More nods and agreeing.
Luke pulled his phone from his pocket. “I keep meaning to check on your apartment investigation and if they found any prints.”
Finn frowned. “How are you doing, Sophie? We’ve been so focused on Jordan and Katie that I feel like we’re neglecting your issues.”
“You’re not ignoring them at all,” she said. “I’m not going to say I’m doing okay, but I’m doing as well as can be expected, I suppose.” Her phone buzzed. A quick glance at the screen confirmed it was her father. “I need to answer this. Excuse me, please.”
“Of course.”
Sophie slipped away from the table and into the quieter area near the restrooms. “Hi, Dad.”
“I’m just checking on you. How was the funeral?”
“About like what you would expect. Sad. Devastating. Hopeful in that we know we’ll see him again in heaven one day.”
“Yeah.”
“How are things with you?” She could hear traffic in the background.
“I’m fine. Your brother called me a little while ago.”
She stilled. “Okay.”
“He’s enlisted.”
“He really did it?” So, he’d gone from buying fabric softener to enlisting in the Marines?
“Yes.”
Sophie rubbed her eyes before remembering she had makeup on. She dropped her hand and let out a long, slow sigh. “Okay, well, I guess it’s his life.” Did those words really come out of her mouth?
“That’s what he says.” Her dad sounded as surprised as she felt, but she didn’t have the energy to do anything about it. “But enough about him,” her father said. “I want to know about you. Did anyone ever find who it was that called the house looking for you? And the person who broke into it?”
“Not yet. I think they tried to track the call, but whoever it was used a burner phone. As for whoever broke into the place, that’s still being investigated. So far, they haven’t found anything.” She paused. “You haven’t had any more trouble, have you? Something you’re not telling me?” She frowned, concerned he was keeping something from her.
“Not a bit. I guess the police car on the house is an effective deterrent.”
Either that or the person was keeping up with her and realized she wasn’t going anywhere near her father or brother, so why bother with them?
“I’m glad.”
“And no one is bothering you?”
“I’m fine.” It wasn’t an outright lie. Her dad didn’t need to know about the man at the funeral or anything else. He’d just worry, and she didn’t want to do anything to send his anxiety soaring or she’d find him camped out nearby. “I have plenty of protectors surrounding me. Even if someone wanted to try something, they’d have a very difficult time getting near me.” Like the guy at the funeral.
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear that. All right, hon, I’ve got to go. Let’s catch up a bit later.”
“Do you still have some of those dinners I made in the freezer?”
“I do.”
“And what about clothes? Do I need to have a friend come over and do a load?”
“I think I’m fine for now.”
“All right, then, let me know when you start running low.”
“Will do, honey.”
“Okay, Dad. Bye. Love you.”
“You, too.”
She hung up and sighed and tried not to think about her brother’s decision. Trey was a big boy. He was going to learn some things the hard way. But she’d pray for him. A lot.
When she returned to the table, Luke shot her a concerned look. “Everything okay?”
“Just my dad checking on me.” She took a sip of her water.
“I got a call while you were on the phone. They didn’t find any prints in your house.”
“Of course not,” she said.
“They did find a pair of gloves tossed in your trash can, though, which explains why he didn’t have them on when he punched me. But no, there weren’t any prints. And before you ask, they were cloth gloves, not latex or vinyl, so no prints on the inside either.”
“Figures.” She sighed. “I don’t suppose it would be a good idea to return home at this point, would it?”
“You’re kidding, right?” Luke asked.
She grimaced. “Pretty much.”
“You’ve had it rough the last few days,” Finn said. “First being kidnapped, being slammed in the car wreck, the threatening call to your dad, your home invasion and then the attempted attack at the funeral. It’s obvious that this guy isn’t giving up. I’d say you need to stay right where you are where you have trained eyes watching out for you.”
Sophie nodded. “I know.”
Finn looked at Luke. “And we need to be prepared for him to try again.”
* * *
Luke could feel his tension rising to new levels as the conversation centered on protecting Sophie.
“We have to stay focused,” Gavin said.
“Exactly, so, no arguing about who’s taking Jordan’s place,” Tony said with a scowl in Gavin’s direction. After a chorus of agreement, they fell silent to focus on their food—and thoughts.
“I said you’re overdoing it and you don’t need to be walking out to your car alone at night.” Zach’s voice came from behind him and Luke turned to see Violet standing next to Zach, hands on her hips.
“Well, I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” she snapped. “I’m a big girl and can take care of myself.”
“What’s going on?” Luke asked.
Zach scowled. “She’s taking a night class at the college and it’s not safe.”
“It’s perfectly safe, Zach, I promise.”
Zach’s brows rose as he realized they were the center of attention in the small back room. He flushed. “So, are you taking precautions? Watching behind you? Making sure you’re not being followed?”
“Come on, Zach, you’re making too big a deal out of this. I have my pepper spray.”
“Pepper spray! Don’t you know someone can take that away from you and use it on you?”
