The Billionaire's Bodyguard Bride

by Weaver, Lisa

  “Good morning,” Lauren replied, returning the woman’s smile before taking a sip of the hot, fragrant brew. She sighed in pleasure. “It’s sheer ambrosia. The buffet looks amazing, too.”

  “Mmmmm. Fresh fruit, yogurt, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns. The Fullertons certainly want to be sure no one goes hungry.”

  “I’m going to have to live on the treadmill after this weekend, but it’s so worth it.”

  Taking their plates, they joined Grace Fullerton and the other women who were already seated at the table. The breakfast conversation was warm and insightful, and Lauren found herself enjoying this gregarious group of corporate wives. Their husbands might be top dogs in the business arena, but there was no question the women gathered here played a big part in that success.

  They were chatting about the day’s news when Hurricane Melanie blew into the room in all her moody glory. Judging by her sullen expression, the blonde wasn’t having a good morning. She glowered at the group and abruptly turned to leave.

  “You’re welcome to join us, Melanie,” Grace called out in invitation. “It’s not too late. The buffet is still hot and well stocked. Why don’t you grab a plate?”

  “I don’t want breakfast,” she replied haughtily. “I was checking to see if any of the men were here. I’ve decided to join them on their golf outing today.”

  A puzzled look crossed Grace’s face. “But the spa trip will be so much fun. You don’t want to come along with us?”

  Perfectly plucked eyebrows rose in haughty dismissal of the suggestion. “I’m very particular about the spas I patronize, and today’s destination doesn’t meet my standards.”

  Grace appeared dumbfounded, but to her credit she recovered quickly. “That’s up to you, of course. Chuck took the men out to breakfast after their meeting. They’ll be at the Madison on the golf course. Our chauffeur will be happy to drive you when you’re ready.”

  Without so much as a thank-you to her hostess, Melanie turned and walked away. Pausing at the door, she spun around and shot Lauren a catty glare. “I’ll be sure to say hello to Rafe for you, Lauren. Milton is partnered with him today. I’m going to enjoy cheering them on.”

  That clinched it, Lauren thought, as Melanie walked out of the room. She was officially upgrading the woman from bitter ex to evil shrew. She wouldn’t let Melanie’s little barb get to her, though. She didn’t care how the blonde spent her day. Lauren was confident Rafe wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize his reputation in front of Chuck Fullerton.

  “Did you see in today’s paper that they caught the creep who’s been accosting female joggers?” Trina asked, picking up the thread of their earlier conversation.

  “Yes,” Grace replied. “I’m so glad he chose the wrong woman this time.”

  “What happened?” Lauren asked.

  “The woman he attacked was trained in karate. Even though she was half his size, she was able to take him down. She held him at the scene until the police arrived.”

  “Good for her,” Lauren enthused.

  “Too bad his other victims weren’t so lucky,” Rachel frowned. “Their lives are messed up because of this pervert.”

  “I hope they lock him up and throw away the key,” one of the older women asserted. “This was a success story, but too many of these situations end badly for my peace of mind.”

  “It’s so easy to be lulled into a false sense of security. I used to think something like that could never happen to me,” John’s wife, Stacey, murmured.

  Lauren’s gaze flew to the young woman. The vulnerability she saw in Stacey’s eyes struck a chord. She recognized the fragile, haunted look. The underpinnings of fear. She’d seen them in the mirror countless times in her own eyes until she’d found the courage to stand up to her abusive father.

  “Someone tried to hurt you?” Lauren prodded gently.

  Stacey nodded. “The incident occurred a couple of months ago, but it left me shaken up. John was out of town on business, and I’d made plans to see a movie with one of my friends. She had to work late, so we decided to meet at the theater and catch the last showing. She phoned five minutes before the movie was due to start to tell me she couldn’t make it, but I decided to see it anyways. I knew it would be late when the show got out, but I figured there’d be plenty of people around. I thought it would be safe.”

  “But it wasn’t?” Trina ventured.

