The Troubleshooter: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance (Norcross)

by Anna Hackett

  It was gorgeous and she loved it. Saxon managed to convey “I’d like to strip you naked on it” with just one look.

  “Shoo.” She waved her hand at him.

  He crossed her office, sat on her couch, and pulled out his phone. He should have looked silly on the feminine piece of furniture. Instead, it just made him look more masculine.

  Gia’s desk phone rang. Right, work. She quickly got absorbed in calls, emails, and files that required her attention.

  She was on her way to a meeting in the conference room, when Ashley caught her arm. Saxon had gone on ahead to clear the room before the meeting. Gia rolled her eyes. Just in case Dennett’s goons could scale buildings.

  “Tell me you’re banging him,” Ashley said.

  “What? No! He’s my brother’s best friend. The man works my last nerve.”

  “Mmm-hmm.” Ashley didn’t sound convinced.

  “It’s true.”

  “The way you two look at each other…” Ashley fanned her face with a file.

  “There’s nothing going on.”

  Saxon appeared in the doorway. “Then what do you call that orgasm I gave you this morning, Contessa?”

  Ashley choked on a laugh.

  Incensed, Gia spun. “This is my place of work, Buchanan.”

  “The conference room is clear.”

  Stifling the need to scream, she brushed past him.

  “Contessa,” Ashley said. “He even has a cute Italian nickname for you.” Her assistant sighed, taking her usual seat at the table.

  Gia moved to the head. “Shut it, or you’re fired.”

  Ashley just hummed, clearly not fearing for her employment.

  Saxon leaned against the wall. Gia’s team started filing in, all eyeing him with interest. He was a big distraction.

  “Saxon is my bodyguard,” she announced. “I’m peripherally linked to a friend’s troubles. It should all be cleaned up soon.” Please, God. “Now, let’s get to work.”

  The rest of the day was busy. Saxon stayed close, but out of her way. She was aware of him every second, her body filled with a low-level hum.

  Her traitorous hussy of a body wanted more orgasms. She glanced his way, and noted the way his pants clung to his fine, muscled ass. She wanted to bite him.

  His cell phone rang, jolting her out of her about-to-turn-X-rated day dream. She tuned out his conversation and focused on her client’s brand update.

  “Gia?”

  She looked up. Saxon stood at her desk, watching her with a smile.

  “What?”

  “Fuck, it is so sexy watching you work. All confidence and in command. It’s hot.”

  She felt heat in her cheeks. Not every guy found a smart, accomplished woman a turn on. The look in Saxon’s eyes said he liked it. Big time.

  “Vander called,” Saxon said. “We’ve got a lead on the gems.”

  She straightened in her chair. “Really?”

  “Yeah. I’m going to follow it up. Rome’s on his way here to take over watching you.”

  Gia had a second to be annoyed that she needed a bodyguard in the first place, but she nodded.

  Saxon leaned down, dropped a quick kiss to her lips. “Stay out of trouble.”

  She glared. “I’m working, Saxon, and I’m not responsible for everything that’s happened.”

  He ran a finger down her nose and strode out.

  And dammit, she watched his fine ass until he disappeared from view.

  She finished her notes and went out to Ashley’s desk. “Ash, can you please—?”

  “Oh, my God, I think I just had a mini orgasm,” Ashley drawled.

  Gia frowned. “Can you quit talking about orgasms?”

  “Says the woman who got one from a hot guy today.”

  “You’re fired.”

  “Whatever. The man headed this way is divine.”

  Gia looked up and saw Rome striding across the open-concept office area. Everyone stopped work and was blatantly watching him.

  He did look good. His big, muscular body caught the attention, as did his brown skin and his way of moving that made her think of a big cat. He had a strong jaw, bold masculine features, and amazing pale-green eyes.

  He scanned the office, and she knew he would have absorbed every entry, exit, and every person in an instant. Vander had told her that Rome made the best bodyguard because of his exceptional situational awareness.

  “Gia.” His voice was a deep rumble.

  “Hi, Rome. Thanks for coming.”

  Ashley rolled her eyes back in her head.

