He can protect anything except his heart

Leese Phelps’s road hasn’t been an easy one, but it’s brought him to the perfect job—working for the elite Body Armor security agency. And what his newest assignment lacks in size, she makes up for in fire and backbone. But being drawn to Catalina Nicholson is a dangerous complication, especially since it could be the very man who hired Leese who’s threatening her.

What Catalina knows could get her killed. But who’d believe the sordid truth about her powerful stepfather? Beyond Leese’s ripped body and brooding gaze is a man of impeccable honor. He’s the last person she expects to trust—and the first who’s ever made her feel safe. And he’s the only one who can help her expose a deadly secret, if they can just stay alive long enough...

Praise for New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster

“Best friends find hunky men and everlasting love in Foster’s latest charmer.... Her no-fail formula is sure to please her fans.”

—Publishers Weekly on Don’t Tempt Me

“Foster brings her signature blend of heat and sweet to her addictive third Ultimate martial arts contemporary.”

—Publishers Weekly on Tough Love (starred review)

“Emotionally spellbinding and wicked hot.”

—New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh on No Limits

“Storytelling at its best! Lori Foster should be on everyone’s auto-buy list.”

—#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon on No Limits

“Foster’s writing satisfies all appetites with plenty of searing sexual tension and page-turning action in this steamy, edgy, and surprisingly tender novel.”

—Publishers Weekly on Getting Rowdy

“Foster hits every note (or power chord) of the true alpha male hero.”

—Publishers Weekly on Bare It All

“A sexy, believable roller coaster of action and romance.”

—Kirkus Reviews on Run the Risk

“Steamy, edgy, and taut.”

—Library Journal on When You Dare

Under Pressure

Lori Foster

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Table of Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Praise

Title Page

Dear Reader

Under Pressure

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Built For Love

Dear Reader

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

Extract

Copyright

Dear Reader,

I’m so excited to introduce Body Armor, my new series, featuring some heroes who might seem familiar, plus a cast of all-new characters I hope you’ll love as much as I do.

Those of you who read Fighting Dirty, the last book in my Ultimate series, will remember Leese Phelps, the MMA contender who’d decided to apply the skills he’d honed in the MMA ring to a brand-new job as a bodyguard. In Under Pressure, Leese has become a key security agent at the Body Armor agency—but he’s about to take on his toughest assignment yet when he’s hired to protect Catalina Nicholson. Because the more time he spends unraveling Cat’s dangerous secrets, the more attracted he finds himself. Now he’s not sure what’s in more imminent danger—Cat’s life or his own heart...

I hope you enjoy Leese and Cat’s romance, plus the bonus novella “Built for Love”—about another tough, honorable hero and the woman who holds her own with him—at the end of the book. And of course, you’re always welcome to reach out to me. I’m active on most social media forums including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Goodreads, and my email address is listed on my website at www.lorifoster.com.

Happy reading!

Under Pressure

Lori Foster

CHAPTER ONE

LEESE PHELPS STOOD in the cold early evening air, his breath frosting in front of him. Lights at the nearby bus station blinked in an annoying mismatched pattern. A cascade of foil Valentine’s Day hearts hung loose, almost touching the ground. Not exactly romantic, but then, he wasn’t in a romantic mood.

Behind him, completely hidden in the shadows, his friend Justice complained, “My balls are freezing.”

Still watching the surrounding area, Leese said, “You should try wearing underwear.”

“The ladies would complain. They like me commando.”

Leese started to smile, until a shadow shifted from the right side of an alley that bisected the station from a cheap hotel. He said, “Shh.”

“This is it?” Justice whispered. “You see her?”

“Quiet.” Leese pressed farther back into the darkness, his gaze alert, his senses zinging.

A woman, small in stature, emerged dragging an enormous suitcase with a broken wheel. As it tried to pull her sideways, she relentlessly forced it through slush and blackened snow. Her narrowed gaze scanned the area with nervous awareness.

Leese didn’t move, but still her attention shot back in his direction. She stared, watchful and wary, until he stepped out.

Trying not to look threatening, Leese propped a shoulder on the brick facade of the vacated building. He glanced at her, then away, as if dismissing her.

She continued to stare.

Now what to do?

“What’s happening?” Justice whispered.

“Nothing. Be quiet.”

The girl wore jeans with snow boots, a puffy coat that covered her to her knees and a black stocking cap pulled down to her eyebrows. Straight brown hair stuck out from the bottom.

When she finally looked away, it was to drop the suitcase and whip around, facing the way she’d come.

Two men stepped out, followed by a third.

The third smiled at her. “Going somewhere, Cat? Without saying goodbye?”

Suspicions confirmed, Leese watched Catalina Nicholson take a defiant stance. That didn’t surprise him. As soon as he’d been given this assignment, he’d learned what he could of her.

She came from a wealthy family of lawyers and CEOs, people with far-reaching political and business connections. They were the movers and shakers of the world, influencing other powerful people effortlessly.

But Catalina had bucked convention by becoming an elementary school art teacher, something her family hadn’t liked. She clearly enjoyed her luxuries, but wanted to earn them herself. Some inheritances helped to pave the way on that, but from all reports, she’d proven herself to be headstrong and independent. Small in size but not in attitude.

Here, in the slums of Danbrook, Ohio, she was far away from her usual routine of dealing with middle-class families and their grade-school children.

“That’s right, Wayne,” she said, her voice strong. “I’m leaving.”

“I don’t think so,” the man called Wayne said, and his two cronies moved to surround her. “Not just yet. Not until you pay up on all those promises you made.”

Strangely enough, Catalina looked back at Leese again, her expression a touch desperate.

Even from a distance, he felt her silent request for help.

“Stay put unless you see that I need you,” Leese told Justice. He was pretty sure he could handle things without drawing his gun, but there was always a chance he’d cause a ruckus and then, to protect her, they’d need to make a run for it. “Be ready with the car.”

Justice grumbled, “I miss all the fun.”

His boots crunching in the frozen snow, Leese headed toward her in a casual stride.

Relief took the starch out of her shoulders. If he could defuse things without violence, that’d be for the best. Right now, the bus station was all but empty. But if a brawl broke out, for sure it’d draw attention from somewhere.

As he approached, the men all went still, watchful, before deciding he didn’t matter.

Idiots.

Leese stepped up in front of her, blocking the pushiest guy, forcing him back a step.

“Hey!”

“Excuse me.” Insinuating himself between her and the big goon, Leese insulated her from trouble, then turned to face her. Catalina was probably a foot shorter than him, and even in the thick coat she seemed slim all over. She tipped back her head and stared up at him with big blue eyes that were both wary and defiant.

By silent agreement, she trusted him, when that was the very last thing she should have done. No wonder he’d been sent to her.

Leese hefted her bag, which weighed a ton, and maintaining the casual vibe said, “This way,” indicating where he’d been standing watch.

Without bothering to look at the other men, she drew a careful breath, braced herself and nodded in agreement.

Insane. The woman had no self-protection mechanism. She didn’t know him from Adam, but was willing to blindly saunter off with him.

When he’d been assigned this case, not once had he expected it to be this easy. On the contrary. Everything he’d been told had led him to believe it would be a total pain in the ass to keep her safe.

She took two steps.

The closest goon said, “This is bullshit.”

Pausing, Leese huffed out a breath. “Let it go.”

“The hell I will.”

Hearing the elevated voice, he turned just in time to dodge a thick fist. Still holding her bag, Leese landed a knee to the man’s midsection, then flattened him with an elbow to the chin.

The guy’s eyes rolled back and he collapsed like a rag doll, one leg bent awkwardly beneath him, his jaw slack.

Eyeing the remaining two, Leese popped his neck and waited. “Anyone else?”

Being wiser than they looked, they declined further violence.

As the downed man came around with a groan, Leese backed up with Catalina. “Get your friend out of the slush, before hypothermia sets in.” It was so bitter cold, it wouldn’t take long for the elements to affect a body, especially when drenched in wet snow.

While Wayne remained hostile, the other man rushed forward to help his friend back to his feet. Tottering, he made his way to a curb where he slumped, still unsteady.

There were no more smiles when Wayne said, “She owes me.”

“How much?” Paying off the guy would be easier than debating it on such a bitter night, and more expedient than refusing them with his fists.

Wayne’s eyes narrowed. “Not money.”

“Ah, well, I can’t even up with you, then. Guess you’re out of luck.”

Jaw grinding, Wayne glared at him. “I gave her a place to stay. I fed her. Bought her those boots and coat—”

“And you figured on getting paid how?”

Throughout it all, Catalina stayed behind him.

Wayne growled, “She knows what I expected.”

Leaning around, tone apologetic, Catalina whispered, “Yeah, about that... I never planned to sleep with you, Wayne. I’m sorry. I promise I will repay you, I just can’t right now. But I do have your address, so—”

“Fuck you,” Wayne snarled.

Growing impatient, Leese said, “Apparently that’s not happening.” He set down the suitcase and pushed aside his open coat, showing the Glock in a belt holster at his side.

The men stared uneasily. Catalina sucked in a startled breath.

Ignoring those reactions, Leese looked at her boots, then lifted the collar of the coat, examining it. While they were decent protection against the elements, they weren’t high-end items. Probably bought at a discount department store.

Definitely not worth Catalina prostituting herself.

He withdrew his wallet and pulled out a few hundreds. “This will have to suffice.” He folded the money, walked up to Wayne and held it out.

After a ripe hesitation, Wayne took the cash.

With a dose of menace, Leese warned, “Don’t come after her again.”

Wayne nodded, said something low to the uninjured man and the three of them retreated behind the tall buildings.

Leese felt Catalina retreating as well.

Out of patience and feeling stern, he faced her. “Don’t run.”

Eyes huge, her face pale except for the pink of her cold nose, she swallowed hard. “You were sent to bring me home, weren’t you?”

Body Armor, the agency where he worked, had sent him...but his job was to keep her safe, period. “You don’t have to be afraid.”

With a shake of her head, she stepped back.

Leese saw it in her eyes; she would run. “Don’t.”

She whirled to flee and plowed headlong into Justice. The impact was solid enough that she bounced back, her feet slid out from under her on the icy surface and she landed flat in the frozen snow. Given the way she wheezed, she’d knocked the wind out of herself.

She didn’t sink in the snow as the other guy had. Nope. She might as well have hit solid ground. At least he didn’t have to worry about her getting hypothermia.

Leese knelt beside her. “Shh.” He cupped the back of her head. “Hold still.” To Justice, he said, “You were supposed to wait at the car.”

“I saw it was clear and wanted to hurry you along.”

Justice was still learning patience. He was here today with Leese to get a handle on the job. So far, he failed with flying colors. “Carry her bag to the car. We’ll be right there. And, Justice, stay sharp, and stay with the car.”

On his way past, Justice told her, “Sorry about that, honey. Didn’t mean to startle you.” He carried the bag as if it weighed nothing, but then, Justice was a six-foot-five former heavyweight MMA fighter made of solid muscle.

Drawing her into a sitting position and raising her arms over her head, Leese said, “Take it easy. You’re all right.”

She sucked in a strained breath, coughed and wheezed again.

“Running into Justice is like hitting the side of a mountain. Did you hurt anything?”

She got her breath back with a vengeance. “Who are you people?”

Her hat had come loose and silky brown hair tangled around her face. With very cold hands, Leese brushed it back. Gloves would have been nice.

But gloves skewed his accuracy whenever he needed to draw his weapon.

He never discounted that possibility, so no gloves.

“I’m a bodyguard with the Body Armor agency. I was hired to keep you safe.”

“Oh God.” Elbows on her knees, she dropped her head forward and rocked in agitation.

Sitting in the cold was not his idea of fun. “You’re okay?” Instinct had him rubbing her back. She didn’t seem to mind.

“Yes.” She lifted her head and pinned him with her gaze. “You don’t look like any bodyguard I’ve ever seen.”

“Seen a few, have you?”

“Too many. They’re pretty obvious, but not you. You don’t fit the mold at all.” She studied his face. “How did you find me?”

Leese was unaware of any mold, but he also knew Body Armor was vastly different from most other agencies. “I was told you were in this general area. It’s a small town. Newcomers draw attention.”

“I was two towns over the last time bodyguards found me.”

So others had been sent to protect her, but she’d deliberately lost them, then tried hiding again? Leese wasn’t sure what was going on, but he had an objective, and he’d see it through. “I showed your photo around and tracked you here.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Since when do bodyguards track people?”

Since clients paid a small fortune to make it happen. Balanced on the balls of his feet, Leese let his wrists rest over his knees. “I learned a lot of neat tricks,” he told her.

“Like?”

So she wanted to have this whole conversation while exposed to the elements? Appeared so. “Like how to locate people.” He stood and pulled her to her feet.

She strained away. “What are you doing?”

Her unmistakable panic helped him to rein in his impatience. “Your seat is probably damp by now. The back of your coat too. You need to get somewhere warm and dry.”

“Where?”

“Let’s go to the car and we’ll talk about it.”

She balked. “So you’re taking me home?”

That sounded like an accusation. Leese tried to ignore the cold. “Is that where you want to go?”

Her brows lifted. “Not really, no.”

“Okay then, want to clue me in?” His balls were starting to freeze.

Puzzled, she narrowed her eyes on him. “You weren’t told to take me anywhere?”

“I’ve only spoken to my boss, and she said to keep you safe, period.” Why did he feel like he might be missing the big picture here? “That’s the beginning, middle and end.”

Incredulous, she asked, “For how long?”

He shrugged. “My understanding is that it’s pretty open-ended at this point.” Given her reactions so far, he could see why those who cared about her assumed she’d need protection.

But to be sure, at the first opportunity he’d give Sahara a call and have her fess up all the facts. Sahara Silver, the new owner of Body Armor, did like to do things her own way—and it was never conventional.

Catalina kept her gaze locked with his while working out something in her mind, and suddenly she stiffened. “Oh my God.”

“Problem?”

Her hair whipped around as she searched the area again.

Who was she looking for? “Catalina—”

On a heartfelt groan of despair, she gripped the front of his coat. “You’ve probably led him to me.”

Leese didn’t know who she meant, but he saw honest fear in her expression. “Let’s get out of the area, somewhere safe.” He noticed that she limped a little as he led her quickly to where Justice waited with the car. “We’ll talk more once I know you’re secure.”

Justice sat behind the wheel of the black Lexus SUV, the engine running, so the car would be warm.

Catalina balked again at the sight of him, then squared her shoulders and hastened her pace.

“You don’t have to worry about Justice.” Leese reached the SUV ahead of her and opened the back passenger door. “Colorful as he might be.”

She said, “He’s fine.”

Right. Height and a brick build were enough to make Justice intimidating, but he also had black-as-sin eyes, a dark Mohawk and a goatee badly in need of a trim. His earliest fighting days had left him with a crooked nose from too many breaks and a right ear thickened from too many hits.

Overall, despite his massive size and capability, Justice was easygoing and considerate—especially to pretty girls.

“Let’s lose the wet coat, okay? You’ll be more comfortable.”

She bit her lip, then quickly stripped her coat off. Leese took it from her as she climbed in.

She was so skittish that he didn’t trust her to stay put and he definitely didn’t want her trying to hop out of a moving car. Still holding the door open, he said, “Scoot.”

“What?” Catalina pushed back her hair and blinked at him in question.

Rather than explain again, Leese took the expedient measure of getting in next to her, forcing her to make room for him. He watched her rump as she quickly crawled across the seat, moving as far from him as she could get.

As he draped the coat over her lap, he told Justice, “Go,” and to Catalina, said, “Buckle up.”

“Where to?” Justice asked.

“Head for the highway.” Because she hadn’t done it yet, Leese reached around Catalina and buckled her seat belt, then tucked the coat around her again. “We’ll go south.”

She pressed back in her seat. “Where’s my suitcase?”

“In back,” Justice told her, taking several peeks at her in the rearview mirror.

She confirmed that by twisting around to look in the cargo area. When she saw the battered suitcase, she dropped back into her seat and closed her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Welcome.” Then to Leese, he asked, “We expecting more trouble?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Yes,” Catalina said. “Expect it, because it’s definitely coming.”

Leese shared a look with Justice, but both chose to stay silent. As they drove out of the small town, the streetlights faded away and only the headlights of the SUV and the few other cars on the road lit the area.

After about twenty minutes, Catalina slumped in her seat and yawned. “I don’t suppose you have anything to eat?”

The guys shared another look.

Justice said, “Sorry, no. I take it you’re hungry?”

“Mmm. I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday.”

If true, that sucked, but Leese shook his head at Justice. “Don’t stop yet.”

“If I can’t eat,” Catalina said, “then do you mind if I nap? I’ve been even longer without sleep and now that I’m warm, I’m having a pretty hard time keeping my eyes open.”

Every minute with her got more confusing. “Why haven’t you slept?”

“I was planning my escape from Wayne’s little cult. He considers himself this benevolent guide, but he’s actually just creepy. I had to sneak out a window. Should have known he’d find out.”

Tension knotted the muscles of Leese’s neck. “You were in a cult?”

“Well, not an official cult or anything. Those are off in the woods or something, right? But Wayne has this weird setup where he takes in people in need.”

“You?” he asked with clear disbelief, because her family connections alone would forever keep her out of the category of “in need.”

She rolled one shoulder. “I had to lay low for a bit.” Rather than expound on that, she went back to explaining the setup. “So Wayne has these two big Victorians and a bunch of people stay there on a temporary basis. Homeless guys, alcoholics, a few addicts. Mostly men, but there was this older prostitute too. She helped me get away because, according to her, she didn’t like the competition of having another female around. Guess she had a thing for Wayne. He’s the only one who paid much attention to me.”

