by Emma Renshaw
13
Kiernan
“I want it wired from top to bottom. Every add-on we have available, I want it. We need to make it a damn fortress, Emilio.”
“You got it, boss. I’ll gather all the equipment. Who do I send the invoice to?”
I lifted my hand from the steering wheel, brushing it through my hair. “Hold off on that. I’ll handle it.” I knew Caroline would want an upgraded security system, but she had no idea what I had in mind for her house. And it was going to be a chunk of change. She’d never let me pay for it, I knew that, so I was going to make sure her invoice had the basics and the rest came from me. Secretly.
“Will do,” Emilio said and disconnected the call. I hit the END button on the screen in my center console. Music filtered through the speakers when the call ended. I turned it down, taking a right at the stop sign. I was almost there. My chest had been tight since Caroline had called to let me know what had happened when she’d left work. I’d been clear across Austin, working on another case, and with the damn traffic in this city, it had taken me way too long to get here. I had to see her with my own eyes to know she was okay.
She’s a client, I reminded myself for the thousandth time. I’d want to know that any of my clients was fine after an ordeal like what she’d experienced that afternoon, but I sure as damn hell didn’t want to wrap up all my clients in my arms and hold them until all the danger disappeared.
No, it was only Caroline. She was under my skin, rooting herself there one smile at a time, and I hadn’t even tasted her lips yet. Yet.
I swiped my hand over my face. I was fucked. It was only a matter of time before I couldn’t hold myself back anymore and blasted through all the rules. I had to know what it was like to kiss her.
I swung into the driveway of the small bungalow and cut the engine, hopping out of the truck before it was even fully off. My long strides ate up the space on the lawn, and I jogged up the steps to knock on the door. The blonde from the bar answered the door and smirked, leaning against the frame. I’d told Caroline, on the phone, to stay with a friend and was happy she had listened to my advice, shooting me a text with Daphne’s address a few minutes later.
I looked over Daphne’s shoulder into the house. “Where’s Caroline? How is she doing?”
“Come in, pretty boy.” Daphne held the door open and swept her arm inside. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “She’s hanging in there. She’s tough.” Daphne was right. Caroline was tough, resilient, and damn strong. She hadn’t let this break her. My chest swelled with pride. I didn’t want Caroline to have to deal with someone invading her life, but I was glad to know she was just as strong as she was beautiful. I shook off the thought that she would fit right in with the other woman in my group of friends.
I followed Daphne from the entryway into the living room. Caroline sat in a plush brown leather chair with her feet tucked under her, holding a glass of deep red wine. Her hand was propped under her chin as she stared at the empty fireplace, lost in her own thoughts.
I crossed the room and crouched in front of her. I heard Daphne’s bare feet padding across the wood floor, gradually getting quieter as she gave us more space. I placed my hand on Caroline’s thigh. She was in tight leggings, which I knew would damn near kill me if I caught the sight of her delectable ass, and a loose T-shirt that was falling off of one shoulder. Her dark hair was swept up into a knot at the top of her head and messier than she usually wore it. She looked more relaxed and tired than usual. My thumb stroked the fabric of her leggings, and she slowly turned her head toward me. Our eyes were level with each other, and I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face.
“How are you doing? Walk me through everything.”
“I’m okay. I’m freaked out.”
“I’m going to find this person,” I promised her.
“I know you will.” The corners of her lips tilted up slightly. She glanced down at the wine glass in her hand and sucked in a deep breath before meeting my eyes again. “I trust you. I know you’ll find them and, to be honest, I think that’s about the only thing keeping me sane right now.”
My chest clenched with her words, and even more resolve than I’d already had settled in my gut. My muscles turned to steel. I hadn’t been sure if I’d ever have someone place implicit trust in me. If I’d ever be worthy of that. Caroline had dismantled me with a few simple words. Humbled. Honored. Proud. Emotions I could barely translate were filling me. I was sure of one thing. I wouldn’t stop. I wouldn’t quit. I’d take the bullet, walk through the fire, meet the edges of the Earth, all to make sure she was safe and her trust in me was worth it.
