Colt
Red Wolfe Security - Book 1
Jamie Garrett
Wild Owl Press
Copyright and Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2020 by Jamie Garrett
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. All requests should be forwarded to [email protected].
About the Book
Colt
I’m single and I like it that way. I have my job and my friends. The men who served with me now work beside me at Red Wolfe Security and that’s enough for me.
Then I walk into the back office of Mickey’s dingy bar and see her.
Everything changes. I want her. I need her.
But someone wants to hurt her and only I can keep her safe.
Emma
My life wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. I was in college, the world at my feet.
Then my parents died, leaving me responsible for my little sister, Sophia.
It’s us against the world and I’ll do anything to give her what she needs.
I haven’t told anyone about the notes on my car, or the rose in my locker. I’ll lose my job.
Then Colt offers me protection. I take it, but that’s all it is. Right?
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Contents
1. Colt
2. Emma
3. Colt
4. Emma
5. Colt
6. Emma
7. Colt
Epilogue - Emma
Also by Jamie Garrett
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1
Colt
I walk into the bar, avoiding touching any surface if I can avoid it. Old wooden stools cluster around dinted tables and the brass foot rail at the counter has a sticky sheen barely visible under the dim lighting. I suspect it’s not just beer that’s been spilled but I don’t want to think about it any more than necessary. I’m here to do a favor for a friend and then get out of here as quickly as possible.
Mickey’s not even a friend, really, just some guy I used to hang out with in college. Back then, we were all idiots. I guess some of us never grew up. I’ve gone on to start my own security business and Mickey is still getting hammered most nights. Except instead of having to pick up an unsuspecting chick in the local dive, now he owns it. Mickey’s Joint is the worst bar in town, but I have a feeling he likes it that way. Only, over the last few weeks he’d had some trouble. Nothing major, apparently, tips disappearing, maybe a break-in attempt. He’d called me to set up a security system. I haven’t seen the guy in years, but what can I say? I’ve got a soft spot for the loser.
The place is surprisingly crowded for this early in the night and I have to push my way through the room to reach Mickey’s office. I’d noticed a sign out front advertising a new lounge singer there most nights. The whole idea of something classy like that in this place makes me grin. Mickey’s bar caters to less sophisticated clientele, that’s for sure. I wave over at Aislinn, who’s guarding the bar. Forget Mickey—everyone knows you can’t get past Aislinn. She’s as tough as nails and keeps the stock behind the bar protected from even the most inebriated visitor trying to reach over and swipe up a bottle of whatever Mickey stocks that’s better than the usual rotgut. I raise my hand in greeting and she smiles when she notices me. I have no idea why she keeps working at such a dive, but who am I to judge? We all have our secrets.
Aislinn motions to the back room, all while barely pausing from the drink she’s currently mixing. There’s no point trying to have a conversation over the volume of the room and getting close enough to hear her means pushing my way through more barflies, so I send her the thumbs up and change tack toward Mickey’s office in the back room. My foot sticks slightly to the floor as I start moving again and I grimace. Five minutes. That’s all the man’s got before I’m outta here, before I catch something off the gunk practically breeding on every surface.
I reach Mickey’s office door and push it open without knocking. There’s no need to announce my presence. He’s expecting me, after all, and I’m doubtful he’d hear it over the din. Whoever the lounge singer is supposed to be, they aren’t here tonight. Instead, music five years past its prime but not old enough to be a classic honks out of the jukebox loud enough to drown out anything less than an all-out fight.
I firm my jaw, ready to say no when Mickey pushes for more than I was going to offer. He always does. That all goes to shit the moment I step through the door. Mickey isn’t alone. Sitting on the edge of his desk is the most gorgeous woman I have seen in my entire life, and I’ve lived through a lot.
My jaw drops open and I quickly rush to cover my reaction. No way do I need a reputation as anything other than a hard ass where Mickey is concerned. That woman, though. I barely greet my old acquaintance, my entire attention stolen away by the beauty perched awkwardly among Mickey’s crap. She’s overdressed for the place. Her wrap dress barely contains her, highlighting each beautiful curve, and her ample breasts look as though they’re almost trying to escape. Before I can stop myself, my tongue darts out to wet my bottom lip. I’d certainly enjoy helping them on their way.
Then I look closer and notice the running mascara, dotting small tracks down her tear-stained cheeks. God, I’m a complete bastard. Whoever this woman is, the last thing she needs right now is some dick trying to come onto her. Whatever the deal is, she clearly needs help with something, and fuck Mickey, I’m going to be the one to give it to her. It looks like my trip here will be far from wasted after all.
