Rectify

by Laylah Roberts

  “Caden will accompany you both,” Aedan promised. “He’s the new bodyguard I hired.”

  Rogan lifted his eyebrows. “You replaced Declan?”

  “No, I hired Caden to protect Mateo and Natalya. Mateo can stay home with Declan while Caden looks after Natalya and Miller.”

  “I don’t need a bodyguard either.” She thought Aedan had hired Caden to watch over Mateo, not her.

  Aedan turned to her. “We’ve talked about how I’d feel better if you had someone watching you.”

  “I thought that Caden was just there to watch out for Mateo,” she said. And to ease her paranoia.

  He shook his head. “I’m fairly well off, and I’ve made some enemies over the years. I’d breathe a lot easier if you took Caden with you. Besides, wouldn’t it be easier to have someone drive you?”

  “Hallelujah.” Rogan threw his hands up into the air. “Finally, he talks some sense. Too bad you don’t listen to your own advice. I’ve been telling you for years to get a bodyguard.”

  “I have Declan. He looks after my security.”

  “How is he supposed to watch the house, you, and Mateo?”

  “I only use him when I go out of town. It’s safe here,” Aedan insisted.

  Rogan rolled his eyes. “So says the man who’s had three stalkers in the last two years.”

  “Rogan’s right.” Natalya reached over and grabbed his hand. “I want you safe. We haven’t gone through everything we have for me to lose you now.”

  Aedan watched her for a long moment then nodded. It wasn’t a yes, but she knew he would think about it. She just wanted them all to be safe. If that meant having someone follow her around, then she could put up and shut up.

  “So this guy, Caden?” Rogan asked. “Is he good?”

  “He’s a little…” She searched for a word to accurately describe Caden.

  “Paranoid? Out of his mind? Crazy?” Aedan offered.

  “And you still hired him?” Rogan looked skeptical about that decision.

  “He’s a little unusual,” Natalya admitted. “But capable. Declan wouldn’t have recommended him if he wasn’t.”

  “So would you both like to go shopping on Monday?” Aedan said.

  “Sure,” Natalya replied. Sounded like so much fun.

  “Okay,” Miller agreed with obvious reluctance.

  Think positive, maybe I’ll get strep throat and be quarantined.

  “Food’s ready,” Colm called out from where he stood behind the grill.

  Natalya dished up a small plate for Mateo, before digging in herself. She watched as Rogan added some meat to Miller’s sparsely-filled plate. The petite woman sent him a sharp glare and pushed the meat to one side of the plate, pointedly ignoring it.

  Rogan sat back and stared at Miller for a long moment before Aedan asked him something. Miller studied her plate with a small smile.

  Hmm, interesting. Maybe there was more going on than either of them would admit. After everything he’d done for her, Natalya felt quite protective of Rogan. Perhaps getting to know Miller better wouldn’t be a terrible thing.

  ***

  “So what sort of clothing are you looking for?” Natalya asked, as Caden drove them downtown.

  Miller gazed out the window. “Nothing.”

  “Umm, okay.” Did this woman not like her or was she just rude? Natalya couldn’t work it out. She couldn’t think of anything she’d done to offend her.

  With a small sound of frustration, Miller turned to face her. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to sound abrupt or rude, it’s just…”

  “What?”

  Miller flicked her gaze to Caden, then back to her, a light flush on her cheeks and a hint of shame in her gaze. “I don’t have any money,” she whispered.

  “Oh.” Shit. Why hadn’t Rogan thought of this?

  “Rogan gave me a credit card, but I can’t use it,” Miller explained.

  “Yes, you can.”

  Miller shook her head. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “I wouldn’t? Why?”

  “Well, because you and Aedan are together. Rogan and I aren’t.”

  “Ahh, so because we’re together I should feel fine about spending Aedan’s money?” Natalya asked. She could see why the other woman would see it like that. “I suppose it’s easier because I know that Aedan loves me and wants me to be happy. But it still feels uncomfortable. It still feels awkward. But I do it. Because I’m not ready to leave my son and go out to work. I’m not foolish enough to shoot myself in the foot for my pride. My son comes first.”

