Guarded Desire

by Christi Snow

  Samantha rushed over to retrieve the towel that had fallen between the open steps. She handed it to me.

  I gently covered Elle with it. “Are you okay?” I asked her.

  “Yeah.” She blew out a deep breath. “Just completely mortified. Those guys didn’t get any photos, did they?”

  “I’ll make sure they didn’t.” I clenched my jaw. That was her first thought when getting caught like this? How awful. So much of Elle’s life was completely unfair, especially since she’d never chosen any of this.

  When she seemed sufficiently covered, I helped her stand, and we turned to face the two women in the room, staring at us.

  “Well, isn’t this interesting?” ViviAnna drawled. She didn’t sound the least bit unhappy to find her daughter practically naked with me.

  From the death-glares my boss kept shooting at me, she did not share the same viewpoint as ViviAnna.

  “Elle, why don’t you go back upstairs and get dressed?” I said quietly to her. “I’ll find out exactly how everyone managed to just walk into the apartment without notifying us that they were here first.”

  Elle rested her hand on my bicep. “That’s my fault. After the last time, I figured it wouldn’t hurt—especially since my mother never comes to New Mexico—to give VA full access to my apartment. I’d cleared it with Jennifer.” She hesitated and glanced at my boss. “I never imagined...” The regret in her voice was obvious.

  “It’s okay,” I said softly. “Just go get dressed.”

  As she went up the stairs, I squared my shoulders and turned to face my boss and the mother of the girl I’d de-virginized.

  In my underwear.

  I knew I should have stayed in bed this morning.

  “Do you want to explain how this looks so bad, but is really something innocent and professional, Mr. Sutton?” Samantha asked, her tone calm and modulated although her eyes shot sparks of fury directly at me.

  ViviAnna tilted her head and waited like this was a great soap opera created entirely for her entertainment.

  I took a deep breath and steeled myself. “No, Samantha. This is exactly what it looks like.”

  I deserved whatever fallout came from it, because I had completely blown my professionalism in my handling of this case. However, our closeness hadn’t affected my ability to do my job. If anything, I was even more aware of exactly when something felt off with Elle. I was more in-tune with her, which made me able to discern when she felt threatened. “But my job in keeping Elle safe has not been compromised. She is safer than she’s ever been.” Except maybe from the fallout from this thing developing between us.

  Elle rushed back down the stairs having thrown on some leggings and a big sweatshirt. She came up behind me. “Go get dressed, and I’ll make us all some coffee.”

  I didn’t take my gaze from Samantha as I nodded. “Okay.” To Samantha, I said, “I’ll be right back down.”

  She gave a tight nod that said more than words ever could. Knowing my boss, she was ready to chop off a few body parts, starting with my dick.

  I sprinted up the stairs and pulled out a clean pair of jeans and a T-shirt from my duffel bag. Very aware of every second I was gone and my boss’s escalating temper, I flew to the bathroom, running a quick washcloth over my body, a hand through my hair, and toothbrush over my teeth. While not exactly fresh and clean, I felt slightly more put together than I had in my underwear with the scent of Elle all over me.

  I grabbed my cell and shot off a quick text to Dillon that he probably should head over, because Samantha and Elle’s mom were here.

  The kitchen echoed with quiet as I came back downstairs. This was going to get awkward, but right now, I didn’t care about the judgment and opinions of our surprise guests. They hadn’t shown up here this morning by happenstance. I needed to know what was going on and how it pertained to Elle’s safety.

  All three of them watched me as I came around to join Elle behind the island. ViviAnna had sat down on one of the barstools, and Samantha stood down at the end of the island with a mug in one hand but her arms crossed across her chest.

  Elle handed me a cup of coffee, already doctored with the shot of milk I preferred.

  “Thanks,” I said and took a sip. Although the surprise appearance of our guests had done a lot to get me awake, I still needed some caffeine in my system to weather what was about to come.

  I looked to Samantha. “What’s happened?”

