Bear-ly A Hero (Bear Claw Security 2) (3 page)

The bruise was much fainter, which explained why it hadn’t been obvious. But it was still there.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “Your friends are gonna kill me for doing that to you, huh?”

“No,” Limes said. “Bronson and Cage would never hit a girl.”

She shook her head. “No, I mean figuratively. They’ll be mad.”

“They’ll say I shouldn’t have broken in and you had a right to do what you did,” he said with a shrug, taking a turn onto the frontage road that led to the freeway. Trees flew by the truck as they went.

“Then why did you look so pissed last night?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“If you think I was so justified, why did you look ready to kill me?”

“I wasn’t ready to kill you,” Limes said, sounding grumpy and perplexed. “Why on earth would you think that?”

“The way you looked down at me when I was on the ground.”

Limes let out a breath and leaned on one arm, resting his other hand on the wheel as he took the entrance onto the freeway. “I wasn’t mad that you hit me. I was mad that you’d roll over and just take it.”

“Take what?” she asked, offended.

“Someone hurting you or robbing you,” he said. “You should always fight.”

“Easy for you to say,” she grumped. “I bet you never met someone you couldn’t take.”

He grinned, but as usual, it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah. Pretty much.”

“For a girl, it can be dangerous to fight. Sometimes it’s better to just go along with it, see if they can leave you alone.”

He shrugged. “So you’d have just let me rape you?”

Her eyes went wide. “What?! No.”

“You said you wouldn’t fight me.”

“I thought you wanted to rob me. Or kill me. I didn’t think there was anything I could do about it, either. My umbrella attack failed, and you were clearly faster and stronger. What should I have done?”

“I don’t know,” he said, looking agitated as he rubbed his head. “Ugh, I hate thinking about it. From now on, I’ll take care of it so you don’t have to worry.”

“As long as you’re working for me, you mean,” she said, irritated by the turn of the conversation.

She wasn’t working with Limes, so there was no point feeling warmed by the conversation or his protectiveness. He was the opposite of what would make her feel safe.

She wouldn’t work with him.

Not unless he was the last bodyguard on earth.

She’d have to convince Bronson to take her on after all.

They pulled up in front of Bear Claw Security, and this time, Limes came around to her door and opened it, putting up a hand to help her out. She took it, stepping down, glad for at least one decent moment between them before they didn’t have to see each other again.

Then she marched in front of him, ready to get rid of him for good.

She ignored the little pang she felt at the thought and headed straight for the elevator.

Going up.

L
imes stared
down at the woman in the elevator next to him. She looked determinedly forward, her chin thrust out, her arms crossed, her eyes avoiding his.

But there were signs of nervousness. Her hands as they twisted together. The way she almost picked at her cuticles but resisted. She was probably a reformed nail biter.

That was kind of cute, too.

He resisted the urge to put his hand over his face. What was wrong with him? He’d never reacted like this to a woman before. And he’d thought when he did, maybe it’d be someone like him. Edgy, involved in the tech world. Something like that.

Not her.

But even now, he was building his case for Bronson, building an airtight set of reasons he should be allowed to work the case. He knew all Bronson’s secrets. He could use blackmail if needed.

Yes, this would work.

He didn’t know exactly why he was being so stubborn about this, but he wanted it. And what Limes wanted, he generally got.

Bronson was waiting in the front office, talking to Carrie as Jamie stormed in, looking ruffled as she pushed the door shut behind her, ignoring Limes as he came in behind.

She jerked a thumb in Limes’s direction and put a hand on her hip. “I can’t work with
that
. Him.”

Bronson’s kind blue eyes widened slightly, and he ran a hand through his thick blond hair. He looked at Limes over Jamie’s shoulder, and Limes shrugged like he didn’t know what was going on.

“Maybe we should go talk,” Bronson said, looking down at the steaming female in front of him.

Limes could see her neck was red. He grinned.

And then Carrie, who was sitting behind the desk, burst out laughing. Limes looked over to see she was holding her stomach and fighting back tears she was laughing so hard.

“What?” he asked flatly, narrowing his eyes on her, until he felt a hand push him back and looked up to see Cage, standing protectively between him and the desk.

“Don’t glare at my mate,” Cage warned, looking serious as usual when it came to anything involving Carrie. The two were a classic—nay, cheesy—love story, being in love with each other since they were kids.

“She called him…
that
,” Carrie said, bursting out laughing. “Did you see his face?” She wiped tears. “Oh, Limes, it’s so good to see you get your comeuppance.”

He glared at her in confusion. He thought he and Carrie got along fine.

Cage let out a sigh and went over to his mate.

Jamie seemed completely lost in the situation, and Bronson was just taking it all in, the way he always did.

Like he was separate from the situation, lording over them all.

Limes walked around Jamie and took Bronson by the arm, dragging him toward the glass doors that led to the back offices. “Come on. We gotta talk.”

Bronson started to protest but then just gave Cage a shrug and pulled out of Limes’s grip to follow.

That was fine.

