by Maya Banks
away.”
“Damn,” Nathan murmured.
“It didn’t end there,” Eddie said tiredly. “Years later, Sanchez came after me where I was most vulnerable. My wife.”
He choked and had to visibly compose himself before continuing.
“He killed my wife.”
“Jesus,” Swanny muttered.
“I went after him,” Eddie said in a grim voice. “I couldn’t just let him get away with it. Not when I knew. So I tracked him down, called in someone to help and we took him out. And now . . .”
He rubbed both hands over his face and when they came away, tears glistened in his eyes.
“The cycle of revenge continues. The son now wants to take from me what was taken from him. His mother, sister, and then his father. He sent me pictures of Eden. Told me he would take from me what I loved the most. And God, just hours later, someone tried to kill her.”
He leveled a hard stare at the members of KGI.
“She has an important shoot that begins day after tomorrow. It’s inside, which is the only reason I’m allowing her to go. No way in hell I’d have her in open air where protecting her would be a nightmare. But this is huge for her. I can’t shut her down, not when she doesn’t have the full story, and I don’t want her to know.”
Joe lifted an eyebrow and Swanny could see the disapproval on his face. Swanny was having similar thoughts.
Eden’s family was treating her like a pampered, sheltered princess and it would get her killed.
“The story is that I’ve called you in because I’m worried after what happened today and I want her protected. And I do. She has to be safe at all times.”
“Where is this next shoot?” Nathan asked.
“Paris,” Eddie replied. “It hasn’t been publicly announced that Eden is heading Aria’s new cosmetics campaign. So if we keep her off an official airline and don’t leave a paper trail, then hopefully by the time this guy catches up to her, the shoot will be over and she’ll be back home.”
“We can fly her on the KGI jet,” Joe reassured.
“So you’ll do it?” Eddie asked hopefully. “You’ll take the job?”
Joe’s gaze narrowed. “We wouldn’t be here if we were merely entertaining the idea, sir.”
“Thank you,” Eddie said sincerely. “But I want your word. Eden is not to know what I’ve told you. I don’t want her to be hurt by the knowledge that her mother’s death wasn’t an accident. It was bad enough my boys had to know.”
Joe sighed. “She won’t hear it from us.”
“Daddy?”
Swanny turned in the direction of the hesitant, feminine voice to see Eden standing in the now-open doorway to the bedroom. She was wearing a large man’s button-up shirt, and though she was taller than the average woman, the tails clipped the tops of her knees, baring a good portion of the expanse of her shapely legs.
She sent an accusing look in Raid’s direction. “You promised to wake me when they got here.”
“They just did get here, honey,” Raid said in a placating tone. “I was just about to go wake you. We’ve only finished introductions.”
He didn’t even blink over the lie.
Swanny’s gaze was riveted to Eden. Tousled hair, sleepy eyes and legs to die for. As if realizing she was only wearing a shirt, she pulled at the hem, attempting to cover more of her legs, but the action tightened the shirt over her breasts, outlining them with clarity, and just a hint of her nipple was discernible through the material.
“I’ll, uh, just go get dressed,” she said, discomfort evident in her voice.
She quickly shut the door.
“You look at her and give me one good reason to break her heart,” Eddie said in a low voice. “She sees the good in everyone. She’s too soft for her own good. I don’t want to ruin that. Not if I can help it.”
Swanny shook himself from his reverie, glancing at his teammates to make sure no one had seen him looking inappropriately at Eden. If they’d noticed, they didn’t make it obvious, thank God.
Quiet descended and then a moment later, Eden reappeared, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, and her hair was pulled into a ponytail. She hadn’t bothered with makeup, but Swanny had seen the pictures of her all glammed up and he preferred the more natural Eden. She was beautiful no matter the trappings. Perhaps he was less intimidated with the person instead of the supermodel.
“I’m Eden Sinclair,” she said unnecessarily. She offered a smile to each of the KGI members as introductions were performed by Ryker.
Swanny tensed when Ryker got to him, and as was his habit, he turned the scarred side of his face to the side so she wasn’t staring at it.
But her smile was warm as she shook his hand, her fingers squeezing his tightly.
“Swanny, of course I remember Ryker talking about you. And Nathan and Joe as well. I’m so glad to finally meet some of the men he served with.”
She took a seat next to her father, her expression one of unease. “So what’s going on, Daddy?”
