Page 4 of Under Control

“At the hospital?” His gaze caught the city worker beginning the process of closing the rink.

“No, at a family clinic,” she replied.

“What else?” he probed. “Tell me more.”

She let out a low laugh, as if in disbelief he would even say that. “I think it’s time to go.”

Then she let her hand slip out of his arm, gliding one perfect white skate in front of the other on her way to leave the rink. As he followed, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her, watching her closely as she moved. It was like he’d never met a woman before, never seen one. If he were a wiser man, he’d notice that his chest didn’t feel as tight as usual for the first time in too long.

Ifhe were a wiser man, he’d notice that he’d grown very distracted.

“What about you?” She cut into his thoughts as she held on to the wall of the rink, stepping one foot through the gate. “Are you…?”

If it weren’t for the sound of a man shouting as he sprinted toward them, Carrick would have caught what she said after that. The shouting was unmistakable, and for a second he felt like he could kill Delta for the interruption.

Danica snapped her eyes open like a doe caught in the headlights, clearly frightened by the six-foot-five man running up to the gate. Delta grabbed onto the side of the rink with his meaty SEAL-build as he spoke to Carrick in low tones.

“Moose, there’s a situation. We have to go.”

Chapter Two

Carrick

“Oh God.” Danica sounded liked she’d been gutted.

Carrick saw the fear in her eyes and instinctively pulled her into his body, shielding her, as he trained his eyes from left to right. The rink was closing, and the park had emptied.

“Your four o’clock.” Delta’s voice was urgent. “Stay low.”

As much as Carrick knew Delta had a tendency to overreact, he didn’t like the look of the idling car behind him to the right and the shadowy figure who had just gotten out. They were being watched.

Shit, he thought,I let myself get distracted.

“What’s going on?” Danica whispered in deep concern, looking all around. She recoiled, moving away from him. “Whoareyou?”

“Come with me,” Carrick responded, his tone now cold and professional.

As she parted her lips, obviously searching for words, he held her hand in the crook of his elbow so she wouldn’t run away. Handling her was growing too natural for him.

“Let’s get out of here,” Delta said, pushing back from the rink and into the shadows. “Follow me.”

As Carrick moved them both off the rink, he once again glanced at the far edge of the park where a dark car was idling. He clutched Danica tighter and felt her nervous panting.

“I have to go…” Danica cried out, looking around for her escape. “I can’t be here anymore.”

“No,” Carrick ordered her, and she sank back into him obediently. Her eyes betrayed the terror she must be feeling.

That was exactly what he was afraid was going to happen. The back of his mind revolted and scolded him ferociously for being a fucking cavalier idiot. It wouldn’t have happened if he’d have stayed on plan, but he’d deviated from it and put them in danger.

“I’m here to help you, not hurt you,” he informed as he helped her out of the skating rink and onto the rubber boards padding the ground.

As her lips trembled, she was seemingly out of words as he held her close. She was obviously very afraid. He just didn’t know how much of it was directed at him.

Suddenly, something in his mind pivoted and all he saw was a girl in trouble.

“Danica,” he urged, only to find her holding her breath. “Shit.”

What type of contract did I take?

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