Anson walked out through the office and scanned through the sets of eyes that were all directed at Piper. Many caught his eye then immediately dropped back out of sight. There wasn’t any reason for these people to be so obvious. To Anson, any one of those people could be the person causing Piper’s danger.

She was in danger. It seemed to Anson that she had been negating the severity for so long she had lost touch with the reality of the situation. There was a breaking point for people that had the tenacity to stalk someone. They could go years satisfying their desires from a distance. But then came the day that they wouldn’t get their thrill. That tease of desire went flat, and that’s when they broke. They escalated to pain and death to get their fix.

Anson wasn’t going to let that happen to Piper. He could see that she needed his help even if she didn’t. No, she needed their help. It would be a team effort to protect her.

Though it didn’t feel like that after that hug. He wasn’t sure why he’d done it. It wasn’t something that he had ever done before. He didn’t console clients. But seeing that strong woman crack in front of him had tugged at his heart. She’d broken the hug and it was a good thing that she did. He had been enjoying the contact a little too much. It wasn’t professional, and he didn’t want to tarnish the name of KSI by being inappropriate.

When she clung so desperately to his shirt, he took the chance to breathe her in. She was sweet. Not just the perfume she was wearing that was nice and had a spicy undertone, but her scent was weaved into it. She smelled like cinnamon and cloves: a warm fragrance that came off her and was delicate while still leaving an impression.

He could feel her trailing behind him. He felt the need to duck and cover run her to the vehicle, but that would have been overkill. The picture that he’d picked up as they exited the office was proof that she needed much more coverage than they had originally thought. He’d update King as soon as he could. His team needed to know the escalation as well.

Anson followed the path back out the way he’d come in, but not before pausing and directing Piper past him, his hand resting lightly on her lower back as she passed. His gaze turned back to the room where a few brave souls attempted to get another look. His eyes flashed silver at them. He wasn’t above showing his Kindred side to make a point. If her stalker was in that room, he better damn well understand that she was under his protection now.

Keeping her walking to the elevator, he pushed her to the side of the doors as he hit the call button. He’d used his hand over her stomach to direct her where he wanted and she hadn’t resisted. Her back was now to the wall and he was standing in front of an elevator that may open to show and empty space or have someone in it willing to cause harm. His hand had rested a moment longer than needed when he’d moved her. It was a small gesture, but it did something to him and made his stomach knot in a good way. His hand resting against her had felt good. It made him feel strong somehow.

It wasn’t something he’d felt before and it caught him off guard for a just a moment. Focusing his attention on the doors that were about to open, he kept his gaze forward and waited. The doors slid open to reveal a woman inside holding a set of files. She looked up in shock and fumbled the folders as she paused mid-step, clearly expecting no one to be standing on the other side.

The woman mumbled gibberish and scooted past him. Piper recognized the woman and quietly said, “Goodnight, Marcy.”

Anson ignored the exchange and opened his arm to direct Piper into the elevator. He turned and stood directly in front of her as the doors closed. He knew he probably looked excessive to her, his big frame blocking the entire doorway, but there was no way anyone was going to get past him to his client. There was no doubt in his mind that he would take a bullet for her. He didn’t value his life over anyone else’s. He knew that his job meant that, depending on the situation, he was being paid to take the hit.

For Piper, it wouldn’t be just part of the job, and he knew that in a way that made him question the draw that he had to her. It could be her circumstances. The fact that she’d made herself the lone person that had to deal with the stress and the fear. That grated on him too. She should have more support. He knew that if he went to his fathers and said that his life was being threatened, there would be nothing that would keep them from protecting him. Anson didn’t know what her life was like, but if he was a father and his daughter was in danger, heads would roll before anyone hurt her.

The elevator dinged as the doors opened on the main floor. Anson stepped out, still blocking the space as he scanned the lobby. Nothing jumped out at him so he stepped forward letting her exit the elevator. He stepped to the side, his hand sliding to her lower back as he started to fast-walk her through the lobby. They reached the door and he had it opened and her through without stopping. A gleaming black Denali waited at the curb. Anson would take a ticket before moving a vehicle. King understood that it was part of standard operating costs and calculated it into the budget. Car position could mean life or death for some clients.

Anson maneuvered around, making sure his big body was blocking her as much as he could before depositing her in the back seat and closing the door. He was in the front seat and the doors were locked in a matter of seconds.

“Wow, that was fast.”

“That’s something all of the KSI staff will do every day. If they don’t, I want to hear about it.”

“Snitches get stitches, y’know.”

Anson stopped the smirk that threatened his lips. “In this case, snitches get presents.”

“So, I could make some shit up to get goodies?”

“I’ll buy you chocolate.”

“What makes you think I like chocolate?”

“You’re female, aren’t you?”

“Last time I checked.”

“I’m a little worried you have to check.”

“Oh, shut up, you know what I mean. Besides, that’s being stereotypical to think all women like chocolate. For all you know I could be deathly allergic to chocolate and you would kill off your client by assuming something so innocuous.”

”If you were allergic, I’d hope you’d know better than to eat it. Death by chocolate is a myth.”

Piper gave a sigh, “Fine, I like chocolate,” she mumbled.

