There were three bedrooms. Jesse let her pick the one she wanted. She selected one of the two corner rooms, a surprisingly large and airy room with pleasant blue walls and simple navy curtains that blocked out the afternoon sunlight, sparing her still-aching eyes.
There was a bathroom at one end of the room, well stocked with plain, soft towels, washcloths, and a selection of soaps and shampoos. She tugged off her bloodstained clothes quickly and took a long, hot shower, trying to scrub out the horrors of the afternoon.
But only the blood washed away.
In the bedroom closet, she found clothes and shoes. Looking through them, she discovered they were mostly womens clothes, in a variety of sizes ranging from petite to tall. The shoes spanned several sizes as wellapparently Cooper Security liked to cover all its bases.
She found a pair of jeans and a charcoal-gray T-shirt to replace her slip and half a bridesmaid dress. A pair of slip-on sandals replaced the rust-colored pumps that were making her feet hurt. She twisted her hair into a knot at the back of her head, anchoring it with a pencil she found on the writing desk by the bed.
She checked her reflection in the dresser mirror. She looked a wreck, her red-rimmed eyes wide and haunted.
Get control, Marsh. You can handle this.
Taking a deep, bracing breath, she wiped the shell-shocked look from her face and went back to the front room to look for Jesse.
She found him on his cell phone, talking to his brother. Rick, tell Aaron well both give him a statement as soon as we feel safe, but first, he has to find the shooters. I gave you the description. Jesse looked up as she entered, his dark-eyed gaze typically inscrutable. Jesse was a cipher. Always had been, even as a young Marine recruit madly in love with a generals daughter. Evie wasnt sure Rita had realized just how complicated a man shed fallen for, but Evie had known all along.
It was one of the most irresistible things about him. Who didnt love a mystery?
Make sure her parents and sister know shes okay, he said into the phone. Theyll probably want to see her
And I want to see them, she said firmly.
He held up one finger, annoying her. She clamped her mouth closed and sat on the sofa opposite his chair.
Tell them its not safe. Jesse shot her a pointed look. She pressed her lips together more tightly and held her tongue, waiting until he finished with his brother. When he finally hung up the phone, he turned to look at her, preempting her next words. Your parents will be calling from a secure phone in about twenty minutes.
I want to see them, not just talk to them.
Evie, someone just tried to kidnap you a second time. Were damned lucky were both still alive.
She knew he was right, but she didnt have to like it. I cant imagine my father will be happy about this situation.
Jesses eyebrow ticked upward. Im sure youre right.
What are you going to tell him when he calls?
That you need protection.
Hell want his own people to guard me.
Jesses mouth set in a grim line. Too bad.
Dont goad him about it.
I wont. But hes being stubborn. Hes not going to find a security crew better equipped to handle the threat than Cooper Security. We know more about the SSU and AfterAssets than anyone out there. We have an entire section dedicated to bringing them down. He should let us help him protect not just you but the rest of your family, as well.
Im on your side, Jesse. You dont have to convince me.
I know. His gaze shifted slightly, and she looked down to see that the T-shirt shed selected was stretched tight across her breasts.
Self-consciously, she crossed her arms in front of her. I could use some clothes that fit better.
I know. Tell me your size and Ill have someone do some shopping at the thrift store in Gossamer Ridge for you. Jesse leaned closer, his gaze narrowed as he searched her face. Your eyes still look pretty red and swollen. Do they hurt?
Theyre better. They werent stinging anymore, although the sensitive skin around her eyes felt tender and raw. The blurry vision has gone away.
To her surprise, he reached out and touched her cheek. Im so sorry about what youve been through today. I know it had to be terrifying.
I didnt have time to think about it, she admitted. Not then.
He dropped his hand to cover hers. His palm was warm and dry, driving home how cold her own hands were.
With a look of apology, he said, I need you to tell me everything you can remember about the last few hours.
Chapter Four
Evie eased her hands away from Jesses grasp and sat up straighter. You know they grabbed me outside the sanctuary. I told you that, right?
