Vulnerable: (McIntyre Security Bodyguard Series - Book 1) (51 page)

“After we’re dressed, I’ll take you on a tour of the house,” he said.

“Most of the fun stuff is down here,” Shane said, as they stepped off the elevator on the lower level.

They were moving slowly, but at least Beth was walking on her own, which she had insisted on doing.

Shane showed her the movie theater that sat twenty people in lush reclining armchairs arranged in stadium seating.

“Cup holders,” Beth said. “Nice.”

Next he showed her the pool room, which housed an Olympic-sized pool with diving boards, a two-story twisting tube slide, and a separate hot tub. The exterior wall in the pool room was made up of large arched windows, which let in plenty of sunlight and overlooked a spacious lawn that led down toward a sandy beach.

“I just found my favorite room,” she said, taking in the smooth surface of the clear water. Sunlight streamed through the tall, arched windows, lighting up the water. The pool had a zero entry walk-in at one end, and at the far side there were three diving boards, including one high dive.

They were standing in the hallway outside the pool room, observing through a huge picture window, when Beth noticed someone in the water, swimming laps with clean, efficient strokes. She watched the swimmer for a moment, admiring his incredible speed and precision.

“Who’s that?” Beth said.

“That’s my brother Jamie.”

“He’s a really good swimmer,” she said, admiring Jamie’s powerful strokes. He cut through the water, propelled by his long, muscular arms and legs.

“He should be,” Shane said. “He was a SEAL.”

Beth looked at Shane. “A SEAL? As in a Navy SEAL?”

Shane nodded. “He was, until about three years ago. He was blinded in an explosion.”

Beth watched Jamie reach the end of the pool and execute a perfect turn. “He’s blind?”

“Yes.”

“Completely?”

“Yes.”

“How awful. Is it safe for him to swim alone like this? Shouldn’t someone be in there with him?”

Shane laughed. “Nah. Jamie’s drown-proof. If I jumped in that pool and
tried
to drown him, I’d be the one who ended up at the bottom of the pool, not Jamie. Trust me, Jamie doesn’t need a babysitter.”

Further down the corridor, they came to an interior window that overlooked what appeared to be a martial arts studio.

Beth stood at the window and watched Jake pummeling the hell out of a large black punching bag that was suspended from the ceiling by a heavy chain. Jake was barefoot and dressed only in a pair of black mesh boardshorts. His hands were wrapped in white tape, and he was attacking the punching bag as if it were his worst enemy.

“That’s gotta hurt,” Beth said, as Jake hammered the bag mercilessly with his bare hands. He really did look like he was trying to kill the thing.

“Shouldn’t he be wearing gloves?” she said, wincing when she noticed blood stains on the tape.

Shane shook his head. “Jake doesn’t wear gloves.”

Beth stared at Jake’s muscular torso. It wasn’t the incredibly ripped and chiseled abdominal muscles that had caught her attention – it was the large, black tattoo that ran down his left side – a combination of letters and numbers. She stared at him as she made out the pattern. “Is that a date? March 3, 2005?”

“Yes,” Shane said.

“What’s the significance of that date?” she said.

“It’s a long story,” Shane answered. “And it’s not mine to tell. You’ll have to ask him.”

In the center of the room, Lia was sparring with her twin on the mat. They went at each other furiously, hitting, kicking, and punching.

“What are they doing?” Beth asked.

“Krav Maga,” Shane said.

“They’re going to hurt each other,” she said, when Liam grabbed Lia and slammed her to the mat, coming down on top of her with a knee to her chest, his hands pinning her wrists to the floor.

Shane chuckled. “If either one of them is stupid enough to get hurt, he – or she – deserves it. They both know what they’re doing.”

Beth watched, entranced, as Lia shot to her feet and came at her brother with a vengeance. Liam was much taller and more muscular than Lia, who was just five-five to Liam’s six-feet. But still, she managed to hold her own. She drove him back several feet and got a few impressive hits in before he began pushing her back.

“Is he taking it easy on her?” Beth asked.

“No. Lia’s good. People underestimate her because she’s a female and because of her size, but she could easily take down a man twice her size. Besides, Liam wouldn’t be doing her any favors if he gave her a break. An opponent’s certainly not going to take it easy on her if it comes to a real right.”

