Under Pressure

“That’s when you left?”

“Out a window, yeah. See, tonight he was planning for me to join him in his room for a late dinner instead of in the dining hall with everyone else. So I figured I had to go.” She wrinkled her nose, which wasn’t quite so pink anymore. “I was mean, telling him how I was looking forward to it and that I’d see him at seven. I told him I wanted to primp and make myself pretty for him.”

She was already pretty, but as far as he could tell, she hadn’t primped in a while.

“He liked that idea, so he wasn’t hovering around me so much. It gave me an opportunity to sneak away. I dodged around for a while, figuring that was safer than making a beeline for the bus station, since Wayne would go there first to look for me, right?” Without waiting for Leese to reply, she continued, “But I guess he hadn’t given up because he was watching the station all the same, knowing I’d show up there sooner or later.”

Was the bus her only option? Her family was old money. Leese doubted any of them had ever stepped foot on a bus, much less made it their preferred mode of transportation.

That made about as much sense as her rooming in a shelter with a letch supervising.

“On principle alone, I’d have left the coat and boots, but when he gave them to me, he also swiped my old stuff. I didn’t have anything else and I didn’t want to freeze, so...” She slumped farther in the seat. “It was a gift, after all. And turns out, they are pretty warm.”

Leese rubbed his jaw. When the headlights behind them drove closer, he looked over the seat to check it out. The car cut away and went down a side street to the right.

Gone, and yet his instincts sharpened with the probable threat. “Turn left here,” he told Justice. If the other car had been following, hoping to circle ahead of them, he’d have to disappoint them.

The road was short and led back into a business district. New lights appeared behind them. There shouldn’t be anything alarming in that, and yet, warning bells went off in his head.

Checking a map on his phone, he said, “Go through this parking lot, then left again. About five miles down you’ll find an on-ramp for 75 north. We’ll try that for a bit.”

Catalina chewed her bottom lip, her arms folded around her.

She looked exhausted, apparently with good reason. He needed to make up his mind about what to do with her now, but there were too many unanswered questions.

Questions that would have to be answered later.

Hoping she’d have a suggestion, he asked, “Where would you like to go?”

Thinking about it, she inhaled and said, “If you want to find another bus station—”

“Not an option.” Leese reached over, took her chin, and turned her face toward him. “Like it or not, I was hired to keep you safe. I can’t do that if I can’t see you.”

“You also can’t keep me safe indefinitely.”

She sounded so sure about that. Did she really believe someone planned to do her harm? All he’d been told was that her father wanted her protected while she was out of reach, but he didn’t know anything about a specific threat to her.

Was there a chance Mr. Nicholson had hired a bodyguard because his daughter was confused, maybe a little irrational...even delusional? She wouldn’t be the first person to imagine a bizarre conspiracy theory.

As if she’d read his thoughts, she smiled sadly. “Bus station, after all?”

“No.” Until he knew what was going on, he planned to keep her very close. “Do some weaving until you hit the highway,” he told Justice, “then find us a place to stay for the night.”

“Swanky or low-key?”

Leese thought about it, then asked her, “Preference?”

Her gaze traveled over his face, his shoulders, down his body. “Most would assume you’d go low-key, thinking that’s what I’d want. But if we can afford swankier...?”

“We can.” He had an alternate credit card to use, without any ties to the agency, just in case Catalina wasn’t imagining anything. “It’ll just take a little longer to reach.”

Justice said, “We going to make her wait to get room service?”

Again, Leese deferred to her.

“I’d kill for a burger,” Catalina said. “Loaded. With fries. And a malt.” She made a sound of pleasure. “Man, that sounds good.”

“I just fell in love,” Justice said.

Ignoring Justice, Leese said, “A burger is doable, but we’ll pick it up and take it to the hotel to eat. Okay?”

“You two might be my new favorite people.” She curled into the corner, snuggling for a comfortable position. “At least for a little while.” After a yawn, she said, “Wake me when we’re there.”

Leese watched her fall asleep.

A whole lot of things weren’t adding up. For one, despite all the research he’d done on her, Catalina wasn’t quite what he’d expected.

The situation, too, was off. He’d planned to keep her safe, but now he had to wonder: from what?

