Chapter Fourteen

After an already-long evening spent in the ER, Grant was chomping at the bit to get back to the compound and work on finding out who was after Melody. Unfortunately, he was currently lying buck naked on a hospital bed, getting bits of gravel and blacktop plucked out of his lower back, hip and ass. The Kevlar vest every agent was required to wear on assignment had saved most of his back, but it’d ridden up on the skid along the pavement and the exposed skin had taken a beating. The nurse had generously covered most of his nakedness with a blanket, still it was embarrassing. Especially since Mason kept “cracking” jokes at his expense, har har. His comedian coworker was currently plopped in a chair, looking like he was thoroughly enjoying Grant’s humiliation. He couldn’t stop the hiss of pain when the nurse dabbed the cuts with antiseptic. She muttered a “sorry” every time but he didn’t think she really meant it.

Thank goodness Dr. Amelia wasn’t on duty tonight. She probably would’ve taken pleasure out of plucking the shards from his tough hide.

He’d passed hungry hours ago. Mason had snuck in a stale package of cheese and peanut butter crackers he’d purchased from the vending machine, but it did nothing to assuage his hunger. He’d been looking forward to a nice intimate dinner in a romantic Italian restaurant with Melody. They’d share a bottle of wine and he could stare at her over the candlelight. Instead, he was lying naked beneath a lamp so hot, he’d swear he was getting sunburned, and experiencing intense bursts of pain every few seconds.

Melody had been checked out and except for a few scratches, she was fine. Kayla had stayed with her in the waiting room while Hillary took Kota home. She didn’t want to leave him in the SUV, not knowing how long it might take. It was bad enough Mason had to witness this, he didn’t want Melody to see it, too.

Mason’s phone chimed a text. “They tracked down Richard Franklin.” Melody’s cousin was his prime suspect again. “Another airtight alibi.”

Damn. “He’s paying someone,” Grant muttered. Had to be. Who else would benefit from Melody’s company being destroyed and her being harmed? The cousin wanted the land. Melody wouldn’t give it to him, so he was trying to take it by force.

“Cops spoke with him and he swears he knows nothing about it,” Mason read from his display. He looked up. “We need to get Pete and his crew to work their sortilege.”

That was code to have their computer guru dig into Richard Franklin’s finances, background and anything else they could find. Any significant withdrawals would be a red flag. It sure would help if he was stupid enough to write the bad guy a check to do the nefarious deeds, but Grant didn’t think anyone was that dumb in this day and age of CSI and NCIS on television.

“One last rinse,” the nurse said, and he gritted his teeth as the liquid fire she poured in the wounds stung like hell. “Now some antibiotic cream. I’m going to bandage the worst of it. You’ll need to keep the area clean, change the bandages daily and apply the cream. If you have any side effects, come back in immediately.”

Once she left, he dressed in a t-shirt and sweats Mason had brought from his own go bag since Grant had used his yesterday and hadn’t had a chance to replace the items. His body had stiffened as he’d been reclining on the bed and he twisted to work out the kinks.

The nurse handed him a bottle of antiseptic cream and a stack of bandages. She also gave him a prescription for painkillers, but he waited until she was gone before he ripped it up and tossed it in the trash. He didn’t want his reflexes dulled. Someone was after his wom—uh, Melody. He needed to have all his wits about him. Ibuprofen would do the job just fine.

He’d made Mason and Kayla promise not to call his brother. He didn’t want Luke coming to the hospital, and he knew his brother would be there in a heartbeat.

Melody jumped to her feet and rushed to him when he pushed through the door. “I’m so sorry, Grant.” She reached out for him but yanked her hands back. “Are you okay?”

He was oddly disappointed that she hadn’t touched him. “I’m fine and you have nothing to apologize for.”

“Someone is after me and you got hurt because of it.”

“Not your fault. Now let’s get out of here before that sadistic nurse comes after me again with her tweezers of death.”

As he’d intended, Melody smiled and it was like the sun had broken free of the clouds, even though it was nighttime. He grabbed her hand without thinking and she threaded their fingers together as they followed Mason and Kayla to his SUV. It hurt worse now climbing into the passenger seat than it did on the ride to the hospital. He’d been hopped up on adrenalin then. Now after all the poking and prodding and disinfecting, he felt like he’d gone a couple of rounds with a cheese grater. And lost.

