From Roses To Thorns - Sequel To "From Nanny To Wife" (7 page)

"I'll let it ring until you locate it," Alex said.

Hope rushed to the family room where she spotted her phone on top of the entertainment center. She snatched it up and rejoined Alex in the foyer. "I found it. Thank you."

Alex closed his phone. "No problem."

"Zoe!" Hope called up the stairs. "Come on, little one. It's time to go."

"How old is your daughter?" Alex inquired.

Hope tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "She's my step-daughter and she's four."

At that moment, Zoe came running down the stairs. She was near the bottom when suddenly she lost her footing. Horrified, Hope watched as the little girl's arms began to flail. Springing into action, Alex raced toward Zoe and seized her around the waist just as she was about to fall. Carefully he carried her down the stairs and set her on her feet. She gazed up at him wide eyed.

Her heart racing, Hope knelt beside Zoe and took her by the arms. "How many times do I have to tell you not to run on the stairs? You scared me, sweetheart."

"I'm sorry," Zoe mumbled.

"I know you are." Hope gave her a hug. "There's someone I want you to meet." She released Zoe. "His name is Alex. He's going to be spending some time with us."

"Hello, Zoe," Alex said, smiling down at the child.

"Hello," she said shyly.

Hope touched the top of Zoe's head. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," Zoe said.

Hope was aware of Alex's presence as she and Zoe went about their day. He was like a shadow, following her closely everywhere she would go. He seldom uttered a word, only speaking when spoken to. His eyes were constantly moving, observing their surroundings. Hope found the way in which he did things a little unnerving. It made her realize just how dangerous her situation really was.

"I never thanked you for rescuing Zoe on the stairs," Hope uttered in a low voice while she kept an eye on Zoe, who was playing with a small group of children in a corner of the large library.

Alex shifted on the hard plastic chair. "No thanks necessary."

Hope studied him for a moment. "You must be bored following me around."

"I don't get bored," Alex declared. His dark eyes made a quick sweep of the room.

"We are perfectly safe in the library," Hope said amused. "You can let your guard down. I think it's safe to say the children aren't going to hurt me."

Alex's penetrating gaze settled on Hope. "Your husband is not paying me to let my guard down. He's paying me to keep you and your little girl safe. Nothing and I mean nothing is going to keep me from doing my job. There are no second chances in my line of work, Mrs. Kendall. One minute, one second of letting my guard down can get someone killed." He looked into Hope's eyes. "The sick bastard that is playing games with you just met his match."

Hope believed every word he said.

Chapter 9

"He hired a bodyguard."

Laura smiled coldly. "Same predictable Ryan." She placed the magazine she had been flipping through on the end table next to her and rose from the sofa. Moving toward the small bar in the corner, she picked up a bottle of Cognac and turned to face her husband, Seth. "It doesn't change a thing."

Seth arched an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"

"Yes, " Laura snapped. She poured her a glass of the amber liquid and took a sip. "If you have to take out the bodyguard then that's what you'll do."

"I'll have to get a silencer for the gun," Seth muttered.

"Then get one," Laura said. "I don't care how much it costs. I want this done right."

"It will be, darling," Seth assured her. "Everything is in place. I'm just waiting for the right moment to make my move."

Her green eyes sparkling with malice, Laura said, "Make sure you tape the whole thing so I can watch it."

Seth made his way to the bar and took the drink out of Laura's hand. He set the glass down and wrapped his arms around her waist. "We'll watch it together."

Laura ran her hand through his hair. "Make her suffer."

Seth grinned. "I will and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it."

When Ryan walked in the door, after a long day at the office, he found Hope waiting for him. She took his briefcase out of his hand, put it down, and slipped her arms around his neck.

"Hello, love. How was your day?"

"It was long." Ryan kissed her on the mouth, lingering for moment before breaking the contact. "What did I do to deserve a welcome such as this?"

Hope smiled as she rubbed her nose against his. "You came home."

"I'll always come home to you, sweetheart." Ryan brushed his lips across her cheek. "How did it go with Alex? Were you a good girl?"

"Of course," Hope answered. "Aren't I always?"

Ryan smirked. "No."

"You like it when I'm bad," Hope whispered. "You just won't admit it."

"That's right," Ryan said.

"Thank you for not listening to me and for hiring Alex," Hope said. "I'm glad you did."

Ryan frowned. "What made you change your mind about him?"

"He saved Zoe from taking a nasty tumble down the stairs. She was running on the stairs and lost her footing. He caught her before she fell. I'm so thankful that he was here. There was no way I could have reached her in time."

"I had planned on it being a trial period, but given what you just told me, I think I will keep ole' Alex around," Ryan said. "Where is Zoe?"

"She's washing her hands," Hope told him. "Dinner will be ready any minute."

"Good, because I'm hungry," Ryan said. "I didn't have time for lunch."

"Now you know you shouldn't skip a meal." Hope sighed as she looped her arm through Ryan's. "Let's go get you something to eat."

"You're always looking after me," Ryan said softly.

Hope squeezed his arm. "I'm your wife. It's part of my wifely duties."

Ryan leaned in close and said in a low voice, "There are some wifely duties I'd like to bring to your attention when we turn in later."

"Oh, really?" Hope mumbled. "Well, I-"

"Daddy!" Zoe screamed, running toward her father.

