The Survivor - Cristin Harber Page 0,25
propped Doris in several spots. She fell over every time.
“You ready?” Parker called.
“Absolutely.” He gave Doris a pitying glance, then followed Parker into the tower. He didn’t want to think about the mystery woman anytime he used the stairwells, but damn if she didn’t pop to mind. Hagan wanted to hurry Parker. One more flight and they could access the elevators. He might never take the stairs again.
Parker reached for the access door as it swung open. “Shit.”
There she was. The dark-haired beauty who hung out in stairwells and megamart aisles. Her eyes went wide when they met Hagan’s, and a line of fire traveled down his sternum like she’d set off a tripwire in his chest.
Parker pulled her from the door and kept himself as a separating barrier, lifting his arms to block Hagan. “Give me a second.”
The message was clear. Go away. Hagan didn’t budge.
Parker glared over his shoulder. “I need a minute. Privately.”
“Yeah, I don’t think so.”
Hagan sidestepped Parker. “Third time’s the charm?”
A dawning realization of something hit Parker. He faltered, and his face snapped back to the woman.
She didn’t smile, but that wasn’t exactly a frown, either. “That’s what they say.”
Parker edged into the conversation like an unwelcome third wheel. “You okay?”
“She’s fine,” Hagan answered. Piss and vinegar threatened to flow through his veins if Parker continued to guard this woman like Hagan was a threat. “Think I’ll take a rain check on that beer.”
“You don’t understand,” Parker said, still running interference.
Hagan cocked his head and pointedly caught her eye. “No shit.”
A curse caught under Parker’s breath. “This is above—”
“My pay grade.” Hagan laughed. “Yeah, I’ve been told.”
The woman’s demeanor softened. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for staying, but we won’t be long.”
Tension ticked in Parker’s jaw. With a lift of his chin, he backed away, pausing only to warn Hagan, “Careful.”
Frustration mounted just the same as it had during Hagan’s conversation with Boss Man. “Always.”
Parker packed another warning into a lethal glare, then took his sweet time to depart. Hagan and the woman remained quiet well after the heavy door swung closed. He wanted to press her about the way Jared and Parker had warned him. Hagan wanted an answer on why men he trusted didn’t want to leave her alone. He didn’t think she’d give him a straight answer.
Hagan decided to toss her a softball. “How are the new earbuds?”
“They’re distracting,” she admitted, like they had an inside joke, then gestured to their surroundings. “Is this your favorite hangout?”
“We took the elevator most of the way. Work project.”
“The drone?”
He nodded, apprehensive. “How do you know that?”
“Several newly installed LIDAR cameras were damaged.” She frowned but raised a curious eyebrow. “I don’t suppose you know anything about that?”
“I’ll never tell.” He laughed. “What do you know about those cameras?”
The frown melted away. “I’ll never tell.”
“Forget the cameras. Tell me what you know about LIDAR.”
She grinned. “Everything.”
“Is that so?” Peeling her layers away was the most fun he’d had in a long time. Forget that she was a knockout looker. He nearly tripped over himself when she offered clues about herself that he didn’t expect. “I’ll give you a hand to fix what we broke, and you can teach me a thing or two—” His cell phone buzzed with a message. He drew a tight breath at the timing, certain he didn’t want to read the text, but duty called. “That’s work. I have to—”
“I understand.”
How much, he wondered. Hagan checked his phone. A text from Parker had been marked with high importance. Hagan grated his molars and opened the message. It had one single word. Careful.
There was nothing to do but laugh and shake his head.
“Not work?” she asked.
He held up his phone so that she could see the screen. “Jared and Parker do not like that I enjoy talking to you.”
A light blush colored her cheeks. “They’re protective.”
“That’s one way to put it,” he mumbled.
She lifted her shoulders.
“Whatever this is about,” he shook his phone, “you need to know that you’re safe with me.” He put his phone away and stepped closer. “And I want you to tell me if you don’t feel that way.” They were close enough to touch. His hands craved her curves again. “Do you read me?”
Her hesitation was difficult to read. Nothing about her showed fear. But that wasn’t enough. “I promise.” Hagan brushed his fingers against her chin and waited until she tipped her head back and met his gaze. “You’re safe with me.”
She dropped her gaze and