Tamed (Corcoran Team: Bulletproof Bachelors Book 3) (11 page)

But Shane had gotten the response he’d expected, so he nodded. Put on his best we’re-all-friends-here smile and headed for the front door. “We’ll talk soon.”

They had gotten out the front door and down the porch steps to the car before Makena whispered under her breath, “What was that about?”

“What do you mean?” No way was Shane answering that while still standing in the middle of danger territory. He’d taken a burner phone to the park as a precaution. He didn’t want his cloned or lost, so he went with a fake one. It was just as likely he could be overheard. He had no idea what toys Tyler possessed, though he did intend to find out.

“Makena?” Tyler called out from the front doorway. “I need to see you on one more work issue.”

Of course he did. So predictable.

Shane nodded in Tyler’s general direction. “He wants you alone.”

“Don’t be so impressed with yourself. You are as transparent as he is.” She leaned in closer. “I know you’re up to something. I can see the wheels turning in your head.”

He would tell her later. Away from here. She’d yell and kick and scream, all while defending Tyler. So long as she didn’t call him a hero, Shane could stomach whatever she said. “And you’re wanted. Better find out why.”

Shane would bet all the cash in his checking account that he knew what the topic of this conversation would be. Tyler had concerns. Tyler needed to talk.

And Shane knew it was about him.

Chapter Thirteen

Makena was not in the mood for a lecture, no matter who delivered it. Shane spent a lot of time giving her his opinion. Last night his words had lightened the guilt that had been weighing her down ever since people started dying in front of her.

Sure, she hadn’t killed anyone and most of the men needed to be stopped, but the situation in the park could have ended differently. Violently. And every drop of blood tied back to her decision to take on her research work for the website. It was a lot to take in and almost more than she could handle. From the look on Tyler’s face, he planned to give her even more to think about.

Tyler gestured for her to join him at the front door then put his back to the walkway and Shane standing twenty feet away by the street. “You doing okay?”

“Sure.” But she knew that wasn’t the question Tyler intended to ask. Not that she planned to make it easy. Nope. If he wanted to pry, he needed to go ahead and do it and risk her wrath if he went too far.

“This guy...”

She had to give him credit for jumping right to it, but her position hadn’t changed. “Yes?”

Tyler shifted his weight from foot to foot. His gaze kept bouncing to the front door as if he expected Shane to come barging in. “How much do you know about him?”

She didn’t need to ask for specifics. She knew Tyler was talking about Shane. “Everything.”

Tyler’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

No way was she spelling that out. “I’ve known him for years.”

“Known, as in...” When she just stood there, Tyler’s fidgeting increased. Much more of this and he’d be dancing down the street. “You two aren’t together?”

Interesting phrasing. “Why are you asking?”

“I’m concerned.”

“Why?”

Tyler smacked his lips together and glanced off to his left. He acted as if he tasted each word before he said it. “He’s a bit rough for you.”

She had no idea what that meant. Wasn’t sure she wanted to know. “My feelings for Shane are personal.”

“But you do have feelings for him?”

She didn’t see a reason to lie. Even Shane knew about this at some level. “Yes.”

Tyler shook his head, then did it again. Didn’t say anything for a few seconds.

She touched her hand to his arm. “I appreciate that you worry about me.”

“Of course I do.”

Just what she needed, another man in her life who wanted to tuck her away in a closet to keep her safe. Maybe a week ago she would have been grateful. Now the overabundance of caution insulted her a little. She’d faced tragedy and death over the past few days and hadn’t folded. She was stronger than any of them knew. Stronger than she’d ever known.

Only Shane seemed to get it. He didn’t try to pack her away or send her to Holt. He kept her by his side and claimed to understand she needed space, but she also needed to see her decision about working on the website through to the end.

“Shane and I...” She fought to find the right words. “We get each other. He’ll keep you safe.”

Tyler slid a hand over hers. “I can keep me and you safe.”

The vibe changed and her comfort level dropped. She’d worked side by side with this man for a year. They shared information and jokes, talked via text and on the computer. They spent far less time together because of her full-time work schedule, but they had shared meals.

To her it all related to business and a friendship. Now she wondered if Shane was right and if, for Tyler, all those times together amounted to something more.

Guilt knocked into her. A different kind, personal and twisting. She’d never meant to lead him on. Shane had her heart, even if he hadn’t shown any signs until recently of even wanting it.

