Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
M allory
The house was warm with the fire blazing in one of several fireplaces.
The coffee was delicious.
The bed had been soft and so comfortable I hadn’t wanted to crawl out.
And the pup constantly by my side was exactly what I’d wanted to experience for so long.
With the snow falling, the morning gray yet peaceful, and a house that could only be described as the perfect vacation spot, this moment could be considered something incredible.
If it wasn’t for the fact I’d been assaulted, and saved from potentially being killed only because a man I didn’t know had intervened out of the blue, then this would be considered paradise.
In anyone’s book.
But this was nothing but surreal, a blip in time that was like watching a train wreck about to occur or a glass house ready to fall off a cliff.
Having a cup of coffee with Beckett had been anything but normal, yet I’d enjoyed the few minutes together.
What in God’s name was wrong with me?
I’d remained right where I was in the kitchen, making myself a second cup. Even then, an ugly hangover remained and it certainly wasn’t about indulging in too much alcohol. I rubbed my eyes and returned to the window, noticing he was taking very particular steps in the snow. I also gathered a sense he had a weapon or five underneath his jacket.
When he turned, I caught sight of a crossbow in his hands. A crossbow? He was holding it as if ready to fire at a moment’s notice, constantly turning his head from side to side as he searched for any breach in security.
His actions were methodical, militaristic. I knew the format from jerk number one I’d dated. He’d become so regimented that if a towel had been out of place, or a can wasn’t facing the front of the cabinet, he’d freaked out.
It was too close to a movie I’d seen a long time ago.
Somehow, I had a feeling whatever training Beckett had received had kept him one step ahead of his enemies.
The thought he likely had several of them brought a lump into my throat.
I should continue to be terrified of his actions, but I was comforted instead. It appeared he would stop at nothing to ensure no harm came to either one of us.
And certainly not to Jax.
The light of his life.
At least I knew the man had some emotions when he looked at or talked to his pup. Other than that, I’d think he was running on adrenaline and hatred. I wasn’t familiar in the ways of crime families, but it was obvious he’d pissed someone off and was running.
He didn’t look like a runner to me on any level. That told me the choice to leave had been for a significant reason.
Did I care to pry it out of him? Honestly, I was curious, but learning more about him might cause him to change his mind about letting me get back to my life. Was that possible? It wasn’t me these monsters were after. They’d wanted him.
Why had they thought I was with him or knew what he was? The only way was if they’d spied on us somehow. At the veterinary clinic? On the lonely stretch of road? It didn’t make any sense.
Backing away, it almost felt as if I was invading his privacy, which was a silly thought.
I finished my coffee, surprised to find an empty dishwasher in which to place my cup. The man was certainly about as unexpected as I could imagine for someone seemingly so cold and detached from the world.
I made certain Jax had water, grateful Beckett had taken him out to do his business before he’d walked outside. Time for a very long, hot shower. That’s where I usually did my best thinking.
The fact I was snowed in with him was irritating and fascinating at the same time. Once in the bathroom, I finally snagged a good look in the mirror. The gash wasn’t bad, the slight bruise easy to cover with my bangs. I’d taken the Tylenol he’d offered, so hopefully the remnants of the headache would go away.
There was a big fluffy towel already on the rack, waiting for me. This was the guest bath, extremely nice with a warm purple accent wall and a matching shower curtain. Somehow I doubted the he-man had selected the color. I turned on the water and stripped off the tee shirt. I certainly didn’t need to worry about looking like a fashion queen while I was here with oversized sweatpants and sweaters. That was fine by me.
The clothes would help with there being any possible confusion about our relationship.
Not that we had a relationship, but I didn’t want him getting the wrong idea. We’d suffer through the storm and move on to our previous lives.
As I stepped inside, my mind continued to wander to how he was going to continue handling the danger. Maybe he was just used to it. Criminals needed to be prepared for anything. Right?
I laughed and rolled my hands through my hair as soon as I stepped under the showerhead, already tingling with warmth.
