The Fighter Read online

  It had taken awhile for Hazel to call me “Daddy”. We were still getting used to each other. The biggest changes for me were figuring out what to do with her and learning to watch my language around her, while the biggest changes for her were getting over her fear of me and learning to trust me. I would never intentionally hurt her, and I needed her to believe that. But my past was constantly a threat. As a former soldier of The Company, I might never be safe. But I would do my best to make Hazel feel safe, and I would give my life to see that she stayed safe. Over these past few weeks, Hazel had slowly begun to get over her fear of me. She was still cautious, hesitant around me, but someday, I hoped to see her let down her guard completely around me. Someday, I hoped to see her smile.

  While Hazel dug into her breakfast, I refilled my coffee cup and slid into a chair opposite her. She eyed me warily as she ate, milk dribbling down her chin.

  “There’s a lady coming to see you today,” I told her gently. “She’s going to help me take care of you. If you like her, she will stay with us. Is that okay with you?”

  Hazel nodded, setting her spoon back into her bowl. “Is she nice?”

  Was Anna nice? She’d seemed nice enough, though a little naïve and trusting. A smart woman sure as hell wouldn’t have climbed into a car with a stranger. But I was probably her only way out of the city, so she really hadn’t had much of a choice if she wanted this job. I didn’t hold it against her because I needed her to help care for my kid. I would, however, have to have a talk with her about being so trusting of strangers. If she was going to work for me, she needed to learn a few things about danger and keeping herself and Hazel safe. I would probably teach her a few self-defense moves to help her protect herself, as well.

  “Yes, she’s nice. I think you will like her.”

  It was less than twenty minutes later that the doorbell rang. I glanced at Hazel where she now sat on the living room floor, watching a DVD I’d stuck in the player a few minutes ago. The easiest way for me to keep her entertained was sticking her in front of the television with a children’s movie. It probably wasn’t the best thing for a kid to sit and watch movies all the time, but that was why I was hiring a nanny. I needed someone who would know what to do with Hazel.

  “That’s your new nanny,” I murmured. “Want to meet her?”

  Hazel nodded shyly and rose to her feet. I held my hand out to her, and after just a small hesitation, she placed her tiny hand in mine. A week ago, she would have shied away, not willingly touching me. Now, she was holding my hand and not flinching when I touched her.

  We were making progress.

  I gently urged Hazel toward the door with me, then paused to peer out the peephole.

  I stared.

  Did a double take.

  Was that the same woman? Last night, her light brown hair had been pulled back into a tight bun that had made her look stern and severe. Today, she wore her hair loosely about her shoulders in messy, sexy waves that made my heart do a crazy thump in my chest. Last night she’d been wearing a long jacket that hid her figure. Today she wore jeans and a white summer top with ties on the sleeves. She was slim and curvy, extremely feminine. She looked totally different today. Pretty. Damn, she wasn’t supposed to be so pretty. She’d dusted her lips with a thin layer of shiny lip gloss that made me stare too long at her mouth. She must have used some of the money I’d given her last night to buy an outfit and make herself more presentable.

  She looked nervous as she stood on the porch, waiting for me to open the door.

  I drew in a deep breath, then puffed it out. I unlocked the door and pulled it open.

  Anna lifted her gaze. She smiled. “Good morning.” Her eyes were a light brownish-tan, I noticed, the same color as her hair, and dusted with flecks of gold. Caramel. That’s what she reminded me of. Soft and sweet. “Thanks for sending me a ride.”

  I nodded, trying not to stare too hard at her. I motioned to Hazel, who clung tightly to my other hand. “This is Hazel.”

  Anna’s gaze darted down to Hazel. Her eyes lit up. She knelt before Hazel and smiled. “Hello, Hazel. Aren’t you a pretty thing? My name is Anna. I have lots of fun things we can do today if you want.”

  Hazel glanced hesitantly at me. I didn’t know what to do except nod encouragingly. “Do you want to invite Anna in?”

