| |
Life was good. Olivia was surprised by the thought—and the smile that didn’t want to quit—as Jake drove her to work three days later. Even more shocking was that she actually believed it.
There’d been no more phone calls, nothing sinister left on her porch. And even though they’d spent most of the last few days at home, when she and Jake did go out, she hadn’t gotten the creepy stalker vibes once.
She was starting to believe that the police had actually been right. The phone calls, snake, and break-in were nothing more than childish pranks. That, or whoever had been infatuated with her had moved on. Jake wasn’t as convinced.
“I have to go into the city for a meeting, so Trevor will pick you up and drive you home today.”
Olivia looked at him. “Is that really necessary? I thought we agreed that everything that happened were just some sick pranks.”
“No, you decided to chalk it all up as that. I’m not willing to take that chance.”
“It’s been two weeks, and nothing else has happened. Seriously, Jake. Trevor doesn’t need to take time out of his day to babysit me.”
Still concentrating on the road in front of them, Jake acted as if he hadn’t heard a word she’d said.
“If I’m able to get away sooner, I’ll drive you home. Either way, you’re not to leave the hospital without one of us there to walk you out.”
Olivia wanted to roll her eyes. “You don’t think this is overkill?”
Jake gripped the steering wheel a little tighter before reaching over and grabbing her hand. Lacing their fingers together, he glanced over at her.
“I lost you once, Liv. I’m not willing to risk losing you again.”
The sincerity in his gorgeous eyes did her in. “Well, crap.”
Olivia sighed loudly and relaxed back into her seat again. Feigning frustration, she asked, “How am I supposed to argue with you when you go and say something sweet like that?”
One corner of Jake’s mouth rose as he looked out the windshield again. “It’s a gift. Might as well accept it now.”
She pretended to glare. “Fine. Trevor can play bodyguard. But you’re making it up to me when you get home tonight.” Out of the corner of her eye, Olivia saw his smirk turn into a smile.
“Any thoughts as to how I can accomplish that?”
“I’ll think of something.”
Jake chuckled and raised the hand he was still holding to his mouth for a quick peck. “Oh, I’m sure you will.”
Olivia thought for a moment before asking the question she was afraid to be answered. “So, this meeting. Is it about another job?”
“It is. I’d prefer to let Trevor take my place, but William Cantrell personally requested I be there to oversee the details.”
“William Cantrell,” Olivia repeated the name as if she’d possibly heard it before. It took a few seconds before recognition hit. “Wait a minute. Are you talking about Senator Bill Cantrell?”
“The one and only. Apparently, he wants to hire us for extra security on his campaign trail, which starts in a couple of weeks. I’m meeting with him and the head of his personal security detail.”
“Wow. That has to be good for business. Word of mouth alone from a guy like that could be huge for R.I.S.C.”
“It definitely couldn’t hurt.” Jake turned onto the road leading to the hospital. “I still hate the idea of leaving you.”
“Are you kidding? A freaking United States Senator wants to meet with you, Jake. Of course, you go. Besides, I’ll be around other people all day long. I’ll be fine.” And then, because she couldn’t help but ask, Olivia said, “So, this job. When would you have to leave?”
“I don’t. Hill and Coop will be working this one.”
At first, she was relieved, but then felt selfish. R.I.S.C. was his livelihood, and if they were going to make a go at an actual relationship, Olivia was going to have to get used to him leaving for it.
“Please tell me you aren’t passing up this opportunity because of me.”
Jake flipped on his turn signal before steering the truck into the hospital entrance. “This is a simple protection job, Liv. Hill will take point, but both he and Coop are more than capable of handling it.”
Grant Hill was R.I.S.C.’s demolitions expert. The guy was a mass of muscle and definitely not someone Olivia ever wanted to tick off.
Sean “Coop” Cooper was one of R.I.S.C.’s snipers. He was also the only team member to be injured during her rescue.
A pang of guilt settled in Olivia’s gut. “How is Sean? Are you sure he’s ready to take on something like this?”
