by Iris Abbott
FIVE
The last thing she remembered about Craig Aquila was falling asleep in his embrace. He was long gone by the time she woke. It was just her luck that the gorgeous detective would return for a visit when her eyes and face were all red and puffy from crying. At least she cried tears of happiness.
The three friendly women who come to visit claimed to be distant relatives. They seemed to know an awful lot about the Harlow family. Jenna was convinced they told the truth. It was just icing on the cake that they were friendly and seemed to take a genuine interest in her plight and well-being.
“Detective Aquila!” she tried to hide the joy his presence gave her. She was pretty sure she did a miserable job of keeping the enthusiasm from her voice. The wink Brittany gave her was a dead giveaway that Jenna failed to hide her excitement at seeing the mysterious and fascinating Craig Aquila again.
He stopped right next to her bed and gave her a thorough look-over. His commanding demeanor was enough to make anyone sit up and take notice. It was more than that, however. Jenna felt overwhelmed by his larger than life presence but in a good way. She tingled all the way to her toes when she gazed into his dark eyes.
“Hi!” the greeting sounded trite even to Jenna’s ears. She blushed as heat rushed to her face. She was sure her face turned bright red despite her dark skin.
“Hey yourself, how are you feeling?”
“Much better,” she was quick to inform him.
“Good to hear it.” He looked from her to the other women. He reached out and wiped away a lingering tear with his thumb.
Jenna sucked in a deep breath and held it. His touch felt right. She pressed the side of her cheek into the hand that lingered near her face. The strong and capable fingers cupped the side of her head. Jenna barely managed to suppress a sigh of contentment. Instead, she closed her eyes and savored the moment.
The man was a lingering mystery that she yearned to solve. Her strong reaction to him was confusing. After her first and only long-term relationship turned out to be such a disaster, Jenna couldn’t believe her body’s instant and willing response to a stranger. The clearing of a throat across the room scattered Jenna’s thoughts.
Her eyes widened when she remembered that the two of them were not alone in the hospital room. She completely forgot about her other three visitors.
She jerked away from Craig’s caress. Staring at the hands folded on her lap, Jenna tried to regain some of her lost composure.
“Detective Aquila,” she thought it best to revert to the use of his more formal name. It was a good reminder that she just met the man. Even though he saved her life, she didn’t know anything about him. “I’m glad you stopped by.” Her fingers nervously clenched and unclenched the sheet. The cotton bedding became more and more wrinkled by the second.
“I have visitors! And as it turns out, we’re distantly related. Mrs. Sheldon knows my grandparents, and she’s sure they’ll want to meet me!”
She gave everyone in the room a big smile. She couldn’t help it if her smile were just a little brighter when she looked at Craig.
“Please call me Brianna,” the older woman insisted. “As it turns out, Craig and I met earlier today. We have a few friends in common. He thought I might know your family, so he made arrangements for an introduction.”
“I’m so glad he did!” Jenna exclaimed. “Meeting the three of you was an unexpected but welcome surprise.” It was one more thing for her to be grateful for. Her sexy as sin rescuer was at the top of the list. Jenna didn’t see him being replaced anytime soon, but she couldn’t wait to meet her grandparents.
“We’re glad too,” Jessica agreed. “It wasn’t that long ago that I came to Enigma needing help.” She hugged Brittany and Brianna. “I was looking for a way to survive. I found a family I didn’t know existed and met the love of my life.”
She subtly moved her gaze from Jenna to Craig. “Looks like the two of us might have a lot in common.”
Jenna didn’t know if Craig Aquila was the love of her life, but she sure wouldn’t mind the chance to find out. Her body, as sore as it was from the fall, begged for his touch every time he came near. She could get lost in the erotic thoughts of her rescuer all day long.
“Has anyone told Jenna’s grandparents about her arrival yet?”
Brianna, as the oldest, was the spokesperson for the three women. She stepped up to answer Craig’s question. “Not yet. I wanted to meet Jenna first.”
