Chapter 3

CHAPTER

THREE

This could be Heidi's chance to get away from Stephen. The person on the other side of the door could be the key to her safety—and an answer to prayer.

Part of her wanted to trust Stephen. She'd been fascinated with the man for years now.

But also afraid.

Not because he'd ever done anything to make her feel fearful toward him. But because she knew what he was capable of. She'd seen his intimidating stance and thick muscles. They were enough to frighten anybody.

But his eyes . . . they'd told a different story. They were compassionate and wise.

He was unlike most of Rafferty's guys, and for that reason, she'd always been drawn to him.

A moment later, just as Stephen had predicted, a knock sounded at the door.

Heidi ran a hand through her hair, down her black oversized cardigan, and then across her blue jeans. Then she drew in a deep breath and stepped closer.

The closet was right behind the front door. If Stephen really were the ogre she feared he might be, he could easily jump out and stop her from doing anything he considered foolish. But she had a feeling he wanted to stay below the radar.

"Heidi?" a deep voice called.

Right away, she knew who was here. But the realization didn't bring her any comfort.

"Open up," the man outside called. "I know you're in there."

She took one more glance at the closet door and contemplated her actions.

Then, with a certain sense of resignation, she pulled open her front door.

Beau Glasser stood outside, lightning flashing behind him.

Another Blackstone team member.

Stephen's former colleague.

The man was imposing but in a different way than Stephen.

Some of the guys seemed like mostly muscle. Smart, yes. But they simply did what they were told and never asked questions. Never checked their conscience.

Beau was one of those guys . . .

He was tall and strong with hair so short he almost looked bald. His jaw was always flexing as if he constantly gritted his teeth, and his hands were usually fisted. He reminded her of a living, breathing, ticking time bomb.

"Beau . . . what are you doing here?" she asked.

Heidi had said the man's name aloud for Stephen's benefit—although he'd probably recognized the voice.

"Rafferty told me to check on you," Beau stated, his voice gruff and cold.

"I'm fine." She rubbed a hand over her chest. "Why would he be concerned?"

"Someone might be targeting Blackstone. We need to make sure all our team members are secure."

Her throat burned as the seriousness of the situation hit her. "I appreciate the concern, but I'm fine."

"You only think you're fine."

She rubbed her arms. "Now you're scaring me. Obviously, there's more to this story than you're telling me. Is someone specifically threatening me?"

"Not really. We just need to be careful. I'm going to station myself outside your house tonight just to make sure you're safe. Rafferty's orders."

"Okay then. That seems like overkill, but if you insist." Heidi could only assume Stephen would figure out a way to get out of her house without being seen. He'd gotten inside that way.

Did Beau suspect Stephen was here? Was that what all this was about?

When Beau stepped back, relief tried to flood her. But before Heidi allowed the emotion to wash over her, Beau's eyes drifted behind her.

She tensed. He'd seen the groceries on the floor, hadn't he?

Now his suspicions were raised.

Heidi would have to think of something. Fast.

"What happened there?" Stephen heard his former colleague mutter.

He'd recognized Beau's voice right away.

The man wasn't Stephen's favorite person. He was too mindless. Too reactive. Didn't have enough of a conscience.

For some reason, Beau had shown up here at Heidi's. Had Rafferty sent him knowing that Stephen was here?

He couldn't be sure.

"What happened to your groceries?" Beau clarified.

"Oh, those?" Heidi let out a nervous laugh. "That's nothing. I was too lazy to turn on my light when I walked in. Thought I knew this place like the back of my hand. Then I missed the countertop."

"I saw you walk inside ten minutes ago. I'm surprised you haven't cleaned that up yet."

Stephen's heart beat harder. He'd hoped Beau had overlooked the timing, but Stephen should have known better. The man had been trained to be observant.

What would Heidi say?

"Well, if you must know, part of the reason I dropped the groceries is because I was in a rush to go to the bathroom. Female issues, and trust me, you don't want to know details. Anyway, I'd just come out of the bathroom and was about to clean up the mess when you knocked on the door. I didn't realize I would be interrogated about it, or I would've picked everything up right away."

Stephen's eyebrows rose. He was impressed. Heidi had done a good job coming up with that story on the fly.

He'd always known she was smart. Rafferty had pulled her away from a job as an administrator at a Fortune 500 company and got her to come work for him. Stephen could only imagine the job offer had to be pretty enticing for her to say yes.

His throat clenched. He knew there was actually more to the story than that.

Heidi had taken the job out of necessity after her mom was in a terrible car accident that left her a quadriplegic and unable to care for herself. Heidi had taken care of her for four years until her mom passed away last year.

Stephen had done his research and had been surprised at the details he'd found out about Heidi's life.

Those details made him want to know more.

"I need to check out your place," Beau said. "Just to be safe."

"That won't be necessary?—"

Stephen knew Beau would check out her townhouse despite Heidi's objections. What would Stephen do when Beau reached the closet?

His heart pounded as he thought of the implications.

Footsteps sounded. Beau had walked away, avoiding the closet—for now.

"I didn't invite you in," Heidi murmured. "This feels intrusive."

"Not my problem," Beau told her.

Thunder cracked outside.

As they moved farther away, Stephen could no longer make out what they were saying. Had Heidi and Beau gone upstairs? If so, this could be Stephen's chance to get out of here.

But he would have to move quickly or this could turn ugly.

Very ugly.