Anna smoothed her hands over her thighs, trying to wipe away any trace of the sweat coating her palms. Why in the world was she so nervous about seeing Stefan again?
When she’d first gotten out of the hospital, he’d been a total stranger, albeit one of the men who’d helped find her, yet she’d latched onto him in the sea of nameless faces she’d been bombarded with following Danny’s death and her release from the hospital. Something had inexplicable drawn her toward the security team’s resident geek, as he laughingly called himself. There was something about Stefan Carlisle that made her feel safe.
Even after she’d come home to San Diego and moved back in with her parents, abandoning her dreams of college and attending LSU, he’d called a handful of times, checking on her. They’d built an unlikely friendship through calls and e-mails and even messaging in chat groups. She had to wonder why he put up with her.
Now, because she’d made one phone call, he’d be showing up any second, once again riding to her rescue like some knight of old. The last time she’d seen him, his hair had been long, hanging down to brush his shoulders, and he’d worn a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, though he’d tugged them off whenever he wasn’t working on the computer. Apparently, he only needed them for close-up screen work.
Nothing about him reminded her of the typical geek programmer. Obviously, he kept in good shape, because his muscles had filled out the long-sleeved Henley shirt, biceps rippling beneath the fabric when he’d typed. Sarah had teased him about looking like he should be in California, hanging out on the beach, because he reminded her of a surfer dude.
Gah, she needed to get her head on straight. He wasn’t coming to see her on a social visit. Heck, even the phone calls had become less and less frequent, the longer she’d been gone. Totally her fault. She’d felt guilty, monopolizing all his time when she had nothing to offer. Even the thought of a relationship with a man scared her half to death. Though if she was being totally honest, she missed talking to him, hearing his voice asking about how her day was, or what her plans were for the summer.
The doorbell rang and she froze. He was here!
“I’ll get it,” she yelled toward the kitchen when she heard her mother bustling around. She wanted, needed, to be the one to greet him—welcome him into her home.
The door swung inward without a sound, and there he stood. Taller than her by several inches, his hair was even longer than the last time she’d seen him. It was windswept, and when she got a look at the car parked at the curb, she knew why. Typical guy, he’d rented a convertible.
“Come in.”
He glanced around as he walked inside, and she wondered what he thought about her parents’ home. Trying to see it through a stranger’s eyes, she noted the quality furniture, though it was older and showed signs of wear. They’d had it forever, raising two rambunctious and headstrong girls, and played host to all their friends. But there wasn’t anything here that had her personal stamp on it—except her bedroom—and he had no reason to go there.
Her mother stopped short in the cased opening between the kitchen and the living room, her hand at her throat.
“What’s going on, honey?” She stepped farther into the room, positioning herself beside Savannah. That was her mama, a fierce protector going into momma bear mode when needed, or if she thought one of her own was threatened. Since her abduction and everything that happened while she’d been held against her will, as far as her mother was concerned every man was considered a threat—until proven otherwise.
“Mama, this is Stefan Carlisle. Don’t you remember—he’s one of the men who helped Ranger and Sarah find me.”
“Of course. I’m sorry, Mr. Carlisle. I didn’t recognize you for a second there. Welcome to our home.” Savanna bit back her grin. Trust her mother to state the obvious.
“It’s good to see you again, Mrs. Sloane.”
“Can I get you anything?” She started to turn toward the kitchen, and Savannah placed a hand on her forearm.
“Mom, it’s okay. Stefan and I are going to go for coffee. I’ll be back in a while.” She watched her mother’s eyes narrow, knowing Anna didn’t like leaving the house. But she’d been working on the problem with the help of her therapist, plus she’d be with somebody who’d keep her safe. Why she was sure of that, she couldn’t say, but deep in her gut she was positive—Stefan wouldn’t let anybody or anything hurt her—ever again.
“Have fun, sweetie.” Her mother pressed a brief air kiss along her cheek and headed back toward the kitchen. Chances were good she’d find a batch of peanut butter cookies when she got home. Her mother knew they were her weakness.
Stefan didn’t say a word as she hustled him back out the front door, and she climbed into the passenger seat of the red convertible. He climbed into the driver’s seat and grinned.
“Where to?”
“How about we drive along Ocean Boulevard, maybe along the beach?” She ran her fingers through her hair, feeling the breeze blowing through it, its freshness cool against her heated face.
“Sounds good. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the Pacific Ocean.”
They drove for several miles before turning onto the road, and she watched the beach grow ever closer. The companionable silence felt good. So many people expected her to keep up a line of pleasant conversation, but sometimes, she needed to be with somebody and just—be. Who knew Stefan would be the one to understand that?
He pulled into a parking lot and parked, swiveling in his seat to face her. With a gentle touch, he brushed the strands of hair off her cheek, tucking them behind her ear. A little zing shot through her at his gentle touch.
“You okay?”