  “It would have been if I hadn’t decided to stop for a cup of coffee. I should have known better. When I left the shop, the area was deserted. I hurried to my car, but a man ran up and grabbed me before I was able to unlock it. He was wearing a hoodie, so I didn’t get a good look at his face. All I saw was the light from the street lamp glinting off the knife he was holding.”

  “Oh sweetie,” Grace sympathized. “How absolutely terrifying.”

  “I should have screamed—done something—but I just froze. He hauled me up against the car and demanded my purse. I gave it to him, thinking he’d leave me alone if I did. Except money wasn’t the only thing he was interested in.”

  “That’s horrible,” Trina murmured.

  “Lucky for me a police cruiser drove by and my attacker pushed me to the ground and ran off. I hate to think what would have happened if . . .” Stacey’s voice broke, and she took a moment to compose herself. “Thankfully the officer’s timing was perfect. If he hadn’t driven by when he did, I don’t think I’d be here today.”

  “Did they catch him?” Trina asked.

  “No. They found my purse in a trash can a few blocks away, but he escaped. It terrifies me to think he’s still out there and that his next victim might not be as fortunate as I was. I know I was lucky, but I hate how vulnerable the attack has left me feeling.”

  Lauren knew that feeling all too well. She understood how life altering fear could be. Whenever her father had gotten drunk—which was often—he’d inevitably lose control of his temper. He would take his wrath out on her and Luke before passing out in a drunken stupor. Five years her senior, Luke had stepped in to protect her whenever their father’s fists would fly. It was something a teenage boy never should have had to contend with.

  Keeping child welfare from intervening and taking them away from their father had become the siblings’ priority. They’d been certain such an eventuality would mean they would wind up in separate foster homes. And so, to deflect probing questions from well-meaning teachers and neighbors, Lauren had perfected her poker face and compiled a roster of excuses for the occasional bruises, retreating behind a mask of cheery clumsiness. She’d bumped into a door or tripped over Luke’s gym bag or accidentally gotten whacked by a basketball during a game. She practiced delivering the excuses until she became adept at fooling the adults without giving away the hurt and confusion she felt. The more she lied, the easier the untruths rolled off her tongue. But the fear never went away.

  Although she’d known beyond a shadow of a doubt her brother would always look out for her, she’d hated feeling so impotent. Hated the fear. When she’d confessed her feelings to Luke, he’d taught her how to defend herself. The knowledge had changed her life.

  “My brother instructed me in Tae kwon do when I was growing up,” she told Stacey. “He wanted me to be able to protect myself, and with the moves he taught me I was able to. We have a couple of hours before we leave for the spa. If Grace wouldn’t mind our using the gym, I’d be happy to share a few self-defense pointers with you.”

  Stacey nodded eagerly. “That would be great.”

  “Of course I don’t mind, dear,” Grace replied. “That’s a marvelous idea. May I join you, too?”

  “Certainly.” Lauren smiled.

  There was excited chatter around the table as the entire group expressed an interest in joining in. As soon as they finished breakfast, they gathered in the gym, eager to begin.

  “Tae kwon do is traditionally performed barefoot, so if you’d like to take off your shoes and have a seat on the mat, we’ll get sta
rted,” she instructed with a smile. “I hope you never have to use the skills you’re going to learn today, but that being said, we’re born with some built-in safeguards when it comes to protecting ourselves. First and foremost is our brain.”

  Malcolm entered the gym and sent a thumbs-up her way as he joined the group. Lauren acknowledged him with a nod as she continued. “Staying safe starts with thinking ahead and always being aware of your surroundings. By doing so, you can reduce your risk of ever being in a situation where you have to physically defend yourself.

  Avoiding dangerous areas and not walking alone at night are good rules of thumb, of course, but not always possible. If you find yourself in a questionable situation, and your gut tells you that your safety is at risk, trust your instincts and leave. Always have your cell phone and keys easily accessible so you don’t lose valuable time searching through your purse to find them.”

  “What about mace?” Trina asked.

