Falling for Sarah (18 page)

Three officers surrounded a uniformed man lying on the ground. His bloodied, purple face swelled as they watched. “Pulse is thready. Hang on there, Steve. Help is coming.”

“That poor man.” Sarah struggled against Ethan. “Let me go help them, damn it!” She tried to yank free.

He held her close. “The best thing we can do is stay out of the way.”

“At least let me get him a blanket.” Sarah dashed toward the house and he followed. She grabbed the soft, creamy afghan from her couch and ran outside again. Handing it off to one of the officers, she stepped back.

The ambulance arrived moments later, backing into her yard. As the paramedics jumped from the cab, a crime scene unit pulled up. An officer cordoned off her driveway and yard with yellow tape. More officers went in Sarah’s home.

Sarah covered her mouth with her trembling hand.

Ethan wrapped an arm around her stiff shoulders. “Let’s see if we can get some of your stuff and we’ll get you out of here.”

“Okay.” She glanced back at the wounded officer, shook her head. “I need to check on Kylee.”

“Kylee’s fine. Austin has her. Let’s go.” He tugged on her hand.

As they moved forward, a man in jeans and a t-shirt walked toward them. Plain clothes, Ethan knew.

“Ms. Johnson? I’m Detective Chris Allen. I need to ask you some questions.”

“Yes, yes, of course.”

A crime scene cop wearing vinyl marker boots and gloves stuck his head out the door. “Detective, you’re going to want to see this.”

See what? What had that asshole done?

Moments later, Ethan stepped away from Sarah as the detective walked back. “I want to know what’s going on.”

“This is official police business, Mr.—”

“Cooke. Ethan Cooke, of Ethan Cooke Security. I’m in charge of Ms. Johnson’s protection. I’ve kept in contact with Detective Tucker Campbell during this entire investigation. You can tell me now, or I’ll call him and find out myself. I can’t keep Ms. Johnson safe if I don’t know what’s coming at her.”

The cop’s eyes cooled. “A bouquet of flowers was found on the kitchen table—five blue roses wrapped with a white ribbon. The card attached read ‘Soon, whore bitch, very, very soon’ in bold red ink.

“Oh my God.” Sarah’s voice trembled. Color drained from her face as she gripped her hands together. “That monster was in my home? He got into my
house
? I know my system was disabled, but I didn’t realize he’d actually made it in.” She shuddered. “I was in the shower just before Ethan barged in.”

Ethan took her shoulders. “Sarah—”

She broke free, running to Hunter as he stepped up to the officer guarding the scene, showing his ID, and ducked under the tape. She wrapped herself in his arms and stabbed Ethan in the heart.

They walked back with Hunter still holding her close. They moved out of the way as the ambulance pulled away with its lights flashing, its siren screaming.

“Let’s get her out of here, Cooke,” Hunter said, stopping in front of him.

“I have questions for Ms. Johnson.”

Hunter flicked a glance at the man standing next to Ethan. “You can ask them at my house or tomorrow. I’ll leave it up to you.” Dismissing the detective, Hunter spoke to Ethan. “Austin picked us up at the airport for a fucking tight squeeze of a ride home. He dropped me off and took Morgan, Hailey, and Kylee to the house. I want us back ASAP.” He glanced at Sarah. “You’ll stay with Morgan and me until we have to leave for D.C. next week.”

She freed herself of his hold. “Absolutely not. I’m not about to put you and Morgan in any danger. You didn’t see the officer they wheeled out of my backyard.” Her voice broke. “He was here to help me, and now he might die.”

Hunter brushed his thumb across her cheek, catching a tear.

She sniffled, shook her head. “I’m all right, Hunter. I want you to reconsider. I couldn’t live with myself if this sicko hurt Morgan because of me.”

Ethan watched her struggle to hold herself together while Hunter hugged her. He should’ve been doing that, always had. He wanted to take her and Kylee home with him, but he didn’t think she would be open to that right now.

Needing to touch her, Ethan ran his finger down her arm. “Austin and Hunter are going to cover you, Kylee, and Morgan. It’s the safest option at this point.”

Sarah looked up, eyes on his, and nodded. “Okay. Can we get out of here?”

Late that night, Ethan sat at Hunter’s dining room table with a cup of cold coffee at his elbow. They both stared at the surveillance footage from the cameras at Sarah’s house.