She faced him, her gaze steady. “Yes. I’m sorry I called you. It was just a shock, seeing that wallpaper.”
“Did you bring it?” At her nod, he held out his hand, wiggling his fingers. She chuckled, reaching into her purse and pulling out the ragged and torn paper, sealed into a plastic zipper bag.
She watched him study the plastic bag, before pulling out the bane of her existence—the dreaded wallpaper. His fingers slid along the edges, gauging its weight and texture, before turning it over.
“This looks like it’s been pulled off a wall. See, there’s glue on the backing.”
She swallowed against the bile rising in the back of her throat. Could it have come from the actual room where she’d been tormented? At the thought, goose bumps crawled across her skin.
“I didn’t notice that.”
“Let’s think this through logically.” He reached across and grasped her hand, squeezing it gently. “Aristides has been gone for a long time. All his property was seized by the government and auctioned off. I’ll check the records and see who bought his penthouse, but chances are good whoever did has redecorated, and stripped down all the old wallpaper. I doubt this is from the actual room.”
She drew in a deep breath, wanting desperately to believe him. But that didn’t answer the pressing question.
“Who would send something like that to me? That’s just sick and twisted.”
His gaze was intense, focused only on her. “How ready are you to hear the truth, Savannah?”
“I’m damned tired of living my life in limbo. Every time I think I’m taking a step forward, some little thing brings it all rushing back. A sight, a sound. That.” She flicked the corner of the plastic bag with her finger.
“Aristides has a laundry list of charges against him, so the minute he steps foot in the U.S. he’s going to prison. But truthfully, most of the charges stem from what you witnessed. You saw him murder Buddy Alvarado, his biggest competition in New Orleans. Your testimony could be the one thing to put him away for the rest of his life. Add in the fact his only son was killed during your rescue—you are numero uno on his hit parade, babe.”
Stefan only voiced the words she already knew to be true. Stavros Aristides murdered a man in cold blood, and she was the only living witness. Danny Cooper, Aristides’ illegitimate son, had brought her back to his place—which happened to be his father’s penthouse apartment—and they’d walked in on the murder.
Aristides was instrumental in everything she’d endured since, including her vicious beating and rape at the hands of his psychotic son.
She hadn’t trusted a man since.
“Okay, I get that. But if he’s not in San Diego, did he hire somebody to do his dirty work? What’s to keep him from hiring somebody to blow my brains out?”
Before she realized what he intended, Stefan leaned across the middle console and pulled her into his arms. She instinctively stiffened, because it startled her, then she realized he wouldn’t hurt her and relaxed. Feeling his arms wrapped around her gave her a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in—maybe forever.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Had refused to shed a single tear from the day she’d gotten out of the hospital. Yet, here and now, cradled in his embrace, she wanted to let go and bawl like a baby. Give in to the anxiety and tension coiled deep inside her, robbing her of joy.
Stefan made her feel again. In the midst of fear and dread, worrying about Aristides, she usually felt numb. In Stefan’s arms, she felt cherished—and no longer alone.
“I’m not letting anything happen to you, Savannah. I’ve got some of the guys working on things back in New Orleans, seeing if there’s been any word on Aristides. He can’t touch you. Plus, I’ll contact the SEALs here. I know they’ll watch your back.”
“No, don’t.” She knew her protest fell on deaf ears but voiced it anyway. “We don’t know for a fact Aristides is behind this. Maybe somebody Danny ran with heard about what happened and wants a little payback. He was pretty heavy into the drug scene. At least, that’s what the police told me afterward. We shouldn’t bother anybody else until we have more facts.” She ducked her head. “I already feel guilty having called you. I’ve messed up your vacation…”
One finger lifted up her chin, and he waited patiently until she met his gaze. “I’m glad you trusted me enough to call me. I’ll admit I was surprised you called me instead of Ranger.”
“Ranger needs to be with Sarah. Did he tell you she’s pregnant?”
Stefan grinned, remembering the look on his fellow teammate’s face when he’d made the announcement. “Hell, yeah. Guy started crowing about it from the second the plus sign showed up on the pee stick thingy.”
Anna laughed at the face he made talking about the pregnancy test. “I know, she’s thrilled too. Thankfully, one good thing came from my fiasco—Sarah met the man of her dreams.”
She used the play on words, because it was through Ranger’s dream-walking that he’d found Anna, and she’d known he was coming to rescue her. He’d been her rugged warrior, their connection through the dreams the one hope she’d held onto when everything else around her seemed lost. Her sister deserved a good man, and Ranger Boudreau was the best.
“I need to get a hotel room, get my equipment set up, and run down a few things. I’ll widen the net on Aristides, maybe pinpoint exactly where his bolt-hole is.”
“You can stay with me—us.” The words were out of her mouth before she even realized she’d spoken. What was she thinking?
Stefan’s intense gaze seemed to encompass her, and she felt heat blossoming in her cheeks. Ducking her head, she looked away from his hooded stare.
