Chapter 2
COLE
I stare at the woman across the table as veins bulge in the man’s neck beside her. I think he just said she’d be my bodyguard. I came here knowing I’d likely hire someone to deter threats, but I wasn’t expecting a woman.
Steven, or Tracker as he said to call him, sits forward, his jaw grinding.
“You said you wanted the best. She’s the best.” He pauses, his eyes dead set on my GM. If looks could kill, I’m pretty sure Greg would flatline. “Now, if you throw any more insults like that in this direction, you all can show yourselves out.”
I’ve never met this man before, but I like him. If he says the woman sitting to his right is the best, I’m inclined to believe him. Do I want her living with me and following me around day and night? Man or woman, I’m not really excited about that, but my management isn’t giving me a say.
I either have to accept a placement from their contracted security team or hire someone myself. Given that I don’t know where the threats are coming from, Rob suggested we meet with this group.
Greg holds up his hands. “I don’t mean to be insulting, but we don’t know who’s doing this.
What if it’s a 300-pound disgruntled man wielding a firearm in his face?
Cole encounters fans every day, and this needs to be taken seriously.
” He pauses, and Tracker leans back in his chair, tossing his pen on the table like he’s one step away from snapping Greg in half.
“You’re telling me she’s the best to handle that situation? ”
My eyes flick to the woman introduced as Ryder Jones.
Her blonde hair is tied back in a braid, and her stone face is completely bare of makeup.
I’d guess she’s about my age, but it’s difficult to tell.
I can’t say I disagree with what Greg is insinuating, but I’ve learned that judging someone based on their appearance can be a grave mistake.
Tracker runs a hand over his face as if he’s attempting to reel in his temper. “I don’t usually take on these kinds of one-off cases, but Rob, you contacted me.” His gaze shifts from Rob to Greg.
The tension in the room has spiked, and I need this to be settled so I can get back to football. I don’t want to go another round with Greg or my management about this.
“Where do I sign the contract?” I say, slicing through the uncomfortable silence and surprising everyone, especially the woman who’ll be my bodyguard.
Her blue-green eyes lock on mine as if my question didn’t faze her in the least.
My new roommate.
I nod once and smile slightly, trying to let her know I’m good with her being assigned to me. Her face remains expressionless as she studies me thoroughly.
The man next to Tracker, TJ, I think, watches her non-verbal, emotionless reaction. I wonder what his deal is.
Greg settles back in his chair, kneading his temples. As the general manager, he runs the Stingrays off the field. He can dictate what happens when I’m on the clock, including hiring and coordinating the team’s security. Beyond that, it’s my decision.
He’s only here to help combine efforts, given it’s in the organization’s best interest to ensure the person intent on killing me isn’t successful.
“Son, you understand Ryder will be in charge of your security while you’re outside of the team’s care?” Tracker asks, his tone a little less lethal.
“Yes, sir.”
He studies me long and hard. “Anyone else we need to consider in this? A wife or girlfriend? A child? Anyone you spend a lot of time with?”
I shake my head.
“And you understand her job is to keep you out of harm’s way, which requires you to follow her direction?”
TJ clears his throat, his gaze on Ryder, and when mine drifts back to her, I catch her subtly scratching the side of her nose with her middle finger.
I bite my cheeks to hide a smile. “Yes, sir.”
Tracker rests his arms on the table, his gaze scrutinizing me as if he’s issuing a silent warning. I have sisters. I understand what he’s telling me.
“Sir, my life is pretty boring. I train, eat, memorize playbooks, and ready myself for the next game. Wash, rinse, and repeat. If your team can help ensure I can do those things without interruption, then I’m all good here.”
He nods. “All right, then. We’ll get a contract drafted. If everything is signed and returned, she’ll be on the clock starting tomorrow when you’re released from your organization’s care.”
His attention shifts to Greg. “We can discuss what your security practices look like on the inside. If Cole’s our client, I need assurance his safety is top priority when he’s out of our reach.”
Greg only nods, finally getting the clue that he should be quiet.
Tracker continues. “We need all the letters, emails, notes. . .everything you’ve received. We’ll start at the beginning and see what we can piece together. Ryder will get to work and keep me in the loop. She’ll lead efforts with the help of our team to analyze all security measures.”
Ryder’s shoulders rise with a deep inhale, but she has yet to say a word. There’s only one thing about this arrangement that could potentially be an issue.
I lean forward, clasping my hands together.
“If at all possible, I’d like to keep this private.
If this hits the media, it’ll only make things worse.
” As much as I can, I keep my life private.
“The only thing is, people follow and photograph me everywhere. If she’s with me, everyone will assume we’re together. I want to be sure that—”
“It’s not an issue.” Tracker doesn’t hesitate, but Ryder’s head snaps in his direction. “Her job is to protect you. If people think you’re dating…” He shrugs. “It’s just part of the job.”
As Tracker discusses the details, Greg busies himself with his phone while Ryder and TJ stand off to the side, talking in hushed tones.
I watch her lean into her partner, determination set in her features. I’m not sure what it is, but something tells me her strength has little to do with her physical fitness.
Ryder is tall, but I’m still a head taller. Her short-sleeved shirt reveals her defined, lean muscles, and her tight black jeans and boots show off her powerful lower body.
A moment later, she leaves the room, and Tracker offers to escort us out. As I cross the room following the group, TJ sticks his arm out, stopping me.
“You do what she says and treat her with nothing but respect.” His hard eyes are locked on mine. “She’s important to me, and these threats will be nothing if you even put a toe over the line. Understand?”
I deal with massive men launching themselves at me every day. I suspect this guy means every word and can live up to them, but he has nothing to worry about.
“Got it.”
He holds my gaze a second longer before allowing me through the doorway.
I catch up with Rob and Greg on their way out and join them in the parking lot. Greg takes off, but Rob lingers.
“You good with a woman moving in?” Rob smiles, but his question is filled with genuine curiosity.
Rob has been my agent since I started getting endorsement requests in college. He knew my dad, and I trust him.
“I need this to stop. I can’t afford for this to be a distraction. So. . . ” I shrug. “Besides, I had Maggie in my space for years, and if she had it her way, she’d still be right next door.” My sister is amazing, but she’s a bit overprotective and can be a little bossy. I’ll take it any day.
He chuckles. “That’s probably true.”
His face softens. “You need to take these threats seriously. I see all kinds of stuff, but these are getting personal, and the note on your car makes me nervous. This could be someone close, so be careful.”
I nod. “I will.”
He slaps my shoulder, leaving me, but then turns back.
“I contacted Tracker because there are protection services, and then there are these guys. I’ve worked with them before, and he helped your dad a while back.
” He pauses like he’s evaluating his words.
“He doesn’t mess around, and there’s a reason he’s assigning that woman to your case. ”
I nod, hearing him but wondering what it means.
I climb into my Range Rover, reminding myself to make sure no one is following me as Tracker instructed. As I glance in my rearview mirror, I see Ryder pushing out a side door, swinging a backpack over her shoulder.
In a matter of hours, she’ll be moving in with me. We haven’t even spoken. This should be interesting.