Love Inspired Suspense May 2015 #2 (22 page)

He demonstrated how she should stand and hold the weapon, then turned it over to her. She missed the target three times before finally hitting it. Using the markings on the paper, Laura hit center mass several times, although none in the same spot.

He urged her to try two shots to the chest area and one to the head. That gave her a little trouble, but she kept shooting, a fierce look of concentration on her face.

Joy had given him a picture, so Griffin had known that her niece was pretty, but up close she was...more.

She was the kind of pretty that grew the longer you were with her. Direct blue eyes, thick straight black hair pulled back to show the fine line of her neck and jaw. A mouth that hinted at a ready smile despite the fact that her life had been ripped away from her.

He noticed a scar on her chin. Had she gotten that from Arrico?

She emptied her last clip into the chest area of the paper silhouette of a man's upper body. The sharp odor of gunpowder filled the air around them.

Griffin hit the button to mechanically bring the targets to them. After examining her shots, he smiled. “Not bad for your first try. Come down here and practice whenever you like.”

“Do you mind giving me more instruction?”

“Not at all.”

“Thanks.” She studied her handiwork with pursed lips. “Hopefully, I won't need to defend myself.”

Her words reminded Griffin that as long as she was out of WitSec, she was vulnerable. And his responsibility.

A beep on his cell phone alerted him to a text message from Sydney. “Your aunt should be here soon.”

They walked up the hallway, their shoulders brushing. They reached the vault door and Griffin moved out into the computer room. When she didn't immediately follow, he glanced over his shoulder. And froze.

She had stopped in front of the picture.

Taped to the wall was a photograph of him with his team. The four of them were on the beach at Coronado in board shorts, the sun setting behind them. They'd just returned from jump school and had gone to the beach to relax. He'd been so distracted by his protectee that he'd hadn't thought about the picture being there.

Her blue gaze met his. “These must be your teammates.”

“Yes.” He didn't try to temper the coldness in his voice.

“You all look like such close friends.”

“Yes.” He wanted to shut her down.

“I guess you can't talk about them. For security reasons?”

“Right.” He
couldn't
talk about them, but that wasn't why.

She frowned, probably wondering why he couldn't seem to manage more than one-word answers. Now she would ask questions. Questions he didn't want asked and wouldn't answer. He hated the whole idea of it. It would remind him that they were all gone. Dead. Because of him.

The security buzzer sounded, signaling that someone was on the property. A quick glance at the closest monitor showed Sydney's gray SUV coming up the winding gravel drive toward the house. “Looks like Joy is here.”

“Oh, good.” Laura moved to stand in front of him, close enough that a strand of her hair caught on his gray T-shirt.

He saw curiosity and a brief flash of pity in her eyes, just long enough to make him stiffen. Then it was gone.

“I'm sorry.” She gestured toward the picture. “For whatever happened.”

She squeezed his forearm, then walked out. His chest hurt from her words. It was clear that she knew his friends were dead, but he saw no reason to confirm it. How could she know that? Maybe it wasn't hard to figure out, but it made him feel as if she were in his head.

The realization made him want to bolt. He didn't do personal, not after what had happened in Afghanistan. And not after what had happened once he'd returned home to Emily.

If Laura had been any other client, he would have passed her off to Boone or Sydney, but because of his friendship with Joy, he couldn't.

He glanced back at the photo of him, Ace, Davy and J.J. His jaw tensed.

Griffin didn't want to be responsible for Laura Prentiss aka Parker, but he was. He wouldn't fail her the way he'd failed his teammates.

* * *

Last night at Griffin's had gone better than Laura had expected. She'd been comfortable and somewhat relaxed, but after what had happened at the hospital, she couldn't shake the fear that Vin had found her.

Though Griffin had stayed nearby, he hadn't crowded her. And for the first time since Laura and her father had their falling-out three years ago, she hadn't felt alone. Even with Vin, it had often seemed as if she were all by herself.

