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There were so many nights I thought about getting out of the service, going to Vanessa, and clearing the air. But she stayed in Nashville. Fuck, that’s not an excuse. I was in music city providing security for Hayes Dieslich, country music sensation, when I saw her standing in the pit with another guy about three or four rows from the stage. I could have said hello. Could have asked her to have coffee. Could have followed her home and rang the doorbell with flowers in hand. So manycould haves.
The diner buzzes with activity, but sounds evade our table when Ben says, “Take me to the distillery. It’s not a good idea for you to be her bodyguard. You know that, right?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer. “But I can’t have new guys in place for a few weeks. Let’s go see if we can convince her to let you stay on until then.”
Ben wants to have a complete picture of how she gets from point A to point B, so our first stop is her house. We take the back streets and trails from one side of the property to the other. Just like I did, he times everything, touches all the equipment, and writes notes.
Then I give him a quick tour of the distillery grounds before going into the main offices. He doesn’t like how the elevator dumps you out directly in front of her office, confirming my opinion.
Vanessa is in her office on the phone. She’s ticked off I’m here, I can see it when she glances up and shakes her head. I divert Ben’s attention to the other side of the floor and explain the blueprints I showed him earlier. I need to get his perspective and expertise.
Vanessa yells from the opposite end of the floor. “May I see you in my office?”
Ben shoots me a good luck grin, but I turn and say, “You’re coming with me.”
“Scared?” He chuckles.
“Hell yeah. She’s a flamethrower.”
He laughs louder. “Mine’s feisty too.”
I wish she was mine, I’m her bodyguard filled with want and having a hard time resisting her.
“Vanessa Barron, this Ben Levy. We were on several missions together.” Ben strides in her direction, offering his hand. She looks down at his hand, then at his face, and I swear she melts a little. He’s good looking, I admit. Dark complected, eyes the color of caramel, large muscular frame. Every woman’s wet dream.
“Pleasure meeting you, Ms. Barron. May we sit?”
She gestures for us to sit. When he’s not looking, she rolls her eyes in my direction.
“What brings you here, Mr. Levy?
“Please, call me Ben. I’m a security specialist for the department of defense. Beau called and wanted me to upgrade your security systems.”
She glares at me. “Well, did Mr. Landry tell you I fired him this morning?” God, she’s sexy in CEO mode. She’s so blunt and to the point.
“He did.”
Now she’s shooting me daggers, assuming I told my buddy what happened last night. I mean, she’s not wrong.
“I would strongly recommend keeping Beau on until I can get a team in place; it’s imperative for your safety. No one can get up to speed without notice. My understanding is Beau was chosen because he knew you, your habits…”
Vanessa cuts him off. “Usedto know my habits. He hasn’t talked to me since we were eighteen.”
“Understood, but he knows your family, the employees, and the property. In most cases, it’s someone you know when you receive threats. Maybe people on the fringe of who you know—still, close enough, so I need Beau to stay on for a few weeks. Then you won’t have to see him again if that’s your wish.”
She’s leadership material. Her body language, questions, and decision-making are spot on. She was right to fire me for what I did and the storm clouds I brought on last night.
Irritation flickers over her features. “If that’s what is necessary, then I’ll agree. But Ben, you’ll report to me unless I’m unavailable. You will deal with both of us. Nothing, not a single surveillance bug or wire is going into my distillery or my house without me knowing about it. Capisce?”
He stands, shaking her hand. “Understood. Beau’s sending me the blueprints, so any sketches or details you want added, please email me.” Ben hands her his card.
Grateful, I say, “Thank you. I’ll walk you out.”
After seeing him out, I sigh in relief. Even though I shouldn’t want to torture myself by being in her presence, I need to be by her side. If someone were to hurt her, I’m not sure I could handle it. I don’t want to find outhowI would handle it. For some of us, we can’t unlearn what we were trained to do.
Just like the creek stone embedded in the grounds surrounding the distillery, it’s indisputable that I remain completely bewitched by Vanessa Baron. What I need to resolve is whether I should forgive her and act on my feelings—and risk my heart again.
ChapterThirteen
VANESSA
