by Elle James
* * *
Max watched as JoJo crossed the yard heading toward the Watering Hole before he turned to address Stover. “Is there something in particular you would like to look at?”
The man glanced around the barn. “Not really. I just wanted to see what facilities were available.”
“I thought Gunny brought you down to the barn earlier and explained what your team could expect.”
“He did, but I wanted to check it out by myself. Take a little more time.” He glanced at his watch. “But I guess I need to be back up at the lodge. I’m expecting a phone call.”
“Well, if you have any specific questions about how the lodge or ranch are run, you probably need to address those with RJ or Gunny.”
Stover cocked an eyebrow. “You mean not Ms. Ramirez?”
“Yes, sir. Gunny and RJ have been here a lot longer. They know all the ins and outs of the ranch and bar operations.”
The politician’s mouth quirked up on one side. “Do I detect a little protectiveness toward Ms. Ramirez?”
“Ms. Ramirez can take care of herself.” But Max would be there to help, if she needed it.
“I mean the woman no harm, if that’s what you’re insinuating.”
Max squared his shoulders. “I’m not insinuating anything. Just stating the facts.”
“I’ll be sure to direct my questions to RJ and Gunny in the future,” Stover said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I do have that telephone call to catch.” The political candidate stepped around Max and headed up to the lodge.
Max hurried to the Watering Hole to check on JoJo.
Instead of waiting tables, she was busy behind the bar mixing drinks for the few patrons who were starting to file into the building. If he had not been mistaken, she’d given him a relieved look when she’d left the barn, which made him wonder what Stover had been up to make JoJo feel nervous. He took a seat at the bar since the rest of the room wasn’t that busy and RJ was waiting tables.
“What can I get you?” JoJo asked.
“Nothing I can’t get myself.” He started to get up.
JoJo held up a hand. “Don’t get up. I’ll get whatever you want. What is it?”
He sank back onto the barstool. “A cup of coffee would be nice.”
She nodded and turned to the pot that was brewing. “It’ll be a few minutes before it’s done.”
“I’m in no hurry,” he said. “Was Stover bothering you in the barn?”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “He asked a lot of questions.”
“About what?”
“My military background and what I wanted him to do in reference to veterans.”
“And that made you feel nervous?”
She shrugged. “You know me. I don’t like to be cornered in any building.”
Max chuckled. “I know. I guess the politician didn’t get the hint. Why didn’t you toss him over your shoulder like you did me?”
“I save my moves to impress the men I like.” She set a coffee mug in front of him, turned to retrieve the pot and poured a cup full.
The warm aroma filled the air.
He grinned. “So, that must mean you like me after all.”
“At least you learn quickly.” Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Some men never learn.”
He caught her gaze and held it. “I’d never hurt you, intentionally,” he said.
JoJo held his gaze for a long moment, before sighing. “I have to believe you. You’ve always treated me with care and consideration.”
“Except when I stepped on your toes at the dance.” He studied her face, not liking the shadows in her eyes. “You know I’ll be here tonight in the bar if you need anything.”
“Thanks, but I—”
He held up his hand. “I know, you can take care of yourself. But if, for some reason out of your control, you find yourself in trouble, I’ve got your six.”
JoJo drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Gracias.” And she meant it. Perhaps she wasn’t an island. Having a man like Max as her backup gave her a better chance of surviving.
Chapter 9
Jake and Cage Weaver entered the bar and sat at the counter with Max.
“Want to get a table?” Jake asked.
Max didn’t really want to. He wanted to stay at the bar and talk with JoJo. Then he reconsidered. She probably needed to be left alone to get her job done.
As the men stood, RJ came by. “There’s a table in the corner if you guys would like to move.”
“Sounds perfect,” Jake said.
Max sat with his back to the wall, facing the bar and JoJo. Every once in a while, she looked up and their gazes met. He hoped that she didn’t find him annoying. He smiled reassuringly.
Max focused his attention on the new guy. “So, Weaver, what’s your background?”
“Army Ranger,” Weaver said.
Max lips twisted. “All right, I won’t hold that against you.”
Weaver grinned. “And you?”
“Army Green Beret.”
Weaver sat back, his arms crossed over his chest. “So, what does that mean? While we do the hard stuff of going in and ferreting out the enemy, you Green Berets teach the natives how to do it themselves.”
Max nodded. “That’s part of our job. And you left the glamour of being an Army Ranger, why?”
The Ranger’s face darkened. “I have my reasons.”
“Your choice or Uncle Sam’s?” Max asked.
“My choice,” Weaver said.
“It’s nice to have choices,” Max said.
“What about you?” Weaver asked.
“Uncle Sam’s choice.” Max’s jaw tightened. “Medical board.”
Weaver shook his head. “That sucks.”
“Tell me about it.” Max lifted his chin toward Jake. “I’d still be unemployed if Jake hadn’t come along and brought me on board with the Brotherhood Protectors.”
Weaver laughed. “When Jake came along, I was trying to decide between insurance salesman and convenience store clerk. Both choices sucked. Don’t get me wrong. They’re both honorable professions.”
“But not what you trained for,” Max finished.
