Guarding Hearts (Living Again #3) Read online

  Her dad turned to Ellis. “Brian on this?” Ellis nodded, indicating Brian outside on the phone. “What did the card say?”

  Ellis looked at Sam, and she turned her watery eyes to his. Their eyes linked for a moment before he turned back to her dad. “Come here,” he said quietly. She knew he didn’t want her to see the note.

  “What does it say,” she demanded.

  “Sam,” Ellis warned.

  “I want to know. This sick freak is after me, so I should know what he is saying.”

  Ellis looked at her dad, and he nodded his head. She took a step towards the note.

  My dear love Sam,

  Roses are Red

  Violets are Blue

  What I’ve already said

  Is that I belong with you.

  I will be with you, and very soon.

  Adding Ellis to the team won’t stop me from being with you.

  We are meant to be.

  Sam gasped, the room swaying around her. She knew she was going down. Right before the world went black, she felt a pair of strong arms surround her, holding her.

  Sam blinked her eyes open, realizing she was on the lying on the couch, her parents, Brian, and Ellis sitting around her.

  “She’s awake,” her mom said, coming over to smooth her hair back. “Are you okay, honey?”

  “What happened?”

  “You passed out,” her mom answered. “Thank goodness Ellis was standing right there and caught you, or you could’ve hurt yourself.”

  Sam slid her eyes over to Ellis’, and he winked at her. She bit her tongue to keep from groaning out loud. She had been in his arms, and she wasn’t even awake for it? And now he was winking at her? Oh, she was a goner.

  The memory of what happened came flooding back, and she turned to Brian. “What’s going on with the flowers?”

  “I’ve talked to the local police department, and my buddy Andrew, Ellis’ boss. They are sending someone over to collect the roses, the note, and dust for fingerprints. Of course, this is a rental, so God only knows how many fingerprints they will find in here. We talked to the management company about who had access to the beach house before we got here. So far, all they seem to know is the cleaning people. We are checking with local florists to see if they can help us, but the roses could’ve come from outside of this area, or been bought at any regular grocery store. Finding where they came from is going to be a long shot.”

  “So we have nothing, just like before,” Sam said, pushing herself off the couch. Brian stood, followed by Ellis. “No. I’m going to my room. Alone.” Not waiting for an answer, she walked purposefully down the hallway and shut the door behind her. She just couldn’t take one more minute of thinking that this person was going to continue to get away with doing this to her. Was it ever going to stop? Now this guy knew about Ellis? Who was this freak?

  Opening the balcony that was off of her room, she settled herself in the chaise lounge that overlooked the beach. Pulling out her cell phone, she tapped Lacey’s number and hoped she wasn’t in class.

  “Sam! How’s Florida? Getting a suntan?”

  Sam smiled, so glad to hear Lacey’s voice. “Hey Lace. Well, I’m sitting on my balcony looking out at the beach, but I don’t have time today to get a suntan. I have to be back for the show in a few hours.”

  “How was rehearsal today?” Sam could hear noise around Lacey and knew she was probably walking in between classes. “How’s Ellis? Hot as that picture?”

  Sam laid her head back against the back of the chair, a smile playing on her lips despite the stress she was feeling. “Oh Lace, he’s so much more than that picture showed. I turned into a bumbling idiot when I met him. There’s just something about him that’s so magnetic. I think it’s his eyes; it’s like he can just see right through me.”

  Lacey sighed. “Sounds like a romance novel,” she teased. “What was his reaction to meeting you? It’s not every day you get to meet a celebrity.”

  Sam laughed. “You know I don’t see myself that way. And he was very professional, but I think he felt the connection between us. It’s hard to tell with him. But, he did wink at me a little while ago.”

  “He winked at you? Oh my. He’s totally going to fall in love with you. How amazing would that be?”

  “Well, seeing as how I live in Tennessee and he lives here, not so amazing, Lace. He’s only with me for a week.”

  “Pfffft. True love doesn’t matter.”

