. “That feels incredible Reed, but we can’t.” Her hands massaged his scalp and he had a hard time concentrating on her words. “People are waiting for you. If you’re not there, Connie will come looking.”

  He sighed. Connie would come looking. “Fine. Work.” With one last kiss, he slid her down his body and ran the back of his fingers over her cheek. He loved the pink that tinged her skin when he did that. He loved the way her lids blinked slowly as she stared at him. He loved when she sucked in her bottom lip after he kissed her, as if to taste him.

  He loved her.

  Reed jumped back as if he’d been slapped. Damn. He loved her. When did that happen?

  Hillary’s hand lifted to his face but stopped. The feral look in his eyes probably frightened her. “Reed?” Her voice was uncertain. Hell, it should be. He was uncertain of himself.

  He loved her.

  It was a game-changer.

  #

  Reed introduced Hillary and Kota to his regular work crew. She recognized several from watching the show on television. She wasn’t surprised to see four women among the group. Reed hadn’t been threatened by her doing what many considered a man’s job. Granted two of these women looked like they could bench press a house, but they were friendly and she genuinely liked them. A few of the men gave her assessing looks, like they didn’t think she could handle a gun. She hoped she didn’t have to prove her skills.

  Most were intrigued by Kota. They all wanted to pet him and he obliged. Some even snapped selfies with him. She swore Kota smiled in the pictures, flattered by the attention. She let him know this wasn’t a work situation and he was relaxed but still vigilant.

  Reed’s foreman, Neil Farmington, was gray-haired and burly with a ready smile. He was probably twenty years older than Reed, somewhere close to fifty. Reed introduced him as the brains behind the operation, which Neil was quick to deny, insisting that title belonged to Reed. She could see the deep respect each man had for the other.

  She met the master plumber, civil engineer, electrical engineer—a women—landscaper, interior designer, also a woman, painters, drywallers, masons and construction workers. She’d committed all of the faces to memory, hoping to keep the names straight.

  Since his team was a coast away from their home base, they contracted with local companies to handle much of the work like siding, roofing and demo. That crew would arrive tomorrow and would work under the guidance of Reed’s experts. The owner of the company, Tony Tindale, had provided her with a list of his employees so she could vet them before they arrived. She’d already run checks on all of Reed’s workers and they came up clean except for the occasional speeding ticket and one drunk and disorderly that occurred when the man was in college. She planned on tackling Tony’s list today.

  Reed explained about his accident and the incidents that had happened since, encouraging everyone to be vigilant. Most expressed disappointment that his cast was fiberglass so they couldn’t sign it. Thankfully he didn’t mention that it was his second one and that the first had been made of plaster. She trailed after them as he walked the group through the house, her eyes drawn to him. He was commanding, like a general leading his troops. They hung on his every word, several jotting notes on tablets or iPads. As he explained what they would be doing, she could see his vision and it was amazing. He was amazing. His talents obviously extended beyond the baseball field…and the bedroom.

  Something had spooked him this morning. One minute, he’d been playful and cuddly, the next, he looked like she’d asked him to marry her or something. When she reached for him, he flinched causing her heart to twist. He’d turned away, busying himself by getting ready to leave but not before she noted the genuine panic in his eyes. She had no idea what caused it or what to do next.

  #

  After a lunch of delivered pizza, Reed finished explaining his design of the house. He listened to the suggestions from his team, making notes or adjustments where necessary. When they were done, he broke out the coolers and invited everyone to grab a beverage. He’d used the excuse this morning of needing to run to the store to get away from the look of hurt in Hillary’s eyes. He knew he’d confused her, but he was feeling raw, vulnerable. Until he could get a hold of his emotions, he needed to stay away. Still, he found himself watching her all afternoon. It made it hard to concentrate on his job.

  “Thanks, Reed.”

  He nodded to Meg as she grabbed her preferred strawberry wine cooler. He stocked up on everyone’s favorite. He enjoyed this time with his crew, when they were all fresh and eager to get started. He made a point of gathering them together before and after a reno to foster teamwork and camaraderie. It wasn’t like the brotherhood he shared with his baseball teammates, but it worked. He had a stellar staff. No one batted an eye when he explained that Hillary and Kota would be working security.

  Donnie Granger, the prankster of the group, smiled at the gathered group and held a finger to his mouth. Hillary was checking messages on her phone when Donnie crept up behind her.

  Kota lunged to his feet and sprung forward at the same time Reed did, but he was helpless to stop the train wreck from happening. Donnie’s meaty arms wrapped around her.

  “Gotch-ya.”

  “Kota, heel,” Hillary commanded as she swept Donnie’s feet out from under him, pivoted her weight and hefted the man who easily doubled her weight over her shoulder like a rag doll. She had his arm wrenched behind his back and his hands restrained in plastic cuffs before anyone could react. She hadn’t batted an eye. Kota rested on his stomach beside her, vibrating with tension.

  Donnie looked up in awe. “Geez, boss. Did you see that?”