She slipped her hand out from under his and dropped her arms to her sides. “I’m good with Shane.”

“You should—”

“Are you ready to go?” Shane stalked up the walkway toward them and the front door. “It’s not a great idea to be standing out here in the open after the days you’ve had.”

Such a subtle guy. She’d bet he’d been listening to every word. His skills appeared to be endless. Superhearing could easily be one of them.

“We were talking about work.” She lied only to save Tyler from any embarrassment. Maybe men didn’t work that way, but she didn’t want to test the issue.

Shane smiled as he walked up the steps to join them. “I figured.”

“We have some work we need to get done,” Tyler said. “You could come back or I could drop her off at—”

“No,” Shane answered right before she could give the same response.

Tyler’s sudden possessiveness creeped her out. She suspected the feelings were new and innocent, but something about his energy felt off. After all those lunches together, she didn’t want to be alone with him, and they certainly didn’t have work. If he expected to spend a few hours berating Shane, Tyler had the wrong audience.

“I think Makena should get to make that decision.” Tyler crossed his arms in front of him, looking far more confident in his position than he should have.

“Right. Good point.” Shane turned to her, the amusement obvious in the way his mouth inched up at the edges. “Makena, you pick which one of us you want to be with.”

Talk about a loaded comment. Not that her answer was in question. This, their relationship, only played out one way. She loved Shane. He was her forever. If he didn’t figure that out soon, she’d have to move on and settle for less than she wanted. The idea of that happening hollowed out her stomach, leaving her raw and twitchy.

Her gaze zipped between the two men in front of her. One with the ego she didn’t want to bruise and the other who needed to stop taking her for granted. Not that there was really any contest. “I’m leaving with Shane.”

Tyler shook his head. “But we need—”

“You heard her.” Shane winked at her. “Ready to go?”

For a second she wished she could love someone else. Someone easier. “We’ll let you know what we hear about the park and anything we uncover.”

Makena didn’t look at Tyler again as she walked with Shane. They’d parked a short distance away just to be safe and the silence made the walk back feel even longer. She waited until Shane stood beside her near the front of the car to whisper, “You don’t have to be a jerk to Tyler.”

“He’s alive, ain’t he?”

He sounded far too amused for her liking. “Why do I think you actually believe that’s an answer?”

“Because we know each other so well.” He followed her to her side of the car and opened the door for her. “Isn’t that what you told him? We get each other?”

“You were listening.” Not a question, because she didn’t need to ask. She knew and had expected all along.

“Do you blame me?”

She slid into the seat and glanced up at him. “Your ego will be unbearable now.”

He leaned in with a wide smile plastered on his face. “Blame yourself.”

* * *

T
WENTY
MINUTES
LATER
, Shane understood Makena was not amused. She hadn’t said a word since they pulled away from the curb at Tyler’s house. Just stared out the window, tracing a finger over the glass, humming now and then. Not talking to him or even looking at him, which he found annoying.

Shane decided to put it out there. State what ate at him. Not Tyler’s murky past or questionable choices. Not how his story fell apart if you dissected it. “He has a thing for you.”

She kept her focus out the window and off him. “I know.”

That was news to Shane. “You do? Since when? I swear you denied it when I suggested it earlier.”

She turned and shot him a don’t-be-dumb look. “He all but told me to dump you because you’re all wrong for me.”

And now Shane had other reasons to hate the guy. “Not happening.”

“I wouldn’t.” She smiled. “Because you’re the perfect bodyguard.”

That response didn’t sit right with him. They’d had sex. He’d held her and kissed her. They spent time together and... Shane cut off his thoughts. He’d been the one insisting they keep their relationship on a friendship level and now he was getting all wrapped up over another man wanting her. Talk about sending mixed messages. Not his style at all, but when it came to her, his feelings and common sense, and what he should do versus what he wanted to do, got all tangled up.

“I don’t trust him.” Shane offered the explanation without fanfare.

“He performs an important service.”

Shane wasn’t as convinced. Yes, the site exposed men who deserved to be exposed, but he couldn’t help thinking Tyler had a hidden agenda. Of course, every man associated with the site struck him that way. Maybe his paranoia was running on high.

“You don’t think he’s a little too good to be true?” That was as far as he’d go...for now.

“You don’t trust anyone.”

She wasn’t wrong. “I trust you.”

“Because you like me, even though you fight it.” Makena’s hand balled into a fist against the door. “I hate this part of the drive.”

