A Marshal's Courage (A Rescue Series Novella Book 1) Read online

  Something was off, he didn't look right. He was not wearing a white button up or a blue polo shirt like I was told my team would always wear. I was bad with remembering faces sometimes, and as many people as were in and out, I would freak out every shift change. Daniel had come up with the shirt idea, as a way to help me cope. The cover story - in case it was needed - was that the men were in town for a business meeting. I was kept out of sight and anytime we moved - which we did often so Jonathan wouldn’t find me - it was done in the cover of darkness. Either the butt crack of dawn, or by the witching hour. Either way, it blew monkey balls.

  I gave the man before me another look. Business or golfer - he was neither.

  He grabbed a hold of me again and I tried to fight harder at the realization that he was not one of the good guys. He couldn't be. Where was Daniel? I struggled, kicking, hitting. Again, it was no use. He snatched me from the car with a hard yank and I moved like he was a mastiff pulling a little rag doll. I fell to the ground - my knees hitting the bumpy asphalt hard just before I toppled over. My arm burned as the asphalt bit into it where my sweatshirt had been pushed up.

  I blinked back tears, and a scream when I came face to face with a man. Why would he be face to face with me when I was the one on the ground? It took mere seconds for it to register that the man on the ground was one of my guards. He was not moving, or making any sounds. There was blood running from an unseen wound. Was he alive? I went to reach for him but was scared of what I'd find.

  Where was Daniel? I scrambled up to my knees, then to my feet, gasping for breath. I needed to get away from him, but how? I held my arm against me as a throbbing pain shot up the muscles towards my elbow. The man grabbed my hair and I was helpless to stop him. I screamed and fought to twist free of his grip.

  When I jerked again he let go with a shove and I stumbled forward. There was a tree next to the sidewalk. I couldn't stop my forward momentum. I hit the tree with my shoulder and rolled to my side, coughing and gasping for breath. A scream once again ripped from my throat when I set eyes on the two men slumped on the ground behind it. They were dead, no way to not be with the gaping wounds that covered where their throats once were. How could this be happening?

  I was getting my senses back when I heard shouts and the man before me pointed the knife in his hand at me. “Until next time.” With those words he was running across the parking lot. I was dizzy but I managed to get to my knees. A sharp pain shot through me, and with the black spots creeping in on me I fell back over. I felt a warm hand go to my neck, and another to my wrist before blackness engulfed me.

  My eyes once again opened but I didn't recognize where I was. There was a white ceiling, beeping and a yellowish tinge to the room. I swallowed and tried to sit up. As the memories of what happened returned the beeping became louder. My hands went over my ears and I started to scream. Where was I? Had he come back for me?

  A pair of strong arms wrapped around me and I sobbed when I heard his voice. I croaked out his name as he assured me I was alright. The room filled with nurses, and two of the men from my group of guards, who were also very close to Daniel. I met both Franklin and Thomas’s gaze then looked away.

  “I’m-” I swallowed again and tried to get my words to form. “I'm so-sorry.”

  “None of this is your fault, darlin’,” I looked up to meet Franklin’s gaze.

  “He’s right, Elayna, none of this is your fault,” Thomas said. His face showed his sorrow. I buried my face in my hands and leaned into Daniel.

  “As soon as they release you, we’re going on a little trip.” I looked up to meet his gaze. “You remember our backup plan?” he asked. I nodded. “Well then, the four of us are leaving soon.”

  “We’ll be in the hall if you need us,” Franklin said before I heard the door shut behind them. Daniel’s lips met mine for a gentle kiss before he pulled back. My stomach filled with fluttering butterflies as I leaned into him more. For a first kiss, that was just what I needed. With nothing more said he laid me back onto the pillow and let the doctor and nurse look me over. Witness Protection was not how I saw my life going but if Daniel was going with me, I’d be okay.

  3

  Layna

  Two weeks later we were in a small town in South Carolina. This trip was my first time away from home. Though, I hated it was for this reason that I got to travel. It was so different here. Talk about a culture shock, but it was a beautiful town. McClellanville was tiny and I liked it. I liked the peaceful quiet.

