Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Price stood with his back to the wall, close to the tables in Quincy Market where he and Addie had shared pudding twice. It was Tuesday, almost seven-thirty in the evening, and it seemed she wasn’t coming. It had been around seven the past two times they’d met.
Disappointment coated his throat as he searched the crowds, his hopes rising every time an average-sized blonde appeared.
He’d been optimistic when he still hadn’t received an assignment from Nick or Aiden yet, even though he was going a bit stir crazy not working.
His condo was spotless and every handyman project at his mom and sister’s house was done, despite his dad and brother-in-law protesting they would’ve gotten to it.
His mom and sister were thrilled and had each told him in undertones they had been waiting for their husbands to ‘get to it’ for months.
He’d spent long hours at the gym and the shooting range and had a great time babysitting his nephew so his sister and brother-in-law could go to dinner, ice skating, and the Nutcracker respectively.
He was obviously little Finn’s favorite, and it melted even his hardened heart to hear the two-year old scream, “Pry!” when he saw him coming.
Price always tossed the little man in the air as he giggled with delight.
Price’s smile disappeared. If Addie would let him take her on a date, he wouldn’t mind the lack of assignment and the inactivity.
The problem was Addie might be standing him up even for banana pudding and a few stolen minutes of conversation.
Price wanted to go slow with a relationship and learn how the mechanics of dating someone he was highly interested in worked and especially what Addie needed, but slow was a luxury he didn’t really have with his job.
Addie appeared at the outer doors, wearing a long pink dress coat.
She took tentative steps inside, her gaze darting around.
Their eyes met. His heartbeat picked up, and a joy he hadn’t felt in a long time, even with Finn, sprung in his heart.
Addie. There was a connection between them that he hoped she felt.
It was as if heaven above was telling him, Take notice. This woman is special.
She approached, and he pushed away from the wall and hurried to her.
He reached out to take her hand, but she didn’t place her hand in his.
The look on her face was … fearful. Searching.
What was she looking for? What had happened?
He’d sensed she was reluctant and may have been hurt in the past, but this felt like a fresh pain.
“Addie?”
“Can we speak outside?” she asked.
“Of course.”
She turned. He reached out, wanting to escort her, but something was wrong. He didn’t want to push her away, but he longed to protect her and be there for her. Dropping his hand, he followed her through the crowded hall and out into the space between Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall.
A chilly nor’easter bit at the exposed skin of his face and neck. He ducked his head and zipped up his coat. Even in the biting evening weather, street performers drew a crowd and outdoor vendors called to people walking past.
Addie walked around the south side of Quincy Market, and the wind was cut in half. She stopped at a quieter spot and whirled to face him. “Are you leaving notes at my house?”
“Notes?” His brows arched. “How would I leave notes at your house? I don’t know where you live.”
She studied him, arms folded across her chest. “As a security guy, you could find that information.”
“I could. I haven’t.” He willed her to believe him.
Finally she glanced away, but he didn’t know if that meant she believed him or that she didn’t want to hold his gaze. His gut churned, worried about her suspecting him of something, but more concerned about what was happening with her. Was she in danger?
“Addie. What kind of notes are being left at your house?”
She shuddered, reached into her purse, and pulled out her phone. “The police took them as evidence, hoping to find fingerprints, which they haven’t. But … I took pictures of the one from last night. I received one on Friday too.”
Price’s skin prickled. Did this have something to do with him? He’d made plenty of enemies during his years in the service and his time with Aiden. There would be little reason for them to target Addie, but he’d seen and heard of crazier things.
Lifting her phone to her face, she opened the photos app and handed it over to him. Their fingers brushed. Her hands were freezing. He took the phone with his right hand and wrapped his left around her chilled fingers. The tips were white.
“Your hands,” he said softly.
“It’s fine. I have Raynaud’s.”
He held onto her hands and studied her.
“If I get chilled, my fingers turn white. I usually never go outside without gloves. I just … forgot.”
Lifting her hands to his mouth, he blew warm air on them.
She visibly quivered and her face softened.
Her blue eyes filled with longing for him, and he could barely keep his head on straight.
Addie was in danger and the police were investigating the matter.
Instead of wanting to focus on security or danger like he normally would, he wanted to keep holding her hands and staring into her blue eyes.
She pulled her hands back and disappointment shot through him.
He tilted his head to a nearby vendor. “Can I buy you a pair of gloves?”
She shook her head. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out thick gloves and put them on.
Price shouldn’t be thinking that he wanted to warm her hands up. He looked at the picture and his eyes widened. It was a shot of the two of them eating banana pudding in the market they were standing in the shadow of. His face was obscured, but Addie’s happy smile beamed at him.
He glanced at Addie’s beautiful face and read the strain there. Looking around, he couldn’t see any obvious danger or anyone paying them extra attention.
“Scroll to the right,” Addie said.
He did and his stomach dropped.
I hope you enjoyed the banana pudding.
It may be you and your new toy’s last treat.
“Addie.” His gaze lifted to hers and he was sickened by the fear in her blue eyes. He ushered her closer to the brick building and instinctively wrapped an arm around her to shield her.
