Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“Thanks for being here,” Dean begins, his voice carrying a tone of gratitude. “I know the past year hasn’t been easy with me searching for Bishop. I’d like to thank all of you for the hand you played in finding him.” He shuffles through the papers in front of him once more. “Hopefully, we can finally have some peace.”
I nod, knowing although I wasn’t much help in taking down Bishop Blackstone, I helped keep things running smoothly for Maddox Security. It was a team effort, and every role played was crucial.
“I know Isabel has been helping a ton, and I’m lucky to have such an awesome sister,” Dean says, his voice softening with pride. Lincoln and Dean share a look before Dean continues, “I have some assignments that need urgent attention, and I wanted to hand out each one personally.”
I shift in my seat, always leery about what assignment he’ll toss my way.
“Ranger, I’ll start with you first. The G20 Summit Meeting is soon, and this is Tory Ann Malser,” he says, handing me a file. “She’s yours to protect.”
I take the file, flipping it open to see a picture of a young woman with striking features and a poised demeanor. Tory.
Dean’s gaze meets mine, his expression serious. “This assignment is critical. The G20 Summit attracts a lot of attention, and not all of it good. Your job is to ensure her safety at all times.”
I nod, the weight of the responsibility settling in. Protecting someone at a high-profile event like the G20 Summit requires precision, vigilance, and a keen sense of awareness.
I stare into the wild blue eyes of the blonde woman in the photo. “Is she attending the summit?”
Dean shakes his head, his gray eyes meeting mine with a serious gaze. “No, she isn’t. Her father is Fredrick Malser, a world-renowned scientist. He’ll be a keynote speaker and will have his own personal security watching over him.”
“Why not have his security watch over his daughter?”
Dean leans back in his chair, fingers tapping thoughtfully on the polished surface of the table. “Fredrick has received death threats about speaking at the Summit, and he doesn’t trust some members of his own security detail. He wants his daughter kept under the radar. We need to ensure her safety without attracting attention.”
I glance at the photo again as Dean continues giving me instructions. Tory’s expression in the picture is composed, her features betraying none of the potential danger surrounding her. “You’ll take her to the safe house near the ocean and hold her until the Summit is over.”
I scan Tory’s details, noting she’s studying to be a scientist, following in her father’s footsteps. This should be a straightforward job. “Sounds good.”
Dean’s focus shifts to Orion, who sits with a brooding expression. “Orion, you’ve got the daughter of socialite Minnie Green. She’s got an ex-boyfriend stalking her, and her mother wants security to follow her to-and-from work.”
“Ex-boyfriend?” Orion scoffs, his voice carrying a hint of restrained anger. “Can’t I just scare the shit out of him, make him think twice, and call it a day?”
Dean hands a folder to Orion, his expression stern. “It’s not that simple. We need to ensure she’s safe without escalating the situation.”
Orion opens the folder, his eyes narrowing as he studies the contents. He sucks in a breath before speaking again, his voice quieter this time. “It never is.” He fixates a little longer on the picture inside his folder, his jaw clenched with determination.
“Lincoln already has his assignment,” Dean states, his voice steady and commanding. They share another look, a silent communication that speaks volumes. It must be some hush-hush undercover operation or something equally critical.
“Boone, here’s your assignment.” Dean hands a file to Boone. “I briefed you on it last week.”
Boone opens the file, his brows furrowing slightly as he studies the contents. “Wow,” he mutters under his breath. “Who’s this?”
“Name’s Aubree Ryan, and she’s got a stalker too. We’re still in the dark about the identity, but she needs to get out of Nashville.”
Boone nods decisively. “I’ll take her to my cabin nearby. It’s remote, secure.”
I focus back on the file in my hand while Dean continues, detailing Asher’s assignment of pretending to be engaged to the woman he’s protecting. As I stare into the blue eyes of Tory in her photograph, I’m struck by her striking beauty. Questions swirl in my mind.
Why did her father bring her to Saint Pierce? Why not leave her at home while he attends the Summit Meeting?
“I want everyone to know I’m here if you need anything,” Dean says, snapping me back to the present moment.
We all grunt our acknowledgement, each absorbed in our thoughts and tasks. My assignment seems straightforward, and I don’t anticipate serious complications. What concerns me most is her beauty and the unexpected attraction I feel toward her photo. But I never mix business and pleasure. In fact, it’s been a long time since I mixed anything and pleasure together. Love is a risk I refuse to take. Can you blame me? Dean is the exception in my world, the only one who has found lasting happiness. My parents, my sister, my friends—they’ve all stumbled in the realm of love, and I’m not willing to gamble.