Her Protector: A Braxton Brothers Romance Read online

  She stared at James. What did that mean, you’ll call us? Who’s us?

  James just nodded a few times more and then slipped his phone into his back pocket. He glanced around. “Where’s that medication?”

  Layla’s heart picked up speed when she saw the urgency on his face. “What did Juan say?”

  James stepped past her and headed down her hallway. “We need to go. Now.”

  She shook her head. She needed some answers, and she wasn’t going anywhere without them. “What did Juan say?” She was tired of being in the dark. It was time for some light.

  James’s jaw muscles flexed, but he let out his breath slowly. “Juan screwed up a drug deal. They think he hid the drugs with you, and he’s pretty certain that someone is camped out here to watch for you. That’s why we need to go. Now.”

  Her legs felt like lead. She knew she needed to move, but she couldn’t find it in herself to do anything.

  Suddenly, James was in front of her. He stared down at her with a worried expression. He reached out and rested his hand on her arm. “I know you’re worried. I am too. But we can get through this together.” His voice dropped with each word. “You just have to trust me.”

  Layla studied him. Waiting to see a tell-tale hint of deception in his gaze. She’d seen but ignored it in Juan. But it wasn’t there. She believed him.

  So, with her heart pounding in her chest, she nodded. “Okay, I’ll grab some clothes and we can go,” she mumbled as she turned to head to her room.

  James stopped her. “We don’t have time. These men will be back. We need to get as far away from this place as we can.” He met her gaze with force as he stared down at her.

  Layla swallowed her protests and nodded. “I’ll just grab my medication.” She stepped past him, grabbed her prenatal vitamins and some aspirin, and returned to the living room.

  James’s gun was out, and he was positioned so he could ambush anyone coming in through the front door.

  After slipping the picture of her parents that was tacked to her wall into her purse, Layla turned and nodded. “Let’s go.”

  James didn’t miss a beat. He grabbed the door handle and pulled it open slowly. He did a quick sweep of the hallway and then nodded to her.

  “Let’s go,” he said as he slipped his gun into his pants and pulled his shirt over it. He pressed his hand against her lower back and began to half push, half guide her down the hall to the stairs. Layla wanted to protest but knew right now was not the time.

  Once they were safe, she’d ask him what was going on. But for now, it seemed like the only option she had was to trust James. This stranger she’d just met held her life and the life of her baby in his hands.

  Great.

  Chapter Three

  James had to muscle down the worry that rose in his throat as he pounded down the stairs of Layla’s apartment building. Thankfully, Layla was quiet as she followed after him. After seeing her pull out her mace inside her apartment, he worried that she might not come willingly, but she seemed to have moved on from that.

  Perhaps she'd seen that taking her chances with him was better than being alone in a trashed apartment.

  He knew how scared she must feel but didn’t know how to prove that he’d protect her. He owed it to Juan, sure. But there was something about her. He needed to protect her, especially when he’d failed to protect others so many times in his past. Maybe this time, he’d get it right.

  Get your head on straight, Braxton. He shushed himself as he shook his head. The last thing he needed was to muddy his mind up with thoughts of the past. His focus right now was getting Layla out of the city. After she was safe he’d allow himself time to think.

  As soon as they got to the bottom of the stairs, James pushed on the door and squinted as the sunlight blinded him. He pushed the door open wider and motioned for Layla to follow. Once they were outside, he grabbed her hand. When he felt her hesitation, he glanced behind him.

  She looked uncomfortable, and he suddenly realized how intimate it was. He dropped his hand. “Sorry,” he muttered as heat rushed to his cheeks.

  Layla grasped his hand and shook her head. “No, it’s okay.”

  He cleared his throat as he peeked over at her. “I just wanted to make sure you didn’t get lost.” As the words tumbled from his lips, he wanted to punch himself. Who says that? She wasn’t a kid. She was a woman. Adults don’t get lost.

  Layla pushed her purse strap up onto her shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere.” She peeked up at him. “You’re the only one I trust right now—even though I don’t know you. So…” She motioned toward the street to their left. “Let’s go.”

  James nodded as he led her to the taxi that was still waiting for them. He pulled open the door and slipped into the back seat.

  “Where to now?” the driver asked with a thick New York accent as he glanced back at them.

  “The closest Enterprise,” James said.

  He could feel Layla’s gaze on him. He glanced over at her.

  “What? What happened to the airport?” she asked.

  “You’re coming with me, and all I have is a motorcycle. Not really going to work for the two of us.”

  She didn’t look like she understood.

  “Juan told me to get you out of town. He’s worried he’s been compromised as well. I was on my way to my nephew’s birthday party in South Carolina, so that’s where we’re going.”

  She studied him for a moment before she began to nod. “And we’re driving there?”

  “Yes. Juan said to stay away from the airports and to lay low.” His heart pounded as he recalled the panicked voice of his friend—or whatever he was now. He still couldn’t believe that Juan was living a secret life. Or that he would walk out on a woman as beautiful as Layla.

  Her dark hair cascaded down her shoulders and accented her smooth skin, and James couldn’t help but feel mesmerized every time she met his gaze. Juan was an idiot.

