by Marie Carnay
With a deep breath, she shifted the car down a gear. Then another and another. It slowed, but not enough. I can do this. As the car headed for the rail, she pulled on the parking brake. It slowed more.
If only I weren’t on a hill. As the guardrail neared, Holly turned the wheel. She’d probably hit it, but the spin might stop the car. If she was lucky.
The back end hit first. Metal crunched and ripped and tore with a sickening sound and still the car kept going.
Oh, no. As the rail gave way, the car rumbled over rocks and boulders until it hit the sand. Don’t panic. Don’t panic. Fear clawed at her, digging into her body, trying to mess her up. Make her drown.
Not me. No way. Holly unbuckled her seat belt. There was only one option left. With a deep breath, she grabbed her purse, threw open the car door and jumped.
She landed with a thud on the sand, her knees taking the brunt of the impact. She rolled over and over, coming to rest in a bruised and battered ball a few feet from the waves. As she pushed herself up, her car careened straight into the ocean.
The water lapped over the trunk and doors. It whooshed inside the open driver’s side, splashing and cresting in waves throughout the interior until at last, the ocean claimed it all.
The hood disappeared into the water and Holly crumpled into a heap on the sand. I saved myself from an out-of-control car. A laugh bubbled up inside her and gone were thoughts about Ian and Trent and the mess she’d made that weekend. She’d saved herself from an out-of-control car. She was alive. A survivor.
Thank God for self-defense school. Holly stared at the spot where her car had been, watching the waves lap up on the sand like nothing had happened. She snuffed back a sob. Damn. I loved that car.
* * *
IAN
Ian wiped the sleep from his eyes and poured himself a cup of coffee. After Holly had run out on them the night before, he’d said goodnight to Trent and gone to his room. But sleep didn’t come.
All he could think about was how she’d run away with anger etched into the lines on her face. Was it because she’d kissed two men? Or was there something more behind it?
He knew she’d had a crush on him when they were younger. She’d hang around outside when he came home on the holidays. Always offered to babysit Mandy when he was home for the summer.
But it was different then. He was in college and she was in high school. She was off-limits. And then one day she was gone. He’d come home and her house was on the market. She’d moved to California with her father and her mother was marrying Mosterly the resort tycoon.
It didn’t seem real.
Ian never thought he’d see her again. Hair like amber honey. Deep brown eyes. And now a body he could lust after every second of the day. Fuck. He closed his eyes and took a sip of coffee. He could still feel her breasts pressed against his chest. Her hips beneath his palms.
“Sleeping while standing up? That’s a new one even for you, isn’t it?” Trent walked into the kitchen and grabbed a mug. He poured a cup of coffee as Ian exhaled.
“I was remembering last night.”
Trent snorted. “Which part? The one where you invited a shit ton of bimbos and money-flashers over?”
“The pool. Holiday.”
“Oh, that part. Yeah, well don’t hold your breath. There won’t be a repeat.”
“How do you know?”
“She’s gone.”
Ian shrugged. “She has a job, Trent. She’s probably at work.”
“With her suitcases?”
Ian spun around. “You’re serious? She left? When?”
“Early this morning. I was out for a run and came back just as she threw her stuff in the car. She pulled out and I checked out the guest house. She’s gone.”
Piss. “Did she leave a note? Anything?”
“Not that I saw.”
Ian set his coffee on the counter. He’d wanted her to stay and get to know him all over again. In all the years since they’d been neighbors, he’d never forgotten her. He’d always wondered about the girl next door.
Damn. Ian gripped the counter edge in his palms and leaned against it. “You think we pushed her too hard?”
“She ran away, didn’t she?”
Ian exhaled. He didn’t mean to scare her off. He wanted just the opposite. Why he ever suggested the three of them…
His phone buzzed on the counter and cut off his thoughts. Oh, no. He muttered a curse and Trent stiffened beside him.
“What is it?”
Ian grabbed the phone and swiped it open. “It’s Holly.”
“What about her?” Trent’s voice cut through the silence and Ian glanced up.
“She’s been in an accident.”
“Is she all right?”
Ian ran his hand through his mop of hair. “Hillary doesn’t know. She’s at the hospital being checked out.”
Trent slammed his mug on the counter. “I should have stopped her this morning and told her not to go. Instead, I just watched her drive away.”
Ian’s phone buzzed again and he almost dropped it. Holy shit. That can’t be right. “According to Hillary, her brakes failed. The car crashed into the guardrail down the hill and ended up in the ocean.”
“How’d she get out?”
Ian glanced up. “She jumped.”
“Christ.” Trent stalked back and forth in the kitchen, running his hand over his buzzed hair. “She did everything right and she still could have died.”
Ian nodded, but he couldn’t shake the dread washing over him. It settled low in his gut and he exhaled. “You don’t think it was intentional, do you?”
Trent’s cold gaze mirrored his own. “If it was, then we’ve got a massive problem. Trying to kill someone is a whole hell of a lot more serious than a few threatening emails.”
