by Susan Stoker
“You still fell for her and got involved.”
“After the job was done.”
“Doesn’t matter. Her overdose still hurt you.”
He grit his teeth. “That happened after we broke up.”
“It still left scars, Rook.”
“Of course it did.” He jerked back. “I’m not a prick.”
“Exactly.” Remy set a hand on Rook’s shoulder. “You’re a rescuer. A sucker for a damsel in distress. You like to help people. Make them better.”
True. But Catherine had been beyond reach. What had happened to her during her captivity had been too much for her to handle. No amount of therapy could bring her peace. No matter how much he loved her, he couldn’t either.
He wasn’t enough.
“You tried to keep Catherine clean, Rook.”
He blew out a breath and nodded. “Yeah, I know. And that’s all in the past. Why are you dredging it up?”
“Because I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
“What makes you think Tarah would hurt me?”
Remy released him to run his hand through his hair. “Look, she seems nice, I agree, but I don’t know, man. Her arrival…right in the middle of these threats?”
Rook’s head jerked back. “You don’t seriously think she has anything to do with what’s going on here? Jameson Knight is the one who sent her.”
“True. He triple checks backgrounds and has a good hacker who can dig deep.”
“Exactly.”
“But?” Remy frowned at him. “I heard a ‘but’ in your tone, Rook.”
He lifted a shoulder. “There’s just…I don’t know. Something is off with her. I can’t place my finger on it.”
“All the more reason to keep things neutral and your tongue to yourself.”
Rook smirked. “You’re an idiot. And that’s not likely to happen again since I’m confining Tarah to the house.”
“Good luck.” Remy dropped back down on the couch, and the kittens came out of nowhere and immediately scrambled to his lap. “You can’t confine a woman like that.”
“What do you mean?”
“She seems to have an adventurous streak,” Remy replied, petting the cats, their purrs filling the room. “Despite knowing there’s a threat to her life, Tarah will still want to go outside.”
“Well, she’s under my protection, and I forbid it.”
Remy threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, man, you are in for a bumpy job.”
Rook smiled, but deep down, he feared his brother was right.
*
The next morning, Tarah awoke to the alarm she’d set four hours earlier. It was five a.m. With luck, no one was up yet and she’d be able to explore the inside of the house. Last night after the house grew quiet, she’d donned her night gear, silenced the alarm on her window, and repelled down to the ground. It had taken several hours to scout the ranch because she had to be careful to avoid the cameras she’d noted upon her arrival. The Lawe brothers had very tight and topnotch security.
It was going to take her brother’s expertise to help her further.
But TJ would still be asleep, so she was on her own at the moment.
She clicked on the bedside lamp, rolled out of bed, and stretched. The guestroom she occupied was roomy and surprisingly pretty. The walls were a pale green with gorgeous white crown molding. A white comforter with tiny green flowers covered the queen bed that had matching distressed white furniture, and on the window was a pretty white lace curtain. Tarah even had her own three-piece bathroom with a glorious shower as big as the walk-in closet on the far wall.
All the comforts of home. And more.
Brought up poor, she continued to live modest, despite her decent bank account. But, while in Rome…she smiled as she stripped and jumped in the shower…at least she had great creature comforts for this assignment. Now, if she could just get Rook to accept help, the job would go smoother.
Tarah was still contemplating how to make that happen as she slipped into a blue sundress that was perfect for hiding her garter holster and SIG. For some reason, just having her gun near put Tarah at ease. She grinned at her reflection in the bathroom mirror while pulling her damp hair into a ponytail. Normally, she’d leave it at that, but Tarah Swanson required a light dusting of a neutral brown eyeshadow, a swipe of mascara, and a soft pink lip stain. No need for blush. Just being around Rook would no doubt take care of color in her cheeks. Damn body heated when he was near.
And now that she’d tasted him, experienced his kiss, just thinking about that incredible incident was enough to flame her insides.
She crept to the door and listened. Not a sound. A glance at the clock on the bedside lamp told her only twenty minutes had passed. Good. With luck, she’d have a good half hour to herself.
Quietly twisting the nob, she opened the door to find a big, muscled, slumbering male blocking her path.
Chapter Five
‡
Tarah automatically reached for her gun, but stopped when she realized it was Rook. She contemplated trying to step over him, but instinct vetoed that idea. He was a former SEAL. He’d not doubt slam her to the floor and put a knife to her throat before he even opened his eyes.
“What time is it?”
Heat flooded her belly at the sound of his low, sexy morning voice. She cleared her suddenly dry throat and pulled in a breath.
“Five-thirty-ish.”
He opened his eyes, took in her attire and held her gaze as he rose to his feet. “You going somewhere?”
“Just downstairs to see if Burly needed any help with breakfast.”
“He won’t be up for another half hour.”
“Oh.” She shrugged, her heart hammering out of her chest. “I don’t normally get up this early either, but I guess my internal clock is still on east coast time.”
“And your alarm?”
Shit. He’d heard that?
“Yeah, forgot to reset it.” Crap. She was really spewing the lies now. Time to take the focus off her. She leaned against the doorframe and waved at him. “Why are you sleeping by my door?”