“He bought you clothes?”

“The coat and boots, yeah. See, we all had to take turns keeping up the property. Clearing the front walk and driveway and stuff like that. I was the youngest and healthiest one there, so I volunteered to help the others. Only I didn’t have the proper shoes and my coat was cloth and often got damp, so Wayne took it upon himself to replace them.” She worried her fingers over the zipper of her coat. “He took a lot for granted, trying to give me gifts and getting enraged when I refused them. I’m not sure what he expected...well, I assume he eventually expected sex. I mean, that’s obvious, right?”

Leese resisted the urge to look her over. “Probably a safe bet.”

“But why he’d expect me to be into it...I couldn’t figure that out. I never flirted, never led him on, not until I decided I couldn’t stay there anymore. Then I acted interested only so I could put him off until after dinner.”

“That’s when you left?”

“Out a window, yeah. See, tonight he was planning for me to join him in his room for a late dinner instead of in the dining hall with everyone else. So I figured I had to go.” She wrinkled her nose, which wasn’t quite so pink anymore. “I was mean, telling him how I was looking forward to it and that I’d see him at seven. I told him I wanted to primp and make myself pretty for him.”

She was already pretty, but as far as he could tell, she hadn’t primped in a while.

“He liked that idea, so he wasn’t hovering around me so much. It gave me an opportunity to sneak away. I dodged around for a while, figuring that was safer than making a beeline for the bus station, since Wayne would go there first to look for me, right?” Without waiting for Leese to reply, she continued, “But I guess he hadn’t given up because he was watching the station all the same, knowing I’d show up there sooner or later.”

Was the bus her only option? Her family was old money. Leese doubted any of them had ever stepped foot on a bus, much less made it their preferred mode of transportation.

That made about as much sense as her rooming in a shelter with a letch supervising.

“On principle alone, I’d have left the coat and boots, but when he gave them to me, he also swiped my old stuff. I didn’t have anything else and I didn’t want to freeze, so...” She slumped farther in the seat. “It was a gift, after all. And turns out, they are pretty warm.”

Leese rubbed his jaw. When the headlights behind them drove closer, he looked over the seat to check it out. The car cut away and went down a side street to the right.

Gone, and yet his instincts sharpened with the probable threat. “Turn left here,” he told Justice. If the other car had been following, hoping to circle ahead of them, he’d have to disappoint them.

The road was short and led back into a business district. New lights appeared behind them. There shouldn’t be anything alarming in that, and yet, warning bells went off in his head.

Checking a map on his phone, he said, “Go through this parking lot, then left again. About five miles down you’ll find an on-ramp for 75 north. We’ll try that for a bit.”

Catalina chewed her bottom lip, her arms folded around her.

She looked exhausted, apparently with good reason. He needed to make up his mind about what to do with her now, but there were too many unanswered questions.

Questions that would have to be answered later.

Hoping she’d have a suggestion, he asked, “Where would you like to go?”

Thinking about it, she inhaled and said, “If you want to find another bus station—”

“Not an option.” Leese reached over, took her chin, and turned her face toward him. “Like it or not, I was hired to keep you safe. I can’t do that if I can’t see you.”

“You also can’t keep me safe indefinitely.”

She sounded so sure about that. Did she really believe someone planned to do her harm? All he’d been told was that her father wanted her protected while she was out of reach, but he didn’t know anything about a specific threat to her.

Was there a chance Mr. Nicholson had hired a bodyguard because his daughter was confused, maybe a little irrational...even delusional? She wouldn’t be the first person to imagine a bizarre conspiracy theory.

As if she’d read his thoughts, she smiled sadly. “Bus station, after all?”

“No.” Until he knew what was going on, he planned to keep her very close. “Do some weaving until you hit the highway,” he told Justice, “then find us a place to stay for the night.”

“Swanky or low-key?”

Leese thought about it, then asked her, “Preference?”

Her gaze traveled over his face, his shoulders, down his body. “Most would assume you’d go low-key, thinking that’s what I’d want. But if we can afford swankier...?”

“We can.” He had an alternate credit card to use, without any ties to the agency, just in case Catalina wasn’t imagining anything. “It’ll just take a little longer to reach.”

Justice said, “We going to make her wait to get room service?”

Again, Leese deferred to her.

“I’d kill for a burger,” Catalina said. “Loaded. With fries. And a malt.” She made a sound of pleasure. “Man, that sounds good.”

“I just fell in love,” Justice said.

Ignoring Justice, Leese said, “A burger is doable, but we’ll pick it up and take it to the hotel to eat. Okay?”

“You two might be my new favorite people.” She curled into the corner, snuggling for a comfortable position. “At least for a little while.” After a yawn, she said, “Wake me when we’re there.”

Leese watched her fall asleep.

A whole lot of things weren’t adding up. For one, despite all the research he’d done on her, Catalina wasn’t quite what he’d expected.

The situation, too, was off. He’d planned to keep her safe, but now he had to wonder: from what?

“She’s out?” Justice asked with disbelief.

A soft snore was his answer.

Leese smiled, until she shifted, turning toward him and stretching out on the seat, her head on his thigh.

“Shh,” she muttered. “So tired.”

In the rearview mirror, Leese saw Justice’s wide eyes. Hell, his own were probably bugging. What woman escaped danger, met strangers, mistrusted them, then decided to doze?

It wasn’t normal. The idea of her being irrational seemed more plausible by the moment.

Justice turned the radio on low, and as she’d ordered, they both stayed quiet. But Leese stewed, at first in discomfort.

Where the hell was he supposed to put his hands?

Then he decided to hell with it and rested one forearm across her body. She shifted and his hand ended up on her hip.

Worked for him, and she didn’t complain, so he just went with it.

The discomfort turned internal. Confused on all counts, he wanted to call Sahara and insist on some additional details, but not while Catalina might hear. He’d have to wait for the right moment and some privacy.

Using his left hand, he double-checked their route. With that done, he read a few private emails, did a little more research on the woman dozing against him and basically bided his time.

When it occurred to him that he was lightly stroking Catalina’s hip without even thinking about it, he ceased...until she grew restless. Then he gave in to the urge again.

They drove for forty-five minutes before Leese decided they were close enough to the hotel to pull into a drive-through burger joint. In all that time, Catalina had slept soundly but now, as the car slowed, she stretched awake.

Feeling the lithe movement of her trim little body against him, Leese gave her a few pats. “Time to wake up.”

“Mmm.” Sluggish, she turned to her back, her knees bent against the door, and stared up at him, taking a moment to orient herself. Blinking in surprise, she asked, “How long was I out?”

Shadows kept her expression hidden, but he felt her intensity. “Less than an hour.” His forearm was now across her stomach, meaning he practically embraced her. “Ready to order some food?”

Cautiously, she sat up and looked around, then turned to stare at him. “No trouble?”

“No.” Did she think she’d have slept through it?

“Sorry I passed out.”

“Not a problem.” Odd as hell, but it had maybe made things easier, giving him time to sort through the altered situation.

She leaned closer to him to peer over the front seat and out the windshield. Several cars were ahead of them, and the line moved slowly. “Could we walk in? I need to use the restroom.”

“We’ll be at the hotel in just a few minutes.”

Blue eyes stared into his. “I need to go now.”

Leese wasn’t sure how he knew—she didn’t blink, didn’t lose eye contact—but he had no doubt at all that she planned to run the second she got out of his sight. “All right. I’ll wait by the door and Justice can wait right outside.”

She scowled.

He grinned.

Giving up, she sighed. “I don’t even know your name.”

“Leese Phelps. The big guy up front—”

“You’re both big.” She peered toward Justice. “But yeah, you’re gargantuan. Justice, right?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A dimple appeared in her cheek. “I like your style, Justice.” Sitting back again, she turned to Leese. “Credentials?”

A little late, but at least she finally wanted to see them. Leese removed his folded leather holder and flipped it open to show his ID.

She studied it longer than necessary, looking from the photo to him to the photo again. “Okay, so you’re really a bodyguard.”

“You had doubts?”

“Sure.”

By the second she became more of an enigma. “And still you went to sleep?”

“I was seriously depleted and needed the rest. Besides, what was I supposed to do? Try to fight my way free?”

Justice snorted.

“Exactly.” As they pulled up in the line to buy food, her stomach rumbled. “Besides, even if I was a hulk like you two, I’m beat and I’m hungry. Fighting about the inevitable didn’t seem worth it.”

“Inevitable?” Leese asked.

“You were taking me, regardless of what I had to say about it. Right?”

What did she think? That he was holding her hostage? He was about to explain when it became their turn at the order window. Justice took and shared her food preferences, then ordered for himself and Leese too. Once they had two big bags of food, they drove away again.

Catalina sniffed the air. “Wow, that smells good.”

“We’re a block away from the hotel. Before we get there, you should understand something.”

She awkwardly pulled on her coat, working around the fastened seat belt, bumping Leese a few times. “What’s that?”

“I’m not holding you against your will.”

One of her brows lifted.

“I’m here to keep you safe.”

“So you’ve said. But if I chose to leave?”

He gave her the truth. “I’d follow.”

CHAPTER TWO

“I HAVE HER HAT.”

“What the fuck am I supposed to do with a hat? I need her, Tesh, not her wardrobe.”

Refusing to be riled, Tesh fingered the hat, then stuffed it back into his pocket. “I meant it as a confirmation for you that I have her in my sights. She left the hat behind at the bus station after some idiots tried to accost her. The bodyguard stepped in.”

“So he found her.”

Making a sound of affirmation, Tesh said, “And I followed him.” He could have found her on his own. Contrary to what little Cat Nicholson thought, she wasn’t all that clever. But she’d have recognized him right off and booked again.

Having a different face, a less menacing face, track her down worked to his advantage. “I’ve been following her since, not too close because I don’t want to spook her.”

“Fine, what’s the plan?”

“I’ll grab her in the morning.” Despite the wishes of anyone else, he didn’t want her killed. Not his sweet, wild kitten. Given half a chance, he’d tuck her away and keep her safe.

All his, and his alone.

It’d be worth giving up everything. She was worth it, and when he finished taming her, she’d be not only agreeable, but grateful.

“Keep me posted.”

Tesh nodded. “Will do.” He disconnected the call, and thought about how to proceed. He had his orders. And he had his preferences. If things went right, he could have it all.

* * *

CATALINA WASN’T SURE what to think. Leese Phelps, her new “bodyguard,” looked sincere enough. But she knew how it worked.

For much of her life, and especially the last few months before she’d been forced to run six weeks ago, too many things had been done “for her own good.” These days, she had a hard time knowing who to trust, but it was rarely those people claiming to have her best interests at heart.

Leese, with the gorgeous blue eyes and tall, solid physique, looked the part of a hero. But looks could be deceiving. He also said the right things, painting himself as a good guy. But good, too, could be subjective.

He’d made mincemeat of Wayne’s bullyboy, taking him out in such an effortless way. Then with a look alone, he intimidated Wayne.

He had a gun and he spoke to his massive chauffeur friend as if the guy wasn’t an enormous pile of muscle and badass ’tude.

She sighed. What to do?

Gaze teasing, Leese lifted one bag of food as enticement. “Why don’t you come up to the room and at least eat before making any decisions? I have a feeling we need to talk out a few things.”

The wind had played havoc with his dark hair, and this late in the day he had sexy beard shadow scruff highlighting his lean jaw, making his incendiary eyes look even more compelling.

How unfair. Her eyes were a wishy-washy blah blue.

Not his. Nope, his eyes were the kind that made a woman’s stomach tumble.

And though the food smelled good, it had nothing on Leese, who smelled incredibly delicious. The nap she’d taken, using his hard thigh as a pillow, was the best rest she’d had in a good long while.

How did that make any sense?

She had no idea how much, if any, she should trust him. But she’d slept peacefully.

“I guess if you wanted to murder me or some other heinous thing, you wouldn’t have to take me to a nice hotel to do it.”

“You see,” he said, dark, level brows coming together. “It’s thoughts like that we need to talk about.”

“Then again,” she continued, feeling constrained as they drove into a dark, concrete parking garage, “you could be luring me into a trap.” Fear put a stranglehold on her throat. What if he only wanted her to come along peacefully because that’d make it easier on him? Then he’d hand her over without a single qualm.

Then what would she do?

“No trap,” Leese said gently, and amazingly it helped to still the escalating alarm.

“No one else is waiting inside? Because it’d be beyond diabolical to lure me with food when I’m already so hungry, just to sabotage me and—”

One finger pressed to her mouth, silencing her. “I’m not sure who you think wants to sabotage you, but I promise, Justice and I won’t let that happen.”

Oh wow. He said that so convincingly while touching her mouth, and even through her fear, it affected her, making her toes curl in her boots. Believing him, even though that was an insane thing to do, she gave a small nod. “Okay.”

“Good girl.” His hand cupped the side of her face. “Now take a few breaths and try to relax.”

She nodded, even as her thoughts scrambled.

Justice parked, then walked around and opened her door for her.

Hoping to hide her continued worry, she teased, “Such a gentleman.”

Justice tugged at an ear. “Haven’t been accused of that too many times.”

When she stepped out, she felt downright puny next to him. It wasn’t just his height, but also the breadth of his chest and shoulders. Boulder shoulders. Even through his leather jacket, she could see the unyielding strength in his body.

For whatever reason, even though she felt safe with Leese, Justice made her more at ease.

Could be the lack of attraction.

She saw Leese as walking, talking sex appeal.

Justice was like a big teddy bear...if teddy bears ate steel for breakfast.

A second later, his expression alert, Leese was at her side as he waited for Justice to open the back of the SUV. He had a leaner, more honed physique that was no less powerful.

Leese, clearly in charge, nearly vibrated with edgy awareness. Justice seemed to be along for the ride.

They made interesting cohorts, like mismatched bookends that would nonetheless get the job done. And if she wasn’t so worried, she wouldn’t mind her role as the only book.

“How’s your ankle?”

She stared at him blankly. “My ankle?”

“You were limping earlier.”

“Oh.” She looked down at her feet, unaware of any problem. “Guess it’s okay.” She wiggled her toes. “Must have been a temporary thing.”

“Good. Any discomfort, just let me know.”

They each retrieved moderately sized overnight bags, and Justice lifted out her big suitcase.

“The wheel broke,” she explained.

“Not a problem.” Justice held it as easily as he would have a pillow.

That bugged her. She’d had a devil of a time hauling that awkward heap through the snow, sludge and ice in the alleys. If these two were going to corral her, they could have done so as soon as she’d left the shelter. Maybe then her back and shoulders wouldn’t be so tired.

“He’s a regular beast, isn’t he?” she whispered to Leese.

Smiling, Leese shrugged, still looking around the area. “He’s strong.”

“Used to be a fighter,” Justice said, proving he’d heard her whisper. “Same as Leese. We gave it up to be bodyguards, and gotta say, it’s a lot less work.”

Fascinated, Cat looked between them as they headed into the foyer of the hotel. “Fighters? Like boxing? Or do you mean street brawlers?”

“Professional MMA,” Justice explained. “Mixed martial arts.”

She knew little about it, but it probably meant they were well trained. “Why’d you give it up?”

Cutting off Justice’s answer, Leese said, “This place isn’t top-notch, maybe not what you’re used to, but it’s one of the better hotels in this area.”

A change of subject? And what did he know about her preferences? She scowled at him. “It’s better than the shelter, I’m sure.”

“Book us two rooms,” he told Justice, handing him a card. “If they have a suite, that’d be great. If not, a single and a double will do. Make sure they’re near each other.”

“Right.” Leaving the luggage with Leese, Justice walked away toward the front desk.

“You can grab a seat while we wait.” Leese indicated the cushy sofa behind her.

Luckily the lobby was nearly empty this time of night. Other than a couple headed toward the lounge, Cat saw only hotel employees. Big windows and glass doors at the entrance showed another light snow starting, each flake glistening as it danced beneath the lights. A boutique, decorated with hearts and flowers for Valentine’s Day, as well as several restaurants lined the street across from them.

As she sat, Cat thought about the arrangements. Since she’d have a room to herself, she could sneak away if she wanted. But would that be wise? She was out of money, and if she hit the ATM that’d probably leave a trail. Then again, seeing Justice use the credit card at the front desk, she knew it’d be pretty easy to find her, just by tracking Leese and Justice, which had no doubt been the plan.

She’d thought staying with Wayne would completely throw off the bloodhounds. It was so far from her ordinary, everyday life that she hadn’t imagined anyone would ever look for her there.

Then Wayne had to go and get grabby and ruin those plans. Not that she could have hidden indefinitely anyway. Sooner or later she had to work out a life for herself, a way to live safe and free.

Maybe it was time to confront things.

Could she?

For tonight, she’d try not to dwell on it. Showering in peace, sleeping without worry would be so nice.

And Leese did have that food...

It had been a while since she’d really enjoyed eating. With cockroaches running rampant, strangers staring and Wayne always on the make, mealtime at the shelter had been done in uncomfortable haste.

In contrast, a loaded burger seemed like a real luxury.

In the morning she could figure out an escape...perhaps over breakfast.

While she sat there thinking things through, Leese stood in front of her, hands in his pockets, his gaze brooding as he alternately studied the windows and door, and watched her.

When her gaze met his, he smiled. “Before you work out anything too elaborate, you should know that one room is for Justice, and the other is for us.”

Her heart jumped. “Us?”

He caught her arm and pulled her back to her feet. “I can’t protect you if I’m not with you. And I have a feeling you need more protection than I ever could have guessed.”

