Clint had never been aggressive or argumentative in the past. Why had he flipped out? She’d never agreed to a relationship with him. Three dates and a handful of nights sitting on the porch visiting didn’t constitute a relationship. Did it? She only gave him a peck on the lips when he brought her home after the dates—nothing overtly sexual. She realized now the reason for that was she’d always been in love with Adam.
At the soft knock on her door, her eyes opened. A Norse demigod with an eye patch obliterated the doorway. “How you feeling, beautiful?” His rich voice floated to her in a quiet whisper.
“I saw myself in the mirror. I look like a mad bull stomped the crap out of me.” Of its own volition, her hand reached for his.
“You’ll always be beautiful to me.” He grasped her hand, leaned down and kissed her forehead. God, she could get used to being treated like this.
“Flattery will get you laid, Dr. Cassidy.”
His bark of laughter preceded the dip in the mattress when he stretched out beside her. “If that’s the case I plan on making sure you know just how beautiful you are. Every day. Several times a day.”
Keelee rolled to face him. “Hmm… it could be rather inconvenient if every time you compliment me we have sex.”
“Inconvenient for who?” His body shook with suppressed laughter.
“Umm… the operations of the ranch and the people who pay you to do your doctor thing.” She snuggled closer to him.
“Indeed? Whatever should we do about that, Ms. Marshall?” His arm circled her waist with a warm, delicious weight.
“Well, I think maybe we should stock up. Make love ten or twenty more times, that way when you compliment me we won’t run into a deficit.” A satisfied smile spread across his face and those magnificent dimples revealed themselves. God, he was beautiful.
“I believe that would be a perfect solution. But unfortunately, angel, we aren’t going to be making love until you get a little more rest.” He moved so she could lie on his shoulder without straining her neck.
“Did you call the sheriff?” Her fingers traced the raised scar on his forearm.
“Yeah. They’re sending someone out. He should be here shortly. Do you feel like talking?”
“Honestly? I just want this all to go away. You don’t think Clint is going to follow through with his threats, do you?”
“I don’t know, babe. I don’t know anything about him. But I do know he needs to pay for what he’s done to you. When the Wonder Twins and Chief see the bruises he left on your face and neck, he’ll be lucky if the sheriff catches him before we do.”
Keelee shivered at the coldness of his tone. “Please don’t, Adam. Promise to let the law handle it.”
It surprised her when he laughed. “Babe, Guardian is the law. We are all badge-carrying, oath-swearing, gun-toting, law enforcement officials. There is nowhere in this country and very few places overseas where I don’t have the authority to do my job. But we do the job without the restrictions placed on the CIA and FBI. We don’t have the bureaucracy, oversight or the controls they have. We aren’t publically sanctioned, but we are assets used by the United States Government. It makes it easier for the politicians if what our organization does is kept in the dark. We can be disclaimed as private security because David Xavier funds us, not the citizens of the United States.”
Keelee stopped tracing the scar and placed her hand on his warm chest and sighed. “Okay, then let me rephrase that. Let the sheriff handle it. If you go after Clint, it won’t end well for anyone.”
He burrowed his face into her hair and found her neck, kissing the bruises Clint had left. The marks from yesterday had darkened into a livid shade of purple-red. “Unlike that bastard we are professionals. I have too much going for me to screw up and hurt that evil little fuck, even though every fiber in my body wants to beat him to a pulp.”
A light knock on the door startled her. “Keelee, Sheriff Anderson is here.” Her Aunt Betty poked her head in the door and stopped. Her shock at finding Keelee snuggled up next to Adam seemed to render her speechless, but only for a few seconds. “Ahh… he needs to talk to you and get a statement.”
Adam rolled to his back and smiled at the older woman. “Alright, Betty, we’ll be down in a minute.”
The older woman nodded before the door snicked shut.
Keelee pushed the covers back and groaned as she sat up. The pounding in her head, which had started to recede, once again gained momentum. As if someone else was in control of her vocal cords, another agonized noise hissed past her clenched teeth when she stood up. Adam was by her side before she had a chance to take a deep breath.
