Sworn to Protect (Vows of the Heart) (11 page)

“Jesus,” Ethan growled. “Your dad, desperate for hope, went along with it. He went into massive debt to Cordova.”

“Yeah,” Bethany said, her eyes filling with tears. “But despite all that money, Mom was going downhill fast. It...it tore my dad to pieces, Ethan. He could be a mean son of a bitch, but I know he genuinely loved my mom. Then Cordova placed more demands on him, forcing him from my mother’s side. He couldn’t take it anymore. He was afraid every time he left for a job, he’d come back and she’d be gone. So, he started teaching me to be a thief. Cordova didn’t care who did the job, just as long as it got done. We started out in junk yards, me, my dad, and that damn stop watch.” A tear trickled down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away.

“He used to lay on the guilt trips, telling you your mom depended on you.”

She barked a sharp laugh. “Oh that was the least of his sins. If I didn’t make his time, or if I made one mistake, he beat the crap out of me. My training as a pick-pocket was with a jacket on a manikin, and a pocket with fish hooks in it. If I did it wrong, I tore the hell out of my hand.”

“Bethany, I’m sorry.”

She shrugged her shoulders even though he couldn’t see it. “I learned how to jack cars at the same time I learned algebra. Dad only kept me in school because he didn’t want Social Services breathing down his neck on top of everything else.”

“And then?”

“And then mom died and dad fell apart completely. He crawled into the bottle and never came out. When he was drunk, he beat me for no reason. I was sixteen and one day, I came home from school and discovered Cordova waiting for me in my living room. He had taken my dad to a special rehab center - a place where he owned the staff. Cordova told me if I didn’t work for him, he would order my dad’s death. I didn’t have a choice, Ethan. My dad wasn’t perfect, but—”

“He was still your dad,” Ethan said firmly. “I understand, sweetheart.”

“Not long ago, Dad’s liver quit and he died of natural causes.”

“So Cordova no longer had any leverage on you and that’s when you turned state’s evidence.”

“Yeah.”

Ethan remained silent for a long moment. “I understand, Bethany, my family fell apart too.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“Just one, an older brother. We’re not on speaking terms. I would do anything to put my family back together. But I can’t. Dad’s gone now.”

“I’m sorry, Ethan. What happened?”

“Nine-eleven happened.”

Bethany gasped. “Your father was in the World Trade Center?”

“The South Tower…WTC Two. Were it not for circumstance, I might have found myself in the same boat as you.”

“How so?”

“You know my last name is Lancaster.”

“Yeah. So?”

“Ever hear of the Lancaster Corp?”

She sucked in her breath. Lancaster Corp was bigger than Microsoft and its main offices had been in the World Trade Center. She never imagined Ethan could be related to the famous family. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“My dad was the CEO and founder of the corporation. He was in his office when the terrorists crashed the planes into the towers.”

“How awful. Was he found?”

“No. All they found was his watch, it had been a gift and had his name engraved on the back.”

She sighed heavily. What pain had he suffered through losing his father like that?

“I was the black sheep of the family, I had more money than I could shake a stick at. But money isn’t a big thing with me. I joined the Marines and served in Afghanistan. While I was there, I saw firsthand the impact illegal weapons made. When I finished my tour I thought about re-upping
, but instead, I went back to school and earned a Masters in Criminal Justice and got a job with the ATF. I wanted to make a difference here at home.”

Bethany’s lips tugged upward. “Well, you have done that in spades, Ethan.”

“Are you sure about that, Bethany?”

“I am. I’m still here.”

Ethan said nothing, slowing the car and turning, then coming to a stop. “We’re here.”

“Where?”

“Hopefully, some place genuinely safe. Let me check it out. I’ll be right back.”

“Be careful, Ethan,” she said sternly. “I’m in no shape to drive right now.”

“You got it, sweetheart.”

Bethany waited nervously but within a few moments, Ethan returned and opened the back door of the Charger. “Honey, we’re home.” He grabbed the duffel bag Holly had given her and looped it over his shoulder.

She couldn’t help but laugh. He lifted her into his arms
, but as he took her weight, she heard him suck in his breath sharply and he moved to readjust.

“Ethan, are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” he said, but the lines around his mouth had grown harsher.

“I can walk, you know.”

“And have me miss carrying you over the threshold? My dear, how could you deny me?”

She laughed again, looping her arms around his neck and resting her head against his shoulder. “You know, Ethan, you should let your sense of humor out of the box more often.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said dryly.

The house was tiny, a small one bedroom, one bath, and a bare living room. It had a beat up recliner, coffee table and a couch that was actually more like a love seat.

“The kitchen is so small you have to go outside to turn around,” Ethan said. “The cupboards are also as bare as Mother Hubbard’s. I’ll have to run to a store later.” He carried her to the bedroom which had a large double bed. Ethan eased her down on it and straightened. “I’m going to get the rest of our things out of the car. Be right back.”

She remained in bed until he left then shakily stood and rummaged through her duffel bag. At least Holly had packed everything a girl would need. Two changes of clothes, underwear, toiletries, and a night gown. What was even better was the fact Holly seemed to know Bethany’s size.

Bethany pulled out the night gown and held it up. Well, maybe Holly had gone a little overboard with this. The night gown was more like something out of a Victoria Secrets catalog. The satin was a rich emerald green, it had spaghetti string straps and fell about to the knee but the slits on each side went up to mid-thigh. It was soft, sexy, and a bit too revealing to be worn in this situation.

But, what the hell?

She couldn’t help but think about Ethan. In the last few hours her thoughts about him had completely changed. He had changed. She fingered the soft material, remembering his kiss. There was no denying the power drawing them together, and it was something more than Bethany had ever felt before. More than just a strong attraction...more than just trust. But would anything come of it?