“And,” Craig arched a brow and waited.
Brianna laughed. “Are you sure you aren’t a cat? You’re as arrogant as Lucian and Phillip.”
Jessica and Brittany snorted at the same time.
“Nope. I’m a creature of a different feather, bird all the way,” Craig promised with a smirk.
“Wait!” The whole conversation was going over Jenna’s head. “Cat? Birds? What are you’ll talking about?”
Brittany stepped forward and gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about that now. Enigma is a unique place. The longer you’re here, the more questions you’ll have.”
She’d always been inquisitive. Jenna wasn’t one to let things drop unless her curiosity was satisfied. “But I’m the only Byrd here.” Her eyes widened, and she was sure they looked huge in her otherwise delicate face. She looked at Craig in horror. “Please tell me we aren’t related in some way.”
“We’re not. Aquila means eagle, that’s all.”
Jenna was sure her sigh of relief was audible, but she didn’t care. “I really want to meet my grandparents.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I don’t want to put them on Scott’s radar, however.”
“Oh honey, try not to worry about that piece of scum. I promise your ex will get what’s coming to him. People like him always do, especially in Enigma.”
Brittany and Jessica agreed with a joint chorus of yeses.
“I’ll talk to your grandparents tomorrow and fill them in on everything that happened. Danger or not I know that they’ll be anxious to meet you.”
Jenna felt old insecurities sneaking up on her again. “Are you absolutely sure. I don’t want to force my way into their lives. If they’d rather not meet me, I’ll understand.”
“You’re breaking my heart,” Brianna said with a sniff. “There was an excellent reason your mother broke off all contact with her family. The danger that drove Janie away and kept her away no longer exists. I promise you that Enigma is a safe place for you and your sister.”
Jenna snorted. “As safe as anyplace can be with the evil likes of Scott West lurking around dark corners.”
Craig made an inarticulate sound that reminded Jenna of a screaming bird of prey. She jumped and instinctively inched away from him. The scary sound sent shivers up and down her spine.
“I told you to let me worry about West. He won’t get near you again.”
Jenna’s tensed muscles relaxed. His spoken words and deep voice immediately put her at ease.
There was a brief knock on the door. All five heads in the room turned that way. The doctor walked in and stopped when he saw the room full of people.
“Well, that’s our cue to leave,” Brianna said. She reached out and grasped Jenna’s hand. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again soon. Take care of yourself.” Brianna squeezed the hand she held before letting go.
“I’m happy all of you came to visit,” Jenna said with a sniff. “And I’m so very grateful, Brianna, that you were able to set my mind at ease about my grandparents. I can’t wait to finally meet them.”
“I can’t wait to see your grandparents’ faces when they meet you for the first time. You’re beautiful, smart, and sweet. They’re going to fall in love instantly! I promise you’ll hear from me soon.”
Jenna blushed at the compliment and stammered out another thank you.
Brittany and Jessica both gave her brief hugs before they said their farewells. The three women spared a wave and a smile for Craig before they quietly exited the room.
> Craig took a step away from the bed, and anxiety bubbled up from nowhere. She reached for his hand and entwined her fingers through his before either one of them knew what was about to happen. “I want you to stay. Please.”
A startled look crossed Craig’s face but instantly disappeared. Not before Jenna saw it, however. She uncurled her fingers and tried to let go of his hand. This time it was his fingers that tightened to ensure they continued to hold hands.
The doctor cleared his throat and greeted his patient and the detective with a curt nod. “You’re one lucky lady,” he informed Jenna. “Your MRI, x-rays, and CAT scan checked out. Somehow you managed to fall twenty or more feet without breaking any bones, sustaining any major internal injuries, or receiving a concussion.”
Jenna flashed the doctor a huge grin. “Trust me, I didn’t feel lucky at the time. I do have to say though, after a night of rest, some pain medication, and being taken care of by the wonderful nurses here, I feel almost normal again.”