“She’s out?” Justice asked with disbelief.

A soft snore was his answer.

Leese smiled, until she shifted, turning toward him and stretching out on the seat, her head on his thigh.

“Shh,” she muttered. “So tired.”

In the rearview mirror, Leese saw Justice’s wide eyes. Hell, his own were probably bugging. What woman escaped danger, met strangers, mistrusted them, then decided to doze?

It wasn’t normal. The idea of her being irrational seemed more plausible by the moment.

Justice turned the radio on low, and as she’d ordered, they both stayed quiet. But Leese stewed, at first in discomfort.

Where the hell was he supposed to put his hands?

Then he decided to hell with it and rested one forearm across her body. She shifted and his hand ended up on her hip.

Worked for him, and she didn’t complain, so he just went with it.

The discomfort turned internal. Confused on all counts, he wanted to call Sahara and insist on some additional details, but not while Catalina might hear. He’d have to wait for the right moment and some privacy.

Using his left hand, he double-checked their route. With that done, he read a few private emails, did a little more research on the woman dozing against him and basically bided his time.

When it occurred to him that he was lightly stroking Catalina’s hip without even thinking about it, he ceased...until she grew restless. Then he gave in to the urge again.

They drove for forty-five minutes before Leese decided they were close enough to the hotel to pull into a drive-through burger joint. In all that time, Catalina had slept soundly but now, as the car slowed, she stretched awake.

Feeling the lithe movement of her trim little body against him, Leese gave her a few pats. “Time to wake up.”

“Mmm.” Sluggish, she turned to her back, her knees bent against the door, and stared up at him, taking a moment to orient herself. Blinking in surprise, she asked, “How long was I out?”

Shadows kept her expression hidden, but he felt her intensity. “Less than an hour.” His forearm was now across her stomach, meaning he practically embraced her. “Ready to order some food?”

Cautiously, she sat up and looked around, then turned to stare at him. “No trouble?”

“No.” Did she think she’d have slept through it?

“Sorry I passed out.”

“Not a problem.” Odd as hell, but it had maybe made things easier, giving him time to sort through the altered situation.

She leaned closer to him to peer over the front seat and out the windshield. Several cars were ahead of them, and the line moved slowly. “Could we walk in? I need to use the restroom.”

“We’ll be at the hotel in just a few minutes.”

Blue eyes stared into his. “I need to go now.”

Leese wasn’t sure how he knew—she didn’t blink, didn’t lose eye contact—but he had no doubt at all that she planned to run the second she got out of his sight. “All right. I’ll wait by the door and Justice can wait right outside.”

She scowled.

He grinned.

Giving up, she sighed. “I don’t even know your name.”

“Leese Phelps. The big guy up front—”

“You’re both big.” She peered toward Justice. “But yeah, you’re gargantuan. Justice, right?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A dimple appeared in her cheek. “I like your style, Justice.” Sitting back again, she turned to Leese. “Credentials?”

A little late, but at least she finally wanted to see them. Leese removed his folded leather holder and flipped it open to show his ID.

She studied it longer than necessary, looking from the photo to him to the photo again. “Okay, so you’re really a bodyguard.”

“You had doubts?”

“Sure.”

By the second she became more of an enigma. “And still you went to sleep?”

“I was seriously depleted and needed the rest. Besides, what was I supposed to do? Try to fight my way free?”

Justice snorted.

“Exactly.” As they pulled up in the line to buy food, her stomach rumbled. “Besides, even if I was a hulk like you two, I’m beat and I’m hungry. Fighting about the inevitable didn’t seem worth it.”

“Inevitable?” Leese asked.

“You were taking me, regardless of what I had to say about it. Right?”

What did she think? That he was holding her hostage? He was about to explain when it became their turn at the order window. Justice took and shared her food preferences, then ordered for himself and Leese too. Once they had two big bags of food, they drove away again.

Catalina sniffed the air. “Wow, that smells good.”

“We’re a block away from the hotel. Before we get there, you should understand something.”

She awkwardly pulled on her coat, working around the fastened seat belt, bumping Leese a few times. “What’s that?”

“I’m not holding you against your will.”

