Page 4 of Holding Out For A Holiday Hero

“I could swear someone has been in my house. Things have been moved around in my den and bedroom. I can feel someone watching me. I-I don’t think I’m safe in my own home.” Tears gleamed in her eyes.

He whipped back and dropped her hands, as if he’d been burned.

Jake had never understood how to handle a woman’s tears. Truth be told, a woman’s tears horrified him. He took two quick steps away from her.

She blinked quickly and only a single teardrop slid down her cheek. True immediately wiped it away. “The cops said…they were just accidents. Accidents happen. That I was jumping to conclusions.”

“And what about your house?” Jake sawed a hand over his jaw again.

One shoulder rolled in a shrug. “They didn’t come look at my house. I was told they are short staffed and only come out for real crimes.” She peered directly into his eyes. “This is real. I know it. Someone is trying to hurt me.”

The hell someone would hurt her. Not on my watch. Except, he wasn’t on watch. But?—

“That’s why I want to hire you.” She gave a determined nod. Her hair slid over her shoulders. “You can find him.”

“Uh…” There seemed to be some confusion. “I hunt criminals after they’ve been arrested. Typically, that would be when they are trying to jump bail and escape town.” And he tracked them down with absolute determination.

She rose. Edged closer to him.

He stiffened.

She was just inches away from him. Touchably close.

“Everyone talks about you in this town,” True admitted.

People needed to mind their own business.

“They say that you came home with a fistful of medals.”

He’d also come home with plenty of bullet wounds and a few scars from knife attacks. Did people talk about his injuries as much as they talked about his medals? Probably not.

“You fought and you served your country, and then you opened this business. And since opening it, you have a one-hundred-percent success rate.”

He did. Not that he was one to brag, but no one got away from him. As far as opening the business, he’d technically taken over from a friend who’d retired down to the sandy beaches of Florida.

“You’re a hunter. You can hunt him. You can help me find out who is so determined to hurt me.” Intensity vibrated in every word True spoke.

“You aren’t going to be hurt.” Gruff.

Hope lit her eyes. “You’ll help me with my case then? You’ll really take the job?”

He wasn’t even sure what the job was. What he was sure of…True Blakely was staring at him like he was some kind of freaking hero. Growing up, no one had looked at him that way. Despite everything that had happened in the years since he’d left high school, Jake still didn’t think he was a hero. He was a bastard who knew how to fight dirty and rough.

But…

What the hell? Why not try something new?

It was the holiday season, after all. And he could do this one nice act. Not like it would kill him. And, despite the two perps he’d hunted and tossed back to the cops that day, business was always a little slow before Christmas. Even criminals tried to get off the naughty list occasionally. “I’ll look into things for you.”

She threw her body against his. “Thank you!” Her breasts crushed to his chest. Her scent wrapped around him. The lush awesomeness that was True pressed against him as she gripped him tightly. “Thank you, thank you! I will pay any price!” True spoke quickly. “I will do anything you want.”

Oh, sweets. Do not make promises that I will get you to keep.

“I’ve been so scared. No one would believe me.” She drew back and beamed up at him. “But you do. You believe me.”

He wasn’t sure what he believed. “I’ll investigate and see what I turn up.” Maybe the incidents were just accidents. Maybe she was overly nervous. He’d figure out the truth. And he’d also get some up close and personal time with True along the way.

Yeah, that would be why I’m always on the naughty list.

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