Chapter 3 #2
When he pulled into the neighborhood where the rental was located, Major stopped at the guard shack.
A fit, middle-aged man stepped out as Major rolled down his window.
He removed his wallet from the center console and presented his driver’s license to the guard.
“Good afternoon. We’re renting 279 Shell Circle. ”
The man studied the license, then Major’s face before handing it back. “Welcome, Mr. Lazlo. Miss Stone advised me of your arrival. She also explained why you’re here instead of the hotel. I assured her I will be diligent in who has access within the gates while you’re here.”
“Thank you…?”
“Fred. Fred Dunst. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to ring me. There are three of us who guard the gate, and I will inform my two coworkers of the new rules.”
“I appreciate that, Fred. Have a good day.”
“And you as well.” Fred stepped back into the guard shack and pressed the button to open the barrier.
Major drove through toward the back of the neighborhood.
When he arrived at the correct address, he pulled into the driveway and stopped to enter the code to get into the property.
He was thankful for another gate separating the driveway from the street.
Since he didn’t have a garage door opener, Major parked in front of the four-car structure and shut off the engine.
Craig was out of the vehicle before Major could remove his seatbelt.
Major pushed the button for the back hatch and met Craig there.
After the actor retrieved his bags, Major grabbed his own duffel and suit bag, and they walked down the paved walkway to a side door.
When he found it locked, Major knocked on the glass.
Tabitha appeared a few seconds later to let them in, her smile missing.
“Come in.” Once inside, he let Craig go first so he could take in his gorgeous female.
Technically, she wasn’t his, but he hoped she would be.
Then again, Gargoyles had fated mates, and she hadn’t said anything about it during their weekend.
Major prayed to Zeus she wasn’t biding her time with him until she found hers.
Tabitha ran a hand down his arm briefly before following Craig. Another man was waiting in the kitchen, and Tabitha introduced him. “Perry Collins, Major Lazlo.”
Perry inclined his head. “Pleasure.” Turning to Craig who had removed his mask, he said, “Trista chose the master suite on the second floor so that you could have the one downstairs. I’ll show you where it is.”
Major didn’t follow. He couldn’t when faced with the female standing so close. Tabitha Stone was competence laced with predatorial grace mixed with sex appeal for days. He was enthralled. “Hi.”
Tabitha was decked out in cargo pants and a long-sleeved tee which molded to her body instead of her usual runway-ready clothes.
Her boots were similar to his own moto boots packed in his bag.
“Hi, yourself. I’m on the second floor with Trista.
There’s a room next to Craig’s for you.” Tabitha didn’t move to show him where it was, which was probably for the better.
If she went with him, he’d be sorely tempted to close the door and kiss the pale lipstick off her face.
“Thanks. I’ll put my bags in there, then you can show me around since you’ve already located the weak spots?”
Tabitha was holding herself stiffly. She backed away, nodding. “Yeah. I can do that, but lunch will be here in about twenty, so hurry your ass.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Major wiggled his ass, garnering a giggle from Tabitha.
He fuckin’ loved her laugh. He made his way down the same hallway Perry and Craig had gone.
Craig was unpacking his things, but Perry was nowhere to be seen.
Major continued to the next open door. The room was nicely furnished with a king-sized bed, which he was thankful for.
Major glanced outside, taking in the surroundings.
The patio had a stone wall around it with a firepit in the middle.
Steps led to a manicured lawn with a pathway, which he assumed led to the lake.
Instead of unpacking, Major left his bags on the bed, removed his suit jacket, hanging it in the large closet, and returned to the kitchen, rolling his sleeves as he walked.
“I reset the alarm codes as soon as I got here.” Tabitha relayed the new numbers. After punching them in, she stepped outside. Major followed her willingly. “Luckily, the downstairs bedrooms don’t have doors leading outside. That’s less entryways we have to worry about.”
Tabitha stepped over to the concrete wall and gazed out toward the lake. Major approached, leaving a few feet between them. “Do you know how badly I want to kiss you right now?”
She grinned, keeping her eyes averted. “I have a pretty good idea. I keep repeating to myself that I can be professional.”
It took all Major’s resolve to keep from grabbing her. “Professional. Right. When Mason called, I was thrilled, but I didn’t take into consideration how difficult this job would be with you here. But yes, we can be professional. How’s the family?” Changing the subject was necessary in that moment.
Tabitha laughed. “Oh, my gods. You’re never going to believe it. Tony met his mate, and get this; she’s a fae from another realm. One where dragons exist.”