  She firmed her lips, and I could see it was killing her to not dress me down about what was going on between Elle and I. But she kept her cool with ViviAnna watching every move with avid interest. “Late last night, a message was couriered to ViviAnna from Illumination’s kidnapper.”

  Elle tensed beside me.

  Samantha pulled out her iPad and opened the screen to a photo that had been taken of the delivery. Elle and I moved closer to get a better look. ViviAnna stayed seated, instead looking in the other direction.

  That didn’t give me happy feelings about what I was about to see.

  “There were two photos and a note inside the unmarked envelope.” Samantha pushed one of her app buttons and a photo appeared on the screen. From the briefings I’d gotten from Hawk Works, I immediately recognized Raquel Hutchins, the kidnapped photographer. She was tied to a chair with tears rolling down her ragged, aged face and duct tape over her mouth.

  “Oh, no,” Elle cried as she gently lifted her hand as if to touch the terrified face on the screen. “Oh, god. He’s going to hurt her; isn’t he?”

  “That’s what he’s threatening,” Samantha said. “Although he’s not making demands just yet, he’s definitely on the verge. He’s taunting. He wants both you and ViviAnna to be prepared—his word, not mine—to come save her. He also hinted that ViviAnna should be in New Mexico—not Texas—so she’d be ready when the time came.”

  “So, he’s definitely going to make his move here,” I said.

  Samantha nodded. “That’s what it sounds like.”

  Which meant this maniac was somewhere close by and had probably been watching Elle. Anger churned low in my gut.

  Elle had gone chalk-white, and I couldn’t stand it. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her into my chest. “It’s going to be okay. He won’t get to you. I promise.” I kissed the top of her head.

  “Okay, that’s it. You and I need to have a talk,” Samantha barked as she pointed at me. “Where’s Dillon?”

  Just as she said that, Dillon walked in the door. “Right here. What’s going on?” he asked with his eyebrows raised high in question.

  “A lot, but right now, I need to talk to Mr. Sutton. In private.” Samantha turned to Dillon. “You, stay here. Don’t let either one of them out of your sight.” She pointed at me again. “You. Where are the offices you’re using in this building?”

  “On the floor below this one.”

  “Okay, let’s go.”

  I didn’t want to leave Elle when she was so obviously upset, but I didn’t want to tick off my boss any more than she already was. “I’ll be right back.” I grabbed her hand and squeezed.

  Elle gave me a tremulous smile. “It’s okay.”

  I followed Samantha out of Elle’s apartment and led her to the stairs to take us down a floor. Neither one of us said anything as we walked. I needed to follow her lead on this.

  Samantha had been the one who hired me out of the army. I had nothing but respect for her. To know that she was disappointed in me right now left my chest aching. I wouldn’t have changed anything about how I handled this assignment or Elle, but I did hate it that it had affected Samantha’s perception of me.

  I led her into the security offices. Charlie, the Windsett Complex computer guy, rose from the desk when we stepped into the room. “Jonah. Who is your guest, and why is she in our secure area?”

  “Charlie, I’m sorry about the lack of notice. This is Samantha Billings, my boss from Hawk Works. We needed a secure space to talk freely. I’m sure it’s okay, but call down
to Jennifer, and she’ll vouch for Samantha.”

  Charlie did just that, and within thirty seconds, he nodded into the phone before hanging up. He reached across to Samantha to shake her hand. “You’re clear. Welcome to the Windsett Complex Security Center. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but I had to make sure you were on the up and up.”

  She shook her head. “Absolutely no problem. I’d be more worried if you hadn’t done that, but now, we need to proceed.” She aimed this comment at me.

  I led her back to the office we’d been using. She walked through the door and then closed and locked it firmly behind me. This room was a conference room with no other access to the outside, so now we had complete privacy.

  She leaned over the conference table with her hands fisted on it. “What the hell were you thinking to sleep with a client? Someone who is counting on you to be aware of every single thing happening around you. How the fuck do you expect to be able to do that when you’re distracted by your dick? If something happens to Ms. Wilcox, do you know what’s going to happen?”

