Chapter 4 #2
Major turned so he was facing the water. “Does the guy have a record?”
“Only a few misdemeanors. From everything Nikita found so far, he’s not a violent man, so I’m betting whatever set him off has to do with Craig specifically. You spent a little time with him. What’s your take on him?”
Major set the duffel he’d brought with him on the ground, then crossed his arms over his chest, making his biceps strain his shirt sleeves. “Honestly, he screams player. He has a wife who’s a successful doctor, yet he was going on about how hot you are,” Major groused.
Tabitha bit the inside of her cheek to keep from grinning. “Just because he thinks I’m attractive doesn’t mean he’s a player.”
“No, but it was the way he said it. Like he was picturing you naked.” Major angled toward her and gripped Tabitha’s hips, pulling her into his chest. He leaned down with his mouth against her ear. “No one gets to see you naked but me.”
Tabitha placed her hands on Major’s chest. “Is that right?”
“Fuckin’ straight.” He dipped his head and caught her bottom lip with his teeth before kissing her silly.
Tabitha returned the kiss with fervor until a car door slammed close by. She reluctantly stepped back, patting his chest. “Down, boy. We have a job to do. One we can’t handle if we’re caught up in each other.”
Major adjusted his cock behind his zipper. “You’re right. Perry went to the grocery store, but he hasn’t been gone long enough to be back. Once we see who that is, I’ll set up the cameras.”
They strode back toward the house, and it was all Tabitha could do not to grab Major’s hand.
She wanted him something fierce, but the job came first. When they reached the driveway, Daniel was getting a laptop bag out of his trunk.
He scowled when they approached. “What are you two doing out here? Shouldn’t you be inside with Craig? ”
“We were assessing the property, determining the best way to guard both Craig and Trista, since there’s a dock leading to the lake.” Major thumbed over his shoulder in that direction.
“Where is Craig?” Daniel slammed the trunk lid.
“In the living room running lines with Trista,” Major responded.
“And Perry?”
“He made a run to the grocery store. Someone named Florence is arriving later, and she asked him to go shopping.” Major stepped in front of the man so he couldn’t take off. “Daniel, do you know of the connection between Craig and Brad Campbell?”
Daniel settled the strap of the bag over his shoulder. “What makes you think there’s a connection? Stars get stalked all the time.”
“If they’re stalked, it’s usually by a rabid fan. Someone wanting to get close to the person they admire. This was a hate crime.”
“Did you ask Craig?” Daniel raised the handle of his suitcase, tipping the luggage forward.
“No. He wasn’t in a talking mood on the drive over.”
“Well, I’m not sure what you want me to say. Craig assured me he had no idea who Brad Campbell is. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to see my nephew.”
Major stepped out of the way, and Daniel rushed off. Once he was out of earshot, Major asked, “Do you believe him?”
“Nope. He’s acting cagey, and if anyone knows the real Craig Kilbrook, it’s his uncle.”
Major scratched at his beard. “Perry mentioned the cook, Florence. How is she getting here?”
“I arranged a ride share for her. I also let Fred know to call me once she arrives at the gate.”
“Perfect. Now, let’s discuss logistics. The community as well as the property entrance are gated, so we should be safe there.
It’s the lake that worries me, even with the motion detectors.
I’m thinking you stay close to the house, and I’ll shift to my Eagle to better cover the area by the water, especially at night. ”
“That’ll work,” Tabitha agreed. It would also keep him away from Trista. Except… “You’re going to need to sleep at some point.”
Major flashed his cute grin. “Eh, I’ll be fine. While I’m outside, you can use your Goyle hearing to listen in on Craig and Daniel’s conversations.”
“I can do that. But seriously, if you get tired, I’ll take a shift by the water.
I have my weapons at the ready, and I can yell if I get into trouble.
” Tabitha wiggled her wrist where the bangle bracelets rested.
Her cousin Luna, who was a witch, created the jewelry that could turn into any weapon with a few words.
She had shown them to Major all those months ago, so he was aware of which she spoke.
Major placed a hand on her back, directing Tabitha toward the house. “Sounds like a plan. You go snoop while I install the hardware.”
“Aye, Aye, Capitan,” Tabitha snarked.
“Brat,” Major whispered.
Tabitha turned and walked backwards. “But I’m your brat.” Major stopped, and Tabitha held her breath. Was he going to deny her?
“Damn straight.”
Relieved, she asked, “Why’d you stop?”
“So that I don’t grab you and take you somewhere no one can hear you scream.”
Tabitha stumbled a step. Gods what this male did to her.
She blew him a kiss, turned, and jogged toward the house before she said screw the job.
Once inside, she opened her senses to figure out where everyone was.
Trista and Craig were still in the living room, but she didn’t hear Daniel.
Instead of intruding on Trista and Craig, Tabitha headed downstairs to set up an area for Trista and her to spar later.
The basement ran the length of the front of the house.
Since it was set underground, the only windows were narrow slits.
Surprisingly, the lights were already on.
Whispered words carried through the space, and Tabitha froze.
Being a Goyle, she could slow her heart rate and moderate her breathing to the point that it appeared she wasn’t alive.
Not that she did it often, or ever really, but all their kind were taught how to do it as a defense mechanism.
“You have to figure this out. Now,” Daniel whisper-yelled. “I don’t give a fuck how much it costs. You have three days. Fuck,” he added a few seconds later.
When Tabitha entered the room, he rounded on her. “What are you doing down here?” The man had acted squirrely from day one. Maybe that was his normal demeanor, or he could be hiding something. Her money was on the latter.
“Setting up a space where Trista and I can spar later.”
“Where is Major? Is he upstairs with Craig?”
“He’s outside patrolling the area.”
“Oh. Well, that’s… that’s good.”
Tabitha looked around, searching for yoga mats or something else to use as a cushion. The move Trista wanted to practice involved flipping her opponent. “I don’t suppose you’ve heard from the detective?”
“No, but they were in touch with the studio, not me. Shouldn’t you be upstairs since Major’s outside?”
“The alarm is set, and no one else has the new code. I assure you, Major and I will keep both Trista and Craig safe.”
“Fine.” Daniel kept his eyes averted as he stalked past her and up the stairs.
Tabitha found a couple of yoga mats in a closet and placed them in the middle of the floor after moving the poker table off to the side of the room.
With that done, she texted Nikita and asked her to hack Daniel’s phone, then she made her way upstairs and stopped in the kitchen for a can of flavored water.
After popping the top, she took a sip, then headed toward the living room.
Standing in the doorway, Tabitha kept one ear on the actors while also listening in on Daniel.
Craig called for a break just as the alarm beeped.
Tabitha expected Major, but it was Perry returning from the store.
Noticing the way he shook, she asked, “Are you okay?”
“No. I think I was followed.”