Cobra (Blue Angel Security Book 1), page 6
“Pretty sure the only woman I’d let jump on my back is my girlfriend. Well, I might the one I adopted as my sister do it too, but that’d be it. So yeah, I’m pretty sure.”
“Don’t go jumping the gun, Cobra. Before you and Shadow were asked to join us yesterday, I asked her point blank if she was dating anyone. She told me no, so let’s give her the benefit of the doubt that she didn’t lie to me. This man could simply be someone she’s close to, but romantically involved with.”
“Fine, so what’s our next move? Do we just come straight out and ask her who he is? Or do you want me to monitor who comes and goes?”
“Stay on your side of the street,” he laughs. “We don’t need a repeat of yesterday. If you do that, I’ll for sure have my ass handed to me from Gannon. And, if that happens I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what happens to shit, right?”
“Message received. I won’t go,” I say as another vehicle pulls up to Jaycee’s. “There’s a red truck that just pulled into Jaycee’s driveway. I’m going to go see if I can find out anything on her friends, or potential boyfriend.”
“Cobra,” he growls my name as if he expects me to heel at his command.
“I know. Stay across the street. I’ll let you know what I find out,” I say, disconnecting the call before he has a chance to say another word. Suddenly, Jaycee’s door swings open with her and the blonde girl coming back out arm in arm as another man gets out of the truck.
“Liam!” the blonde yells as Jaycee covers her mouth, muffling her shock. The new guy shakes his head as he places a finger to his lips. Jaycee nods, stepping aside allowing him past her. Liam freezes walking out the door, seeing the newcomer. His hesitation lasts only a second as they smile at each other and instantly race to one another. Brothers being reunited if I had to guess, seeing as the newcomer is in fatigues. Seconds later, the two hulking men collide in a scorching hot, demanding, kiss. Holy shit, even straight, I can’t tear my eyes away.
Definitely not brothers.
With the girls standing back wiping tears from their eyes, I nearly leave to give them their privacy when the newcomer turns to them. “Kylee,” the blonde takes off, jumping into his arms as he twirls her around. She holds onto him like a lifeline. As he sets her down, he kisses her head. The three of them are huddled together while Jaycee hangs back until the newcomer hollers, “Jaycee, get your ass over here I want my welcome home hug from you too!” Rushing into his arms, he doesn’t give her a chance to think before he picks her up and spins her around.
“Clayton, put me down! Liam, do something with your man! Put me down!!” I can’t help but compare her reaction to him grabbing her to the one she had toward me yesterday. Then again, she seemed to know him well, and I was a complete stranger that manhandled her. Hopefully, one day I won’t always be the stranger and maybe she’ll welcome my touch too. Her laughter breaks my inner thoughts as I watch the stranger bring her to his chest once more. She lights up listening to him say something to her as they all disappear behind her door.
As they shut it, I release a harsh sigh of relief. I don’t know why it bothered me as much as it did thinking she had a boyfriend. But the confirmation she doesn’t, puts a huge smile on my face. Picking up my cell, I text Jackal.
Me: False alarm. He’s not her boyfriend. He has his own boyfriend.
Jackal: You’re shitting me. You got all worked up over nothing?
Me: You didn’t see him with her.
Jackal: Just remember she’s a client, which means off-limits. We definitely do not need a repeat of yesterday.
Yeah, I know. Story of my life, all the good women are taken or off-limits. Too bad this may be the first time in my life that I want to ignore the rules. No one, including Jackal or Gannon, is going to stop me from exploring this thing with Jaycee.
Jackal: Stay home today. Get a feeling for who will be coming and going from her house. Don’t make it obvious.
Me: Yeah, I think I know how to do my job, asshole.
Jackal: Without manhandling her this time, dipstick?
Jackass. I mumble as I drop my phone onto the kitchen island, heading upstairs to change into my running clothes. If I’m going to be stuck at home, I might as well go for another run. Unfortunately, this one will be done in my home gym. The good thing is that my gym faces the street as well. With my opened windows, I can still keep an eye on Jaycee, and she’ll be none the wiser. About two miles into my run, a furniture van pulls up to Jaycee’s house and two men get out, clipboard in hand as they go to her door.
