Chapter 2
Boone Reynolds sat in the tidy, unassuming office, studying the new Guardian Agency regional coordinator while she took a call. Jess Keller was sharp as a tack with an understated beauty that the long-sleeved shirt and dark cargo pants couldn’t disguise. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail now, but he imagined when she was a cop in Key West, it would’ve been wound tight into a more practical bun.
It wasn’t hard to imagine her in a police uniform. Her calm presence and pragmatic approach must’ve been good for the community she served.
Even though they’d just met face-to-face, he’d heard a lot about her through the Guardian Agency updates. In addition to her new role managing personnel and assignments in this part of the country, she was engaged and would be based here on this small barrier island where she’d grown up.
The ring on her finger flashed as she reached for a notepad. Boone gave her fiancé big points for good taste. The solitaire made a statement, laid a claim in a beautiful way no one could miss.
He had stuck around the Charleston area after his recent protection detail ended. Today he’d driven out here just to put a face to the name and shoot the breeze with Jess. And yes, he’d been hoping she’d find a way to add him to another local job.
He liked the area. He liked the weather and the people and the variety.
And who the hell was he kidding? He couldn’t get his mind off one specific woman. She’d been more appealing than any of the other gorgeous sights in the Lowcountry. It had been weeks and she still haunted him twenty-four-seven.
Of course, he’d tried to find her. And had come up empty. The atypical failure bothered him almost as much as losing track of her.
But she wasn’t a figment of his imagination. Although he didn’t normally do the one-night-stand thing, something about her had tempted him. They’d talked and danced and wound up in his hotel room. The night had been beyond spectacular. The chemistry and passion of their first kiss had rocked him. The pulse of desire, refreshing laughter and, oddly enough, the tenderness had left him undone.
In the best way possible.
They’d shared that instant connection usually reserved for the romance novels his sister favored.
And then he’d woken up and found himself alone.
The woman had left without leaving so much as a note. So maybe the electricity, heat, and the incomparable fun had only been on his side.
Blame his ego, but he couldn’t believe her enthusiasm during that amazing encounter was fake. Boone wasn’t accustomed to doubts. More than once, he’d been accused of having too much confidence and a brash attitude his bosses believed would get him in trouble someday. So far that bold and forward-momentum approach to life and the job had carried him through some of the toughest ups and downs with only a few scars to show for it .
It seemed his particular brand of commitment and work ethic was welcome in very few places. Once the shine wore off his military service, he found a place with the Guardian Agency and counted himself lucky for the skills he’d learned along the way.
Skills that should’ve made finding his mystery woman much easier.
Unable to shake off his curiosity about her, needing answers, he kept looking. Already he suspected he wouldn’t stop. She was that special, that different. He cycled through moments of Zen-like acceptance that it wasn’t meant to be, to nearly-frantic dives for a woman he was sure should be in his life.
Jess was still on the phone, and from the change in her voice, there was some sort of crisis. She looked up, her eyes sharp. She’d made a decision.
About him.
Put me in, coach. Anything to stay local.
That familiar rush flooded his system. Adrenaline at the ready, prepared to answer any call or excel at every task.
“Logan is on his way to you,” Jess said to the caller. “He’ll bring you back home. I’ll have security in place by the time you get here. Hang in there,” Jess soothed. “It’s all going to be fine.”
She ended the call and paused, eyes closed and hands gripping her cell phone. Then she took a deep breath, met his gaze. “Are you up for something new?”
“Yes.” He dipped his chin toward the phone. “Sounded like that might be personal.”
“It is.” She rubbed her temples. “My fiancé’s sister managed to witness a carjacking today.”
Crap. Crime sucked all the time, but when it was one of your own… “Is she all right? ”
“Seems to be,” Jess said. “That’s the good news. But the police on the scene tell me the perp is an escaped convict. I don’t have the whole story yet,” she groused. “What we know is that this convict car-jacked another vehicle with a child in the back seat. Nash’s sister happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Jess paused. “Actually, maybe she was in the right place. Sounds like she helped the distraught woman and she definitely assisted the police.”