  It took us a week, five full days of travel to get here. I was all but in tears by the time the all clear was called. Plains, trains and automobiles… seriously. I didn't know whether I was coming, going or if I'd already been and had forgotten what was going on. It was a safety thing, but Jesus, I saw half the United States from a tiny window and had no way or time to enjoy it. That sucked monkey balls.

  I was starting to get used to waking up in new places but waking up here, in a room that reminded me of Daniel, seemed to be the best place to wake up. I had to squash the feelings growing between us. They'd only lead to more trouble for both of us. Sighing, I scrubbed my hands over my face and moved from the bed towards the bathroom. I needed a shower and to stop thinking of that kiss last night. Each time he stole a kiss, my heart melted for him more. What was I doing? Right, shower. Daniel and the guys were going to show me around and I was going to meet some of his - Daniel’s - family today. So far, I’d only met his parents - who were so nice to me. I'd even been driven around town to scope the layout out.

  There were streams, we were not that far from a beach or ten from what Franklin said and best of all, this was Daniel’s home. Which in a way was weird because he had no accent. His parents did, and it totally threw me off at first. But then again, Franklin and Thomas didn’t really have one either. Franklin said the Military stole it from them. That had made me laugh. When I questioned why here was so safe, I’d been informed that no one in the bureau - other than Franklin and Thomas - knew he was originally from here. From what he’d told me he’d been recruited to the US Marshals after his last deployment. He’d been living in California at the time. He didn't say why and I wasn't going to ask. Not yet.

  Pulling my night shirt off I sighed and stretched. My back arched as a shiver ran up my spine. I turned the water on and once it was warm I stepped into the shower, making sure the curtain was closed. I leaned forward and let the water ripple down my skin, the sensation of it making me push myself off the tile covered wall and run my hands along my body. My mind wandered and I wondered what it would feel like to have Daniel’s large, calloused hands running along my soft skin.

  A rush of desire ran through me as my breathing picked up. God, I had to stop thinking about him like that. Over the last couple of months his constant appearance in my life had turned it upside down. I was growing feelings for him I was sure he didn't want to return. He had a job to do.

  With a frustrated grunt I grabbed the cloth hanging on the small nail in the shower and added a dab of the body wash I saw. It smelled like Daniel. Oh yes, this would do. I looked at the label on the tube - Curve for Men. I loved this smell. I nodded before I ran my hands along my skin, skimming a light covering of tickling bubbles covered my skin.

  I was almost done covering my body with the delicious lather when the shower curtain opened.

  “Oh God. I'm sorry... Oh God!”

  I jerked and yelped when I saw the young man standing before me. I tried to cover myself, but failed. All I managed to do was slip on the rag I dropped and bust my butt. A scream of pain left my lips before I could bite it back. I hit the tub hard. The bathroom door flew open and there was Daniel in only a pair of low slung sweatpants.

  “Layna! Christopher, get out. What are you doing?!”

  “I… oh God,” the kid who hadn't looked away from me said. Just kill me now. I covered my face only to snap my hands back in place to cover my chest.

  “Get out!” Daniel’s voice echoed in the small s
pace and I pulled the curtain over to help cover all of my lady bits.

  “What's going on? Is she okay?” I heard Helen, Daniel’s mom ask.

  “Ma, she's fine. Christopher was standing here gawking at her when I came in.”

  “Move, everyone out. I'll help her up and make sure she's okay.” His mom - as little as she was - pushed them all out the door and shut it before turning to me. “Oh dear, come on, let's get you up. Did you hit your head?”

  “N-no,” I stammered.

  I tried to shake off the panic attack that was coming. My hands gripped hers and with little effort I was up on my feet again. She tsked and I looked down. I had a bruise already forming on my hip.

  “It's gonna hurt some, but you should be fine, dear. Anything else hurt?” she asked. I shook my head. “Okay, well, you get rinsed off and dressed. Breakfast is almost ready.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I said, trying my best to give her a smile.

