Guarding her, p.12
Guarding Her, page 12
The table was piled with platters of food—fruit and little snacks.
“Carlos cheated?” Angel murmured, looking over her shoulder at the pool.
It was clear that Flora, Clarita’s mom, hadn’t heard anything. She was in the pool now with the kids and Carlos, laughing at something he’d said.
“I…what?” Angel continued, even as she shook her head. “No, not Carlo.”
Gia had heard Angel call him Carlo many times over the years—shortening it slightly in affection since they all thought of him as a brother. Gia didn’t know him well enough, however, and she looked at Clarita in horror. “I’m so sorry, Clarita,” she whispered, reaching a hand out across the table.
Clarita took it, squeezed. She still had dark circles under her eyes and looked as if she’d lost another couple pounds. Oh God, no wonder. So this was why she was stressed, not because of work.
“Will you tell us what’s happened?” Zamira asked gently. “I’m sure that you’re sure but…Carlos, cheating? He’s…he just loves you so much.”
“I saw him.” Clarita sucked in a jagged breath and shoved her sunglasses on her face. “I…went to his office to surprise him. And found him fu—” She shook her head, sucked in another breath. “It doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t have said anything yet. I just can’t keep it inside anymore. I wanted to get through this deal with work before trying to confront him but I’m dying inside. My marriage is over.”
Angel moved closer, took both Clarita’s hands. “Whatever you need, we’ll be there for you. And that includes breaking that bastard’s legs.” She growled the last part.
“If you need us to watch the kids or help you find a lawyer, whatever, we’re here for you.” Mila reached across the table, squeezed her arm once.
Clarita simply nodded, sniffled. “It doesn’t even feel real.”
“I know plenty of places to hide a body.” Ivy’s tone was deadpan and Gia wasn’t sure if she was joking or not.
She’d met the other woman—an art restorer or something to that effect—a couple times because Lawson was friends with her fiancé Nash, and she could admit the woman was intimidating. Right about now, in a bikini, her long, toned legs crossed and a hard expression on her gorgeous face, she looked actually scary.
“I’ll help dig the hole,” Angel growled, in full-on big sister mode.
“Shhh, no more of that.” Clarita suddenly straightened as Bella ran at the table, soaking wet and asking for snacks.
The sisters and Ivy sat there looking as stunned as Gia felt. Clarita and Carlos had always seemed like such a solid couple, the kind that made it to fifty years married.
Within minutes everyone had scattered, with the others all getting in the pool except for Angel.
“Gia, can you come inside?” Juan called out from one of the open glass doors that led to the pool and patio area.
“Uh oh, I think you’re in trouble,” Angel whispered.
Gia hid a wince because yeah, she kind of felt like she was.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Lawson could already see that Juan calling Gia in here was a bad idea. The guest bedroom overlooked the pool, and from where they were they could hear people coming and going, grabbing food and drinks from the kitchen. Music played both inside and out, the steady stream of noise light and fun.
Her jaw was set mutinously as she faced her big brother. If Juan hadn’t realized it by now, he should—Gia didn’t do anything she didn’t want to.
“I’m not staying at your place. And I don’t want to do this here,” she said, motioning around them. “I just want to relax and enjoy the party.”
“She can keep staying with me.” Lawson didn’t want her out of his sight. “She’s already settled. My place is more than big enough and she’ll have space to work.” Not to mention his security system was top-of-the-line.
“Exactly.” Gia slid up to him, arms crossed over her chest defiantly. She’d tossed a sheer cover-up over her bathing suit and it covered exactly nothing. Something he didn’t need to be noticing in front of her brother.
He resisted the urge to wrap his arm around her shoulders—knowing exactly how well that would go over with Juan, who’d been eyeing him suspiciously the last twenty minutes.
“You don’t even have a guest bed.” His frown deepened as he looked between the two of them, definitely suspicious.
