Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Frederick’s been receiving threats related to his presentation at the Summit,” Dean explains, tapping the file on the table. “He doesn’t want anyone knowing his daughter will be in town. He wants to keep it all under wraps—especially since he isn’t completely sure he can trust everyone on his own security detail.”
Ranger grimaces. “That sucks.”
Dean nods in agreement before continuing. “You’ll take his daughter to the safe house: SEASHELL, and keep her there until the Summit is over. Minimal contact, minimal movement.”
“Sounds good,” Ranger mutters, though his expression suggests he knows it won’t be that simple.
Dean’s gaze slides over to Orion, who’s half-dozing in his chair. I give the leg of his chair a good kick to jolt him awake.
“Orion,” Dean says, “this is for you. Her name’s Briar Green—the daughter of socialite Minnie Green. She has an ex-boyfriend stalking her. Her mother wants to ensure she’s safe going to and from work.”
“Ex-boyfriend?” Orion echoes, lifting his head. He flips through the file, eyes still heavy with fatigue. “Can’t I just beat him senseless, scare the hell out of him, and call it a day?”
Dean’s lips twitch with a hint of a smile. “It’s never that simple, my friend. We need a more…subtle approach this time.” He slides the folder fully in front of Orion.
“It never is,” Orion grumbles, but he seems more alert now, scanning the details of his assignment.
From the corner of my eye, I notice Dean glance at Lincoln. Dean mentioned earlier that Lincoln already has his assignment, but there’s a flicker of tension between them that piques my curiosity. Something else is going on there, but it’s not my place to pry—yet.
Finally, Dean turns to me. I straighten up, anticipation coursing through my veins. “Boone,” Dean says, sliding a manila folder across the table. “Here’s yours. I gave you a quick preview last week, but now we have more details.”
My pulse quickens as I pick up the file. Nashville. I’m already picturing my cabin nestled in the Tennessee woods. But the photo clipped to the first page stops me in my tracks. A woman’s face—delicate features, fiery amber eyes, and hair a shade of red that practically smolders off the page.
“Wow,” I breathe, before I can stop myself. “Who’s this?”
“Aubree Ryan,” Dean responds, leaning back in his chair. “She’s got a stalker, too. We don’t know who it is yet, but it sounds serious. She needs to get out of Nashville until we can figure out who’s behind it.”
I glance at the photo again, something tightening low in my gut. It’s unexpected—this surge of protectiveness. I’ve guarded plenty of women before without blinking an eye. But there’s something about Aubree that’s already under my skin.
“Right,” I say, clearing my throat. “I’ll take her to my cabin nearby. That should keep her off the radar.”
“Good.” Dean snaps another file shut. “We’ll coordinate the details, but you’ll head out as soon as you can.”
I barely hear him. My mind’s already drifting to that tiny stretch of forest I call home, imagining what it’ll be like to have this striking, vulnerable woman tucked away with me—hidden from the rest of the world.
What’s wrong with me? This isn’t the first time I’ve protected someone. Yet the sight of Aubree’s photo has my thoughts scattering in a way they never have before.
I let out a low breath. Has it really been that long since I let anyone get close? Because one look at her, and I can feel my carefully constructed walls start to shift. And that…well, that might be a problem.
I swallow hard and force my features into a neutral mask, hoping Dean doesn’t notice the spark of interest flaring inside me. It’s not exactly professional to react to an assignment this way. But, damn it, seeing Aubree Ryan’s photo triggered something I wasn’t expecting—a twist of protectiveness mixed with an undeniable attraction.
This is fucked up, I tell myself. Keep it together, Boone.
I glance across the room at Orion, who’s also flipping through his file with a furrowed brow. It’s always something new with that guy, and by the way his eyes widen slightly, I can tell his current assignment isn’t a walk in the park either. I make a mental note to check on him later, see if he needs anything.
Dean dismisses the meeting, and we all file out of the conference room. I catch a glimpse of Asher being asked to stay behind, probably for a private update on his own job.
Once we’re in the hallway, I run a hand over my beard and smirk at my friends. “We all need to catch up soon,” I say, remembering the last time we hung out. It ended in far too much whiskey and just enough laughs. “Last time was a damn good time.”
Orion yawns, but there’s a mischievous light in his eyes. “Maybe once I’m done protecting a girl from her psycho ex, we can do a guys-only poker night.”