Shield Read online

  Shield

  First Response Series #2

  Claire Boston

  Table of Contents

  Blurb

  Dear Reader

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  State Emergency Services

  Acknowledgements

  Harbour

  Also by Claire Boston

  About the Author

  Copyright

  About Shield

  His life is in danger. But the only man who can protect him is afraid to go public…

  Blackbridge, Western Australia. Jamie Zanetti holds his secret close to his chest. Fearing that coming out as bisexual will ruin his small-town teaching career, he represses desires he’d rather explore. But when his handsome high-school crush Elijah returns and joins him in the volunteer emergency service, the attraction may be too much to resist.

  Elijah Johnson knows where his heart lies. And after eight years of soul-searching across Europe, he’s finally ready to settle down with Mr. Right. But Elijah refuses to have a clandestine relationship, no matter how delicious Jamie’s lips feel.

  While they’re thrown together in dramatic rescues, Jamie is torn apart as he fights to hide his growing feelings. But the truth might be the only thing that saves them both when Elijah stumbles upon a sinister local crime ring…

  Can Jamie and Elijah expose a deadly gang of thieves and move their love into the open?

  Shield is the second standalone novel in the page-turning First Response romantic suspense series. If you like deep characters, sweet attractions, and thrilling emergencies, then you’ll adore Claire Boston’s captivating story.

  Buy Shield to bring passion to the rescue today!

  Dear Reader,

  This book is set in Australia and as such I’ve used UK English spelling rather than US English. What this means is that my US readers might notice words spelled differently to what they are used to: colour, not color, realise not realize and towards rather than toward. I can’t guarantee there are no spelling mistakes in this novel (because one or two always slip past me), but many of the differences you may notice are because of the differences in UK and US spelling and grammar.

  There is also a little bit of Aussie slang and terms that may be unique to Australia. I think most are understandable from the context, but if there’s anything you get stuck on, send me an email at [email protected] and I’ll be sure to add it to the glossary on my website.

  I really hope you enjoy visiting the south coast of Western Australia while you’re getting to know Jamie and Elijah and all the wonderful people of Blackbridge.

  Happy Reading!

  Claire B

  DEDICATION

  To all State Emergency Services personnel who give up their time to help others. Thank you.

  Chapter 1

  Jamie Zanetti scanned the bush for signs of the missing boy.

  To his left, other State Emergency Service volunteers called Noah’s name, their bright orange clothes visible through the straggly gum trees. To his right was more bush. His black steel-capped boots crunched over the damp native grasses.

  How far could a four-year-old walk in a few hours? They didn’t have enough volunteers to cover the whole national park. The winery had disappeared from sight a long time ago and he couldn’t even hear the sound of cars along the highway. At least the ground was relatively flat and it was too cold for the dugites and tiger snakes to be active. The sun sank closer to the horizon, the temperature dropping. It would be dark soon and that would be terrifying for a young kid. Thick grey clouds threatened to make the day even more miserable by dropping rain.

  Christ, he hoped they found Noah soon—alive.

  Jamie had been back in Blackbridge for six months, and in that time he’d been on far too many searches for missing people. Sometimes they found them alive with only minor injuries, sometimes they didn’t. But this time it was a kid. Jamie visualised the photo they’d been shown—wide brown eyes and a cheeky grin. Noah had been wearing a green rain jacket and black jeans, so would blend with the surrounding bush.

  Jamie cupped his hands around his mouth. “Noah!” He waited. Only the echo of other searchers calling the boy.

  Jamie moved more to the right, still able to see his fellow volunteer, Elijah Johnson, but widening the area of the search. If he were four, what would he do?

  He sighed. As soon as he realised he was lost, he would have sat down and waited for someone to find him. His parents had drilled that into him. But that had been after he’d decided to visit his friend Kit by himself. Kit had a new puppy and he’d wanted to play with it.

