Page 30 of Two Steps Ahead

“Move, Eeley.” If anything, Weston’s voice was a little softer, in complete juxtaposition of his body language.

Kayleigh had no doubt Jasper hated to be told to stand down, but he moved to the side. He shot them both a dirty look before going to stand beside Leo.

Once Jasper was out of the way, Weston wrapped one of his hands gently around her upper arm, the other slid into her hair at the back of her neck. He took in every scrape and bruise.

“I got mugged.”

His eyes narrowed. “This close to the kidnapping attempt? Are you sure it was a mugging?”

She shrugged, leaning her head to the side so it rested more fully in his hand. She didn’t care that her father or Jasper were watching. It felt so right to lean into Weston’s strength.

“It was only one person and he wasn’t trying to get me out of the alley. He took my camera.”

Weston nodded. “That does sound less like a second kidnapping attempt. Where were you?”

“I was coming to see you. To apologize.” She locked eyes with him. “I cut through an alley and got knocked to the ground.”

“Looks like you took a couple of hits.”

Conceding, she shook her head gingerly. “But it could’ve been much worse.”

Before he could say anything further, Gwendolyn burst into the hall. “Kayleigh, look at you. Come in the kitchen and sit down. Let’s get you some ice.”

Weston led her into the kitchen, standing by her side as Gwendolyn tutted over her and rested an ice pack against her cheek. Leo and Jasper followed them in.

“Did you get a look at your assailant?” Weston asked.

“Not really. Everything was blurry, but I think he had a black hoodie on? I don’t know for sure.”

“That’s all right. The important thing is that you’re safe,” Gwendolyn said, patting Kayleigh’s hand. “I’ll bring you something soothing to drink.”

“This is about the merger,” Leo said. She was surprised he’d been quiet for this long. “This is why I said you need protection, Kayleigh.”

Here we go again.

“Like I said, Dad, it wasn’t a great plan if it was a kidnapping,” she argued. “I think it was bad luck.”

Leo opened his mouth to speak but Weston beat him to it. “I agree with Kayleigh, Leo. If they were after her specifically, it would’ve been more than a punch and some minor scrapes. And it would’ve been more than one person in that alley with her.”

Leo frowned. “You may be right, but she needs—”

Kayleigh stopped him before he could go back into her need for a permanent security detail. “I’m okay, Dad. More angry that someone stole my camera than anything else.”

Leo walked over and put his hand on her shoulder gently. She patted his hand. “We’ll get you a new camera.”

She made more than enough money to replace her own camera, especially since it was covered by a robust insurance policy. That reminded her of something they’d insisted on.

“Actually, we may not need to. My insurance company insisted I get a tracker placed on the camera in case I lost it on assignment. We might be able to get it back and find the guy who took it.”

“Can you access the tracker on your computer?” Weston asked. “With crimes like this, time is important.”

“Yes, I just need a laptop.”

Leo tipped his head at Jasper, and the other man left to get one. Gwendolyn reappeared with the tea and Kayleigh sipped it gratefully. She was still exhausted and in desperate need of that shower, but the tea helped a little.

Having Weston here helped most of all.

Jasper returned and handed the laptop to Kayleigh, who quickly typed in the website she needed. Logging into her account, she smiled when she found the tracker still active.

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