Page 78 of The Agent
When she came out of her office, Jenya and Deion were huddled together in the hallway, talking in low voices. They stopped when they saw her.
“Let’s go somewhere private,” Natalie said. She led the way to the treatment room where she and Tully had made creative use of the massage table. The memory sent a flash of heat followed by a wave of sadness through her. She turned her back to the table. “I know what you’re going to say, but how can I turn her away? No one could cry that much if she wasn’t truly upset and terrified. Was there anything suspicious in her bag?”
“It had exactly what she said in it,” Jenya said. “But that doesn’t mean she’s not a problem. What if your stalker decides to escalate while Sarah is staying with you? Then she’s in danger too. And her presence might even be used as leverage against you.”
“You mean he would threaten her to get to me somehow?”
“Something like that,” Jenya said. “I can get her to a safe house that we use for KRG clients.”
Natalie understood that Jenya—and now Deion—had to expect the worst in every situation. That was their job. Her job was to help a fellow human being through a tough time. She wasn’t going to let the stalker prevent her from supporting Sarah Lacey when the terrified woman needed it most.
“It’s a generous offer, but my sanctuary is about more than a place to stay. It’s about support and sympathy. Your safe house doesn’t offer those.”
“I can take you there too,” Jenya said.
Natalie shook her head. “The stalker hasn’t bothered me in almost three days. I want to sleep in my own bed.” She needed to wrap herself in the familiarity of her own home to help her get through the regret and misery of her breakup with Tully. Focusing on Sarah would keep those thoughts at bay too. “Besides, you’ll be there to protect both of us, if necessary. Not to mention all the surveillance cameras.”
“I figured.” Deion shrugged at Jenya.
The bodyguard’s mouth tightened. “Tully won’t be happy about this.”
The sound of his name plunged a dagger of pain into Natalie’s body. She swallowed a gasp of shock. Thank God she’d broken it off with him now. If she’d let it continue any longer, she wouldn’t have survived the ending.
Jenya opened the door of the treatment room and waved Natalie out without further argument.
Two hours later, the big black SUV pulled into Natalie’s driveway and Jenya jumped out to do reconnaissance. Sarah started to open her door, but Natalie turned in her seat and forced a smile. “We need to wait. Jenya likes to make sure everything is safe, even at my house. Being a security pro, she’s a little paranoid, so I humor her.”
“Oh, okay.” Sarah settled back against the seat, but her eyes were stretched open with fear again and she hugged her bag closer.
“To be honest, I’ve had some trouble with vandalism recently,” Natalie said, deciding to embellish her thin story.
“Vandals? Out here?” Sarah looked around at the widely spaced houses on the quiet lane.
“Probably just kids who’d been drinking,” Natalie said with a wry grimace.
“Oh.” Sarah swallowed noticeably.
“You’re going to be okay.” Natalie reached over the seat to brush the back of Sarah’s hand where it held the leather tote. The woman flinched, so Natalie drew back her hand. It looked like Sarah’s husband had been physically abusive, given how jumpy she was. Anger coursed through Natalie’s veins. “I promise he won’t hurt you ever again.”
Sarah looked more frightened, not less. “Oh, God, I hope you’re right.”
Jenya knocked on Natalie’s window and Sarah jumped.
“We can get out now,” Natalie said as she unlocked her door.
Once they were inside the front door, Jenya did her interior sweep while Natalie waited with Sarah. All was normal in the house, so they headed for the big open living area.
Natalie took out the ingredients for a Manhattan and offered her guests one. Jenya refused since she was on duty but Sarah accepted. Natalie set out cheese and crackers on the coffee table before she mixed the drinks. When she brought Sarah hers, the woman took a large gulp and choked on the strong alcohol. Natalie sipped hers, closing her eyes as the liquor burned smoothly down her throat and sent a warm ripple of relaxation through her.
Then she remembered Tully making her a Manhattan at his house. All the warmth drained away to leave a ball of ice in her chest.
“I’d like to cook dinner for you tonight,” Sarah said abruptly. “I’m a really good cook and it’s something I can do to thank you.”
“Sweetie, you don’t have to thank me.” Natalie was touched. “I’m helping you because I want to.”
“I was a chef before I got married. If you let me just look at what you have in your fridge and pantry, I’ll figure out something to make,” Sarah insisted.
She might have to be a chef again, depending on her divorce settlement.