This morning she was still thinking about Griffin's reaction to her seeing the photo of him with his friends. The tortured look in his eyes had troubled her. It had been obvious something awful had happened. She didn't really blame him for not wanting to talk about it.

It wasn't her business. In another week, she would be gone and she would likely never see him again. Still, she'd wanted to know about the photo. And him.

Though she had tried not to dwell on his reaction, she wondered about it. Wondered about a lot of things. He knew a lot about her. She knew next to nothing about him. Except that she was finding it hard not to like him.

Sydney had arrived for Joy, assuring Laura they would meet her at the hospital. The brunette had an ease about her that made her easy to believe. Laura and Griffin had left soon after.

Now she and her bodyguard hurried across the hospital parking lot and into the warmth the building provided. As they stopped in front of the elevators, Laura removed her coat. The paperwork she'd brought added a little weight to her purse.

“So your new clothes fit okay?” Griffin asked in a deep rumble.

She glanced down at her dark purple sweater. “If it hadn't been for you, I'd be wearing the same clothes until my things arrived from Pueblo. I appreciate you stopping last night so I could buy what I needed.”

“You're welcome.” The barely there smile he flashed had her smiling back.

All in all, he had gone to a lot of trouble. “I'm sure you weren't expecting houseguests. Thank you for everything.”

“Sure.” He looked away, as if uncomfortable with the compliment.

No one else stepped into the elevator car and as Laura pushed the button for the seventh floor, so did Griffin. They quickly broke apart but just as it had earlier when he had entered her prints and information into his security system, the feel of his hand on hers lingered. Strong, warm, rock steady. She glanced up. “No word yet on what was in the syringe?”

He shook his head. “I expect to hear anytime now.”

As the bell dinged their arrival, Laura looked up at the man beside her. “I hope my—Nolan's awake this time. After I turn in this paperwork, I want to see him.”

As they exited, she lightly touched Griffin's arm. “I'd like to use the restroom before we check on him.”

“Sure. I'll wait for you here.”

She walked back past the elevators and down the sparsely populated hall, then pushed open the door to enter the ladies' room. Chrome faucets gleamed against the white countertops and sinks. The floor and stall doors were also white.

She finished quickly and moved to the sink, putting her purse on the floor at her feet. After washing and drying her hands, she bent to pick up her bag.

Suddenly something snaked around her throat and bit sharply into her skin. She registered a thin cord around her neck as she was jerked back against a hard masculine body. The cord tightened, cutting off her air.

Choking, she clawed frantically at his hands, trying to get her fingers beneath the razor-thin band. It tightened even more, pulling at her hair and crushing her windpipe.

Spots danced before her eyes. The edges of her vision went black and a surge of pure panic shot through her. She twisted, still trying to get her hands under the cord biting into her flesh. The man lifted her off her feet and she struggled, accidentally kicking the trash can.

Desperate for help, she kicked violently, connecting again with the can. She managed to slam the heavy metal container into the wall. Her vision blurred as she distantly heard what she thought was the sound of the falling can.

She felt herself fading. A scream welled up, but she couldn't get out even a sound. Terror flooded her.

Abruptly, the pressure around her throat eased and she fell, hitting her head on the corner of the sink. She was conscious enough to register a series of grunts and then a sickening thud against the tile.

Suddenly Griffin was on the floor beside her.

“Laura?” He leaned over her, moving her hair gently out of her face as he peered at her. “Laura?”

His face came into focus, his hard-edged features stamped with concern.

She lifted a shaky hand to her throbbing head.

“Can you breathe?” he asked.

She nodded, forcing words past her bruised throat as she gripped his hand. “What happened?”

“You were attacked.”

It had come too close on the heels of yesterday's attack. Fear sliced through her like a blade, jamming her breath painfully in her chest. “He found me. Vin found me.”

“Looks that way.”

Everything went black.

