Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
H ollis woke and stared blindly at the unfamiliar bedroom. Sunshine was shining in through the thin curtains.
Everything rushed back in. They were in Upcountry. Assassins were hunting her.
But Sawyer was with her.
She turned her head and looked at him beside her. Her heart did a hard thump. He was still asleep. Propping her head up on her hand, she took her time looking at that rugged face. His big body made the bed feel tiny.
His eyes opened.
“Morning,” she murmured. “I like watching you sleep. In a very uncreepy way.”
He focused on her. “What time is it?”
She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “A little after six-thirty.”
“Really?” He sat up and swung his feet off the bed. He bent over, his elbows resting on his knees.
She stared at his back and frowned. “Sawyer?” She crawled across the bed. “What’s wr?—?”
Suddenly, he grabbed her and hauled her onto his lap. She gasped and grabbed his arms.
“I slept through the night.” His voice was a little hoarse. “I slept through the night, with no nightmares, and your body tucked up beside me.”
Her heartbeat echoed in her ears. “Yes.”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “Haven’t slept through the night for two years, Hollis.”
Emotions swelled inside her.
“You’re a fucking miracle,” he whispered.
“No.” She gripped the sides of his face. “We’re just good together.”
He smiled. “We are.”
“And now, I’m going to make us breakfast. Or try to, since we don’t have much food.”
His brow creased. “I’ll need to go into Kula and get supplies. Too dangerous to take you with me, but I don’t like leaving you alone.”
“It’ll be fine. Let’s worry about that after we eat and shower.”
“We showering together?”
She smiled. “Yes. One, it saves water. Two, I want to see you naked.” She slid off him and stood. “And three, I’m planning to suck your cock while we’re in there.”
His big body locked. Oh, it gave her a hit of pleasure to see him react like that.
“You onboard with my plan, Deputy Lane?” she asked saucily.
He gave her a long, hot look. “Yeah, Ms. Stanton, I am.”
After a quick breakfast, and a long, pleasurable shower, Hollis found herself in the compact living area, watching Sawyer getting ready to head into town. They’d wiped out most of the food they’d brought with them from Sawyer’s at breakfast.
“I won’t be gone long.”
“I’ll be fine.” She wasn’t sure if she was reassuring him or herself.
“You could come, but I don’t want anyone to see you.” He lifted his head, a serious look on his face. “You’d need to stay in the truck. There’s always a chance someone would spot you. They’ll be looking for a redhead?—”
“I’ll be fine here,” she repeated again.
“Don’t answer the door.”
“Yes, Dad.”
He hauled her close. “Believe me, I have no fatherly feelings toward you, especially after our shower.” He took her mouth in a quick kiss.
Just that small touch left her lightheaded.
“Here.” He held something out to her.
She stared at the handgun. “No.” She held up her hands. “I don’t like guns.”
“Take it, Hollis. Until I get back. Can you use it?”
She sighed and took it. “Yes. I had to train with handguns for a movie once.”
He nodded. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Okay.”
She watched him leave. She stayed in the doorway until the truck disappeared from view. Ugh . Stress immediately tightened her neck and shoulders. She decided she needed to do something.
Bake . She’d bake something. She hardly ever got the chance.
Opening the pantry, she studied the contents. Luckily, the cottage was equipped with all the basics like sugar, flour, and long-life milk. She got the ingredients out, set the oven to heat up, then started mixing. The kitchen wasn’t fancy, and the cabinetry and counters were old, but it was meticulously clean.
As she mixed, she turned to look at the view. She couldn’t decide if she preferred the rolling hills or the ocean. They were both stunning.
She glanced at the gun sitting on the countertop and shuddered. Setting the bowl down, she wiped her hands on a kitchen towel, then grabbed the gun. She crossed to a wooden cabinet and set the gun on top.
It made her feel better that it was out of sight.
Back in the kitchen, she opened some drawers looking for a baking tray. Ah hah. She pulled out a frypan to get to the tray. After greasing it, she put the cookies on the tray, and slid them into the oven.
