“Darling, darling, are you all right? I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean for you to fall. I was just trying to pull you to safety.”
Carefully, Jade moved her head to the left, in the direction of the familiar voice. Mrs. Katrakis, a local business owner, stared down at her with black, penciled-in eyebrows knitted together in concern. Tears welled in the woman’s dark eyes and while Jade wanted to tell her not to worry about it, she couldn’t muster the strength.
“What happened?” Her voice shook.
Mrs. Katrakis’ slightly wrinkled face creased into a tight frown. “That truck tried to run you over, dear. I think he was aiming for you.”
She let out a shaky laugh and attempted to sit up. “That’s crazy.” The guy had obviously been speeding but there was no way it was intentional.
“Here. Let me help you.” She was the same height as Jade and at least thirty years older, but she pulled her up with relative ease. “I got most of the license plate, but I couldn’t get the last digit. My old eyes aren’t what they used to be.” She grimaced and smoothed down Jade’s now wrinkled dress.
Clumsily, Jade tried to help, but the moment she looked down, a wave of nausea gripped her. Her stomach lurched. Without explaining, she gripped Mrs. Katrakis’ hand and allowed herself to be led to a stone bench inside the garden of the nearby Episcopal church. The garden was attached to the church right off King Street, and it was far enough away from the foot traffic that Jade had some privacy if she puked.
“Mr. Taylor is calling the police,” Mrs. Katrakis informed her a few minutes later. Mr. Taylor ran one of the local Irish restaurants and would have moved the sun if Mrs. Katrakis had asked him to. How he even knew what was going on was a mystery. Some of the other storeowners and a group of tourists had gathered outside the courtyard, but she wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about.
“That’s not necessary. Please, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking. There’s no need for this. I just want to go home.”
The older woman patted Jade’s arm. “You hit your head pretty hard so you might have a concussion. I don’t want you moving around.”
She tried to close her eyes, but Mrs. Katrakis shook her shoulders, and she wasn’t gentle about it either.
“Don’t even think about it, Jade. If you do have a concussion, sleeping is the last thing I’m letting you do,” she said in a tone similar to the one Maya used when scolding her boys.
“Please—”
“Don’t argue. The ambulance will be here any minute. I made sure Mr. Taylor informed the dispatcher who your brother-in-law is.” Mrs. Katrakis winked and patted her hand.
The older woman had known her and Maya since they were kids, and she adored Maya’s husband. She was always sending baked goods home with Jade, never forgetting to remind her to share them with Colin and Maya. It’s a wonder she hadn’t called him personally. Maybe she had.
Sirens tore through the air and the ringing in her head grew. All she wanted to do was curl up into a ball and block out the noise.
“Will you be all right by yourself for a few minutes?” She clasped her hands over Jade’s and frowned.
“I’m fine. But will you do me a favor and call my sister? If she hears about this from Colin she’ll freak out. Just let her know I’m okay.” She fished her cell out of her purse and handed it to her.
“Thank you.” Forcing her eyes to stay open, she focused on one of the magnolia trees in the courtyard. The gentle swaying of the leaves and the sweet aroma eased her headache somewhat.
“Jade?” A male voice tore her out of her trance. She turned to find a man wearing an EMT uniform walking through the stone entrance of the garden.
“Yes.” She stood up. Her knees jerked underneath her, but she managed to stay on her feet. She recognized the man, but couldn’t place from where exactly.
“Hi, it’s Peter Tillman. We went to school together.” When she didn’t respond he half smiled. “Any of that ring a bell?”
She frowned at him. “I think you were a year or two ahead of me. Weren’t you in Maya’s class?”
He shook his head. “No, I was in between the two of you.”
“Sorry, my head is a little fuzzy. Judging by your uniform, I’m guessing you’re here to see if I have a concussion?” she asked.
He nodded. “I’m going to ask you some questions that might seem stupid, but I need to determine the severity of your injury.”
