AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh my God. What’s going on out there?” Jade wondered aloud.
She hoped that her suspicions weren’t true, but it sounded like someone got hit by a car.
Chapter 7
Ryker
Jade was a goddess, and, as much as Ryker enjoyed her fun personality, she would probably be the death of him.
His need to banter with that rainbow-haired beauty almost outweighed his professionalism and self-control. Her personality and strength turned him on like never before. She was the most laid back, friendly person most of the time — but when she got upset, look out.
He’d like nothing more than to tease her all day with playful arguments, then keep her up all night demonstrating how inadequate “Twisty-tongue”’s skills were compared to his own.
But he had a job to do, and that job was keeping her and her bandmates safe. It wasn’t something he could screw up, so he needed to put his attraction to her out of mind and concentrate.
At least until they caught her stalker. Then maybe he could indulge in the temptation of Jade.
Ryker knew discipline. He and his most trusted team members had all been Navy SEALs. They completed the initial Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL, aka BUD/S, training together and, though some of them went to different assignments, they remained close.
After leaving the service, Ryker started VSS and knew exactly which guys he wanted on his team — especially his best friend Roark. Together, they ran a specialized practice used by high-profile individuals and celebrities. They were the best, and their reputation preceded them. Their last job ended when they got the call about Jade’s stalker, so the timing worked out incredibly for this job.
Even with his instilled discipline, Jade tempted Ryker’s willpower. He wasn’t sure what it was about her, but he felt like an impulsive teenager all over again while around her. He found her fun, quirky, and beautiful — and thoroughly distracting.
Normally, Ryker worked as the primary bodyguard for a high-profile person like Jade.
Lovely Oblivion was a number one chart-topper right now with sold-out shows across the country. All the band members were high-profile because of their fame, but fans had an intense love for Jade — everyone wanted a piece of her.
Since Ryker didn’t trust himself with Jade, he asked Drake to be Jade’s personal bodyguard.
Ryker feared his attraction to her would distract him from keeping her safe, so he remained in the background, interviewing the road crew and gathering more intel on this stalker.
Whoever the stalker was, he was smart. He paid for his burner phone with cash and loaded minutes via a prepaid card purchased at a gas station — also with cash. The phone was last pinged in the same town where the attack happened, then its signal disappeared. Ryker suspected the stalker destroyed the phone and SIM card.
Likewise, the flower shop orders were all from mom ‘n pop florists with lax or no security — all transactions made in cash. Despite great effort and many hours reviewing footage, he hadn’t pulled clear video surveillance from any of the known florists.
For now, they had to rely on old-fashioned, boots-to-ground investigative work.
While Ryker didn’t mind the work, the longer it took, the more time the stalker had to plan something big. He felt like they were waiting for the other shoe to drop.
The band’s bus pulled into the latest arena early that morning, and soundcheck at that night’s venue would start shortly.
Ryker paid for coffee at a Starbucks a few blocks from the venue and waited for the barista to work her magic. His phone went off as he waited.
“Vittroli,” he answered.
“Ryker, get back here STAT,” Diesel slurred. “Stalker struck again. Drake got hit by a car. He’s... hospital. I need a medic, too, but don’t wanna leave the girls.”
Ryker’s stomach dropped.
Fuck.
He said, “Hang in there. I’m on the way.”
Ryker turned, ignored the startled cries of other patrons as he burst through the door, and ran down the street. He powered through the few blocks faster than he’d ever run before. He could hear sirens growing closer with every stride.
He flew past the crowd and police gathered around a smashed car. An ambulance pulled away from the scene, lights and sirens blaring. The car looked devastated, almost like it hit a wall. A vast pool of blood puddled on the asphalt in front of the destroyed car.
Drake.
