Silent Night Standoff Page 6

  He suspected she was thinking about where she might be if they’d stayed together.

  He heard a car pull up outside, and his hand automatically went for his gun.

  “Relax,” she said, looking out the window. “That’s Darcie’s car. The rest of the squad will be hot on her heels.”

  The acerbic paramedic climbed from a rugged SUV. Moments later, another SUV pulled into the driveway and headlights from yet another vehicle followed.

  As Skyler had said, her team was home, and that meant Logan no longer had a reason to remain at her side. He’d head back to his hotel.

  Alone. Him and his thoughts. Thoughts filled with wonder over the strength he’d once found to walk out on this woman who was as amazing as he’d remembered.

  SIX

  Skyler greeted her fellow team members in the entry. They were home. All safe and sound. Her constant support in the face of adversity. She blinked back tears of joy from seeing the people who mattered to her most and made sure to welcome them with a smile so they wouldn’t worry about her.

  “Okay, people.” Jake clapped his hands, all business as usual. “We meet in the family room in five minutes to discuss Skyler’s safety and formulate a plan to locate Marty before he acts on his threat. So get something to eat or drink, or take a quick break. Whatever you need, but then I want your full attention.”

  The team scattered, and Skyler prepared to escort Logan out the door.

  He approached Jake before she got to him. “I’d like to join in the meeting if you don’t mind.”

  Skyler wasn’t surprised Logan wanted to stay and talk about Marty, but she was surprised he actually asked instead of demanding to stay.

  “I mind.” Jake’s dark eyes fixed on Logan.

  Skyler had been on the end of such a look many times, and she didn’t envy Logan having to deal with her unmovable squad leader when he’d set his mind against something.

  Logan didn’t so much as bat an eyelash. “I get that you’re still miffed at my interference at the bank, but I’m only thinking of Skyler here. We’ll be more successful if we coordinate our efforts instead of repeating them.”

  “Coordinate? You planning on offering a protective detail for Skyler?” With Jake’s experience in requesting special resources with a tight budget, he likely knew Logan couldn’t afford to do so.

  Logan didn’t back down. “Trust me. I’d provide a detail in a heartbeat, but I don’t have justification at this point.”

  Jake crossed his arms over his team shirt, rumpled after a long day. “That’s what I thought.”

  Frustration flitted through Logan’s eyes, but it was so quick Jake likely missed it. Not Skyler. She saw it and everything else Logan was trying to hide.

  That was Logan through and through. Stay strong and tough. Never show emotion in public. Never let others see his weaknesses. His FBI father had drilled that into him from his early days. When Skyler was dating him, she’d had to work hard to get him to unwind and express his feelings.

  “Trust me, Marsh.” Logan planted his feet on the floor and his hands on his hips. “When I have grounds to provide a protective detail, I will. Until that time, we can work together in a less official capacity.”

  Jake turned to Skyler, his expression softening. “You want him to stay?”

  Yes. No. She didn’t know. She shrugged. “I’m not sure it matters what I want. Logan tends to do whatever he wants to do.”

  A flicker of pain lit his eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as the frustration.

  “I guess that means you can stay,” Jake said, but he sounded as if the idea bothered him. “I’m gonna grab a soda.”

  Skyler smiled her thanks at Jake for his protectiveness.

  Carrying drinks and a bag of chips, Cash and Archer stepped into the foyer. She expected them to go straight to the family room, but they must’ve picked up on the tension flowing between her and Logan and they stopped next to her.

  The two of them were like night and day. Cash was sturdy with rippling muscles, while Archer was long and lean, but no less powerful. If they weren’t in uniform, their difference would be even more pronounced. Cash often chose his worn Western boots and jeans reflecting his Texas upbringing, while Archer wore khakis and custom-fitted shirts—a holdover from growing up with wealthy parents in New York City.

  “You okay, squirt?” Archer asked, eyeing Logan.

  As the tallest on the squad, Archer always teased her for her five-six stature. The nickname “squirt” caught on and stuck. Everyone but Darcie used it.

  “I’m fine.” She tried to smile at him, but from the continued concern in his expression, she hadn’t been convincing.

  She expected him to fire off an opinion of her best course of action, but he carefully appraised her as Cash stood silently watching them both.

  “I’m not buying that you’re fine,” Archer finally said as he continued to peer at her closely. “But then you already know that. Still, after all you’ve been through today, I’ll cut you some slack.”

  As the other negotiator on the team, they should have a lot in common, but they didn’t. Her degree in psychology made her look deep into people for motives. He held an MBA from Harvard and considered facts and figures. Still, he had a passion for the underdog and thought all people mattered, not just the wealthy and powerful.

  “Fair warning, though.” He quirked a brow. “Tomorrow’s a different story.” He winked at her before heading into the family room.

  Cash snorted. “Never thought I’d see him back down.”

  “Guess almost getting killed paid off for once.” She tried to chuckle, but it came out flat.

  “Hey, squirt.” Cash’s voice softened, his Southern drawl as smooth as honey. “It’ll be okay. I promise.”

  “How can you promise that?”