I’d be worth it. For her.
“Thank you,” I said quietly and squeezed her thigh. I didn’t want to let her go, but I needed to, so I lifted my hand and grabbed the ottoman in front of the couch. I placed it in front of Caroline’s chair and sat, leaning forward, with my elbows on my knees. “Walk me through what happened? Did Maddox meet you there? I called him. Even though you called the police, I wanted someone I knew to be there with you since I couldn’t be.”
“Yes, Maddox arrived right as the other officer did.” She sighed and placed her wine on a coaster on the side table. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and grimaced. “I really hate this. I feel like I’m being watched constantly.”
“I’m sorry, Caroline. We’ll find this guy and make sure that you’re safe, I promise. My guys are rounding up equipment to install at your house, but I think you should stay here until it’s complete.”
“I will. Are there different levels of the security package? How much are they?”
“Don’t worry about that right now,” I said. “Let’s get it all set up and we’ll figure it out.”
She groaned. “Kiernan, I need to know how much I’ll be paying, and I won’t accept it as gift from you or from your company.”
I smirked. “I already knew you’d say that. I only meant that if you don’t want to pay it all up front, you don’t have to. If you’d like to break it into payments, that’s fine too. Let’s get it set up and we’ll figure it out.”
She blew out a breath. “Fine.”
Daphne came back into the living room carrying a board of cheeses, meats, and crackers. “You need to eat a little something, Caro.”
Caroline nabbed a pretzel from the tray and nibbled the end of it. “Do you mind if I sit and listen? I’d like to know what’s going on,” Daphne said.
“Of course. Stay,” Caroline said. “I’d tell you everything anyway. It’ll be easier only going over this once.”
“I’m going to set up a security system at Caroline’s house, but she’ll need somewhere to stay until it’s done.”
“She’ll stay here.” Daphne nodded, sinking into the couch with her arms crossed over her chest as her gaze bounced back and forth between Caroline and me.
“The system goes to my company. We have people working twenty-four-seven, monitoring our systems, and will send police, fire, or EMT, based on what the alert may be. I’ll have any alerts from Caroline also come to me, so I’ll be there if something happens. What did Maddox and the police say?” I asked Caroline.
“My car had been wiped clean, there were no prints on anything. They took the note and photos as evidence, but Maddox said, without further evidence, there isn’t much they can do.”
“That’s true,” I said. “But it’s always better to have it on record, so when we catch this guy, we’ll have evidence stacked against him.”
Caroline nodded. “Maddox said the same. I did take a picture of the note and photos on my phone so you could see them.” She grabbed her phone from the side table, swiping across the screen a few times before handing it over to me.
I stared at the evidence, and fury boiled in my gut. I hated that this person was getting to her so easily and wouldn’t quit—he was finding her through every electronic device she had. He was smart—I’d give him that—but in the end, I’d win. There was no othe
r option. Caroline’s safety was paramount. I sent the pictures to my phone and to my work computer.
“I’ll swing by your office in the morning and pick up the security tapes.” I swallowed and gritted my teeth before continuing my thought. “So far this guy has been thorough, and I’m not sure I will find much on the tapes, but it will help to know how he blocked them.”
Caroline nodded. “The police made a copy and reviewed it and said that the technical team would review the tapes as well. I’m ready for this to be over and forget about it.”
“I can help with that,” Daphne said and grinned.
Caroline looked over at her friend and smiled softly. “How?”
Daphne winked at Caroline and turned to me. “I’m a photographer. Mostly crime scene photography, since it pays the bills, but I’m trying to break into the book cover market. Kiernan, you’d be the perfect romance hero.”
“Oh, no,” Caroline said. “I said no!”
Daphne patted Caroline’s arm without looking at her. “I’m helping you forget. Kiernan, will you pose for photos?”