“Good enough to go home, I hope. I don’t see any reason to extend your stay beyond tonight. I’d like to discharge you in the morning.”
“That would be wonderful.” Jenna didn’t like being cooped up in the small hospital room. “I paid for a room at the inn until the end of the week. I can lie around in bed there just as good as I can here. And no offense doc, but the hotel’s a heck of a lot cheaper.”
The doctor laughed. Craig grunted. He apparently didn’t find her hospital humor all that funny. The grip on her hand tightened. “I don’t think you should stay in a public place alone. Not until Scott West is dealt with, anyway.”
He had a valid point, but Jenna wasn’t going to take up a bed in a hospital that someone else might actually need. She most certainly was not going to cower in the corner because of her immoral snake of an ex-boyfriend. “I’ll be careful. Besides you already agreed that the inn was a safe place for a single traveling woman.”
Craig grunted and let go of her hand long enough to cross his arms in front of his chest. “You’re still under the protective custody of EPD. I don’t like the idea of you staying at the inn.”
“I don’t want to put out anyone I’ve just met,” she said referring to the three ladies who’d just left. “And despite everyone’s assurance that two elderly people can defend themselves against the likes of someone who is black-hearted and strong enough to shove me off the side of a cliff, please forgive me if I refuse to put a target on their back.”
Now it was her turn to cross her arms in front of her chest as proof that she was dead serious. She wasn’t going to budge on this, and Detective Aquila needed to realize that.
“I’m not allowing you to become a target either,” Craig emphatically informed her.
Jenna huffed. “Look around.” She waved an arm. “We’re having this conversation in a hospital because I’m already a target!”
“Not for much longer,” Craig declared. “People are looking in every crevice and corner of this town for Scott West.”
“See, so I’ll be just fine at the inn.”
“Nope, not going to happen,” Craig insisted.
The doctor cleared his throat. “Now that you know you’re being discharged tomorrow morning, I’ll leave the two of you to hash out what happens after that.” He backed out of the room, solidly shutting the door behind him.
Jenna didn’t blame the poor man. The tension in the room amped up enough that it was almost tangible. She would have made a quick escape too if she wasn’t one of the participants in the colossal battle of wills.
Craig gave her a long look through narrowed eyes. His stance was that of a man who wasn’t going to budge anytime soon. Jenna could tell he wasn’t used to being told no, especially by a woman. That’s just too darn bad, she thought.
“I’ll be back tomorrow morning to pick you up,” he finally said before walking toward the door.
Before she could think of a snappy comeback, he was gone.
Jenna’s heart pounded, and she breathed hard and fast. The detective affected her like no other man ever had. She threw back the thin sheet, straightened the hospital gown, and limped her way to the closed door. Jenna pushed it open and poked her head around the doorjamb.
The two men standing by the door immediately glanced at her. The startled-looking pair of light-blue eyes gazing at her in awe belonged to the rookie officer. Craig’s stare didn’t waiver. The air between them sizzled. Just when she thought she was going to have to look away, Craig winked.
“Miss me already?” he teased.
Before Jenna could take another breath, he leaned in, cupped the sides of her face with both of his hands, and kissed her. His lips pressed against Jenna’s. Her shocked sigh of distress caused her lips to part.
His tongue thrust inside as if seeking a taste of her. She lost all reason. Her world narrowed until only the two of them existed. A tingle shot from their connected lips all the way down to her toes. She moved closer to Craig to deepen the kiss.
His hand drifted down to her shoulder and briefly tightened. “There will be a time and a place for us, but this isn’t it.” Before she could react, he gently put a few inches of space between their hungry bodies.
She lost focus of everything except how Craig made her feel. Mortified that she lost control in front of the officer guarding her door, Jenna stumbled back a step. Craig’s strong arms immediately snaked out and wrapped around her. “Thanks,” she muttered as soon as she regained her balance. She was too embarrassed to look Craig or the guarding officer in the eyes.
