“Go ahead and give Captain Musket a call. We go way back, as a matter of fact, we served on the same team for several years,” he answered. Bree’s eyes flashed with fury at his words. Men! And they all stuck together.
“Can you please let loose of the arm cage so I can get my keys and go home? I’m tired, cranky and very much done with this conversation.”
“After you,” he said while taking a step back. She swept past him and went inside to grab her keys. She sat down and called her father. Just because he said her dad had sent him, didn’t necessarily mean he was telling the truth.
“Hello,” her father’s voice came over the line. He was answering his own phone, which meant he knew the call was coming in.
“Did you seriously hire a babysitter for me?” Bree didn’t take time to say hello. She knew she didn’t need to say who was calling. If her father had indeed hired Chad, he’d know exactly what she was talking about. If he hadn’t, he’d have the entire National Guard at her office in less than five minutes.
“So good to hear from you twice in one day,” George answered. By him ignoring her question, she had her answer. She was silent as she fought the urge to scream into the mouthpiece of the phone. She knew she couldn’t get any more words past her throat so for the first time in her life she hung up on her dad.
He deserved to know how incredibly ticked off she was.
Chad was indeed sent by her father. She knew she could plead, threaten and shout but it wouldn’t do her any good. Her father wouldn’t pull him from his task. In her father’s opinion, if she insisted on being on her own, then she would have to deal with a shadow. After taking several minutes to wash her flushed cheeks, she decided she was ditching her unwanted escort.
She crept to the front of the building and snuck out the main doors. Hopefully she could shake him and drive off before he realized she was gone. She was sure he knew where she lived, but if she could beat him home, get inside and lock the door, she’d come up with a better plan the next day.
There was no way she could handle the very appealing Chad Redington hanging around her, day in and day out, without eventually ripping his shirt off with her teeth, button by button.
Bree reached her car with no sign of Chad, and quickly jumped in and tore out of the parking lot. She was feeling pretty smug and incredibly proud of herself until she noticed the headlights of a car trailing close behind her. There was no way he could’ve caught up so quickly. Hopefully it was just another motorist but she had a feeling it was him. When the car followed her down the driveway to her incredibly small rental, she knew she was busted. He most likely would start lecturing the second they emerged from their cars.
She pulled in front of her house and flew from the driver’s seat. Her hands were shaking as she jumped up the steps and tried to get the key in the lock. She was planning on slamming the door before he had a chance to follow her.
“Did you really think you could ditch me that easily? I’m trained in hunting people down,” Chad said, startling her. She turned from her stubborn doorknob and there he was, leaning against her porch rail as if he didn’t have a care in the world. She hadn’t even heard his car door slam, nor the normally squeaky steps as he came up behind her. She needed to become a lot more aware if there really was a stalker out there.
“I told you back at the office, no one wants to harm me. No one is out to get me. My father and brothers have always been too over-protective. They’re all just mad because I snuck off right underneath their arrogant noses. I have to prove at some point that I’m perfectly able to take care of myself. Go away, you're trespassing,” Bree snapped as she finally got her key in the stubborn lock.
“So, those threatening letters meant nothing.”
“I’ve already told you, it comes with the territory. If I went into hiding every time I received a pathetic letter, then I’d never get to leave the house.”
“Your father said it’s been escalating. If he’s concerned enough to hire me, then you have something to worry about.” Bree gave up. There was no use arguing.
“Look, I’m not trying to frighten you but your father had surveillance done near the place you work and there’s been suspicious activity going on. I don’t have all the details but it seems there’s been a car parked near your office, with someone taking pictures,” he said, hoping to finally get through to her.
“I’m sure it has nothing to do with me,” she said, though a chill went down her spine.
“You are ridiculously stubborn. Do you care so little about your own life?” he snapped.
“I’m tired and need a cup of coffee. You can leave now.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he replied, folding his arms.
“Well, enjoy your time on my porch then, because you’re not invited inside,” she snapped as she pushed open the door.
Bree looked up and her heart stopped beating for a moment. Her entire body tensed and she felt dizzy.
Someone had been in her house – and her belongings were strung all over the place. The message on the wall was what had her close to fainting, though.
You’re mine.
It was written in what looked like blood.
Chapter Three
Chad saw her tense and he immediately straightened from his relaxed position. He grabbed his gun, lifted her out of his way, and stepped inside her front door. Bree could do nothing but stare as he walked inside. What if the person was still there? She started to follow him.
“Wait here,” he commanded. She glared at him, but knew he would hold firm so she crossed her arms and waited as he searched her home – his entire body in stealth mode. She held her breath, sick she couldn’t do more than stand there frozen. When her lungs felt like they were about to burst, she finally let the air out and sucked in fresh oxygen.
As Chad stepped through each room, he was on full alert. He was in his element – the hunter, searching for prey. He hated leaving her alone on the front porch, but didn’t see an alternative until he cleared the house. He quietly made his way through the small dwelling, checking every square inch. Finally, he relaxed when he was satisfied the house was clear.
As Chad looked around her homey place, he started to think she may not be who he originally thought she was. He knew she had a trust fund in the seven figure range, but her home was quaint. Instead of flashy pieces of art or over-priced furniture, he saw second hand pieces, lovingly restored, and homemade Afghans hanging from the back of the couch. Her father told him she was refusing to touch her trust, but Chad hadn’t believed she’d be able to hold out. No way could she go from being a spoiled princess to an everyday working girl. He didn’t see it happening… but the evidence was right in front of him.