Clayton steps onto the porch greeting them. They hand him the clipboard as Jaycee comes back out with her friend. She has a quick conversation with Clayton before she gets in the Jeep and leaves with her friend. Within a few minutes I find myself laughing in hysterics at the movers.
As soon as the girls backed out of the driveway, the movers stepped inside their moving truck, only to come back out empty handed. Well, almost empty. One of the movers had a set of straps. Confused, I walked over to my windows and sat my ass down listening to the exchange. Though, I didn’t need to worry about not hearing their words. Clayton seems to be a very loud, outspoken person. I think once we meet officially, we’ll be good friends. I like him.
Anyway, the two men tried not so quietly to explain to Clayton that one of the straps had a tear in it and it wasn’t safe to move the furniture. Clayton literally looked at them like well, okay and the problem is what? Apparently, the problem is it goes against company policy to move furniture without the straps. It could result in being fired. In other words, the movers would be back later the next day to unload the van. Clayton at that point lost his cool and hollered into the house for Liam. After calling the movers a company of pansies, he and Liam walked to the van. At this point the movers got pissed and tried to stop them from entering the truck. Liam laughed in their faces and asked Clayton if he was going to toss them on their asses if he could please take off his shirt and let him get a bowl of popcorn first. The movers weren’t impressed. They argued with him for a minute more. Clayton by now had his fill and told them to either get out of the way or he was calling Jaycee back to the house and she would for sure be placing a call to their boss. Jaycee has an even shorter fuse for dumbassery, Clayton told them. Finally, the movers stepped aside and allow Liam and Clayton to unload the truck. In no time at all the truck is empty and they are closing the back. Clayton firmly slapped the clipboard against one of the mover’s chest with a grin. Incidentally, it was the mover with the biggest mouth. “Here, now scuttle back to your boss and tell him he needs a needle and thread to fix your precious straps.” Without looking back, Clayton and Liam slammed the front door upon entering Jaycee’s house.
Chuckling from Clayton’s brash send off, I decide now is as good as time as any to start doing something productive around here myself. With a new detail assigned, there was no telling how much time I’d have to spend at home. I shower and get into a pair of clean sweats and head to my garage. At least today I can wash and polish my baby. You’d think that for as long as I always wanted a Harley that I’d take her out more often, but between the demand for our services and the hours we keep, I have no choice. Maybe I’ll take her for a ride tonight.
I roll my baby out of garage, grabbing the hose and gently spray away layers of dust. It’s sad really. I need to make the time come spring to ride her more often. As I begin soaping her down, I’m surprised by the sound of another bike engine roaring down the road. No one on our street rides, other than me that is. The driver slows down, pulling into Jaycee’s. The Jeep follows closely behind. Kylee exits the Jeep and I’m left completely speechless, realizing the driver of the bike has to be Jaycee. I duck back inside the privacy of my garage before anyone has the chance to see me and quickly close the door. Part of me is seriously questioning my ability to call myself her protector. I mean what is it about this woman that sends me running behind a closed door and leaving my baby unattended in my driveway? I smirk, first I have way too many cameras surrounding my property, it’s not like my bike is at risk of being taken and I won’t know it. Second, it’s better I hide behind this door, because if I wasn’t I’d be with my new neighbor and I guarantee Jaycee is going to be all kinds of pissed when she learns that little bit of intel.
6
JAYCEE
This morning has been a whirlwind of excitement for me. First, I was finally able to start moving into my new home. Then, we had an unexpected surprise when Clayton arrived. Being able to witness his and Liam’s reunion after nearly a year of Clayton being in Iraq was beautiful. But the best part of the day was when I finally convinced Kylee to follow me to my storage unit so I could get my bike. I have a gorgeous Harley that is custom detailed. She’s a beauty and now that I, at last have a safe place to keep her, she won’t be returning to that damp storage unit ever again.
