Though she knew she was being ridiculous, her hand closed around her purse. She knew it wasn’t a weapon, but it held enough items that if she hit someone over the head with it, she’d probably stun them long enough to get away. She was irritated at how paranoid she was acting. Her father’s call must’ve spooked her more than she realized.
She slowly made her way back to the office, trying to act as normal as possible. She wished at least a few other people were out so she wasn’t totally alone. Though her heart raced, she held her head high and stepped around the back of the building, to the employee entrance. She looked around at the two-story structure, seeming to spot shadows shifting in every corner. She pulled out her phone and pushed a button on the side so the screen lit up. It made her feel better to have a trace of light. She needed to talk to the manager about fixing the exterior lighting. It wasn’t safe for employees to be going in and out of the alley at night in pitch black.
Just as she was about to turn the corner a cat screeched, then rushed past her legs, its hair brushing against her bare calves. She must have jumped five feet in the air. The sound could’ve been bottled and used in a horror flick.
She realized the humor in the situation and immediately started laughing out loud uncontrollably. She had to stop being so paranoid. She finally pulled herself together and turned around the back of the building - and slammed into something solid.
Trying to get her breath back and move at the same time, she realized it wasn’t a wall she’d collided against. Arms were tightening around her in a death grip and her vision blurred as all the air left her body. She was momentarily paralyzed with fear. She knew she needed to scream, kick, bite, do anything other than stand there. People were still inside the office building. If she could get their attention she’d stand half a chance.
Bree finally managed to drag in a lungful of air and opened her mouth wide to let out a scream. As if he knew what she was doing, his hand clamped quickly over her mouth, further escalating her panic. She couldn’t die in an alleyway behind a crappy office. She pushed against his hand and bit down, pleased when she managed to get her teeth around some of the flesh of his palm.
“Crap! Stop that. I’m not trying to hurt you,” the man growled. His voice wasn’t reassuring. She also wasn’t a stupid teenage girl who believed her assailant only wanted to talk.
She continued twisting her body, but it was like struggling against the bars of a roller coaster car. He wasn’t budging an inch. The more she struggled, the stronger his hold became. Managing to lift up her foot, she slammed her three-inch heel down on top of his. He let out a yelp and released his grasp.
She didn’t take time to turn, but started running for the street. She only made it a few steps when his hands grasped her arm and she was pulled up tight against him again. This time he lifted her clean off the ground. She continued to struggle, knowing she only needed one good shot at his body. If she could get away a second time, she was ditching the shoes and running for all her life was worth.
“If you calm down I’ll let you go,” he commanded. Yeah, right. She wasn’t buying that either.
She managed to swing her elbow backward and connected with his rock-hard abs. She immediately whimpered as pain shot through her arm. She may as well have slammed her elbow into a brick wall.
“Damn, your dad could’ve told me you were hell on wheels,” he muttered as he took a few steps toward the wall, then flipped her body around so she was facing him. His words took some of the wind from her sails. What did he have to do with her father? She’d heard about kidnappers saying a family member was sick to get you to go with them – that had to be what it was.
As he stepped into the street, the light shined down on them and she got her first look at her attacker. Bree’s eyes widened in surprise. She knew the man was built like a truck, since she’d been pressed against him for several minutes now, but his face was stunning.
She forgot to fight him as his glacial blue eyes looked down into her own. Even in the darkness of the night she could see they were unusual in color, almost purple verses blue. Maybe he was wearing colored contacts as a disguise or the dim light was messing with her head. But, he couldn’t hide his chiseled features. He looked like he was cut from granite, with his strong jaw, high cheekbones and perfect nose, which was flaring at the moment. He had a small scar running from the corner of his eye to his ear that only added to his appeal. His hair was cut military short, making her wonder if he was some kind of mercenary.
Bree realized she was ogling him, and how ridiculous that was. She pulled herself together and put on her haughtiest expression. Growing up with three older brothers had taught her how to at least project confidence, even if she didn’t really feel it.
“I’m not stupid. I’ve heard all the tricks attackers use. There is no way you’re getting me into your car. I don’t care if you say you know the freaking Pope. If you let me go right now, I won’t press charges,” she snapped.
She saw red when his lips twitched as if she was amusing him. He thought she was funny. She was ready to scratch his eyes out - and anyone would stand witness that she wasn’t normally prone to violence, but he had her held against her will and then had the nerve to mock her.
“I somehow don’t believe you on that count but since I’m not attacking you, I have nothing to worry about.”
“If you aren’t some crazy stalker, then who are you?” She demanded to know, proud her voice wasn’t shaking. She knew she’d break down if she made it out alive, but she was standing strong, at least for the moment. She didn’t know if her knees would give out once he released his grip but she hoped the adrenaline kept her upright until she was safe.
