by Eden Butler
FOUR
Vaughn felt mildly shifty. It wasn’t his fault, not really. He was, after all, doing a favor for his sister. Still, as he waited for Mollie to finally make an appearance at the coffee shop on Cavanagh’s campus, he couldn’t help thinking that if she knew their first introduction was a bonus to the job he’d been given, she would be mortified.
It hadn’t been on purpose; he was scheduled to oversee the Dash anyway, but when the tiny girl staring at him on the starting line matched the name and photo in the file Viv had given him, Vaughn made the most of the coincidence. He’d only meant to watch her, see how she interacted with her friends; see if she really was the spoiled little girl he thought her to be.
He hadn’t expected to like her. When he first read her file, all those months ago, Vaughn, being the cynic that battle and service had turned him into, had made some assumptions. Biker’s daughter, barely in of her teens, attending a private university, living with her mother and sister in one of Cavanagh’s most exclusive developments; those factors had him guessing that she was likely pampered. After all, she couldn’t have seen much struggle, not growing up in her mother’s home as she had. She’d been taken from the biker’s home at thirteen and Vaughn doubted those short years had been enough time to be corrupted by criminal elements. Besides, what Viv had told him of Mollie’s father had him believing that she’d been shielded from the truly gruesome elements of his life. What father in his right mind, even an outlaw biker, would let his daughter get caught up in all that?
Compared to his life at that age, Mollie Malone had little, he thought, in the way of real world experience. But now he was discovering that he liked being wrong. She wasn’t the pampered princess he’d envisioned. She was funny, tough, and despite the hardened exterior, she was a sweet girl.
A sweet girl with soft doe eyes. A sweet girl whose bottom lip always looked bee-stung. A sweet girl who smelled like vanilla and who Vaughn bet tasted just as good.
Shit.
Viv had been right. Mollie was off limits and he knew any entanglements with her would be unwise. It wasn’t like he was eager to fall into anything remotely similar to a relationship. The past had proven that he sucked at them. But seeing Mollie on the television, huddled under a blanket with fire trucks and police cruiser lights bouncing off her pale skin, made him restless to see her. That she refused to return his text until the next day only heightened his already frayed nerves. But why? She was a job, just like he told Viv. She was important to the witness and Vaughn had been given the task of seeing her safe. So far, he failed miserably in that regard. So far, the job hadn’t been handled very well, but that shouldn’t have him frazzled. He shouldn’t be shooting his gaze toward the door every ten minutes in wait for her appearance. His hands shouldn’t be shaking as he sat at the table nearest to the exit.
Where the hell was she anyway?
For the third time, Vaughn glances down at his cell to see if she’d changed her mind. Their plans were simple: meet at the coffee shop, discuss his chat with the pawn shop guy and find out what Mollie knew about the fire. The plan may have been simple, but getting Mollie to agree to it hadn’t been.
I’m busy, her text had said.
Vaughn: I thought you wanted to discuss what I found out.
Mollie: I do, but other things have gotten my attention.
Vaughn: Stop deflecting and meet me. It’ll only take a half hour.
Mollie: Will that get you to stop bugging me, Semper Fi?
Vaughn: It might.
Mollie: Fine. I’ll be there at two.
It was now two-fifteen and Vaughn is getting antsy. He shakes his head, laughs at the way his leg has taken on an unconscious bounce. He is a Marine. He’d stayed up thirty-six hours on patrols. He’d spent hours upon stifling, baking hours atop dusty rooftops scanning empty streets for snipers and now this girl was making him antsy. He begins another text to her, this one intended to piss her off, maybe call her an irresponsible brat for making him wait, when the door opens with a chime and she finally walks through. Automatically, he stands at her approach.
“Hey,” she says as though she hasn’t kept him waiting. She pulls the chair out and sits instead of offering him any real greeting.
“You’re late,” he tells her, sitting opposite her.
“I told you, I’ve been busy.”
Vaughn presses his lips together; a fleeting effort to keep his complaints to a minimum. Just a job, he reminds himself, though it’s hard to convince himself of that, especially when Mollie is wearing her hair down and its soft, long waves are cascading over her shoulders. She doesn’t look like a kid today, not like the last time he saw her. There is no midriff baring her defined stomach. She’s softer somehow, wearing a simple wispy dress that clings to her generous chest. Her legs are long, sculpted with muscle and her feet are small, petite in a pair of brown sandals.
“Can I get you something to drink?” he offers, deciding that he would not let her cool attitude affect him. He can’t have her running off and though the Marine in him wants desperately to complain about her tardiness, the information he requires deems he bite his tongue.
“No, I’m okay.” She fidgets in her seat, leans on her elbows against the table. “Thanks, though.”
“Everything all right? Your friends? The news was a bit vague about the fire.”
At this, Vaughn notices her fidgeting increase. It seems something is weighing on her, that the details about the fire have her uncomfortable. “Yeah, everyone is good. It really wasn’t that big of a deal. Probably just some kids being stupid.”
“Is that what the police think?”
