“I’m sorry, Shar. Hopefully, we won’t be gone long, but …” He shook his head. “Something’s off, I feel it.”
Shar wasn’t leaving. This stalker didn’t even know she and Mike liked each other. All the blinds had been closed tight when they kissed. This was overkill.
Lily burst into the room. “I sent Preston and Ally to Atlanta to meet Colt,” she said quickly.
“Without even getting their stuff or saying goodbye?” Shar thought Gunner and Lily were much too intense. She didn’t see her sister near enough, and they’d just sent her and her husband away?
“They’ll have to get it later. Let’s go,” Gunner said.
“No,” Shar said.
Mike glanced down at her. “We’d get to be together.”
Shar smiled at that, but she knew he had responsibilities too. “You’re just going to ditch out on football and go wherever Gunner tells you to go?”
Mike’s brow furrowed. “I thought Shar was coming to Atlanta with us. She can stay at my house in Marietta, and you both can protect all of us.”
“No,” Lily said shortly. “A note just got delivered to the hotel. I was the emergency contact when you didn’t answer. I had the manager send me a picture of it.”
Mike looked embarrassed. “I felt it buzz in my pocket, but no way was I interrupting that kiss.”
Gunner kept a straight face, but Lily’s eyebrows shot up.
“What does the note say?” Gunner asked.
Lily held up the screenshot. He read it aloud, “Do you think your beautiful chef likes poison, or would she rather be burned alive? Ditch her … unless you want to find out.” It had a picture of the two of them leaving the restaurant toward the beach path. “And I just got word from Sutton. A dumpster started on fire behind your restaurant. They put it out, no worries, but …”
Shar’s stomach pitched. “Why didn’t they call me?”
“The chef said it was small, and they were able to put it out. Sutton checked in with them because of the cameras Gunner had set up. Unfortunately, they didn’t get any angles of the dumpster before the fire started, but you can see the glow of it burning in one of the feeds. Sutton simply told them he was from the security company that monitors the restaurant.” She looked at Shar. “We’ll keep those camera feeds going and get a few more installed to make sure your restaurant and home are protected.”
They wouldn’t dare burn her restaurant. It made her sick, but it also meant they were playing a more serious game than she’d realized.
Mike released her hand and pulled her into his side. “I can take a break from football,” he said.
Shar stared up at him. “You would do that, for me?”
Mike nodded seriously.
“What do you think, Shar?” Gunner asked. “We can take you to Atlanta to be with Colt, Preston, and Ally. Colt’s one of the best, and I trust him implicitly, but I’d feel better about getting you to a safe house since you now have a target on your back. That way, Colt would only have to watch out for Preston and Ally.”
Shar glanced at that note again then around at all the concerned faces, settling on Mike. It would give her time alone with him, and she definitely wouldn’t feel safe knowing someone was threatening to poison or burn her or her restaurant. “Is someone following this Meredith?”
Gunner nodded. “We’ll get someone on her. It seems really suspicious that she’d show up here and with the two threats, the pictures, and the fire coming in tonight.”
“But what if it’s not Meredith and you don’t find the stalker? How long do we just hide out? And what if they burn down my restaurant?”
“We’ll watch the restaurant. I’m betting if we go, they’ll spend their time trying to find Mike.” Gunner shrugged. “I don’t know how long we’ll have to hide out, but I’ll keep you both safe, and Sutton’s techs and field guys will work hard to find her, or him.”
Mike pulled her in close, bent, and brushed his lips across her forehead. “Please come with us, Shar. I can’t stand the thought of something happening to you.”
Shar glanced up at him, so strong, so handsome. The thought of leaving her restaurant made her slightly panicked, but she couldn’t resist the safety and excitement Mike offered, so she found herself nodding.
Mike gave her a relieved smile and a soft kiss. Shar melted against him.
Gunner interrupted, issuing orders. “Lily, take the Escalade and meet at the destination we discussed. I’ll follow these two in a vehicle Sutton is sending over. Shar, go pack a bag. Mike, give her some space.”
