Brotherhood Protectors: Exposed (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Scandalous Moves Book 4)

by Deborah Grace Staley

  “It’s on the internet.”

  “Could you find it on my laptop while I make some calls?”

  “Sure,” she said. They walked into the living room. While she was waiting on for the computer to boot, he called the police and reported the vandalism. Afterward, he joined Soleil on the couch. She passed him the computer, and he read the story, looked at the pictures posted on a well-respected news magazine’s website. He copied the URL and emailed it to Hank.

  “Who did you just send that to?” she asked.

  “A friend of mine who owns a personal security agency.”

  “You think I need a bodyguard? Why?”

  “I need his help to get more information on the people behind that human trafficking ring.”

  “We don’t know that’s who’s behind the vandalism, Jake. You’ve been gone for some time. Maybe someone has been using your place without you knowing it, and they think I’ve moved in on their turf.”

  “If that’s the case, we’ll know soon.” He texted A.J. next to let him know he needed a security system installed today. Then he texted Hank to alert him about the email and to let him know exactly what he needed.

  “How?” Soleil asked.

  “Huh?”

  “How will you know soon?”

  “I’m having a security system installed,” he said. Next, he called his cousin who owned a fencing company. He told him the old fence that had been on the property when he’d purchased it needed to be inspected, repaired if needed, and a gate with keypad entry installed. Today.

  “A security system?” she said. “Because of me?”

  Her question surprised him. “When I said I’d keep you safe, I meant it.”

  “It would be easier if I just left,” she said and stood.

  He grabbed her hand. “Not an option.”

  “Jake . . .” she began.

  “You made me a promise,” he reminded her.

  She sat again. “That was before. If I’m in danger, that means everyone around me is in danger, too. That means my sister, you, your family.” She shook her head.

  Jake touched her face. “I got you,” he said determined to erase the worry from her eyes. “This is what I do; I keep people safe. You don’t have to worry, and neither does your sister or Caroline.” He’d have Hank send security for both of them if it came to that.

  “I told you I can take care of myself,” she reminded him, but she grabbed his shirt and held on.

  “And I remember saying you don’t have to while I’m here.”

  “We could be getting worked up over nothing,” she said, still in denial.

  “I hope we are,” Jake said. “And if that’s the case, you still promised you’d stay.”

  Several moments passed before she finally said, “Okay.” She quickly added, “But if someone is after me, we’ll have to reassess.”

  “Sure,” he agreed. One thing at a time. He saw flashing lights outside. “The police are here. You okay?”

  She nodded. “Of course.”

  6

  After she’d given her statement to the police and walked the crime scene with them, Soleil finally took that shower she’d hoped to have earlier with Jake. But he’d gone into full-on take control mode, forgetting his promise to her. After the cops left, Jake’s friends, Hank and A.J., had both shown up, along with an army of men who’d already descended on the house to repair fencing and install security cameras. All the activity made her nervous. Another emotion foreign to her. In short, her peace had been disturbed, and it had all begun with Jake Stanton coming home. She still felt the vandalism had something to do with him. Not that anyone was listening to her.

  Inside the house, A.J. was showing Jake how to set the alarm and disarm it. Hank had given Jake an industrial-looking laptop that had some sort of secure surveillance link to his security company. The men seemed pleased with the results of their work.

  “You sure you won’t have dinner with us?” Jake asked the men.

  “Our wives are expecting us in Miami for some sort of function. I’ve forgotten what,” A.J. said.

  “True,” Hank said. “I’m not looking forward to putting on another suit.”

  “I was lucky you guys were still around. I just hate you had to rent a helicopter.” Jake said.

  “It’s a loaner. Belongs to one of Sadie’s friends.”

  Jake just shook his head. “Thank you.”

  The three men were an impressive-looking group. All big and tall and muscular.

  “Let me know if you want security for your daughter and Soleil’s sister,” Hank said.

  “I appreciate your help.”

