“Yeah, crazy.” While everyone around her assumed it was an accident, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the act had been deliberate. An attempt to harm her or maybe a warning. She liked to think that another member of the crew may have pushed her out of the way if Beck hadn’t been there. But she couldn’t be a hundred percent sure. Just like she couldn’t dismiss the accident wasn’t related to the anonymous threats she’d been getting for months.
“Attention everyone.” Pascal’s voice boomed and all conversation halted. “We need to clear the set. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to do any more shooting today, we need to clean up this mess. I’ll see you all tomorrow 6 a.m. sharp. Be prepared, it’s going to be a long day so we stay on schedule.”
Relief swamped Sam that she could go home, although that didn’t seem too appealing. At least she could get a head start on her packing and maybe in the short time she’d been on set a new apartment listing that was in her budget had been uploaded on the site she was using.
No sooner had she made it to her dressing room, but Amberley and Tom barged in. She looked around the couple to see if their friend Beck was with them. But she couldn’t see him. Maybe he’d stayed on set which surprised her, she expected him to be with the couple.
“I’m fine, Amberley. Nothing’s wrong, I didn’t get hurt.”
“What about the cuts on the back of your legs?” Amberley fired back.
Now that Amberley had mentioned it, the backs of her legs were stinging a little bit. Sam contorted herself so she could see and noticed the tracks of blood down her leg from tiny cuts. “Huh, I didn’t notice those. I’ll get some antiseptic wipes from first aid.”
“Ambs, why don’t you go get that. I’ll keep an eye on Sam.” A silent conversation appeared to take place between the couple and Sam wished she could read minds.
Damn, did nothing get by the Navy SEAL?
Stupid question, of course nothing got past him, it was his job to make sure he saw everything.
“I’ll be right back.” Amberley exited the room shutting the door behind her quietly. Silence settled between her and Tom and Sam fought to keep herself from fidgeting.
Finally Tom sighed, crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his gaze on her phone as it buzzed again. “Wanna tell me what’s going on?”
“I don’t know what you mean. Everything’s fine. Well unless you’re talking about what happened on set, then I don’t have an explanation for that.”
“Look I know you don’t know me very well. We’ve only met once before, but when we walked in, Beck and I saw your face. We saw the fear. If you’re in danger I can get in touch with someone who can contact Ghost. I know he’ll be here if you need him.”
Her stomach dropped at the mention of her brother-in-law’s name. If Ghost came to her rescue, he’d leave Rayne behind, making her vulnerable to an attack. She couldn’t let that happen. She had to convince Tom that everything was okay.
Her mind whirled, trying to come up with a feasible explanation as to why she’d been scared when they’d arrived, without giving away the truth. “No. No need to call Ghost, he needs to stay with Rayne. It’s nothing, really. I just, um, my building’s been sold and I’m being evicted. I have to find a new place, and it’s hard because of my budget and I can’t look at places because of this job.”
Tom nodded, and even though he relaxed his stance she had an inkling she hadn’t convinced him that was the root of her problems. “Right. I’m sure that’s true, but how about you try again.”
Resignation cloaked her like a warm blanket. Even knowing it was the two of them in her dressing room, she still looked around to make sure no one overheard her next words. “I’ve been getting threatening text messages and anonymous notes at my apartment.” Taking a deep breath she voiced what she’d been too afraid to say out loud. “I think I have a stalker.”
Saying that out loud just made it real.
3
“You’re being completely ridiculous, Amberley. I don’t need a bodyguard. You and Tom are overreacting.”
Sam had lost count of how many times she’d said the same words to Amberley ever since the incident on set. And like this time, they fell on deaf ears. Why the hell had she thought it was a good idea to tell Tom she thought she had a stalker? The guy was a SEAL, his go to ammo was protect at all costs.
“I don’t think so. Tom relayed your conversation to me. If he says you need protecting then I’m with him on this.”
Sam paced around the spacious living room, at least her home situation had resolved itself. Well temporarily anyway. Amberley had offered the guest house on her parents’ compound when Sam had mentioned she needed a new place to live. Immediately Sam had objected to the offer, but at the end of the day, she needed a place to live and Amberley’s parents had been so welcoming, Samantha had been surprised. She’d also been in awe of meeting the great Bettina and John Price.
“It’s an over the top reaction, Amberley. Living here, I’m more protected than I was in my apartment. Anyone who tries to get to me has to go through the guard house.”
“Yes, but that’s only while you’re here. When you’re on the set or out shopping you’ll be vulnerable. I agree with Tom, you need this.”
For so many years it had just been her. When she moved to California, away from her sister and brother it had been hard, but they supported her goal in becoming an actress.
When she’d started to get the threats against her family she’d put even more distance between them. Not only needing to keep them safe, but also to keep the bad things happening to her away from them. Particularly Rayne. After knowing what her sister went through in Egypt and the fact she’d finally found happiness with Ghost, the last thing Sam wanted to do was worry her younger sister. Or put her in danger by telling her what was going and Rayne getting hurt because of her actions. Not happening.
Chase was the same. His job was stressful and he was exposed to the horrendous things people did to others on a daily basis. She couldn’t let him know stuff was happening to her.
