by Rebecca Deel
“Sure,” Alex said. “Thanks.”
Anthony waved them to the small maple table. “Heard about Ian this morning on the news. His death is connected to your father’s, isn’t it?”
“Why do you think that?”
The analyst snorted. “Come on, Alex. First your father is killed, then one of his staffers dies just days later. Doesn’t take a genius to realize someone thought Ian knew something.” He placed filled coffee mugs in front of Ivy and Alex along with sweetener. “Got creamer in the fridge if you want that.” He smiled. “My wife got me hooked on French vanilla and chocolate chip cookie.”
Ivy grinned. “Your wife had great taste.”
“How was Ian those last days at the office?” Alex asked. “Anything bugging him that you know about?”
A sip of the coffee, then, “Yeah, but I’m not sure what it was. I noticed he was watching Pierce pretty closely the last few weeks. I caught Ian once in the boy’s office on his computer.”
“Did you ask him about it?”
“Sure. Got the royal runaround. Ian said he was checking the computer, making sure all the software and virus protection were up to date.”
“And that was unusual for Ian?”
“That boy knew next to nothing about computers. Had to constantly call me or the tech people to help him out.”
“So he was covering up what he was really doing. Any idea what he might have been after?”
“No, but he and Pierce had some sharp words a few days before your father was shot.”
“Do any eavesdropping?” Ivy asked.
“Just enough to get the impression that Pierce was sticking his nose into the senator’s personal business.” Anthony finished his coffee and set the mug aside. “Ian told Pierce if it happened again, he’d inform the senator and get Pierce canned. Fired Pierce up pretty fast. Claimed he’d been asked for the information by a friend.”
“Did he happen to mention the military or a mission?” Alex asked.
The older man frowned. “I did hear a word or two about the military. I didn’t think much of it, though. Pierce used to be in the Army.”
Alex sat back in his chair, arms folded across his chest. “That’s interesting. Know what his rank was?”
“No clue.”
“I’ll find out. Have you given any more thought to that job I mentioned?”
Anthony jumped up. “Yes.” He grabbed a brown letter-sized envelope. “Here’s my information for you to pass along. I’m ready for a change. I think I’ve had enough of D.C. politics.” The analyst gave Alex a wry smile. “Might be a good idea to get out of here before someone comes after me.”
“Do you know anything that could put your life in danger?” Ivy asked. “We have friends who can protect you until the killer is behind bars.”
Anthony’s gaze studied her a moment before shifting to Alex. “I don’t think I have anything to be worried about, but Ian didn’t think so either and look what happened to him.”
“Do you need to go back to the office?”
“I have a few personal items in my desk that I’d like back, but when your father died, my job ended. Whoever replaces your father will want to bring on his own staff.”
Alex pulled out his cell phone. “Let me call a friend. He’ll go with you to the office, help you pack up your belongings. Quinn will make sure you’re safe. After that, we’ll see about sending you to Nashville for an interview. Stay for a few days, at least until I have things wrapped up here. Go pack what you’ll need for a vacation and an interview. I’ll make the arrangements.”
Ivy eyed Alex after the analyst hurried from the room. “Did you just offer him a job?”
“Not me, angel. Fortress. They always need top quality researchers. I already told Brent about Wells. If he’s as good as I think he is, Wells has a good chance of getting hired on immediately.”
He called Quinn, made arrangements for his friend to borrow Stella’s car and come to escort the analyst to the Hill. Next, he called Brent and talked to him about bringing the man to Nashville for an interview.
Ivy was impressed that in under ten minutes, Alex had arrangements for a bodyguard and a plane ride to Nashville. She loved that he cared so much about other people, unlike his brother. Porter seemed to care only about himself and money. Though he was responsible for his mother’s welfare now, Porter didn’t act like what she wanted mattered to him at all.
Alex glanced up then, his gaze locked on Ivy’s. “Yeah, Brent, she’s here with me. Why?” He closed his eyes a second, pulled the phone from his ear and hit the speaker button. “Okay, go ahead.”
“Holding up okay, Ivy?”
