Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
H unt stayed sprawled on the couch, lazily stroking Savannah’s back.
She pressed into him, her breath puffing against his neck.
He’d gotten up to deal with the condom, but settled back on the couch with her on top of him. He’d be happy to stay right here for hours.
“Hell of a welcome home,” he said.
She laughed. “It wasn’t bad.” She kissed his neck. “Do you want me to cook tonight, or will we order something in?”
“Actually, we’re going out.”
She lifted her head. “Where?” A groove appeared in her brow.
“To a party.”
“Hunter, correct me if I’m wrong, but I have a killer stalker after me, and by extension, so do you. That’s why we’re here, in this very luxurious safe house.”
He kissed her nose. “Don’t worry. It’s a little party at Easton Norcross’ place. The man has brilliant security, plus pretty much all of Norcross Security will be there, as well as Hawke and my brothers. Added to that, a Norcross vehicle will escort us over there.”
“Are you sure it’s safe?”
He squeezed her hip. “I promise. Now, shower and dress in something party-ish.”
“When are we due?”
“In thirty minutes.”
She squeaked and leaped off him. “Only a man would tell a woman she has thirty minutes to get ready. Especially a woman with curls.”
“Actually, it’s less than that, since we have to drive there.”
She threw up her arms.
With a chuckle, Hunt rose and caught her for a quick kiss. “Relax, if we’re a little late, it’ll be fine.”
She sprinted, beautifully naked, up the stairs.
By the time he headed up, she was getting out of the shower. He showered and dressed in gray pants and a button-down, black shirt. He took a second to admire Savannah in her white, lacy underwear as she leaned close to the mirror, doing her makeup.
He eyed her ass.
“Don’t even think about touching me, Morgan. We’ll be late enough as it is.”
He met her gaze in the mirror. “Later.”
Her lips parted. “Later.”
As he waited for her downstairs, he checked in with Brynn and Ace. There had been no sign of Walkson.
Hunt sighed and looked out the window. The sun was setting, and lights were flickering on across San Francisco.
Where are you? You can’t hide forever, you monster. I will hunt you down .
He heard the click of heels. He turned and almost swallowed his tongue.
Savannah was making her way down the spiral staircase.
She wore a long, flowing dress. It was white, with brilliant splotches of color on it in vibrant red and deep green.
It almost looked like someone had tossed paint on it.
It looked summery and fresh. The neckline plunged low, almost to her navel, and the skirt had a slit up one thigh.
He watched her slim leg appear as she walked. She had sexy black heels on that had a strap around her ankle.
He wanted to fuck her in them later.
Her blonde curls were loose, falling over one shoulder. He couldn’t tell what she’d done to her face, but she looked dewy. She wore no jewelry, which just added to her fresh, sexy allure.
“Hunter?”
“We could stay in.”
She shook her head. “No way. I just rushed to get ready. We’re going.” She tossed her head back. “Besides, I’m not letting Walkson rule my life anymore.”
“Damn right.” Hunt held out his arm.
She slid hers through his.
“You look beautiful,” he told her.
“And you look hot.”
They headed down to the garage and Rhys met them. The investigator whistled.
“Savannah, if I wasn’t totally in love with Haven…”
Hunt glared at the man.
Rhys’ smile widened and he winked at her. “I’ll follow you in the X6.”
Hunt led Savannah over to a low-slung, red, sports car. Her mouth dropped open.
“A Ferrari? Are you on the take, Detective?”
He snorted and opened the door. “The Roma is from Vander’s collection. He said we shouldn’t drive my Charger.”
“This is his idea of inconspicuous?” She slid inside and stroked the leather seat.
“I don’t think Walkson will be looking for us in a Ferrari.” Hunt circled to the driver’s side and gave Rhys a salute. The other man slid behind the wheel of a X6.
Hunt started the Ferrari, listening to the throaty purr of the engine. Okay, he could get used to this.
They headed out, the X6 behind them.
“So where does Easton live?” she asked.
“Broadway Street in Pacific Heights. It’s known as Billionaire’s Row.”
When he turned onto Broadway, they passed some impressive houses before reaching Easton’s. The four-story, cream-stucco mansion sat on a spacious corner block.
“Holy moly,” Savannah murmured.
They drove into the underground garage and parked between Easton’s Aston Martin DBS and Saxon’s Bentley Continental.
A security guard nodded at them. “Detective. Ms. Cole. You’re to head straight up.”
“Thank you,” Hunt said.
They took an elevator up and soon stepped out into a circular landing area with an ornate staircase in the center. Through a large doorway was the murmur of conversation punctuated by laughter.
Savannah looked around, staring up at the ornate chandelier. “This place…”
“Easton’s a great guy. His fiancée, Harlow, is lovely, as well.”