“Coop’s leg is fully healed, and he’s been released for full-duty by one of Homeland’s physicians. He’s been chompin’ at the bit to get out and do something, even if it’s just playing bodyguard. Both men volunteered for the duty, and honestly, after what we went through in Venezuela and then the two-month gig after, I’m ready for a break.”
Jake stopped the truck in front of the ER doors. He got out and came around to open her door. Taking her hand in his, Jake helped her step down.
Olivia’s heart did a little somersault. Who says chivalry is dead?
“I’ll be back as soon as I can, but working out the logistics for a job like this will most likely take all day. Just remember what I said. If I’m not here, you don’t leave this hospital without Trevor by your side. For any reason.”
Normally, Olivia would be annoyed by the way he was ordering her around. Given his reasons for it this time, Olivia couldn’t help but think it was sweet.
“I won’t.”
With one hand cupping her face, Jake spoke softer. “I’m serious, Liv. Be aware of your surroundings, even inside the hospital, and stick to Trevor like glue when you leave.”
Grabbing his wrist, Olivia gave him a reassuring smile. “I promise.”
Jake looked like he wanted to say more. Instead, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. All too quickly, he pulled away.
“You’d better get in there before I decide to throw you back into that truck and drive away.”
Giggling, Olivia rose on her tiptoes and gave him another quick peck. “Drive carefully.”
“I will.”
She stepped around him, squealing when he swatted her on her ass.
Smiling, Jake said, “I’ll see you soon. And remember...like glue.”
Rubbing her rear, Olivia hollered out a sarcastic, “Yes, Dad!” before turning and walking through the ER’s automatic doors. And for the first time in months, she couldn’t wait for her shift to be over.
****
“Someone had better be dying.”
Jake grinned as he drove away from the hospital. Derek never had been a morning person. “Hey, D. It’s me.”
A few seconds of sheets rustling and padded footsteps filled his ears. One cleared throat later, Derek sounded a bit more awake. “Boss?”
“Did I wake you?” Jake asked, even though he already knew he had.
“It’s all good. What’s up?”
“I need a favor. It’s for Olivia.”
“How is our girl?” D’s southern drawl was more prominent now that he was relaxed.
“Our girl?”
“You nearly died trying to protect her. Coop caught a bullet for her, and we’ve all spent the last two months away from home so we could get the bastard who tried to buy her. Not to mention, I now have two assholes thanks to the new one Ryker ripped into us for going to bum-fuck Venezuela in the first place. So, hell yeah, she’s our girl.”
Though his words were in true Derek form, Jake found himself brushing off an unexpected wave of emotion that they had caused.
“Duly noted.”
“Good. Now, are you gonna tell me why you called me at the ass-crack of dawn, on my day off, or are you waitin’ for me to guess?”
“What’s the matter? Did I interrupt play time? Let me guess...it’s the blonde. No, wait. The redhead.”
Jake could hear the man’s smile through the phone. “What can I say? Unlike you, the rest of us haven’t been lucky enough to find the one. And you know me. I like to collect as much data as I can before making a final decision. Especially somethin’ that important. Consider this research.”
To that, Jake had no response. He loved Olivia, and there would never be another woman for him. She was, without a doubt, the one for him. But, how did Liv feel?
These past few days had been nothing short of amazing, but what would happen when she learned the truth about her brother? And she would...soon.
As terrified as he was, Jake wouldn’t take the next step without telling her everything. Olivia deserved to have all of the facts. He just needed to find the right time to tell her.
So far, that time had failed to present itself. Of course, Jake hadn’t spent much time looking for that perfect moment, either.
He’d been too busy staring at her perfect ass...and those breasts...and the way she looked when she called out his name—
“Boss? You still there?”
Shit. Focus, McQueen. Jake cleared his throat. “Yeah. Sorry. Listen, I need you to put together some equipment and meet me at Olivia’s place to install it. And I want it done ASAP.”
“ASAP, as in...” Derek let his voice trail off.
“An hour. I have a meeting in three, and it’s one I can’t be late for.”