  “Mace can be very effective. As with your cell phone and keys, you need to keep it handy so you can get to it in a hurry if you need it.”

  “And you need to remain calm in order to use it effectively,” Malcolm added.

  “Right,” Lauren continued. “If you wouldn’t mind helping me demonstrate, Malcolm, I’ll show the ladies a few basic moves.”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  Malcolm outweighed her by at least fifty pounds and was a good six inches taller. He was the perfect choice to demonstrate how brawn could easily be beaten with the right technique. The women watched with rapt attention as she taught them how they could take down a larger, stronger assailant.

  “What if he has a knife like Stacey’s attacker did?” Trina asked.

  Malcolm produced a pocket knife, and Lauren showed the women how a strategically placed kick could catch an attacker off guard so he could be disarmed.

  “And what if he uses his legs, too? What do we do then?”

  “First, sidestep his kick,” Lauren advised, demonstrating an effective defense to Malcolm’s mock blow. “Then trap his kicking leg with yours and whip him around. See how effortlessly a bigger, stronger opponent goes down when he can’t maintain his balance?”

  “Wow,” Stacey murmured in awe. “You make it look easy.”

  “With practice it is easy. And it’s okay to make noise. Scream, shout . . . do anything you can to draw attention to yourself. Now let’s practice what you’ve learned.”

  The women were tentative at first, but as their confidence grew, they became bolder. By the end of class they’d all successfully countered Malcolm’s mock attacks.

  “I pity the next mugger who decides I’d make a good victim,” Stacey said. “They’ll be in for a surprise thanks to you, Lauren.”

  “Yes,” Grace seconded enthusiastically. “This was so empowering.”

  Her students headed back to their rooms to get ready for the spa outing. Noticing only Malcolm lingered behind, Lauren took the opportunity to express her appreciation for his help. “Thanks for lending a hand.”

  “Don’t mention it. It was my pleasure.” He studied her with an appraising gaze. “You know your stuff.”

  “I could say the same of you. You knew what to expect before I executed the moves.”

  “Touché.” He paused, considering his words. “Look, this is my clumsy way of telling you I understand what you’re up against, right now. I provide security for the Fullertons. The Sentinels agency contacted me this morning and briefed me on the threat against your husband. I want you to know you don’t have to worry. My team will stay sharp.”

  Lauren struggled to mask her surprise at Malcolm’s revelation. Her boss’s breech of protocol was unprecedented. What was she thinking, reaching out to the Fullertons’ security team? Clearly things were not as benign as Liz had indicated if she was chancing such a risky maneuver. Her mind reeled with possible explanations and the even more urgent need to maintain her cover. If Rafe discovered her true motivation for agreeing to be his wife, her plan to protect him would backfire.

  “What exactly did Liz tell you?” she prodded, trying to remain calm.

  “I was told you’re aware Sentinels is providing covert protection services for your husband, but that Mr. Dimitriou isn’t because he wouldn’t have agreed to it. Everyone on my team understands the highly sensitive nature of this assignment. You can be assured of our discretion.”

  “I appreciate that,” Lauren told him, her head spinning with unanswered questions. She needed to talk to Liz. Now.

  Excusing herself, Lauren hurried back to her suite. She called her boss, imagining a dozen different scenarios that would require Sentinels to seek outside support.

  Lauren didn’t waste any time with the standard pleasantries when Liz picked up the call. “I just had a conversation with the Fullertons’ butler-bodyguard. He told me you called in his team as backup. What’s going on?”

  “It’s nothing to be alarmed about,” Liz reassured her. “It’s simply an extra precaution. There was a situation earlier today. It’s been diffused, but I thought it was prudent to clue in the Fullertons’ security team at this juncture. There was an attempt on Philip Dimitriou’s daughter’s life last night.”

  Lauren’s heart leapt to her throat. “Luke was guarding her. Are they okay?”

  “Your brother and Brianna are both fine,” Liz quickly relayed, anxious to alleviate Lauren’s concern. “Luke got her to safety and Michael apprehended the hit man.”