“What has gotten into you?” Bronson asked, staring at Limes as he walked into Bronson’s office and sat down in Bronson’s chair. He spun around, looking at the killer view, and then glared up at him.

“I want this job,” Limes said. “You give it to me or I quit.”

“You can’t quit.” Bronson scoffed. “You’re the best.” He folded his arms, looking uncharacteristically concerned. “You’re our friend, and we need you.” He sat on the windowsill and let out a sigh. “I don’t get it. You didn’t want the job yesterday. Swore you wouldn’t take it.”

Limes flattened his lips into a line. “I changed my mind.”

Bronson’s eyes flicked out to the lobby, as if searching for Jamie, and even though Limes knew she wasn’t visible from here, he felt a visceral, jealous reaction. He started slightly in the chair, and Bronson’s eyes went to him.

Damn
, he thought as the corners of Bronson’s mouth tilted up in a sneaky grin.

“You like her,” Bronson said, as astonished as he seemed pleased.

“No,” Limes said, fighting that possibility in his own mind as much as he fought it coming from Bronson’s mouth. “No, that’s not it.”

“Then why?”

Limes leaned back in the chair and kicked his legs up on Bronson’s desk, ignoring his glare. “Maybe I’m bored. Maybe I should do some fieldwork.”

“Yeah, do something with all that mass,” Bronson said, gesturing in the area of Limes.

“It’s not my fault. I have a big appetite. And I don’t have much to do but work out.”

Bronson looked closer at him. “Do you…?” He stood and walked forward, and Limes glared. “Do you have a black eye?” He put his hands on the desk. “Just what the hell happened?”

“She hit me.”

“She hit you?”

“With an umbrella,” Limes said. “With admirable strength. What wasn’t admirable, however, was the way she curled up and surrendered right after.”

“Damn,” Bronson whispered.

“Yeah. So I want to protect her,” Limes said, matter-of-fact.

“You
like
her,” Bronson said with the tone of a kid teasing another on the playground.

Limes gave him a scowl. “Do not.”

“Is she your mate?”

“No,” Limes snapped. “I don’t believe in fated mates. You know that.” But even as he said it, he felt the word “mate” echo inside him in a way that felt meaningful.

Dammit.

“Bingo,” Bronson said. “Well, it makes sense. You’ve never been particularly protective before.”

Limes folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. “I stand up for my friends. I’m not really around people who need to be protected, but you know I’d do anything for those I care about.”

Bronson softened at Limes’s prickliness. “Yeah, I know. You had our backs countless times. But this is different.”

Limes shrugged and tried to look disinterested. He desperately wanted the job protecting Jamie, but he wasn’t going to beg. He was above that. Bronson should just let him have it because he wanted it. Limes usually just took orders and went with it.

It was ironic the one order he’d taken issue with was the one he now wanted to follow.

He didn’t even know exactly why. But he wasn’t ready to leave her side.

“She doesn’t want to be around you,” Bronson said. “I don’t know what you did, but—”

“I didn’t do anything,” Limes said. “She was scared of me before I even opened my mouth.”

Bronson looked over Limes thoughtfully. “Hm.”

“What?” Limes asked.

“It was weird. When she came here, she seemed scared of us, too. She might have some prior trauma.”

“What do you mean?” Limes tightened his hands into fists. “Like someone messed with her?”

“Yeah.” Bronson nodded.

Rage burned through Limes at the thought, and he stood to pace. “I’ll try and make her more comfortable.”

“What do you want me to do?” Bronson asked. “I can’t make her work with you.”

“Tell her I’m the right one for the job,” Limes said.

“Yeah, but are you?” Bronson asked. “I mean, if you’re getting feelings…”

“I’m not—” Limes bit his lip, cutting off the statement. It was pointless to argue this with someone as silly as Bronson.

“Hey, at least be honest. Admit you like her, and I’ll see what I can do.”

“I won’t…” Limes paced. “Look, just make it happen, okay?”

Bronson sighed. “Fine, but I owed you some teasing after that parting shot about my wealth.”

Limes shrugged. “Doesn’t seem like something you should be offended about, but fine.”

“You know damn well I hate it.” Bronson tilted his head, glaring. “That’s the problem with you, Limes. You actually understand people really well. But you use your powers for evil instead of good.”

“Help me use them for good, then,” Limes retorted. “Look, this girl needs to learn to stand up for herself and not let people just walk on her. Who better than me to teach her that?”

“I strongly question your motives on this one.” Bronson eyed him narrowly. “But on the other hand, I know your ethics are impeccable. I trust you won’t do anything you shouldn’t.”

“Obviously,” Limes scoffed. “I’m not a monster.”

“Fine,” Bronson said. “I’ll take care of it.”

“And how will you do that?” Limes asked.

“I’ll simply tell her I’m unavailable. I’m booked.”

“You are?” Limes asked.

“No, I’m going to lie for you, you dolt,” Bronson grumped. He ran his hand through his hair, tousling it. “Man, of all the people I’d expect this from, I’d never expect you.”

“What do you mean?” Limes asked.

