Chapter 19
Someone knocked on the door. Storm froze. She was in the kitchen area of the suite, grabbing a bottled water from the small refrigerator. She was starving and trying to distract herself from thoughts of poison and murder. Without Harlan here, her fears reared up and her mind raced around every possibility.
Now someone knocked on her door. Harlan had said not to answer it. She should call him and tell him. That’s what he would want. The phone was in the bedroom on the table. If she waited, maybe whoever was at the door would go away.
Except the knocking persisted.
She ran to the bedroom and fired up her phone with shaking hands. Her fingers fumbled over several apps before she came on the phone icon and could grab the favorites list. Harlan had insisted it would be easiest if he was on the list so she wouldn’t have to search for him in her contacts. He was right because at the moment she couldn’t remember how to spell.
The phone rang. The knocking continued.
He picked up on the fourth ring. “What’s the matter?”
“There’s someone at the door.” She kept her voice low.
“I can’t hear you. What did you say?”
She swallowed against her dry throat. “There is someone knocking on the door. What do I do?”
“I’ll be right there. Don’t answer the door.”
“Please hurry.” She peered around the bedroom door. The knocking persisted.
“Lock the bedroom door like I told you. Don’t go outside. Promise me.”
“Promise.”
He ended the call.
She went back into the living area and stared at the door, too afraid to even look out the peephole. Harlan would be here soon. She could wait. Whoever it was would go away. They were causing a scene in the hallway. Someone would look out their door and see whoever it was. The hallway must have cameras in it. Harlan could get the footage. He would be able to do that.
But the pounding hurt her head. She needed it to stop. She couldn’t go on listening. And what if they didn’t go away? Hotel security could show up and let them in if they gave a good enough story, claimed she was unconscious. Security had the passkey. Or housekeeping. They had a way to get into everyone’s room. She wasn’t safe here.
If she faced this person, they might back down. Unless they had a gun. But would they cause such a commotion only to come in here and shoot her? That wouldn’t be a very good idea. They would have to be a pretty stupid killer.
“Storm,” the person on the other side of the door said.
She slumped against the wall. Relief made her legs give way. No one was trying to get her right now.
“I’m coming.” She opened the door to Robin. “Why are you banging so much?”
“Why didn’t you answer the door?”
“I was asleep. I haven’t had much rest lately. Harlan left me to get some food. I thought it would be a good idea to close my eyes for a minute. Come in.” She let Robin pass, then checked the hallway for anyone else. The elevator doors closed with a ding, but other than that, she didn’t see anyone.
“Storm, what are you doing with this man?” Robin turned on her with fire in her eyes.
“Who? Harlan? He’s my bodyguard.”
“I don’t like him.”
“Why? Do you want something to drink?” She went to the fridge.
“No. Thank you.” Robin dropped into the chair at the full-size dining table. “I get a bad vibe from him. What do you know about him? How did you even find a bodyguard in Hawaii, of all places?”
“My gut said he was good. That’s all I need right now. You don’t have to worry.”
“But I do. It’s not like you to be so impulsive. Especially with a man. He can’t be up to any good.”
“Why not?”
“Oh, no. You don’t believe that he likes you, do you? Did he tell you he liked you?” Robin pushed out of the chair and came to stand inches from her. Robin’s gaze bored into hers. Her nostrils flared.
Storm tried to take a step back but bumped into the kitchen counter. “I’ve got it under control. Harlan is fine.”
“Harlan is a musclehead idiot. I searched him on the internet. Did you do that before you allowed him to follow you around?”
“Well, no. There wasn’t time.” Normally, she would have done a thorough background check of anyone she hired to do work for her. These circumstances were different. She needed someone who wasn’t connected to her life.
“It’s a good thing you have me around. I don’t know how you would get through your day without me.” Robin laughed and shook her head as if she had said something funny.
Storm wasn’t finding anything funny about this conversation.
“What did you find about Harlan?”
“I was able to locate a couple of articles written about a few missions orchestrated by the Navy. Harlan’s name came up as a team leader for some very high up controversy. He was brought up on charges once.”
“What kind of charges?”
