Guns 'N' Tulips (6 page)

“This felt different.”

You belong to me
. Just thinking about it made his stomach roll. He
stretched his shoulders to relieve the tension. When that didn’t
work, he watched the streets of downtown D.C. zip by his
window.

“Is this about the Internet postings by
NicsBitch, darling?” When he didn’t respond, she continued. “Trust
me. All celebrities have fans who follow them around and post about
them online. Ninety-nine percent of the time, they’re
harmless.”

“And what about the other one percent?” If
the poster had followed him from L.A. to D.C., they weren’t dealing
with a harmless fan. “Someone sent me a text tonight. I think it
was NicsBitch.”

“A text? How did she get your number? It’s
unlisted.”

He held up his hands. “Don’t look at me.”

“Anyways, she’s been keeping tabs on you for
months. And nothing bad’s come of it.”

“Yet.” He handed Vivian the phone. “Read the
message. I think you and Jane were in danger.” As soon as the words
were out of his mouth, he regretted them. Vivian was such a mother
hen, she’d ignore any danger to herself and focus on him.

She bit her lip and frowned. “Maybe Kaden
should room with you tonight.”

Shit
. Nic shook
his head. “If anything, he should stay with you.”

“Don’t be silly,” she said, offering him a
shaky smile. “I’ll be fine.”

Heavy silence accompanied them the rest of
the way. Nic watched Vivian, his agent, mentor, and friend of ten
years, fidget in her seat. Vivian never fidgeted. If anything were
to happen to her because of him, he wouldn’t need an enraged fiancé
to rip his balls off—he’d do the honors himself.

At the hotel, he and Kaden escorted Vivian to
her door. As she was unlocking it, she turned back to Nic. “I’ll
see you at ten?”

“Ten?”

“You have a photo shoot with Rafael,
remember?”

“Damn. I completely forgot.” He rubbed his
stiff neck. “I was looking forward to going back home.”

Vivian pursed her lips. “I can reschedule
it.”

He shook
his head. “I’ll be there.” The GI Film Festival, which celebrated
the American Armed Forces, had chosen to premiere
Bad Days
because the organizers believed
in the film’s message as much as he did. The photos from the shoot
would garner additional sponsors and publicity. He couldn’t let
them down.

Once Vivian was in her room, safe behind a
locked door, Kaden crossed the hall and opened Nic’s door. After a
quick inspection, he gave the all clear. Nic walked into the living
area and dropped onto the couch, propping his feet up on the coffee
table. “Do you think NicsBitch sent the message?”

“Probably.” Kaden took the armchair across
from the couch.

Nic yawned and glanced at his watch. “You
can’t stay though.”

“I can’t?”

“Isn’t tomorrow your girlfriend’s birthday?”
Kaden’s relationship was already strained enough without adding a
missed birthday to Beth’s list of grievances.

Kaden winced. “Shit.”

Seeing his bodyguard’s expression, Nic
laughed. “Go. As soon as I’m done with the photo shoot, I’ll hop a
plane back to L.A.”

Kaden narrowed his eyes. “No can do. This
situation has gone way beyond some celebrity sightings and even a
few stalkerish postings. This is serious. How the fuck can I do my
job if I’m not here?”

It was bad enough having a babysitter at
public events—he didn’t want or need one dogging his every step.
“I’m a big boy. I can take care of myself. Besides, the stalker
isn’t targeting me.”

“Just any woman near you. I’m staying. Beth
will have to understand.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“Then we’re done.”

The words shook him. Life wasn’t perfect, but
he had great friends. No way was the stalker going to dictate his
actions or theirs. And nothing was going to happen to Vivian. He
wouldn’t let it. “If I show fear, start acting like a victim, then
she’s already won. I need to do this. On my own.”

“If the stalker comes after you or Vivian,
what’s your plan to stop her?”

Nic tugged on his tie, loosening it. Did
everyone think he was a weenie? “I can shoot just as well as you
can.”

Kaden looked around, searching the hotel room
with his eyes, before arching a sarcastic brow. “Yeah? Where’s your
gun, hotshot?”

Nic’s gaze sharpened. Kaden knew exactly
where his gun was—at home, locked in his safe. D.C. was one of the
few places that had denied him a permit to carry. “The whole thing
won’t take more than a couple hours. I’ll be home before dinner.
Nothing’s going to happen to me, or anyone else.”

After finally convincing Kaden to return to
L.A., Nic changed into his favorite jeans and a loose T-shirt, and
grabbed a Coke from the mini-fridge. Popping open the can, he made
himself comfortable on the couch and settled in for a long night of
mind-numbing TV.

Anything to forget someone out there was
watching him, following him. Obsessing.

Award-winning author Kristine Cayne is
fascinated by the mysteries of human psychology—twisted secrets,
deep-seated beliefs, out-of-control desires. Add in high-stakes
scenarios and real-world villains, and you have a story worth
writing, and reading.

Kristine’s heroes and heroines are pitted
against each other by their radically opposing life experiences. By
overcoming their differences and finding common ground, they
triumph over their enemies and find true happiness in each other’s
arms.

Today she lives in the Pacific Northwest,
thriving on the mix of cultures, languages, religions and
ideologies. When she’s not writing, she’s people-watching,
imagining entire life stories, and inventing all sorts of danger
for the unsuspecting heroes and heroines who cross her path.

To learn
more about Kristine and her stories, visit her website:
www.kristinecayne.com

For the
latest information about Kristine’s upcoming releases, blog tours,
and giveaways, visit
Kristine Cayne’s Facebook author
page
.

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Six-Alarm Sexy Series

“
Aftershocks,” in
Romance in the Rain
(Prequel)

Under His Command
(Book One)

Deadly Vices Series

Deadly Obsession
(Book One)

Deadly Addiction
(Book Two)

Novelettes

Un-Valentine’s Day