by Elle E Kay
Addison grinned. “He’s fine. We both want to start a family.”
“Really? Already? Don’t you want to enjoy married life for a few months first?”
“We’ll have nine months for that, right?”
“Wait. Are you pregnant?” Amy’s eyebrows shot up. “Already?”
“No.” Addison laughed. “I’m not pregnant.”
“But you’re trying?”
“Not yet, but soon.”
“Not if we can’t keep you safe.”
“You have Garrison Securities handling it. I’m sure they’ll work with the authorities and take care of everything.”
“Are you sure you’re the same girl who was in full panic mode less than two hours ago?”
“After the meeting with your security experts, I feel much better.”
“I’m glad one of us does.”
“Did you know I designed their website?”
“No. I did not know that.” He shook his head. “Small world.”
“My father would say ‘try painting it.’”
“Your father was a trip.”
“I miss him.”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “I know you do.”
Amy snapped her fingers. “Focus.” She waved her arms in the air. “What’s next?”
“What’s next is you go home and get some sleep. Tomorrow morning you go into the office as usual, but Mr. Hotty out in the hallway will be there when you arrive and will follow you everywhere you go,” Zach said.
“Does this bodyguard have a name?”
“Seamus.”
“Don’t you have a woman or a married man you can assign to me?”
“What makes you think Seamus isn’t married?”
“Do you honestly think I didn’t check out his ring finger on the way in here?”
“Some men don’t wear wedding rings.”
“True.” She grinned. “Ask him for me, will you?”
“Not a chance.” Zach plopped down on the bed beside Addison.
“I will,” Addison piped up.
Zach narrowed his eyes.
“What? She needs to know.” The corner of her mouth turned up in a crooked grin. “Especially if you’re going to assign Mr. Hotty as her bodyguard.”
“I didn’t assign him, Grayson Garrison did.” He flattened his lips into a hard line. “Maybe I should call Gray and get Seamus unassigned.”
Addison sat up and placed her hand on his cheek. “Leave well enough alone.”
He shook his head.
There was a knock on the door, and Seamus stuck his head in. “The police arrested the sniper, but he’s not talking yet.”
Zach watched as Seamus McPherson entered the conference room where they were all seated awaiting his update. “I’ve got some news.”
“I should hope so, since you’ve called us out of an important meeting.” Amy leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs.
The man made eye contact with Amy, completely ignoring him and Addison. “They found evidence that Nikki West hired the sniper to take your boss out.” The bodyguard frowned. “The man is a homeless Army veteran.” Seamus turned to face Zach. “She offered him twenty grand to kill you. That’s twice the going rate.”
Zach shook his head. “Wow. I knew it was the most likely scenario, but it’s freaky thinking a woman I came close to marrying tried to have me killed.”
Seamus kept steady eye contact. “The man claims to have missed Addison intentionally. He was willing to scare her, but murdering an innocent woman was out of his comfort zone. You, he would’ve killed if given the opportunity.”
Zach rose to his feet. “Comforting.” He held out his hand to Addison. “Want to get out of here and celebrate Nikki getting caught?”
Addison placed her hand in his. “Maybe now we can trust that she won’t be granted bail.”
“I should hope not.” Zach nodded at Seamus and Amy and opened the door for Addison. “Where do you want to go to celebrate Ms. West’s incarceration?”
“Home. Let’s go home.”
“I like the sound of that.” He placed a kiss on top of her head and pushed the button for the elevator. “Tomorrow morning we’ll fly out to our island. The tree house is finished, so we can have that real honeymoon we talked about.” They got on the elevator.
“I’d love that.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him with all the feeling she’d been holding back. “I think I’m ready for a real honeymoon with the man I love.”
“That’s what I was hoping to hear, love.” He grinned.
Epilogue
One Year Later
A ddison watched Zach take the sleeping infant from the crib. She’d finally gotten Amelia to sleep, but that didn’t keep him from disturbing her.
He grinned when he noticed her watching from the doorway. “Caught again, huh?”
“It’s a good thing you’re cute. I don’t think anyone else would get away with waking that child.”
“I didn’t wake her. She’s still sleeping.” He smiled down at the baby in his arms. “Are you happy, Addison?”
“Absolutely. I can’t imagine being happier.”
“Are you ready for more children?”
“Don’t you want to give me time to recover from the first birth?”
“Do you still want a whole houseful of kids?”
She shrugged. “When did I say I wanted a houseful of children?”
“In 2006.”
“And you remember that?” The corner of her mouth lifted.
“I plan to hold you to it.” He kissed Amelia’s head and lay her back in the crib. As soon as her head hit the mattress, she wailed.
“Oh, boy.” Addison put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “I suppose you’re off to work now?”
“You know it.” He smiled. “I love you.”
She shook her head. “I love you too, but you’re in trouble for waking the baby.”
“Sorry.” He smiled sheepishly and scooted past her.