“So?” Gia snapped. “Look, I love you, but I’ve got a lot of work to do the next couple weeks. And I know exactly what’s going to happen if I move in with you and Angel. We’re going to drive each other crazy. Not to mention you just got married. Married.”
“Angel won’t care if you move in with us. She loves you! And she cares about your safety.”
Gia stepped forward, grabbed her brother’s hands. “I know that. But I will not be a third wheel for my newly married brother. You and I will kill each other in the space of a week, I guarantee it. You like to tell me what to do because you still see me as a kid—and don’t bother denying it. I can’t deal with any extra stress right now. And Angel and you both deserve privacy and a chance to settle into being married.”
“I’ve got the space and the security system. I’ve also got someone coming out to fix her window today. And the cameras arrive Monday afternoon—I’ll be installing them myself. She’ll be safe with me and you know it,” Lawson added. He wasn’t letting her out of his sight.
Juan gave him a hard look, but when he looked back at Gia, his expression softened. “How are you doing with all this? I should have asked you that earlier.”
“I’m good, promise. It’s a lot to deal with but Lawson’s been great.”
Again with the almost-but-not-quite glare directed at him.
“Okay, but hear me out before you say no,” Juan continued.
Gia nodded, her expression wary.
“I know you’ve got those photo shoots coming up. I don’t think it would hurt to have a bodyguard on staff.”
“I—”
“That’s a great idea,” Lawson said, nodding in agreement.
Gia blinked. “I don’t even know if that’s possible.”
“Just talk to Clarita, see what she says.” Juan’s voice was calm, but Lawson could see the rage beneath the surface and he understood.
Someone had targeted Gia, was harassing her. She was one of the sweetest people he knew.
“I will, right now.” Gia looked between the two of them, almost uncertainly. “You guys gonna be okay?”
Lawson nodded, having picked up on Juan’s tension—and realizing it wasn’t just because of the security situation. He needed to clear the air with his friend.
“We’re good,” Juan murmured.
“I’m going to talk to Clarita. I’ll see you both out there.” She gave him one last look and left.
As soon as she was gone and down the hallway, Juan shut the door. “Are you sleeping with my sister?” he demanded, his expression dark.
“No, but I like her.” A lot. “I’ve got feelings for her.” Strong feelings. More than he wanted to think about, to admit. He had no experience with relationships, and Gia deserved everything he wasn’t. Someone who was home all the time, who wasn’t wearing training wheels when it came to a real relationship. But he couldn’t walk away from her.
“I don’t care. Look, I love you like a brother. But unless you’re serious, I need you to back off where she’s concerned.”
“I am serious about her,” he snapped. “And I’ll keep her safe.”
“I’m not worried about that. I have no doubt you’ll protect her with your life. I mean back off and don’t touch her.” Juan took a step toward him, his entire body vibrating with aggression. “I see the way you look at her sometimes and I’ve ignored it because I didn’t think you’d ever do anything about it. Until now.”
Juan’s aggression had never been directed at Lawson before. And while Lawson didn’t have siblings, he could at least understand his friend’s anger. But he didn’t back down. “I would never hurt Gia.”
“Not intentionally. But I’ve seen the way you are with women.”
He blinked. “What?” He wasn’t a serial dater or a manwhore.
Juan shoved out a sigh, some of his anger seeming to recede. “You’ve never been with a woman more than once. And Gia deserves better than that. A hell of a lot better than to be discarded after one night.”
Lawson shifted uncomfortably, his friend’s words hitting their mark. It was true that he’d never been with a woman more than once—or twice. But the women he’d been with had been interested in only one thing. The casual sex had been mutual. He wasn’t a user.
He scrubbed a hand over his face. It wasn’t a surprise that Juan was warning him off, but he’d thought… Hell. He was an idiot for thinking he could tell Juan about his intentions. Of course Juan wouldn’t be okay with him dating Gia. “I told you I’m serious about her and I meant it.” Other than that, he wasn’t sure what else to say to convince his friend. Nothing, that’s what. He’d just have to prove himself.