His feelings were spot-on.

Justice rejoined them, handing out room keycards. “Got you the suite and I have a room across the hall.”

So the big guy had understood the setup all along?

With a hand to the small of her back, Leese urged her to the elevator.

A bellhop took them to a private floor accessible only with a keycard. Nice. That gave her a little more added security.

On the ride up to the twenty-sixth floor, Cat tried to use the silence to plan, but she was far too aware of Leese standing closely at her back.

He intended to room with her.

She glanced at Justice standing at her side, and the big ape grinned at her as if he knew her thoughts. Scowling, she stared straight instead at the numbers as they changed for each floor.

Repugnant as it seemed, she should definitely go; Leese had said she could if she wanted. Maybe it was time to test that theory.

After they departed the elevator, the bellhop started to step off with them. Leese slipped him a bill and thanked him with an obvious dismissal.

He unlocked the suite door himself, then held it open for her.

Nervousness kept her glued to the spot. They were in such a private location, with only a few other doors around. She felt isolated, alone...but then she’d felt that way for a while now.

“I changed my mind,” she blurted.

Silence ticked by until, tipping his head, Leese asked, “About?”

His calm only amplified her nervousness.

“This.” She gestured at the room. At him. “I don’t want to stay here.”

Pausing at his own door, Justice waited.

“Okay.” Hands on his hips, Leese held her gaze. “Where did you want to go?”

“Er...nowhere with you. I’m going to just...leave.”

Dark brows touching, Leese considered her, making her squirm. He let the door shut. “All right.”

Justice groaned with loud drama.

“Wherever you go,” Leese told her, “I will closely follow. But it’s up to you.”

Damn it. Him being so agreeable left her only more perplexed. And truthfully, she didn’t want to go anywhere. The nap had recharged her, but only a little. Problems pummeled her tired brain. And the thought of a shower was so enticing... “Can I take the food with me?”

A half smile curled his mouth. “Sure.”

The easy agreement left her deflated, stealing the last of her resistance. “Fine. I’ll stay.”

Justice let out a long, relieved breath.

“But I’m not keen on sharing a room with you.” Liar. She hated the thought of being alone. She protested on principle—because she liked the idea of being alone with him far too much. And why not? Could he be more striking with his beautiful eyes, calm, controlled nature and that ripped bod?

Her biggest dilemma was that he looked at her as a problem to solve, and she looked at him like any red-blooded woman would look at a sexy hunk of man.

She felt sparks, blast him, and he stayed cool and distant.

“If that’s your only concern, I can stay out here.”

Cat gaped at him. “Here, the...hall?”

“Yes.”

Why wouldn’t he just room with Justice? “I could take the single and you guys could—”

“Wherever you are,” he repeated in a deep, serious tone, “that’s where I’ll be. Either in the room with you, or just outside the door.”

Justice said, “Give in, honey. Leese takes this shit far too seriously, I swear. He’ll stand out here like a guard dog all night, and then I’ll feel guilty and want to spell him, and neither of us will get any sleep.”

“I’ll sleep just fine,” she told him, though that was probably a lie too. Knowing the two of them stood vigil would keep her from resting.

“I meant Leese and me,” the hulk grouched.

“Justice,” Leese warned. “It’s her decision. Don’t pressure her.”

Yeah, God forbid she be pressured. Such a laugh. She’d had more pressure lately than any woman should have to bear.

Justice plopped down her suitcase and took two big steps to swipe up the bag of food. “Fine.” Rummaging inside, he said, “I’m at least going to eat while she decides.” He withdrew two burgers.

Justice made her feel mean, and that, too, was unusual. “Open the damn door,” she demanded.

Without questioning her, Leese did just that, holding it wide for her.

Justice, not taking any chances on her changing her mind, dug out his fries and malt too. “Glad that’s settled.” He balanced everything in the crook of one arm and deftly used his keycard. “Keep me updated,” he said before going inside and letting the door close behind him.

Leese stood there waiting for her, patience personified.

After a deep breath, she lifted her chin and strode past him.

The suite was lovely, divided into a small kitchenette, a sitting area with two couches arranged perpendicular to one another, a large television, a desk, a round table with four chairs and a small half bath. One of the couches looked to be a narrow rollaway bed. Through open glass double doors she saw a separate bedroom with a full bathroom, including a wide tub and granite shower.

One bedroom. One shower.

Great.

Leese paid no mind as he got everything into the room. He put the bags of food on the table, then carried her suitcase to the bedroom and set it at the end of the bed for her.

Cat watched as he took his own bag to the end of one couch.

A promising sign. Sort of.

“What’s it to be first?” He removed his coat and hung it neatly in the closet. “Food or talk?”

With his coat gone and his hands again on his hips, she couldn’t help focusing on that menacing gun. Had he shot anyone?

Ever?

Recently?

In her experience, most bodyguards were older, thicker. Less appealing. Given her family’s affluence, she’d grown up with them hanging around, always watching her like a prized possession.

She’d tried so hard to leave that life behind, but sadly, she’d taken just a little too long to make it happen.

“Catalina?”

Talking meant explaining, and she needed more time for that. Like...maybe a couple of days. “Food, definitely.” Then if she had to make a run for it, at least she’d have a modicum of energy.

Stripping off her coat, she tossed it toward the suitcase. Given the amount of walking she’d done, the boots were starting to pinch her feet. Hopping on first one foot and then the other, she removed them, letting them drop to the floor by the side of the bed. Enjoying the freedom, she wiggled her toes inside her socks. That felt good enough that she also peeled off the thick sweatshirt, leaving her in jeans, socks and a long-sleeved T-shirt.

She pushed back her hair, freed the band from her wrist and secured a ponytail.

More comfortable, she headed to the table and chairs, unaware of Leese staring until she glanced up to ask if he was ready to eat too.

That hot gaze of his had been all over her body, but immediately jumped to her face. “Let me.” He got close to pull out her chair, bringing with him that irresistible scent of fresh outdoors mixed with man.

She inhaled deeply.

In her old world, men were often well mannered and polite. They were also manipulative and mercenary, focused on a pampered social status that blinded them to the ugliness of reality.

The old world felt a million miles away, and nothing about Leese felt pampered. “Thank you.”

He set out the food, napkins, even opened her straw and stuck it in her malt. “Help yourself,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”

When he walked away, Cat turned to watch. He prowled around the suite studying the locks on the windows and closing the drapes, even in the bedroom.

Then he left.

As the door closed behind him, she froze.

An insidious sensation—fear, worry—crawled into her soul. They were such familiar emotions, usually with her every second.

But not since meeting Leese. Not like this.

The suite that only seconds before felt warm and comfortable now felt isolated.

The door opened again and he strode in, going still when he saw her face. “Hey. What’s wrong?”

Her lungs filled with air, a refreshing breath of reassurance. He hadn’t left her at all. Refusing to be pitied, she choked out, “Nothing.”

His expression shifted from sharp awareness to soft understanding. “We’ll need to work on that habit you have of lying.” In only a few long, casual strides he stood beside her. Looking into her eyes, he asked, “Want to try again?”

Not really. She cleared her throat. “Where did you go?”

“Just checking on things.”

“Like?”

“Staircase, other rooms, windows.”

Oh. He’d once again been assuring her safety? Astounding. Her muscles further relaxed. Acting as if the panic hadn’t happened, she gestured to the table. “Are you going to eat now?”

“Yeah.” He took his seat, still attuned to her yet not intimidating her with his stare. He hesitated only a heartbeat, then said, “I’m not budging, Cat, okay?”

That was the first time he’d called her that. “You know my nickname?”

“I know a lot about you.”

Wow, such a cryptic answer. She wasn’t sure she wanted to ask, especially since he couldn’t possibly know the most important things.

“I also heard Wayne call you that.”

Oh yeah. He didn’t miss much. “So, what’s the plan?”

“Keep you safe.” He took a big bite of a chicken wrap that looked to have tomato and lettuce on it, but nothing else. He followed that up with a drink of tea before adding, “Whatever it takes.”

A not-so-simple answer to a very complicated question. He so easily shook her, mostly because he said things with such conviction she couldn’t help but believe him.

And believing anyone right now was just plain foolish.

She picked up a fry. “Okay, that’s long-term. But for tonight?”

“Once you’re ready for bed, Justice can sit here while I go to his room to shower.” He took another bite. “Then we’ll get some sleep.”

In bed. Or rather, one bed, one couch. She made a noncommittal sound and slurped down half her malt to try to cool a sudden rise in her temperature.

Amused, Leese asked, “What did you think would happen?”

“No idea, really. I’ve had supposed bodyguards after me for a while now, but none of them were like you.” She ate a few more bites, thinking, wondering how far she could push him. “You’ll sleep here, right? I mean...on the couch?”

“Yeah.” He finished off his food. “What kinds of bodyguards have you known?”

How to put it so that she wouldn’t give away too much? If he was as up-front as he seemed and really didn’t understand the ramifications and complications of the situation, she didn’t want to clue him in tonight. He could react badly.

He could decide she wasn’t worth the trouble.

Or that she was worth the payoff.

Just to see what he’d do, she settled on a tiny truth, saying, “Mostly the kind who worked for someone else.”

He paused, then slowly sat forward to rest a forearm on the table. After studying her expression, he shrugged. “You already know someone else hired me. Otherwise I’d know nothing about you. But I think what you’re saying is that these other bodyguards had ulterior motives...beyond your safety?”

In a nutshell. “Let’s just say safety is subjective.”

“Let’s don’t.” Startling her, he put one big hand on her wrist. His palm was hot, his fingers rough, and the touch made her pulse gallop. “You’re either safe from harm, all harm, or you’re not. I intend to keep you safe from harm.”

Cat swallowed to regain her voice. Get a grip, she told herself. He’s only touching your wrist in sympathy, for crying out loud.

Because you’re being so damned pathetic. And cowardly.

And because, as he said, someone paid him to look out for you.

“Yeah,” she rasped. “That’s how I figured it too.”

His thumb brushed over her skin, then he patted her—like a dog, blast him—and retreated. “I was hired to keep you safe and that’s what I plan to do. So rest easy on that, okay?”

No, she wouldn’t rest easy. How could she now that she’d realized she was as sex starved as she was wary?

Not a comfortable combo.

Unaware of her inner turmoil, he continued, “It’d be easier to do that, however, if I knew who or what I was fighting.”

No, it wouldn’t. She figured she had a much better chance as long as he thought things were simple, instead of so very, very complicated.

But when she looked at him, he was so sincere, so involved, she almost caved. It’d help if he was an ogre. Or at least plain. But she didn’t have that kind of luck. “It is so unfair.”

“What?” he asked, as he stole one of her fries and bit into it. An expression crossed his face, as if he really enjoyed it too.

She watched his jaw move as he chewed, and even that was sexy. “That you should look so good.”

He swallowed and slowly, cautiously, turned his head to face her.

Caught in his beautiful gaze, Cat sighed. “You really do. You realize that, right? And here I am, smart enough to know not to trust you no matter what pretty words you say or how sinfully sexy you are. I’ve had to deal with so much lately, but you’re here now, looking like you look, and I don’t mean just a handsome face or buff build. No, you have to be patient and nice and all alpha-in-control too, which is pretty damned appealing.” She shook her head. “It’s unfair. That’s all I’m saying.”

He didn’t reach for any more fries. “That was saying an awful lot, actually.”

She flapped a hand. “You don’t need to worry about it. I mean, it’s obvious you’re not feeling the same.” She knew it for a fact because he’d looked at her fries with more covetous greed than he’d looked at her. “Just sucks that I have so much on my mind and you keep trying to nudge in there—”

He choked a little.

“—but I’ll block that from my thoughts somehow.”

“That?”

“The attraction.” Pushing back her chair, glad that she’d left him speechless, Cat stood and gathered up her empty containers. “Want the rest of the fries?”

“No, I’m good.”

Sooo good. She swallowed her automatic sigh. Starting right now, she’d stop spouting nonsense. She probably needed a good night’s sleep, then she’d be more mentally functional. “Are you on a diet or something?”

Narrowing his eyes at her, he sat back in his seat. It was a good pose for him, showcasing those flat abs and lean waist while at the same time his chest and shoulders strained the fine fabric of his button-down.

“Cat?”

When her gaze lifted to his, he shook his head, either in frustration or denial, she wasn’t sure which. “What?”

“No diet,” he said. “It’s called healthy eating because I’m not into poisoning my body.”

“Yeah, it shows.” She didn’t see any body fat on him at all. Was this a lifestyle preference leftover from being a fighter? She’d love to hear more about that. Later. If she stuck around. “Personally, I love junk food. If I ever start putting on weight, I’m in trouble.”

“Fast metabolism,” he said. “But you can eat right and still enjoy your food.”

“Do they have fries in your food world?”

A grin twitched over his mouth. “Not much, no.”

“Then I’ll keep living in mine.”

He stood too, and relieved her of the garbage. “I’ll set it out.”

Cat stared up at him. She barely reached his shoulder but instead of feeling insubstantial next to him, she felt oddly protected.

That had something to do with Leese’s overall attitude.

His shirt, the sleeves now rolled to his elbows, fit his broad chest and hard shoulders as if tailored specifically for him. He wore nice jeans and boots, and he looked like a million bucks in a relaxed package.

Until now, she hadn’t realized just how sexy “relaxed” could be.

“Did you want to shower?”

Her eyes flared.

Smiling, he chastised softly, “Alone.”

Ignoring the tinge of disappointment she felt, she turned to escape. “Yeah.”

Leese caught her shoulder. “Cat?”

Nope, she definitely would not face him. “Hmm?”

“If you’re going to call someone, anyone, it’d be better if I knew so I could prepare for it.”

“Can’t,” she said. “No phone.”

“You don’t have a cell?”

Well, heck, why had she just admitted that to him? He kept her rattled without trying.

She’d lost the use of the phone more than a week ago. At first she’d been too worried about someone using her personal cell phone to track her down. Some people had incredible reach and according to the movies, cell phones were a no-no when you were on the run. “I got a prepaid,” she explained. “But it’s done and I haven’t had access to money to—”

“I could take care of it for you.”

Pride made her rigid. “You already bought me food. And you’re paying for this room.”

“It’ll all go on an expense account. Don’t worry about it.”

Oh God, that was even worse because she already knew who’d be covering those expenses—and that meant more control over her.

“We’ll talk about it later.” Again, Leese’s thumb caressed her, this time on her shoulder. “For now, do you need anything?”

Sex, apparently. But that wasn’t happening. “No.” Somehow, some way, she’d figure out how to reimburse him herself. She wasn’t without means, just temporarily unable to access them.

“Then for tonight, how about you put away your worries and just relax? In the morning after you’re better rested we’ll talk—about everything—and get it all sorted out.”

A reprieve. Not a bad idea, considering she was dead on her feet. Now that she’d eaten, sleep beckoned, but first, a much-needed shower. “Sounds like a plan.”

“I’ll be here when you’re done. Then I’ll get Justice to come over while I shower.”

“I won’t be long.” As soon as he released her, she practically ran to the bedroom, closed the glass doors and ducked out of view. Wow, the man packed a sultry punch, and he hadn’t even been trying. What if he decided he wanted to seduce her? How easy would that be?

She knew she was already halfway there.

Gathering up what she needed, determined to stop thinking about him, she headed to the bathroom. But one thought led to another and as she stepped beneath the water, she thought of Leese doing the same.

No, no, no...shoot. Maybe she’d have to keep her own shower cold. If nothing else, it’d wake her up enough to prioritize.

And lusting after a near stranger was nowhere near the top of the list.

* * *

ON THE COUCH, arms stacked behind his head, Leese listened to the quiet.

Or more appropriately, to Cat tossing and turning.

He could picture her right now, how she’d look, that particular curious scowl she wore as if she couldn’t decide whether to be pissed, scared, defiant...or turned on.

What a provoking case she’d already turned into, in more ways than one.

Cat might not realize it, but on many levels she appealed to him. Pretty, hell yes. Nice figure, definitely. But it was more her courage, her defiance and spirit that drew him.

Not that he could be drawn. Not during a case.

It didn’t help that she made her own interest so apparent.

The shower had slightly revived him, helping to cool his lustful thoughts while also making him think about everything he didn’t yet know. She had to have a valid reason for leaving everything familiar, avoiding her family and dodging their efforts to help. And then there was the fact that he was hired to protect her.

From what?

Her fear was real but elusive, there one moment, buried beneath pride the next, sometimes taking center stage and sometimes losing priority as other needs—like a nap and food—took precedence.

Tomorrow, as soon as they left the hotel, he’d take the opportunity to question her on the drive. She’d no longer be exhausted, no longer half-starved...

The amount of food she’d eaten still made him grin. The girl knew how to put it away. Her lack of reserve on that front had also been appealing. She showed no artifice, not about her hunger—or her sexual interest.

Nothing about her demeanor resonated with the idea of a rich pampered girl. She had daring, and she had guts.

When the bedroom door opened, every thought fractured beneath the weight of hot awareness. Saying nothing, he waited.

If she tried to sneak out, then what? He’d have to find a way to wake Justice and—

“Leese?” she whispered.

Her voice, rough and low, stroked over him. He watched the shadow of her slim form move closer. “Something wrong, Cat?”

Losing the hesitant edge, she said, “Sort of,” and...sat beside him on the rollaway bed.

Yeah, not comfortable. For one, she was a near stranger, but more than that, she’d already proven herself to be very unpredictable.

With his arms behind his head, he felt...vulnerable. So he quickly adjusted, coming up to a forearm and half turning toward her. “What is it?”

