For Hope

by Jeannette Winters

  For Hope

  Turchetta’s Promise Series

  Book Two

  by

  Jeannette Winters

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  David Turchetta was a member of an elite team doing what many thought to be impossible. His protection details usually were stealth and from a distance. A role that kept him in the shadows, making sure their enemies never knew what was coming. The way he liked it.

  Jada Hope lived a life where threats were a normal occurrence, but she refused to accept any of them as anything more than a prank.

  When things turn bad, and David is thrown into the media’s spotlight, he’s not the only one who resents him being there. How can he protect someone who insists on doing things their way?

  Will Jada’s strong desire for freedom throw them both into the line of fire, or will David cross the line and change the terms of engagement, and Jada find more than safety in his arms?

  Copyright

  Google Play Edition

  An original work of Jeannette Winters, 2018.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to all the patrons at the café I frequent who has tolerated my talking and laughing softly to myself as I type away on my laptop.

  Karen Lawson, Janet Hitchcock, E.L. King and Marion Arche, my editors you are all amazing!

  To my readers who continue to inspire me with endless messages and kind words. Always make time for romance.

  Cover design by MLDGraphics

  Hate to say goodbye to your favorite characters? The perfect solution is a Synchronized Series! One world. Three authors. Character cross-over. Triple the amount of books. Binge reading at its best.

  Each author’s books are full stories you can enjoy individually! But putting them all together weaves an even more pleasurable reading experience.

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  About the Book

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Synchronized Series

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Other Books By Jeannette Winters

  Chapter One

  ‡

  “That is not what any of us signed up to do. Let the Hope family hire a professional bodyguard,” David Turchetta snapped at his brother Rafe. “Or hell, a babysitter for that matter.”

  “She’s a bit old for that, don’t you think?” Rafe asked. “Besides, this woman needs our help.”

  David hadn’t read past the newspaper headline. It told him everything he needed to know. JADA HOPE RECEIVES DEATH THREATS. He tossed the newspaper on Rafe’s desk and said, “It’s a publicity stunt of some kind. This isn’t the first time she’s made headlines.” He had no tolerance for high-maintenance drama queens. They lived for the spotlight, and when it wasn’t on them, they dreamed up one outrageous story after another to steal it from someone else. “Tell her father we’re not interested.”

  Her family had enough money to hire whoever they wanted. There was no reason to waste Turchetta’s Promise resources on someone who really didn’t need them. David couldn’t understand why Rafe bothered giving Paul Hope the time of day. When he called about his daughter Jada, Rafe should’ve set him straight immediately. Instead, it looked like the business just expanded to include protection details for conniving, rich daddy’s girls. This doesn’t sit well with me.

  “David, the Hope family needs our help. That’s what we do.” Rafe opened a file, pulled out a picture, and slid it to him.

  David picked it up but didn’t know why. The entire world knew what she looked like. Jada’s face was plastered all over magazine covers and billboards. You couldn’t turn on a television without seeing or hearing about the world’s top supermodel.

  There was no doubt Jada was stunning and her lifestyle definitely would attract some real lowlifes. That was what the police were for. If they found there was a credible threat, they’d arrest the asshole.

  “Rafe, we already have a few heavy things on our plate that require the team’s attention. This crapshoot is in no way a priority for us. I know we promised to hang low for a while after what happened in Moreira, but this is a bit drastic.”

  “We’re not putting a hold on the other work. I already have Gabe setting up surveillance, and Josh and his team are on their way to the destination.”

  “Great. When will my team follow?” David didn’t like Rafe’s expression. It was the look he got right before delivering news you didn’t want to hear. “We’re not going, are we?”

  Rafe didn’t deny it. “Your team will back up Renzo. He’s—”

  “You’re telling me I’m going to play babysitter while my team is actually out on a mission?” He didn’t need to wait for Rafe’s response. David was fuming and stood up so fast his chair fell over. Rafe might be the one in charge, but he belonged with his team. “No way in hell am I sitting this one out. I go where my team goes.” David grabbed the back of the chair and brought it upright again. Losing his temper wasn’t going to solve a thing. Rafe had enough stress already with his first child due at any time. Taking a deep breath, he continued, “You of all people should understand that.”

  Rafe nodded. “You honestly think this is some hoax?”

  David ran his hand through his hair. He didn’t have all the facts. “I don’t know, Rafe. She has options. If her life is truly in danger, then she should get the fuck out of the business.”

  “Miss Hope isn’t breaking any laws with her career choice. And she deserves to be able to do it without risking her life.”

