Chapter 6
Kaidon
While I have been wanting to sell my father’s old house so that I can make a home of my own, I am grateful to have it right now.
It’s a good size for protecting Valencia.
I set her up in the second-floor guest room and take the couch downstairs, so that I am aware of every noise during the night.
I also added a second team member to patrol outside at all times.
Right now Miles is working the night shift and my client is holed away upstairs in her room.
I wish I understood how that piece-of-shit Topher knew Valencia would be on Martha’s Vineyard this past weekend.
He clearly has his paws into something and I need to figure out what.
Above my head, I hear the creaking of my client’s footsteps heading to her ensuite bathroom.
There’s something comforting about knowing exactly where she is.
And that she’s in my home is an extra bonus.
I can’t figure out why I am feeling so protective of this woman, never mind feeling insanely attracted to as well.
I must catch this psycho. And it better be soon.
Every moment we spend together is intensifying my feelings toward her.
Nevermind the strong electric warmth I experience every time we touch.
In the morning, I wake up to the early rays coming in through my window.
The upstairs is quiet, so Valencia must still be sleeping.
Checking my watch, I see that Herbie should be relieving Miles soon, so I stretch and step outside into the cool morning air.
I find both shifters walking up the path to the front door.
“What’s up?”
“Harlow Turner is in town.” Herbie replies.
“She is? Usually her people give us a heads up.”
“Yeah, well, when her people called, I could hear her in the background pissed that you weren’t available.”
Groaning, I roll my eyes. Harlow Turner can be a bit much, but that’s not exactly surprising given that she’s a huge Hollywood star.
And also one of Beastly Bulwark Bodyguards biggest clients.
There’s no way I am abandoning Valencia, but I do need to smooth it over with the actress before it gets out of hand.
“Alright, you two go ahead and make the switch. I am going to call in Alastor and have him take over for me for a couple of hours, so I can go speak with Ms. Turner. But I am not heading her detail this time. Valencia needs me.”
Both shifters arch their eyebrows at me, but don’t say anything besides, “You got it, boss.”
Valencia is up by the time Alastor arrives, so I update her on what is going on. She looks worried when I tell her about Harlow Turner, so I calm her nerves before I go.
“I promise I will be back and I am still 100% on this case. I won’t allow anything to happen to you, okay, Val?”
Surprise passes her dark brown eyes when I call her by her nickname, but she smiles and my entire body’s temperature rises several degrees.
“I know you won’t, Kaidon.”
Driving to Salt Meadow House, the nicest hotel in Sea Glass and where Harlow Turner always stays during her visits, I can’t shake off the nerves coursing through my body since leaving my home.
I hate not being with Valencia right now and the urge to do a u-turn to go right back and protect her is strong.
But I need to be responsible for my entire business, not just this woman I am drawn to.
I find Harlow brunching in the hotel’s restaurant.
“Kaidon, darling, what’s this about you being too busy for me?” She says, with a playful pout, when I walk up to her table.
“Ms. Turner, I’m sorry, but we didn’t have you on the books. I am already committed to a woman whose life I believe is in danger.”
The stunning Hollywood starlet arches her eyebrow at me and says, “Oh, really? Why are you blushing while telling me that?”
Absent-mindedly, my hand goes to my cheek. She continues needling me.
“If this case ends up being a good story, then I want first refusal on making it a movie and starring in it. Got it?”
Laughing, because I honestly don’t know if she is being serious, I nod.
“I have assigned Alastor Fairbairn to be your lead for this visit. I think you will like him, Ms. Turner. He’s a shifter. Oh, and also Scottish. The women seem to love his accent.”
Harlow Turner sits back in her seat, crossing her arms, but then gives me a large, bright white smile.
“I do love a strong, handsome man with a sexy accent. Alright, send him on over.”
I hear the shower shut off above my head and attempt to not picture Valencia stepping out, water dripping down her tan, curvy body. Five minutes later, she walks down the stairs in her pajamas, with her hair wrapped in a towel.
“I’m just grabbing some water. I think I will turn in now.” She says from the third step.
Jumping to my feet, I walk over to the refrigerator and grab a bottle of water. Handing it to her, our fingers brush each other and, once again, my entire body is covered in electric flames. Looking straight into her eyes, since she’s remained on the stairs, I see a heat behind them.
“Do you feel that as well?” My voice sounds hoarse.
“Yes,” she breathes out and the next thing I know, my client has wrapped her arms around my neck and we are kissing like there’s no tomorrow.
Suddenly, we hear a loud bang outside and Valencia jumps up a step in surprise.
“Go to your room and lock the door,” I instruct and she immediately listens, running up the stairs.
Stepping out onto my patio, I find Herbie lying on the ground.
Rushing over to him, I check his pulse and call 911.
Jumping back up, I slowly make my way around the house, looking for every possible hiding spot.
Hearing something crash behind the house, I bolt around the corner and find who I assume is Topher attempting to crawl through a downstairs window.
Running at him, I use my horns to throw the fucker off the side of the house and into the dirt. I internally enjoy the cracking sound my fist makes when it hits this fuck’s jaw as I pummel him.