There was a pause, and then, “What all are you thinkin’?”
“Security equipment. Cameras, lights, the works. I want them set up around the perimeter of her house. Definite focus on the driveway, front, and back door, but also some to show the surrounding land. She has a decent alarm system already in place, but it’s not enough.”
Derek’s voice tightened, all traces of humor gone, “Did something else happen?”
Jake appreciated D’s concern. During the short time they’d been around her, his team members all seemed to accept her as one of their own.
The guys had talked about her on several occasions while they’d been cooped up together the last couple months.
Derek and Trevor...hell, even Grant, on one occasion, had all made comments about what a sweet, strong woman she was. They’d mentioned how impressed they were with the way she’d handled herself with the whole Cetro mess.
Even Mac and Coop had agreed because they’d witnessed her bravery when she’d made a run for it at Cetro’s camp before Coop got shot and they had to fly home. They’d all accepted her as his, which meant they wanted to keep her safe as well.
“Just taking precautions.”
That first night at Olivia’s—after the amazing sex and heated-up dinner—Jake had waited until she’d fallen asleep to call Derek.
He’d filled the genius in on what had been going on with Olivia while they’d been away, including the information she’d given him about Norman Rogers. Speaking of which—
“Did you find out anything more on Rogers?”
“Not that I could find. He’s still a resident at the institution Olivia told you about. After looking more closely at his medical records, I don’t see him being released any time soon.”
That was good news, on two notes. One, Rogers was finally getting the help he deserved and, from the sounds of things, desperately needed. And two, he’s also not a threat to Liv.
“So, just curious. Why the rush on the installation?”
“It’s Liv’s first day back to work since I got here. I’d like it done before she gets home.”
“That way she can’t argue with you about how she doesn’t need it?” D’s voice was laced with amusement.
Jake smiled. “Who says you’re not a genius?”
“Um...no one.” Both men laughed and then Derek said, “You aren’t worried she’ll be mad at you for, I don’t know, overstepping your bounds with her house?”
“Let me worry about that. You just get the stuff together and get your ass here.”
“Yes, sir, boss, sir!”
Jake pictured D giving him a mock salute. Probably the one-fingered kind. “See you in an hour.”
****
Olivia glanced at her watch and smiled. She’d been busier than normal today, which had helped to make her shift go by fast. After giving report to the nurse taking over for her, she walked out into the ER’s main entrance where, as promised, Trevor was waiting for her.
She pushed away the twinge of disappointment that it wasn’t Jake standing there, but Olivia knew he would be back as soon as he possibly could.
He’d texted her a few times during her shift. Nothing important, just random messages saying hi or asking how her day was going.
Olivia had the feeling his true motive was to check and make sure she was okay, which made her love him even more. Maybe it’s time you told him.
Trevor smiled and walked toward her. “Hey, there, stranger,” he drew her into a friendly hug. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” She hugged him back and then pulled away. “How are you?”
“Can’t complain. You look great, by the way.”
After being on her feet all day and running around like a mad woman, Olivia wasn’t convinced he was telling the truth.
Of course, the last time Trevor saw her was the day they’d all come back home after she and Jake had narrowly escaped their captors. Olivia had been covered in bruises, then. Compared to that, she probably did look great.
“Thanks. You, too.” Now, that was the absolute truth. Trevor was undeniably hot.
He kept his dark, wavy hair short and stylish. His bone structure was damn-near perfect, from his long, narrow nose to his chiseled jaw and chin.
There was a bit more scruff on his face than the last time she’d seen him, which only added to his ruggedly handsome appearance.
With his six foot-two, muscular frame, and his Hollywood looks, the guy could seriously be a model if he wanted to.
While Olivia thought him attractive—ahem, what girl wouldn’t—she felt none of the panty-dropping vibes from seeing him like she did with Jake. Trevor was her friend and nothing more. Jake was...hers.
“How was work?” Trevor asked as he led her toward the elevators leading down to the parking garage.
“It was good. Busy, but good.”