As I allowed the water to cascade down my shoulders, a strange sensation rolled over me, another sudden clap of fear that I couldn’t seem to control. I slowly tilted my head toward my shoulder and suddenly every nightmare occurring in my life seemed real.
I let off a horrific scream, flailing my arms. One caught the shower curtain and in the least graceful move of my life, I was pitched forward from terror and slipping on the tile. As I’d seen in a movie, the shower clips began to pop one at a time and I was headed straight to the floor, and would have crashed against the sink or toilet had a pair of strong hands not grabbed me, instantly pulling me against one big and beefy chest.
My scream continued, cut short only when my savior nuzzled against my neck.
“You’re okay. You’re just fine. Breathe for me.”
His voice was stern and commanding, but I needed the strength he was giving me. After a few seconds, I was able to calm down enough that utter embarrassment took over. I was wrapped in a shower curtain, completely naked underneath and terrified of two huge spiders.
Spiders.
I’d fought against an assassin, but spiders had finally reduced me to a paranoid mess?
“I’m okay.” I managed the two little words, but they burned in my throat.
He pulled away yet kept his hold. Now it seemed every time he looked at me he was doing so warily. “You’re sure.”
“Uh-huh.” I immediately looked over my shoulder, expecting one or both to be crawling down my arm. When I looked back, Beckett had pulled away another few inches, which allowed me to see the weapon in his hand.
“What happened? What did you think you saw? Something out the window?” I could tell he was deeply concerned. He was panting, still in his jacket from when he’d bolted into the house to protect me.
To save me.
From spiders.
“Um, no.”
“Then what was it?”
I closed my eyes, so full of shame I almost laughed at myself, yet nothing was funny. I couldn’t answer him right away.
He shook me gently, now tearing at the shower curtain as if frantic to free me. “Talk to me. What happened?”
I was shaking like a leaf, forced to cinch my eyes shut so I wouldn’t see his expression of admonishment. “Spiders. There were two huge tarantula-like spiders in the shower. Okay? I’m sorry.”
He stiffened and stopped moving altogether. I was certain he would walk out, leaving me to untangle myself and never talk to me again. Seconds later, I heard his deep sigh and he returned to fishing me out of my entrapment.
When I realized I was completely naked, my eyes snapped open. I must have had a look of horror on my face. He already had the towel prepared to wrap around me.
“Relax, Doc. I’m not here to take advantage of you. Now, go sit in the bedroom. Let me see what I can find.”
“Maybe I was crazy.”
“I doubt it. Go on. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He nodded as if in encouragement and I tugged the towel more tightly around me, unable to look him in the eyes as I walked toward the door.
I was afraid of very little, but spiders completely freaked me out. When I turned slightly, finally finding the courage to look in his direction, I realized he was staring at me.
Not with amusement or anger.
With desire.
I moved into the bedroom, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Jax was right there within seconds, providing needed comfort after jumping on the bed with me. I heard no other sounds at first, then noticed Beckett had passed by the bedroom door, returning with something in his hands.
Maybe two minutes later, he was walking down the stairs. Jax woofed and jumped after his master, his nails tapping on the wooden stairs as he flew down them. The house had decent soundproofing and I heard nothing else until boots stomped up the stairs a little later.
When both Beckett and Jax returned to the room, Beckett tugged off his gloves. Under his arm was a shoebox. He’d captured the spiders and freed them. Who did that?
“They’re wolf spiders. They look terrifying, but they’re insect eaters.”
“In the winter?” I asked.
He grinned. “They were looking for somewhere warm. They found it.” As he spoke, he gave me a onceover again.
I tugged the towel. “They won’t come back?”
“Doubtful, but tell you what. You can use my shower.”
“In your bedroom?”
“What’s wrong, Doc? Afraid I’ll join you?”
I opened my mouth to retort, but stood instead. “You can’t handle me.”