  “Of course,” Hank said.

  “Anytime,” A.J. added.

  “Soleil,” Hank said, “Nice to meet you. You’re in good hands.”

  “The best,” A.J. agreed.

  “Nice to meet you both,” Soleil said with a smile.

  After the men were gone, Jake turned to her and said, “Caroline called a little while ago. She wants to have dinner.”

  “Okay,” Soleil said. “I’ll be fine here with the security system set.”

  Jake shook his head. “Until we know more, you have to stay with me, 24/7.”

  Soleil crossed her arms and propped her feet on the coffee table. “That sounds suspiciously like a rule and like a need to be in control, which are both in direct violation of our agreement.”

  Jake put his hands on his hips, facing her. “If I’m going to keep you safe, there will have to be a few rules. You not going anywhere without me is at the top of the list.”

  “Anything else?”

  “It wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to reach out to your contacts to see if anything suspicious is going on with any of the players in Columbia or the town where the girls were.”

  “I’ll email my agent.”

  “Use my laptop.”

  She sighed. “I’ll have to since the vandals broke mine.”

  He came closer and sat. “Sorry. I am barking out orders.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “Your turn,” he said.

  “For what?”

  “Let me have it. Order me around.”

  “A lot has happened here today that I wasn’t part of, and that’s not okay. So, explain it all to me.”

  “The fence has been repaired, and there’s a new gate at the end of the driveway with an intercom and keypad entry.”

  “And the security system? There are cameras everywhere?”

  “Yes. If anyone gets on this property or goes into the lagoon behind the property or the ocean on the other side, we’ll know it.”

  “Is Hank or A.J. monitoring?” Soleil asked. The thought of men with guns lurking around the property made her uneasy, even with all the security in place.

  “Both.”

  “Wow. Pays to have friends in the biz, I suppose,” she said, chewing on her thumbnail.

  “For sure. Anything else?”

  “Yes, another day like today, and I will leave.” She picked a piece of grass off his jeans. “I was alternately bored, nervous, scared, and angry, all emotions I’m not used to.”

  “What can I do to help?”

  “You’re here, and we’re alone. That’s nice.”

  He eased his arm around her and got closer. “We have to leave soon, and I should probably get a shower.” He nuzzled her ear. “Want to join me?”

  “Not if you want to leave soon. You promised me slow, remember?”

  “Oh, yeah. Damn,” he said and kissed her. “Later?”

  “Is that a good idea?”

  He pressed a kiss to her neck. “If I was your bodyguard, it would be against protocol. No personal involvement allowed.”

  “Because you have to stay objective. Makes sense.”

  “But technically, I’m not your bodyguard. I’m someone you know who’s looking out for you.”

  “Someone I’ve slept with,” she corrected. “Which brings us back to my question. Maybe we should put our
agreement on hold until after this all settles.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “I’m not sure what I want matters anymore. My life spiraled out of control while I was just living it.”

  “Are you talking about your job or me?” he asked.

  “Both,” she said.

  “I can’t help with the job, but I can help with the other.” He pulled her in and kissed her because the feelings he stirred in her weren’t complicated at all. But at least when she just let herself feel, things were pretty simple. And man, did Jake make her feel.

  When he broke the kiss, she ran her fingers over his chin. She loved the feel of his beard. “That was nice.”

  “Just nice?”

  “Nice is what I needed.” She paused and added, “Thank you for doing all this. You didn’t have to, you know. I could have gone to a hotel and hired security.”

  “Not on my watch.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I don’t understand the question,” he said. Then he asked, “Wait. Has no one ever looked after you?”

  She shook her head.

  “Not even your parents?”

  “Especially not my parents.” She laughed. “They never had time for us.”

  “That’s horrible.”

  “Says the man who didn’t take care of his kids.” As soon as she said the words, she regretted it. “Oh, Jake. I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair.” She rushed to add. “You did important work that kept you away. My parents were right there and didn’t look after us. It’s completely different.”