  Hazel glanced back at Anna and nodded. I stepped back, gently pulling Hazel with me, and motioned Anna inside the house. The moment Anna stepped over the threshold, my guard went up. Bringing a stranger into my domain went against everything I’d been taught while I’d been a soldier for The Company, and it was difficult to let go of something that had been ingrained into my head for so many years.

  Relax, man. She’s here for Hazel. She’s not a threat.

  Anna met my gaze again. “Thank you for giving me a job. I promise I won’t let you down. I used some of the money you gave me last night to convince the desk clerk at the hotel to sell me an outfit, so I could be more presentable today. I promise I will pay you back. I have a little money left in my savings account. I can draw it out today and pay you.”

  I pulled my gaze away from her pretty eyes, glancing down at her slim, curvy body, then quickly jerked my gaze back to hers.

  Did you just check her out? Way to scare her off, moron.

  I cleared my throat, my face heating. “That’s not necessary. Consider it travel reimbursement. I have a lady who buys groceries and other things for us. Write down what you need, the size of clothes you wear, personal items and whatnot, and I’ll have her pick up some things for you.”

  She nodded, a soft blush staining her cheeks. “Thank you. That’s very nice. I appreciate that.”

  An awkward silence fell. Hazel studied Anna silently beneath lowered lashes. Anna glanced at me, then down at Hazel and smiled.

  Say something, moron.

  “We can discuss a wage later, after you and Hazel have a chance to get acquainted. I don’t know anything about nanny wages, so you can tell me what you expect, and we can go from there.” I turned and pointed toward the hallway on the other side of the living room. “Your room is the first door on the right, across from Hazel’s.”

  Anna nodded again, her eyes filling with relief. “Thank you.”

  Hazel let go of my hand and stepped toward Anna. I stood aside as Anna knelt before Hazel again and looked into her eyes. “Wanna show me your room and your toys?” She held her hand out to Hazel.

  Hazel glanced back at me once more, then slipped her hand in Anna’s and led her from the room.

  I stared after them for a moment. The tension eased out of me.

  Now that I’d found someone to look after Hazel, I wouldn’t have to worry about accidentally hurting her. She would be safe.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Anna

  As the day wore on, and Hazel and I got acquainted while we did various activities like reading, Playdoh, blocks, and a board game, I couldn’t stop thinking about Hazel’s handsome, intriguing father.

  In the daylight, Jacob wasn’t nearly as frightening as he’d appeared in the darkness last night, though he still gave off a dangerous vibe that made me wonder who he was underneath the handsome exterior. Without the hoodie obscuring his features today, I was able to see how incredibly attractive he was, even better looking than I’d imagined. The beard stubble from last night was gone, revealing a firm jaw and high cheekbones. His eyes were a piercing, stunning blue, clear and luminous, and hinted at strength and intelligence. I sensed there was much more to him than met the eye. What was his story?

  Hazel had her father’s striking eyes, but her hair was a curly blonde whereas his was dark, almost black, and cut short and spiky in a military-like style. Awareness had crackled between us when he’d opened the door and our eyes had met. I’d never experienced that instant attraction to a man before and had to force myself not to stare.

  He’s your boss. You have to keep this professional. It would be totally inappropriate to be attracted to your bo
ss.

  Yeah. Easier said than done. The man is hot with a capital H.

  In the daylight, I’d also noticed he had a scar across the front of his neck that I suspected had something to do with his strange, scratchy voice. Had he been injured somehow? Had he undergone a surgery of some kind?

  Jacob had disappeared into another part of the house not long after I’d arrived, saying he worked nights and slept during the day. That made sense why he needed a nanny, if he worked nights.

  It was now lunchtime, and I hadn’t seen him since he’d disappeared down the short hallway hours ago.

  “Let’s clean up and make some lunch,” I suggested to Hazel. Hazel nodded eagerly and helped clean up the Playdoh, stuffing it back into the jars with her little fingers. I helped her press the lids on tight, then put everything back in the box, and set it aside. She wasn’t the brat I’d been expecting, but a sweet, shy child. I already enjoyed spending time with her and had no doubt I would like working here. “What’s your favorite kind of sandwich?”