One of her brows lifted.

“I’m here to keep you safe.”

“So you’ve said. But if I chose to leave?”

He gave her the truth. “I’d follow.”

CHAPTER TWO

“I HAVE HER HAT.”

“What the fuck am I supposed to do with a hat? I need her, Tesh, not her wardrobe.”

Refusing to be riled, Tesh fingered the hat, then stuffed it back into his pocket. “I meant it as a confirmation for you that I have her in my sights. She left the hat behind at the bus station after some idiots tried to accost her. The bodyguard stepped in.”

“So he found her.”

Making a sound of affirmation, Tesh said, “And I followed him.” He could have found her on his own. Contrary to what little Cat Nicholson thought, she wasn’t all that clever. But she’d have recognized him right off and booked again.

Having a different face, a less menacing face, track her down worked to his advantage. “I’ve been following her since, not too close because I don’t want to spook her.”

“Fine, what’s the plan?”

“I’ll grab her in the morning.” Despite the wishes of anyone else, he didn’t want her killed. Not his sweet, wild kitten. Given half a chance, he’d tuck her away and keep her safe.

All his, and his alone.

It’d be worth giving up everything. She was worth it, and when he finished taming her, she’d be not only agreeable, but grateful.

“Keep me posted.”

Tesh nodded. “Will do.” He disconnected the call, and thought about how to proceed. He had his orders. And he had his preferences. If things went right, he could have it all.

* * *

CATALINA WASN’T SURE what to think. Leese Phelps, her new “bodyguard,” looked sincere enough. But she knew how it worked.

For much of her life, and especially the last few months before she’d been forced to run six weeks ago, too many things had been done “for her own good.” These days, she had a hard time knowing who to trust, but it was rarely those people claiming to have her best interests at heart.

Leese, with the gorgeous blue eyes and tall, solid physique, looked the part of a hero. But looks could be deceiving. He also said the right things, painting himself as a good guy. But good, too, could be subjective.

He’d made mincemeat of Wayne’s bullyboy, taking him out in such an effortless way. Then with a look alone, he intimidated Wayne.

He had a gun and he spoke to his massive chauffeur friend as if the guy wasn’t an enormous pile of muscle and badass ’tude.

She sighed. What to do?

Gaze teasing, Leese lifted one bag of food as enticement. “Why don’t you come up to the room and at least eat before making any decisions? I have a feeling we need to talk out a few things.”

The wind had played havoc with his dark hair, and this late in the day he had sexy beard shadow scruff highlighting his lean jaw, making his incendiary eyes look even more compelling.

How unfair. Her eyes were a wishy-washy blah blue.

Not his. Nope, his eyes were the kind that made a woman’s stomach tumble.

And though the food smelled good, it had nothing on Leese, who smelled incredibly delicious. The nap she’d taken, using his hard thigh as a pillow, was the best rest she’d had in a good long while.

How did that make any sense?

She had no idea how much, if any, she should trust him. But she’d slept peacefully.

“I guess if you wanted to murder me or some other heinous thing, you wouldn’t have to take me to a nice hotel to do it.”

“You see,” he said, dark, level brows coming together. “It’s thoughts like that we need to talk about.”

“Then again,” she continued, feeling constrained as they drove into a dark, concrete parking garage, “you could be luring me into a trap.” Fear put a stranglehold on her throat. What if he only wanted her to come along peacefully because that’d make it easier on him? Then he’d hand her over without a single qualm.

Then what would she do?

“No trap,” Leese said gently, and amazingly it helped to still the escalating alarm.

“No one else is waiting inside? Because it’d be beyond diabolical to lure me with food when I’m already so hungry, just to sabotage me and—”

One finger pressed to her mouth, silencing her. “I’m not sure who you think wants to sabotage you, but I promise, Justice and I won’t let that happen.”

Oh wow. He said that so convincingly while touching her mouth, and even through her fear, it affected her, making her toes curl in her boots. Believing him, even though that was an insane thing to do, she gave a small nod. “Okay.”

“Good girl.” His hand cupped the side of her face. “Now take a few breaths and try to relax.”

She nodded, even as her thoughts scrambled.