  “No. It’s okay.” He stood. “I’m going to shower. Leave in fifteen, okay?”

  She stood, too, and went after him. “It’s not okay.” She got in front of him, halting his progress. “Please forgive me. My own experiences get in my way sometimes, but that’s no excuse.”

  “You’re forgiven, of course,” he said. But his eyes had gone cold. He moved around her and disappeared into the bedroom.

  * * *

  “Daddy!” Caroline launched herself into Jake’s arms. He lifted her into a big bear hug. “It’s so good to see you.”

  “Not as good as it is to see you.” He set her feet on the floor and put a hand on her stomach. “I’m sorry. Did I squeeze you too hard?”

  Caroline practically glowed. “Junior and I like big hugs. It’s all good.”

  “Soleil!” Caroline turned and hugged her. “It’s good to see you. Daddy said you might be joining us.”

  Soleil glanced at Jake, then Caroline. “I hope you don’t mind me tagging along. This is my favorite restaurant,” she said with a smile.

  “Of course not! We have so much to discuss. The wedding is a little over a week away. I have some things I need to go over with you both.”

  Caroline sat, and Soleil slid into the open booth beside Jake.

  Caroline gave them a curious look, but said, “So you two worked something out?”

  “We did,” Jake said.

  “I’m sorry about causing a situation, but I was going to say something the next time you called, Daddy. You know, you can be so hard to reach.”

  “Not a problem. I have plenty of room,” he said. “You look beautiful, honey.”

  “If you mean getting fatter by the day, thank you. I think.” Caroline picked up her menu. “The wedding can’t come soon enough. I’m just hoping I don’t need another dress alteration before the big day. How can such a tiny baby make my hips spread so fast?”

  “You’re hardly showing,” Soleil said.

  “Tell that to my wedding dress.” Caroline rolled her eyes. “There’s only so much material to let out. I don’t mind telling you, I’m getting nervous.”

  “I’ll buy you another dress if it comes to it, sweetie,” Jake said.

  Caroline cut him a look. “Wedding dresses aren’t easily replaced. Do you know how many I tried on to find this one? The perfect one?”

  Jake’s heart squeezed. “I wish I’d been there to see you try them all on.”

  Caroline reached across the table and grabbed his hand. “Oh Daddy, no. I didn’t mean it like that. I know you would have come with us if you could have.”

  “I’ve missed a lot, but I intend to make up for that,” he said.

  Caroline gave him a curious look. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m home for good. I’ve retired.” Every time he said those words, it felt great.

  “What?” Caroline squeaked. “Are you kidding me?”

  Jake smiled. “For real, and I’m making it my mission to spoil you and this baby completely rotten.”

  Caroline’s eyes filled with tears. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”

  Jake reached across the table and brushed the tears off his daughter’s cheeks. “Don’t cry, sweetie.”

  “They’re happy tears.” She sniffed and waved her hand in the air. “Sorry. Pregnancy hormones.” She wiped her nose on her napkin and continued, “Does Charlie know?”

  “No. I wanted to surprise him, too.”

  “Not that he’ll be around to spend time with you.” She turned to Soleil and added, “He’s going into the military, like Daddy. I still haven’t forgiven him.”

  “He has to follow his convictions, just like you,” Jake said.

  “I know. Ugh.”

  “Where’s Brad tonight?” Jake asked about her fiancé.

  “Out of town depositions.”

  Jake said to Soleil, “Brad just graduated law school, and Caroline just started her second year.”

  “Yes,” Caroline said. “And I’m clerking at a law firm in town.”

  “That’s great, Soleil said.

  “Man, your skin is the most gorgeous color,” Caroline said. “Do you spray tan? I’ve been thinking about trying it for the wedding. Tanning beds and sunbathing are out of the question since I burn instantly.”

  Jake had forgotten how fast his daughter could plow through a conversation.

  Soleil said, “I have genetics to thank for that.”