  “What?” she asked.

  It wasn’t until she spoke that he realized that he’d been staring at her. Blinking a few times, James shook his head. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “Just thinking.”

  She wrapped her arms around her chest and tipped her face toward the window. They rode in silence for what felt like an eternity. Finally, the taxi pulled over at an Enterprise just outside the city. James paid and thanked the driver before he shut the door.

  Layla remained quiet while James talked to the man behind the counter who had him fill out some paperwork and then handed over the keys to a Prius. James thanked him and then nodded toward Layla. She followed as he made his way out the door and into the parking lot.

  They climbed into the car, and James started the engine. He glanced over at Layla. She was leaning her chair back and making herself comfortable. His heart went out to her. She had to be scared. She was about to take a trip with a man she didn’t know to run from people she hadn’t known were after her.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he said as he settled back in his seat. He got onto the freeway, and the stress that had built up inside of him lessened. “What they are looking for is inside the city. I doubt they will follow us to South Carolina.”

  Layla glanced over at him. “Really?” she asked. He could see tears brimming her lids. Her lower lip quivered as she studied him. Then she shook her head. “I left Juan to get away from all of this. Now it’s coming back to bite me.” She leaned her head back and closed her eyes as she blew out her breath. “I’ll never truly get away.”

  Feeling like he needed to cheer her up, James shrugged. “You’ll like Honey Grove. It’s a cute town. I doubt any threat could find you there.”

  She tipped her head up and studied him. “Did you just say Honey Grove?”

  James nodded. “Yeah. It’s the town I grew up in.”

  Layla’s gaze made its way down to his arm and then back up. “A town called Honey Grove produced you?”

  Confused, James flicked his gaze over to her. “Yeah…�
�� he said, dragging out every syllable.

  She shook her head. “Where did you get a gun?”

  He turned his gaze back to the road and focused on the white lines that pulsed past the wheels as they drove. “I was in the military. I guess old habits die hard.”

  When she didn’t respond, he glanced over at her. What was she thinking? Her gaze met his, and she held it for a moment. “Oh.”

  He shrugged as he glanced back to the road. “I got out a year ago. That’s when I met Juan. I was a little…lost.” He closed his lips as he scolded himself. She hadn’t asked for his history. Why was he sharing so much?

  “Juan helped you in a fight?”

  He nodded as he gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. That night, James had hit rock bottom, and Juan had pulled him from the ledge. He owned Juan his life. “He saved me.”

  Silence engulfed the car. Not sure what to say, James figured it was best to just keep quiet. He wasn’t the only one with a history with Juan. And from the way she was reacting, Layla’s experience was vastly different from his.

  “I’m glad to hear he helped someone,” she whispered, and from the corner of his eye, he saw her fold her arms over her chest and turn her body so she could stare out the window.

  Realizing that he might have overstepped, James focused on the road. It was okay if they didn’t talk. In fact, it was probably better for them to know very little about each other. This was a rescue and nothing else.

  Thirty minutes later, James saw Layla’s head tilt back. He glanced over to see that her eyes were closed. For some reason, he felt calmer with her asleep. He didn’t have to pretend to be this amazing protector. He didn’t have to lie.

  Reaching over, he turned on the radio, and a soft melody filled the car. He settled back into his seat and focused on the road. He did better when he had a mission to accomplish. When he needed to deal with people or comfort them, that’s when he got into trouble.

  But with Layla asleep, there was no chance of him making a mistake. There was no pressure. He could just relax.

  * * *

  Two hours later, Layla stirred and glanced over at him. She blinked a few times as she straightened in her seat.

  “How long was I asleep for?” she asked as she wiped at her cheeks and then ran her fingers through her hair.

  “A few hours.”

  She peered out the window and then back to James.

  He furrowed his brow. “Everything okay?”

  She shook her head. “I’m hungry and need to pee.”

  James flicked on his blinker and merged into the right lane. “I just saw a sign for a Wendy’s. Give me two miles.”

  Layla nodded. “That works.”

  Five minutes later, James pulled into the parking lot of the fast-food restaurant and turned off the engine. Layla didn’t wait for him. She pulled on the door handle and was out before he’d pulled the key from the ignition. James watched as she rushed into the building and disappeared in what he could only assume was the direction of the bathroom.

  James climbed out. He took a moment to stretch his legs as he slammed the door and then leaned against the car. He pushed his hands through his hair and took in a deep breath. This whole day had been a whirlwind. How had things come to this?

  And why had Juan lied to him for so long?

  Just as he pushed off the car to make his way into Wendy’s, his phone went off.

  Josh.

  James pushed the talk button and brought the phone up to his ear. “Hey, man.”

  “Hey. Just checking in about Jordan’s birthday. Do you still think you’ll be able to make it?”

  James nodded even though his brother couldn’t see him. “On my way as we speak, but there was a slight change in plans. I’m not flying down anymore; I’m driving, so I won’t be there until tomorrow.”

  “Gotcha. What happened to flying?”

  James’s gaze flicked over to the glass windows of the restaurant that Layla had disappeared into. “Something came up.”