Savannah nodded, but didn’t look convinced.
They entered the open plan kitchen and living area.
The kitchen had a large, stone island, and top-of-the-line appliances.
The living area had built-in shelves around a huge TV, fronted by an elegant gray couch.
A wall of sliding doors opened onto a grassed area walled in by a tall, green hedge for privacy.
“Hunt!” A bombshell blonde raced over and hugged him.
“Hi, Harlow.”
“And this must be Savannah.” Harlow smiled and shook Savannah’s hand.
“Um, hi,” Savannah said.
“I’m Harlow. It’s so great to meet you. I’m already itching to get you to paint Easton for me. Haven said your artwork is incredible . Do you do commissions?”
“I…haven’t, but I could.”
“As long as he has clothes on,” Hunt murmured.
A man joined them. “Hello, Savannah, I’m Easton.”
Easton looked like a slightly older, less hard version of Vander. His Italian-American heritage was obvious in his rugged face and black hair. He looked every inch the successful, billionaire businessman.
“I can sketch him.” Savannah said, looking a little dazzled.
Harlow beamed. “Great. Come and meet everyone else.” Harlow dragged Savannah off. She sent Hunt a slightly helpless look, but was smiling.
It would be good for her to be around decent people, to relax. After holding herself apart, and running, she deserved it.
“Beer or bourbon?” Easton asked.
“Beer’s fine. Thanks for the penthouse.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Easton said. “Savannah’s beautiful.”
“She is. Now, I just have to keep her safe.”
In the kitchen, Easton handed him a bottle of beer. Across the room, near the open sliding doors to the large terrace, Killian and Vander were talking with Ryder and Cam.
“I think you’re the man for the job.” Easton held out his glass.
Hunt clinked it. He sure as hell hoped so.
* * *
“And then, Hugo lured me right out of there.” Harlow sipped her champagne. “There was a chase, a boat, a helicopter.”
“That was me flying,” a very pregnant Maggie Lopez-soon-to-be-Oliveira said from the couch. Savannah had learned the leggy brunette was the helicopter pilot for Norcross Security, when she wasn’t busy running her helicopter and drone business. The woman rubbed a hand over her large belly.
“The Norcross men and Easton all charged after me and saved the day.” Harlow smiled. “And Easton told me that he loved me.”
The look on the woman’s face made Savannah itch for her sketchbook.
“I think my drama and the climax at the gala were even more dramatic,” Princess Sofie said in her soft, European accent.
The woman was petite and elegant, with creamy skin, and strawberry-blonde hair in a classic French twist.
“Girl, I had a gun fight with the gun for hire.” Gia flung an arm out. Miraculously, she didn’t spill any of her champagne.
“Yes, yes, you were stuck in the middle of dangerous situations,” Brynn said from her end of the couch, looking gorgeous in a little, black dress.
Savannah shook her head. “I won’t lie, hearing all your stories, it makes me feel a little better about what’s been happening to me.”
Haven patted her shoulder.
Gia eyed Brynn. “You were in a dangerous situation, too.”
Brynn sipped her beer. “Yes, but I was undercover. I’m a detective, and I had it under control.”
Gia snorted. “Oh, so when my brother rescued you from a dangerous biker gang, and you guys went on the run, it was all under control?”
Brynn sniffed. “Yes.”
The women all laughed.
“And when he swam across San Francisco Bay to infiltrate a ship to rescue you—”
“Hey, I’d already rescued myself.” Brynn got a faraway look. “But that man is sure hot in a wet suit, or a business suit, or in jeans, and when he’s naked.”
Gia held up a hand. “No. No talking about my brother naked.” She pointed at Haven and Harlow as well. “Any of them.”
Savannah laughed. This was nice. She really liked Hunt’s friends. It made her miss Saskia even more. Her bestie was a brilliant ballet dancer with a snappy wit.
“Now—” Gia’s direct, brown gaze arrowed in on Savannah, and she fought the urge to duck behind Sofie. “I wouldn’t mind hearing about Hunt naked. He’s not a blood relative.”
More feminine laughter.
“Well…” Savannah hedged.
“I’ve seen him naked,” Brynn said. “And Ryder and Camden. It was a family holiday. I think Hunt was about twelve, and the boys snuck off to go skinny dipping in the river with my brother, Bard. It was a very enlightening experience for a young girl.”
“Well, he’s not twelve now.” Savannah’s gaze moved across the room to where the men gathered on the terrace. “Holy hell, they are a handsome lot.”
“Tell me about it,” Maggie murmured. “In their suits, or in ballistic vests, about to rappel out of my helo. They are all-too-delectable.”