She leaned into him, gazed up at him, and he reveled in the look in her eyes. He could and would protect her. Would she allow him to?
Just as quickly, a shield went up over her blue gaze and she stepped away.
“What did the police say?” he asked.
She shrugged. “No fingerprints. The few names I could give them … they questioned each of them, but nothing.” She looked at him suspiciously. “You work for the security guru Aiden Porter?”
“Yes. You gave them my name?” That was the only way she’d know who he worked for.
“Not after the first note and picture that came the second night we had banana pudding. When you were in the picture last night, I told them your name and about our two … interactions.”
He nodded. Interactions. Not dates. The last thing Addie needed right now was a date. Did she need his help as a security guru?
“The police say you’re clean. They promised to keep an eye on you.”
“Okay.” He almost laughed at the police promising to keep an eye on him. If he wanted to, he could disappear in an instant and Aiden might be the only person who had a hope of finding him. “They haven’t contacted me.”
“Maybe they don’t think it’s that big of a deal.” She hugged herself and looked absolutely forlorn.
He pointed to her phone. “They should. That was an obvious threat. Was the other note similar?”
“It was a picture of me at home eating banana pudding. It said I like to break hearts and they’ll stop my heart.”
His own heart thumped irregularly in his chest. “I hope the police are taking this seriously.” But he knew the police were busy and loaded down with cases.
It was one of the reasons Aiden’s people had so many jobs.
“These are ugly threats. It sounds like an old boyfriend who’s jealous, or maybe some kind of stalker.
” He clenched his fist. “Have you hired protection?”
She stared at him. “Is that your angle? Try to get me to ‘hire’ you?”
“What? No. If you’d accept protection I’d offer it, but I don’t need you to hire me.”
“What are you after, Price?”
His stomach turned over. Any hope he’d had of dating Addie was gone. It was rough to let that dream go. “I hoped to get to know you, take you to dinner.”
She looked discouraged and uncertain. “Did you orchestrate our first meeting? The mom with a stroller getting in my way so I’d trip and you could catch me?”
He grunted in disbelief. “No.”
She bit at her lip, then rushed out, “Did you deliver the notes to try to get me to turn to you and date you?”
“Addie, you don’t know me very well, but I would never do anything to scare or hurt you.” He tried to smile. “I’m in the business of protection, actually.”
“I had such good vibes about you, but why would the notes start the second night we met? And the second one was a picture of you and me. It makes no sense.”
“Addie.” He eased closer. “Aiden has one of the top security teams in the world. If you don’t trust me to help you, please consider hiring one of his guys or Sutton Smith’s, or hire a respectable and highly-recommended firm like theirs.
I know the police will do their best, but they can be spread thin with a busy caseload and these are serious threats. ”
She studied him with those big blue eyes. “I know they are.”
Movement drew his attention. It was at his ten o’clock, coming around the side of the building.
Not the usual shopper, but two men moving purposefully.
He whirled and placed himself between Addie and the threat, backing her into the building.
His concealed 9mm would make quick work of them, but he waited and assessed, not ready to reveal he was armed in a public space with children not far away.
The men were both younger than him, with slicked back hair. Fit. Determined. Plain clothes detectives, FBI, or criminals after Addie trying to look like law enforcement.
“Captain Price Sanderson.” The dark-haired man on the right moved his coat to the side and revealed a badge. “Detective Jason Thayne.” He tilted his head. “Detective Treyson Moshe. It’s an honor to meet you, sir, but we do need to ask you a few questions.”
He didn’t mind talking to the police, but what was with the drama? An honor to meet him? So they’d researched him and knew about his Distinguished Service Award.
“I’m happy to answer any questions,” he replied, “but Miss Belle needs police protection and an escort home.”
“We have personnel in place,” Moshe said. He tilted his head to the side.
Price nodded to them. He wasn’t being arrested, but they would question him, probably for hours. He’d be happy to oblige, if it could ensure Addie stayed safe. The problem was he didn’t know anything and wouldn’t be of much help. Unless she asked him to protect her.
She was different tonight. Shaken. What had happened in her past to let her know that a threat could easily turn into more?
He focused on her. “I pray you can be safe and they find the perp.”
“Thank you.” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry. Their captain wanted us to see if I could draw anything out of you.”
“You’re wearing a listening device.” It wasn’t a question.
She nodded, looking guilty.
“You truly suspected me?” That was a kick in the pants, but he shouldn’t have been surprised.
She’d said as much earlier, but he wanted to hear it clearly.
He had too few details and too few experiences with women since his failure of a marriage, but he recognized this mess meant he wouldn’t be developing a relationship with Addie.
That stung, but his concern for her overrode his own desires.
“I don’t have any idea what to think,” she said.
“That’s understandable.” His neck muscles tightened. Any hope he might’ve had regarding this impressive lady was stolen. “Take care, Addie.”
He turned and walked toward the policemen. Two other uniformed officers came and escorted Addie in the opposite direction. He couldn’t stop himself from watching her go. He’d imagined they could develop a relationship. That they had a connection. That she was special.
Now he could only let himself be concerned with her staying safe from some faceless threat.
If only he didn’t want to date Addie as well. Clearly, that ship had sailed.