Chapter 2
AVERY
"Avery Huxley?"
The man on my doorstep says my name like it's an accusation. I'm familiar with that tone, the guy's either military or law enforcement.. I've had enough experience with both to recognize the tone.
The man is insanely hot. Over six foot, broad in the shoulders and narrow at the hips in a way that screams fit, dressed in a casual Henley and jeans with a leather jacket that's a little too much for the seventy-some degrees that passes for southern California's idea of winter. I suspect an underarm holster.
I nod, not sure why a plainclothes detective would be knocking on my door at seven thirty in the morning.
A chill runs through my body; memories that I've worked hard to make peace with burbling up from the past, causing me to jump to worst case scenario conclusions.
"What the hell are you doing opening the door?"
Instead of producing a badge and introducing himself as I expect, the man pushes his way past me, closing and locking the door behind him like he's being followed.
My heart rate kicks up, all the trust and safety I'd initially associated with him flying out the window.
"Never open the door to a stranger, you hear me? You keep all three of those locks engaged until you've confirmed who's standing on your doorstep...Jesus."
My fingers close around a heavy figurine on my bookcase.
I don't keep a gun in the apartment, but you can believe I've taken a good inventory of every item in here that I can use as a weapon in a case just like this one.
I've also taken some pretty intense self-defense courses; my brother wanted to make sure I could take care of myself after. .. after what happened to Tricia.
The guy who just barged his way in and locked the door behind him, runs a nervous hand through short, dark hair. He hasn't stepped into my space and he looks weirdly freaked out about the disregard for my own safety that he's lecturing me on.
I stare at him like he's a psychopath until he seems to realize I don't know who the fuck he is.
"You haven't talked to Cap yet?..." Something in his voice has me worried. "Shit... sorry. Detective Talbot-- Booker. Cap and I served together for a while... he called me this morning. I take it you haven't talked to him yet?"
I haven't even looked at my phone today. It's all part of this "no screens before noon" challenge I've been doing. And it wasn't hard to resist today, since I've had my mind on getting out the door without forgetting something.
I'm still not sure about this Booker guy. I've heard the name, he's my brother's best friend-- outside of the guys he works with-- but I've never met him. Until now, I guess.
My brother has some good looking colleagues; I've been low-key crushing on one of them for years, but this guy is next level.
With dark hair and hazel eyes that have me pinned in an intense gaze, Booker just stands there, blocking the door, his hands on his hips, feet set at shoulder width, waiting while I pick up my phone and check the notifications.
There are a ton. Way more than I usually get, and almost all of them from my brother. Worry seeps into my bones and I feel guilty for having the phone on silent. Obviously, something's up. I unlock the screen and start scrolling through the notifications.
"Ohmygosh." After just reading through the snippets of visible messages, the phone slips from my hand and drops on the carpet after the fifth one.
..about the time Caspian stopped texting simple "I need to talk to yous" and "Call me, dammits" and before the "R u OKs" started. I didn't even get to the voicemails.
"He escaped?" I turn to look back at the man blocking my doorway.
Booker's hyper-vigilant posture suddenly makes a lot more sense.
"Cap can't get away from whatever it is he's on right now. He sent me."
"But I'm going home for Christmas."
Booker
"Yeah, Cap mentioned that. We'll book a new flight."
"No, you don't understand."
Avery waves me out of her way, picking up half a dozen canvas shopping bags filled with wrapped presents, miscellaneous items, and enough snack foods to fuel a roadtri-- oh shit.
"You were going to drive?"
Those bags are obviously heavy, the straps are cutting into her arms, leaving angry red marks when I take them from her.
Avery nods, letting me take the bags so she can grab the handle of a large, rolling suitcase.
"I've been planning since October." She nods, confirming my guess.
Driving could work in our favor, actually. It keeps us moving and I like the idea of having a vehicle on hand.
"Okay, we'll take my truck. It's what? Sixteen hours straight through?" I check my watch, oh-eight hundred. "We'll get in around midnight-- contact your Airbnb and update your reservation to two."
Silence meets me and when I look up, I see her standing on the landing outside her apartment staring at me like I've been speaking a foreign language.
Avery Huxley isn't what I was expecting-- not really. Even though I've known all about her going into nursing and getting her degree, still, I wasn't expecting the full grown adult woman that's staring me down like I ate the last Oreo in the box.
Where her brother is dark and still built like the soldier he once was, Avery's hair is a warm, honey blonde that frames a heart-shaped face in soft layers.
Her eyes are a deep, sapphire blue, and her body is made of curves that make it impossible to think of her as the little kid that her brother obviously still sees her as.
If I'd met her in a club or on the beach, I'd be chasing her down to get her number. Nope. Can't go there.
"I'm staying with my parents, Booker. You can't go with me."
If the fact that she's Cap's sister wasn't enough to keep my dick in check, the horrified expression on her face sure is. Like the thought of having to share space with me is physically painful for her.
"You don't get it, Avery." I drop her bags and set my hands on my hips, crowding her against the door she just closed and locked so we can get on the road.
"I promised your brother I wouldn't let you out of my sight until this guy is back behind bars and you are out of danger. I don't break my promises."
Avery's back hits her apartment door and I step in close enough to brush the tips of her nipples while I growl in her ear.
"Either I stay with you, or I cuff you to my bed."
Her eyes go wide, her mouth opening in a perfect little O in shock, and I swear I try not to think about feeding my cock to those full pink lips, just as much as I do my best not to notice how her pupils dilate despite the bright morning sunlight, or the fact that I can feel her nipples harden where they brush my chest.
Maybe I'm not the only one who doesn't hate the idea of having her handcuffed to my headboard.
"My guest bedroom, Ave." I step away from her quickly, clarifying for the record as I pull my cuffs out and let them dangle off my fingers.
"You're Cap's little sister, for fuck's sake.
I'm not going there. But I will cuff you to the bed in the guest room, if that's what I have to do to keep you safe. "
"My parents aren't prudes, Booker, but they aren't going to let me share a room with a man I just met."
"Tell them we're engaged."
I pick up her things again and wait while she snaps out of her surprise and starts moving with me toward the stairs down to the parking lot.
"You're crazy." She laughs. "They know I'm not seeing anyone."
"Whirlwind romance, baby. We're soul mates. You can't live without me. Love at first sight. You wanted to surprise them with the news."
I steer her toward the guest parking and stop beside my truck.
She watches as the bags of presents and then her luggage all goes into in my back seat. Then I hold up the bag with the beef jerky, cookies, and potato chips in one hand for her to keep in the front seat with us... and the handcuffs in the other hand.
"Which one, cupcake?"
"Ohmygosh," she huffs under her breath, taking the snacks from me and stomping to the passenger side.
Damn. I was kinda liking the handcuffs plan.