“We’re going to keep a detail on her house for now. And I’m going to call the Feds about De Fiore, see if they suspect he might not be dead.” Carlito shook his head, clearly frustrated.
That wasn’t remotely good enough. “She’ll be staying with me until this shit is figured out.” Because despite what Tegan seemed to think about him not liking her, she couldn’t be further from the truth. She was the first woman he’d been interested in since his wife had left him and their young son almost five years ago. And she terrified the hell out of him. Tegan was a sweet, sexy, smartass woman and she brought out all his protective, possessive instincts. Even if he wasn’t insanely attracted to her he’d still have to help. He was involved now and it was clear she didn’t have anyone else to help her. He couldn’t turn his back on her.
“Um, she is right here.” Tegan shifted against the crinkly sheets, a frown tugging at her pretty mouth. “That’s really nice, Aaron, but I can’t stay with you. Someone wants me dead and now someone broke into my place? I’m not bringing that kind of danger to your doorstep—especially because of Dillon.”
His chest squeezed that she automatically thought of Dillon. “He’ll be staying with my parents and you can stay in my guesthouse. I have a little mother-in-law type suite behind my place. It’s a one bedroom, one bath apartment, basically. It’s small but no one knows there’s a connection between us, because we don’t have one. There are no phone records between us, nothing. You’ll be safe.”
Her jaw tightened and it was clear she planned to argue more. Well, this was an argument she’d be losing. “It’s not happening.”
“Fine. Then I’ll just stay with you.”
She blinked, her mouth opening a fraction. “You can’t do that. I won’t let you.”
“I’ll just stay outside your house along with the police detail. Which will make me a target if someone is watching your place.”
She stared at him as if he’d lost his mind, so he continued. “Look, I work for one of the best security companies in the country. Maybe the best. I’ve got eight years’ worth of the best training in the world thanks to the Marine Corps, as well as experience in combat zones. I’m fucking trained. You’ll be safer with me than anyone else.” He knew he was being pushy—he just didn’t care. After seeing that explosion with her so close, knowing what could have happened to her, he realized he was a moron for ignoring the spark between them. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.
“He’s right,” Duarte said, his voice way calmer than Aaron’s. “My former partner is one of the owners at Red Stone. The company does exemplary work. I’m still going to put a detail on your house because I want it under surveillance, but they won’t be with you twenty-four-seven. And if there’s an emergency in your area and they get a call, they’ll have to go. If I were in your shoes, Miss O’Kelly, I’d take Aaron’s offer. You can lie low at least for a few days while we investigate this. I’m bringing the Feds in and we’re going to try our hardest to find out who wants you dead. Until we do, the best thing you can do for yourself, for everyone around you, is to hide out where whoever is after you will have no idea to look.”
Aaron could freaking kiss the guy right now. Because he could see that the detective’s words had an effect on Tegan. Big time.
She bit her bottom lip in the most adorable way. He’d fantasized more than once about nibbling that very lip. He jolted when she looked at him with wide eyes. “Are you really sure?”
He nodded. “Christmas break is just starting for Dillon. He’s already asked to stay with my parents for a few days, so this isn’t disrupting anyone’s schedule.” His parents would be thrilled to keep Dillon longer than a couple of days.
“Can I bring my dog?” Her chin jutted out just a little, as if she expected him to say no.
“Yes, of course.”
Sighing, she looked back at Duarte. “Can I get my clothes and other stuff from my house?”
He nodded. “We’re going to need you to do an inventory of your place anyway to see what, if anything, was taken.”
“Okay.” Her expression was unreadable as she looked back at Aaron. “I’ll stay with you. And thank you, truly. I…I really appreciate it.” She swiped at fresh tears and he resisted the urge to do it for her.
No one was going to hurt her again, not if he had anything to do about it. And he was going to make damn sure no one followed them back to his place. They’d have to take precautions leaving the hospital so that they weren’t seen together if anyone was watching. He mentally started making plans for how to do just that.
Chapter 4
“If you keep giving her treats she’ll never leave you alone,” Tegan said to Dillon. Callan had just dropped Dillon off and Aaron was somewhere talking to his brother while Tegan and Dillon hung out in the kitchen with Kali.