Shar rolled her eyes at Mike, who gave her one more hug before letting her go. Lily saluted Gunner mockingly. “Aye, aye, sir.”
He gave her a quick kiss and a gentle nudge toward the front door. “Love you.”
Shar hurried up the stairs to pack. She was deserting her house and her restaurant, but she was going to be with Mike. It was foreign to her to not take care of her responsibilities, but she didn’t want to go to Atlanta or stay here. Even if she hired protection or Sutton sent someone, it would be terrifying to think a stalker was watching her. Mike and some safe house sounded like pretty good options at the moment.
Chapter Eight
Mike did not want to just up and leave his life, especially football. He chafed at the idea of missing more practice, and no way would he miss next Sunday’s game, but he trusted Gunner and Lily, and he definitely wanted Shar to stay safe. Coach Warren and Bucky, the team owner, had been informed about what was going on. They were two of the few people who knew about his stalker. Ally was currently the head of marketing for the Patriots, so she’d have to figure out how to spin his absence to the press if he actually had to miss next Sunday’s game. He tried to think positive. There wouldn’t be an absence. If Meredith was really his stalker, Sutton’s guys would find the proof they needed. If it was someone else, maybe the person who had delivered the note was caught on camera, or they could track the email address down.
They drove through the quiet night to a remote airport, then boarded a small jet and flew to Colorado. He talked quietly with Shar, Gunner, and Lily, and tried to focus on the new Robin Hood movie someone put on for the plane ride, but his mind was stewing with his plan. He was fine with getting Shar settled here with Gunner and Lily, and making sure she was safe. Spending some time alone with her this next week wouldn’t be something he would complain about, but then he was going to fly back for practice on Friday and Saturday, and be at his game on Sunday. He couldn’t miss a game. It just wasn’t in his makeup. Colt would be there as well as the Patriots security. The stalker had never threatened him personally, except for the random email, but famous people got emails like that often. Though he trusted Gunner’s instincts, he wasn’t going to uproot his entire life for them.
They were finally driving through the mountains toward the safe house. He glanced over at Shar, sitting in the bucket seat next to him in the Escalade that had been waiting for them at the private Colorado Springs airport. She’d been pretty quiet, and he wondered how she felt about her life being uprooted. She might be a huge fan of his, and they’d shared that one incredible kiss, but she probably resented having to leave her restaurant because of him.
She glanced over at him and saw him watching her in the dark interior of the vehicle.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
“Ready to do the horizontal coma on a comfy bed. You?”
He smiled. “That does sound pretty great.” The flight had been comfortable, but he hadn’t been able to sleep, and it was almost three a.m. They were driving through thick woods, and it was dark enough that he couldn’t see much past the dirt road and the closest trees illuminated by the headlights.
Finally, a clearing appeared, and the headlights lit up a two-story log cabin with a detached garage. Lily stayed with them in the car while Gunner did a sweep of the cabin. He came back and nodded shortly. “Clear.”
They all unloaded and wearily made their way up the front porch while Gunner put the Escalade
away in the garage. It was a classic cabin with a wrap-around porch. Inside, there was a large gathering area and a master suite on the main level, with a mudroom behind the open kitchen. Upstairs, there was a loft with a reading and tv nook and play area, and Mike could just see three doors at the back of the loft. Maybe bedrooms or a bathroom. There’d been a bag with clothes and toiletries for each of them in the Escalade in Colorado, except for Shar who’d been able to pack her own.
Lily headed for the master bedroom with their bags. Gunner followed her but stopped and glanced at them. “We’re taking the master because it’s the security center. You two okay upstairs?”
Shar nodded.
“Sure,” Mike said.
“Get some rest. We’re safe here.”
“Thanks,” Mike said.
He followed Shar up the stairs and to the three doors he’d seen. There were two bedrooms on either side of a bathroom. He’d felt pretty comfortable and awesome kissing her earlier, but she’d been so quiet throughout their travel, and he wasn’t sure if she was regretting the kiss or just upset about her life being uprooted. Probably the latter, but he wasn’t sure what to say.
