Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
“Your keg’s here,” Gramps said. “Where do you want it?”
“Patio,” Noah called. “There’s a good spot near the grill.”
A couple of his bodyguard teammates came through the kitchen, wheeling the beer. Noah gave out fist bumps and hugs.
Gramps was right behind them. He clapped a hand on Noah’s shoulder. “You kids have fun. I’d better go. If I miss Ginger’s act I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Danica was unloading the grocery order that had just arrived. Burgers, buns, potato salad—everything they’d need for an impromptu get-together with his friends.
This party was going to be the safest place in all of West Oaks.
Noah spotted Rosie hovering by the sliding glass doors to the patio, arms crossed.
For part of the afternoon, another Valoris guard had replaced her so she could get changed out of her running clothes.
Now, she had on a pair of black pants and a black button-down, her shoulder holster placed over the top.
Noah grabbed a can of sparkling water. “Rosie, are you thirsty?”
She accepted the drink, nodding with a tight smile. “Thanks, Mr. Vandermeer.”
“If you need anything else, grab it. Make yourself at home.”
Rosie gave every indication of being a well-trained professional who kept her personal opinions to herself. But Danica had said before that Rosie didn’t take her concerns seriously.
Noah hadn’t made his mind up about the woman yet.
Whether they could trust Rosie or not, she’d definitely report back to Blake and Danica’s father. It made him furious to think someone in Danica’s inner orbit had betrayed her.
But this “party,” right now—they were taking a big step toward making Danica safe again. Even if they had to put on an elaborate ruse to do it.
That afternoon, Danica had spoken to his boss Max on the phone, and she’d e-signed the contract formally hiring them. Max had no problem with the secrecy, just as Noah had expected. Like any guy who’d spent time in special ops, Max was an unconventional thinker. Anything to get the job done.
By the end of this evening, Bennett Security’s investigation would be well under way.
Noah went back to where Danica was standing in the kitchen. She wore a pair of cut-off shorts and a silky, sleeveless top. She’d asked the staff back at her father’s house to send over a bag with fresh clothes and some other items she needed, which they’d delivered earlier.
Noah wrapped his arms around her waist and planted a kiss at the bend of her neck. “You don’t have to do all that, babe. I’ll set up the rest.”
“That’s all right, sweetheart, I don’t mind.” She looked over her shoulder at him, a sarcastic look in her eyes. “Laying it on a little thick, aren’t you?” she whispered. “We’ve been back together a single day, not married for five years.”
“But you really do deserve to relax.” He brought his hands to her shoulders, feeling the tightness in her muscles. His thumbs gently rubbed at the knots. This entire evening was for show, but he genuinely wanted her to enjoy herself.
At least half a dozen of the guys here tonight would be keeping an eye on her. They were here to work, not to drink or kick back. That meant Danica didn’t have to worry.
But clearly, she was having trouble letting go of the day’s events. He couldn’t blame her for that. Now that he was her bodyguard, he considered it his job to give her peace of mind, not just physical security.
More people kept streaming in, waving hello, exchanging hugs.
Music started up on the speaker system. It was an upbeat pop song, the kind of thing Danica usually loved. But she wasn’t dancing.
Noah grabbed Danica’s hand and spun her around, right there in the kitchen. She had to set down the hot dog buns she was holding.
“You’re making me dizzy.” But she was laughing.
“It’s a party.” He pulled her in closer, swaying side to side and bringing his mouth to her ear. “If you’re not having any fun, this won’t be believable.”
“Shouldn’t we be working on the investigation?” she murmured against his neck.
“The party just started. Is this not fancy enough for you, Ms. Foster-Grant? Because it’s not a thousand-dollar-a-plate dinner?”
“I’d much rather be at a party like this, trust me.”
“Not sure I buy that. But don’t worry, if you get desperate, I could break out some caviar for the potato chips.” Which was delicious, especially with crème fra?che.
“But that would be expected, right? I thought I was supposed to be unpredictable.”