“Okay, but where is Mrs. Katrakis? She said she’d be right back.” The woman still had her phone.
“She’s just answering some questions for the police.” He pointed in the direction of flashing lights just barely visible through the trees before handing her phone over. “She said to give you this.”
Jade clutched it in her hand. “Wait, the police?” She was afraid this had blown up into something much worse than it was.
“She said the man who almost hit you sped up instead of slowing down. Do you remember any of that?”
“Yes, maybe, well, not really.” The vision of the truck homing in on her was clear, but the only other thing she remembered was her head slamming onto the sidewalk. And if she forgot, she was sure she’d have a splitting headache for hours to remind her.
She winced as she eased back down on the cold bench. When her skin touched the cool stone, an involuntary shiver ran down her spine.
“Here. Take this.” Peter pulled off his lightweight windbreaker and put it around her shoulders.
It engulfed her, but when another shiver racked her body, she drew it tighter. It had been warm this morning but Florida weather in the winter was erratic. It felt as if the temperature had dropped ten degrees since then. “Thanks. Shouldn’t we be doing this in the ambulance?”
“Normally, yes, but there are a lot of onlookers and I didn’t think you’d want everyone staring at you.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you know where you are?”
“Yes. I’m in a courtyard sitting on a bench.” As forewarned, the questions were stupid, but she nodded and answered each one. For the next twenty minutes she answered what felt like a billion questions ranging from what was her age, what day it was, who was the president, and what she had for breakfast. He also tested her balance, coordination and reflexes.
When he was through with his evaluation, he snapped his notebook shut. “Your balance is a little off, but I think it’s safe to say you don’t have a concussion. I’m recommending that you take some Tylenol for your headache. Just don’t take any headache medicine with aspirin in it, okay?” He stood up and started walking in the direction of the small parking lot off to the side of the church.
Jade followed suit and walked with him. At the exit, she saw that the flashing lights had been deceiving. It had looked like an entire army of officers were beyond the courtyard when there was just one car and one police officer.
“Okay. Nothing with aspirin. I think I can remember that.” Her headache was fading and the only pain she really felt was in her upper body. When she’d hit the ground, her shoulders had taken the brunt of the impact. At least she didn’t need to go to the hospital. A few bruises as opposed to a broken body, she could deal with any day.
“Do you have anyone to stay with you tonight?”
“Excuse me?” She stumbled in her already broken heels, but he caught her elbow in a protective grip.
He chuckled lightly. “I seriously doubt you have a concussion, but someone needs to wake you up after a few hours to make sure you can wake up.”
“Oh. Of course.” She was thankful for the semidarkness that hid the flush in her cheeks. Maybe she had hit her head harder than she’d thought.
“Did you think I was inviting myself over?”
“God, I’m so sorry. The question took me off guard. Blame it on my head injury.”
“That’s okay. I think the police want to talk to you, but it shouldn’t take too long.”
“It won’t take any time at all.” A deep voice from behind the
m made her jump.
“David. What are you doing here?” She swiveled and had to catch herself from falling once again.
He stepped out from the shadows of one of the trees. He appeared almost angry, but she couldn’t imagine why he would be. She also didn’t understand why he was here. Had she called him?
“I’m here to take you home.” He answered her unspoken question and his words were clipped.
“How did you know I was even here?” She didn’t remember asking Mrs. Katrakis to call him. Or had she? Everything had happened so fast.
“Maya called me. She wanted to make sure you were okay and that Mrs. Katrakis wasn’t confused. I got down here as fast as I could.”
She rubbed the back of her skull and concern flickered across his face. Despite the intense gleam in his eyes, his words were soft. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, I just want to get home.”
He turned his attention away from her and looked at Peter, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I’ve already talked to Officer Morales. They can take her statement tomorrow. Is she free to go?”
Peter nodded. “Yep, she’s got a clean bill of health. Although, she will need someone to wake her up at least once tonight to make sure she doesn’t have a concussion.”
