Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Price had to let Addie go. He was getting far too invested. He promised himself he’d release her and go to his rental house.
In a few more minutes.
She’d kissed him first; he was following his client’s instructions to grow closer to her. That still didn’t solve his moral dilemma, but he had no idea how to resist Addie and her enticing lips. He lost all rational thought when they kissed.
The kisses intensified, and he found himself reacting and enjoying every moment. He lifted her onto his lap and kissed her more deeply. Addie Belle was a better thrill ride than any of the crazy adventures he’d done with his friends and teammates.
Healing and thrilling. She’d been right about that.
With Addie in his arms, he didn’t even think about not being enough for Jaydyne, of not finding anyone else he’d truly connected with in a romantic and relationship type of way in the past fourteen years.
Addie was everything he’d been searching for. She was more than worth the wait.
He was her protection detail, and she was his assignment.
That thought had him slowing down the kisses and gently lifting her to her feet. He’d had to pretend he didn’t know who the scum ball Jamison was. He was hiding far too much from her and it was ripping him up inside.
He needed to talk to Daphne again. Make a plan for how to tell Addie. The relationship was getting messy. Except for Addie. She wasn’t messy. She was more incredible than anyone he’d ever met.
“I’d better get home and let you get some rest,” he said. “Busy day at work tomorrow?”
Addie swayed slightly on her feet. He stood and steadied her with an arm around her waist. She blinked beautiful blue eyes up at him. “You think I can concentrate on work after a wowzer of a kissing session like that?”
Price chuckled. His professionalism was seriously in question. Addie’s sister—not the client because she’d had her fiancé do the paperwork, but basically the client—Daphne had told him to grow close to her and fall in love. He was blurring lines, but he had a hard time knowing what to do about it.
Addie was more important than any job. Did that mean he should tell her the truth about everything? He’d quit this job and protect her because he wanted to. He’d quit Aiden if he couldn’t be with Addie.
That thought jerked his head out of the clouds.
He hadn’t been willing to quit the Navy to save his marriage, and he’d just thought that he would quit working for Aiden to be with Addie.
Most retired military and police would give up anything to work for Aiden.
He suspected that was why Detective Thayne was so enthralled with him.
He’d be willing to give up his job with Aiden and he hardly knew Addie.
Everything he knew about her felt ideal.
Except this note-leaving situation, lying about protecting her, and everything Daphne had asked him to hide from her.
He studied her beautiful face, wishing he could give her another ‘wowzer of a kissing session’. “Hopefully the detectives will find out who sent Travis, and you, the notes. They must be related.”
“That was random,” she said.
“Sorry. Security guy.” He clenched his free fist. She had to have a lot of questions about him being here, but she hadn’t voiced them.
She nodded, some of the wonder leaving her gaze. “It’d be nice to put that mess behind me.”
“For sure.” He released her and headed toward the door. She walked with him. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Thank you for the delicious desserts. All of the deliciousness.” She looked at his mouth and he couldn’t hide a smile.
“Addie … I have never been cheesy or silly with anyone but my nephew. I’m both with you. I’d wear an ‘I’m with Minnie’ shirt and go to Disneyland for you.”
Her blue eyes lit up, and she grinned. “Are you serious?”
“I am.”
For him, that was on level with declaring his undying love.
Was he in the wrong, or listening to her sister and doing exactly what he should do?
Daphne believed if he and Addie grew closer it would all work out when she found out the truth.
Her sister knew her better than him. He prayed he was listening to the right voices because his internal compass was telling him to blurt the truth to Addie, and quick.
“I think we could order Disney shirts and escalate the level of cheesy and silly.”
He chuckled and pulled open the front door. “I’ll look forward to that.”
Would he really wear a Disney shirt for Addie?
Yes.
Was it time to tell her the truth?
He thought so.
But he’d better talk to Daphne first.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” she asked, leaning against the door frame and staring up at him.
“Plan on it.”
She grabbed his shirt and tugged him down. He shouldn’t keep kissing her. Not until she knew the truth. But she arched up and kissed him, decimating any resistance or worries with her sweet lips.
Many minutes later, he forced himself to pull back. “Night.”
“Goodnight.”
She stepped back as he pushed through the storm door, wishing he’d brought a coat as he braved the cold, dark night. It felt especially cold to be away from Addie’s warm kisses. He turned back. She was standing in the doorway.
“Deadbolt that door,” he instructed.
“Yes, sir, oh Captain my captain.” She saluted.
He laughed. She was … the brightest light around, and he was the happiest he’d ever been.
She pulled the storm door closed and latched it, then shut the front door.
Price felt warm all over, despite the night air.
Could he really have found someone as great as Addie?
Hopefully Travis would reveal his source and this job could be done so Daphne could tell Addie she’d hired him.
Would Addie really place the blame on her sister?
He didn’t want anyone to take the blame for him, but he also didn’t want Addie upset with him.
He didn’t want to lose the trust and relationship they were building.
Price entered his small bungalow. It was chilly.
He turned up the heat, but it didn’t work great.
He paced in the small living area, trying to riddle out the mess he was in.
He wanted Addie in his life, but he was her protector.
He’d let down his guard because of Daphne’s instructions.
Was that smart? Addie had been hurt by other men. What if he hurt her?
