Dangerous Protector (Red Stone Security #14)(10)

“Fine. Then I’ll just stay with you.”

She blinked, her mouth opening a fraction. “You can’t do that. I won’t let you.”

“I’ll just stay outside your house along with the police detail. Which will make me a target if someone is watching your place.”

She stared at him as if he’d lost his mind, so he continued. “Look, I work for one of the best security companies in the country. Maybe the best. I’ve got eight years’ worth of the best training in the world thanks to the Marine Corps, as well as experience in combat zones. I’m f*cking trained. You’ll be safer with me than anyone else.” He knew he was being pushy—he just didn’t care. After seeing that explosion with her so close, knowing what could have happened to her, he realized he was a moron for ignoring the spark between them. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.

“He’s right,” Duarte said, his voice way calmer than Aaron’s. “My former partner is one of the owners at Red Stone. The company does exemplary work. I’m still going to put a detail on your house because I want it under surveillance, but they won’t be with you twenty-four-seven. And if there’s an emergency in your area and they get a call, they’ll have to go. If I were in your shoes, Miss O’Kelly, I’d take Aaron’s offer. You can lie low at least for a few days while we investigate this. I’m bringing the Feds in and we’re going to try our hardest to find out who wants you dead. Until we do, the best thing you can do for yourself, for everyone around you, is to hide out where whoever is after you will have no idea to look.”

Aaron could freaking kiss the guy right now. Because he could see that the detective’s words had an effect on Tegan. Big time.

She bit her bottom lip in the most adorable way. He’d fantasized more than once about nibbling that very lip. He jolted when she looked at him with wide eyes. “Are you really sure?”

He nodded. “Christmas break is just starting for Dillon. He’s already asked to stay with my parents for a few days, so this isn’t disrupting anyone’s schedule.” His parents would be thrilled to keep Dillon longer than a couple of days.

“Can I bring my dog?” Her chin jutted out just a little, as if she expected him to say no.

“Yes, of course.”

Sighing, she looked back at Duarte. “Can I get my clothes and other stuff from my house?”

He nodded. “We’re going to need you to do an inventory of your place anyway to see what, if anything, was taken.”

“Okay.” Her expression was unreadable as she looked back at Aaron. “I’ll stay with you. And thank you, truly. I…I really appreciate it.” She swiped at fresh tears and he resisted the urge to do it for her.

No one was going to hurt her again, not if he had anything to do about it. And he was going to make damn sure no one followed them back to his place. They’d have to take precautions leaving the hospital so that they weren’t seen together if anyone was watching. He mentally started making plans for how to do just that.





Chapter 4





“If you keep giving her treats she’ll never leave you alone,” Tegan said to Dillon. Callan had just dropped Dillon off and Aaron was somewhere talking to his brother while Tegan and Dillon hung out in the kitchen with Kali.

The adorable five-year-old wasn’t doing a very good job of hiding how many treats he was giving to Kali under the kitchen table.

He turned to look at her with dark, amber-flecked eyes so similar to his father’s, his expression intent. “I don’t want her to leave me alone.”

The kid was always so dang serious. “Well, I think she’ll play with you whether you give her treats or not. She’s always so excited to see you at the shop. And she’s not like that with everyone.”

Kali thumped her tail against the kitchen floor and actually nodded, as if to reiterate Tegan’s point. She swore that dog was half human some days. Most days.

Dillon grinned widely. “Really?”

“Really.”

Kali jumped up onto Dillon’s seat, placing one paw on his leg and one on the chair. She kissed Dillon’s face, making the boy giggle and wrap his arms around her neck. “Do you think I could have ice cream?” he asked, his voice muffled against Kali’s neck.

The sweet husky was soaking up the attention as usual.

Tegan pushed her chair back and was glad she didn’t feel nauseous. The doctor had said it might be a possibility but other than a low-grade headache she actually felt okay. “Sure. What kind do you guys have?”

“Vanilla and chocolate swirl is my favorite.”

“No ice cream until after dinner.” Aaron’s deep, sexy voice was only mildly exasperated as he stepped into the kitchen. He’d long since ditched his jacket and was wearing dark slacks and a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows—showing off all sorts of sinewy, hard muscles. The man was way too sexy.

“Come on, Dad! Tegan said it was okay.”

His eyebrows arched. “Only because she doesn’t know the rules.”

Tegan inwardly winced, realizing she’d made a mistake. Of course a kid couldn’t just have ice cream in the middle of the afternoon. Or she guessed they couldn’t. He’d need vegetables and stuff like that. Yeah, she wasn’t ready to be a mom anytime soon. Another reminder that Aaron wasn’t the guy for her, because he and Dillon were a package deal, no doubt about it. And she didn’t know the first thing about kids. Other than they were a little terrifying.