Right, what next? Her gaze fell on the laptop at the dining table. Time to get back to work.
Hollis tucked her legs beneath her on the chair and got searching. She continued digging deeper into Reuben’s life. Instead of focusing on his recent history, she was looking into his earlier life. There was a short gap in his early schooling. He’d been born and raised in California, but there wasn’t any record of his first few years of school. It was weird.
Maybe he’d been homeschooled? She wasn’t sure, but something felt off. She’d keep looking into it.
The oven dinged. Rising, she pulled the cookies out and set them on the counter to cool.
She looked out the window, her gaze drawn to an orange-and-black butterfly fluttering around one of the bushes. Oh, she guessed it was a Kamehameha butterfly. The state insect of Hawaii.
More movement.
That’s when she caught a glimpse of a man disappearing into the bushes near the cottage.
Her blood ran cold.
No . Someone had found them.
She stood there frozen and got another glimpse of him. He was heading toward the house.
Hollis came to life and raced over to the front door and checked that it was locked. Then, she quickly moved down the short hall to the back door, and made sure that was locked, too.
Were those footfalls she could hear on the deck outside? Fear was hot in her veins as she raced back to the kitchen.
What to do? Should she hide?
As she was churning over her choices, she heard a noise.
In the hallway .
Oh, God . He was inside.
She dropped down behind the island. She peered around the edge and saw the man emerge from the hall.
Her heart leaped into her throat. How did he get in?
He was tall and solid, with black hair shaved very short. He’d probably be considered handsome, if not for the flat look in his eyes, the scar on his jaw, and the intense vibe he gave off.
This man was a killer.
God, the gun was across the room. She squeezed her eyes closed. It was too far away.
She stayed crouched in the kitchen, trying to stay calm. He hadn’t spotted her. Yet.
Her throat was tight, and her breathing fast. She needed a weapon. She’d hit the guy, then escape. She’d hide until Sawyer got back.
She dragged in a deep breath, pushing her fear down. She could do this.
Her gaze snagged on the handle of the frying pan that she’d left on the counter earlier. Slowly, she reached up and grabbed the handle. Carefully and slowly, she slid the pan toward her and off the counter. She clutched it to her chest. It was made of iron and very sturdy.
Her grip tightened on the handle. She didn’t hear the man, but she sensed him getting closer.
You can do this, Hollis.
She leaped up and rounded the counter. She swung the frying pan.
The man cursed and dodged. It hit his shoulder with a solid whack.
Hollis threw herself at him, trying to hit him again. He knocked the frying pan out of her hand. It hit the floor with a loud clatter. She stumbled into him and threw him off balance. He went down on the floor, and she leaped over him.
Get out . That was the only thought in her head.
A hand snapped out and gripped her ankle. She fell. She hit the floor hard, winding herself. Ow, ow, ow . She tried to kick him.
“Dammit, wait.” His voice was harsh.
She glanced at him, her gaze landing on the scars on his jaw and neck. And cold, dark eyes.
Fear pumped through her, and she tried to break free. She kicked and flailed like crazy.
He launched at her, and landed on top of her. She heaved her body up, and they rolled.
“Listen—”
Hell, no. She wasn’t listening to anything this man had to say. She’d fight and she’d survive.
God, she wanted Sawyer.
They rolled again and bumped into the coffee table.
Hollis reached up, slapping her hand on the surface of the table. Her fingers closed on the glass bowl resting on it. She yanked it off and threw it at him.
But the angle was awkward, and it barely brushed him.
He cursed, and she tried to get to her feet. He grabbed a handful of her shirt and yanked her down.
Dammit . Her heart was thundering, and she could barely think.
“Just hold still and?—”
“ No .” She rammed an elbow into his jaw. With a growl, he rolled on top of her and pinned her down.
No .
The door burst open.
Relief flooded her.
Sawyer came in—face set like stone—his gun aimed at her attacker.
