Chapter 9
One of Ryker’s team had called him with the news of the shooting. He also heard it on the police scanner. At first, the police thought Davis had been hit, not realizing the bodyguard had taken the bullet. Knowing he had to get the senator to his home as quickly as possible, Ryker immediately dispatched a team to the scene. He was concerned for Vic and had left instructions for his people to bring her to Davis’s house as soon as she was allowed to leave the scene. Someone needed to look after her. She needed some help.
Ryker wanted to be on the scene, but his job was to keep Davis safe. He’d evacuated Davis from the building and broke several speeding laws as he raced to get him home. Ryker was on the phone the whole way, breaking yet more laws, calling in everyone on his team to report to the house for additional security. Davis had insisted that his assistant needed to come with him, and Ryker had accommodated the request, although Joyce had glared at the back of his head the entire drive as if he had been the shooter.
Now they were seated in Davis’s home office, and Ryker had set his team to patrolling the grounds.
“Joyce, make sure to send our condolences to Carl’s family. See if his wife needs anything,”Davis barked.
“He wasn’t married,”Joyce replied from her position across the room.
“Right. Speak to his parents then and arrange a time for me to meet with them. Make it before the press conference.”
Ryker gawked at Davis.“Press conference?”
Davis glared at him.“Yes, of course. I have to extend my condolences to Carl’s family and decry this horrible act of violence.”He paused, and drummed his fingers on his chin, as if in thought. Then, he said,“Floyd, can you get Wallingford and a few others to condemn this attack? You know the drill. Make sure they mention me by name.”
Floyd nodded as he left the room, his cell phone already glued to his ear.
Ryker bit his tongue for as long as he could, but the whole scene turned his stomach. He got politics, playing the game was a necessary evil, but this was over the top.“Perhaps you should check on your niece,”he suggested.
Davis glared over at him but immediately started speaking into his cell, his Texas accent sounding much deeper than it had moments ago.“Yes, yes, I’m fine. An old dog like me is hard to kill,”he said and followed it with a chuckle.“I am deeply disturbed about this.”His voice was now all serious.“I am devastated at the loss of that fine young man. I will be speakin’ with his family shortly. Wonderful people. Such a tragedy.”
Ryker moved to stand by the door, so he could miss most of the conversation which was turning his stomach. The shit being slung in that room made him long for a shovel to keep his head above it, and for a long, hot shower. How did the man not feel dirty when he acted under false pretenses? Ryker would get as many details as he could from his people.
The police arrived, one lead detective followed by a couple of FBI agents. Lazlo, Davis’s chief of security strolled in after them. They all wanted to talk to Ryker, and of course, Davis.
It was going to be a long night, no question. Joyce glared at him as he suggested she go to the kitchen to find someone to make coffee. Maybe it was condescending, but there was no one else to do it, no disrespect intended, and it wasn’t like he was telling her to make it. Just deliver the flipping request. She was the one who’d come over to the house from the office and wanted to be of service. Floyd had left already, and Lazlo was completely useless. And no way in heck was Davis going to do it. On a night like this, coffee was a necessity.
Ryker gave the agents and the cop a rundown on the security protocols he’d just gotten in place. He mentioned he just started yesterday and had no viable suspects at this time. He introduced them to Lazlo and instructed the security chief to turn over any death threats that Davis had received, along with any other pertinent information.
“Do you know what happened?”Ryker asked. He’d gotten a report from one of his team, but he wanted to hear their version.
One of the FBI agents, a tall man with dark hair named Ben Dunphy, said,“The shots appeared to come from a drive-by shooter. The hotel was located on a corner. The shooter was on the side street so when the driver opened the door for Senator Davis’s niece, they took the shot, clearly thinking Davis was getting out. Their timing was off and they hit the door. Freaking rookies. They did shoot the driver, which begs the question; were they really that bad or was the driver the target?”