“Alex is taking good care of me. What’s wrong?” Her stomach knotted. Alex’s boss wouldn’t be asking to speak to her unless the news about her parents or Lee was bad. Surely one of her relatives would have called if something had happened to her mother and father.
“Your parents are safe. We have operatives watching over them.”
Great. That left Lee. “What about Lee?” She already knew from her boyfriend’s grim features the information forthcoming would be bad.
“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to tell you straight out. Lee’s been paroled. He’s been out of prison for a few weeks.”
Ivy dropped her head in her hands. So that’s why her mother had been so insistent that she come home. Mari Monroe was still trying to get her back together with Lee. The betrayal left an ugly mixture of bitterness, resentment and renewed fear churning in her gut. She’d have to get a restraining order, not that it would do much good. Hadn’t the last time she had one.
A rustling sound, then a pair of strong arms wrapped her in a tight hug. Ivy turned into his embrace, buried her face against Alex’s neck.
“Tell her the rest,” he said to his boss.
“I’m sorry, sugar, but Lee has skipped town. No one knows where he is. I’ve started the process of tracing him, but it could take a while. He’s covered his tracks pretty well. So well I’d say he’s had some help.”
“His parents or mine,” Ivy said.
“You serious?” Disbelief rang in Brent’s voice. “Your parents would help a scumbag like that? One who hurt their own daughter?”
A sad laugh slipped past Ivy’s lips. “Didn’t you hear that what happened was my fault? Lee wouldn’t have acted that way if I hadn’t pushed him too far.”
Alex’s arms tightened around her as he pressed his lips to her temple.
“I’ll find him, Ivy. You still working out with Alex?”
She lifted her head, stared at the man holding her. “Yes.”
“Keep it up. What he’s teaching you will work. Use everything at your disposal to stay safe. If you have to fight him off, don’t hold back. Fight dirty. Keep your cell phone with you at all times, even at home. Make sure all your windows and doors are locked.”
“I will, I promise.”
“Good. Alex?”
“Yes, sir?”
“You take care of her while I track down this miserable excuse for a man.”
“I plan on it.”
“I’ll be in touch soon.”
Alex returned the phone to his pocket, studied her face. “I won’t let him hurt you again, baby. If he comes after you, it’ll be the last thing he ever does.”
“I know.” She pressed a kiss to his jaw. He would do everything in his power to keep her safe. But Alex wouldn’t always be with her. It didn’t matter. She had a cell phone and knew how to dial 911. Otter Creek wasn’t that large. A cop would be on her doorstep in minutes. Lee might rough her up some, but she would survive anything he could dish out and make him wish he’d stayed with his mother. “I’m not running scared anymore, love. My life is worth fighting for. You are worth fighting for. I won’t let Lee Hall steal that from me.”
His fingers skimmed down her arm to her charm bracelet. He twisted the jewelry around and cradled the tiger with his fingers. “Lee Hall doesn’t stand a chance aga
inst you, angel.”
Anthony returned to the kitchen, two packed bags in his hands. “I’m ready to go.”
Alex stood. “Excellent. My friend, Quinn, should be here in a few minutes. He’ll go with you to Capitol Hill and then take you on to the airport. Fortress will have a plane ready for takeoff when you arrive.”
“Fortress?”
“Fortress Security. They’re a black ops groups that specializes in hostage retrieval and the occasional terrorist.”
“Huh. They any good?”
“The best.”
The research analyst blinked. “Well, if Fortress hires me, I’d say this job will be a lot of fun.”
Quinn arrived ten minutes later. After giving him an update, Alex and Ivy were back in the SUV. “Where to now?” Ivy asked.
“Lunch, then we’ll meet Durango at Charlotte’s.”
“Aren’t we going to see Sean Pierce?”
“You aren’t.”
Ivy’s hand fisted. “You won’t go alone. Promise me.”
His hand covered hers. “I hadn’t planned to go by myself. I want someone to watch my back since it appears Pierce is working with Evans.”
“All of them. You take all of Durango. There are five of them in the area, six if you count Pierce.”
