*****
The next morning, Ryker snuggled with Mia until the last minute. Then he let her shower while he made breakfast. He made coffee then eggs and toast. Mia came out looking like a fashion model in a business suit. She seemed to glow from the inside.
Mia stood behind him with her arms around his waist. “How is it that you look as sexy in the morning cooking up eggs as you did in bed?”
Ryker turned in her arms and tipped her chin up for a kiss. “Don’t get me started, or you’ll be right back in bed.”
“Tease.” Mia got a mug and poured her coffee.
Ryker served breakfast then sat across from her. His admiration for her went way beyond the bedroom. She was an amazing woman, and he was a lucky guy.
“Are you staring?” Mia said, shuffling eggs onto her fork.
“Yes…I’m staring.”
“You’re going to make me blush,” Mia said.
“If I haven’t done that yet, then I need to work on my skills.”
“I’ll be glad to help you with that.”
Ryker put his hand over hers. “I’m sure you would.”
The night had been theirs, but reality waited outside the door. “I have to get security for your event finalized today. While you’re at the office, Caleb will be on duty.”
“You do know how to build a woman up, just to let her down.”
“I’ll be there to pick you up for dinner,” Ryker said.
“I suppose I’ll settle for that.”
Ryker guessed that life would get rockier for Mia before it smoothed out. He wished he could prevent that. Handling security was his duty, that was one thing he could do for Mia.
While Mia finished breakfast, Ryker showered and dressed. It didn’t take long, then he was back to escort her to the parking lot, where Caleb was waiting.
At the door, Mia paused, so Ryker gave her one more tender kiss. He leaned away then mouthed, “I love you.”
Tears glistened in Mia’s eyes. “You’re going to make me ruin my makeup.” Then she kissed him again before leaving to face the day.
*****
At Black Swan, Ryker refocused. It was time to tend to business. Mia had stolen his heart, along with the hearts of her adoring public. She was highly visible in the tech world, but her fame extended beyond her accomplishments. Her eye for fashion and her rapport with her supporters made her more than a business owner.
If the media could be believed, fans thought of her as a friend. Mia was a female CEO and the creator of impressive software. Her accomplishments deserved to be acknowledged. Yet Ryker knew he was dealing with more than that.
Fans bonded with Mia and wanted to know more about her and her personal life. That need had been satisfied recently in social media, with positive and negative news. Due to the scandal of the lawsuit followed by private photos, things had gotten out of control.
The media had gone crazy with the story. Speculation was shared, even when based on false assumptions. It seemed everyone had an opinion, and all the conversation had put Mia at the top of their minds.
As flattering as such attention was, it was also dangerous. Fans were excitable and could be unpredictable. The imagined friendship transcended boundaries, causing fans to expect more personal contact. It was a tricky balance between relating to fans and keeping it professional.
The tech event was high-profile. It was a major event with various sectors represented. The presentations, parties, and meetings went on for a week. Mia was part of the development conference and was scheduled to give a presentation.
Each conference was held at a separate location around the downtown area. Although security would be most important at Mia’s conference, the team had done reconnaissance at all the locations. It was best to know how it was all planned out.
Setup had been ongoing, but the final preparations had to be completed. Mia’s conference was tomorrow. Ryker went to see Amanda and found her at the computer. She finished what she was typing then looked up.
Ryker sat down then went over a few details. “I think we’re pretty well set.”
“Yes, I’ll be at the event under the guise of being Mia’s personal assistant. Jake will appear to be event personnel.” Amanda smiled. “You’ll go as the boyfriend, of course.”
“Yeah, very clever of you to think of that.”
“Hey, smart aleck, it fits right in,” Amanda said. “We aren’t obvious but can go undercover. You kind of blew your cover when you got your face plastered all over social media with Mia.”
“All right, your point is made,” Ryker said. “And Lonnie is confirmed?”
“Yep, he requested the duty, so he will be in charge of law enforcement at the conference.” Amanda looked at a list she most likely had memorized. “And Hawke will be in the audience as an attendee. I told him to find something businesslike to wear.”
“Have we missed anything?”
Amanda looked at him, as if thinking that over. “I hope not.”
Ryker went to the lunchroom for coffee. He sat at an empty table. The event should go off without a hitch. Security was tight, but public venues were difficult to manage. There were too many variables.
It didn’t make him feel any better that James was on the list of attendees. Ryker had made it a priority to learn more about stalkers. He’d learned that over half of domestic violence homicides occurred at the point of separation—or after the victim had already left the abuser.
He hadn’t shared that revelation with Mia, as it would only scare her. It was his job to make sure she wasn’t one of those statistics. It didn’t have to get to that point, anyway. The team had been watching James, ensuring that he didn’t get close to her.
Amanda stood in the doorway.
“Is there something else?” Ryker said.
“I just received some information I’ve been waiting for.” Amanda sat across from him. “I want to tell you before anyone else.”
“What is it?”
“James has a record.”
“I thought you ran a background check and told me he didn’t have one,” Ryker said.