  “Lace, I met the man a few hours ago. Let’s not marry us off yet.”

  “Who could resist you, Sam? You are positively adorable. Now tell me what else is up, other than Mr. Hottie Pants.”

  Sam laughed, wishing she was sitting here with Lacey instead of just on the phone with her. She needed her. Taking a deep breath, she told Lacey about the flowers in the beach house, as well as the creepy note.

  “They knew about Ellis? And even his name? Oh my god, Sam. I just got the chills.”

  “Me too,” Sam admitted, looking down at the bumps covering her body at the thought. “Someone that knows what is going on with me is doing this. I just don’t understand why they are able to hide so well. I mean, they have interviewed my roadies, the band, and come up with no inconsistencies. But someone knew what house I was staying at, knew about Ellis, and got in here before we did! What if next time he is in here, waiting for me? It’s only a matter of time, and you know it.”

  Lacey swore. “Sam, I know that Brian would never let anything happen to you, and I’m guessing Ellis is the same way or he wouldn’t be there. Just don’t leave their sight, not even for a second, until this jerk is caught.”

  “I know,” Sam agreed. “I do feel a lot better with Ellis here. He definitely seems like a no-nonsense kind of guy. He looked like he was about to rip someone’s head off when he realized what those flowers were.”

  Lacey whistled. “Damn, I need to come meet this man. Caveman meet hot SWAT guy slash bodyguard. Maybe I need a stalker…”

  “Lacey!” Sam giggled, and the girls dissolved into laughter together. “You don’t wish that on yourself, believe me. I probably shouldn’t even be out on this balcony right now, but I had to have a few minutes to talk to you. I love you, Lacey. Thanks for always making me feel better.”

  “You knock ‘em dead tonight, Super Star. Don’t worry about a thing, unless it’s how you get that hottie to fall in love with you and have Super Hottie babies.”

  Sam laughed again. “You are too much, girl. I’ll call you tomorrow. We start shooting the video on the beach, and that will probably be a day or two. Then I head over to the other coast to do a few shows.”

  Setting her phone down next to her on the table, she turned her face to the sun, hoping to lose herself in the warmth for a little while.

  Ellis paced the living room of the beach house, his mind reeling. Sam was in her room, and all he wanted to do was go in there. For what, he didn’t know. He just wanted to be with her, to tell her that it would be okay, that he wouldn’t rest until this asshole was caught. But he didn’t.

  The roses and note had been collected, and the guys were here dusting for fingerprints. Brian was dealing with them. He had been told in no uncertain terms that Sam was his responsibility and he had to make sure that she was safe. The first precaution they were making was switching Sam to the other beach house where the team was staying, and put them here. The problem was, he felt like he was out of his league here. He had no idea what to do to make sure she was safe, and hoped moving houses would be enough. It was only next door, but they figured anything they could do would make a difference. He needed help. Tapping a few buttons on his phone, he put it to his ear as it began to ring.

  “Ellis. Good to hear from you, son,” Carl greeted him. Carl, Officer Richards, was not only his mentor into this life of being an officer, he was also the only father figure he had ever had. He had taken to calling him son over the last ten years, and every time he did it, it made Ellis’ stomach clench with an unknown feeli
ng.

  “Carl,” Ellis said. “I expected you to be working.” Officer Richards lived in Miami, his hometown.

  “I am,” he laughed. “But I’ve been trying to reach you for quite a while, so I knew I needed to answer while you were calling me. What’s going on, El? How come you haven’t been answering my calls?”

  Ellis took a deep breath and looked back at Sam’s closed door. Her parents had gone into their room to rest before the show tonight as well, so he was all alone. He felt bad for not keeping in touch with Carl as much as he wanted him to. It wasn’t that he didn’t love the guy. In fact, he thought he might be the only person that he had ever felt anything for, other than Mason. But he wasn’t sure he knew completely what to do with that feeling, and it bothered him. Why did Carl care about him so much?