“I mean, you may think you’re being stubborn, but you’re actually being pretty soft-hearted, don’t you think?”

“No, I don’t,” Limes said sharply. “I’m just taking a job I find interesting. Nothing more.”

But as Bronson left the office, ignoring him, and Limes was left alone with the silence, he found himself wondering who he was trying to fool.

If there was a soft spot inside him, it seemed Jamie had found it.

He just needed time to figure out why.

J
amie looked flatly
at the handsome blond man currently shaking his head at her.

Bronson wasn’t quite as intimidating with Limes standing right beside him, slightly taller and infinitely scarier, with that short dark hair and those intense green eyes and, of course, the tattoos and the piercing.

Limes’s arms were folded, his expression smug, and she knew he had something to do with this.

“You gotta be kidding. You were totally open yesterday, and today, he’s the only one who can take the job?” she asked, feeling exasperated.

“If you want to hire someone else,” Bronson said, raising his shoulders in a nonchalant gesture.

“No,” she said quickly. She needed these guys. She looked at Limes, who was staring at her with a blank, implacable look. Then she let out a sigh.

“I thought you wanted Limes,” Bronson said. “You were insistent on it.”

“I thought he was a nerd,” she said, exasperated.

Bronson looked over at Limes. “Oh, well, yeah. He’s not.” He shook his head with a sigh, then looked at her with calm blue eyes. “But sorry, he’s all we got right now.”

“Fine,” she said, though inside, she felt anything but fine. But she knew they weren’t going to budge, and even if Limes was behind this, there was nothing she could do about it.

He’d said he’d be working with her, and now he was.

She’d thought he wouldn’t even
want
to work with her. Why was he being so stubborn now? They’d said he didn’t do fieldwork.

A prickle of fear moved through her as she accepted her fate and nodded tersely at the men in front of her. “Fine, then,” she said. “If there’s no other way.”

Limes studied her, seemingly reacting to her fear, and she saw a foreign expression cross his face. If she didn’t know any better, she’d have called it concern.

But this man didn’t look like he’d ever had a reason to be concerned in his life.

“He’ll take good care of you.” Bronson assured her.

“I’m sure,” she said flatly.

The woman who had been behind the desk, who seemed to be the wife of one of the partners, Cage, came out to take her hand. She pressed a piece of paper into it.

Her gray-blue eyes were kind. “If you need anything, if you’re feeling alone, call me.”

Jamie’s eyes widened. The woman was a human. With shifters.

Carrie gave her hand a squeeze. “I know it can all be… overwhelming.” She gave her a warm smile. Jamie thought this was maybe one of the kindest people she’d ever met. It made her uncomfortable somehow.

It also relieved her a bit. She put the note in her pocket. “Thanks. I really appreciate that.”

Carrie’s expression brightened. “Great.” She sent a glare at Limes. “I don’t envy you, dealing with this one.” She shook her head. “He’s a grumpy Gus, to put it mildly. But he’s good at his job. They all are. He’ll keep you safe.”

“All right, all right,” Limes snapped, walking forward and taking her by the arm in a grip that was surprisingly gentle. “Enough mush. We need to go get my stuff.”

Jamie blinked up at him as he nearly dragged her out the door. Behind her, she heard a feminine sigh and Carrie talking to the others.

“That’s going to be interesting, isn’t it?” Carrie said.

But Jamie didn’t get to hear the reply because they were already in the elevator together, alone, and Limes was pushing the button for the doors to close.

As they did, she became aware of just how alone they were and just how big he was. She felt a small thrill go over her again but reassured herself he wouldn’t hurt her. Not like other men had.

His friends and Carrie had reassured her of that. They didn’t seem like the type that would assign her a madman.

She gave him a tentative look. He still appeared like the type of person she’d cross to the other side of the street to avoid, but she wondered if she could maybe get used to it.

And maybe, under all that hardness, he was even a bit handsome.

He caught her looking at him and raised an eyebrow, his expression hard. “What is it? Do I have something on my face?”

Her eyes darted to his piercing. “Kinda.”

He laughed at that, a low, welcome sound that put her at ease. “Good answer.” Then he got more serious and spoke to her while facing the doors of the elevator, as if he seemed to realize his direct attention tended to intimidate her. “I’ve been told I should be careful, that you might be a bit wary of men.”

Her throat tightened and she swallowed, trying to look natural. “Only giant ones like you and your friends.”

“Yet you’re a shifter,” he said. “Wouldn’t most of the men you’re acquainted with be shifters?”

“They were,” she said. “I left.”

“Do you think that’s who’s after you?” he asked after a bit of a pause. “Is that why you hired a shifter company?”

She nodded. “Could be.”

“You’ll need to tell me everything,” he said, “including why you’re afraid, so I can make sure not to be that.”

“You couldn’t,” she said. “I know that on a mental level, just not a visceral level.” She looked at him again and gave a small shudder. “It’s nothing personal. You’re just so big.”

Limes smirked and flexed his arms, and she jumped when the big muscles moved. “All the better to protect you with, my dear.”