Protecting Lulu (Global Protection Agency)

by Jeffries, J. M.

  “I can’t tell you that, Mr. Bennington.” She leaned her chin on a balled fist.

  God this woman was a lot of work. Why he found that exciting was beyond him. “Elsa Joanne.”

  “We’re back to that. No.” She tilted her head at him, her eyes sparkling.

  “Have you thought about payment if I guess correctly?”

  “Figure it out and I’ll let you see me naked.”

  Surprised, he stared at her. “I’m might not stop with just looking.”

  “Fair enough.” She finished eating her hamburger. Delicately she wiped her fingers on the napkin.

  Wilder stared at her hands. The fingers were long and delicate with her nails unadorned by polish or any of the other embellishments women tended to use. He found that he liked her more and more. The idea that something more could happen heated his blood.

  Chapter Eight

  “You shouldn’t have said what that to him,” Noah told Lulu.

  “I know, but I’m so angry.” She clenched her fist. “I’m not letting this person win. Is that wrong?”

  “All things considered and you being all girly, I think you would have made a hell of a soldier.”

  “We’d have to redesign the uniforms. I’m doing it again aren’t I? Making a joke when this isn’t joking matter.” Lulu started crying again.

  Noah sat, his arms sliding around her again and pulled her to rest against him. “That’s how you deal.”

  “I didn’t mean it. I know Wilder wants to protect me. I don’t want to die, but I don’t want to live in fear. You made a promise that nothing would happen to me and you would catch this person. I trust you to keep your promise.”

  Noah brushed his lips across her forehead. He closed his eyes, inhaling the sweetness of her perfume and gently caressing her arm.

  The door opened and Dr. Burns entered, the nurse following him pushing a tray with instruments, Band-Aids and antiseptic on it.

  Lulu brushed away her tears and turned to face the doctor, resolve on her face. “How is Maria?”

  “She’s going to need more medical care. I’ve spoken to her husband and he’s on his way to pick her up. I’ve given her a sedative and she’s sleeping.”

  “Then you call the best specialist for her. I don’t care about the cost. Maria is a loyal viewer and I want to make sure she’s taken care of.”

  He remembered the woman watching Lulu with adoration in her face. “I doubt she’ll sue.”

  “I will still make sure all the legal ramifications are taken care of,” Lulu said firmly. “And I’ll send flowers.”

  “I have to make a phone call,” Noah told Lulu.

  She nodded absently as the doctor gently started probing the wound on her face.

  Harrison paced back and forth outside the room. “Are you taking her out of the city?” Harrison asked when Noah closed the door behind him.

  “She won’t go,” Noah said. “We’re going to need the security footage. I need you to talk to Wilder about getting new ID badges for everyone and the Geek needs to tighten up security. We have a leak in here the size of Hoover Dam. We need to call in some extra personal. I’m not letting anything happen to her.”

  Harrison nodded. “We’re on it.”

  “She’s filming tomorrow in Studio 2. I want extra security for the show. No one goes in or out without us checking who they are. ”

  “Do you think she would let us do a pat down of the audience?” Harrison typed into his tablet.

  “I doubt that.”

  “Are you okay?” Harrison asked.

  For a second, Noah had to think about that. “I’m fine.”

  Harrison patted him on the shoulder. “You keep telling yourself that.”

  Noah could feel the adrenaline rush receding. He slumped against the wall and ran a hand across his face.

  The door opened and Lulu stalked out. “Come on. Let’s go.”

  “Go where?” Noah asked, pushing away from the wall.

  “Marshal the troops. I need a little retail therapy.”

  “What about your meetings?”

  “I’m easy to please and people know what I like. No one is going to disappoint me. I know that it sounds a little egotistical, but most people like to please me.”

  Noah had never been to Bergdorf’s. The minute he set foot in the door, he thought, I’d rather be back in Iraq.

  People turned to look at her and he saw recognition in their faces. A couple looked like they wanted to approach Lulu, but one look at Gideon and the gun bulge under his arm stopped them.

  A lush, full-figured woman stood just inside the door, almost as tall as Lulu in her red stiletto heels and wearing a black suit with a red scarf draped around her neck. “Lulu, darling.”