  She left me to myself and I quickly rinsed off and got out. I dried myself completely and moved back to my room. When I was dressed I toweled off my hair some more and just let the loose curls fall as they may. I'd tie it all up later, maybe.

  I made my way downstairs and stopped outside the kitchen when I heard Daniel’s voice. He was spitting mad. I could hear him clearly as he argued with someone in the kitchen.

  “I didn't mean to barge in on her!”

  I peeked around the corner and watched as Daniel faced off with the man from upstairs.

  “You need to learn to knock. Dammit, Chris, she could have been hurt because you were too stupid to pay attention that the damn shower was already on!” Daniel snapped. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and tried to calm my racing heart. This was my fault.

  “Daniel Eugene Wallace, you watch you mouth and mind your manners. Your brother didn't mean to scare her. Both of you sit down and hush it up,” Helen said sternly as she pointed a wooden spoon at them both.

  I smiled. Dang it, I couldn't help myself. I shook my head and moved quietly into the kitchen, only to stop again when Christopher spoke.

  “You like her. That's why you're acting like a jerk. I'll be damned.”

  “Christopher!” Helen said as she whacked his shoulder with the spoon. I watched as he cringed. Daniel met his brother’s eyes.

  “I do. She's very special… she just doesn't know it.” His words made me gasp. His head whipped around and suddenly all eyes were on me. I swallowed hard and took a step back. I hit something solid and froze.

  “Breakfast smells good, Helen,” Franklin said as he moved me back into the kitchen. “Come on, they don't bite.”

  “I- I don't mean to eavesdrop.”

  “Sure you did, we were watchin’ ya,” Thomas said as he came in. I scowled at them both and crossed my arms over my chest. Okay, so I had meant to, but I didn't want them to know that.

  “I'm- I'm sorry I freaked out ear-”

  “It's not your fault,” Daniel said. I gave him a hard glance.

  “I should have locked the door. No hard feelings, okay. I'm fine. We can all get a good laugh at it and call it a day.”

  I moved past them all and out to the big table where Helen pointed to a chair. I said good morning to Eugene - Daniel and Christopher’s father.

  “Mornin’. Did you sleep well?” He asked with a smile.

  “I did, thank you.”

  I watched as everyone came in and took a seat. Daniel sat on one side of me while Franklin took the other. We could move on now and have a good day… I hoped.

  4

  Layna

  You know some people may find it unnerving to walk around a new town with three grown men always within eye shot of you. Oh no, not me. In the weeks that we’ve been in South Carolina all three of my escorts have let their hair down, so to speak. Their clean shaven faces vary from a deep five o’clock shadow to a full on, sexy as all get out beard. The fur on his face makes Daniel look sexier than ever. I catch myself just staring at him - a lot. Add in the fact that he is wearing shirts that show off all of his delicious tattoos. I never thought I was a tattoo girl, but hello, oh yes, I happen to be a tattoo girl.

  Seriously. He’s sexy as hell. Ugh, my hormones are making my brain live in a fantasy world of taking his face in my hands and kissing the stew out of him, but I can't. This is work, not play time. He's here with me to keep me safe. That's all. Even if he has feelings, like he'd said to his brother a few days ago - he's not acted on them other than the stolen kisses. So, neither should I.

  We walked down the sidewalk, I browsed into the small shops - through the windows, of course. I didn't have much money on me. I'd had a wad of cash in my safe at the house and I took it along with what I could put into two duffel bags when this all started. I wasn't ready to blow any of it yet. Not on frivolous things, even if the bobbles and trinkets caught my eye. I liked shiny things.

  We came to an intersection and the guys stopped. I watched the crowd of people coming towards us as the little orange person flashed on the crosswalk sign. As my anxiety started to take over a warm hand slid into mine. I gave it a squeeze and kept my head up. I could do this. No one here knew me or what I was running from. The panic clawing at my insides would not get free. I wouldn’t let it.

  My cover story for being here was that I was an old friend of the boys from college. Never mind the obvious age gap; you couldn't always go by looks. I was here to visit while the boys were on vacation. Yeah… if only this was a real vacation.