The drive home is bittersweet on her. It’s much too short, but sadly, I don’t have the time. Today, is merely about unpacking and bringing her home. After I park her, I give her seat a gentle rub down promising I’ll be back soon. As I close the door and head to my porch, I spot another beautiful bike sitting in my neighbor’s driveway. Damn, maybe I can convince whoever owns it to go riding with me. It’d be great to have a riding partner. That’s something I’ve never had. Stepping closer to Kylee, I shrug off my riding jacket and fold it over my arm. Kylee is laughing as I approach, “Did you see the bike across from you? Maybe it belongs to a sexy motorcycle club president.”
“Kylee,” I scold her jokingly. “Just because I’m currently obsessed with M. Merin’s Northern Grizzlies MC club series doesn’t mean I want my own real life club president. Um, no thank you. They have way too much alpha possessiveness for me. I want a man who makes me feel like I have a real choice, not just pacifying me into thinking I do.”
“Seriously, Jaycee, we need to find you a boyfriend, or hell, even a fuck buddy. You never date.”
“I don’t have time.” Huffing, she glares at me while stomping off. The next thing I know she spins around, and folds her arms over her chest as she yells.
“Because you won’t make the time, but we could change that. We should go out and celebrate tonight! You moved into your dream home and my big brother is finally home safe and sound. Let’s celebrate. Maybe then we can find you a hot, sexy man to walk on the wild side with, at least for one night.”
“Kylee, you know I don’t,” I say, walking across the yard joining her.
“You never go out, it’s like you’re fifty and not twenty-nine. Come on, Jaycee, live a little.”
“Maybe. I’ll think about it. Tonight I just want to relax and enjoy my new home. And at last get a good night’s sleep. Especially since now I don’t have to sleep with one eye open. I’m really glad I listened to Liam and agreed to have the home security system he recommended installed before I moved in.”
“Jaycee, please,” she whines when she doesn’t get the answer she wants so desperately.
“Kylee, let her be.” Clayton joins us. “Mama has been calling me for the last hour. Apparently, our time is up. She’s done waiting for all her children to be at her table for a meal. She also invited you along, Jaycee. That’s if you want to join us.”
“Clayton, tell your mama I said thank you, but I think I’m sitting this one out. Like I told Kylee, I’m staying in tonight.”
“Jaycee,” she whines again.
“Oh, give it up, girl. Get going. I’ll be fine.”
Reluctantly, she turns to Clayton. “Okay, I give up. She’s staying home. Mark my words, Jaycee is going to become the cat woman of this neighborhood. She never wants to go out. And here I thought that maybe her moving onto Clover Lane would be her own personal Lovers’ Lane. That certainly isn’t going to happen if she doesn’t get out of this house. It’s not like her prince charming magically lives across the street.”
Clayton laughs as he shakes his head, “Kylee, this isn’t high school anymore. Quit with the theatrics. She’ll find someone when she’s ready. Now, we seriously need to get going before Mama sends out a search party for us.”
Relieved, I smile at Clayton, silently extending my gratitude at stopping his sister’s rant. “Thank you,” I mouth the words to him as Kylee finally concedes.
“Fine,” she grumbles. “Can I ride with you? My car is back at my apartment.”
“Of course, now let’s get going. I don’t feel like having our first home visit with Mama ending with me getting an ass chewing for being late,” he tells Kylee as he winks at Liam.
Lord, those two are too much sometimes.
After a few more last minute pleas from Kylee to change my mind, she leaves with her brother and Liam. As soon as Clayton’s truck pulls out of my driveway, I dash upstairs to my new room. I stare in disbelief because I haven’t had this nice of a bedroom since I left California. I hope I haven’t made a mistake by purchasing a home. I really love the feeling of this one and I don’t want to have to give it up if things go south.