Ian nodded. He hadn’t taken the threats seriously until now. Sure he’d called Trent and asked him to come out, but it was as much for a visit as it was for a job. Anyone with an internet connection could send nasty emails. It didn’t make for real danger.
But tampering with a car? If Holly hadn’t known what to do…if she hadn’t been so in control…she could be dead because of him. Ian turned to Trent. “What do you want to do?”
“Get Holly back here. ASAP. She needs to stay in the main house where I can watch her. Keep her safe.”
“What about the investigation?”
“I’ll start working overtime. We’ll find out who did this and put an end to it.”
Ian nodded again. “We damn well better. No one’s going to be put in danger because of me.” He grabbed his keys and headed toward the garage.
“Where are you going?”
“To the hospital. She needs to know what’s going on.”
“You should let me check out your cars. I can see if any have been tampered with.”
Ian turned grim. “Whoever did this couldn’t get past the garage security. It’s got full surveillance inside and an alarm on every possible entrance. They went after Holly’s car because it was out in the open. A sitting duck.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Yes, it is. And now we’ve got to fix it.”
Ian turned and strode down the hall. Damn if he was letting some psycho with a bone to pick with his business hurt someone as innocent as Holiday. Trent was right. He never should have asked her to come stay. But now that he had, she couldn’t leave.
What if someone attacked her? What if the next time she couldn’t save herself? She needed them whether she liked it or not.
* * *
HOLLY
Holly shifted in the hospital bed. “I’m fine. Really. I don’t need to stay for observation.”
The nurse gave her a sterilized smile and flipped the page on her chart. “The doctor wants to monitor you for a concussion. You had a nasty spill.”
“No, I jumped from a car as it careened into the ocean. You don’t need to sugarcoat it.”
The nurse flipped the pages back.
“I’m sure the doctor will be around soon.” She turned and walked from the room and Holly flopped back onto the pillow.
First I almost die in a runaway car. Then I get treated like a child by hospital staff. What next?
A knock sounded and before she could say anything, Ian stepped into the room. Oh, great. This day just keeps getting better. She turned toward the window. “What are you doing here?”
He stepped into the room and the door clicked closed. “I’m here to see if you’re okay.”
Holly crossed her arms. “I’m fine.”
“You could have died.”
“I’m well aware of that.”
“From what Hillary and the police said, you handled yourself pretty well.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“Obviously.” Ian stepped forward. “Holiday, I—”
“It’s Holly.” She huffed and looked up at him. Whoa. He didn’t look like the Ian from last night. Gone was the suave guy showing off his house, entourage, and infinity pool. Bags under his eyes marred his handsome face and the worry lines between his brows made him older. Worn. “What is it?”
“I’m worried about you.”
“I’m fine.”
“This time.”
She frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He eased forward and perched on the edge of her bed. Before he spoke, he glanced at the door. “It means Trent and I think your car was tampered with. Intentionally.”
Holly paled. “You mean someone wanted my brakes to fail?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He glanced at the bed and back up at her. “I’ve been receiving some threats related to my shipping business. Until now, they’ve all been over e-mail. But this…I think it’s connected.”
Holly swallowed. This can’t be real. “You mean you have someone out to get you? Like in the movies?”
Ian laughed, but it rang hollow. “Yeah, something like that. Trent’s here for more than just a visit. He does high-end security and private investigations.”
“So he’s not here for a vacation?”
Ian smiled. “No. I hired him.”
Holly nodded. “Thanks for telling me.”
“There’s more.” Ian paused and his muscles ticked as he clenched his jaw.
She waited.
“Trent wants you back at the house. He’s concerned that whoever is threatening me may be targeting you. He wants you close to keep you safe.”
Holly’s mouth fell open. Move back to the guest house? Was he crazy? “I can’t move back to the guest house, Ian. Not after—”
Ian spoke over her. “The main house. He wants you to stay in the main house. It has top-of-the-line security. Cameras. Alarms. Everything. You’ll be safe there.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “What about you? What do you want?”
Ian glanced at the door again before turning back to Holly. “I want you safe. Protected.” She started to interrupt, but he held up his hand. “I know you can handle yourself. But we don’t know who we’re dealing with. I’ve made some enemies in my business. Dangerous ones. Some of them wouldn’t think twice about hurting you to get to me.”
“Why on earth would someone think hurting me would impact you at all?”
Ian grinned. “Maybe they saw the raging hard-on I climbed out of the pool with last night.”
Holly blushed. “I didn’t need to know that.”
“Yes, you did. Look, Holly, I’d be lying if I said the only reason I wanted you at the house was to protect you. But that comes first, all right? Your safety is more important.”
Holly swallowed. Just that morning she’d been furious at herself over staying with Ian. Now he wanted her back and sharing the same house, no less. She bit her lip. “What about Trent?”
Ian shrugged. “He’ll be staying at the main house too.”
“You don’t think that’ll be awkward?”
