Chapter Seven
DECLAN WATCHED Jane talk to the dark suited detective. It was obvious they knew each other. She smiled and his face lit up. Did they have a relationship? What did this asshole have that he didn’t? Jesus Christ was he jealous? He wasn’t sure he’d ever felt that before. Jane looked at the dickhead with respect. She never looked at him like that. Most of the time she acted like she was annoyed with him.
A cold chill ran through his body as he forced himself not to wrap the heavy blanket around himself tighter. Even though he felt nauseous, he flat out refused to toss his cookies in front of Jane and her ‘boyfriend’. That’s all his already dented ego needed. He fisted his hand. How much longer did he have to stay down here? He wanted to be alone so he could fall apart.
Charlotte sat on the sofa next to him. “Are you alright?”
He scoffed. “Yeah.”
She let out along breath. “Declan Shaw, you were just shot at. You are not alright.”
“Then why did you ask?”
“I care.”
He wanted to laugh. “I’m sorry about your house.”
She patted his hand. “This is going to add to the mystique and I’m glad we found out that the bullet proof glass was a bust.”
“I’ll pay to have it replaced.”
She shook her head. “Oh you’re not going to pay to have it replaced. That is going to be done on someone else’s nickel. As a matter of fact they are going to pay for all the damage or there will pain.”
He didn’t believe she could get her bitch on. “You couldn’t hurt a fly.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You keeping thinking all those nice thoughts about me.” She turned to look at Jane. “That’s not her boyfriend.”
He stared at them to. “Do I care?”
“I believe you do.”
“How do you know he’s not?”
Charlotte smiled. “I know him. Alex Swan ex-Navy SEAL. He’s going to be the District Attorney in five years when his father is ready to retire to run for Governor.”
He smiled. “You know everyone.”
“Alex dated my sister and according to her he knows his way around the bedroom. I think he would like to show Jane his skills.”
So Detective Dickhead might be a contender, but he was going to be cool about it. “Why are we talking about this?”
“Your competition?”
“I don’t have competition.”
Before she could answer Jane turned away from Mr. Ex-Navy SEAL and walked over to him. Declan noticed that the cop’s eyes followed her, but she didn’t turn around. He might be interested in her, but she didn’t return the favor. Good. He smiled.
“Let’s call it a night.”
Charlotte stood. “I prepared the attic room for you.”
Declan leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Charlotte.
Jane held out her hand and he took it. He stood and let her lead him to the stairs. Before he left the room he turned and look at the cop and smiled. He didn’t have any worries.
They didn’t talk until Jane got him into the room.
“I need a shower.”
She shook her head. “You need to relax, shock could set in and I don’t want you alone.”
He didn’t want to be babied. “I’m fine.”
“You got shot at.” She put her hand on his cheek. “You’re clammy, your pulse is erratic, and you’re agitated.”
Yeah he was, but he wasn’t going to let it show. “Don’t tell me what I’m feeling. You don’t know.”
“Yeah I do.”
He let out a long breath. He just stepped in it with both feet. “I’m sorry Jane.”
“Don’t be. You’re allowed. Getting shot at is never fun. Well at least for anyone but Gavin.”
“He is acting …”
“Crazy?”
He defended his friend. “That’s how he deals.”
“I know. Hoss is so excited he probably wet his pants. You should have seen him in combat.” She pointed to the bed. “Now get in the bed and bundle up.”
“Am I five?”
“I’m not going to answer that. Get in bed and I’ll be there in a minute.”
He took a deep breath and played her words over in his head. Score. He was going to have her tonight. That was worth getting shot at. “You’re going to get in the bed with me?” he said just making sure his fantasy was coming true.
A smile curved her lush lips. “I’m going to hold you.”
“Why?” He couldn’t stop the question coming out of his mouth. Dumbass.
“Don’t you want me to sleep with you?”
Well yeah, but … “That’s a loaded question.”
“If you slip into shock, I’ll be there for you.”
He could work with that. “Well okay.”
She shimmed out of her jeans. “You gave that up easy.”
She sounded disappointed. Not that he cared as he watched her fold her pants and put them on her rollaway bed. “You told me a secret. You like me.”
Jane threw him a saucy look over her shoulder. “What’s not to like.”
“I don’t think I can sleep.”
“We can talk.” She braided her hair.
Which he didn’t like because he wanted to hold on to that glorious mane while he fucked her. “About?”
“What do you want to talk about?”
“You and I.”
“There is no you and I.”
“There could be.”
“You’re focusing on me, because I’m the only available pussy.”
“Anyone ever tell you you talk like a dude.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “They’re pretty much all I hang out with.”
“No spa date friends?”
“Do I look like the spa type?”
Nope. “I think you wrestle alligators.” And beat the crap out of them.
“I hate nature. After Afghanistan, I’m over the great outdoors.”
There goes his fantasy of seeing her run naked through some wildflowers. Declan figured he wasn’t getting laid so he might as well keep his sweats on. He got on the bed and put his hands behind his head. “The last time I went camping Andy insisted it was a bonding experience.”