“Murder.”
“What? That’s impossible.” But was it? Harlan hadn’t answered her when she asked if he had killed anyone.
“It wasn’t murder, exactly. Someone died during a training exercise and Harlan was one of the commanding officers at the time. His name was included in the affidavit against the Navy.”
Her lungs released, and she could breathe again. “That’s not murder. Why would you say something like that?” She would have to ask him about it, somehow. She didn’t know anything about SEAL training, but she could guess it wasn’t easy and mind games would be involved, hazing even.
She truly didn’t know him. She only knew what he had shown her with his words, his hands, and his mouth.
She was usually a good judge of character. In fact, she prided herself on her ability to get a sense of someone from a first meeting. Her gut knew before her head, and she listened to that fluid feeling in her stomach when she met someone. From the first moment she laid eyes on Harlan, she had been drawn to him. She wanted to be near him and suck up the confident energy coming from him. That was why she made the offer to hire him on the spot. With every minute since, his energy had pulled her in like the tide.
“It could have been murder and you wouldn’t even know because you didn’t check. You could be allowing a murderer to be by your side this whole time.”
“Two separate people trying to kill me? That’s some coincidence, don’t you think?” Robin was overreacting to the whole thing, which was so unlike her.
“You’re being gullible. That’s all I’m trying to point out. I care about you. I don’t want this man to hurt you any more than you’ve been hurt.” Robin squeezed her arm but didn’t let go. Her nails dug into Storm’s skin.
“I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.” She slipped away from Robin’s grasp and rubbed at the spot where her hand was. She didn’t like what Robin was implying. And Robin’s dislike of Harlan made little sense. Robin had no basis to go on. She had been in Harlan’s company for minutes.
But neither had Storm concerning the opposite. She didn’t know Harlan at all and she had allowed him to make love to her. She had gone willingly and was more than happy to repeat the process again and again. But it had been the sense of ease around him from the first. Could he be that much of a con artist? Would he help evacuate people from an erupting volcano if he was only out for himself? He hadn’t stayed behind in the house. He wouldn’t leave until she had. He could have moved on to an easier target if he was looking to steal. No, she didn’t believe what Robin was saying about Harlan. She couldn’t. She liked him too much.
“Can you really take care of yourself? Your entire day is determined by what I set up for you. I keep your schedule. I make sure your meals are brought to you. You wouldn’t even eat, if it weren’t for me. If you didn’t live in the president’s house, you probably couldn’t pay your mortgage without a reminder. But let me remind you, I have to help you pick out your ball gowns and your jewelry because there is no man in your life. You might be a brilliant woman, but you have no idea how to be alone.”
Robin’s words slapped her across the face. Never had Robin indicated she was in any way upset with their relationship. Robin had been her confidant. They had sat on the couch in her office many nights, having kicked off their shoes, a glass of wine in their hand, and shared stories of men, career, and life. They spoke of regrets and missed opportunities. They giggled about Dennis’ comb-over and rejoiced in the success of their friends.
If she had known how Robin felt, that she was upset with her station at the college, she would have had her transferred to another department where she could feel more appreciated. Storm had foolishly thought they were friends.
Hadn’t Harlan pointed out to her that Robin might be a friend, but she also worked for Storm. One idea couldn’t exist with the other. Storm could only be one of those things, but not both, it seemed. So Harlan was terribly right.
“Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Heat burned her cheeks. She hadn’t meant to treat Robin as if she were a lady’s maid.
Robin blinked a few times, then pulled on the hem of her shirt. “I don’t know. I didn’t mean to say it now.”
“Well, you did. If you want to work in another department, you can let me know when we get back. I’ll be sure you’re put with a good department.”
“Is that all you get from this? You think I want to work for someone else? You haven’t listened to a thing I said.”
“That’s not true.”
“You’ve allowed Harlan to get close to you. To make you believe you’re safe with him. He wants to keep you from me. He’s going to get right in the middle of our friendship and break us apart. He isn’t going to help you find the person who tried to kill you. He doesn’t love you.”
“Who says I don’t?” Harlan stood before her. A serious look stained his handsome face.