“He doesn’t have one that’s publicly accessible,” Amanda said. “There’s a law in this state that allows for certain records to be sealed. It is as though the criminal record never existed.”
“How do you know about it, then?”
Amanda rolled her eyes. “I said publicly accessible. I have my connections, and it turns out that James was charged with assault. The victim was a woman. But he wasn’t convicted, and that’s one of the conditions upon which an attorney can base the request to wipe the record clean.”
Ryker tried to wrap his head around this new information. “I’ve seen the guy in action. In a courtroom, I can see a judge believing him, taking his side. He’s a good bullshitter.”
“And it’s not the only time he got away with it,” Amanda said. “He has a juvenile record, too. But those records are automatically closed when the person turns eighteen.”
“Assault?”
“Yes, and also a female victim.”
Ryker’s blood turned cold. “And that’s just the two incidents we know about.” He considered sharing this new information with Mia, but there was no point. The event would be stressful enough without giving her more reason for concern. “It’s our job to make sure that Mia isn’t added to his list of victims.”
Chapter 16
On the morning of the event, Mia dressed in her new outfit. She spent extra time on her hair and put on more makeup for the cameras. She’d only had toast and coffee for breakfast, since she was too nervous to have much appetite.
She drew strength from knowing that Ryker would be with her for support and the team would be there to protect her. It was a big event and would be filmed. The current situation was volatile, yet she hoped to calm the public with her talk.
Mental Magic hung in a delicate balance. On stage, she would be speaking to nervous investors, overly excited fans, and concerned parents. Plus, h
er own team was counting on her. The weighty burden of inspiring confidence rested on her shoulders.
When Mia was as ready as she could be, she went out to find Ryker already dressed. He wore a navy blazer and light blue shirt with charcoal slacks. When he smiled at her, it made her heart skip a beat. He was so handsome. Her protector had morphed into a corporate heartthrob.
“You’ll have the audience swooning for you,” Mia said. “No one will be listening to me at all.”
“I didn’t know the business look was sexy. I’ll have to buy more blazers.”
Mia’s phone rang. It was Griffen, so she answered. “Calling to wish me luck?” She motioned to Ryker that she’d be a minute, then sat down.
“I have news for you, and I wanted to deliver it before the event,” Griffen said. “I think it will give you some peace of mind.”
“I’m all ears.”
Griffen proceeded to relay the news he’d received from the attorney that very morning. Mia listened then relief washed over her. “I’m so glad you called. Finally, something goes in our favor.”
When the call ended, Mia looked at Ryker.
“Good news?”
“Yes, it was,” Mia said. “I was a little stunned, so I’m not sure if I got all of what Griffen told me. But the drift of it is that the lawsuit has been dismissed.”
“That’s a better outcome than you’d hoped.”
“Our attorney filed for dismissal because the claim had no basis in law or fact,” Mia said. “The court considered it a frivolous lawsuit.”
“How do they determine that?”
“The attorney said that it’s a lawsuit filed with the intention of harassing, annoying, or disturbing the opposite party.”
“That’s a yes on all three,” Ryker said.
“And the court stated that James knew there was little chance of succeeding if he pursued the case in court,” Mia said. “That’s good news and bad.”
Ryker raised his brows.
“It’s too late for a reversal of the divorce,” Mia said. “Now, the lawsuit has been thrown out. James doesn’t handle failure well. He’s used to having things go his way.”
“He’ll react to control being taken from him,” Ryker said. “He maneuvered to gain the upper hand, his attempt to force your obedience.” He paused. “I don’t like this at all. It could make him snap.”
“It would serve him right,” Mia said. “He’s been my oppressor for far too long. He needs to learn that those days are over.”
Ryker stood in front of Mia and put his hands on her shoulders. His expression was serious, and Mia wondered what was wrong.
“I won’t allow you to go to the event,” Ryker said. “Not today. I won’t let you risk it. It’s not safe.”
Mia was aware that James would know about the lawsuit before the event started. And he would be pissed. But she had to go anyway.
“You’re still so bossy!” Mia pulled away. “You can’t tell me what to do. I refuse to cower or hide.” She glared at Ryker. “My entire life hasn’t been safe. Why should today be any different?”
Mia stormed out, with Ryker following her to the car. She was mad and sick to death of being ordered about. She got in the car without another word.
Ryker drove and Mia fumed. Yet she sensed there was more that Ryker hadn’t told her. She didn’t know what had caused him to have a change of heart. It couldn’t be the lawsuit; that was only part of it. Just days before, Ryker had been supportive. He’d told her not to worry, that he’d protect her.
Mia was frustrated. There was something Ryker wasn’t sharing. She knew him too well and could see it in his expression. She had no idea what it could be. And why didn’t he tell her? Did he have so little faith in her?
*****
Mia arrived early while the setup was still in progress. Ryker introduced her to Amanda, her new assistant, then went off to coordinate the team. There was a small office where they could talk and get to know each other. They had to appear as though they worked together.
Amanda wore a business suit and looked very fit. She had bright red hair twisted into a professional style and wore expertly applied eye shadow to accent her blue eyes.