  “Oh right,” Caroline said. “I forget that sometimes because I don’t think I ever met your parents.”

  “Probably not. By the time you met Luna, she was living with our Aunt Shirley.”

  “Well, your skin is gorgeous,” Caroline repeated.

  “Thank you,” Soleil picked up her menu. “When I was younger, I hated it and avoided the sun, but now, I don’t care.”

  “Isn’t it funny how the things that bothered you when you were a teenager seem stupid now?” Caroline said.

  Jake was beginning to feel like a squeaky, third wheel. It’d been so long since he was a teenager, he couldn’t even remember the things that had bothered him, but he said, “Yeah. When I was a teenager, I used to hate having to ride in my dad’s old rickety wagon to school. So embarrassing.”

  Caroline threw a straw wrapper at him. “Stop.” She turned and said, “Where is that waitress with my appetizer?” She caught a woman’s eye and motioned her over.

  The waitress was a pretty blonde who looked to be in her late thirties. She had short, wavy Marilyn Monroe hair and wore bright red lipstick. “Your appetizer was just being plated. I’ll have it right out, sugar. Hey, y’all,” she said to Jake. She glanced at Soleil but refocused on him. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  Jake looked at Soleil, waiting for her to order first. “Water, please,” she said. Was it him, or did she suddenly look uncomfortable?

  “Sweet tea for me,” Jake said.

  The woman’s smile was flirty. Great. Normally, he wouldn’t mind and might even flirt with her, but his interest definitely lay elsewhere.

  “Sure thing, hon,” she said. “Be right back.”

  “I forgot how friendly people are here,” Soleil commented as she read the menu.

  “So, Soleil,” Caroline began. “I wanted to get some photos done before the wedding if you have time.”

  “What did you have in mind?” Soleil asked, still focused on the menu.

  “Som
e casual shots of me and Brad on the beach, and since Dad’s here, some pictures of us together would be great, too. Then the day of the wedding, I want posed pictures before the ceremony. There’s a nice, formal garden at the church.”

  “Yeah, okay. When do you want to do the casual shots?”

  “This weekend if that works for you?”

  “Sure. Anywhere in particular?”

  “The beach at Dad’s?” she suggested.

  That was not a good idea given what had happened today. Until the police figured out what was going on, he didn’t want anyone else out there. “Wouldn’t the beach near the pier be better?” he suggested.

  “Oh, yeah. Good thinking,” Caroline said.

  “Here you go, sugar,” the waitress said, setting Caroline’s appetizer in front of her, and then she put a big glass of iced tea in front of Jake. She leaned over him, brushing her breast on his arm to put Soleil’s water in front of her. He tried to back up, but there was only so much room in the booth.

  “Oh, excuse me,” she said to Jake with a laugh. “Y’all know what you want to order?”

  While Caroline ordered, Jake checked out Soleil. She was sipping her water, ignoring them. Maybe she’d missed what had just happened.

  “What about you, hon?” the waitress asked Soleil.

  When she didn’t respond, Jake said, “Soleil?”

  “You look flushed,” Caroline said to Soleil.

  “I’m fine. Just a little dehydrated.” Soleil took another sip of her water and choked on it.

  She wasn’t ill. She was pissed. Jake took her drink, set it on the table, and rubbed her back. “Easy,” he said.

  “Let me get you some honey and lemon,” the waitress said and disappeared.

  “Well, that was embarrassing,” Soleil said.

  When she glanced at Jake, then the retreating waitress, he was certain she wasn’t talking about her choking.

  “You okay?” Jake said.

  “Great,” she said.

  Caroline came to the rescue again. “You mentioned your parents earlier. Where are they now?”

  “Somewhere in Africa.”

  “Oh, wow,” Caroline said. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how did they meet? Are they from here?”

  “My dad was from here. They met when Mom was doing research for her doctoral thesis. Her topic was organic, sustainable farming, which was what my dad did.”