  “This is my assistant, who I just fired, so I won’t introduce her.”

  “I’m Ashley.” She smiled. “Gia fires me a few times every week.”

  Rome didn’t smile. He rarely did. “Rome Nash. Nice to meet you.”

  “I need coffee,” Gia announced. “Is it okay if we head downstairs to the coffee shop?”

  Rome frowned. “Is it in this building?”

  Gia nodded.

  “Something you usually do?”

  “It’s not uncommon, but I don’t always go at the same time.”

  “Okay, but stick by my side.”

  Ashley made a sound that said she’d like to stick by Rome’s side and Gia raised a brow.

  “Sorry.” Ashley cleared her throat. “I’ll have a skinny white chocolate mocha with extra whip.”

  “I think I’ll get you a decaf tea.”

  Ashley blew Gia a kiss.

  Shaking her head, Gia headed out with Rome.

  The coffee shop was busy. There were several mothers there with strollers and babies, and noisy, fussy toddlers.

  “You want anything?” she asked Rome.

  “Americano. Black.”

  Apparently badasses didn’t drink frothy, coffee-flavored drinks.

  Gia ordered and then stood to the side with Rome, waiting. An older man in a suit with a loosened tie was waiting, too. He was hunched over his phone.

  “Hey!” one mother screamed. “Get away from my baby!”

  Gia spun around and saw a young, skinny guy snatch a baby out of a stroller. The mother sprang up, kids screamed.

  Gia took a step forward, but Rome grabbed her arm.

  “We have to help!” she cried.

  Rome didn’t look happy. They watched as the man started shoving his way toward the door, the baby in his arms wailing.

  “You’re my priority,” Rome bit out.

  “Rome, I don’t think the barista or that guy in the suit are going to attack me. We have to save that baby.”

  His rock-hard body didn’t move, but she saw the indecision on his face.

  “Fine, I’ll stop him.” Gia charged forward.

  With a curse, Rome shoved her back and strode ahead. He reached the man and, with a quick, practiced move, hit him in the lower back. Deftly, Rome snatched the baby before the man dropped the crying child.

  The guy looked terrified and Rome quickly shoved the baby at its mother. Then he turned around and punched the guy in the face.

  Suddenly, something shoved into Gia’s lower back. She sensed someone move up behind her.

  What the hell?

  She looked back. It was the older guy in the suit, but now that she looked closely at him, she saw that it was the guy who’d attacked her at the museum.

  “You!”

  He was wearing some sort of makeup that altered his appearance.

  “Come quietly. Mr. Dennett wants to talk with you.”

  “Are you insane? My brothers are going to stomp you to dust.”

  There was a flicker of something in his eyes. “Dennett pays well, and I have a reputation to keep clean. You muddied it at the museum.”

  She snorted. “None of that’s any good if you’re dead.”

  He jammed what she guessed was a gun into her back even harder. “Quit talking and move.”

  “What are you going to do if I don’t? Shoot me?”

  The man’s face hardened. “A bullet hole in yo
ur leg won’t stop you from talking.” He pressed the gun to her thigh.

  A thousand knots tangled in Gia’s belly, but she grasped onto her anger. She swiveled, grabbed a teapot off a nearby table, and smashed it over the man’s head.

  “Fuck!” the man cried.

  The ceramic pot broke, and hot tea poured over his face.

  Gia shoved him and, as he fell, he grabbed her dress. They both went down in a tangle, more cups of tea and coffee falling off the table.

  The gun went off, the bullet hitting the ceiling. Gia grabbed a nearby chair and tipped it over on her attacker’s face. He cursed.

  Then Rome was there. He lifted her off the man, and drew a gun, aiming it at the man’s chest.

  “Don’t move,” Rome growled.

  Rome’s face didn’t change expression, but Gia knew he was pissed. Anger pumped off him in waves.

  She straightened her dress. Coffee had spilled on it. Ugh. “It’s all okay, Rome.”

  Angry, pale-green eyes hit hers. “Gia, I’m pissed, but I guarantee you that your brother and Saxon will be even more pissed.”