Ryan scooped her up into his arms and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Hi, baby girl. Did you miss me?"

"Yep," Zoe said, nodding her head enthusiastically. "Guess what me and Hope did?"

"What did you and Hope do?" Ryan asked.

"We made cupcakes," Zoe said.

"Do I get a cupcake?" Ryan asked.

"She made one especially for you," Hope informed him.

"Then I know it will be the best cupcake ever," Ryan said to Zoe.

Later that evening, Ryan made a quick check to make sure the doors were locked and the alarm was activated. Once he was satisfied that the house was secure he headed upstairs. He paused on his way to the bedroom to peek in on Zoe. She was lying on her side with her arms around her stuffed turtle, sound asleep. Ryan moved on down the hallway and entered the bedroom. Hope was perched on the side of the bed, removing her jewelry.

"Everything locked up tight?" she inquired.

"Yes." Ryan held out his hand. "I have an idea, Mrs. Kendall."

Hope placed her hand in Ryan's and stood. "I'm listening. What do you have in mind?"

"Let's fill up that big tub and soak our troubles away."

"Ooh, I like that idea."

Ryan tugged on her hand. "I thought you might. Come this way, sweetheart." He led her into the bathroom and closed the door.

Chapter 10

From the passenger seat, Hope gazed at the passing scenery. It was growing dark, the last signs of sunset fading from the sky. A cool breeze came in through the open window, bringing with it the scent of freshly mowed grass. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply and smiled. She enjoyed summer nights. Next to her, Alex sneezed, not once, but twice and she asked him if he needed a tissue.

"Thank you, but no," he said. "I have bad allergies this time of year."

"Why didn't you say something?" Hope pressed a button on the door and the window went up. "Here I was making your allergies worse."

Alex braked for a dog darting across the road. "Are you always this accommodating?"

"No, not always," Hope said. "I can be-" She broke off when he sneezed. "Bless you."

"Thank you." Alex sniffed loudly.

"You should take something for that," Hope said.

"I'll stop on the way home and get something."

"You can stop on the way to my house," Hope told him. "I'm not in a rush to get home. Ryan is working late at the office and Zoe's in bed, or she should be."

"I want to get you home." Alex switched on his turn signal and changed lanes. "I don't like being on duty after dark. It's more difficult to see everything that's going on around me."

"If I had known that I wouldn't have asked you to take me to the grocery store," Hope said. "I promised Zoe I would make her chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Gordon usually does the shopping, but he's been feeling under the weather. I didn't have the heart to ask him to make a trip to the store for chocolate chips and milk."

"It's all right," Alex assured her. "No need to explain."

Hope shifted in her seat and adjusted her seat belt. "What did your wife say when you told her I called?"

"Carol is out of town. She won't be back until Sunday."

Before Hope could say anything, her phone was ringing. She grabbed her purse from the floorboard, opened it, and took out her phone. "Hello?"

"Hello, sweetheart," Ryan said. "I wanted to let you know I will be home around ten-thirty."

"I'll wait up for you," Hope said.

"I'd appreciate it," Ryan said. "You know I can't sleep without a good night kiss."

"Or two," Hope muttered. "I'll see you later, love."

"I will see you later."

Hope closed her phone and dropped it back into her purse.

"How long have you two been married?" Alex asked.

"Seven months," Hope answered. "We were married the day after Thanksgiving. It was I have to say, the happiest day of my life."

Alex pulled into the driveway, several minutes later, and shut off the car. "Your husband needs to have a security light installed."

Hope eyed the dark yard with apprehension. "We have a security light. There must be a loose wire or something. I'll let Ryan know about it."

Alex removed his keys from the ignition. "I'll walk you to the door."

"That's not necessary," Hope said, gathering up her purse and a plastic grocery bag.

"I'm walking you to the door," Alex stated. "So don't argue with me."

Hope nodded. "Have it your way then."

Hope and Alex stepped out of the car and carefully made their way in the dark to the door. They were half way across the yard when Hope noticed from the corner of her eye Alex collapse. Alarmed, she dropped to her knees beside him.

"What happened? Are you all right?"

"Get in the house," Alex ordered in a harsh whisper. "Go now and run."

Panic began to grip Hope. "I don't understand."

"I've been shot," Alex rasped. "Get in the house, lock the door, and call 911."

Hope's eyes adjusted to the inky blackness and saw a dark stain on his shirt. "Oh, God!" she cried out. Her hands shaking she reached out and touched him.

"Damn it, Hope." Alex groaned. "It's not safe out here. Go now."

"I can't leave you," Hope said bright eyed. "You need me."

In one swift motion, Alex pulled his gun out of its holster, rose to his knees, and fired off a shot. He staggered to his feet and moved toward the figure lying face down on the ground. With his foot, he nudged the stranger in the arm. Frozen with fear Hope watched with horror as the figure kicked Alex's legs out from under him and delivered a blow to his head, knocking him unconscious. It was then that she turned and started to run.

"Not so fast, sweetheart." The figure seized Hope around the waist and hauled her backwards. His arms closed around her. "I have plans for us."

Desperate to get away from him, Hope struggled against him. "Please, don't do this."

"We have to go," he said, ignoring her plea. "That shot your bodyguard fired had to have drawn someone's attention. Now let's walk to my van."