“I’m not trying to knock you. I love you, man. You were my best man and that means something.” Juan stepped closer until they were a foot apart. “But Gia’s sensitive, got an artist’s soul, as Angel likes to say. And you’ll crush it if you toy with her then walk away. And then I’ll have to kill you.”
Lawson simply nodded, unable to find his voice for the first time ever. This was exactly why he’d told himself to back off, to keep those walls up between him and Gia.
It was too late now.
Even if it ruined his friendship with Juan, he wasn’t walking away. She meant too much to him. He’d told Juan where he stood and that would have to be enough.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“You guys okay if I go inside and pack up a few more things?” Gia looked between Juan and Lawson. “I thought I got everything before but forgot some stuff.”
They’d left the party an hour ago when Lawson had gotten a call about the windowpane being cut and ready for pickup. He’d planned to install it himself, but Juan had been very insistent about coming along.
And he’d been weird toward Lawson, almost aggressive. Gia wasn’t sure what to make of it. She was pretty sure it had to do with her but she couldn’t imagine why. She and Lawson weren’t together, hadn’t slept together. Well, technically they had, but they hadn’t had sex. And even if they had, she and Lawson were adults. Yeah, she got that she was Juan’s younger sister, but still. She’d never seen him like this with Lawson before, and didn’t like it. Definitely didn’t want to be the reason there was tension between them.
“We’re good. Take care of whatever you need.” Juan’s expression and tone were a lot softer with her. Yep, something was definitely going on.
She stepped back into her house, unsure if she should say anything. It wasn’t like she and Lawson had really talked about anything. They’d slept in the same bed, and when she’d gotten up, he’d been gone and was making breakfast for her. Then they’d gone straight to Mila and Lyosha’s.
As she headed into her kitchen, her phone rang.
When she saw Clarita’s name, she answered immediately. After hearing what her friend was going through, she was heartsick for her. It was awful to think that Carlos was cheating on her. They had three kids together and had always seemed like the perfect couple. “Hey.”
“Hey, I just got off the phone with Odette about getting you a bodyguard and she didn’t balk. If anything, she jumped on it.”
“Oh wow, really?” In her kitchen she grabbed a box of her favorite cookies and a bag of apples to bring with her. She didn’t want to eat all of Lawson’s food and had a tendency to snack when she was working.
“I think because she got the call from that detective and because your attack happened at the hotel they chose, and it was one of their former employees… Honestly I think they don’t want legal drama because they’re pulling out all the stops for you. Bodyguard 24/7.”
“That’s amazing.” And unexpected. Because bodyguards cost serious money. “Who are they using?”
“I mentioned Red Stone Security and they loved that idea.”
“Oh, can you ask them to request someone specific?” she asked, lowering her voice.
“Probably, sure. But there’s no way they’ll assign your brother.”
“I meant Lawson. Can you ask if they’ll assign him?” She glanced down the hallway, didn’t hear either Lawson or Juan coming. “He doesn’t have a current contract as far as I know.” And she would feel a whole lot better having someone she knew and trusted watch over her.
“I’ll let Odette know as soon as we get off the phone. And no matter who they choose, either I or they will be in touch about what to expect. Are you okay now? Do you need somewhere to stay?”
“I’m good, promise. And I’m fine… How are you doing?” she asked softly.
Clarita sighed. “Hanging in there. Sort of. Trying not to have a breakdown.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. Man, it’s just a shit week all around, isn’t it?”
No kidding. “Yeah, but it’s going to get better.” It had to, right?
“I hope so. I’ll send you any information when I have it. And if you need anything, please call.”
“I will.” After hanging up, she grabbed a few more snacks and packed everything into a cloth bag. Then she packed up a small bag of lingerie and sexy underthings she hadn’t even thought of bringing before. But things had shifted between her and Lawson and she wanted to be prepared for anything, just in case.
