Dangerous Grounds (8 page)

“And you jumped on my ass for trying to skip it?” she demanded as she climbed into the car.

Gabe held back a groan. He had a fantastic view of her ass while it disappeared into his vehicle. Jumping it sounded pretty good to him right now.

He climbed in on his side, and then drove them out of the parking lot. She turned to him and he awaited a reprimand for his own hypocrisy about breakfast.

“Gabe.” She sounded more vulnerable than accusing, and he knew she was dropping the breakfast subject. “They’ll catch this guy, right?”

“Most likely. These guys don’t stay on the run for very long.” He didn’t add that he hoped it would be soon. Because the longer the guy stayed out there, the more time he had to locate Maddie. Even if they had a sketch of the Espresso Bandit, they would still need her to identify him if he was caught.
When he was caught
, he corrected himself.

Her hands clenched in her lap. “I hope so.”

The sound of a cell phone ringing broke the silence, and Madison dug in her purse to find it.

She answered, and Gabe listened to her side of the conversation. Whoever it was must have seen the news and gotten pretty upset. Madison tried to reassure them she was fine and she glanced up at him and mouthed the word
Mom
to him. He nodded.

“Today?” She sighed. “I don’t know. We’ve been out all day. I think we’re both kind of tired.”

He raised an eyebrow at her in a silent question.

She covered the phone with her hand and hissed, “They want us to come to lunch today at one.”

“Tell them we’ll go.”

“Are you sure?” Her brows knitted into a frown.

“Yes.”

Madison removed her hand and accepted the invitation, then clicked off her phone.

“That’s sweet of you, Gabe.”

He gave her a quick glance, surprised when her hand closed over his forearm.

She stared at him through lowered lashes, her voice sincere when she spoke. “I don’t know if I’ve thanked you for taking this—or me—on. It means a lot to me.” She tightened her grip. “And I’m not saying this just because I’m trying to convince you to go to bed with me. You make me feel safe, Gabe, and I’m not sure I would have with anyone else.”

Warmth rushed through him at her words, and he hated himself for it. He didn’t want to be put on a damn pedestal. Sure, he thought he could protect her. But what if he couldn’t?

No, he told himself. He couldn’t afford to think that way. She’d be safe with him.
She would
. Nothing would happen to Madison Phillips while she was under his protection. Nothing. Unfortunately, that included sex.

Madison could see her mother watching out the window for them when they pulled up to the house a little while later.

Before they had even parked, Lillian Phillips came running down the driveway to meet them. She threw her arms around Madison and dragged her into a tight embrace.

“My poor little girl.” Her mom pushed away a bit so she could look at her through watery eyes. “I just had to hold you, to know that you’re alive and okay. And your face…look at that bruise!”

“I’m fine, Mom,” Madison protested even as her own eyes filled with tears.

Lillian released her and reached for Gabe, drawing him into a tight hug.

“Gabriel, how can I ever thank you enough. You saved my daughter’s life.” She kissed each of his cheeks and heaved an unsteady sigh. “Bless you.”

Gabe’s face turned just the tiniest bit red, and he seemed uncomfortable with her mother’s praise.

“Eric was with me,” he replied. “I can’t take all the credit. We were just fortunate to have gotten there in time.”

It wasn’t the best thing to say, because Lillian’s shoulders shook and fat tears again ran down her cheeks.

“But the point is he did, Mom,” Madison reminded her and drew her mother gently away from Gabe, offering him an apologetic smile.

“Yes, yes. I’m sorry I’m so emotional.” Lillian brushed her fingers over her eyes to wipe away any lingering tears. “Your father is inside, Madison. He’s been so worried about you as well.”

“Maybe we should go in and reassure him,” Gabe suggested, taking her mother’s arm and turning her toward the house.

“Oh, yes, good idea. Thank you, Gabriel. You’re such a wonderful young man.”

Madison rolled her eyes, not bothering to point out that Gabe was thirty years old. She followed behind the two and wondered if her dad would be as much of a mess as her mother was.

Thank God he seemed to have it together a little more. He gave her a quick hug, a pat on the back, and turned to offer Gabe a drink. But then, that was her dad. Always the businessman.

She followed her mother into the kitchen.

“We ordered Spaghetti Bolognese from that little Italian restaurant down the road,” her mother said. “It should be here soon. Do you want a glass of wine?”