“Okay, slow and easy. You’ve been roughed up pretty bad. When the sheriff is done with you, I’m going to give you something to put you to sleep for a while. I’m not worried about any concussive ramifications at this point, but I’m sure you’re hurting. You need to give your body a chance to recover.” He circled her waist with his arms holding her lightly.
Her hands found his chest. His hard warm muscles danced under his shirt. “I don’t like taking medicine.”
She felt his warm breath and the light kiss to the crown of her head. “I know.”
“Are you going to make me?” She tipped her head back, a little pout on her face, but winced at the shot of pain that ran down her neck.
“I think your own body is going to make you. And if I haven’t told you yet, I love that little pout thing you do.”
*
Adam kept his arm around Keelee as she descended the stairs. Her small sounds of discomfort, audible only to him, fueled his rage. Chief, Dixon and Drake stood in the library talking with an elderly gentleman wearing a sheriff’s uniform. When the man saw Keelee, he frowned. His wasn’t the only visible reaction. Dixon and Drake crossed their arms at their chests and examined the pine floor boards. The move was a tell he’d learned years ago. When confronted with something they didn’t like or couldn’t control, the twins checked out of the conversation. Chief put his hands on his hips and glared at the bruising on her face and neck. His glare shifted to Adam before he cleared his throat.
“I’m heading to the annex to call Gabriel. He and his family are still with Frank and Amanda. They both need to know what’s going on here.”
“Agreed.” Adam nodded as he spoke.
Chief stepped up to Keelee and cradled her carefully in a hug. He pulled away and glowered at Adam. “Whatever it takes.”
Adam nodded. “As long as it takes.” Keelee sent a quizzical glance at Adam. He squeezed her hand gently. It was a saying his team used to show solidarity. He’d explain later.
Adam helped Keelee into a huge leather chair and sat on the arm. The twins took up positions on his flank. He didn’t have to see it to know it. They were his team, his family. Chief, Dixon, Drake and Jacob were his brothers as sure as he drew air into his lungs. His woman had been hurt. Each of them would kill to ensure it never happened again. He glared at the sheriff, challenging the man to dare him to leave.
The gray-haired gentleman sat down on the coffee table directly in front of the chair. He disregarded Adam completely. “Ms. Marshall, I need the details on what happened.”
Keelee nodded and grasped Adam’s hand tighter. The slight tremor in her grip notched up his anger.
“Clint Koehler hit me and then choked me. He acted like he wanted to kill me.” Her voice rang clear in the quiet, pine paneled room.
“Why?” The sheriff pulled a notebook and started writing.
“Why what?”
“Why would he do that?”
Keelee put her hand on Adam’s leg to prevent him from coming off the arm of the chair. She lifted a hand silencing his response.
His woman cocked her head and asked, “Wait. You mean if he had a reason, belting the shit out of me would be okay?” Oh, he loved his tough cowgirl. The woman was going to tear Barney Fife a new one without his help.
“Well, no, of course not. That’s not what I meant, Ms.
Marshall.” The man had the decency to appear upset at the comment.
“He beat me because he wanted me to leave with him. I wouldn’t. He seemed to think he could tell me to collect my shit and come with him. His words, not mine.”
“Why would he think that?”
Keelee sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. “We’ve dated.”
Sheriff Anderson brought his attention back to Keelee and away from his notebook. His brown eyes leveled on her. “Tell me exactly what happened.”
“He came up to our line shack on Seven Sisters Ridge. Adam and I were there. I had an accident at the old Franklin homestead—hit my head and twisted my ankle. I fell into an old root cellar and got stuck. Adam came up during the blizzard and found me. He took me to the line shack and patched me up.”
The sheriff stopped her. He challenged Adam, “Why didn’t you get help? She could have been hurt badly. Instead, you took her to the line cabin. What if she had a medical emergency?”
Dixon snorted and Drake laughed outright before Keelee answered. “He’s a doctor. He didn’t need to bring me down the mountain.”
