Hot and Bothered (Some Like It Hot 3)

“Not at all,” he replied smoothly. “The lady and I just had a run-in. No harm done from what I can see.”

No harm physically, Natalie agreed, but internally she was still shaking from the encounter and so thrown off balance she wondered if she’d recover.

With a pleasant nod to her, he moved around Melodie and strode down the hallway and back into the dining area of the restaurant. Natalie felt so light-headed and weak she feared her legs would give out on her.

Melodie placed a comforting hand on her arm. “Good Lord, Natalie, you’re as pale as a ghost and you’re trembling. Do you know him?”

Possibly, in a past life. She still couldn’t make sense of his comment, so she didn’t bother sharing his remark. “I don’t know.”

Melodie eyed her critically. “You know what? I think you’ve had enough excitement for the day. Let’s get out of here. I’m taking you back to Cole’s and you can rest there until Noah comes to pick you up.”

Natalie followed Melodie out of the restaurant, too grateful for her insight to argue.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Noah’s day in Reno had been a long one, but very productive, and for that he couldn’t complain, despite the disturbing details of Natalie’s past he’d uncovered. After his flight had touched down in Oakland, he’d decided to swing by the office and update Cole on the information he’d discovered, and get his brother’s input on Natalie’s predicament.

Sitting in one of the chairs directly in front of Cole’s desk, Noah told him what he’d learned from Natalie’s ex-landlady, an older woman named Vivian who’d seemed genuinely fond of Natalie and concerned about her welfare. Once he’d shown proof of his identity as a private investigator and explained that Natalie’s life was possibly in jeopardy, the woman had offered him a wealth of valuable information that had been incredibly helpful.

Now Noah passed on the details of their meeting to Cole. “While Natalie was attending college at

the University of Nevada, Reno, she started dating a coed by the name of Chad Freeman,” he said, recanting what the older woman had shared with him, while at the same time trying not to let the rage he’d experienced during the conversation with Vivian resurface again. “According to what the woman witnessed, the relationship started out well enough, but gradually she saw a change in Chad, who became more domineering and possessive of Natalie.”

Cole rubbed a hand along his jaw as he considered that information for a moment. “Did the landlady see any signs of abuse?”

Noah shook his head, though his stomach constricted at just how badly she’d been mistreated. “No, not physically. Vivian felt as though the relationship was more mentally abusive. There were times when she heard Chad’s raised voice coming from Natalie’s apartment, criticizing her, putting her down.”

Despite Noah’s best efforts, a spark of anger ignited deep inside of him. “Apparently, things turned ugly when Natalie took on a job as a showgirl at a casino to make some extra money. Chad couldn’t handle it. They had an explosive argument in the hallway of the complex. He called her a whore for using her body to make money, and she finally broke off the relationship.”

“Good for her,” Cole said, his tone laced with disgust.

Noah’s lips flattened into a grim line. “Unfortunately, Chad didn’t appreciate being dumped and he stalked and threatened her for a few months, and finally attacked her one night after work.”

“Holy shit.” Cole sat up straighter in his seat. “Why didn’t she contact the police to slap Chad with a restraining order?”

“I’m betting she was afraid of infuriating Chad even more, and she feared what he’d do in retribution for her involving the police.” Noah also suspected it was a classic case of self-preservation that had prompted her to leave Reno. “I suppose it was easier for her to pack up and start over somewhere new than to stay and risk Chad attacking her again—which brings her here to Oakland.”

Opening the case file he’d made for Natalie, Noah shuffled through a few pages of notes and came to a photo of a blond-haired man with his arm slung over Natalie’s shoulder, his hold on her too tight and his smile too arrogant. A protective instinct flared hot and bright in Noah’s veins. He hated that the creep had ever tainted Natalie with his touch.

Shaking off the animosity seeping into his blood, he passed the picture across the desk for Cole to take a look at. “Vivian gave me this picture that was sent to her a few years ago as their Christmas card. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a good-enough look at the guy in the baseball cap who was following us last weekend to identify that man as the one in the picture. But at least this gives us an idea of who we might be looking for.”

Cole glanced from the photo to Noah. “You think it’s Chad Freeman who’s after her again?”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense after everything I learned today.” He rubbed a hand along the taut muscles in his neck and shoulder. “I also went to Freeman’s previous place of employment and found out from the manager that he quit and moved about three weeks ago.”

Cole’s dark brows rose in interest as he handed back the photo. “Do I dare ask to where?”

Noah tucked the picture into the file for safekeeping. “Not surprisingly he talked about moving to San Francisco, though the manager wasn’t sure if that’s where he ended up. But I’m fairly positive that’s exactly where Freeman is.”

Cole released a long, heavy breath. “So am I.”

The certainty in his brother’s tone caused Noah to frown. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“Yeah, I do,” he replied in his normal, straightforward manner. “Melodie called me after she and Natalie got home from shopping today. It seems there was a guy at the restaurant where they had lunch who was watching Natalie from another table, and he eventually cornered her alone where the restrooms were.”

The fiery heat of rage roiled through Noah’s blood, and it took a good deal of effort for him to keep it under control. “Did he hurt her?”

“No. She was just shaken up by the run-in. As soon as Mel arrived on the scene, the guy backed off, but Mel was pretty sure it wasn’t a chance meeting. She said he was just too cocky and sure of himself with Natalie.”