When Day Breaks

CHAPTER 6

EDEN dragged a hand wearily through her hair, wondering if she’d be bald before this was all over with. She patiently explained, for the third time, the events that had transpired when she, David and Micah had exited the building after her photo shoot.

Micah and David had given their own statements, identical to hers.

“I simply don’t know anything more, Detective Gibbs,” she said tiredly. “It all happened so fast. The glass shattered behind us and I was shoved to the ground. It was all a giant blur. I was scared. And then the car roared up and they shoved me inside and we drove here, to the hotel.”

The detective exchanged a frustrated look with his partner, both with notepads in their hands taking down what they likely thought was perfectly useless information.

“I’m sorry I can’t be of more help,” Eden added, uncomfortable with the sudden silence. “Have you made an arrest?”

And then another thought occurred to her, shaming her because she hadn’t considered it until now.

She caught her breath and glanced urgently at the two detectives. “Was anyone hurt? Was anyone shot?”

Gibbs shook his head. “There were a few minor injuries from the flying glass. A twisted ankle from tripping as someone ran from the scene. But no one was shot.”

“Thank God,” Eden breathed.

An urgent knock sounded at the door followed by a distinctive bellow. “Eden! It’s Dad.”

Relief surged through her veins and she bolted from the sofa only to be restrained by Micah.

“David will answer. You stay put.”

Eden simmered with frustration as David went to the door. As soon as her father and brothers entered, she shoved Micah away and flew across the room and into her father’s arms.

“Eden, thank God you’re all right,” her father whispered against her ear.

“Thank you for coming so quickly,” she said fervently. “I’m so glad y’all are here.”

She was passed then to Raid, who swallowed her up in a bear hug, and then to Ryker, who held her every bit as tightly.

“You scared us, honey,” Raid said when Ryker finally let her go.

Eddie looked past Eden to the two detectives and scowled. “What’s going on here?”

Eden took his hand and dragged him toward the waiting detectives.

“Daddy, this is Detective Gibbs and his partner, Detective Barnes. They’re questioning me about the shooting.”

“Have you made an arrest? What the hell happened today?” Eddie barked.

“We’re still in the preliminary stage of the investigation, sir,” Gibbs said in a steady voice. “We’re interviewing eyewitnesses, trying to put the pieces together.”

“Do you know anything at this point?” Raid asked.

“You the cop?” Barnes asked.

Raid nodded.

“All we know is that the shots were fired at a downward trajectory, not street level. We dug one of the bullets out of the concrete and the angle puts it in the eight- to nine-story level, so we’re checking the hotel across the street and doing a sweep of floors five to eleven. So far nothing has turned up, but we’re reviewing the hotel records of all persons staying on those floors,” Barnes supplied.

“Sniper?” Ryker asked.

“Looks to be,” Gibbs said grimly. “There’s evidence that only four shots were fired, but we can’t be certain. We’ve done a thorough search of all the rooms that faced the street and found no casings, so it’s likely the shooter cleaned up after himself. We’re dusting for fingerprints but unless we get lucky, this will likely take some time.”

“Are you through with my daughter?” Eddie demanded. “She looks exhausted. Have you been questioning her all damn afternoon?”

Color scoured Barnes’s cheeks. “It’s procedure, sir.”

“I’m all right, Daddy,” Eden said in a low voice.

“No, you’re not,” Raid denied.

“They’ve been here several hours,” Micah said. “I’d say they’re done.”

Gibbs sighed. “We’ve got all we can get for now.”

“Is she free to go?” Eddie asked.

Barnes lifted an eyebrow. “You in a hurry?”

Eddie shot him a glare that would shrivel most men. It was a look Eden didn’t often see, but it would certainly intimidate her. Gibbs and Barnes weren’t unaffected. Barnes shifted uneasily before dropping his gaze.

“I have another shoot,” Eden said quietly. “Day after tomorrow. I have to leave tomorrow. It’s important. The biggest of my career.”

Her father and brothers exchanged uneasy glances but kept silent.

“Leave me your contact numbers in case we have further questions,” Gibbs said. “We’ll notify you if we make an arrest, of course.”

Eden supplied her cell number, as did Micah and David. Then the detectives took their leave with a promise to keep them updated on the progress.

When the door closed behind them, Eden sagged onto the couch and closed her eyes. Raid and her father immediately sat on either side of her, and her father pulled her into his arms again. He trembled against her and she realized just how terrified he’d been. That made two of them.