  Jamie glanced around. What would have caught Noah’s attention? Had he followed something—a bird or a kangaroo? Yeah, he could imagine him running into the bush after an interesting animal, especially because the child was English. Most of Australia’s animals would be unusual to him. Perhaps he’d wandered further and further away until he’d lost sight of whatever he was following and then realised he didn’t know his way back.

  “Noah!”

  A sound. A sob?

  Jamie froze, straining to hear. “Noah, is that you?” He stepped towards the noise.

  A quiet cough, or maybe a hiccough reached him.

  Jamie’s heart raced as he yelled to Elijah, “Over here.” He strode towards the sound. “Wave your arms for me, Noah, so I can find you.”

  The boy wailed and Jamie pinpointed him sitting next to a tree, his cheeks tear- and dirt-streaked. Relief made him dizzy. “I’ve found him!” He crashed through the bush. As he reached the boy, his ankle rolled on a rock and he dropped to his knees, pain coursing through him.

  Shit.

  Noah recoiled.

  Jamie gritted back the pain and smiled at the sobbing young boy. “Hey, kiddo. My name’s Jamie. I’m with the SES. We’ve been searching for you.”

  “I want my Dad!” The boy shook, hugging himself.

  Jamie glanced up. The other volunteers were coming. “He’s on his way. He’s been so worried about you.”

  Noah bit his lip. “Am I in trouble?”

  “Nah. Your parents will be happy to have you back.”

  Footsteps as Elijah approached. Jamie squeezed the boy’s hand and then other members of the Blackbridge SES converged on them. Elijah’s wide smile made Jamie’s heart stutter. “Hey, Noah. Glad we found you.”

  Their section leader, Morgan spoke into his radio. “We’ve found him.”

  “Noah!” The frantic call of the boy’s father as he pushed through the volunteers.

  “Dad!” Noah flung himself at his father who picked him up and held him tight, his eyes closed.

  “You’re all right.” The man’s voice shook. “Are you hurt?” He examined his son and then hugged him again. “You scared me to death. Don’t ever do that again.”

  The boy buried his head into his father’s shoulder and mumbled sorry amidst his cries.

  Jamie’s heart clenched and he blinked his watery eyes. Reunions like this were the best possible outcome. He swallowed hard and quietly cleared his throat. Elijah squeezed his shoulder and smiled. No judgement.

  “It’s OK. You’re safe. I’ve got you.” The father dried Noah’s tears and kissed his cheek. “Why did you wander off?”

  “I saw a kangaroo.”

  His father sighed and glan
ced at Jamie. “Thank you. Thank all of you.”

  Morgan nodded. “We’re glad he’s safe. Let’s get him back to the winery. There’s an ambulance there to check him.” He led the way.

  Jamie rotated his ankle and hissed at the fresh pain shooting up his leg. Damn it.

  “Need help?” Elijah held out his hand.

  They wore identical orange uniforms, but somehow, Elijah wore his with style. His French-tucked shirt drew Jamie’s eye to his belt and made him imagine what lay beneath it. He met Elijah’s deep green eyes, and hesitated. He’d been avoiding Elijah since he’d moved back, fighting his attraction. But who was he kidding? If he could choose anyone to rescue him, it would be Elijah. “I twisted my ankle.”

  Concern crossed Elijah’s face and he squatted. “How bad is it?”

  “Not sure if I can put any weight on it.”

  Elijah clucked his tongue and examined Jamie’s foot, his touch light. “All right, honey. Let’s get your shoe off and then I can help you back.” He worked quickly on the laces of Jamie’s boot and gently pulled it off.

  Jamie gritted his teeth at the pain.

  Elijah called to one of the other volunteers, holding up the boot. “Can you carry this?”

  “What happened?” Brenton asked.

  “Twisted it,” Jamie said, taking hold of Elijah’s hand and bracing his good foot on the ground as Elijah lifted him. Fresh-smelling aftershave tickled Jamie’s nose and the firm arm around Jamie’s waist revealed the strength below Elijah’s slim build. A bolt of desire replaced Jamie’s pain.