  “I don’t have a child to take care of.”

  “But you have your health.”

  Miller studied her for a long moment. “You know.”

  Natalya nodded.

  “I won’t make a good friend.”

  “Never said I was looking for one.”

  They gazed at each other and smiled.

  “Caden, change of plan.” She gave him the name of an outlet mall.

  Her bodyguard growled. “I don’t like last minute changes.”

  Natalya rolled her eyes. “Suck it up. It will be fine.”

  ***

  Two hours later, her feet aching, Natalya stepped out of the mall and looked around.

  “I need caffeine,” she said, pointing over at a nearby cafe.

  “No way,” Caden said.

  “Me too,” Miller added. “Shopping is thirsty work.”

  “So we’ll go home and you can have a drink there,” Caden replied, trying to steer them toward the car while still keeping watch over their surroundings.

  Natalya sent Miller a wink and grabbed her arm. “Come on, Caden. If you’re good, we’ll buy you a drink too.”

  “I don’t need coffee,” he said with a scowl. But he followed them over to the cafe. “I don’t like this.”

  “You don’t like doing anything,” Natalya pointed out to him as they entered the cafe. It was pretty empty, and they easily grabbed a booth.

  A young, bouncy waitress took their order for two Frappuccino’s, before springing away.

  “Wow, was I ever that young?” Miller asked.

  “I know I wasn’t. Sure you don’t want something?” she asked Caden, who was leaning against the wall next to the booth. He shook his head, his gaze constantly roaming.

  “Takes his job seriously, doesn’t he?” Miller said quietly.

  Natalya nodded. Their drinks arrived, and she took a sip of the sweet, creamy concoction.

  “Now that’s a drink,” she said. “Way better than that shit whiskey the boys drink.”

  Miller laughed. “Who needs expensive, aged whiskey when you can drink something that tastes like cotton candy?”

  Natalya clicked her glass against Miller’s.

  “So, have you got a thing for Rogan?” she blurted out.

  Miller coughed on her drink and Natalya patted her on the back.

  “Wow, way to just lay it all out,” Miller told her.

  Natalya shrugged. “Life’s too short to pussyfoot around. Do you like him?”

  “I can’t like him.”

  “Why is that?” Natalya asked curiously.

  “Look, we’re not fifteen and giggling over dating the captain of the football team,” Miller said irritably. “Rogan and I aren’t suited. It’s complicated.”

  “Jeez, isn’t everything? Why aren’t you suited? Because he’s the leader of the Cavans?” Natalya saw Caden stiffen out of the corner of her eye, but he didn’t say anything.

  “Partly, but also because I’m not in a good headspace for a relationship. Besides, who said Rogan is interested in me?”

  “Oh, he is. You should see the way he watches you. It’s like he’s drowning and you have the only life raft. Look, I like Rogan a lot. Even though he doesn’t always stick to the right side of the law, he’s a good person. He deserves to be happy. I just wanted to warn you that if you hurt him, I’ll have to hurt you.”

  Miller just stared at her. Great, had Na
talya just ruined things between them? Maybe. But Miller needed to know where she stood on this.

  “Well, I wouldn’t want that.”

  “No, you wouldn’t,” Natalya replied with a firm nod. Then she looked at the other woman with some trepidation. “We good?”

  Miller smiled. “Yeah, we’re good.”

  “Okay, then. Enough serious talk. Let’s order another drink. This one says it tastes like cookie dough. Yummo.”

  She could swear she heard Caden groan.

  Twenty minutes later, she stood. “I’ve got to go to the bathroom.”

  “Me too,” Miller seconded.

  “All right. Let me check it first,” Caden said, stepping in front of them.

  Natalya grabbed his arm. “No way, buddy.”

  He frowned down at her. “I need to check that it’s secure.”

  Disbelief swirled through her. Was he kidding? She took in his serious face. No. He was not kidding at all.

  “You can’t just walk into the ladies room,” she protested.

  “Why not?”

  She gazed over at Miller helplessly.

