Embraced by Fire (21 page)

“Undoubtedly he’s different. For a start, no one exudes testosterone like that when they’re a kid. No, it’s the man you’re interested in. That you knew him at school is just an interesting ‘by the way’. I didn’t think he was your type, but you do, and that’s what matters.

“In fact, I was thinking about it this weekend, the reason none of your other relationships worked is because those men weren’t your type. However, the type of men you’ve chosen in the past mislead me as to what your true type really is...so masculine it hurts.”

Kait’s lips quirked at the description. It wasn’t how she’d have described Ryu if asked, but it was true. “Don’t forget his job, there is still the problem that I’m his boss. I can’t get around that, Rachael.”

His job really was a problem, if not for the reason she’d mentioned. Fascinating agents didn’t go out with mundane, average looking, event co-ordinators. He’d also made it clear he didn’t get involved with women he worked with. After his earlier rebuff she was left with nothing but her dreams.

She pushed the thought away. “I’d love to follow your suggestion, but the barriers appear insurmountable.”

“That’s cop-out thinking.” Rachael moved restlessly in her chair. “Uh, I casually talked to Victor about the problems inherent in dating people you work with. He agreed with you that’s it’s not a good idea, but I got the impression if you dated Mac then Victor would take control of the human resources issues surrounding his employment. In other words, you would no longer have the power to fire him. You’d be in the same situation as anyone else dating in the work place.”

Kait pushed back her chair, her knees shaking as she stood. “Rachael, I can’t believe you talked to Victor about this.” She knew the anguish was so clear in her voice even Rachael wouldn’t miss it.

Rachael stood, her face serious. “It wasn’t like that, I promise. I kept everything hypothetical and I mostly talked about myself, I only brought you in as a side example. There’s no way he could guess what I was trying to get at.”

“Victor is a smart, perceptive man, of course he’ll guess.” Her throat felt strained as she forced the words out.

“Even if he does guess, it doesn’t matter.” Rachael reached out to touch Kait’s arm but pulled back at the last moment. “I was the one talking, not you. If nothing happens he’ll think it’s
just Rachael being Rachael
, and if you do hook up with Mac then I’ve cleared the way.”

“Life is never that simple.” Kait grabbed her car keys. She needed to get out of here.

“Yes, Kait, sometimes it is.” Rachael followed her as she left her office. “Where are you going?”

“Out to my car. I need to get something.” Her stride lengthened.

Rachael kept pace. “I think you’re running away. I know you don’t have much experience with men, but running’s not in your nature, you’re a fighter. Fight for this chance.”

Kait spun and looked at Rachael. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Rachael hurried after as she slammed through reception. “I’ve known you for a long time. I might not know you as well as I’d like, but I do know you—” Her voice faltered. “Jeeze, what happened to your car?”

Kait stood stock still, staring. Her car was a mess. Someone had brutalized it. The windows were smashed and the tires slashed. She walked closer on legs she could barely feel. The driver’s door hung open on a twisted hinge. Stuffing puffed out of the seats through jagged holes, the glove box’s disgorged contents lay scattered. Not even the panelling and carpets escaped the viciousness.

“This wasn’t for your stereo. Why would someone do this and in daylight?” Rachael’s voice whispered next to her.

“I don’t know.” Could this be the start of Johnny’s
friends
going after her? A warning?

She clutched the side of her head. What did they think she knew? They weren’t supposed to know about Johnny’s secret drive so they certainly shouldn’t know about her having a copy. The only person who knew was Johnny. She shut off the thought before it went any further.

“I…I should call the police.” Her mind felt numb as she tried to think of the appropriate response.

When she reached out to open the door wider Rachael caught her hand. “Don’t touch it, there might be fingerprints.”

Kait clenched her fist. “Good point.” She took a deep breath in, held it, let it out, took another. This mess was getting more and more real, more and more horrible.

“Kait, what are you doing out here?” Ryu’s voice broke into her thoughts and she turned slowly, watching him approach with a combination of relief and apprehension.

He came around the side of the building, his long legs eating up the distance.