Mickey clears his throat and I remember why I’m there but I continue to ignore him. He’ll keep. This woman, she needs my full attention right now. I’ve only just met, God, I don’t even know her name, but I know it’s my job to protect her from whatever has made her cry in the back room of a dingy bar. She shouldn’t ever be in a situation like this and if I have my way, she won’t ever be again.
I swipe a clean tissue out of my pocket and hand it to her. She reaches out slowly, cautiously at first, then mops at her cheeks, groaning when she notices the makeup stains on the tissue. Her cheeks color and she hides he head in her hands. “It’s okay,” I say, quietly. The last thing I want to do is startle her. “Whatever it is, I’ll fix it.” And I will. I don’t care what the problem is, even if it’s Mickey himself. I finally turn toward him, a frown forming on my face. He better hope he’s not the reason this pretty girl is crying in his back room.
“Glad to hear that, Colt, my man.” I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his greeting. “Because that’s exactly why I called you here. Emma…” He pauses, taking a long drag of his cigarette, and gestures at the beauty still perched on the desk. I immediately add her name to t
he image of her in my mind. I won’t take advantage of her in a vulnerable situation, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be jerking my dick to the mental image of her after I’ve gone home tonight. I couldn’t stop myself even if I wanted to try.
Mickey exhales a long draft of smoke across the room and Emma wrinkles her nose. It’s adorable and also clear that she doesn’t like the smell. That won’t be a problem. I pride myself on my physical fitness, as do all my men. It’s essential for our line of work. I’m jerked out of studying her again as Mickey continues whatever he was telling me before the last pull on the cigarette. “It appears that Emma has attracted the attention of the asshole who tried to break into the club.”
I turn immediately, crowding him up against the wall, resisting the urge to grip the front of his shirt. What the hell is going on here and how did he let Emma become a target? If she’s got so much as a small bruise, I swear I will end him.
Mickey holds up his hands in defeat. “Calm down, man. She’s safe. She just found a rose in her locker at the start of her shift. Freaked her out some.” He moved around me and rubbed the back of his head. “Me, too, if I’m honest. I didn’t know he’d found a way in yet.”
Yet? My hands clench into fists and I turn back to Emma, forcing myself to relax before I lose it and throw a left hook into Mickey’s jaw. I take a deep breath and hold out a hand for her to shake. “Colt Wolfe, ma’am, from Red Wolfe Security. You’re safe now.”
She looks up at me, gorgeous green eyes still shimmering lightly with tears. “I don’t know who this guy is,” she says. “I haven’t even noticed anyone weird at any of the shows.”
Shows? “Emma’s our new singer,” Mickey says. “Classing the joint right up,” he continues with a leer. It’s getting harder and harder not to put him down, but then I would lose all hope of convincing Emma to do what she needs to.
“Right,” I say. “Mickey, I’m sending Beck over to go through your security footage, check your entire setup, and add anything that’s needed immediately. You’ll stay here until he’s done—I don’t care if it takes until after closing.”
Mickey opens his mouth to protest but it dies in his throat at the look on my face. Smart man. I turn back to Emma.
“And you, my darling, you’re coming with me. Right now.”
2
Emma
My mouth drops open and I nearly fall off the desk in shock, almost forgetting the scare that had me crying like an idiot in my boss’s office for the last hour. I wasn’t expecting much to come of it, maybe an extra bouncer on the door the nights I was in, but it isn’t like Mickey cares about anything other than how much money he takes in each night. I’m new and haven’t proved my worth, so he doesn’t give a shit.
Or so I’d thought. The mountain of a man standing in front of me says otherwise. Had Mickey really called him in to deal with my crap? My cheeks color at the thought of him knowing everything that’s been going on. It was just your typical drunk fan, nothing I couldn’t handle…until this morning, when I’d found the rose in my locker.
I lower my eyes as my cheeks heat further. I haven’t even told Mickey everything that happened and now the sexiest man I’ve ever seen in my life is standing in front of me, offering to help. That just doesn’t happen to girls like me. Ever.
I’m pretty enough, I know that, with honey blonde hair and eyes an unusual shade of green, but my curvy figure means that most men aren’t interested beyond a one-night stand. I look up just in time to notice the man—Colt, he’d said his name was—giving me a long, slow once-over and my whole body shivers. That sets off shivers of a whole different kind as I remember my locker and suddenly, I’m cold.
Stop it. It’s over.
But all the positive self-talk in the world can’t get rid of the chill that seems to be suddenly in the room. Colt steps forward and grips my chin with his hand. Strong but gentle all at once. “Did you hear me, sweetheart? Grab your stuff and let’s get going.”