  “Seriously, Caden,” Miller said. “You can’t possibly expect that there’s someone in there, waiting to pounce on us. The only thing scary in there is how bitchy women can get when you put them in a tightly enclosed space with mirrors. All they’re doing is peeing, putting on makeup, and checking out whether their ass looks big in their too-tight jeans.”

  Caden regarded them both stubbornly.

  Natalya folded her arms over her chest.

  He grimaced. “Fine. But you go straight in and out. No talking to anyone, no doing your hair, or powdering your nose.”

  “Powdering our nose?” Miller asked, as they walked into the bathroom. “What century does he come from?”

  “Lord only knows.”

  “He is a hunk, paranoia notwithstanding. So is Declan. I’d love to be the meat in that man sandwich.”

  Natalya stared at her incredulously and then burst into laughter as they entered the bathroom. After exiting the toilet stall, Natalya quickly washed her hands. The bathroom was surprisingly empty, which would please Caden. A skinny blonde entered and stood at the sink next to hers.

  Natalya walked over to the dryer, wishing Miller would hurry up. The blonde had a malevolent look in her eyes that made her feel uneasy.

  “I’ve been watching you,” the blonde told her.

  “Ahh, excuse me?” Did she have Natalya confused with someone else?

  “You’re not good enough for him. You’re just a phase. My Aedan has better taste. Once he stops slumming it, he’ll realise what he wants is class.”

  “Slumming it?” Seriously? Blondie wore a tight, sheer top that was so low-cut Natalya was shocked she couldn’t see her bellybutton. And her leather skirt was so short her butt cheeks poked out the bottom. And she thought she was classy?

  Blondie moved forward, surprisingly strong as she grasped hold of Natalya’s arm. “Do yourself a favor, take your little brat and go back to pedaling your trade on the streets.”

  “Did she really just call you a whore?” Miller strode out of the cubicle, glaring at the other woman. “Get your hand off my friend, bitch.”

  “This has nothing to do with you,” the other woman said, digging her claws into Natalya.

  Oh hell no.

  Natalya swung out with her other arm, pushing the blonde back, making her wobble on her stilettos.

  “Careful Natalya,” Miller said with a smirk. “She looks like the type who doesn’t wear underwear, and that short skirt isn’t covering much. Last thing I need is to be blinded by her muff.”

  “How dare you! I wax!” The other woman had the nerve to look offended.

  “Is she for real?” Natalya asked Miller.

  Miller shook her head sadly. “She’s either stupid or delusional. Or both.”

  With a screech, Blondie leaped on Natalya, catching her by surprise. Arms flaying, unable to balance herself, Natalya smacked the ground with a loud thump. Air left her lungs in a huge gush as pain slammed through her.

  Blondie grasped at Natalya’s throat, her hands tightening around her neck with surprising strength. Miller yelled out and tugged at the other woman’s shoulders. But Blondie was strong. Maybe that was a side effect from being bat-shit crazy.

  Lungs burning, tears running out her eyes, Natalya’s vision started to close in.

  Oh no. This was not the way things ended. Some whacked-out boob-job wasn’t going to kill her. Natalya brought her hands up and scratched at the other woman’s eyes.

  Her pain-filled shriek made Natalya wince, but she wasn’t done yet. Silently thanking Aedan for the self-defence classes he’d forced her to take years ago, Natalya cupped her hands and brought them down on the other woman’s ears. Blondie’s grip loosened and Natalya took a much-needed breath.

  Suddenly, Blondie was pulled off her, and Natalya coughed, gasping for breath. Miller knelt beside her. Placing an arm around her shoulders, she helped Natalya sit up. Miller rubbed her back as Natalya tried to calm her racing heartbeat.

  Looking over, she saw Caden had the screeching blonde pinned to the wall, her arms held behind her back. He pulled a pair of handcuffs out of his back pocket and expertly cuffed her.

  Turning, he covered Blondie’s mouth with his hand to muffle her screams.

  “Fair warning, you bite me and I will bite back,” he growled at her.

  Another woman walked through the bathroom door, took one look at the four of them then beat a hasty retreat.

  “Shit,” Caden said. “Cops will be here soon.”