Strolling into the attached bathroom, I quickly pull my hair back into a tight braid before grabbing one of the many boxes off of my bedroom floor. Luckily, Clayton and Liam brought in all my boxes and set them in the right rooms. Now I just have to weed through the ones in my room and find my running clothes. I really like running and usually Liam comes with me, but with Clayton’s homecoming I think my days of having a running partner are over. I would have invited Kylee to stay and run with me, but that one will never happen. One, she would have been skinned alive if she missed dinner at her mama’s, and two, she has a long standing rule in regards to running. She used to run a lot in college according to her, but then one afternoon a friend that usually ran with her was abducted from their trail. Her friend has never been found. She’s been missing now for five years. Ever since that horrific experience, Kylee has refused to run anywhere but in the safety of a gym. If she knew what I was fixing to do, she’d shit a brick and then totally freak out on me. So it’s better if she doesn’t know about my extracurricular activities just yet.
Slipping into my shorts, I place my phone in my back pocket and pull my top on. I run through my playlist mentally before finally choosing my music. As I approach my front door I take one look around realizing my foolproof plan of knowing if someone was in my house won’t be necessary any longer. Unfortunately, some habits aren’t quite so easy to break, and after several long seconds of indecision I rip off a piece of cardboard. I’m just not ready to lose my first visual sign of safety, not yet. Luna taught me years ago to look at my door before entering. If that paper was gone or missing, I wasn’t to enter my home. Instead, I was supposed to call the authorities and her. No questions asked, no exceptions. After placing the cardboard in the door jam, I set my alarm. There, she should be very proud of me, now I have two alarms in place. I smile realizing I needed this too.
I quickly stretch and place one AirPod in and leave the other in its case. You never know who may sneak up on you while you’re running. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, my eyes scan the neighborhood. I know the realtor told me that there was a small bridge that connects to a path around the lake near here and I’m hoping to find it.
Suddenly, awareness dawns on me and I feel like I’m being watched, only this isn’t the kind of watching that terrifies me, this is the kind that excites me, which can only lead to one thing, trouble. Searching for the source, I nod mentally to myself when I find it, because I was absolutely right. Trouble with a capital T, because my new neighbor is none other than Cobra, my new security guard.
I smirk as I watch his hungry eyes rake over my appearance. At just four foot eight people are always making smart ass comments about my size. Do you want a happy meal or an adult meal? Do you need to ride in a booster seat? And my personal favorite… how can you drive a motorcycle being that tiny? Some people can be such idiots. Stretching out my muscles, I turn my attention to my watch, and switch my location services on. Finally I send Luna our code for a solo run as I head for the bridge.
My heart pounds with excitement as I check out the trail surrounding the lake. It’s absolutely beautiful here and with no one in my way, I can really run. Even as a little girl, I always loved the wind in my face, and not much has changed. Back then I loved running as a means to stay in shape. When you spend half your days balancing on your toes, you need to. These days, I run because of the freedom it gives me. The few minutes I’m running offers me an escape from the constant memories. Out here with the wind on my face, I’m truly free.
As I turn the corner on my first lap, I notice a small clearing. I make note when I’m done with my run to come back and use the old tree for my chin-ups. After my final lap, I glance at my watch and see I don’t much time left before Kylee will no doubt be calling to check in. I smile, knowing I should have enough time to get in a few good chin-ups before heading home. Unfortunately, the old tree I initially thought would be easy for me to use for chin-ups has turned out to be more challenging than I expected. Finally, I grasped the branch. I was feeling pretty good about this workout until a few minutes ago. My arms shake with exhaustion as I struggle to reach upwards, closing in on my last remaining chin-ups. With a fierce determination I pull myself up and mark the last one a success. I mentally high five myself completing my personal goal for the day. My accomplishment deserves a reward and after a quick stretch I decide a glass of wine with my dinner will be perfect. Pride radiates through me as I cross over the bridge, heading home.
As I jog up to my porch I notice Cobra has now moved to his front porch, as if waiting to see how long I’d be gone for. I ignore him and turn my attention to my door, checking for the cardboard, finding it exactly where I left it. I enter my new home for the first time alone, thankful for all the security I have in place. Not for the first time today, I look around thankful for my new beautiful home. Particularly the shower I have waiting upstairs. The best part of owning my home is no one is in charge of my water pressure, which is why I made sure when the contractors were installing my bathroom fixtures, they didn’t skip out on the good showerhead.