“Because I didn’t think you’d appreciate me sleeping in your room. I’m being paid to protect you. It takes two point three seconds to get to your room from mine.” He nodded to a door at the end of the hall. “A lot can happen in two point three seconds, Tarah. I’m not willing to take that chance with you.”
Her whole body went on alert, in a good way. Damn man noticed, too. His eyes zeroed in on her peaked nipples pressing against her dress. When he lifted his smoldering gaze, she was thankful to be leaning against the frame because her knees threatened to buckle.
She cleared her throat again. “How am I supposed to sleep in my comfortable bed knowing you’re out here lying on the hard floor?”
He stepped close. So close she could feel his warm breath on her skin. “Are you inviting me into your bed, Tarah?”
Yes, yes we are, her body screamed as heat flooded her veins at the image of the big, hunky SEAL sprawled out naked on her sheets. “Um…no.”
Another lie. A big one.
“That’s what I thought.” Rook stepped back, his gaze no longer smoldering, causing her to wonder if she’d imagined it. He was closed up tight and on point. “So, get used to it. You’re under my protection and I can’t do that from my room.”
She closed her mouth and nodded.
Thank God he hadn’t heard her last night. She’d had the good sense to leave the radio on low. It must’ve muffled the sound of her repelling.
“I’ll take you downstairs, but I need a quick shower first. Go back into your room and wait for my knock.”
She nodded, and he didn’t budge until she actually closed her door.
Damn. So much for exploring the house. She wasn’t foolish enough to try it while he got a shower. Besides, it wouldn’t be enough time anyway.
It was, however, enough time to check in with her boss.
She went to the f
ar corner of her room to the wall that connected with her bathroom and no other rooms, then placed the call.
“Tarah, what have you found out?” Knight asked in his usual brisk tone.
“Not much, sir. I scouted the area last night. It was tricky trying not to get caught by the security cameras. The Lawe brothers run a tight ship. I’d like to see if TJ can tap into them and feed it back to me.”
That would make surveilling much easier.
“Good idea. We need you to help him gain access to the training center so Lisa can go through the names of the people using the facility now, and before the incidents started.”
“Okay.”
“What about inside the house?”
She closed her eyes and sighed. “Kind of hard with a two hundred pound former Navy SEAL sleeping in front of my door, sir.”
Knight’s chuckle filled the phone. “Smart man. Damn good SEAL.”
Once upon a time, Jameson Knight had been a SEAL and then a commander of the SEALs. That’s how Sam and Rook knew Knight, and another SEAL called Hawk that she’d overheard was working an op.
“Remy was a good operative, too,” her boss stated.
Shock trickled through her. “I didn’t realize you knew him as well, sir.” But it made sense. Knight had been recruited by the CIA for their elite Special Operations Group.
“Yes, Remy was part of the SOG. It was always a pleasure working with those boys. Both Rook and Remy will protect you with their lives.”
“I don’t need protection, sir.”
“I’m not so sure. There’s been chatter. Serrano Sr. is trying to find out the name of the shooter who killed his son. Even the FBI has moles. That’s why I’ve kept your name out of their files. But, all it takes is for someone to talk.”
True.
Her heart rocked. Now she not only had to watch Rook and Remy’s backs, she had to watch her own, too.
“Like I said, the guys will protect you. But, be alert and ready for anything.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I know I’ve put you in a tough position, Tarah. But I wouldn’t have if I didn’t think you could handle it.”
A surge of pride mixed with shock at his words. She straightened her back and smiled. “Thank you, sir. I will. I need to talk with TJ and see what he needs me to do.”
“Well, you’re in luck. He just walked in now.”
“This early?”
“Yes, he’s helping Sharon out with another case.”
“Ah, that explains it.” Her brother had a thing for Sharon.
And Brooke.
And Nikki.
And Kenzie.
Lisa used to be on the list, but now that she was married to a former SEAL who worked with them, her brother miraculously got over his crush.
“I’ll hang up so you can give him a call. Stay alert,” her boss said, then ended the call.
Tarah glanced at the clock. Shoot. Rook was probably done with his shower by now. Still, she had to speak with her brother before she could do anything more at the ranch.
She speed dialed him while keeping an eye on the door.
“Yo, this is your favorite neighborhood bro speaking.”
She rolled her eyes and her lips twitched. “Hey, TJ. I don’t have long to talk, so listen up. I need you to tap into the security cameras at the ranch, and Knight wants you to gain access to the training facility computers. So tell me what you need me to do.”
*
Halfway through breakfast, Rook couldn’t put his finger on it, but something was up with Tarah.
Thirty minutes ago, when he’d returned to her room, he thought he’d heard her talking. When he asked her on their way downstairs, she told him she was on the phone with her brother. He didn’t get the sense she was lying, but he still couldn’t shake the feeling she was hiding something.
“So, Tarah, what grade did you teach?” Rook asked, cutting into a fresh stack of pancakes Burly set in front of him.
It wasn’t lost on him that she’d chosen to sit across from him. Right next to Remy.
She set her fork down and smiled. “Middle school English, so that’s sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.”