Holding on to his bag, he turned to her. “Take your pick.”
She smiled. “I’ll take the one on the right.”
“Any reason?” He wanted to extend their time alone together, maybe get a glimpse if she was feeling anything for him, or if his stardom status had worn off and now she wasn’t a crazy fangirl, not enamored by him any longer.
“It’s closer. I’m so tired I’m staggering like a drunk.”
He smiled. “Closer as in three steps?”
“Yep.”
So she was only tired. That made sense and didn’t make him quite as concerned. She wasn’t upset at him for pulling her from her life, or at least she wasn’t thinking the kiss was awful. She couldn’t, could she? That kiss had been unreal, and unless he was completely off, she’d been a more than willing participant.
“Goodnight.”
“Night.” She pushed open the door and disappeared.
Mike stood, wishing she wasn’t so tired. He was tired, but he also felt frustrated, out of his element, and at the same time, so drawn to Shar. He wanted to stay up and talk with her, without Gunner and Lily right there listening in.
He forced himself to walk into his bedroom, put his bag in the closet, slip out of his clothes, and pull the covers back on the king-sized bed. At least it was king-sized. He closed his eyes but struggled to drift off, staring at the dark ceiling for what felt like hours before his eyes finally got heavy, and he fell asleep.
* * *
Sun was streaming through the large windows, and he heard a strange buzzing sound. Mike felt like he’d been clobbered over the head. He groaned and rolled onto his side, reaching into the pocket of his pants heaped on the floor for his cell phone. Pushing a button to stop the buzzing, he looked at the display with bleary eyes. Brett White. An old friend. They’d known each other for years, meeting at football camps in high school, playing against each other on opposing teams in college, then both being drafted by the Patriots. Brett hadn’t shone his rookie year and had been traded quickly to the Giants. He called every once in a while to chat, but Mike didn’t know he had this new number. When Gunner and Lily took Mike on as a client, they’d gotten rid of his regular phone and given him this one with “scrubbed” contacts.
“’lo?” Mike grunted out.
“Dude! How are ya?”
“Tired.” Mike stood and stretched, looking out the windows at the view of trees, trees, and more trees. It was green and pretty, but a little claustrophobic.
“They working you too hard?” Brett laughed. “Transfer over here, we’d love the superstar Mike Kohler on our roster.” There was a bite to his voice. Mike had been afraid Brett had blamed him for being pushed off the Patriots, and now Mike was hearing rumors that he wasn’t long for the Giants either, and it was doubtful if anyone else would pick him up.
“Thanks, man. I’ll remember that.” He tried to be upbeat.
“We’re playing you in a week. You want to get together when I fly in?”
“Um …” Would he be playing next Sunday? Everything in him said yes, but he wasn’t sure what to say to Brett.
“You too busy for an old friend?” Brett jabbed at him.
“No, it’s just, I’m actually out of town, for some … family issues.” He hadn’t planned on having to explain, thinking how Ally would have to deal with the media, not him. He was fumbling.
“Oh, sorry to hear that. Anything I can do?”
“No, just be nice to my team next Sunday if I’m not there.” He had to be there.
Brett laughed. “You can definitely not plan on that.”
Mike laughed with him. “I’ll let you know if plans change.”
“You do that. Take care, man.”
“You too.” Mike slid the phone off and set it on the nightstand.
There was a hard rap on his door then it pushed open. Gunner stood there. “Who were you talking to?”
“Brett White.”
Gunner’s brow furrowed. “I don’t remember him being in your list of approved contacts.”
“I wondered that too. Should I have asked how he got the number?”
Gunner shrugged nonchalantly, but he didn’t appear too happy. “He knows a lot of your teammates from being on the Patriots three years ago. He could’ve gotten the number fairly easily. We haven’t gone to the extreme of broadcasting the news of your stalker to family, friends, or teammates, but maybe with the situation escalating as it has …” He put his hand out. “Let me go look at the phone. Sorry, but I might need to shut it down to make sure no one can track our location.”
