Page 50 of Ice Cold Christmas
“Am I going to do a DNA test, too?” Melody asked.
“Not with me, you’re not.” Hunter’s quick reply. “But I’m sure Victor can snap his fingers and get that done for you. Pretty much when Victor says jump, I’m realizing everyone rushes to do his bidding. He and Declan are a hell of a lot alike in that regard. Most folks seem scared as hell of them, and fear tends to be one powerful motivator.”
Declan Flynn was a tech billionaire. He was also known as one of the most dangerous and secretive individuals in the world. Describing Declan as Hunter’s boss, though, that was not exactly true. Sure, Hunter did still provide security work for the tech mogul, but from what Victor had uncovered, the two men were best friends, closer to brothers than anything else. Hunter carried all of Declan’s dark secrets. In return, the story went that, once upon a time, Declan had saved Hunter’s life.
“Why are people afraid of Victor?” Melody asked.
“Because he’s a tough, unforgiving sonofabitch.” An instant response from Hunter. “Traits I always look for in new friends.” He packed up his scanner. “All done. I’ll get back with you both as soon as I have the results, but I figure the way Victor is dead set on keeping you close, we can assume those results will come back as a positive match.”
“She’s my Melody.” Did the possessive my slide out? Yes, it did. Because she might not be wearing his ring any longer, but she was his.
Hunter grunted. “Figured that was the way of it. I contacted Memphis and let him know about the development with the abandoned pickup truck. Do I need to take care of guards for her or are you already on top of things?”
“Already have guards scheduled to start tomorrow. They’ll be her shadow whenever she isn’t by my side.”
Melody’s mouth dropped open, only to hurriedly shut. “By your side? Look, it’s not as if I’m going to move into your house.”
Wasn’t she?
“You’re going to help me, and I appreciate your help. The help that you are both giving me,” she hurried to say as her gaze swept over to Hunter, then back to Victor. “But I’m not expecting you to upend your life for me.”
What did she think his life had been like for the last year? Upended didn’t even come close to describing things.
But her lush lips firmed. “I’m not going to wreck your life.”
Cute. Again, his life had been utterly wrecked when she left.
How can I get her to marry me? Preferably within the next twenty-four hours. Because when he called her his Melody, he’d love the legal ties to prove that point.
Except, yeah, getting her to marry him was like a pipe dream right now.
Then again, becoming a billionaire had been a pipe dream for a poor kid who’d grown up in an Alabama trailer park. A kid who’d lost his dad to a factory accident at six and then been dumped by his mom on an extended relative less than six months later. He’d grown up on hand-me-downs and hand-outs. But he’d worked his ass off, made deals with more than a few devils over the years, and he’d clawed his way to the ownership of Mage Industries.
He didn’t give up on his dreams.
Not ever.
No matter what he had to do in order to achieve those dreams.
“And, uh, can someone please tell me just who is Memphis? And why did we update him about the pickup truck?”
Victor and Hunter shared a long look. It was Victor who responded. “You know I’m working with the Ice Breakers.”
“Yes.” She motioned toward Hunter. “Got that.”
“Memphis Camden is an integral part of the team,” Hunter explained. “Guy has been training me pretty much from day one. Former bounty hunter, tough as nails bastard. Never gives up. Freaking pit bull. The only thing he loves more than danger is his wife and family. You should see the guy with his baby girl. Talk about obsessed.” A faint laugh. One that slowly faded. “Memphis is doing the back-end work on this case. While he’s pulling strings behind the scenes, I’m front and center on field work. You are not alone, Melody.”
A soft sigh escaped her. Relief? Baby, I will never let you be alone again.
“The team is fully engaged on your case. We’re gonna find answers for you.”
Regarding those answers—they could take time. While they found the truth, he couldn’t allow her to be unprotected. He’d lose the last bit of his mind if that was the case. “The person who took you hasn’t been caught, Melody.” Was his voice level? Victor figured it mostly was. A little rough around the edges, but, then again, he was rough around the edges. Always would be. “And considering you were shot at so very recently, do you seriously want to stay alone, or would you prefer to stay in my house with state-of-the-art security and with extra guards who will keep an eye on you so that you can stay safe and protected?” Victor crossed his arms over his chest and waited for her reply.
“Okay, right.” Melody cleared her throat. “When you put it that way…I’ll go with the state-of-the-art security option, thanks very much.”
He’d thought so.
“But I’m not sleeping with you,” she added in a quick rush.
