Freaky by Nature Page 7

  Brett cleared his throat and the clink of armor echoed in her brain. Holly bit her bottom lip as she brought his face back into focus. His head moved maybe a millimeter from one side and then to the other. She froze, fearful of her next thought. No? Did he feel her intrusion? Holly quickly dismissed the possibility as impossible, confident he couldn’t hide that particular skill. Besides, the tell-tale color escaped him. Not a strip of yellow in sight.

  “Holly,” he prompted, “have you been inside?”

  She concentrated harder on his color. Nothing. Holly wanted to kick him. She knew the extent of his anger. Where was the gray? She inhaled and tried again. Come on, give me something.

  He reached to squeeze her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  Holly nodded. “I’m fine. I saw all I needed to from out here. I waited on you.”

  Screaming sirens echoed in the quiet afternoon as Max shoved the door all the way open and stepped inside. “Hell.”

  Holly peeked around the brick wall of Max’s body and her heart pounded. The living room looked like a war zone. Books, separated from their spines, and paper shredded into confetti littered the carpet. Stuffing from the sofa cushions resembled snowflakes on the end tables. The sofa rested upside down on both arms, the upholstery split from one end to the other. Someone had gone through the room with a fine-tooth comb and she knew exactly why.

  Brett turned to her with flames in his eyes. “The formula’s here, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, but no one found it.”

  Too late, she realized her admission. Strike two. Soon she would have to tell him.

  Brett’s eyebrows came down in suspicion. “You know without looking?”

  Holly glanced around the room at the strewn papers and overturned furniture, buying time to find a reasonable answer to his question. There was really no need to panic. She was one hundred percent sure the formula was safe, a fact that didn’t have to be proven with her talent. “They didn’t look anywhere close.”

  Interrupted by the arrival of the police, Brett was forced to stop questioning her. Max led the first two detectives to arrive into the house. Brett grabbed Holly’s hand and pulled her inside behind him.

  Holly watched detectives coat the contents of the house with powder and snap pictures of the vandalism until she saw polka dots.

  “Damn.” Brett ran a hand across the top of his wavy, mussed hair. “Diet pills are a dime a dozen. Why is someone so desperate for this one?”

  She cleared her throat and braced herself for another round of interrogation. “There’s something I didn’t mention.”

  Both Max and Brett folded their arms across their massive chests and planted themselves in the carpet, obviously expecting her to elaborate. Holly blew her bangs off her forehead. Another explanation. Why must she always explain herself?

  She glanced at the two mountains of male and then at the front door. A low growl left Brett’s throat. So much for avoiding the question.

  “The PermaSlim contains an additive no one expects to find in a diet pill.”

  Of course, Brett was the first to press the issue. “What’s in it?”

  “A sexual stimulant.” She shrugged in an attempt to make him think it was unimportant. “Apparently, it enhances libido and stamina.”

  “What made him decide to add a stimulant?”

  Although she fully expected his interrogation, Holly released a short huff, irritated he wouldn’t just stop at her explanation. “Albert was a regular lab rat. He ate the wrong things at odd hours and never exercised. Needless to say, he ended up overweight. Which put a damper on his ability to … perform.”

  She squeezed her fingers into her fists and waited for Brett’s snappy retort. Instead, the corners of his mouth lifted only slightly before he spoke. “Why didn’t he use that information to market the pill?”

  “Because it would be illegal.”

  Max frowned, clearly unconvinced. “What?”

  “Really.” Holly bobbed her head for emphasis. “Albert failed to publish studies to prove or disprove the effectiveness.”

  Brett lifted his chin. “Did it work?”

  She raised an eyebrow. There was the question she waited for. Besides, the orange-tinted ring of arousal he sported gave him away. “I don’t know firsthand, but my guess is that it does the trick or sales wouldn’t have skyrocketed.”

  “Who tracks the sales records?”

  “Evan takes care of that for me.”