“You and Del need protection.”
“We have Stella. You need your team backing you up. Please, Alex, do it for me. If something happened to you, it would break my heart.” A heartbreak from which she would never recover.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Alex chuckled at Ivy. She was almost vibrating with excitement in the passenger seat. Who knew visiting Charlotte Abrams and her son, Sam, would bring such a strong reaction. His girlfriend had made him stop at a toy store after lunch to buy a small gift for the toddler. Another blue elephant, only this one was smaller. A friend for his elephant, she’d explained. Ivy Monroe was one in a million, that was for sure.
After being cleared by Charlotte’s security detail, Alex drove along the winding driveway and parked behind his teammates’ SUV. Josh opened the door at their knock.
“Perfect timing,” he said. “Sam woke up a few minutes ago.” He walked with them into the large living room.
His teammates were ranged around the room, some on the sofa, another on the recliner. Rio was on the floor, rolling a ball back and forth with the small red-headed boy. The team’s medic looked like a proud father. Guess he was pleased with Sam’s development.
“Alex!” Charlotte threw her arms around his neck, hugged him tight. “I’m sorry I couldn’t speak with you yesterday.”
“Don’t worry about it. You look great, Charlotte.”
She laughed. “You just keep telling me that, you sweet talker.” The president’s daughter released him and turned her gaze to Ivy. “Who’s this beautiful lady, Alex?”
“Charlotte, this is Ivy Monroe. Angel, meet Charlotte Abrams. The little bundle of energy on the floor with Rio is Sam.”
“Thank you for letting us visit with you and Sam today.” She held up the gift bag. “I brought a friend for Sam’s elephant.”
“Oh, boy. You’ve probably made a friend for life. He never lets the elephant the guys gave him out of his sight.” She leaned close, whispered, “I have to steal his elephant at night every couple weeks so I can wash him.”
Ivy grinned.
“Sam,” Charlotte said. “Come here and meet a new friend.”
The little boy climbed to his feet and ran to his mother, grinned at Alex. “Unca Alex.”
“Hey, buddy.” He dropped to one knee and the little boy threw himself into Alex’s open arms. “You’ve grown a lot since the last time I was here.”
“Sam big boy.”
He ruffled the toddler’s hair. “Yeah, you are, slugger.”
“Play ball?”
“Sure. I want you to meet somebody first.”
Ivy knelt beside him. “Hi, Sam. My name is Ivy.” She held up her bag. “I brought a friend for your elephant. Want to see?”
Sam nodded, squatted beside the bag. He peered over the top, poked at the tissue paper.
“Your elephant’s friend is hiding under the paper. Can you find him?” Ivy asked.
The boy stuck his hand in the bag, ripped off the top layer of tissue paper and looked inside. His eyes widened. “Elephant.”
Ivy smiled. “Do you think your elephant would like to be friends with this little guy? He looked pretty lonesome on the store shelf.”
Sam reached in the bag and drew out the smaller blue elephant. To Alex, Ivy’s elephant looked like a younger brother to Sam’s.
“Mommy, elephant.”
Charlotte laughed. “I see that. What do you say to Ivy for the toy?”
The little boy turned his big brown gaze on her, threw his toddler arms around her neck. “Sam love Ivy.”
His girlfriend’s eyes grew damp as she hugged the boy. “Ivy loves Sam,” she said, her voice choked. Alex wasn’t sure if it was the emotions rolling through her at the moment or the fact little Sam was squeezing her neck for all he was worth in thanks for the gift. Either way, it was a touching moment to witness.
Sam turned loose and grabbed Ivy’s hand. “Ivy play.” Together, they returned to the center of the room and Ivy joined in rolling the ball with Rio and Sam.
Alex stood next to Charlotte, watching the game in progress. Ivy was going to be a great mother one day. She had so much patience and as much innocent joy as Sam did in something so simple. He prayed one day she’d be playing ball with their own children.
“You’re right, Alex,” Charlotte murmured.
“About?”
“Your Ivy. She’s very special. Hold onto her.”
“That’s my plan. I just have to convince the lady.”