Jane gave him a sad smile. “He was your bassist that died.”
“Yeah. If he were still alive I wouldn’t have a stalker.”
She fluffed a pillow and laid down next to him. “I don’t get it.”
He felt her body heat and smelled her jasmine scented skin. He prayed not to get a boner. “Andy would have found the chick, gave her some kombucha tea, some mala beads, and paid for her therapy.”
“He sounds like a cool guy.”
“He was. I miss him.” Declan turned off his lamp.
She faced him, half her face in shadow. “It’s okay to miss him. I still miss the guys I lost.”
His throat got tight and his chest hurt. “When does it stop hurting?”
“I’ll let you know.”
“Thank you for saving me.”
She patted his arm. “No problem. Now try and get some sleep. We have a big day at the gun range.”
“You sound excited.” Which didn’t surprise him.
DECLAN WALKED through the door and this oily scent hit his nose. “What the fuck is that smell?”
Jane chuckled. “Gun oil and sweat. Smells like victory.”
Everyone cracked up. He watched Jane walk past them to this old grizzled guy behind a counter. She held out her hand and they shook. “Hey Lonnie, I need to set these guys up.”
“Sure thing, Jane. Give me a few minutes.”
About twenty minutes later Declan relaxed his hand and squeezed of another shot. He wasn’t paying attention to anyone, he was focused on the proper stance, his breathing, and hitting the target. He’d learned to shoot about fourteen years ago for a film. He was pretty good and he wanted to impress Jane.
After last night he was still reeling. Someone really wanted him dead. His hand shook. Shit he couldn’t fall apart now. What would Jane say? When she slid into the bed next to him he was surprised she scooted up to him and put her arm around his waist. He reacted, fighting off the urge to turn to her. Then she’d know he had a boner and he knew he’d try to kiss her then she’d punch him. Her softness comforted him. Her jasmine scented skin tantalized him. Her strength calmed him. Within minutes he nodded off to sleep. And he’d slept through the night, which was rare.
Jane confused him. That never happened. Carla Sanger, the woman who took his virginity didn’t even baffle him. He’d been sixteen and she played his TV mom’s best friend. She’d nailed him in his trailer one day and pretty much taught him everything a man could do with his dick. Someone poked him on his shoulder and he put his gun down and took off his headphones and turned to find Jane standing behind him.
“You’re not focusing.”
“You shouldn’t sneak up on a guy with a gun.”
She gave a low sultry chuckle. “Some of the best times I ever had.”
He smiled. She was good at making him smile with her wise-ass commentary. “I don’t want to know.”
She hit the button and his paper target slid to him. He was proud he’d hit the target every time. Not a kill shot every time, but at least he’d inflicted some damage.
“Not bad. Your first time shooting?”
“I’ve had lessons, but I haven’t done it in years.”
“Impressive.”
Pride swelled in him. “Did I beat everyone else?”
“Is that important?”
“Sometimes.”
She poked out her bottom lip. “I hope this isn’t one of them.”
The nerve of some people. “Who did better than me?”
“Check the ego, you did better than I expected and you are the best looking shooter of the bunch.”
He was glad he could impress her. “Physically?”
“You have the best form.”
“Had to look good on screen.”
“I’m sure you did.”
His feelings were a little hurt. He was a good actor. “You haven’t watched me?”
“Am I supposed to?”
“Shouldn’t you get a feel for me if you’re protecting me?”
She smiled and shook her head. “I’m not answering that.”
“Scared?”
She turned without answering and walked over to Vaughn and tapped him on the shoulder. He whipped around and she grabbed his gun and twisted it out of his hand and put it down on the counter in front of him. Oh shit he broke one of Jane’s I’m-taking-you-to-the-range rules. This was going to be fun. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Malcolm put down his gun and take off his headphones.
“Number one Vaughn. This isn’t a gangsta movie. You hold the gun properly or the recoil is going to hit you in the head. Number two. You hit everything except the target. Number three. If you ever point a gun at me again, I will shoot you.”
Vaughn spread his arms. “I’m trying to have fun.”
“Does this look like fun time?”
Vaughn leered at her. “If I want it to be.”
“Not on my time.”
Declan noticed that everyone stopped shooting and was staring at them. A part of him wanted to go over and stand between them, because he figured Jane was about to hurt Vaughn. Not that he gave a shit, but he needed a bassist. Basically he was thinking about himself. Then again if Jane killed Vaughn he would be alibi her and she’d owe him a favor and sex would settle that. Okay so he went there. He refused to be ashamed.
“Can you do better sweet butt?” Vaughn took a step closer to Jane.
“Oh no he didn’t?” Malcolm whispered next to Declan.
“This is going to be awesome,” Gavin said.
Shane snickered. “Maybe she’ll shoot Vaughn. Malcolm can play the bass.”
Jane put on the headphones, pulled the protective glasses from the top of her head, took her gun from her waistband and started firing. Twelve rounds went off in quick succession, she put her gun down, and hit the button and her paper target flew to her.
