Chapter 12
12
N atalya woke with a fright. With her heart pounding in her chest as she gasped for breath, she immediately rolled over to check the nanny cam monitor, wanting to ensure that Mateo was safely sleeping in his bed. Once she saw him lying there, sleeping peacefully, her panic dissipated.
“Lovely?” Aedan questioned, sitting up. “Did you have a nightmare?”
She nodded, still feeling out of sorts. “I thought I was over them.” Aedan’s presence in her bed the last week had seemed to keep them at bay.
He rubbed her back soothingly. “These things take time.”
“I’m tired of hearing that,” she yelled. Then she shook her head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“Shh, no need to apologize.”
“I just wish I could get over this fear. Stop wondering if someone is going to take him from me again.”
“Do you want to talk about the dream?” he asked.
Not really. But she’d learned that she had to talk things out, or she’d go insane. “It’s weird. The dream has changed over the last few months. When they first started it, my dream used to be close to the incident, that I was walking along the street when two masked men suddenly jumped out of a van and grabbed Mateo from my arms. He was screaming for me, crying. Only, I couldn’t move. I was stuck. Frozen.”
“And now?”
“Now, we’re in the park, and someone is watching us. I can feel their eyes on me, but I can’t seem to find them. All of a sudden, just as I find them, they disappear, and I wake up. Silly, huh?”
“No, not silly at all.”
Of course, he would say that. Sometimes she felt like she was a few steps away from the crazy house.
“You go back to sleep.” She brushed his chin with her lips. “I’m going to get up for a while, maybe watch some television. I don’t think I’ll go back to sleep for a while.”
“Well, I have an idea about how to get you to relax.” He turned and pulled her vibrator out of the bedside drawer. Natalya blushed bright red.
“No.”
“Oh yes,” he drawled.
“Isn’t it enough that you keep sticking things in my asshole?”
He chuckled. “A plug, baby, not things. I promise you’ll enjoy this.”
Oh yeah, she had no doubts about that.
“Just lie back and close your eyes. Let me play.”
Natalya lay back, her cheeks still burning. Aedan brushed the vibrating tip against her clit, making her jump with a cry as riveting need wormed its way through her body. He cupped her breast with one hand, squeezing.
“You feel so right in my hands,” he told her. “Your skin is as smooth as silk. I love the way your breath hitches when you’re aroused.”
He ran the tip of the vibrator up and down her slit. Unbidden, she spread her legs.
“That’s it, Lovely. Just relax. Let me take care of you.” Leaning on one elbow, he licked her nipple as he slowly pushed the vibrator inside her. Then he placed the vibrating tip against her clit and she cried out, arching up.
“That’s it. Give into the pleasure.”
He grazed her nipple with his thumb, then pinched it sharply.
“I need you.” A savage hurricane of decadent need assaulted her, whipping her into a frenzy of desire. It started in her fingertips and raced through her body, gathering speed and momentum until she exploded with a scream.
Aedan pulled the vibrator from her greedy pussy. “More,” she demanded sleepily, yawning.
“Time for sleep.”
“But what about you?” she queried.
“Don’t worry about me,” he told her firmly. “Just sleep, Lovely.”
“So this woman is living with Rogan?” Natalya asked as Aedan drove them to Rogan’s house. In the backseat, Mateo made car noises as he turned his toy steering wheel, pretending to drive.
“Watch out!” Aedan cried out as someone nearly cut him off.
“Out the way!” Mateo said, shaking his fist.
She grinned. “He loves that toy.”
Aedan took a peek at Mateo in the rearview mirror. “Might have a race car driver in the making.”
“I hope not. Driving with you is terrifying enough,” she teased. “So, this woman, Miller, do you know her?”
“I’ve only met her briefly, and she wasn’t well at the time.”
“Cillian told me the story.”
“Did he?” Aedan asked.
Cillian still brought his son over for playdates with Mateo. Even though Mateo was a bit younger, both boys got on really well together. She was worried about how little time Mateo spent with other kids.
“Yeah, he told me how this Miller got mixed up with a gang while trying to figure out who murdered her mother. The gang got her hooked on that new drug, Fizz, and Rogan’s been paying for her rehab. What I don’t understand is why.”