  Holly watched a smudge of green nudge the orange to the side before he frowned. “Evan?”

  She nodded, somewhat comforted by his jealousy. “Evan Bannister, Albert’s attorney. Since Albert’s death, he’s helped me with my business contracts.”

  “Is he a member of your gym?”

  “Yes, why?”

  Brett glanced at Max, who gave a slight nod. “When is the last time your cameras at the gym were inspected?”

  Holly tilted her head to one side, subconsciously trying to avoid being swallowed by the swirl of bold color around the two men. “I have no idea. Brett, why are you hounding me about all this?”

  “Your cameras haven’t recorded anything in three months, Holly.”

  “Yes, they have. I gave you the tapes.”

  “No, they haven’t. Every single tape shows exactly the same thing. The front desk. Over and over.”

  Holly forced her eyes from his, determined not to let him see her fear. A detective signaled from across the room and Max slipped away from the conversation.

  Holly swayed and squeezed Brett’s hand to steady herself. He guided her into the nearest chair, squatted, and pushed her head between her legs.

  “Deep breaths.”

  Needles of pleasure tickled her nerve endings as he stroked the back of her neck with his fingertips and calmed her panic with his touch.

  “This is getting scary,” she mumbled.

  “Sterling is going to install a new system here today.”

  She nodded between her legs.

  Brett cupped her chin and raised her head. “Look, Holly, it’s time to take this seriously. Someone wants your attention and they’re willing to do anything to get it.”

  “Who?” she asked meekly.

  He rubbed the pad of his thumb across the top of her cheek.

  “I don’t know, but I promise, I’ll find out.”

  She placed her palm against his hand to absorb his strength. Flowing ribbons of blue and silver left his aura and invaded hers. “I know you will.”

  “In the meantime, I should move in.”

  A sudden flicker of panic crossed her spine as she regarded him silently and tried to ignore the taunting in her head.

  You know you can’t keep your hands off him.

  As much as she tried to deny it, the magnetic pull between them proved too powerful. No matter how hard she tried to distance herself from him, the whole universe worked against her and her traitor of a conscious picked this exact moment to be the voice of reason. With Brett close, she would be safe from whoever was determined to destroy her. Hiring a bodyguard of his caliber was a smart move. Not only was he a trained military machine, something in his manner soothed her.

  Finally, she swallowed hard and nodded her consent.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Holly gave a mental sigh of relief when a multitude of colors rocketed from Brett’s body. Streaks of orange, red, gray, blue, and green swirled and blended until every one of his emotions was present and accounted for. As the colors seeped from his aura and blended with hers, realization blinded her. After her struggle to avoid him, Brett possessed the courage she needed to confront her gut-wrenching fear. She had no choice but to trust him.

  Calm, collected vibes oozed from him and wrapped her like a warm blanket. Holly couldn’t remember the last time she felt so … loved. Oh, God.

  As a blood-red ring circled him and warmth pulsed from his hand into hers, Holly gave up her fight and made a decision. One kiss. Lightly, just over his upper lip, only to chase
away her fear. Almost as if he felt her surrender, Brett slid his hands around her waist and lowered his head.

  “Brett,” she murmured as he moved closer.

  “Tell me no, Holly,” he whispered against her mouth.

  “I don’t want to.” She pressed her lips against his and made her intent perfectly clear.

  Holly rested both palms against the corded muscles of his chest and relaxed into his kiss as he wrapped his bulky arms around her and molded her curves to the hard contours of his body. His mouth moved over hers in a gentle assault, opening to allow his tongue to trace her lips before slipping it inside her mouth to caress her tongue in a heated massage. A contented sigh penetrated her lips as all good sense escaped her and her heart swelled with a feeling she had thought long since dead. Suddenly, his kiss was not enough; her body ached for his touch.

