Witness Pursuit (Bodyguards #1)

One very pleasurable cleaning later, she came out of the shower barely able to stand. He had the most ferocious appetite.

“We really need to check in with Brigs and Ben, and I can’t do that if I don’t take my hands off you. Go dress while I shave, okay?” He drew a towel around her and patted her bottom.

“Sure. I won’t be long.” She padded to her painted dresser, pulled on a pair of skinny white jeans, and topped them with a red cap-sleeved t-shirt. From the bedside table, she took her dreaded glasses and slid them on. He loved her, and she had every intention of going behind his back and returning to Gilchrist.

She trudged back to the bathroom and eyed his broad back down to the fleecy blue towel slung low on his hips. She so wanted to take that towel off, and stay naked with him for the rest of the day. Right now, her life sucked.

“Um, I truly need to get to the hospital and see Drake.” Tucking her hair behind one ear, she met his blue gaze in the mirror as he shaved. “We’ve gotten close.”

“That depends on what the plan is. We’ll talk to Ben first, and see what’s going on. He’ll be waiting downstairs.” He finished up, removed his towel and slung it over the rail on his way to the bedroom.

She drooled at all his gorgeous golden skin, and one very stiff cock ready for more of her. Only she had to get her mind on the right track. Could she make him see reason? “I want you safe.”

“I know, and I want you with me.” He tugged on a pair of tight jeans and a black silk shirt. From his bag, he took his holster, strapped it on and slotted his gun inside. “And that will only happen if I go through re-identification with you, as your partner.”

Gripping her hand, he led her from of the room.

His mind was set, but then so was hers. Sooner or later she’d get her way. She had to.



Tyler guided Lydia downstairs, her current silence a dire warning. He’d watch her for any sign of flight. From the living room, the others’ voices rose. He couldn’t lag behind on any information. Lydia’s safety depended on it.

He strode into the large room where Ronson and Ben stood before a coffee table scattered with files.

Ronson looked Lydia over. “How are you feeling?”

“Better than last night.” She hugged him, and then eyed Ben. “How’s Saria?”

Ben gripped her shoulder. “She’s not happy I had to leave, and she guessed it was to do with you. I told her I’d sort this.”

“Saria will be fine. It’s you we need to watch.” Tyler led her to the couch.

“That’s right.” Ben took a seat opposite them. “Let’s cover this new information that’s come to hand.”

Ronson took a file from the coffee table and passed it across. “Ben brought a full report on Drake’s uncle. As we’re now aware, the man’s name is Ladd Hyena, forty-two of Wellington. He’s affiliated with a large gang and we’re running checks on who his boss could be. Take a look at what I’ve given you.”

Tyler scanned the file as Lydia leaned against him and read along. Ladd Hyena’s parents were deceased, and he had an older brother named Kern, Drake’s father. Ladd had been arrested for all manner of things, the most prominent armed robbery. He’d spent a few years in jail, but had been released four years ago.

Ben rubbed his jaw. “Gilchrist is waiting for the doctor’s permission to interview Hyena. He also intends to chat with Drake since he’s Hyena’s first victim.”

Ronson gritted his teeth. “The Hyena family is into heavy gang stuff, but not Drake. His father and uncle dumped him two years ago at the site of a shooting, which is how Drake ended up in juvie. Drake had no one. I took on his case and offered to track down his mother for him, but Drake wouldn’t give me her name. She abandoned him, and he wants nothing to do with her. He wanted to make a clean break from them all.”

“He had until now.” Lydia gripped Tyler’s thigh, her nails digging in.

He clasped his hand over hers. “Hyena came here for Drake, doing his brother a favor, and found Lydia by chance. In the field, Hyena said his boss killed Johnny Taita.”

Ben nodded. “Yes, which gives us the strongest link we’ve ever had in Johnny Taita’s case. We have to check every single angle of this cross-over, and locate Hyena’s boss, which means going to the source, Ladd Hyena.”

Lydia jumped to her feet. “If you’re going to the hospital, I’m coming.”

Yeah, she was after Gilchrist plain and simple. Tyler’s gut rolled with the knowledge.

Ben eyed her. “You’ll remain under strict guard when you come, and only because I want Tyler and Brigs with me and this homestead isn’t safe. Gilchrist will also want you moved, and it will be easier to take you to him.” He glanced at Ronson. “You okay with that?”

“Of course. Keep her safe.” Ronson rose and gave Lydia a hug. “I want you to take the utmost care. Don’t get shot at again.”