Tossing on my big fluffy pink dressing gown, I hoped the packages contained the cute bikinis I had ordered. I ran down the large spiral staircase, lightly gripping the handrail.
When I opened the door, I found myself staring chest-level at a hulking figure filling most of the doorway. Muscles bulged visibly beneath a too tight black t-shirt.
I raised my gaze. My visitor stood with his arms politely held behind his back in a military-like pose. I wasn’t particularly short at 5’6”, but this guy was a good foot taller than me.
Ah…so this must be the bodyguard, I realized.
But then it occurred to me that the guards at the gate wouldn’t have had a chance against this guy, so there was really no telling who he was….
I swallowed nervously.
“Ma’am,” the figure nodded, his calm and soft deep voice oddly hypnotic, “you must be Scarlett. Sorry if I, ah, got you at a bad time. Your father said you’d be in. So, here I am.” He shifted his weight from one leg to the other and I could tell by his posture that he was favoring his left knee. I then noticed a scar running down one side of his face as he frowned. “Shit. Sorry,” he continued. “I’m going to be your bodyguard. Guess I should have started with that.” His frown softened. “Ain’t too good at this bit. The protecting part, though—that’s the part I excel at, ma’am.”
No shit. You look like you could shrug off bullets, I thought.
I did my best to regain my composure, remembering that this guy was going to be working for me. I looked at his arms again.
Hell, a second suitcase wasn’t going to be a problem for him, judging from the size of those biceps…
I cleared my throat. “Please, stop calling me ma’am. Scarlet is just fine.” I crossed my arms, feeling slightly defensive for some reason. “I’m not sure why my dad sent you so early. I’m not nearly ready yet. I haven’t even booked a flight.”
His hand was suddenly in front of me, held out in greeting. How such a big man moved so quickly was astounding.
“Pleased to meet you, Scarlett. I’m Travis. Travis James.” I shook his huge hand briefly, the exchange slightly awkward due to the size difference. “And that’s fine. I’m on retainer, fixed fee. I’m ready whenever you are. Need anything done, just ask. Or you need me to fuck off into the shadows, same goes. Any sign of trouble though, you won’t need to shout. It’ll be over before you know it.”
I looked again at the figure standing awkwardly in front of me. A brief moment before the handshake, I’d thought I’d seen a flash of softness in his eyes—a glimpse behind his well-rehearsed ‘I’m a badass’ facade. But now it was gone, leaving me to assume I imagined it. Still, I suspected there was a normal guy in there somewhere.
CHAPTER 4
Travis
I shifted awkwardly again, the decade old bullet-wound in my right knee causing me grief. I could never tell when it was going to hurt. The pain may have been related to the fucking weather, for all I knew.
Christ, I’m getting old. Only 37 and I know when it's going to rain before CNN, I thought, annoyed. At least the sneaky Russian who shot me is swimming with the fishes. A guy ain't got much choice with concrete boots on.
I suppressed a smile. The mere memory seemed to have alleviated the gnawing pain somewhat.
I turned my attention back to the girl before me. Fucking hell, she was beautiful, but not in a dolled-up bar girl or stripper type of way. She had on almost nothing but a dressing gown. Not even a speck of makeup, and she was still stunning.
Nice chest, wide hips, slim waist. Not too short, not too tall. Long blond hair…
Keep it together, Travis, I inwardly chastised myself.
Shaking the inappropriate thoughts away, I reverted back to my military pose. “You got it, Scar.”
She frowned at the shortening of her name.
“Tell you what?” I said. “How about I come back here in a couple days? I got shit to do, favors to call in, and whiskey to drink. I’ll bring a car and we can arrange a plan, okay?”
Her eyebrows raised. “How about I just call you?” she said.
How about your phone is probably fucking tapped, beautiful?
I smirked. “Okay. But look, just do me a favor. No names on the phone. No locations. Just tell me what time to bring a car to get you and your friends, all right? I’m guessing you’ll need a big car?”