Eddie sighed and took Eden’s hands in his. “I’d feel better if you had more protection for this next shoot. I know how important it is to you, so I won’t ask you not to do it. But for my peace of mind, I’d like KGI to take over your personal protection, at least for this shoot.”
She glanced around, her lips pursed, as if she’d only just realized that David and Micah were no longer present.
“I sent them home. They’re long overdue for a break,” Eddie said, correctly reading the question in her eyes. “KGI will take over from here.”
She sighed. “Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a little?” she asked gently.
“No.”
That immediate denial came from Raid, who up to now had remained silent. Eden sent her brother a startled look.
“I’d much rather us overreact than underreact when it comes to your safety,” Raid said. “If a few is good, then more is better.”
Her shoulders sagged and resignation reflected on her features. “All right. But I can’t have the set overrun with five hulking bodyguards. The photographer will have a cow.”
“He’ll get over it,” Joe said bluntly. “I’ll have a talk with all the people associated with the shoot and explain the necessity of our presence. We’ll come to an understanding. You won’t have to worry about us being in the way. But we will be there. Your protection is our number one priority and we don’t care whose feet we step on in the process.”
She blinked in surprise. “Well, okay.”
“Now, I’ve ordered room service so you can eat, and then I want you to get a good night’s sleep,” Eddie said in a firm voice. “Your flight leaves tomorrow, but you won’t be taking a commercial flight. I don’t want a paper trail that would make it easy for someone to track you.”
Eden paled. “You honestly think this shooting was directed at me?”
“We aren’t willing to take any chances with your safety,” Ryker said bluntly. “Until we have evidence to the contrary, we’re treating it as a direct threat to you.”
She heaved in a deep breath and sagged against the back of the chair. Then to her dad, “Nothing more than a salad. I can’t afford to gain even a pound for this shoot.”
Swanny’s eyebrows went up in surprise and Eden must have noticed.
She shot him a rueful smile. “The camera adds ten to fifteen pounds. So for all practical purposes I have to be those ten to fifteen pounds underweight because the camera puts them right back on. The camera is very unforgiving. If I have any extra weight, it will show and I could lose my contract over it.”
“You’re perfect just the way you are,” Swanny said bluntly.
Her smile warmed and color suffused her cheeks. “Thank you. But my photographer would disagree.”
“Then he’s a fool,” Swanny muttered.
“I ordered a variety of food so everyone can eat. There are a couple of side salads so you can have what you like,” Eddie soothed. “But swear to God, Eden
, when this shoot is over, you’re taking a break for a while and you’re going to eat like a normal human being. You’re too thin as it is. I worry about you.”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I have an eating disorder, Dad. I work out and I’m healthy as a horse.”
The doorbell to the suite rang and Ryker got up to go let the room service attendant in. A few minutes later, the food was all set up on the table and everyone ate buffet style.
Eden was studying each of the members of Swanny’s team and he tried to stay back, out of her direct line of sight. Still, he felt her scrutiny and it made him uncomfortable. He sat as far away from her as possible while they ate. But it seemed not to make a difference. Every time he stole a glance her way—with his scarred side averted—she was studying him. He could swear he felt her gaze. Was she gawking, trying to get a better look at his scars? But no, when he chanced another glance at her she was simply staring at him thoughtfully.
“Swanny? What’s your real name?” Eden suddenly asked.
Swanny’s gaze lifted in surprise that she’d singled him out when she hadn’t said a word to any of the other members of his team during the meal.
Her cheeks colored as if she regretted the impulsive question. Damn, but he was being rude by simply staring at her like a moron.
“It’s just that in all of Ryker’s letters he always called you Swanny and he did say it was a nickname formed by your last name, Swanson, but he never told me what your first name was,” she said in a rush, as if trying to assuage him as to why she’d asked the original question.
“Daryl,” Swanny said gruffly. “But nobody calls me that. Ever. I just go by Swanny.”
She gave him a breathtaking smile that was like a punch to the gut. Her eyes were warm, with a hint of a spark to them. Or maybe he was imagining that.
“I’ll remember that . . . Swanny,” she said, her smile never wavering. “I’m very glad you made it home from Afghanistan. Ryker agonized for months that you and your teammates were MIA. And I felt like I knew you all from Ryker’s letters, so it was very upsetting to me as well.”
She was actually acknowledging him. Talking to him when she could have said the exact same thing to Nathan. But she’d never even looked at anyone else but him. Every time he glanced her way, she was staring at him.