“Why? Because we both think you’re hot?”
Holly blushed. “I wasn’t going to put it that way.”
“Trust me. Trent’s a professional. He wants you there for a good reason. Say you’ll come.”
Part of her wanted to say no. She could handle herself, damn it. But the other part—the one that still got a rush when she thought of both men—it wanted another chance with both of them.
At last, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll come. On one condition.”
“Anything.”
“You convince the doctor to let me leave right now.”
Ian shook his head. “No way. If you’ve got a concussion—”
“Take it or leave it.”
Ian smiled. “You’re a piece of work, you know that?”
Holly smiled wider. “Keeps things interesting.”
He stood up. “Give me five and you’ll be out of here.”
Holly nodded as Ian walked to the door. She didn’t know if the butterflies in her stomach were from the news he’d delivered, the crash, or the way he smiled at her. But Holly had a feeling her life was about to get a hell of a lot more interesting.
CHAPTER SIX
TRENT
“DON’T YOU THINK this is overkill?”
Trent kept his eyes focused on the road. “No.”
Holly shifted next to him in the Range Rover. “I agreed to stay at Ian’s and I’ve kept myself shut up in that mansion for days just like you asked. Isn’t that enough?”
He frowned. Damn woman. Didn’t she understand the danger she was in? “You could have died.”
“I can handle myself.”
“Against a hired gun?”
“I didn’t—” She stalled out and turned to the window.
At least that got her attention. He didn’t come to Midnight Cove to be the bad guy. But if Ian and now Holly were going to disregard the gravity of the situation…Trent needed to shake some damn sense into them.
His grip on the wheel tightened. “We have no idea who or what we’re dealing with. But no one cuts the brakes on a car without wanting someone dead.” He glanced in her direction. “Anyone want to kill you?”
Holly’s cheeks flushed and Trent bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. Damn if she wasn’t cute mad.
“I’m not in the habit of pissing people off, so no.”
Trent snorted. “Could have fooled me.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
She just doesn’t get it, does she? He slowed the car and pulled over into a parking spot on the side of Main. Turning in his seat, he faced Holly head on. “It means that sometimes you have to swallow your pride and admit you need help.”
Her eyebrows knitted. “You mean I should admit when I need a big strong guy like you to come rescue me?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not some damsel in distress, Trent. I don’t need saving.”
He checked his anger, but he couldn’t soften his tone. “I’m not in the business of letting people I’m hired to protect die, so it looks like you’re stuck with me.”
“I’ve been taking care of myself since I was eighteen. I don’t need a man to do it for me.”
“That’s not what your body said last night.” He revved the engine and pulled out onto the road as Holly’s mouth fell open.
Serves her right. What that woman needed was a strong dose of reality. Starting with how much she wanted him. And Ian. Trent didn’t know what the hell it all meant, but he couldn’t shake the memory of her kiss.
Lips so hungry and raw. Grip tight on his arms as he caged her in. If she hadn’t run away…who knows how far they’d have let it go. All three of them. He ran a hand over his cropped hair and tried to shake it off. Now wasn’t the time.
He glanced her way. “I’m sorry. That was unprofessional.”
She glowered at the road. “You’re damn right it was.”
“It won’t happen again.”
She huffed in the seat but said nothing. After a few minutes, Trent pulled up to the curb and put the SUV in p
ark. He turned to Holly. “What time should Ian pick you up?”
“I still don’t think this whole chauffeuring thing is necessary.”
“What. Time.”
She frowned and grabbed her purse. “Five thirty.”
“I’ll tell him to come inside.”
“Okay.” Holly pushed the door open and hopped out.
“And Holly?”
She turned around and her honeyed curls swung over her shoulder.
“Stay safe.”
She nodded and then she was gone. Trent watched her walk through the front door of Cove Catering before exhaling in a rush.
Fuck. Before he’d shown up in Midnight Cove, his life was orderly. Neat. Now it was turning into a three-ring circus with Holly in the center. It was one thing to chase down leads about threatening emails and hang out with Ian in the evenings.
He’d assumed it was some angry customer halfway around the world who was pissed off at missed shipments or unexpected delays. He’d never expected it could be someone close to Ian. Someone in his own hometown.
Trent cracked his knuckles and stared out at the street. Someone in Midnight Cove had tried to kill Holiday all because she’d spent the night at Ian’s. Was it a crime of convenience or something more sinister?
He didn’t have a clue. But if he didn’t figure it out—and soon—the next time they might not be so lucky. With a deep breath, he turned on the car and pulled back onto the road. He needed to do some digging.
So much for a working vacation.
* * *
HOLLY
“If you want to quit, that’s totally fine. I can manage without you.”
Holly shook her head. “No way. I came here to help you manage the catering business and that’s what I’m going to do. I’ve already missed two days. No silly little accident is going to keep me from supporting my best friend.”
Hillary palmed her hip. “It wasn’t a silly accident. You could have died.”