“Then you should be getting wild. Dancing on the dining room table.” He wanted to see that.
She barked a laugh. “I would need a lot more than club soda to get me up on the table.”
“I guess we’ll just have to keep dancing right here.” Noah put his forehead against hers.
“Oh, aren’t you two adorable?”
They both looked over. Aurora Bennett, Max’s younger sister, was walking into the kitchen with Devon in tow. Tanner was right behind them with his girlfriend Faith.
Noah waved. “Hey, you made it.”
Danica turned around, and Noah introduced everyone, keeping his arm around her shoulders. He felt the stupidly big grin on his face as she met some of his closest friends.
“I’ve seen you on TV,” Aurora gushed. “Your skin is even more amazing in person.”
Danica laughed. “Oh. Thanks.”
Aurora’s eyebrows drew down. “I’m really curious. What were the flower arrangements like at the Oscars after party this year?”
“I’m afraid I don’t remember.”
“Aurora’s an event planner,” Noah said.
“Really.” Danica touched Aurora’s arm. “I’m always looking for event planners. We should talk.”
“How did you and Noah meet?” Faith asked. “I bet you have a cute story, and I want to hear every detail.”
Danica turned to smile at him. “We were in high school. He was my younger brother’s friend. And he was about…” She held up her hand to her shoulder. “This tall? With braces.”
“I only had braces for a year,” he protested.
Faith clapped her hands. “Pictures! We need to see pictures.”
Noah frowned. “No pictures.”
The others all laughed.
Devon and Tanner knew this was a job. That Noah and Danica weren’t really together. But Aurora and Faith didn’t. Noah never liked lying, even when it was necessary. The girls would probably be disappointed when they found out, which he regretted.
But this bantering with Danica and his friends didn’t feel forced. If anything, it was far too easy. Like she really belonged here in his life.
Danica lifted her chin, nodding at the stairs. “There’s a whole wall of photos devoted to Noah on the second floor, in typical only-child fashion. Want to see?”
He groaned. “Dani, can you not…”
“But I’m supposed to be having fun, aren’t I? I’ve had such a stressful day.” Her eyes were round and innocent.
The three women dashed off toward the staircase. Devon went to follow them. “I gotta see this shrine to you,” he said.
“Yeah, and next time I see your mom and sister, I’m asking for your baby pictures,” Noah warned.
Devon held out his arms, walking backward. “You want a war, Vandermeer? Bring it. Ranger versus SEAL.”
All their teammates milling around in the near vicinity hollered at this challenge.
Noah chuckled as Devon ran after the women.
They’d already planned this out. Devon would take point on Danica’s protection so Noah and Tanner could meet with a potential source.
And just as Noah had predicted, Rosie trailed Danica and the others upstairs.
“Is Chase here?” Noah asked Tanner, leaning over and keeping his voice down.
“Yep. Devon brought him like you asked. He’s in the backyard, waiting to talk to you. ’Cause you insisted on being all mysterious about it.”
“A lot’s happened today, way more than I could explain on the phone. Let’s grab some beers to pretend to drink, and we’ll go have a chat.”
Officer Chase Collins of the West Oaks PD stood in the backyard sipping an IPA, a hand tucked casually into the pocket of his board shorts.
Noah and Tanner strode across the grass toward him. The air smelled of cooking meat, and the sun beat down on them from the aqua blue sky.
Noah held out his hand. “Chase, good to see you.”
Chase was one of Devon’s closest friends, and the other bodyguards had gotten to know him. Like Devon, Chase was in his twenties. He’d helped Devon save Aurora’s life a while back, and Noah knew he could trust Chase just as much as his teammates.
“So what’s this really about?” Chase took a small sip of his beer, which Noah noticed was almost entirely full. “The message Dev passed on from you was very cloak and dagger. This is way more excitement than I usually get lately when I’m off duty.”
“We have to be discreet. The client is well known, and we think someone close to her could be leaking information.”
Chase nodded. “I think I can guess who you’re talking about. A certain neighbor of yours? Who’s almost been kidnapped twice now? Everyone at the station has been going on about it.”
