Conviction (A Stand-alone Novel): A Bad Boy Romance (26 page)

He frowned down at me. "I have checked everything out, but I'm not comfortable being too far away. Mr. King filled me in on everything."

I bit my lip. If Alan knew about David's death and the threats from the Mertz brothers, he was not going to give me an inch. "Fine, stand here in the hallway and glower at people. I'll be right back."

I pushed my way into the ladies' room and huffed out an angry breath. Alan was doing his job. He was making me feel safe, but it was all very suffocating.

I locked the stall door behind me right as I heard the bathroom door swing open. Heavy, masculine steps walked across the tiles. "Alan, I swear to god. I can handle this on my own," I called harshly.

* * * * *

There was a long pause, and it felt like all the air was sucked out of the small bathroom. I glanced back down at the shoes without moving and studied them. Large, like Alan's, but these shoes were scuffed around the toes. Alan kept his shoes polished to a brilliant shine. I had seen him sitting on the patio with his shoe-shining kit and working at it like a ritual.

The scuffed shoes faced me, and I could hear the large man's breathing on the other side of the thin stall door. Every nerve in my body cringed, but I refused to move. All I had to decide was if I was going to scream or call 911.

I worried that a piercing scream would only spur the man into some desperate action. I knew better, but I somehow still hoped he was a simple mugger. I decided to slip my phone out of my purse and shove the rest underneath the stall door.

"Go ahead, take everything," I snapped.

I clutched my phone and let the rest of my handbag fall on the man's shoes.

Before I could dial a single number the man shattered the tense silence. "They tried to warn you before, you stupid bitch, but you just don't get it."

I slipped my feet back silently as I heard the man lean closer to the stall door. I had nowhere to go, he had me trapped, and panic clawed at my throat. "The car?" I rasped.

"My colleague is much too subtle so they called me," the man growled.

"The man at the club that wouldn't stop staring?" I asked, my voice a pained whisper.

"Just a little worm. They want to make sure you get the message this time. So you better drop that phone and listen up."

My phone slipped uselessly out of my fingers. I tried to tell myself it would all be over soon, but my body was shutting down. There was nowhere to run, and I had no way to fight him, so my panicked brain was frying every nerve. I worked my throat and hoped I could catch enough breath to scream.

As if reading my thoughts, the man leaned closer still and said, "Before you do anything stupid, listen up. Tell your boyfriend to sign the deal and be done with it. If he doesn't, things are going to get real bad, real quick."

He punctuated the threat with a flat handed slap that made the thin metallic door ring. I jumped back and clapped both hands over my mouth to stop the shredding scream in my throat. My breath caught hard as I watched the scuffed shoes disappear. I forced myself to swallow the scream so I could listen. The man walked to the bathroom door and disappeared.

The silence buzzed with my restrained terror.

Finally I reached down and gathered up my phone and purse. My fingers were already hitting speed dial for Ayden, but I stopped myself just in time. The last thing he needed was a panicked phone call from me. It was over, I was fine, and Ayden would worry about it soon enough.

I tucked my phone back into my purse and took a long time to straighten my outfit and smooth back my hair. Finally, I had to admit I was too scared to unlock the stall door. I forced my hand to open it and stepped gingerly into the abandoned bathroom.

At the sink, I held onto the counter with both hands and fought off hyperventilation. Instead, I breathed like a marathon runner and waited for the room to stop spinning. It did and I was able to turn on the water and wash my shaking hands.

I had taken way too long, but it was an eternity before I was able to pull open the door to the hallway. I peeked out and felt ice in my veins as I saw the back door. The lock was dismantled and hung by a bent piece of metal.

Alan turned around, his expression curious and annoyed. Until he connected with my eyes. It seemed impossible that someone so large could move so quickly, but within seconds his large hands were gripping my shoulders. I sagged against his strength but still pretended everything was fine.

Ayden did not need this worry on top of everything else.

No explanation was necessary and no lie was possible. My bodyguard quickly spotted the broken lock. "Are you okay? Can you stand?" he asked.