A slow, audible breath preceded the touch of her hand on his shoulder. “I should be sleeping.”

Definitely. They both should. Had they been awake for the same reason? “But?”

“I can’t quiet my thoughts.”

Maybe they’d have their talk sooner rather than later. He started to sit up, but she said, “Wait.”

For two seconds Leese considered things, then relented, resting back to his arm again.

“This is awkward,” she said. “Bear with me while I sort it out, okay?”

Her nearness no longer worried him, at least not as any sort of threat from a stranger.

No, it had morphed into physical awareness real quick. “Sort out what?”

The silence grew strained, but she didn’t move away.

Leese shifted. “Cat?”

“Could I talk to you without you making assumptions?”

Since he’d already made a dozen or more, probably not. “I’ll do my best.”

“I don’t know what it is about you, but it’s making me nuts. You’re like this assault on my system.”

That didn’t sound good. “An assault?” With every fiber of his being, he was attuned to her cool fingers lightly touching his now-fevered skin.

Rushing her words together, she stretched out next to him. “Could I sleep with you? Sleep, I mean? That nap with you today was the best rest I’ve had in a very long time but I’m still so tired. I just want to sleep, but I don’t dare.” She squeezed him, her small body pressed to his, her face against his throat. Her warm breath teased his skin with her agonized explanation. “I know I shouldn’t trust you, but I keep wanting to anyway.”

Leese tried to relax. “You can trust me.”

As if he hadn’t said that, she continued, “It’s nuts to stay with you, I know that. You’re so far out of your realm it only puts you at risk. I don’t want that on my conscience, so I tried to convince myself to run—”

“Don’t run.” Cautiously, he put his arms around her. Out of his realm? She didn’t have much faith in him.

“Every time I tried to make plans I ended up thinking instead about you being right here. So close and so... Jesus, I hate to say it, but you feel safe.” She tipped her face up to his. “I need you to be safe.”

“I am,” he assured her, tucking her closer, folding his arms protectively around her. He gave her a gentle squeeze.

She snuggled in. “I need to make some big decisions, but tonight it just feels too difficult. I think if I slept well, that’d help.”

“Sleep always helps.” And now, with her body so soft and lax against his, he didn’t want to let her go. Stretching out one long arm he rearranged his blanket to cover her too. “Let your thoughts rest, Cat, and tomorrow we’ll work it out.”

She gave a soft laugh. “Sure. Teamwork, right?”

Clearly she didn’t believe him. “We can talk tonight if you’d rather.”

“No.” Shaking her head, she squeezed him again. “I still haven’t decided how much to tell you—or how much you might already know.”

He didn’t know jack shit, and it frustrated him a lot. “Tomorrow, then.”

She tipped up her face. In the darkness, she studied him. “You don’t mind?”

Every nerve ending in his body sizzled, but... “No.” She smelled sweet and felt soft, and if he let himself, he’d be hard in a heartbeat. But he’d once risked a woman through poor judgment.

He’d never make that mistake again.

“Where is your gun?” she asked.

Where she wouldn’t get to it. “Don’t worry about it,” he said, then promised, “I won’t accidentally shoot you.”

“I figured.” Sighing long and loud, she got comfortable again. “I didn’t want to bump into it.”

“You won’t.” He didn’t mean to, but he kissed the top of her head. “Now sleep. We both need it.”

She said nothing else, and within five minutes her breaths had turned slow, deep and even. Apparently her mind had finally quieted.

Unfortunately, his did just the opposite and he ended up spending most of the night thinking very inappropriate, erotic, explicit things that had no place between a bodyguard and the woman he was assigned to protect.

CHAPTER THREE

JUSTICE’S LIGHT TAP on the door stirred Catalina awake by slow degrees. She nestled closer and went still again. A second later she yawned and turned away from Leese. Her eyes opened, blinked heavily up at the ceiling, then closed again.

As she stretched, Leese dodged an elbow. “Easy now.”

Jerking her head around, she stared at him.

He watched the awareness creep into her slumberous eyes and suddenly she bolted upright. The blankets fell away and he saw her body in the dim room. Nice.

“It’s Justice,” he said. “Time for us to rise and shine.”

After turning to stare blankly toward the door, she gave her attention back to him and her eyes further widened at his naked chest.

Heat crept up her cheeks.

Smiling, Leese reached past her to the end table for his phone. He sent Justice a text: Five minutes—with coffee?

He got back an affirmative. Sure thing.

“Coffee in five,” he told Cat.

She swallowed loudly, and blurted, “I don’t remember anything!”

A grin fought to take over. She looked a little wild at the moment, and sweeter because of it. Catalina Nicholson, he surmised, was used to being in charge. Instead, with him, she’d let down her guard.

At least a little.

“Nothing to remember.” Did she think he’d taken advantage of her through the night—and that she’d slept through it? “We both got the rest we needed, that’s all.”

“But usually I’m a light sleeper. I’ve had to be.”

That bothered him.

“I remember you telling me to sleep, and then...nothing.”

He pushed halfway up to his elbows. “You were exhausted.”

“And you’re a stranger.” Using both hands she pushed back her hair and continued looking at his body. “I’m losing it.”

Though he hadn’t realized it last night, she’d come to bed in cotton sleep shorts and a T-shirt. The important parts were covered, but a lot of skin showed: her arms, her thighs... Seeing her now, Leese was grateful he hadn’t had that image to add to his torment through the night.

The cool morning air had stiffened her nipples, now pressing against the stretchy material of the shirt. Small breasts, but that only added to the delicate look of her.

A deception, because he had a feeling that once you got beyond the physical, Catalina Nicholson was made of pure steel.

Catching the direction of his gaze, she folded her arms around herself. “These are the only pajamas I have.”

“Yeah?”

With irony, she said, “I had to pack light when I left.”

Mostly, he assumed, because she’d left under troubled circumstances.

The reality of that niggled at his brain, but with her currently in such a pretty pose—her wild hair, her eyes puffy and expression slumberous, the flush on her skin—he had a hard time concentrating on reality. When she’d come to him in the hush of quiet and the dark of the night, he’d focused mostly on her uncertainty.

Now, not so much, and morning wood became a very real possibility.

Testing his resolve, Leese tucked one side of her silky hair behind her ear. “Justice won’t be long. Did you want to freshen up before he gets here?”

She turned her cheek into his palm. “Yes.”

That single word, breathed so softly, sounded like agreement—or permission.

His jaw tightened and his body heated. “I’m not a saint, Cat.”

She opened her eyes wide. “What does that mean?”

Stern, he held her gaze. “It means you’re unwisely tempting me. We haven’t even gotten to a measure of honesty yet, but you’re giving off a pretty strong vibe.”

Her eyes flared more. “A ‘let’s have sex’ vibe?” Her mouth twitched. “Is that what you mean?”

Teasing? The woman had no idea of how she affected him. Deciding to clue her in, Leese caught her upper arms and swiftly turned her to her back. Looming over her, he gazed at her mouth. “Yeah.” He badly wanted to taste her. “That’s exactly what I mean.”

“You do tempt me,” she whispered, her smile in place. “I didn’t realize it was mutual though.”

“Now you do.” And maybe she’d be more circumspect.

“Because I’m convenient?” she asked. “Or somewhat—” her expression pinched “—desperate?”

The uncertainty twisted his guts. He glanced at her mouth. “Because you’re hot.”

Her teeth bit into her bottom lip. “You really think so?”

Intuitively knowing she needed to hear it, he shared his thoughts. It wasn’t in the best interest of his sanity, but he liked seeing her blush.

He especially liked the way she looked at him.

“You, lady, are sexiness in a very small, sweet package.”

“Usually I’m told I’m too thin.”

Leese slowly shook his head. “You have the right look and the right attitude to push all my buttons.”

Gifting him with that cocky smile he admired, she opened her hands on his chest. “Mmm. I think I like that.”

“What?”

“Pushing your buttons.” Her fingers trailed up to his shoulders, then around his neck.

Leese started to lean down when Justice knocked again.

Cat froze, then panicked. “Oh my God. That’s Justice, right? I forgot all about him!” She pushed against Leese, trying to slide free.

He wanted to groan.

In truth, he should thank Justice for keeping him from doing anything insane. “Shh. Take it easy.” He rolled to the side of her and watched her shoot off the bed, then make a mad dash around to the bedroom.

Her ass looked really nice as she did so.

After scrubbing both hands over his face, Leese forced himself from the bed and went to the door. He peeked out first.

Justice stood there holding a tray with coffee and a basket of Danish pastries. Time to get the day started.

Past time to work through the puzzle of the current case: Catalina Nicholson.

* * *

CAT COULDN’T LOOK at him. She felt ridiculous.

And pretty wonderful.

She wanted him. And that worried her.

Moving on would be for the best. But where? And how?

And damn it, she didn’t want to go. She wanted to snuggle up with him again. She wanted the unaccountable peace of mind he afforded her. Why he afforded it, she had no idea.

This morning, crowds filled the lobby and she realized what she hadn’t last night: she looked terrible. In the nice hotel, most were dressed in expensive coats and leather boots, their hair salon-styled, their manners impeccable.

Standing to her right, Justice again hauled her big, broken suitcase and that made them stand out like a sore thumb. Not because of the guys, but because of her.

At her other side, Leese took her arm, drawing more than a few probing stares. “Ready?”

Did he touch her so she wouldn’t feel so out of place? Probably. She wouldn’t put much past him.

Or maybe the crowds made him as nervous as they made her. She could practically feel people watching, but with menace, disdain for her downtrodden appearance or curiosity given her man-candy bookends?

Maybe he thought she’d run if he didn’t hold on to her.

Or maybe he felt the same remainder of simmering intimacy that kept her too warm. She’d slept with him—and loved it.

“Cat?”

She realized both Leese and Justice watched her. With a subdued nod, she allowed them to lead her outside.

Crisp, cold air filled the parking garage, undisturbed by the morning sunshine. She’d left her hair down to help keep her ears warm, and dressed in a bulky sweater over a long-sleeved T-shirt, jeans, thick socks and the trusted boots.

Still she shivered.

Of course Leese noticed. “Start the car,” he told Justice. “I’ll put the luggage away.”

“You riding in back again?”

Leese gave her a long, level look. “Yeah.”

Shoving her hands in the pockets of her coat and ducking her face, Cat said, “You don’t have to babysit me. I’m not going anywhere.” Probably.

“We have to talk, remember?” He brought up her chin. “That’ll be easier to do if I’m sitting with you.”

Insane that his fingers were warm despite the cold. “Suit yourself.”

“I think I will.”

The nice Lexus SUV hummed to life and a second later the rear door opened, apparently from a button Justice had pushed. Leese opened a back door for her, waited until she’d gotten in, then went back to lift in the luggage.

Stewing, Cat wondered what to tell him, how much she should trust him, until she heard approaching footsteps. Even before she looked, she knew. Her heart went into her throat. “Oh no,” she whispered.

“Hello, Cat.”

Smothered in the grip of dread, she looked up and into the face of Tesh Coleman. Of course he had two muscle men in tow.

The urge to run spiked her pulse just as Leese closed the back hatch and then her door. He stood there, blocking her view, his body between her and the three men.

She looked at the opposite door, gauging her chances of getting out as the automatic locks on the door clicked into place. Justice, one brawny arm along the back of the seat, stared out the side window at the men. “Don’t be hasty,” he told her.

Oh God, was he in on it? Was Leese?

Before that fear could fully take hold, Leese said, “That’s close enough.”

Given the quiet in the garage, Cat could hear every word. Hastily, she moved left and right, trying to find an angle so she could also see what was happening.

“Friends of yours?” Justice asked.

She punched him in the arm and snapped, “No.”

“Then don’t distract Leese.”

Her heart maintained a wild drumbeat. “I have to see.”

He hesitated, then moved his arm, making it easier for her to lean forward and look out the passenger window.

Tesh’s black eyes immediately locked on to her and he slowly smiled. The fact that he looked so pleased to see her only amplified her terror, making it impossible to swallow, almost impossible to breathe.

He was as big as Justice, dark, menacing.

Dangerous.

“I have to go,” she whispered.

As if her life didn’t hang in the balance, Justice said, “Nope.”

She had to try. “Leese said I didn’t have to stay—”

“Yeah, well, for the moment, staying put is the way to go.”

The awful silence outside the car left her shaking. The men stared at each other, Leese relaxed, waiting, Tesh and his two cronies quietly appraising.

Finally Tesh pulled off a stocking cap and ran a hand over his clean-shaven head. Almost with apology, he said, “I need the girl.”

“No.”

“I work for her father.” Slowly, making sure Leese knew he didn’t go for a gun, Tesh opened his coat and withdrew credentials.

Leese didn’t bother looking. “Doesn’t matter who you work for. You’re not touching her.”

Cat’s spine turned into a noodle. Doesn’t matter. Leese wouldn’t hand her over?

Tesh scrutinized him, then gave it another shot. “Look, I understand your position. I really do. The thing is, her father hired me and I need to—”

“You’re wasting my time.”

Scowling now, an ugly, fearsome sight, Tesh took a step closer. He spoke low in an obnoxious man-to-man way. “There’s no need for violence. I’m only going to take her back to her father, where she belongs.”

“Actually,” Leese said, his arms loose, his posture absurdly relaxed, “you’re not taking her anywhere.”

Nostrils flaring, Tesh jerked out a cell phone. “You can call Mr. Nicholson.”

“Why would I bother? I don’t work for him.”

“The hell you don’t! Who do you think hired your agency?”

Leese shrugged. “I wasn’t told. My job is to keep her safe and that’s what I’ll do.”

“From her father? Get real, man.” And then, more gently, Tesh promised, “You don’t want to do this.”

Cat covered her mouth. She couldn’t let Leese get hurt. She had to—

Justice nudged her. “You’re being a silly girl. Stop it.”

She was about to blast him when Tesh threw a sucker punch, making her jump with a startled screech.

Leese ducked, Tesh’s fist hit the car and then somehow—it was all a fast blur—Tesh was on the ground with Leese standing over him.

There wasn’t enough oxygen in the car to feed her starved lungs. Hands and nose pressed to the glass, Cat watched as Leese decided Tesh was done, then put his full focus on the other two men, beckoning them forward.

They didn’t take the bait, choosing to wait for instructions from Tesh.

Leese showed his annoyance. “You walk away or not. Doesn’t much matter to me. Either way, you’re not touching her.”

Appearing surprised, still flat on his back, Tesh touched his nose and stared at the blood on his fingers. Smirking, he sat up and dug a handkerchief from his pocket.

Who carried a hankie anymore? Tesh wasn’t that old, maybe early fifties. And the man was definitely in his prime. If he wasn’t so corrupt, she might have even called him handsome.

But her perception of his looks had been skewed for a very long time, starting with the first time he’d looked her over in such an inappropriate way, and reinforced when he began referring to her as Kitten instead of Cat. She saw him only as an imposing terror—a very real menace...to her and to others.

With his gaze cutting her way, Tesh told Leese, “This isn’t your fight.”

“I have a job to do.”

That regained his attention. “That’s all she is to you? A job?”

Leese chose not to answer, which even Cat thought was sort of an indictment of his determination. He offered silent confirmation that her relationship with him, or lack thereof, didn’t factor in. Either way, he’d protect her.

He’d said so, and for the first time in so very, very long, she felt a hint of promise, as if she could finally believe in someone. Tears stung her eyes and burned her throat, making Justice grouse.

“Don’t get all mushy.”

“No.” She shook her head as the tears leaked out. “I won’t.”

He sighed. “When Leese is ready to get in, be sure you scooch over real quick and make room for him, okay? I don’t want to waste any time peeling out of here.”

Nodding, she wiped a wrist across each cheek and kept watch. “Should you help him?”

“Do what? He has it in hand.” Justice patted her shoulder, and with the size of his hands it felt more like an assault. “Besides, if I so much as stick my big toe outta this car, he’d annihilate me.” Bragging, Justice added, “I’m supposed to be your protection in case anything happens to him.”

Dear God. Her heart crawled right back into her throat with choking uneasiness. “If you think that’s possible—”

“I don’t.”

Finally Tesh came to his feet. He meticulously folded the hankie and tucked it away, and with every heartbeat Cat expected him or one of his bullies to pull a deadly weapon. She knew Tesh carried not only a gun but various devices all meant to bring about compliance.

In some ways, she feared him the most.

In other ways, she knew he was a mere tool, bought and paid for.

“You’re fast,” Tesh said, his tone amused. “Trained?”

With no inflection at all, Leese said, “Yes.”

Tesh smoothed the hat back over his head. “And you’re good?”

“I get by.”

Eyes narrowing, Tesh said, “Now I know, and you can believe I won’t forget.” A chilling smile slid across his face. “Next time I’ll be better prepared.”

A promise, a threat.

Cat pressed a fist to her chest to contain her aching heart. Tesh would come after her again, but he would no longer physically engage. Instead he’d trap them, plan a sneak attack, maybe even shoot Leese from a distance. He wanted to take her back to her father, but to do that, he’d have to eliminate Leese first.

How could she be responsible for that?

The gravity of the danger didn’t seem to bother Leese. He stood there, so casual he might have been bored, until Tesh and the others retreated around the corner of the parking lot.

The second Leese opened the door, Cat made room for him. On her knees, she scampered over, then faced him and reached for his arm. She had to explain, had to make him understand. “Leese...”

“Buckle up.” To Justice, he said, “Drive.”

“My thought exactly.” Already backing out of the parking space, Justice left the lot with enough speed to make her grab the seat for balance.

Cold from the inside out, she stared at Leese.