  Reed nodded slowly, totally captivated by Hillary in action. He knew she was good but damn, she’d just flattened a six-two, two-hundred fifty-pound man while commanding a canine who was a trained weapon at the same time without breaking a sweat. Hell, she wasn’t even breathing heavily. Conversely, his breath sawed in and out like a freight train gaining speed.

  “You know what she is, don’t you, Steele?” Neil’s voice was filled with respect as he walked up beside him, arms crossed over his chest.

  Reed swallowed. “Tough as nails.” It was a term they used when someone was strong, determined and kicked ass. It fit Hillary perfectly.

  “Damn straight,” Neil agreed.

  Hillary stood and loomed over Donnie her hands on her hips. She looked like a conquering warrior. She was something. If his entire crew wasn’t looking on, he’d stalk over and claim her like a caveman.

  “Help a guy out,” Donnie cajoled. “Cut me loose, sweetheart?”

  “I’m not your sweetheart and you should’ve thought of that before you attacked me.”

  “I didn’t attack. Swear. I was just testing ya, sweet…er, ma’am.” He smiled sheepishly.

  Reed shook his head and walked forward. Donnie was a good guy, albeit a little overzealous at times. Maybe this would teach him to think twice before he acted. Reed pulled out his cell and snapped pictures.

  “Hey!”

  “Let this be a lesson to all of you,” he addressed the crew. “Ms. Billings is here to do a job. Mess with her and you face the consequences.” He removed his tactical knife and cut the bonds loose, freeing Donnie’s arms.

  Donnie jumped to his feet and shook out his fingers to circulate the bl
ood. He held out a hand to Hillary. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I truly didn’t mean no harm.”

  She accepted his apology gracefully. “It’s Hillary, not ma’am,” she corrected him.

  Donnie’s eyes lit with awareness. Oh no, here it came. “Donnie,” he warned.

  “Hey, your name’s Hillary Billings.” Donnie glanced around the group with a wide smile. “We’ll call her Hillbilly.” His guffaw was abbreviated when Hillary swept his feet out from under him again and he hit the floor with a solid thud and a grunt.

  She planted her foot on Donnie’s chest. “It’s Hillary, or Ms. Billings if you’re nasty.” She looked up at Reed and winked.

  Donnie roared with laughter. Reed threw back his head and joined in. Damn. She fit in with his offbeat crew perfectly.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Reed surreptitiously glanced at his watch. He was itching to get Hillary back to the cottage for some quality alone-time. He was listening to Neil and two of the workers prattle on about the countertops they’d ordered for the kitchen, but his gaze was on Hillary as she spoke with Connie. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was the perfect mix of strong and sexy, feminine and fearless. The way she flattened Donnie...

  “So, what do you think?”

  Reed shook his head. “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”

  Neil smirked at him knowingly and glanced at Hillary. “That I figure it’ll just be me at the production house with Connie and her two assistants.”

  No sense in denying it. “Looks like it. I’m closer to this house if anything else happens.”

  “Just keep telling yourself that’s the reason.” He slapped Reed on the back. “I’m going to call it a night.” As soon as Neil left, Reed made his way to Hillary.

  “Hillary tells me you’re going to continue staying at her cottage?” Connie’s raised brows and her inquisitive tone meant she’d grill him for answers the next time they were alone. Great. He was trying to get a grip on his feelings, he didn’t need to have them analyzed by the master matchmaker herself. She’d be making wedding plans by morning.

  “Easier commute.”

  Connie smiled serenely.

  Just when Reed was about to be rude and send everyone away, they started to head for the door on their own. He resisted the urge…barely…to hurry them along. Finally, the last straggler left. After he locked up and set the alarm, he grabbed Hillary’s hand and they took off for a stroll down the beach. Things were about to get hectic and their time together would be limited. He was in constant demand on site and they would be putting in long hours to finish the house in the allotted timeframe. People would be around from sunrise to sunset. They had to finish by seven each night and couldn’t start before seven in the morning, so that meant the time in between would be fast and furious.

  He couldn’t even let himself think about what would happen once the house was finished.

  Hillary’s life was in Indiana, working for one of the top security firms in the country. His was in California. He hadn’t even known this woman a few weeks ago. Now, he couldn’t imagine his life without her. He could never ask her to give up her job and move to Los Angeles…not that they were at that point in the relationship. But he didn’t plan on letting her go.

  “I like your coworkers.” Hillary smiled up at him. “Except for Donnie…the jury’s still out on him.”

  Reed laughed and dropped her hand so he could rest his arm over her shoulder and pull her close. “He’s a good guy, just a little overzealous sometimes.”

  “Will it cause any problems that you aren’t staying with Neil and Connie? Are you worried what the crew will think?”

  He hadn’t even thought about the crew. They were a perceptive group, so they’d figure things out quickly. Hell, they could tell just by looking at him that his feelings for Hillary were serious. He probably wore his heart on his sleeve. But he honestly didn’t care. “Nah. I can handle the gossip.”

  She snuggled against his side and he thought they could stay this way forever and he’d be happy. She completed him.

  #

  “Hillary, go stand over there by my mom and aunt so I can take your picture.”

