by Beth Rhodes
Tan opened the door. “Hey. I didn’t expect both of you.”
Stacy stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I needed to get away from the house.”
But she didn’t fool Tan. She wanted to check up on their female client. “Liz is in the dining room.”
“She okay?”
“Seeing Gabriel was rough, but she held up.” Pride rang through his words, and he shrugged to blow off the feeling in his chest.
Stacy gave her husband’s hand a squeeze before she made her way across the living room to the dining room beyond.
Tan led Hawk to the kitchen. “Any news on the serial killer or the missing woman?”
“They’ve had search parties out for two days. No sign of Claire.”
“And the connection to Liz?”
“Just what we already know, the assaults and the charges.”
“Drink?” Tan asked, opening the fridge and reaching for a beer.
“No thanks. We can’t stay. It’s date night.”
Tan grabbed a water bottle instead. “Have they talked to Gabriel? Or his mother?”
“They’ve taken her in for questioning. Seems she’s been in Raleigh regularly over the past few months.”
“She would have been visiting Gabriel. She would have known he was getting out. Did she kill all of these women?” Liz spoke from the doorway, her voice breathless. “Because of me?”
Tan straightened and walked over to her. “No. Not because of you. Nothing about what Gabriel did to you, or anything that happened afterward, is your fault.”
“Maybe they’re a mother-son killing team.” She lifted a hand to cover her mouth. “So ridiculous.”
“Nobody knows anything yet, Liz. It doesn’t help anyone to jump to conclusions.” He cupped her face, drew his thumbs over her cheekbones, and tilted her head to look into her eyes. “Think about it. The man we met? Do you really believe it? Would you have been so mad when we left, if he seemed miserable, seemed undone, or vengeful?”
“But, you saw Mrs. Sands at the soup kitchen. She was livid. How dare she come here, she said. Gabriel had to physically take her out of the room.”
“The police will figure it out. And they do have her at the station. They have her at the station, right?”
“For now,” Hawk answered.
Liz gripped his forearm. “I was the lucky one?” she whispered as a tear fell down her face. “All those women who suffered already. And someone is killing them. Killing people like me?”
He hadn’t expected her to feel responsible. Angry, yes, or even devastated, but not this complete extinguishing of light in her eyes. He cradled her jaw, kissed it when it trembled under his hand. “Call it luck, Liz. Call it whatever you want to, but thank your dad for following his gut, because who knows what would have happened without Hawk Elite here.”
She almost chuckled, and her eyes cleared, sharpened, as she rolled those pretty greens. “Boastful much?”
“Confident.” He brushed at her hair, letting something more pass between them when he said, “Scared.”
She stopped, and behind him, Hawk cleared his throat.
Tan straightened as reality came crashing back into his kitchen. “Shit.” He turned to Hawk, saw Hawk standing with his wife. Saw the look of compassion cross her face and the contrasting look of dismay on her husband’s.
Liz’s eyes went wide and her lips made this perfect little oh.
But Tan had come to a decision in the last twenty-four hours, in the last minute even. He wasn’t going to fight being with Liz. She was the first woman who really challenged him, made him want things he never had before, and forced him to think—about his brother and about his family…
He wanted to know her more and be with her again. He’d thought his work with Hawk Elite made him a protector, but after knowing Liz, knowing the instinctual urge she drove in him…
He was wrong. He’d never really known what it meant to protect someone—until her.
“There’s one other thing I needed to talk to you about, Hawk.”
“Yeah. You know what the guidelines are and why.”
Tan cleared his throat. “I do. And I messed up—”
Stacy furrowed her brows, sending a concerned glance Liz’s way, but he didn’t need the silent reminder of how what he said next was going to affect Liz.
“Only I didn’t really mess up. I think I finally got something right.”
“Oh, Tan.”
He’d seen her worried face a million times over the years.
Hawk frowned. “You know I’m going to have to take you off the assignment—”
“No,” Liz broke in, raising her voice. “You can’t. We’ll be good. I won’t distract him. No more sex, I promise—”
Tan put a hand on her arm, embarrassment warring with amusement as he put an arm around her because now Hawk knew exactly how far it had gone. “Put someone with her,” he said quietly, knowing she wouldn’t like it.
“Tancredo Byrnes, don’t you dare leave me.” Anger fired in her eyes, even as she turned away, putting physical distance between them. She wrapped her arms around her waist and turned back to him. “I don’t need someone else.”
His hands were shaking when he set his water bottle down on the counter. He hadn’t wanted to hurt her like this, but he understood why. Like Hawk suggested, he should have seen this coming. If he’d been thinking straight, he might have instigated the change himself a week ago, two weeks ago. Definitely after the incident at the arena. “Your safety is the only thing that matters.”
Her lips trembled, and his heart gave. He closed the distance. “It doesn’t matter who Hawk puts here, I’m not leaving. Isn’t that right, Hawk?”
This time Hawk rolled his sightless eyes. “Right. But you’re off the lead. You can’t think with your head when you’re thinking with your—”
“Nathan Hawkins,” Stacy spoke sharply, a smile playing at her lips. “Don’t you dare.”