For the most part, he ignored her as he surveyed the area, his gaze sharp, his jaw locked.

As soon as he pulled onto the road, Justice asked, “Where to?”

“Right there.” Leese pointed at the shopping center entrance almost directly across from the hotel. “Pull in to the side lot, but circle around to face the road. If I can see which car is theirs, that’d be helpful.”

“Leese...” she said again, desperation clawing through her. She needed him to know what he was getting into. Yes, having help, any type of backup, would be amazing. But it would also put him in the crosshairs of so much danger.

Acknowledging her only with a hand on her thigh, he gave Justice instructions. “Go through there. Stay back though. You can use that truck to help conceal us. Yeah, right here. Good. Keep it in gear, your foot on the brake.”

“I’m ready,” Justice said, sounding anxious for a chase.

Her heart thumped painfully. She tried to make her voice strong, but it emerged a thin whisper. “You have to let me go.”

Ignoring that, Leese gently pushed her back in her seat. “Sit back. I need you to put on your seat belt.” He did that for her while also watching the road and occasionally checking their surroundings. “There.” He leaned forward. “That’s them.” As if committing them to memory, he recited the plates out loud.

Justice used his phone to zoom in for a picture. “Got it.” One hand on the wheel, he thumbed through some screens and texted the photo to Leese. “Do we follow?”

“No. Opposite direction. Go out the back of the lot.”

She needed a way to dissuade him. Cat racked her brain, but nothing felt adequate to convey the level of trouble she would bring on him. “Leese, you have to listen to me.”

He patted her. “Try not to worry.”

Okay, that stole some of the numb fear and instead turned it into annoyance. “This is a mistake.”

Turning a corner, Justice said to Leese, “Maybe she wants to nap again.”

Of all the idiot... “No, I don’t.”

“Okay, okay,” Justice soothed. “Don’t get riled.”

Eyes narrowing, Cat thought about telling him off. But truthfully, she didn’t want to distract either of them, so she compressed her lips and stayed silent.

They drove down a few side streets, then left the commercial area for a residential neighborhood before finding another main road.

Leese kept vigil out the rear window for what felt like forever before he marginally relaxed. “We need to switch cars.”

“You think they’ll follow?” Justice asked.

“They obviously already did, that’s how they knew we were at the hotel.” Leese removed his cell from a clip on his belt. “They were waiting for us, so they might’ve tagged this car too. Who knows?”

Worse and worse, Cat thought. “Tagged, as in...”

“Put something on it to make it easier to track us,” Justice explained. Then to Leese, he asked, “You really think so? That’s a lot of expense and trouble, right?”

“I’m not sure cost is factoring in.” Leese’s gaze skipped to Cat. “But we can get filled in more on that in a minute.”

Cat could do no more than stare in wonder. “You know they’ll keep coming after me.”

He thumbed in a speed dial number, then put the phone to his ear. “That’s the one thing I do know.”

“You also know my stepfather hired you.”

“Stepfather? No, that’s news to me.” He lifted a finger when she started to speak again, then said into the phone, “I need to see Sahara. Yeah, today.” He glanced at a thick watch on his wrist. “Two hours, give or take. Tell her I’m bringing a guest. Yeah.”

Several times Justice sent her looks of sympathy in the rearview mirror.

Because of this Sahara person? Who was she and what did it mean to visit her?

While Leese finished his call, she curled into the seat, her arms around herself as a pervasive cold stiffened her bones and made her stomach cramp.

“Sounds good, we’ll be there.” Leese disconnected the call. “Head to Cincinnati. We’ll switch up there.”

“Switch up cars?” Justice asked.

“Yeah.”

Clearly impressed by that, Justice clarified, “I’m sticking with you?”

“For now.”

That obviously pleased him. “Got it.”

“Turn up the heat a little too, will you? Cat’s chilled.”

A near-hysterical laugh bubbled up. Chilled? She was far, far beyond chilled.

If Tesh had his way, she could end up... No. She wouldn’t think about that yet. She had to believe she still had a chance.

Worried, scared and, yes, still annoyed, she looked at Leese. “You led them to me.”

“Seems so.” Leese stripped off his coat and tucked it around her. “But now I’m going to ensure they don’t get you.” He lifted her chin. “You need to believe that.”

Oh, how she wanted to, but drumming up enthusiasm for the possibility wasn’t easy.

Leese stared into her eyes, brushed his thumb over her cheek, then shocked her silly by leaning down and putting his mouth to hers.

A rush of scalding heat chased off every shiver.

From the front seat, Justice let out a long, low whistle.

As he often did, Leese ignored his friend and current cobodyguard. Ending the kiss, he took in Cat’s expression and smiled. “Better.”

“Better?” she squeaked.

“You look a little less fatalistic.” His gaze moved over her face, her lips, her throat, before returning to her eyes. “While I have your attention, how about you explain what’s going on?”

Not like she had much choice now. Had he only kissed her to shock her out of her fear?

Apparently so, damn him. And it had worked—a little. But she couldn’t explain anything while looking at him; he affected her too much.

Slumping into the seat, her cheek resting against the cool glass of the window as she gazed out at the street, she lifted one shoulder and hit him with the truth. “I’m sorry, Leese, but you’re a dupe.”

* * *

HAVING ALREADY SURMISED THAT, Leese didn’t overly react. He needed answers, and staying calm was always the easiest way to get them. “I figured as much. But how about you explain the details?”

“Webb Nicholson—”

“Your dad.”

“My stepfather,” she corrected sharply. “I was five when he married my mom.”

Interesting reaction. “Go on.”

She hesitated, emotionally withdrawing. “I don’t know.”

“Cat,” he said gently. “You know plenty.”

In quick protest, she said, “Honestly, I don’t. I mean, I have my suspicions.”

“Fine. Let’s start with those.”

She shook her head. “I also have my doubts.”

“About me?”

She slanted a suspicious look his way. “Anyone can be bought.”

Not true, but convincing her of it wouldn’t be easy. “You still think I’m working against you?”

“I think it’s very easy for someone to confuse what is right and what is wrong, depending on what they’ve heard, who they heard it from, what they’re getting paid and who’s paying them. Few things are ever black-and-white.”

“Okay, let’s start with that. I haven’t heard jack shit. Your father contacted our agency and apparently said he wanted you protected. The agency assigned me. Period. The initial specifics I got from the owner and operator of the agency are that you come from wealth and you’re out on your own. That concerned your father.”

She snorted, then repeated stubbornly, “Stepfather.”

“Stepfather,” he conceded. “Through some research, I learned more about you. Recent stuff only, like your current job, hobbies, friends...that sort of thing.” Clearly he hadn’t dug that deep or he’d have known Webb Nicholson wasn’t her biological father. But given it wasn’t widely shared knowledge, he would have guessed they were close, that she considered Webb her father and he thought of her as a daughter.

“How would you know my friends?”

“Social media is always a start.” And since he hadn’t learned anything all that useful, he saw no reason to go into the specifics of how he’d been drawn to her even then. Her Facebook page had been left blank for more than a month, but prior to that, the things she’d shared and the comments she’d made were all humorous, optimistic, or inspiring. Nothing too deep or personal. Catalina Nicholson was not a woman who shared her life online.

She’d posted a few photos, mostly of artwork done by her students, or projects she’d organized for her community. Pics of her with friends, not family, and most of those settings were afternoon lunches with her girlfriends, movies, or casual dinners.

Not a single nightclub photo to be seen.

No dates with guys.

“So you completely snooped into my life?”

“As much as I could given the skills I have.” When she looked disgruntled, he decided it was a good time to move on. “No one mentioned any specific threats to me. My assignment was just to ensure your safety. Not to take you to anyone.”

“That’s why you didn’t hand me over to Tesh?”

Ah, so she definitely knew the creep from the parking lot. Interesting. “I’m not handing you over to anyone. That’s not my job. If you want to go with someone, I’ll follow. If you don’t want to go—”

“I definitely didn’t!”

“—then I won’t let it happen.”

They stared at each other until Cat again turned away. Unfortunately, dismissing him wasn’t a luxury she currently had.

“I never met your stepfather. I only know he paid enough that I could stick by your side for more than a month.” Leese watched her profile and saw her brows pinch together in obvious confusion. “What?”

Cat chewed over her thoughts before asking, “He paid up front?”

“Yes.” Leese didn’t know if it had occurred to her yet, but given she appeared to distrust the man, maybe he’d been buying his own alibi. Who could accuse him of wrongdoing when he was the very person who’d paid to ensure her safety?

Then again, Tesh—he needed to learn more about that man—had flat-out said he would take her to her father, and she hadn’t appeared to disbelieve that part.

Which maybe meant he and Justice would have been removed as witnesses.

“He’s used you to find me.”

Certainly seemed that way to Leese, but that only opened up more questions. Wondering how much she’d understand, and what she would share, Leese said, “Why not just hire a private investigator to do that? Why hire a bodyguard?”

She turned her head and dissected him with a long look. “The thing is, I’ve gotten good at figuring out who is who. I recognize his men real fast.”

“And you dodge them?”

Instead of answering, she said, “But you? You looked different to me. I didn’t think you were one of them.”

“I’m not.” Unable to help himself, he asked, “Different how? Not threatening?”

Her mouth curled. “Oh, you look threatening all right.” She sighed. “Just not toward me. Somehow I figured you were there to help, like... I don’t know. A Good Samaritan or something.”

Was he really so obvious? “Got all that in a glance when we first met, huh?”

She paid no attention to his humor. “People discount their instincts all the time. But not me. When my senses scream run, I run.”

“Into people,” Justice said.

“You snuck up on me!”

Justice grinned. “Honey, I’m nearly six and a half feet tall. I don’t sneak up on anyone.”

Peeved, she scrunched her brows. “Okay, so maybe I was distracted.”

“With fear,” Leese said gently. “Of me.” But first she’d trusted him, so he’d hold on to that.

Now that the heat of the car had warmed her, she gave him back his coat, opened her own and pulled off her gloves. “You seemed one way, but then another when I realized you were working for Webb.”

Despite all they needed to discuss, her understated curves and delicate bone structure drew his gaze. He’d always enjoyed shapelier women, but somehow, with Catalina, he couldn’t imagine anything more perfect than her petite little body. Whatever she lacked in size she made up for with backbone—and wasn’t that just about as sexy as it could get? Leese pulled together his fractured patience. “I already explained—”

“Yeah, yeah. No one hired you directly.” She tucked back her fawn-colored hair and gave him the full force of those expressive blue eyes, currently filled with worry. “But don’t you see? Until you came along, I knew who to avoid. I knew what they looked like, how they acted.” She gave him a frown of pity. “Now I’m not the only one in trouble.”

“What exactly do you think Mr. Nicholson plans to do?”

On a dramatic groan, she dropped back against the seat and closed her eyes. “I don’t even know for sure if he’s the one after me.”

Okay then, he’d work with that. “So who else would you suspect?” In every problem like this, the victims always had an idea about who was after them.

Cat shook her head.

“You think it is him?” he guessed.

“I think it could be.” She covered her face with her hands, but immediately lowered them. “And I know he can be dangerous.”

It was like pulling hen’s teeth, slow and impossible. Holding on to his temper with an effort, Leese said, “Dangerous how? What would he do that’s so bad?”

“To me?” She rubbed her temple. “It’s possible I’ll just go under lock and key. But you?” Her attention flickered over him, then she looked away. “I’m sorry.”

Leese sat back. She actually thought her father would kill him? “If all that’s true, why haven’t you gone to the police?”

For far too long she held silent, staring out the window, her shoulders angled away from him. Plotting? Thinking?

Deciding whether or not to trust him?

Wasn’t easy, but Leese waited.

Finally she answered with a question of her own. “Did any of that research you did on me include the basics on my family?”

Quite a bit, actually. “You have two brothers.”

“Yes. The younger is a half brother.”

Leese nodded his acceptance of that. “Your older brother is a CEO, the younger is still in school. Your mother passed away four years ago.”

“Before my younger brother had even graduated high school,” she whispered.

Feeling her pain, Leese covered her hand with his own. “Your father—stepfather—” he corrected himself before she could, “hasn’t remarried or even really dated.”

She snorted. “True, but not because he’s lovesick over losing her.”

“Maybe not.” Leese wasn’t sure what motivated the man, only that he was, indeed, motivated. “He’s been a jet-setter for a while, but it seems he’s thrown himself into pulling political strings, backing powerful men who, thanks to his wealth, eventually get elected and then return a lot of favors.” He released her hand. That spontaneous kiss was inappropriate enough; he had to remember that she was a client and he had no business getting personally involved.

Wide-eyed, she blinked at him. “Wow. You say what much of the media won’t. But it’s true.”

“Which part?”

She flagged a hand. “All of it, but I was talking about my stepfather. He wields a lot of power. Too much power. Sometimes it seems...he’s untouchable.”

“So what has your wealthy, powerful, untouchable stepfather done that has you running scared?”

Evasive, she picked at a frayed spot on the knee of her jeans. “My brothers, both of them, are good men.”

“I didn’t see anything in my research to tell me otherwise.”

“Bowen will be an amazing doctor one day. He’s always at the top of his class, and he’s...well, he’s brilliant. In so many ways.”

“And your older brother?” Her full-blood sibling.

She smiled. “Holt loves the business. Webb has completely accepted him as his son and someday he’ll inherit everything. Every time I see him, he has a new project that in some way benefits the community, the troops or the poor. He’s pretty awesome too.”

One thing stuck in Leese’s mind. “You didn’t like the family business?” From what Leese knew, her father had grown a highly successful empire supplying enhancements to new tech gadgets. Smartphone covers, special screens, camera lenses—he offered something for everyone, and had distribution throughout the country, as well as in select markets around the world.

“No.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t fit the mold. Honestly, though she faked it well, my mom didn’t either. She could attend the fancy parties and appear to enjoy them. The transition was almost seamless for her. But when we were alone, she was herself. Really warm and funny, sometimes too strict and overprotective.” She fell silent, then whispered, “Webb was different when she was here. I think she was a good influence on him.”

“She passed away from cancer?”

“Yes. A terrible disease. Holt does a lot of fund-raising for cancer research. I think it’s why Bowen went into medicine.”

“Do you look like your mother?”

She flashed him a smile. “Everyone says I do. She was really petite too. Same color hair and eyes. I always thought my mom was really beautiful, and I know I’m not, so I’m complimented when people tell me that.”

Justice, who’d been so quiet Leese almost forgot he would be listening, said, “Oh, I dunno. You’re awful cute. I imagine if you dolled up, you could turn some heads.”

She laughed. “Thank you, but I don’t have many opportunities to ‘doll up’ anymore, thank goodness. That’s one of the things I disliked most about wealth. Everyone expected me to look perfect all the time. And I’m just not the type who can pull that off.”

Leese thought she looked pretty damned perfect, even in her tattered jeans, with her hair tangled and windblown and not a speck of makeup on her face. Her mouth, especially, drew his attention. She had full lips and when he’d kissed her—

“Teaching art to kids means wearing lots of smocks, not gowns. Usually the smock ends up being pretty colorful though—paint, clay, marker. I’m far better suited to a grade-school art room than an influential committee.”

All in all, Leese thought that sounded pretty nice.

Justice asked, “You like kids, huh?”

“Very much. My students are terrific, even the more troublesome kids. They’re all creative in their own unique ways.”

Leese let her and Justice talk about children and art, knowing it was a distraction for her. She didn’t yet want to tell him about her stepfather, but time would soon run out.

When the two of them wound down and Justice ran out of teasing compliments, Leese said, “You can have a short reprieve, but when we get to the agency, you’re going to need to decide.”

A whole lot of wariness flooded back into her expression. “Decide what?”

“If you’re going to make my job easier by coming clean, or if you’re going to leave me muddling about in the dark, which could also be riskier for both of us.”

She released a tense breath. “Maybe a better decision would be to leave so you guys aren’t at risk.”

Leese caught her chin, a surefire method to gain and hold her attention. “That’s one choice you don’t have. Whether you like it or not, you’ve got my protection.”

Justice added, “If you’re thinking of dodging him, think again. He’s pretty good at surveillance.”

Cat scowled at them both. “I think I’ll take a nap, after all.” She bunched up her coat and shoved it against the door like a pillow. “Wake me when we’re there.”

So she wouldn’t rest against him this time? Too bad. But he wouldn’t waste the quiet time. He had a whole lot more research to do, and this time his focus would be on her stepfather and his friends.

With or without her help, he’d get things figured out. Hopefully in enough time to keep her out of trouble.

CHAPTER FOUR

SHE SLEPT THE entire hour and a half it took to reach their destination. It was a testament to her level of exhaustion, and how much she intrinsically trusted him and Justice. There was very real danger, Leese didn’t doubt that. Especially after meeting Tesh, who he discovered was actually Tesh Coleman, a fifty-two-year-old professional thug for the elite.

Justice glanced back at her. Her entire body was lax, her expression peaceful. Leese had had to move to the front seat to keep from touching her. Repeatedly.

“You’re smitten,” Justice accused. “And you told me that shit was a no-no.”

“Concerned, not smitten. I’m wondering how long she’s gone without a good rest to keep passing out like that.”

“Maybe she’s just a sound sleeper. This one lady I knew could sleep through an earthquake after a good boning. Totally knocked her out.”

Leese grinned. “Maybe you bored her to sleep.”

He only half listened to Justice’s denials as they neared Body Armor’s swanky main offices. He’d been with the bodyguard agency for a year now, and so far, it was unlike anything he’d imagined.

For one thing, he liked it a hell of a lot more than he’d expected to.