  “Okay,” Josh said, dragging out the word.

  James sighed. Well, he might as well tell him. It wasn’t like he was going to be able to hide her—she was going to be in the car with him when he pulled into the driveway. And how would it look for him to show up with a girl that no one knew was coming?

  “There’s a girl with me,” he said and immediately wished he could take it back.

  Josh chuckled. “You’re bringing a girl home?”

  “A girl?” Sondra’s voice piped up in the background.

  James groaned. He loved his mom, but she was the last person he wanted to find out that Layla was coming. “It’s not like that. Tell mom it’s not like that.”

  “You know Ma. The minute she heard ‘girl’ and ‘bringing home’ she started to obsess.”

  James nodded as he began to pace. “Well, I’m bringing her as a job.” This conversation was getting more and more ridiculous. He needed to end it right now. “It’s not romantic at all. She’s a friend of a friend who asked me to keep an eye on her.”

  Now he sounded like some glorified babysitter. His skin was warm as embarrassment rushed through him. Why had he thought this conversation would go well? He didn’t even know what was happening. How could he describe it to his brother?

  “I’ve got to go. Just keep telling Mom this is not someone I have feelings for so she can stop her meddling right now.”

  “I will, but I doubt it’ll work,” Josh said.

  James groaned as he heard the teasing in his older brother’s voice. “Bye.”

  “Drive safe.”

  James hung up. That had been a giant disaster. Now his family was going to be weird to Layla when they got there. More than they would be normally.

  Pulling open the restaurant’s door, he made his way inside. Layla was out of the bathroom and standing in front of the counter, looking up at the menu. She had her arms wrapped around her chest. She looked so small and dainty.

  A desire to protect her surged through his chest as he let his gaze linger on her face. She must be even more confused and worried than he was. Why was he so selfish to think that this was affecting only him?

  Shaking his head at his own stupidity, he walked up next to her and turned his gaze to the board.

  “Know what you’re getting?” he asked.

  He heard Layla sigh. “No. Everything is making me nauseous.”

  Confused, he glanced over at her. “Are you feeling sick?”

  Her cheeks were pink, and her lips pinched together. “I get car sick,” she said as she flicked her gaze over to him.

  “Oh. I’m sorry.”

  She shrugged. “It’s not your fault.” Then she smiled, sidestepped him, and approached the counter. After she ordered, James held out his hand as she reached into her purse.

  “I’ll pay,” he said. She parted her lips and looked as if she was ready to protest, but James shot her a look.

  She nodded and zipped her purse. After James ordered and paid, they filled up their cups at the soda fountain.

  Just as they sat down at a table, their number was called. James stood and made his way up to the counter to grab their food. After filling a few cups with ketchup, he grabbed some napkins and set the tray down on the table.

  They ate in silence for a few minutes, until James was sure that he might burst. He needed to say something. After all, they’d just experienced this crazy thing together. They should talk about it, right?

  “How long have you been a fashion designer?” Start simple, that seemed like the best route.

  Layla had just taken a bite of her hamburger, so she finished chewing and then wiped her lips. “Since I was a kid. It’s what I’ve always loved. I’m lucky that I get to do what I’m meant to do.” Her expression softened as she glanced over at him. “What about you?”

  He could tell she loved her job. He was jealous of people like that. Ever since getting out of the Marines, James was having a hard time figuri
ng out where he belonged. He felt like he was a bottle, bobbing up and down in the ocean, not really sure where he was going.

  “I do this and that. I was doing some construction after the military. It’s hard though. There’s not a lot for an ex-military man to do. You go from structure to…nothing.” Emotions choked his throat as he grabbed his drink. He hated talking about this. He felt as if he were reliving his failure over and over again.

  He’d been broken. So much so that he was forced into mandatory retirement. He was no longer fit to serve, and that hurt.

  But he didn’t want to weigh Layla down with his problems. It was better for him to just push them aside and fake it. After all, it wasn’t like they were friends.

  When he glanced over at Layla, he could see her studying him. Her lips were parted and there were questions in her gaze. Questions he silently begged her not to ask.

  She set her drink down and gave him a small smile. “Seems like we both have secrets.”

  James studied her. She had secrets? Like what? But then he pushed that thought from his mind. It didn’t matter. He didn’t want to share the skeletons in his closet, and he shouldn’t want her to share hers. So he just nodded and took a big bite of his hamburger.

  They ate in silence. After they were finished, James stood and went to dump their tray. When he got back, Layla was studying her phone, her face pale. There was something going on and he wanted to know what it was.

  But then shook his head. What Layla did was none of his business. He was here to protect her until Juan said the coast was clear. That was all.

  He wasn’t there to dig into her past or find out more about her. They didn’t have that kind of relationship.

  Chapter Four

  Layla stared at her phone as she stared at Juan’s text. He’d finally texted her back. She wasn’t sure how she felt about him reaching out to her. Not when he’d put her life—and the baby inside of her—in danger.

  But if he wanted to give her answers, she’d take them. She needed to figure out who she was running from or who this man was that he’d entrusted her life with.