Hawk looked contrite at his wife’s demand. “Sorry. It’s true, though.”
Stacy nodded. “We really want you to be safe, Liz. We love you two have found something with each other. We know. But we have a team for a reason. Weaknesses and strengths. We all work together for the client.”
She still looked a little uncertain about what would happen next or how it would affect them. She’d have to see from experience. He was not going to leave her.
“Malcolm is ready to take on some more intensive work,” Hawk continued. “He’ll be here by the end of the day with Bobby or Craig.”
Tan squeezed her shoulder. “It’s almost over. I can feel it. The police are going to find Claire. They’re going to connect the dots, using the information we’ve given them. Who knows? Maybe they already have the killer.”
“Right.” She nodded. “I trust you, Tancredo.”
Those words sent a spear of guilt straight into his heart; the look Stacy gave him was the poisoned tip. Because she and Hawk both knew it was time for him to be honest with Liz. She’d shared her life with him. She’d opened up to him in an unexpected and humbling way for a woman who’d suffered what she had. He owed her.
His time for holding back was officially running out.
~ 27 ~
Without a doubt, his woman worked harder than any other man or woman Tan had ever met. He stopped in the doorway to the dining room.
Sitting up straight, Liz arched her back and tilted her head, exposing her neck. He smothered the moan of arousal watching her caused. “I’m going over to the shop to get your table first thing in the morning.” He walked in, stood behind her, and worked her shoulders with his fingers. “You look miserable.”
“I admit it,” she answered, groaning as the stretch ended. “Oh, please don’t stop.”
“We could go over to the gym, work some of those kinks out,” he suggested.
“No. Let’s run instead. I’d be willing to run around the block a few times. Jog. Jog is a better word for what I do.”
&n
bsp; Getting his hands on her this way, feeling the tightness in her muscles reminded him of how strong she was. How she’d come back from so much. “Do you skate anymore?”
The question was prying, and she stiffened against his hands only to relax again a moment later. “No.”
“Is it because—”
“It’s because I haven’t wanted to, because Gabriel killed any joy I found in the sport. Because after a year of physical therapy, getting my leg straight, I just…didn’t want to anymore.”
“Okay.” Tan didn’t stop the slow massage, and even though her words turned irritable as if she were fighting herself, her muscles remained loose. A good sign.
She sighed. “I’m sorry. People ask that question.”
“And you don’t like to answer.” Giving in, finally, to the need, he kissed the smooth skin where her neck met shoulder. “It’s kind of cold outside, you know. Maybe we can stay in…”
“Please. It’ll be nice. Most of the businesses have their winter lights on, and there will be people everywhere, so we’ll have protection in numbers, not to mention Malcolm or Craig as shadows. Please?” She batted her eyes a little.
He chuckled. “Seriously?”
She grinned.
He’d been seduced by her, and now he was going to take a run in the dead of winter, while he had to watch his back as well. Why? Because he didn’t want to say no to her. “Fine. Let’s go. Craig!”
“Thank you. Thank you. My shoulders thank you. My back thanks you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the cheek.
He didn’t pass up the opportunity to pinch her rear, then he patted it and sent her toward her room. “Hurry. Go get ready before I change my mind.”
She smiled a little devilish grin then hurried to her room.
Malcolm scowled. There was a reason everyone called him Grumpy.
“So?” he asked of Craig. “Feel like running?”
Craig’s face blanched, and he actually took a step back. “You mean like legs moving quickly, taking me away from where I am?” He shook his head, back and forth. “No. No, I don’t feel like running. I don’t run at all.”
“What? Of, course you run. Everyone who works for Hawk runs.”
“No, sir.”
“You had to pass a physical, Craig.” He stated, point blank.
“Yes, sir. I did. I passed the physical.” But Craig stopped there, and Tan’s frustration level escalated.
“Have you been injured, Craig?” he asked with emphasis on Craig.
“No, sir.”
“Then you’re going to run this evening.”
Like a young boy, Craig’ face fell, but he quickly shook it off and regained his composure. “Fine.”
***
“Holy cow. I’m winded.” Liz couldn’t believe it. She’d really let herself go over the last month and a half. And with all the restrictions on her activity, sitting around and doing nothing had become second nature. Not happy at all, she paced herself on the last block, cooling off as they finished.
“Are you kidding?” Tan asked as he checked his watch and scanned the street with eyes that missed nothing. “You did great. Beat out Craig by a good two minutes.”
“Hey,” Craig protested, half-heartedly.
Liz bent over and stretched her hamstrings. “Some people aren’t built runners. Do you lift, Craig?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“See? You have different strengths. Besides, I bet if that killer on the loose were after you, you’d be able to run.”
Craig took one last look around. Malcolm stood on the patio at the rear entrance where’d they left from and come back to.
The guys did an orchestrated check of each room and then Craig left the house to do another perimeter check. Liz took a quick shower and went in search of Tan. He’d seemed less tense after their run, smiling at the banter between herself and Craig.