I raised my eyebrows and glanced at Caroline. Her cheeks were red, and she was shaking her head while glaring at her best friend. I wanted to laugh. “What kind of photos?”
“Shirtless. Please tell me what you got going on underneath that shirt is as good as I’m hoping.”
“Kill me now,” Caroline whispered and turned to me. “I told her not to ask you about this.”
I turned back to Daphne and patted my stomach. “It’s better. I’ll do it. Sounds fun. Only on one condition though.”
“What’s that?”
“Caroline has to be there.”
“What?” Caroline shrieked. “Why would I need to be there?”
“I’m sure Daphne needs an assistant,” I said, shrugging, and turned to Daphne.
She nodded. Her expression was completely serious. “I do. I do need an assistant. Please, Caro. He’s so perfect for a book cover. This could change my business! That’s our goal for this year!”
“You’re playing dirty,” Caroline hissed, and Daphne’s serious expression morphed into a puppy look.
“I’m only trying to help you forget this situation by bringing some levity into the mix, and what better way to forget than watch this guy without his shirt on for the afternoon?”
I held back my chuckle as Caroline’s face turned even redder. She glanced at me and her eyes swept down my body. I grinned. “I’ll go,” she muttered under her breath.
“Excellent.” Daphne grinned at me. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into, but it was time with Caroline away from our jobs. And being able to see her gorgeous face flushed while staring at me was only going to be a bonus.
14
Kiernan
Caroline’s front porch was stacked with boxes, and Emilio and Isaac sat in her rocking chairs. Isaac’s head tilted back as he slowly rocked back and forth and snored loudly. Emilio was watching a baseball game on his phone. I leaned against the pillar and kept a hold on Pepper Jack’s leash. He was lying on his side on the step below me with his back legs spread out. His eyes were closed, and he looked absolutely content to be lying in the sun and waiting for Caroline.
Tonight would be her first night back home. There were only a few final touches to put on her system before it would be ready to go, making it safe for her to be here. Or as safe as I could make it. Worry churned in my stomach. As I had known, the security cameras had been severed with a jammer. There were a few minutes of static before they reappeared online like nothing had happened, but there wasn’t a glimpse of anything from the seconds before or the seconds after.
Caroline pulled into her driveway and got out of her car. “I’m so sorry I’m late. Work was hectic today.” She popped open the back door of her car and grabbed an animal carrier. She strode up the walkway toward me, and I admired the swing of her hips in her scrubs. “I’m so sorry y’all had to wait. I hope it wasn’t long.”
Isaac’s snore cut through the air, and Caroline glanced at the men sitting in her rocking chairs. She frowned.
“No worries,” I said. “It wasn’t long.”
“Long enough for him to fall asleep,” she said frowning. “I feel so bad y’all had to wait out here.”
“That’s Isaac, and he can fall asleep anywhere, any time. Really, it’s been a few minutes and it’s a nice day. Ready to be home?”
“I think so.” She lifted the carrier. “Harmonica is ready to be here. She’s been grumpy without her window swing and clawing tower.”
I bent down and peered inside the carrier, sticking my finger through the hole. “Hi, Harmonica.”
“Be careful. She’s not very nice. She barely even likes me.”
Harmonica purred softly and I scratched under her chin. “Seems like a sweetheart to me.” I grinned and looked up at Caroline’s shocked face.
“Of course,” she muttered under her breath and strode past me to the front door to let us inside. I kicked Isaac’s leg. He startled awake and Emilio closed down the game on his phone and followed me in. Isaac trailed behind him. Pepper Jack trotted next to me. “You can unleash him.”
I bent and unleashed Pepper Jack. Since Caroline’s training classes he’d been better, but I was still worried that he would cause some destruction. He’d been by himself for too long today, and I’d had no other choice but to bring him. I’d need to watch him, and if he started anything, I would have to send him to the backyard or my truck with the A/C running. I grimaced. I didn’t want to think about the damage that he could do while I was gone.