“Damn. Middle school in D.C.?” Remy whistled. “You’ve got a pair.”
She laughed. “Yes, except I wear mine on my chest.” Then she slapped a hand over her mouth and blushed.
Burly’s chuckle mixed with his brother’s bark of laughter. But all Rook could do was recall her chest that morning, and how she certainly had a pair of pert nipples he’d wanted to rip out of her dress and cover with his mouth.
She dropped her hand to the table, the pretty silver bracelet on her wrist clanging on contact. “Sorry, that slipped out.”
“You don’t have to apologize.” Burly patted her hand. “It’s been a long time since this house has heard laughter like that.”
She snickered. “The way my tongue runs away with itself, the house is going to be sick of me.”
Burly glanced at him when he replied. “I highly doubt that.”
Rook wasn’t even going to try to decipher what he meant. Instead, he quietly ate while his brother continued his light interrogation.
“So, Tarah, I’d love to know what you’re views are on the Oxford comma,” Remy said, spreading homemade strawberry jam on his toast.
Her mouth twitched upward. “Personally, I like and use it. There are so many sentences that take on a completely different meaning without that extra comma.”
Rook listened while the others discussed punctuation and grammar in today’s society, but he didn’t need to. It wasn’t her occupation he questioned. The more he studied her, the more his gut screamed she was holding something back. And he needed to figure out what it was in case it had the potential to get them all killed.
“I agree.” His brother turned in his chair to face her. “You know, I have to say, I never had an English teacher that looked like you.” Remy flashed her one of his disarming grins.
Syrup dripped off a hunk of pancake impaled on Rook’s fork. He froze, waiting to see how she reacted. He’d never met a woman who hadn’t melted at his brother’s feet when the charm was turned on.
“Aw, that’s sweet.” She smiled, but her gaze didn’t hold interest or any signs of heat like yesterday when Rook had kissed her.
Waves of satisfaction rolled through him over her lack of action toward his brother. He shoved the last of the pancakes in his mouth and watched the two continue.
“I’m not sweet,” Remy muttered.
She chuckled. “So, you were just saying that because you know I have a bigger set?”
This time, Rook’s laughter joined his brother’s and Burly’s. The cook was right. It was good to hear laughter in the house.
Just then, the kittens hopped onto the table out of nowhere. Rook, Burly, and Remy all yelled and waved their hands. The cats immediately jumped down and scurried from the room, their fur all ruffled and tails huge. He watched them slide across the floor trying to get traction on their way out of the kitchen.
Rook turned back around to find Tarah glaring with blatant disapproval at all three of them.
“Why did you do that? You scared them to death.”
He returned her frown. “They’ll live. They have nine lives, don’t they?”
Burly leaned closer. “We can’t let them think they’re allowed on the table.”
“I agree,” she said.
“So, by scaring them, we’re discouraging them from doing it again,” Remy claimed, getting up to pour more coffee in his mug.
Tarah turned to face his brother. “And how’s that working?”
“It isn’t,” Burly replied, regaining her attention. “That was at least the tenth time they’ve been up here. That I know of.”
Rook folded his arms and regarded her closely. “What would you have us do?”
“Gently grab them by the scruff of the neck, making sure to support their bottom with your other hand, and firmly set them on the
floor and hold them there, while you say, ‘No!’ Or you can mimic a hiss. Don’t yell.” She glared at him. “Once you feel them relax, usually within a minute or so, you can let them go. But make sure you talk nicely to them after the initial no.”
“Are you serious?” He snorted.
“Yes. The scruff is there for a reason. The momma cat uses it to quiet them down. Show who’s boss. You need to do it to show dominance.”
Right now, he wanted to grab her by the back of the neck and kiss the disapproval from her gaze.
“Well, this has been a fun and interesting breakfast,” Remy said, standing in the middle of the kitchen. “But that new camera arrived yesterday and needs to be set up.”
He nodded. “Good. Make sure it faces the back of the house and has a clear shot at Tarah’s window. I don’t want anyone trying to sneak in.”
Something flashed through her eyes, but it was gone before he could put a name to it. Almost seemed like aggravation, but that made no sense.
“Okay.” Remy nodded. “Who wants to help me set it up in the office to test it out?”
“I will.” Tarah stood.
His brother smiled. “Thanks, but I need someone well-versed in security systems.”
Rook watched as she opened her mouth and inhaled, then closed it again.
“I’ll help you,” Burly stated. “The dishes can wait.”
“Tarah and I will do them.” Rook stood, and smiled at the disbelief on the teacher’s face.
His mind wandered as he loaded the dishwasher, and she washed the pots and pans. How did the delightful woman ever get involved with the mob? She should be in a classroom reaching children, not hiding out at his ranch.
Although, he didn’t mind her presence. In fact, right now, he was enjoying working side-by-side with her. She was quick, and efficient, and thorough. And smelled like coconut. Every time she transferred a pot to the counter, he got a whiff of her perfume. Or lotion. Or whatever the hell was driving him mad.
After he dried the pots she washed, he watched her wiped down the table and chairs. His pulse flared at the view of her long, supple legs and deep show of cleavage as she leaned over the table.