It hadn’t really sunk in just how close she’d come to death until afterward, when the detectives arrived close on the heels of Micah’s call to them. She’d shaken for the entire first hour of questioning.

“I’m so glad you came,” Eden said. “I was so scared, but you’re here now and I’m all right.”

Her father pulled away and framed her shoulders in his big hands. “I have some people coming, baby.”

Her brow furrowed. “What people and why?”

“They’re the best, or so Ryker informs me. I’m bringing them in to see to your protection for this next shoot.”

Her mouth dropped open. “But what about David and Micah? That’s what they’re here for. And they did. They got me out and to safety. Why do we need more?”

Her father’s features were implacable. “You almost died today, Eden. There will be no arguments. I want them around you at all times. David and Micah can take a well-earned break.”

“But, Daddy . . .”

“He’s right, Eden,” Raid chimed in.

Eden glanced up at Ryker, her eyes pleading, but he looked as resolved as Raid and her father.

“They’re the best at what they do,” Ryker said, his jaw tight. “There’s no way in hell you’re going to that shoot without them. I know it’s important to you, otherwise we’d have you home and under constant guard and fuck your career.”

Heat washed over her face and anger surged. They were ganging up on her. Making decisions for her. She was a grown woman and she certainly had a right to make her own choices.

“They’re right, Eden,” Micah said.

She groaned. “God, not you too.”

“You almost died today,” David said. “If these people your father is bringing in are the best, then that’s what you need. No one wants you dead.”

“You’re all making a pretty huge leap here,” she pointed out. “From all appearances this is some random shooting and I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Any one of those pedestrians could have been killed. Not just me.”

She saw a flicker in her father’s eye but it was gone just as quickly, resolve tightening his features.

“I’m not willing to take chances with your safety,” he said. “Placate me, Eden. Because I’m about this close to hauling you home and telling your agent to call off the whole damn thing.”

In the end it wasn’t the threats that swayed her. When she looked at her father and brothers she saw stark fear in their eyes. And worry. She knew they wouldn’t be swayed and if she refused the additional security, she had no doubt her father would make good on his threat to take her home and keep her under lock and key for as long as it took.

She sighed, massaging her forehead with her fingers, fatigue settling into her bones.

“You’re tired, baby,” Raid said. “Will you try to lie down and get some rest until the Kellys show up? They’re on their way now and we need to make plans since you’re leaving tomorrow evening for Paris.”

David held out the prescription bottle the hotel physician had prescribed when he’d come by to examine Eden hours earlier. “Take it. You need the rest,” he said bluntly.

The room was swimming in testosterone already. She shuddered to think how bad it would be when whoever her father had hired showed up.

Micah shoved a water bottle into her hand and then Raid propelled her to her feet and toward the bedroom area of the suite.

“I hate it when the men in my life handle me,” she grumbled once Raid shut the door behind them.

Raid pulled her into his arms and hugged her fiercely. “We’re scared, baby. Humor us, please? You have no idea what that call did to Dad. It will make him feel better to know you have the best at your back.”

“You totally did that on purpose,” she accused.

Raid pulled back, an innocent look on his face. “Did what?”

“You know damn well what,” she said in disgust. “You’re using Dad against me.”

“Is it working?”

“Yes. Damn it.”

He grinned and kissed her forehead. “Take your medicine and get some sleep, okay?”

“Whatever, big brother. But payback’s a bitch.”

“It will make Ryker and me feel much better too,” he said, his expression growing serious once more.

She sighed. “I agreed, so lay off the guilt trip.”

“We worry about you, baby. We love you and never want anything to happen to you.”

“I love y’all too,” she returned. “Now shoo so I can tackle that bed. I’m about to drop.”

“Not until I see you take the pill,” he said pointedly.

To emphasize his point, he crossed his arms and stared expectantly at her.

“You’re all a bunch of tyrants,” she muttered. But she did as he ordered and swallowed the bitter-tasting pill with a grimace. “There. Happy?”

“Yes,” he said, leaning forward to kiss her forehead.

“Wake me when whoever gets here, okay?”

He nodded.

“Promise me,” she pressed. “I’d at least like to be present when my future is decided.”

He rolled his eyes. “Promise. Now get your ass into bed.”

She didn’t need much encouragement. She didn’t even pull back the covers. She did a face plant on the bed and burrowed her head into the sumptuous down pillow with a sigh.

In the distance she heard the door shut behind her and she closed her eyes, exhaustion taking over.