“How so?”
“Again, this is just bare bones information, but apparently, she caught a video of the man taking off his mask as he drove away. The video is clear enough to confirm his identity.”
That sounded open and shut to Boone. Then again, it was everything in between that kept him employed. “You don’t think the police will round him up?”
“The cop who spoke with me wanted to be sure someone will keep an eye on her .” Jess frowned. “Sounds like she was standing near her vehicle, which is a rolling advertisement for her flower shop.”
Boone barely suppressed the reaction as a memory washed over him. His mystery woman’s skin and hair had smelled of flowers.
“I don’t know enough about this guy yet to know his resources,” Jess continued. “He escaped custody, obviously, but I don’t know how long ago. He committed a crime with the carjacking and hopefully accidental kidnapping. It’s no stretch to think he can evade a manhunt. At least for a while. I’ll need to call the office and get research digging into him.”
“What do you need from me?”
“Logan, one of our protectors in Charleston, is on his way to her. He’ll bring her here. At that point I want you to take over. She lives and works here and she’ll be worried about the rest of the family. ”
“All right,” Boone agreed. “Standard protection detail?”
“Yes, please.” Jess turned to her computer. “Give me a second to send the research request. They can get us an accurate risk assessment.”
Their research team at the agency was the best in Boone’s opinion. And being in the private sector, they were far more transparent and candid with intel than the military could be. “What kind of background can you give me?”
Whatever Jess was about to say, she thought better of it and closed her mouth. “Sorry.” She held up her hands. “Everyone needs me to treat this like any other assignment. Her name is Nina Billings. Her older brother, Nash, is my fiancé. Her parents, Roxy and Nico, are alive and live here on Brookwell where she was born and raised. She owns the flower shop on Central. Island Bloomers. One employee, plus a delivery driver who comes in as needed.”
“Sounds manageable.” Boone was absorbing all the details. “Where does she live?”
“In an apartment above her shop.”
That surprised him and it must’ve shown because Jess’s mouth twitched. “She’s dedicated to her business and this town. Florist hours can be squirrely. The setup gives her autonomy without a mortgage payment. And reduces friction when she needs to work early or late.”
“Got it. Any hobbies or commitments? Significant others?”
Jess considered the question. “Music. Nina wants a seat on the music festival committee at some point in the future. She’s always urging the Pelican Pub to book bands she finds in Charleston, Savannah, and Charlotte.”
Boone added to the mental list in his head. He’d get all these details in an official file shortly, but he would be meeting the woman during a crisis and he intended to take whatever steps he could to make it easier on her .
“You really won’t mind the early hours?” She frowned. “I’m still not sure Nash’s schedule isn’t a deal breaker.”
Boone chuckled. “I am completely adaptable to Nina’s schedule. You haven’t mentioned a partner.”
“No…” Her voice trailed off. “My gut says no partner.” She tapped her fingers lightly on the desktop. “No one official. But I think—I think—she’s been seeing someone. Just not here on the island. Probably in Charleston. She likes to plan girl weekends and whoever can go along does. We hang out, shop, get pedicures or massages, and try new restaurants.”
“And she disappears on you?” Boone inserted when Jess paused again.
Jess nodded. “It’s not consistent enough to be a pattern, but enough to make me wonder.”
Boone credited the cop instincts for that.
“I’m making her sound flaky,” Jess continued. “She isn’t. She’s a rock. I think she’s just shy about being public with a relationship. You might’ve noticed it’s a small town.” She gave a little shrug. “Small town means a big gossip grapevine. Nina hasn’t brought anyone home to family dinner on Sundays. She would if she was serious. Most likely she’s just enjoying a casual fling without risking gossip fallout here on the island.”
“It’s that bad?”