Justice parked, then walked around and opened her door for her.

Hoping to hide her continued worry, she teased, “Such a gentleman.”

Justice tugged at an ear. “Haven’t been accused of that too many times.”

When she stepped out, she felt downright puny next to him. It wasn’t just his height, but also the breadth of his chest and shoulders. Boulder shoulders. Even through his leather jacket, she could see the unyielding strength in his body.

For whatever reason, even though she felt safe with Leese, Justice made her more at ease.

Could be the lack of attraction.

She saw Leese as walking, talking sex appeal.

Justice was like a big teddy bear...if teddy bears ate steel for breakfast.

A second later, his expression alert, Leese was at her side as he waited for Justice to open the back of the SUV. He had a leaner, more honed physique that was no less powerful.

Leese, clearly in charge, nearly vibrated with edgy awareness. Justice seemed to be along for the ride.

They made interesting cohorts, like mismatched bookends that would nonetheless get the job done. And if she wasn’t so worried, she wouldn’t mind her role as the only book.

“How’s your ankle?”

She stared at him blankly. “My ankle?”

“You were limping earlier.”

“Oh.” She looked down at her feet, unaware of any problem. “Guess it’s okay.” She wiggled her toes. “Must have been a temporary thing.”

“Good. Any discomfort, just let me know.”

They each retrieved moderately sized overnight bags, and Justice lifted out her big suitcase.

“The wheel broke,” she explained.

“Not a problem.” Justice held it as easily as he would have a pillow.

That bugged her. She’d had a devil of a time hauling that awkward heap through the snow, sludge and ice in the alleys. If these two were going to corral her, they could have done so as soon as she’d left the shelter. Maybe then her back and shoulders wouldn’t be so tired.

“He’s a regular beast, isn’t he?” she whispered to Leese.

Smiling, Leese shrugged, still looking around the area. “He’s strong.”

“Used to be a fighter,” Justice said, proving he’d heard her whisper. “Same as Leese. We gave it up to be bodyguards, and gotta say, it’s a lot less work.”

Fascinated, Cat looked between them as they headed into the foyer of the hotel. “Fighters? Like boxing? Or do you mean street brawlers?”

“Professional MMA,” Justice explained. “Mixed martial arts.”

She knew little about it, but it probably meant they were well trained. “Why’d you give it up?”

Cutting off Justice’s answer, Leese said, “This place isn’t top-notch, maybe not what you’re used to, but it’s one of the better hotels in this area.”

A change of subject? And what did he know about her preferences? She scowled at him. “It’s better than the shelter, I’m sure.”

“Book us two rooms,” he told Justice, handing him a card. “If they have a suite, that’d be great. If not, a single and a double will do. Make sure they’re near each other.”

“Right.” Leaving the luggage with Leese, Justice walked away toward the front desk.

“You can grab a seat while we wait.” Leese indicated the cushy sofa behind her.

Luckily the lobby was nearly empty this time of night. Other than a couple headed toward the lounge, Cat saw only hotel employees. Big windows and glass doors at the entrance showed another light snow starting, each flake glistening as it danced beneath the lights. A boutique, decorated with hearts and flowers for Valentine’s Day, as well as several restaurants lined the street across from them.

As she sat, Cat thought about the arrangements. Since she’d have a room to herself, she could sneak away if she wanted. But would that be wise? She was out of money, and if she hit the ATM that’d probably leave a trail. Then again, seeing Justice use the credit card at the front desk, she knew it’d be pretty easy to find her, just by tracking Leese and Justice, which had no doubt been the plan.

She’d thought staying with Wayne would completely throw off the bloodhounds. It was so far from her ordinary, everyday life that she hadn’t imagined anyone would ever look for her there.

Then Wayne had to go and get grabby and ruin those plans. Not that she could have hidden indefinitely anyway. Sooner or later she had to work out a life for herself, a way to live safe and free.

Maybe it was time to confront things.

Could she?

For tonight, she’d try not to dwell on it. Showering in peace, sleeping without worry would be so nice.

And Leese did have that food...

It had been a while since she’d really enjoyed eating. With cockroaches running rampant, strangers staring and Wayne always on the make, mealtime at the shelter had been done in uncomfortable haste.