  Her stomach dropped. Oh, great.

  Saxon screeched to a halt in front of Gia’s office building, pulling in behind a police cruiser.

  He slammed out of the X6 and strode toward the coffee shop. A small crowd of onlookers had gathered out front, but when they saw his face, they parted quickly.

  When he stepped inside, he saw Gia with Rome.

  She was unharmed.

  Saxon blew out a breath. Rome had called and told him what had happened, and assured him that she wasn’t hurt, but he had to see for himself.

  She had a coffee stain on her dress, and her hair was now free and a mess of curls around her shoulders, but otherwise she was fine. She was talking to a police officer and gesturing wildly before glaring at the two cuffed men kneeling on the floor.

  “Buchanan.”

  Saxon turned to see Detective Hunter Morgan. “Hey, Hunt.”

  The former Delta Force soldier had his light-brown hair cut short, and kept his body military fit. He had a gun strapped to his hip, and a badge clipped to his belt. After an injury had ended his military career, he’d joined the SFPD and worked his way up the ranks. He was a good man, and shared beers with Vander, Saxon, and the rest of the team when he could.

  “What the fuck is going on?” Hunt pointed to the ceiling. “Someone tried to abduct Gia at gunpoint.”

  Saxon saw the bullet hole and his gut cramped.

  “It was lucky no one was shot,” Hunt said.

  Saxon grunted. “We’ll take care of it.”

  Hunt shook his head. “You wanna tell me what this is about?”

  “Trust me, you don’t want to know.”

  “Well, I’m charging these two with attempted kidnap. One snatched a baby, likely to distract Gia and Nash.”

  Fuck, of course Gia would fly in to rescue a baby. And drag Rome with her.

  Saxon studied the other man on the ground and instantly recognized him through his disguise. It was the guy from the museum. Dennett’s man.

  That fucker hadn’t listened. Saxon took a step forward but Hunt threw an arm out to block him.

  “You can’t have him, so get that murderous look off your face.”

  Fuck. They’d kept the fucker in a holding room at the Norcross office after the museum. Saxon had been sure that he’d gotten the message to leave Gia alone.

  “This have anything to do with the disturbance at Easton’s museum?”

  Saxon just looked at Hunt.

  His friend sighed. “I’d like to help.”

  “I’ll let you know if you can. My priority is keeping Gia safe.”

  A flicker of a smile crossed Hunt’s face. “You finally went there. What’s Vander think of you and the gorgeous Ms. Norcross?”

  Saxon remained silent.

  “Oh shit, you haven’t told him yet.” Hunt shook his head. “You’re taking your life into your own hands, my friend.”

  Saxon turned his focus on Dennett’s man. He was bleeding from the side of the head, and his hair was wet. “What happened to our would-be abductor?”

  Hunt grinned. “Gia beaned him with a teapot.”

  Saxon sucked back a laugh. Of course, she did.

  “You’d better not piss her off, Buchanan.”

  Saxon swallowed a snort. He pissed Gia off multiple times a day. He headed in her direction and when she saw him, a dozen emotions flitted across her face. He focused on the relief he saw echoed in her eyes.

  “You okay?” He cupped her cheek.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Assault with a deadly teapot?”

  Her lips twitched. “He had it coming.”

  Saxon looked at Rome. The man’s face was impassive, but Saxon knew him well enough to know he was pissed.

  “Guy was standing right fucking beside us, and I didn’t make him,” Rome growled.

  “He blends,” Saxon said.

  “I can’t believe he tried again, knowing Norcross is involved,” Rome added.

  “He told me Dennett pays well,” Gia said. “And that I’m messing up his precious reputation.”

  Fucker. “I’ll get Rhys to run down who he is.”

  Rome frowned. “You don’t think he’ll come after her again, do you?

  “I’m not taking any chances.”

  “Hello, standing right here, getting ignored,” Gia bit out.

  Because he needed it, Saxon spun, grabbed her and dragged her up on her toes. He closed his mouth over hers.

  She fought him…for two seconds, then she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him back. She pressed every inch of her curvy, little body against his.

  When he lifted his head, she had a dreamy look on her face.

