Innocent Target

by Katie Reus

  Hadley looked at the three women, all of whom didn’t seem surprised by this suggestion. “You guys are being overprotective.” She knew how to take care of herself and had been doing it for a long time.

  Surprising her, Skye sidled up next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Look, Brooks is out of town and he would lose his shit if he learned about what happened and then found out I did nothing to keep you safe.”

  “My house is safe.” She knew her brother was cofounder of a security consulting company and yeah, she’d heard them talk about some gray area stuff before, but hacking her school’s security seemed waaaayyyy over the top.

  Skye simply squeezed Hadley’s shoulders. “Come on. The Boy Scout can be so annoying when he’s in a mood. Just humor us and stay here? You’ll be doing me a favor.”

  “Oh my gosh, you’re sneaky.” She gently elbowed Skye but nodded even as she looked at Mary Grace, relieved that she wouldn’t be alone after what had happened. “And so are you.”

  Nova just snorted into her wine and muttered, “You have no idea.”

  Even though Hadley thought they were being a teeny bit overprotective, she could actually admit that she didn’t mind staying the night. What had happened at school had jarred her a lot deeper than she was ready to accept. And she wasn’t sure how long it would take to put it behind her.

  Chapter 2

  —Great things never come from comfort zones.—

  With the sun shining on her face as she headed down the busy sidewalk to her favorite coffee shop, Hadley felt so much better this morning. It was amazing what some sleep could do. Still…she was a little off-kilter as if the sunlight and normal, happy people out and about were surreal. She hadn’t slept well, and though she wasn’t scared someone was going to jump out at her, she was still edgy.

  After ordering her favorite drink—a mocha latte—she stepped outside and right into a wall of muscle. Her drink slipped from her hands, splashing all over the ground and a pair of scuffed boots.

  “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.” Horrified, she looked up into the clearest blue eyes she’d ever seen. “I’m…” Um, words would be good. Now, please!

  “It’s okay.” The man’s voice had a deep, sexy timbre she felt all the way to her toes. And other places. Well, that was new. She’d never been affected by a voice before, but this man was something else. He was maybe a little over six feet and his dark hair had auburn highlights that glinted in the sun. Freshly shaven and dressed casually, he was all sorts of sexy. “Let me buy you a new drink,” he continued, stepping back so a couple could move past them.

  That was when she realized they were standing in the middle of the doorway, blocking everyone. “Oh, ah, no, that’s not necessary.” Embarrassed, she bent to pick up her now empty cup and the top but he beat her to it and tossed them into the nearby recycle can.

  “It’s the least I can do.” He looked at her with such intensity she swore she felt his warmth wrapping around her. Which was simply ridiculous.

  “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

  “Fine, then you can buy me a drink,” he continued, his lips kicking up in amusement.

  Feeling her cheeks flush, she nodded and stepped back inside with him.

  To her surprise, he ended up buying her drink and his—and getting her a chocolate muffin—in such a smooth way she hadn’t even seen him pull out his cash.

  “Thank you for this,” she said once they stepped outside into the bright sunlight. Even if it was an unusually cold spring, being around this man heated her right up.

  Nodding, he glanced around in that hyperalert way she’d only ever seen her brother and his friends do. Maybe he’d been in the military? “It’s no problem. Do you want to sit and talk with me or are you on your way somewhere?”

  She loved the way he asked, giving her an easy out. Hadley rarely dated, and it wasn’t as if he was asking her on one anyway. He was just asking her to join him for a few minutes and she really needed to stop overanalyzing things and say something. “Sure. I’m Hadley, by the way,” she said as he pulled out one of the mesh wire chairs for her.

  “Axel. Are you from around here?”

  “I just started school here. Ah, vet school,” she tacked on so he wouldn’t think she was eighteen. At twenty-two, she knew she looked young, though this morning Mary Grace had let her borrow some clothes and Hadley could admit she felt sexy. Instead of her normal jeans and T-shirt, turtleneck or flannel button-up, she had on some sort of stretchy black pants with leather strips down the sides, little heeled boots and a formfitting sweater. She’d also borrowed a scarf for not only the cold, but to cover up the light bruising on her neck. “What about you?”

  “I’m interviewing for a couple jobs so I’m in town for a week or so.”

  “Oh, what do you do?” She wasn’t sure if it was rude to ask or not. She’d only ever dated guys from her last college so she’d known exactly what their “profession” was—student. And now, sitting in front of Axel she realized that the guys she’d dated were…boys in comparison. Given his build—tall, broad-shouldered but not bulky—she was pretty sure that he was built under his jeans, sweater and leather jacket.

  He did that half-smile thing again that made butterflies take flight inside her. “Finance. Which means I crunch numbers and analyze stuff…it’s pretty boring. So, vet school? What kind of background do you need for that?”

  “I have a bachelor’s in biology but there’s not one specific degree you need. Having a science background certainly doesn’t hurt though.”

  “What kind of vet degree do you want?” The man was so attentive, all his focus on her, and she’d seen a few women give him sidelong glances.