In contrast, a loaded burger seemed like a real luxury.

In the morning she could figure out an escape...perhaps over breakfast.

While she sat there thinking things through, Leese stood in front of her, hands in his pockets, his gaze brooding as he alternately studied the windows and door, and watched her.

When her gaze met his, he smiled. “Before you work out anything too elaborate, you should know that one room is for Justice, and the other is for us.”

Her heart jumped. “Us?”

He caught her arm and pulled her back to her feet. “I can’t protect you if I’m not with you. And I have a feeling you need more protection than I ever could have guessed.”

His feelings were spot-on.

Justice rejoined them, handing out room keycards. “Got you the suite and I have a room across the hall.”

So the big guy had understood the setup all along?

With a hand to the small of her back, Leese urged her to the elevator.

A bellhop took them to a private floor accessible only with a keycard. Nice. That gave her a little more added security.

On the ride up to the twenty-sixth floor, Cat tried to use the silence to plan, but she was far too aware of Leese standing closely at her back.

He intended to room with her.

She glanced at Justice standing at her side, and the big ape grinned at her as if he knew her thoughts. Scowling, she stared straight instead at the numbers as they changed for each floor.

Repugnant as it seemed, she should definitely go; Leese had said she could if she wanted. Maybe it was time to test that theory.

After they departed the elevator, the bellhop started to step off with them. Leese slipped him a bill and thanked him with an obvious dismissal.

He unlocked the suite door himself, then held it open for her.

Nervousness kept her glued to the spot. They were in such a private location, with only a few other doors around. She felt isolated, alone...but then she’d felt that way for a while now.

“I changed my mind,” she blurted.

Silence ticked by until, tipping his head, Leese asked, “About?”

His calm only amplified her nervousness.

“This.” She gestured at the room. At him. “I don’t want to stay here.”

Pausing at his own door, Justice waited.

“Okay.” Hands on his hips, Leese held her gaze. “Where did you want to go?”

“Er...nowhere with you. I’m going to just...leave.”

Dark brows touching, Leese considered her, making her squirm. He let the door shut. “All right.”

Justice groaned with loud drama.

“Wherever you go,” Leese told her, “I will closely follow. But it’s up to you.”

Damn it. Him being so agreeable left her only more perplexed. And truthfully, she didn’t want to go anywhere. The nap had recharged her, but only a little. Problems pummeled her tired brain. And the thought of a shower was so enticing... “Can I take the food with me?”

A half smile curled his mouth. “Sure.”

The easy agreement left her deflated, stealing the last of her resistance. “Fine. I’ll stay.”

Justice let out a long, relieved breath.

“But I’m not keen on sharing a room with you.” Liar. She hated the thought of being alone. She protested on principle—because she liked the idea of being alone with him far too much. And why not? Could he be more striking with his beautiful eyes, calm, controlled nature and that ripped bod?

Her biggest dilemma was that he looked at her as a problem to solve, and she looked at him like any red-blooded woman would look at a sexy hunk of man.

She felt sparks, blast him, and he stayed cool and distant.

“If that’s your only concern, I can stay out here.”

Cat gaped at him. “Here, the...hall?”

“Yes.”

Why wouldn’t he just room with Justice? “I could take the single and you guys could—”

“Wherever you are,” he repeated in a deep, serious tone, “that’s where I’ll be. Either in the room with you, or just outside the door.”

Justice said, “Give in, honey. Leese takes this shit far too seriously, I swear. He’ll stand out here like a guard dog all night, and then I’ll feel guilty and want to spell him, and neither of us will get any sleep.”

“I’ll sleep just fine,” she told him, though that was probably a lie too. Knowing the two of them stood vigil would keep her from resting.

“I meant Leese and me,” the hulk grouched.

“Justice,” Leese warned. “It’s her decision. Don’t pressure her.”

Yeah, God forbid she be pressured. Such a laugh. She’d had more pressure lately than any woman should have to bear.

Justice plopped down her suitcase and took two big steps to swipe up the bag of food. “Fine.” Rummaging inside, he said, “I’m at least going to eat while she decides.” He withdrew two burgers.