  “I’ll tell Siobhan.” Brenton walked off. Jamie barely heard him.

  Giving in to his attraction to Elijah would complicate his life and the very thought of it made his throat tighten and his pulse race. He swallowed. Don’t think about it. He had to get back and have his ankle assessed.

  Elijah tucked his shoulder under Jamie’s arm, his head so close. “Is this all right?”

  It was too nice. Jamie nodded, unable to stop his quick smile in response.

  “OK, hop with me.”

  Jamie was forced to use Elijah’s strong body as a crutch, leaning on him every time he hopped. It wasn’t how Jamie had imagined having Elijah’s body rubbing against his.

  “What did you do?” Siobhan, their team leader walked over to them, her bright blue hair clashing with her orange uniform.

  “Twisted my ankle.”

  “Let me help.” She wrapped her arm around Jamie’s waist on his other side, her body softer and curvier. He blocked the memory of running his hands over her breasts when they’d been in high school. Such a long time ago. He was no longer attracted to her, though she would be the easier choice. No one would bat an eyelid if they dated.

  Elijah squeezed Jamie’s waist as he tripped, and the flush of desire swept through him again.

  OK, so no. Ignoring Elijah wouldn’t work.

  But he’d think about it later, when he was away from Elijah, when he could think clearly.

  Right now, he needed to get back to base.

  And it was a long way back to the winery.

  The first drop of rain hit the back of his hand. The clouds were full to bursting. Another drop of rain, and then another.

  He sighed. What a day.

  “What made you move to Blackbridge, Elijah? I don’t reckon it was the weather.” Siobhan’s voice startled Jamie out of his thoughts.

  “My parents live here,” Elijah said.

  “Elijah went to the agricultural college,” Jamie added. “He was in our year.” He’d first met Elijah at Kit’s sixteenth birthday party. That had been a revelation. Elijah had been a little awkward-looking, all arms and legs, but he was already out and proud. The first gay person Jamie had met. “Is that when they moved here?”

  Elijah shook his head. “It was after I graduated. They fell in love with the town when they came to pick me up from boarding school, but it took a couple of years for Dad to find a job.”

  “And you work for Kit van Ross?” Siobhan said.

  “Kit Zanetti,” Jamie and Elijah corrected at the same time. They grinned at each other. Kit had married Jamie’s brother recently and had happily discarded her maiden name. She wanted the world to know Lincoln was hers.

  “Yeah,” Elijah continued. “She needed a new farmhand just after I moved back. It was perfect timing.”

  From all reports, Elijah had fitted in perfectly. Kit didn’t suffer fools and she was passionate about her farm, so if Elijah hadn’t pulled his weight, she would have fired him by now—friend or not. Instead she was always talking about how great Elijah was which made it harder for Jamie to pretend he thought of Elijah as just an acquaintance. He’d stopped himself from asking how Elijah was at their weekly family dinners, but luckily Elijah featured regularly in Kit’s stories about the farm.

  “How’s the ankle?” Elijah asked as they stopped to rest.

  “Throbbing.” Jamie leaned against a gum tree to get his breath back. They were maybe halfway to the winery and the other volunteers had long since outpaced them, eager to get back before the spits of rain turned into a downpour.

  Elijah smirked. “Title of your sex tape.”

  Jamie laughed. “You watch that show too?”

  “It’s one of my favourites.”

  “What are you two talking about?” Siobhan frowned.

  “A show on Netflix,” Jamie told her. “It’s a cop sitcom where the running gag is—” At her bored expression he said, “Never mind.”

  Elijah placed his arm around Jamie’s waist again. “Let’s keep moving.”

  Jamie leaned against him as Siobhan took his other side.

  “I’ve convinced Adam he has to watch it,” Elijah said. “You should join us.”