She nodded. “Right. Now I just need your number.”
“Oh, right. Sure.” I handed her my card, which simply read ‘T. JAMES’ with a cell number written beneath it in blue ink.
Scarlett didn’t look impressed.
“Say someone taps that number,” I said. “I break the phone, throw the SIM, and fuck off. Damn well ain't payin’ for new business cards. So I just write the new number on the next card. Genius, ain't it?”
“Yeah...” she responded, her expression deadpan. She cleared her throat again. “Well, I’ll call you. But for now, I need to get ready and I’m expecting a delivery or two, so…”
I nodded, figuring that what she really meant was, “Get off my doorstep and scram.”
Like father, like daughter.
I left and strolled along the large driveway to the mansion’s gates. I had known Scarlett wouldn’t be ready, and I wasn’t dumb or old-fashioned enough to think I could just turn up in a couple days’ time and we’d be off on the grand tour.
No, I’d come here to case the joint. Check security, access sight lines—that sort of thing. And I wanted to see how this guy lived. Someone who was sending his daughter on a no-expense spared four-month luxury trip with an expensive bodyguard—an expensive bodyguard who’d had his usual rate almost doubled, no less—was worth checking out a little closer.
I turned around as I walked, taking in the long winding driveway, as well as the immaculate lawns, large pond, and tennis court. I imagined there was probably a swimming pool out back. And the big fucking mansion in the middle of it all.
It wouldn’t surprise me if someone tried to go after his daughter just for his money.
The security looked good at face value. There were two guards at the gate, one in a little office which likely had CCTV monitors for the perimeter fence, and probably one each at the front and back door as well. If these guards were worth their salt, the place would be hard to get into, detected or undetected. If not, however, it wouldn’t take much to sneak past or simply take them out one-by-one, leaving Little Miss Beautiful all on her own, wearing nothing but a fluffy pink dressing gown…
I had to shake myself to clear the image that had started to form in my head of Scarlett slowly opening the gown and letting it drop to the floor.
I decided it would be best to keep an eye on the place over the next few days, mainly at night when the guards would be half asleep and not paying as much attention. I didn’t want to fail the job before it had even started.
“Damn, I need a drink,” I said out loud. Even though it was early, I was sure I’d be able to find some seedy bar that would sell me a coarse whiskey in a dirty glass. But first, I had some errands to run and a few logistical issues to iron out.
I had no clue where the first destination was, which meant I couldn’t plan anything. Besides, I couldn't get away with strolling on a plane with a gun these days; I had to take one with me in my check-in or arrange for one or two to be ‘deposited’ at the intended destination. I had some old contacts in America, Europe, a few in Russia, some in Asia, and a couple in the Middle East. Most of them owed me favors.
It’s surprising how many people run to America, thinking they might be safe. Well, thing was, they weren’t safe. At least not when someone has hired me to find them…
As soon as I knew a couple details, I’d stroll on down to the nearest payphone and make some calls. When I knew the destination, I could use the same contacts to check who was operating in the area, and which gangs might be sniffing around. And I could use those same contacts again to scare the living shit out of most of them, which would just lea
ve a few hard bastards remaining.
It was a good thing that I was harder.
CHAPTER 5
Scarlett
A few days after Travis had visited unannounced, I’d managed to finalize the last few details of the trip. I figured we’d start with a flight to somewhere luxurious in Europe for some sightseeing, shopping, good food, and hopefully some partying. Although it was a bit cliché, after hours of internet sleuthing, I’d decided Paris had a bit of everything and would be a great first destination. We’d be there for three nights and would then take an overnight train to Prague.
After days of excitement bordering on anxiety, and hour upon hour of manic internet searches, I was finally able to relax. And when I did, I found my mind wondering back to my mysterious bodyguard…
The way he’d just turned up, standing there at the door with his body almost filling the frame…
I had to admit, I was intrigued. For a brief moment, I’d almost thought he was checking me out. I could have sworn I’d seen momentary softness in his gaze, and on some level, I hoped I hadn’t just imagined it.