At the sound of tires screeching out front, she frowned, headed to her living room and peered out the front window to see a truck zooming away down her street.
“Jackass,” she muttered. There were kids on this street and they were always biking or playing in their front yards. There was also a deaf little girl down the street and a big sign that indicated drivers should go slow. But some people just sucked.
“Everything okay?” She turned at Lawson’s voice and found both he and Juan striding in.
“Yeah, just some jerk speeding.”
“We heard the rev of the engine from the back.” Juan moved up to the window with her as Lawson stepped into the foyer by the living room and opened her front door.
“Juan.” There was a tense note in his voice as he called her brother’s name.
Gia hurried with her brother to where Lawson stood on the front porch—looking down at a bunch of smashed flowers. It took her all of a second to realize what they were. “Oh my God,” she breathed. “I left those on Mom’s grave a few days ago.” A bundle of gardenias, her favorite.
Juan swore as Lawson hurried into the yard and out into the street. He looked both ways and then surprised her by crossing to her neighbor’s yard.
“Stay inside,” Juan ordered as he basically manhandled her back, then shut the door in her face.
She wanted to argue but stayed inside and moved to the window—and watched as both Lawson and Juan talked to her elderly neighbor. They both pulled their phones out and that was when she realized that they must be asking about her neighbor’s video cameras. Maybe they were hoping she’d caught something.
After what felt like an eternity but was only a few minutes, they both strode back inside, expressions grim.
She stood in the middle of her living room, wishing that things were different, that she could rush into Lawson’s arms like she wanted. He made her feel safe in a way no one ever had. Not even Juan. “What happened?”
“Your neighbor, Ms. Hodges, sent both of us the last couple home security videos.” Lawson held out his phone and pressed play.
The video was low quality, but she could make out a dark-haired woman—Fay—running from her front porch and jumping into a green truck. Then she raced away, tires squealing.
“I’ll send this to the detective,” she murmured, numbness spreading through her. This was…psychotic. This woman who she barely knew had gone to her mother’s gravesite and grabbed the flowers she’d left there. And then just dumped them on her doorstep. “Why did she even do this? It’s so…mean, but it’s stupid. Pointless.” Oh God, Fay must have followed her to her mom’s cemetery. That was beyond creepy.
“The meanness is the point,” Juan murmured, pulling her into a hug. “And you need to let the detective know the name of Mom’s cemetery. They might be able to get a video feed of her there too. Anything to build a case against her. This is stalking and harassment.” He stepped back, but kept an arm around her shoulders.
“And it’s escalating—she’s clearly been following you.” Lawson’s tone was dark, hard. And his expression was practically murderous. “Have you packed your bags?”
She nodded, her throat tight.
“I’ll load them up.” He looked at Juan. “We need to talk to Red Stone about putting someone on her place tonight. To keep an eye on it. You’ve been there longer than me.”
Juan nodded, squeezed her shoulders once before he stepped to the side and pulled out his cell. “I’m going to call a guy I’ve worked with. And I’ll be here tonight too—unless you’ve changed your mind about staying with me and Angel?”
Gia shook her head and shot a quick glance at Lawson, who seemed to relax slightly as she did. Okay, so he wanted her at his place still. Good.
Juan stepped out of the room as he held his phone to his ear.
Lawson moved up to her then, pulled her into a quick hug, wrapping his arms around her tight. “The cops are going to find her and we’re going to keep you safe.”
She squeezed him back. “I know.” But fear that this was happening at all rode her hard.
Fay knew where she lived. This woman who she’d interacted with years ago had decided to target her for unknown reasons. Had attacked her, broken into her house, and had gone to her mom’s gravesite, stolen flowers, maybe even vandalized it. Oh God, she hadn’t even thought of that before now.
Gia forced herself to step back, to not cling to Lawson. “I’m going to call Detective Duarte, let him know what’s happened.”
