Barely Breathing (2 page)

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He had to be
fishing for answers. She wasn’t telling him where she was headed. “I’m taking a
little vacation. Going to get some R&R for a bit. Stop worrying so much.
You sound like an old woman.”

Her dad laughed and she smiled. His laugh conjured all sorts
of great memories.

“You’re heading straight into the lion’s den, Honor. I can
see the dot on the map. At your current speed you’ll be in Legacy by early
evening.”

“Son of a bitch!” she exploded. He had a fucking beacon on
her Jeep! “Where is it? Where did you hide it?”

“I’m not telling you. Searching for it will keep you busy
for a while.”

“I’ll just ditch the damn thing.”

“The Jeep you’ve had since you were a kid? The one you’ve
tweaked and computerized as much as you can? Not a chance. You’ll take it apart
and put it back together to find it, but you won’t get rid of it.”

He was right and that just pissed her the hell off.

“One of these days, old man.”

He laughed again. “Keep dreaming, little girl.”

Silence for a few seconds then his voice filled her car
again.

“Be careful, Honor. These guys are more than a file of
facts. And Midnight won’t watch out for you like I have.”

“I’ll be fine.” Did he really think she couldn’t make it
without him? Her decision to keep him out of the mess she was in solidified in
her head. It was past time to cut the cord and move on. Hopefully, she’d find
the help she needed with Stace and Midnight, Inc.

“When you get there, say hello to Gil Daniels. Give him my
name. He’s a good guy. Honest and trustworthy.”

Gil Daniels. Police detective with Legacy P.D. Black hair,
blue eyes. Married to Moira Madigan, daughter of Jack Madigan. They had one
daughter. A solid family guy. Former Marine who had served under her dad more
than once. Brother to one Griff Daniels.

“Stop going over the facts.”

Her dad knew her well.

“People are more than information in a file.” So funny he
said that so often now when he was the one who showed her how to put a file
together.

“I know.”

“Do you?” He sighed again. “One good thing has come out of
this whole mess.”

“What?”

“It’s gotten you out of isolation and moving around in the
real world.”

Oh God. If he knew how the real world experience had created
the mess she was in, he’d isolate her and keep her under lock and key.

“I move around in the real world.”

“A computer is not the real world.”

As far as she was concerned it was the best world. Facts
didn’t lie. People did. Vince had certainly proven that correct. Besides, she
just didn’t fit in. Her height, her mouth, and her overall clumsiness seemed to
always have people giving her a wide berth and going out of their way to avoid
her. So she avoided them instead. No harm, no foul.

“Just be careful, Honor.”

“I’ll be fine. Promise.”

“Call me if you need anything. If I can’t come, I’ll have
one of the guys there instantly.”

Translation, one of the guys was probably already in place
or on his way to Legacy. She wondered which one he’d sent.

“Honor.”

“Yes.”

“I love you, honey.”

“I love you too, Daddy.”

Her dad disconnected and music once more blared. She wasn’t
really listening though. She drove on autopilot, her mind sorting through and
classifying information. Was she doing the right thing by keeping her dad out
of it? He would eventually find out. He’d be pissed for sure that she’d gone elsewhere
for help. But she’d deal with it later—if she was still alive to worry about
it.

She would be Vince’s target now. Her exodus would concern
him. He’d follow her. She’d left a note for him saying she’d been called away.
Hopefully, it would be enough to make him believe she was still stupid to his
intentions. She had no doubt he’d be coming after her though. She was too
important of a tool for him to lose. She probably had seventy-two hours at
most. He’d managed to get inside her computer. Hers. So she knew he could find
out where she went.

She prayed it was enough time to convince Stace and the
group she worked for to help her out. Seventy-two hours was plenty of time to
lay a trap for the bastard. He wanted to make her dad suffer. She wouldn’t help
him. She had done the right thing. He probably expected her to call her dad.
Christ, maybe he had planned for her to overhear the conversation hoping she’d
do just that.

Not this time. This time she prayed she’d be pulling Jack
Madigan and his group in instead. From her files, he was almost as hard core as
her old man. Almost. As far as she was concerned, no one matched her dad.