  “Ellis,” Carl said, his voice softer. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s the same thing you are always thinking. How many times does someone have to show you that they love you? I’m here, son. I’m proud of where you are in your life right now. You understand that, right?”

  “Yes,” Ellis said, feeling like a little boy instead of a twenty-nine year old man. “I’m sorry, Carl. I do appreciate you wanting to know about me, talk to me. Sometimes, I just…”

  “I know,” Carl interrupted. “That little boy is still in there, no matter how grown up you are. The one that learned that the people that are supposed to love you are the ones that hurt you. Don’t shut me out, El. Just because you moved away doesn’t mean I love you any less, okay? I still think of you as the son I never had.”

  Ellis fought against the tears that threatened to well up in his eyes. Clearing his throat, he was determined to get the conversation back on track. “I need your help with something, Carl.” To this day, no matter how many years or how many times he told him to call him Dad, he couldn’t.

  “Anything,” Carl answered immediately. Ellis filled him in on what he was doing, and who he was doing it for, and what was going on with her. Carl listened, silent until Ellis was done talking.

  “Wow,” Carl said, chuckling softly. “I saw that Sam on that TV show! What a sweetheart. She’s quite a looker too, isn’t she, son?”

  Ellis couldn’t help it. He laughed. “Out of all that I tell you, and that’s what you have to say about it?”

  Carl cackled on the other end of the line. “Well, son, I may be old, but I’m not dead. And you, my dear, are young and virile and need to let yourself feel something for someone.”

  Ellis sighed. “I’m working for her, Carl. Now, let’s get back on track. Any thoughts about this stalker?”

  Carl brainstormed with Ellis for about a half an hour, telling him about some stalking cases he had had before. Ellis took notes, getting some great pointers from him. Just as they finished their conversation, Brian came back into the room.

  “I’ll talk to you soon, Carl,” Ellis said.

  “Please do. It makes my day to hear from you. I miss you, Ellis. Be safe, and keep that girl out of danger. Oh, and El?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I love you.” Ellis paused, then said a gruff goodbye, tucking his phone in his back pocket and turning to Brian.

  “Anything?”

  “Cleaning crew, previous tenants. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

  “Figures.” Ellis ran his hands through his hair in frustration. “What’s the game plan?”

  Ellis walked out onto the back porch of the beach house. They were leaving to go to the arena in a few minutes, and he hadn’t seen Sam since she had gone to her room. After talking to Carl, he and Brian had talked through all of the information they had, and all of the things she had received so far. Truly, they had no leads at all. The only thing that kept bugging Ellis was that someone on the inside must be helping this person, but Brian had shaken down each one and come up with nothing.

  He surveyed the area, watching as regular beachgoers played in the water, walked along the water, and played in the sand. He really did love living here in Sunset Beach. It was a much smaller town that Miami, but still had everything you would want. Best of all, it was far away from all of the memories he would just as soon forget. If only it were that easy to forget his past. There were days he could pretend none of it happened, and being this far away from Miami certainly made that easier.

  Just as he was turning to go back inside, he heard singing. He stopped in his tracks, knowing immediately what he was hearing. Sam. She was out on the balcony of her room, and her angelic voice was floating over him. He hadn’t seen her when he walked out, and she obviously hadn’t seen him, either.

  Everyone who said that Sam had a fabulous voice hit the nail on the head. While her songs were country, her velvety voice almost sounded more soul like. The melody carried through the air, infiltrating his every cell. He didn’t know the song she was singing, but knew that after this week, he would know every song she sang by heart. He couldn’t wait to see her tonight at the show. Just watching her at rehearsal today had shown him what a fantastic performer she was. He knew he could never let himself act on the feelings he was developing for her because she not only deserved better than him, he just couldn’t get involved with anyone again. Being with her this week would probably be the closest he would get to anyone for a really long time.

  “Time to load up,” Brian appeared behind him. Sam heard his voice and stopped singing, turning her head to look at both of them. Except she wasn’t looking at Brian. She was looking directly at him. Every time she looked at him, it felt like the air was knocked out of his lungs. Brian noticed Sam looking at them.

