“What? I like hummus.”
“Hummus is fine. But it’s a snack, not a meal.”
She smiled, knowing he was thinking there was no way hummus and pita could be considered a meal. But he didn’t have a thing to worry about. “You’ll see. Belinda likes to feed people. The moment she sensed a story behind my disappearance, I’m sure she made a list. There will be more than enough food.”
The doorbell rang.
Haley jumped in Mikhail’s arms.
“Relax. I’ll get it.” He released her to strut across the room, peek out the little hole, and then open the door.
“Oh,” Belinda said. “I must have the wrong apartment.”
Haley made her way to Mikhail’s side and leaned around his huge frame. “You don’t. Hey, Belinda.” She shoved Mikhail’s side with her hip, but he only budged a few inches.
Belinda’s gaze darted from Haley to Mikhail and back again several times. A slow smile spread across her face. “You do have a story to tell.” Her dark eyes deepened, and she tossed her thick black hair over her shoulder.
Mikhail opened the door wider and stepped aside. “You must be Belinda. I’ve heard so much about you,” he started.
Great. Fantastic. What a way to open the conversation.
“Interesting,” Belinda said as she stepped inside, both arms holding multiple recyclable grocery bags by the handles. “I haven’t heard a single syllable about you.” She shot Haley a glare.
“Haven’t had a chance.”
Belinda returned her gaze to Mikhail as he shut and locked the door and then took the bags from her hands.
“Long lost brother? Cousin?” Belinda grinned and clapped her hands together. She was Italian, and she had the animated personality that fit the stereotypes. “Please tell me he’s related to you in some way and available.”
Haley rolled her eyes. Belinda was always blunt.
“Boyfriend,” Mikhail offered over his shoulder. “Sorry, not available.”
“Boyfriend?” Belinda’s gaze darted back and forth between them again. “Do you mean you have a boyfriend? Or you’re Haley’s boyfriend?”
Mikhail dropped the bags on the table and turned toward her, laughter dancing in his eyes and then spilling out his mouth. “Yeah, no. I’m Haley’s. Or she’s mine, depending on how you look at it.”
Looked like he had no interest in beating around the bush. And Haley licked her lips when he got all possessive about it. She should have punched him, but instead she found his words made her heart beat faster.
No one had ever claimed her like that before.
Belinda spun around. “You didn’t tell me you had a boyfriend.” She put her hands on her hips.
“Haven’t had a chance to speak yet,” Haley teased.
Belinda tipped her head to one side. “I mean, you could have mentioned it before today.”
“Well, we…uh…haven’t been together that long.” Like twenty-four hours.
“I just spoke to you yesterday.”
Mikhail broke into the conversation while he unloaded containers from Belinda’s bags, occasionally staring at one or another in confusion. “She wanted to see the shock on your face tonight.”
Haley blew out a breath. Good answer. Much better than telling Belinda they just started this relationship and fucking each other senseless since they last spoke yesterday. That wasn’t necessary.
“How long have you known each other?” Belinda asked, heading toward the kitchen area and then helping Mikhail with the multiple containers in her bags.
“About three weeks.”
At least that was true. Though sometimes it seemed like longer considering they’d been playing house that long too.
Belinda set whatever she held in her hand down and riffled through the bags until she finally reached into one with both hands and pulled out two bottles of wine. “Where’s the corkscrew.” She shot Haley a glare. “You have a lot of talking to do.”
Mikhail chuckled and took the wine from Belinda. “Go sit down. I’ll get this.”
Haley wanted to kiss him.
Belinda’s smile split her face as she stepped away. She turned to wink at Haley, mouthing, “Oh. My. God.” She even fanned herself as she plopped onto the couch.
The second Haley sat next to her on the opposite end, Belinda leaned forward.
In a low voice she said, “Where did you get him and does he have a brother?”
Haley giggled. “He’s a stray, and he has a lot of friends. If you like them huge and rock solid.”