  “Sounds like fun.” With Elijah’s roommate there as chaperone, Jamie wouldn’t have to worry about how Elijah made him feel.

  Siobhan laughed. “Don’t tell people you’re going to Elijah’s to Netflix and chill or they might get the wrong idea.”

  “No, they won’t.” Jamie’s denial came out a little more forcefully than he meant. His face flamed and he avoided looking at Elijah. “No one thinks Adam and Elijah are partners.”

  Elijah’s fingers tightened on his hip for a second before releasing. He winced. He’d sent the wrong message. Maybe he should say he didn’t care, that he was bi, but only his family and closest friends knew. That was part of the problem.

  His injured foot brushed the ground and pain pierced him. He’d deal with his attraction to Elijah later.

  He checked where they were.

  Not too far to go.

  ***

  This was definitely not how Elijah had imagined getting his hands on Jamie Zanetti, but it was a good start. They matched each other’s height and Jamie’s body rubbed against him with each hop, warming him in more ways than one. Elijah was tempted to go slow, but Jamie’s ankle must hurt and it was getting dark. The only problem was Jamie’s adamant rejection of Siobhan’s statement—as if being accused of being gay was a bad thing. Elijah could have sworn some of Jamie’s comments over the past few months had been flirty.

  When they finally left the forest and ducked through the fencing into the Vale winery, the only light was from the tower illuminating the car park, and those shining in the windows of the restaurant. The bulk of the rain had held off, spitting regularly, but not showering. Noah, rugged up with a blanket across his shoulders, sat snuggled on his mother’s lap in the ambulance, his eyes closed, contentment on his face, while his father chatted to the paramedics and the police. The SES crew packed away their equipment and Elijah’s roommate, Constable Adam Marshall spoke to Morgan.

  “It’s the ambulance for you,” Siobhan said to Jamie.

  They moved past the playground from where Noah had disappeared, and as if by magic, the fairy lights switched on around the garden. Pretty. As they reached the ambulance, Sergeant Lincoln Zanetti looked up. “What have you done?”

  Jamie shrugged. “Tw
isted my ankle.”

  “Idiot.”

  Elijah grinned. Brotherly love at its finest. He helped Jamie to sit and stepped back while the paramedic, Guy, examined him.

  “I’m going to take your sock off,” Guy said. “It might hurt.”

  Jamie nodded.

  Elijah clenched his fists to resist reaching out to Jamie when he winced. Instead he said, “I’ll report to Morgan.”

  He hadn’t quite figured out his section leader. Whenever Morgan spoke to him, he was brusque and kind of distracted. He reminded Elijah of his father—a man’s man. There’d always been something more important on his mind when Elijah had wanted to talk to him. Perhaps Elijah had made his relationship with Morgan worse by turning up to his first training session wearing thick dark eyeliner and a rainbow tie-died shirt. He’d discovered it was best everyone was clear about who he was from the beginning.

  There’d been some sideways glances and raised eyebrows, but no one had confronted him and, over the past few months, he’d established a strong camaraderie with his fellow volunteers. Except for Morgan. He always felt he had to prove himself. His major freak out the first time he’d done roof-safety training probably hadn’t helped. Turned out heights and he were not the best of friends. Another issue his ex had left him with.

  Morgan spoke with Kay Patton, whose family owned the winery. Kay looked distinctly unhappy, and Morgan appeared none too pleased either. At least Elijah wasn’t the only one Kay scowled at. As he walked towards them, Kay said, “You’ll do what you’re told.” She glared at Elijah and stalked off.

  “What was that about?” Elijah asked.

  Morgan let out a shaky breath as if trying to control his anger. “She didn’t appreciate us taking up most of her car park with equipment.”

  Elijah shook his head. Way to have empathy for a missing child.

  “What happened to Jamie?” Morgan asked.

  “He twisted his ankle.”

  Morgan grunted. “Get him to fill out an incident report.” He dug through his folder and handed Elijah one.