He nodded. They put you in that box I saw them carrying.
Right. I think it was one of those big cases large audio speakers go in.
Jesse nodded. That makes sense. The truck had a logo on the sideAudiovisual Assets.
Assets. The word clicked into focus. As in AfterAssets?
He looked surprised. I hadnt thought about that. But because were pretty sure those guys were former SSU operatives, it makes sense.
They definitely gave off the stench of the SSU. All business. I was out of commission and stuck in that box before I had time to think.
How did you get out?
She managed a grin. I used my earrings to slide through the space between the box and the lid to push the latches open.
He smiled. Everybody always underestimates you, dont they?
She felt ridiculously pleased at the indirect compliment. At their peril, she said with a bright bravado she didnt quite feel. The full impact of what had happened to her had begun to sink in. Jesse was rightshed been lucky today. Twice. How did you know to follow the truck anyway?
A hunch, he admitted. He told her about seeing the silk sticking out of the box. When I called your phone and got Rita, I couldnt shake the feeling that you were inside that box.
She tamped down a shiver. Thank God for your hunches.
He got up from his chair and sat beside her on the sofa, sliding his arm around her shoulder. She fought the urge to sink into his arms, acutely aware of the danger that lay behind that desire.
Beyond the fact that he was her boss, he was also about as off-limits as a man came. Hed been her sisters fiancé, and she was pretty sure he still harbored feelings for Rita that would never go away. Shed already spent her whole life coming in second to her brilliant, beautiful sister. She wasnt going to do that with Jesse Cooper. It was long past time to let go of her girlhood crush on him.
Jesses cell phone rang, giving her an excuse to ease out of his grasp. He looked at the display, frowning a little as he answered. Hello?
After a pause, he held out the phone to her. Your father.
She took the phone, dismayed at how her hand was shaking. Daddy?
Her fathers deep growl rumbled over the phone line. Kitten, are you okay? Coopers brother told me what happened to you.
Im fine. She blinked back the unexpected tears stinging her eyes. It had been a long time since her father had used his old pet name for her. Their relationship had been difficult for the past few months, ever since shed told him she was taking the accounting job at Cooper Security. It was good to hear him speak to her without the strain of disapproval.
Her fathers deep growl rumbled over the phone line. Kitten, are you okay? Coopers brother told me what happened to you.
Im fine. She blinked back the unexpected tears stinging her eyes. It had been a long time since her father had used his old pet name for her. Their relationship had been difficult for the past few months, ever since shed told him she was taking the accounting job at Cooper Security. It was good to hear him speak to her without the strain of disapproval.
You dont sound fine. What happened exactly?
She told her father about the ambush, trying to make it sound less scary than it had been at the time. Jesse helped me get away. I was lucky.
You tell Cooper you want to come home.
Daddy
Ill hire extra security.
Hire Cooper Security, she said. Were all still in danger. And the security team youve hired isnt capable of dealing with these people.
You think I cant protect you?
I know youd do everything you could. But this is big, Dad. You know that better than any of us.
He was silent a moment.
Daddy, please talk to Jesse. Tell him everything you know about the Espera Group. Give him your part of the code to the journal.
Evie, none of this concerns you.
It all concerns me. Theyre trying to use us against you because of what you know.
And flapping my jaws about what I know will only make things that much worse. Im trying to protect you girls and your mama.
Its not working.
I know what Im doing.
She bit back a retort she knew would only hurt her father. I do, too. Jesse and the Coopers know what were up against. I trust them to protect me. And maybe its smarter if were not all together in one place.
I dont agree.
I know. Im sorry.
There was a long silence on the phone line between them. She broke it a moment later by asking, Hows Mom? How are Rita and Andrew?
Rita and Andrew just left for the hotel.
Rita and her new husband were flying to Spain for their honeymoon the next morning, but theyd made plans to spend the night at a hotel in Birmingham. You should hire Cooper Security to provide them with protection. Spain isnt unreachable. And the hotel is probably vulnerable.