Her heart clogged her windpipe. He was magnificent with those muscles stretching the fabric of his shirt and the gun resting on his thin hips. She knew the strength of his arms and the gentleness of his touch. Her skin tingled with the memory of his warm breath against her ear, coaxing her to a shattering orgasm. Could he love her so soon? Or was he a madman disguised as a protector?
“You’re here.” She stated the obvious, unable to help herself. He had her off-balance.
He arched a brow. “And looks like right on time.” He kept his gaze on hers as if Robin was no longer in the room. “You opened the door.”
“I thought I was safe.” But she hadn’t been. Not really. Not with Robin’s ugly words echoing in her head.
“I need to go,” Robin said.
“That might be a good idea.” Harlan stepped closer to Storm, giving Robin a clear path to the door.
“Heed my words, Storm. If you don’t, you’ll regret it.” Robin hurried out of the room.
“What was she talking about?” Harlan double-checked that the door had closed completely. He engaged the chain.
“It’s not important. Work stuff.” She wouldn’t tell him that Robin had searched for him on the internet or about the article she had found.
“Are you sure that was it?” He closed the space between them and laced his fingers through hers. His hand was warm against her cold skin.
She couldn’t hold his relentless gaze. It was as if he could see straight to her soul. “She made it sound as if I treated her like a servant at work and not my equal.”
“Is that how you treat her?” No malice coated his words or his face. He seemed curious, as if he were gathering information.
“I never thought so, but she was so angry in a way I hadn’t seen before. Why didn’t she tell me?”
“People don’t always say what’s on their mind.” He moved his hands to her low back and pulled her close.
“Do you?” Would she even know if he did or didn’t? He could hide what he was feeling and thinking from her and she would not see coming what she should be prepared for. The room was suddenly too warm even with the air conditioning blasting.
“I’ll always tell the truth, but I don’t do a good job of showing my emotions, if that’s what you’re getting at.”
“Because of the Navy?” She ran her fingers through the front of his hair.
“Because I’m a guy.” He winked.
A small laugh escaped her lips. He kissed her quickly, then pulled away. “I never had a chance to grab the food. Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving.”
“Okay. Let’s grab something nearby.”
“But I thought you said it was better to stay in.”
“It is. But I think you could use a break from this room and get some fresh air. I found a good bar on the water. It’s part of a marina. We should be able to keep some cover there.”
“Let me grab my purse.” She went into the bedroom and stole a glance in the mirror. Her eyes were hooded, and she had a few extra wrinkles around the corners that weren’t there before this trip. She needed a very long nap or another night in bed with Harlan to set her straight.
“Where were you when I called?” She slipped the strap over her shoulder.
Harlan waited by the door. “Finding that bar.”
She wasn’t sure if she should believe that. “That was all?”
“That was all. Hey, did you answer the door for Robin because it was her or for another reason?” He opened the door and checked the hallway before allowing her to follow him to the stairs.
“The stairs? We’re ten floors up.”
“Sorry, sweetheart. Stairs give us access to each floor if we need to change directions fast. And should the power go out, we won’t be stuck. Back to my question about Robin.”
She could hardly argue with his logic, but she did not want to walk down ten flights of stairs. Or back up when the time came. He held the stairway door open for her, giving her few choices. She entered the stairwell.
“Of course I opened the door because it was Robin.” The stairs smelled of cement and household cleaner. Her sandals clicked on the metal treads of the steps as they began their descent.
Harlan hustled below her. His legs pumped with little effort. He had to stop at each landing to wait for her. He was barely breathing heavy and her lungs screamed for her to slow down.
“I know you’re close to her, but for now, please don’t stay alone with her.”
“Harlan, that’s ridiculous. She isn’t the person who tried to poison me. She wasn’t even there.” She took the brief pause to catch her breath.
“She didn’t have to be there. For now, promise me you won’t be alone with anyone besides me.”
She stared into his dark eyes. She had placed her trust in this man. If she backed away now, because of the irking thoughts Robin put in her mind, she’d be alone and no closer to finding out who was after her. But if she stayed… would Harlan be standing there when this was all over?
Did she even want that?