Page 18 of Locked Down

She nodded slightly but he could tell the message wasn’t getting through just yet.

“Invicta?”Her uncle’s bellow reached them.

Ryker grimaced. She didn’t need his shit now. She needed a stiff shot of whiskey, a hot shower, and a warm bed. He had the sudden realization that he wanted to be in that warm bed with her.Not good.

She took a sip of her tea and then slid off the stool and headed back to the office. Ryker followed her into the room and Davis looked up from the desk at their appearance.“There you are. What did you tell the police? What did they say?”

“I—I told them what happened. They said they thought it was probably meant for you. They said someone would be in touch with you about it.”

“They just finished questioning me a few minutes ago. Along with the FBI.”

Davis looked beyond her to meet Ryker’s gaze. As much as Ryker hated it, he had a job to do.“We’re answering all their questions and Lazlo is supplying them with the file on any death threats, etc., that you’ve received. I’ve been in contact with them. I will continue to coordinate with both groups.”

The pleased smile on Davis’s face as he leaned back in his chair made the hair on Ryker’s arms stand at attention.

Davis all but crowed,“Glad the FBI has been called in. I’m sure they will find whoever did this quickly, but maybe not too quickly. I need to spin this for a bit, and get some traction. Ryker, I want to speak to the Special Agent In Charge of the FBI’s investigation.”He stopped.“Scratch that. Joyce, get me the Assistant Director of the FBI, Bruno Liotta. I met him at a function not too long ago. He’ll take my call.”

Davis’s phone rang and he immediately got on another call, forgetting all about Vic.

Ryker caught her gaze and tipped his head towards the foyer. She walked out of the office, and he was right behind her.“Do you want to go home?”

“Please.”

“Okay, I’ll have Rush take you.”

Her eyes darted all over the foyer and her breathing ticked up.

“Rush is the man who brought you here,”he quickly reminded her.

Vic bit her lip.“I know. C-could you take me?”

She was too freaked out to have someone else take her home.“Sure.”It wasn’t ideal. By rights, as Davis's chief of security, he needed to stay with the senator, but Vic needed someone she knew at least slightly to be with her for a bit. If her uncle wasn’t such a vicious prick, it would be much better, but he was ultimately Ryker’s responsibility.“Give me a minute.”

He found Rush outside.“I’m going to drive Vic home. She’s still in shock.”

Rush cocked an eyebrow.“Shouldn’t you be here right now? I can take her home.”

“She started to panic when I suggested that. I’ll get her in and get her settled. I doubt Davis will even notice I’m gone. Could you follow me and keep an eye on her place all night? I don’t think she was the intended victim and whoever it was won’t strike again tonight but I want her to feel secure and I want to be prepared for anything.”

“You got it. No problem.”

“Thanks, brother. I owe you.”

Ryker went back inside and collected Vic. He took one of the SUVs his people brought, and Rush got in a black Suburban behind him. Vic was silent the entire drive to her place. Ryker escorted her upstairs to her apartment and unlocked the door for her. He went in and conducted a quick search. The place was empty. Vic came in and flopped down on the sofa, putting her head in her hands.

“Do you have any whiskey?”

“Cabinet under the sink.”

He went to the kitchen, searched around, and grabbed a tumbler. After pouring her a healthy dose, he made his way back to the living room.“Here. Take a sip.”

She did as she was told but as a small shudder rippled through her, she set the glass on her coffee table.“I’m not a big fan. I bought it for an ex-boyfriend.”

Boyfriend. Even the idea of an ex-boyfriend was an unsettling thought. He pushed it out of his head.“You’ve been through a traumatic event.”

“You think?”she snapped.

He cocked an eyebrow and waited.

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