Escorted by the Ranger

by C. J. Miller

  Her mother was exaggerating. At any time, she had one or two around at most. “There’s a reason for having security,” Marissa said.

  “You’re being unreasonable and selfish,” Lenore said.

  That was Lenore’s response whenever Marissa didn’t capitulate. “Let me think about it.” It would be easier in the short term to rent Luke and Zoe Ann a place to live.

  “My place is too small for all three of them. A baby needs room,” Lenore said.

  “Babies are also loud,” Marissa said.

  Lenore seemed to contemplate the thought, but not how it would affect Marissa. “I’ll talk to Luke.”

  After catching up with her mom on a few more family topics, her mother stood. “I needed to know you were okay.”

  “I know,” Marissa said. She appreciated that her mother cared so much.

  “I’ll see you soon. I won’t travel for a while. You may need me.”

  “I’ll be okay,” Marissa said.

  “Still. I’ll be around.”

  After her mother left, Jack appeared in the doorway. “Should I have kept her from coming upstairs?”

  Marissa shook her head. “That probably wasn’t possible. She’s my mother. She’s a force all her own. What do you think I should do?”

  “I only heard parts of the conversation. What do you want to do?”

  Living with her brother would be a challenge. They hadn’t lived together since they were teenagers. Add to it a total stranger, a pregnant stranger, and Marissa worried she would feel crowded. “Is it safe for anyone to live with me?”

  “As safe as I can make it,” Jack said.

  “Luke has been unemployed for over a year,” Marissa said. “And every time I’ve seen him, he looks worse. He’s drinking too much. Sleeping all day. He’s depressed. I could rent him an apartment, but he should work this out without me interfering.” Marissa hated when her mother tossed a problem at her feet and left it there.

  “I don’t know the details of your relationship with Luke. Maybe instead of leaving your mom in the middle, you should talk with him directly.”

  Marissa would try that. Maybe Luke and Zoe Ann had thought of other arrangements. “Do you have siblings?”

  “I have three, two sisters and a brother,” Jack said.

  “You’d let them live with you?” Marissa asked.

  “If they needed to,” Jack said.

  Marissa hadn’t been great at cohabitating. Her ex-husbands could attest to that. “I’ll call my brother and speak to him. He may have other options.”

  Jack moved toward the door. “That sounds like a good plan.”

  Marissa didn’t want him to leave. As she was thinking of a reason to make him stay and talk, she heard a thump from somewhere in the house. “What was that?”

  “Not sure. I’ll check it out.” Jack left the room. When he returned, his expression was serious. “A lamp was on the floor in the living room. I checked with the other bodyguard. No one in or out except your mother and she didn’t knock over a lamp.”

  Marissa wouldn’t overreact. “Could someone be in the house?”

  “I will look around again and check the house. Wait here.”

  Jack disappeared.

  Marissa sat on the bed, taking deep breaths and trying not to let her imagination run away with her.

  Jack reappeared in the doorway. His strong body was a source of comfort. With him close, she felt safe. “All clear.”

  Relief tumbled over her. “Could you stay with me until I fall asleep?” She was cold and wished he would remain in her room all night. Desire and fear mixed in a potent cocktail and she wanted him to stay with her.

  “I could do that.” His voice was tender.

  He managed to be both strong and gentle with her, a combination she needed. “You’re not a sentry. Why don’t you come closer?” Marissa asked.

  Jack glanced over his shoulder. “Giving you privacy.”

  “I appreciate that. But could you relax a bit?” The kiss they had shared replayed in her thoughts. He could be nervous about that happening again or he could feel like she did and be looking forward to it. With their connection and chemistry, it was inevitable.

  Jack took a few steps toward the bed.

  Marissa’s heart fluttered in anticipation and warmth curled in her stomach. Marissa patted the mattress. “Lie here with me until I fall asleep.”

  He folded his arms and the bulges of his muscles drew her attention. “You wouldn’t prefer space?”

  Marissa didn’t. She slept alone most nights, rarely having boyfriends spend the night. It had been a challenging day. She needed Jack tonight.

  He settled onto the bed next to her, keeping a foot and a half of mattress space between them. Marissa shifted closer, drawn to him. She was under the covers; he was over them. She could smell him, the scent of sandalwood and she closed her eyes and let sleep claim her.

  * * *

  Jack wasn’t on the schedule as the main bodyguard and Marissa wasn’t scheduled to be out this morning. But he couldn’t stay in bed late. His training prevented it. He had things to do and he wanted to spend time on the exercises he’d been given to strengthen his knee.

  Marissa had a home gym and she’d given him permission to use it.

  When he entered, Marissa was inside. The flat-screen television was on in the corner of the room playing an exercise video. The walls of the room were painted a bright yellow. She had five weight machines and two cardio machines, plus free weights on a ten-by-ten open area and a sound system. One of the walls was lined with mirrors and a waist-level, silver bar ran along it.

  Marissa was on a turquoise foam mat, following the video. Jack had expected her to have a personal trainer. She wore a skintight outfit in black, purple and white with matching sneakers. Her hair was in a ponytail and pieces had escaped and framed her face.

