Page 49 of Protected
“Sorry, Michael. I’m just nervous.” She let Bradley pull her against him.
Michael didn’t respond as he examined the paper. “Bradley, you better see this.” Bradley kissed the top of Darci’s head and slipped around her to where Michael knelt by the tire.
“Fuck,” he bit out. Fear curled in his belly. Printed on the paper was a photo of Darci and him at Iwo Jima yesterday morning along with a handwritten note that read:
You can’t keep her safe.
“What is it?” Darci practically shouted.
“It’s definitely him. Darci,” Michael said. “It’s time for us to go through your life with a fine-tooth comb. We need to look at any and everyone that this could be.”
“We need to put professional security on her,” Bradley said.
“No! I will not let some goons follow me around all day.”
“Darci, it’s not a bad idea,” Michael interjected. “Do I need to call Peter?”
Bradley looked at Darci. She was not happy about the notion of security, but when Michael mentioned Peter, her demeanor changed, so perhaps he needed to contact the security expert. One way or another, a security detail was being assigned to her tonight.
The police finished their questioning. A tow truck came and took the car away, and Darci invited Michael in for coffee.
• • •
Darci paced back and forth in Bradley’s living room. He had holed himself up in his office with Michael when they got inside. She couldn’t help but feel like they were conspiring against her. The urge to sneak out and catch a cab back to her apartment was overwhelming. Knowing that both men in the office would hunt her down, and the fact that a serial killer was taunting her kept her from it.
Darci had never done well with being smothered. The foster homes she lived in always seemed overprotective and stifling, and then there was the night in college that changed her life forever. Everyone always thought they knew what was best for her and didn’t appear to care what she wanted. They always meant well, but it still made her feel trapped. Michael came out of the office first. At the sight of her pacing, he shook his head.
“Darci, sit down. You’re gonna wear a hole in the floor.”
“Michael, I can’t stand being smothered. You know that. Please don’t let him smother me.”
He laughed. “I’m not sure I can keep him from anything, but I talked him into only two bodyguards instead of twelve.” She gasped in horror before she recognized the twinkle in the detective’s eyes.
“You’re mocking me, right? This is you mocking me?”
“Maybe just a little,” he admitted. “He cares Darci. And so do I. You need the protection and I recommended Peter’s firm. They train these guards to keep you safe without completely disrupting your life. You’ll be able to work like normal. You’ll just have to share your schedule with them and get used to being followed.”
“Apparently, I’m already being followed,” she snapped.
He sighed. “Don’t remind me. Just promise you won’t do anything stupid like try to ditch your detail.”
“If she does that, I’m going to take her across my knee, mine or not.” They both whirled around at the sound of Bradley’s voice. There was a hardness to his voice that Darci had not heard before. It was kind of hot. But not hot enough to keep her from being irritated.
“I’m staying out of this one,” Michael said, stepping out from between them.
“A lot of help you are.” Darci glared at him, but he just grinned and stepped farther away from her.
“Darci, I mean it. Do not fight me on this because I will win,” Bradley said as he reached her.
“I can tell you mean that, and I know you mean well, so for now, I’m going to shut up and go back to sleep, but I’m not done talking about this, Bradley. If they disrupt my life, I’m going to throw a fit.” Something flashed in his eyes. Anger? She wasn’t sure, but she didn’t want to find out.
“Michael, do you need Darci and me tonight?” Bradley’s voice was calm. Too calm.
“No, but we need to do an intense interview with Darci about anyone she’s crossed paths with so we can cross off names,” Michael answered, oblivious to the fact that the energy had shifted in the room. Darci however, was very aware of the change.
“Fine. Would you mind leaving us alone, then? We’ll schedule something for tomorrow.” He was calm and polite, but Darci was sure they were about to have an epic fight. She sighed. So much for going back to sleep. Michael said goodbye and Bradley calmly shut and locked the door. He turned and leaned against it, folding his arms across his chest, regarding her coolly.
“We can fight, or we can fuck. The choice is yours.”