Her dad might be concerned she was walking into the lion’s
den, but she needed a den of lions. She had a wolf on her tail and wasn’t sure
how many others he had with him. She really hoped the lions were willing to
help and hungry as hell.

An engagement party. Stace was at a fucking engagement
party.

Shit. Honor hated dressing up. She’d had just enough time to
grab a hotel room and change clothes before heading to the party for Ally Samms
and Blake Summers. Not exactly how she wanted to meet the people she’d put
files together on, but what choice did she have? None. Nada. Zilch. Zero. There
wasn’t time to wait for the festivities to be over. Who knew how long before
the crazy bastard came after her?

Honor was banking on his cockiness to buy her some time
before he even found the note. Why would she leave when she had a hunk like
Vince Towner chasing her? Ego. Men seemed to have it to spare. She laughed.
He’d probably choke on his own tongue if he saw her now anyways.

She cleaned up well. She just didn’t do it often. She really
wasn’t a dress-and-heels kind of girl. Her height didn’t need heels but, fuck
it, what was the good of dressing up if you didn’t have the shoes? And when
would she be around a group of guys again who were tall enough for her to wear
stilettos and not be the tallest person in the room?

She stepped from the Jeep and took a deep breath, then shook
her hands out in hopes of diffusing some of the nerves. She pushed the number
pad on her door to put her alarm code in then waited for the lights to flash.
Call her paranoid but this car was her baby. And at the moment it held her
entire life.

Please don’t let me fall!
She repeated the words all
the way across the lot to the door. No one stood outside. She couldn’t believe
they wouldn’t have security. Not these guys. It was in the blood. No matter the
place. Someone somewhere was watching and she had little doubt her arrival had
already been reported.

Honor felt the hair on the back of her neck rise and turned.
She was startled for a moment, not expecting to see him. He’d quit several
years ago. Out of all the guys who worked for her dad, he’d always been one of
her favorites. It had broken her heart when he’d walked away but she’d
understood. He was proof that shit got real in actual combat. And people died.
Him being here could only mean one thing. Guess she should have known better.
No one ever really left Daddy.

“Well, well, well. Do my eyes deceive me, or is it really
Honor Davison under all this glamour? Damn girl! No wonder your daddy keeps you
hidden away.”

“Tyler Andrews. I would say it was a pleasure to see you
again, but we both know I’ve never been great at lying.”

Tyler laughed and pulled her in for a hard hug. Honor felt
her eyes get a little wet and blinked rapidly to keep the tears from spilling.
It was so good to see him. What was he doing here? It clicked in her head and
she pulled back.

“Fuck. You know the Viking, don’t you? Rangers together? Is
this where you’ve been? Are you working with Midnight now?”

“Going over my file in your head?”

She just glared at him, arms crossed over her chest.

“First question. I’m assuming the ‘Viking’ is Shep. He’ll
get a kick out of the title. I can’t wait to see his face when I tell him.”
Tyler laughed and nodded. “We spent some time together in the Rangers. I’ve
been in Legacy for a few years now. Turning over a new leaf, so to speak.” He
seemed to find his comment exceptionally funny and she tried to calmly wait for
his laughter to die down. “I don’t work for Midnight but I did make a point of
introducing myself to Jack Madigan when I arrived in town. He offered. I
declined.”

“Did Daddy tell you I was going to be here?”

“He worries about you. Plus I was here and invited to this
party. He knows something’s up, something big. He’s going to dig until he finds
out. When he said you’d be going for Stace as soon as you arrived, I figured
you’d plan to come here.”

“So are you my bodyguard or do I need to keep my eyes open
for one of the other guys to pop up?”

“We both know you’ll keep those gorgeous eyes open no matter
what I say.”

She snorted. “I’ve missed your flattery.”

He grinned. “You’ve missed everything about me and you know
it.”

Honor snorted again. He was right. He was one of the few
guys who would and did stand up to her dad. That thought reminded her she
didn’t want her dad involved in this. “When you call him back tell him I’m
fine. He won’t believe me. Now you can verify you’ve seen me with your own eyes
and I’m gorgeous as ever.” She fluttered her eyes at him, playing on his
earlier comment.