The tape showed the cop wander around her yard, shining his flashlight among the bushes set back from her patio by the bedroom, before he fell to the ground statue stiff.

“The fucker fucking tased him,” Hunter said as he rewound the disc, letting the video play back in slow-motion.

“There.” Ethan pointed to the flash of explosion when the taser dart left the gun.

Hunter let the disc play again.

As the officer lay stiff, a masked man dressed in black came into range on the camera. He smashed the officer over the head with one of Sarah’s small concrete planters.

Ethan winced. “Goddamn.”

The man in black followed the first hit with a second blow to the head, followed by several punches with vinyl-gloved hands. He kicked the officer once in the stomach, twice in the kidneys before he dragged him back to the shrubbery. The man crouched by the bushes and waited.

Ethan pushed fast forward on the laptop. Fifteen minutes of video time flashed by before he stopped it again. Sarah stepped from the taxi, pulling her suitcase with her. She unlocked the door, shut it.

Camera four caught a movement and took over, showing the man in black walk along the side of the house until he crouched in front of the living room window.

“He must be watching her,” Hunter said, flexing his fingers.

Ethan boiled with rage, disgusted by the fucker who invaded Sarah’s privacy. Minutes later, the sick bastard went to the door, put on a fresh pair of gloves, cut through the glass, and let himself in.

“Why the fuck didn’t the alarm go off?” Hunter stood.

“He must’ve jammed it.”

They both watched the masked invader run out of the house and back before running out again. He came back with his bouquet of roses, entered the house, shut the door.

Ethan couldn’t take anymore. The fear of what could’ve been sent his stomach into a churning fit of nausea. He stopped the CD and stood. “I need a break.”

“I’ll get more coffee.”

He walked to the massive sliders showcasing the bright lights of Los Angeles in the distance. He’d almost been too late. He’d almost lost Sarah.

Hunter stepped back into the room, carrying two steaming cups. “Ready to finish this?”

“No. It makes me sick.” Ethan glanced at the city before he blew out a breath. He had to sit back down and watch the rest. They might miss something if they stopped where they were.

He took his seat and the mug Hunter handed him. “Thanks.” He set it on the table. His system couldn’t handle another shot of caffeine. “Let’s get this over with.”

Hunter pressed play. Nothing happened for several minutes until the masked man stormed out the door, leaving it wide opened.

“What the hell? Why’d he leave?”

“He must’ve gotten my message. I called her office line. It was the only one he missed.”

They both came to attention when Ethan’s Rover sped into the driveway, and he sprinted forward, gun in hand. He rushed through the door as if his life depended on it. It had. If the bastard had hurt her…

“Jesus, Cooke, what the hell was that?” They exchanged a heated glance. “What if he’d had her?”

He thought of that a million times on the drive over to Hunter’s. His breach in protocol could’ve cost her her life. “Back off. I fucked up. I already know it.”
In more ways than one.

The two L.A.P.D officers hurried in just moments later, while others walked the perimeter of the house. They scrambled forward when they found their fallen man.

Ethan shut the lid on the laptop. “That’s it. We both know the rest.” He sipped at the coffee gone cool and winced. “He’s escalating and becoming careless. It’s only a matter of time before they get him.” He had to believe that.

Hunter looked at him. “He’s also getting more erratic. Austin or I will be on her at all times. Whoever isn’t with her will be with Kylee if they’re separated for any reason. Morgan’s finally speaking to me again now that I’ve properly groveled for not telling her about the incident that occurred while we were at the resort, so we’ve talked. She’ll work from home until we have to leave for D.C. next week.”

“I don’t think it would hurt to have Hailey stay with you too. She spends a lot of time with Sarah. Not only will she be good company, but she’s a potential target. His anger toward Sarah seems to be increasing, making it more likely he’ll try for someone close to her, just to hurt her.”

Ethan rested his weary head in his hands on the table. “If he can’t get to her, he’ll find other ways to bring her pain. Ultimately, that’s what he wants to do.” He met Hunter’s gaze again. “If Sarah’s parents weren’t leaving Saturday, I’d want us to put someone on them. The cops are on it, but I’d like someone closer.”

“That’s the problem. There isn’t anyone. We’re stretched thin. I think we have to look at taking on new hires, Ethan. The business is only growing.”