Melody’s phone rang. She was sitting behind Mason, so Grant turned to watch as she tugged it out of her purse. A pucker formed between her brows as she stared at the screen. She declined the call and shoved the phone back into her bag before glancing up and catching him staring. She tried for a smile but if it was meant to be reassuring, it failed miserably. When he didn’t return it, she glanced out the window. Avoiding eye contact. Hum. She was hiding something. He wouldn’t ask in front of the other two, but he would find out when they were alone.

#

Melody watched the scenery scroll by without seeing it. She could tell Grant was dying to ask her who called but she’d rather forget. That, however, would be impossible since it was the fourth call Elliot Kingman had made in the last few hours. She had to give it to him, he was persistent. He hadn’t been lying when he admitted it. She’d have to deal with him eventually. He wasn’t going away. How hard was it to accept the word no? She bet he didn’t hear it often, either in business or his personal life with women. She turned to look at Grant sitting tall and proud in the front seat. He’d just endured having his skin flayed off because of her, yet he never complained. Not once. She bet Elliot Kingman whined when he suffered a paper cut.

Why had she ever had a crush on her former boss? Yes, he was handsome, but in a polished, elegant sort of way. Melody was discovering that her tastes ran to the tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome warrior type who thought nothing of throwing themselves in the line of fire to save someone else. She could totally relate to how Kendall, Olivia, Taylor and the others had fallen in love with their alpha-male men. Yes, they could be domineering and stubborn, but they were also fiercely protective and exceedingly loyal, and they treated their women like queens.

She wasn’t naïve, and she knew Grant’s SEAL past meant he had probably done more and seen more than most people could imagine. She knew he’d taken lives. It was part of the job description. But it was for the betterment of humankind. The same hands that had taken down criminals and despots had been gentle with her. Even his kisses had been softer, sweeter than she thought him possible. She knew he’d held back. She could feel his barely-leashed desire. She wanted to be on the receiving end of every bit of his passion and soon.

She wasn’t forward with men. She gravitated towards shy and introverted, though she was getting better with the success of Harmony. But she knew if she let the opportunity to get to know Grant Colton better go by, she would regret it until the day she died.

Kayla reached over and squeezed her arm. “You doing okay?”

She nodded. “Just tired.”

“It’s been a long day.”

Mason flipped on the turn signal and pulled into the compound. Soon they were parking and piling out. Luke Colton was sitting outside the apartments with his arms crossed. He looked pissed. Was he upset that she’d put his brother in danger? She gulped.

He pushed to his feet. “Why didn’t you call me?”

Grant sighed, and she realized Luke was upset that he didn’t know his brother had been hurt.

“I didn’t want you to worry.”

“Well too damn bad because I did anyway when Hillary told me what happened. She waited until a few minutes ago to tell me.” Luke narrowed his gaze at Kayla. “I assume you called her when you were on the way home?”

Kayla shook her head, her eyes wide, but Melody didn’t think she was the least bit intimidated. “Texted,” Kayla said with a cheeky grin, proving her theory correct. She wasn’t afraid of her boss.

Luke jerked his head towards the building. “Upstairs. Now.” When Mason and Kayla started to follow, Luke held out a hand. “Just these two. I’ll deal with you both later.”

Kayla winked at her and Mason gave her a reassuring smile. Still, her knees wobbled as she trudged after the men. Grant paused and held out a hand. She clasped it gladly. He didn’t seem particularly upset either.

Luke was stone-cold silent until they stepped into Grant’s apartment. Then he turned to face them. His face relaxed a fraction. “First of all, Melody, how are you holding up after all that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours?”

She blinked at him. He was concerned for her? “I’m keeping it together.” Barely, but she wouldn’t admit that. “Grant saved my life tonight.”

Luke’s lips tightened and he nodded. “It’s what he does.” He pointed at his younger brother. “Let me see.”

“Luke—”

Grant tried to protest but Luke just walked over and jerked his shirt up. Melody’s hands flew to her mouth. It was worse than she thought. His beautiful skin was a mangled kaleidoscope of colors ranging from brown to purple to red. Cuts, bruises and a horrible rash, most of which was covered with a bandage. Still, enough peeked out that you could tell it was bad. He had to be in excruciating pain. She remembered all the skinned knees from childhood and each and every one had hurt. This was that times a thousand. Luke tugged at his sweatpants, revealing more damage to his hip and gluteus maximus.