“Miller’s best friend is Dylan’s girlfriend, ahh, fiancée, Tilly. I keep forgetting they’re engaged now. Rogan and I grew up with Dylan.”
“I get that. But why would Rogan feel responsible for her? Do they have something going on? Is that why he’s moved her in with him?”
Aedan pulled up outside Rogan’s house and shut off the engine. “Truthfully, I don’t know exactly why he’s helping her. Rogan can be incredibly close-mouthed when he wants to be. Even if he does want her, he probably won’t do anything about it.”
“Why not?” Rogan needed someone in his life. Someone to look after him since he was always trying to care for everyone else.
“Rogan thinks that loving someone would put them in danger.”
Natalya shook her head and climbed out of the truck while Aedan helped Mateo down. He immediately raced up the stairs to where Colm stood in the doorway. The large Scot reached down and threw him up into the air.
“That’s crazy.”
Aedan took her hand and led her up the stairs. He shrugged. “I didn’t say I agreed. Just that’s what he thinks.”
Natalya followed Colm, Mateo, and Aedan out to the sunny backyard. There was a large swimming pool surrounded by thick plantings that gave it a luxurious, tropical feel.
“A swimming pool would be great in your backyard.” She wondered why he hadn’t already put one in.
“I’ve never spent enough time at home to care, but it’s a great idea. What about Mateo being around the water?” Aedan asked worriedly.
She loved how much she cared about Mateo.
“I could take him to swimming lessons. He’s getting better about taking baths.” It would be good for him to get out of the house and do different things. She had to admit that Aedan’s idea of getting them a bodyguard had been a good one. Caden was a little odd, but Declan assured her that he was one of the best. Even though she still felt uneasy at times, it helped a lot to know that Caden was close by.
Rogan stood as they approached. A fine-boned woman watched them curiously; her long dark hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. She wore an oversized light sweater and tiny denim shorts.
“Rogan!” Mateo called out, running up to him. “I drove here!”
Rogan crouched with a smile that warmed his stony face. “Did you?”
“Uh-huh.” Mateo watched the woman curiously. “Hi.”
She stood. Wow, she was tiny. Thin and graceful. Natalya felt frumpy in comparison.
“Hi, I’m Miller.” She held out her hand and Mateo shook it solemnly.
“Rusty!” he yelled as he saw one of Rogan’s men. Then he was off.
Miller laughed. “Wow, he’s full of energy.”
“Keeps me on my toes.” Natalya smiled and held out her hand. “I’m Natalya.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Rogan and Aedan started chatting, and Natalya considered Miller. “Did you grow up in San Antonio?”
Miller shook her head. “No, I’ve only been here a short while.”
“Well, I hope you’re enjoying your stay,” Natalya tried again.
Miller shrugged.
Well, sheesh, she could meet her halfway and try to make some conversation.
“What do you say, Natalya?” Aedan asked.
“About what?” she asked, grateful for the interruption. The awkward silence was starting to get to her.
“Could you take Miller clothes shopping?” Rogan asked.
“Oh no, that’s not necessary.” Miller looked slightly panicked.
Rogan frowned. “You can’t wear the same clothes every day. Although I don’t like the two of you going out alone. I’ll send someone with you.”
Miller narrowed her gaze. “I don’t need a bodyguard.”
“Caden will accompany you both,” Aedan promised. “He’s the new bodyguard I hired.”
Rogan lifted his eyebrows. “You replaced Declan?”
“No, I hired Caden to protect Mateo and Natalya. Mateo can stay home with Declan while Caden looks after Natalya and Miller.”
“Perhaps Caden should stay home with Mateo, too.” Mateo’s safety was the top priority.
Aedan turned to her. “We’ve talked about how I’d feel better if you had someone watching you.”
“I thought Caden was just there to watch out for Mateo,” she said. And to ease her paranoia.
He shook his head. “I’m fairly well off, and I’ve made some enemies over the years. I’d breathe a lot easier if you took Caden with you. Besides, wouldn’t it be easier to have someone drive you?”
“Hallelujah.” Rogan threw his hands up into the air. “Finally, he talks some sense. Too bad you don’t listen to your own advice. I’ve been telling you for years to get a bodyguard.”