When she didn’t find him in the living room or kitchen, Liz went back down the hall and knocked softly on his door.
“Come in,” he answered.
She opened the door halfway and leaned on the jamb, barely peeking her head into the room. Oh. She swallowed hard. He was getting dressed, had his jeans on but no shirt. “Um, I was going to make breakfast for dinner.”
She’d forgotten what the first hint of love felt like, the adrenaline rush of wanting to be with someone all the time. Only now, especially when he was standing in front of her partially clothed, she couldn’t get those thoughts out of her head.
She wanted her way with him. Almost like having a green light, Tan’s removal as lead agent should have made it easier to be together, but he must have been having some reservations. Aside from the smaller touches of comfort and affection, it was like he’d turned everything else off.
She lifted her gaze, taking in his broad shoulders and the little bit of stubble on his chin, and found him grinning.
She blinked, his smile making every muscle deep inside tighten. “I’m sorry. Did you say something?”
“Breakfast sounds great.” He pulled another one of his soft T-shirts over his head. This one was dark green, and it brought out the light hazel of his eyes. Then he picked up his shoulder holster and strapped it on as well. He picked up his sidearm, checked to see if it was loaded, and slid it into the dark leather under his arm.
She sighed again, this time in great disappointment.
“What?”
“You sure do know how to dress quickly.”
Tan laughed. “I’m pretty quick taking it off, too.” He came toward her and tucked her into an embrace under his right arm. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. The soft beating of his heart thumped against her.
“We can wait,” she quietly spoke. “I don’t mind.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I swear to you, by the time we get around to this, it’ll last a good ten seconds.”
“Best ten seconds of our life, though.”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
She grabbed his rear. “We’ll see, won’t we?”
“Yes,” he answered so definitively, she knew he was serious.
“Where are you headed?”
He grinned, leaned in, and took her lips, kissing her, nibbling. When his arms came around her, she gave in to the desire simmering against her breastbone. His tongue came out to play with hers and she rose on her toes to get closer, wanting so much more.
Lifting her off her feet, he turned and set her back down. “I’m going to get your table, run by to see An, and be right back. Tomorrow might be another long day of not-much-to-do. You need your table.”
“Can I go with you?”
He held her chin. “Get some sleep. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Her frown came unbidden. “Is it your family? Should you go check on them?”
A pained expression crossed his face.
“When I get back, can we talk?”
“Sure,” she answered.
“Good.” He smiled like nothing was wrong, but there was worry in his eyes, as if she would change her mind about being with him. She knew he struggled to balance his life, create a safe place for them and for him. He’d avoided dating seriously for years.
She couldn’t imagine anything he would have to tell her would diminish her need for him.
“Close the door behind me and…mind Malcolm.”
Tempted to blow a raspberry at him, she rolled her eyes. “Go. Come back quickly.”
In the kitchen, she made coffee for another hour or two of work but then her phone rang. “It’s Janice,” she confirmed with a look at the screen.
Nerves jumped in her stomach when Malcolm looked her way. “Go ahead and answer,” his deep soothing voice surprised her, and she realized she’d never heard him speak before.
“Hello Janice,” she answered. “How’s it going.”
“Well, you know how I was meeting with the sign guy? He spelled designs wr
ong!”
Liz’s heart fell a little. One week to this event. She couldn’t afford mess ups. “How bad?”
“D-fucking-I-S-I-G-N, Liz.”
“Shoot. Did we write it down wrong?”
“No, we didn’t fucking write it down wrong.”
“Right.” Her heart pounded a little at the stressed and angry tone in Janice’s words. “I didn’t mean…nevermind. I’m only looking for a reason he would have messed up without calling him an idiot.”
“He’s an idiot,” her voice softened. “I’m sorry. I insisted he make a new one, and he was very apologetic…”
“But?” She knew there was a but coming, and it made her stomach hurt a little. This was business though. And not everything was going to run smoothly one hundred percent of the time. She had to be ready for this kind of snafu.
“But he says it will another week.”
“Crap,” she whispered. “I need it Thursday when the convention center is opening so the vendors can set up their tables.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. God, this is just…a little bit of bad luck. I need a little while to think. I’ll call you back, okay?”
“Whatever you need, Liz.” Janice laughed bitterly. “I’m here for you. If all else fails, there’s always next year.”
Next year.
A whole year.
Liz tossed her phone to the counter then gripped the edge. “Think, think, think…”
On one of the costumes, she had tulle to sew in, and another a few rows of beads accentuated by sequins. She could be done before the end of tomorrow, which would leave her two days to put together some kind of presentation for the Expo. And she had a few costumes from earlier in the year she could also add to the display.
She could do it, working late hours. Add in the finishing touches on Stephanie’s costume and the meeting with her on Wednesday.
There’s always next year.
“No.” She slammed a fist onto the countertop. “You’ve worked too hard through this year. This is your goal, your passion, your ideas. You won’t wait until next year.”
“Everything okay?”
She turned to her new guard. “I’m fine, and I’m going to this Expo and I am going to fucking wow everyone there.”