  Not that she blamed them. Not one bit. “Well, you don’t really get to pick. Like I can’t say I want to go to school only for horses, but once I’m done I can have a focus in one area or another if I choose. I’m hoping to be an equine vet—a horse veterinarian.”

  “I’ve never been on a horse before. Or…even seen one in person, for that matter.” Again with the toe-curling smile. There was just a hint of wicked in it.

  Holy hell, he was making her panties melt, which was beyond ridiculous. At least it was taking her mind off yesterday. “They’re not for everyone, but I love them.” Her mom had allowed her one thing while growing up, horse-riding lessons. It had been pretty much the only nice thing her mom had ever done for her. Hadley knew it was because she’d liked to show Hadley off, as if she was a prize freaking pony herself, but she’d never cared since it allowed her to ride.

  “Listen…I’ve got to run but I’d like to take you out sometime. Can I get your number?”

  God, he was so straightforward, which she knew was good. She was simply used to being asked “wanna hang and grab a few beers” by guys. This felt different and she liked it. “Yes.”

  After she gave it to him, he texted her. “Now you’ve got mine too. I’ll call you later today.”

  “Okay.” She wasn’t sure if he actually would call but she really hoped he would. She had so much going on right now, especially with starting a new school and program. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t have a little fun, right? She’d been so driven to succeed since…well, forever. Part of it was just her personality but part of it was because she’d been trying to earn her mother’s approval. Something she’d only recognized recently. She wished she could think of something flirty or…anything else to say, but her mind was pretty much a blank as he stood and left.

  She didn’t even bother not trying to stare as he walked away because he seriously filled out those Levi’s in a way that should be illegal. At least he gave her something to focus on after last night. Ugh. She needed to stop or she was going to send herself into a panic attack and hole up at home.

  And on that note, she needed to get out of here too. She had errands to run, including heading out to the ranch to check on her favorite horse, Pirate. With her dad and brother out of town, they’d made it clear s
he had complete use of the estate anytime she wanted.

  Which felt weird, considering how massive their estate was, but she really, really loved being able to go riding anytime she wanted. Plus it would give her some downtime, which she needed after last night.

  * * *

  Fuck.

  Axel rubbed the back of his neck as he slid into the truck he’d rented. Hadley Lane was sexy as fuck. Adorable even, with that damn dimple and the way her cheeks flushed pink. She hadn’t flirted with him at all, but she’d been sweet and open and… Hell.

  He hadn’t planned on this. Hadn’t planned on her.

  After he’d gotten a copy of a contract put out on her—sent by a friend who’d told him that this must be some sort of mistake and to check it out if he wanted—he’d done some digging. Once he’d realized she was related to Brooks Alexander he’d decided to visit Redemption Harbor in person.

  Then he’d seen her in person yesterday. She was everything he wasn’t.

  And he found himself impossibly drawn to her. Like a moron. She wasn’t for him. Not even close.

  Yet…he was going to call her, spend time with her, but only to keep an eye on her. Because someone wanted her dead. And he hadn’t figured out who yet. Whoever it was, was a dead man walking.

  The only thing he knew for certain was that three hitters had been sent Hadley’s information with instructions to kidnap her and bring her to a certain location unharmed. She was going to be used as leverage for something. Whatever it was wouldn’t matter to the guys who’d been sent after her. They just wanted to get paid.

  Now there were only two men he had to be on the lookout for because he’d taken care of one last night. That fucker had tried to kidnap her at school and had been smart enough to take out all the electricity in part of the college.

  Axel had planted a tracker on her car earlier so he’d known where she’d be. Now…he should just contact Brooks and tell him what was going on.

  When he saw the little dot on his phone moving, telling him that Hadley was heading somewhere else, he shelved the thought. He’d watch out for her now. She was so damn innocent and he couldn’t stomach the thought of someone like her being hurt. He’d seen too many people hurt in his last profession and if he could look out for her, he would.

  Chapter 3

  —Fact: you’re an asshole.—

  He stared at his laptop screen, as if that would somehow make the message he’d been waiting for appear. He’d set up multiple anonymous email accounts and, with the help of an unsavory acquaintance, had reached out to men willing to do what he needed.

  For a price, of course.

  He was spending money he didn’t have but he was a risk-taker. Sometimes his gambling paid off, and other times it didn’t. Right now he desperately needed this plan to work. And kidnapping Hadley Lane was the way to get what he wanted quickest. It would serve two purposes.

  Her rich father would do anything to get her back, and he planned to punish Douglas Alexander in more ways than one. That man would pay in blood eventually. But the old man wouldn’t balk at a ransom request. Not for his precious daughter.

  He wouldn’t return her, however. Or maybe he would. Even if he did, she wouldn’t be the same. He’d break her into a thousand pieces first. He’d decide that later, once he had the young, beautiful woman in his grasp. She was just his type too. Dark hair, sweet smile, all innocent and ripe for the picking.

  And he was going to record everything for Douglas, make the old man watch what he did to her. It was nothing less than he deserved. Douglas had taken from him, mocked him as he did it, and now he would take from the billionaire.