  “Peanut butter and jam,” she answered with a shy smile.

  I grinned. “Mine, too.”

  After a quick inspection, I discovered the fridge full and the pantry well stocked. Jacob’s home was a roomy, ranch-style that backed up to the forest on the south side. Though it was in a nicer subdivision, it wasn’t as elaborate as I’d expected his home to be, considering he drove a flashy BMW convertible. What did he do for a living?

  Hazel and I washed our hands in the kitchen sink, then I sat Hazel at a bar stool at the counter and let her assist with preparing lunch. I had learned that letting children participate gave them a sense of accomplishment and made them feel useful. I believed it also helped build their self-confidence. Hazel was slowly coming out of her shell, and her sweet little face lit up when I handed her the butter knife and a jar of peanut butter, so she could spread the peanut butter over her own slice of bread.

  The hair on my arms suddenly jerked to attention. Though I didn’t hear him, I sensed Jacob’s presence behind me as I was spreading peanut butter over my own slice of bread. Damn, the man moved as silently as a damn panther. Awareness crept over my skin. I forced myself not to jump in fright. Slowly turning my head, I tried to act like he hadn’t scared the crap out of me.

  “Hi.”

  He dipped his head in a nod, but he didn’t speak, just leaned against the counter behind me, and watched me from under hooded lashes. Holy crap on a barn door! He was shirtless, a pair of worn jeans hugging his narrow hips. His feet were bare. I tried not to stare, but holy hell, he was built. Muscles upon muscles. He wasn’t bulky, but rather, lean and sinewy, with a powerful-looking chest, rock hard abs that most people only saw on television or on a poster, a trim waist, and muscular thighs that filled his jeans to perfection. Dear Lord, was this guy even real? I could only imagine how firm that ass would be if he turned around and gave me a peek.

  I jerked my gaze up, heat gushing into my cheeks. He was tall, at least six-two or three, a spectacular, well-proportioned specimen of manliness. With a body like that, he had to do some serious working out. He was like a walking poster-model for a fitness magazine. Breathtakingly beautiful, he screamed “masculine” out of every pore.

  I barely resisted the urge to fan myself from the explosive hotness that emanated off him like steam.

  A tattoo on his upper left arm caught my eye. It was black ink, a dark, wraith-like swirl of smoke or clouds or something. I stared, trying to figure out what it was. Then, slowly, comprehension dawned. It looked like a ghost, a phantom of some kind, swirling in the mist. The shape wasn’t quite human, not quite otherworldly, but a mixture of the two.

  The shiver of fear I’d felt last night when he’d first approached me in the dark parking lot swept through me again.

  Who was he?

  For all I knew, he could be a gang member, perhaps even a gang leader.

  My breath caught. That would explain why he oozed danger like a crouched tiger. He’d said Hazel’s mother was dead. Had she been killed in the gang wars? Oh God, what had I gotten myself into?

  I jerked my gaze to his face. He eyed me with a sleepy, just-woke-up expression, but I didn’t miss the wariness in his gaze. He didn’t trust me yet.

  Then why had he left me alone with Hazel all morning?

  You don’t know that he left you alone. You just didn’t see or hear him. He might have been observing the entire time.

  Uneasiness crept down my spine. Did he have a nanny cam? I glanced discretely around the kitchen, checking out obvious places where a camera might be hidden. I didn’t see anything, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t one—or two or three—hidden somewhere. I was an honest person and had nothing to hide, but the thought of him watching my every move made my pulse race.

  Forcing myself to relax, I asked, “You sleep well?”

  His gaze narrowed as it burrowed into mine, scrutinizing. What was he searching for?

  “Yes.”

  My skin heated. I lowered my gaze and clumsily lifted the bread. “You want one? We’re making peanut butter and jam sandwiches.”

  His gaze darted from my face to the bread and back. A second ticked past. Then two. Did he think I would poison him? Why was he so suspicious of me? He acted like he didn’t trust easily.

  He might be a drug lord. A criminal.