“I don’t drink,” Madison reminded her.

Her mother wrung her hands in front of her and chewed on her lip. “Yes, I know. I just thought with the circumstances you might want…”

“To drown out my fear with alcohol?” Her lips twisted with sarcasm. “I’ll pass. Do you have any diet soda?”

“Please, Madison. You know that stuff is terrible for you. I have Perrier, if you’d like.”

“That’d be fine.” She took the bottle from her mother a moment later, after having declined a glass to put it in.

“Oh, Madison. That bruise looks awful.” Her mother reached out and gently touched her cheek. “You should let me take you down to Cheryl at Nordstrom’s. She can get you some makeup and show you how to cover it so it’s less noticeable.”

“I don’t need any extra makeup.” Madison sighed and shook her head. “It will be gone in a few days, Mom.”

“Well, let me know if you change your mind. I’ll treat, of course.” Her mother gave her a searching look. “So…you’re staying with Gabriel?”

“Yes,” Madison replied and took a quick sip. “Is that a problem?”

“No, of course not,” her mother rushed to say and smiled. “You know, I couldn’t have asked for anyone better. I think Gabriel is a fine boy. Just fine.”

Gabe followed Robert Phillips into the sitting room and took a seat in a high-backed antique chair.

“You’re sure I can’t get you some vodka with that, Gabe?” Robert asked, gesturing toward the tomato juice that he’d just given him.

“I’m sure. But thank you, sir.”

“All right.” Robert nodded. “That’s one thing I’ve always admired about you, Gabe. You take your health seriously. I used to love watching you and Eric at those Friday night football games. You both carried that team.”

“Now there’s a flashback,” Gabe admitted with a smile. He wondered if Mr. Phillips had been disappointed when Eric hadn’t gone on to pursue college football or beyond. Robert Phillips was a supportive, dedicated man who worked hard to provide for his family.

“I hear my daughter’s moved in with you.”

And he was also very direct.

“That’s right, Mr. Phillips.” Gabe met his shrewd gaze. “Eric asked if I would watch over her until we apprehend the Espresso Bandit.”

“And I agree with Eric’s judgment. You’re more than qualified to make sure that nothing happens to Maddie.”

Interesting. Daddy can get away with calling her Maddie, but she makes a stink when I do it.

“No, I’m not worried about your capabilities,” Robert went on as he paced in front of the panel window that overlooked a view of the city. “I know you realize how much I love my daughter and would be devastated if anything were to happen to her.”

“Of course,” Gabe agreed, sensing the message underneath the words.

“Madison’s a bit fragile right now. You may have heard that Bradley broke up with her not long ago. With this new threat to her safety, I’m sure she’s feeling quite vulnerable.”

Gabe nodded, but wondered how well this man knew his daughter. Vulnerable wasn’t a term he would use to describe her. Maybe two days ago…but since then he’d seen a solid strength in Madison Phillips that had his respect for her growing.

“I think Maddie’s had enough shock. If you could keep things simple while she’s with you. Don’t let her do anything too extreme. She may not be thinking in a clear manner.”

Gabe’s attention snapped back to Madison’s father and his not-so-subtle warning not to try anything with her. His annoyance level peaked, and he wanted to tell her dad to have this conversation with his daughter. She was the one into extreme seduction.

But he had too much respect for Robert Phillips to bring that up. Besides, if he could stick to his guns and keep saying no, it wouldn’t be an issue.

“My only interest in Madison is keeping her safe, Mr. Phillips.” Gabe downed the rest of his juice.

“I thought as much.” Robert’s expression held respect and something else he couldn’t identify. For a moment he could have sworn it was disappointment, but that wouldn’t have made sense.

The doorbell rang and Robert excused himself to answer it.

Gabe walked into the kitchen and found Madison and her mother in a deep discussion about last night’s events. She glanced up and smiled when she noticed him. He returned the smile, but found himself thinking quite a bit about the conversation he’d just had with her father.

“Spaghetti’s here.”

They all glanced up as Robert returned carrying a silver container that must have held their dinner. Gabe gave a soft laugh. So this was why Madison ate out so much. She’d been raised this way. How could he have forgotten? Something as easy to make as spaghetti and the Phillips still ordered out.

