Selena was disappointed he hadn’t kissed her when he walked her to the front door and left as she walked inside. The meal was delicious and their camaraderie was contagious with the playful bantering. Every time she asked him a question, he’d answered with half answers. He reminded her of the Agency.
She pushed the door open and found the lights had been turned off. She flipped the switch.
No lights.
She went inside and found the fuse box paneled on the staircase wall. She opened the wood panel and began flipping the switches. Still nothing. She needed a flashlight, which meant she would have to find her way into the kitchen. Her fingers crossed over the banister post and the floor lamp as she made her way across the room.
A floorboard creaked in the hall.
She darted into the kitchen, backing as close as she could into the shadows. Her heel bumped against someone’s shoe.
Someone grabbed her from behind. She jabbed with her elbow but was prevented from connecting. A hand secured her against a male body, his grip steel-like, yet surprisingly gentle. She struggled to find an opening.
Another hand secured her head back, muffling her screams.
“Listen, Selena. There’s someone in the house. I remembered you left the light on in the kitchen when I’d picked you up. I noticed the lights were all out. Even the outside lamp. Now hold still,” Drake warned, removing his hand.
She stepped away but realized he hadn’t let go.
“Do you mind?” she whispered. She pulled at his hands, wanting to go after whoever the hell had invaded her home. He released her reluctantly.
The door slammed in the other room. She went after the intruder. Drake’s arm snaked out to stop her and reeled her back. She dodged and raced after the intruder. He touched her shoulder. She grabbed his hand and him over her shoulder, landing him flat on his back.
“Dammit, Drake. I can handle myself,” she whispered.
Amusement glinted in his smile. “I can see that. Remind me never to tick you off. I’d like to know where you learned krav.”
Still hot at missing the intruder, she sat on him before he could get up. “I’ll give you some advice, honey. I’ve been a black belt for seven years and can flip you any time I want. So that you understand something else, any time you want to see how far you can push my buttons, remember you have a few of your own.”
He didn’t challenge her. “Let’s check out the house,” he suggested.
She gave him one of the flashlights that she kept in the kitchen, using the other herself. A thorough search turned up nothing about the intruder or a solution to her electrical problems.
“Where’s your key?” Drake asked.
She handed it to him and located her cell phone, searching for Tom’s number. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be killed for calling this late.
“Who are you calling?”
She looked up. “Tom. He’s the town’s electrician.”
He closed her phone. “It’s too dark to check it out now. We’ll do it tomorrow. In the meantime, you can stay with me.”
“I’ll call Mrs. Iron. She has a spare room.”
“The only light on in Mrs. Irons’ house is a small nightlight in the kitchen. She’s probably asleep. I won’t touch you if you don’t want to be touched. I’ll respect your wishes. And your space.” He ushered her out the door, locking it behind them. “But if you give me an indication it’s a go, then there are no holds barred.”
“Remember I can take care of myself.”
“Oh, I’ll remember not to underestimate you.”
He tucked Selena into the front seat, then paused.
“What did you see?” She’d seen the slight averting of his gaze.
“Probably a cat, but I want to check it out. Stay here.”
She stayed, but she didn’t like it. He was back a few moments later.
“What was it?” she asked.
“I saw a couple of shadows running that way.” He waved his hand. “Too dark to recognize them, and I didn’t want to chase after them with you sitting out here alone.”
She didn’t want to feel protected, but it was nice to think that for once, someone cared about keeping her safe.
• • •
After Selena had fallen asleep, Drake sat down on the end of the couch, drawing her feet onto his lap. Her feet were delicate for a woman who could flip him, and his heart, over. He had no doubts these same delicate boned feet were deadly. He stared into the fire. It had been a long time since he’d felt the urges of wanting a home life, a life other than the Agency. There had been other women. They’d understood the lifestyle of the Agency and were well-seasoned agents, but they lacked humor in their determination, having drawn the cold of darkness into their souls to harden them from the danger. Selena’s teasing smile and playful matchmaking made it easier for him to forget the darkness.
