Austin - Piper Stone Page 0,68

out. Remember?” I huffed, ignoring the pain in my shoulder.

“Such a big badass. Aren’t you?”

I tossed the rag into the kitchen sink, trying to figure out how to comfort her. All I could see in my mind was the twisted heap of metal, her car completely destroyed. The explosion and subsequent flames had seared several of the surrounding trees, the force tossing pieces of metal twenty yards away.

She started to pace the floor, unable to look me in the eyes.

I watched her for a few seconds as I leaned against the kitchen counter. Whoever had set the bomb had likely used a cell phone as a detonation device. I’d managed to catch enough of a look to know that whoever was responsible had some experience with setting bombs. By the amount of destruction, I surmised that the use of C4 was possible, although difficult to acquire unless the person had either military or underground connections.

That meant whoever had set the bomb wanted the senator dead, not just hurt.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “That was shitty of me. It’s just that you’ve obviously been through something like this dozens of times.”

“Try hundreds. That doesn’t make the situation any easier, especially when it happened to someone I care about.”

An exasperated sound slipped past her lips as she lifted her head, offering a slight smile. “You could have been killed.”

I walked closer, taking her into my arms. “The bomb wasn’t intended for me, Franny. You need to remember that.”

“Who could have wanted me dead?”

“You said you have a lot of enemies.”

“Yes, I do, but I didn’t think any of them had the balls to try something like that.” She pushed against me, breaking the connection, a strange look crossing her face.

“Did you get another threat?”

Franny closed her eyes briefly. “Just before I left the office. Another text.”

“Then why the hell didn’t you call the sheriff?”

“She was just in my office, but I don’t think she could have done anything.”

“What did it say?”

She wrung her hands before reaching for her wine, almost knocking over the glass.

“Whoa. Try and breathe,” I told her as I handed her the drink, positioning both her hands around the glass.

“You were warned. Now you die.”

Anger remained at the surface, my mind reeling. The explosion and subsequent fire had been too hot to examine the wreckage, but I’d been able to take a cursory look, finding and snagging a single component blown yards away before the firefighters had showed up. What the hell it was going to prove, I had no idea, but my gut told me the perpetrator wouldn’t stop until he’d finished his task.

“You’re going to listen to me, Francesca. You will pack a bag and you’re coming with me.”

“I can’t leave. This is my home and I have work and…” She sighed, unable to finish her sentence. “I’m not going to allow that freak to destroy me.”

“This isn’t about allowing the bastard to do anything. It’s about protecting your life. I’ll toss some shit into a paper sack if I have to and hogtie your hands if that’s necessary. And I assure you that I won’t be choosy about the clothes I select. What I will do is keep you alive.”

Her lower lip quivering, she took a sip of wine, struggling to place it on the counter. “That’s not fair, Vader. I can’t stop living my life because of this.”

I grabbed both her arms, pulling her closer. “Don’t you understand what just happened? If I hadn’t gotten damn lucky and looked under your car, you would be dead right now. Perhaps both of us. Some deity up there must be looking out for you, the bomb somehow interfering with the mechanics of your Mercedes. That’s the only reason you’re alive. I’m taking you somewhere where you’ll be safe.”

While I could tell I’d terrified her, I had to get through to her.

Her breathing ragged, she blinked several times, fighting her emotions. “And where the hell is that?”

“Hawk’s place. Between his ranch hands who stay on the property and the number of weapons we have between us, I assure you that the asshole won’t dare set foot on the place.”

She finally nodded. “Do you think the sheriff will take this seriously?”

“That’s her job and if she doesn’t, then I’ll go directly to the mayor. Now, get your things together. Have I made myself clear?”

“Okay. But just for a couple of days.” She backed away, her face ashen.

“For as long as it friggin’ takes to find this asshole.” After she scampered