Dangerous Times (6 page)

“
Everything okay?” she asked quietly.

Nodding, he brushed a finger down her cheek. “Perfect,” he said.

She smiled and leaned into his touch, her eyes on his. Smiling back at her he brushed a kiss to her forehead.

****

Staring at the screen, he fisted his hands on the arms of his chair. “Who is he?”

“
Unknown at this time,” his friend’s voice said through the phone’s speaker.

“
Get closer, so I can get a better look at him.”

“
Got it,” his friend said. The scene on the screen changed as the camera moved closer to his target. “Do you recognize him?”

Staring at the close-up of the man touching his woman, he tightened his hold on the arms of the chair. “No, I don’t, but we’ll find out who he is soon enough. Follow them when they leave.”

“
Marty might be better,” Jason said. “There’s a massive security presence here and they’ve all logged me. If I follow, they’ll know something’s up.” The view changed to a slow pan of the room.

Jason was right. There was a lot of security there. Too much for the event happening. She’d called in reinforcements, obviously. That wouldn’t help her, but it was something else she’d be paying for when they finally got together again.

“
I’ll call Marty and give him the heads up. You are right. They are paying a little too much attention to those that get close to her.” They were protecting her. From him, the idiots. Like they could really keep him from getting her. And this time...this time they would finish their business.

****

Standing back, Shawn watched as Tamara spoke to a couple who had just purchased one of her photos. The men were raving about the photo, and she looked like a mix of embarrassed and pleased. A shake of hands and she headed toward him.

Pushing off the wall, he met her partway. “I think they like their choice.”

“
I think so, as well. They were raving about it,” Tamara said, shaking her head.

“
As well they should.” Catching her hand, he led her over to the buffet. She hadn’t eaten yet and needed to. “The piece is stunning and they have excellent taste.”

“
Stop.” She put a hand to her cheek and shook her head. “I cannot believe they were that excited about the picture. I mean, yes it’s great and the color-to-shadow ratio is perfectly balanced, giving it just enough mystery to make it intriguing, but really?”

Laughing, Shawn collected a plate and began to fill it. Grabbing a napkin when he was done, he handed it to her. “You really don’t see it, do you?” he asked. Picking up a second plate, this one for himself, he stacked it a little higher.

“
See what?” Popping a little tart into her mouth, she hummed and moaned happily as she chewed.

Shaking his head, he guided her over to a pair of chairs. “Sit and eat, I’ll grab us some drinks.” He got her settled and put his plate on the empty chair next to her. “As to your question,” he smiled at her. “You are fucking good at what you do.”

Winking, he left her sitting there, checking as he went to the bar to ensure that there were at least two of the C&M crew who could see her.

His gut was telling him something was up and he always listened. Especially when it came to Tamara. No way in hell was he letting anyone hurt her.

With that in mind, he walked back over to her and handed her a glass of wine. She wasn’t driving, so he knew she wouldn’t worry that it was her second one of the night. Lifting his plate he sat down and set his glass of pop on the floor.

Shawn resisted the urge to watch her as he ate, instead watching those at the event. They were an interesting bunch, to say the least. Some clearly flaunting their wealth and others much more subdued. They all had one thing in common though, their love of his girl’s skills with a camera.

His girl.
He smiled slightly. She was his girl, and he planned on being in her life a good long time. Reminding her that she was his daily, hourly and, if he could manage it, by the minute. But he was pretty sure she’d kill him if he tried that. He’d have to stick to daily.

Chuckling, he popped a spicy shrimp into his mouth. As he wiped his fingers, he caught sight of someone a little too close. Checking him out from his peripheral, he recognized him. He’d been staying close to Tamara all night and yet hadn’t once spoken to her. Had even avoided her earlier as he recalled.

Licking his lips, he bent to pick up his drink, staying in a partial hunch as he sipped from the straw, his eyes now on the guy. Setting the glass down, Shawn straightened up and leaned into her slightly. “Keep looking at the photo for now. But in a couple of minutes, glance to your left slowly. You’re looking for a gentleman in a dark gray suit and glasses, with a blue-tooth in his ear. He’s holding a plate and a short glass of something dark. Tell me if you recognize him.”

Tamara, smart woman that she was, smiled and nodded, ducking her chin slightly.

Sitting back, he let her take her time doing as she asked, and she did. Finally ,she met his gaze with a big fat “no” in her eyes.

Smiling, he bumped his shoulder to hers. “It’s okay, I was just curious.”

Thankfully, his crew was taking photos of everyone at the event. All the doors had cameras wired to them to take photos anytime there was movement in or out. There would be a lot of blurry images, he knew, but with the other shots from inside the gallery, they’d be able to check out everyone that had attended.

“
I think he’s a fan of that piece over there,” he tipped his head. The right thing to say, since she relaxed. “But I think he might be a little resistant to making the purchase.”

“
Not everyone is ready to take the big step.”

“
Very true.” He nodded. “Eat up, darling. I think your gallery owner is trying to regain your attention.”

“
Oh dear,” she muttered and huffed out a breath.

Chapter Seven

Pushing open her door, Tamara stepped inside and threw him a look. But Shawn was right on her heels, following her inside. Good.

Normally, she had to ask him to come in, except for the rare occasion. That he wasn’t going to make her ask for more time was really, really good. She needed him there, needed to hold onto him and just have some down time with him.

Licking her lips, she kicked off her heels and looked up at him. “There’s a bottle of wine on the counter if you want to open it. I’m going to get out of this thing and into something that doesn’t make me feel like a dress-up doll.”

He smiled as he threw the locks on her door. “I happen to think you look stunning. But go ahead, no need to keep up appearances with it being just us here. I want to check in with the crew and make sure they all got home okay.”