Violet stamped a foot. “Do you really think I’m so stupid and careless? That I’m completely incompetent? Wow, you really don’t think much of me at all, do you?”
“That’s not what I—”
Violet spun and disappeared back into the kitchen.
Zach huffed and pinched the bridge of his nose while silence reigned for an uncomfortably long few seconds. Then he threw his napkin on the table as he stood. “Excuse me, folks, show’s over. I’m going to grovel in private.”
“That’s the smartest thing you’ve said in the last fifteen minutes,” Luke murmured.
Sophie turned wide eyes on him as Zach disappeared to find Violet. “What was that all about?”
“I have my suspicions,” he said.
Twenty minutes later, Luke paid the bill for both him and Sophie, left a tip on the table and stood. “Are you ready?” he asked Sophie. Bruno stood when Luke did. The dog stretched and kept his eyes on Luke, who scratched his ears.
“More than,” Sophie said. “I’m exhausted. I want to check on Katie, though.”
“You want to go by the house?”
She hesitated. “No. She’s got Jordan’s parents there and Noah, Carter and Zach will be heading that way, too, so I think I’ll just text her when we get in the car.”
Together, they left the restaurant and stepped into the cool night air. “I love this time of year in New York,” she said. “Not too hot, not too cold—and not too humid.”
“All one day of it?” Luke said with a smile. “You realize tomorrow it could be thirty degrees.”
She gave a soft laugh. “I know, so let me enjoy it while it lasts.”
He held her arm as they started ac
ross the street, Bruno trotting on his left side, Sophie on his right. Halfway to the other side, a loud roar reached him and when he turned, a single headlight blinded him.
Without thinking, Luke tightened his grip and yanked Sophie away from the path of the motorcycle. Two gunshots rang out. Glass shattered behind them.
Sophie cried out and stumbled against him. Luke went to his knees in front of the car parked on the side of the street, pulling Sophie with him. His shoulder slammed into the bumper. Pain shot through him even as he rolled on top of her, shielding her.
The motorcycle zipped past so close Luke felt the heat of exhaust on his cheek. Bruno barked and bounded next to Luke. “It’s okay, boy. Sophie, are you all right?” He rolled off her and ran his hands over her face. “He missed, right? You’re not hit?”
“No. I’m...okay. What just happened?” Sophie croaked, clinging to him and trembling.
“Luke! Sophie! Are you two okay?” Zach yelled as he and the others tumbled out of the restaurant.
“Yeah, go after him.” Luke pointed. “That way.”
Finn’s vehicle was closest. He and Abernathy hurried to jump in, then bolted after the disappearing motorcycle. The others soon followed after him while Luke ignored the throbbing in his knees and hauled them both to their feet. His mind raced. That could have been bad. Not that he wasn’t grateful, but he almost couldn’t believe the guy had missed.
“He shot at us,” Sophie said. “He really did.”
“Yes.” He thought she might be in shock. He scanned the street, looking for anyone else who might have criminal motives on their mind. Bystanders pointed. Some held their cell phones. Others just rushed to get away from the scene. “Let’s get you in the car while we wait to hear if the others managed to catch up with him.”
“Did you get the plate?” she asked.
“No. Sorry. I was too busy trying to make sure you weren’t hurt.”
“And I appreciate it very much,” she said.
He squeezed her hand and led her to the cruiser. Bruno hopped inside, and Luke helped Sophie get settled into the passenger seat. He took her hands in his and wondered if his pulse would ever slow down. “That scared me, Sophie.”
Her eyes locked on his and his heart gave that funny little beat it often did whenever he was in her presence—and had a moment to acknowledge the attraction he had no business feeling.
So, knowing they were out of sight of any prying eyes thanks to the tinted windows, it made perfect sense for him to lean in and kiss her. With most of the others dealing with the motorcyclist or focused on documenting an accurate account of what had just happened, and with the danger abated for a moment, Luke was able to let his guard down a fraction and lose himself in the brief second of kissing Sophie.
And realized he might have just made a huge mistake. Not that kissing her was wrong. Quite the opposite. It felt right and good and perfectly natural. Only now, he’d never be able to go back to not kissing her. He lifted his head and gazed down at her.
She blinked, shock and bemusement stamped on her features.
“Ah, sorry,” he said. “I probably shouldn’t have done that.” Probably, nothing. He definitely shouldn’t have done that.
Her bemusement flipped into a frown. “Why not?”
“Because—” How did he explain? “Because I’m supposed to be protecting you, not—”
“Not what?”
“Not looking for romance.” Okay, that wasn’t helpful at all. “I mean I need to focus on this investigation and not let myself be distracted by the fact that—” He sighed and closed his eyes for a split second while he ordered his brain to start functioning. When he opened them, her face held no expression. “Can you help me out here?”
“I don’t know if I want to. This is pretty entertaining.”
He huffed a short laugh and, finally, she cracked a small smile. “I like you, Sophie,” he said softly. “I just—”
She placed a finger on his lips. “I get it, Luke. It’s okay.”