  “Where are we going?” I asked as Daniel tugged me along beside him. His hand still gripped mine and I was thankful for that. The warmth of his touch eased something inside me.

  “The Old Saw Mill,” Franklin chimed in from right behind me. I glanced back and spotted Thomas was now beside him. My brow rose as I flicked a quick glance to them all in turn.

  “Okaaaay….”

  “It's not like we're gonna take you some place and try to kill you-” Thomas trailed off and cursed himself. I couldn’t hold it in. I laughed. Hard. A full on, gut busting laugh. The look on his face when I caught sight of him again did me in. I laughed harder. I pulled from Daniel’s grip and moved to hug him.

  “I needed that. Thank you,” I said stepping back. Daniel again took my hand and pulled me along with him. Possessive much? I think I liked this side of him.. Maybe a little too much.

  “I wasn't tryin’ to be funny,” Thomas said.

  “I know, that's what made it funny. It was the perfect line from an old horror movie. Like, don't go down any dark alleys, don’t run into basements, don't run upstairs,” I said with a shrug.

  “You're a weirdo,” Thomas said, chuckling.

  “Maybe,” I agreed.

  “Here we are,” Daniel said, a big grin on his face. I turned to see what he was grinning at and my jaw hit the ground. The building before us was huge. There was a sign out front that read “Granger Saw Mill EST. 1807”. I just gawked. Full on staring like I'd never seen a building before. Holy crackers and cheese. It was a beautiful old building.

  “I think we’ve stunned her boys,” Franklin said with a chuckle. I shook my head and looked up at Daniel. His chocolate colored eyes made everything else disappear. He grinned.

  “Ready to go in? The restaurant should be open now. I'm starving,” he said, a brow raised at me.

  “Yes, I'm hungry and I want to see the inside,” I said, almost bouncing on my toes as I tugged slightly at his grip.

  The men laughed and I stuck my tongue out at them before moving across the parking lot. My eyes took in every board, every piece of history before me. I ran my fingers along the knobby logs holding up the porch area. Every blemish of the wood added to the character of the building. I'd never seen anything quite like it. Daniel gave my hand a tug and I followed them inside.

  My eyes once again were drawn to the plaques, old black and white pictures of men felling trees, old boats in the waterways, men walking along the trees as they sway and bobbed in the water. Talk abou
t taking a walk back in time. I pulled from Daniel’s grip as I moved to read the plates under each of the pictures. I’d swear I was in a museum and not a bar and grill, as the sign outside read.

  “She okay?” I heard Thomas ask.

  “Yeah, she's just taking in her surroundings,” Daniel had said. I could feel his eyes on me. My skin tingled as I smiled to myself.

  I took a few more steps away from them as I looked at the picture above me. The man wore a beaming smile as he stood, both feet on logs, with a long stick in his hand. I knew it was used to push the downed trees in the water.

  “Come on, Elayna.” I startled at Franklin’s voice coming from right behind me. I took a deep breath and turned to him. “Sorry, darlin’, didn't mean to scare ya.”

  “My fault. I was shall we say, distracted?” I said, grinning despite the jolt of fear that had run through me a second ago.

  I moved past him and saw that Daniel was talking to a woman by the front counter. She was tall, beautiful, young and all smiles. I bit my bottom lip and looked away. It didn't matter if he talked to other women. I crossed my arms over myself as another young woman grabbed menus and asked us to follow her.

  We followed her back to a large u shaped booth. I slid in and moved towards a corner. I pushed my sandals off with my toes and pulled my feet up under me. Once comfortable I took the offered menu and went wide eyed at the amount of options they had. Holy crap. I licked my lips and grinned up at the waitress.

  “What can I get ya to drink, Sug?”

  “Um, a lemonade and a glass of water, please.”

  “And you fella’s, what’ll it be?” I didn't miss the grin she gave them both. Thomas of course ate the attention up. Franklin just grinned back at her. I giggled to myself and hid behind my menu as I inspected the food choices. It all looked so good.