by J. L. Drake
“Savannah, I warned you.” Keith points a finger at her.
Her eyes shift to Mark’s. He catches the look and suddenly appears more alert.
“I’m so sorry. I fell asleep in the entertainment room. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Wrong answer, Savi. I watched the tape.”
She runs her hands through her hair as Mark mirrors the action. Keith glances between them, confusion evident on his face.
“Keith, I’m here. I’m okay.” She starts fidgeting again, her gaze turning nervously to the kitchen.
“That isn’t how this house works.”
“Keith,” Mark whispers, “give her a free pass just one more time, okay?”
Keith shakes his head. “Last time, Savi, so help me God.” He holds up his hands then turns and leaves, muttering into his radio.
“T-minus fourteen hours, pretty eyes,” Mark mutters to Savannah.
“Anyone care to fill me in?” Cole asks, crossing his arms and sitting on the edge of the table. Both of them stare at the ground but say nothing. “Well, here’s the problem. Mark, you don’t make eye contact with me when you’re hiding something. You’ve been doing that since you were a kid, and Savi—” She looks up at him, running her fingers through her hair. “You do that,” he points to her hand, “when you’re not being honest or you’re scared.” He sighs when they look at one another. “What happens in fourteen hours?”
“Cole,” Savannah steps closer, holding up her hands, “you asked me a little while ago to have trust in you, and I do. Could you have a little in me when I ask you to just give me today? Please?” Her eyes hold his for a moment. God, he’s falling hard for this woman, but this secret feels like it is going to end badly.
“This isn’t going to be good, is it?” Her face flushes as she looks at Mark. “Do I need to be worried about anyone’s safety?” Savannah’s face flinches.
“I’ve got this for now,” Mark says. “Savannah has her reasons for keeping quiet, and though I don’t quite agree, I respect her wish to wait until tonight to share it with you, or I will.”
Okay, this sounds big. “Mark, can you give us a minute?” Cole waits until they are alone then angles his back to block the security camera, as she nervously plays with the candle on the table. “Baby,” he whispers, “I won’t push this issue. I feel like Mark’s got it handled for right now, but you have to tell me where you go at night.” She sets the candle down, turning it between her fingers. “What if something happens and I need to get to you? You almost killed Abigail with worry this morning.”
She nods. “Your mother’s library,” she says quietly. “I feel safe there.”
He lets out a sigh, a little surprised he was unsure for an instant. He didn’t know what she was going to tell him. For just a moment, he thought it was another man’s room, and immediately felt guilty for even going there in his head.
“I’m sorry for using that back passage, but I really feel safe in there,” she repeats. “It’s been a rough few days, and I overslept. I was hoping to slip in and out without anyone noticing. I really am sorry, Cole.”
He reaches for her hand, settling his on top. “Don’t be sorry. I’m just relieved it wasn’t someone’s room you were seeking out. It makes me happy you feel safe in there. Use it anytime.”
“Truthfully,” she moves a little closer, “I wanted to go to your room.” He inhales sharply, and her eyes lock with his. “Lie in your bed, smell you all around me,” she whispers as a corner of her mouth goes up, looking damn sexy.
As she stands in front of him, smiling, he shifts and feels his temperature rise. His fingers curl around the edge of the table. She is making him painfully hard.
Straddling one of his knees and leaning to the side, she reaches for her coffee cup and continues. “Sleep in nothing but one of your t-shirts.”
Her breath against his neck has his hands in a death grip on the table.
She pulls away, chuckling into her mug. Oh, she is good; she knows he is about to burst.
“Savi,” he growls, “left top drawer—my t-shirts.”
She laughs as she heads into the kitchen. “Two can play this game, baby.” She smirks over her shoulder with a sway in her step.
God damn, that ass.
He hears a scream from the entryway and hops to his feet and hurries out to the dining room.
“Ahh! I can’t believe you’re finally here!” Abigail shouts into her sister’s shoulder.