That was a gut punch and exactly what he couldn’t resolve. He hated lying to her and couldn’t stand the thought of damaging her trust.
He changed into sweats. A run should clear his head, even if it couldn’t fix the muddle he was in. He ran past Addie’s house. It was dark. She was sleeping, which he should be doing. Maybe after his run he would be able to settle down and rest.
Price pounded along the beach for several miles, the soft sand making the run more difficult.
He appreciated that at the moment. Difficult made it harder to think.
He didn’t want to think about the lies and his moral dilemma.
All he wanted to think about was Addie’s softness in his arms, the sweet taste of her on his lips.
He turned and headed back toward his rental and Addie’s house, his legs flying despite the sand trying to hold onto his foot with each step. He stopped to catch his breath in front of a beach house all lit up for Christmas.
A buzz on his phone told him one of his sensors had been tripped.
He pulled out the phone. Uneasiness tickled at his neck.
The sensor behind Addie’s house had detected movement.
It could be an animal, but there weren’t many scampering around in the wintertime.
He started walking quickly toward Addie’s house.
Clicking on the cameras he had set up, he squinted at the screen.
There was movement, and a dark shadow moved away even as he watched.
Who was that? What were they doing? Thankfully they were moving away from the house, not toward it.
He picked up his pace, pulled up his phone app, and clicked on Detective Thayne’s number.
Four rings and finally the man picked up. “’lo?” He sounded groggy.
“Thayne! Someone’s outside Addie’s house.”
“Take them out,” Thayne responded.
“I can’t. I went on a run.” He gasped for air as he ran off the sand and onto the road, wanting to get to Addie faster.
Thayne cursed and said, “I’ll get the closest patrol headed that direction. Call Addie and tell her to get out.”
“And run right into the person’s arms? She’s safer inside.”
“You’re right. Hurry.”
“I am.” He slid the phone into his pocket and ran. Should he call Addie and warn her? Would that just terrify her? She could get a weapon to protect herself if Price didn’t get there in time. With what? A kitchen knife? Why hadn’t he left her a pistol?
Sprinting toward Addie’s house, he prayed he’d get there in time. There weren’t any lights on and he saw no vehicle, nobody on the front porch. Sirens sounded in the distance. Oh, thank heavens.
Light split the night sky a fraction of a second before a crack louder than thunder ripped through him. A fireball exploded from Addie’s home, and Price was knocked off his feet.
A bomb. Addie’s house had just exploded.
He hit the pavement hard on his backside. Grunting in pain, he scrambled back to his feet, staring in horror at the debris raining down, the hole ripped in the side of Addie’s house. It was her bedroom. He knew it. Flames shot out of the hole, fed by the oxygen.
“No!” he hollered, racing toward the house. “Addie! No!”
Why hadn’t he called her? He could’ve gotten her out. No. Oh no.
He raced toward the fire, but there was no way to gain access to the house.
The bedroom was fully engulfed in flames.
Darting around to the front porch, he pumped up the stairs.
He ripped open the storm door, popping the flimsy lock on it.
Stepping back, he rammed his shoulder into the wood door and bounced back off of it.
“Addie!” he hollered, wetness on his face and horror churning his gut. Not Addie. Please, Lord, please let her survive. “Addie!”
He backed up—should he shoot out the lock or a window instead?
—and raced at the door again, shoulder down, aiming for a spot two feet past it.
Just before the moment of impact, the door swung open and revealed Addie’s shape outlined in the darkness.
Too late to slow down, he instead scooped her into his arms as he spun around to protect her from the impact of their landing.
He cradled her and took the blow on his side.
They settled, and he stared at her in wonder. “Addie? Are you …” Was she a ghost? Was this miracle even possible? There was smoke and heat and he blinked it all away and stared at her.
“Price,” she cried out, her voice thick with fear. “My house exploded.”
He lifted her to her feet and jumped up, rushing her out the door and onto the front porch. She was only in socks. He swept her off her feet and against his chest.
“Addie, you’re alive.” He wanted to bend down and kiss her, fiercely, but she needed to be somewhere safe.
He had no idea where the perp was, and he wouldn’t risk Addie for anything.
Price had watched friends die and he’d seen miracles.
This miracle of Addie being preserved was more than he could’ve hoped for.
Thank you, thank you, Father above.
He raced with her in his arms toward his rental home. She clung to his neck.
“Price,” she whimpered. “What’s happening?”
She was disoriented and nobody could blame her. Was she in shock?
“An explosion,” he gritted out. “But you’re alive. You’re safe. Addie … I’m not leaving your side until we find the perp. I will keep you safe, Addie, or die trying.” He felt those words deeply. A vow to Addie and to heaven above.
“Thank you. I never want to leave your arms.” She said the words like a desperate cry, then burrowed into his chest as if it was the only safe space on earth and held on tight.
Price felt his heart swell. Addie was his. Heaven above agreed. He would be here for her. Protect her. If it was God’s will and Addie someday agreed, he would love her too.
She’d agreed when he said he wouldn’t leave her side, and she’d passionately declared she never wanted to leave his arms.
He vowed to keep her safe. He wanted desperately to hold and kiss her, but her safety had to be his focus right now.
He would keep praying the love and kissing could someday be another gift from God. Right now he was grateful Addie’s life had been preserved and would fight to keep her safe. No one would take her from his arms.