Beth watched Lia on the mat, envying her power and her stamina. If she could learn to do what Lia did, then no one would be able to hurt her like Andrew did. She’d be able to protect herself.

“Shane?”

“Yeah?”

“I want to learn how to do what they’re doing.”

“You want to learn Krav Maga?”

“Yes. I want to learn how to protect myself.”

Shane put his arm around her shoulders and drew her against him. “No one’s going to hurt you again, sweetheart. I promise you.”

Beth watched Lia grab Liam’s foot as he kicked her. She twisted his foot hard and he dropped like a stone. She followed him down to the mat and slammed her elbow into the side of his head.

“I want to learn how to do that.”

“If you’re serious, there are forms of martial arts that would be better suited to you. Like Aikido.”

“Could I learn to throw someone to the ground like that? Someone big, like Andrew Morton?”
Or, someone like Howard Kline
?

“Yes, with the right training.”

They both turned at the sound of approaching footsteps to watch Cooper coming toward them.

“You’re needed upstairs,” Cooper said to Shane. “We have company.”

“Who?”

“Tyler. He wants to see Beth.”

Shane nodded. “I’ll come up and talk to him.” He looked at Beth. “Wait here. I’ll send him down to you.”

“Okay,” Beth said, barely paying any attention to Shane as her gaze was riveted on Lia and Liam sparring.

“Go on inside the studio, sweetheart,” Shane said. “There’s plenty of seating in there. You don’t have to stand out here to watch.”

Shane headed upstairs to the command and control office, where Tyler Jamison stood at the window overlooking the front yard.

“Hello, Tyler,” Shane said.

Cooper followed Shane into the room, taking up a position in the corner. He stood quietly on the sidelines, his arms crossed over his chest.

Tyler stood with his hands on his hips, surveying the sophisticated electronic surveillance center. He was dressed in his typical work garb – a black suit and white dress shirt. His detective’s badge was clipped to his belt, and his gun was visible in its holster beneath his jacket. He was clean shaven, his dark hair short. His eyes narrowed on Shane. “Shane.”

“What can I do for you, Tyler?” Shane said, as if he didn’t already know.

“I’m here to see my sister. Alone, if you don’t mind.”

Shane nodded. “Of course,” he said. He did mind. He minded like hell. But as Beth’s brother, Tyler had a legitimate claim on her. Shane would have to learn to accept that, just as Tyler would have to accept that Shane had a claim on her now, too.

Shane gave Cooper a curt nod.

“She’s downstairs, Detective,” Cooper said to Tyler, stepping forward. “I’ll walk you down.”

Beth heard a rapping on the glass behind her and turned to see her brother standing outside the viewing window overlooking the martial arts studio. He smiled at her and beckoned her out into the hall.

“Tyler!” she said, smiling brightly as she walked into his outstretched arms.

“Hey, kiddo.” He hugged her gently. “How’re you feeling? You’re looking better.”

“I’m feeling better,” she said. “I’m still sore, but today I can walk on my own.”

Tyler kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“This place is insane,” Beth said, laughing. “There’s a movie theater and an indoor swimming pool and this martial arts studio. And these are just the parts I’ve seen so far. This place has twelve bedrooms!”

“Yeah, it’s impressive,” Tyler said, peering into the studio. “But, hey, what do you expect? Shane’s loaded. Just don’t let his wealth blind you, Beth.” 

She lost her smile at the disapproving tone of Tyler’s voice. “I’m not. It’s just that I’ve never seen anything like this in a private residence.”

“Look, I’ll get right to the point, Beth,” Tyler said, laying his hands on her shoulders. “I want you to come home with me. My condo’s in a secure building, so you’ll be perfectly safe there while we’re waiting for Andrew’s arraignment and dealing with Kline.”

Beth frowned. “Tyler.”

“I get it, Beth. Shane’s good looking and richer than hell. And the attention he’s paying you is very flattering, I’m sure. But he’s not good for you. He’s a player. He’s used to getting whatever he wants, when he wants it, and right now he wants you. But how long is that going to last? How long will it be before he’s tired of playing the mighty protector and ready to move on? And then where will that leave you?”

“Tyler,” she said, shaking her head. “I – ”

“I know you, Beth. You’re not a casual fling kind of girl. He’ll take what he wants from you, and then when he’s tired of you, he’ll kick you to the curb, just like he’s done with all of the others before you. Please, don’t be gullible.”