Regardless, one thing was for sure—I doubted we would get any unwanted trouble on our travels with him around. Seeing him at the door had definitely made me feel safe, and I was now grateful for my dad deciding to send a bodyguard along with me. Granted, I didn’t plan on letting him know that until afterwards; I didn’t feel like listening to a whole speech of him essentially saying, ‘I told you so’.
My thoughts were interrupted by the loud ringing of my cell phone, making me jump. I’d been reclining on my bed, taking a well-earned break with a glass of champagne in quiet celebration of getting the trip booked.
I turned over onto my elbows and looked at my phone. It was Raven, probably calling for details after seeing my recent Facebook post gloating about the impending trip, in which I had tagged both her and Lonette. I took a gulp of champagne and flicked the green button across the screen of my phone. “Well if it isn’t my second favorite slut!” I said, laughing.
“Second favorite?” Raven cried in mock indignation. “You brat! I thought I was your favorite?”
I realized I was on speakerphone when I heard Lonette laughing in the background. “Nope. Lonette is my favorite. Sorry!”
Lonette laughed harder and Raven gasped. I then heard the unmistakable sound of a slap. After the play fight had ended, Raven returned to the phone. “Right. So, you’ve got everything arranged? Oh, and if you didn’t book first-class flights, I’m not coming. Just putting that out there now.”
She meant it as a joke, but I knew on some level, she was serious. She had probably never flown less than first-class in her entire life due to her dad’s career as a famous baseball player. Apparently, at the height of his career, he’d made more in endorsements per year alone than most other players earned in salaries, bonuses, and endorsements combined.
“Yes, I booked first-class, you bimbo. Well, apart from our minder. He’s in business. It’ll be easier to keep an eye on the bad guys from there, I guess.”
“Well, if he’s as hot as you said he is, he can always bunk up with me. I don’t mind sharing,” Lonette said, in a low husky voice. “Plus, it’ll give me something to do on the flight…”
“Yeah, he is hot. Sort of. Huge muscles and scary-looking, but handsome at the same time. Hands off though. He’s there to look after us, not for you two to bait him.”
“Awww. Little Scarlett wants him all to herself,” teased Raven. “That’s okay though. You can have him first. From the sounds of it, there’s plenty of him to go around…”
I could practically hear her winking at Lonette. “So, are you two all set?” I asked, deciding to change the topic. I could already tell my bodyguard would probably be a recurring subject over the next few days until they either lost interest in him, or one of them managed to get him into bed. And Travis didn’t strike me as the type to risk his job for the sake of a quickie. “The flight is in two days. We’re flying at seven, so get to my place at four. If you’re late, I’ll get my bodyguard to rough you up. And I don't mean the good kind either.”
This garnered a burst of laughter. “Okay, we’ll be there,” they chimed in unison once their laughter died down. They were so much alike that people often mistook them for sisters. They might as well have been, considering the amount of time they spent together. Lonette practically lived at Raven’s house.
“How about we come over to celebrate? I bet your dad’s got some nice champagne on ice that he won’t miss,” Raven said.
Before I could respond, Lonette chimed in, “Great idea! We’ll be over in an hour.”
“Okay, okay. Come over then. It doesn’t sound like there’s any way I’m gonna talk you out of it. Oh, and I’ve already cracked open the bubbles, so you’d better get here fast before I finish it all.”
They screamed in panic and hung up, and I couldn’t help but smile at their antics. They were pretentious, but good fun and actually quite nice to be around when they weren’t trying to egg each other on or wind someone up.
I lied back and took another sip of champagne, feeling excited about the trip all over again.
After finishing my current glass, I headed to the shower.
CHAPTER 6
Travis
I sat in my apartment, deep in thought. I’d managed to prepare everything for the impending trip, but still had nagging doubts gnawing in the back of my mind.