He acted as if he wasn’t going to allow me to pass. When I pressed my hand against his chest, kneading his shirt, his nostrils flared. “Be careful challenging me at this point, Doc. I pride myself on control, but around you, I’m not sure I can promise anything.”
I refused to back down, using a little more pressure as I pushed.
He finally stepped away, allowing me to pass.
His room was at the end of the hall. I took purposeful steps, trying to hold my head high when I felt like such an idiot. Spiders? Really? Once inside his room, I flicked on a light and almost moaned out loud. His bedroom was incredible with a huge king-sized bed meant for a king, all dark wood with tremendous wooden posters ending just past the ornately carved headboard.
The man was full of surprises. There was an acoustic guitar in the corner of the room near a single leather chair. There was also a bookcase behind the guitar and stand, full of books that had obviously been read more than once. They were in a beautiful disarray, some shoved in places maybe to find a little more space.
I felt as if I was in his inner sanctum, the true private side of him. However, he’d offered and I’d accepted. There was no going back now. He would take that as a sign of weakness and if there was one thing I knew not to do around him, it was to show any signs of fear.
Ha. As if that hadn’t occurred like six times already.
When I purposely closed the bedroom door, even blocking Jax from entering, he was still staring at me. I refused to be intimidated by his tremendous size, his brawn, or his attitude. Surly as it was.
I needed to consider him my roommate and nothing more.
A hard exhale left my lungs. I also needed to remind myself if the man wanted to hurt me, that could have easily happened at any time. He didn’t need to bring me here for protection or anything else. I was so busy trying to control my emotions that I no longer recognized myself.
He was one of the good guys, just in somewhat tarnished capes for a hero. But that’s the role he’d accepted after stopping to help me. My hero.
No, it didn’t help that he was so sexy, but I’d learn to ignore that as long as the close proximity didn’t become an issue. The storm couldn’t last longer than a day. Could it? Then I could get away from him.
If that’s what I wanted. Was it?
I laughed softly as I headed toward his bathroom, finding it just as surprising as the rest of his house and every aspect about the man. And I could certainly see myself soaking in the huge tub or enjoying the shower made for two given the size of the enclosure.
My thoughts were certainly all over the place, but he had that kind of effect on me.
At least I’d have the opportunity to repay the kindness. Maybe I’d make breakfast. Was that a decent enough thank you for being a spider wrangler?
My thoughts turned filthy. I knew the thank you he might appreciate. It would need to be food. Food for nourishment. Not dessert.
Wouldn’t my besties be happy with me now?
I was certainly no beauty queen, but I was toasty and extremely relaxed after the long, hot shower. The enigma of the man continued. Blueberry coffee. Now lavender shower gel. I knew the scent was supposed to be soothing and even used it in examination rooms with the animals. But I was shocked how much better I felt after drying off and getting dressed.
Wearing ridiculously thick socks, I padded down the stairs, half surprised not to find Jax on the other side of the door when I’d opened it.
Neither male was in the living room. I stood in front of the fire for a few seconds, enjoying the warmth as I took a much better look at his place. I hadn’t noticed before, but he also had an electric guitar on a stand on the other side of the room. Maybe I could ask him to play for me some time.
There were no family pictures or any of friends either, but that definitely wasn’t a surprise. He would remain a mystery to everyone, including me. What was it about the man that required me to get to know what secrets he was hiding? I typically wasn’t a snoop, but Beckett had told me to make myself at home.
I headed down the hallway leading away from the kitchen, finding another bedroom and a den or small library including hundreds of books. The last room appeared to be locked. What was he attempting to hide from me? I tried the handle again, becoming frustrated. Now I really wanted to see what was on the other side.