“I have Declan. He looks after my security.”
“How is he supposed to watch the house, you, and Mateo?” Rogan asked dryly.
“You know I only use him when I go out of town. It’s safe here,” Aedan insisted.
Rogan rolled his eyes. “So says the man who’s had three stalkers in the last two years.”
“Rogan’s right.” Natalya reached over and grabbed his hand. “I want you safe. We haven’t gone through everything we have for me to lose you now.”
Aedan watched her for a long moment, then nodded. It wasn’t a yes, but she knew he would consider it. She just wanted them all to be safe. If that meant having someone follow her around, then she could put up and shut up.
“So, this guy, Caden?” Rogan asked. “Is he good?”
“He’s a little . . . ” She searched for a word to accurately describe Caden.
“Paranoid? Out of his mind? Crazy?” Aedan offered.
“And you still hired him?” Rogan looked skeptical about that decision.
“He’s a little unusual,” Natalya admitted. “But capable. Declan wouldn’t have recommended him if he wasn’t.”
“So, would you both like to go shopping on Monday?” Aedan said.
“Sure,” Natalya replied. Sounded like so much fun.
“Okay,” Miller agreed with obvious reluctance.
Think positive. Maybe I’ll get strep throat and be quarantined.
“Food’s ready,” Colm called out from where he stood behind the grill.
Natalya dished up a small dish for Mateo before digging in herself. She watched as Rogan added some meat to Miller’s sparsely filled plate. The petite woman sent him a sharp glare and pushed the meat to one side, pointedly ignoring it.
Rogan sat back and stared at Miller for a long moment before Aedan asked him something. Miller studied her plate with a small smile.
Hmm, interesting. Maybe there was more going on than either of them would admit. After everything he’d done for her, Natalya felt quite protective of Rogan. Perhaps getting to know Miller better wouldn’t be a terrible thing.
“So, what sort of clothing are you looking for?” Natalya asked as Caden drove them downtown.
Miller gazed out the window. “Nothing.”
“Umm, okay.” Did this woman not like her, or was she just rude? Natalya couldn’t work it out. She couldn’t think of anything she’d done to offend her.
With a small sound of frustration, Miller turned to face her. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound abrupt or rude. It’s just . . . ”
“What?”
Miller flicked her gaze to Caden, then back to her, a light flush on her cheeks and a hint of shame in her gaze. “I don’t have any money,” she whispered.
“Oh.” Shit. Why hadn’t Rogan thought of this?
“Rogan gave me a credit card, but I can’t use it,” Miller explained.
“Yes, you can.”
Miller shook her head. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“I wouldn’t? Why?”
“Well, because you and Aedan are together. Rogan and I aren’t.”
“Ahh, so because we’re together, I should feel fine about spending Aedan’s money?” Natalya asked. She could see why the other woman would see it like that. “I suppose it’s easier because I know Aedan loves me and wants me to be happy. But it still feels uncomfortable. It still feels awkward. But I do it. Because I’m not ready to leave my son and go out to work. I’m not foolish enough to shoot myself in the foot for my pride. My son comes first.”
“I don’t have a child to take care of.”
“But you have your health.”
Miller studied her for a long moment. “You know.”
Natalya nodded.
“I won’t make a good friend.”
“Never said I was looking for one.”
They gazed at each other and smiled.
“Caden, change of plan.” She gave him the name of an outlet mall.
Her bodyguard growled. “I don’t like last-minute changes.”
Natalya rolled her eyes. “Suck it up. It will be fine.”
Two hours later, her feet aching, Natalya stepped out of the mall and looked around.
“I need caffeine,” she said, pointing over at a nearby café.
“No way,” Caden said, scowling. He was a huge man with short, dark hair and piercing green eyes.
“Me too,” Miller added. “Shopping is thirsty work.”
“So we’ll go home, and you can have a drink there,” Caden replied, trying to steer them toward the car while still keeping watch over their surroundings.
Natalya sent Miller a wink and grabbed her arm. “Come on, Caden. If you’re good, we’ll buy you a drink too.”
“I don’t need coffee,” he said with a scowl. But he followed them over to the café. “I don’t like this.”