The sheriff straightened and re-focused on Adam. “Are you licensed to practice in South Dakota?”
Adam nodded. “I am. I’m also licensed in twelve other states and the District of Columbia.”
“That’s pretty impressive and expensive. Why would you need so many certifications? That is a lot of states to be able to prescribe drugs in, now, isn’t it?” The sheriff glanced up at the twins and then back to Adam.
“You men aren’t ranch hands, are you?”
Adam could tell the sheriff was putting two and two together. Odds were Barney would end up with five. “Before you jump to conclusions, no, we aren’t ranch hands, although we help out as we can. We are part of the training complex Mr. Marshall has built here. We are employed by Guardian Security.”
“Guardian?” The sheriff shifted his gaze between the three men. “You’re the company currently making news because of that situation in Mexico?”
Jason walked into the library and literally dwarfed the twins. “Actually, sheriff, we are a legitimate security entity and federally-licensed law enforcement officials. I’m Jason King. I represent Guardian Security and these men, along with Ms. Marshall and her father. Is there a problem here? I thought you were interviewing Ms. Marshall about an assault, not questioning my guys.”
“No, no problem.”
“Sheriff, the bottom line is you have an assault. I can substantiate Ms. Marshall’s claim. I saw Clint leave the line shack and found her in this condition.” Adam stroked his hand through her long blonde hair.
“If it’s all the same to you, I’ll be asking Ms. Marshall any remaining questions, alone. How do I know you didn’t do this to her?”
Adam flew off the arm of the chair and lurched towards the sheriff. He felt his feet leave the floor and iron bands pin his arms to his sides. Jason. The man had wrapped himself around Adam and lifted him off the floor, preventing him from beating the living shit out of the old man.
“Settle down, Doc. He’s just doing his job. Getting yourself arrested for assaulting a police officer would just be another headache for me to clear up. Besides, it would give Jacob reason to fire you.”
Dixon and Drake both chimed in, “Again.”
Adam nodded and the big man dropped his arms. Jason regarded the sheriff. “If I may have a moment of your time, there are a few things we need to clarify before you continue this interview.” Jason walked out of the room. Adam knew Jason never considered the sheriff wouldn’t follow him. He watched as the older man tucked tail and trailed after the walking mountain.
Keelee glanced at Adam before she leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for this day to be over.”
Adam dropped to his knees in front of her and moved her hair off her face. Dixon and Drake ghosted out of the room and shut the door.
“Baby, we can do this later.” Her eyes fluttered open and those beautiful blues found him.
“I want this done, Adam. Let’s just get this whole thing over. If I never see Clint again, it will be too soon.”
“Alright, babe. You’re one tough cookie. You know that?” Adam leaned forward and kissed her full lips. He was encouraged by the small sigh and immediate surrender of her mouth as she opened for his kiss. Her hands wound around his neck and threaded through his hair, pulling him closer.
Adam lost himself in her. He had no idea how much time had passed when he heard the door open and he really didn’t give a shit. If his woman wanted soft kisses, he was damn well going to give them to her.
Jason cleared his throat and then chuckled when Adam lifted his hand to give him the one finger salute. “Dude, your claim is staked. Let the woman up for air. Sheriff Anderson has agreed to joint jurisdiction on the case. When he heads to the Koehlers’, you and I will be accompanying him.”
Adam lifted away from Keelee and grinned like a fool at the cat-like contentment of her smile. His eyes never left hers as he questioned Jason.
“Joint? Why didn’t you just slap your badge on the table and take it away from him?” Keelee lifted a hand and traced his lips.
“Because this isn’t a federal case. In the spirit of cooperation, the good sheriff has agreed to let us peer over his shoulder on his investigation. It’s called jurisdictional cooperation. This is his territory. We’ll of course offer assistance with any requirements that stress the department’s resources, but they will have the stick. Understand?”
Adam stood and glared at the sheriff. “Ask your questions.”
The older man met Adam’s glare and didn’t back down which was almost impressive. Almost.
