Chapter Protecting What’s Mine #2
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.
I hate risk.
My approach is always calculated, every move measured. So despite Tory’s allure, I won’t let temptation cloud my judgment.
We file out of the room, except for Asher, whom Dean asks to stay behind for further instructions.
“We all need to catch up soon,” Boone says in the lobby, his voice echoing in the spacious corridor. “It was fun last time. Maybe once I’m done protecting this girl from her ex, we can have a guy’s poker night.”
It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve hung out with the guys, and Boone’s suggestion resonates. “I’m down with that,” I chime in, a smile tugging at my lips.
They all laugh. They remember who won all the money last time.
Me.
“What’s so funny? I’d love to take more of your money,” I quip.
“No, I’m not playing poker with this guy again,” Lincoln says, shaking his head with mock seriousness. “Besides, I don’t know when I’ll be free, because my job isn’t an easy one.”
I slap Lincoln on the shoulder playfully. “I figured when Dean pulled you aside before everyone else, it was something serious.”
Lincoln sighs, a shadow crossing his features. “It’s Isabel. She’s been receiving threats.”
“Who’s behind it?” Boone asks, his tone now serious.
Lincoln shrugs, frustration evident. “Not sure yet. Dean has some leads. I’m just supposed to keep Isabel safe while he investigates.”
“Good luck with that. She can’t be too thrilled about being watched,” Orion comments, his expression sympathetic.
At that moment, the distinctive sound of Isabel Maddox’s heels clicking down the tiled hallway interrupts our conversation. We glance at each other and scatter toward the elevator, leaving Lincoln to deal with Isabel on his own.
“I’m out of here,” I announce to no one in particular as I press the elevator button, its soft ding announcing its arrival. “I’ve got a beauty to protect.”
As I step into the elevator, my thoughts drift back to Tory and the task ahead. I’m sure it won’t be easy to protect someone who’s already having some sort of weird effect on me, but it’s the job. Somebody’s gotta do it.