Jada opened her eyes and summoned all her strength to go back into the crowd and pretend she was happy to be there. Success in her career was based on appearing to be enthusiastic and making it believable . . . even if she wasn’t. Opening the door, she knew this part of the job was a piece of cake. Firing David may not be so easy.
Chapter Two
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“Did she fire you?” Rafe asked with a look of shock on his face.
David wasn’t in the mood to go into details. Jada had made it clear when he dropped her off at the hotel his services were no longer needed. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t protect her. The guy who had asked her to dance concerned him. He wasn’t about to tell her that. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her. Then again, maybe she needs to be scared.
“Fired is a strong word. And if I’m correct, it’s her father who hired us.”
Rafe nodded. “So you’re staying on the job?”
David wasn’t prepared to go that far, but he would look deeper into the guy before he made any decisions. “Did Gabe come up with any information?”
“What we found is what you suspected. Since Miss Hope has found fame, she has also found a long list of unwanted solicitations.”
“You mean men interested in her?” That didn’t surprise David one bit. Jada was probably the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. And when his hands touched her skin, he’d never felt anything so soft. That was one more reason he shouldn’t be her security detail. He should have been assessing the asshole who’d danced with her. He had sensed immediately that she wasn’t comfortable. Instead, all he’d wanted to do was grab the guy by the scruff of his neck and slam him against the wall. David barely knew her, and he hadn’t engaged in conversation throughout the night to learn more. Based on her file, she was quite shallow. But that didn’t change the fact that he’d hated watching another man’s hand touch her bare skin in such an intimate way. Who was he and what had he really wanted?
“Men. Women. Everybody and anybody. I have no idea how she lives like this,” Rafe said as he handed over the report from Gabe.
David anticipated five or ten, but the list continued on and on. There must’ve been at least fifty different people who had harassed Jada over the years. He now understood what Rafe meant. This was beyond what he suspected and more than anyone deserved.
“It’s . . . more than I anticipated. I’m not sure where the hell I should start looking.” David couldn’t take his eyes off the list. He wanted to memorize every single name. “I don’t see any that were actually prosecuted for harassment.”
“That’s the unfortunate part. It seems no one takes this seriously. No one but her father. I guess that’s why he’s so adamant about someone watching out for her. He knows it’s just a matter of time before one of these lunatics physically does her harm.”
David couldn’t help but think back to his kid sister. If someone had been there to protect Phoebe when we weren’t, maybe she’d be alive today. Phoebe had been as stubborn as Jada appeared to be. That probably meant Jada wouldn’t believe anything other than what she chose to believe. Some people made protecting them more difficult than it needed to be. Sometimes it was nearly impossible. David had a feeling Jada was one of those people. But the key word was nearly. That meant doing things a little unconventionally. Like staying even when you’re fired.
David couldn’t believe he was about to say this, but he had a gut feeling it was the right thing to do. “I’m not going.”
Rafe arched a brow. “And where exactly are you not going?”
David got up from his chair and paced the room. He knew he should go on that mission with his team. That’s what the team was about. They always had each other’s back no matter what. But who had Jada’s back? Her father could hire someone else. But there was no one better for the job than he was. It wasn’t his dream job. Yet whether she wanted to admit it or not, she needed . . . me? No. She needed monitoring. That was all. Someone on her team watching out for her.
“Take my team with you. I’m going to keep an eye on Jada.”
Rafe leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms behind his head as though trying to take in everything David had told him. David had been clear.
“And what do you want me to tell her father? Because I’m pretty sure she will have told her father she fired you.”
David chuckled. “I thought you liked a challenge.”
“I find it interesting that you were adamant about not taking this assignment. Now you have an out because she fired you. Yet you’re doing exactly the opposite of what you said you were going to do. Very interesting,” Rafe said with a huge grin on his face.
Rafe had changed since he’d married. Somewhere along the line he developed a sense of humor. That was supposed to be Josh’s role. He was the humorous brother. David wasn’t sure if the Turchettas were going to be able to handle two smart-asses in the family.
“Don’t get the wrong idea, Rafe. I’m not happy about this. Something happened last night that I want to follow up on.”
“And you’re just telling me this now? Is it serious enough to require your team to stay behind with you?”
David could see Rafe’s concern, but there was no need for it. He was going to do some undercover surveillance; waiting and watching was his specialty. Besides, unless Gabe came back with something concrete, it could be nothing more than a hoax. Although after meeting Jada last night, David didn’t believe she was that kind of woman. Still, she was so stubborn she could get herself hurt.
“I need Gabe to pull every male name on this guest list and get photos to go with each one.”
“Looking for someone special?” Rafe asked.
David looked again at the list of names alongside any prior criminal records they had. Gabe’s ability to dig had even uncovered a person who had a drunk-driving record that had mysteriously been erased. Nothing’s ever really gone. Not when Gabe is looking. “I’m not sure. It’s only a gut feeling.”