Weaver nodded. “Not nearly.” He turned to Jake, “Although, the jury is still out. I haven’t figured out what Brotherhood Protectors are since we haven’t gotten our first assignments yet.”
Max cast a glance toward the regional leader of the Brotherhood Protectors. “Jake and I got a little taste of it when Gunny’s daughter got a little sideways with their neighbor wanting to control the mines in the area.”
“Is that right?” Weaver turned his attention to Jake.
Jake nodded. “Protecting RJ became a fulltime job for a short while there.”
“And that’s what we’ll be doing?” Weaver frowned. “Glorified bodyguards?”
Jake grinned. “It’s an honorable profession,” he said, his lips quirking. “And it’s not as easy as you’d think. Like combat, lives are on the line. Only in the civilian world, you’re not usually as well armed as we were in the military. You won’t always know who the enemy is until you end up trapped in a mine with the entrance caved in by an explosion of dynamite.”
Weaver leaned forward. “Seriously?”
Jake nodded.
The new guy sat back in his seat. “Okay then, maybe it won’t be as boring as I was thinking. From everything Hank’s told me, they’ve had some pretty interesting assignments up in Montana, and they anticipate having similar work here in Colorado.”
“I’m ready to get started,” Max said.
“Hank’s working on that, and he’s spreading the word. His mega movie star wife rubs elbows with a lot of the rich and famous in Hollywood.”
“Then why didn’t we set up shop in LA?” Weaver asked.
“There are plenty of security agencies already in LA,” Jake said. “With so many rich folks coming out to Colorado and buying up property, they’re going to need security agencies like us to protect
them and their assets. In the meantime, we have a weekend ahead of us helping out Gunny and RJ with Stover’s campaign committee.”
“It’s outdoors and better than selling insurance,” Weaver said. “Hell, almost anything is better than selling insurance.”
“Deployments?” Max asked.
“Seven. Last one to Africa.” Weaver tipped his chin toward Max. “You?”
RJ came by with the coffee and poured a cup for Max. “Anybody else?”
Weaver and Jake both nodded.
RJ grinned. “You’re in luck. I brought extra cups.” She laid them in front of them and poured steaming brew into them. She started to leave and then turned back. “Jake. Question for you.”
He smiled up at her. “Shoot.”
“Your friend Hank, he has a computer guru, doesn’t he?” she asked, her eyes narrowing. “Guy named Swede?”
Jake nodded. “That’s right. Anytime we need something we just call him up and let him know, and he’ll do his best to look it up for us. Why?”
RJ shrugged. “I might have something that I want them to look into.”
“Just let me know, and I’ll contact Hank or Swede. Or heck, I can give you Hank’s number and you can call him yourself.”
“He wouldn’t mind?”
Jake shook his head. “No, Hank’s a pretty good guy. He likes to help people.”
“Thanks,” RJ said. “If you could forward his number to me on your cellphone, I’ll give him a call.”
“I’ll do it right now.” He pulled out his cellphone, scrolled through his contacts and forwarded Hank’s number to RJ’s phone. “You should have it now.”
She pulled her cellphone out of her pocket and glanced down. “Got it. Thanks.” She smiled and left the men sitting at the table, heading back to the bar to return the coffee pot and collect another tray full of drinks for the guests.
Then Stover and Curry stepped through the front door of the Watering Hole.
Max glanced toward JoJo at the bar. Her gaze swept the people coming through the front entrance, and her smile tightened. The two men glanced around the room, probably looking for an empty table. None were available, but there were two chairs at the bar. Max had second thoughts about coming to the table with Jake and Weaver. He wished he’d stayed at the bar. As the politician and his aide settled onto stools, JoJo pushed her shoulders back, lifted her chin and said something to them. They must have placed their orders because she went to work getting them between filling another order for RJ.
Gunny looked through the window between the bar and the kitchen and yelled, “Order up!”
RJ hurried to get to the order and took it out to the table full of hungry patrons. It appeared to be a typical night at the Watering Hole, with one exception. JoJo seemed very tense. Her movements were stiff, her brow puckered.
Max pushed to his feet. “If you guys will excuse me, I think I’ll go give JoJo and RJ a hand.”
Jake looked up, his eyes wide. “Maybe I should go check with Gunny. He might need some help in the kitchen.” He turned to Weaver.
The newest man on their team smiled. “I can do kitchen or waitstaff.”
“Why don’t you come do kitchen with us,” Jake said. “You can get to know Gunny better.”
Weaver nodded. “Gotcha. But if you guys get backed up out here, just let me know.”
Max strode across the room to the bar and leaned across the counter. “Could you use a hand mixing drinks?”
She nodded. “I could use a hand back here so that I can help RJ deliver food and drinks to the tables.”
“Show me where everything is,” he said, “and I’ll take over.”
She lifted the countertop door and let him through. The space behind the counter was pretty tight. They bumped into each other several times as she showed him where everything was and how everything worked. Each time they bumped into each other, a shock of electricity ripped through him, and he wondered if it did the same with her. If her widened eyes were an indication, each contact impacted her as well.
Stover and his aide’s gazes followed her every move.