Cole shakes his head, rubbing his chest. What is it with women and shouting when they greet each other?
“Coley!” Aunt June grabs his face and smacks a kiss right on his lips. “How’s my handsome young man doing?”
He grimaces at her nickname for him. “Fine, thanks.”
“So I’ve heard.” She winks at him. “Oh, my!” She looks over his shoulder. “And you must be Savannah.”
“I am. Nice to meet you.”
June pulls Savannah in for a hug, making her twitch. She quickly recovers, but Cole still catches it.
June steps back to get a good look at her. “I bet you’re a nice change of scenery for the guys, huh?” Savannah’s face reddens.
“Oh, June, leave the poor girl alone. Come on, Savi. Let’s find you something to wear tonight.” Abigail links arms with Savannah and pulls her toward the stairs.
“Must be some girl to put a look on your face like that.” June elbows him in the ribs.
Cole smiles. He has no intention of lying to her. It’s not like he can, anyway, he thinks wryly.
“That, she is.” Aunt June is always so observant.
Cole sits at his desk. He doesn’t even get his email open before a knock at the door disturbs him. He glances at his second monitor and sees Keith.
“Come in.”
“Look, we need to talk about this whole Savannah disappearing act—”
“She’s been going to the private library,” Cole interrupts while studying his computer screen.
“What? How does she know about that place?”
“She saw it when I was bringing her back to her room after she got poisoned.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“Something happened while we were gone. She felt nervous and went to a place where she felt safe. She only knows the code to her own room.” He leaves out the fact that she knows his too. “She can roam all the hallways in this place, but she can’t access any room without the codes. You know that.”
“What if she finds the door to the bottom floor?”
Cole leans back in his chair. He doesn’t like being questioned so much. “Then she sees a door that looks like every other door in the hallway. No codes, no access.”
Keith nods and takes a seat.
Cole sighs. This is going to be a long day. “What do you know about what happened?”
“All I know is she and York got into it over dinner. She was talking to the new guys, and Dell slipped up, admitting that Los Sirvientes were blackmailing someone.”
Cole’s jaw clenches. He needs to have a word with Dell.
“I guess that got Savi upset, and she pressed for information, but York had a power trip moment, and the two of them got into it.”
“How badly?”
“Bad enough that York actually threatened her.”
Cole’s anger instantly flares. Christ, York needs to tame it down.
“A few more words were exchanged, and she left. Abigail came and got Mike. He caught Savannah in the hallway—nearly scared the poor thing to death. She seems a bit rattled, but other than that, she was all right. So, I don’t know if the blackmailing thing is playing on her, or if it was the dinner fight. She just seems different. She’s been hiding away from us until you all came home.” Keith rises. “Look, Dell felt terrible about what he said. Don’t be too hard on him. It’s York’s power trip that needs to be brought down a few pegs. That man is a loose cannon, and I swear he has it out for Savi.”
“Sounds that way.”
“A
nyway, it’s all on the tapes, so you can see it for yourself.”
Cole runs his hands over his face. “I can’t do anything until I get this report finished and sent over.”
“I’ll leave you to it.”
Cole fusses over his tie in the mirror. He prefers boots and camo gear over a suit and tie any day, but it’s a long-standing tradition to go to Zack’s restaurant in town for Thanksgiving.
Zack worked for Shadows many years ago. When he retired, he didn’t like the idea of leaving the area, so he opened a restaurant and bar with his younger brother. Cole’s father and Zack now live two doors down from one another, best friends attached at the hip since they were kids. Abigail teases him and Mark for having the same kind of friendship. She’s right, he laughs to himself. He can’t imagine not having Mark around.
Normally the “guests” who stay at the house are kept at arm’s length. Forming a relationship like his with Savi simply doesn’t happen. They certainly have never had one included at their own off-site holiday dinner. Zack doesn’t shut down his restaurant completely for them, but with the number of agents going tonight, he isn’t too worried about taking Savannah out in public. “Though you can never be too careful,” he mutters to himself, tucking his gun into the holster on his hip.