Rafe rose from the couch and walked to David. “In our line of work, our gut is what separates us from everyone else.” He put a hand on David’s shoulder and added, “You know how to find me if you need me.”
David nodded. He knew without a doubt his brothers would drop everything and come to his aid, but he hoped it wouldn’t come to that. She was a woman who, up until now, had taken care of herself. More likely than not, that was exactly how it would continue to be.
“You better take care of my team,” David said as he headed toward the door.
As David left Rafe’s house, he knew he needed to get Jada’s agenda. She wasn’t someone who stayed in one place for long. That made following her more difficult. Protecting her would be almost impossible. The only thing in his favor was every move she made seemed to be out in the public. The only time she was alone was in her hotel room.
David pulled his Jeep over and sent Gabe a quick text. He needed access to all the hotel rooms she would be staying in for the next week. It was illegal and partially immoral, but he would bug the rooms. It was either that or he was staying with her, and David didn’t believe Jada would allow that.
The next stop was the warehouse where they stored all the tactical equipment. Going in alone was one thing, but he knew Gabe would listen to everything. That had its good and bad points.
Jada had been so exhausted last night she had fallen asleep in the gown she’d worn to the party. It wasn’t the first time that had happened. It would be understandable if she’d been drinking, but she hadn’t. Events like that were emotionally draining. Having to smile and pretend she was happy took more energy than anyone could imagine. Add having to deal with one hot, and sexy bodyguard? That hadn’t helped either.
She did what she had to do last night. Jada let David escort her upstairs to her penthouse and see her safely inside. That was where she delivered the blow. She had anticipated some sort of argument from him. But David wished her sweet dreams and said nothing else before leaving her su
ite. He was one hell of a confusing man. One minute he was all about control, then moments later he relinquished it all.
Jada wished she didn’t care which it was, but she did. She was nothing more than a job to him. Because that’s all that made sense. David was paid to do a job, and she thought he had. Surely he saw the way that man had looked at her. Maybe nobody else knew she had been uncomfortable with the situation, but David wasn’t just anybody. He had spent the entire night watching everyone, reading everyone. There was no way he had missed that.
She knew her father didn’t have much money, so maybe David wasn’t as good as he made himself out to be. None of the others had been. They were all show. Their idea of protecting her was making sure everyone knew they were carrying a gun. She had a feeling David was lethal even without one.
Jada zipped the final suitcase. The limo should arrive any time to take her to the airport. She was never late for an appointment, but she couldn’t remember the last time she’d arrived within the allotted time to make her flight. It seemed that something always got in the way. Once the hotel lost power and her alarm didn’t go off; another time the limo service vehicle malfunctioned and she sat with the driver on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck and another limo. It didn’t matter how well she planned, there was always something. I wonder what it will be today?
There was a knock on the door, and she knew it was the bellhop to assist with her luggage. When she opened it, a young man looked her over and chuckled. Jada looked down and realized in her rush to be on time she had forgotten something important: to actually keep a change of clothes outside of her suitcase. Now she was stuck traveling in yesterday’s clothes. She’d taken time to touch up her makeup, so how on earth did she neglect to change out of the dress she was wearing the night before? I really need coffee. But it’s even too late for that.
“The bags are in the other room,” Jada said, not wanting to talk about her attire. “Please take them to the limo waiting to take me to the airport.”
The bellhop said, “The lobby is packed. I’m not sure how you will make it through the crowd.”
“What do you mean, packed?” Jada had come and gone from the hotel without issue. There were a lot of guests there, but no one lingered. Each was as anxious to be in their room as she was.
The bellhop looked anxious. “I think it has to do with the newspaper today.”
Jada had not had time to shower never mind pick up the daily newspaper. She hated to ask, but before she went downstairs she needed to know. “What is so important in the newspaper?”
The bellhop grabbed her luggage but stood there as though unsure what to do. From his next words, it clearly should have been her who was a bundle of nerves.
“A picture of you dancing with your . . . date. But they used a . . . different word.”
Please don’t have called him my boyfriend. She couldn’t recall anyone snapping their picture, but then again, she had learned to ignore the flashes of light. “Can you please get me a copy of the newspaper?”
“What about your luggage?”
Jada knew she’d cut it very close to making it to the airport. Again. But if she was about to have to deal with a crowd of reporters downstairs, she needed to know that beforehand. When the man returned with the newspaper, she understood why the reporters were there. It was much worse than what she had anticipated. She was used to her photo appearing in articles all the time. But not like this one.
This didn’t just affect her. David Turchetta was plastered all over the front pages as well—and not just as her date, but as her lover. Jada didn’t know what his job entailed, but she was positive this type of publicity would not go over well with him. Not that I like it any more than he will.
Jada looked at the bellhop and asked, “Is there any other way out of the hotel besides the front door?”
“You mean without the reporters knowing?”
“Yes.” I can’t deal with this. Not this morning. “I need to get to the airport now.”