Mike palmed the phone, walked over, and handed it to Gunner. It was a chafing kind of feeling to be a successful, full-grown man and have to follow another strong-willed man’s instructions for safety. He didn’t like not having a phone. He didn’t think he was addicted to his phone, but he liked to read the news, his scriptures, and books on it, and he checked social media, the stock market, and the weather as much as the next person.
Gunner nodded his thanks and headed back down the stairs. Mike walked to the bathroom door. It was locked, so he leaned against the wall to wait. Shar was probably in there. He was anxious to see her this morning. Hopefully, now that she wasn’t tired, she’d share her funny personality and smiles with him again. Maybe being cooped up in this forest retreat wouldn’t be too bad. He and Shar could go on runs through the forest, work out together to keep him ready for the game, snuggle up on the couch, and she could read, whatever she enjoyed reading, while he studied plays. She claimed to be a huge football fan. Maybe she’d be up to watching game tapes of the Giants’ defense. He was definitely going to beg her to cook some amazing delicacies for him.
The door opened, and a little steam eased out, haloing the beautiful woman in the doorframe. She had a towel wrapped around her torso that showed off her toned shoulders and shapely legs. Shar’s dark hair was wet and trailing down her back. Her smooth skin was washed clean, and her dark eyes looked so big and beguiling. He took an unconscious step toward her.
She focused in on him, and her eyes swept down then up his body. She gave a little gasp and shut the door again.
Mike stood there, staring at the door. Maybe the snuggling on the couch wasn’t happening. He looked down at himself. He was only wearing boxers. Shoot. Had that made her uncomfortable? As an athlete, he was pretty used to working out or walking around the locker room in minimal clothing. He hadn’t thought much of walking around in boxer shorts.
Should he go slip his clothes back on so he didn’t embarrass her? He stood outside the bathroom door debating what to do and hoping she’d just open it again.
* * *
Shar clung to the bathroom doorknob, panting for air. She’d been bleary and out of it this morning, so she’d wandered into the bathroom and showered, not thinking to grab clean clothes. When
she’d opened the door and seen Mike in nothing but boxers, and realized she was in nothing but a towel, she’d slammed the door shut again. Now she had no clue what to do, and she felt stupid and immature. Mike had all manner of gorgeous women throwing themselves at him at all times. What would he think of someone like her who could barely look at his glorious chest without having heart palpitations? It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen a man without a shirt on before. It was that Mike was just too perfect and appealing to her.
She waited a few seconds, then squared her shoulders. She could open the door, and if he was still standing there, she’d just say good morning and slip into her bedroom. No big deal.
Easing the door open, she peeked out and about passed out. He was still standing there, in nothing but boxer shorts. Shar’s eyes feasted on his muscular torso, chest, and arms covered with deep brown skin. He was so fascinating that it took a few seconds before her eyes made their way to his face. He was smirking at her.
“Morning, Shar,” he murmured in his deep husky voice.
Shar almost slammed the door again. Instead, she clutched the towel to her to make sure it didn’t slip off and tilted her chin imperiously. “Good morning,” she managed to get out of her suddenly dry throat in a semi-confident tone.
He stepped closer, filling up the doorway and making her wonder how she was going to slip past, or if she even wanted to. What she really wanted to do was touch those lovely-looking muscles on his chest and see what they felt like.
“Any plans today?” he asked.
Shar smiled. “Nope, the schedule has been cleared.” It was an odd feeling: sort of liberating but also kind of scary to have no work and no plans. She worried about her restaurant but was grateful it was off-season, knowing her staff could handle it.
“If we can talk our Nazi bodyguards into it, do you want to go on a hike through the forest?”
Her eyes flickered down to his chest again. “Maybe we should put some clothes on first.”
Cami’s Georgia Patriots Romance Collection Page 47