He had no idea how to respond. What to say. His tongue was in knots and the words stuck in his throat. He finally managed a short thank-you, knowing he was being rude for not saying more. It shamed him that he was relieved when the rest finished their meals and Raid prompted Eden to go to bed.
Eden put up a fuss, saying she’d already taken a nap, but Raid wouldn’t be swayed. He dumped two pills in her hand and stood there until she took them. It was already nine in the evening and they still had a lot of planning to do. It would be a hell of a lot easier if Eden were sleeping so she wouldn’t by chance overhear anything her father didn’t want her knowing.
After waving a disgusted good night to everyone, Eden allowed Raid to hustle her off to bed, but still they waited until half an hour later when Raid quietly went in to check to see if Eden was sleeping yet.
He returned with a thumbs-up. “She’s out like a light. Today exhausted her, though she’d never admit it.”
“Okay, so we obviously have Eden’s protection covered,” Joe said, “but what about the source of the threat? What intel can you provide us? I can call Sam and get a team working on that angle because until that’s eliminated we’re spinning our wheels.”
“I hadn’t thought past Eden’s protection,” Eddie admitted. “But of course the threat to her has to be eliminated. I’ve put in another call as well regarding the situation but didn’t hook up so I’m grateful that you all can get on this now.”
“I’ll put a call into Sam,” Nathan interjected. “I’ll give him the rundown, but we need to know everything. Don’t hold back anything that could help or hinder us. We can’t be flying blind. Sam won’t send a team in if it’s going to get them killed.”
Eddie nodded. “I’ll give you everything I know. I appreciate this. More than you’ll ever know.”
“While we’re in Paris with Eden, you, Ryker and Raid need to lie low. If this guy can’t get to Eden, he may just go after one of you instead,” Joe warned.
“I’m not hiding from this fucker,” Raid said, his eyes glittering dangerously. “I have a job to do. I hope that asshole does come after me.”
“Just watch your sixes,” Nathan said. “We’re going to make damn sure he doesn’t get to Eden.”
“That’s all I ask,” Eddie said. “Keep my baby safe.”
“Edge, you call one of our pilots and tell him to bring the bigger jet. Tell him what’s going on and to be ready tomorrow at three. For that matter call in the other pilot to hitch a ride so he can fly the small jet back to the compound.” Joe said. “Nathan, you call Sam. Give him the rundown. The rest of you stand down. We need to get some rest while we can grab it.”
“We can crash in Eden’s room,” Ryker said, gesturing to himself and his father and brother. “It’ll leave more room for your crew to sleep out here.”
“I need to call Nigel, her agent, and let him know what’s going on,” Eddie said. “He can also smooth the way with everyone on site. He’s planning to arrive earlier than Eden so that will help, hopefully.”
As soon as the Sinclairs retreated into Eden’s room, Swanny began preparing a makeshift bed on the floor, using one of the cushions from the couch as a pillow. After Edge and Nathan made their calls, they joined the others in bunking down.
It was just another day on the job. Nothing they hadn’t done a hundred times before. This was one they could do in their sleep. And yet Swanny found himself wide awake, replaying those brief moments when Eden had been in the same room.
He’d been right. Just being in her presence was like being washed in sunshine.
CHAPTER 8
EDEN came awake with a grogginess she normally didn’t feel in the mornings. She wiped at her eyes attempting to rub some of the bleariness away and remembered the two pills Raid had forced down her throat.
She glanced at the clock and saw that it was just after eight. At least she hadn’t slept the entire morning away. She had a lot to do before leaving for Paris.
After a quick shower, she went through her skin care regimen but left off makeup. Her skin needed to breathe so she’d look her best for the upcoming shoot.
She dressed casually in a pair of comfortable jeans and an oversize shirt. After slipping her feet into a pair of flip-flops, she went in search of the others, who were no doubt making plans without her.
She rolled her eyes as she walked from the bedroom. She had no doubt her father and brothers were overreacting, but they were genuinely worried, especially her dad. After her mother’s death, he’d been extremely overprotective of her to the point of absurdity, but she didn’t want to add to his worry, so she just went with it when he got in one of his moods.
Everyone was drinking coffee and the television was on a local station. She waved, not really knowing what to say to the group of people her father had hired to protect her. They seemed a quiet bunch anyway. Except Joe. He seemed to be the leader and so far had done most of the talking. And yet it wasn’t Joe she’d noticed. It had been Swanny. There was something about the quiet man. In a group with that much testosterone it was odd that she’d hone in on Swanny but there was no explanation for it.