Jess rolled her eyes. “Trust me on this. If Nina looked twice at anyone local, the whispers would turn into a roaring wildfire overnight.”
“I’m hearing that she’s discreet.”
“Yes.” Jess pointed at her phone. “And she’d never want to do anything that would reflect badly on her family or make them worry. Which is why she called me about this instead of one of them. ”
“This isn’t a problem,” he assured her. “I can protect her without it becoming a spectacle.”
“Thanks, but having you around as strictly a protector could be a problem all on its own.”
“Do I need to be the boyfriend? Haven’t played the role in some time, but I know how.”
“Normally I’d jump on that. But I don’t think Nina can pull it off. Roxy would pick up on any weird vibes and we’re back to worrying the whole family over what is probably nothing.”
“Except I’m here. She’ll be safe on my watch.”
“True.” Jess’s immediate agreement was a clear vote of confidence.
“Should we do the old friend from high school routine?” Boone asked.
Jess laughed. “That won’t fly. No one in this town would have forgotten if they had attended school with you.”
She glanced over as the office door opened and Boone gave her a big wink. “You flatter me.”
“I heard that,” the man said as he walked in. “She’s my girl and should only be flattering me.”
Jess shook her head, her ponytail swinging as she hopped out of the chair and rushed toward the man who must be her fiancé. After a warm kiss, she turned back toward Boone.
“Nash, this is Boone. He’s one of the agency protectors working in the area.”
Nash stuck out his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Boone said. “And congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thanks, man. The wedding can’t come soon enough to suit me.”
“Me either,” Jess agreed, beaming at her soon-to-be-husband .
Boone recalled a similar look in his sister’s eyes at this stage of her romance, when every day was fresh and filled with hope and big plans. He hadn’t been envious then, but he felt a little twinge now.
Ridiculous.
The fact that his mystery woman had walked out was a good indication that knowing her name wouldn’t have made much of a difference. He needed to get over it and move on.
“Are you new to the area?” Nash asked, dropping into the chair beside Boone. “Presuming that isn’t need-to-know.” He aimed a wink at Jess. His future bride only shook her head in mock exasperation.
Boone focused on being charmed by the two of them, rather than jealous. “I’ve been in Charleston for a few weeks on a different assignment.”
Jess cleared her throat. “And he’s newly assigned to a protection detail here on the island.”
Nash’s relaxed demeanor vanished. “We have more trouble?”
“Maybe. It’s under control,” Jess said. “Everyone is safe.”
“And will stay that way,” Boone confirmed.
“What the hell happened to Nina?”
“That’s a big leap—”
Nash cut her off. “It’s not,” he accused. “You wouldn’t be tip-toeing around it if the situation involved someone other than family. I just came from Mom and Dad’s place so it must be her.”
Jess shrugged. “Sometimes I forget the miracles of small towns.”
“That’s the attitude.” Nash didn’t smile. “Start talking.”
Boone spoke up, if only to divert a pre-marital spat. “We don’t have too many details yet, but it sounds like your sister called Jess after witnessing a carjacking. I was here, so she asked me to spend a few days as Nina’s protector while we assess the risk.”
“There might not be any risk at all,” Jess pointed out .
Boone could see the man was fuming, so he tried to include him in the decisions. “We were debating the wisdom of whether or not I should pose as her boyfriend.”
“She doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Nash groused.
“Well, that would certainly make my appearance in her life easier.”
“No,” Nash said. “It’s not personal. Hell, I don’t even know you. My point is she doesn’t have a boyfriend and Mom knows that. They’re close.” He glared at Jess. “How on earth did you expect to sell that story?”
Jess narrowed her gaze. “Guess I was hoping for a little luck. And some support. Also, your sister is a grown woman and doesn’t tell her mom everything.”
“You’re wrong.” Nash folded his arms.