THREE

I
t was the blood. There wasn't even that much of it, but the sight of it had images ricocheting through Griffin's mind. Seeing Laura crumpled on the floor brought back the ambush. The firefight. The searing pain in his broken femur as he carried Ace's body down the rocky terrain.

This wasn't the same. Griffin fought to push away the pictures. He carefully helped Laura to a sitting position, glad to see recognition creep across her chalk-white face.

Fear sharpened her pretty features. Eyes wide, she stared up at him. “Who just tried to kill me? Did you get them?”

Griffin shook his head. “I heard the noise in here and rushed to reach you. I only saw his shadow as he headed into the emergency stairwell. I headed straight for you, and Sydney went after the assailant. Did you see anything? Can you describe him?”

“No. He was behind me.”

“Did you notice anything about him? Cologne? Distinctive voice? Scars or tattoos?”

Laura thought hard. “There was something on his left wrist or hand. It might've been a tattoo. I don't know. Everything happened so fast.”

The tattoo possibility was something at least, Griffin thought grimly.

“Laura?” Joy rushed into the ladies' room, followed by Cheryl, the red-haired nurse. “What happened?”

“Are you all right?” The nurse moved closer, her gaze probing.

Laura struggled to stand and Griffin clasped her elbow to steady her. Once she was on her feet, he curled his hand lightly around her upper arm to make sure she stayed upright. She was still pale. And trembling.

Concern pinched Joy's features as she looked her niece over. “What happened?”

“It was nothing.” Laura gave a wobbly smile. “I fainted and hit my head.”

“Knocked over the trash can,” Griffin added.

The last thing they needed was to draw attention to what had happened in here. That would bring hospital security at the least and maybe even OCPD. “She forgot to eat this morning.”

Beside him he felt her surprise, but she recovered quickly.

“Yes. I became light-headed and passed out.”

Her story was good and would hopefully minimize the scrutiny. Griffin saw the objection on Joy's face and caught her gaze, hoping the older woman would understand to remain quiet. To his relief, she said nothing about the large morning meal they had all shared.

Cheryl's brow furrowed. “Your neck is chafed and you've got a bump on your head.”

“I'll have a headache and a bruise.” Laura touched the swelling at her hairline. “But I'm fine.”

The nurse looked skeptical but followed Laura out the restroom door. Laura reassured the redhead once more before the other woman left them.

As Laura turned to Joy, the stairwell door opened and Sydney rushed through. She was flushed, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail.

She reached them, green eyes sparking with irritation. “Lost him in the parking lot.”

Joy speared all three of them with a stern look. “What really happened in there?”

Laura explained while Griffin stepped off to the side to speak with Sydney.

The brunette angled toward him, keeping him on her left in order to accommodate the hearing loss she'd sustained in a line-of-duty injury when she'd served as a sharpshooter on the SWAT team. Her gaze moved constantly over the area and its visitors.

“No sign of the assailant.”

Griffin shoved a hand through his hair, frowning at the sight of the swelling on Laura's temple.

The man had slipped into the restroom, right past Griffin. What if he had arrived later? What if Laura had been hurt worse?

A greasy knot formed in his stomach. It wasn't the same as what had happened in Afghanistan and if he quit right now, it never would be.

Sydney elbowed him, eyeing him with a certainty that said she knew he was blaming himself. “This isn't your fault.”

“I think Boone should take over,” he said.

Joy and Laura walked up in time to hear him.

“Boone?” the older woman asked. She turned to Griffin. “Why do you think Boone should take over? Because that man managed to get to Laura in the ladies' room?”

He nodded.

Laura shook her head. “But you got to me quickly. I'm fine.”

“See?” Sydney said quietly. “You're the only one blaming you.”

Laura glanced from his coworker to him. “For what?”

Before Griffin could say anything, Sydney turned to Laura. “Would you like a different bodyguard? I'd be happy to step in. So would Boone.”