Ryker’s stomach knotted. Or worse… Was Vic the target? He couldn’t fathom that. Who would want Vic dead?“Lazlo will help you with anything we’ve got here. We’ll keep you updated as well.”
The door opened and Rushton Fletcher guided Vic into the house. Her face was ghostly pale, her dark eyes huge and shocked. A tremor shook her hands and Ryker was pretty sure she was having a hard time keeping her legs under herself. His first instinct was to hug her which was weird because he was not a hugger, but she just looked so lost and alone.
“Gentlemen.”Ryker nodded to Lazlo,“he’ll take you to the security office out back and answer your questions.”The men glanced at Vic and then back at Ryker and nodded.“Keep us in the loop,”Dunphy said.
“Likewise,”Ryker responded. He watched them go out the door and then nodded to Rush,“Thanks.”
Rush returned the nod and disappeared deeper into the house.
“Senator Davis.”The edge in Ryker’s tone cut through the din in the room.
Davis glanced up at Ryker, who pointed at Vic. Davis glanced at Vic but continued talking on the phone. Ryker watched in disbelief. Vic came further into the room and Davis just turned his back, continuing his phone call.
Ryker wanted to snap his neck. That was no way to treat family.
“Yes, my niece is fine. Shaken up, but she’s made of the same stern stuff as her uncle.”He gave a self-deprecating chuckle.“As a matter of fact, she’s here now, helpin’ out.”
Looking completely lost, Vic stood silently in the middle of the room. Ryker knew she was waiting for Davis to give her directions but what she needed was comfort. He’d seen plenty of people after they’d been shot at or had just encountered their first firefight. Some people got all hyped up, raring to go. But most were stunned. No matter how much they were taught about how to prepare for it, the reality was always much different. And as soon as the adrenaline faded, the crash was as harmful as the act of being shot at had been. Vic had no training and had certainly never expected to be a target. For her, this was the stuff of nightmares.
He walked over to her and gently took her by the arm. She didn’t make a sound as he led her to the kitchen. He pulled out a stool for her at the breakfast bar and she sat down hard.
“Tea?”What he really wanted to give her was a stiff drink, but knowing Davis, he’d demand she work. The old goat would never let her live it down if she got drunk in front of him now.
She nodded but stayed silent.
He filled the kettle, then set it on the stove and ignited the flame. next, he searched through the cupboards until he found tea and a mug. He made her a cup and put it in front of her. She just stared at it, making no move to lift the mug for a sip.
“Vic, I need you to tell me what happened.”His voice was as gentle as he could make it. He didn’t want her to have to relive it yet again as he knew the cops and the FBI on the scene would have had her repeat everything a few times, but he needed to know and she needed to talk about the incident in order to process it.
She finally met his gaze.“It was all so fast. So surreal.”She shook her head and then wrapped both hands around her mug as if to soak up all the warmth it could give.“We pulled up to the curb, and C-Carl got out really fast. He came around to open my door before I had a chance to gather my purse. “I told him I would be happy to take a cab home and I had just stuck my leg out so I could stand up… the door exploded next to me. Bits of everything hit me in the face and I fell back into the SUV.”
There were a few scratches on her face. Nothing that required stitches. From the look of things, they must have cleaned her up at the scene.
“Carl froze… and then…and then there was a sharp crack, like a gunshot…and he just fell over.”She swallowed.“I—I think I screamed. The doormen from the hotel ran for cover.”
She tried to take a sip of her tea, but her hands were shaking so she put it down again.“Once I knew for sure the shooting had stopped, I got out of the SUV and checked on Carl but it was too late. He was… gone.”
“Okay. Did you see anything or anyone?”
She shook her head.“No, I was in the vehicle the whole time. I only saw the doormen running for cover.”
“I want you to close your eyes for a second.”
“Why?”
“Just try,”he coaxed.
She closed her eyes.
“Now, I want you to run through it in your mind. Tell me any impressions you have, any thoughts. What sounds did you hear? What did it smell like?”
