CHAPTER 1
REED
Ambrose, you’re up.” Knox types briefly on his laptop, and my new assignment fills the conference room video screen. He stands and walks to the window before he continues. “Vandalism at a lakeside property. Week-long on-site security assessment. This is the one Marlon mentioned last week.”
I pick up my tablet and pull up the details, even though I already know the basics. “Location?”
“Client is in Raytown, but the construction site is about an hour further out,” Knox says. “You’ll be camping at a construction site for a week after you install the surveillance equipment. There’s a model house you can stay in, especially since there’s a storm coming. Ms. Raymond sounded like she was going to suspend construction until this issue is resolved. Try not to die of boredom.”
“This is better than babysitting another CEO’s trophy wife.” I scan the brief and see the list of incidents. Property damage has been escalating for three weeks, and the local cops have nothing to show for it. Clean and simple in theory, but I know better thanto assume a job will be easy. This isn’t a bad gig, even if itislikely to be boring as hell. I usually work bodyguard contracts, though the last was a billionaire’s wife who decided to do some hands-on volunteer work in Guatemala.
I tap to the next page, which has more details of all the damage. Spray paint on signs and on the sample house. Some other property damage. Nothing dramatic, but enough to be intentional and suggest someone knows what they’re doing, not just bored teenagers with grudges against the world.
Maybe the change of pace will be good, I think, though I’m not sure. I don’t like to spend much time alone with my thoughts. It’s why I work so much and haven’t taken time off in more years than I can count.
“You’re due at the client’s office at four to get up to speed, then you’ll head out to the site,” Knox says from his spot by the window. “The Heartland Real Estate main office in Raytown. Owner’s daughter is your point of contact.”
“Maya Raymond.” I pull up the contract brief, then tap her name and take a good look at her photo. She’s attractive and smiling, but there’s a hard seriousness to her eyes, and the accomplishments in her bio suggest she’s driven. “She sounds ambitious.”
“Definitely ambitious,” Knox agrees. “This is her first time leading a development of this size. She’s hot to ensure this project goes smoothly.”
Zane fox-whistles. “Sure is hot. I bet she has no fucking idea what she’s doing.”
Something about his dismissive tone grates on my nerves. “Or maybe she’s competent.”
“Protective already?” Kane’s eyebrow arches. “You haven’t even met her.”
“It’s called being professional.” I stand, pick up my tablet, and shove it in my bag. “Unlike some people in this room.”
Knox lifts his eyes and smirks. At this point, most of the guys just let Zane be Zane, which I understand, but he still gets under my skin. Some days, he reminds me too much of my dad…and that’s not a good thing.
I’m already out the door, but Zane’s laughter follows me down the hall. I don’t know why, but his bullshit is getting under my skin more than usual lately. With Jake, Owen, and now Kane all partnering up and settling down, a deep unease has been overshadowing me. Life was a lot easier when we were all bachelors. I thought less about why I’ll never let myself love a woman. Even Zane’s perpetual horndog ways didn’t bother me, but now that some of the guys are settling down, it’s hard to fight the feeling that maybe I should at least try.
But I know all the reasons I’ll never let a woman into my life.
Heartland Real Estateoccupies an entire floor in a newer downtown building. The receptionist glances up when I introduce myself. “Ms. Raymond is on a call. She’ll be with you shortly.”
I settle into a leather chair that’s more luxurious than anything I have and take a good look around.
Awards line one wall. Industry recognition, business excellence, photos of groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings. An olderman, who I assume is her father, Martin Raymond, features prominently in most of them, silver-haired and with the same sharp eyes as Maya. His daughter is always standing behind him, or alongside a man I’d bet money is her brother.
“This is completely unacceptable. Why weren’t you on site this morning?” Ms. Raymond’s voice carries, and I look up to see her pacing in her office. Her voice has a tight, controlled fury that immediately commands my attention. “Leo, I don’t care if you don’t want help. I’ve hired a security firm to resolve this. I’ve had it up to here with the graffiti, and now dead fish.”
Through the gap, I watch her pace. She’s wearing dark jeans and a purple sweater, her dark hair pulled back in a twist that’s starting to come undone. Even angry, she takes my breath away. Her sweater isn’t form-fitting, but it does nothing to hide the sensual curves of her body. My fingertips ache to touch her, and her fiery anger makes me wonder if she’s just as passionate in bed.
What the hell?I ask myself. Watching this woman for under sixty seconds, and I’m thinking of breaking my own rules about no women in my life. Not to mention the ethical boundaries of sleeping with a client. Worse, we haven’t even been introduced yet. My dick needs to calm the fuck down.
My chest tightens as I watch her, and I force myself to focus on defusing the lust ticking like a bomb inside me.
“No, I don’t want to delay construction either, but it’s something I’m seriously considering at this point. You know we need to put an end to all this bullshit. Dammit.” She pivots, and I see the determined set to her mouth. “Leo. I’m coming out to see the site. I’ll see you soon.”
She ends her call and lowers her head, massaging the bridge of her nose. Another phone buzzes in her office. She glances at it, rolls her eyes, and turns the phone face down on the desk.
The receptionist waits a beat before knocking on Ms. Raymond’s office door. “Maya, your four o’clock is here.”
She spins toward the door, and our eyes meet.
Oh shit.