  “I’m proof.” He mocked a model’s pose, making her grin for real. “How many times did I almost take a bullet in Afghanistan? I’m still going strong, and you, my friend—” he paused, lifting his hand as if planning to pat her shoulder but then decided against it “—are far tougher than I am.”

  She caught sight of Logan hovering in her peripheral vision, waiting to swoop in if she needed help. But Cash was family. Even as the newest squad member, he was there for Skyler when she needed him. Something Logan didn’t understand.

  “You’re a real softy. You know that, Cash?” she said.

  “Shh.” He lifted his finger to his mouth. “Don’t let anyone else hear you say that. It’ll wreck my cred.” Smiling, he left her honestly feeling better about her situation.

  Logan wasted no time, but stepped over to her. “Looks like your teammates are good friends.”

  She took in the group gathering in the other room and her heart swelled over her blessed life. “They’re my family.”

  “I don’t want to intrude.” The sadness in his tone brought her attention back to him. “I’ll leave if you want me to.”

  “It’s fine.” Her teammates’ tender concern had pushed away her strife for the time being, and she actually was okay with Logan staying. At least for now. “Take a seat in the family room. These meetings tend to go on for hours, so I’m going to put on a pot of coffee.”

  She didn’t wait for a response before heading to the kitchen. She settled the carafe under the refrigerator’s dispenser and listened to the gurgle of water. Without all the turmoil taking her focus, she noticed the throbbing pain threatening to split her skull. She rested her head against the cool stainless steel.

  “Your head bothering you?” Darcie asked, her tone low and relaxed. Raised in the Florida panhandle, she spoke with a Southern accent, but stress often deepened it like today.

  Translated, Darcie was worried about her. Something Skyler appreciated, so she wouldn’t blow off her concern with
a trite response. “The pain medicine they gave me at the E.R. is wearing off.”

  Nearly six feet tall, Darcie easily reached the top cupboard and withdrew a first aid kit. She poured two tablets into Skyler’s hands. “This’ll help with the external pain. Nothing I can do for the heartache I see in your eyes.”

  Skyler swallowed the acetaminophen without water.

  Darcie perched on a stool and crossed long legs that Skyler often envied. “Do you still have a thing for him?”

  A denial came to Skyler’s lips, but she stopped it. This was Darcie. Her best friend. Best friends helped each other when they were conflicted. “I’m still attracted to him if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Not surprising. He’s a good-looking man. It’d be odd if you didn’t find him attractive.”

  “You think he’s good-looking, huh?” Skyler winked.

  Darcie rolled her eyes. “A girl would have to be blind not to see that, but honestly the fact that he walked out on you the way he did makes him very unappealing to me. It was so selfish. He kind of reminds me of your parents.”

  Skyler knew he also reminded Darcie of her ex-husband, who had left her after their daughter died in a car accident four years ago, but she refused to talk about him. Ever, and now wouldn’t be an exception.

  She shook her head. “I’m surprised after the way your family hurt you that you even fell for someone like him.”

  Skyler’s response to Logan baffled her, too, but then the heart wasn’t always logical.

  “Why aren’t you saying anything?” Darcie eyed her. “Is it because you know I’m right and he’s the worst possible choice for you?”

  Skyler sighed. “Okay, I admit it. You’re right. He is a lot like my parents, but, in his defense, I know he doesn’t want to be that way. He just has this insatiable need to prove his worth to his father.”

  Darcie’s eyebrow quirked up in question. “So you’re saying once he does that, he’ll change?”

  She shrugged. “All I know is that when he’s not focused on the job, he’s a kind and considerate man.”

  “Kind and considerate doesn’t walk out on you.”

  “Ignore what he did to me for the moment. He was great with all the shelter families. I saw the genuine joy in his face when he helped them. You can’t fake that.”

  Or can you? A niggling of doubt wormed its way into her brain. It was bad enough that he’d chosen his job over her, but maybe he hadn’t ever been the man she’d once thought he was.

  “Either way, it’s you I’m worried about.” Darcie gently poked Skyler’s chest. “What’s happening in there? Are you letting this guy get to you again? Because if you are, I’m sure you’re in for a world of hurt.”

  That was the six-million-dollar question, and Skyler had no idea if she still had feelings for him. She hoped not, but how could she know? After Darcie’s comments, Skyler didn’t even know who the real Logan Hunter was inside. Didn’t matter, though, did it? She wouldn’t open her heart long enough to find out.

  SEVEN

  Skyler’s team hadn’t taken their eyes off Logan for the past hour, and he felt like a fish in a public aquarium. He was different than these people—even dressed differently and it took him back to his younger years. He swallowed down memories of his father. Memories that made him vow never to let other’s opinions of him matter again. To focus on concrete actions. Actions he and others around him could use to gauge his success. After all, wasn’t that what dear old dad wanted.

  So why did he want Skyler’s friends to like him? To realize that he’d never wanted to hurt her?

  He couldn’t accomplish that and shut them down at the same time. He hadn’t lied to Jake when he’d said he wanted to coordinate their efforts, but he wanted the team to focus on protecting Skyler, not on finding Marty. The only way he’d arrest Marty by the arbitrary deadline set by Inman was to control every step of this investigation.