Anson didn’t respond to that.

“Do I have to sit back here? This seems kind of dumb.”

“It’s not dumb. That seat is fully protected behind bulletproof glass, reinforced doors, puncture-proof tires, and puts you in the middle of a lot of metal. Speaking of which, if you wouldn’t mind moving to the middle seat, I’d appreciate it.”

“You’re joking right?”

“Does it seem like I’m joking?”

“Oh, well, let me see, maybe?”

“I’m not, move.”

“Anson, sitting in the middle makes me feel like a little kid.”

“Well, you’re acting like one, so…”

“Wow, really?”

“Piper, move your ass to the middle seat. You said you’d follow instructions,” he reminded her.

Piper slid to the middle seat grumbling, “And we agreed it was doubtful I’d do it without some kind of commentary.”

Anson chose not to respond to that. He was focused on the road. He’d already mapped the best way to her house. It wasn’t the easiest, but he wanted to take the opportunity to see if anyone was tailing them. It was likely that the stalker knew her usual routines. Anson wasn’t about to keep playing by that book.

“I have a question,” Piper asked from the back.

Anson waited.

“What am I supposed to do about errands?”

“Such as?”

“The usual. Groceries, dry cleaning, going to the movies.”

“Since when are movies an errand?”

“I mean, normal times that someone would leave the house.”

“I think you need to think about how necessary it is and restrict your movements to those that are required. For now, I’d get used to delivery services. Food, groceries, dry cleaning. That can all be delivered to your office. I’d avoid deliveries to your home. It opens you up to strangers.”

He could see that she had crossed her arms. She did look like a pouting child. He was asking her to alter her life. But he was asking her to do it to make sure she had a life to live in the future.

“If you end up helping the police catch this guy, do you think that he’ll go away for a long time? Or is it going to be a slap on the wrist?”

Anson didn’t know and it killed him to think about the fact that she would have to have a great lawyer that could argue her case. Restraining orders were only a piece of paper. It didn’t stop anyone from walking right through one. There was also a chance that they might not be able to find him. Anson didn’t like that scenario at all. He didn’t like that he couldn’t make any promises to Piper. She needed reassurance and he couldn’t give that to her.

“Do you need to make any stops on the way home? Anything you had planned to do?”

“No,” she said quietly.

He checked the rearview mirror and saw her looking out the window. Her short hair stuck out in little spikes around her face. Her jaw was set and he could smell the anger and fear coming from her. Anson drove in silence, leaving her to her thoughts. He wouldn’t be able to help her work through her realities. He wished he could. It would appease his animal nature. Piper needed someone strong to take care of her. Someone to watch her back, and make sure she wasn’t alone. A man to keep her safe.

But she’d tried that, and she’d had her heart broken twice. There was no hiding the pain when she spoke during their meeting. It was a deep-rooted pain that she had tried to cover up. But there was no way to hide something like that from him and King. He and his boss had exchanged a number of looks as her anxiety had risen during their discussion.

Driving the rest of the way to her home, Anson wanted to hit something, but there was nothing to vent his anger on. They pulled into her complex, stopping at the large, solid gate. He rolled down his window and waited for her to supply the code for entering.

“Five-three-oh-nine,” she said from the back. “I liked the song.”

“Change it, someone else might know you like that song.”

As the gate opened and he was able to drive through, he could see in person what he had only viewed from an aerial map of the complex before. There were plenty of ways in. The gate only stopped vehicles, not people. Her false sense of security was not helping the situation.

He drove to her unit, which was more of a townhouse, each unit differing enough in design to give a sense of uniqueness as well as a private entry and door. Most of them also had a garage that was attached to the front of the building.

Parking in front of her garage, Anson turned off the engine and looked at her in the rearview mirror. She met his eyes, unable to look away as he talked to her.

“Piper, we need to go over some things before we get out,” he said softly.

“Okay.”

There was no sass or strength behind that word. Just a quiet acquiescence that didn’t fit her at all.

“Piper, I know this is a lot to take in. We will try to make it as easy as possible for you.”

She nodded and looked out the window, as though she couldn’t keep eye contact with him any longer.

“Piper,” he said, turning in his chair.

She looked over to him.

“All of this, the changes to your lifestyle, the constant surveillance, it’s to keep you alive. Remember that. Think about your family, your friends, everyone that loves you. Imagine if they didn’t have you anymore. Besides your own self-preservation, which I realize we can all push aside, you need to not leave yourself vulnerable.”

He watched her press her lips together. She was holding something back. He paused to see if she needed to share something. When she didn’t, he continued, “Tomorrow I’ll pick you a little early so we can stop by Donuts or Die. I’m scheduled for the office donut run tomorrow. This will give you an opportunity to meet Luca and Hudson. They’ll move into the rotation of being your drivers for the day. You will only get into a car with someone you have met before. We’ll never send you someone you don’t know.”

She nodded so he continued, “There will also be another couple of members to meet, but we will give it a few days to see if their schedules shake out.”

“Fine.”

“Fine. How about you show me around?”