Squeezing her eyes shut, Vic took a couple of deep breaths and clenched the mug.“I heard the traffic, someone laughing not far away.”The tightness around her eyes lessened.“The smell of flowers, Jasmine, I think. The shots. Screaming. A motorcycle roaring. Sirens.”She paused and then opened her eyes.“That’s it. I’m sorry. I’m not helpful at all. I-I—”Her voice caught. “I couldn’t help Carl. Maybe if I’d gotten out of the SUV sooner I could have done something, but I was just so shocked, so paralyzed. I couldn’t seem to get myself to move.
Ryker frowned.“Vic, you survived a horrible experience. You don’t have to be helpful. Carl was dead the second that bullet entered his body. Getting shot while trying to help would only make matters worse.”She needed to see the truth of it. He didn’t want her carrying around any guilt over Carl’s death. He reached out and lifted her chin with his knuckle.“The only person responsible for Carl dying was the person who pulled the trigger.”
She nodded slightly but he could tell the message wasn’t getting through just yet.
“Invicta?”Her uncle’s bellow reached them.
Ryker grimaced. She didn’t need his shit now. She needed a stiff shot of whiskey, a hot shower, and a warm bed. He had the sudden realization that he wanted to be in that warm bed with her. Not good.
She took a sip of her tea and then slid off the stool and headed back to the office. Ryker followed her into the room and Davis looked up from the desk at their appearance.“There you are. What did you tell the police? What did they say?”
“I—I told them what happened. They said they thought it was probably meant for you. They said someone would be in touch with you about it.”
“They just finished questioning me a few minutes ago. Along with the FBI.”
Davis looked beyond her to meet Ryker’s gaze. As much as Ryker hated it, he had a job to do.“We’re answering all their questions and Lazlo is supplying them with the file on any death threats, etc., that you’ve received. I’ve been in contact with them. I will continue to coordinate with both groups.”
The pleased smile on Davis’s face as he leaned back in his chair made the hair on Ryker’s arms stand at attention.
Davis all but crowed,“Glad the FBI has been called in. I’m sure they will find whoever did this quickly, but maybe not too quickly. I need to spin this for a bit, and get some traction. Ryker, I want to speak to the Special Agent In Charge of the FBI’s investigation.”He stopped.“Scratch that. Joyce, get me the Assistant Director of the FBI, Bruno Liotta. I met him at a function not too long ago. He’ll take my call.”
Davis’s phone rang and he immediately got on another call, forgetting all about Vic.
Ryker caught her gaze and tipped his head towards the foyer. She walked out of the office, and he was right behind her.“Do you want to go home?”
“Please.”
“Okay, I’ll have Rush take you.”
Her eyes darted all over the foyer and her breathing ticked up.
“Rush is the man who brought you here,”he quickly reminded her.
Vic bit her lip.“I know. C-could you take me?”
She was too freaked out to have someone else take her home.“Sure.”It wasn’t ideal. By rights, as Davis”s chief of security, he needed to stay with the senator, but Vic needed someone she knew at least slightly to be with her for a bit. If her uncle wasn’t such a vicious prick, it would be much better, but he was ultimately Ryker’s responsibility.“Give me a minute.”
He found Rush outside.“I’m going to drive Vic home. She’s still in shock.”
Rush cocked an eyebrow.“Shouldn’t you be here right now? I can take her home.”
“She started to panic when I suggested that. I’ll get her in and get her settled. I doubt Davis will even notice I’m gone. Could you follow me and keep an eye on her place all night? I don’t think she was the intended victim and whoever it was won’t strike again tonight but I want her to feel secure and I want to be prepared for anything.”
“You got it. No problem.”
“Thanks, brother. I owe you.”
Ryker went back inside and collected Vic. He took one of the SUVs his people brought, and Rush got in a black Suburban behind him. Vic was silent the entire drive to her place. Ryker escorted her upstairs to her apartment and unlocked the door for her. He went in and conducted a quick search. The place was empty. Vic came in and flopped down on the sofa, putting her head in her hands.