  “Valentina,” Lulu said. She turned to Noah. “My personal shopper,” she said in an undertone. “I’m assuming you’ve already checked her out.”

  “She checks out,” Noah replied. He studied the woman’s stilettos. What was it with women and their shoes?

  Gideon murmured. “Nice legs.”

  Lulu air-kissed Valentina, “You look absolutely delish.”

  Valentina ran a hand down her hip, “Lulu Wear from head to toe.”

  “Fabulous.”

  “Thank you.” Valentina linked arms with Lulu and drew her toward the elevator. “Define sensible shoes, Lulu.”

  “No stilts,” Noah said.

  Valentina gave him a scorching look. She glanced back at Lulu. “I did the best I could.”

  They exited the elevator and Valentina ushered Lulu into a private dressing room with several stacks of shoe boxes.

  The room was pale peach and made Noah feel claustrophobic. On a table next to a comfortable over-sized chair was a plate of fancy looking chocolate candies, a flute and a bottle of champagne in a cooler surrounded by ice.

  Noah squatted in front of the stacks of boxes and started opening them revealing high-heeled shoes. “No.” He tossed the box aside. “No. No. No. These are still high.”

  “What is wrong with this man, Lulu? You said sensible and I figured three inch heels are sensible enough.”

  Noah stood and took the woman aside to explain what he wanted.

  “Oh, my God,” Lulu said suddenly. “Oh, my God.”

  Noah whirled around and found Lulu holding a pair of shoes, lust so evident on her face he was taken aback.

  Lulu caressed the shoe. They were mauve suede with an ankle strap that buckled with a rose on the top. They felt so right in her hand. The heels were a stunning six inches with thorns on them. Her heart raced and she knew she would feel like a sex goddess in those shoes. Her feet would look beautiful. Her legs would look beautiful. She sighed, knowing if she bought these shoes, she’d wear them and Noah would be annoyed and start scolding her all over again.

  Valentina smiled. “I knew you would love them. They’re from Yves Saint Laurent’s new spring line. Aren’t they beautiful?”

  “Oh hell, no.” Noah grabbed the shoes out of her hand.

  Lulu wanted to put them on and walk out of the store even though her feet would freeze. Her thoughts wrapped around the shoes, but the memory of the light bar crashing down came back to her. Fear resurfaced and she tried not to shiver.

  She handed the shoes back to Valentina. “I love them. Hold them for me. I promise I’ll come back and buy them in a week or two.”

  Valentina’s mouth dropped open. “But Lulu—”

  She held up a hand. She had to be strong. “No. Not today. I need sensible shoes,” she tried to sound confident, but inside she thought her heart would break. She so wanted those shoes, but she knew she just couldn’t buy them.

  Valentina shook her head and reluctantly took the shoes from Noah and put them back in the box. She disappeared out the door, snapping her fingers at her assistant and telling them what she wanted.

  Sensible shoes equal life, Lulu chanted to herself while she waited. Sensible shoes equal life.

  “Lulu,” Noah said.
>
  She took a deep breath. She really couldn’t get those shoes. She couldn’t remember the last time she couldn’t get what she wanted. Honestly, she felt like crying. “I need to be alone right now,” she said.

  Noah didn’t move and Lulu glared at him. “I told you I wanted to be alone.”

  “Until this over, someone is always going to be with you.”

  She frowned at him.

  “What was it about those shoes that turned you on? They cost a $1,000.”

  “All right. I’m a shoe-aholic. I love them. I adore them. They make me feel beautiful. Not just that, but powerful and in control.”

  “You don’t need shoes to make you look better.”

  She thought about her modeling days. “You silly man. Every time I make a top ten best dressed list it’s a victory for all the big girls. It’s proof that size zero isn’t the only way a woman can be thought of as beautiful. Shoes give me confidence to go out there and flaunt that. That’s why how I look is important to me.”

  “You put a lot of pressure on yourself,” Noah said gently. “You don’t have to be in the public eye.”

  Yes she did. She loved the spotlight. “We’ll talk about celebrity some other time.”

  Valentina returned with her assistant carrying a stack of boxes. She set the boxes on the table and Noah opened the top box and smiled. “Much better.”