Shane focused on the road and the narrow bridge ahead instead of her throwaway comment. The span skimmed over the water for half a mile. He understood the concern. Sometimes the sun’s reflection bounced off the water and blinded drivers. “I’ve driven it a million times.”

“Your skills aren’t what has me concerned. Death by drowning is the main thing on my mind.” She seemed to brace her feet against the floor as she stared ahead.

Shane looked at her and did a double take. They’d driven to Tyler’s house via a longer route from another part of the county, avoiding the bridge. “I can turn around.”

She shook her head. “I’m fine.”

She didn’t look it. She’d been shot at and looked less fatigued. Shane decided right then that he would never understand her. “The death grip on the door gives you away.”

“Just drive. The faster you go, the sooner this will be over.”

He admired her spunk. That and about a hundred other things.

The tires crossed the bridge entry with a thump. With the low sides, they could see the open water. It flashed by on both sides, and cables scaled above them. A few other cars passed in the opposite direction, but the road stayed clear.

A quick look in his rearview mirror showed a vehicle coming up behind him. It moved too fast, which suggested a kid or a driver confused about the concept of defensive driving. Shane kept watch, stealing peeks.

Then the mood changed. The truck, big and black, lined up behind him, way too close. He took in the large grille on the truck and the tinted windows. He couldn’t make out the driver, but this guy was playing games.

Shane glanced over at Makena. She hadn’t picked up on the tension. She sat there, fiddling with the radio. His gaze shot to her seat belt.

The revving of the engine had his attention zipping back to the mirror. He tapped the brakes, trying to back the guy off. If this was innocent, he should get the hint, but Shane sensed this was deliberate. Someone wanted to make a point. A very dangerous one.

“Hold on.” He knew that didn’t mean much, but he said it anyway.

She looked at him, confusion written all over her face. “What?”

He couldn’t hide the facts. She needed to be ready. “We have company.”

She shifted in her seat and turned around as the truck tapped their bumper. The move sent her flying forward. “What is he doing?”

“Letting us know we’re not wanted around here.” When the truck drifted in again, Shane turned the wheel and swerved the car into the empty oncoming lane.

The truck surged, then fell back. This was a game of chicken played out in three-thousand-pound car and a massive seven-thousand-pound truck. Not exactly Shane’s idea of a good afternoon, especially since the size advantage was not on his side.

He shifted in his seat, sitting up higher as he started weaving from one lane to the other. The move would steal some of his speed but make him a harder target to hit.

His luck held out and the oncoming lane stayed empty. Shane just had to get them across. He hit the gas, thinking to outrun the larger vehicle in a race. But the truck wasn’t ready to give in. He shot forward and smacked into the car’s tail end. The move had the vehicle bobbling and tires screeching.

Makena grabbed the dashboard with stiff arms. Shane shouted for her to get down just as the truck ran alongside the car. Not even, but Shane could see the truck’s heavy front out of his peripheral vision. See the make and the dark metal. Then the truck slammed into them, crashing them into the guardrail and snapping their bodies forward as far as the seat belts would allow.

The crunch of metal against concrete. The deafening screech as the car scraped against the wall. Shane kept his white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel, forcing the wheels straight and willing the car to stay on the bridge. The water seemed to get closer. It could have splashed up over the side and he wouldn’t have been surprised.

With another slam, the car teetered and the wheel shimmied under his hands. He felt the front give and Makena’s side ram into the concrete. They bounced and the world spun around them. The tires squealed and the smell of burned rubber and gasoline filled the air.

He could hear Makena’s screaming as the force of the blow had her bouncing around in her seat, even with the seat belt. Shane fought against the skid and struggled to hold on to control. His heartbeat hammered in his ears as the car’s back end crashed into something. The hit jolted his body until his teeth rattled.

A car horn honked and the sounds of skidding ran through his head. The car bounced and rocked on its tires. It left the ground and he waited for them to flip. A crack echoed around him, and then the car shuddered to a halt.

When his breathing slowed and he focused again, steam swirled out from under the hood. His gaze shot to the other side of the car. Makena had been pushed up against the door and rubbed her head as she mumbled.

He wanted to undo his seat belt, but he didn’t know where the truck had gone or if they were alone. Still, he needed to know. He reached over and touched her hair. “Baby, are you okay?”

She nodded and blinked a few times. When she finally looked up at him, tears stained her cheeks and her hands shook. “You kept us from going over the edge.”