Page 8 of Guarded Hearts

“What did the package look like? Did Faye see who delivered it?”

“She told the police that she saw the package leaning against the porch post but nobody was around.”

He swung back to the window. Looking at her hurt. Treating her this way felt like cutting off his own limbs. Why was he doing it?

“Is that a Malone boy I see?”

He turned to see the older housekeeper in the doorway, more gray in her hair than when he’d seen her twenty years ago, but he’d know her face anywhere.

“Faye.” In long strides, he moved forward.

“Carson! My land, you got big.” She reached for his hands, and he enveloped her in a hug.

He heard the small intake of breath from behind them as Layne reacted to the difference in how he treated her versus her housekeeper.

He couldn’t see any way around the emotions trying to stab him in the chest but to act professional. For a former SEAL, that meant acting cold. Impersonal. Unbothered by her presence.

He had to show Layne that it hadn’t hurt him when she abandoned him. He was a survivor and needed no one. Most of the people in his life had let him down. He’d learned that only his siblings or his brothers-in-arms had his six.

Faye was thinner, tougher, like a small bird hardened by service. But she still wore the same big smile that brightened her blue eyes.

“I can’t believe I’m setting eyes on the likes of you, Carson. My, you’ve grown so handsome.”

From the corner of his eye, he saw Layne jolt in reaction. Then she bustled forward and planted herself next to him, hands on her hips. “Is there another agent who can take this case?”

“If you’ll excuse us, Faye. I’d love to catch up with you later.”

She offered him that warm smile again and left them alone.

He ignored Layne’s question and fired one back at her. “I need to know all the places you’ve lived the past twenty years. Make a list. I also need a list of people who might have a vendetta against you. Disgruntled employees…pissed-off ex-boyfriends.”

Her eyes sparked. “Just you.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Were we even really together? I thought we were more of a fling.”

“Why even call it a fling?” she shot back. “It was easy enough to walk away from.”

They glared at each other. His jaw popped from clenching it so hard, but he didn’t look away from the woman. He’d be damned if he let her see that her jab hit its mark like a programmed missile.

They’d always been good at getting each other—now they were good at getting under each other’s skin.

Her chin was the same, a small point she raised in defiance. “Is there no one else in Black Heart Security who could work with me? I’m in need of protection, and that means working together closely until the matter is resolved.”

The brisk way she spoke was new, probably honed after years of running her father’s antique and fine art dealership in New York City, as well as traveling the world. Hell, she could have picked up a stalker anywhere.

He took a step toward her, enjoying the glimmer of worry in her eyes. To her credit, she didn’t try to escape and stood her ground.

She was the same height as before. Had the same kissable lips.

His stare locked on them. “Of course there is another person who could work with you. Butthis…is…mine.”

* * * * *

A shiver started at Layne’s nape and rolled all the way down her spine. Her stomach clenched in reaction to Carson’s words.

It didn’t sound as though he was talking about the case.

That was silly. Of course he was talking about the case. She was nothing to him, and never had been, according to this new, harder Carson.

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