Page 5 of Unseen Danger

And he’d clearly just scared her to death.

Low-pitched rumbling pulled his gaze down to the rottweiler that stepped in front of the woman and stared at Branson, its lips curled in a menacing growl.

A spike of apprehension flared behind his ribs. The dog wouldn’t attack him, would it?

“Sorry.” He held up both hands in front of him, palms out. “I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” He slowly reached into his pants pocket and pulled out his ID, flitting his gaze between the dog and the woman. “I’m the head of D-Chop’s personal security detail.” He raised the ID toward her. “I just wanted to check on Kicker. I saw him catch fire on the security cameras.”

Her chest still rose and fell rapidly, and her eyes were full of fear.

His stomach twisted. His goal was to protect people, not scare them. He tried a smile. “My name is Branson Aaberg. Are you part of the K-9 unit hired to supplement the venue security?” If she was, it seemed peculiar she was so easily frightened. But maybe she’d been traumatized by the explosion and seeing a man on fire.

It was a terrifying sight. And she’d apparently had the courage to put out the fire that could’ve killed Kicker.

D-Chop’s hype man said something in a pain-tightened whisper that drew the woman’s attention.

She put a hand on her rottweiler as she knelt by Kicker again. Her touch seemed to have a calming effect, making the dog relax its lips and break the stare it had held on Branson.

“I wish I could do something more for you, but I don’t have any medical equipment with me. Just hang on. You’re going to be okay.” She threw Branson a glance over her shoulder, her eyes widening again as if she’d forgotten what he looked like.

He’d had a lot of encounters with women in the celebrity protection racket, and, if they chose to notice him at all, he seemed to have an effect on them. Usually a positive one. Sometimes too positive, and that created another kind of problem. But terrifying a woman with a simple introduction was a first.

Activity at the stage entrance drew his gaze from the peculiar woman. A team of two paramedics—or maybe EMTs—rushed across the stage toward them.

The woman in red moved quickly to her feet and backed away with her K-9, giving the professionals room to treat Kicker.

She shot Branson another apprehensive glance. Was she afraid he’d sneak up on her again? Maybe he made her nervous because of his size. At six feet five inches and with a muscular physique he worked hard to maintain, he was used to intimidating some people. It was an asset in the protection business.

But this slim woman was in perfect physical shape, as far as he could see, and just the right height. A man wouldn’t have to bend in half to—

“Nevaeh.” Another woman—a tall redhead in a green windbreaker—came from the other side of the stage with a harnessed dog on a leash.

Branson recognized the Belgian Malinois breed from his time serving in the Navy. The dog and its handler stopped by the woman whose name must be Nevaeh. That’s what Kicker had whispered to her, but Branson hadn’t recognized the word. A beautiful name that fit the stunning woman well.

“Excuse me. Did you see what happened?”

Branson turned toward the voice at his side.

A female paramedic looked up at him, questions in her eyes. He did his best to answer what had happened to Kicker, but after explaining for a couple minutes, his gaze drifted as if of its own accord to peer over his shoulder at Nevaeh.

She was gone. Along with the dogs and the redhead.

“Do you know if he has next of kin we should call?” The paramedic’s question demanded his attention and an answer.

He gave both on autopilot. His mind was completely preoccupied with the huge brown eyes, smooth-as-a-still-lake chestnut skin, and distracting pink lips of the vibrant woman who’d somehow left a gaping empty space in an arena that seated thousands.

Three

He was coming.

Footsteps echoed in her ears.

Nevaeh darted a glance over her shoulder.

The white wall of the women’s bathroom directly behind her back was still there. Just like when she’d checked three seconds ago.

No man lurking behind her shoulder. Ready to grab her and—

Stop it. Breathe. Focus on now.

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