“It’s good to meet you,” Mia said. “Ryker tells me that you were in the Air Force.”
“Yes, I worked in communications,” Amanda said. “That’s deceiving, though. We had to be as fit as anyone else.”
“I’m sure.” Mia could tell that Amanda wasn’t up for idle chitchat, which she appreciated.
“I know what it’s like to be a woman in a man’s world,” Amanda said, then proceeded to share a few incidents to make her point. It seemed that she’d stood up to the pressure quite well.
“It appears we have a lot in common,” Mia said. “I admire your spunk.”
“I understand male aggression. I don’t put up with it. And I understand what you have to deal with, regarding James in particular.”
“I have a feeling you understand better than most.”
“I’m trained to protect you,” Amanda said. “Since I’m a woman, I can stay close to you without alarm bells going off.”
“I’m more relaxed knowing that you’ll be with me at the podium.”
“I don’t trust the situation. It’s too public and you’re too vulnerable,” Amanda said. “I know that Ryker taught you some self-defense moves.”
“Yes, we worked on the ones he thought were vital.”
“I have another one for you,” Amanda said. “It’s a move for women, one that I’m guessing he didn’t teach you.”
Amanda demonstrated how to escape from a bear-hug attack. Then she let Mia try. The setup was an attacker coming from behind. The purpose of the move was to create space and get free.
“Bend from the waist,” Amanda said. “That shifts your weight forward, making it more difficult for your attacker to pick you up. It gives you a better angle to throw your elbows from side to side, hitting his face.”
It was an effective move, and Mia got the hang of it quickly. Once she had loosened the attacker’s hold, she could use elbow jabs like Ryker had taught her, then other tactics to injure the attacker’s face or groin, making escape possible.
“That’s a move to remember,” Amanda said. “A man tends to come from behind then wrap his arms around you—on the assumption that he is stronger than you.”
Mia ran through the moves once more, then she had it.
“And if attacked, be loud and threatening,” Amanda said. “An attacker expects you to be afraid and intimidated, but will hesitate if you’re attracting attention or appear to be more of a challenge than anticipated.”
“I’ll remember that,” Mia said. “Are you expecting trouble today?”
Amanda smiled. “I’m always expecting trouble. It’s all about how prepared you are.” She motioned toward the door. “Ready?”
Mia went out to get ready for her talk. Iris found her and came over to offer support. “You’ll do great. I have complete confidence in you,” she said, then gave Mia a hug.
Griffen had taken a seat near the front. He nodded at Mia then smiled. It was good to have friends in the audience.
A few rows back, Hawke sat next to a couple of women. He looked muscular, even with a jacket on. But he’d worn business attire and maintained an appropriate attitude. Mia wasn’t supposed to acknowledge that she knew him, as his presence was more discreet that way.
Law enforcement was stationed at the entrance, screening attendees. And Jake was in the aisle directing them to open seats. Amanda had pointed him out, so Mia knew he was on the team.
Mia made her way to the front then sat beside Ryker. He looked over but didn’t say anything. He was taking in the scene, while appearing semi-bored. He called it situational awareness.
The presentation was coming up, so Mia’s thoughts were on that. The development conference was about problem solving and innovative solutions. It occurred to Mia that was precisely what she could use in her personal life
.
Ryker’s knee touched hers, drawing her attention to his presence. She was still annoyed with him. On reflection, it was less because of him trying to tell her what to do, and more about him keeping something from her.
Before Mia had a chance to ponder that further, Ryker’s phone vibrated. It was a text from Hawke. He replied then said, “It seems some tweet this morning caused a sensation and the fans are going wild.”
Mia guessed it was probably about Ryker being her boyfriend. Sometimes she felt more like a movie star than a company CEO, the way her life was held up to scrutiny. Tweeting about her love life would be a slap in the face to James. His ego wouldn’t be able to take much more.
“When you go up there to speak,” Ryker said, “Jake will be near the stage…just in case.”
The presentations began and Mia watched, only half listening. There had been no sign of James. Maybe he wouldn’t show up after all.
Just before lunch, Mia was announced. She made her way to the podium, nervous but determined. Amanda accompanied her to handle the slides and fulfill her role as assistant. Once Mia was in front of the group delivering her well-rehearsed speech, she got into a rhythm. She was motivated and inspired.
Mia talked about raising the level of competence of youth and revolutionizing the educational system. The Mental Magic software was meant to enable learning and could even make it easier for companies to train employees.
The first goal was to make it available to students with a learning disability. Her company’s purpose was to give kids a chance in a tough world. The presentation appeared well received. There was applause at a couple of points, which encouraged Mia to continue.
Before Mia’s talk was over, James arrived. She couldn’t help but see him, since he managed to find a seat near the front—likely to antagonize her. With a glance, she saw that he’d worn a designer suit and that he appeared cool and calm. It was unnerving.
James took a seat, and Mia tried to block out the attention he focused on her, refusing to look at him. Then she noticed that Eddie was with him. Chills ran up her spine. Why did James bring his nephew? He didn’t even like the boy.
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