  “Ready to go, kiddo? Time to go get you ready for your Florida debut.”

  She smiled, standing up from the chaise lounge. Ellis almost groaned at the sight of her. He had no idea how he was going to live in small quarters with her for a week. She was wearing a small pair of jean shorts, frayed at the bottom, and a tank top that didn’t quite completely cover her flat stomach. Her hair was piled on top of her head, with loose strands framing her face.

  “Ready to go,” she repeated, her voice shaking Ellis from his reverie. “Give me five minutes and I’ll meet you inside.”

  Ellis followed Brian, thinking that his initial feeling was right. He was in way over his head with this one.

  Ellis stood off to the side of the stage, watching Sam work her magic. He found himself tapping his foot to the beat, despite his normal distaste for country music. She moved around the stage, shaking her hips back and forth as she sang about going to a line dancing bar and meeting her friends for some fun.

  Glancing up at the television screen above him, he watched as the camera zoomed in on her face. They were so close, Ellis could see sweat beads gathering on her forehead. Her perfect lips touched the microphone as she crooned her next song, a slow love song. Her eyes sparkled at the audience, and they ate it up. He knew that all the men were probably all wishing she was singing that song for them. He was torn between watching her beautiful face on the screen, or looking at her from his perch off the stage. Now she was sitting on a stool, Jason and Luke playing softly in the background as the light illuminated only her.

  He was glad that she was as comfortable as she was out there, because she had been very shaken by the flowers at the house. Brian had talked to the roadies again when they had gotten to the arena, but said he still didn’t think that one of them could be in on it. Ellis wasn’t convinced, but he didn’t say so. He needed to keep his mouth shut before he got himself in trouble.

  Her glittery dress caught the light and his attention went back to watching her as she moved into one of her most popular songs, My Girls. As she motioned for the audience to sing along, they went wild, yelling the lyrics back at her. She twirled around, motioning for Jason and Luke. The crowd went wild, still singing along. Sam laughed, clapping her hands as the two guys stood up and bowed, then she put the microphone back up to her mouth and started singing again, the crowd still singing with her. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. Th
ey loved her, and he could see why. She wasn’t just an amazing singer, she was relatable. They felt like they were her friend, like she was the girl next door.

  “She’s something up there, isn’t she?” Brian appeared next to him, adjusting his earpiece that allowed him to talk to the whole security team at once.

  Ellis looked at Brian and nodded. “She’s amazing out there. They love her.”

  Brian looked proudly back out at Sam. “Everyone does. There’s something special about Sam. But then again, I’m sure you’ve figured that out already.” He looked at him pointedly.

  Ellis felt his face flushing, and he willed it to stop. Could Brian really see through him that easily? “Bri…”

  Brian clapped him on the back, stopping him from finishing. “I see how you look at her, Ellis. I’m not blind. I get it. But, you’ve not even known her one day yet. I would just be careful around her dad, man. I’m like her protective uncle, but I’m nowhere near what her dad is.”

  “Brian,” Ellis said again. .”I don’t know what you are talking about. I’m here to do a job. That’s all. We’re going to find this asshole, and when we do, Sam will be safe again.”

  Brian looked back out at Sam, finishing her song. “The show’s over after this song. I’m going to check her dressing room.”

  Ellis breathed out, grateful that Brian dropped it. “I’ll stay here and walk her back, then?”

  Brian smiled. “Yes, you bring her back. I’m sure she’d rather it was you, anyway.” Ellis groaned inwardly, shifting his attention back to the stage. What was wrong with him? He had been great at masking everything for his whole life. How was it that not even twenty-four hours after meeting her and he could be read like a book?

  Sam was walking to the edge of the stage, flanked by Luke and Jason, so Ellis stepped up, holding his hand out as she stepped down the stairs. She looked up at him, her face flushed and her eyes bright, and stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes locked with his, and then she looked at his outstretched hand. Luke and Jason looked at her, then at Ellis with questions in their eyes.