Waiting For Wren (Book Five In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series) (21 page)

She stopped at a full headshot of Tucker with his baseball cap worn backwards. Frowning, she moved in closer, studying him. He was different—lighter before the crushing tragedy of his sister’s death. She’d never realized how distant and weary his eyes were until now.
A piece of me died right along with her.

One moment in time had altered his life irrevocably. Wren finally understood why he didn’t follow his father into the hotel business. He’d spent years searching for justice, trying to make sense of something that was impossible to understand. Who would Tucker be if Staci had lived? Would there still be that light in those gorgeous hazel eyes? She stepped back, her heart heavy, as she sat on the edge of Staci’s bed.

“Ms. Wren.”

Wren’s gaze flew to the door, and she gave Ms. Hayes a small smile as she stood. “Hello. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“You’re fine, honey, just fine.” She stepped into the room. “This space has been empty for so long. This home used to be such a happy place. All the laughter and noise.” Ms. Hayes smiled sadly.

“What—what was she like?”

“She was beautiful. All the Campbell’s are. Staci was as sweet as she was pleasing to the eye. And she had spunk.” She chuckled. “She kept Tucker on his toes, and he did the same in return.”

“They were very close.”

“Yes—a blessing and a curse when you lose someone so suddenly.”

“What was he like…before?”

Ms. Hayes studied Wren. “He’s a special man. Despite it all, he’s still kind.”

“Yes.”

“He’s smitten with you.”

“Oh, I don’t—”

“Used to be smitten with all the girls, and my did they flock to him.”

“I’m sure.” Wren rolled her eyes.

Ms. Hayes laughed. “He’s grown now. Something tells me my little Tuckey’s more choosy.”

She doubted it but nodded anyway.

“He sure likes to look at you. Maybe you like to look at him too.”

“It’s…complicated.”

“I’m sure, dear, but complications have a way of working themselves out.” Ms. Hayes took her hand. “He was very different. He laughed more. His grief is still heavy. Bless his heart.”

“I want to help him, but I don’t know how.” For some reason it was easy to be honest with the sweet older woman.

“You’re doing just fine.”

“But I haven’t done anything.”

“You’ve done more than you know.”

“I mostly give him a hard time.”

Ms. Hayes laughed again. “He needs a bit of that.”

Wren grinned for the first time in days.

“He hasn’t been back since. I wasn’t sure he would ever come. This was their place. They loved it here. Seems like you might be just what he needs to sweep away the worst of the pain.”

“I’m not so sure.”

“I am.” She squeezed Wren’s fingers. “I have a feeling Tucker wants to help you as much as you’d like to help him, but letting others in isn’t easy for some of us.” She winked knowingly. “Trust is a hard thing to surrender when the world has let us down. But sometimes we have to be daring enough to allow someone special into to our hearts so they can help us through the worst of things. And there are few more special than Tucker Campbell, my dear.” She kissed Wren’s cheek. “Now, come enjoy a cup of tea with me before I head home.”

“I would like that.” What else could she say when she was so confused? She shut Staci’s door behind them, and they started down the hall, heading toward the kitchen and two steaming cups of chamomile.

Tucker flipped from Google Maps back to his Word document, typing up yet another report for Jackson—this time for the New Year’s Eve shindig in Time Square. Thank God this wouldn’t be his duty; it was bound to be a damn mess.

By some miracle, he’d actually scored the night off. He’d wanted to do something with Wren to ring in 2015, but as things stood, he would be sitting on his ugly couch, watching his coworkers freeze their asses off while one of America’s favorite pop icons counted down the final seconds to the new year.

It was doubtful he and Wren would be doing much of anything together any time soon—like ever. She’d been right when she called him out—brutally so—but right just the same. He had expected her to trust in him and share her emotions, but his feelings were off limits, at least where Staci was concerned. How could he ask for her complete faith when he was unwilling to give his in return? It had been a long time since he’d confided so much in another. The thought of opening up like that again scared the hell out of him. He doubted it was much different for Wren.

Sighing, he leaned back in his chair, resting his head on the plush leather cushion. Wren wasn’t going to allow him to fix this. She’d been
waiting
for him to let her down, and he’d obliged her quickly enough. In her mind, she’d given him a chance—sort of—and he’d blown it. The end.

