Sera slid off the desk and looked at the Whit. Some form of unspoken communication passed between them, and he jumped up and moved toward her. When he got within two feet of her, his arm whipped out in a jab aimed straight for her head. She deftly blocked the blow and countered with a hit of her own.
What followed next was a shock to Carl…and maybe me a little bit, too. Within the small confines of the office and without coming close to where we sat, they went full force at each other. I’d never seen anything like it before. The two co-workers sparred as though their lives were on the line, the man holding nothing back just because Sera was a woman.
Brecken let it continue for a minute or two before he barked, “Enough.” Then his gaze swung to Carl and me. “My employees don't need to prove themselves to you. They’ve more than proven themselves to me, on the battlefield and off. If that's not good enough for you, then you can hire another firm.”
After glaring at Carl, I turned to Brecken. “It’s my decision to make, and I’m comfortable with the team you've assigned me.”
“You're the boss,” Carl grumbled.
“Damn straight I am,” I shot back.
He’d been a little testier than usual since I announced my plan to retire. Like most people, he didn't understand why I was getting out of the game when I was on top. But it wasn't their decision to make, and I didn't let other people’s opinions bother me too much. Sera might be the exception, though. The approval shining from the sexy but dangerous brunette’s green eyes meant more than it should this soon after meeting her.
3
SERA
It was rare for a hotshot athlete to truly be cool with me being assigned to their close protection detail, but the firmness with which Rowan shot down his agent’s objections made it clear that he was. Some of our male clients pretended they were completely on board because they hoped to get in my pants. But since I was there to protect them, not sleep with them, that was never going to happen. I’d never been tempted to get personal with a client. Until Rowan.
Not that anyone with a vagina would blame me. He was hot as fuck with his muscular six-foot-three frame, thick dark hair, dark eyes, and square jawline covered with scruff. Backing me up the way he had only made him more attractive to me.
“Thanks, boss. I’ve got it from here.” I walked to the door and opened it. Looking over my shoulder at Rowan and his agent, I added, “Since Whit, Devon, and I will be working your case, how about we head into the conference room to hammer out the details? I’m sure Brecken has a million other things to do today.”
Rowan was the first out the door, moving faster than I expected. Whit and Devon followed him, and his agent wasn’t far behind them. Whit led us into the conference room, claiming achair at the head of the long table. Devon chose to sit opposite from him on the other end. Rowan and Carl snagged the seats closest to the door, leaving me with the side across from them.
Once we were all settled, I kicked off the conversation. “Although Brecken was correct in saying there’s no need for me to prove myself, I want to reiterate that I am more than able to handle your security issues. Not only have I served in the military but I've also taken lead on similar cases in the past with positive outcomes. Brecken didn't pick me for your close protection detail purely because it will be easier to explain the presence of a woman at your side. He would never risk one of his client’s safety to help them save face. The fact that I won't stand out like a sore thumb is just a bonus.”
Rowan’s dark gaze did a quick survey of what he could see of my face and body. My hair was pulled up in a ponytail, I’d only bothered with mascara and a hint of gloss this morning, and I was wearing a green T-shirt with dark jeans. My look was low maintenance, but judging by the masculine approval in Rowan’s eyes, he didn’t mind. “You’re very much mistaken if you think you won't stand out, just not for the reasons you think.”
“I've noticed that most of our athlete clients like to hit on her,” Whit murmured.
“I think it must be the challenge she presents,” Devon added.
“Yeah.” Whit smirked, shaking his head. “Remember that Brazilian General? He sure thought he was up for the challenge.”
Devon snorted. “Boy, did she prove him wrong when she landed him on his ass after he tried to pat hers.”
Rowan’s eyes flared with anger. “She shouldn’t have to put up with that kind of bullshit.”
Whit leaned forward and smiled. “I’m glad to hear you think so. I’d hate to be forced to hurt, maim, or kill my favorite football player, but I would if I had to.”
“And he wouldn’t be alone when he did it,” Devon added.
Rowan held his hands up in surrender. “You’ve got nothing to worry about with me. I’m not about to disrespect any woman, let alone one who could kick my ass all by herself.”
“I’m glad at least one person in this room has faith in my ability to protect myself,” I grumbled, aiming a glare at Whit and then Devon.
“You know it’s not that, Sera. It’s because we feel like shit after—”
Rowan and his agent didn’t need to hear Devon’s explanation. What happened on our last case was mine to share when and with whom I wanted. “Now that we’ve gotten all that out of the way, how about we focus on the plan to keep Rowan safe from his stalker?”
The guys took my hint and got down to business. Whit shoved a pad of paper in Rowan’s direction. “We’ll need a list of anyone who might be out to get you, in case the culprit is someone you know. Ex-girlfriends, teammates, anyone who’s had beef with you in the last five to ten years.”
Rowan’s dark eyes went wide in surprise, and he shook his head. “I don’t know anyone who would write the shit that’s been in the last few letters.”
“Yeah, you do.” His agent snagged the notepad and pulled a pen from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “You just don’t realize it because part of my job is to handle the negative crap so it doesn’t mess with your game.”
Carl jotted down a dozen names, and a muscle in Rowan’s jaw jumped when his agent handed the pad of paper back to Whit. He did a quick scan of the list and asked, “These are all former and current teammates. There haven’t been issues with exes who weren’t ready for the relationship to end? No jersey chasers who thought they could get knocked up and nab a ring?”