As Sawyer headed up to the cottage, he tensed. He heard a struggle inside.
Hollis was fighting with someone.
He dropped the grocery bags and yanked his weapon from its holster. He raced up the steps and kicked the door in.
Instantly, he saw Hollis on the floor, pinned under a man’s strong body.
He lifted the gun and aimed it at the man’s head.
Then Sawyer froze, lowered the weapon, and smiled. “Park?”
“Sawyer.” The lean, dangerous man lifted his chin. He’d always had an edge, but now it had been honed sharp. His face was leaner, his gaze darker.
A man with demons.
“Wait?” Hollis said. “You know him?”
“I do.” Sawyer crossed the room and held out a hand. “Do you mind getting off my woman?”
Park slapped a hand into Sawyer’s, and Sawyer hauled him to his feet. Then Sawyer helped Hollis up off the floor, keeping her close.
“Damn good to see you,” Sawyer said.
Park’s lips lifted. “You too.”
Then they were hugging and slapping each other’s backs.
“I’m guessing this means he’s not one of the hitmen?” Hollis asked.
“No. Hollis Stanton, meet Parker Conroy. A buddy of mine.”
She blinked. “Um, hi.”
Park nodded.
“Vander sent him to help me keep you safe.”
“Oh, well—” she pulled a face “—sorry for swinging a frying pan at you.”
Sawyer raised his brows.
“What about the glass bowl?” Park nodded at the bowl upside down on the floor.
“That barely hit you,” she said. “I thought you were an assassin here to kill me.”
Park’s lips moved, and Sawyer knew that was the closest thing they’d get to a smile.
“I’d better rescue the groceries,” Sawyer said. “And fix the front door.”
“Bring the groceries in and I’ll make some lunch for all of us,” Hollis said.
Soon, Hollis was busy in the kitchen. After Park and Sawyer used tools from the truck to fix the door, they headed out on the deck. They both held mugs of coffee and freshly-made cookies.
“Hell, that’s a view.” Park looked at the sweep of hillside.
Sawyer sipped. “Vander bring you up to speed?”
“Yeah. He had a dossier for me to read on Reuben on the private jet over here. Sounds like a nasty piece of work.” Park bit into a cookie.
Sawyer nodded. “Not all the bad guys are warlords. Some are harder to spot.”
“I prefer the warlords.”
“But you got out. I never thought you would.” If there was ever a man born for the job of Ghost Ops, it was Parker Conroy.
Park looked at the view again. “I…just couldn’t anymore.” He rubbed the scars on his neck.
“You okay?”
“I healed up fine. The doctors put me back together. There was an explosion, and the recovery sucked.”
“I don’t just mean the physical recovery.”
The man’s fingers tightened on his coffee mug. “I’m fit for duty. I’ll help you protect her.”
“I don’t doubt that.” Sawyer paused. “I get it, Park. I was there not long ago.”
“I’ll be fine.” His tone was clipped.
Sawyer nodded. He’d leave it. For now.
“So, you hooked up with Hollywood’s hottest actress?”
“It’s—” Sawyer wanted to say more than a hook up, but was it? Hollis would eventually go back to LA and leave him behind. “She’s smart, beautiful… And I’m not letting her get hurt.”
Park sipped his coffee. “You’ve got my help, but man, you need to admit to yourself that you’re in love with her.”
Sawyer’s heart skipped a beat. “No. I’ve only known her a week.”
Park lifted a dark brow.
“What the hell do you know about love anyway?” Sawyer said.
“Not a thing, but I have eyes. I can see just fine.”
Sawyer shook his head. “That’s not what’s important right now. There are hitmen on this island who want her dead. That’s not going to happen.”
Park gave him the faintest smile. “Luckily, Hollis has two Ghost Ops soldiers at her back. And she has a pretty mean swing with a frying pan.”
If the hitmen tried again, they wouldn’t know what hit them.
“I’m glad you’re here, man.”
Park lifted his mug, chinking it against Sawyer’s. “Happy to be here.”