Belinda glanced toward the kitchen, her gaze roaming up and down. “You aren’t kidding. Is he a wrestler or something?”
“Close. Mixed martial arts.”
Mikhail strolled into the living room area holding two glasses of red. He handed one to each of them. “Ladies.” When he righted himself, he pointed at the kitchen table. “You want me to bring all the food in here? I could put it on the coffee table. But the two of you don’t even weigh as much together as all that food you brought.” He smiled at Haley, undoubtedly remembering what she’d said about the need to order pizza.
Belinda fanned herself again. “I think I’m going to faint. Please tell me you have a single friend, and please set me up with him for tomorrow.”
Mikhail chuckled. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Haley cleared her throat. “You don’t have to wait on us, Mikhail. Sit down. I warned you Belinda was going to freak out.” She set her glass on the coffee table.
He tipped his head to one side. “Why? I’m just a guy. Does she freak out over all your boyfriends?”
Belinda had just taken a sip of her wine, and she nearly spewed it across the room. “She—”
Haley leaped across the couch and plastered a hand over Belinda’s mouth. “He doesn’t need to know all my secrets,” she said.
Mikhail’s eyebrows rose high on his head. His hands were on his hips, and she could tell he was fighting a smile when she met his gaze and released Belinda to sit back. “Secrets?”
“Or lack thereof,” Belinda mumbled.
That smile spread wider. “Ah, so not so many boyfriends in recent history.”
Haley didn’t think it was necessary for him to know just how long it had been since she’d been with a man. It made her look ridiculous.
“Recent history?” Belinda lifted an arm up in defense as Haley leaned toward her once again. “Define recent history,” she continued. “I mean, in terms of presidential elections, recent history could include everything since the Nixon Administration.” She laughed, bringing tears to her eyes, which she wiped off as she tried to sober.
“That’s hardly true,” Haley defended.
Mikhail paled. His face went completely sober. “Please tell me—” He stopped short, pursing his lips together.
“God no. Of course I’ve been with other men. Don’t look at me like that.” She knew what he was thinking. He was afraid he’d taken her virginity without knowing it. And he was wrong, but just barely.
He narrowed his gaze and leaned over the coffee table, putting his hands on it to brace himself inches from her face. “How many?” he asked right in front of Belinda.
Haley gasped. “Mikhail…”
“How many?” He held her gaze. “Give me a number.”
“Two,” she muttered. It wasn’t like Belinda didn’t know this. But his overbearing side was almost too much.
Belinda cleared her throat. “I think the last guy she dated was my brother’s friend Brad.” When Mikhail jerked his gaze in her direction, she hastened to continue, “And she definitely didn’t sleep with him.”
Mikhail righted himself and turned away. He didn’t say a word while he finished unpacking the bags and folded them all up neatly in a pile on the counter. He surveyed the situation, taking in a dozen containers of what Haley knew would be cheeses and spreads, crackers and pretzels. He hesitated as if thinking before turning around to grab the hummus from the fridge. And then he whipped off all the l
ids, opened several bags, and carried it all to the coffee table. It took him three trips before he clapped his hands together and then snapped his fingers and returned to the kitchen to grab a few knives from the drawer and small plates from the cabinet.
He set them between the containers and looked up.
Haley had watched him intently, knowing Belinda did the same at her side.
Suddenly Belinda jumped up, rounded the coffee table, and sat in the recliner facing it. “Sorry. You sit with Haley.” She pointed at the couch.
“You sure you ladies wouldn’t prefer I go in the other room? I could read or something while you chat.”
Read? Haley almost giggled. She had no idea if he read or not in his down time, but it sounded hilarious under the circumstances.
“Don’t be silly.” Belinda waved a hand in front of her. “Join us.”
He headed for the kitchen and returned with a beer, easing himself onto the couch near the center. He didn’t waste time staking his claim. Two seconds later, he grabbed Haley’s hand and hauled her into his side, leaving his arm resting on the top of the couch behind her.