She lifted the newborn from her crib and cuddled her close, breathing in the smell of Baby Magic. She was grateful to God for the many blessings in her life, and when Zach returned home from work, it would be soon enough to tell him they were expecting their second child. There was no making up for the child he’d lost, and he’d have to live with that pain, but she’d gladly give him as many children as the Lord would bless them with.
Lawfully Guarded
A Free Chapter
W hen Alexander Whitaker’s office door opened, Trenton Prescott turned his back on the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean to face the woman entering the room. Her thick brown hair spilled down her back in waves, skimming her waistline. The picture he’d been sent of her didn’t do her justice.
Interest sparked in her dark eyes as she looked him up and down. The mini dress she wore showed off her shapely legs, and he fought to keep his gaze on her face.
Delaney Whitaker lowered herself into the chair facing her father’s mahogany desk. “What was it you wanted, Daddy?”
“I’d like you to meet Trenton Prescott of Garrison Security.”
She turned and appraised him once more before offering her hand, which he shook. “Charmed, I’m sure.”
Mr. Whitaker scowled at her. “Trent will be your bodyguard until such time when Courtney is safely returned home and I determine that the danger is past.”
The woman sneered. “I will not be followed around like a child with a nanny.”
“You will do exactly what you’re told if you’d like to stay in my good graces, my dear.” He leaned back in his chair, turning his stare from Delaney back to Trent. “Thank you for getting here so quickly. I appreciate everything Garrison Security is doing to help us during this difficult time.”
“Glad to be of service, sir.” Trent stood. “If we’re about done here, I’d like to get going.”
“I think we’ve covered everything,” Mr. Whitaker stood and gave Trent a firm handshake.
> The young woman rose to her feet, and the older man kissed the top of his daughters head, saluted Trent, and left him to face his surly client.
“Well, come on then.” Delaney held the door open. “I’ll get the staff to ready a room for you.”
“We’re not staying here.” He brushed past her, and the sweet smell of jasmine tickled his nose.
“I’m not leaving home.”
He turned to face her. “You don’t have a say in the matter, princess. Your father and I worked out the details.” He grinned. “You’re not safe. Not even in your daddy’s Bel Air mansion.”
“We have excellent security.”
“Yes. So excellent someone managed to get around security, turn off all the cameras, and kidnap your sister.”
“My sister is a nitwit.”
“Even so, you’re coming with me.”
“Where are we going?”
“We’re staying in a safe-house outside of Seattle.”
“Oh joy.” She frowned. “My sister is in Seattle, so that’s something, anyway.” He didn’t bother to tell her that she wouldn’t see much of her sister while she was there.
He followed her through the state-of-the-art home, walking past a home theater, a wellness center, and a wine room. It would be a challenge for this pampered princess to live with him in a safe-house, no matter how well-appointed it was. When they finally arrived on the fourth level and traversed their way to Delaney’s bedroom, he stood outside her door while she packed some things. She came out laden with enough luggage for a one month junket to Europe.
She dropped her bags at her feet and turned to a screen built into the wall. She pressed a button. “I’ll need someone to bring my bags out, please.”
A man’s voice came through the speaker. “Right away, Miss Whitaker.”
“I can carry your bags.” Trent offered.
“How will you protect me with your hands full, Mr. Bodyguard?” Her words were spoken with seductive undertones. He might’ve been imagining it, but he didn’t think so.
As they passed through the house on their way to the motor court, he admired the infinity pool through the glass on the west side of the house. The house felt more like a pricey hotel than a personal home to him.
∞∞∞
Trent assisted Delaney out of the Escalade and onto Garrison Security’s private jet, following her inside. She immediately went to the back of the plane where there was a small desk with a mirror. It resembled a make-up table although it was designed as a place for the staff to work away from the main area. He stood discreetly by watching as she reapplied her lipstick and brushed her hair.
When she finally rose to her feet and started back toward the seating area, she spotted him and raised an eyebrow. “Where are my things?”
“The staff loaded your luggage while you spent thirty minutes perfecting your lipstick.”
“I did no such thing.”
“Maybe it was closer to ten minutes, but you were definitely staring into that mirror back there with a lipstick in your hand.”
She settled into one of the luxurious white leather seats. “You were spying on me?”
“I’m your bodyguard.” He relaxed into the seat facing hers, stretching his long legs out on either side of hers. “I’m paid to watch you.”
“So, that means you must observe me at all times? Even when I’m applying my lipstick?”
“It means when I’m on duty, I will not take my eyes off of you, unless you are in the privy.”
“I didn’t put makeup on to look good for you.” She inspected her perfectly manicured nails.
“Of course not.” He chuckled. “We’re going to be around many other people on this private jet.” He looked around the empty plane pointedly.
“The pilot might be cute.”
“I’m sure her husband thinks so.”
Her lips formed a pout and he fought the urge to laugh. Delaney Whitaker was going to be a handful.