“Dude,” Grant griped.

“Shut it.” But Luke did ease the band back in place. “You will change the bandages and apply the cream.”

“Yes, sir,” Grant mocked.

Luke narrowed his eyes more. “And Amelia will check you out, too.”

“That’s not—”

“Up for discussion,” Luke finished for him. “You don’t want this to get infected.”

Grant looked at her with a mixture of embarrassment, resignation and frustration. “You’d never know I was a grown man who’s gone off to fight wars. My older brother still treats me like I’m perpetually ten years old.”

“Always will,” Luke said gruffly.

Unexpected tears burned her eyes. Despite their bickering, the love between the brothers was palpable. She felt horrible for putting Grant in harm’s way, even if she didn’t intend for it to happen.

“Sit and tell me everything from the beginning. I’ve been briefed, but I want to hear it from you, Melody.” Luke took a seat in the comfy-looking recliner made of brown leather.

Grant eased down to the sofa and she took a seat beside him. She started with the note and then Richard’s visit. Next came the case of road rage gone bad, then the break-in when they were forced to leave in the middle of the night. She told him about waking to news that her office had been broken into, and then finding out her house had been again, too. She finished with the attempt on her life crossing the street.

“Hum.”

“What?” Grant asked, sitting up straighter.

“You said the car was idling and then accelerated when Melody crossed the street.”

“Right.”

“And you were going to dinner, something that was a last-minute decision.”

“Yes.”

“How did the person know to sit there and wait? Melody you usually park behind the building, right?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“Then how did he know you would be headed that way?”

She sat back against the couch. She hadn’t even thought of that. Maybe it had been random, after all. Just a drunk driver.

“I thought about that as I was getting worked on in the hospital. Someone could’ve been watching for her to leave work. When they saw the direction she was headed, they could’ve improvised and headed up the street to wait. I had Mason call Tyler to get him to,” Grant glanced at her and one corner of his mouth quirked, “borrow traffic cam feeds.”

Melody smiled. She knew Tyler Redmond, resident genius. He would be able to “borrow” the feed and no one would ever know he’d been there. He was crazy-talented with computers.

Luke pulled his iPhone from his pocket and dialed a number, putting the call on speaker.

“Yo, big boss, numero uno?”

“Tyler, I’m at Grant’s apartment. He’s here with me, along with Melody Franklin.”

“Yo G, whazz up? Melody, love, it’s been too long. When you get tired of dealing with those muscle-bound dudes, high tail your pretty self over to my office so we can catch up.”

She smiled, despite Grant’s glower. She and Tyler had become fast friends when she worked for Luke. She was afraid he had a bit of a crush on her, seeing as how she spoke his science lingo. She adored him…as a friend. “I will, Tyler.”

“You probably want to know about the traffic camera feeds,” Tyler guessed.

“Yes,” Grant ground out between gritted teeth.

“Flip on your TV, G.”

Grant reached for the remote on the table and winced. Melody lunged for it before he could injure himself more and handed it to him. She chanced a look at Luke, who was nodding approvingly at her. Grant powered it on and switched to a channel that showed the scene frozen outside her shop. She leaned forward as Tyler explained what they were about to watch.

“Here’s the Charger.” A circle appeared on the screen. The car was parked across the street. Then her shop door opened and she and Grant stepped outside, along with Mason, Kayla, Hillary and Kota. They talked for a few minutes and then split up, with her and Grant headed in the opposite direction of the others. The car pulled out of a parking space and then turned down the next street. The scene changed, and they followed as the car did a quick U-turn and pulled to the curb, waiting for her and Grant to appear.

She tried not to blush as she and Grant were clearly holding hands. Then she stepped on his shoelace. She peeked at Luke when Grant brushed a quick kiss over her lips. He didn’t look away from the screen, but his brow raised.

Tyler cleared his throat loudly. “You might want to cover your eyes for the next part, Mel.” She wanted to scream at her on-screen self to not cross the street, but of course, she did, and the car came charging towards her. She froze like the proverbial deer in the headlights. Grant shot out of a crouch like a runner taking off at the starting pistol and dove for her, narrowly missing getting smashed by the car. He cradled her close and protected her head as they rolled and slid across the pavement until they came to an abrupt stop against the far curb.

