“Colibrí, what’s wrong?” Hayden asked, leaning closer to the screen we had propped before us on the patio table.
“What if…”
“Don’t go there. There are so many what-ifs in this world, you’ll drive yourself nuts trying to suss them all out. All it does is lead to more what-ifs. Go see your daddy, figure out where you are, and what the options are from there.”
She nodded, then took a deep, shuddery breath and whispered, “Thank you” so low it didn’t transmit over the speakers.
“You’re welcome. Call or text when you know more.”
26
DECLAN
The days leading up to our trip to New York were a fucking freak show of a nightmare. The only bright spots were the nights I got to sleep next to my husband, and Marcie’s dad taking a turn for the better.
Priest and Cameron’s concern about Marcie’s package came true. Only it wasn’t Marcie he targeted. Katie’s stalker found our hiding spot and sent a package to Liam and Elizabeth’s, putting us all on high alert.
The guy, I’m assuming it’s a guy, is a seriously sick fuck and needed putting down. I thanked our lucky stars Marcie hadn’t been there when that first box arrived, or learned about the other boxes that came in over the next few days. She had enough to deal with, and having a permanent security detail wigged her out. She kept insisting she was fine and Priest and Cameron should come back to Seattle. Then, she insisted she should send them to New York to meet us, but Hayden and I insisted they stay with her.
Those packages scared the crap out of both of us and scared Katie enough that she lost her shit, not that I blamed the girl. When I saw what the fucker had sent, I lost my cookies in the hall bathroom. When I came out, Hayden looked at me, silently asking if I was okay.
I hoped moving Katie from Seattle to New York would give us a bit of a reprieve, but he found us again. We hadn’t been in the city longer than a few hours when he found us. And not just found us, but got into Katie’s hotel room. The stalker destroyed the bed Katie and Jackson were to share. Left mutilated photos of them on the pillows and covered the bed
Through it all, Katie proved her inner strength, time and time again. The longer I spent in her company, both with and without the chief, and with and without Hayden present, the more I felt like something was off with him and the relationship, or lack thereof, with his daughter. I didn’t understand it, but I guess it wasn’t my place to. What was clear was the Holt family’s love and acceptance for the beautiful, talented young woman and the effect she had on Jackson.
The host called Katie to the stage, and my esteem grew. Seconds before they called her name, she’d been a rattletrap about to fly apart. The minute they called her name, she straightened her shoulders, stiffened her spine, plastered a smile on her face, and stepped through the curtain onto the stage of the country’s most popular late-night show.
The girl impressed the hell outta me. Watching Katie interact with fans and professionals, and even us, was like standing backstage as part of history. Everything she did professionally pushed her star a little higher and turned up the brightness factor even more. It was like watching history happen. There were some amazing musicians out there, some incredible female artists, and maybe she did things the way they all did them, but I didn’t think so.
What I did know was that she and Jackson would need protection for the rest of their lives. The best place for them would be the ranch. There, no one could get to them. Family and ranch hands would surround them, yes, but the best point was that we had located the headquarters for Holt Securities there. Personal protection professionals and private military contractors were on-site daily. They used the ranch as a training ground.
Spotting Jackson looking besotted, I walked up next to him.
“She’s damn good at wooing a crowd,” I said, in awe of how well she worked them over.
“She’s mesmerizing,” Jackson replied, utterly starstruck and stupid in love.
God, I hoped it didn’t look like that when Hayden was around or when I was talking with Marcie, but I knew I probably did.
“You’re probably gonna have to take out a billboard or hire a drone to fly over her head that says ‘PROPERTY OF JACKSON HOLT,’ but even then, I’m not sure that would deter some assholes.”
He glared at me, and we both missed what Katie said next to make the crowd laugh. When he realized it, the glare flared hotter.
“You’re an ass, now shut the fuck up. My girl’s on set, and you’re making me miss it.”
I moved away, chuckling at him. I was looking forward to getting the fuck out of this damn city. I hated it. Every client I worked with who came here I tried to pass off. Give me the West Coast any day: more sun, more sand, and a more laid-back atmosphere.
But we weren’t heading out west. We were heading to Nashville. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
My phone dinged.
Sweetness
Would it be too forward to say I can’t wait to see you?
Papi
No. But I’m curious if you mean it the same way I do.