“
Thank them for me. They went above and beyond, all coming out like that.”

“
They like your photos, too, darling. Trust me, free food and booze with great pictures, what’s not to like? Did you want a snack?” he called after her as she headed for the stairs.

Pausing on a tread, she nodded to him. “There should be some cheese and meats in the fridge. Crackers are to the left of the sink,” she said with a smile.

“
Don’t worry about it,” he said, waving her off. “I’m sure I can find something to fill the void. Go. And don’t be too long, otherwise I’m just going to start eating and you’ll have to fend for yourself.”

Laughing at that, she dashed up the stairs to her room, smiling as she went. Hitting the lights, she stopped dead at the mess. Putting a hand to her throat, she backed up slowly. “Shawn,” she whispered, her voice sounding horribly soft. Clearing her throat, she screamed his name.

A loud crash, followed by heavy footfalls, told her he was coming. Backing up more, she spun and threw herself into his arms as he reached her.

“
Shh, I’ve got you,” he whispered.

She knew he was looking at her room. Her decimated room. The bed was in pieces, the furniture shattered, everything she owned either broken, torn or beaten to a pulp. Rage, pure and unfiltered rage had done this. Even she knew that.

“
Come on, we’re getting you out of here. I’m going to call the cops and have a team over here to do a sweep and find any and all evidence.”

“
There won’t be anything from him. He’s too smart, too careful,” she whispered, shivering now. Reaction set in, debilitating and horrifying reaction.

“
Doesn’t matter. If it’s here, even a spot of saliva, we’re fucking going to find it and use it to nail his balls to the wall, permanently.” He was practically snarling, but his hand on her hair and body was so very gentle, protective.

Tugging his shirt from his pants, she pressed her palms to the bare skin of his back. Instantly, she felt relief. He was warm, solid and so very real.

“
Come on,” he said again, softer this time. “Let’s get out of here and into the car. I don’t want to remain inside, at least not until we can get some backup here.”

Nodding, she let him guide her back downstairs. Stepping into her shoes, she accepted his suit jacket to keep warm. Though she knew she wouldn’t be truly warm until she could curl up in his lap and arms.

Shawn hustled her out to his car and got her tucked inside. Moving around it, he slid behind the wheel and called the police. After giving his information and telling them the situation and what was needed, he called Robyn.

“
Rob, it’s me,” he said and then rolled his eyes. “Get your mind out of the gutter, we have a serious situation. Someone broke into Tamara’s house and thrashed her bedroom. Nothing else appears to have been touched, nothing else out of place, but the bedroom is totalled.”

Shivering, she leaned her head to his shoulder, needing the contact with him.

“
Sounds good, we’re fine. We’re in my car in her driveway awaiting the cops. Yeah, sounds good, no,” he said. “I talked to his partner instead and he was good, we’ve worked with him before so he knows us. He’s coming out with a group of scene technicians.”

He talked to Robyn for a little longer and then hung up. “She’s got C&M crew coming out to meet us.”

“
Good,” she whispered, another shiver working down her spine.

Shifting a little, Shawn turned the car on and cranked up the heat. Then he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Snuggling into him, she felt frustrated, she just couldn’t get close enough to him. She needed his arms around her, his body pressing her hers and his body heat warming all of her. But she also knew it wouldn’t be happening.

Especially given the sirens she could hear in the distance. The police were on their way, which meant that the C&M staff Robyn was sending would be close behind.

On the other hand, that meant they’d likely get out of there sooner, rather than later. Talk to the cops, talk to the C&M staff and then they could go...somewhere. Shit. Where they hell were they going to go? His place, maybe?

Shivering again, Tamara liked that idea. She trusted Shawn more than she trusted anyone else.

That thought had her stilling.

It was true, though. She trusted him more than even Rhonda, her best friend since practically the beginning of time.

Lifting her head, she looked at him, trying to figure out why she trusted him so much. He was a force, a huge presence, and yet he didn’t rampage around. He spoke his mind, and yet didn’t force his opinion over anyone else’s. He was protective, watchful, and yet when he turned his attention on her, she felt like she was the only thing in his universe. She knew he was always aware of everything around them. That was who he was. But when their eyes met, nothing else existed.

“
Do I have something on my face?” he asked suddenly.

Blinking she shook her head. “No, not at all.”

“
Okay, so what’s with the screwed up look you’re giving me?” He turned his head to look down at her.

Oh, crap. Smoothing out her features, she shrugged and smiled up at him.

“
Uh-huh, nice try. Talk to me,” he said, his eyes making a sweep around the vehicle before settling back on her.

Sticking her tongue out at him, Tamara sighed. How the hell was she going to explain the shit rattling around in her head?

“
You shouldn’t do that, darling. I might just get ideas about what to do with that tongue of yours. And we’re going to have company in about three minutes, maybe less.”

Blinking, she stared at him until his words hit her and then she felt her cheeks go up in flames. “Do you say shit like that on purpose?”

“
Occasionally.” Shawn smiled. “This time it was just to get some color back into your face.”

Smacking his chest lightly, she let out a breath and settled her cheek against him. “I was just thinking about how much I trust you. And a few other things banged around up there that led me to look at you. And no, not going to tell you. A girl needs some secrets. Apparently it adds to the mystique, or some such shit, according to Rhonda.”

His chuckle rattled her head around a little but it made her smile, too. She loved his laugh. Full, rich, and it came from deep in his chest so it had a sexy little rumble to it. She probably shouldn’t mention the “little” part to him. Men were just so sensitive about that word.

“
Well, you can keep the rest of it. I’m just glad you trust me, sweetheart.”