CHAPTER FIVE
JAYDEN
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A knock at the door alerts me to a visitor before I get to the end of the hallway.
What the hell?
I was told Tiffany’s security system alerted when there was someone at the gate, and only then could she give them access.
In fact, I know it does, as that’s what happened when I showed up.
Tiffany comes zipping out of her office.
“Who the hell has access to your home?” I ask, then wonder if it might be her father.
Jesus, if I’m about to meet Steven Stallone, I might forgive her.
“Come on, I’ll introduce you to Nadia. My neighbor.” She pats me on the arm and then stiffens. I told her I don’t like being touched earlier, but fuck that, I’m not keeping up that farce for the next few months.
Anyway, I like her touching me.
Wait...did she just say her fucking neighbor has access to her property? Do the cops know about this?
“Jesus,” I mutter and follow her to the front door.
I stand several feet back as Tiffany opens the door and greets a petite young woman in her mid-twenties with very long dark hair. It goes all the way to her waist.
“Privet, Tiffany.”
Russian; her accent is strong, which tells me she hasn’t been in the United States long. An assumption, but I suspect I’m right.
“Nadia.” Tiffany hugs her and invites her inside. “How was your day?”
“Ah, you know. It was okay. Lots of new followers, and we had one post reach five million.”
Great.
Another Instagram-whatever-they’re called.
This is what they spend their lives thinking and worrying about? How many people look at their posts?
These women need a week in combat.
“That’s great. Come in. I have the pack of eyeshadows I promised you.” Tiffany glances quickly at me, then back at Nadia. “This is Jayden, my new security. Nadia is my new neighbor...well, not new anymore. It’s been at least a year now, hasn’t it?”
Nadia runs her thickly mascaraed eyes over my body, from head to toe.
I don’t like it.
I cross my arms over my black BHS shirt and give her a sharp nod in greeting.
New neighbor.
Noted.
“Ooh, is this because of the break-in?” She glances back at Tiffany and frowns.
I haven’t read the report completely, but I have no doubt the cops will have questioned her. Clearly, she is wealthy, living in this neighborhood.
Unlike Tiffany’s earlier outfit, Nadia’s screams I’m rich. Her long, polished nails, the flouncy shirt which billows out from her designer jeans. The YSL labeled belt and bejeweled mobile phone.
They’re probably real gems, too.
This world is a far cry from the Air Force bases, barracks and dusty mountain ranges of the Middle East I’ve worked in.
“Just a precaution.” Tiffany smiles and waves her off. “He’ll just be in the background for the next few weeks during the big launch. Come on.”
Is that what she thinks?
I’m still not convinced the offenders are done with her. Call it a sixth sense.
I let the girls wander off and take the opportunity to do a circuit around the entire property.
I plan to ask more about Nadia later, but that doesn’t mean she’s off my radar. That she has access to Tiffany’s home is very interesting. And since the G7 put sanctions on Russian diamonds, which are believed to be indirectly funding wars, laundering has been on the increase.
Do I think the little Russian is a thief?
Who knows, but it has the neurons in my brain firing, for sure.
While it’s the LAPD’s job to investigate, Josh and Ryder said BHS works closely with law enforcement, and if I discover any viable suspects during my time as her bodyguard I should report it to them.
Without Tiffany’s agreement.
I get the feeling she thinks the best of everyone.
Unlike me.
Trust is a commodity.
Tiffany, someone broke into your home and stole your diamonds.
I’m aware.
And your underwear...and things.
My vibrator. Let’s just get that out in the open. They took my panties and sex toys. Yes, we all have them and use them. I’m sure you do, too.
Oh baby, the things that went through my mind in that moment are not fit for public consumption.
No comment.
It was the best thing to say in that moment, as the attraction between the two of us spiked inside that room.
It would be a whole lot easier if she wasn’t so damn beautiful. After changing, she returned with no makeup on and, fuck me, she is a thousand times more gorgeous.
Not going to lie, I’ve slept with a lot of women. I don’t have any problems having my pick of the bunch no matter where in the world I’ve been. Thanks to the Air Force, I’ve traveled to Australia to England, Canada, Dubai, and everywhere in between.
In saying all that, there’s not a single woman on this earth who’s made my cock sit up and pay attention like Tiffany has.
Tiffany has big blue eyes, almost doe-like but not quite, a heart-shaped face, rosy cheeks—even without makeup—and gorgeous long, brunette hair.
If I think back, I can sort of recall seeing her in the media as a little kid with her dad. Things like red carpet and movie launches. I was naturally only interested in him and the action film.