They continued with their friendly small talk as rode to the garage’s first level where Trevor had parked his truck. They spoke as they walked, their voices echoing slightly throughout the concrete structure.
“I really appreciate you doing this, Trevor. I feel bad, though. I’m sure there are better things you could be doing.”
“Nah.” He smiled down at her. “As far as assignments go, trust me when I say I’ve had much worse. Besides, Jake texted me right before you came out. He’s on his way back, and he’s bringing food, so I’d say the trade-off was worth it.” Trevor winked and gave her a boyish grin.
At that, Olivia smiled wide, too. They hadn’t known each other all that long, but she felt very comfortable around him. He was handsome and sweet. He was also protective. All very much like Jake. Which made her wonder...
“So, tell me,” she said, wanting to get to know the man more. “Why isn’t there a Mrs. Matthews waiting at home somewhere?”
He laughed and shook his head. “Guess I just haven’t met the right girl, yet.”
“Well, I don’t get it. You’re good-looking, intelligent, and a total badass. I know I’m getting super-personal here, but you know pretty much all there is to know about my crazy life. So, it begs the question...how in the world are you still single?”
Trevor smiled again, but this time it didn’t quite light up his face like before. Olivia feared she’d crossed some invisible, no-trespassing zone and instantly regretted asking something so personal.
She pulled her phone out of her pocket to text Jake, if for no other reason than to let Trevor off the hook for having to answer. Looking down at her screen as she walked, Olivia started typing a message to let Jake know they were leaving the hospital.
Still typing, she opened her mouth to apologize for prying when the loud pop of a car backfiring filled the otherwise empty air. Olivia involuntarily jumped, tossing her phone in the process.
“Shit!”
It landed a few feet in front of her, and she quickly moved to pick it up. Thankfully, it hadn’t cracked. She stood and looked up ahead of them in the same direction the sound had come from.
“Holy cow, that was loud. That car must need some major work—”
Olivia turned to face Trevor as she spoke, only then realizing Trevor was no longer standing next her. She glanced down and gasped.
He was lying on his back, eyes closed, and he wasn’t moving. Her heart nearly stopped cold when she saw where the bullet had torn through his shirt.
“Trevor!” Olivia screamed as she bent over his body.
“Help!” she yelled out. She spun her head around, trying to look for someone...anyone who could help, while assessing any immediate threat. “I need help, here!”
Olivia screamed the order at the top of her lungs, just as she had countless times while working in the E.R., but it didn’t matter. The other doctors and nurses weren’t around to rush to her aid this time. No one was around.
Looking back down, Olivia’s voice broke, “Trevor?” He didn’t respond.
With her heart in her throat, she checked for a pulse, and nearly cried with relief when she found one. “H-hang on. You’re going to be okay. Just hang on.”
Eyes still closed, his body was unmoving, but she couldn’t seem to find any blood. At first, she didn’t understand why.
Flashbacks from the attack at Toamasina threatened to consume her, but she forced them away. Trevor needed her here, not lost in the nightmares of her past.
Threat forgotten, Olivia’s medical training took over, her sole focus on doing what she could to help him. With both hands, she grabbed the front of his dress-shirt and pulled, tearing it open.
Buttons flew around them, but she paid them no attention. Swiftly shoving his white undershirt up from the bottom hem, Olivia blew a sigh of relief when she saw the shiny gold end of a bullet sticking out from the black vest, just over Trevor’s chest.
The Kevlar had kept the bullet from penetrating his heart, and she was so thankful he’d taken the precaution.
Fear continued to race through her veins, however, because even though the bullet hadn’t gone into his body, Trevor was still unconscious.
Her years of working at the hospital in Dallas had taught her the kinetic energy from a shot like that could cause serious internal damage, even with the vest.
“I’m going to get you help,” she told him loudly, praying he could hear her.
Needing her phone, she stuck her hand in her pocket, but came up empty. Her mind raced.
Where the hell was it? Then, she remembered picking it up just before realizing Trevor had been shot.