  For a while he’d considered Douglas’s son, but Brooks was too hard to get to and he’d been in the Marines. A fucking sniper. No, going after him would be stupid. Those two had a poor relationship anyway. And Douglas’s ex-wives had all been whores, none of whom the man seemed to care about at all. No leverage there.

  But Hadley was sweet and new in his life. And by all accounts the man had “changed” and was trying to have a real relationship with her. A joke.

  Nonetheless, this would still hurt Douglas, would cut him deep. Not only would he lose millions, he’d lose the daughter he’d never gotten to know.

  Yes…he would have to kill her. Though he would wear a mask as he hurt her, cut her, raped her, he still would need her to die. Douglas would have to know that he’d never stood a chance at saving her. That no matter what he did, what he paid, his daughter would have died anyway.

  Because he wanted to break Douglas too.

  He refreshed his screen and nearly jumped when he saw a new message. He never actually sent the emails. He and the other man attached to this account simply signed into the email, started a new message, but never sent it. Just saved the messages as drafts. He had an email account set up like this with each man he’d hired.

  Apparently it was the best way to communicate, per the acquaintance who’d given him the names of these men. He quickly scanned the message, frowned. Before responding he took a bump of coke to get settled.

  Hitter 1: You said you only hired a few of us.

  I did.

  Hitter 1: Saw the target out today with a known associate.

  Well, he certainly hadn’t told the other men the names of who he’d hired. Just kept the contract small. His acquaintance had made that clear, that he could only hire a few hitters at a time and if they failed, only then could he expand his contract. Otherwise it would get too crowded and messy with too many people involved. And it would increase the chance of something leading back to him—or the job failing. It wasn’t exactly strange that this guy saw someone in his field out with her. This guy should have been faster and gotten to her first—because no one got paid the full amount until she was brought in.

  His frown deepened as he stared at the screen, ignoring his own reflection glinting off it. If Hadley was out with one of the men he’d hired, maybe the guy simply wanted to screw her first or drug her, bring her in easier.

  Finally he responded. What is the problem then?

  Hitter 1: You said not to hurt her. Has that changed?

  Just bring her in alive and breathing. No broken bones.

  If she was roughed up a little, he could deal with it. But he’d be the one to break her.

  Hitter 1: Okay.

  And that was that. He logged into the other accounts, hoping to find a message of success. Whoever H1 had seen the woman with might have already bagged her.

  Adrenaline punched through him as he thought of what he’d do to her, of how Douglas would feel. But there were no emails, dousing part of the high from his last bump of coke.

  Sighing, he closed down the windows and turned off his laptop. He could simply check from his phone later but he needed to get out of here.

  Needed to meet up with friends, to be seen in public so he had an alibi later. And he was feeling lucky right now so it was time to hit the races, place a few bets.

  Yeah, his luck was starting to turn around, he could feel it in his bones. Soon he’d get everything he deserved. And Douglas would regret the day he’d ever fucked with him.

  Chapter 4

  —Some days I like animals better than people.—

  Axel knocked on Hadley’s front door, still surprised by how small her house was. He knew it was, from his earlier covert visit to plant cameras around the exterior, but she was the daughter of Douglas Alexander. Axel had expected it to be much larger. Lavish, even. Not this cottage-style place in a quiet neighborhood with families. He’d set up a couple micro-cameras around her front yard and backyard too, covering all angles of her place so he could keep an eye on her.

  He’d considered breaking into her place and adding a few inside, but he hadn’t been willing to compromise her privacy like that. Not when he was able to monitor the exterior just fine. Even so, he hated that she wasn’t somewhere safer, somewhere he could control the environment. Or at her family’s ranch, which seemed almost impenetrab
le.

  Tonight, at least, he hoped to change that. He wanted to get her away from her residence, an easily traceable place that anyone hired to kidnap her would target first. Her info was available and had been in the file he’d received regardless. But even if it hadn’t been, tracking her down was child’s play.

  She opened the door wearing a little navy blue sweater dress and thigh-high boots, and it took a moment for his brain to start functioning again as he stared at her. In the pictures his contact had given him of her, she was always in jeans and T-shirts or sweaters—and looked amazing. With the mid-thigh dress hugging all her curves… Fuck him. He was so screwed. She was a decade younger than him and right about now he felt ancient.

  Her cheeks flushed an adorable shade of pink as she smiled at him. “Hey.”

  “Hey, yourself. You look beautiful.” He held out a small bag of the coffee beans he’d gotten from the same place they’d met.

  Surprise flared in her dark eyes as she took the bag and smiled. When she smiled she had this one dimple that was absolutely adorable. No other word for it. “Thank you, I love this kind.”

  He’d debated getting her flowers, but had thought that felt wrong for some reason. Hell, this whole situation was wrong. He shouldn’t be here. But he was, and damn it, he needed to get his head on straight. Axel couldn’t afford to be distracted right now, not when he was trying to keep her safe.

  Nodding once, he said, “I took a chance you would. Did you need a few more minutes before we head out?” He wasn’t sure how current dating worked exactly since he hadn’t been on one in… He couldn’t remember. Which was pathetic.

  “Ah, no… Did you want to come in for a drink before we go?”

  He shook his head, even though he would like nothing more than to see her place—her bedroom specifically.