Belinda reached for a cracker, but Haley doubted she paid any attention to what type it was as she brought it to her mouth. After she swallowed, she continued. “So, this is why I haven’t heard from you for a while.”
“Yeah, it’s a little more complicated.”
“Uh-huh. Do tell?” The next cracker she picked up, she put more attention toward, slapping some cheese spread on it before settling back with her wine.
“Don’t freak out, but I was kidnapped.”
“You what?” She straightened in her seat, half her cracker in her hand, the other half in her mouth, unchewed.
“I was handing out meals one night when someone grabbed me from behind and kidnapped me. They held me for two weeks. Mikhail was the one who rescued me.”
Mikhail released his hold on the back of the couch and lowered his arm around her, squeezing her reassuringly.
Belinda’s eyes were huge. She swallowed. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. I wish.”
“What the fuck, Haley?” She set her wine glass on the coffee table, probably to avoid dropping it.
Haley took another sip of her own wine, her hands shaking.
Mikhail took the glass from her and set it on the end table. “She’s okay now. But it’s been a rough few weeks.”
Belinda’s eyes still bugged out. “Rough?”
“Just trying to get my life back together.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“I didn’t know what to say. And Mikhail was here the whole time. It’s not like I was alone.”
“Why?” She looked toward Mikhail. “You hadn’t met her before?”
“No.” He shook his head. “But she needed someone, and I’m not the kind of guy to leave a woman in distress.”
Belinda nodded. “I can see that.”
Mikhail grabbed Haley’s hand with his free one and set her fingers on his thigh. “The reality is we don’t know who took Haley in the first place, so I don’t want her left alone in case they decide to come back.”
“Wait.” Belinda sat up straighter. “Did you say you were abducted while bringing meals to the homeless?”
“Yes.”
“But that’s the story I’m working on.” She gripped the arms of the chair. “There are rumors that several homeless people have gone missing. Many are presumed dead. Some bodies have been found.”
Mikhail stiffened. “You’re working on this story?”
“Yes. I work for Chicago Multimedia. I’ve been begging my boss to put me on this story for weeks. He was leery, but he finally consented. Do you think the same people abducted you?”
Mikhail interrupted. “Your boss should be leery. You can’t cover this story, Belinda. It’s not safe.”
Belinda licked her lips. “I’ll be fine. I’m careful. This could be my big break. It’s like pulling teeth, though. The police are very tight-lipped on the subject. There’s been so little media coverage.”
Haley shook her head. “There’s a reason for that. It’s dangerous territory, Belinda. Pick something that won’t cause you to end up dead.”
Belinda waved a hand in front of her. “I’ll be fine,” she repeated. “But tell me what you know.”
Mikhail spoke again, squeezing Haley’s hand so tight it hurt. She doubted he knew it. “What we know is someone horrific is kidnapping homeless people and killing them. Whoever it is must have mistaken Haley for a homeless person that night. She’s lucky to be alive, and you might not fare so well. It’s not safe. You can’t pursue this.”
Belinda looked worried, her eyes drawing together, but she shook her head. “Where did they hold you?”
“No idea. I was drugged.”
“How did you get away?” She glanced at Mikhail.
“When they moved her to a second location, I happened to be nearby.” He gave her the vaguest of details.
“So you heard her scream?”
Mikhail nodded. “Oh, I heard her all right.”
Shooting every bullet that would come out of that gun. Haley shuddered against him. What if she’d shot him that day? It could have happened. She’d been scared out of her mind. She would have shot anyone. And she did, until the bullets ran out.
“My God.” Belinda put a hand over her chest.
“Let’s talk about something more uplifting. I’m so tired of that subject. I’m trying to put my life back together now. Move on. It takes me two steps backward every time I repeat the incident. If you’re hell-bent on covering this story, we’ll talk about it more later, but let’s spend this evening on cheerier subjects.”