“G, you tackled her like Dwight Freeney going after Tom Brady.”

“I don’t think Freeney would’ve been so considerate of Brady’s well-being.” Luke’s tone was sardonic.

“You’re probably right, boss man. See this quick-reflexed guy?” Another circle appeared on the screen around the man who’d captured the sequence and then the footage rewound. Great. It was bad enough living through the event, and then having to watch it again. She didn’t think she could do it again. Tyler read her mind because he tightened the shot until just the man was on the screen.

“He had been checking out his phone but when he heard the engine gun it, he lifted his phone and recorded the tackling save. And I must say, G, his video is over 500 thou hits. Rock, on, dude. I gave it a thumbs-up.” The picture disappeared, replaced by Tyler’s gigantic face. She jumped back. That was a lot of Tyler and his spiky blue hair. “Uh, no offense, Mel. I’m not making light of what happened to you. In fact, when G finds out who did it,” he pointed to Grant, "and he will, I’m going to personally introduce the guy to Liberty,” he flexed one arm in a muscle pose, “and Freedom.” He flexed the other and then kissed his biceps. And they were bulging. Impressively.

“Tyler, have you been working out?”

“Sure have. Dante’s been training me. I’ve already gained fifteen pounds of lean, mean muscle. In fact, you want to see a tone and tight derrière?” He jumped up and spun around but Grant clicked off the television before Tyler could flash them.

She chuckled. Tyler never failed to crack her up.

“That kid is disturbed,” Grant announced.

“He is that, but he’s ours and we’re lucky to have him.” Luke addressed Melody. “Have you heard from your cousin since he confronted you in your office?”

Melody shook her head. Had that just been two days ago? “No, and I was going to call Max and ask about the deed to the property.”

“He’s out of the country, isn’t he?” Luke and Max were good friends. It was through their connection that she hooked up with the amazing people of COBRA Securities in the first place.

“Yes, for a few more weeks.”

Luke typed into his phone. “I’ll have someone pull the deed. No need to bother Max.” He looked up from his screen. “I assume you haven’t told him about what’s happened?”

She shook her head. “He’d hop on the first plane home. He needs this vacation.”

Luke sighed. “I hate keeping this from him. He’ll be pissed.”

That was putting it mildly. Max is and always would be her fiercest protector. “I’ll accept all the blame.”

“We’ll split it,” Luke said gently. “I’m pretty sure he’d want us to look after you, so he can’t be mad about that.”

That was true.

A knock sounded on the door…actually, several knocks…and then the door burst open.

“Uncle G! Melody!” Sean and Tiff came bounding inside.

“No hugs,” Luke admonished with a stop gesture. “He’s injured.”

“Thanks, kids, I’ll get this by myself,” Layla called out sarcastically from the doorway. Luke jumped up and hustled to assist his wife as both kids took turns hugging Melody.

“Hey, feeling left out here. I’m never too injured for hugs,” Grant insisted, grabbing Tiff around the waist with one arm and Sean the other.

Their giddy laughter was infectious, but she’d noticed the grimace that he hid with a smile. The kids adored him…and why wouldn’t they? He was amazing. Just then, an enticing aroma drifted to her and she inhaled greedily. Her stomach rumbled. She turned to see Luke carry a tray inside and place it on the breakfast bar.

Layla hugged Melody and then Grant gently. She whispered something to him and he smiled down at her and hugged her tighter. Layla blinked away moisture in her eyes and clapped her hands. “Come, eat. I know you must be starving since you missed your dinner.”

Melody stepped forward to see a gourmet meal on fine China, along with a bottle of wine, glasses and even a candle in a crystal holder. With Luke’s help, they unloaded the tray. Layla dug in a drawer and produced silverware.

“This looks delicious, Layla,” Melody said. “Did you make it?”

“Of course.” There was a twinkle in her eye. “Okay, fine. Kaitlyn did, but I carried it over here. That has to count for something.”

“How did you manage to wrestle that task away from her?” Grant asked. “I’m surprised she’s not here wrapping cotton batting around me.”

Layla sighed dramatically. “It was hard, let me tell you. And you might as well prepare yourself, big guy.” She patted his chest. “There is only so much Dan can do to hold her back.”