It’s normal. Stop worrying about pointless shit and get on with it, I tried to tell myself.
Thing was, if I had doubts, they were usually about something specific. But this time, I just had a bad feeling I couldn't place. And I fucking hated bad feelings. They gave me indigestion.
I’d also been watching Scarlett’s house the last few nights, making sure there wasn’t anyone else eyeing the place up for a late-night visit. There were a few things I’d learned I was damn good at when working as a gun for hire. One, I was patient; I had to be when waiting for a suspect to show themselves or make a mistake. Two, I was quick for a big guy and surprisingly good at not being noticed; I seemed to blend into the background, my nonchalant demeanor disarming all but the most intense scrutiny.
I was also good at was noticing things. I’d learned to go into an almost meditative state where I wasn’t distracted by conscious thought and could keep an eye on the telltale signs that painted a much clearer picture of the world compared to the casual or distracted viewer.
Even so, I hadn’t noticed anything at all unusual around Scarlett’s house. No cars parked suspiciously or driving past more than once. No lone figures walking past the fence or gate. No sign at all of any attempted entry.
Not a fucking peep.
I checked my gear for the trip for the umpteenth time.
My guess was that since they knew where she lived, they wouldn’t need to keep an eye on it. They’d probably already worked out that she’d booked on a flight by now. Hell, they probably even knew what seat she’d be in and what she would order for dinner.
I just hoped that the seat booked for Travis James in business-class had passed under the radar. I’d spoken to her dad the day before to discuss a few final details like location and transport—discussing the risks, basically.
We had agreed it would be good for me to avoid suspicion by sitting in business-class. Firstly, if anyone had access to the flight records, the first place they’d look were the seats around Scarlett. Secondly, people who could afford first-class wouldn’t be looking to extort money out of their wealthy co-passengers. Finally, I’d be at the front of business and only a quick run from where they’d be sitting.
I was distracted from mindlessly re-checking my gear when my cell phone rang in my pocket. I guessed it was probably Scarlett since I couldn’t remember anyone else having the new number.
“Hey, miss,” I said, holding the cheap little cell phone to my ear. I held it gingerly with my thumb and forefinger. I’d learned over the years that big hands weren’t use
ful for most practical things. They were good for fighting though. Plus, women seemed to like them...
“Hey there, mister,” she said. “I’m all ready for you. Or I should say, we’re all ready for you!”
I heard her what sounded like two other girls in the background, pretty sure they were all a little tipsy.
“Good stuff, doll. Just tell me when and I’ll be there. Oh, and you’ll like the transport, for sure. Something me and your dad got, special like.”
“Can’t wait!” Scarlett squealed.
I heard a few comments from her friends in the background, but couldn’t make out what they’d said, which was probably for the best.
“Be at mine in two days. That’s Thursday. We’ll need to be leaving for the ai...” she hesitated, “for the destination at about four p.m. Get here at about two if you can.” She sounded pleased with her correction of her potential slip-up. “I’m guessing my dad filled you in with the details. You know where we’re going, right?”
I half heard a crude, muffled comment from one of the girls in the background about me filling in Scarlett, who in turn gasped in embarrassment.
“Right,” I said, needing to wrap up the call quickly. I could hear a slight echo from her end of the phone, meaning either it was a bad line or her phone was tapped. I didn’t know if it was possible for my location to be discovered from a tap on her phone, but I didn’t want to risk finding out. “I’ll be there. See ya,” I said and hung up.
I sat there for a moment, feeling a little disturbed with myself. It was a damn shame that I felt like I could listen to that girl talk all day.
I glanced down at the watch on my left wrist. It was half past three.
I debated checking over my gear again, but quickly changed my mind.
Stop worrying like a goddamn old woman, Travis, I chastised myself.
I needed a drink or two to take my mind off things.
Ruthless Hero: A Military Bodyguard Romance (Savage Soldiers Book 6) Page 2