Chapter 15
Garnet hated the sound of the alarm. She rolled over and turned it off, then sat up and rubbed her eyes. She heard a noise outside her room, then relaxed as she realized it was Brady in the kitchen.
After a quick shower, she dressed and stepped into the kitchen. Brady was there and lifted a travel mug toward her.
“We’re leaving in five minutes. You have coffee here, and I’ve made up a breakfast sandwich.”
“You move fast in the morning.”
His laughter made her smile. “It took a while, but it’s a learned thing from the military. I wake up and move fast.”
“That’s good. I don’t move fast in the morning. I’m more of a slow mover, and I hate the sound of my alarm.”
“Drink some coffee and have some food. We’re leaving in three minutes.”
“Okay. I’m ready to go.” She put on her shoes and grabbed the coffee before heading out. Fear crept up, tightening her muscles the closer they got to the base. She trusted Brady with her life. He would make sure nothing bad happened to her.
She submitted to the security check, then they were led onto a plane that seemed very utilitarian. As long as it got them to DC without being followed, she was fine with the plane or whatever transportation method they used.
When DC came into view, she leaned closer to the window, staring down at the city. Their approach was different, so she was seeing it in a way she hadn’t seen before. The city really was beautiful.
She’d always liked DC, liked the energy, the chaos masquerading as law and order. There was so much to learn, so much to see and do in the city. She could spend hours at museums, go to talks, and see great plays and musicals. But the city had a dark side that could take you by surprise.
What if the people who wanted to abduct her had already been to her house? What if they had some sort of trap set up there? Would she be safe?
Brady squeezed her hand, and she glanced his way, meeting his gaze. His lips tipped up in a smile.
“You okay?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
His eyebrows rose like he didn’t believe her. Did he already know her so well that he could tell when she wasn’t telling the truth?
“Fine, I’m worried.”
He nodded. “I believed that. I’m worried, too.”
“What are you worried about?”
He shrugged. “That someone is already waiting at your place. That they have a plan that is better than mine. That I won’t be able to protect you, and something terrible will happen.”
She let go of a ragged breath. “Okay, so I’m not the only one worried.”
“No. But it’s just worries. It’s not reality.”
“What is the reality?”
“That we’re on top of this. They don’t know when you are going to be here. They won’t be looking for you, and they won’t find you. You’re going to be safe. We had someone positioned to watch your place, and they haven’t seen anyone approach or hang out on the street.”
She nodded, then turned to look out the window before turning back to him. “With you by my side, I do feel safer.”
She liked having him around. She knew he was just doing his job. Making a pass at him would be wrong. He wasn’t interested in her. Besides, she was terrible at flirting. She would just embarrass herself if she tried to express her interest in him.
No question, Bean was worried. Someone might be after Garnet.
He just hoped they weren’t already in DC looking for her.
He could keep her safe if they were in North Carolina.
For one, no one would expect her to be in Fayetteville.
No one would look for her at his place. Here in DC, her name was on a lease, and her job was here. She was vulnerable in this city.
He’d decided that they wouldn’t drive directly to her place from the base. He needed to make sure they weren’t followed. Also, he decided they would stop down the block and watch for a moment before they approached her door.
Traffic sucked, and it took longer to get to her place. He should have known it would take a while, but he’d forgotten how bad traffic was in a busy city.
Luckily, one of his buddies let him borrow a truck, so he didn’t have to deal with a taxi driver that he may or may not trust. No one would be looking to pick her up from the base, but Bean hadn’t liked the idea of trusting another person.
“It’s the yellow door.”
“Okay. We’ll stop here and watch for a moment.”
“Do you think anyone followed us?”
He shook his head. “No, I just want to make sure there is no movement at your place before we go in.”
She sat in silence for a moment, and he wanted to reach over and put his hand on her knee, but he shouldn’t. Not yet. Maybe after more time spent together, something might spark. Heck, it was already sparking on his side of things, but she might not feel the same way about him.
“It looks clear. I think we can go in.” Bean moved the truck to her curb and stepped out before rounding the vehicle to help her out. “I’ll go in first.”
Garnet nodded and took his hand. Her fingers felt small, but exactly right. He didn’t need to concentrate on how touching her felt. He needed to focus on getting them in safely. Once they had her stuff packed, they would head back to the base.
Nothing would happen. She would be safe, or he hoped she would.
Garnet glanced around the living room, taking in the details. “No, it doesn’t look like anyone has been in here. It looks like it did before I left.”
“That’s good. I’m glad no one has been here. That makes this easier.”
“I’m going to grab what I need.”
“Yell if you need any help.”
She moved to her bedroom and grabbed the clothes she didn’t want to live without. She also grabbed another computer and her tablet. She didn’t have everything, but she had enough to survive for a few months.
Besides, she wasn’t leaving here for good. Or she didn’t think she was. She would eventually be safe enough to return to live here. But was that what she wanted?
Brady stepped into her bedroom and flicked off the lights. She glanced his way, wondering why he’d turned off the lights.
“Someone is circling the block. I don’t like it.”
“Shit. Do you think they are here for me?”
“I don’t know yet, but I don’t want to chance it.”
Fear blasted through her. She didn’t want to end up being abducted again. Being held the first time had been horrible. She couldn’t imagine the second time would be better.
“What are we going to do?”
“Sit in here and be quiet. We’ll stay away from the windows, keep the lights off. That way, no one will see us in here.”
“I’m scared.”
Brady pulled her close, his strong arms wrapping around her. Something stirred inside as she heard his heart beat against her ear. She wanted to feel more of him, to taste him. He would probably be angry if he knew what she was thinking.
She was about to pull away when she looked up. He was staring down at her. The skin around his eyes softened, and his fingers pressed just a little more against her back.
Her breath hitched, and then his eyes flicked to her lips. Was he really interested in her? She wanted that kiss. For a second, she thought she was going to get it, but then his phone rang, and he stepped away from her.
She ducked her head and backed away from him. Getting close to Brady would be wrong. He probably was only being nice. She’d pushed too hard.
She needed to learn to hold back with him.
He caught her off her guard, and she didn’t know how to deal with him, but she would learn to respond appropriately.
Being this close to someone she found so attractive was new to her.
If she pushed away the illogical fantasies rolling through her mind, she could get over this inconvenient attraction.