But he couldn’t settle down until he could lay his brother’s murderer in the ground where he belonged. If he had his way, that was where he’d put the whole Donovan family.
He laid her feet to the side gently and tended the fire, putting the screen in place. Then he returned to the sofa and reached under her, lifting her head so that he could hold her. She snuggled into his arms easily, wrapping her arms around him. She murmured something about going to bed, wanting to stretch out.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
She nodded.
He carried her into the bedroom and slipped her under the covers.
“Where will you sleep?” Her words were whispers, reaching out to him.
He knew where he wanted to sleep, but his mother had taught him to be a gentleman. “On the couch.”
But it didn’t take long tossing and turning on the couch before he realized there was no getting around it. He wanted in his bed with his arms wrapped around her. It had been a helluva long time since he’d indulged himself in feeling with his body and his emotions. Somehow she’d been able to make him forget what no one else could.
His brother’s death.
But he couldn’t be swayed from what needed to be done — not even by Selena. Andrew Donovan would pay for what he’d done. There wasn’t enough justice in this world for the deaths the Donovan family had ordered. How many families lay awake at night, wondering where their daughters, wives, granddaughters, and nieces were? How many wanted to deliver the same kind of revenge?
Drake felt the shift in the room.
Footsteps that had been trained to be silent. Whoever it was blocked the warmth of the fire.
He had been thinking of Selena and now he was caught unaware.
And without his gun.
If he dropped off the couch or vaulted over the back, his head was an easy mark for their purposes —
“I know you’re not asleep.”
Selena.
He was going to turn her over his knee for scaring the hell out of him. How had she gotten by him? He let his arm drop slowly, rolling to see her kneeling before the fire, staring at the flames licking the last of the wood.
“You don’t say?” he drawled, taken in by the way her dress hugged her hips. The goosebumps on her legs weren’t a good sign. “You’re cold. I have some sweats you could change into.”
“A six-foot-three man tossing on a couch is a good indication he’s not sleeping. And thanks, but no thanks, on the sweats. I really need to check on my house.”
Drake’s eyes narrowed at the shoes in her hands when she stood.
“Listen. It doesn’t matter that this town has to be the most scum-free community I’d ever run across. Someone broke into your home and cut the power and you’re not stepping foot out there. Whatever you need will have to be improvised. I’m okay if you want to run around in that sexy dress, wear my sweats, or nothing at all, but you’re not leaving until it’s daylight.”
She turned to leave, but he reached for her arm and held fast.
He read her intentions loud and clear. And had seen the slight movement of her foot, countering it by changing his stance and his distance. Reading the panic in her eyes, he changed tactics. He moved closer, having seen it in some of his comrades’ eyes, but he knew if he let her go, he would never forgive himself.
“What do you really need at this moment? And don’t tell me clothes or checking on your house. That would be a lie,” he said, tipping her chin up in order to get a better look.
She started to shake in his arms.
“Selena … ” He was worried as the shakes became uncontrollable in a matter of seconds.
“When I find I’ve been working too many hours or have been outside very little, I — I — I — This starts. I try so hard to fight it, but I can’t seem to shake it. No pun intended,” she said with a small laugh. She stiffened her body, trying to control the shakes.
Drake let her go. He was pissed she’d had to go through whatever she had alone. Then or now. He found a large, soft blanket and wrapped it around her.
“Dammit,” he ground out, unable to stop worrying when her teeth started chattering so hard he feared she would bit her tongue. He should’ve recognized the signs. Those goosebumps weren’t from the cold but from her inner demons.
He picked her up and cradled her in his arms, holding tight, and headed outside. It was still chilly despite the warmth of the new season. The shaking had subsided to a tiny shiver by the time he’d sat down. He just held her until it was gone. She was so sleepy and worn out from the day, she had trouble keeping her eyes open.
“You’re not going back tonight,” he said. He kissed her forehead, wishing he could take on the demons. When the time was right, he would ask.