  “Oh, fuck,” Rome muttered.

  Saxon tightened his hold on Gia. “I haven’t told Vander yet, so keep this to yourself.”

  “Vander?” Gia squeaked. “Why do you have to talk to Vander?” Her eyes sparked. “I’m an adult, and don’t need my brother’s permission to do anything.”

  Rome coughed and looked away.

  “There’s a code,” Saxon said.

  “A code? I don’t—” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter, because this—” she waved a hand between her and Saxon “—is not happening.”

  He scowled. “It’s happening.”

  “No, I—”

  He dragged her back and kissed her again. Soon she was clinging to him, and biting his bottom lip.

  “I hate you,” she muttered.

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Well, if you’ve got her, I’m out of here,” Rome said.

  “Thanks, Rome,” Gia said.

  He flicked his fingers at her, and then was gone.

  “I think it’s best I get you home,” Saxon said.

  “And locked up safe?” she said archly.

  He pressed a hand to her lower back, leading her out of the coffee shop. “Locked up where you can’t get into any trouble.”

  She gasped. “This wasn’t my fault.”

  “Let’s get your things.”

  Saxon waited while Gia got her bag and said goodbye to Ashley. She was quiet on the quick drive back to her place.

  She was still quiet when they walked inside.

  With a sigh, she set her bag down on the table. “I just want all of this done and over. I want Dennett to be a bad memory. I want Willow safe.”

  Saxon bit his tongue.

  She turned, temper working behind her eyes. “I want innocent bystanders safe. That asshole used a baby today. That child could’ve been hurt.”

  Gia could’ve been hurt too, but he saw that she wasn’t even thinking of that.

  Typical Gia.

  She stomped around her living room, muttering curses.

  “Argh, I want to throw something, but all my stuff’s been broken already.”

  Under the anger, she was afraid, anxious. Saxon wanted her to relax. “Why don’t
I cook you some dinner, and pour you a glass of wine?”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “You can cook?”

  “Yep. Go and change, and I’ll get that wine ready.”

  She stared at him for a beat, then headed to her bedroom.

  He checked her fridge and pantry. Hmm, some pork medallions, with a balsamic sauce and some asparagus. Should do the trick.

  Saxon rolled his sleeves up, found a bottle of Gia’s favorite Syrah, and poured a glass for both of them.

  He’d just gotten the meat frying when his phone rang. He picked it up, saw it was his mother, and closed his eyes for a second. Damn. He put it on speaker.

  “Hello, Mother.”

  “Saxon. I heard some unpleasant news today.” Her tone sounded like she’d sucked a lemon.

  He waited for her to say more. “So, you going to tell me, or are we just going to wait here in silence?”

  She huffed out a breath. “No manners. Missy Stevens told me she heard something unpleasant…about a situation in a coffee shop downtown. And you were involved.”

  “Not involved, Mother. I got there afterward. A woman who means a lot to me was attacked.”

  “I fail to see why you had to get involved. Dragging the Buchanan name into sordid issues.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Because I take care of my friends, and because it’s my job.”

  There was a long pause and Saxon mixed the sauce in the pan.

  “I wish you would stop acting out,” his mother said.

  Like his ten-year military career, that she knew practically nothing about, and his last few years working at Norcross were all just a tantrum to make her life difficult. When it came to Rupert and Vanessa Buchanan, they only thought of themselves. Saxon felt a familiar hollowness in his chest, but just shook his head.

  “Come for dinner,” his mother said. “I want you to meet the daughter of our friends, the Fishers.”

  Gia walked in, her gaze on him before it shifted to the phone.

  “She’s just lovely,” his mother said. “She just attended the Cotillion Debutante Ball.”

  So, she’d be eighteen or nineteen. Saxon was thirty-four. He had no interest in a girl. “No thanks, Mother.”

  “Really, Saxon. I wish you’d stop being selfish. You have a family name to uphold—”

  “Like you and Father do?”

  “Yes,” she said loftily.

  “Dad golfs, you lunch, and you both have affairs when it suits you. How is that upholding the Buchanan name?”