Everyone gathered around her and Declan noticed all the holes were in the target’s crotch. “Ouch!”
“I got rage. With some PTSD layered on top. Don’t fuck around on my watch.”
Everyone laughed except Vaughn.
Gavin held up his paper target. “I hit center mass every time.”
“How did you do so well?” Declan asked.
“FPS, man.”
“What the hell is that?” Shane asked.
Malcolm shook his head. “First person shooter. I speak geek.”
“Call of Duty?” Jane asked.
Gavin preened. “Yeah.”
Jane held up her arm and made a fist. “Awesome.”
Gavin gave her a fist bump. “I can handle my piece.”
Jane laughed. “I’m not letting you keep it. How did you do Travis?”
He held up his paper target. There were only a few holes in his target. He looked kind of sheepish.
Gavin grimaced. “Dude you’re from Detroit.”
Travis shrugged. “I’m a big man no one messed with me. Besides my mom would have killed me if I touched a gun.”
“Malcolm?” Jane asked.
His target paper was empty. “I’m from Brentwood. We don’t have crime.”
Jane smiled again. “Shane?”
He held up his target which was full of holes. “I was raised on a farm.”
Jane turned to Charlotte. “Charlotte?”
Charlotte’s shots were all neat groupings on head, chest, and belly shoots.
Declan was impressed. “The rich girl can shoot.”
“Grandmother likes to shoot skeet.”
Everyone laughed.
Charlotte blushed. “What did I say?”
Travis whispered in her ear and she blushed. “Oh my heavens.”
Travis nodded.
Charlotte held up a finger. “You have me now.”
“Folks entertaining as you’ve all been, I have to go. Preach will get you home.” Without any ceremony, Jane started walking out of the gun range.
Gavin started singing Aerosmith’s “Janie Got A Gun.” Everyone cracked up. She turned around and gave him a smile. Damn that was one hell of a woman.
MALCOLM BROKE AWAY from the group and followed Jane. “Jane you got a moment.”
“What can I help you with?”
“It’s Declan …” How did he say this and not look like an ass?
“Yes?”
She stared at him as if nothing else was going on in her head. He wasn’t used to it. Women fawned over him. Because he was rich, then a rock star, and he was decent looking. “You and Declan are …” He floundered for words.
“I’m going over to that café to get myself a cup of coffee, how do you like yours?”
“Black.”
“Gather your thoughts, then join me.”
“Okay.” Malcolm watched her saunter across the cobbled street. She was interesting, because she exuded confidence that screamed don’t fuck with me. He wanted to like her. Maybe he didn’t need to say anything, but Declan wanted her badly. Normally he would let Declan have at her and let her take care of herself, but the stakes were too high. Once he got a read on her he’d be fine.
He was still shaken about the shooting. Declan could have died. When the shots rang out all he could think about was getting to him. Lucky for him he’d been in Gavin’s room working on a crappy song or he would have slept through the whole thing. When he got into the bathroom and found Jane standing over Declan like a warrior woman. Then she made sure he and Gavin were safe.
She came out of the café and sat at a wrought iron table. Time to get this over. When he reached her he pulled out a chair and sat.
“You’re worried I’m going to sleep with Declan.”
Was she a mind reader too? Commando mind reader, hot chick. “Do you cook too?”
“Yep.”
“Are you?”
She shook her head. “He’s not my type.”
Relief swamped him. “He’s not used to working this hard for a woman.”
“Should I give into him?”
“God no.”
Rolling her paper cup between her hands she stared at him. “I’m not good enough for him?”
“Don’t twist my words,” he said with a spurt of anger.
She grinned. “He’s a job. Nothing more nothing less.”
Declan was more than that.
“That’s how I have to think of him. I can’t be concerned about anything but his safety. I know his type.”
“What do you mean?”
She sighed. “Give Declan some rope he thinks he’s a cowboy. He’s charming, manipulative, and used to getting his way. If I let him have his way, he’s going to end up dead.”
She got Declan. “You know him well.”
“Whatever you see Declan and I doing is to draw out the stalker. I’m going to say what happened last night was a result of us being highly visible. That was anger. She’s going to make a mistake and we’ll get her and you guys can go back to your tomcat ways.” Her smile reached her eyes.
He was feeling better about this. “I know this is weird--”
“You care about your friend. I get that.”
“Thank you Jane.”
She pointed behind him. “Your friends are waiting.” She took a sip of her coffee and picked up her phone and scrolled through the messages.
“Jane.”
She looked up.
“He’s a good guy.”
“Under all that bullshit, he is.” She smiled. “You too.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She went back to her phone and he saw her staring at the screen rolling her eyes. He wasn’t sure if she was doing that because he just made a gigantic ass of himself practically begging her not to fuck his friend or she was having an issue. He didn’t care. He got this off his chest and he did his best to prevent a major cluster fuck. Maybe he should shoot Declan himself. Nope, unless he shot him in the dick, he’d still try to sleep with Jane.