“You know what happened on set was an accident, right?” Sam questioned her friend. “The engineers who inspected the set confirmed it.”
“You go right on believing that, Sam, but I saw you after the incident. You don’t think it’s an accident either.”
Sam turned her back on her friend. Her mind was whirling and she didn’t know if she was coming or going. In the last two days she’d gone from living in a fifth rate apartment building to a gorgeous guest house in Beverly Hills.
She’d almost been squashed by a row of lights and the filming of the movie seemed to have gone off track since that moment. She may have told Amberley she believed it to be an accident, but the other woman was right—it was no accident those lights fell where she had been standing.
To her it seemed like, just when her career was taking off, fate had to step in to try and snatch it away from her. The last thing Sam was going to do was let fate take away everything she’d worked so hard for. Although fighting fate wasn’t an easy task. Like fighting Amberley and Tom about this bodyguard situation.
“You know if you don’t do agree to this, Tom will have no choice but to tell Ghost and Rayne what’s happening here.”
Sam whirled around and faced Amberley. Panic flowed through her at the thought of her brother-in-law finding out about her issues. She’d only met him a couple of times, but the guy could intimidate an ant to do his bidding. A part of her mind yelled at her to tell him. But the other part, the part that had always been the big sister. The one who’d always protected her siblings balked at the idea. No matter what, Ghost must never know about this.
“He wouldn’t. He can’t do that. I don’t want them to know what’s happening and I don’t care if Ghost can go all Delta and take out the bad guy. I’m not going to let him do that. If he comes to my rescue, then Rayne and their child will be vulnerable.”
Amberley grabbed her hands. “Then let us help you. Accept this bod
yguard. According to Tom, Tex said this guy is a former SEAL too and works for a security organization that was started by two former Navy SEALS. These guys are badasses. I should know I’m engaged to one.” She finished with an impish smile.
“How trustworthy is this Tex guy?”
“Tom says extremely. This guy has helped them out when the shit’s hit the fan on their missions but also in their personal lives. Some of the wives on Tom’s team have all gone through some crazy stuff. Let me tell you, you’re not alone with the stalker stuff. You know that I ended up in hospital due to some whack job. Anyway, Tex has been able to help the team find their women and get rid of the bad guys. I’ve never met the guy, in fact none of the girls have meet him. But Tom and the other guys say he’s trustworthy then I believe them.”
Whichever way she looked at it or however much she tried to convince Amberley she didn’t need the protection, her argument was going to fall on deaf ears. Would Amberley follow through with her threat to get Tom to call Ghost if she continued to argue? Yeah, probably and maybe if the roles were reversed Sam would do the same. She’d do anything to protect her friend, just like she’d do anything to protect her family.
And right there was the answer—to continue making sure Rayne, Chase, and their families remained unharmed she would have to suck it up and say yes to the bodyguard. Unfortunately, saying yes to the bodyguard was completely different to the television show Say Yes to the Dress. There was no wedding in Samantha Jackson’s future.
“Fine. You win. I’ll take the protection.”
Amberley smiled big. “Excellent and it’s just as well.” Her friend glanced at her watch. “He and Tom are going to be here in about fifteen minutes.”
“What?” Sam all but screeched the word. She looked down at herself. Today she had a day off from shooting so she’d been lounging around the house in her yoga pants and a ratty t-shirt. Not exactly the most attractive attire when welcoming guests to the house. “You could’ve told me earlier.”
“If you recall you were doing everything in your power to convince me you didn’t need protection.” Amberley responding dryly.
“Fine. I’m going to change. I think it would’ve been better if Tom had left when he said he was going, instead of hanging around for a few extra days.” Sam grumbled as she stomped out and upstairs to her room.
Mentally going through her wardrobe, she admired the décor of the house she now lived in. Her room had robin’s egg blue walls, so peaceful and calming. The perfect balm after a tough day of shooting. In fact since she’d moved in, she’d been sleeping better than she had the last few weeks.
It’s because you know no one can get to you. In this house. On this property, you’re safe.
There was a lot of truth in her inner voice’s words. The second the gates closed behind her when she arrived on the property her shoulders relaxed and the fear that someone could be following her home dissipated.
Why had she battled with Amberley so much if she felt this way?
Because the decision hadn’t been hers. Her hand had been forced and she didn’t like it, even if it was the correct thing to happen.
Scanning her wardrobe for something decent to put on, she settled on a white sundress. It was chic but cute. She’d picked it up at an outlet mall marked down from over two hundred dollars to under forty and then when she went to pay for it, it was twenty five dollars. Talk about a great deal, and she felt good in it.
Running a brush through her hair she pulled it up into a high pony tail and applied a little make-up.
A quick glance at her watch showed only ten minutes had passed since Amberley broke the news of the impending arrival of her new security detail. Giving herself one last look in the mirror, pleased with her reflection she slipped her feet into some low heeled slip-ons and marched out of her room.
The internal phone rang as she was halfway down the staircase. She could make out Amberley’s voice as she talked to the security guard at the front of the property.
“Showtime.”