He caught Madison’s gaze again and smiled as she quirked an eyebrow at him in amusement. She must have read his mind.

She took the seat at the table next to him and whispered, “Yeah, but wait ’til you try it. This stuff is orgasmic.”

Her hand ran over his thigh and he grabbed her wrist, stalling its movement. He glanced up at her dad, half expecting to find him glaring across the table, but Robert appeared otherwise occupied serving the spaghetti onto his wife’s plate.

“Not now, Madison,” he warned in a low voice.

“All right,” she agreed and gave him an intent look. “Then later.”

Chapter Seven

Later, after they’d spent the rest of the day making phone calls, closing the shop, and picking up more things from her apartment, they arrived back at Gabe’s house.

“Thanks for today.” Madison glanced over at him as they walked through the door. “You didn’t have to do any of that. The lunch with my parents was a lot to ask. I hope that wasn’t too painful.”

“Of course not,” he insisted, casting a sideways glance her way. “I like your family. They’ve never been anything but supportive of me.”

“They love you.” She walked past him into the living room. “I’ll put in the DVD.”

“All right, I’ll fix us something for dinner.”

Relaxing and zoning out for a few hours sounded like heaven. Anything to take her mind off the last two days. They’d stopped by the video store to make it an ultra stress-free evening.

And the post-dinner plans she had would be quite the surprise for Gabe. A wicked smile crossed her face as she grabbed the remote control and sat on the couch.

“I forgot to ask, do you eat beef?” he yelled from the kitchen.

“I do, but I prefer lean cuts.”

“It is,” he called back. She thought she heard him mutter something about tofu, but wasn’t sure.

The sound of meat sizzling and the smell of soy sauce reached her. Hmm. Stir fry? This man could cook. Too bad he was just a rebound. A girl could get used to this.

He brought her dinner ten minutes later and sat on the couch. Sure enough, it was stir-fried beef and vegetables, with a compact ball of sticky rice next to it.

“Wow, your rice looks so perfect.” She poked it with her fork and it didn’t move. “How did you get it to stay together like that?”

“I cooked it in a rice cooker.” He gave her an amused look as he stabbed a piece of beef with his fork.

“Right.” She wasn’t exactly sure what the difference was between a rice cooker and cooking it in a pot, but had no intention of asking. She took a bite and decided again how great a cook he was.

“So, what are we watching?” he asked as the previews came on.

She swallowed the bite of food in her mouth before she answered. “
The Notebook
.”

“You’re making me watch a chick flick?”

“No! It’s got war scenes in it, I saw it on the preview—”

“It’s a chick flick,” he argued and continued to eat.

“Fine. We’re still watching it.” She held her breath, wondering if he’d keep fighting her on it. He didn’t respond.
Ha,
I won
. Her smile turned smug.

When the movie ended some time later, an empty box of tissues lay on the couch and only one of them was crying.

“God, that was beautiful. To have that kind of love. I swear that is the best movie.” Madison sniffled. “How can you call that a chick flick? Wasn’t it just the best movie you’ve ever seen?”

Gabe gave her a look that said he clearly thought she was demented. “Watching that movie made me wish I drank, anything to numb the effect.”

Madison rolled her eyes and jumped up from the couch. She knew her mascara had run and she must look a mess, which reminded her of the big moment she had planned. She needed to get cleaned up.

“I’m going to get changed into my pajamas. But don’t go to bed, yet. I want to talk.”

“Talk?” He gave her a doubtful look.

“Mmm-hmm.” She avoided his gaze and hurried out of the room.

Gabe watched her go and gave a weary sigh. She seemed to be up to something, but the hell if he knew what. And maybe he didn’t want to. He did know that it was ten at night and he had to be at work in eight hours.

He reviewed tomorrow’s schedule again in his head. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been given the okay to guard Madison when she went to work tomorrow. Another officer had been assigned to watch over her shop during the day. The thought of it pissed him off.

Round-the-clock protection had been suggested for Maddie. They had felt confident in Gabe’s ability to keep her safe at night, but tomorrow she’d be in somebody else’s care. Damn. She should just close up shop until they caught the Espresso Bandit. Even as he thought it, he knew the idea was ridiculous. Maddie would never do it. She wouldn’t let herself be intimidated. He wouldn’t do it either, if he were in her shoes.