Irate and vengeful.
I’d done nothing wrong and yet I was running. People tried to kill me. Criminals. Murderers. They should’ve been the ones fleeing and hiding. Yet, I’d practically rolled over just because I saw something I shouldn’t have. My place of operation was in ruins and my business would go under. All that money, sweat equity and time down the drain because of what?
Because of me.
Because I acted like the one who’d done something wrong.
The cops should’ve been my first call. Maybe if the police had been notified, I wouldn’t be in this mess.
But the second that assertion surfaced, somewhere lurking in the corner of my thoughts, I knew it was wrong. Those men who shot up my place weren’t afraid of being seen. They didn’t give a crap that it was broad daylight when they pulled out all their guns and opened fire. They didn’t care who was inside, if kids were around, or who was innocent. In all likelihood, just as Leo had warned, these men didn’t give a fuck about the law. They were above it. Or, they had the authorities in their pockets.
Knowing that, how was I supposed to keep going? They’d missed me this time, but what about the next? Was it smart to just blow this town, stuff all my worldly possessions in the back of my car, and start over somewhere new?
God, I couldn’t believe I was entertaining the idea. At least I was alive. I still had a pulse. I couldn’t run a catering business if I’d bled out and died on that cold tile floor. That was my takeaway from all this. My upside. People died every day, every minute. I wasn’t one of them. Yet.
Closing my eyes for a moment, I took in another long breath. The faint smell of Dane’s cologne and fresh smelling shirt filled my nostrils. A reminder that he and Leo had protected me. They were still buffering me from harm. Driving me away from it. Saving me.
When I opened my eyes, I realized we were at Dane’s condo already, heading down the ramp to the underground parking. When my phone buzzed in my purse placed in the front passenger seat, I could think again. That call or text could’ve been from anyone. My staff, clients, suppliers, maybe even my landlord at the kitchen. It was only a matter of time before he found out.
Pulling out of Dane’s soothing embrace, I reached for the purse. I saw the call was from Jane. Shit, if she or any of my staff went over to my kitchen now…no one was safe there. Without reading her message, I scrambled to send a text back, but as we were probably three levels underground, my message didn’t go through.
Leo slowed the vehicle and reversed into a parking spot. When he turned off the car, he gripped the steering wheel with one hand as he looked back, smiling. Yes, the bodyguard, tense and on alert, smiled. Climbing from his seat, he walked around and opened my door, offered his hand to help me out. Taking it, I stepped out and didn’t hesitate to walk right into his open arms, only stopping when there was no space between our bodies and his arms were wrapped about my waist. I felt his hard body, heard the beating of his heart.
“Thank you,” I spoke into his chest and gladly accepted his hold. I lifted my head, turning to meet Dane’s eyes. “Thank you both. I should’ve listened to you. If I’d just done what you said, we’d still be here at your place, and my kitchen wouldn’t look like a war zone right now.”
“Don’t apologize,” Dane said firmly, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze. “You did nothing wrong. No one deserves what just happened.”
Leo caught sight of his men in the second SUV and gave the driver a nod. “Let’s get you upstairs.” With his arm around my shoulder and Dane’s hand wrapped around mine, they quickly led me to the private elevator up to Dane’s suite.
“Are you sure we’re safe here?” I asked on the ride up the elevator, breaking the silence. Even though we’d just left four oversized security guys in the garage, I had to ask.
I heard that squeaky, frightened little voice again and cleared my throat. It sounded nothing like me. But then again, I also found myself looking in every direction around the space, dreading the possibility that we were still in danger. And we were on an elevator, for crying out loud. “Do you think anyone followed us?”
“Yes, we’re good here,” Leo said. “And yes, they could’ve put a tail on us. But if O’Sullivan has tech people on his staff, which I’m sure he does, it won’t take them more than an hour to know roughly where you are anyway.”
The elevator dinged and the doors opened.
“How do you mean?” I asked as I stepped off with them.
“That phone of yours. They can trace you with no problem at all,” Leo added, pointing to my purse.
“You’re not thinking of smashing it to pieces, are you? Like in the movies? Please say you’re not going to do that. I’ve seen enough of my life broken and shattered today.”
He flashed a glance at Dane, who was about to slip his key into the front door. “I would, but maybe it’s time we face these men on our
own terms…here on our turf.”
“I agree,” Dane told him. “This stops now.”
“So, I get to keep my phone?”
Dane pushed the door open and ushered me inside, a sure, strong hand at the small of my back. “Yes. You’re safe here. No one can get onto this floor without a key and only Leo and I have them. Not even the concierge. You can relax.”
I laughed at that. “Sure. I’ll relax,” I replied sarcastically. “I need to make some calls. To my staff at least, so no one goes near the kitchen.” Just as I uttered the last word, my phone buzzed again in my purse. “Then I need a shower.” I plucked at my shirt and a small cloud of flour dust came off it. I was dirty and sticky—God, it felt like ages ago when they’d used my honey in a way I’d never imagined. And the butt plug Dane had brought. I closed my eyes and clenched down. I was sore there. I was so glad Dane had taken it out after we were done. And my pussy? It throbbed from their very thorough and pleasant use. But that had been before…everything.
“Of course,” Dane said and nodded to Leo. “Do what you need. You know where everything is.”
They helped me settle in for a few minutes. Leo sat with me, quickly wrapping me in a warm blanket, while Dane went into the kitchen and brought me a bottled water, opening the lid and handing it to me. I didn’t have to ask. This was their nature, to be kind, caring, and protective. Had I not been shot at within the last hour, I might’ve been able to do something in response to the continued throbbing between my legs from just being close to them. But at this point, acting on that impulse wasn’t smart. They knew it and so did I. This was the time for getting all our asses out of this mess. One way or another.