Maybe I could pick the lock. Right. With what? I was no thief, no con-woman. I’d never broken into anything in my life. For a few delightful seconds, I thought about kicking the door in. That wouldn’t work. He’d hear me and I could only imagine how he’d react. Frustrated, I was about to walk away when I thought about the age of the house. It was older, maybe twenty plus years. I wondered…
I reached above the doorjamb, sliding my fingers along the casing. Bingo. A master key. Placing one on the top of various doors had been very popular since kids liked to lock out their parents. I’d done that a few times myself. I held the small, tarnished brass piece in my hand before inserting it into the lock, rewarded seconds later with a slight click.
Yes! It felt like a solid win.
A small part of me was more mischievous than I’d originally thought.
Thankfully, the door hinges didn’t creak when I opened it, taking a deep breath before stepping inside.
The last room was an office, another gorgeous representation of a Vermont lifestyle. The snow was still coming down, but I could only imagine how gorgeous the scene of the mountains was on a clear day.
After being mesmerized by the view, I finally noticed he had several monitors, two on his desk and others on his credenza, and what appeared to be at least two or three computers. Instincts told me they were all networked together. I moved to the other piece of furniture, uncertain how I felt when catching on this was his security room.
He had cameras planted everywhere. Not that I could see anything, but I could tell the angle was different with each view, an indication they were placed around the perimeter.
A cold chill came over me, managing to interfere with the earlier warmth I’d felt. I continued to ask myself what I’d somehow gotten myself mixed up in. After staring at the screens for a little while, I turned back toward his desk.
There were papers scattered on top. As soon as I walked closer, a rush of anger drowned out the apprehension.
He’d brought my phone with us while whisking me to safety. No clothes or other personal items, yet he’d insisted on bringing my phone. He’d riffled through my purse to find my phone and brought it with him. What was he doing, checking up on me? Who did he think I was?
Perhaps the exact same type of person I thought him to be. Corrupt. Jesus. His grilling of me had been furrowing in his brain for hours, maybe days. Meanwhile, I couldn’t make heads or tails of what was going on.
Except for one thing.
Someone was determined to kill him at all costs and collateral damage didn’t matter in the least.
I grabbed the phone, furious with the man for not asking me if he could bring it with us. Had he tried to get into my phone?
All I had to do was to look down at the notebook on his desk and the notes he’d taken. There were so many of them, enough I finally sat down so I could read every last one of them.
Valenti. There was that name again. Definitely mafia. Princess. Who was the princess? Certainly not me. I shifted through papers, trying to absorb as much information as possible. The way he drew a chart was almost like sketching a family tree.
And his name was included.
Right underneath Lucian Valenti’s.
He was a high ranking official in the organization. No wonder they wanted him dead.
I continued searching and reading, constantly glancing toward the door and listening for any sounds.
When I found the notes he’d written on my phone, I was indignant, yet of course I’d known he wouldn’t find anything. I had nothing to hide.
Except he’d found the one thing that was near and dear to me, something so private just knowing he’d seen the photograph brought anger and sadness at the same time.
My hands were shaking as I grabbed my phone, trying to shove aside tears as I navigated toward the photographs. His picture was the last one on the camera roll. Him. Beautiful, mysterious, frustrating Damen. At the end, he was someone I realized I hadn’t known at all. The man I’d tried to forget. How could I ever do that? The photo was the first one captured after purchasing my new phone.
When our smiling faces were brought up, I lost the battle with the tears, strings of them trickling down both sides of my face.
Now I was entirely too emotional, so much so just gasping for air made both my head and my chest ache from extreme pressure. A crime syndicate. Weapons. Security. Being hunted. It all came crashing down, my synapses incapable of forming any rational thoughts or concepts. The single emotion that furrowed like hot lava relentlessly searching for a channel for release was anger.
Beckett was the one who’d invaded my privacy. With the notes he’d written, it was clear as a bright sunny day he’d checked my background, discovering aspects about my life no one had the right to learn unless I told them.
Goddamn the man. I needed answers and I would have them. Period.
I spun around, not paying attention to where I was going.
Then I hit a solid wall of muscle and bone and a chiseled face peering down at me.
“What in the fuck are you doing in my office?”