Bodyguard For Christmas. Carol J. Post

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СКАЧАТЬ and wrenched his right arm behind his back.

      He slapped the floor like a wrestler conceding a match. “Okay.” His voice sounded strained. “Point taken.”

      She held him a moment longer before releasing him, then rose and watched him get to his feet. “So, tell me about my assignment.” The words were for Gunn, but she kept her gaze locked on her tall neighbor.

      “You’re going to live at their home. While Mr. Gale is there, you’ll be responsible for protecting both of them.”

      Colton settled himself in the chair where he’d been when she first entered. “But Liam will be your first responsibility.”

      “Understood.”

      She tamped down her annoyance and sank into the chair next to him. Dom likely never had potential clients doubt his competence. The other three Burch Security people probably didn’t, either. Though not as large as Dom, they were all men.

      Colton continued. “Tomorrow morning, we’re heading to Murphy, North Carolina, two hours north. We moved from there a year ago.” He heaved a tension-filled sigh. “Probably should have never left.”

      The last words were soft, like a private thought that spilled out without him realizing it. Life had apparently not gone the way he’d hoped. Of course, that was typical for those who walked through Burch Security’s door. People didn’t need a bodyguard when everything was sunshine and roses.

      “Where is Liam now?”

      “With Cade.”

      Colton’s brother rather than his wife. Maybe he was a single parent.

      She frowned. She wasn’t good with kids, particularly ones that young. At least, that was what she assumed. In actuality, she’d managed to avoid them. With the exception of a sixteen-year-old amateur model who’d picked up a stalker, all her assignments had involved adults.

      “When do I start?”

      “Tonight.” Gunn tapped a pen on his desk. “I’ll fill you in on what you need to know. Then you can get your personal belongings together. Corine will be in touch with you after she checks out the leads Mr. Gale gave us.”

      She nodded. Corine had worked for Burch Security since a month after Gunn opened shop, and she was a whiz on the computer. If there was information available, she’d find it.

      Colton continued. “By nine tomorrow morning, I want to be on my way to Murphy. The sooner we leave Atlanta, the better I’ll feel. Whoever’s threatening us likely doesn’t know about the Murphy house.”

      A good reason to go there. But likely not Colton’s only reason. Whenever he spoke of Murphy, his tone held a solid dose of nostalgia. It wasn’t just a physical haven. It was likely an emotional one, too.

      But beyond providing a safe place to stay, relocating wouldn’t fix anything. Whatever had transpired over the past year, Colton couldn’t make it unhappen. Time went forward, never backward. Water that flowed under the bridge never came back.

      How well she knew.

      “Then I guess it’s settled.” He pushed himself to his feet. “You know where I live. See you in two hours?”

      “Two hours.” She stood and extended her hand.

      After finishing the handshake, he reached across his torso to massage his right arm. One side of his mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. “Do you always rough up your new clients?”

      “Only the ones who need it.”

      The smile broadened just a tad. “Staying in Murphy should make your job a lot easier.” That thread of a smile disappeared completely. “As long as we’re not followed.”

      She gave a sharp nod. “It’ll be my responsibility to make sure we’re not.”

       TWO

      The security system’s high-pitched beep punctuated the thunk of the dead bolt as Colton locked the front door. He had no idea when he’d return. After one week back on the job following an almost five-month leave of absence, he’d resigned his position with the district attorney’s office.

      Cade had come back after his appointment Thursday afternoon and done a thorough search of the house, making sure he’d moved the last of his possessions. The break-in had shaken him. Apparently, it had taken almost losing his nephew to make him realize life wasn’t just one cosmic joke.

      Colton turned from the door, Liam perched on his hip. This time, the house would sit empty. Not only had Cade gotten an apartment, he wasn’t even going to be in town for the next month. He’d teased that he didn’t want to be mistaken for Colton.

      In reality, he’d gotten leads on some collections to be auctioned off. Cade’s plans often changed at the last moment. The lifestyle suited him well. He didn’t let anything tie him down, which was why he’d never bought a house, even though he could afford it. Home ownership felt too much like commitment.

      Colton headed down the porch steps. A black Suburban waited behind his Highlander. Jasmine stood next to the driver’s door.

      Her eyes shifted to him briefly before she went back to scanning their surroundings, ever vigilant. She’d spent the night and slept on the daybed in Liam’s room. Thursday night, Liam had awoken screaming so many times Colton had lost count. Last night’s sleep had been blissfully free of nightmares, at least for his son. Unfortunately, he’d had a few of his own.

      As Colton swung open his rear driver door, Jasmine continued to stand guard. Her presence brought just the sense of security he’d hoped.

      Before leaving Burch Security yesterday, he’d signed the necessary paperwork. As he had written the check for the first payment, Gunter Burch had reassured him of Jasmine’s qualifications. Between her military background, her civilian assignments and all the advanced training in both capacities, he and Liam were going to be in good hands. Of course, eating carpet fibers had already dispelled whatever doubts he’d had.

      Jasmine’s eyes shifted to him, and he nodded. Yes, he was ready. More than ready.

      She opened the Suburban’s door. “I’ll be behind you, but I might hang back on the interstate. Keep your phone plugged into your car’s stereo system. Anything suspicious, I’ll let you know.”

      “Thank you.” She was only doing her job, a job that was costing him a pretty penny. But that didn’t stop him from appreciating everything she was doing to protect them.

      He leaned into the vehicle to secure Liam in his car seat. Brutus sat next to him, tail thumping against leather. Huge brown eyes seemed to hold sadness, maybe even guilt, as if the dog sensed he’d failed in his job to protect.

      Colton fastened the last latch, then leaned across Liam to pet Brutus. “It’s okay, buddy. It wasn’t your fault.”

      He straightened and closed the door. Yesterday morning, before going to Burch Security, he’d taken care of the things he hadn’t gotten to on Thursday. Mandy’s jewelry was now locked СКАЧАТЬ