His to Protect (The Guard Book 3) Page 12

  When he returned carrying two mugs, she said, “Thank you.”

  He returned for the sugar. “Do you take milk?”

  “This is fine.” She automatically dunked the teabag over and over in her mug to allow the brew to darken.

  After a silent minute, Bodhi placed a hand over hers to stop the movement. “I’ve got my people on Flint. They’re investigating the marriage operation right now.”

  “And…Scarlett?”

  “I spoke with my boss and Madeline about her. They’re on it, Sloane.”

  She spread her hands. “I feel so helpless. I should be out there searching for my sister. I should be hunting down Flint—”

  He caught her fingers in his big hand, stopping her. “No, you shouldn’t. You should leave this to us—all of it. I promise I’ll take care of it.”

  “Just like that? I spend a year of my life working to bring down Flint and all these assholes buying young girls to use as their household slaves—and in their beds—and you just sweep in and handle it?”

  He stroked his thumb over her fingers. “I know you feel helpless, but you’re the least helpless woman I’ve ever encountered.”

  “You sound surprised.”

  “I am.” His direct answer made her look at him. One glance into his eyes raised those feelings of being entwined with him, joined with him back in bed.

  “You surprised me, Sloane. I never expected to find you’re such a strong woman let alone involved in this deep shit.”

  The praise felt unexpectedly good, especially from him. She probably cared too much what he thought of her—an odd turn, since she struggled to care about her public image. Maybe the fact that he knew more of the real Sloane Sailor than everyone else changed things.

  It changes everything.

  She added a teaspoon of sugar to her tea, stirred and sipped. The warmth filled her stomach and spread, leaving her feeling comforted and sleepy.

  “I was lying awake thinking of something else,” she said.

  He set aside his mug. “What is it?”

  “I want to go in stronger—tougher. I want to go after Flint with everything in the arsenal.”

  The corner of his hard lips twitched. “Now you sound like one of your scripts.”

  “I mean it, Bodhi. I haven’t done enough. There’s so much more I can do to stop him, and I haven’t seen it before. Or maybe since knowing you, I see things more clearly. There has to be something more I can do. I have all this money—fame too. What good is any of it if I can’t use it for good? I fell into the business, and originally it was a means to escape my home life. Now I see I can really use my position as a tool to do some good in the world.”

  His eyes glowed as he stared at her.

  “After telling you that I’ve got my agency on Flint’s ass, you still want to fight?”

  She nodded.

  “Has any man ever told you that you’re extraordinary?”

  She drew up, shocked by the words. “What?”

  “You don’t back down from anything, do you?”

  Lifting a shoulder, she gave a slight shrug, embarrassed by his praise. “I just want to find my sister.”

  He eyed her. “There is something you can do.”

  “Anything.” She unfolded her fingers from her mug.

  “You can show me on a map all the places where you found the girls and we’ll identify where they came from. Once we get a more specific area that Flint’s working out of, we’ll be able to zero in on him faster. You know where he lives. We also know he can’t be working alone. In operations like this, there’s always a second in command waiting to step in and take charge. We need to find all those pins and knock them out one by one, until there’s nothing left to stand on. Then we end it. For good.”

  A soft noise broke from her. She stood up and took a step toward him. He opened his arms, and she slid into his lap. “I’m amazed by you too, you know,” she whispered.

  He tensed. “What?”

  She looked into his eyes. “You’re dedicated to more than the initial job you were hired to do. You haven’t run away—you’re committed to helping me find my sister.”

  “Sloane…”

  “Shh. I mean what I say.”

  The man was also sexy as hell, and now that she was in his arms, she couldn’t stop thinking about their moments in bed. Did it mean anything?

  It did to me.

  If her life wasn’t a total disaster, she would push to see if their relationship could develop into something more.

  * * * * *

  North stood at the back door, looking out toward the thick trees screening the house from the water. From here, he couldn’t hear more than the faint cry of the gulls that would be soaring over the cove, but knowing it was all there for him to return to another time, comforted him for what he must do.

  Talking to Madeline put things into perspective, woke him up and made him realize he must move his ward—today. As soon as possible.

  He didn’t like it one bit, but the vultures were moving in. He had a small window of time to make the move. So why was he putting off waking Sloane?

  He told himself she needed her rest—they were up most of the night going over the maps he brought up on his phone—but that wasn’t the only factor. Truth was, he wished to hell he could keep her here tucked away in their private corner of the world. The minute they drove beyond those trees, the big, bad world would close in around them.

  His reasons were purely selfish. He admitted that much. The whys behind it were a bit more confusing.

  Feelings weren’t something he spent much time analyzing, at least in himself. The Guard considered him to be one of their more easygoing members. He glided on an even keel, providing amusement and comic relief to all, every chance he got. Easier to do when seated behind a screen. Out here, he wasn’t totally himself. The stress shoved him down, and all he could think of was keeping his woman safe.

  No, not his woman. His ward.

  At the sound of her footstep on the kitchen floor, he cast aside his heavy thoughts and turned with a smile. She was dressed in jeans and his T-shirt, the one with NERD written across the front.