Let’s just go back to the way things were before we were stupid enough to sleep together.
He winced as her bitter words hit the mark again. He’d made several mistakes over the last few days, but taking Wren to bed wasn’t one of them. It bothered the hell out of him that she regretted something that meant so much. He didn’t want to be just another man who’d bedded her and disappointed. They’d shared a connection, whether she wanted to admit it or not. He wanted that back. There had to be something he could do.

The phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. He picked up, answering without glancing at the display. “Cooke.”

“We traced the signals,” Owens said.

Tucker sat up. “And?”

“He sent us on a hell of a fucking chase. Made calls all over the damn place—northern California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah.”

Tucker clutched the phone. “He’s here?”

“Last ping was from that text to Wren. He’s in Park City. Or was as of forty-eight hours ago.”

Tucker swallowed the news and stood. “Well, he sure as hell didn’t fucking leave. How the hell does he know we’re
here
? How the fuck does he know, man?”

“He’s done his homework.”

“But no one knows about this place.”

“Your sister… Her murder made headlines way back when. It’s not like Utah’s top secret.”

“Pretty damn close. Very few people are aware my father kept this place.”

“Well, somehow this guy does.”

“Guess we need to figure out how he figured it out.” Tucker walked by the windows, staring into the dark. Somewhere out there, Wren’s stalker was watching. He would bet his last dollar on it. He opened his door and hurried down the hall, sighing his relief as Wren sat at the dining room table typing away on her laptop. He walked to the alarm, reassured by the double blink.

Wren glanced up from her computer and their eyes met, held, then she looked down at her screen and continued with her work.

“We’ll alert the authorities up in Park City. Probably wouldn’t hurt to check in with them yourself.”

“We’ve been in touch.” Tucker clenched his jaw and went back to his room. How the hell was he supposed to have this conversation and keep an eye on Wren? “There was a murder last night—a lot like Staci’s. Identical, actually. They think it’s the same man who killed my sister. I know it is.”

“I’m sorry, man.”

He shrugged. “Maybe we’ll finally get him this time.”

“Let me know if I can do anything to help.”

“Thanks. I will.”

“I’ll put in a call to the local PD and give them our update.”

“I guess that’s all we can do for now.” He wanted to get Wren out of here—now—and on the first plane to Los Angeles, but snow was falling in sheets and it was dark. They were better off staying put until daylight. “We’re heading back to LA in the morning. This place isn’t safe anymore. We’re out in the middle of nowhere. The house is more glass than timber. There are picture windows all over the damn place. The bastard’s having a fucking field day. He’s peeping right now; I can feel it. We’ll catch the next available flight tomorrow.”

“Sounds like we’ll see you soon.”

“Yeah. Keep me in the loop if anything else comes up.”

“Will do.”

He hung up, flung his phone to the bed, and rubbed at the instant tension along the back of his neck. “Son of a
bitch
.” Now what? His first instinct was to shut off the lights and barricade Wren in the bathroom—one of the only rooms in the house without windows. He couldn’t stand the thought of the bastard watching her, but hiding Wren away was a bad idea. Nothing good would come from tipping their guy off. The longer it took him to figure out the authorities were on to him, the better. Wren was mostly safe until morning. If her stalker could have taken him out, he would’ve by now, so they would play this as if nothing had changed.

He grabbed his laptop and cell and made his way down the hall, settling himself on the couch within eyesight of Wren. He opened his company e-mail account and started composing a message to Ethan. He couldn’t exactly call while Wren sat mere feet away. There was no use frightening her, but her brother needed to know.

Ethan
—

His cellphone rang, and he glanced at the readout this time. Speak of the devil. “I was just e-mailing you.”

“No kidding. I was about to send you something too. A package came into the office this evening. Mia scanned a few items for me.”

Tucker frowned at the edge in Ethan’s voice. “What’s up?”

“Why don’t you tell me?”

Tucker’s e-mail dinged with an incoming message.

“Should be there by now. Go ahead and take a look.”