  “But the threat isn’t over,” Lauren voiced matter-of-factly, recognizing that until the man behind the threats was brought to justice neither Rafe nor his half-sister would be safe.

  “Unfortunately, no. The threat is still very real. The guy Luke and Michael collared was hired through a third party. He maintains he has no idea who hired him. Your brother thinks there’s a possibility Lawrence Mendacci could be our guy, and I agree. That’s why I decided to bring Malcolm in. I wouldn’t have reached out to him if I thought for even a second he would compromise your mission. And I didn’t tell him you’re one of my agents. All he knows is that Sentinels was hired to protect Rafe, and that Rafe is not aware of that fact. You can count on him to have your back.”

  “It sounds like you know Malcolm pretty well.”

  “He mentored me when I first started out in the business. I owe him a lot.”

  “You never mentioned him before.”

  “There wasn’t any reason to. We went our separate ways years ago.”

  Liz was hedging. There was more to the story, but Lauren let it go. “I’m glad you brought him into the loop. It sounds like we’re going to need all the help we can get.”

  “I’m afraid so. Luke is taking Brianna someplace safe until things cool down. Michael will keep a close eye on Rafe for you while the group is at the golf course. Call me when you get a moment alone, and I’ll update you on any new developments.”

  “Thanks Liz. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  Pushing the unsettling news aside, Lauren joined the other women downstairs to head off on the spa outing. Chuck Fullerton had generously gifted his female guests with half-day customizable spa packages, and the resort he’d chosen was a feast for the senses. The reception area conveyed an immediate sense of relaxation with its bright, airy spaces and soothing aromas wafting through the air.

  Lauren opted for a facial and a manicure, and Grace joined her at the nail station.

  “Your young man is quite a catch,” Grace told her with a smile. “I can see he has the same work ethic and drive to succeed as my Chuck. Men like our husbands need women like us to bring perspective to their lives or they can easily let their careers take over. And of course children help with the work-life balance, too. Chuck and I were never able to have a family, although we wanted to. Do you and Rafe plan on starting a family anytime soon?”

  An image of a dark-haired toddler with Rafe’s eyes and dimpled grin sprang to mind, and Lauren quickly pushed the mental picture away. “Not right away.” She swallo
wed the lump that formed in her throat at the thought of bearing Rafe’s child. There was no point in hoping for something that could never be. Once the year was up, Rafe would have no further need for her.

  The group returned to the estate later that afternoon to find that the men were still at the golf course. After a brief discussion they decided to head back out to catch a late-afternoon movie.

  Lauren opted to stay behind at the estate, telling the women she wanted to catch up on some reading. She took advantage of the time alone to check in with Liz.

  “Any updates?”

  “No.” Liz’s frustration at the lack of progress on the case was evident in her voice. “Whoever is behind this is a smooth operator. I’ll give him that. Once again, he’s covered his tracks impeccably.”

  “So it’s back to the drawing board.”

  “Pretty much. I’m concerned about the gala. The guest list is a mile long. It’s going to be a challenge to monitor all the comings and goings. Frank has finagled an invitation to the big event, and Stephanie will pose as his date. They’ll both be on site to back you up.”

  She wondered how Frank had taken the news that Stephanie was an agent for Sentinels. “Has Frank forgiven her yet?”

  “He’s called a temporary truce, but he’s still miffed that Stephanie never clued him in to her real profession. To tell you the truth, I think his pride is hurt because he didn’t figure it out himself.”

  “Don’t worry. He’s a professional. He won’t let his wounded ego compromise the assignment. And with Malcolm and his team at the gala as well, we’ll have a good handle on security.”

  After wrapping up the call to Liz, Lauren stepped out onto the balcony to soak in the beautiful views. It was idyllic here. Since Michael was watching Rafe, she had the rest of the afternoon to herself. The pool was deserted and the clear water sparkled temptingly in the late-afternoon sun. Deciding a refreshing swim would be just the thing, she slipped into a turquoise bikini and headed down to the Fullertons’ backyard oasis.