He shrugs on his jacket and inspects himself. He wears a black suit with a red tie, and his hair is gelled down and slicked back. He shakes his head. “I look like a fucking attorney from Wall Street. Fuck!” He knows he can’t handle the city life. He wonders if Savannah misses it. If they do end up together, will she want to go back to New York? The thought makes him uneasy, so he pushes it aside.
Cole heads downstairs to find Keith and Mike waiting for him. As they hurry outside, he notes the temperature has dropped dramatically. His cell phone shows it’s twenty-six degrees out.
Paul opens the door for him to hop in the Escalade.
Savannah is in the back, and he makes his way directly toward her, purposely ignoring his two grinning aunts until he is beside her.
“Ladies, you look lovely this evening.”
“Same to you, Logan.” June winks.
His grin widens as he takes in Savannah’s appearance. A long, white fur coat is wrapped around her small frame. Sparkly earrings peek through her curled hair, and that heavenly apple smell is lingering around her. “You look lovely, Ms. Miller.”
“Why, thank you.” She smiles, her eyes dancing. “You look quite handsome yourself.”
“It’s the tie,” he grunts, tugging it away from his neck.
They drive in a convoy of four—two Escalades and two spotter cars. He doesn’t like driving the mountain roads at night. There are too many high areas where a sniper could wait. Cole doesn’t realize Savannah is picking up on his vibe until he sees her face. Reaching for her hand, he threads his fingers through hers, figuring since they’re in the back, no one will notice. June is keeping the conversation going with Paul and Mark up front. She squeezes it, but he can see she’s anxious. He points with his free hand.
“See over there, those lights—that’s the city. Not much further.”
“You’re nervous,” she whispers.
“Not nervous, just alert.” He leans in until his lips brush over the shell of her ear. He breathes in her scent as her grip tightens. “I like having you tucked away on my mountain where I know you’re safe.”
She still seems worried, but before he can ask, his phone begins to vibrate.
“Logan.”
“It’s Keith. We’re at the restaurant and in position. Place looks busy, but Zack is ready for us. Your parents are here, along with a few of their friends.”
He glances at his watch. “Copy that, six minutes out.” He snaps it shut and gives Paul a nod to let him know everything is a go.
“Savi, what do you say if someone you don’t know approaches you?” Mark asks from the front seat.
“That my name is Nicole and I’m here with family on a ski vacation.”
“Perfect. And if you feel uncomfortable or nervous in a situation tonight, what’s your safe word for us to step in?”
“Blackstone.”
Cole looks down at her and hears Mark turn around too.
“Okay, Blackstone.” Mark glances at him, puzzled.
Cole hops out the side door, scanning the parking lot first then helping everyone out. He keeps close to Savannah as they walk into the restaurant. His parents sit at a very long table with Will, a guy he grew up with—it is great to see him—and as they all exchange greetings, his mother nudges him as she meets Savannah. Good Lord, is everyone aware he has feelings for this woman? Or was Abigail just on the horn again?
He gasps as he helps Savannah take off her jacket; her black dress is so tight it’s like a second skin. The sleeves hit right above her elbows, the length a little lower than mid-thigh, and it has a deep V-neck. Scowling at Abigail, who is avoiding his stare, he realizes he’s still clutching her coat. He smoothly tries to wrap it back around her.
“You should keep this on. You’ll freeze.”
“I’m all right, thanks.” She waves a hand and takes her seat.
He grumbles as he hangs the coat on the rack. He sits next to her, watching the guys at the table take in her beauty—or her chest. York is gawking. He has to fight with himself to not wrap his arm around her chair and claim what’s his.
Drinks are served, and Cole’s father rises to deliver a familiar holiday toast to friends. After dinner arrives, everyone dives into various dishes and conversations.
“So, when are you guys heading back to TJ?” Kyle asks. He is one of Cole’s childhood friends who joined the Army the same time Cole did.