“Do you have any whiskey?”
“Cabinet under the sink.”
He went to the kitchen, searched around, and grabbed a tumbler. After pouring her a healthy dose, he made his way back to the living room.“Here. Take a sip.”
She did as she was told but as a small shudder rippled through her, she set the glass on her coffee table.“I’m not a big fan. I bought it for an ex-boyfriend.”
Boyfriend. Even the idea of an ex-boyfriend was an unsettling thought. He pushed it out of his head.“You’ve been through a traumatic event.”
“You think?”she snapped.
He cocked an eyebrow and waited.
“Shit. Sorry. I’m just…”
“Yeah, and you’re gonna be that way for a while. Everyone copes differently. You’ll figure it out. My best advice is to drink something that will help you sleep and face it in the morning.”
“I’m not sure I can sleep even with the alcohol. I’m too stressed.”She stood and started pacing the room.“Part of me is exhausted but part of me just can’t get the whole thing out of my head. It’s like a film on a loop.”
He picked up the drink and handed it to her again.“Look, I wish there was some other way to help but I’m not a psychologist and working through trauma can take months, if not years. Your best bet is to drink something and crash.”
She let out a loud sigh and tossed back the whiskey in one shot. She grimaced and shuddered, then placed the glass back on the table and resumed her pacing.
He was impressed despite himself. Not many people could throw back a hit like that and not cough.“Rush is going to stay outside and keep an eye on your building. If you prefer, I can station him in your hallway.”
“No outside is fine. I don’t want to freak my neighbors out.”
“Give me your phone,”he said.
She dug in her bag and handed it to him.
Ryker plugged in Rush’s cell and his own number.“Call Rush if you’re in immediate danger. Call me if you need anything. I should get back to your uncle.”
She snorted. Her pacing was getting slower as the whiskey was starting to take effect. She probably hadn’t had anything to eat and after everything she’d been through, it was going to hit hard and fast.“Do you want me to stay until you’re in bed?”
“No, I’m fine.”She yawned.
He grinned.“I’ll leave then. Lock the door behind me.”
She followed him to the door. He glanced at her and the squeeze of his heart made his breath falter. She looked so forlorn and sad. He hated leaving her all on her own.“Is there anyone I can call for you? Someone who could be here with you?”
She shook her head.“I’ll be okay.”Her gaze met his and he threw reason to the wind and pulled her into his arms. He held her tightly.“I’m so sorry this happened to you.”
“Me too,”she mumbled and pressed her face against his chest.
This was bad. Rescuing women was his weakness. After what happened with his ex-wife, he thought he was cured of this but somehow Vic amped up his protective instincts like they were on steroids.
He kissed the top of her head.“Rush is right outside if you get scared. I can have him come in and sleep on your couch if that will make you feel better.”
In truth, he wasn’t thrilled with that idea but he wasn’t going to poke around in his brain as to why. He’d thought he’d made himself cold. Icy when it came to women. Take what was offered but form no attachment had been his motto for the last few years. Somehow, he was struggling with keeping Vic at arm’s length.
In reality, Rush wasn’t much good outside, but Ryker didn’t think anyone was going to try anything tonight. He thought having Rush close by might make her feel better.
“I’m okay.”She met his gaze.
Her scent surrounded him as he noticed how well her curves fit against the hard planes of his body. He needed to drop his arms and go out the door. Business. Not pleasure. Just business. Yeah… no matter how much he told himself that, it wasn’t working. She suddenly lifted on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. He responded by opening his mouth and claiming hers. Their tongues met and he was done. He pulled her in closer. She wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.
His cell phone went off with a text message. It was the splash of cold water he needed. He let her go.“Call Rush if you need anything.”He opened the door and fled down the hallway to the elevator.“Sterling, you’re an idiot,”he mumbled as he stabbed the button for the ground floor. What had he been thinking? He wasn’t thinking. At least not with the right head.