Rescuing Baylee (Nightshade #3)

Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Landon drove them through the dark streets, taking a circuitous route to ensure they weren’t being followed as they headed back to the boring, safe house. The adrenaline was still coursing through his veins from the chase, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

Baylee was silent beside him, her arms wrapped protectively around the cat carrier. Siggy had been unnervingly quiet throughout the whole ordeal, so a few minutes ago she’d pulled the carrier up onto her lap to check on him.

“Siggy is old,” she said, her voice subdued. “He was old when I adopted him from the shelter after I got back from Ohio. I don’t want him getting too stressed out.”

“You don’t have to explain. I don’t know many cats who have been in car chases. He probably needs some attention.”

She snorted out a laugh, her expression lightening. “True.”

Landon stole a glance at her - she was staring through the door of the carrier, tension in the lines around her eyes. Her long, honey-blond hair had fallen free of the braid a little, and he wanted to reach out and stroke it, but he refrained.

Finally, they pulled into the driveway of the safe house. Landon killed the engine and they just sat there for a moment, the silence thick around them. He studied the darkened windows, scanning for any signs of trouble, before letting out a slow breath.

“We’re clear,” he said gruffly. “Let’s get you inside.”

Baylee gave a small nod, not looking at him. Landon got out first, instinctively checking the surroundings again, before gesturing for her to follow. They hurried up the front walk, and he quickly keyed in the code to unlock the door.

The instant they stepped inside, some of the tension seemed to bleed out of Baylee’s shoulders. She set the cat carrier down and immediately moved to close the curtains over the windows. Landon watched her with a pang - she shouldn’t have to live like this, constantly on guard.

Once they had the house secured, an awkward silence fell between them. Landon cleared his throat.

“I’ll let the team know we’re here.” He pulled out his phone to send a message to Morgan about their arrival.

Baylee didn’t respond right away. When he glanced up, she was studying him closely, that intense look in her green eyes that always made his breath catch. Then, to his surprise, she crossed the room in two strides and threw her arms around him.

Landon froze for an instant before instinctively returning the embrace. She was trembling slightly against him, and he tightened his arms, trying to reassure her that she was safe now. Her familiar vanilla scent enveloped him, and he had to resist the urge to bury his face in her hair.

After a long moment, Baylee pulled back, swiping at the moisture in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said simply, her voice thick with emotion. “I don’t know how to repay you for everything...”

“You don’t have to,” Landon said gruffly, tamping down the feelings that her hug had stirred inside him. “It’s my job to protect you.”

She held his gaze for a beat longer before giving a small nod and turning away. Landon watched her bend down in front of the cage. She had been through so much, more than anyone should have to endure.

Pushing aside the tangled mix of emotions, he focused on the practical next steps. He quickly fired off the delayed text to Morgan with their update and instructions for him to call if Hector or Luis was apprehended. Then he moved methodically through the safe house, double checking all the locks and ensuring all entrances were secured.

By the time he finished his sweep, Baylee had returned with Siggy, having let the disgruntled cat out of his carrier. She settled on the couch, gently stroking his fur as he eyed his new surroundings warily. Landon couldn’t help a small smile at the sight - her first instinct was still to take care of her pet, even after everything.

He took a seat in the armchair across from her. “Are you okay? I know that had to be a little scary for you.”

Baylee nodded, not looking up from Siggy. “I’m fine, honestly. That was low-key compared to some things I’ve done,” she said, flashing him a grin.

Landon admired her resilience. “Well, I’m going to have to make our dates more exciting, then,” he laughed.

Baylee’s eyes widened, and her cheeks went pink. That was when he realized what he’d said.

“Oh, I didn’t mean…”

“That’s okay,” she waved a hand at him. “I knew you didn’t mean date date.”

Her voice was small, tired. Landon hated hearing that vulnerability, that strain of insecurity. He clenched his fists, wishing he could take away all of that.

Baylee was more than just a case. Even before the shooting, he’d been very aware of her in the hallway of the apartment building. And seeing her go to work. Catching the hint of vanilla that he now associated with her. He’d wanted to approach her before everything went to hell and they were thrust into this forced proximity. And he didn’t want her to think that he was only interested in her because of their proximity.

“I want to take you out on a real date when this is all finished,” he said, before his better sense could curb his tongue.

Her bright eyes flashed to his in surprise, and she gave him a tired smile. “You don’t have to say that,” she murmured.

He cocked his head at her. “You’re so confident in everything you do, yet you blush when I say I want to date you. Why is that?”

She stroked the cat for a moment, then lifted her chin. “Because most men are just curious about the scars. Let me ease that curiosity for you. They’re only on my face and the back of my left arm. Nowhere else.”

Landon scowled. “Have you seriously been asked that?”

She barked out a bitter laugh. “And more.”

“Well, let me clear something up, then. I don’t care about your scars. You’re an interesting, beautiful woman, and I’m attracted to you. I want to take you out when this is all over,” he repeated.