  You’re being paranoid, Anna. You don’t know that.

  “Yeah. Thanks.” Finally, he spoke in that strange, raspy voice.

  I swallowed hard and jerked my gaze back to his. The expression on his face was unreadable, yet his eyes remained watchful. There was an intensity about him, a wild-animal-like wariness that suggested he could bolt or attack at any moment. The dangerous vibe was still there, causing me to be hyperaware of him. Whoever or whatever this man was, I would do well to watch my step around him.

  I snatched up two more slices of bread from the bag and made Jacob a sandwich before he realized how nervous he made me. I wanted to ask him outright who he was, but that was a conversation I didn’t want to have in front of Hazel.

  Hazel watched, then she helped by dumping some Cheetos onto each plate. I slid onto the bar stool next to Hazel and pushed Jacob’s plate toward the empty spot next to me.

  “Here you go.”

  He didn’t speak. In fact, he didn’t make a fricking sound. All of a sudden, he was sliding his impressive body onto the stool next to mine. I swallowed hard, glancing at him out of the corner of my eye. All those muscles up close made me suddenly breathless.

  I wished he would put a shirt on. He was too distracting.

  That ghostly tattoo was now only inches away, mocking me with all the possibilities of what it might represent. My gut told me that tattoo had something to do with him and his silent, nearly imperceptive movements. Up close, I could easily see the details in the design, the swirls of darkness and danger. I jerked my gaze away, my heart pounding, not wanting to get caught staring at it.

  “Let’s make sandwich faces.” I turned to Hazel, my voice sounding too bright. Trying to ignore Jacob sitting next to me, I lifted a finger and poked a nose, two eyeballs, then shaped a mouth across my sandwich.

  Hazel let out a soft giggle and glanced down the countertop at her father.

  Jacob didn’t say anything, but his sudden stillness made me wary.

  Shit. Had I made him angry? Did he not allow Hazel to play with her food? Playing with food was harmless fun for children, as long as rules were set, and messes were cleaned up afterwards. At least, that’s what I’d always thought.

  I turned to Hazel. “Your turn.”

  She lifted her index finger and stabbed it into the bread. When she pulled her finger back out, jam and peanut butter clung to her fingertip. She giggled louder, then sucked the sticky sweetness off her finger and did it again.

  “Food’s for eating, not playing,” Jacob rasped in obvious disapproval.

  Hazel froze, her eyes widening in sudden fear.

  Damn him, he�
�d scared her. Didn’t the man know how to have fun?

  “We’re just playing,” I said defensively. “Don’t be such a grump. Haven’t you ever played with your food?”

  His gaze collided with mine, the intensity in those blue eyes making my pulse race. “No.”

  I stared at him. He’d never played with his food? Not even as a child? “Never?”

  His gaze narrowed. “Life isn’t all fun and games.” Was that a warning? What the hell? I was here to take care of his daughter, and I would do that my way, not his. I had experience with children, and I knew what I was doing. He’d just have to deal with it.

  “Why don’t you make a sandwich face, Jacob?” I suggested, trying to lighten the mood. “Come on, it’s fun.”

  He hesitated, then glanced down at his sandwich. “That’s ridiculous.”

  I cocked a brow in challenge. “Is it? You’re the one who’s being ridiculous.” I spun away from him and faced Hazel.

  Crap. I had just called my boss “ridiculous”. My heart raced. My face heated. What the hell was I thinking? I should apologize.

  Instead, I tried to hide my nervousness by blurting, “Hungry monster!” I growled like a beast and took a messy bite of my sandwich, tearing it and gobbling it down with growling monster noises, smearing peanut butter and jam on my face in the process.

  Hazel giggled again, then glanced nervously at her father.

  I kept my back to him, but his words, though spoken softly, easily reached my ears, “I’ve never heard her laugh before.” There was wonder in his voice, awe.

  My heart pinched. He’d never heard his daughter laugh before? Why not? What had happened to the poor child? Had she witnessed her mother’s death? My chest squeezed tightly. God, I hoped not. No child should have to witness such a thing.