After Max made a couple of drinks, JoJo was satisfied that he could succeed, and she slipped out from behind the bar. With a quick grin and a good luck, JoJo took a loaded tray and carried it over to the farthest table. Between mixing drinks, Max kept a close eye on JoJo to make sure nobody made any unwanted advances toward her. He also kept a lookout for Roy to make sure he didn’t return to the bar.
“You doing okay back there?” RJ asked as she came back with empties and orders for new drinks.
He’d been struggling with one of the taps.
RJ grinned. “That one’s a little bit sticky; you have to really work with it. Try wiggling it side to side, and then pulling back on it.”
He did and the beer flowed freely.
“I’ll take two of those,” she said. “And a Jack Daniel’s on the rocks.” She handed him a slip of paper. “And if you could put that up there for Gunny. They want some food to go along with their drinks.”
He passed the order ticket through the window to the kitchen staff. When he turned, RJ had already gone with the tray of beer and whiskey.
JoJo was back with another tray full of empties.
“Order up!” Gunny called out.
Max turned to retrieve the plates of food and set them on a large tray.
“I’ll take that,” said JoJo.
When she left again, he had a little lull between filling drinks and passing food orders back to Gunny.
Stover grinned. “Good thing we had KP duty on active.”
Max would bet that the politician never pulled KP. He’d likely been a high-ranking officer when he’d retired. “Yes, sir,” Max said. In actuality, he hadn’t pulled KP since basic, and even then, only to help stack the trays. The Army had been much busier training him how to be a soldier and fight, rather than how to cook and clean up. He’d quickly gone from basic infantry to special operations and, finally, Green Beret.
“So, what’s the story with Gunny?” Stover asked.
Max frowned. “Pardon me?”
“Is he collecting strays? With all these former active duty folks…you’d think he was running a halfway house for the military.”
Anger bubbled up inside Max.
Stover raised his hands. “Oh, I’m not trying to be mean or anything. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s admirable what he’s done, giving Ms. Ramirez a job when she got off active duty, and then to give your organization a place to call home? It’s admirable.”
“Gunny’s a good man.” Max’s fists tightened on the tap. “Can I get you another beer, sir?” He didn’t like talking about Gunny behind his back. The man had welcomed the Brotherhood Protectors into his business and into his home. He was a patriot who loved his country and loved the men and women who fought for it.
“No.” Stover glanced down at this mug. “I think I’ve got enough here for right now.”
His aide had turned on his stool and was looking out at the floor, his gaze following JoJo.
“Mr. Curry, can I get you something?” Max asked in an attempt to draw the man’s attention away from JoJo.
“I’ll take another.” The man shoved his empty mug toward Max without turning around.
Something about the man didn’t sit right with him, so he filled his mug full of foam and pushed it back to him.
Curry frowned down at the foam, but he lifted the mug and sipped, careful not to get foam on his lip.
RJ set a tray with empty bottles on the counter. “Can I get you guys something to eat?” she asked.
“No, thank you,” Stover said. “We were just having a drink before our reservation in Fool’s Gold.” He glanced down at his watch. “It’s about time we go.” He laid a twenty on the counter.
“You have your key to get into the lodge?” RJ asked.
The politician patted his shirt pocket. “Yes, ma’am, I do. We’ll be quiet coming in. We might be a little late.�
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She nodded. “See you guys in the morning.”
“The rest of my campaign staff will be here before noon.”
“What time would you and your aide like to have breakfast?” RJ asked.
“Eight o’clock sound good?” Stover asked.
She nodded. “Eight o’clock, it is. See you then.” She grabbed the tray filled with drinks and crossed the floor.
Stover and his aide slid off their stools and headed for the door. The aide eyed JoJo as he held the door for his boss.
Max’s fists clenched. He didn’t like the intensity with which the man stared at JoJo. Then he and the politician were gone. The rest of the evening was fill glasses, wash glasses, mix drinks and repeat. Until sometime after nine-thirty, when the working-class people headed home to get a good night’s sleep before they had to start another day at work.
RJ and JoJo stacked chairs on tables and swept and mopped the floors. Max washed all the glasses, put them away and cleaned the floor and the countertop of the bar. Gunny, Jake and Weaver emerged from the kitchen.
“We’re all done inside,” Gunny said. “Anyone up for some coffee or hot cocoa in the lodge?”
JoJo shook her head. “No way. I’m beat. I’m going home to bed.”
“I’ll take you up on that hot cocoa,” RJ said.
“Me, too,” Jake said.
Weaver raised a hand. “Count me in as well.”
“What about you, Max?” Gunny asked.
“I need to make a run to town. I won’t be long.”
JoJo glanced his direction but didn’t say anything.
RJ locked the front door, and they all left through the back.
JoJo climbed into her car, waited until Gunny, RJ, Jake and Weaver had passed before pinning Max with, “Hey, you.”
He’d expected her to stop him and argue about him following her home.
“Do you really need to go to town?” JoJo asked.
“Yes, I do.”
“Why?” she asked with her arms crossed over her chest.
He grinned. “To make sure a certain person gets to her apartment all right, and that no one is lurking in the parking lot.”