  The elliptical was his first choice. Though he preferred running—or better, running outside—he couldn’t keep a hard pace for a long period of time on the sidewalk these days. His knee would occasionally still give out. To get back in the field, he needed to build the muscle around his knee.

  Marissa turned to face him. “Good morning.”

  “Am I disturbing you? I can come back later,” Jack said.

  Marissa walked to the elliptical, tucking stray hair behind her ears. “Not bothering me. I was disappointed you left last night.”

  She was direct. He liked that. “I waited until you were asleep.” Which had been her instructions.

  “You should have stayed. I didn’t sleep well.”

  His body heated and lust enveloped him at the idea of sleeping beside her. “You were safe.”

  “I know I was.” Marissa smiled at him and he felt like a hero.

  “Want to do some yoga with me once you’re finished warming up?” she asked.

  “Never tried it.”

  “My trainer swears by it. This is his video. He’ll be by later today for a live session. You can participate if you want. He has great energy. Helps get me motivated.”

  “Sounds promising. I’ll see how the day goes.”

  Marissa returned to her mat. She followed the trainer on the screen, stretching up. Jack’s machine beeped. He had come to a complete standstill. He started moving again, trying not to fixate on the gorgeous supermodel leaning and reaching her lithe body into difficult positions. To fix his knee and get back in the field, he needed to do this. Requalifying to be an operative for the West Company required a level of physical fitness and conditioning he didn’t have now. He wanted to get it back.

  He started his machine again, this time, careful to keep his eyes on the miles and off Marissa.

  * * *

  A guard stood on Marissa’s kitchen balcony, another a
t her front door and Jack was in her office. Paperwork was piled on her desk and her file cabinets were begging to be cleaned out. It wouldn’t happen today.

  “Do you have time for a meeting with your agent to discuss the mail?” Jack asked.

  Marissa shook her head. “Not today.” For a number of reasons, but first among them, she didn’t want to talk about hate mail.

  “Your schedule is empty today,” Jack said.

  Marissa set her handbag on top of her desk. The handbag was a gift from a friend and it was one of her favorites. Bright yellow and large enough to carry more than the essentials. “Once a month, I clear an afternoon for me. It’s nonnegotiable.”

  “What does that entail?” Jack asked.

  “Anything I want. I go see a movie. Shop for friends’ birthdays. Lots of options,” she said.

  “And today’s pick?”

  “There’s an open-air flea market about thirty minutes from here. I’ve seen signs, but I’ve never been. I’d like to go.”

  “That sounds like an uncontrollable situation,” Jack said.

  “No one knows I’ll be there. I haven’t told anyone. I only decided what I wanted to do this morning while you were pretending not to watch me doing yoga,” Marissa said.

  His cheeks darkened. “I wasn’t watching you.”

  “Sure you were. I’m used to being watched. I know what it feels like,” Marissa said.

  Jack seemed flabbergasted.

  Marissa patted his cheek. “It’s okay. I’m giving you a hard time because you’re so cute when you’re flustered. What do you say? We try out the flea market?”

  “If that’s what you want,” Jack said.

  “By ourselves? Usually, I go without my security. I wear a hat and glasses and I’m largely ignored. With what’s happened, I’m okay with you coming with me, but as a friend.”

  Jack whipped out his phone and started tapping on the screen. “I need to let the security team know where we’ll be. I want them standing by as backup.”

  She didn’t need backup, but she didn’t argue. It was a small victory. Her monthly outings were the one time she could disappear in a crowd and spend time with her thoughts. Though her personal assistant handled most of her shopping, she liked to buy certain things herself.

  “I’ll drive,” she said.

  She took the keys to her sedan from the peg board on the wall. The keychain gave her pause. It had been a gift from Avery. The small bejeweled half heart had Marissa’s initials on it. Avery had the other half of the heart. Avery had given it to her when she’d bought the sedan. Avery may have still had the other half and the idea sent a wave of grief crashing over her.

  Marissa sat in her office chair.

  “What’s wrong?” Jack asked.

  Marissa held up the keychain, letting it dangle from her finger. “This was a gift from Avery.”

  “The car?”

  “The keychain,” Marissa said. “She was always buying stuff like this. Loved personalized trinkets.”

  “I’m sorry. I know you miss her.”

  She did. She truly did. Marissa gathered herself. Spending the day wallowing wouldn’t help. Going outside, walking in the fresh air, would give her a new perspective. “I do. It was stupid to let the problem fester between us. But let’s go. I need to be back by six to meet my trainer.” She stood and after Jack exited the room, she closed the door behind him. Obsessing over what had happened with Avery would take her to a dark place. Coping with what she had done and how their relationship had ended would haunt Marissa for the rest of her life.

  She opened the garage bay door. “We’ll take the sedan. The trunk is bigger than the sports car’s, so if I score anything awesome, I can fold the backseats down and haul it home.” Retail therapy and getting her mind off the terrible events of late was her primary goal.

  “I didn’t picture you as a flea market type,” Jack said. “Everything in your home seems polished.”

