Love's Protector: A Maverick's Shield Novel (30 page)

Caroline looked down at the floor. “I don’t know father.”

“Please don’t blame your sister for the mistakes your mother and I made.”

Caroline gave Amour a blank expression. “I apologize. This whole this is just so crazy. I never knew about you.”

“It’s okay.” Amour responded.

Caroline shook her head. “I don’t know how to feel about any of this. All I do know is that I went to bed one night with a normal life, well as normal as the life of politician’s child can be and woke up one morning with my mom in jail for murder, a philanderer as a father and a sister I never knew I had.”

Amour patted her on the shoulder. “Believe me, I get it. I woke up one morning to find out that not only do I have a sister, I also have a step mom who killed my mother and that my father is not actually my, father because it turns out that my
real
father is actually one of California’s state senators.”

Caroline chuckled. “I guess we’ll both
be needing therapy after this huh? It would be nice to have a sister though; even though we don’t look alike.” She held out her hand. “Friends?”

Amour grabbed her hand and shook it.
“For now.” She laughed. “Hey, at least we’re both blondes.”

Caroline looked at her Pierce. “I’m still pissed at you father!”

I know sweetheart. I’ll make things right, I promise.” Pierce put his arms around both their shoulders. “My two little girls.” He squeezed them tighter. “I’m having a barbeque at my house, sort of a retirement party. Maybe you’ll join us Amour? It will give you a chance to meet your family.”

After some thought, Amour decided that there was no reason not to. “Sure.”

“Great!” Pierce said. “Maybe you can be a part of the family now.”

“I can’t promise you anything because I’m still a little angry and this is all new to me but I’ll try.”

He released Caroline and gave Amour a hug. “That’s all I ask.”

The Harrington home was large and extravagant just as Amour had suspected. It was also cold and uninviting which is why she was grateful she wasn’t raised in it. One of their five butlers greeted Jason, Alex and she at the door when they’d arrived. After walking through a few large rooms in the house, the smell of barbequed meat filled the air. Once they’d hit the backyard, the smell became overwhelming.

“I could definitely get used to this,” Alex said as they all admired the plush surroundings.

Jason snickered. “Man, the three flat screens alone would make me never wanna go inside, and I haven’t even gotten started on the basketball courts and the big ass swimming pool.”

Amour shook her head. “Sports and women, I swear that’s all you men think about.”

Alex smiled and winked.
“Says the hot race car driver.”

Caroline approached them dressed impeccably in a designer sundress made of linen. “Hello!” She kissed each of them with that pretentious kiss on both of the cheeks thing that Amour absolutely hated. “I’m so glad you guys could join us. This is an important day.” She looked at Amour again. “And how are you...
sister
?” she said with a wink.

At that point, Amour knew that this was going to be a long day. “I’m great. How are you Caroline?”

“Wonderful.”

Pierce walked over to them with a huge grin on his face. “Hello my darling! It’s so good to see you again.” He looked at the guys. “And who are these strapping young men you’ve brought with you?”

“This is Jason Kincaid and Alex Demarco. They’re friends of mine.” Jason looked up at her and frowned. She didn’t respond to it because she wasn’t sure what it had meant. The guys shook Pierce’s hand and he led the three of them to the area in the backyard where all the festivities were taking place. Sweat was beading on all of their faces.

“It’s hot as hell today,” Alex said.

Amour pointed to a shaded area full of lounge chairs. “Let’s go and sit over there.”

After eating a meal of baby back ribs, chicken and potato salad, Amour decided to explore the rest of the house; it
was
her father’s home after all. Jason and Alex were across the yard drinking beer with the rest of the men while being surrounded by young girls ogling them like they were dogs in heat.

The air conditioning pleasantly welcomed her when she stepped inside of the house. Pierce or maybe his wife had old world Victorian taste judging by the décor and that particular theme went through every room in the house. She entered the extremely large dining area and paused to admire all of the spectacular paintings and artifacts on display. She’d never seen anything like it in her entire life. Sure she made very good money racing cars, especially when she won a race but not enough to afford anything like
this,
not anywhere near. Seeing this made her think twice if only just a little about what it would’ve been like to grow up in a place like this and about how much of a brat Caroline must’ve been being so privileged. Not that she would’ve minded being in her position.

But even with all of what she was seeing, she still wouldn’t change growing up in normal Nebraska with her normal father for anything in the world. He may not have had all of this, but he loved her unconditionally and that was worth more than all the money on earth. She hadn’t talked to Ted since she’d found out about Pierce and wondered how he was doing.  She also wondered what having Carly as a mother would’ve been like. Apparently she was extremely good at hiding things so who knows what else Amour would’ve never known had she still be alive.

After leaving the dining area, Amour ventured off into the massive living room, the wreck room and the kitchen where she observed the cooks preparing more of the meal she’d just eaten and eventually ended up in the large library of the house. It had what looked like hundreds of books on the walls and everything in the room was perfectly clean, neat and polished. She’d bet a million dollars that the family rarely even came into this room.  When she turned and noticed the small bathroom that was attached, she decided to go in and freshen up before she ended her snooping. She opened the sliding door, stepped inside and headed straight for the sink. After washing her hands, she threw some water on her face to rinse off the sweat caused by the outside heat.

She looked at herself in the mirror as she dabbed the water off with the face towel that sat by the sink. What the hell was she doing here? All this couldn’t possibly be real. She once again reminded herself of the normal life she had with a normal father and normal friends; well, maybe not many friends but a normal life all the same and now this? How exactly was supposed to process all of this? She closed her eyes for a few seconds and when she opened them back, a small chill suddenly went down her spine. She didn’t know the nature of it, but it was definitely there.