Beth felt the bottom of her stomach fall, and she flushed. “It’s not like that, Tyler,” she said.
He cares about me.

“Bullshit it’s not!” Tyler began to pace in front of her. “Beth, you’re so naive. I’ve known Shane McIntyre for a long time. He’s never with the same woman more than a few months. He’s just not a long-term relationship kind of guy. You’re not cut out for someone like him. This is only going to end with you getting hurt!”

Tyler took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. “Come back with me. If you want to keep seeing him, fine. I won’t stop you. You can date the man, if that’s what you want. But don’t live here under his roof, letting him use you.”

“What the fuck!”

Beth and Tyler both turned to see Lia standing in the open doorway to the studio, her hands gripping her lean hips. She was sweaty and disheveled, and she looked mad as hell as she glared daggers at Tyler.

“Is there a problem here, Detective?”

Beth’s face burned when she realized Lia must have heard what Tyler said about Shane. “No, Lia. There’s no problem,” Beth said, hoping to diffuse Lia’s anger.

“That’s not what it sounded like to me,” Lia said, glaring at Tyler.

“Mind your own business, Lia,” Tyler said, glaring right back at her. “This is between Beth and me.”

“Beth
is
my business,” Lia said. “So anything you say to her is my business as well.”

“What are you talking about?” Tyler said.

“I’m her primary bodyguard now.” Lia crossed her slender, muscled arms over her chest, as if challenging Tyler to make a snide comment.

Even hot and sweaty, Lia was a striking figure. In her black sports bra and boy shorts, every lean, curvy inch of her was on display. Her short, spiky blond hair was darkened with sweat, but her blue eyes glittered like diamonds. The lip ring was gone, but the tribal tattoos were still on her face – tattoos that Beth now knew weren’t permanent.

“You’re the best Shane has?” Tyler said. “Wonderful! Beth might as well protect herself.”

“Tyler!” Beth said in reproach. She couldn’t help wondering if Lia could take Tyler down, despite how much bigger he was. Remembering what she’d seen Lia do to Liam, Beth figured Lia probably could take him down. That might be fun to see.

Lia turned her attention to Beth. “You okay, Princess? You want me to get rid of this douche bag?”

Beth chuckled. “I’m fine. But thanks.”

“Is there somewhere we can talk in private?” Tyler said to Beth. “Without an audience?”

Lia shrugged and pointed down the corridor. “I don’t think anyone’s in the pool room right now.” Then she glanced pointedly at Beth. “Scream like hell if you need me. I’ll hear you.”

Beth laughed. “I’ll be fine, Lia.”

* * *

Beth led Tyler down the hall to the pool room. She glanced through the window and saw that the pool was empty now, the water still and smooth as glass. Shane’s brother must have left.

Tyler opened the door and she stepped inside, the warm, chlorine-scented air hitting her in the face like a heavy, damp curtain. She looked longingly at the clear, still water, wishing she could just dive in and escape this conversation altogether.

“Sit,” Tyler said, indicating a padded bench.

Beth sat, watching her brother pace. She felt numb. She resented Tyler for raising these doubts about Shane. And yet, recalling the women from Shane’s past that she’d already met, part of her thought that Tyler might be right. There was the ice cold blond – Deborah – from Clancy’s Bookshop that first night they met. And then there was the dark and bitchy Luciana, who’d cornered her in the women’s restroom at the hospital fundraiser, accusing Beth of putting on some kind of act to snare Shane.

Tyler stopped in front of her and crouched down, his fingers brushing her cheek. “Does your face hurt?” he asked, his expression somber as he surveyed her bruises and cuts.

“A little,” she said.

“Your lip’s healing nicely.”

She nodded.

Tyler sighed heavily. “Beth, I just want you safe and happy.” He reached up and brushed her hair back. “But I don’t see this thing with Shane ending well. He’s used to... well, a different sort of woman. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Beth regarded her brother, trying not to feel like her world was unraveling right before her eyes. She couldn’t blame Tyler when he was simply voicing the same thoughts she’d had herself. Those women she’d met were in a different class. They were older, sophisticated, confident, wealthy... and she was none of those things.

“Please come back with me,” Tyler said, coming up to sit beside her on the bench. “You can still see him, if that’s what you want. But at least put some space between you.”