He opened his mouth and she immediately shook her head and
placed a finger on his lips. “Don’t ask me.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to lie to a friend.”

“Are you planning to ask Midnight for help?”

She nodded. He held her gaze for a long moment and she knew
he was deciding if he should call her dad or not. Finally he shrugged his
shoulders at her. “If you need anything, you come to me right away.
Understood?”

She smiled. “I will. I’ve missed hearing your voice on the
phone. It’s been way too long. How are you?”

“I’m good, kid.” But his eyes were shadowed and she didn’t
believe him. She might have to stick around longer than she planned. Why hadn’t
Daddy told her Tyler was here? He had obviously known since Tyler was here
checking on her. Daddy wouldn’t let anyone walk away without keeping tabs.

“So, feel like being my date for the night?”

“Wow. Are the women here smart enough to see through your
playboy smile?”

“Shhh. They think I’m a nice, respectable guy here.”

She snickered. “Good lord! You have them snowed.”

Tyler laughed. “Come on. I promise to do my best to keep you
from tripping and going headfirst into the floor.” He trailed his eyes down to
her feet and then back up. “Stilettos? What were you thinking?”

“I like the fucking shoes?”

“And you might want to tone the language down a bit. Pretend
to be a lady.”

“Fuck you.”

Tyler laughed. “I’ve missed you, kid.”

Honor shook her head. She’d missed him too. She had a
million questions. But she had other shit to deal with first.

Tyler held his arm out to her and with a deep breath she
took it, wrapping her arm under his and placing her fingers lightly above his
elbow. She’d play nice, be social and have him introduce her formally to a few
people. Then take Stace aside somewhere and let her know what the hell was
going on. Once they were alone, she’d beg for help. If Stace was on her side
then perhaps they could get Midnight to help too.

“Ready?” Tyler whispered the words close to her ear.

She nodded. She was as ready as she’d ever be.

* * * * *

Griff did his best to seem interested in what the woman was
saying to him but if she asked him anything he was screwed. He felt edgy
tonight and not in the mood to be at this event. Could have something to do
with showing up solo again, when it seemed everyone else was pairing off. Or,
more likely, the fact that his mother was here with Roman.

She stood across the room from Griff, talking to his sister
Katie and her husband Ben. Roman was there beside Griff’s mom, his hand on the
small of her back. Griff felt his jaw clench and had to look away. He wasn’t
sure why he was the one unable to accept his mom’s relationship. Roman was a
good guy, a decent guy, and anyone could tell the man worshipped Catherine
Daniels.

He watched out of the corner of his eye as Roman bent to
kiss her. Almost immediately, his jaw was back to clenching again. Every time
he saw them together he thought of his dad and how he should be the one with
her. Griff remembered his promise to watch over his mother, the one he’d given
his dad just before his dad died. His mom thought Griff was mad at her and
maybe he had been at first. Mostly because he’d never thought of her with
another man. Never really thought of her as anything other than his mother. He
was trying to be okay with it. It just hurt, as if he’d betrayed the trust his
dad had put in him. Stupid, he knew, but still how it felt.

He nodded his head at the woman still talking and let his
gaze scan the room. All his friends and family in one place. Everyone smiling
and laughing. It was good to see. His gaze snagged on Shep’s pal Tyler Andrews
as he walked in with a freaking supermodel on his arm. She was gorgeous. Tall.
Had to be over six feet as she was level with Tyler and Griff knew he was a
good six-feet-three-inches.

Then there was her mane of hair. It was like liquid sand, or
with all the shades of blonde and light brown maybe more like a tawny lion’s
mane. It fell in waves down her back and some spilled over her shoulder. She
was toned and tanned, definitely a woman who worked out. He could see the sleek
muscles from where he stood. You didn’t get those without work.

He nodded again as the woman’s chatter ceased.

“You will!” The woman’s squeal brought his focus back to
her. “Thanks so much. I’ll let them know you’ll come in and help out.”

She scampered off and Chetan snickered behind him.

“Tell me I didn’t just agree to something I’m going to
regret.”

“Depends on what you find regrettable,” Chetan answered in
typical Chetan fashion.

“Just tell me, please.”

“You’ll be donating some time at the boys’ club, mentoring.”