Surely, she was joking. “You’re shitting me.”
“I shit you not. Elle, Tony’s mate, and her sperm donor, Grevolus, came through a portal several years ago and have been stuck here ever since.
” Tabitha explained how Elle was a light fae and had been dragged off to live with her dark fae father.
A battle ensued between the darks and dragons, where her siblings were guardians for the dragon prince and princess, and that a raven turned out to be a shifter who removed some type of dark sigil.
It was like something out of a fantasy movie.
“And just like I couldn’t be there when Sebastian went after the wolves of Dakota’s pack, I’m stuck here and can’t help Anthony go up against Grevolus.” Tabitha’s pout shouldn’t be so adorable.
“I’d feel the same if it were Marshall in this situation, but on the other hand, I’m glad you’re here with me.”
Tabitha sighed. “Yeah. You’re the only thing making this situation bearable.”
Major needed to change the subject. Again. He gestured to her clothes. “Since you’re dressed casually, does that mean I can ditch the suit?” He’d already abandoned the coat, but he was still in the dress pants and shoes.
Her eyes flared with heat as she looked him up and down. “I don’t know. You look mighty fine.”
“Tabby,” he growled.
“Sorry, not sorry. But yes.” She waved a hand around.
“We can and should dress comfortably while we’re here.
I took a look around this morning, and our biggest concern will be the lake.
We’ll notice if a boat docks at our slip, but it would be easy for someone to pull up to any of the other ones if the houses are unoccupied for the winter since the trees block our view to the neighboring properties.
I have the Trio looking into that. Did Mason send the extra cameras? ”
“He did. I’ll get those installed after we eat.”
Tabitha’s phone rang, interrupting. Major listened in as she answered. “Yes, Fred?”
“You have a delivery from The Roasted Pig. Should I send them to the house or have them leave it here?”
“Leave it there, and we’ll come get it. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Tabitha disconnected and pocketed her phone. “Why don’t you take a look around while I go to the guard shack?”
“I can do that.”
Tabitha took a few steps, but then she stopped and looked back at him. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
Major gave her his best smile. The genuine one, which would show off his dimples if he didn’t have a beard. “Me too.”
Major did as Tabitha suggested and took in his surroundings, noting spots where someone could get onto the property easily.
Even though it was just him and Tabby, he could take to his Eagle and do flyovers.
It was ingrained in him to watch over the females in his family, and his Gryphon already considered Tabitha theirs, but she was a competent security specialist who could handle someone wielding a knife.
Major walked back to the house, ready to change into something more casual.
When he entered the back door, Tabitha was sitting at the table with Craig and Trista.
The latter’s eyes widened when she glanced up at Major.
He inclined his head to the female. “Miss Bellinger, I’m Major Lazlo.”
“It’s a pleasure,” she husked. Oh boy. Major was used to being hit on by clients, but he never returned their interest, no matter how attractive they were, even before he met his redhead.
Tabitha pointed to the carry-out plate next to hers. “I poured you a sweet tea.”
“Thanks, Tabby.” Major sat down, spreading his legs so his knee touched hers. “Where’s Perry?”
“Said he had some phone calls to make.” Tabitha took the bun off her sandwich and removed the pickles, putting them on the opened lid of Major’s container before dousing her pork in hot barbecue sauce. In turn, he scraped his cole slaw onto her plate before doctoring his own sandwich.
Trista cleared her throat. “Do you two work together often?”
Tabitha licked sauce off her thumb. “Nope. First time.”
“But we are close,” Major added when he caught Craig staring at Tabitha’s mouth.
When the man looked up, Major arched a brow, and Craig ducked his eyes.
He hoped Craig got the message that Tabitha was off limits.
He would also ensure Trista understood Major was unavailable as well.
He had guarded a lot of high-profile people, and he’d often found their morals were skewed.
He wouldn’t disparage Trista since she was single, but if she didn’t take the hint, well, he would let Tabby handle her. He chuckled, thinking about it.
“What are you laughing at?” Tabitha asked.
Major slid his arm along the back of Tabitha’s chair and tugged her hair.
Instead of telling her the truth, he said, “Nahla. I stopped by Ripley’s yesterday to talk to the twins.
As I was leaving, a woman punched me from behind.
When I turned around, she was ready to hit me again, and Nahla tackled her. ”
Tabitha smirked. “Good.”
Trista leaned forward. “Why did the woman hit you?”
“Because she’s used to getting her way. I told her no, and she didn’t like it.”
Trista’s mouth formed an O, and Major considered that warning enough.