Baylee looked down at the cat, shaking her head. “It’s not a good idea, Landon. I appreciate the thought, but it wouldn’t work.”

“Why not? I was interested in you before the shooting, and now that I know you and admire you personally, why wouldn’t I want to date you?”

She shook her head again, and he was starting to get frustrated. “You’re not in a relationship with someone already, are you?”

She barked out another bitter laugh. “No.”

“Then why won’t you go out with me?”

She sighed and shook her head. “Listen, you’re a great guy, but it just wouldn’t work with us. I have a lot of… history.”

He cocked his head. What the heck did that mean? “Okay. Everyone has history. That’s part of the fun of dating someone new, is learning about them.”

Looking heartsick, she clutched the cat to her, making him grunt. Her eyes had gone distant, and Landon worried that she was lost in her mind. Then she refocused on him. Her chin went up and her eyes cooled, and his stomach clenched. He had a feeling she was about to tell him something bad. “I’m damaged goods, Landon. I wasn’t just attacked when I was at Nightshade. I was raped. By three men. They’re the ones who cut me.”

For a second, he didn’t understand the words she’d spoken. Then he blinked, replaying what she’d said. Raped?

Landon was gripped with a sense of fury so deep, it pushed him up out of the chair. His throat was tight, and his heart was racing, and he felt like his head was going to explode. There was an actual haze of red over his vision. He’d never believed perps when they said they saw red. Looking down, he realized his fists were clenched into hammers, and he was quivering, dying to pound them into something. He couldn’t open his mouth to say anything, because his jaw was clenched so tight.

Never in his life had he felt such inarticulate violence toward another person. Toward three other persons.

Then he looked at Baylee, sitting on the couch, clutching her cat. Her face was desolate, pale, and it struck him that every time she had to tell someone about her past, she was being re-victimized. She had the look of a woman who was resigned to being alone the rest of her life because no man wanted to be with her because she’d been raped. Then he thought about the other things she’d talked about. The scars, and the men being fascinated by them.

He drew in a deep breath, and then another, and before he could second-think his actions, he crossed the short space to the couch and crouched in front of her. Reaching out, praying it wouldn’t freak her out, he rested one hand on her knee and looked up into her face. She seemed surprised, her eyes wide and swimming with tears. Did she expect him to reject her for this? He had to drag her back. “What’s your favorite food?”

She blinked, and a tear drifted down her cheek. She shouldered it away, still clutching the cat. “Japanese,” she whispered.

“The first thing we do when we get out of here is we go to this great little hibachi place I know. It’s small, but I know the owners. And the food is out of this world.”

She stared at him for a long moment, as if to test his sincerity.

“Baylee,” he continued. “I’m so sorry that happened to you. No one deserves to go through that trauma.” A remnant of his victim training came back to him. Reaching out, he slowly squeezed her hand. “Thank you for trusting me enough to share this. I can’t imagine how hard that must be.”

Baylee’s eyes shimmered with tears, but she squeezed his hand back. “I didn’t tell you to make you feel sorry for me. I just...don’t want you to have unrealistic expectations if we get involved.”

Landon shook his head. “I don’t see you as damaged goods at all. Your strength and resilience are admirable. You have got to be the most kick ass woman I’ve ever met, and I’ve known a few. I’ll respect whatever boundaries you need, on your timeline.”

He hesitated, feeling like he needed to be honest. “Full disclosure. I’m not sure if I can be in a long-term relationship. I’ve had a few here and there, but they were mostly short-term. I,” he stalled out, then took a deep breath. “My dad wasn’t a great role model, and I worry that I will carry on his legacy.”

Baylee frowned and shook her head. “I don’t see it, Landon. You’re too much of a care giver.”

He wasn’t sure about that. “Well, please know, if we take things slowly and you’re open to it, I’d very much like to pursue something more with you when you’re ready. You’re the first woman I’ve ever said that to. You deserve to feel valued and safe.”

Baylee’s lip trembled slightly as she studied his sincere expression. She gave a small nod. “It means everything that you’ll be patient. Thank you, Landon.”

The two sat in silence for a moment, a profound understanding and acceptance passing between them. Landon made no promises, no demands - only the quiet offer of his care and support, however Baylee needed it.

But he couldn’t help but ask, “Are they dead?”

Baylee barked out a laugh, and her expression took on an edge. “Yes, they are. All three. I killed them myself.”

The breath he took then was lighter, easier, and one side of his mouth tipped up in a grin. He held his fist out to her, and she bumped his knuckles, her mouth spreading.

“Hell, yeah,” he breathed.

Landon knew he was getting in too deep, treading dangerous waters by letting his feelings for this woman grow past professional regard. But looking at her now, metaphorically bruised and battered from her ordeals yet still radiating an inner strength, he knew there was no going back.