Mollie shrugs and Vaughn notices the slight roll of her eyes. He knows her history, Viv made sure to give him Mollie’s background, so the attitude isn’t a surprise. “They say they’re investigating but since there wasn’t much damaged, it’ll probably get swept under the rug. That’s what cops do, right?”
“You don’t like cops?”
“I don’t trust them.”
“I see.” He leans back against his chair.
Mollie doesn’t seem to miss the tight set of his shoulders and the defensive way he folds his arms. “There’s something you should know about me.” When she leans further on her elbows, Vaughn has to force his gaze away from her cleavage. “My family is, well… let’s just say that the way I was raised sort of influenced my attitude about authority.”
“How do you mean?” Vaughn knows he should tell her that he already knows about her past. He thinks about stopping her, thinking full disclosure is necessary, but he likes the way she bites her bottom lip, the way she can’t seem to meet his eyes. The nervousness is highly adorable to him.
“I know you were in the military. I know your dad was a trooper and that’s cool, that’s brave. But my dad, well, he stopped being a SEAL a very long time ago. He was a bit of anti-government, ‘screw the rules’ kind of guy and that’s how he raised me.” When Vaughn doesn’t react, makes certain to keep his expression blank, impassive, Mollie continues. “I’m not saying I believe the same things he does, but my instinct is to take care of myself. I respect your service. I respect your dad’s, but that doesn’t mean I can turn off my gut reaction to distrust the cops.”
“And the government?” he says, curious.
“I am so not getting into a political debate with you, Semper Fi.” They stare at each other for just a beat and then Mollie caves under his scrutiny. “What did you find out from Mannie?”
Vaughn is cautious, slow to react. He likes how Mollie loops the ends of her hair around her fingers. He likes that his slow reaction has her adjusting her seat and messing with the napkin holder. Finally, he grins and Mollie relaxes. “The guy drives a black Shelby, but you knew that.”
“I did.”
“He came by the pawn shop twice.” Vaughn digs a slip of paper out of his pocket and slides it across the table toward Mollie. “That’s the license plate number.”
“How did you get
this?”
“I had those cops you’re so distrustful of check the surveillance video from the street.” When Mollie’s mouth drops open, Vaughn smiles. “My sister is the D.A. in Maryville and my dad was a career trooper. We have connections.”
“Anything come up on the plates?”
“It’s stolen. The owner reported it about a month ago and I doubt the guy is still driving the Shelby. It’s likely he ditched it.”
She smiles, cheeks dimpling and Vaughn blinks, quickly admonishes himself for focusing on all the things he likes about Mollie Malone. Just a job, he tells himself. Stop being a punk.
“Well,” Mollie starts, folding the slip of paper between her small fingers, “that’s helpful. If those, um, friends of yours find the car then they can dust for prints.”
“They could. Yes, but that’s not likely.” Vaughn doesn’t return Mollie’s smile. He won’t encourage her, won’t slip into anything unprofessional with her. Not again. “It wouldn’t be hard to track down, but if this guy has any clue what he’s doing, then he’ll have wiped the car clean.” He takes a sip of his cooling coffee and sits up straighter in his seat. “What I’m more concerned about is the possible connection between the robbery and the fire.”
“You sound like Declan.” Vaughn frowns and Mollie must take his expression for confusion. “He’s the boyfriend of a friend. Sort of like our unofficial bodyguard.”
“Well, he’s not doing a very good job is he?”
“I said unofficial.” Her tone is clipped, hinting at her annoyance.
“Fine. So what does the unofficial boyfriend bodyguard say?”
The sound of a cappuccino machine breaks the intensity of Mollie’s stare and for a moment Vaughn lets himself notice how she moistens her lip, how the tug of her white teeth pinch at her mouth. “Why do you care?”
“I’m sorry?”
“It’s just that none of this is your business. Why are you making it your business?”
Cool, calm, Vaughn summons his patience, years of training that makes this girl’s interrogation something of a joke. He could tell her the truth. He could let her know that his sister has asked him to protect her; that the witness stipulated that any harm coming to Mollie would end their negotiations very quickly. But, for the most part, Mollie has gone unscathed. The robbery could be random, so could the fire. And as long as she thinks he’s simply being nosy, then there won’t be any calls to the witness warning of a potential threat.
“You really don’t like anyone giving you a hand, do you?”
At this, Mollie laughs but it is a harsh, condescending sound. “Not when the hand is attached to someone I don’t really know.” She scoots forward, mouth pulled down into a firm line. “Not when that someone is using me for some sort of pet project.”
“How am I doing that?”
“You’re home how long now?”
Vaughn clears his throat, uncomfortable with the direction of this conversation. “A year.”
“Uh huh. A year. And what were you doing those few months you were away?”
“What has that got to do with anything?”
“I’m trying to prove a point here.” The line her mouth makes softens, but only just. “See, I’ve been around guys like you before. Hero types trying to rescue me. I’ve seen it a hundred times since I was a kid. Guy spends his adult life in the military, years and years of duty and responsibility and purpose. Then he comes home, maybe he gets cabin fever, certainly he could be bored because civilian life is not guns and ammo and missions that must be completed.”
“I lived it. No need for the rehash.” Vaughn crosses his arms, face stern as he stares at Mollie. If she’s expecting me to flinch, she’ll be waiting awhile.