  Christ, seeing her wearing his shirt shouldn’t cause a clawing feeling in his chest.

  His lips tipped up. “Nice shirt.”

  She looked down at herself, her dark auburn hair tumbling over her shoulders. “I hope you don’t mind. I saw it sticking out of your bag. It’s kind of cool.”

  He grinned. “I know. It’s my favorite.”

  “I don’t really think of you as a nerd.” She padded across the kitchen to him.

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “Guess you haven’t seen that side of me yet.”

  Her gaze cut over him, from head to foot and back up, as if his hidden depths could be revealed just by looking.

  Shaking off the moment, he took charge once again. “Sloane, we’ll be leaving as soon as you can get your things packed up.”

  She blinked. “I’m packed. You are too—I threw your things into your bag.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Is there some…danger?” Her voice pitched lower.

  “We’re safe enough though we need to get on the road. All right?”

  She nodded, and together, they went into the bedroom to grab their bags. Minutes later, he locked up the cabin with the question in the recesses of his mind when he would return. Certainly never with her.

  A few miles out, he glanced at the car following them some distance behind. His fellow guard, Archer, prepared to take over when they reached their destination.

  “Where are we going?” Sloane seemed to sense his thoughts and finally asked the topic he’d been avoiding.

  With a heavy sigh burning in his lungs, he glanced over at her. “We found Flint.”

  Her eyes flew open wide. “What?”

  “We’re going in.”

  “Oh my God. What do you need me to do? Tell me so I’m prepared.”

  “You’re not coming wi
th me, Sloane. I can’t put you out in the open like that.”

  Did she have to look at him like he betrayed her?

  “No.” She shook her head. “This is my fight. Dammit, Bodhi, this is my fight!”

  “I can’t let you get anywhere near him. You’re targeted from so many sides, and no way can I protect you.”

  “I don’t care. I’m going.” She faced forward, glaring out the windshield.

  “Sloane…baby, this is how it works. Your safety is my top priority.”

  She twisted on him. “So you’re leaving me where? With who?”

  He glanced in the rearview. “See that car back there? That’s your protection.”

  With a glance at her side mirror, she groaned. “You’re leaving me.”

  Christ, when she put it like that—

  “For a little bit. I know this case better than anyone, and I can’t leave it up to another guard to take over.”

  “So you’re leaving it up to them to babysit me while you go off and fight my battle!”

  “I can see why you’re upset. But can you see my point?” Anger began to rise in him, and while it wasn’t aimed at Sloane, he couldn’t keep the heat from his tone. “How can I allow you to walk into what could be a trap?”

  Her features seemed to shiver, and she closed her eyes. When she opened them, he saw a pain gleaming in the depths that sent his heart tumbling. He reached out and snagged her hand, gripping it hard in his own.

  “I care about your welfare, Sloane. I can’t put you in danger.”

  “You care about my welfare,” she repeated in a flat tone.

  “Yes, goddammit, I do.”

  “Because it’s your job to.”

  “No, because—” he struggled for a moment. Swinging his head to her, he pierced her in his stare. “You’re not going. End of discussion.”

  She tore her hand free of his and balled it on her knee. He drove on in silence, seething at the entire situation. For the first time in his life, he had a woman he gave a damn about. Someone he wanted to take care of. And she was fighting him.

  An hour later, Sloane still wasn’t speaking to him. He took her into the house where she’d be staying, and Archer entered behind them. He quietly closed the door. Sloane whirled to him.

  “Sloane, this is Archer. He’ll be staying with you for a while.”

  She said nothing.

  A soft knock sounded on the door, and Archer turned to open it a crack. He pushed it wider, allowing Madeline to enter. The woman glanced over at Sloane. “Nice shirt.”

  A low growl escaped North’s throat, a warning to keep her damn mouth shut. He’d deal with her as soon as they were alone.

  “Ready, North?” Madeline asked.

  “Yeah. Just give me a minute with Sloane, okay?” He directed his request to both Archer and Madeline.

  “Sure. I’ll be outside.” Madeline slipped back out, though not before he saw the knowing smile on her face.

  Hell, he was in for it with her. She already called out two other guards for getting too close to their wards, and she wouldn’t hesitate to bust his balls on it too.

  Archer tactfully took himself off to the kitchen. Sloane stared at her feet as North approached her.

  What to say to the woman?

  He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Archer’s a good guy. You’ll get along with him.”

  She said nothing.

  “I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. I’d like you to keep busy. Try not to think of Flint.”

  She jerked her head up. “Try not to think about that asshole who took my sister away from me? And how it should be me there to see him go down?” She cocked her hip forward and settled a hand on it.

  “Sloane…” He held her gaze. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

  She nodded.

  Silence strung between them like cobwebs, invisible unless you walked into them.

  He took a step toward her and caught her by the hand. He traced the lines of her fingers with his other hand. When he captured her gaze again, he said, “I’ll see you soon.”

  Her fingers twitched, curling to mesh with his for the briefest of moments before she pulled free and walked away.