“When you’re not kidnapping billionaires’ daughters, what do you do for fun, Mr. Prescott?”
“Call me Trent, but do you think jokes about kidnapping are appropriate considering the circumstances?”
She blushed. “I wasn’t thinking.”
He nodded, acknowledging her chagrin, but not making a big thing of it. “My job is what I do for fun.” He gave her his most charming smile. “What could be more entertaining than watching young women melt down when they realize their freedom is being restricted?”
Ignoring the jab, she tossed her hair over her shoulder. “You must guard men and children, as well.”
“Most of the time I guard men, yes. Occasionally I guard children.” He stretched. “Unfortunately, I drew the short stick this time.”
“You think you’re hilarious, don’t you?”
“You don’t?” He grinned.
“I think you’re annoying.”
“Would you like a book to read?” He took a copy of Pride and Prejudice out of the cabinet beside him and held it out to her. “You don’t have to waste your time conversing with the staff.”
She didn’t take the book. “Thanks anyway, but I think I’d rather annoy you.”
“Lovely.” He set down the book and loosened his tie. “I suppose I should get comfortable then.”
"Tell me about yourself, Trent."
"There's not much to tell."
"I'm not sure I believe that." She raised an eyebrow. "How did you come to work for Garrison Security?"
It was an innocent enough question, but, if he wasn’t careful, the explanation would tell her much more than he wanted to reveal. “Grayson Garrison and I were in the same unit.”
“Unit? As in military?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Did you see combat?”
Visions of war flashed before his eyes. “Yes.” He felt a muscle jump in his jaw.
“I can see it’s a sore subject.”
“It is.”
“Let’s talk about something else. Tell me about your family.”
“My family is great.” A genuine smile played at the corners of his mouth. “My father is a real estate developer, and my mother works at his company.”
“Any siblings?”
“No. I’m an only child.”
“I suppose you never had to fight for affection.”
“No, but I would’ve liked to have a sibling to commiserate with.”
“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
“Why not?”
“I love my sisters, but we fought constantly growing up.”
“I’ve heard that is usually the case.” He stretched. “What about your parents? I met your father, but what happened to your mother.”
“She died when I was young.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I barely remember her, but thank you.” She smiled. “Daddy tells us wonderful stories.”
He frowned. “I can’t imagine growing up without a mother.”
“My father played both roles to the best of his ability. Enough about me, where did you grow up?”
“Pennsylvania.”
“Wow. Living in California must be so different from where you grew up.”
“It would be.” He leaned forward. “But, I don’t live in California.”
“Where do you live?”
“Maryland.”
“Oh. I assumed you were a local.”
“I can live anywhere with my work, but I choose to live near Garrison Security’s headquarters.”
“Would you ever consider relocating?”
“If circumstances dictated it, then yes.”
She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. It gave him a chance to study her. Her exquisite beauty was unusual, even a bit exotic. It was a shame she was so far out of his league. Not that it mattered, since she didn’t appear to share his values. Yet, there was something about Delaney Whitaker that made him hope to get to know her better.
Trent instructed the driver to bring Delaney’s luggage in before leading her toward the kitchen entrance. They continued in and through the kitchen into the open living area before he glanced around the safe-house and turned to face her. “Is this suitable to your taste, Ms. Whitaker?”
She surveyed the room, and he watched as her gaze flitted around taking in the high ceilings, the travertine tile in the entryway, and the fine furnishings. “I’m surprised your boss is able to afford this place. It feels like home.”
“Grayson Garrison is worth nearly as much as your father, princess.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Nah. It suits you.”
“How did a bodyguard get that wealthy?”
“Garrison Security is a subsidiary of Garrison Industries, a global investment firm. Besides, security pays well when you’re guarding the wealthy and elite.”
“I see.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder releasing the fragrance of jasmine into the air. “So, you’re being paid well to babysit me?”
“Very well. Would you care to see our suite of rooms?” At her nod, he led the way to the third floor where they would both be staying. The space was more modestly decorated than the downstairs, he wondered what she thought of it. “My room is over there.” He pointed. “You’ll be staying directly across the hall. We’ll share the living area.”
“Does that mean I get to sleep in private?” She walked to the door of her bedroom and peered inside.
He walked up behind her and tried to see the room through her eyes. It was a lovely room, but the billionaire’s daughter likely had a room fit for a queen back in California. He waited until she turned to face him before he answered. “Yes, you may sleep alone, as long as you promise not to sneak off during the night.”
“Now why would I want to leave your company, Trenton?”
He noticed that she hadn’t agreed not to sneak off, so he figured he ought to be prepared for her to do just that. “Dinner will be served at seven. Why don’t you get changed? I’ll meet you in the dining room.”
“How should I dress for dinner?”
“Casual is fine.”
“Where is the dining room?”
“Take the elevator to the first floor, make a right at the first hall and follow it until you reach the room with the long table.”