Tough Luck (A-List Security 1)

“I’ll put in some work.”

“I’ll help,” Daniel added, which got a laugh from Harley.

I shot Harley a harsh look before he could tease Daniel further. “Thanks. You did real good with the lights today.”

“Yeah.” Daniel slumped down farther against the couch arm. “Not that it did much good. Couldn’t even get one more night at home out of it.”

“You’ll get to go home again,” I promised.

“Yup.” Harley’s tone was too hearty. He never had known what to do with people in a funk. “And until then, you get to camp out with Money.”

“Yeah, at least I won’t be alone.” Daniel exhaled hard enough to ruffle his thick hair.

Alone. We were going to be alone. With each other. And all those answers to questions I tried never to ask would be right there for the taking. Jostling my arm, Daniel snuggled more securely into the blanket I’d brought him. I was so fucking screwed, and we weren’t even to the alone part yet.

Chapter Ten

Danny

Cash and I were well and truly on our own, a fact that only hit me as we left the LA suburbs behind.

“It’s strange, but I haven’t been out of the LA area much. New York for media engagements a few times. San Francisco for a location shoot. My mom dragged me to this island once.” I was rambling, and I knew it. We’d waited until after the worst of the morning rush, which meant my restless energy had had plenty of time to gather while I’d been trapped in Duncan’s condo waiting for Cash and Harley to make their plans. “But that’s like it as far as travel. Is it weird that I’m kind of excited to see mountains?”

“It’s not weird.” Cash gave me an indulgent smile. “Better to have a positive attitude, honestly.”

“It’s that, or think about how you have an arsenal in the back.” I had decidedly not been consulted about the gear the two of them had loaded into the back of the beat-up Jeep Harley appeared to have conjured out of thin air. But I hadn’t missed the discussion of weaponry, Harley and Cash debating gun options the way I might dinner choices.

“I had a gun with me yesterday too.” Cash’s tone was probably more patient than I deserved.

“Oh.” I opened and shut my mouth. I hadn’t actually seen said gun, but it was possible someone more observant than I would have noticed Cash was packing.

“I have a concealed carry permit. Harley’s the better shot, but I put my time in at the range as well. I’m not going to take you to the backcountry alone when you’re already in danger without the ability to defend ourselves.”

“Ah.” I tried to sound like I frequently discussed weapons, but my voice still came out with a nervous edge.

“Would you be less freaked about it if I set up some pop cans at the cabin for target practice, show you how it works?”

“You’d let me touch your gun?” I squeaked, then realized what I’d said. “Wait. That sounded dirty. I meant—”

“I know what you meant.” Cash was laughing, which was good. Both of us had avoided any talk of my kissing offer. Maybe if we didn’t bring it up, we could get back to the easiness we’d enjoyed yesterday. “And yeah, I’d be happy to show you. We tend to fear things we don’t understand.”

“Uh-huh.” Too bad we were avoiding that kissing discussion because I would have loved to point out that Cash needed to take his own advice. Outside the car, the California desert stretched out on either side of the highway, barren and empty, especially after the miles of cluttered suburbs and small towns. Better to not piss off Cash. It would be a long walk to any sort of civilization if he ditched me.

“Also, it’s not a terrible idea for you to know how to defend yourself if something happens to me.”

“Nothing is happening to you!” I sat up straighter in the passenger seat. For the first time, I truly grasped that Cash was in danger too. Freaky pranks aside, the risk of harm was great enough that Cash wasn’t simply bringing a gun. He was preparing for battle. I’d spent years dreading kidnapping or worse, but the idea of someone else getting hurt on my behalf was more than I wanted to bear.

“Not if I can help it, that’s for damn sure.” Cash’s voice was reassuring, but I would have liked it even more had he promised to be okay no matter what.

“Good.” I’d had security personnel before, back when I’d been on the shows, babysitter bodyguards handpicked by my mom, but I’d never once worried about my watcher’s safety like this. My heart galloped every time I pictured Cash leaping into danger.

“We need gas. There’s a little town coming up before the junction with 395.” The Jeep was too old for GPS, but Cash apparently had an internal map along with the one on his phone. The barest shadow of mountains off in the distance made it feel even farther from my everyday LA life. Cash took the exit for a place that looked like something out of a movie set—single ancient gas station, ramshackle motel, a low building advertising antiques next to a diner, and a couple of well-worn houses. “You keep your disguise on and stay in the Jeep.”