Chapter 21

Aaron was frowning when he came inside a few minutes later, handing her back the key to her apartment. "What's wrong?" she asked, noticing the tension on his face.

"I've got a shadow."

"What? What do you mean?"

"I noticed a guy hanging around your apartment complex parking lot earlier when I first arrived. I didn't think much of it, because I don't know anyone here but you. I figured he was waiting for someone."

"And he's still here now?"

Aaron nodded. "He was down in your parking lot, watching me as I went to my truck. Same guy I saw an hour ago. When I walked back into your building, he started to follow me. I snapped a photo of him with my cell, and the dude took off. I don't recognize him but need to call my commanding officer."

"Of course," she said, feeling worried as Aaron walked into her living room, his big body pacing back and forth as he spoke in a low voice on his phone. His entire body seemed to be on edge, and she nervously waited in the kitchen, taking another sip of her wine. Was it just some random guy who'd decided to follow Aaron? He wasn't exactly an easy target if the guy was looking to rob someone. But why was Aaron being watched?

"What'd your commander say?" she asked a few minutes later as Aaron came back into the kitchen.

Aaron huffed out a breath, eyeing her. "He's sending the photo to base security to see if they recognize him. Sometimes we do get crazies hanging around the front gates. They're unhappy with the military or whatnot. They don't like U.S. involvement in various worldwide incidents. I mean, I doubt the guy's simply trying to rob me, but if he's lurking around because he followed me from base, we need to know."

"Can I see his photo?" she asked.

"Of course. I should've asked if you'd seen him hanging around here before, but he seemed to be following me. Depending on who he is, maybe it'd be safer to leave tonight. He knows what my truck looks like, and I haven't even brought you to my place yet."

"Oh, sorry," she said, suddenly feeling guilty. "You're always having to drive over here."

"Don't be sorry," he assured her. "If I come over, I know you're home safe when I leave. If you came to my place, I'd just have to follow you home."

"That's silly."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Overprotective," she explained.

"Maybe, maybe not. I don't leave your safety to chance. Even if you weren't being followed like I may have been tonight, you're a beautiful woman. And while yes, I think you're strong and capable and independent, if a criminal wanted to target you, he'd think twice with me around."

"You're not wrong, but what about when you deploy? You can't be with me every second, Aaron," she said gently.

He looked frustrated for a moment, knowing she was right. "That doesn't mean I won't see to your safety when I am here."

"It's okay," she soothed, running her hands up his corded forearms. They were rock solid, just like the rest of him, but his skin was warm. Tempting. Emersyn had the sudden urge to kiss him everywhere. Explore his big frame and the interesting dips and ridges across his abdomen.

Tonight. They'd have time for all that later on tonight.

Aaron swiped the screen of his phone, unlocking it again, and showed her the photo of the man who'd been following him. Emersyn froze, her eyes widening in surprise.

"What's wrong?" he asked urgently.

"I recognize him."

"You do?" The shock was evident in his voice.

Emersyn swallowed, trying to find her words. "I'm going to need to call my boss, too," she said weakly. "That's the second-in-command under Antonio Lopez. That man is the new head of the Sinaloa Cartel here in Oahu."