“You don’t like doing anything,” Natalya pointed out to him as they entered the café. It was pretty empty, and they effortlessly grabbed a booth.
A young, bouncy waitress took their order for two blended coffees before nearly skipping away.
“Wow, was I ever that young?” Miller asked. “And full of energy.”
“I know I wasn’t. Sure you don’t want something?” she asked Caden, who was leaning against the wall next to the booth. He shook his head, his gaze constantly roaming.
“Takes his job seriously, doesn’t he?” Miller said quietly.
Natalya nodded. Their drinks arrived, and she took a sip of the sweet, creamy concoction.
“Now that’s a drink,” she said. “Way better than that shit whiskey the boys drink.”
Miller laughed. “Who needs expensive, aged whiskey when you can drink something that tastes like cotton candy?”
Natalya clicked her glass against Miller’s.
“So, have you got a thing for Rogan?” she blurted out.
Miller coughed, choking on her drink, and Natalya patted her on the back.
Oops.
“Wow, way to just lay it all out,” Miller told her.
Natalya shrugged. “Life’s too short to pussyfoot around. Do you like him?”
“I can’t like him.”
“Why is that?” Natalya asked curiously.
“Look, we’re not fifteen and giggling over dating the captain of the football team,” Miller said irritably. “Rogan and I aren’t suited. It’s complicated.”
“Jeez, isn’t everything? Why aren’t you suited? Because he’s the leader of the Cavan Gang?” Natalya saw Caden stiffen out of the corner of her eye, but he didn’t say anything.
“Partly, but also because I’m not in a good headspace for a relationship. Besides, who said Rogan is interested in me?”
“Oh, he is. You should see the way he watches you. It’s like he’s drowning, and you have the only life raft left. Look, I like Rogan a lot. Even though he doesn’t always stick to the right side of the law, he’s a good person. He deserves to be happy. I just wanted to warn you that if you hurt him, I’ll have to hurt you.”
Miller just stared at her. Great, had Natalya just ruined things between them? Maybe. But Miller needed to know where she stood on this.
“Well, I wouldn’t want that.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” Natalya replied with a firm nod. Then she looked at the other woman with some trepidation. “We good?”
Miller smiled. “Yeah, we’re good.”
“Okay then. Enough serious talk. Let’s order another drink. This one says it tastes like cookie dough. Yummy.”
She could swear she heard Caden groan.
Twenty minutes later, she stood. “I’ve got to go to the bathroom.”
“Actually, me too,” Miller seconded.
“All right. Let me check it first,” Caden said, stepping in front of them.
Natalya grabbed his arm. “No way, buddy.”
He frowned down at her. “I need to check that it’s secure.”
Disbelief swirled through her. Was he kidding? She took in his serious face. No. He was not kidding at all.
“You can’t just walk into the ladies’ room,” she protested.
“Why not?”
She gazed over at Miller helplessly.
“Seriously, Caden,” Miller said. “You can’t possibly expect that there’s someone in there waiting to pounce on us. The only thing scary in there is how bitchy women can get when you put them in a tightly enclosed space with mirrors. All they’re doing is peeing, putting on makeup, and checking out whether their ass looks big in their too-tight jeans.”
Caden regarded them both stubbornly.
Natalya folded her arms over her chest.
He grimaced. “Fine. But you go straight in and out. No talking to anyone, no doing your hair, or powdering your nose.”
“Powdering our nose?” Miller asked as they walked into the bathroom. “What century does he come from?”
“Lord only knows.”
“He is a hunk, paranoia notwithstanding. So is Declan. I’d love to be the meat in that man sandwich.”
Natalya stared at her incredulously and then burst into laughter as they entered the bathroom. After exiting the toilet stall, Natalya quickly washed her hands. The bathroom was surprisingly empty, which would please Caden. Then a blonde-haired woman entered and stood at the sink next to hers.
Natalya walked over to the hand dryer, wishing Miller would hurry up. The blonde had a malevolent look in her eyes that made her feel uneasy.
“I’ve been watching you,” the blonde told her.
“Uh, excuse me?” Did she have Natalya confused with someone else?
“You’re not good enough for him. You’re just a phase. My Aedan has better taste than that. Once he stops slumming it, he’ll realize what he wants is class.”