As she accepted a cup of coffee from Raid, she stood back, quietly observing the people she’d be spending the next week with.
Skylar was petite and cute with sparkling eyes and long blond hair, but in her case appearances had to be deceiving or how else would she land a job with a company like KGI?
Edge was a huge man with strong features. His ears had the beginnings of the cauliflower ears associated with boxers or mixed martial artists. His nose had a slight bump that told her he’d likely broken it at least once. He had dark eyes and hair that hung
to the tops of his shoulders.
Her gaze drifted to Swanny. Quiet and observant. He had a scar down one side of his face that ended right at the corner of his mouth. It was as if someone had taken a knife and slashed open the side of his face. The scar was puckered, the ridges uneven as if he’d simply been sewn back together with little care for his appearance.
She wondered what had happened and how he’d gotten such a terrible injury.
As if sensing her scrutiny, his gaze found hers and he turned the scarred side of his face away from her. He did that often. She’d noticed when he caught her looking he always turned the scarred side of his face away. As if he were self-conscious about his appearance.
He fascinated her and she couldn’t pinpoint why exactly. He wasn’t handsome in a classic sense. But he had strong features and a rugged quality that appealed to her feminine instincts. He was a man who had complete honor. She was positive of it. Of all the team members of KGI, it was Swanny she put her trust in most, and damn if she knew why. As she studied him harder, it hit her like a ton of bricks. She was attracted to him. Sexually and emotionally, which was pretty stupid considering that (A) she was a job to him and (B) they’d only just met. He likely thought she was crazy staring at him all the time. She’d be mortified if he took her interest as merely gawking at his scars, like a train wreck she couldn’t turn away from.
In her job she was surrounded by men most women would consider gorgeous and yet she found them too pretty. Too . . . perfect.
Swanny’s gaze swung to her as if sensing her prolonged perusal and for a moment he held her gaze, returning it in equal measure. Faint heat flooded her cheeks but she couldn’t make herself look away. His eyes mesmerized her, his gaze seeking as if he could see into the heart of her. She hoped she wasn’t obvious in her attraction.
He averted his gaze first, turning away. Disappointment seeped into her chest because she’d seen no sign that he returned her attraction. Just a steady gaze, returning her study in kind. He probably thought she was some brazen hussy on the make.
She turned when she heard the local news break in with a special report. The entire group stopped what they were doing and listened intently as the reporter spoke in rapid tones.
There’d been another shooting, and a suspect was in custody. She caught her father’s look of surprise and frowned. Before she could remark, her cell phone rang and she glanced down to see an unknown number on the screen.
Remembering that she’d given the detective her number, she hit the button to accept the call and brought the phone to her ear.
“Hello?”
“Miss Sinclair?”
“Yes, this is she.”
“This is Detective Barnes. I wanted to let you know that another shooting occurred this morning.”
“Yes, I just saw it on the news,” she said. “They reported that a suspect is in custody.”
The detective muttered a curse that sounded suspiciously like “fucking reporters” and then, “Yes, we do have a suspect in custody, but this is a slam dunk. I wanted to let you know so you didn’t worry further. We apprehended the shooter and he confessed to yesterday’s shooting as well. I can’t go into further detail, but I thought you should know so you can rest easy now.”
“Thank you for calling,” she said. “I really appreciate it.”
“No problem. Take care.”
She ended the call and looked up to see every single person staring at her expectantly.
“That was Detective Barnes,” she said. “He confirmed they have a suspect in custody and a confession for yesterday’s shooting.”
The result was complete silence as everyone exchanged glances, as if they didn’t know what to say.
“So, um, I guess all of this is unnecessary,” she said, gesturing toward the members of KGI.
“I disagree,” Raid said firmly.
Her eyes widened. “But they’ve arrested the shooter and it obviously wasn’t personal.”
“I’d feel better if KGI accompanied you to Paris,” her father said, a stubborn set to his face.
Her eyes narrowed. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Ryker slid his arm around her shoulders. “Cut us some slack, Eden. You were almost killed. It would make us all feel better if you had tighter security for your Paris shoot. Besides, they’re already here and plans are in place.”
“Lay off the emotional blackmail,” she muttered. “Raid has already poured it on thick enough.”
Her father walked over to her and framed her shoulders in his hands, his expression serious. “Do this for me, Eden. Please. I’d sleep better if I knew you had the best protecting you.”
She heaved a heavy sigh. “Okay, okay, whatever. But I’m going on record that this is totally unnecessary.”