  Timidly, she attempted to enter his mind, seeking reassurance. Yet, the solid barriers of his brain mocked her, laughed hysterically at her gall, and caused her to hurtle back to reality. This feels too right. She eased away from his warmth with her heart hammering in her ears.

  “This is not a good idea.” She took several deep breaths to slow her frantic heartbeat.

  “Probably not.” An easy smile played at the corners of his mouth as he stood. “Besides, I can’t protect you if you always distract me.”

  She found it impossible not to return his disarming smile, relieved to see the ruby ring that accented his features fade to dusky salmon. Aroused, but not dangerously so.

  Overwhelmed by the punch of Brett’s emotion, Holly didn’t even notice Max return until Brett kissed the top of her head and stood.

  Like a chaperone at a teenage dance, Max attempted to plant himself between the two of them. “Obviously, everything’s okay over here.”

  Brett ignored Max’s attempt at intervention and leaned one hip against her chair. Heat continued to radiate from his body and she fought the urge to plaster herself to him.

  Holly’s cheeks heated and she nodded.

  Brett gestured at the detectives with a jerk of his head. “They find anything?”

  Max folded his arms across his chest. “No. Anybody else we should talk to?”

  Brett turned his gaze back to Holly. “What about Albert’s kids?”

  She shrugged. “I haven’t spoken to either of them since his death. I told you, they weren’t happy with the terms of the will.”

  “Which would give either one of them a reason for revenge.”

  “Maybe.”

  Brett raised one eyebrow. “David was with Albert when the boat exploded.”

  She shook her head, not surprised by his knowledge. “He was on shore, at the marina store. The clerk provided his alibi.”

  Brett pushed himself off the chair. “Where is the formula, Holly?”

  She stood, walked into the kitchen, and threw open the freezer door. After she dug for several seconds, she handed him a small, white bag.

  His forehead wrinkled. “Peas?”

  She smiled. “The formula is sealed inside the bag.”

  Brett handed the bag to Max. “I think it needs to be relocated.”

  Max smirked. “I’ll take care of it. I’ll send Cameron to help with the mess.”

  “Don’t bother, Max,” Holly said. “It won’t take long and she needs to rest.”

  Max gave a lazy grin. “You want to tell her that?”

  Holly bit back a smile. “No. On second thought, send her over.”

  ***

  Max turned on one heel and headed out the door and across the yard to his and Cameron’s neighboring house. Hell. Once he told his very dramatic, very pregnant wife about this, she’d plow him over getting to Holly. Maybe he could distract her with a nap.

  Cameron threw open the front door as soon as he stepped onto the porch and reached for the doorknob. “Well? What happened?”

  He snickered and tossed the bag of peas at her. So much for that nap. “Put these in the freezer.”

  Cameron’s eyebrows met in the middle of her forehead as she caught the frozen package. “You hate peas.”

  He gave her a mischievous grin. “Those are special peas.”

  She responded with a trademark eye roll. “Okay, Agent X, tell me about the peas or I’ll cook them and make you eat them.”

  Max took the bag from her, walked to the kitchen, and buried it in the freezer under the ice cubes. Walking back into the living room, he lifted her into his arms and then placed her gently onto the sofa beside him. She smiled when he reached to rub her stomach.

  “Did you know Holly was married at one time?”

  She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. “What does that have to do with the peas?”

  “Did you know?”

  Cameron’s blonde curls tickled the bottom of his chin as she shook her head. “No, she never mentioned it to me.”

  “Her husband was some sort of genius. He developed a diet supplement.”

  “Which one?”

  “PermaSlim. Apparently, it’s in high demand.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s laced with a sexual stimulant.”

  Cameron waved one finger in the air, an act he knew from experience meant she was losing patience with him. “Peas, Max.”

  “He was killed in a boating accident. The death was later ruled a homicide but no one was ever charged. He left the formula for the PermaSlim to Holly. It’s inside that bag of peas.”

  Cameron’s baby blue eyes sparkled when she lifted her head. “You really are James Bond.”