Well, that little kid has now blossomed into the most beautiful woman, and I am responsible for protecting her.
That’s my only job.
Let’s hope I can keep my shit together and not let my past interfere with keeping her safe. Because seriously, if something bad happened, not only would it gain major media attention, but I’d also have to face Josh and Aidan and confess I was never fit for purpose.
I’d lose my job.
Lose my home.
And then what?
What the hell would I do if I didn’t do this?
Buckle up sunshine, this is who you are, so you need to get your head right.
I walk along the perimeter and take in the cameras which are indicated on the plan Ryder shared. I don’t recall if they are monitored and need to find out how they were disconnected during the break-in.
I find a broken lock on a side gate, then walk back inside with the intention of suppressing all sexual attraction to Tiffany Stallone.
I find her bending over, her short sundress riding up her ass as she slides a pan into the oven.
My fucking god.
Nadia seems to have left.
“I assume you eat, so I’ve added another salmon steak if you’re interested.” Tiffany smiles when she turns. “Are you hungry?”
Fucking starving...but not for salmon.
It’s then I realize my only hope of getting out of this alive is working out who the thief is and then asking for a new client. Before my cock dominates all my brain cells.
I can feel them dying by the second.
“Thank you for the offer,” I tip my faux cowboy hat, like the southern boy I am, “but I need to get home. I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”
Her face drops momentarily, and I find myself wanting to change my mind and accepting her offer. But the need to keep the line between professional and personal is strong.
“The gate latch is loose, did you know?”
“No.” Tiffany places the oven mitts on the island counter and leans her palms on it.
In perfect position for me to come in from behind and...
Stop.
“I’ll arrange to have it repaired. Who monitors your cameras?” I say.
Blink.
My eyes slowly close as I know what the answer is going to be.
“I can access them on an app on my computer,” Tiffany replies, glancing away. “I didn’t get an alert when the power was cut.”
Jesus, that’s her plan.
Upgrading isn’t going to be hard. Anything is better than this.
“Can I ask why you haven’t had it monitored?”
She lifts her eyes to mine and plays with the oven mitt. Then she nods. “I grew up in the spotlight and was followed by the press. At school I had bodyguards, and one even came with me on my first date. My first kiss. When I didn’t become an actress, people lost interest.”
Jesus.
“I haven’t needed it.” She walks to the oven, plays with the dials, then leans her hip against the island. “Knowing someone is monitoring my life is the last thing I want.”
“What if you’d been home?” I hold up my hand when she shakes her head. “Tiffany, please. What if you’d been home and someone had hurt you?”
She swallows.
“I know. Don’t worry, my father has given me all the lectures.”
Christ, I bet that’s not easy.
“I don’t want to lecture you, but I’ll be fucking honest here. Knowing I’m about to walk out the door and that there’s someone who may want to break into your home and hurt you is pushing my buttons.”
I didn’t mean to say that.
Yet it isn’t a lie.
She blinks.
“You’ve hired us to keep you safe. Right now, you aren’t safe,” I clarify, even if that’s not all.
My mother raised me to respect women and keep them safe. I’m sure that’s why Liam and I were drawn to the military.
“Aren’t you a little worried?” I ask, frowning, wondering if I should sleep on the fucking sofa.
I was going to get a puppy last week. Now I’m glad I didn’t.
“No. You said there is a team outside at night, right?”
Yeah.
There is.
Taking a deep breath through my nose, I nod. “Yes. I’ll be back in the morning. We’ll discuss the security system again then.”
“Jayden, how do I know I can trust the people watching my home on camera?”
I glance around the room and spot the cameras in the corner.
I understand her concerns.
“Guess it’s the price you pay for all of this.” I hold out my hands.
“Money.”
“Yeah.” I shrug and hate the look she gives me.
Anger.
Resentment.
Except it’s not me she’s angry with; it’s society. I don’t make the rules. But I will keep her safe. She can hate me all she likes.
“See you tomorrow.” I start to walk out.
“I’ll send you the code to get through the gate.” Tiffany says, and I turn to thank her, but she’s right behind me.
Her soft body bumps into mine. I catch her arms, and my cock thickens as she lets out a feminine little gasp.
“I got ya,” I rasp.
“Yeah, you do.” Her voice is barely audible.
My gaze brushes over her lips, the arch of her brows, the soft lashes which close momentarily as she draws in a jagged breath.
Why do I feel those words mean something different?
And why am I still holding her?
I let my hands fall away, then step back.
I take one more fill of her luscious body and promise, when I return in the morning, I’ll be more in control.