“It’s taken care of. I’ll be staying over.” He moved over to Jade and put a possessive arm around her shoulders.
She started to protest, but the dark look in his eyes stopped whatever she might have been about to say. He might as well have been a dog marking his territory the way he was holding on to her. Mutely, she nodded.
“I’m parked over there.” He pointed to the other side of the parking lot and she noticed his truck for the first time. They started to leave when she remembered she was still wearing Peter’s jacket.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” She slipped off the windbreaker and handed it to Peter. “Thanks for making everything so easy.”
“No problem. And don’t forget what I said. Nothing with aspirin in it.”
“I promise. It was good seeing you again.” She smiled and half waved as she walked away with David.
He was silent the rest of the way to the truck, even when he opened her door and helped her inside. “Thank you for coming to get me. I hadn’t even thought far enough ahead about how I’d get home.”
“You don’t have to thank me for anything, Jade. I just wish I’d known sooner.” He kicked the truck into gear and turned out onto the street.
“I couldn’t even think straight earlier. I gave my phone to Mrs. Katrakis and told her to call Maya.” She sighed and laid her head back on the seat. “You don’t have to stay over tonight you know. Peter said I didn’t have a concussion.”
“Peter, huh? You seem to know him pretty well.” His voice had an unmistakable edge.
She opened her eyes and glanced at him. “Is that why you’re acting weird?”
He didn’t respond, but she could see the whites of his knuckles as he gripped the steering wheel.
“Jealousy doesn’t look good look on you, David.” She shook her head and immediately regretted it.
“You still didn’t answer my question,” he growled.
“We went to school together, and if I remember correctly he had a monster crush on Maya. Besides, after last night I wouldn’t think you’d be worried about anything anyway.” After last night he should know he had nothing to be worried about. She’d been scared of the thought of letting anyone else touch her but with David, everything had been so natural.
“I didn’t like the way that guy was looking at you,” he muttered.
“Somehow I have a feeling you wouldn’t have liked it if he’d been an eighty-year-old man with a walker. David, he was just doing his job.”
“I should have been there.” He sighed and turned down her street.
Jade reached out and laid a light hand on his leg. “I would have called you immediately, but it’s second nature for me to call Maya for anything.”
He steered the truck into her driveway and put his truck in park. “I know. When Maya called and said you’d been hurt, I thought… She didn’t give me many details except that you’d almost been hit by a car. She wanted to come too, but I told her I’d take care of things. Then when I got there and saw you wearing that guy’s jacket…”
When he didn’t continue she unsnapped her seatbelt and opened her door. She understood what he was trying to say. “Come on. If we don’t get inside soon I’m liable to pass out in your truck.”
He reached behind his seat and grabbed a large bag.
She frowned at it. “What’s that?”
“An overnight bag.” His voice was wry.
“Don’t be a smartass, David. I know what it is. It just looks a little…”
“A little what?”
“Big.”
“That’s because I’m staying over for a few days.”
A few days? He couldn’t be serious. “I really don’t think that’s necessary.”
“Don’t waste any energy arguing because it’s happening.” He heaved his bag on his shoulder, took her purse from her hands and headed for the front door.
Once inside he disappeared up the stairs, presumably to put his things up. Jade headed straight for the kitchen. Her headache was fading and even though it was still early she was ready to sleep and medicine would help that happen faster. No sooner had she popped two tablets in her mouth, and David appeared in the doorway.
“Feeling any better?” he asked.
“A little. I think I’m a bit more shaken up than hurt.” She took at seat at the center island.
“Do you feel like talking about what happened? Your sister wasn’t very helpful.” He followed suit and sat next to her.
“I’m surprised she didn’t rush right down there,” she said.
“She wanted to, but Colin was still at work and she didn’t want to bring the boys down there and have them jumping all over you.”