  “Wanna be a Bond girl?”

  “Sounds like fun. What do I have to do?”

  “Keep quiet about the peas.”

  She tilted her head to one side and squinted. “That’s all?”

  “Oh, and keep James happy.” He kissed her to stifle a smart ass response. He paused a full second when he lifted his lips from hers, almost tempted not to tell her the rest of the story. Except, the second he gazed back into her eyes, he knew better. She’d blast him from here to Kingdom Come. He reached to tuck a wayward curl behind her ear. “Holly’s house is trashed.”

  Cameron didn’t so much as blink. “How badly?”

  “Looks like a tornado blew through there. Even the cushions are shredded.”

  He watched silently as she spun into recon, unwrapped herself from his hold, and pushed off the couch, belly first. “Disaster control is my specialty.” She pointed to the bookshelf over the fireplace. “Can you hand me those sample books?”

  Max stood and reached for the books, dangling them just out of her reach. Although he couldn’t prevent her from going, he could place stipulations. “Don’t overdo.”

  Another eye roll answered him.

  He placed the books in her arms and planted another kiss on her forehead. “Promise, and without rolling your eyes.”

  She gave a small moan in surrender. “Yes, Cpt. Sterling.”

  Cameron stepped to the front door then looked back over her shoulder. “Are you coming?”

  “I’ve got to get a team over there to wire her house. Steele is in charge.” Max pulled off his boots, stretched out on the sofa, and dialed his cell phone. “Besides, he’s better at decorating.”

  ***

  Brett breathed a sigh of relief when Hurricane Cameron blew in the front door and took control of the mess. At least she could take Holly’s mind off her fear for a little while.

  “Hey Cameron.”

  “Hey Brett.”

  Papers skittered across the floor as she rushed toward Holly and squeezed her in a chokehold. Brett bit his lip. Wonder if Sterling taught her that move.

  “Oh, Holly,” she said as she looked around the room, “I’m so sorry.”

  Holly escaped Cameron’s grip, took the books, and nudged her to a bar stool. “Thanks, Cameron, but at least now I can re-decorate. Tell me where to start.”

  Cameron turned to look at the sofa. “Cushions.” She swiveled back around on the stool, opened one
of the books, and flipped a few pages until she paused and tapped a page with her fingernail. “How about this?”

  Brett listened to the two women chatter like magpies until he thought his ears would bleed. Why was upholstery so complicated? And who the hell cared how many shades of brown there were in the material? All that really mattered was that the cushions were square and not lumpy. He shook his head as Holly and Cameron launched a new analysis of curtains. Damn. This would take all night at the rate they were going. Lost in the desperation of being sucked into the madness, Brett failed to notice the silence that had fallen over the room until he glanced at the bar.

  Cameron nudged Holly’s elbow with her own then turned toward him. “What do you think, Brett?”

  He sat morbidly still, almost as if he were in a sniper’s sight. He’d zoned out minutes ago. What did he think about what? No way in hell would he ask. Just about the time he was ready to attempt an answer, his cell phone vibrated against his hip.

  He glanced down at the screen and then grinned at Cameron. “I think I need to take this call.”

  Holly’s soft giggle followed him as he walked out the front door and closed it behind him.

  “Hey, Claire,” he said into the phone.

  “Was that a female voice I heard?”

  Brett snickered. “Nah. You’re hearing things. I’ve tried to call you all week.”

  “Work, work, work.” A heavy sigh crossed the line. “You know what wacky hours I keep.”

  He couldn’t miss the fatigue in her voice. “You could still call. You sound tired.”

  “I am, a little.”

  “You can’t sleep without me, can you?”

  Claire’s laugh was somewhere between avoidance and humor. “I know there was a woman there when I called. Probably two.”

  His heartbeat ratcheted. Damn. “Nice try. Don’t change the subject. Can you get some time off? I’d love to see you.”