Beck was convinced a million tiny bugs were crawling over his skin. Being back in LA, so soon after he’d left it hadn’t been in his plan. But he couldn’t say no when Ash had asked him to help out Ox, not when he was familiar with the area, not when he’d jumped in said he’d do whatever was needed.
Sure he’d lived in San Diego for years, but he’d grown up in LA. His familiarity would’ve been a big help to Ox in finding the perfect location. Now, though, after a discussion with Ash, Storm, Tex, Ox, and Tom he now had his first job for Alliez Security. It hadn’t been hard to say no when Tom asked if he would do security detail for Samantha. She intrigued him with the down to earth way she’d acted with her co-stars and the crew. He’d enjoyed watching her on set, and although his ankle caused him a lot of pain after he’d grabbed her out of the way of the falling lights, he wouldn’t have changed anything.
“You okay, Beck?” Tom asked.
Beck straightened up. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
He couldn’t say anything else as the door was flung open and Tom grunted when the woman grabbed him. Beck looked over in time to see the couple kissing passionately, as if they’d been apart for months not a couple of hours.
“Hi, just ignore them. I’ve learned to. Oh, it’s you!”
Beck redirected his attention to where the voice was coming from and had to stop his jaw from dropping open. Standing just inside the spacious foyer stood Samantha in a simple white dress. Her brown hair was caught up in a high ponytail, accentuating the fine features of her face. Her brown eyes shone with amusement and her plump lips curved into a small smile. His dick twitched against the zipper of his pants and he willed it to settle down. It had been a long time since he had an instant reaction to a woman. He thought his reaction to her the other day had been because of her close call. Now he had to wonder if it wasn’t because she wasn’t sending him come hither looks due to him being in the military, and a Navy SEAL to boot, like he’d always gotten when he’d been out with this former teammates. In the early days he’d lapped up the attention, but after a while, he’d gotten tired of it.
His instinct to protect kicked in with a vengeance now that he was seeing her in person, looking natural and attractive.
Whoa slow down.
The woman standing in front of him was a client, not a potential bedmate. How cliché would it be for a bodyguard to fall for a client. Apparently it had happened between Storm and his wife, Lily. As well as Ash and his wife, Maria. He had no plans to join their illustrious group. Plus this gig was temporary. Once Ox got the LA office running and staffed, Beck could hand off the lovely Samantha to someone else and he could get his ass all the way back to New York City. Far away from LA and his past.
Realizing he’d been standing there mute for more than was conventionally appropriate, Beck cleared his throat and took a step forward. “Hi, we didn’t get a chance to be formally introduced the other day, I’m Beck. Are you okay, no lingering effects from me grabbing you?” He held out his hand.
“Good to meet you, Beck. I’m Samantha Jackson, also known as Samantha Rayse in the acting world. Thanks for acting so quickly the other day. And I’m fine, no aftereffects at all.” Her smile widened and when she grasped his hand, a jolt of fire swept through his bloodstream. He dropped her hand and took a step back. The light in her eyes dimmed a little and he could’ve kicked himself for knowing he’d caused that reaction.
“Come into the living room, Beck. I’m sure Amberley and Tom will join us shortly.”
Fuck, she sounded so formal. And why was he complaining about that? This was a job. His responsibility was to be professional, he wasn’t there to be her best friend. Yet his blood still burned from their brief touch and his body was reacting in a way it hadn’t done in a very long time.
“Thank you.” He could be formal too. It was probably a good idea to be this way with her. It would set the ground rules for the way their relationship was going to proceed. Before he followed
her, he glanced over at Tom and Amberley their foreheads resting together.
What would it be like to give yourself over to a woman like that? Be connected to someone forever. His parents hadn’t exactly been poster children for wedded bliss. In fact, even though they were still married and living in Florida, they would probably be better off divorced and living thousands of miles apart. The last trip to see them had been tortuous. Not only because he was still reeling from having his career blown to smithereens. But the constant arguing between them had worn him down and he’d ended up cutting his trip short by many days.
Yeah, another reason to remain single—he didn’t have to answer to anyone. Funny how he didn’t mind taking orders from his COs and other military people. But the thought of having to run everything past a significant other—nope not happening.
He followed Samantha down the hallway, her hips swayed gently from left to right. The dress she wore finished mid-thigh, giving him a glimpse of toned, tanned flesh. Would her skin be soft and supple beneath his fingers? Would Samantha moan softly when he kissed his way down her body?
Beck mentally slapped himself. How many times did he have to remind himself that this was a job and not a blind date?
“Can I get you anything to drink?” Samantha asked, and he redirected his wayward thoughts to the task at hand.
“Thanks, that’d be great.”
“We’ve got soda, juice, water or beer.”
“I’ll take a water, thanks.” What he really wanted was a cold brew, no actually, make that a whiskey straight up. Not the type of impression he needed to be making.
While Samantha disappeared out of the room, Beck took the time to view his surroundings. The living room was large with one wall of windows. As it was dark outside he couldn’t see the view but he imagined on an estate this size the vista would consist of rolling green lawns with the odd tree dotted here and there. No doubt in some other corner of the compound was a rose garden. It seemed like a rose garden was required in large estates like this one.
Rescuing Samantha Page 3