“Of course.” Belinda reached for her glass and took a long drink. “You’re right.” She stared at the glass.
“About what?” Haley asked.
“This is definitely more than a one-bottle night.”
Haley smiled. “Told you.”
∙•∙
Mikhail was proud of her. She’d given Belinda the perfect amount of details, hadn’t freaked out telling her, and then steered the conversation in another direction. Even if that direction was toward him. It was to be expected, especially now that he knew Haley didn’t date much. Or ever.
How long ago was it she dated Brad? And what happened with that?
He found himself worrying far too much about some ex-boyfriend of hers. What did it matter? She was his now. It was ridiculous for him to feel the urge to hunt down every man who’d ever touched her and make sure they each knew she was his now. Irrational and insane. But that’s how possessive he felt toward her.
He drank his beer, not paying close attention to what the women were saying for a few minutes, until he was drawn back in by the mention of his name.
Belinda was looking at him. Her dark eyes twinkled. She tossed her thick black hair over her shoulder. It would be tough to see if she was blushing or not because her skin was a beautiful olive color typical of Italians, which he presumed her to be. “You two seem quite close considering you’ve only been seeing each other a few weeks.”
“Well,” Haley responded, “he hasn’t left since I met him.”
“Hasn’t left? Ever?” Belinda grinned. “I see. No wonder.” She took another drink, tucking her feet up under her in a similar way Haley always did. “What is this, love at first sight?” she teased.
“Something like that,” Mikhail said. “It’s impossible not to fall for her. She’s amazing. I stayed to help her feel safe at first, but she grew on me.”
Haley punched him playfully in the side. “Liar. You were possessed by aliens the day I met you, and you have been ever since.”
“Aliens?” He chuckled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means they took over your brain and caused you to think I’m some sort of goddess. You’ve been under their spell the entire time I’ve known you.”
He frowned at her now. “Spell? Baby, this is n
o spell. You are some sort of goddess.” Did she not think she was good enough for him? That was insane. If anyone wasn’t good enough, it was him. Not her.
Haley’s face turned red, and she licked her lips before sucking the lower one in between her teeth and then instantly dropping it when he lifted a brow. Her pulse raced. He felt it where he held her hand against his thigh.
He lowered his face toward hers and kissed her. “Don’t sell yourself short. Please.”
She nodded.
“I think I’m going to swoon like they did in those old romance novels,” Belinda said. “You guys are too cute.”
They turned the subject to Belinda’s work. She insisted she intended to start interviewing homeless people Monday morning.
“I haven’t even returned to work yet,” Haley said. “You can’t go out alone to do something like this.”
“She’s not kidding, Belinda. It’s not an option.”
Belinda grinned. “Maybe I need a bodyguard.”
“You’re gonna need ten of them if you intend to stick your nose into this project,” Haley said.
“This is the biggest story I’ve ever landed, Haley. I’m not about to turn it down.”
They all stared at each other for several seconds. Finally Haley blew out a breath. “Fine. I’ll go with you.”
Mikhail stiffened. “You most certainly will not. Neither of you. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Haley twisted to face him. “So you’re saying feeding the homeless is ridiculous?”
“While there’s a killer on the loose, yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“I’ve been off work for a month, Mikhail. I can’t hide forever. It’s time for me to go back. I already mentioned to Terrance I’d be there Monday morning.”
“Be where? The shelter? That’s not the same thing as wandering the streets.” She didn’t really think he would consent to letting her hand out food in the dark, did she?
“Both. I work at the shelter during the day and hand out supplies in the evening. I’m sure many people wonder where I’ve been. They count on me. I could be their only real meal the entire day.”
Belinda clapped her hands together once. “It’s settled then. I’ll go out with you Monday night. It’s much better for me anyway since these people trust you. They’re more likely to speak to me if I’m with you.” Belinda reached for another cracker and placed a slice of cheese on it before grabbing an olive and popping it into her mouth.
Guard (The Underground Book 3) Page 17