“I don’t think you’ll have to work very hard at that, buddy. I saw the way she looked at you.”
His gaze darted to Ivy’s bent head. Man, he hoped Charlotte was right.
Sam looked at Charlotte. “Mommy, Ivy outside?”
“If she wants to go. Maybe Uncle Alex and the others would like to go outside to play, too.”
“Play?” Sam asked the group.
The guys all got to their feet and followed Ivy and Sam out the door to the backyard. Del and Stella brought up the rear of the entourage. Alex stayed beside Charlotte as the rest of their group took turns kicking the ball to Sam. Once in a while, one of Durango would grab Sam like a football and trot around the yard with him causing the toddler to giggle and laugh.
“Durango is so good with him,” Charlotte said.
“We have a vested interest in that little guy.”
“I hope you take as much interest in Sam’s brother or sister,” she whispered.
Alex tugged Charlotte into a bear hug. “Congratulations. Does Sam know?”
“Griff and I told him, but I don’t think he really understands yet. Maybe when I start showing.”
“Are you feeling all right?” He knew a little about morning sickness from the problems Josh’s sister, Serena, had experienced.
“Some. I’m just glad most of it passes before Sam wakes up in the mornings.”
Rio trotted up with Sam. He handed the toddler to Alex. “Your turn to run this wiggly football around the yard.”
“Sure. You should spend some time with Charlotte. She’s pregnant.”
Rio grinned. “Fantastic. Don’t make me deliver this one, too, please.”
She held up her hands. “Griff isn’t letting me leave the country until after the baby’s born. He says he’s too old to deal with that kind of fear again.”
Alex played with Sam until the toddler pointed and said, “Sam play with Ivy.”
“Good choice.” He set the boy on his feet. “Go get her.” If Ivy agreed to marry him, would they have boys as amazing as Sam? He smiled. Or girls as beautiful as Ivy? Frankly, Alex didn’t care if they had boys or girls. Sam and Ivy’s laughter rang out in the yard, brought smiles to the members of Durango.
In the midst of watching Ivy let Sam tackle her to the ground, the back of Alex’s neck started to tingle. His smile faded as he quartered the area. Found nothing out of the ordinary. But the itch wouldn’t go away. His gut knotted. Not good. One more sweep of their surroundings and a flash of light caught his attention. Like the glare of the sun off glass. Couldn’t be a car. Nothing but hills in that direction. Another flash of light. And he knew what the light was.
“Gun!” Alex yelled.
Ivy curled her body around Sam’s. Alex dove for Ivy and Sam, covering them with his body just as a shot shattered the peaceful afternoon. He grunted at the sudden sting in his arm. “Quinn, three o’clock on the hill.”
His spotter took off running.
Secret service swarmed the yard, a couple peeling off to follow Quinn beyond the grounds.
Alex scanned the area, checking on his teammates. Josh covered Del much as he was protecting Ivy and Sam. Rio was doing the same for Charlotte. Nate and Stella had their weapons out, quartering the area, searching for another possible shooter.
“Rio.”
“She’s fine. Sam?”
“He’s good.” Excellent, in fact. The toddler thought the whole thing was a game because Ivy had him laughing as she tickled him. Sam had no clue the woman playing with him was pale as a ghost. “Let’s get them inside. On three.”
At his count, Durango hustled Charlotte, Sam, Ivy and Del inside the house with the Secret Service providing a wall of protection around them. Glancing down, he scowled at the bleeding crease across his biceps. Just great. He hoped their medic had brought his supplies. As they moved to safety, Alex made sure his left arm was not in the toddler’s line of sight.
Inside the house, Charlotte turned, caught sight of his arm, paled. “Ivy, let me take Sam. Take Alex into the bathroom. Down the hall, first door on your right.”
Ivy jerked around, her eyes widening as she took in his arm. “Alex.”
“Just a scratch, angel. I’m okay.”
“I’ll get my bag.” Rio went out the front door. A minute later, he followed Alex and Ivy into the bathroom. “Hold your girl, Lieutenant. Looks like she’s a little shaky.”