She shook her head trying to release the tension she suddenly felt. “You’re seriously tripping out Amour. Snap out of it.” Grabbing the small brush out of her purse, she attempted to get her hair back in some kind of order before she went back outside. Her cell rang right as she began to brush her hair. She was sure that it was probably just Jason wondering where she’d gone, so she quickly grabbed her phone out of her purse and answered it. “Hello?”

“Bravo! I see you’ve managed to escape death,” the caller said.

The voice was calm but it almost seemed like the person was using some kind of voice box. “What? Who is this?”

“I’ll give you credit for picking the right bodyguard but I don’t think he’ll be able to help you now.”

No…this can’t be happening; not again. The person that had been calling her was in jail now, wasn’t he? “Why don’t you leave me alone?”

“I told you Amour, I’ll leave you alone as soon as I kill you and it looks like that’s gonna today!”

She never had the chance to react to the caller’s threat because at that moment, the door slid open, someone barged in and she felt a huge arm wrap around her neck followed by something soft covering her mouth and nose. The smell of something strong with a hint of sweetness filled her nostrils when she inhaled. She tried to fight off whoever was holding her but she could barely breathe and they held her so tightly that she couldn’t break free. Her legs started to give out on her as she began to drift in and out of consciousness. In her now woozy state, she felt someone scoop her up right before her eyes drifted closed and everything went black.

* * *

“Do you enjoy being a bodyguard?” Caroline asked Jason as she sipped her cocktail.

“Yes I do, very much.”

“I don’t see how you guys do it. I mean putting your life in harm’s way just to save someone else? I know it’s a noble thing to do but that has to be frightening.”

“Yes it can be a bit dangerous,” Alex responded. “But it has its good moments as well. All of our assignments have the potential to be hazardous but a lot of them don’t turn out to be.”

She placed her hand suggestively on Alex’s arm. “I bet you are really good at your job.”

Alex grinned. “That’s why they keep me.”

“I bet the girls just love you to pieces,” Caroline said.

“I suppose.”

Jason shook his head at the two of them as Pierce walked up to them holding a plate full of food. “You gentlemen having a good time?”

“Yes sir,” Jason said.

“Great! I just wish Mrs. Harrington were here for the celebration.”

“I’m sure you do sir.”

He turned to Caroline. “Honey we’ll have to make sure we throw one of these shindigs for her when she gets home.”

Caroline just smiled and nodded. Clearly Harrington was off his rocker. Jason cocked an eyebrow. “Umm…you do know that she’s been charged with murder don’t you?”

He bit off a large chunk of the corn on the cob on his plate. “Yes but I’m not worried about it. I know she didn’t do all those horrible things on purpose, She didn’t know what she was doing. I’m sure she’ll just be sent to a mental hospital where she can be cured and sent back home to us.”

This man had denial written all over his face but if that’s what makes him
sleep at night, who is Jason to say otherwise. “If you say so sir.”

Pierce signaled for Caroline go with him. “Excuse me gentlemen, I have to go and see my daughter off.” he said while pulling her away.

“You’re leaving Caroline?” Alex asked.

“Yes, I’m taking a trip to the mountains for about a week or so, we have a cabin up there. I have to go and meet up with some friends now.”

Alex smiled. “Have fun.”

“I will.”

Almost an hour had passed since Amour had gone inside and Jason started to worry. He looked around the yard but she was nowhere to be found. He turned to Alex. “You haven’t seen Amour have you?”

“Not since she went inside, why?”

“She’s probably okay but I think we should go and make sure.”

“Alright,” Alex said.

They saw no one inside of the house for the first ten minutes they searched it. When they walked into the living area, they spotted one of the maids cleaning around the fireplace. She jumped when she heard the two of them walk up behind her as if she was nervous about something.

“Excuse me sweetheart,” Alex said. “Have you seen a tall blonde woman in here in the last thirty minutes?”

“No…” the maid said quickly and then started to walk off.

Something was
not
right about this. Jason could feel it.  He caught before she could leave. “Are you sure?” She said nothing. “Look if you know something tell me!”

“I…I don’t know señor. I have to go now.”

“What’s your name sweetheart?”

“Lupe. Please excuse me.”

Alex softly grabbed her by the arm. “Okay Lupe, if you’ve been threatened don’t worry, we won’t let anything happen to you. I can tell you’re hiding something so please tell us what you know.”

After a short pause, she spoke. “I saw them take señorita out of the library and then the front door. I think they drugged her because she wasn’t awake.” Lupe started to cry. “I’m so sorry señor! They told me if I say something they would kill my whole family. I don’t want them to hurt her but I’m scared.”

“It’s alright honey. Did you see who it was?”

“It was a large man. I don’t know him. They took her in a big truck, black. That is all I saw, I promise.”

Alex held her hand. “Thank you Lupe. You did the right thing and we will make sure you and your family is protected.”

Lupe nodded and then quickly walked away. Jason stood in the middle of the living area wondering who on earth could have kidnapped her, again. Beatrice had confessed to the murders and to hiring the two men to kill them; well not exactly but with her lawyer claiming insanity she might as well had. His heart began to pound in his chest and his breathing became rapid and deep.

Alex placed his hand on Jason’s shoulder. “Hey man, we found her before and we’ll find her again but we won’t do it standing around so let’s get the hell out of here.”

“I can’t lose her Alex, not again.”

“You won’t! Come on man you’re better than this!”

Jason was so frantic with worry that he couldn’t think straight. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He couldn’t lose focus now. “Okay.”

“Did you put the tracker on her?”

He’d started not to because he’d assumed the person trying to kill her was already caught but both he and Alex’s gut was telling them that something about this whole thing wasn’t right so he planted it on her anyway. “Yes. I slipped it in the back pocket of her jeans when she had them lying out on the bed this morning.”

“Good, then I’ll be able to track her again. Let’s roll.”