But once again, Pepper Jack proved he only had it out for me. He sniffed around the living room for a few seconds and, before I could even blink, he jumped on the couch and fell asleep. “Pepper Jack, off.”
“He’s fine. I don’t mind him on the couch.”
“Are you sure, Caroline?”
She smiled and placed the cat carrier on the ground. “I’m sure. She unlocked the latch and Harmonica jumped out. She turned toward Caroline, hissing once, and wound herself around my legs before sashaying across the living room, jumping on the back of the couch, and climbing into her window swing. It was attached by suction cups, and her face was turned toward the lawn as she watched the street. I chuckled.
“See? She’s all attitude.”
“Still think she’s sweet.”
Caroline rolled her eyes. Isaac and Emilio had already gotten started on hooking up the last items, leaving me to chat with her. “I can’t believe she’s nice to you. She’s mean to everyone. Even me and I’m the one who feeds her, gives her treats, and brought her home!”
I shrugged. “She likes me.”
Caroline scoffed. “Don’t know why.”
I ate up the distance between us, leaned down, and whispered in her ear. “Same reasons you do, sweetness.”
Her cheeks flushed as I stood to my full height and walked away to help Emilio and Isaac. “We won’t be long,” I called over my shoulder. “I’ll teach you how to use it before I go.”
“Thanks, Kiernan. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
She wandered down a hallway. I watched her until she was out of sight, and a moment later, I heard a soft click as a door shut. I turned back to my work and finished wiring the cameras and motion sensors. Every square inch of her lawn, front and back, was covered from multiple angles by the cameras. They were small and unobtrusive and could potentially go unnoticed. Hopefully, they would and if Caroline’s stalker showed up, we’d have him.
Several panic buttons had been installed on light switches throughout her house. If she pressed one, MarxMen and I would be notified immediately. I’d done as much as possible to make her feel safe here and honored her one wish—no cameras inside. I couldn’t blame her. After being watched on camera, she was leery of the technology and worried that the hacker could find a way in.
He wouldn’t though. There was no way he’d hack into our measures. Caroline came out of her room a few
minutes later, changed out of her scrubs. A few strands of wet hair fell from her ponytail. I wondered if she had showered.
“Can I get y’all anything?”
“No, thanks.” Isaac stood, wiping his hands on his jeans. “We’re done. Emilio is clearing out the boxes, but we’re headed out, boss.”
I nodded. “Thanks, guys. See y’all later.”
The door closed behind Isaac. Emilio was already outside waiting on him. I watched through the window as they pulled off; then it was just the two of us. I turned toward Caroline. “Ready to learn how to use this thing?”
Caroline followed me around the house as I pointed out each panel and panic button, explaining what they did and how she could use them if she needed help. I picked up the tablet I had set down in her living room. It showed a live feed of the cameras outside and the different options she had. I set up her phone with the same monitoring system.
She listened and nodded. Occasionally she asked a question, but mostly she stayed quiet with a small wrinkle between her brows as she concentrated on every word I said. The stiffness in her shoulders was easing by the minute.
“Do you go above and beyond like this for all your clients?”
I stopped pointing at the feed I was referencing and gazed at her. She was watching me intently. I cleared my throat. “I do all I can to help anyone who comes through our doors.”
The truth was no, I didn’t. I did what I could to keep our clients safe, provided for their security needs, whatever they may be, and suggested further ways to improve their security. But I’d never taken it on myself to install a system in someone’s home before they asked for it. And usually Emilio and Isaac set up the systems without me being there. I trusted them and knew their work. I was typically more in an overseeing position, but with Caroline, I’d taken point, handled the grunt work, and done everything in between.
“But do you go above and beyond for all of them like you are for me? You make sure I’m safe every day and check in with me. You’re walking me through this system, when I’m sure one of your guys could’ve done it. You’re high up at the company, right? Do you normally supervise an installation?”