Alan leaned me against the wall and burst through the broken door. He was back seconds later, his eyes blazing. "Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine. He just delivered a message," I managed.

"He's gone, but I will find him." Alan's tone implied he was going to tear the man limb from limb when he did. "But first, let's get you home."

"The cufflinks," I said. "The shirt for Ayden. The tailor was going to customize the fit."

Alan snorted but relented when he saw my eyes. "Ayden can get it tailored later. I'll make sure the clerk wraps everything up right away."

I emerged from the narrow hallway in time to see a terrified clerk wrapping the blue shirt and white gold/mother of pearl cufflinks as quickly as possible. Alan stood over him breathing like a bull waiting to make the bloody run in Madrid.

"Thank you. I'm sorry for the rush. I'm suddenly feeling ill," I tried to say as pleasantly as possible.

The clerk slid his eyes from Alan and his brow cleared. "I'm sorry to hear that Ms. Bishop. We do so appreciate your business. Please come again when you are feeling better."

I thanked him as Alan plucked the neatly wrapped package from the clerk's hands. My bodyguard stuffed it under his arm. I was glad for both his strong hands guiding me to the car. Once inside, I leaned my head back and let the tears wash away the rest of my fear.

Chapter Nineteen

Ayden

Bryon Shelton was right about the federal agents. I had never seen a more mismatched pair, but they worked in a strange syncopation. Agent William Bentley refused to sit down. He paced around the conference room. I could tell by his ramrod spine and rigid posture that he was ex-military. When he was finally forced to stand still, he locked his hands behind his back and rocked onto the balls of his feet.

Agent Tracy Swanson, on the other hand, sat primly at the head of the conference table. She looked as if she would have been at ease there, having dinner with the President or heading the U. N. Her quick, intelligent eyes took in more than what was on the surface, and though she recited laws down to sub-paragraphs, she understood where justice could be bent to serve.

"What my partner is not so eloquently expressing is these things take time, Mr. King," Agent Swanson said.

"And what I'm hearing is that a physical threat against my business manager is not enough to spur the government into action against these criminals," I snapped.

"What happened to Ms. Bishop is most unfortunate. The information you supplied is very compelling, but there are protocols that must be followed," Agent Swanson continued.

I wanted to ring her slim neck. Ever since I had found out what happened to Autumn I had tremors in my hands. If I did not find an outlet soon, I was going to crack. I glanced at Agent Bentley and wondered briefly if he would agree to spar.

Instead, I clenched my fists and admitted I was out of control. Autumn had been right to try to keep the incident from me, and the best I could do was rein myself in now for her sake.

I knew the second I saw her eyes that afternoon that something terrible had happened. My brave, strong Autumn had pretended nothing was wrong, but every time she moved too fast, her slender figure shook. I had looked up from her trembling fingers to see Alan's face. He had not bothered to keep up any pretense and confessed right away all that had transpired.

"A messenger cornered Ms. Bishop and scared her, all to remind you to sign the Mertz brothers' deal, correct?" Agent Swanson asked.

I snapped back to the present and pressed my fists hard on the conference table. "I've told you that a few times now. There has been pressure to sign off on this deal before the incident with Ms. Bishop. Every incident has been threatening and made personally against us."

My attorney spoke up. "Surely the personal attacks can spur your bureau to move faster. My clients are in harm's way. We've provided more than enough information for your investigation, and I'm sure there is something more you can do to protect them."

Agent Bentley spoke up. "We've met with Mr. King and Ms. Bishop's personal security guard. He is a vetted professional, and we have gone over multiple plans with him. I'm sure under his watchful eye, they will be safe until we can solidify our case against the Mertz brothers."

"Of course, we can offer Mr. King additional protection if he would like," Agent Swanson added smoothly.

"No. No added security. Alan is a trusted member of our team and, as you said, he is a vetted security professional," I said. I could not sit still any longer and sprang from my chair.

