Read Crazy Love (Emerald Lake Billionaires 3) Online

Authors: Leeanna Morgan

Tags: #Contemporary Romance, #Love, #Bride, #bridesmaid, #Montana, #billioniare, #Clean & Wholesome

Crazy Love (Emerald Lake Billionaires 3) (30 page)

Hayley disconnected the call and walked swiftly across to Angelique. “Were you able to download the security footage?”

“I can’t access it, but I’ve called in a favor from another staff member. He’ll be here in an hour.”

“Thank you.” Hayley hugged Angelique.

“You’re welcome, but I don’t know why you can’t go to the police. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“I can’t risk anything happening to mom. The police won’t do anything until whoever it is breaks the law. She could get hurt while I wait for the police to do something.”

Angelique walked back with her to the nursing home. “What are you going to do?”

Hayley looked at the building where she thought they’d be safe. “Pack our bags and leave.”

***

Tank looked at the exterior of Woodview, a nursing home on the outskirts of Fort Wayne. He didn’t usually meet clients at nursing homes, but it didn’t matter. It was no different to a consulate in Taiwan or a hotel in Kabul. A client needed help and he was paid to look after them.

He glanced at Hayley Elliott’s profile before turning his phone off. The twenty-eight-year-old nurse worked in the building in front of him. Her mother, Alice Elliott, was an advanced dementia patient at the same facility.

His assignment was simple—bring them back to Montana.

Their seats were booked on the next flight out of Fort Wayne. When they arrived in Bozeman, he’d drive them to Emerald Lake. In five hours, Hayley would be drinking coffee with her sister and mom, sharing stories about their adventure in Indiana.

For him it was a matter of case closed and onto the next one.

But Hayley Elliott obviously had other ideas. For the last five minutes she’d been throwing suitcases into her car. She was in a hurry.

Tank glanced at the other vehicles in the parking lot before getting out of his SUV. He didn’t want to scare her, so he made as much noise as he could.

Hayley threw another bag in the car and reached for her jacket.

He was almost beside her car and she still didn’t look as though she’d heard him. It was no wonder she needed protection. He cleared his throat. “Hayley Elliott? I’m—”

She spun on her feet, her arm stiff and straight.

Damn.
He twisted sideways, blocked her with his forearm, but not quick enough to miss the pepper spray aimed at his face.

The pain nearly blinded him. He moved forward, grabbing her as she ran around the side of her car.

Instead of pulling away, she stepped into his arms and kneed him in the groin.

He swore something fierce, turned her around and pushed her against the side of her car, trapping her between the cold metal and his aching body.

“Let me go,” she screamed. “Help! I need help!”

“I am the help,” he ground out. “Your sister sent me.”

Hayley didn’t stop twisting and turning. “You’re lying. Get off me you big oaf.”

“Your sister is Sophie Elliott. She works at Emerald Lake with Ryan Evans.”

“Anyone with half a brain could have looked that up on the Internet. Tell me something the rest of the world doesn’t know.”

“She’s discovered a treatment for people with dementia. It’s not patented.”

Hayley stopped moving. She sucked in a lungful of air. “Keep talking.”

“John Fletcher owns the security company where I work. Your sister asked us to bring you and your mom back to Bozeman. If I didn’t think you’d spray me again, I’d give you my phone to call him.”

She relaxed against her car. “I don’t know who John Fletcher is, but I believe you.”

Tank wasn’t taking any chances. He blinked hard, trying to force the spray out of his eyes. “Where’s the pepper spray?”

“I don’t know. You knocked it out of my hand.”

There was no point looking for it. He couldn’t see anything.

“I’m sorry for spraying you.”

He grunted. “Kneeing me in the groin didn’t help, either.”

“Are you okay?”

He let go of her wrists and stepped away from the car. “My face feels like it’s on fire and other parts of my body aren’t much better.” If he rubbed his eyes he’d be in even more pain. He leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees.

“I’ve got some ice inside. You could…you know…”

“I’ll be fine,” he muttered.

“It will help with the swelling.”

Tank didn’t want to think about what his body was doing. “As soon as I can see, I’m taking you and your mom to the airport. We’re going to Bozeman.”

“Not on a plane, we’re not.”

He bit back a reply. “We’re flying to Bozeman tonight.”

“Mom can’t fly. She gets really agitated.”

“How agitated?”

“Enough for the airline staff to stop her getting on a plane.”

Tank closed his eyes.

“It’s her dementia. She’s doesn’t like the noise the engines make.”

“Is your mom okay traveling in a car?”