  David couldn’t argue with Rafe’s logic. “I don’t see what we can do that any other security team can’t do. Hell, they could do it better. We’re the behind-the-scenes type of detail. And if you were going to send anyone, it should be Josh. He was an MP. Besides, she is so his type.”

  Rafe laughed. “And yet you wonder why I don’t send Josh?”

  David shook his head. They all knew Josh had a way with women. After each mission, they always unwound at a bar before heading home. Every time, women would strut up to Josh and ask him to dance, often several fighting for his attention at the same time. Josh was a chick magnet. David had no problem attracting women, but he preferred someone not quite so bold.

  “That doesn’t mean I’m the man for the job. I loathe the spotlight.”

  “Do you suggest we tell them no?” Rafe’s annoyance was evident.

  “Have Gabe do some digging into Jada’s b
ackground.”

  “Why Jada’s background?” Rafe asked.

  “Looking for patterns.” One that might show she’s behind all this. “Look for anything suspicious. We’ll turn over whatever we find to her father and the police. Problem solved.” David didn’t anticipate Gabe finding anything to validate the necessity to have Turchetta’s Promise take her on as a client, but he was willing to keep an open mind for the moment. I sure as hell ain’t going to be following Miss Prissy all over the world for no damn reason.

  “They prefer not to involve the police.”

  David arched a brow. “That doesn’t make sense.” The people who usually hired them needed things handled delicately for a variety of reasons, but this was already blasted on the front page of the tabloids. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  Rafe leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms. “She’s fired everyone her father has sent.”

  “Sounds like she doesn’t want our help. So why are we even discussing this?” There were people out there who desperately needed them. Who want us.

  “David, her father asked for our help. Hell, he practically pleaded with me. She’s being . . . difficult.”

  He laughed. Rafe never held back. Normally he would’ve called it as he saw it. Marrying and adopting a five-year-old girl changed him. Rafe wasn’t less effective; in fact, he’d become more patient. He has more patience for this crap than I do.

  “I still think we need to do our own research before investing too much time in this. Why don’t we give Gabe forty-eight hours to see what he comes up with? If there is even the slightest chance this is a valid threat, I will personally take on this protection detail.” But there’s not a fat chance in hell that’s going to happen. I’m calling bullshit on this entire thing.

  “Agreed. I suggest you make a trip to the tailor,” Rafe said with a smirk.

  “What for? Did they start selling camo?” David asked sarcastically. For his work as a sniper, he wore what blended into the elements. He knew damn well how little Miss Prissy dressed. Jada wore fancy, name-labels that cost as much as a sports car. David, on the other hand, believed in comfort. His family understood he dressed the way he was now: jeans and a T-shirt. There was no way he would put on a monkey suit and strut down some runway. David knew the word runway was an exaggeration, but escorting her to a black-tie event would be almost as bad. Rafe’s out of his fucking mind.

  Rafe handed him a business card for a tailor. “He’s expecting you.”

  “That’s a waste of money.”

  “It will be unlike a suit you can buy anywhere. He’ll alter it to meet your special needs.”

  Didn’t know I had any. “You mean to look and feel like jeans? ’Cause that’s what I’m going to be wearing.”

  Rafe laughed. “On most occasions, but tonight you have to be a bit more . . . incognito.”

  David didn’t like the sound of that. “First off, when did we discuss anything about tonight? And second, what the hell am I attending? A ball or something? This place has—”

  “If you had stopped looking at her photo, you might have noticed the second paper listing the itinerary,” Rafe taunted.

  David looked at the desk, and there it was in the open. That only pissed him off more. Jada might not be his type, but she was definitely a distraction. That got men in his line of work killed.

  Grabbing the sheet of paper, he scanned it. Fuck. Could it get any worse? The guest list read like a who’s who event. And from what he gathered, Jada was going to be in the spotlight. Where else would she be? She lives for the cameras. “And they’re going to let me in, why?” The place would be crawling with security already.

  Rafe reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a square white envelope. “You’re on the guest list.”

  “What happened to our agreement to give it forty-eight hours then make a decision?”

  “We are. I never said we weren’t ensuring Miss Hope’s safety throughout that period.”

  Really smooth. David chuckled; he’d been had by his own flesh and blood. “They will not let me in that place carrying.”

  Rafe shook his head. “Covered. That tailor has a high-end suit made especially for you with a lining that conceals weapons even if you go through a metal detector. I hope you don’t need them, but you’re not going in alone. We’ll be listening.”

  “What do you think is going to happen? No one in their right mind would try to snatch her at such a high profile event.”

  “This person, or group, isn’t doing this for ransom. If they’re publicity seekers, then what better venue to do it?” Rafe explained.