“Exactly. My guess? You did some sort of muscle work. Maybe you bounced at a club outside of town.” She narrows her eyes, scans his face for any reaction. “Nah. Not club work. I can’t see you going from Afghanistan to tussling with ornery drunks.”
“You can’t?” This girl was good, perceptive, but Vaughn wouldn’t give her any hints.
She seems to like that. Mollie smiles, keeps a small laugh under her breath. “Bodyguard? Your sister is Joanie Law. Maybe it was a politician.” When Vaughn’s expression remains impassive, Mollie releases the withheld laugh. Vaughn suspects she thinks his non-reaction gives away more than any confirmation would. “Am I warm?”
“Is there a point?”
She points to herself. “Pet project.” The slip of paper in her hand is folded in quarters, then unfolded as she watches him. “I’m thinking you did this gig for your sister, taking care of something for a friend or family member and when that gig ended you come back home.” She shrugs. “It hasn’t been that long and already the cabin fever emerges again. Hence you nosing into my robbery.”
This time when they stare at each other, an unspoken challenge of who will blink first, Vaughn falters, moves his eyes to the left and Mollie’s smile is triumphant.
“You can wipe the stupid grin off your face.” When she laughs, Vaughn can’t help but return her humor. She had to know she couldn’t rattle him, not with those weak attempts at guesswork. Vaughn relaxes, unfolds his arms to rest his hands in his lap. “And for your information, smartass, it was a buddy of mine. His kid brother has a band. Stalkers and groupies were getting out of hand.” Let her think what she wants. Let her have no doubt that my interest comes from sheer boredom. The longer she thinks that, the easier Viv’s case building will be.
The thought of his sister has Vaughn recalling the mission, the job. Even though Mollie’s smile lights up her whole face; even though she smells like vanilla and the shine of her skin makes Vaughn’s mouth water, he knows he has to remember that she’s just a job.
“See, and I thought maybe you liked me,” Mollie says, a cocky, smug smile on her face as she offers him a wink.
But Vaughn doesn’t return the look. He wants to, but he doesn’t. There will be no more flirting with Mollie Malone, not if he wants his sister’s case to have legs. She notices his lack of response, she has to. He doesn’t smile, doesn’t do much more than look away from her and lift an eyebrow to make her see he’s not interested.
“So,” he says, motioning to the waitress for another cup of coffee. “Tell me about this fire.” He hates that the smile has vanished from her face. But she deflects her disappointment, passes it aside with the firm set of her jaw and a quick nod. Vaughn instantly misses the warmth in her cheeks, the way her eyes brighten with her laugh. More than anything, he hates that he’d do anything to make the pretty smile return to her face.
July in Cavanagh was stifling. Nine a.m., with the heat bubbling around them like a humid halo, and Mollie and Layla are already sweating.
“Why are we here again?” Layla asks, fanning the back of her neck with her hand.
“Autumn wanted us to keep her company. Also? Hello, rugby?” Mollie waves her hand to the pitch in front of them. Ninety-five degrees on a Saturday morning and the crowd swells as various amateur squads from around the region section off into matches.
“Ugh.” Layla falls back from her sitting position to lay on the blanket. “I could be at Comic Con right now. I can’t believe Sayo went without us.”
Mollie rolls her eyes. Layla has been bitching about missing their yearly trek to Geek Mecca all summer. She’d miss it too; the hot California breeze, the epic displays of CosPlay and here and there sightings of the actors, writers and personalities they all loved. Mollie would save for months, sometimes regulating her diet to Ramen and marshmallows just to put up enough for that flight to the coast. But with her equipment being stolen and her job prospects thin, Mollie couldn’t justify spending her savings on the trip. “Sayo needed a break. She works too hard. Besides, you only wanted to go to the Nerd HQ panels anyway.”
“Shut up.” Layla slaps Mollie with her empty water bottle. “So did you.”
“Hello, Zachary Levi.” Mollie thinks that should have been obvious. She knows no Geek gi
rl worth her salt would miss seeing the “Chuck” star and the panels he hosts.
“God, that man does things to my ovaries.”
At Layla’s regretful swoon Mollie chuckles. “That man does things to everyone’s ovaries, Layla.” She lays next to her best friend on the blanket, shielding her eyes with her arm. “Besides, you couldn’t go. You have to work and I couldn’t afford it this year.”
“I hate my father.”
“He’s trying to teach you to be a productive member of society.”
“No, he wanted to make sure I didn’t get arrested in San Diego.”
A shadow falls over them and in unison, Layla and Mollie move their heads to the left. A sweaty, mildly stinky Declan looms down at them with damp hair sticking to his forehead. “You lot see Autumn?”
Mollie sits up. “No, but she’s only a half hour late. That’s on time for her.”
Declan nods, but seems distracted as he looks over the crowd. “She and Joe were coming to watch the tournament. She was meant to bring me my new trainers. I can’t run properly in these things.” He motions to his sneakers.
“When she makes it, I’ll tell her you’re looking for her.” Mollies watches Declan as he walks backward, still looking through the crowd on his way back to the pitch.
