Chapter 13 #2
He charged in. His chop hit the man in the kidneys. The guy grunted and dropped Saskia. She scrambled away, clutching the girl to her chest.
The man spun, then attacked Cam.
The guy knew some sort of martial art—Sambo by the looks of it. Something that had come out of the Russian Army.
But Cam was no green recruit, and this asshole had threatened his woman.
He dodged, lunged, and then rammed a punch into the man’s side. When the guy staggered, Cam unleashed a rain of brutal hits and blows.
He had to protect Saskia.
Blood dripped onto the man’s shirt. He lifted his fists, unsteady, but still fighting.
His mask was askew, his bleeding mouth visible.
Cam launched at him again. Punch, kick, hit.
A fist slammed Cam’s eye, but he gritted his teeth, and blocked the pain.
Enough . Another kick and the man flew over the dust-covered couch and hit the floor.
Cam took a step, ready for more.
Siv stepped into view, her hand up to stop him. Or calm him.
“I’ve got him.” She jerked her head.
Cam turned. Across the ruined, rubble-strewn entry, he spotted a disheveled Saskia holding the little girl.
“Charlotte!” A brunette woman screamed, running into the chaos.
The little girl broke free of Saskia and ran toward a couple who’d come from the direction of the offices.
Saskia looked up. She had dust in her hair.
Cam strode across the space and scooped her up. She threw her arms around him.
“God. God .” Her voice was shaky.
“I’ve got you.”
“I know.” She met his gaze. “I know you do.”
Something settled inside him.
She’s way too good for you, my man. An echo of Kris’ voice in his head. You take good care of her. You’re good at that. Always were.
Cam saw Saxon and Siv standing over the two downed attackers. Other Norcross Security employees hovered nearby.
Vander stood in the center of the mess, his hands on his hips, his face an impassive mask.
He turned. “Mikhailov has really pissed me off now.” He pointed at the two attackers.
“Get them to the holding cells.” Vander’s voice was sharp as a whip.
“You attacked my place, you’re after a woman under Norcross protection. You’ll regret it.”
The men both paled and looked at the floor.
In Cam’s arms, Saskia shivered.
“Saxon, make some calls and get this mess sorted out,” Vander ordered. “Someone get a fire extinguisher and put the flames out. I want the door fixed today.”
Saxon nodded. “On it.”
“And Saxon, call Hunt.”
“He’ll take these guys into custody,” Saxon said.
“Yeah, well, not until we’ve had a chat with them,” Vander said darkly.
Saskia trembled again. Cam pressed his face to her hair. “It’s going to be okay.”
She stiffened, and pulled back, anger on her face.
“No, it’s not. How dare Mikhailov do this?
Charlotte could’ve been hurt, an innocent bystander, a child.
It’s bad enough you and Vander and the others are risking yourselves, but if he hurt someone—” Her voice broke, and she shook her head.
“I can’t live with it. I need to….go. Where he can’t find me. ”
Cam’s chest felt like it filled with concrete. “No.”
“Camden—”
“No.” He yanked her back into his arms. He couldn’t bear the thought of her out there, alone, with no protection.
He sank onto the couch and pulled her onto his lap. “I won’t let you leave me.” He dragged in a breath. “Don’t leave me.”
She made a sound and clung to him. She pressed her face to the side of his neck.
Vander watched them. “She has a point.”
Cam frowned.
“She needs to be out of sight. Mikhailov is going down, and clearly willing to throw everything he’s got at hunting her. I’m not sure he’s thinking rationally anymore.”
Cam pulled Saskia closer. “What are you suggesting?”
“Safe house.”
Cam pondered, then nodded. “I’ll go with her. Just the two of us.”
Vander nodded. “You need to disappear until we have Mikhailov contained.”
“What on earth is going on here?”
The female voice made Cam’s head jerk up. “Mom?”
“Mom?” Saskia squeaked.
Delia Morgan stepped through the ruined front door, a plastic container held in her hand. She pushed some of her ash-blonde hair behind her ear and then her gaze found Cam.
“I was in the neighborhood and brought you lunch.”
She did that a lot. It was her way of checking up on him.
His mother’s gaze finally took in Saskia sitting on his lap. Her green eyes widened, then she smiled. Her smile was bright enough to blind, and then he saw tears fill her eyes.
“Mom…”
“We’ve had a bit of trouble, Mrs. Morgan,” Vander said.
The woman nodded and patted Vander’s cheek. “Well, you’re used to trouble, aren’t you, Vander?”
He gave her a faint smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
“And you’re good at dealing with it, as well.”
“Yes.”
“Now, Camden.” She crossed over the rubble like it wasn’t even there. “Who is this?”
Saskia stood, dusting her dress off. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Morgan.”
“Mom, this is Saskia. Saskia Hawke.”
His mother looked between them, and tears threatened again. “Please, call me Delia.”
Cam shifted. “Mom.”
She held up a hand. “I’m fine. Truly, fine.” She met his gaze. “And so happy.”
He hugged her. She’d never given up on him, not once. She’d always been there with quiet support and unwavering love.
When he let her go, he took Saskia’s hand. This made his mom smile again.
“I made you some meatballs in red-wine sauce. Saskia, that is such a lovely, unique name. Meatballs are his favorite.” His mom winked.
“Good to know,” Saskia replied.
“Saskia doesn’t cook, Mom.”
Saskia elbowed him and gave him a wide-eyed look.
“She doesn’t have time; she’s a dancer.”
His mother’s eyes widened. “A…dancer. Ah, well, that’s…”
Saskia made a sound and squeezed his fingers, hard.
“A ballet dancer, Mom.”
“I’m a principal dancer with a ballet company in New York,” Saskia added quickly.
His mother laughed. “Oh, well, really any dancing is wonderful.” She looked at the two of them again.
From the look on her face, Saskia could be a two-headed alien from Mars, and his mom would still be happy.
“How about we go for lunch, then?” his mother asked. “Saskia too.”
“Sorry, Mom, we can’t. Saskia is in danger. That’s why we’ve had some trouble here.”
Saskia leaned into him.
His mom’s face turned serious. “You’re protecting her?”
Cam nodded.
“I’m so sorry to cause all this trouble,” Saskia said.
“It’s not your fault.” His mother patted Saskia’s cheek and speared Cam with a look. “Besides, there’s no one better to look out for you. Keep her safe, Camden.”
“I plan to.”