Rescuing Baylee (Nightshade #3)

Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Landon didn’t like seeing the worry and fear in Baylee’s tightly held expression. And it wasn’t even fear for herself. It was fear for others in her life that may be affected.

Hell, she’d even been worried about him. He appreciated the sentiment. It had been a long time since anyone had worried about him.

Morgan texted that they had a plate from a surveillance video. There was a convenience store down the street that caught a gray Dodge Hellcat accelerating at speed away from the apartment building seconds after the shots had been fired. They were tracking down the car now.

Landon hated being out of the loop, but that was the way this was playing out. He sent a message to the night-shift sergeant, requesting back-up a few hours from now so that he could get Baylee’s cat. Porter texted him back that it wouldn’t be a problem and set a time and location to meet.

He relayed that info to his partner. If they worked this right, maybe they could snag a bad guy.

Landon’s fingers hovered over his phone, but his thoughts were on Baylee. The look in her eyes lingered in his mind, a mixture of vulnerability and determination that tugged at something deep inside him. He wasn’t used to this—someone worrying about him, someone caring beyond the badge and the job. It was both unsettling and strangely addictive.

And the kiss… it had been a long time since he’d been shook, and the touch of Baylee’s so-soft lips on his had sent shockwaves through his gut. Women came and went, but he avoided entanglements. He’d been a bachelor for a long time, by choice. There was a niggling fear in the back of his brain that he would follow in his father’s footsteps. He knew the statistics. Some studies said that abuse victims were more likely to be abusers. That was enough to make him leery of being in a committed relationship.

Landon didn’t know what to do. Baylee was the first woman that made him think he could maybe be in a relationship long term.

He couldn’t think about this right now, half-hard and aching. Work.

As he sent the details to Morgan about the backup for retrieving Baylee’s freaking cat, he caught sight of her standing by the window, her silhouette framed by the glow of the streetlights outside. She was lost in thought, probably going over every possible worst-case scenario in her mind. He knew that feeling all too well.

He cleared his throat to catch her attention. “Morgan’s tracking down the car now,” he said, trying to keep his tone light. “They’ve got a plate, so it’s just a matter of time.”

Baylee turned to face him, her expression shifting from worry to something closer to relief. “That’s good. I just hope they find whoever’s behind this before anyone else gets hurt.”

“They will,” Landon assured her. “And Porter’s arranged for some backup tonight. I’ll head over to your apartment in a few hours and get Siggy out of there. We’ll be in and out quickly.”

Baylee nodded, but he could see the tension still in her shoulders. “Thank you, Landon. I know it’s just a cat, but… he’s all I’ve got. That’s why I think I need to go with you.”

Landon blinked. “Um, yeah, I don’t think so.”

Baylee walked toward him, her chin lifting. “Siggy isn’t used to people, especially men. He was abused and dumped in a shelter, and he was on the streets for a long time. I can almost guarantee you he won’t come to you. I need to go.”

Landon debated her words. On the one hand, he would be taking her exactly where the gang-bangers wanted her. On the other hand, she would be left here alone, and what would she do if he wasn’t watching her?

The thought of her in danger made his gut clench. “Not a good idea, Baylee.”

She shrugged and gave him a look. “If you don’t take me, I’ll just get an Uber, and then I’ll be out on the street without anybody to look out for me.”

Anger stirred in his gut. “This isn’t a joking matter. These guys basically have a hit out on you.”

She snorted softly. “Well, believe it or not, I have been taking care of myself for a very long time.”

He hadn’t asked her outright, but he assumed she still had her weapon stashed somewhere. And honestly, it was one reason he thought he could safely leave her alone here. He’d call in a marked car to do sweeps through the neighborhood, of course, but he knew she could take care of herself.

Landon sighed, knowing that he was going to give in. “Fine, but you have to do exactly as I tell you to do. Understand?”

She grinned, nodding quickly. “Of course.”

She seemed to relax a little at his words, and he felt a warmth spread through him at the sight. There was something about her, something that made him want to protect her, to ease her burdens. It wasn’t just the job—this was personal. The lines were blurring, and he wasn’t happy about it.

“Why don’t you try to get some rest before we head out? You’ve been standing here a long time.” Landon suggested, glancing at the clock. “We’ve got a few hours. I’ll keep an eye on things and let you know if anything changes.”

Baylee hesitated, clearly torn between her exhaustion and the urge to stay vigilant. But eventually, she nodded. “Okay. Maybe just for a little while.”

As she made her way to the bedroom, Landon watched her go, feeling a strange sense of responsibility settle over him. He wasn’t just a cop on a case anymore. He was someone she trusted, and that meant something. It meant everything.

Once she was out of sight, Landon pulled out his phone and dialed Morgan. He answered on the second ring.

“Hey, what’s the latest?” Landon asked, keeping his voice low.

“We’re tracking the Hellcat,” Morgan replied. “It’s registered to a Consuela Ortiz, Chino’s mother. She’s been on our radar for harboring, but this is the first time we’ve had something concrete to connect her to the gang’s recent activities.”

Landon felt a surge of anger. “So, it’s probably Hector, then, that shot the place up. I have a feeling he’s the one pulling the strings for the gang, now.”

“Looks like it,” Morgan confirmed. “Yeah, I’m working with Detective Mills in gangs, and that’s what he thinks, too. Although he’s heard some grumbling on the street about the way the Vegas deal with things. He’s keeping tabs on him, but he’s slippery. We need more than just the car to tie him to the shooting.”

“We’ll get it,” Landon said, his voice hard. “What about tonight? We’re heading over to Baylee’s apartment to get her cat, and she’s insisting upon going with me. Any sign of them watching the place?”

“Not yet,” Morgan said. “But we’ll be nearby, just in case. If Hector’s involved, he might be unpredictable.”

Landon clenched his jaw. “We’ll be ready.”

“You know it’s not a good idea to take her, right? I shouldn’t have to tell you that.”

He sighed. “Yeah, I know. She’ll stay with me, and honestly, she knows how to take care of herself. I’ll text you in a bit.”

After hanging up, he stood in the quiet living room, his thoughts racing. Hector Vega was a dangerous man, and if he was gunning for Baylee, things could escalate quickly. But Landon wasn’t about to let anything happen to her. Not on his watch.

He checked the time again. A couple more hours before they had to move. He took a deep breath, trying to steady the adrenaline coursing through him. This wasn’t just about protecting a witness anymore. Baylee had become more than that to him, and he couldn’t let her down.

He walked back to the kitchen and leaned against the counter by the sink, staring out into the night. His phone buzzed again—another update from Morgan about the car’s movements—but his thoughts kept drifting back to Baylee.

He couldn’t help but wonder how things would be different if they’d met under other circumstances. But then, what were the ideal circumstances to meet the woman you… really wanted? His mind had almost veered in a different direction, and he’d had to drag it back.

For now, he had to focus on keeping her safe. Anything beyond that would have to wait.

The hours passed slowly, each minute ticking by with agonizing slowness. Finally, it was time. Landon knocked softly on the bedroom door. “Baylee? It’s time to go.”

She emerged a moment later, looking more rested but still tense. Her long blond hair was in a tight braid hanging over her shoulder. “Okay. Let’s get Siggy.”

Landon gave her a reassuring smile, holding his fist out for her to bump. “We’ve got this.”

Nodding, she bumped his fist and followed him into the night.