“Possibly next week.” He sighs, seeing Mark glance at Savannah. “But I—ah, I’m not sure if I’ll be attending that trip.” He wants to see who is listening to them.
“I’ve never known you to skip out on a chance to snap someone’s neck,” York comments, taking a bite of his turkey.
“York!” Cole’s mother hisses. “That’s totally inappropriate.”
York shrugs, seemingly unfazed by her recriminations. “No secret you have more kills than any of us.”
Cole can’t believe he’s hearing this. His mother pointedly looks at Savannah, who is downing the rest of her wine. He stabs his finger at York. “One more word like that, and you’ll be finding your own way back.” He doesn’t shout, but his clipped tone says it all. The guys are all good buddies, but there is still rank in his house, and he will be damned if he’s going to let York forget that.
Cole shakes his head, turning back to Kyle. “I have a lot to catch up on. Frank is breathing down my neck.”
“Yeah, I get that.” Kyle moves his attention over to Savannah. “So, tell me something about yourself.”
She leans forward and rests her forearms on the table, her bracelets making a pretty noise as they clink together. She pulls her dark hair off one shoulder, showing off her slender neck that his tongue is begging to taste. “What do you wanna know?”
He shrugs. “Something that none of these guys knows yet.”
Cole gives her a slight nod, letting her know she can be honest with these guys. They’ve all signed NDA contracts.
She presses her lips together, taking a moment to think. “I love the blues. Give me a local pub with bad food and live music, and I’m a happy girl.” She smiles as she remembers. “My friend Lynn and I would spend every Friday night at this little hole-in-the-wall pub in Queens just to listen to a musician named Flat Street Tony. He played the cello and had a voice that would make your soul dance.” She lets out a little laugh. “One night, Tony came over and gave us a signed copy of one of the first vinyls he ever recorded. I have it mounted—” she stops herself, “had it mounted in my living room.” Her mouth twists as she looks down at her fingers. “No paparazzi, no Daddy to disappoint, no one cared who I was. It was my little slice of heaven.” She looks up, seeing the entire table is listening to her story. “So, to answer you
r question, I like the blues.” She runs her hands over her lap.
“A girl who likes a dive pub, bad food, and mellow music. Jesus, Savannah, you’re like every man’s dream.” Kyle laughs into his beer bottle. “Don’t let this one leave.”
“Didn’t you hear, Kyle?” Savannah leans toward him and lowers her voice. “I’m taking over Agent Black’s job.”
Cole turns to her, only to find her grinning ear to ear, her eyes sparkling. It takes some major self-control not to grab her, throw her up against the wall, and take her right then and there.
“Savi, are you trying to get me in more trou—” Mark laughs stopping mid-word. “Melanie?”
Savannah’s head whips around to Abigail, who looks like she’s just seen a ghost.
“Who is this?” Cole whispers and leans toward Savannah, suspecting she knows something.
She turns so their faces are almost touching. “The girl Mark’s been seeing.”
Really? That might explain why Mark’s been so eager to do the runs into town lately.
Melanie says to Abigail, “I was just grabbing something to eat and saw you. I thought I’d come by and say hello.”
“Well, that’s nice of you, dear. I’m Abigail. Please, won’t you join us?”
June is already grabbing a seat and wedging it between Mark and Savannah.
Mark shoots Cole a look, mouthing he’s going to kill Abigail.
Savannah has to squeeze against him. Luckily for him, most of the action is on her side, so now he has an excuse to wrap his arm around her chair. She seems to like this. As she settles in next to him, she runs her hand over his thigh. He lets out a puff of air, fighting off the nasty thoughts that are flashing through him.
“I don’t want to intrude…” Melanie starts to say, but Abigail pushes her into the seat.
“Nonsense.”
Cole catches his father’s gaze. He’s smiling at both him and Mark, and his mother is beaming too. Well, at least his father seems all right if something is going on with him and Savannah. He needs to speak to him about it though.