Playing protector suited him on a basic level. There’d been a time in his life when he’d been more of a jerk than he liked to admit. Much as he detested the truth, he believed in being honest with himself so he accepted that much of his attitude had stemmed from insecurity. As a mediocre MMA fighter, he’d had just enough skill to be cocky and obnoxious.

He wasn’t insecure anymore.

And these days, with plenty of practice, his skill level was lethal.

After a lapse in his judgment had almost gotten a girl killed, his entire outlook on life had changed. The eye-opening close call had turned him around.

He planned to spend the rest of his life helping others, and if he got paid well in the bargain he’d count it a double win.

“She passed out whimpering my name.”

Drawn back to the here and now, Leese said, “Probably begging you to quit and leave her alone.”

With a smug smile, Justice said, “She still comes around for the occasional booty call.”

“Maybe she has insomnia? She needs you to put her to sleep again.”

Justice laughed. “Admit it, I’m a stud and you’re jealous.”

When Cat made a small sound, Leese again glanced into the backseat. She hadn’t moved.

“Gotta say,” Justice told him. “So far it’s been interesting. But don’t you miss MMA?”

Leese figured Justice asked because he was already missing it. “I still train,” Leese told him. “I just don’t compete, which is no big loss because we both know we weren’t championship material.” They were good. A hell of a lot better than any street brawler. But champion? Only a select few could claim that title.

He’d come to grips with that, but maybe Justice hadn’t yet. After all, it had taken Justice nearly a year longer than Leese to admit it. Leese had a feeling that once Justice got acclimated, he’d like the bodyguard business a lot more than he now realized.

“I guess.” Justice tugged at his earring. “I’m actually better at shooting bullets than I ever was at takedowns.”

“You’ll try it as a bodyguard, and if you don’t like it, don’t stay.” But Leese would bet he’d stay.

“You’d told me there weren’t any hot babes to protect, but the little lady snoring in the backseat is pretty sweet on the eyes.”

Very sweet. “She’s an exception to the rule. It’s mostly businessmen and high-profile local politicians.” So far Leese’s most exciting assignments had included coordinating protection for a touring musician, a movie production on location and a foreign dignitary. “In fact, the specifics of this case are an exception. Most of the time your job will be to check out safe routes for travel, research the backgrounds of people your client will interact with and search rooms where they’ll be staying to ensure they’re safe. Mundane stuff like that.”

“You lucked out with this one, then.”

“Maybe.” He knew his boss, in her efforts to really promote the agency, reserved certain jobs for certain people. She was good at matchups, so Leese didn’t question her.

Now she’d matched him up with Catalina Nicholson and while he felt like thanking her, because no way did he want anyone else in charge of her safety, he also needed to know what the hell Sahara Silver had gotten him into.

This was only Justice’s second ride-along, sort of a training session, and so far, he was too impulsive in Leese’s opinion. But he’d catch on soon enough.

“You think Sahara will keep us paired up?”

“We’re not partners, Justice. I’m training you, same as I got trained.”

“That’s why you got to hit the bozos and I didn’t?”

Leese resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Usually there’s no hitting involved, so don’t get ahead of yourself.” To further explain, he said, “For this case, I’m more like a close protection officer. Sometimes, depending on the job and the risk to the client, we might have a close protection group, but until meeting Catalina, no one thought that was necessary.” Groups were generally used when a politician or ambassador suspected an assassination attempt, meaning different levels of surveillance would be needed.

But for one petite schoolteacher?

“With that one,” Justice said, nodding toward the backseat where Cat slept, “I’m thinking a battalion might get a workout trying to keep up with her.”

Leese was beginning to think the same.

“Know what, Leese?”

“What?”

“I’d consider it more fun if I got to do some hitting too.”

With a lazy stretch and a purring groan, Cat came awake and sluggishly sat up. She rubbed her eyes while saying, “Then you’re in for a good time, stud, because if you stick with me, I predict there’ll be a lot of hitting in your future.”

“Stud?” Leese asked, already guessing she’d been awake for a while.

“That’s what he called himself, right?”

Justice grimaced. “You were playing possum?”

“More like caught between sleep and being awake. You’re funny, Justice, in an overblown, overconfident, somewhat misogynistic way.”

Leese elbowed him. “She’s saying you don’t have a healthy respect for women.”

“Not true!” Justice lifted his nose. “I love the ladies.”

Huffing a laugh, Cat turned to Leese. “And you’re quick with the comebacks. You two should take your act on the road.”

“Got our hands full keeping you safe, apparently.” Her eyes still looked slumberous, but little by little, the wariness crept back in. “We’ll be pulling into Body Armor in about five minutes.”

“That’s the name of the agency?”

“Yeah. Under new management.”

“Oh?”

“Sahara Silver.” Smiling, he spoke the truth. “And she’s going to love you.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s always looking for ways to make the agency’s rep sexier. And you definitely fit the bill.”

* * *

SAHARA SILVER STEPPED into the polished foyer of the agency she’d recently inherited. How she loved this place, the high-end decor, the modern lines...and the testosterone in the air.

She breathed deeply, then shivered.

Perfect, just perfect.

As several people looked up, she smiled. She’d been at the helm for a year now and still earned that curious, uncertain reaction. Her brother, God bless him, had been more sedate and far more serious. A wonderful businessman and an even better brother. She missed Scott every minute of every day, but being here, in the midst of all he’d built, she felt closer to him.

With her high heels clicking, she strode through, nodding to one and all on her way to the private elevator that’d take her to her office on one of the uppermost floors.

Anita, her lobby receptionist, rushed to meet her. “Ms. Silver, Mr. Phelps and Mr. Wallington went up about five minutes ago. They had a guest with them.”

Excitement rushed into her bloodstream. “That’s fine, Anita. Thank you.” Leese Phelps, always early, always ready. He was her favorite find for the agency. An MMA fighter turned bodyguard with an ability so incredible, he would rarely ever need to use a weapon beyond his fists.

Leese had also brought Justice Wallington into the fold. Such a colorful character. Where Leese added suave, quiet power to the agency, Justice brought cocky, irreverent outrageousness.

Justice was still being fine-tuned, but she had no doubt he’d be an amazing addition to the new, more modern segment of the business. She’d be launching him out on his own very soon.

After greeting Troy, the armed guard who stood watch over the private elevator, Sahara waved off the attendant and stepped inside to ride up to her office. She could only hope that the surprise guest would be yet another fighter for her to hone into an asset.

When she’d inherited the agency from Scott, it was like a lifeline, a way to remain attached to him even after he’d gone. Sixteen years older than her, Scott had practically raised her when their absentee parents chose to travel the world rather than be saddled with a “surprise” daughter. So many times Scott had brought her along to the office, let her observe and learn as she sat in on meetings both in preparation of assignments and in reporting outcomes.

Even then, when she was a fidgety preteen know-it-all, he’d encouraged her to voice her ideas and she always did. She was never short on opinions.

It wasn’t until she’d turned nineteen that she’d told him, in front of all the bodyguards during a big meeting, that he needed employees with more sex appeal.

Her brother had choked on his drink, and the men—all of them middle-aged and less than impressive—had tried to melt her with heated glares.

Too fast for her to further explain, Scott had ushered her from the room and, she assumed, spent the next hour smoothing ruffled feathers.

Bodyguards, in her opinion, should not have feathers. They should be made of steel, and they should appeal to the masses.

Regardless of the less than promising reaction from the staff at the time, she hadn’t been deterred. She’d thought about it more and more, a way to separate Body Armor from other agencies. Sex was in, the sexier the better.

Why couldn’t her agents be top of the class in both skill and persona? Why couldn’t they seduce with amazing talent and capability, as well as smoldering good looks?

The rich and elite, she knew, would pay a fortune for appearances mixed with talent. Under her guidance, Body Armor would offer it all.

She kept the other employees and offered them at a reduced rate. They stayed busy, the revenue continued to pour in and already Leese Phelps was in high demand. Soon, with any luck, she’d find a few more new hires and round out the employee cache with something for everyone.

Thinking ahead, always, she strode toward her personal receptionist, Enoch, who jumped to his feet to present her with her day’s agenda.

“Guests inside, Sahara. Leese and Justice, and they brought with them a young lady—”

She drew up short. “Not another fighter?”

He smiled. “Sorry, no. Or at least I assume she’s not.” He leaned in closer. “She’s rather small.”

Enoch knew her well enough to understand she preferred first names whenever possible, and because they got along so well, he was often very familiar. On any given day, Enoch was her right hand, her calendar and her friend. “Now I’m doubly curious.”

“Would you like to go over your schedule first, or after you meet with them?”

“I have time?”

“At least an hour.”

“Wonderful. Let’s do the schedule after.” Sahara smiled at him. “Could you bring us coffee and whatever...and see that I’m not disturbed while they’re here?”

“I’ll make a fresh pot.” Off he went, always so quick at his tasks.

She did love Enoch’s efficiency and understanding of her needs. If only she could find a man who—no.

The last thing she needed was a man in her life.

No time, not for that sort of nonsense, and not while shifting the agency into the powerhouse she wanted it to be.

Pasting on a smile, she opened the door and surged into her office. Leese stood looking out a window, hands in his back pockets. Justice took up most of the space on a small settee, his bulky arms stretched out along the back.

And in the chair facing her desk...

Sahara hurried in. “Hello.” She circled the chair to face the woman, then stepped back in surprise. “You’re Catalina Nicholson.”

“Yes.” With far too much caution, Catalina asked, “And you are?”

“Sahara Silver. I own the agency.” Brows up, she turned to Leese. “You brought her here...why?”

Folding his arms over his broad chest, Leese turned his compelling stare on Catalina. “I’m hoping she’ll tell us.” He watched her a moment, then said softly, “Cat? What’s it to be?”

Put on the spot, the girl glared back at Leese, then seemed to deflate. Her gaze shifted to Sahara, and damned if Sahara didn’t feel a thrill go up her spine. She just knew this was going to be something unexpected and stupendous.

Anxious to hear it, she said, “Go on.”

After a few more seconds of hesitation, Catalina asked, “Have you heard of Désir Island?”

* * *

JUDGING BY SAHARA’S startled reaction, Cat assumed she had indeed heard of the island and was aware of its awful reputation.

The beautiful brunette inhaled deeply, then rushed around to get comfortable in her chair. Forearms on her massive desk, expression rapt, she leaned forward. Both Leese and Justice were lost and, in truth, Cat was glad they didn’t know about the island.

Enthralled, titillated without having yet heard the details, Sahara urged, “Go on.”

Before Cat could, a man stepped in with a tray of coffee, fresh fruit, pastries and muffins.

Sahara didn’t miss a beat. “Excellent. I definitely need more caffeine. Pour us each a cup, will you, Enoch?”

“My pleasure.” Cups and saucers rattled as the assistant filled each cup. “Cream and sugar?”

“We can doctor them ourselves, but thank you.” Sahara reached for a gooey pastry. “Fresh from the bakery?”

“Of course.”

“You’re the perfect man, Enoch. Thank you.”

Smiling, Enoch departed and Sahara told Cat, “Please, help yourself.”

She hesitated, but what the heck. If everyone else could be blasé, she’d give it a try too. “All right, thank you.” After swallowing one big bite of a blueberry muffin, she asked, “You’re aware of what happens on the island?”

“Yes, of course. Decadence. Perversion.” Sahara waved a pastry. “Anything and everything sexual that money can buy.”

Leese came around closer to Cat, which she appreciated, and propped a hip on the desk. After a sip of coffee, he asked, “Where is this place?”

“It’s near the Virgin Islands. Uninhabited until twenty or so years ago. Since then it’s been built up and used for...” Cat swallowed, unable to say it.

Sahara didn’t have the same problem. “It’s a privately owned playground for the global ultrarich. Anything goes if you have enough money or influence, preferably both. Many politicians love it for the secrecy. It provides every luxury you can imagine with a small, posh hotel, a helipad for invited guests only and plenty of space for orgies.”

“Orgies?” Leese asked, one brow climbing high.

Sahara nodded around another bite. “Lots of nasty business going on there. Like I said, anything can be bought if you offer the right price, whether it’s legal or not, whether all participants are willing or not.”

Now both of Leese’s brows snapped down. “You’re talking rape?”

“Sadly, yes. There’ve been accusations, some of them truly gruesome, but none have been proven because witnesses have a way of changing their tune, probably after being bought off, or they disappear, likely—”

“Murdered.” The second the word left her mouth, Cat’s stomach jolted. Oh God, she’d said it aloud. She fought off the panic, knowing she’d just crossed a line; she’d admitted the awful truth, trusted these people when for so long she’d been afraid to trust anyone, even her family.

But what choice did she have? She couldn’t continue living her life on the run, and she didn’t want to end up on that island, a victim herself. Sooner or later she had to share it all. For whatever innate reasons existed, she trusted Leese. Really trusted him.

By association, she trusted his closest colleagues. She couldn’t believe he would bring her here, ask her to explain everything to Sahara and Justice, if he didn’t know it would be safe.

On top of that, she was in a secure building, shielded from threats. Justice had already gotten past her guard and, as the owner of the elite bodyguard agency, Sahara seemed to have a measure of her own power.

When would another, better opportunity present itself?

Now that the truth was out there, it brought about a heavy silence. Disbelief? Uncertainty?

Accusation?

Without knowing what they all might think, Cat sipped her coffee and waited in an agony of suspense.

“Jesus,” Justice rumbled, sitting forward now too. He snagged up a cup, black, and swilled back half of it.

Leese shifted uneasily. “And Webb?”

“I don’t know!” Emotions propelled her from her seat. She set the cup aside with more noise than necessary and strode to the window, needing to see the view to breathe, to feel less trapped in the awful circumstances.

The vantage point of the office offered a view of the Ohio River, disturbed only by a few slow-moving barges. Ice and snow lined the shore and a sluggish sun struggled to shine through dark, rolling clouds.

The day looked as miserable as she felt.

Despite the bitter cold of the morning, cars filled the bridges and people went about their business. None of them had a clue what fate could dole out.

That was nice. She didn’t want others to have to be as hyper-aware of threats as she’d recently become.

When she sighed, her warm breath frosted the window.

Knowing she’d stalled too long, Cat whispered, “My stepfather...he knows about it. He might only be involved in covering it up.” Or he could be guilty of the violent acts. She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Leese’s hands settled on her shoulders and he drew her back against his chest, his chin atop her head. He said nothing, just held her, surrounding her in his size and scent and power.

In the reflection of the window, Cat saw Sahara look to Justice for an explanation, and she saw Justice shrug in a “haven’t got a clue” sort of way.

So Leese didn’t embrace every client? This was an aberration for him? Nice to know. But it was still confusing—to her, and obviously to his boss and his colleague.

Clearly, no one understood it, least of all her, but Leese made her feel as if all the bad things in the world couldn’t touch her, not when he was close, and that robbed her of the debilitating panic.

She took one deep breath, then another. “A woman was killed.”

“Who?” Sahara asked sharply.

There’d be no backing out now. Still, she couldn’t tell them everything. She didn’t dare.

The less they knew, the safer they’d be. She’d have to start juggling and, blast it all, she wasn’t that coordinated.

“I only know her name.” Cat pressed closer to Leese, stealing some of his strength. “And her age.”

Leese waited.

Grateful for his patience, she sorted her thoughts. Though she’d already decided these people wouldn’t hurt her, she needed further verification before she said anything more. “I can trust everyone here not to repeat what I’m going to tell you, right? If the wrong people find out—”

“You can trust us,” Sahara assured her.

“Besides,” Leese said, giving her shoulders a gentle squeeze, “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, remember?”

He didn’t seem to mind that others were watching, and Cat wasn’t sure what to make of that.

Flustered, she stated, “It can’t leave this room.”

“Then it won’t,” Sahara promised.

Accepting that, Cat drew a breath and whispered, “Georgia Bell. She was only eighteen.”

Justice cursed softly. “So young.”

Wretched grief welled up. Every time Cat thought about it, about a young girl scared and alone and desperate, it broke her heart all over again. That poor, poor girl. How badly had she suffered?

And if the ones responsible found her, would Cat suffer the same fate?

Leese interrupted that thought by rubbing her shoulders. “Do you know how and why she was killed?”

The memory made Cat shiver. “From what I overheard, Georgia was hired to waitress at a private party on the island. Because she was offered so much money, she agreed—but only to waitressing. She didn’t understand that the offer came with certain expectations regardless of how she’d feel about it.”

“Like?” Leese asked.

This was the tricky part, where she had to dance around the truth without revealing too much. “One of my stepfather’s more influential friends—” a name they’d all recognize, if she shared that much “—wanted her for...more. She agreed, to an extent.”

As Cat spoke, the words came faster, more strained, matching the frantic beat of her heart.

“But I guess he took it too far because at one point Georgia wanted to leave.”

“You’re sure?” Justice asked. He scratched his left ear, thinking aloud. “If she said yes to something—”

Cat almost lost it. She jerked around to face Justice, wanting, needing a little violence. If he’d been closer, she might have slugged him.

As it was, Leese held her back when she started to lunge forward.

Fine. She still had her voice, and by God, no one would rob her of that. “She agreed to sex with one man. She said no to others joining them, and she obviously said no to being a sideshow. And no, as far as I’m concerned, always means no.”

Eyebrows shooting up, Justice said, “I agree one hundred percent, honey, so spew the venom elsewhere. Rapists are at the top of my list of scum of the earth, right up there with child abusers. I was just going for clarification. How do you know what happened? Were you there?”