Grant grimaced. “TMI, sis.” Layla’s husky laugh was as sexy and melodious as her singing voice.

“Grant, a word?” Luke jerked his head towards the door. Grant followed his older brother out into the hallway.

Melody bit her lip. What was Luke telling him? That she was too much trouble and to drop her case?

“How are you doing, really, Melody?”

“It’s been a rough couple of days, but I’m hanging in there.”

“You’re okay staying here, with Grant?”

Her face heated. More than okay. “Yes. I feel safe here.”

“Good. You couldn’t ask for a better person watching out for you. Grant acts like a tough guy, but he’s a marshmallow inside, just like his brother. I adore him.”

Melody almost said, “Me, too.”

“And you are always welcome at our house. We loved having you there when you tutored the twins.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

The door opened and the men returned. She couldn’t tell by Grant’s reaction if the talk had been good or bad.

“Come-on, kids, let’s leave them alone so they can eat.”

“Aw, Dad,” Sean and Tiff complained in perfect synchronicity. She remembered that from when she tutored them. They were completely in tune with each other, sometimes not even needing to speak to communicate with the other. It’s like they just knew what the other was thinking or feeling. Their twin connection ran deep.

“You can visit with them tomorrow,” Layla promised them, running a hand down each of their golden heads. Tiffany and Sean were actually Layla’s half-siblings. They shared the same mom. But when she was murdered by the twins’ father, a United States Senator, they begged Layla to take them with her when she returned home to California. They were afraid of their dad. Layla had been a world-famous singer at the time, but when their father tried to have her killed, she faked her death and fled with the twins. A chance meeting on the streets of New York City brought Luke and Layla together and the rest, as they say, is history. The Senator was brought to justice and now resided in a plot of ground somewhere in Georgia, mourned by no one. Once Luke and Layla married, their first order of business had been to officially adopt Tiffany and Sean.

They each hugged Melody and then Grant and then with waves, they all left, but not before Layla hit the switch, turning off the light. Flames flickered from the candlestick and Melody was glad for the darkness. She was suddenly embarrassed to be alone with Grant.

#

Grant followed Luke into the hall. He had an idea what his brother would say, and Grant didn’t want to hear it.

Luke didn’t disappoint. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Want to fill me in on what you’re talking about. I’m in a fair amount of pain and I don’t feel like reading between the lines.”

As he’d hoped, Luke’s brows knitted with concern. Play the sympathy card. Worked every time.

“Are you two involved?”

“Define involved.”

Luke let out a frustrated sigh. “Let’s start with that kiss caught on tape.”

Oh, that. “No, we aren’t involved. It was a reassurance gesture, nothing more. She looked like she needed it.”

Luke studied him. Grant blanked his face into an expressionless mask. It wasn’t a lie. They weren’t involved—yet. They would be soon. And he did kiss her twice, but the second one was an omission, not a fib.

“I’ve known her brother for years. She’s not the kind of woman you can play around with and then toss aside.”

Sudden fury bubbled up and he had Luke pinned against the wall with a forearm to his throat. Luke could’ve resisted. Hell, Grant hoped he did. He was spoiling for a fight. “When have I ever done that to a woman?”

Luke didn’t answer, just studied him. All the anger fled as quickly as it arrived and he stepped back. “Sorry.”

Luke ran a hand down his face. “I’m sorry, too. That was out of line. Look, Grant, I know better than anyone how feelings can get involved when you are working on a case. But someone is targeting her, and you need all your wits about you to protect her. When you get personally involved, you might miss something.”

“I’m well aware of that and I won’t let it happen.”

“Just promise me you’ll tell me if you do. I’m not forbidding it or admonishing you. Hell, every engaged or married agent met their partner through a case, including me, so it would be hypocritical to warn you against it. I just don’t want you to let your guard down and she gets hurt.”

“I don’t want that either. I promise to let you know if I feel like I’m in too deep.”

Luke nodded at him and headed back inside the apartment. He hadn’t said anything that Grant hadn’t thought about himself. He knew it was a mistake to get involved with a client. Though it wasn’t forbidden, as Luke said, it still presented all kinds of problems. Two physical attacks on Melody in two days meant that whoever the perp was, he was desperate. He might ramp up his attacks since the first two failed. Grant needed to be hyper-vigilant to keep her safe.