With a sigh of relief that she’d let it go and didn’t seem to be angry with him, he rounded the vehicle and slid into the driver’s seat. He caught Bruno’s gaze in the rearview mirror. Even the dog seemed to be chastising him for his bumbling awkwardness. He ignored the animal. His knees ached, and he’d have to toss his uniform pants in the trash, but at least they were still alive.
And Bruno was still staring at him.
Ducking his head and stifling a sigh, Luke cranked the vehicle and headed for home. Halfway there, the radio crackled to life and he grabbed it. “Did you get him?”
“No, he got away,” Noah said. “By the time we got the chopper in the air and to the right location, he’d ditched the bike and slipped into the subway.”
Luke groaned. By the time they got the security footage from the cameras, the guy would be long gone.
Sophie kept to herself during the ride home. She’d acted like everything was fine and that she hadn’t been deeply affected by the kiss, but the truth was, she had been.
Every so often, she’d feel Luke’s glance rest on her as though he wanted to ask her what she was thinking but wasn’t quite sure if he should.
He shouldn’t.
Mostly because she wasn’t sure exactly what her emotions were at the moment. Part exhilaration from the kiss. Part dejection from his apologies for it.
And part anger.
An apology for kissing her?
Seriously, that should be in the Guys Guide to Girls handbook somewhere. If a girl is agreeable to being kissed, don’t kiss her, then say you’re sorry, because it won’t go over well.
Luke’s interest in her—and subsequent kiss—on a normal day would have sent her over the moon with happiness—and anxiety. She’d noticed him from day one, but it had been obvious he hadn’t had a shred of interest in her. Which had been fine. She wasn’t in the market for a boyfriend anyway.
However, when Jordan had disappeared, it had thrown them together and had apparently given Luke a different perspective of her. One she was glad of but still not sure she wanted to pursue because of her duty to her father and brother. Then again, they seemed to be doing well enough on their own. Discounting Trey’s enrollment in the Marines.
Maybe once they found Jordan’s killer, she would be able to consider dating someone. Okay, not someone. Dating Luke.
But what if Jordan’s killer was never found?
She couldn’t stand that thought, but the fact was, not all murders were solved. Like Luke’s mother’s. What a heavy burden for a kid to grow up with. With a sigh, she rubbed her eyes and realized they were on Luke’s street.
He stopped and let the engine idle as he turned to her. “Let me come around to open the door and then we’ll hurry to get inside, okay? I’ll have to move my vehicle once I know you’re behind locked doors with Bruno at your side.”
“Sure.” He didn’t say he was worried about a sniper. He didn’t have to.
He opened her door and she and Bruno climbed out. Luke wrapped his arm around her shoulders and tucked her against him. He dwarfed her small stature. If someone wanted to shoot her, they’d have trouble finding an opening.
Her human shield.
Some of her hurt feelings and anger faded. Some.
Once inside his apartment, he released her. “Lock the door while I move the SUV, okay?”
“Okay.”
He shut the door behind him. Bruno paced in front of it for the next ten minutes until Sophie let Luke back inside. He tossed his keys onto the small table. Bruno headed to his spot near the fireplace and flopped down with a sigh.
“I guess he’s glad to be home,” Sophie said.
“Always.”
“And glad to have you back where he can see you.” She bit her lip and fatigue swept over her. While she wanted to bring up the kiss, she didn’t hav
e the energy. Everything had been said anyway, apparently. “I’m going to my room. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“What about dinner later?”
“I’ll pass. Thanks. Tomorrow’s a full day back at work and I need to get things ready.”
“Of course.”
She headed toward the hallway.
“Sophie—”
She turned. “Not now, Luke. We’ll talk later.”
He frowned and nodded, and she slipped into the bedroom that had become her safe area.
Pacing and thinking for half an hour had done nothing except give her a little exercise she didn’t need. When her phone buzzed, she snatched it from the nightstand and glanced at the screen. Her brother. “Hello?”
“Sophie?”
“Hey.”
“How are you? Are you okay? Dad said some psycho was looking for you.”
Sophie raised a brow. “Well, I’m not sure he’s psycho.” Maybe desperate? “But yes, I seem to have picked up a stalker. Stay on the alert, okay? I don’t think he’ll bother you or Dad, but be careful anyway.”
“Who is he? Where is he? Tell me everything and don’t leave any detail out. I’ll find him and put a stop to it.”
“Trey, I appreciate the protective brother thing, but the truth is, I’m surrounded by police officers. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Dad’s worried.”
“I know. It’s what he’s good at.” A lump formed in her throat and she pressed fingers to her suddenly burning eyes. “Look, I’m okay right now. Truly. I’d tell you if I wasn’t. But I’ve got protection and people looking out for me. If something changes, I’ll call you.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
He sighed. “Okay, as long as you’re sure.”
“I am.” She paused. “Dad said you’d enlisted.”
The line went silent.
“Trey?”
A sigh filtered to her. “I did.”
“Why don’t you sound happier?”
“Because while I really think it’s what I’m supposed to do, I want your blessing. I need it, Sophie.”
Justice Mission Page 14