  He watched her for a moment. Archer emerged with a bottle of water in hand. “Take care of her,” North said, throwing her a glance over his shoulder on the way to the door. “She doesn’t like Monopoly.”

  Chapter Nine

  “Another one bites the dust.” Madeline drove at high speed, taking the country roads like a personal challenge.

  North threw her a look. “What are you talking about?”

  “Another guard ensnared by his ward.”

  He knew it. He expected it. It still pissed him off.

  “You’re clueless.”

  She arched a fragile blonde brow at him. “She’s wearing your shirt.”

  “That means nothing. She got it out of my bag.”

  “Women don’t want to wear a man’s shirt unless she feels close to him.” She careened so close to a guard rail, for a moment North pictured them sailing over the ravine, but then she centered the vehicle between the lines again.

  “I didn’t realize you’re the authority on female behavior, since you don’t seem to have feelings at all.”

  He meant the words as an insult, but in true Madeline fashion, she tossed her head back and laughed long and hard. When she swiped at a tear leaking from the corner of her eye, he only shook his head.

  “All you men are the same. You see me as cold. I know you call me the Ice Queen behind my back. Just because I don’t have a new man in my bed every week doesn’t mean I don’t understand human behavior and relationships. Ever since I was a child, I saw what went on more clearly than the adults around me.”

  “Like what?”

  “The relationship between my parents. I felt the strain even at five. I studied it. And when I saw my mother leaving more often than usual, and seeing how her lipstick looked smeared when she returned, I knew she was about to run away with her boyfriend.”

  “Christ, Madeline, I’m sorry.” He scrubbed a hand over his face.

  “Don’t be. It’s in the past, and it doesn’t affect me now. Though it’s hard for me to ignore things.”

  He sighed. “Go on. Say what you want to about me and Sloane. I’m ready for it.”

  She chuckled. “You think I’m about to reproach you.”

  “Aren’t you?”

  She shrugged. “Why should I? It’s your business.”

  He gaped at her and sat up straighter. “You busted Oz’s balls—Lars’s too—when they got involved with their wards. Now you don’t care?”

  “I thought you said nothing’s going on with the stunning Miss Sailor.” Her lips curled into a smile.

  “God, you’re a bitch.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  He laughed.

  “You’re one of my closest friends, North. I only want to see you happy.”

  Shocked into silence, he floundered a moment and finally came out with sarcasm. “I’m touched.”

  “Now who’s the bitch?” She shot him a grin.

  “Fine, I’m the bitch. You gotta admit, this is odd coming from you.”

  “Everyone believes I was deeply hurt by some man, and that’s why I’m the Ice Queen.”

  “Well? Were you?”

  She drove on. One look at her profile told him the truth.

  “Yes,” she said finally. “I never discuss my personal life.”

  “I know, and I’m not asking you to.”

  “Maybe it’s time I did. Will you hear my confession?”

  He nodded. In the Church of their members, a confession was another way to confide intel.

  “It was my husband.”

  “God, you were married?”

  “Yes, very young. I was nineteen, and he was forty.”

  “Jesus, Madeline.”

  “Looking back, it was a terrible idea, but I was young and influenced by power.
”

  “Politician?”

  “Colonel in the Army.” She shot him a glance before returning her attention to the road. “Anyway, things went south.”

  “Cheating?”

  “No. He laid hands on me.”

  He clenched his own. “What did you do?”

  “I beat him senseless and then got him dishonorably discharged from the Army.”

  “Good. Motherfucker.”

  She nodded. “It’s over. But if it’s made me tougher, then I’m glad. I need it for this work. Now tell me about Flint.” The hard edge in her voice told him she was finished confiding and on to kicking ass.

  For the rest of the drive, he filled her in on everything he knew, and she had a lot to add. By the time they pulled into the driveway, North felt confident that today they would wipe an evil man off the Earth—only after he confided Scarlett’s whereabouts.

  In broad daylight, there would be no concealing they wanted something from Flint. Walking onto his property would set him off, but both North and Madeline were prepared for a fight.

  “This is it?” Seeing the place on a map was entirely different from seeing it in person. The rundown dump looked more like a trash pile than anything.

  Madeline issued a low whistle. “Clearly he doesn’t use the money he earns from selling underage girls for fixing up the place.”

  Boards were randomly nailed onto the side of the house and roof like a patchwork quilt, and a couple pallets served as stairs leading up to the rusted metal front door. A dozen or so cars sat around the property, giving no hint to which Flint drove and what had turned to wrack and ruin—they all appeared to be in the same dilapidated shape.

  North settled a hand on his weapon. “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  They approached swiftly and with purpose. When North pounded on the front door, he heard a dog bark somewhere behind the garage. No one answered or rounded the building.

  Madeline nodded toward the door. “Open it.”

  He did with a simple flick of his wrist. The stench of hot garbage on a sweltering Georgia day hit them square in the face. He breathed shallowly through his mouth as he moved inside with Madeline on his six. He couldn’t think of anyone better to have with him for a mission such as this.