“I’ve already thought of that. I just haven’t had the chance to talk to you about it. That doesn’t help us now. We’ve got three-quarters of our men contracted for the World Leaders Conference next week and all but two on private duty. Most of our guys overseas will be here covering diplomats, so that pretty much leaves me. I’ll take Sarah and Kylee until the Conference is over or until the bastard is caught, whichever comes first. I can orchestrate the puppet show from my home office.” He pulled back from the table. “I’m going to head out.”

“Later.” Hunter stood, taking the cups to the kitchen.

Ethan walked toward the door but veered to the right and up the steps to the room he knew Sarah was staying in. He needed to be sure she was okay.

He stood outside of her doorway. The hall light blazed bright, illuminating the darkened room. Sarah lay next to Kylee, holding her close. She moved enough that he knew she didn’t sleep. Just as he was about to poke his head in, Sarah spoke. “Austin?”

“Yeah?”

Ethan followed the voice, saw his bodyguard lying on a cot across the room.

“Don’t leave tonight, okay?”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“I’m scared. I feel like I can’t admit that to anyone else, so I’ll tell you. I’m so damn afraid.”

Ethan fisted his hands at his side as her voice vibrated with fear.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you or Kylee, Sarah. Neither is anyone else. Try to get some sleep.”

Ethan turned, walked back downstairs. Had things changed so much between them? Was this what was left? He needed her right now as much as he wished she needed him. If he hadn’t screwed everything up, they’d be lying in each other’s arms at the resort.

He’d been stupid, jealous, and had hurt her because of his own insecurities. He wanted it all back.

The conversation she’d had with Austin should’ve been something they shared together. They always had. As much as he wanted more for them, maybe friendship would have to be enough. Having her in his life was what mattered. Going backwards would be better than losing it all.

Chapter 12

T
HREE DAYS LATER, AUSTIN PULLED away from Morgan and Hunter’s house. Sarah held Kylee up to the window so she could wave.

“Bye-bye, Austin.”

“Did you see that? He waved back.”

“Yes.” Kylee squirmed to get down. “I go play with Auntie Morgan now.”

Sarah held her tight. “Not right now, Kylee. Auntie Morgan is busy with her work. You can see her later.”

Kylee smiled. “I go play with Ethan and Hailey.”

Sarah nuzzled Kylee’s neck. “Have fun. I’ll be in in just a minute.” She set Kylee on her feet, and her daughter ran to the living room. She turned back to the window again, stared out at the bright, beautiful day before she cringed and moved away, fearful of who might be watching. She bumped into a solid wall of muscle and spun around, gasping. “Oh, Ethan, you scared me.”

He grabbed hold of her arms, steadying her before he let go. “Sorry. You okay?”

A fleeting smile crossed her lips. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.” This was the first they’d spoken since the night of the break-in. She’d heard the door open and Ethan’s voice greet Kylee, Hunter, and Hailey ten minutes before, when she’d been upstairs, quickly folding a load of laundry. By the times she’d come downstairs, Ethan had wandered into the other room and Austin had been leaving.

As Sarah stared into eyes she knew as well as her own, she wanted to hold on to the anger from the day at the resort, but it didn’t seem to matter anymore.

Ethan shoved his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat. “Can we talk?”

She glanced toward the living room, hating the thought of being away from her daughter, even a few feet.

“She’s okay, Sarah. Hunter’s with her.”

“It’s that obvious, huh?”

He smiled. “No, I just know you.”

Hunter growled and Kylee screamed in delight before her deep belly laugh echoed through the house.

“How about a walk?” Ethan gestured toward the door.

Sarah hesitated before Kylee laughed again. Kylee would be fine without her for a few minutes, and she’d allowed Morgan and Hunter’s home to become her fortress. Every moment she was afraid, the man who stalked her won. She nodded. “Okay, let’s talk.”

“Phillips, Sarah and I are going for a walk. I have my phone on me.”

“All right,” Hunter called back before he growled again and sent Kylee into another fit of screams.

Sarah grabbed her sunglasses from her purse. They stepped outside into the warmth, and she sighed, feeling instantly lighter. “This was a good idea.”

“Fresh air makes all the difference.”

She knew Ethan scanned the area under his sunglasses as they walked; she tried to ignore it.

“So, how are you holding up?” He brushed her arm before he dropped his fingers.

She shrugged. “Pretty well, I guess.”

“Good. That’s good.”

They stepped apart when two young boys soared past on their bikes, closed the gap again as youthful laughter faded.