****

Ryu felt annoyance bite hard, she better not be trying to leave without telling him. He’d specifically told her not to go anywhere until he got back. In point of fact, he’d told her not to leave the building. What was she thinking? She was the one who admitted to feeling watched.

As he got closer, his steps slowed. Something wasn’t right, both girls were white as sheets. “Kait, what’s the matter?”

Without answering, she stepped aside. For the first time he focused beyond her, and saw her car.

His eyes surveyed the damage, taking it all in, in one glance. “Someone’s not happy with you.” Which was the understatement of the year, but with Rachael here he didn’t want to say more.

“We should call the police.” Rachael moved closer to her friend as if to protect her, and for the first time Ryu felt some admiration for her.

He nodded. “I agree.” He looked at Rachael, trying to keep his expression blasé. “Would you mind making the call, Rach? Kait looks pretty shaken up.”

Rachael’s gaze darted to Kait. “Would you like me to call, Kait? I can stay here if you want.” Rachael’s eyes flickered in his direction.

Kait looked from one to the other, then nodded. “I’d appreciate that, Rach.” She patted Rachael’s hand where it rested on her arm. “Thanks.”

“Okay, but I’ll be just inside if you need me.” With a last look in his direction, Rachael walked back into Fantasia Alive.

He watched her leave, wondering what Rachael suddenly had against him, or if it was nothing more than her mother-hen instinct going into overdrive at all potential threats to her chick.

“I told you not to leave the building without me, Kait.” He kept the anger out of his voice, ending up sounding tired instead.

Not that his anger was directed at her, not really, but she was an easy target. The surging heat in his gut was for the people behind this petty act of scaremongering.

Wrapping her arms around herself, Kait turned to her ruined car, hiding her face. “I forgot. Rachael said something upsetting and I wanted a breath of fresh air.”

He stepped up behind her and pulled her against his chest. Holding her in his arms, he wished he could shelter her from everything nasty in the world. “I know it’s hard to believe it’s real. Last week we were painting sets, laughing and joking, but it is real, and you are in danger.”

Seeing her car confirmed everything he’d feared. She was in danger. He’d been right, she did need a bodyguard. Wasn’t it fortunate that was his new official role in her life? Now, he had to tell her the good news and hope she thought it was as good as he did.

He looked at the damaged car and knew it was the ideal leverage. “This is getting more serious every day, I’m more concerned for you than I like to admit. From now on, I’m going to make sure no one can do to you what they did to your car.”

Her chest pulsed against his arms. He guessed she’d just imagined herself with the men who abused her car. He didn’t want to play on her emotions this way, but it was the quickest, easiest way to help her understand. His teeth clenched, he had to make her understand. If she kicked up a fuss about him staying with her, then he needed to be sure she understood the situation sufficiently to take precautions for her own protection.

“What are you going to do?” She tilted her head to one side so she could see his face.

“Say hello to your new bodyguard.”

“What?” For a moment she looked blank, then her eyes widened.

“Bodyguard.” He pushed all his worry, all his desire to protect her, into his eyes, and hoped she saw it, hoped it was enough.

She licked her lips and his eyes followed the movement.

“Don’t you have more important things to do?”

“Right now protecting you is the most important thing I can think of.” Even ahead of holding her in his arms like he was doing right now, with her sweet curves pressed against him, her scent in his nose. He wanted to hold her tighter. Instead, he loosened his grip, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to release her completely.

“That’s nice of you, Ryu, but what about Johnny?”

“He can look after his own damn self.” His voice was curt.

“That’s not what I meant. Don’t you have to find him?”

“I’m not working this case alone, Kait, I’ve got a whole team supporting me. They’ll work on locating Johnny.”

“I’ve called the police.” Rachael’s voice had them both turning in her direction.

He released Kait and stepped back, but he didn’t miss the searching expression in Rachael’s eyes as she looked between the two of them. He wondered what she saw on his face.

****

“You ready to go?” Ryu’s smoky voice didn’t make Kait jump, his spicy scent warning her of his approach seconds before he spoke.