  She didn’t give me a chance to answer. She just kept yelling at me without taking a breath. “ViviAnna—the ViviAnna, who has appeared on the cover of every magazine in the world and has been on pretty much every talk show known to man—is going to sue Hawk Works because you got distracted, because you took advantage of her young, scared, traumatized daughter.”

  Samantha began to pace. “And you know what? It won’t matter if that’s true or not. She knows you’ve slept with Illumination, and she won’t think twice about sharing that with the world. Hawk Works will be ruined, because you couldn’t keep it in your pants. Dammit, Jonah. What were you thinking?”

  “I didn’t—”

  She swiped her hand in the air at me. “No. It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to hear it. I thought you were smarter than this, but I was obviously wrong. I can’t trust you here anymore. I’m sending you back to Austin. I’ll figure out what to do with you by Monday. Report into my office at six a.m. sharp.”

  “No.”

  She stilled and slowly swiveled to face me. “What. Did. You. Say?”

  “I said ‘no.’ I’m not going to leave Elle, not while this guy is still out there. I won’t leave her. My job is to protect her, and I’m not going to stop doing that.” Just the thought of what might happen to Elle if he got to her... No, just no. I was the only person I trusted to keep her safe. I wasn’t going to leave her.

  “Your job,” Samantha bit out, hitting each syllable and consonant with emphasis, “is to do whatever the fuck I tell you to do. If I tell you to jump, you ask how high. I’m telling you that you are not going to be assigned to Illumination Wilcox any longer. You are going back to Austin.”

  I swallowed against the anger clogging my throat. “I’m sorry to hear that, because I’m not leaving her unprotected.”

  Samantha rolled her eyes at me. “Hawk Works’ job assignment hasn’t changed. Yours has. We will still be handling her protection. Dillon, your best friend, will still be here. I’ll be bringing other team members on board to do the job. It’s just won’t be you in charge of her safety.”

  I shook my head. “And that’s where we have a problem. I’m not going to trust her safety to anyone else.”

  “That’s not your call to make. You either go back to Austin, or you can find yourself another job.”

  I shrugged like that was fine, although my insides were rattling as I made my decision. “Well, I guess that’s the answer then. I’m not leaving my girlfriend vulnerable to the whims of a madman. I quit.”

  I stormed out the door, not sure which one of us was more stunned about what I’d just done.

  Samantha knew me almost as well as anyone, so she knew what this meant for me to make a move like this. But as I ran up the stairs to the eleventh floor, it occurred to me what this meant.

  I’d put the girl I cared for in front of my job. Something I’d just told her last night that I’d never, ever do. What did that mean?

  Oh my fuck.

  I’d fallen in love with Elle Wilcox.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Elle

  Jonah rushed back into the apartment with his eyes wild. Immediately, blood stopped flowing to my extremities. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and exchanged a quick shake of his head with Dillon. “Nothing. It’s going to be fine. Um, but there’s something you need to know.” He pulled back so he could look at me. “I just quit my job at Hawk Works.”

  “What the hell?” Dillon exclaimed. “Why would you do that?”

  Oh, god. This had all become too much for him—the drama, the craziness, the chaos that made up my life. And who could blame him? I didn’t even like that part of my life.

  Jonah shook his head at Dillon. “I’m sorry, man. Samantha wanted to send me back to Austin. I refused to leave. She refused to listen to reason. So, I quit.”

  Disbelief roared through me. I knew how much his job meant to him. I tapped my hand on his chest. “Wait a minute. I don’t understand. This guy is seemingly getting more dangerous, and she thinks it’s a good idea to pull one of my bodyguards?”

  “No, sweetheart. She plans to replace me, because I got involved with you. But don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving you.”

  “But your job—”

  “I can find a new job. I can’t find a new you.”

  My heartbeat took off like a bullet train. Just last night, he’d told me that I wasn’t as important as his job, but today he quit his job...for me? “But I don’t understand. Why?”