“If I release you, will you try to run again or are you going to listen?” He asked with another smirk. She was so ticked off she found herself curious of what he wanted. Who was so arrogant as to try and abduct someone and then have the nerve to want to chat?
Obviously this man.
“I’ll hear you out, but as you can see, my phone is in my hand and I activated the emergency button on it. The sheriff is on his way here, now,” she bluffed. He looked at her hand, then up to her eyes. She had a feeling he knew she was lying but he didn’t call her on it, giving her the illusion of regaining some control in the odd situation.
Chad smiled at Bree. He found he was enjoying himself immensely with Mark’s cousin. He knew she was going to be spitting mad when she found out he was sent to babysit her – even madder than she already was, thinking he was a crazy sex stalker.
“Chad Redington,” he finally said and she looked at him with a blank look. He said his name as if she should instantly know who he was. Maybe he had escaped from a mental hospital. She took a step back and he immediately narrowed his eyes. She pulled in a ragged breath. She was trying to be careful, not wanting to cause him to strike.
Then her eyes widened as she concentrated on his name. She had heard it before. She searched her memory trying to remember why the name sounded familiar. She looked him over again in his dark jeans, skintight T-shirt and worn cowboy boots. All he needed was a hat, spurs and a horse and he’d be riding off the pages of a Louis Lamoure book. Her mind must be playing tricks on her because, though the name sounded familiar, she didn’t know him. She decided it was time to leave.
Bree quickly turned as she got ready to bolt, but once again his arms snaked around her and suddenly she was pinned against the wall, his body pressed tightly against hers. She felt every inch of his solid thighs, washboard abs and arms of steel touching her. She forgot how to breathe.
“Listen, I’ve told you I’m not here to steal your virtue. Your father sent me,” he said, his breath sweeping over her face, his lips only inches from her own.
Bree had been afraid and upset before his words, but her head about exploded when he said he was sent by her father. If he was lying, he needed to get more creative. If he was speaking the truth, her family members were dead – every single one of them. She in no way needed, nor wanted, a babysitter.
Chad’s eyes lowered their gaze to her mouth. She felt him push a little closer and she knew he’d finally realized they were pressed together against a brick wall in a secluded alley. She was suddenly aware her breasts were tightly pressed against his chest, making her heart rate accelerate. She became even angrier to actually feel anything other than fear and loathing toward the man holding her captive.
He loosened his grip and moved his body back, just out of reach, but his hands stayed planted on the wall on either side of her head – caging her in. His close proximity wasn’t helping her brain to function properly.
“Why would my dad send you to stalk me?”
“He didn’t. I’m here to protect you. He told me you’re aware of the threats against you,” Chad said. He was done playing. She was affecting him in ways he hadn’t expected, and certainly didn’t want. He was there for a job and nothing further.
“I will tell you the same thing I told my father. We’ve all received threats our entire lives. It goes with the territory of being from a family like mine. I won’t validate this pathetic man or woman’s addiction by living my life in fear. I don’t need, nor want a bodyguard. You can go back to my father and tell him, No thank you,” she spat, then looked pointedly at his restraining arms. He was about to get bit again and this time she’d sink her teeth in even deeper.
“Your dad told me you’d say that. He also told me to tell you, he was the one in charge, and come hell or high water I wasn’t to leave your side, so take it or leave it, but I’m here to stay,” he said with a smile.
How could he infuriate her and turn her body on at the same time? She wanted to take a bite out of him, but she wasn’t so sure it was to cause pain, anymore.
“I’ll just give the local sheriff a call and tell him someone’s stalking me,” she said with confidence, while smirking at him. She knew her rights. He couldn’t stalk her without consequences.
“Go ahead and give Captain Musket a call. We go way back, as a matter of fact, we served on the same team for several years,” he answered. Bree’s eyes flashed with fury at his words. Men! And they all stuck together.
“Can you please let loose of the arm cage so I can get my keys and go home? I’m tired, cranky and very much done with this conversation.”
“After you,” he said while taking a step back. She swept past him and went inside to grab her keys. She sat down and called her father. Just because he said her dad had sent him, didn’t necessarily mean he was telling the truth.
“Hello,” her father’s voice came over the line. He was answering his own phone, which meant he knew the call was coming in.
“Did you seriously hire a babysitter for me?” Bree didn’t take time to say hello. She knew she didn’t need to say who was calling. If her father had indeed hired Chad, he’d know exactly what she was talking about. If he hadn’t, he’d have the entire National Guard at her office in less than five minutes.