Half in a daze, I nod. What am I doing? All I can think about is what it would feel like to really be safe. To be wrapped in his arms, protected from everything. I shake myself from the daze and step away, nodding. He’s doing his job, and that’s all there is to it. Still, I’m not an idiot. I’ll go with him, at least for now, until I know there aren’t going to be any more notes left in private places. So far, they’ve just been at work, but the guy left another rose with a note on my car last week. Now, he’s proven he can get inside a guarded building, however much Mickey thinks his bouncer is worth. My old, run-down apartment building wouldn’t stand a chance.
I pick up my bag from the floor in the corner, having already grabbed my stuff out of my locker after the surprise. My eyes widen again as Colt holds the door open for me. His long stride easily keeps pace with me as I head for the club doors, suddenly in a hurry to leave. It feels like there are eyes on me whichever way I look. Perhaps there are. The full-body shiver takes over again and Colt takes off his leather jacket, draping it around my shoulders. I can’t help but inhale and his masculine scent fills my senses. Damn, the man smells good.
At the door, he reaches out and touches my shoulder, halting me as he scans the small parking lot. “Black truck right by the door,” he says. “Walk quickly and wait for me to open the door.” He looks down at me, frowning, and I get the feeling that not allowing him to hold the door open would be a very bad idea, indeed. But I find I like that, too.
I clench his jacket tighter around me to hide my embarrassment. Why am I liking this? I’m independent, relying on no one. I’ve had to be since my parents passed away, leaving me custody of my baby sister. I dropped out of college as soon as it happened, finding a job doing the only thing I’d ever been good at—holding a tune. I waitress at a local cafe during the day and sing at night, anything to keep a roof over our heads while I figure out what to do next. Thank God she’s safe with the babysitter for tonight while I sort out this latest mess. She isn’t the greatest sitter, far from it, but at least Sophia is somewhere safe and warm.
“Have you eaten?” The gruff voice breaks through my thoughts as we drive downtown. I’d been expecting Colt to turn onto the interstate and head into the city. He seems like a big city guy, but instead we’re heading into the center of our small town.
I shake my head. I had some toast for breakfast because Sophia had insisted I sit down and eat. She’s only ten but there’s no fooling her some days. I’d told her I’d eat lunch at the diner but I usually work through my lunch break. I need every cent I can get and I make sure Sophia’s every need is met, even when that means skipping meals. It’s why I didn’t dare miss work tonight, either, despite getting goose bumps nearly every time I’m near the place lately.
Colt mutters under his breath before yanking the steering wheel. I hold onto the grab handle to prevent myself sliding against him as the car quickly turns. My head fills with delicious ideas at the mere thought of being pressed up against him in any way, but I quickly push them aside. I barely know the man, and he’s the first to offer to help with whatever the hell is going on. I can’t afford to piss him off or scare him away. I need that job but if I don’t stay safe then I don’t want to even imagine what would happen to Sophia. With our parents gone, I’m all she has.
Before I have time to ask where we’re going, Colt pulls his truck up alongside a charming little cafe. Much more boutique than the diner where I work, it’s the type of place that probably charges five dollars for a cup of coffee. The real stuff, too. It’s my one luxury—or necessity, depending on how you look at it. Working late nights on an empty stomach, it helps keep me awake and functioning more than I’d like to admit.
Colt comes around the side of the truck and opens my door before I manage to get my seatbelt off. He holds the door open and lifts up a hand to help me step down from the impossibly high truck. Trust me, I know what they say about men with big trucks, but from the bulge in Colt’s well-fitting jeans, he has no problems there. My cheeks flame again at the
thought. Am I going to be continually embarrassing myself tonight?
His hand lingers, holding mine for longer than is necessary while walking into the cafe. Despite my prior promise, I don’t let go. In a few days, he’ll have moved on and I’ll be back to my regular, sucky life. If I get to hold hands with a hot-as-hell mountain of muscles for a few extra minutes, I’m definitely not going to complain.
We’re seated quickly and Colt scans the menu, ordering coffee and a plate of waffles for both of us. He doesn’t ask me what I want but it doesn’t bother me. Back when I used to date, I’d always be the one offering to split the bill, hating to be seen as anything but a strong, independent woman. But somehow with Colt, it feels entirely different, like he’s looking after me. He couldn’t really mean what he said back in Mickey’s office. Could he?
Our food arrives quickly and he waits until I’ve added creamer and sugar to my coffee and taken a bite before he starts to eat. “Good food here,” he says around a mouthful of waffles. “It’ll give you enough energy for tonight.”
My eyebrows raise. What exactly does he have in mind? “Thank you, but the coffee would have been enough.” I gesture to my thick thighs. “I’m sure my body could do without all the extra calories.”
Colt (Red Wolfe Security Book 1) Page 1