“Oh God, no.” She shook her head hard. If she had her way, that damned island would be blown to pieces. “I know Georgia refused, because that’s what they said.” The turbulent mix of anger and panic descended on her again. “They joked, laughing over how she wanted to leave but saying it was already too late for that and they couldn’t let her, so they...they killed her.” She squeezed her eyes shut, horrified anew at the blasé discussion of cold-blooded murder.

They’d talked about ending an eighteen-year-old girl with the same lack of empathy they’d have given to an annoying fly.

“Shh.” Leese turned her into his embrace and his big hands moved up and down her back. “Take it easy.”

Until he soothed her, she hadn’t realized how badly she trembled.

No one spoke and by the second she felt more like a wimp. She knew Sahara watched them with wide-eyed incredulity, and that Justice was confused by his friend’s familiarity. By letting Leese comfort her, she was putting his job at risk. He couldn’t get in trouble over her.

Somehow she had to get it together.

But it was a struggle. Georgia Bell had been gone for months now, but for Cat, the horror was fresh, as if it had happened just yesterday. The cut felt raw and still far too painful.

A steadying breath helped a little. Trying to compose herself, she levered away from Leese’s comfort. If this was her time of confession, she needed to get through it.

Leese kept his hands on her upper arms and dipped down a bit to look her in the eye. “How do you know all this?”

In the quietest of whispers, she confessed, “I overheard it all.”

Leese’s hands tightened. “And the killers know it?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“See,” Justice said, his hands out, “this is what I was trying to get to, the deets on how you know what you know.” He grumbled low to himself, “Accusin’ me of supporting abuse. That’s bullshit.”

He looked a little wrecked that she’d ever misunderstood, so Cat gave him an apologetic nod. “They were all in Webb’s boathouse, only I didn’t expect to find anyone there.”

Leese barely breathed. “Webb too?”

She nodded. “It was too late in the season to take out the boat and it’s not like Webb or his buddies like to fish. But we’d gotten that early freeze and I wanted to capture everything in photos to paint it later, maybe even to use as a project for the class, to show them how the ice sparkled and...” Dumb. So very, very dumb. None of that mattered now. “Anyway, when I got close I heard people talking. That didn’t make any sense to me because no one used the boathouse in the winter. At first I listened, trying to figure out who was there. I was going to report them.” To Webb, who she’d figured would run them off. She’d been such a fool.

“That’s what most people would do,” Leese assured her.

“If only it had been vandals, or someone just trespassing. But it wasn’t. By the time I understood what they were talking about, it was too late.” Over and over they’d said her name, Georgia Bell, a young lady who’d been used, and then murdered.

As if she was no one important, as if her death didn’t matter.

To them, she’d been an expendable girl, easily discarded.

“I was standing there, I guess almost in shock, when they stepped out and...saw me.”

Leese tightened his jaw.

“There was no place to hide. I was in my black coat, jeans and boots, standing in the white snow. It’s not like they could have missed me. I tried to bluff, like I hadn’t caught anything important. I tried to act surprised to see them, but welcoming.” As usual, because she knew them all, had met them many times. Closing her eyes, she said, “But I guess they could still tell. They looked at each other as if coming to some silent agreement.”

Hand to her throat, Sahara asked, “An agreement for what?”

“To get rid of me too. To remove the possibility of me telling anyone what I’d heard.”

Gently, Leese said, “You can’t know that for sure.”

But she did. “Webb looked...” Devastated. Destroyed. But still resigned. “I could tell he wouldn’t defend me. Or maybe it’s that he couldn’t. I’m not sure.”

“Because you don’t know for sure if he’s involved,” Justice said.

“I would never have believed it if I hadn’t heard them all talking. They admitted having Georgia killed, her throat cut—” What level of horror had that young girl faced? “—her body disposed of on the island. When asked, Webb agreed to help provide alibis for them. The plan was that he’d claim they’d been with him, at his home, the weekend Georgia went to the island.” Believable, since the men had been to his home before. “I’d say that makes him pretty damned guilty.”

Leese nodded. “Agreed.”

“But how would that cover all their tracks?” Justice asked. “They had to get to the island somehow, right? There must be records...”

Sahara answered. “For enough money, the helicopter pilots would keep silent, bury the paperwork—and do whatever was asked. The super wealthy always have those who will cover for them.”

Cat drew a shuddering breath.“The way those men all looked at me...” She couldn’t forget how Tesh had slowly smiled, his visible anticipation for what he probably saw as an opportunity.

For too many years that lech had wanted her and he’d seen this, her giant faux pas, as his best bet to get his hands on her.

“Cat?”

She met Leese’s gaze.

“You keep saying ‘them.’ Who are we talking about?”

If she told the truth, would they even believe her? Cat had her doubts, so she hedged. “It was Webb and another man meeting, plus two personal guards.”

“So four men, total?” Sahara asked.

“Yes. Tesh was one of them.”

“He’s associated with your stepfather?” Sahara clarified.

“Yes.”

Leese glanced back at Sahara. “You knew he was her stepfather, not her dad?”

“Yes, but to me he seemed as concerned and genuine as any father could be. He said Cat was out on her own, and he wanted her protected because she’d lived such a pampered life. He was afraid her naïveté would get her into trouble.” She frowned. “I hate that I was apparently duped.”

Leese came back around to Cat. “Tesh works for Webb?”

“For the other man, actually. But Webb has known him for a long time. Since I was...” That invisible fist closed on her throat again. “Eighteen.”

Because he didn’t miss much, Leese muttered, “The same age as Georgia.”

She nodded. “Webb considered him trustworthy, so there were times he ‘borrowed’ him for special tasks. More than once Tesh was assigned to watch over me.” During those times, he’d refer to her as Kitten even though he knew it annoyed her. As she’d matured she grew to understand that Tesh didn’t consider her a person so much as his own personal pet.

“I met the man.” With visible irritation, Leese said, “That’s like hiring the fox to watch the henhouse.”

Cat agreed. “I hated it. The way Tesh looks at me, it’s always given me the creeps.”

“Saw it,” Justice said. “Dude wants you bad.”

“More than that,” Leese said. “He feels some ownership.”

“No.” Cat pushed out of his arms and backed away from him. “He has no reason to—” She squeaked when Leese pulled her right back in.

“I said he feels it, not that he has a right to it.”

She blinked fast, startled by how quickly he’d moved, and pretty darned pleased to be close to him again. “Oh.”

Keeping her right there, Leese turned them both to face Sahara. She looked fascinated. And once again titillated.

“We ran into Tesh on the way here.”

“Do tell.”

While Leese related the story to Sahara, Cat eased away from him and returned to her coffee. The caffeine kick could only help, so she took a big drink. When she caught Justice watching her, she frowned.

He nodded back. “You have guts.”

How in the world could he think that? She’d been an awful coward. Rather than see justice for poor Georgia, she’d run away. She’d valued her own life more. She’d—

“Give me the names of the other men.”

Uh-oh. Here’s where it got bad. Refusing to cower, Cat faced Leese without blinking, and lied. “I don’t know their names.”

He gave her a brief but intense scrutiny. “Yes, you do.”

“Sorry, I don’t.”

He crossed his arms.

Why was that so damned intimidating? “Please understand, Leese.” Her palms started to sweat, especially with Sahara and Justice now scowling at her. “The entire reason I’m in danger is because—”

“The other man is a public figure,” Leese guessed. “Recognizable name with a lot to lose if you share what you know.”

Tread carefully, she warned herself. As if she didn’t know more, Cat said, “He was with my stepfather, he’d been to the island, so yes, I assume he has amazing contacts everywhere, including with the police.”

“Local police?” Sahara asked.

If only it was that simple. “I know Webb has influence with the highest levels of law enforcement.” Like...all the way to the US attorney general.

With one finger under her chin, Leese brought her gaze back to his. “You can’t keep it secret forever.”

That had initially been her plan, to prove she wouldn’t squeal until everyone calmed down. At first, it was the only thing she could think of, a blind panic sort of decision.

But it haunted her, what happened to that poor girl and how cavalier the men had been about robbing her of life. Staying silent wasn’t the answer because the coward’s way never worked.

If only she’d realized that sooner.

“We need the names of everyone in the boathouse that day,” Sahara insisted.

“I know.” She really did. “The other guard was familiar. I might be able to remember his name. I just need some time to think.”

Not at all fooled, Leese said, “And your stepfather’s associate?”

The public loved him, saw him as kind and caring. How could she trust they’d believe her, and even if they did, then what? “I’ve probably seen him before, but I don’t remember.” Please let them believe me. “I’ll try to work it out.” For too long, survival was all she’d had. Now, thanks to Leese, she could sit down and really decide what to do, and when to do it.

Just giving them names wasn’t the answer; that’d only put them all at risk.

There was more Leese needed to know so he’d truly understand. Hopefully, in telling him some truths, she could keep him from breaking down her lies. “I ran that day, the same day I overheard them talking. Literally, I mean. I turned and ran as fast as I could. Webb called my name but I didn’t acknowledge him. I kept waiting for a bullet to hit me in the back.”

Leese went more rigid.

“But it didn’t. They didn’t even chase me that hard. I got to my car and then I wasn’t sure what to do except drive. I was barely on the road when my cell started ringing.”

“Your stepfather?”

She nodded. “He told me to come back, that he could explain. He promised we’d work it out. When I refused, he warned me that no one would believe me, that it’d be really stupid for me to start spreading tales about things I knew nothing about.” Tension crept into her neck and shoulders, making her temples throb. “It was so stupid of me, but I told him what I’d heard, that I knew he’d planned to cover up a murder.”

No one said a word.

“He laughed at me. Actually laughed.” It had been a sick, almost hysterical sound that escalated Cat’s fear. “He said I misunderstood, that’s all.”

“Is that possible?” Justice asked.

God, how she wished. “No.” Best to get it told quickly and have it out of the way. “I said I was going to the police. He stopped laughing real fast and instead told me the police were owned and I’d end up the victim if I ever again said anything that stupid. That’s when I realized Tesh was behind me. When I told Webb that, he literally begged me to pull over, to let Tesh bring me home.” Home. Once, long ago, that’s what it had been to her. Even after she’d moved out, she’d still considered it home.

Never again.

“He said if I went to the police, he couldn’t help me. That it’d be out of his hands. But with Tesh so close behind me, I couldn’t think of another option to get away. Then I ran through a red light and Tesh tried to follow.”

“Tried?” Leese asked.

“He got T-boned by a van.” She met his gaze. “I slowed down long enough to see the driver of the van get out, then I took off again. Until I saw Tesh this morning, I didn’t know if he’d survived that day or not. So many men had followed me, but none of them were Tesh.”

“Maybe because he was the most recognizable,” Leese said.

“Probably.”

Sahara crossed her legs, her fingernails tapping on the desktop. “I take it you didn’t go to the police after all?”

“I was closer to my house so I went there first.”

“Cat,” Leese chastised.

And yes, she felt like a fool. “It was stupid, I know. But I couldn’t think straight. I wanted to get inside and lock my doors and maybe call someone.”

“But?”

“Men were already there, peeking in the windows and trying the door, so I didn’t stop. I called my brother, Holt, but another man answered and before I’d even spoken, he told me I needed to return to Webb. It was like a nightmare.”

“No one got to you?” Leese asked.

She shook her head. “I didn’t give anyone a chance. I realized then that if I went anywhere obvious—”

“Like the police station?” Justice asked.

“—more men would be waiting for me. I called Webb back and said I wouldn’t talk. I hoped it would buy me some time, but he said there wasn’t anything to talk about. Either I came home, or I was on my own.”

Those words had felt so final, and so fatal.

“I told him I’d been on my own for a while. He really did sound apologetic when he reminded me that everyone knew how I’d separated from the family. Past actions, he claimed, had already discredited me, and if I forced his hand, he’d let the whole world know how...unstable I am.”

“What did he mean?” Sahara asked. “Was there a big blowup when you moved out?”

“No, nothing like that. I just moved out, as many young people do.” That no one had protested, or seemed to care, still hurt her. “I continued to visit with my family, but I didn’t do any more of the parties, the fund-raisers, the galas. It was never my thing anyway. I’m more comfortable at a McDonald’s talking to the other people in line or instructing my class of nine-year-olds on a project than I ever was at a big fancy party.”

Sahara said, “I’ve always loved dressing up.”

“Sure, me too. That part was great. But I’d mess up every time.”

“How?” Leese asked, and he looked irate about it.

She rolled one shoulder. “I could never get the hang of the right attire. I’d have a knee-length dress when others wore long, or I’d wear bright colors when others wore pastels. I’d laugh at the wrong things. Or I’d laugh too loud. We’d start dancing and not until it was too late would I realize I was the only one really cutting loose.”

Justice grinned. “Like to dance, do you?”

“Yes. But my idea of dancing and their idea were two very different things.” Might as well admit all her flaws and get it out of the way. “I have no sense of direction either. I’d head for the powder room and end up in the kitchen. If I drank even a little bit, I’d get tipsy, which only amplified all the things I did wrong. Worst of all, the small talk never felt small to me. I was always worried about slipping up and saying something inappropriate.” As in dumb. Or embarrassing. She gestured at Leese. “Ask him. He’ll tell you that I speak without thinking.”

Leese, brows still pinched, said nothing at all.

Justice grinned.

Feeling she had to defend herself, she said, “I moved out without fanfare and went about my life. Not mad, just...apart. Only there was gossip. Rich or poor, affluent or mundane, there’s always gossip. Folks said I disappeared because I had a nervous breakdown, or that I was run off because I’m an embarrassment. One old...” She quickly censored herself. “...busybody even claimed I had a medical affliction of the mental sort, only she didn’t put it that nicely. There was speculation on whether or not I was a drug addict, which would explain my weirdness, or if I’d gotten pregnant by a convict...all sorts of idiotic things. My brothers ignored it. Mother was furious so Webb tried to correct it. I honestly didn’t care. In fact, at the time, I thought it was almost funny. Now, though...”

“It’s a basis,” Leese said. “A way for your stepfather to embellish what was already started. He can go back and rewrite history any way he wants.”

“Yup. I’m afraid so.” She looked only at Leese, not anyone else. “I know I’m odd.” She shook her head, stopping his objection. “I still haven’t learned the knack of thinking before speaking, or the right things to wear. With my students, it doesn’t matter. I wear smocks and we laugh and we have a good time.”

“You should always be comfortable,” Sahara said, and with a shrug she added, “Create your own fashion and to hell with others.”

If only it was that easy. “My mother always said I was too honest. Webb said I was immature. It’s the truth, after moving out, I did what I wanted, when I wanted, without considering ramifications.”

“Like running?” Justice asked.

“It wasn’t the easiest choice. Nothing about it has been easy. But Webb and his cronies are powerful men with so much reach, I wasn’t sure who to trust.” And she needed to stop making excuses. Sitting a little straighter, she admitted, “I decided it’d just be best to take off for a while. So I did.”

“An understandable reaction.” Justice patted her shoulder with his massive paw. “No one blames you.”

She wasn’t sure about that. Leese watched her, but he didn’t say anything. She should have been stronger, tried harder. I should have found a way.

“We’re going to work this out,” Sahara said, all but rubbing her hands together. “We won’t let Georgia’s death be swept away.”

Cat feared it already had been. “What can you do?”

“What can’t I do?” she replied. “But first things first. We need to keep you safe.”

“I’ll see to it.” Leese again stood next to her.

So maybe he didn’t blame her, after all. Didn’t matter, since she blamed herself. But she’d hate to lose him as an ally.

“Yes,” Sahara purred. “I can see that you will. Perhaps you’ll also encourage her to remember that other name?”

“I’ll do my best.”

Cat gulped. His best was probably pretty damned awesome.

“What can I do?” Justice asked.

“Nothing,” Sahara told him. “I have a different job coming up for you. You may as well stick with me the rest of the month. I’d like to assess you.”

He shifted uneasily. “Assess me?”

“She does it with all the new hires,” Leese assured him.

“This is my only chance,” Sahara said, “since soon you’ll accompany the client nonstop.”

“I will?”

“Yes, you see, a certain actor—very hush-hush—who’ll be playing a part in an upcoming MMA movie wants someone who knows the ropes to be his bodyguard. I sold you as the real deal who could not only advise him and teach him the lingo, the rules and routines, but also be his protection at the same time.”

Justice blinked at her. “I... Wow.” Then with accusation, he barked at Leese, “This job is nothing like you claimed it’d be.”

“Complaints?” Leese asked.

“No.” Somewhat dazed, Justice said, “Hell man, I’m lovin’ it.”

Sahara regained their attention. “I have an excellent PI who I’ll have look into Georgia’s death.”

Sharp fear coursed through Cat. “Oh, but—”

“A girl can’t just go missing without someone noticing, right?”

“PI?” Leese asked her, a note of mistrust in his tone. “Who?”

Sahara squeezed his arm. “The same one investigating my brother’s death.”

All news to Catalina, but Leese seemed to understand, so she figured she’d ask him later. If Leese trusted the man, she would too.

Except for one problem. “If you start digging, you’ll lead them straight back to me. I’m sure they already have computer people watching for me to pop up anywhere. I haven’t dared send an email or touch my Facebook. When I withdrew what cash I could from my accounts, I immediately took off. I was afraid the withdrawal could somehow lead them to me. I haven’t used my name anywhere, or any of my credit cards. I’ve tried really, really hard to leave no tracks at all.”

Unconcerned with her panic, Sahara said, “I promise we can be completely discreet. And until we uncover something, you can stay here, perfectly protected.”

“Here?” Still shaken by the idea of anyone poking around—and possibly leaving her exposed—Cat again took in the posh office. Dark wood, plush furniture, massive television screen and full connecting bath; it had all the amenities except a kitchen. Still, she couldn’t see staying in an office.