  Lulu gazed at the leopard patterned shoes with the stocky, sensible heels. She wanted to like them. They were fashionable in their own right. The label on the side of the box said Christian Louboutin. She felt no enthusiasm for the shoes. She sighed. “I’ll take a pair in every color.”

  “I have these.” Valentina showed Lulu a pair of peep-toed pumps.

  “Those too,” Lulu said with no enthusiasm.

  “I think this is the worst shopping trip ever,” Valentina poked out her bottom lip.

  “I know.” Lulu took out the black pumps and handed the empty box to Valentina.

  Valentina picked up the box with the leopard print shoes. “I’ll have all the shoes delivered to your home in an hour.”

  “Thank you.” Lulu slipped on the black peep-toed shoes and gazed sadly at her stilettos. She kept telling herself that she had a choice between running and dying. She tried to be confident, but for the first time since the threats had started Lulu knew she needed to take this more seriously now.

  Suddenly, Lulu was angry. Whoever was threatening her was hurting innocent people. She had to stop whoever it was before someone else was hurt. If that meant wearing sensible shoes, then she would do so. She stood and took an experimental step. She sighed and turned to look at Noah.

  Noah simply watched her. His presence was oddly comforting. “Thank you.” Noah offered her his hand.

  She took it and walked out of the dressing room, her head held high.

  Noah and Ian stood in the foyer. Noah tugged at his tie. Ian stood next to him hogging the mirror. Noah wanted to punch him. He looked too handsome, too debonair in a James Bond kind of way. Noah had never really paid any attention to Ian’s handsomeness and for some reason he was irritated.

  Noah turned away from the mirror and watched the hallway where a parade of people walked down the stairs. He recognized Lulu’s stylist and hair person wondering how many people it took to get a woman ready for something as simple as a film premiere.

  Last in line came Lulu wearing a peacock blue gown with lace inserts at the waist that sparkled with rhinestones. She looked...delectable. She wore a green silk wrap that matched the shoes she carried in one hand and a small green purse clutched in the other. On her feet she wore the plain black shoes she’d purchased that afternoon. Noah approved of the shoes and stared pointedly at the second pair in her hand. She ignored him.

  Ian stepped forward an admiring look on his face. “Bloody hell, that woman is to die for.”

  Gideon came out of the living room and stared at Lulu. “So right.”

  Noah couldn’t help thinking how unprofessional Gideon and Ian were. But then again, he was the one who’d been kissing on her and right now her lips looked thoroughly kissable.

  “Yes, you are,” Ian said.

  She handed her shoes to Noah. “I can’t wear these shoes to a premier, there are cameras there.”

  “Thanks,” Noah said a sarcastic edge to his voice.

  “You are more than welcome,” Lulu said in a sugary sweet voice. She turned to her crew. “Thank you, everyone, I appreciate all your hard work at making me look glamorous.” The stylist, the makeup artist and the hair dresser wished her a good time and departed, a rush of cold air swirling through the foyer as they opened the door.

  She’d look glamorous in a plain white t-shirt, Noah thought. She pushed Noah away from the mirror and stared critically at herself. She took off the wrap. “This necklace,” she said, “is just too much.”

  Noah’s mouth dropped open at the sight of her cleavage. The dress barely covered her breasts. He stole a sideways glance at Ian and Gideon. Ian looked shell shocked and Gideon’s eyes were glassy.

  “You’re right,” Aiden said, stepping forward. “Who’s going to pay attention to some rocks when the girls come out to play?”

  Lulu snickered and then took the diamond choker off dropping it on the table in front of the mirror. She gave herself one last pat and turned to Ian. “I think I’m ready now.”

  “Yes, you are,” Ian said, his eyes never leaving her cleavage.

  “Thank you,” she said then blew him a kiss.

  Noah was close to smacking Ian upside the head. He didn’t want him ogling her. Noah had to admit in that dress it was impossible not to.

  Gideon grinned at Noah. “This is the best job ever.”

  Noah wanted to punch them both. “Let’s go.” He tapped his wrist watch. “We’re running late.”

  Aiden helped Lulu back into her wrap.