  So despite this unexpected desire to be liked, he pushed off the fireplace mantel where he’d been resting his shoulder.

  “I appreciate all of your suggestions,” he said, trying to sound grateful for their efforts. “But I can’t have any of you interfering in my investigation. Every step will be carefully calculated and one false move could throw us off course.”

  Cash glared up at Logan from his seat in a leather club chair. “We’re all trained in investigative techniques. I assure you we’ll be discreet and won’t step on your toes, Suit.”

  “My name’s Logan. Or Agent Hunter if you prefer. Not Suit.” Logan returned Cash’s hard stare with one of his own. “Given enough time I suspect you would locate Marty, but you can’t mount an unsanctioned investigation, and I’m not opposed to arresting anyone who tries.”

  Cash came to his feet. Thrusting out his chest, he approached Logan. Logan pulled back his shoulders and prepared for a showdown that he fully intended to win.

  “C’mon, guys.” Skyler stepped between them. The top of her head barely came up to their chins, but Cash obviously knew not to mess with her as he backed away.

  “I know everyone wants to get Marty off the street.” She turned to the others. “But that’s Logan’s job and we have to respect that.”

  Logan flashed a grateful smile at her, but she didn’t acknowledge it. “If this was any other standoff and Marty hadn’t threatened me, you’d already have put it behind you. Sure, maybe you’d have a passing interest in the investigation, but you wouldn’t be trying to insert yourself in the middle of it. Let’s do the right thing here. Let Logan handle the robbery investigation.”

  “But Marty did threaten you, and you’re family,” Cash argued. “We don’t leave family members in danger, Skyler. Not without trying to stop it.”

  Logan didn’t fault him for that sentiment at all. “I’m fine with all of you taking steps to protect Skyler. In fact, I encourage a 24/7 detail to ensure her safety.”

  “Let’s not go overboard here, okay?” Skyler flashed him a frustrated look. “A round-the-clock detail isn’t necessary. Marty hasn’t tried anything. He simply spouted off and sent a message. Besides, I can take care of myself.”

  Right. Her independent streak. Something in her past made it hard for her to let anyone help her. She’d never explained it, but Logan knew standing on her own two feet was her go-to response.

  Jake stood, stretching to his full height. “Suit’s right. I’ll work on a schedule tonight to make sure one of us is with Skyler at all times, starting right now.”

  “No,” Skyler insisted. “We all have our regular jobs to do. If we change schedules before finding proper replacements, we’ll put the public at risk. I won’t let that happen. Especially when it’s not necessary.”

  “Regular jobs?” Logan asked.

  Skyler nodded. “The county can’t support a full-time strategic response unit. Other than Jake, we work in various departments and we’re on call for crisis incidents. Cash is on river patrol, Brady’s with search and rescue. Archer’s a community resource officer and Darcie’s a paramedic.”

  “And you?”

  “I’m still a detective with the Special Investigations Unit.”

  “Which means,” Jake said, “I don’t have other responsibilities. I’ll take the protective detail tomorrow until I can arrange for coverage for everyone else. Does that work for you, Skyler?”

  She let out a resigned sigh. “I can’t stop you once you’ve made up your mind, so I’ll go along with it. But can you at least be discreet at the office? The last thing I need is for my fellow detectives to harass me about requiring a bodyguard.”

  Jake snorted, and the others joined in his laugher. Even Brady, who’d been whittling away on a piece of wood, not seeming to pay attention, chuckled.

  Logan liked to laugh, too. Okay, maybe not all the time, but he found no humor her
e. Not when Skyler could be in danger. Besides, she had a concussion. She shouldn’t even be going to the office, let alone working a demanding detective’s job.

  Logan wished he didn’t have to clip her wings, but he would for her own good. “Did the doctor clear you to go to work tomorrow? What with the concussion and all?”

  “Concussion?” Darcie shot to her feet and crossed to Skyler. She tipped up Skyler’s head and peered into her eyes. “You didn’t say a word about a concussion. Were you planning to hide it from us?”

  Skyler jerked her chin free. “It’s no big deal.”

  “May not be.” Jake appraised them both. “But consider yourself on leave until you receive written clearance to return to duty.”

  For the first time today, Logan was on the other man’s side.

  “Relax, okay?” Skyler waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I feel fine.”

  “Concussions are nothing to take lightly,” Darcie said, her focus still on Skyler. “The brain is sensitive. Healing isn’t only a matter of taking it easy so you don’t further jar your brain. It’s also about letting the brain rest. You need to stay away from things that require strong focus. From overwhelming sounds, bright lights, et cetera. And that means staying away from work. If you don’t, your healing will take longer.”

  “Yeah, what she said,” Jake added. “Plus, as your supervisor, I insist on following protocol.”

  “Right.” Cash drew the word out in his Texas drawl as his eyes lit with humor. “Because you wouldn’t want to make an exception to the rules even one time. Who knows, we could have a major case of anarchy if you did.”

  Jake cast him a cool look. “This isn’t the time for one of your unconventional opinions, Cash. This is about Skyler’s health.”

  “Right, her health.” Cash smirked. “And the rules.”

  Brady snorted. “Good one, bro.”