"Please, Mr. King," Agent Swanson said pleasantly as she gathered up her papers, "please accept our word that we are working as quickly as possible. We need the case against the Mertz brothers to be air tight and that will take a few more days."

I held the conference room door open for the federal agents and restrained myself from slamming it behind them. I turned back and paced around the long conference table as Shelton rubbed his temples.

"Please tell me you heard what Agent Swanson said," Shelton asked me.

"Yeah, I get it. In order to nail those bastards for good, we have to wait for them to build an air tight case."

My attorney sighed. "No, Ayden. What Agent Swanson said about providing extra protection. Say the word, and she will assign a detail to cover you and Autumn. I really think it would give you some piece of mind."

"No. I'm not dealing with that right now. I've had too many years of armed guards dogging me. I don't need that again, even if it is for more own protection," I snapped.

Bryon Shelton stood up and tugged his suit coat down. "I understand your reluctance, but please, Ayden. Think about Autumn. She was approached right under Alan's nose. No offense to him, but extra eyes would be very helpful."

He left the conference room, and I leaned on the table for a few seconds. It was hard not to wish Autumn far away. She would have been safe, on to some other stellar corporate job, if I had not kept her tethered to Knight Holdings. My heart ached as I thought about how she would have been better off if she had never met me.

Then, all I could think about on the way home, was that meeting Autumn was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I had never seen such warmth in anyone's eyes, and I longed to see her every moment of every day. She would have slapped me with no hesitation if she had an inkling I was wishing she was never involved. Autumn was tied to Knight Holdings out of love for Jace and, from that connection, I was tied more tightly to her than any woman I had ever met before.

I got back to the mansion to find everything on lockdown. Autumn was understandably stir crazy and not speaking to Alan, but she was safe, and my heartbeat returned to a normal pace.

"I've got it from here, Alan. Why don't you take the rest of the night off," I said.

Alan shook his head and stared at a defiant Autumn. "No, thanks, boss. Autumn needs to tell you something about the day you left for San Francisco."

Autumn glared at the mountainous bodyguard, and I almost laughed. She was minute compared to him, but I had no doubt she was in charge. Still, Alan was immovable.

"You have to tell me, Autumn. We can't have any more secrets. This mess is complicated enough," I reminded her.

"The day we left for San Francisco I thought someone had been in the house. It wasn't Alan's fault. I sent him to the deli to get himself lunch. Our town car driver was sitting right in the driveway. I never caught a glimpse of the person, but I know someone was here," Autumn snapped.

My mind reeled. All I wanted to do was sweep Autumn into the car and take her somewhere safe. I knew she would balk at the idea and my rational brain agreed. We could not let the Mertz brothers intimidate us, especially not in our own home.

"Alright," I tried to say evenly. "Alan, you checked every inch of this place? The security systems are all still functioning?"

"Yes, sir. Everything's secure. I double checked everything a few minutes ago," Alan said.

"Then you really should go home and get some rest. We'll be fine here, and you're no good to us if you are overworked," I pointed out.

Alan was ready for a fight, but my logic made too much sense. He took his time rechecking all the security systems and then left through the front door.

Autumn glanced out the window and shook her head ruefully. "You know he's blocked the gates with his car and is just sitting there," she said.

I had to laugh. Alan's loyalty was much appreciated, as was his perceptive nature. I wanted a night alone with Autumn despite the chaos all around us.

"I brought home a twelve foot meatball sub for him. Alan will be fine," I said.

Autumn's laugh washed away all of my tension. As if it had cleared the air, we both heaved big, cleansing sighs. I took both of her hands and kissed them before I asked her how she was doing.

"I'm fine. Really, I am," Autumn said, barely able to suppress a shiver. "How does a cozy night in front of the fire sound to you?"

The desert temperatures could drop dramatically in the evening and a fire sounded wonderful. I grabbed a bottle of wine, and we headed into the living room despite almost tripping over our unpacked bags in the hallway. I flicked on the gas fireplace and settled next to Autumn to open the wine.