Im taking care of it, her father said flatly. Your mother wants to talk to you.
After a brief pause, her mother came on the line, her voice tight with tears. Baby girl, are you sure youre okay?
Im fine, she assured her. Really.
I cant believe all of this is happening. Her mothers voice was dark with dismay. First Edward Ross, then what happened to the Harlowes and now all this
Were going to figure it all out, Evie said firmly.
Heres your father again.
Her father came back on the line. Let me speak to Cooper.
Evie held out the phone to Jesse. He wants to speak to you.
Jesse took the phone, looking unperturbed. General. He listened a moment, glancing at Evie. I cant do that, sir. He hung up the phone.
Did you hang up on him?
He ordered me to take you home to him.
She arched her eyebrows. Ordered you?
Hes worried about you. And probably feeling guilty about the danger youre in. Jesse shot her a considering look. He should feel guilty. I know hes trying to protect you all, but hes going about it the wrong way. I wish hed let us provide protection for your family.
Hes never going to do that. It would be like admitting he was wrong about you, and you know how he hates to admit hes wrong. As Jesse started to move toward the sofa where she sat, she pushed to her feet, putting distance between them. She felt vulnerable and needy at the moment, and letting Jesse Cooper anywhere near her when she was in that condition was asking for a disaster. I think Id like to lie down awhile. You probably have more calls to make, right?
His dark eyes narrowed as if he were seeing right past her excuses to discern the motives behind them. She crossed her arms in front of her, feeling suddenly naked.
Okay, he said. Call me if you need me.
Will do, she said over her shoulder as she retreated to the bedroom.
But she wouldnt call him. Because the last thing she ever intended to do again was need Jesse Cooper.
* * *
T HE SAFE HOUSE was eerily silent, offering no distraction from the maelstrom of images racing through Jesses mind. He was a twelve-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, had seen combat on three different continents and had killed more than one enemy soldier during his time in uniform. Hed made peace with what hed been called upon to do by remembering his sacred duty to protect not only his countrymen at home but his brothers-in-arms fighting in the trenches with him.
So why couldnt he get the chaotic sounds and images of the recent ambush out of his head?
Because it was Evie Marsh theyd been gunning for.
Jesse rubbed his jaw, his mind fixed on the sight of her pushing open the door of the dead security guards SUV and racing through the hail of bullets to reach Jesses position. Her blue eyes had been wide and scared, but shed run without hesitation, trusting him to lay down cover fire to get her safely out of harms way.
As vulnerable as shed looked, barely clad in the ruins of her rust-colored dress with her fancy hairdo falling around her face in a messy cloud, her courage had been a sucker punch right to his gut.
Hearing a door open in the back of the house, his hand went automatically to the pistol holstered at his hip. He relaxed when, a moment later, Evie emerged from the hallway looking soft and sleepy-eyed.
What time is it? she asked.
He glanced at his watch. Around nine forty-five. You slept awhile. You hungry? Not much here except canned stuff, but I could heat up some soup or something. Hed had soup and crackers for his own dinner.
She shook her head and sat on the sofa beside him, her body radiating warmth. Any news while I was playing Rip van Winkle?
All quiet.
She pulled her bare feet up to the sofa, tucking her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. I suppose it was too much to hope theyd nab those guys trying to leave the state.
I doubt theyve tried to leave the state.
Evies gaze slanted up to meet his. No, theyre not exactly the type to retreat when their mission doesnt go right the first time, are they?
Theyre probably already ticked off about losing the Harlowes last month. Especially without getting the generals part of the code out of any of them. They need a win. Jesse tried to study Evies appearance without her noticing his scrutiny. She looked tired but the swelling and redness around her eyes and nose had gone down considerably. By morning shed have few signs of her run-in with the pepper spray.
There was a faint purple bruise on her cheekbone, however, that might look worse the next day. He brushed his fingertips against the blemish before he could stop himself. Her gaze snapped up to his.
You have a bruise.
She backed away from his touch. Must have banged my face on that box when they were pushing me inside.
Are you sure thats all it was?