Witness Pursuit (Bodyguards #1)

“Brigs,” Lydia whispered in Tyler’s ear as she lay half-sprawled over him. “We’re supposed to look at the files he brought. We need to get a move on.” But first they needed to right the room. The desk was jammed against the wall and the chair had toppled over, while her clothing and his was scattered, ah, everywhere. “I think we need to straighten the furniture, and how did my panties get over there?” They hung from the top corner of the safe.

Gripping her butt, he gave her a soft pinch. “You tried to put them back on.”

“Oh, that’s right. I remember now.” She tugged her shorts and shirt from underneath his back, and then crawled across to the safe to nab her underwear.

He remained where he was as she dressed, looking so edible sprawled on his back, the white shag carpet a comfortable bed underneath him. As he stretched, his abs rippled and, oh boy, those powerful thigh muscles she was now incredibly intimate with flexed.

“You probably shouldn’t look at me and lick your lips like that, not since we need to see what Brigs brought us.” He eased onto his side and caught up his pants and t-shirt then flicked the wrinkles out. Once dressed, he ambled to the desk and heaved it into place. He rubbed the spot where he’d laid her out. “I now have a real liking for this piece of furniture since it’s just given me a nice new memory. I’ll have this moved to my home office. I want this where I live.”

“Where’s that?” Easing in behind him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, his words touching her. “If you don’t mind me asking?”

“On the hills overlooking the marina, about a ten minute drive to the wharf. It’s close to work, and on the same street as Liam and Nico.” He turned and looped his arms around her. “Where does Ben keep you? And not just the southern quarter of the suburbs.”

“In a safe-house.”

His blue eyes twinkled. “Okay, keep your secret. I’ll find out, my way.” He released her and headed for the door. “I’ll go get Brigs.”

She straightened the room while he was gone then plopped onto the pinstriped couch. Shoving her hands under her knees, she gripped the cushioning. He was impossible, and insinuating himself into her life with such determination she wasn’t sure she could stop him.

What would she do?

Brigs strode into the room, his brows drawn together. “Hey, you look worried. We’ll sort this. I have the newscast, so let’s get a start on that.” He placed a slim digital device on her lap as he sat beside her and set it to play.

Tyler eased in on her other side and tucked her under his shoulder.

The footage rolled, and Johnny’s father, John Taita Senior, stood before several journalists with microphones. Taita wore his customary suit and collared white business shirt, his eldest daughter behind him with her head bent. Surrounding them, more family crowded.

Her heart cried out for them, for their loss.

“Are you listening?” Tyler picked up her shaky hands, laid them on his leg, and pressed his hand over top.

Giving a nod, she focused on Taita Senior who said, “I come before you today, more than twelve months after my son’s murder, to plead with the people of New Zealand. If any of you bore witness to Johnny’s hit-and-run, or have any information which could lead to the arrest of my son’s murderer, then come out of hiding and see that justice is done.” He paused to stare straight into the camera. “No more shall you flee.”

She shuddered, for it was as if he spoke directly to her. “Does he know I’m the witness?”

Tyler squeezed her hand. “Information regarding eyewitnesses is strict. He can’t get it.”

“Perhaps you missed what I said about the news headline. A reporter’s fairly given my name away. How did the journalist find out who I was? Who leaked the information? Taita must know it’s me. That message was personal, although what more he thinks I can do, I have no idea.”

Brigs sat forward, balled his hands and thumped his knuckles together. “When people grieve, they don’t always think straight, and Taita could know who you are. He visited the location of his son’s hit-and-run afterward, along with his daughter and other close family. Lydia didn’t enter The Program until ten days following Johnny’s death after we knew her life was on the line. Whether intentional or not, Tyler, Taita’s words were a direct threat to her. Lydia has name suppression, but that’s no longer enough.”