He looked frazzled, and she knew he had no idea what to do. Jada wasn’t sure herself. She knew she had to make a statement eventually. And for all she knew, the paparazzi and reporters were staking out David’s home as well. Her agent would tell her it was great publicity. There was no denying that. This photo would be the big buzz in the business world. It wouldn’t be long before she was faced with questions about engagements and marriage and how they met.
Normally it wouldn’t be a big deal; Jada had avoided such questions in the past. But, for all she knew, David was a married man, and this would cause havoc in a marriage.
She was about to bypass the bellhop and call the hotel manager directly when her cell phone rang. It was a blocked number, and she knew this was where it all began. Answering the call, Jada said, “I have no comment.” Jada was about to end the call when she heard David’s voice.
“I have a few.”
She could hear the frustration and anger in his tone. He had every right to be upset. He had been hired to do a job, not for his privacy to be invaded. And that’s exactly what’s going to happen. “David, I’m sorry. I had no idea anyone had snapped this picture.” It was a close-up of them dancing with David holding her extremely close. Now as she looked at it, it appeared as though there was something intimate between them. The shot was magnificent. It captured him gazing at her, her hand lingering on his shoulder, and his hand on her exposed back. But this wasn’t a photo shoot, and it wasn’t a publicity stunt, and it assuredly wasn’t real, but a part of her wished other photo shoots captured things so beautifully.
“We can discuss that later. Right now there is another issue at hand. One more important than gossip.”
She had no idea what that could be. As far as Jada was concerned, this was pretty damn important. “And that is?”
“There was another threat received overnight.”
Is that all? They no longer fazed her. “Not enough to make front-page news.” Jada tried to lighten the mood with a little bit of humor. She failed miserably.
David barked, “If you’re not careful, you will make the obituary column.”
Even her father hadn’t spoken to her so harshly. But right now it was nothing more than David being overly dramatic. “Nothing is going to happen to me. I wish my father would understand that.”
“Well, it’s my job to ensure that you’re around to have that conversation with him.”
“Funny. I believe I fired you yesterday.”
She didn’t miss the sarcasm in his voice as he responded, “What type of lover would I be to abandon you at a time like this?”
There was nothing funny about any of this. She had to contact her agent to set up interviews and find out who published the story, because whoever it was had some answering to do. And a retraction to make. But those things would take time and planning. Right now, Jada needed to get to the airport. She had a runway show scheduled in New York later today. If she hated what the front page said right now, she’d really be upset if they announced to the world she was a no-show.
“David, I appreciate your concern, believe me I do. But right now I have work I have to do. I can’t waste any more time on this today, and I have to figure out how to get out of this hotel without being attacked by the mob downstairs.”
“Attacked is the correct word. And that’s exactly what I’m calling about. I’m going to get you out of there and to someplace safe.”
Jada liked the sound of half of that statement. But she knew exactly where she needed to be. Somehow she knew David’s “someplace safe” would not be in New York City. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’ve already told you I don’t need your help, and I have work waiting for me.”
“Then I suggest you have your luggage brought up to the rooftop because that’s your only way out of this building today.”
Rooftop? She was having a bad day, but jumping from the building was not going to make it any better. “And what is waiting for me up there?”
�
�A lift to New York City.”
Well, that definitely piqued her interest. Jada was out of options, and if he was willing to deliver her to her job on time, she would take his offer. It would also provide a little time to discuss the articles from this morning. No matter how much she didn’t want him in her life, there would be people who believed what they read. And for David’s sake, she was going to have to be extra diligent to get this corrected as quickly as possible.
Jada ended the call and turned back to the bellhop. “Do you have the key to get us to the rooftop helipad?” He nodded. “Good, then let’s go. I believe there is a helicopter waiting for me.” Sometimes her life felt very bazaar; now was one of those times. I have a helicopter to catch.
David was so preoccupied with gathering intel to protect Jada he was blindsided when Gabe sent him the link to the newspaper. He’d known there was a possibility of their picture being taken together. He knew there would also be rumors flying around about them. Questions about who he was. He figured they would die down quickly. Not be national news.
It would to have to be addressed, but at the moment he needed to make sure Jada got the hell out of the hotel safely. She might not take the threat seriously, but there was no doubt in David’s mind someone was out to scare the shit out of her. That was the best-case scenario. He feared the asshole might actually decide to follow through with the threats to remove her from her pedestal—one even hinted at killing her. If it was someone who wanted Jada for himself, that front-page news was going to piss him off.
David was ready for anything as he stood on the helipad, armed and alert. He knew as long as Jada was with him she would be safe. Convincing her of that was going to be another story.
The doors opened, and David watched Jada leave the elevator. It was only seven in the morning, but he wasn’t expecting to see her in the same dress he’d left her in last night. Maybe she couldn’t unzip it to get it off. If that were the case, he would’ve happily stayed long enough to assist her. But no matter how much control he had, he wasn’t foolish enough to play with fire. And that’s exactly what Jada was. From her looks to her scent, he was attracted to her. She also was strong-willed and stubborn. Although he found those to be sexy characteristics, when someone was in danger, they could be fatal.
For Hope Page 3