Something flashed in Jess’s gaze and Boone would put his money on her. She suspected there was more to Nina’s love life than the brother wanted to consider.
Boone didn’t mind a few secrets. An interesting client was always more fun than one who obeyed every specific directive.
Nash flicked that away. “Why isn’t being on the island enough protection? What’s the point of knowing every single person in town if you can’t use it to your advantage?”
“How many tourists came to the island in the last three days, Nash?” Jess asked, her voice full of sugar.
“Don’t know. You can’t possibly know that either.”
“Not exact numbers, no. And that’s my point. Hundreds—possibly thousands—of unfamiliar people come through on a given day. We can’t shut down the island because your sister witnessed a crime.”
He started to protest, but she cocked her head and he stopped. Something silent passed between them .
“You’re right.” He slumped back in the chair. “You’re right. And yes, I trust your judgment.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “Security is your thing. But she’s my sister.”
Boone felt like he was getting a crash course in marital communication. He’d seen similar things through the years with his sister and her husband, but these two were ahead of the curve, in his opinion.
Jess nodded with understanding. “And she’ll soon be my sister-in-law. She called me, Nash. I need you to let me handle this.”
“Of course. But I’d ditch the undercover idea.”
“If not her new boyfriend, is there some sort of business connection that would explain my presence around your sister?”
Nash eyed him. “You know anything about flowers?”
He reached for something more than the scent of the woman who’d walked out on him. “I do actually. My grandmother had extensive gardens in California. I lived with her during the summers. She made table arrangements for the retirement home in town.”
Nash bobbed his head. “Impressive. What about music?”
“All I know about music I learned on my last assignment,” Boone admitted. The assignment that ended with the mystery woman’s disappearance. “Jess, you know I’ll learn whatever I need to for the client or the situation.”
Jess checked her phone. “Logan is almost here. Let’s just wait. Nina will want to have a say in how we proceed.”
“Don’t let her get hurt," Nash leveled the directive at Boone.
“Haven’t lost anyone yet,” Boone replied. The woman who left him in the hotel didn’t count. She wasn’t an assignment. “I don’t plan to start now.”
“Thanks.” Nash scrubbed at his face. “I know you’ll do whatever it takes. ”
“That’s how we roll,” Jess confirmed. “Now get going before she gets here. She doesn’t want the family to worry. That’s why she called me instead of you.”
Nash grumbled, but he kissed his future wife and headed out. “I’ll play along with whatever story you guys come up with.”
Minutes later the office door opened and for a moment the sunlight behind them blended the two figures into one blurry, awkward silhouette.
But when the door closed and the glare was gone, Boone got the shock of his life.
There she was. The woman he’d been searching for these past weeks.
His fingers tingled with the memory of her dark, wavy hair sliding like silk though his hands. The scent of lilies and roses teased his nose and his entire body snapped to attention, desperate to stake a claim.
He wrestled with self-control and common sense. He wouldn’t expose their connection without her permission.
Jess rushed forward, pulling the woman into a hug and fussing over her a bit before shaking the man’s hand.
With deliberate nonchalance, Boone rolled to his feet and waited for introductions.
Jess introduced Boone first to Logan, then Nina. “Boone Reynolds, this is Nina Billings. Your new charge.”
“Charge?” Nina asked.
“The person I’m in charge of safeguarding,” Boone explained. “Unless you prefer another term?” He extended his hand, confident his expression was cool and composed as always. “Pleasure to meet you, Nina.”
She didn’t shake his hand, only stared at him as if the shock was just too much. Or maybe she was afraid of the bomb he could set off in her life. In the past few minutes, he’d learned she was a private person, definitely keeping some of her more personal interests from her family.
He would never do that, especially not to a client under his protection. Trust was the necessary foundation for a successful, cooperative arrangement.
“Likewise,” she managed at last. “Forgive me.”
Was she asking forgiveness for walking out on him or for the shock and awkwardness right now? He figured they would have time to sort that out.