“Thanks for the offer, but I think it’s best to get my own place. I keep some pretty unorthodox hours when I’m working, and I wouldn’t want to disrupt your family.”
She nodded, knowing he was right. But she didn’t plan on letting him do all the work alone. No, she’d be damned if she’d let Aristides, if it was him, get away with tormenting her. He’d ruined her life once—that was the only shot he got.
“What can I do to help? And before you say nothing,” she interrupted him when he started to protest, “just know that I won’t be kept out of this. It’s me this person is after. I refuse to be a victim—never again.”
She looked out the window at the waves washing against the shoreline, and a sense of peace suffused her. The sun beat down, it’s warmth a welcome caress against her skin. It was still early, but it looked like it was going to be a gorgeous day.
“I’ll keep you in the loop.”
“You’ll do more than keep me in the loop. I’m in—all the way in. If you can’t deal with that, we’ve got nothing else to say, and you can head off and enjoy your vacation.”
He studied her, and she felt it like a physical caress. And she liked it.
“Okay, we’ll do things your way. But—and this is not negotiable—you’ll follow my lead. If it even looks like Aristides or anybody else he’s hired is behind this, you’re going into hiding.”
“No.” Just the single word, but she meant it with every fiber of her being. She wasn’t going to be stuck away, like she was useless and unable to handle whatever they threw at her. Aristides and his son had made her a victim, and she refused to be one ever again. She’d endured Danny’s insanity—she’d deal with whatever repercussions or fallout came from her actions now.
“Not negotiable, babe. You agree, or I contact Bogey and the rest of his SEAL team and their wives. They’ll have you under twenty-four hour surveillance faster than you can say boo.”
“Fine. Don’t cut me out. Every step of the way, I want to know what you find. Deal?” She stuck out her hand, waiting for his decision.
“Deal.” His hand wrapped around hers, and she felt a tingle of awareness, something she hadn’t felt since long before her abduction in New Orleans. That singular sizzle of attraction between a man and a woman. It surprised her, because she’d thought she’d lost the ability to feel anything—especially toward another man.
“How about we take a walk on the beach before we head back, and I find a hotel? I can’t wait to sink my toes into the ocean.”
She laughed. “You live in New Orleans, which is right by the Gulf of Mexico. Surely you’ve gone to the beach there?”
Stefan huffed out a laugh. “You’d think, right? I’ve worked pretty much nonstop since we relocated the office. This is the first vacation I’ve taken in probably five years. Wouldn’t have now, except the boss man said he’d fire me if I didn’t take a break.”
Now she really felt guilty. He was supposed to be taking time off, relaxing, and instead she’d dragged him straight into her problems. It wasn’t fair.
“Stop it. I know what you’re thinking. Sweetheart, it’s my choice to be here. You didn’t ask, I offered.”
“But still…”
“I’m sitting here in the sunshine, on a beautiful beach, with a gorgeous woman. Trust me, this is already a better vacation than I’d have had sticking close to home.”
She fisted her hands in her lap, fighting the urge to nibble on her nails. Wouldn’t that be classy, biting her nails in front of Stefan?
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Come on, let’s go.”
He slipped from the driver’s side, and walked around, helping her out before she’d done more than open her door. Once off the asphalt of the parking area, she slipped off her sandals, feeling the warmth of the sand between her toes.
She’d always loved walking along the beach, though she hadn’t even made a single trip to the water since she’d been home. Why had she denied herself something she’d always enjoyed? Even as she thought the question, she knew the answer. The same answer the rape counselor reiterated over and over. She didn’t feel she deserved the things which once brought her pleasure—not anymore.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just realizing how much I’ve missed this—walking on the sand, smelling the salt air. I can’t remember why I was so anxious to move away for college.”
He reached out a hand and helped her step down the walkway, past an outcropping of rocks, and onto the damper sand. Her feet sank deep, and she laughed at the squishy feel between her toes.
“That’s a sound I like hearing.”
“What?”
“Your laugh. It’s infectious.”
A smile tugged at his lips, and she threw her head back and laughed, a sense of joy flooding her. With a little wave of her fingers, she dashed forward, flinging her arms wide as she ran, feeling the wind slap against her face, tugging at her hair.
Pounding footsteps rushed to her side and past her, and she grinned at the sight of Stefan, running backwards, as he passed her. His grin reflected hers.
They jogged the length of the beach, letting the waves crash against their legs. She’d take this moment of freedom and savor it, because she was sharing it with somebody special.
Eventually, they headed to the car, and he drove back to her house. Told her he’d call her once he was settled, and had his equipment set up to begin searching for Aristides.
Walking through the door, the scent of peanut butter cookies greeted her. Yep, her mother had been busy. She’d have to make up a care package to take to Stefan.
Still, she couldn’t help hoping he found nothing. Because if Aristides somehow found a way to sneak back into the country, she knew he wouldn’t stop—not until he’d silenced her once and for all.