Page 22 of Wrecked

“Sam Harrison, ma’am. I’m your security detail here at Clancy’s. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She laughs, the sound soft and light. “Just Beth, please. Which branch?”

Now it’s my turn to laugh. I guess I gave myself away. “US Army, ma’am—I mean Beth. Former Ranger, like Mack. I broke both legs in a parachute drop gone bad, so now I’m a civilian. When you’re here on the premises, I’m your shadow, unless Lia’s here. Shane says you’re going to be working here part-time.”

She nods. “That’s the plan.”

“Don’t worry about The Dragon Lady,” I say. “Shane told me she’s a real bitch, but I’ve got your back.” I wink at her.

She grins. “Thanks, Sam.”

“All right, then. Carry on, boss. I’ll be close by if you need me.”

As I return to Shane and Mack, Beth resumes perusing books.

“Call or text if you have any questions,” Shane tells me.

“Will do.”

My first thought is this has to be the cushiest job ever. I get to follow this gorgeous girl around a bookstore? Not a problem. We can just hang out and read all day.

When Beth moves to the next aisle, I shift my position so I can keep her in my sights. Immediately, I go on red alert when some guy walks right up to her and starts talking to her like he knows her. He’s about five-ten, with light brown hair streaked with blond highlights, wearing a gray knit beanie, blue jeans, and a T-shirt. Even though she seems to know him, she’s clearly uncomfortable with his presence. When he lays a hand on her arm, she flinches.

I start moving toward her, but Shane pushes past me, muttering, “Son-of-a-bitch.”

We’re both moving in Beth’s direction, but a livid Shane gives me a hand signal telling me to stand down. “I’ll handle this,” he says.

Shane quickly closes the distance between himself and Beth, but he stops short of intervening. He stands there watching their interaction. At first, I’m confused as to why he isn’t cracking that guy’s skull open, but then I see that when Beth notices Shane’s presence, she instantly relaxes.

I walk up behind Shane, and he says, “He’s an ex-boyfriend. I want to give her a chance to handle this herself.”

The ex asks Beth a question, and she shakes her head.No.

Beth and Beanie Guy exchange a few more words, and then apparently Shane has reached the end of his patience with this guy. He walks up behind Beth and lays his hands on her shoulders. You can just see the tension melt from her as she smiles.

Shane draws her back against him and kisses the back of her head, clearly staking his claim. As if he’s sayingmine, asshole, back off!

The three of them are talking, but I can’t make out what they’re saying. Body language says everything, though. Beth is now completely at ease, Shane is glaring at Beanie Guy likehe’s about to rip him a new one, and Beanie Guy’s hackles are definitely up.

Meanwhile, Shane is lightly stroking Beth’s shoulder with his thumb like he doesn’t have a care in the world.What a badass.

I keep my distance to let Shane handle this himself, but I’m close by and ready to act if needed.

Once Shane has effectively chased the ex-boyfriend off, he and Beth head for the exit. I join them, walking on Beth’s other side.

Shane glances at me over Beth’s head. “I want that asshole removed from the premises immediately and banned from the store. If he steps one foot inside this place again, detain him and have him charged with trespassing.”

I nod. Then I glance at Beth to see how she’s holding up. “Hey, I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

She smiles at me. “Thanks, Sam.”

* * *

I guess now that Beth’s gone from the store, I’m free until I’m scheduled to show back up here tomorrow morning at nine. I don’t really feel like going home to an empty apartment. At loose ends, I decide to go to the shooting range to blow off some steam and practice my shots. It’s after five now, so Cooper shouldn’t be there. He’s the last person I want to run into.

Cooper’s one of the most attractive men I’ve ever met, and I’d give anything for a chance to get to know him better. But he made it pretty clear when we first met that he can’t decide whether he wants to bake me cookies, get me off, or ignore me entirely. It’s been ages since I’ve laid eyes on him, and I’m not going to chase after some guy who can’t make up his mind.

When I get to the shooting range, I’m relieved to see there are only a few vehicles here—and none of them are Cooper’s. It looks like the coast is clear.