What did she think? That he was holding her hostage? He was about to explain when it became their turn at the order window. Justice took and shared her food preferences, then ordered for himself and Leese too. Once they had two big bags of food, they drove away again.
Catalina sniffed the air. “Wow, that smells good.”
“We’re a block away from the hotel. Before we get there, you should understand something.”
She awkwardly pulled on her coat, working around the fastened seat belt, bumping Leese a few times. “What’s that?”
“I’m not holding you against your will.”
One of her brows lifted.
“I’m here to keep you safe.”
“So you’ve said. But if I chose to leave?”
He gave her the truth. “I’d follow.”
CHAPTER TWO
“I HAVE HER HAT.”
“What the fuck am I supposed to do with a hat? I need her, Tesh, not her wardrobe.”
Refusing to be riled, Tesh fingered the hat, then stuffed it back into his pocket. “I meant it as a confirmation for you that I have her in my sights. She left the hat behind at the bus station after some idiots tried to accost her. The bodyguard stepped in.”
“So he found her.”
Making a sound of affirmation, Tesh said, “And I followed him.” He could have found her on his own. Contrary to what little Cat Nicholson thought, she wasn’t all that clever. But she’d have recognized him right off and booked again.
Having a different face, a less menacing face, track her down worked to his advantage. “I’ve been following her since, not too close because I don’t want to spook her.”
“Fine, what’s the plan?”
“I’ll grab her in the morning.” Despite the wishes of anyone else, he didn’t want her killed. Not his sweet, wild kitten. Given half a chance, he’d tuck her away and keep her safe.
All his, and his alone.
It’d be worth giving up everything. She was worth it, and when he finished taming her, she’d be not only agreeable, but grateful.
“Keep me posted.”
Tesh nodded. “Will do.” He disconnected the call, and thought about how to proceed. He had his orders. And he had his preferences. If things went right, he could have it all.
*
CATALINA WASN’T SURE what to think. Leese Phelps, her new “bodyguard,” looked sincere enough. But she knew how it worked.
For much of her life, and especially the last few months before she’d been forced to run six weeks ago, too many things had been done “for her own good.” These days, she had a hard time knowing who to trust, but it was rarely those people claiming to have her best interests at heart.
Leese, with the gorgeous blue eyes and tall, solid physique, looked the part of a hero. But looks could be deceiving. He also said the right things, painting himself as a good guy. But good, too, could be subjective.
He’d made mincemeat of Wayne’s bullyboy, taking him out in such an effortless way. Then with a look alone, he intimidated Wayne.
He had a gun and he spoke to his massive chauffeur friend as if the guy wasn’t an enormous pile of muscle and badass ’tude.
She sighed. What to do?
Gaze teasing, Leese lifted one bag of food as enticement. “Why don’t you come up to the room and at least eat before making any decisions? I have a feeling we need to talk out a few things.”
The wind had played havoc with his dark hair, and this late in the day he had sexy beard shadow scruff highlighting his lean jaw, making his incendiary eyes look even more compelling.
How unfair. Her eyes were a wishy-washy blah blue.
Not his. Nope, his eyes were the kind that made a woman’s stomach tumble.
And though the food smelled good, it had nothing on Leese, who smelled incredibly delicious. The nap she’d taken, using his hard thigh as a pillow, was the best rest she’d had in a good long while.
How did that make any sense?
She had no idea how much, if any, she should trust him. But she’d slept peacefully.
“I guess if you wanted to murder me or some other heinous thing, you wouldn’t have to take me to a nice hotel to do it.”
“You see,” he said, dark, level brows coming together. “It’s thoughts like that we need to talk about.”
“Then again,” she continued, feeling constrained as they drove into a dark, concrete parking garage, “you could be luring me into a trap.” Fear put a stranglehold on her throat. What if he only wanted her to come along peacefully because that’d make it easier on him? Then he’d hand her over without a single qualm.
Then what would she do?
“No trap,” Leese said gently, and amazingly it helped to still the escalating alarm.
“No one else is waiting inside? Because it’d be beyond diabolical to lure me with food when I’m already so hungry, just to sabotage me and—”
One finger pressed to her mouth, silencing her. “I’m not sure who you think wants to sabotage you, but I promise, Justice and I won’t let that happen.”
Oh wow. He said that so convincingly while touching her mouth, and even through her fear, it affected her, making her toes curl in her boots. Believing him, even though that was an insane thing to do, she gave a small nod. “Okay.”
“Good girl.” His hand cupped the side of her face. “Now take a few breaths and try to relax.”
She nodded, even as her thoughts scrambled.
Justice parked, then walked around and opened her door for her.
Hoping to hide her continued worry, she teased, “Such a gentleman.”
Justice tugged at an ear. “Haven’t been accused of that too many times.”
When she stepped out, she felt downright puny next to him. It wasn’t just his height, but also the breadth of his chest and shoulders. Boulder shoulders. Even through his leather jacket, she could see the unyielding strength in his body.
For whatever reason, even though she felt safe with Leese, Justice made her more at ease.
Could be the lack of attraction.
She saw Leese as walking, talking sex appeal.
Justice was like a big teddy bear...if teddy bears ate steel for breakfast.
A second later, his expression alert, Leese was at her side as he waited for Justice to open the back of the SUV. He had a leaner, more honed physique that was no less powerful.
Leese, clearly in charge, nearly vibrated with edgy awareness. Justice seemed to be along for the ride.
They made interesting cohorts, like mismatched bookends that would nonetheless get the job done. And if she wasn’t so worried, she wouldn’t mind her role as the only book.
“How’s your ankle?”
She stared at him blankly. “My ankle?”
“You were limping earlier.”
“Oh.” She looked down at her feet, unaware of any problem. “Guess it’s okay.” She wiggled her toes. “Must have been a temporary thing.”
“Good. Any discomfort, just let me know.”
They each retrieved moderately sized overnight bags, and Justice lifted out her big suitcase.
“The wheel broke,” she explained.
“Not a problem.” Justice held it as easily as he would have a pillow.
That bugged her. She’d had a devil of a time hauling that awkward heap through the snow, sludge and ice in the alleys. If these two were going to corral her, they could have done so as soon as she’d left the shelter. Maybe then her back and shoulders wouldn’t be so tired.
“He’s a regular beast, isn’t he?” she whispered to Leese.