Only one way to find out.

She vanished into the bathroom to change her clothes. Fighting dizziness, she managed to change and clean the remaining blood from her head and hair without falling over. She brushed her hair and her teeth. Her head pounded by the time she finished. Wrapping her jeans and shirt into a bundle, she stepped out of the bathroom and stuck them in the duffel bag. Ethan entered with his bag and the shotgun.

“The house is secure. I thought I’d
—” He looked at her and froze in his tracks.

Bethany’s heart started pounding. She discovered she couldn’t move with Ethan looking at her like that. His ex
pression was stunned, his mercury eyes widened and his pupils dilated. His gaze traveled from the top of her head to the tips of her toes then back again. It was as intense as a physical caress. Bethany felt her skin heat under his blatant regard. Her breathing quickened and she fought to steady her rattling pulse.

Ethan released a ragged breath, dragging his hand through his hair and pulling out the band that tied it. The mahogany locks cascaded down his back. “I...uh...damn what was I going to say?”

Bethany felt her lips twitch. “I don’t know, but I’m listening.”

“Yeah...uh...I’ll take the couch.”

She scowled. “The couch? You most certainly are not. You’re exhausted, Ethan. You need to get some sleep.”

“So do you and there’s only one bed.”

“Which is big enough for both of us.”

He stiffened and took a step back.

Bethany’s teeth worried her lower lip. Perhaps that hadn’t come out exactly as she intended it.

Crap
!             

Her head hurt, she was scared, and tired. She didn’t want to be alone right now and she most certainly didn’t want Ethan to try to squeeze himself onto a couch that was less than half his size.

“Ethan, listen to me, the bed is large enough for both of us and I don’t mind sharing. You need rest just as much as I do. Besides, the doc told you to wake me up a couple of times tonight.”

He studied her for another long moment, again his eyes told her more than his words. She stepped forward
. Despite her resolve, her pounding head finally got the better of her and her knees started to buckle.

Ethan caught her and wrapped her in his arms, holding her tightly. Bethany gratefully rested her head against his powerful chest.

“Are you sure about this, Bethany?” Ethan asked softly. His hand traveled lightly over her back, sliding sensuously over the satin. She wanted to sigh in contentment.

“I’m sure, Ethan.”

“Okay,” he said, but sounded reluctant. He helped her to the bed, pulling back the blankets. “I’m going to take a shower first. Maybe I’ll feel part way human after that.”

She smiled and traced a finger over his
stubbled jaw. “I have some shampoo in my bag.”

“I’ve got everything I need,” Ethan said and moved away to grab his own duffel bag. He turned off the light on the night stand, the room illuminated only by the light from the bathroom. “Go to sleep, sweetheart. We’ll be safe for a while.”

“Good,” she said curling under the blankets. Good Lord, a bed hadn’t felt this wonderful in a long time. “Tomorrow you can tell me how you found this place.”

“I will.” He vanished into the bathroom.

Bethany tried to sleep, but her attention remained focused on the closed door.

****

Ethan purposefully took a long shower, the hot water pounding against his stiff muscles. But something else was thinking about growing stiff and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

Seeing Bethany’s sleek form in such a beautiful nightgown had nearly sent him over the edge.
You can’t, you dumb fuck. You’re an ATF agent and it’s time you started acting like one. Besides, once she sees your arm, once she sees the scars, she will run from you screaming.

He finished his shower and moved to the sink to shave. Wiping the moisture from the mirror, Ethan stared at himself, unable to recognize the man looking back at him. He looked like hell with dark circles under his eyes and lines of stress on his face. What happened to the man who didn’t give a shit about anyone? Ethan’s gaze fell on the scars on his arm and chest. He blew out his breath, dismissed his thoughts, and began to shave.

When Ethan finished, he pulled on a pair of sweats, stuffed his arm brace into his duffel bag, and put everything else away. Bethany was probably asleep by now. As long as it was dark in the room, she wouldn’t see his scars, she wouldn’t be repulsed by him. Ethan would make sure he was awake and out of bed before she could see him.

He opened the door, and stepped out of the bathroom, closing it only partially behind him. He left the light on so it streamed through the crack in the door. Bethany curled on her side in bed, her back to him.

Ethan gathered his courage and gingerly sat on the bed. She didn’t move. His watch in hand, he set the alarm to go off in three hours to wake her up. No matter how tired he was, he was always a light sleeper. But the only nightstand was on Bethany’s side of the bed. Ethan also pulled out his Colt, double-checked the safety, and shoved it under his pillow.

Moving cautiously, he reclined on the bed and reached over Bethany, placing his watch on the nightstand. She stirred and he froze.

Bethany turned slightly, blinking up at him, her vivid green eyes intense. Ethan braced himself. Windows to the soul, the eyes were called. In Bethany’s case it was rightfully so. In her eyes, he could clearly see her fear of all she had suffered through, but he also saw a spark of hope, of trust.

That trust should have sent him running
, but it didn’t, instead it warmed his heart in a way he had never known.

He brushed his fingers through her hair, his touch growing a little bolder, a little stronger, enjoying the feel of the soft curls.

“Feel better?” she asked, her voice thick with sleep.

“Yeah.” Damn, why couldn’t he move? “I have my watch set for three hours. I’ll wake you up then.”

“Okay...thank you, Ethan.”

Her words were genuine and grabbed at Ethan’s nonexistent heart. She
reached up and touched his cheek. A vibrant shiver passed through him. Dear God, he loved the feel of her fingers against his skin. She toyed with his damp hair then caressed his throat, moving slowly to his chest. Ethan stiffened, reminding himself that in this light she could not see his scars.