  Hillary hurried over to the two women, taking a spot beside Mama Demarchis on the sidewalk. The older woman smiled at her and clutched her arm as cars sped by and pedestrians skirted around them, hurrying on their way.

  “You look beautiful, Hillary,” Mama Demarchis remarked. “Happy.”

  “I am happy.” She smiled as Daphne adjusted the lens.

  Daphne held up a hand. “Okay, on three. One, two—”

  Abruptly Hillary was standing on the sand instead of the crowded streets of Greece. Mama Demarchis and her sister were gone, replaced by Reed. He was smiling down at her. Her heart skipped a beat. She was truly happy.

  She turned to Daphne but instead of the teenage girl holding a camera, it was a man in a ski mask pointing a gun. A bullet fired, it’s speed so slow, she followed the trajectory. She tried to push Reed out of the way but her arms wouldn’t move. She tried to scream, but her lungs wouldn’t work. She was frozen in place. Reed was still gazing at her with adoration. He had no idea of the danger headed his way. Finally, she managed a strangled, “Reed!”

  “Hillary. Wake up. I’m right here, babe.”

  She jerked upright with a gasp, her breath ragged and choppy. Sweat coated her forehead and her whole body trembled. Reed wrapped his arms around her. “Hey, it’s okay. It was just a dream,” he crooned to her softly, his hand stroking her back.

  A dream. It was just a dream. It’d seemed so real. She’d been transported back to Greece, to that fateful day months ago. She could even smell the food wafting from the nearby restaurants. She’d suffered through the same nightmares ever since, but this was the first one where the ending changed. Instead of Daphne disappearing inside a moving car, it’d been a bullet aimed for Reed. And she’d been helpless to stop it.

  “You okay?”

  She nodded. But she wasn’t. If something happened to Reed, she didn’t think she’d be able to live with herself. This was why she didn’t get involved with clients. It destroyed her focus.

  “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours? I can see wheels turning.”

  This would be hard to do, even harder considering they were both naked. She eased away, tugging the sheet over her chest. Reed let her go, but his eyes narrowed.

  “Hillary.”

  She held up a hand. “This is hard for me to do so let me get it out. Now that production is officially starting, we can’t do this anymore.”

  Reed’s eyes narrowed even more. “Do what, exactly?”

  She waved a hand between them. “This.”

  “You mean talk?”

  He was being deliberately obtuse. “Sex. No more sex.”

  He reeled back as if she’d slapped him and she wanted to slap herself. God, she hated what she was doing to him. To them.

  “I don’t have sex with you, Hillary. I make love to you.”

  She shook her head in denial. “Don’t say that.”

  He reached for her but she jerked back. His hand dropped and his lips firmed. “Don’t say what? That I love you?”

  She shook her head fervently. “You don’t love—”

  “Do not tell me how I feel,” he interrupted hotly. “I do love you. I know it’s too soon and we haven’t known each other long, but none of that matters to me. I love you.”

  “Stop it.” She couldn’t take it. He was killing her.

  “You don’t want to hear the truth? Well, too damn bad. I love you, Hillary.” He grabbed her hand before she could react. “Tell me about the dream. That’s what this is about, isn’t it?”

  “It has nothing to do with the dream.” It had everything to do with the dream. “Now that the job is officially starting, we can’t be involved. It’s unprofessional.”

  “You didn’t worry about that a few hours ago when you asked if I cared what my crew thought about us. Why doe
s that matter all of a sudden? I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been in love before. I’ve never said those words to another woman.”

  Hillary closed her eyes in despair. She loved him, too. So much she ached with it. But if he was hurt because she wasn’t doing her job, she’d be wrecked.

  “Do you love me?”

  She blinked her eyes open. He was the most wonderful man she’d ever met. He was her other half. She could happily spend the rest of her life waking up to his handsome face. “No.”

  The look of devastation that crossed his features made her want to throw up. “Reed—”

  He held up a hand. “Don’t.” Without another word, he tossed back the sheet and climbed out of bed.

  She scooted to her hands and knees and tried again. “Reed, it’s not you...” The look he leveled at her made her slam her mouth shut and jerk back.

  “I’m a big boy, Hillary. I can take the hit, but don’t you dare patronize me with the,” he made air quotes, “it’s not you, it’s me garbage.” He gathered his clothes and padded from the room. She plopped to the bed, torn between chasing after him or curling into a ball and crying her eyes out.

  She rolled to her side, pulled her legs against her chest and wept.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The house was a beehive of activity the next morning as Tony Tindale of TT’s Beach Builds arrived with his large crew. Tony introduced the people who would be working on the outside of the house putting on new siding, a deck and a roof, and those who would help with demo and rebuild inside. Reed made a point to shake each person’s hand and welcome them to the team, even though he felt anything but sociable.

  He'd spent a restless night in the guest bedroom, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Hillary’s declaration had been a blow far stronger than anything he’d ever felt, and that included getting beaned by a hundred and ten-mile-an-hour fastball his rookie year. Hers had been a knife to his heart. He was still bleeding.