Tucker clicked open the mail from Ethan and downloaded the attachments. He stared, speechless, at a picture of him and Wren tangled together in a deep, searing kiss. Wren’s fingers were in his hair while he clutched her close. “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.” He flipped from one photo to the next, disgusted that a moment that had been for him and Wren alone now played out on his computer screen.

“What the hell is going on up there, Campbell?”

“None of your goddamn business,” he bit off.

Wren stopped typing and looked at him.

He slammed his laptop shut and marched his ass to the bedroom as his blood boiled.

“He’s
there
, Campbell.”

“Obviously.” He shoved his door closed. “I just got off the phone with Owens. They triangulated the signals to Park City a few minutes ago. He’s been here for the last forty-eight hours.”

“Son of a
bitch
. I trusted you. I trusted you to take care of my sister, man, not to use this as an excuse to get your hands down her fucking pants.”

“Fuck off, Ethan. I’m doing my job. I’m taking care of Wren.”

“Yeah, I can see that,” he scoffed.

“This has nothing to do with you. What you saw in those pictures, that’s personal.”

“There’s no such thing as personal in close protection, especially when I’m paying your salary and
especially
when your tongue’s down my sister’s throat when there’s a fucking sicko staring in your bedroom window.”

“Goddamn, you’re an asshole. I had no idea he was here. I had no fucking clue he would find us.”

“Maybe if you were following procedure—”

“Following procedure wouldn’t have changed one fucking thing, and you know it. I’m not going to sit here and defend myself to you. I’ll get Wren home in one piece. After that you can take your salary and shove it.”

Wren flung the door open and rushed into the room. “What’s going on in here?”

“Nothing,” he said to Wren, then spoke to Ethan. “We’ll be on the first available flight back tomorrow.” Clenching his jaw, he pressed “end,” and shoved his phone in the holder before he gave into the desire to chuck it.

“Tucker.” Brows furrowed, Wren took several steps closer. “Was that Ethan? Did you just quit your job?”

“Looks like it.”

“
Why
?”

He shrugged. “Apparently this whole bodyguard thing isn’t going to work out. Go ahead and pack. We’re leaving in the morning.”

She shook her head. “Since when?”

“Since fifteen minutes ago.”

“Did they catch the guy? Did they find the man doing this?”

He steamed out a breath, holding her gaze.

“Oh God.” She pressed a hand to her heart. “He found me.”

Her terrified eyes darted to the massive panels of glass. “He’s out there.” Cringing, she stepped back.

This wasn’t how he’d wanted to tell her. “Sit down.” He gestured to the bed.

She glanced toward the windows again, shuddering.

“Come on.” He took her hand, pulling her down the hall to her room and into the bathroom.

She shut the door and rested her back against it. “How long has he been here?”

He leaned his hip on the counter “Looks like the last couple of days.”

“He’s been watching us. He’s standing out there in the dark, isn’t he?”

He could lie and deny it, but for what purpose? “Probably.”

Her breath rushed out as she crossed her arms tight across her chest.

“Hey.” He leaned forward, snagged her wrist, and tugged her to him. “Hey.”

“What?”

“Everything’s going to be all right.” He pulled her into a hug, and to his surprise she held on. “I won’t let him touch you.” He rubbed his hands down her back. I’m promising you he won’t touch you.”

She nodded.

“We’re leaving tomorrow. As soon as I can get us out of here.”

She eased back enough to look him in the eye. “Then what?”

“Then we go home. You’ll probably stay with Austin or Hunter until the renovations are finished at your brother’s.”

“What about you? What about your job?”

He shrugged. He didn’t want to think about that right now. “Let’s figure this out first.”

“What happened? I heard some of your argument.”

“Then you got the gist that Ethan’s not real happy with the way I’ve been handling things around here.”

She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

Telling her about the pictures would only frighten her further, but if Ethan mentioned something before he did… “The man following you, he snapped a few photos of us when we were kissing.”

Her eyes grew wide as she clutched at his waist. “He
what
? How?”

“Long-range lens would do the trick. He was nice enough to send them along to your brother. Ethan’s not pleased.”

“It’s none of his business.” Temper heated her voice.

“I agree, but he doesn’t see it that way.”

Wren yanked up the hem of his shirt and pulled the cellphone from the holder.