Baylee took a quivering breath. She hated telling people what had happened to her, but she understood that sometimes, the other person was working against demons that they didn’t know about. She’d learned a long time ago that if she told people what had happened to her, they understood her better.

Her boss at work knew. A few friends. And Mrs. Traeger knew, just in case she had a medical emergency. Baylee could count on one hand how many people she’d told, and it wasn’t very many. It wasn’t the type of thing that came up in normal conversation.

She’d told three men in her lifetime. One, Chase, had been cool, but the other two had looked at her differently after she’d told them, and the vibe in their relationship had changed. Baylee had withdrawn from them, and they hadn’t protested.

It was a little shocking, this situation they were in. She’d gotten used to men being out for themselves, always. Why was he so different?

And now Landon knew. God, had she only known the man, like, three days? That was a new speed record for baring her soul.

Something about Landon, though, drew her. Yes, he appealed to her on a physical level, but there was something in his eyes that told her he was on her side. Yes, he had to be here for his job right this second. That wasn’t what she meant.

There was an intensity in his expression when he looked at her, like everything she said was important to him. And he never made her feel like she was just a scarred woman. It was like he didn’t even care about her scars. The way he looked at her made her toes curl. And the way he kissed her…

He confounded her.

Reaching out, she rested a hand on his cheek. “Thanks for saying that, Landon.”

“I mean it,” he said, covering her hand with his own and turning his head to press a kiss to the center of her palm.

Baylee drew back her hand. It was tingling from the warmth of his mouth.

His phone beeped on the end table, and, with a final squeeze of her hand, he stood up from her to cross to it.

Baylee was glad that she’d told him about being raped. If anybody could understand why she was the way she was, surely it would be a cop. And she appreciated what he’d told her about his fears.

The professional facade had broken, though, and he’d looked supremely pissed when she’d told him about the attack. At first, she’d thought it was at her, then she’d realized he was mad for her. Not at her. And it made her own emotion swell. He looked like he would go to war for her, and she appreciated it more than she could say.

And it didn’t seem to have turned him off.

She would give him some time and see if anything changed between them. And when it did, she would make the break and move on.

Make the break. They weren’t even anything yet, and she was already thinking about leaving. She’d been on this merry-go-round before, though.

Shaking her head, she took a deep breath. Siggy looked up at her, his crossed eyes making her smile. “You understand me, don’t you buddy,” she whispered.

Landon turned, scowling, and Baylee knew it wasn’t good news.

“Well, they lost the car on the freeway.”

Baylee huffed out a breath. Damn. She’d been hoping that they would catch at least one of the brothers that were after her. It could never be that easy…

“Okay.” She left it at that. Weariness settled onto her shoulders. “I need some sleep. I remade the bed upstairs. You take that and I’ll take the couch.”

Landon gave her a dark look. “You’re joking, right? There’s no way I’m taking the only bed. I’ll sleep right here in the recliner. I need to be downstairs. If they break in, it will be down here.”

Baylee didn’t like it, but she understood his reasoning. “Okay. If you need anything, just yell. I’ll probably hear you. I’m a light sleeper.”

Landon flicked a hand. “I may slip upstairs for a shower in a bit, but everything else I need is down here. Sleep good, Baylee,” he said softly.

She gave him a slight smile as she walked past him, the cat in her arms. “You too, Landon.”

For a second, she had the urge to pause as she passed him, as if for a kiss. Then she moved on, grabbing her backpack as she headed up the stairs.

“Baylee,” he said.

She paused, looking back at him.

He gave her a wink. “Keep that gun beside you.”

She snorted and nodded, continuing up the stairs.

Siggy settled into the bed like he owned it, and she took her toiletries into the bathroom to freshen up. She brushed her teeth and stared at herself in the mirror. Usually, she forgot about her scars until she looked in the mirror and tried to put makeup on, or one of the kids’ parents looked at her weird. Ninety-nine percent of them had the manners to move on, but every once in a while, there was a stinker.

She didn’t mind when the kids asked what happened. They were genuinely curious, and sometimes her history gave them a common ground to connect on. She would tell them she got injured in the war, and that was usually enough, and then they would compare scars. They accepted her for her sense of fun and her kindness, not her outward appearance.

Baylee went through her nightly ritual and turned for the uncomfortable bed. She slid into the sheets and groaned, her mind still racing with everything that had happened that day. She’d been in a freaking car chase! Looking back, though, she’d been confident in Landon’t ability to get them out of it. He hadn’t hesitated, and he’d driven more competently than she ever could have.

In that respect, she was thankful that she was here with him, under his protection. Under Austin PD’s protection.

Turning on her side, she drew Siggy close. “You had more excitement today than you’ve had in a long time, too, huh, old man?”

He snuffled at her and let her pull him into the curve of her body. She could tell he needed the closeness, too, tonight.

Hopefully, something would change tomorrow.