  There were a lot of ifs being thrown around. It wasn’t uncommon for them to enter a situation with very limited knowledge. But those were battle zones, not some high-class event where he was going to stand out like a sore thumb. That didn’t mean Rafe was wrong for the calls he was making. The only call David disagreed with was choosing him. We should’ve had to draw straws on this crap.

  He stood up and slipped the itinerary and photo into his back pocket. Then he ran his hand over his stubbled jaw. “Guess it’s time for me to get my ass moving. ’Cause I’ve got a long-ass night ahead of me.”

  Rafe laughed. “You’ve been in worse situations.”

  As he headed out the door, David said over his shoulder, “I’ll let you know if that’s true tomorrow.”

  David would take a sweltering hot jungle or a cold rooftop over this crap any day. That was one thing all the Turchettas had in common. They might have wealth, but it was all about functionality not luxury. Getting dressed up meant wearing military dress uniforms. Hell, I don’t own a suit and would’ve liked to keep it that way.

  He had a team, but for the most part David spent his time alone, looking through a scope. Watching. Waiting for the right time to make his move. This detail was way out of his comfort zone. Playing nice with others wasn’t his strong point. Over the years, he’d been in enough brawls to attest to that fact. A broken nose or two as well. Realizing he would be her escort at this event made him think he’d lose his lunch. Attending was bad enough, but following her around like some puppy dog and smiling? That was fucking asking way too much. Who the hell has time for smiling? David knew the answer: someone who liked to be the center of attention.

  Rafe had better expect a call from her father. Odds are, we’ll be fired. Climbing into his Jeep, he keyed the address for the tailor into the GPS. Pulling away from the curb, he had one thought. I hope we’re fired.

  “You have to be kidding, Dad. I told you, I don’t want any more of your security goons hovering over me. They scare the fans and my staff,” Jada said as her hair stylist pulled her hair into a tight donut bun on the back of her head. “Tonight’s important to me, Dad; you know that.”

  “I do, and that’s why I’ve hired them. They’re the best,” Paul Hope stated.

  “And how am I going to explain him to people?” Not that she felt she owed anyone an explanation, but questions were bound to come. They always do.

  “Simple. He’s your date.”

  “My what?” Jada had to have heard incorrectly. Her father was pushy and overbearing at times, but never had he gone so far as to get her a date.

  “I’ve had him added to the invitation list. Mr. Turchetta will be picking you up at your penthouse within the hour.”

  She could almost hear her father grinning over the phone. He was so pleased with himself. Jada knew his intentions were good, but he was crossing a line he had no right to cross. He seemed to forget she was a thirty-four-year-old woman. Daddies should stop interfering at some point.

  “Dad, I know you want to keep me safe, and I will be. This event will have more security than the White House, for goodness sake. I do not need to be distracted by some man flexing his muscles to keep everyone at arm’s length from me.”

  “Jada, trust me, you will not even know he’s there.”

  “If I wasn’t so angry, Dad, I’d laugh. But this is my life, my caree
r. We’ve had this same discussion a million times. Every job has its risks. It may look like mine has more, but that is only because the media makes it appear so. The odds are greater that I’ll trip and fall off the runway into some guy’s lap.”

  “Don’t think that hasn’t crossed my mind as well.”

  Talking to him wasn’t getting her anywhere. It was done. Her so-called date would be arriving, and there was no stopping it now. The guest list was public knowledge, and if he didn’t show up, it would cause more issues than bringing him. That doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.

  “Thanks, Dad. I’m sure we’ll be talking tomorrow when I tell you what a waste of time this all was.”

  “Nothing would make me happier. Have fun tonight.”

  In a softer tone, she said, “I love you, Dad.” Jada hoped he knew that.

  “I love you too, honey.”

  As she ended the call, her hairstylist asked, “Is there anything else you need tonight?”

  A clone if you have one. “No, that’s all for tonight. Thank you.”

  Once he left, Jada took a quick look in the mirror, but she already knew there wouldn’t be a hair out of place. Sometimes she wished there was. Jada loved her career, but the expectation of always looking perfect for the lurking paparazzi sometimes burned her out. Every woman should be allowed a bad hair day. Jada rolled her eyes knowing the world seemed to believe she woke up looking like this. That’s because no one wants to see the real me.

  Everyone had things they didn’t like about themselves. Some were harder to hide than others. For Jada, it took the special makeup she wore at all times. No one except her father knew what she looked like without it. And no one ever will. The hardest person in the business to hide it from was her makeup artist. Jada had been insistent on doing her own makeup except for her lips and her eyes. Anything that was disputed, Jada reminded them of her contract. And when questioned further, she stated it was due to allergies, and she couldn’t risk using whatever it was they were offering her as a substitute.