Remembering what had happened the night before in the exact place they now sat, Jade forced herself to focus on the present situation. “Everything happened so quickly. I remember stepping from the curb, a truck barreling down on me, and then being pulled to safety.”
“If anything had happened to you…” He shuddered lightly and for a brief moment she saw a side of him he rarely showed to the world. He looked scared. Honest to God afraid.
For her.
Something cinched around her heart but before she could dwell on it, David leaned in slowly. He gave her time to pull back before he covered her mouth with his.
Her breath caught in her throat as their lips touched. With her head already hazy, this only added to her lightheadedness. He gently explored her mouth with his tongue, taking her bottom lip teasingly with his teeth. His lips were soft and gentle. There was nothing fervent about this kiss. He kissed her like a man with all the time in the world.
One strong hand strayed to her hips and he pulled her closer, gently, as if she were made of porcelain. The other hand settled on her cheek, cupping her jaw. All thoughts of out of control trucks and headaches disappeared. Her heart fluttered, and her knees went weak like she was some silly teenage girl. But she was no girl and David definitely wasn’t a boy.
With both hands, she grabbed the front of his shirt and clutched the cotton fabric. She swayed slightly toward him, expecting him to pull her tighter. Lord knew she wanted to increase their kiss. Instead, he pulled back, leaving her dazed and even more confused.
“I think that’s enough for tonight, sweetheart. You’ve had a long day. ” His voice and his breathing were rough and unsteady.
Sweetheart. She liked the sound of that. A hot sensation pooled between her legs, and she wanted to protest but knew he was right. Her body craved him, but it also craved sleep. Visions of her plush silk comforter danced in her head. “All right. How long will you let me sleep before waking me up?”
He glanced at his watch. “About two hours.”
She yawned and stre
tched. Normally she didn’t go to bed until midnight, but her body wasn’t giving her much of a choice.
He walked her to her room, and once they were inside, awkwardness settled in the pit of her stomach. With David so close to her bed it took all of her control to say what she needed to say. She’d hoped to have this conversation under different circumstances, but the words needed to be said, especially since things between them had changed. “David, you know how much you mean to me, right?”
His expression was shuttered as he leaned against the door frame. “I don’t think I like where this is going.”
She took a step forward and grasped both of his hands in hers when she realized he misunderstood her intentions. “No, that’s not what I mean. What I mean is, well, I’m not exactly sure what I’m trying to say. It’s just that this thing with us, I know it’s physical—really physical—and I know how much you care for me. What I don’t know is how I… I guess what I’m trying to say is that I don’t think I’m leading you on, but I’m still unsure of where we’re headed.” Okay, she’d just talked herself in circles.
“You don’t have to explain anything.” His arms went around her like steel bands as he gathered her against his chest. “I know this is all new and unexpected. I don’t expect you to have all the answers about us right now, and I’m not asking for any.”
“Okay.” Her voice was muffled when she spoke into his chest.
He murmured something into her hair, but it was impossible to understand. His hands lightly stroked down her spine, and she wished there wasn’t quite so much clothing between them. She wanted to feel his naked body against hers but knew it wasn’t happening right then. He must have read her thoughts because he dropped a chaste kiss on her forehead before shutting the door behind him.
* * * * *
Keith paced the floor of the room he’d rented for the week. He’d opted to stay in a bed and breakfast instead of a hotel because it was easier to pay in cash. He’d made it clear to the owner he didn’t want to be disturbed, and so far his needs had been granted. Too bad the men he worked with weren’t as competent.
He wanted to punch something. Idiots. He was dealing with idiots. Why the man he’d hired had tried to run Jade Hadley down with a truck was beyond his realm of understanding. He needed her intimidated, not killed. Stupid. That’s what he got for dealing with small-time drug runners. She probably wasn’t intimidated at all. Shaken up but not terrified like he needed her. She wouldn’t have any idea that her near miss with death had been intentional.
Tempting Target Page 11