“No, I don't want a new bodyguard. Why would I? Unless...” She looked at Griffin. “Do you have another client or another job?”

“No.”

She frowned. “Then do you have a problem with me?”

“No.” Griffin dragged a hand down his face. “Not at all.”

Sydney arched a brow as if to say “See?”

Laura stared up at him with confused blue eyes. “You probably aren't used to babysitting someone. Is that the problem?”

“It's not that.”

“Then what?”

“Like your aunt said, that guy slipped right past me,” he said through clenched teeth. “It shouldn't have happened.”

“No, it shouldn't have.”

Griffin mentally kicked himself.

“But,” she continued, “it's not your fault that it did.”

Sydney nodded. “That's right.”

Laura gazed up at him earnestly. “I'd prefer it if you would stay with me through the entire process, but it's your decision.”

There was no blame in her eyes or her voice. No resentment, either. It took a second for Griff to process that.

She probably wanted him to continue because she was too shaken by the attack to realize she'd be better off without him.

“I know you can keep me safe.”

He wished he were half as sure as she sounded. “You do?”

“Yes.”

“All right, then.” He couldn't deny the warmth he felt at her vote of confidence. “Let's get back to my house.”

She hesitated. “No.”

“No?” Had she really just said that? Griff drew up short. “Why not?”

“I want to see my dad first.”

“Not after what just happened,” he said bluntly.

“This is the best time.”

“How do you figure?” He tempered his voice, cognizant of the people around them. “Didn't you just say you wanted me to stay with you through this? That you thought I could keep you safe? The safest thing is to get out of here.”

“I don't want to take a stupid risk and if you really think I am, I'll leave. But whoever tried to hurt me is gone. And probably won't try anything else today. Plus Sydney is here if you want or need any backup. I want to see my dad.” Her voice cracked. “I
need
to see him.”

Sydney had combed the hospital and grounds, looking for the assailant. There had been no sign of the guy. He was long gone.

“There might not be another chance,” Laura said quietly.

She had a point. Griffin didn't like it, but Laura was right about this being the best time to see her father.

After the syringe incident last night and now this, it was plain that someone had tipped off Arrico to Laura's presence. If they stayed here, Griff could observe any suspicious behavior, see if anyone hovered around or seemed too interested in Laura or her father. Especially Nurse Cheryl, who had been nearby after both attacks.

“All right, I agree. Under one condition.

“What?”

“If I say it's time to go, then we go.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

He nodded. They were staying. And he was still Laura's bodyguard. He hoped she didn't regret her decision. He hoped he didn't, either.

* * *

After agreeing to meet Aunt Joy and Sydney later at Griffin's house, Laura and Griffin headed down the hall. Thank goodness he'd agreed to let her see her dad. Two attacks in the past two days told Laura she might not get another chance.

Griffin slid a look at her. “I'd really like to check out your neck and head.”

“They're sore but I think fine.”

“No nausea or dizziness from your fall?”

“No. Not yet, anyway.” Laura hoped she wouldn't suffer further ill effects. Time was short and her father didn't need any delays.

Griffin searched her face. “You'll let me know if anything changes? If your neck or your head gets worse?”

She nodded, stopping near the nurse's station to leave her purse and coat in a visitor's locker.

They reached her dad's room and she paused, surprised at the flutter in her stomach that had nothing to do with what had just happened in the ladies' room.

Griffin stopped, too. “Are you afraid he'll be worse off than you imagine?”

“What if he doesn't want to see me at all?” There, she'd said it. To a near stranger.

“I'm sure seeing you will make his day.”

Laura hoped so, but after what she'd done, she wasn't so sure.
Squaring her shoulders, she glanced up, surprised to see encouragement in his blue-green eyes.

She wanted to study his face. Instead, she turned toward the door to Nolan's hospital room, saying a quick prayer that things would go well. “This could take a while. He might not be awake and I'd like to wait until he is.”