  “Good,” Natalya said hoarsely, rubbing lightly at her neck with a shaking hand. “She tried to kill me.”

  “This wouldn’t have happened if you’d have let me come in here with you,” Caden scolded.

  “No one likes to hear I told you so,” Natalya told him.

  “Besides, Natalya had it under control,” Miller said with admiration. “She nearly had that bitch beat.”

  Natalya was grateful for the endorsement, even if she didn’t quite share Miller’s confidence.

  “For someone that looks like they shit sunshine, you sure can fight dirty,” Miller told her. She gestured over to Blondie, who had thin rivets of blood running down her face from where Natalya scratched her.

  “Do you always carry handcuffs?” Miller asked Caden curiously. They all ignored Blondie as she started to cry.

  “Of course,” Caden replied matter-of-factly.

  “Man after my own heart.” Miller looked up at him admiringly.

  “Shits sunshine? Really?” Natalya asked.

  “Yeah, you know. You’re so sweet and quiet; I didn’t think you had it in you. Was this your first real fight? Cause if it was, you did really well.”

  Sweet and quiet? Seriously? Natalya laughed, wincing as it hurt her throat. “I’m not as sweet as I look, and yes, I guess this was my first fight. Are you saying you regularly get into fights?”

  “Not anymore,” Miller replied, before turning to Caden again. “Do you think I can ask the whacko a question?”

  Caden shook his head. “I’ll ask the questions.”

  “Okay. Can you ask her who her trainer is? That bitch is strong.”

  “You’re crazy,” Natalya told her.

  Miller just grinned.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I wasn’t going insane. Someone really was watching me this whole time.” A huge weight lifted from her shoulders as she realized that she wasn’t completely paranoid. Blondie had admitted to watching her for the past couple of months, ever since she’d moved in with Aedan.

  Aedan raised her chin, staring at her neck.

  “They’re just faint bruises, Aedan. She didn’t do any real damage.”

  He growled, his face like a thundercloud. “She could have. What if she’d had a knife or a gun? I could have lost you.”

  He hadn’t left her side since he’d received Caden’s call and rushed to
the mall. She didn’t know when Caden had gotten a chance to call him. He’d been busy watching her while dealing with the cops and keeping Miller under control.

  The man was a serious multitasker.

  “But she didn’t. Caden took care of things.”

  “What if Miller hadn’t been with you? She could have killed you before Caden knew there was a problem.” He rubbed his hand over his face.

  Caden had been watching the door the whole time. When he saw Blondie enter, he moved close enough to hear Miller’s yell for help.

  “Next time Caden goes into the bathroom with you,” Aedan dictated.

  Natalya bit back her answer. There was no use arguing with him; his protective instincts were in overdrive, and there would be no talking him around. Not that she agreed with his dictate. At all. But she knew when to pick her battles. Aedan would calm down.

  Eventually.

  “I should have taken her phone calls more seriously. If I’d reported that I had a stalker to the police, this would never have happened.”

  “You don’t know that. You thought she was just a nuisance.”

  He pinched the top of his nose. “At least now I know how she got my phone number.”

  “Poor thing,” Natalya sympathized. “I guess you’ll just have to settle for my massages from now on.”

  Turned out, Blondie’s name was Melania Frones. Aedan had used her massage services a number of times, and she’d fixated on him. She had deluded herself into thinking that he loved her.

  When Aedan had stopped going to Blondie for massages, she’d started stalking him, believing that he was cheating on her. Really, she’d actually thought that. She’d deluded herself into thinking they were an item. She’d followed him to Natalya’s apartment and turned her attention to her, waiting for a chance to scare her away from ‘her man’.

  “Doing all those massages must have really built up her strength. Her fingers were like steel around my throat.” She lightly touched the skin of her neck.

  “Do you need some painkillers? More pillows?” Aedan asked. After insisting she go to the hospital to get checked over, Aedan had brought her home and put her to bed. She’d tried to protest that she wasn’t an invalid, but he wasn’t having any of it. Instead, he’d helped her into her pajamas and had been hovering over her all day.