Not for any length of time.

“Here,” Sahara explained, “in the building. Scott kept a suite but I haven’t used it because...” She tapered off, then whispered, “He was my brother.”

Catalina faltered. For only a flash she saw the same grief she felt mirrored in Sahara’s eyes. She remembered Leese telling her that the agency was under new management—and then she understood. “I’m so sorry.”

“Me too.” Sahara let out a breath, then launched back into business. “There are women’s clothes, makeup, lotions... I don’t know. Many things. They belonged to one of Scott’s girlfriends, who also supposedly died. The last girl was as slim as you, but somewhat taller—who isn’t, right? Feel free to use whatever you can.”

Harking back to the “supposedly died,” Cat wondered what exactly had happened to Sahara’s brother.

Shaking off the melancholy, Sahara said, “You’ll find the suite quite comfortable and I promise you, the security here is top-notch. You don’t need to worry.”

She’d worry if she wanted to, and apparently she did because dread churned in her stomach. The questions were piling up, but she’d save them for Leese, after they were alone.

A tap sounded on her door and Enoch stuck his head in. “I apologize for interrupting, but you might want to take this call.”

Unhappy with the intrusion, Sahara asked, “Who is it?”

“Webb Nicholson, and he says it’s urgent.”

CHAPTER FIVE

NEVER MIND THAT it was inappropriate behavior for a bodyguard—especially with his boss watching—but Leese needed to comfort Catalina, to reassure her. Later, he’d explain to Sahara. One way or another he’d make his boss understand—and if she didn’t, well, then he’d find another job.

But regardless, he’d see to Catalina’s safety.

Aware of her unease, Leese stood close behind her, silently reminding her that she wasn’t alone. Like a deer caught in the crosshairs of a hunter’s rifle, she’d gone deathly still the moment Enoch had announced the call. He could almost feel her gearing up to bolt, so he put his hands on her shoulders, and under his palms her muscles eased.

Amazing that he could have that much influence on her feelings. He didn’t question it; she said she had good instincts and apparently she was right, because no way in hell would he let anyone hurt her. That, he told himself, was his own code of ethics, a protective nature toward women—now more finely honed given how he’d once inadvertently played a role in putting a woman at risk.

Never again.

With the phone on speaker so they could all hear, Sahara said smoothly, “Mr. Nicholson, how are you?”

“I understand you found my daughter.”

“Me? No.” She twittered a laugh. “I run the company, that’s true. But I’m not in the field, so—”

Growling, Nicholson said, “Your man found her.”

“Really?” Pausing for emphasis, she asked, “How do you know?”

A beat of silence passed. “You know damn good and well that he—”

“Don’t raise your voice to me.” The words hit like a whip, not loud, but sharp enough to draw blood.

Stunned silence proved that Nicholson felt the burn.

Clearly appalled at the way Sahara had just spoken to her stepfather, Cat tipped her head back to look at Leese in query.

He smiled and used his thumbs to further loosen her taut shoulders. She’d get used to Sahara, eventually.

“Now,” Sahara said, “if there’s anything else you’d like to say to me, I suggest you calmly say it.”

“Your services are no longer needed.”

“Odd.” Sahara tapped one manicured fingertip to her bottom lip. “You already paid so substantially. I do believe it’ll cover things for quite some time. Maybe even for a month or two.”

“Keep the money, I don’t care about that.”

“Don’t be silly.” She gave another of her phony, teasing laughs. “We owe you the work. What type of businesswoman would I be if I didn’t fulfill my obligations? And as I recall, you said it was of utmost urgency that we—”

“I’m firing you,” Webb growled. “Your part is done.”

Again Cat stiffened. Leese just waited.

“My part? Well, I’m so sorry you feel that way, Webb.” Sahara softened her tone until it almost sounded pitying. The use of Nicholson’s first name was a clear warning. “But understand, you merely paid. Catalina is our client. The transaction has been made, and we are on the job. At this point, only your daughter can fire us.”

He sucked in an angry breath, but wary of her earlier warning, he didn’t raise his voice. “Now you listen to me.”

“Believe me, I’m all ears.”

“Catalina isn’t thinking clearly. I’m concerned. We’re all concerned. She should be home with her family during this difficult time in her life. We want her home. Once she’s here, she’ll be fine.”

“I have no doubt whatsoever. After all, family should always support each other in times of need. I promise, if my agent checks in, I’ll ask him about it and then he can speak with Catalina. Not that I expect to hear from him anytime soon.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I assume, being as good as he is and given your initial concerns and financial investment, he’ll go to ground to ensure her safety.”

“What are you talking about? He’s not there with you?”

“Why ever would he be in the offices? I assure you, he’s far from a desk jockey.” Sahara propped her shapely ass on the edge of the desk and crossed her long legs, letting one high heel dangle off the tips of her toes.

How she walked in those things, especially in the winter weather, Leese had no idea.

“But...I thought...”

“Mr. Nicholson, you sound alarmed. If there are new concerns I need to know about, please let me know and I promise to share them with my guy as soon as he checks in.”

Muffled whispering came through the line, then Nicholson asked, “When do you expect him?”

“I assume when he feels it’s safe. No idea when that might be.”

Impatience crept back into his tone. “There’s no damn way you don’t have contact with your men!”

The smile faded off Sahara’s mouth. Her foot stopped swinging. Slowly, she slid off the desk to stand looking down at the phone. “Body Armor is by far the best agency you will find in the States, possibly in the world.”

“I never said—”

Lacerating him with contempt, she cut him off. “I don’t babysit my men because they don’t need it, and further, if they did, you wouldn’t have come to me.”

After a gruff, “Harrumph,” Nicholson said, “I apologize for losing my—”

“I understand. You’re rightfully overwrought given your concerns for Catalina. Let me assure you, no one wishing her harm will get anywhere near her. Absolutely no one. You have my word. Now I must go. Have a good evening, Mr. Nicholson.” And with that, she hit a button and ended the call.

Impressed, Justice applauded.

“This is awful,” Cat whispered.

Wearing an evil smile, Sahara paced the room. “You should know, Catalina. I am a mean, mercenary bitch.”

Intrigued by that, Justice leaned forward. “Really?”

“No, she’s not,” Leese stated. “Sahara, take a breath.”

“Mean,” Sahara insisted, still moving angrily around the room. “Mercenary. Bitch.” She strode over to stand facing Cat. “And you need to understand that I will use this to my advantage.”

Again, Cat glanced at Leese. When he shrugged, she turned back to Sahara. “How?”

“I’ll ensure that you’re protected,” she promised. “And I’ll do everything I can to see that Georgia Bell gets justice.” On those insane heels, she crouched down beside Cat. “But that also means exposing every bastard involved, including, if necessary, your stepfather. The entire world will know what happened, the men—their livelihoods, their businesses—will likely be destroyed in the process. And this agency will take full credit for bringing them down. I will scrape up every bit of promotion I can to further our reputation as the best.”

The overwhelming possibilities left Cat wide-eyed and shaken, but she didn’t falter. She accepted that Georgia deserved retribution.

But Cat didn’t yet realize that she did too.

“Anyone and everyone involved in hurting that girl needs to pay the consequences,” Cat whispered. “Whatever they are.”

“Excellent! Then we’re in agreement.” Rising gracefully again, Sahara smiled. “Now share the other names.”

Pale, Cat shook her head. “I...I don’t remember.”

Sahara gave it quick thought, then shrugged. “Fine. I can start with your father.”

“Stepfather.” Appearing both fearful and guilty, Cat nodded. “And...okay.”

Sahara turned her flinty blue eyes on Leese, taking note of the way he continued to hold Cat’s shoulders. “Is there anything you’d like to tell me?”

He shrugged. “You’re astute, Sahara. Do I really need to spell it out?”

She sighed. “And if I had a problem with this—”

“Then I’d understand and move on.” But he wouldn’t abandon Catalina.

“Don’t be so dramatic. I have big plans for you.” With a look of acceptance, she warned, “I’ll want a full report. Soon.”

To keep the peace, Leese nodded. But before he verbally made promises, he’d see what Catalina had to share. She knew the other men, he was sure of it. Would she trust him enough to tell him everything? And once she did, what then?

No idea. He knew what Sahara wanted, but he’d do whatever was best for Cat.

“They know you’re here. Both of you. That much was clear.” Sahara paced away, a vibrating bundle of energy. “Even though it’s secure, we’ll want to throw them off to give you a little breathing room. So I have an idea.”

Very unsure of any plan she might contrive, Leese said, “Care to share with the class?”

“We’re going to get each female employee to hide behind a scarf and glasses, then scatter in different directions—” she fluttered her fingers “—to all corners of the city and beyond. How fun will that be?”

“Fun?” Cat twisted her hands together. “Not fun at all. More than anything it sounds dangerous. I don’t want to risk anyone else.”

“We’ll take care. Don’t worry. And unless they have a lot of people out there watching us, they won’t be able to follow everyone.”

Cat asked, “How many female employees do you have here?”

“Counting me?” Sahara grinned. “Ten. But currently in the building? Only seven. It’ll have to do, even though they’re not all bodyguards. For a case like this, we need everyone on deck.” Before anyone could question her participation, she went to the door and summoned Enoch. “Could I beg an enormous favor from you?”

Already to his feet, Enoch said, “Of course. What is it?”

“I need you to round up all the ladies, and then you’ll need to run across the street to that decadent little boutique and do some fast shopping.”

* * *

TWO HOURS LATER, Enoch escorted them to the penthouse apartment. Leese wasn’t sure what to expect, but he could tell that Cat was at the end of her rope. She needed some downtime, so the accommodations no longer mattered.

Trembling from head to toe, Cat entered the private elevator. “You’re sure she’ll be okay?”

Enoch looked as worried as Cat, so Leese reassured them both. “She has Justice with her.”

Using an exclusive keycard, Enoch pressed the button to access the penthouse. “You said he’s new.”

Enoch stood a foot shorter than Leese, and probably didn’t weigh a whole lot more than Catalina. But he had a keen intelligence, an aptitude for fast learning, was loyal to the core and often seemed to know what needed to be done long before being told. Leese liked him, and better than that, he trusted him.

“Justice is new to being a bodyguard, but he’s a veteran at kicking ass. He can handle things, believe me.” Justice might not have been refined enough to win a title belt, but few could ever reach that elite status. Match him up to any four or five street fighters, and he’d annihilate them.

“They’re in your car.” Cat stood in the corner, her gaze on the elevator numbers, her face set. “They’re going to be the obvious ones to follow. Tesh and his crew will—”

“Scatter to cover their bases in case we’re pulling a fast one, just as Sahara said. They won’t take chances. But Sahara took the car on purpose,” he reminded them, “because Justice can damn well handle himself. Now stop fretting, both of you.”

At the uppermost floor, the elevator stopped and the doors opened directly into a secure vestibule with yet another locked door. On one of the walls, a sconce lit the area. On the other wall, a heavy door opened to private stairs.

Seeing the direction of his gaze, Enoch said, “The stairs are necessary in case of a fire.”

Leese valued the multiple barriers.

Enoch removed an actual key and opened two different locks, one in the doorknob, the other a dead bolt. “I have duplicate keys for you,” he said to Leese while avoiding Cat’s gaze. “And you should know there are around-the-clock guards at the elevator and stairs on the lobby level. They protect Sahara from anyone reaching her office on the floor below.”

He’d already been aware of that, but appreciated the reminder for Cat’s benefit.

Opening the door, Enoch added, “I’ve been in charge of the upkeep here. No one has been here unescorted, not even the monthly cleaning crew. I’m always here if anyone needs to get in the suite, and I can promise you it’s safe.” He stepped back and allowed Cat and Leese to enter.

Wow. Cat, who was used to such decadence, only said, “This is very nice.”

Leese didn’t know what the hell to think. Towering ceilings with massive hanging lights, floor-to-ceiling windows with an astounding view, open spaces, a central fireplace... He looked around, taking it in.

“The kitchen has everything you need, pots and pans, dishes, canned goods...everything except for perishables. If you’d like to make up a grocery list, I can take care of that for you.” He strode to an elaborate bar. “The liquor is stocked, so please help yourself.”

Cat dropped her purse and coat on a massive contemporary couch overloaded with pillows, then wandered to the expanse of windows to look out at the city. “I bet this is stunning at night.”

“It is,” Enoch confirmed. “Would you like to see the bedrooms?”

Multiple rooms? Leese immediately wondered if Cat would prefer to sleep with him again.

Insane as he knew it to be, he hoped so.

Following behind the two of them, he lost track of the penthouse layout because his attention zeroed in on Cat’s small but perfect ass. As they stepped into one room, he managed to concentrate.

“This is the master suite.”

The enormous room boasted more floor-to-ceiling windows, a sitting area, a flat screen TV and an oversize bed with decadent bedding. Leese barely resisted the urge to whistle.

“There’s a bathroom through that door.” Enoch opened another door to show off a walk-in closet big enough to be a room of its own. “Clothes are still in the closet, including some things for a female. As Sahara said, help yourself, although there are more things in the guest bedroom.”

“If this was her brother’s room,” Cat whispered, “maybe we shouldn’t use it.”

“Sahara isn’t shy. If that had been her preference, she’d have said so.” Enoch lifted a remote from the nightstand and closed the drapes, then opened them again. “Mr. Silver worked hard at making this space exactly as he liked it. It has all the bells and whistles you could imagine. I think in some ways, Sahara enjoys the idea of it being used again. She just can’t bear to be the one doing so.” He turned and headed out, so Cat and Leese followed.

“This room is a library-slash-television-slash-gaming room. The Wi-Fi is secure, so feel free. Every television in every room is connected to the satellite for the building, so you’ll have plenty of choices on what to watch. This television, of course, is set up for theater-style viewing. And if you open the cabinet under the TV in here, you’ll find some gaming systems and the most popular games.” Again walking, he led them to another room. “This is the guest suite.”

Leese peeked inside. This bedroom had more padded furniture instead of the heavy wood. No seating area, but a cushioned window seat.

Enoch smiled gently at Cat. “There’s another connecting bathroom, and inside you’ll find makeup, nail polish...a plethora of toiletries preferred by ladies. Again, please help yourself.”

“I couldn’t,” Catalina said. “If they belonged to her brother’s girlfriend—”

“No one special,” Enoch assured her. “Mr. Silver had many girlfriends, and he was far from ready to settle down. Sahara would have thrown everything away, except she seldom comes in here because of the memories.”

Ill at ease, Cat nodded. “Thank you.” She sat on the edge of the full-size bed, stroking one hand over the plush comforter. “It’s very nice.”

So she’d be choosing the guest room? Looked like. Leese didn’t like it, but he wouldn’t protest. More than anything, he wanted her to be comfortable. She’d earned herself a break from worry.

“Please,” Enoch said, “use whatever you like. Sahara will like it if you do.”

Catalina bit her lip, then reluctantly agreed. “All right then. I’d actually love to.”

“Wonderful.” Enoch looked genuinely pleased. “Any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

“I have a few.” Leese glanced at Cat. “Why don’t you get settled while Enoch and I talk? I’ll be back in a minute.”

“You’re leaving?”

The pitch of her voice gave her away—and broke his heart. To reassure her, he stared into her eyes. “Just going into the other room with Enoch.”

“Oh.” She let out a nervous breath and nodded. “Okay.”

“Cat? I won’t make any plans without telling you. If I do have to step out, it won’t be for long, and you’ll know beforehand.”

“Sounds good.” Trying to appear unconcerned, she smiled. “Thanks.”

Giving up, Leese stepped out and closed the door. Sooner or later she’d stop doubting him.

“Something private?” Enoch asked.

“A favor, really. Can you find out for me the nearest place to get a couple of burner phones?”

Enoch lifted his brows. “Your company phone isn’t working?”

“It is, but I’d like some prepaids,” Leese explained. “Disposable phones.”

With no further questions, Enoch explained, “Actually a phone store right across the street offers them. Would you like me to run the errand for you?”

He shook his head. Leese preferred to do some things himself. “I’ll take care of it, but could you come back in about an hour? Maybe keep Cat company while I’m gone?”

He flashed a grin. “You mean you want me to ensure she doesn’t budge?”

“That too.” If need be, Enoch could reinforce Cat’s cooperation by alerting the guards. Or calling Sahara.

Leese wanted to trust Cat, but she’d already made so many references to booking it, to thinking her best option was to run, that he—

Peering around the hall, Cat said, “I wouldn’t sneak off.”

After a roll of his eyes, Leese turned to fully face her. “Eavesdropping?”

“Yes.” She came out the rest of the way. “And good thing. Enoch doesn’t need more duties piled on him. Seems to me he already has a full plate.”

Protesting that, Enoch said, “Believe me, Sahara makes it more than worth my while.”

“I hope so. The scope of your job seems to cover...everything. I don’t want to add to it.”

“Sahara is the very best boss I’ve ever had. Always polite and caring. She gives me requests, but if I said no, she’d be okay with it. She wouldn’t fire me. So far, though, I’ve never even considered saying no to her. I love this job too much.”

With fresh curiosity, Leese asked, “Was her brother the same?” Of course he’d known about Scott Silver. The man wasn’t a secret. But Sahara had never really discussed him much.

“Scott was very similar. They were close and shared a lot of personality traits. Smart, motivated, considerate... Sahara, though, is far more driven, personally and in business. Around her, there’s never a dull moment.” He opened the main door, but hesitated. “She normally doesn’t talk about him at all. She keeps everything inside—she’s super private that way. If you don’t mind, it’d be better if you don’t ask her anything about him.”

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