The women all looked at the men and nodded.
“And that Killian is something.” Harlow fanned her face. “There’s just something about a dangerous man in a suit.”
“Here’s to our hot guys.” Gia held up her champagne flute. “Not just the abs and tight asses—” more laughter “—but their tough, overprotective goodness.”
They all clinked their glasses.
“Hunt looks at Savannah like he’s starving,” Haven said. “It’s making me feel warm.”
Savannah flushed. “Um, it’s new.”
“I’ve never seen him look at any woman that way,” Brynn added.
Savannah glanced over at him. He was talking with Saxon and Vander. “I’m terrified he’ll get hurt.”
“Savannah—” Haven gripped her arm.
“My stalker shot at him. Walkson won’t stop. He wants to destroy my life, and he’ll go after anything I love or care about.”
She saw understanding in Brynn’s eyes. “So, you can’t let yourself love.”
Savannah shook her head. “Hunt is such a good man. A good brother, a good friend, an excellent cop. I…I won’t be the reason he gets hurt, or worse.”
The women shifted closer.
“Hunt is a very good cop,” Gia said.
“There is no way that asshole Walkson can get the better of him,” Brynn said.
“But Hunt plays fair and has to follow the rules,” Savannah said. “Walkson doesn’t.”
Brynn grabbed Savannah’s hand. “Listen to me. Hunt was Delta Force. That’s badass. He’s had training that Walkson can’t even comprehend. And Hunt hasn’t gone soft. He’s a dedicated detective, and he keeps fit and is at the firing range weekly. He really can take care of himself.”
Savannah nodded and licked her lips. “When he got shot—” God, her stomach turned in on itself “—it was the worst moment of my life.”
“Even worse than when you were attacked by your stalker?” Harlow asked quietly.
“Yes.”
From the couch, Maggie made a sound. “Savannah, I hate to tell you this, but you’re already in love with Hunt.”
Panic hit. It tasted hot and sticky and sharp in her throat. “ No .” She shook her head.
“Let her live in denial for a little longer.” Gia patted Savannah’s forearm.
“One other thing,” Brynn said. “Hunt’s not alone, Savannah.” The woman nodded her head at the men. “He has his brothers and friends with him. They have his back. And each of them is a bona fide badass.”
“But of course, Vander is the king of the badasses.” Haven gave a little shiver. “He still kind of scares me a little.”
Brynn eyed her man and smiled. “Yep.”
Savannah let out a breath. “God, they are all so hot.”
“I know,” Harlow sighed. “I have to scare a couple of gold diggers off Easton a few times a week.” She smiled. “It’s a cross to bear for being the fiancée of a handsome billionaire.”
“Yeah, you’ve got it rough.” Maggie grinned as she sipped her alcohol-free cocktail.
Suddenly, Brynn’s phone chimed. She pulled it out and frowned.
Across the room, Savannah saw Hunt do the same thing. Her gut knotted. “What is it?”
“A murder,” Brynn said.
Hunt strode over and Savannah’s belly did a sickening turn. “It’s Walkson.”
Hunt took her hand and pulled her out of the living area. They crossed the central landing and entered a more formal living room.
It was a cooler, more elegant space, with large windows that framed the Bay.
“Tell me,” she whispered.
He cupped her cheeks. “There was a break-in at the De Winter. It’s a small art museum.”
“God.”
“There’s been a murder. A young, blonde woman, no ID yet.”
Savannah jerked and Hunt pulled her close.
“Another death,” she whispered.
“Which is on whoever killed her. We don’t know that it’s Walkson, yet.”
But they both knew it was. She grabbed the lapels of Hunt’s shirt. “This could be bait, to lure you out so he can get to you.”
“I know. I’ll take precautions, but I have to go.”
She nodded reluctantly.
“Stay here,” he said. “I’ll come and get you after.”
After he’d seen to a dead woman who needed justice.
Hunt kissed her. Vander and Brynn appeared in the door.
“Cam and I are coming, too,” Vander said. “And Ace will put up a surveillance drone. This asshole won’t take you by surprise again.”
Brynn was right, they all had Hunt’s back.
But that didn’t stop Savannah’s fear. She knew in her heart what Walkson was capable of.
“Stay safe.” She gave Hunt another kiss, and then he and the others were gone. She turned and stared at the city lights. They blurred.
She felt so alone.
Then, the voices of the women sounded in the doorway. A moment later, they piled into the room.
Haven grabbed one of Savannah’s hands and Harlow the other. Gia lifted her chin. “We’re going to have another drink.” Her firm tone dared anyone to argue.
Warmth cut through the ice in Savannah’s chest.
Surrounded by support, she let them pull her out of the room.