Without an answer from her, Anson got out of the car and came over to open her door. He offered her a hand, which she took. Closing the door behind her, he turned his head, making sure they were as alone as you were going to get in a complex that housed hundreds of people. They approached the front door of her unit and Anson leaned around to see her put a key in the deadbolt and unlock it. She turned the handle and he made a huffing noise. Piper whipped around to face him.

“You need to lock both locks. Handle too, every time.”

Piper didn’t respond and walked in to her alarm system chirping. At least she’d remembered to set it. Watching closely, he saw her hit the numbers of her birth date to disarm it. He didn’t even have to let out a huff before her eyes shot to him.

“Change it.”

She rolled her eyes and it made him want to stand over her while she changed the code as he’d said. Not just because it was for her safety, but mostly because he said so. It was something he didn’t understand, but the drive and urge to have her submit to him were hitting him too hard to ignore.

Piper threw her arm out and gestured for him to enter. Anson stepped into the sunken living room that held a deep tan couch and a number of pillows and blankets. It looked like she might have slept there a few times. Anson checked the bay windows, finding that they didn’t open except with small vents at the bottom. Walking through the room, he checked the motion sensors. They covered most of the room but were aimed too high. He made a mental note to adjust those on his way out.

He stepped up to the dining room that she had set up as an office and found one large window that was locked and had a piece of wood in the track. Not the most effective security device, but a delayer. Her kitchen was comfortable, but not too large. Checking the window and sliding door that went to her small enclosed patio, he found another stick in the window at the base of the slider. He’d bring a metal brace when he came tomorrow. Opening the door he stuck his head out to assess the lighting.

“We need a motion detector light back here.”

“I don’t know if the complex will install one,” Piper said behind him.

He turned to see her hugging her arms around her body. “I’ll talk to them.”

“You think that’s all it will take?”

“I’m a great talker.”

He kept moving through the house, assessing the garage and laundry area before going up to the second floor. Piper padded quietly behind him on stockinged feet, having kicked off her shoes in the living room. When he reached the top of the stairs, he waited for her to direct him.

“My room, my studio,” she said pointing to the two doors.

He went to her bedroom first, pushing open the door. He found a room decorated not in a way he was expecting. A large wood four-poster bed with white draping around the top filled the room. A thick white duvet covered the mattress and a stack of white pillows were piled at the headboard. The nightstand held a lamp that looked as if it would put a soft glow over the room; a matching dresser in the same wood style held a small stereo and a mirror had been placed on the wall across from the window.

Piper was leaning against the doorframe, not saying anything while he took it in. He was there to check the windows, not wonder what she would look like lying in that bed. Because that’s exactly where his mind had gone. She didn’t need another person using her as an object. Not that he thought of her that way. But she wasn’t going to believe anything he said to her right then.

“That’s the only window in here,” she said quietly, pointing at it for emphasis.

Anson checked it and looked down to see if there was anything to scale the distance with. It was clear down to the low shrubbery. Taking another brief glance at the bed, he walked to the door as she stepped aside. The small landing had a bathroom that was shared between the two rooms. Pushing open the door to the second bedroom, or the studio, as she called it, he stopped as he flicked on the light switch. The floor was covered in a thick canvas drop cloth that was so large it crept up the walls. A sea of canvas and paint splatter. In the window at the opposite end of the room he could see the same stick and lock set-up that most of them had.

The paintings leaned up against the walls and set on easels caught his attention. They were a mixture of abstract style designs. Large patches of color and heavy brush strokes. Splatters and chaos on others. The colors varied to every hue imaginable, but the one that was leaning against the wall that looked the newest was all dark colors. Black, blues, and purples swirled and there were angry swaths that looked like the brush had dragged over the canvas with force.

He wanted to ask her about the paintings. Her inspirations, her feelings when she painted them. The entire room was more personal than her bedroom. It was a sanctuary that he had invaded, he could feel it. Without a word, he turned and walked back down the stairs. He stopped at the door and waited for her.

“Let’s change the security code now.”

“I can do it when you’re gone.”

“But then I won’t know for sure that you did it. I’ll talk to the complex about assigning you a new random gate code. I want it changed regularly.”

“Great, then I won’t be able to get in either.”

“I’ll keep track of them too, as will the crew.”

“I have a crew,” she said with a thoughtful look.

“You do. You’re being protected by King Security now, and we take our job seriously. We aren’t just watching you. I have our computer guy doing background searches on basically anyone you’ve had contact with that we can. I still think this is someone you know.”

“That makes it worse, you know. That someone could be lying to my face, maybe even every day. That they could hate me so much to do this.”

“They don’t hate you, Piper. They think they love you.”

“How?” she asked incredulously

“Odds are, you’re their goddess. They’ve put you so high on a pedestal that they couldn’t imagine a life without you in it.”

“You realize that this is making it worse, right?”

“I know. And eventually it will get better. I’ll make that happen for you.”

“I’ve had too many broken promises, Anson. I don’t think I believe in them anymore.”

Anson could feel and smell her truth and resolve. She wasn’t being deceitful. Two men had promised to love and protect her, and they had both failed. He was sure that was the key to her stalker. There were two men out there that knew more than they had shared with Piper. Anson was going to find out what that was.