“Slumming it?” Seriously? Blondie wore a tight, sheer top that was so low-cut Natalya was shocked she couldn’t see her belly button. As well as a leather skirt that was so short, her butt cheeks poked out the bottom. And she thought she was classy?
Blondie moved forward and grasped hold of Natalya’s arm, surprisingly strong. “Do yourself a favor, take your little brat, and go back to pedaling your trade on the streets.”
“Did she really just call you a whore?” Miller strode out of the cubicle, glaring at the other woman. “Get your hand off my friend, bitch.”
“This has nothing to do with you,” the other woman said, digging her claws into Natalya.
Oh, hell no.
Natalya swung out with her other arm, pushing the blonde back, making her wobble on her stilettos.
“Careful, Natalya,” Miller said with a smirk. “She looks like the type who doesn’t wear underwear, and that short skirt isn’t covering much. The last thing I need is to be blinded by her muff.”
“How dare you! I wax!” The other woman had the nerve to look offended.
“Is she for real?” Natalya asked Miller.
Miller shook her head sadly. “She’s either stupid or delusional. Or probably both.”
With a screech, Blondie leaped on Natalya, catching her by surprise. Arms flaying, unable to balance herself, Natalya smacked the ground with a loud thump. Air left her lungs in a huge gush as pain slammed through her.
Blondie grasped Natalya’s throat, her hands tightening around her neck. Miller yelled out and tugged at the other woman’s shoulders. But Blondie was strong. Maybe it was a side effect of being bat-shit crazy?
Lungs burning, tears running out of her eyes, Natalya’s vision started to close in.
Oh no. This was not the way things ended. Some whacked-out boob-job was not going to kill her. Natalya brought her hands up and scratched at the other woman’s eyes.
Her pain-filled shriek made Natalya wince, but she wasn’t done yet. Silently thanking Aedan for the self-defense classes he’d forced her to take years ago, Natalya cupped her hands and brought them down on the other woman’s ears. Blondie’s grip loosened, and Natalya took a much-needed breath.
Suddenly, Blondie was pulled off her, and Natalya coughed, gasping for breath. Miller kneeled beside her. Placing an arm around her shoulders, she helped Natalya sit up. Miller rubbed her back as Natalya tried to calm her racing heartbeat.
Looking over, she saw Caden had the screeching blonde pinned to the wall, her arms held behind her back. He pulled a pair of handcuffs out of his back pocket and expertly cuffed her.
Turning, he covered Blondie’s mouth with his hand to muffle her screams.
“Fair warning, you bite me, and I will bite back,” he growled at her.
Another woman walked through the bathroom door, took one look at the four of them, then took a hasty retreat.
“Shit,” Caden said. “Cops will be here soon.”
“Good,” Natalya said hoarsely, lightly rubbing her neck with a shaking hand. “She tried to kill me.”
“This wouldn’t have happened if you’d have let me come in here with you,” Caden scolded.
“No one likes to hear I told you so,” Natalya told him.
“Besides, Natalya had it under control,” Miller said with admiration. “She nearly had that bitch beat.”
Natalya was grateful for the endorsement, even if she didn’t quite share Miller’s confidence.
“For someone that looks like they shit sunshine, you sure can fight dirty,” Miller told her. She gestured over to Blondie, who had thin rivets of blood running down her face from where Natalya had scratched her.
“Do you always carry handcuffs?” Miller asked Caden curiously. They all ignored Blondie as she started to cry.
“Of course,” Caden replied matter-of-factly.
“Man after my own heart.” Miller looked up at him admiringly.
“Shit sunshine? Really?” Natalya asked.
“Yeah, you know. You’re so sweet and quiet; I didn’t think you had it in you. Was this your first real fight? Cause if it was, you did really well.”
Sweet and quiet? Seriously? Natalya laughed, wincing as it hurt her throat. “I’m not as sweet as I look, and yes, I guess this was my first fight. Are you saying you regularly get into fights?”
“Not anymore,” Miller replied before turning to Caden again. “Do you think I can ask the whacko a question?”
Caden shook his head. “I’ll ask the questions.”
“Okay. Can you ask her who her trainer is? That bitch is strong.”
“You’re crazy,” Natalya told her.
Miller just grinned.