  He gave me a small, tremulous smile. “I realized something when I was talking to Samantha. My job didn’t matter as much as making sure you’re safe, and that’s why I couldn’t leave.” He hesitated for a moment and brushed the pad of his thumb high over my cheekbone, his gaze intense. “But even if this guy wasn’t a threat anymore, I don’t think I could leave. I think I’m falling in love with you.”

  “Oh...wow.” My words came out on a shocked sigh. This was so not what I’d been expecting. My heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest.

  Dillon groaned as if he was in pain, but I ignored him.

  VA clapped her hands together like an excited cheerleader. “I’m so glad I’m here for this. My little girl and her first love.”

  Heat flooded my face. “You had to do this in front of my mom? Oh, god, this is embarrassing.” I buried my face in Jonah’s chest where I could feel him shaking with laughter.

  “Sorry,” he said, although I could still hear the laughter in his voice that negated the apology. “I kind of forgot she was here,” he whispered under his breath.

  Ooh, VA would not like that he had forgotten her presence. Hopefully, she hadn’t heard that part.

  “Isn’t there something you want to say back to him?” VA asked.

  I turned around and glared at her. “Mom!”

  Her eyes widened in shock. I’m not sure if it was because I yelled at her or that I called her mom, something I hadn’t done to her face since I was ten years old.

  My automatic reaction had been to tell him I loved him, too—since it was completely true—but our audience had interrupted the moment. And that was probably a good thing. Jonah couldn’t give up his job for me. He’d eventually grow to regret it, and then, he’d resent me.

  “What’s going to happen now?” Dillon asked.

  Jonah frowned. “I don’t know. I’m assuming Samantha is still going to call in additional Hawk Works guys to replace me, because they’re still the contracted company. But I just couldn’t let her force me out.”

  Dillon looked between Jonah and me. “I don’t like this,” he said. “The three of us work well together. We have a system. Bringing someone else in will disrupt that. And honestly, this apartment isn’t big enough for more people to live here.”

  “You two have worked together a long time?” ViviAnna asked as she waved a hand between Jonah and
Dillon.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Jonah answered. “We were in the military together, joined Hawk Works together, and are roommates in Austin. HW always pairs us as a team just because we do work so fluidly together.”

  “Perfect.” ViviAnna clapped her hands together and pulled out her phone. “I’ll set it up with my accountants. You two will be in charge of Illumination’s security.”

  Dillon sent an alarmed glance at Jonah. “Um, I’m still working for Hawk Works, and I’m assuming your contract is with them. I should still be here working”—he frowned down at his cell phone—“maybe. But regardless of that, your contract is with them.”

  “Nonsense.” ViviAnna waved her hand in the air. “I trust you two to do the job most efficiently, and that’s the ultimate goal here—Illumination’s safety. Don’t worry. Hawk Works will be sufficiently compensated.”

  The guys exchanged another loaded look that said they were really not comfortable with this. Jonah had just quit his job and had to still be reeling from that. Now, VA was suggesting Dillon do the exact same thing.

  I cleared my throat. “ViviAnna, I think we should wait and see what their boss has to say about all this. You’re messing with more than just my security setup. This is their lives, and you can’t just coerce them to do your will.”

  Before anybody could say anything else, there was a knock at the door. Jonah nodded to Dillon, who went to answer it with his gun drawn. After peeking through the peephole, he cut his hand at Jonah, who’d been grabbing my chef knife block. “It’s Samantha.”

  He opened the door, and Samantha swept into the room. She didn’t even look at Jonah, but instead focused on ViviAnna. “Okay, here’s what’s going to happen. I have a team of three other men coming to New Mexico. They will be here on the next flight in from Austin, so in about three hours. In the meantime, I will stay here along with Dillon to make sure nothing happens to Illumination.”

  I clenched my jaw. I really wished everyone would get it through their heads that I preferred to be called Elle. The use of my proper name on top of all the stress and drama was beginning to drive me nuts.