“I'll be here, no matter how long it takes.”

“I appreciate that.”

He nodded.

She donned the required paper mask and gown, then pushed open the door and stepped inside. She was glad to see the drapes were partially open and light spilled into the room. Stopping at the foot of the bed, she grazed the knot at her hairline. Hopefully, it wasn't noticeably swollen yet and her dad wouldn't ask about it.

Nolan lay unmoving as he had last night and now Laura noticed things she hadn't been close enough to see when she'd looked in on him. Dark circles beneath his eyes, the parchment-thin appearance of his skin. There were still a few threads of black hair sprinkled among the thick whiteness.

Overhead she heard the muffled thwump-thwump of a helicopter. The silence of the room was broken only by the hum of machines. Because she knew Griffin would allow no one to get past him, she addressed her father as she wanted. “Dad?”

He opened his eyes, fixing his filmy blue gaze on her for a moment before recognition flared. “Laura?”

His voice was tentative, as if he didn't believe she was real. “Yes, it's me,” she choked out.

Her heart beat hard in her chest and she realized her palms were clammy.

“I can't believe you're here.”

At his accusing tone, she stiffened, instantly defensive.

“Aunt Joy tracked me down. She told me you were ill.”

“And you came.”

“Yes.” Was he glad? Angry? She could tell nothing from his flat brittle voice.

He blinked slowly, almost as if he was too groggy to stay awake. Laura moved up the side of the bed. If he told her to leave, she wouldn't do it. This might be her only chance—
their
only chance—to make any inroads. “I know this is probably the worst time to talk, but I really think we should.”

“We should.”

Relief flooded her.

Nolan peered hard at her. “What happened to your head?”

“Just bumped it. I'm fine.”

After a long moment, he labored out, “How did Joy find you?”

“She had someone track me down.”

“Someone from that agency of hers,” her father guessed.

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“Griffin Devaney.”

“Good man.” Nolan's eyes fluttered as if it cost too much energy to keep them open, but he did. “Did you come so you could be tested as a donor?”

“Yes, and I've been cleared to be your donor, but that isn't the only reason I came. I want to ask your forgiveness.”

“No.” He shifted on the bed, wincing.

Her heart sank, but she wasn't leaving until she'd said what she needed to. “At least hear me out.”

“Not...what I meant.” Slowly, he lifted a hand and made a feeble gesture for her to come closer.

She moved up beside him, catching a faint whiff of his Old Spice aftershave mixed with the zing of antiseptic. His usually smiling face was haggard and wan, fatigue marking his mouth and eyes. The realization of just how ill he was shook her once more.

He grasped her hand, his grip weak. “I'm the one...who should...ask forgiveness.”

He seemed barely able to speak. Tears blurred her vision and she carefully squeezed his fingers.

“I never should've let you go,” he rasped.

“
I
left
you
.”

“Still, I should've kept trying to see you.” His voice grew faint.

“Don't strain yourself. Let me do the talking, okay?”

“I...I have things to say, too.”

She smiled. “I know, but I don't want you to overdo it.”

“Okay.”

“Even before I moved in with Vin, I knew how wrong things were between you and me. Knew it was my fault.” She found it encouraging that Nolan kept hold of her hand. “I've made so many mistakes.”

“So have I,” her father rasped.

After graduating from veterinarian school, she had stopped visiting him. He'd never approved of Vin and she'd needed a break from his constant criticism of her life. Still, Nolan had persisted in trying to see or talk to her. Things had been strained between them and the breaking point had come when she'd told him about her decision to move in with Vin.

Nolan had disowned her and she hadn't seen him again until the trial a little over a year later. He had come every day and attempted to speak to her, but she had refused. Another mistake caused by resentment and stubborn pride.

He moved as if trying to sit up.

“No, Dad.” She pressed a hand to his shoulder, shocked to feel the sharp edges of his bones. “Stay still.”