  “When I was younger, Kit and I used to pull junk from the dumpster. We had some good finds. We’d bring it home, clean it, fix it and either use it or sell it. It became a hobby. My place was decorated by an interior designer, but I’ve added pieces myself.” In some cases, her guests didn’t know the difference.

  Thirty minutes later and having enjoyed the easy conversation with Jack, Marissa parked on a grass field, the lot marked with orange tape. She was next to a sky blue minivan with rust around the door edges and she tried to remember that detail. Checking her sunglasses and hat in her reflection in the window, she felt sure she wouldn’t be recognized. She adjusted her wool scarf over her mouth. Her coat covered her outfit and her boots were pulled to her knees.

  Ahead of her were rows of tents providing shelter from the wind for the vendors. She pulled the small, rolling collapsible trolley from her trunk.

  Jack laughed. “You come prepared.”

  “I sure do. Can’t waste time walking back and forth to the car. We could miss something good.” Jack took hold of the trolley’s handle and Marissa let him.

  The aisles of the flea market were crowded with shoppers with canvas totes, wagons and carts similar to hers. She stopped at a table selling records. “Oh, look at this! Old records.” The vendor had various genres.

  Jack moved closer and slipped his arm around her shoulder. His touch burned through her. She leaned into him, curious about the intimacy.

  “There’s a group of women pointing at you. Make your purchase and then we need to move. They may have recognized you.”

  Marissa was dressed like everyone else, her hair in a wool hat, and sunglasses covering her face. In case Jack was right and she had been recognized, she bought several albums and they hurried down the line of tables, making quick decisions about her purchases. It annoyed her to feel rushed. The purpose of the day was to get away from the frantic pace and take a stroll.

  After filling her trolley, Marissa and Jack walked to the car. The group of women Jack had spotted hadn’t said anything to her.

  As they walked back to the flea market, two teenaged girls ran to Marissa, their phones in hand. “Are you Marissa?” they asked in stereo.

  Marissa obliged most fans. They were the reason she was successful. But not on her one free afternoon a month. Today, she wasn’t a model.

  Jack’s arm went around her waist. “You’re mistaken. Happens. Come on, honey, the kids are waiting at home.” She and Jack hurried away from the girls. “We should consider that a warning.”

  “You handled it. We’ll be fine,” Marissa said. “Nice line about the kids.” She didn’t want to give up so soon and return home. Visiting this flea market had been on her wish list for months.

  “I thought it sounded domestic,” Jack said. He was wearing a jacket, scarf and gloves. The gloves were tight and she wondered if could handle a gun with them.

  His hand on her waist felt natural and Marissa pressed against him. Even with their coats between them, she felt the heat radiating from his body.

  Tents were set up to form uneven paths and all manner of items were for sale. Marissa and Jack strolled through, looking at various treasures. Pots, chairs, frames, lamps, antique electronics that may not work, and children’s toys were laid out for shoppers to peruse. Hard to decide what else she wanted. Some of her visions didn’t work how she pictured them and she ended up selling the project or giving it away.

  About a third of the way down the line of vendors, she spotted a hidden treasure swinging from the back of the open canvas tent. A crystal chandelier with colored gems strung together with silver metal. “How much?” she asked.

  “Two seventy-five,” the bored-looking man said. He stroked his chin, appraising her, maybe trying to figure out from her clothing if she had money.

  “That’s too high,” Marissa said. She didn’t know much abo
ut the item, but she could negotiate. It was one of her favorite parts. “Two twenty-five.”

  The man studied the chandelier. “Two fifty. Final offer.”

  Marissa took off her sunglasses to look closer at the chandelier. She didn’t have a place in mind for it. It was an unusual piece. The man’s jaw slackened and she heard whispers behind her and turned.

  Removing her sunglasses had been a mistake. The teenaged girls who had approached her earlier had their phones out and snapped a picture.

  Marissa slid her sunglasses back on. It was too late. Others had recognized her and were taking pictures.

  “Two fifty? You want it?” the man asked.

  People were closing in around her, putting their cameras in her face and asking if she wanted to take a selfie with them for their social media sites. Her stomach knotted and her blood pressure soared. Marissa backed away, only to bump into others. Their voices were getting louder and more insistent. Her toes curled and panic clawed at her. “Jack?” The question escaped her lips, shaking and small.

  Jack’s hands slipped around her waist in a touch that was protective and strong. She leaned into him and he moved her through the crowd, elbowing people out of the way as they walked.

  “No pictures please,” Jack said.

  Marissa’s thoughts jumped around her brain. What if the person who had killed Avery was in the crowd? Her vision blurred and her heart was racing. Something felt off about this, like a dark presence was circling and bad things were about to happen.

  “Jack?”

  He hadn’t left her side. Marissa kept her head down and put her arms around Jack’s waist. When they were through the crowd and to the car, Jack helped her into the passenger seat.

  No one had followed them this far. She released a weighty breath.

  He knelt next to her on the grass. “Are you okay? You look pale.”

  Marissa’s hands were shaking. “I think Avery’s killer was there.”

  Alarm registered on Jack’s face. “How do you know? Did you see someone?”

  “This might sound silly.” She felt ridiculous saying it. “But I felt something bad was about to happen.”