  Once in the limo, Lulu sat in the back, chatting. “Can you imagine? Angelina and Brad are coming! They are such nice people. Brad was so generous with his advice and time. Martin Scorsese. Who would have thought he’d decide to come. I’m just so excited. I didn’t think my first little film would generate so much buzz.”

  “What about your TV shows?” Gideon said, “I’ve been watching Interludes for a couple years now.”

  “Well thank you, Gideon,” Lulu said sweetly. “I never thought Interludes would be something you’d watch.”

  Gideon blushed and looked away. He’d revealed something about himself and that made him a bit uncomfortable. Noah studied Gideon. Gideon was his mystery man. He seldom talked about himself and almost never revealed background information.

  Noah thought, for God’s sake, “It’s just a TV show.”

  “You have had your TV tuned to CNN and it never wavers,” Gideon said.

  Noah simply shook his head. He flipped out his phone and called Dante. “ETA ten minutes,” he said.

  “Gotcha,” Dante replied.

  “Oh this is so clandestine.” Lulu bent over to replace her black shoes with the green stilettos. Her breasts looked like they were ready to pop out.

  Noah reached out thinking he needed to catch them.

  She smiled. “Don’t worry I’m taped and sewed into this gown.”

  Noah sat back. “Thank God or we’d all be getting an early Valentine’s Day present.”

  “I do like to be generous.”

  Noah pinched the bridge of his nose, a dull ache forming behind one eye.

  They fell into silence. The car pulled up to the theater and Dante stepped forward to open the door. Light from cameras flashed as Lulu slipped out of her wrap and then stepped out of the car.

  Noah glared at her.

  She smiled at him. “This is a movie premiere; I can’t be photographed wearing a babushka.” She turned and waved at the sight-seers lining the red carpet leading up to the entrance of the theater. Noah trailed in her wake.

  The paparazzi called out to her. She stopped to sign a couple autographs.
Then she stopped and posed for the photographers. Ian stood next to her smiling.

  A reporter stepped forward with a mic. Noah recognized the woman as a reporter from an entertainment show. “Lulu, you look stunning. Who are you wearing?”

  “Vera Wang tonight.” She pushed out a foot. “Louboutin.”

  The reporter pointed at Ian. “The best accessory of all.”

  “Lord Ian Richardson is my escort.” Lulu twined her arm through Ian’s and he smiled.

  Ian held Lulu’s arm possessively. Noah felt a spurt of jealousy and worked hard to keep it pushed to the side. Ian posed with Lulu for the camera while Noah seethed.

  Another car pulled up to the curb. The door opened and a skinny blonde woman Noah recognized as Bethany Forrester stepped out, followed by Lulu’s old boyfriend, Jake O’Malley. Noah stepped forward planning to stop Jake from getting close to Lulu, but Gideon grabbed his arm.

  “No,” Gideon whispered. “Now is not the time.”

  “Lulu,” Bethany cried. “You look fabulous.”

  Noah picked up the derisive insincerity in Bethany’s tone.

  Jake O’Malley smiled at Lulu. “You look stunning tonight, Lulu.”

  “Thank you, Jake,” Lulu smiled.

  Noah could tell from Lulu’s tone, that she didn’t give a shit what Jake thought.

  Jake’s hands lingered on Lulu’s. He bent over and kissed her on the cheek and again, his lips lingered a bit too long. As he watched the other man, Noah wondered what Lulu had seen in Jake other than his incredible good looks.

  Bethany trotted over to Ian her gaze moving up and down his body and her eyes widening. “Who are you, big guy?”

  Ian smiled. “I’m Lulu’s.” He turned back to Lulu.

  Bethany smiled. Noah felt more than saw it was faked. This woman could act.

  Jake whispered in Lulu’s ear. Lulu smiled. Bethany immediately grabbed Jake’s arm and pulled him away as another limo pulled to the curb. “Look, there’s Brad and Angelina, Jake. Let’s go say hello.”

  Lulu waved at Bethany. “Enjoy,”

  Noah decided he needed to bump O’Malley up to the head of the list. This guy definitely had Lulu on the brain and Noah knew exactly how Jake felt. For just a second, Noah felt sorry for the other man.