Unsure of what she’d done with it after seeing him lying there, Olivia frantically searched the ground around her. A few agonizing seconds later, she started to stand and realized it had been under her the whole time.
With shaking fingers, she picked it up and began dialing the emergency room’s direct number. She’d entered five of the seven numbers when a pair of strong arms grabbed her from behind. The phone clattered to the ground.
Terrified, Olivia started to scream, but the sound was cut off when one of her attacker’s gloved hands pressed hard against her mouth. With his other arm wrapped around her waist, the man yanked her to her feet and began moving them both backward. Away from Trevor.
This can’t be happening. Not again.
Olivia’s heart pounded so hard inside her chest, she thought it would explode. Terror threatened to consume her, but she refused to let this happen to her again.
With as much force as she could muster, she twisted and bucked against the man’s tight hold, but it was no use. The guy was too strong.
Turning them, the man drug her between a compact car and a white panel van. Olivia nearly laughed at how cliché it all was. Parking garage. White van. Bodyguard shot with no one else around to help.
The van’s side door was open and the middle seats had been removed, leaving a dark, empty space. Oh, God. Do not let him put you in there!
As the man forced her closer, Olivia’s feet scrambled to find purchase on the smooth, slick floor. Her heart sank when she glanced inside the van again, and saw a pair of handcuffs and a roll of duct tape lying on the vehicle’s metal floor.
No! She’d seen enough TV to know, if he got her into that van, she was as good as dead. Or worse. She couldn’t let that happen. She had to keep fighting.
The roar of her pulse was deafening in her ears as she bucked against the man. She attempted to kick back, aiming for his shins, but her feet only caught air.
When he tried to force her into the van, Olivia swung her right foot up, pressing it against the metal panel next to the open door. Using that as leverage, she pushed against it with her foot as hard as she could, throwing the guy’s back into the other car’s driver side mirror.
Her assailant cursed but didn’t let go. When he attempted to push her into the van again, Olivia repeated the same action as before, but this time her shoe slipped.
Having lost her precious footing, she arched her body and threw her head back as hard as she could, praying she’d break the asshole’s nose. She hit his chin instead, but from his reaction, it still hurt him.
“You bitch!”
Releasing her mouth, he grabbed hold of her ponytail, the back of her head burning as he pulled her hair hard. He yanked her head even further backward, toward his chest. She screamed as loud as she could, praying someone would hear her cry for help.
In an effort to relieve the burning in her scalp, Olivia reached back toward her attacker’s wrists. Desperate to get free, her fingers frantically clawed at his leather-clad hands. She realized a moment too late, what a mistake that move had been.
Without warning, her attacker slammed her forehead into the unforgiving side of the van. Excruciating pain exploded inside her head and hundreds of tiny, white stars flashed before her eyes.
Olivia’s knees buckled as she fought to stay conscious. She felt herself being lifted. The man had just started to put her into the van. when a loud roaring sound echoed off the walls.
“Let her go!”
A blurry, male figure holding what she assumed was a gun ran toward them. The man holding her froze for a split second, then cursed.
Just like that, Olivia felt herself falling.
Tossed like a rag doll, Olivia landed hard against the cold floor. Sharp pain shot through her left hip, ribs, and elbow, but she wanted to keep fighting. Was desperate to.
Rolling over, her hands slapped loudly against the concrete as she worked to get up onto her hands and knees. The pain and nausea slowed her movements to a snail’s pace, and she was still struggling to stand when two deafening gunshots blasted through the air, back-to-back.
To her left, the man who’d tried to abduct her grunted loudly, his body jerking backward against the van. He was dead before he hit the ground.
“Olivia!”
Trevor’s voice boomed as he kicked the dead man’s gun across the floor, then squatted down next to her.
With a gentle hand on her shoulder, he sounded a bit strained as he said, “Stay put, honey. Don’t try to stand.”
More than happy to oblige, Olivia plopped back down onto her butt, her entire body shaking from adrenaline and shock. She could hear Trevor on the phone calling for help but didn’t pay attention to his words. He was okay, and she was okay. In that moment, nothing else mattered.