“That’s exactly why we want to talk to you. How well do you know Detective Angela Murphy?”
“She’s new. She’s got a good reputation with patrol so far. Tough but effective.”
Noah told Chase about their conversation with the detective that morning, catching up Tanner at the same time.
Given Danica’s profile and the danger involved, Bennett Security had cleared the decks as much as possible for this assignment.
Tanner was going to be handling all logistics of this operation from the outside, since Noah would be occupied as Danica’s personal bodyguard.
Tanner would also be taking Danica’s laptop and phone to their computer experts for analysis.
But Tanner had been a SEAL with him, and they both knew that a mission was only as strong as the intelligence behind it.
“Detective Murphy sent us the surveillance footage we requested,” Noah said. “When we watched the video clips, it seemed like one had been altered.”
“Altered?”
“To make it harder to identify the suspect. He had a distinctive tattoo, but in the video, that frame is missing. I want to know exactly who had access to that video, and when this alteration might’ve happened.”
“Shit,” Tanner said. “That’s messed up.”
Chase was tapping his beer bottle against his lips. “Yeah, I can definitely look into it. Without anyone else realizing, obviously. But if it’s really somebody in West Oaks PD…”
“Yeah, it’s bad.”
“I haven’t worked with Detective Murphy much. But I can find out more about her, too.”
“Sounds good. Thanks, Chase.”
Tanner scratched at his beard. “What about this tattoo? What’s it look like?”
“A two-headed eagle, mostly black, the size of a hand. Front of the guy’s neck. Heard of anything like that?”
Tanner had tattoo sleeves on his arms, plus more ink on his chest and back. “I’ve heard of things that’re similar. I could ask my artist in LA. But I’m wondering if it could have a gang connection. You should send the description to Sean Holt.”
“Who’s he?” Chase asked.
“LAPD Gang and Narcotics Division,” Noah supplied. “Former jarhead, like you.” Though Sean was older than Chase, and Noah couldn’t imagine they’d crossed paths in the Marines.
Chase nodded. “Then he must be a stand-up guy.”
“I’ll see what Sean makes of it,” Noah said.
“Whoever’s doing this, they have the resources to hire thugs for the kidnapping and pay people—maybe in the police department—to help them not get caught.
They aren’t messing around, and if they find out the client hired us? I’m not sure what they’ll do.”
Chase patted his arm. “I get it. I’ll be careful.”
They heard laughter over on the patio. Danica, Faith and Aurora had just come outside. Devon and another of their teammates were serving up burgers, both beef and veggie.
For a moment, Noah’s breath stopped, watching her. The easy way she smiled. The way she already seemed at home here.
Faith waved at them, beckoning them over.
“Looks like the chow’s on,” Tanner said. He started to cross the lawn.
Noah went to follow, but then Chase spoke up. “Hey, Noah. One more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“I hope this isn’t overstepping, but I consider you a friend.” Chase looked down at his nearly full beer. “How well do you know…the client?”
“We used to be close a long time ago.” Noah didn’t see any point in denying it. “My cover is that we’re hot and heavy after reuniting.”
“But she’s not staying permanently in West Oaks, right?”
“No. She’s not.” Danica would stay put until she was out of danger. In the long term, though? Home was back in New York.
Chase nodded. “I have some advice. If you’re willing to hear it? From a fellow lovesick fool?”
Noah laughed. “Shit. It’s that obvious?”
“Don’t fall for a woman who’s not in the right place to love you back. It sucks.”
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”
Chase pushed out a half-hearted laugh. “I wish I wasn’t.”
“I appreciate the wise words. I’ll do my best to listen.” Noah flashed his most disarming grin. “Let’s get something to eat.”
But as they walked across the grass, Noah’s heart was drumming out a beat with every step. Danica. Anticipating the time they’d be spending together. The way he’d get to touch her, pretending they were more than they’d ever be.
Fuck. Chase was right. He was in so much trouble.