“Oh, I can handle that.”

“There. No regrets needed then.”

“I saw Tyler Andrews arrived a few minutes ago.”

Chetan nodded but his smirk let Griff know he’d been caught
staring.

“Do you know who his date is?”

“Trouble,” Chetan murmured. “With a capital T.”

“You know her?”

“Enough.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

Chetan just looked at him and shook his head. “It means look
all you want but don’t even think about touching. Your golden tongue won‘t work
on her and you don’t want to take on the baggage she brings with her.” With
that cryptic advice, Chetan walked off.

Griff stood where he was and watched Tyler move the woman
around the room, stopping here and there to chat with others for a minute.

Movement caught his eyes and he saw Jack break away from a
group and head straight toward the couple. He didn’t look happy. This could be
really interesting. Griff headed that direction as well. He timed it so he was
just behind the couple when Jack stopped in front of them. He angled himself so
he could see her face. Damn, she was gorgeous.

“Miss Davison,” Jack addressed the woman with Tyler. “No
computers to hack tonight? Decide to crash our little party?”

“It is a lovely party.” She smiled and Griff felt it all the
way to his groin. Was there anything that wasn’t sexy about the woman?

Jack sighed. “Your dad called a bit ago. Told me you might
be headed this way, planning to see Stace.”

“She’s a close personal friend.”

“He also said it would take a hell of a catastrophe to move
your ass out of the cabin you call home.”

“I do love my home.”

Jack’s gaze narrowed on the woman and Griff knew Jack was
losing his patience. It made him grin. “You’re not planning on bringing any
trouble with you here tonight, are you?”

“Definitely wasn’t on my agenda.” There was something in her
voice though that gave the impression something was following her. Something
that might appear tonight.

“I’d hate to have you escorted from the building.” Griff
knew Jack would if he felt as if his family would be put in danger. He
worshipped his wife, his daughter Moira and his new granddaughter. He would
move heaven and earth to keep them safe.

“I’d hate to stop you.”

“Now, now—” Tyler tried to speak but Jack interrupted him.

“Your father warned me you could be a pain in the ass.”

She didn’t look happy with his comment. “I’ll just find
Stace then and get out of your hair.”

“Honor.” Tyler shook his head. “I will call your dad.”

“Don’t.” Her voice pleaded with Tyler. “I can’t have him
involved in this one. Not this time.”

Jack uttered a nasty word under his breath. “I had a bad
feeling you were bringing trouble the moment your dad called me.”

“I’m sure he felt he was doing the right thing. I apologize
for him. He tends to be overprotective when it comes to me.” Griff could tell
she was nervous. He had to restrain himself from stepping forward to offer his
help in whatever situation she was in.

“You want to keep him out of whatever mess you’ve gotten
yourself into?” Jack seemed to be searching inside her skin with his
penetrating gaze. “I can see fear hovering around you. But this isn’t the place
to talk. You come see me in the morning.”

Honor’s gaze narrowed. “Perhaps you should look again. I’ve
never feared anything in my life.”

“Hell. You’re definitely trouble. With a capital T.”

Tyler snickered and Griff took note of how Jack’s words
echoed Chetan’s. He’d have to ask Shep and see if he knew anything about her.
Shep would be the one to tell what he knew.

“You were in my system for over two minutes.”

“Two minutes forty-five seconds.” She seemed awful proud of
that fact. Griff remembered Roman and Chetan discussing a security breach.
Roman had contained it and Jack had made a few phone calls and said everything
was under control. She had been the one? Damn, he really wanted to know more
about her now.

“I just wanted to make sure Stace was safe.” She shrugged.

Griff watched Jack stare at her. The woman didn’t back down
an inch and she never dropped her gaze from Jack’s. He knew grown men who
couldn’t do that.

“You were told to leave Midnight, Inc. alone. I take offense
to someone putting together files on me and my men. No matter whom they call
family.”

She glared. “So you’re the one who used the daddy card?”

“Respect for your dad is the only reason you aren’t behind
bars right now. Hacking into secure files is illegal and dangerous.”

“No kidding.” Guilt with a mix of fear briefly flickered on
her face and Jack voiced the question that surfaced in Griff’s mind.