“I’m not sure I like you referring to him as yours.” Brand kissed the side of her throat.
“I didn’t mean it affectionately, but I’m very invested in this. Territorial, maybe. I want to find him. I want revenge.”
“And you want to know what he knows about your brother.”
“Exactly.” She needed to know. It was always there, chewing on her peace of mind. How could Scott have any association with a vile kidnapper?
“You’re getting tense again.” His fingers carefully pressed deep, working her, almost forcing her to relax.
“You’re good at that.” She twisted to see him, eyeing the trim beard he had now. She liked it. “You’re good at everything, aren’t you?”
He smiled. “If we take this upstairs, I can show you just how good I am—with a proper massage.”
“Proper, huh?” She groaned and collapsed back against him. “Tempting as that is, I have to go to my house tonight. I need to get my party clothes for tomorrow.”
“All right. I can take you there now.”
She beamed at him. “It’s like having my very own hot chauffeur, who’s also a sexy roommate and a kickass bodyguard.”
“I’m a jack-of-all-trades.” As she went to get her coat and purse, he added, “It’s starting to rain and the temps have dropped. Want me to warm up the car?”
“Thank you, but it’s not necessary.” She turned up the collar. “We’ll go from the parking garage to the garage at my house. It’ll be fine.”
On the way out, Brand called Leese to let him know their plans. “Just to be on the safe side,” he said. Brand still wasn’t convinced that it was just a bystander who’d locked eyes with him a few days ago, or that it hadn’t been the kidnappers at the house pretending to be landscapers.
Sahara didn’t think it was, not after studying the security cam photos and seeing no resemblance to the body types. Still, she appreciated Brand’s caution. In so many ways, he’d make an ideal bodyguard, his instincts already perfectly aligned for the job.
As usual since the kidnapping, Brand stayed alert to their surroundings, even on the drive to the house. All looked quiet as they drove in, but then, the guys had taken turns randomly stopping by to check on things. Anyone watching the house would have realized that Sahara wasn’t there, and it was well scrutinized for intruders.
When they stepped inside, Sahara glanced around in surprise. Somehow the house felt even bigger...and emptier.
Brand peeled off his jacket, laying it over the volute at the bottom of the handrail. “I still can’t believe you live alone in this place.”
“I know.” Her heart beat a little faster when she looked up the long stairs and at the dim landing at the top. “I used to feel completely safe here, but after being in the suite, this place feels... I don’t know.” She shivered and said, “Vacant.”
Brand slipped his arm around her. “You were attacked in this house. It makes sense for you to feel differently here now. You won’t be here alone. Not for a very long time.” He got her moving. “Not until you’re ready.”
Was Brand already looking for an end date to their relationship? She hoped not, but even if he was, she wouldn’t return here. She’d stay in the suite...which would also feel empty without Brand in it.
How had she gotten so attached to him, so quickly?
She leaned against his side. “Don’t ever tell anyone, but I’m a little spooked.”
“I’ll be right here with you.” He kissed her temple. “And honey, you know it’s okay to be human, right? No one expects otherwise.”
“I do,” she admitted. “I expect a lot of myself. And usually I can deliver.” If Brand weren’t with her, would she make herself go through the house alone? Maybe. But she was glad she didn’t have to.
It didn’t take her long to choose a dress, find shoes and a wrap to match, then locate complementary jewelry.
When she opened the jewelry case disguised as a mirror on the wall, Brand whistled.
“That’s a lot of bling.”
She grinned. “Scott gave me most of it. Birthdays and Christmas and stuff like that. Some of it is older, handed down through the family. And a few pieces I bought myself.”
“That’s a handy place to hide it all.”
She gestured at the standing jewelry case, as tall as her dresser. “I have a lot of other pieces there, but the expensive stuff is better kept out of sight.” She picked out a ruby-and-diamond choker with matching drop earrings. After she’d placed everything in a small carrying case, she said, “I’m ready if you are.” More than ready. With the oddest feeling of being watched, she was anxious to be on her way.
Brand took the case from her, holding it in one hand and taking her hand with the other.
*
RAKING A HAND through his hair in frustration, he turned away from the small camera. “I don’t like it.” An understatement: he fucking well hated it. “She’s entirely too close to him.”
His cohort shrugged. “What do you have against him?”
“For starters, I don’t know him, and that’s unacceptable. I want every detail you can dig up on him. Everything from his friends and family to his favorite candy bar. Start with a criminal background check, his job and his bank account. How much money does he have, where does he spend it, how does he spend his leisure time.”
“I’ll get started on it tomorrow.”
“Tonight. I need to know something about him before she goes to the party.” He rubbed his chin and turned back to the camera, watching as she and the big man left the foyer. “I need to know what I’m up against—and how best to get rid of him.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
SEEING SAHARA’S DRESS on a hanger did not prepare him for seeing it on her. The long red dress hugged every curve and hollow of her body in a way that made his blood thicken.
The slinky material dipped low between her breasts, showing off a lot of cleavage, then fed into a cinched knot that emphasized her narrow waist. A split on the left side cut up to midthigh. Silver heels made her legs even longer.
She’d worn her thick brown hair down, but tucked back on one side, which showed off the jewels in her choker and earrings.
As he pulled her Mercedes into the designated parking area for the party, he made note of the area, of other people heading in and of the impressive house.
Not as impressive as Sahara’s, but still, a mansion.
These were her people, her peer group, and she’d fit in while he didn’t even want to.
Brand glanced at her again. She sat serenely, legs crossed, looking out the window.
Every man in the place is going to want her.
How could they not? No woman could be as impressive as Sahara Silver. He wasn’t a man who suffered jealousy, but if he could—without looking like an ass—he’d steal her away so no other man could ogle her.
A valet appeared in front of the car, intent on parking for him. Brand refused. When Sahara gave him an incredulous look, he explained, “I need to know where the car is, and I need the keys on me so we can leave if necessary.”
She puzzled over that. “You honestly think something will happen at a party? At the DA’s house?”
“Let’s just say I’m not sure it won’t.” He had a bad feeling about it, and when it came to Sahara’s safety, he wasn’t willing to discount any concern.
Brand found a spot at the end of a line of cars that would leave an opening for a hasty exit. It meant they had to walk a little farther to the house, but the rain had stopped before morning and there were plenty of stone paths to use.
Two attendants, who remained in the lot with flashlights, watched in confusion as they left the car. Brand asked the closest man, “You’ll be here for the duration?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Can I count on you to ensure no one comes near her car until we return?”
He looked even more confused. “Uh...yeah. I’ll watch it.”
Brand handed him a hundred and said, “Make sure it doesn’t get blocked in, too.”
Eyes a little wider, he said, “Yes, sir.”
Sahara smiled at the second guy, who clearly didn’t appreciate being left out. “There’s another hundred in it for you when we return.”