“Fine. I want pictures of the injuries. If this guy has lit a shuck, I want evidence of his attack documented. Because I’m going to find him. I’m going to arrest him and I’m going to put him behind bars.”
For the first time, Adam had a sense Barney Fife might actually be competent. “I’ll give you the medical write-up to accompany the pictures.”
The sheriff shook his head. “No.” He held up his hand when Adam started to interrupt. “You’re part of Clint’s rationale for doing this. No matter your affiliation with Guardian, in this case, you’re a witness and you can’t be my medical expert. I’ve got a doc in Hollister that I can call. Dr. Ezekiel Johnson is a good man and he can be here in a couple hours.”
Adam shook his head. “Make it tomorrow. She needs to rest.”
The sheriff nodded. “Not like those bruises are going to fade anytime soon.”
Keelee huffed. At the indignant sound, Doc bent down and kissed her forehead. He whispered, “You’re beautiful.”
He sat down on the arm of the chair and managed to keep his mouth shut as Keelee answered the sheriff’s questions. Hearing the unadulterated details of the assault again only served to reinforce the growing hatred Adam had for Koehler. After a half hour of questioning, Adam took Keelee upstairs and gave her a mild muscle relaxer. She slipped into bed and drifted off almost immediately.
When Adam left her room, he found Dixon propped up against the wall in a chair reading a book. “Figured if you’re going to leave to go with Jason and the sheriff, you’ll want someone close. We’ll be available, at least until that bastard’s behind bars.”
Adam cleared his throat and nodded. “Thanks.”
Dixon shrugged. “Whatever it takes.”
Adam responded without thinking, “As long as it takes.”
Chapter Sixteen
Adam followed the sheriff’s four-wheel-drive Suburban through the back country roads. At the crest of a ridge about fifteen miles from the Marshall ranch, they pulled up to a small ranch house. Because of the drifting snow, the trip had taken the better part of an hour. The small ranch may have seen better days, but it appeared adequately maintained. The barns and outbuildings could use some paint, but the roofs were new and there was plenty of hay stacked both inside a
nd outside the barn. All in all, it was a tidy operation and not one Adam would have believed to be the Koehlers’ after all the disparaging comments about their work ethic.
Adam parked the ranch’s quad cab truck and stepped out, making a beeline towards the house and the sheriff who had pulled in first. Five minutes. That’s all he wanted. Five minutes alone with that son-of-a-bitch, Clint. He’d give the fucktard someone to hit, alright.
Adam threw a glance over his shoulder and stopped in mid-stride. Jason had not moved from the far side of the truck and stood staring at the side of the barn. “Dude, you just going to stand there or are you coming?”
Jason glanced toward him. “You got this. I’m going to stay out here and get some fresh air. Give me a shout if you need me.”
Adam felt a twinge of apprehension and turned on the ball of his foot, heading back to his friend. Jason held up a hand and gave a slight shake of his head. Adam stopped, assessing the scene. Something wasn’t right.
Adam glanced back towards the small ranch house. The sheriff was waiting for him on the porch. Adam swiveled his head and threw another glance toward Jason. He leaned casually against the hood of the truck. His demeanor gave no indication of duress. Jason lifted his hand and signed.No gouge.Adam chuckled and turned towards the house. Damned Air Force pilot. If he hadn’t worked with Jason in the past, he wouldn’t have known the term meant everything was good to go.
The sheriff threw his chin toward Jason. “Your boss not coming?”
“He’s not my boss, and he’s decided he needs some fresh air.”
The older man’s eyes narrowed. “It’s maybe twenty degrees out here.”
Adam drew an exaggerated breath and expelled it. “Yeah, great isn’t it?”
The sheriff grunted as he knocked on the door. “Yeah, if you’re a freaking polar bear.”
The door to the ranch house opened. A weathered, leather-skinned cowboy Adam recognized from the Marshall ranch took a head-to-toe assessment of the sheriff and then turned to give a once-over to Adam. His surly expression offered no hospitality.
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