“Umm… I think I want a little exercise to test my legs before I’m released tomorrow.” She slowly shuffled back into the room. She barely managed to suppress the desire to keep from slamming the door behind her. Craig’s lingering laughter didn’t help either. He was the sexiest man she’d ever seen, but he was also the most infuriating too!
SIX
Thanks to a last minute tip on the possible location of Scott West, Craig was running late. Unfortunately, the anonymous phone call didn’t pan out. West’s whereabouts were still unknown, which meant that Jenna was still in danger. He wouldn’t rest until the man was no longer a threat. Right now, however, he had another priority, escorting Jenna somewhere safe.
Craig walked toward Jenna’s hospital room at a pace much faster than he usually would have used. The detective wished he could blame the odd feeling that plagued him on his protective instincts. He could not deny they were in high gear. It was something else, however, something more elemental that urged him to reach Jenna’s side as quickly as possible.
The eagle inside him didn’t plan to leave anything to chance when it came to Jenna Byrd. Craig wholeheartedly agreed. Passion simmered just below the surface every time they came near each other. When the danger was over, he was going to take his time and explore every inch and tantalizing curve she had to offer.
He shook off the strange feeling of warmth and need that flowed through him whenever he thought of Jenna. Craig was going to take her to his penthouse apartment, whether she liked it or not. It was the safest place for her to be. And he couldn’t wait for her to live in his home. Craig hurriedly marched toward her room.
Jenna was full of fire. He wouldn’t put it past her to leave the hospital on her own. If she did, Jenna would make a beeline for the inn. Craig wasn’t having that.
She didn’t know she possessed the ability to use magic. Jenna was untutored and unpracticed in the art of witchcraft. She would have no idea she had the innate ability to cast spells and call forth magic. Her witch heritage wouldn’t do her much good since she didn’t know the first thing about it.
Craig rounded the corner. Jenna’s hospital room was in his line of vision. It only took him about a quarter of a second to realize that something was terribly wrong. The uniformed officer assigned to guard her door was nowhere in sight. He could feel feathers ruffling just below his skin as the eagle made his displeasure known.
His hand touched the gun strapped to his
lower back. Adrenaline poured through his body. His heart pounded loud enough for him to hear it. His gut dropped all the way down to his toes, or at least it felt like it did.
He slowly pushed open the door. His eyes darted from corner to corner, taking in everything, missing nothing. His senses were on high alert. His worse fear remained unrealized, however. He spotted Jenna slowly but steadily make her way out of the tiny bathroom.
The uniformed officer stood near the bed. He packed Jenna’s bulkier items into a cardboard box. There were a couple of floral arrangements and a stuffed golden eagle. The flowers he recognized from the Sheldon women. The eagle was new and a big surprise.
Craig greeted the officer with a gruff hello before turning all his attention to Jenna. “I’m glad to see you didn’t ignore my advice.”
She arched a brow. “Really, because it was less about me following orders and more about Officer Hall’s refusal to let me leave on my own.”
Craig shook hands with the uniformed rookie. “Good work. Your diligence is fully noted.” Craig dismissed the younger man with a nod. “You’re free to leave now. I’ll watch over Ms. Byrd for the rest of the day.” And for a long time to come if he had anything to say about it.
“Yes sir, Detective Aquila.” The officer said a quick goodbye to Jenna and hastily exited the hospital room.
Jenna walked over to the bed and finished loading her stuff into the box. “So, you’re going to take over guard duty huh?”
“You better believe it.”
“How are you going to find Scott while you’re watching over me?”
“I have my ways and plenty of contacts. It won’t be a problem.”
Jenna shrugged. “I do not doubt your skills. After all, it was your tracking that helped save my life.”
“Partly,” he agreed. He didn’t think she was ready to learn about witchcraft and animal shifters. He kept the information about the protection spell to himself. There was time enough for her to learn about all that later.