She turned slowly, trying to give the impression of a woman totally in control. “Go where?”

“Home.”

“Oh, yes, of course.” She grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “Rachael is waiting for me at reception. She’s going to drive me home, she said it was safer than taking the bus.”

“She’s a sensible woman. I’m hoping you’re going to be a sensible woman, too.” His voice was worryingly benign.

“What does that mean?”

“It means I don’t want you home alone tonight. I've spoken with my team and Johnny’s still AWOL. They’re watching his house and our sources are on the alert, but until we know where he is I don’t want you on your own.”

“You honestly think someone’s going to come after me?” Kait crossed her arms, not sure if the gesture was defensive or aggressive.

“After what happened to your car, it’s a possibility. On his own Johnny might leave you alone, but we know he’s not working solo.”

“What do you suggest?” The confidence she’d been rigorously building all day puffed out of existence.

“I’m coming home with you. I said I would be your bodyguard and I meant it.”

She stared at him. She really, really, really, wanted to say
no
, but if she was in danger...

“I don’t want to make myself an easy target. If you genuinely think I’m in danger then I would be foolish to ignore your offer,” she said finally.

Ryu smiled, dissolving some of the tension from the grooves around his mouth. “Thank goodness, I was afraid I’d have a fight on my hands. You’ve no idea how often people’s refusal to believe they’re in trouble brings that very trouble to their doorstep.”

They walked into reception together and Kait felt her ears heating at the speculative look in Rachael’s eyes. Rach wasn’t the only one, several of the others were also looking at her curiously.

“This is going to generate rumours,” she said under her breath.

“At least you’ll be alive to quash them.” His voice was flinty, as if he knew she was thinking about turning tail and running.

“Um…Rach, don’t worry, Ryu is going to take me home,” she said when her friend walked up, keys in hand.

Rachael ran her eyes over Ryu’s muscular physique. “If it comes to trouble he’ll do a better job looking after you than I will.”

Ryu nodded at Rachael then, pressing his hand against the small of Kait’s back, guided her out into the night. Rachael stepped out with them and tugged Kait’s elbow. Glancing at Ryu, Kait stepped aside. It was clear Rachael wanted a private word.

“What?” Kait whispered.

Rachael leaned close and kept her voice low. “Ask him to stay the night.”

“What?” Kait squeaked.

“Tell him you don’t want to be alone. A man like him won’t be able to help himself, anyone can see he’s over-endowed with protective instincts.”

“Why would I do that?” No way was she telling Rachael that Ryu had already made it clear he was staying at her place.

Rachael shot her a look loaded with frustration. “So you can put your moves on him, dummy.”

“I told you, Ra—”

“And I told you, he’s worth taking a chance for.”

Knowing Rachael wouldn’t let her go until she got her own way, Kait gave an exaggerated sigh. “Fine, I’ll think about it.”

“More than think—do.” But her answer was clearly enough because Rachael released her and, giving Ryu a cheerful wave, headed for her own car.

Kait caught up with Ryu and followed him to his car. She couldn’t help enjoying feeling the solid wall of his body close beside her.

“Here we are.” He opened the passenger door of a sleek, black coupé. “What were your plans for dinner?”

He left her staring after him at the mundane question as he walked around to the driver’s side. By the time she closed her mouth, he had his own door open and was getting into the car. As she followed suit, she saw Rachael watching her. She groaned, wasn’t that just the sugar on the cookie.

She slammed the door and began looking around the car’s interior, not because she was interested but because she didn’t want to see how long Rachael watched. The car was in excellent condition and empty of the discarded receipts, empty drink cans, and old flyers that cluttered her own, and she wondered if it was a rental.

“So, dinner?” he asked.

She cleared her throat. “I was going to cook, but to be honest I’m not in the mood after what happened today.”

“Fair enough, I didn’t expect you to cook for me. Any preference for pick up?”

“Hot and spicy.” The thought cheered her. Maybe her body was trained to react to the endorphin rush of chilli, or maybe it was the idea of sharing a meal with Ryu, either way she felt better than she had all day.