The Rules Series

by LaShawn Vasser

  “Are you okay?” A voice that was heightened in excitement spoke.

  “Get off of me! Get. OFF!” I couldn’t squirm my way out from underneath him. He was just too heavy. If I was going to die, I was going to go out fighting. I did my best to kick and bite, but it was just too hard to maneuver with his body all over mine.

  “I’m not trying to hurt you.”

  I growled. “Then get the hell off of me!”

  A door slammed, and the screeching sound of a car peeling out of the garage followed. My chest heaved up and down as I fought to break free. Suddenly there was a flurry of alarms and activity all around me. The shattered glass must have signaled the Capitol police.

  I couldn’t place it, but I remembered that voice. I peered slowly up into his face as once clear blue eyes now almost a velvet blue stared down into mine. Brody Windham.

  I managed to stretch out from underneath him to reach my hands up above my head just enough to grab the gun as I wiggled out from beneath that solid mass of muscle. He moved just a bit, which gave me enough space to push him off and scramble away. I pointed the gun at him. “What do you want?”

  He didn’t flinch just kept his eyes trained on mine. “If I wanted you dead I could have let whoever killed your bodyguard kill you. Put the gun away.”

  I wasn’t going to put anything away until I knew he wasn’t the one trying to put a bullet in my skull. “If you’re not trying to kill me, how did you manage to be in the right place at the right time?”

  Brody ran his fingers through his hair, he looked frustrated. “I saw you go in the office with Braylee Hinsdale. I checked the docket to see what committee room she was going to be in and saw your name next to hers. Then, I did what any man would do. I looked you up on the internet.”

  That was plausible, but someone had just tried to blow my head off so nobody could blame me for being a bit paranoid. “That still doesn’t explain your impeccable timing.”

  “Nothing impeccable about my timing. We just happen to be leaving at the same time. I was already heading your way when I saw your bodyguard go down, and then when the glass shattered I knew you were in trouble.”

  “Drop it! Drop the gun!” The Capital police finally showed up. That was good. The guns aimed at us—not so much.

  Brody put his hands up in the air. “Whoa. You’ve got the wrong people.”

  “She has a gun pointed at your head. Pardon us if we don’t know who the bad guys are here. Ma’am, I’m not going to tell you again. Drop. The. Gun!”

  Today wasn’t the day I wanted to spend with my father, so I dropped the gun.

  Chapter 11

  It didn’t take very long for the Capital police to sort everything out once they saw the video tapes. Still, they kept Brody and me in separate rooms while they asked questions. Thank the moon and stars, he was able to use his considerable connections to keep our names out of the media reports about the incident.

  “Ms. Lee-Xiou, you’re free to leave.” Finally. The last forty-eight hours had been pure hell. I picked up my purse and jacket then left the room. Standing outside the door was Brody leaned up against a wall with his legs crossed at the ankles and arms folded across his chest.

  “Are you ready to go?”

  “Go where? With you?” He must be crazy.

  “Someone just tried to kill you and failed. Do you think it’s a really good idea to head back to your hotel room or wherever you’re going on your own?”

  He was right about that. I could always check into another room, but I would be using my credit cards. It would be too easy to locate me. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea to go back to his place to plan my next move. First, I had a couple of questions. “Why are you trying to help me?” My suspicious nature took over.

  Brody pushed himself off the wall as he loosened his tie. “I’m not the kind of man who can walk away from a woman after she’s been shot at, and as far as I know doesn’t have anyone to make sure she’s okay.”

  Ever so slightly I raised my chin. “I can take care of myself.”

  “Maybe, but considering I could have been shot and killed too, I think I’m owed some type of explanation. Let me take you back to my place. You can answer my questions and make your calls from there. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

  I wasn’t going anywhere until he answered one basic question. “You never answered me. Why are you trying to help me?”

  “I want you safe.”

  Safe. What in the hell was that? I studied him very carefully trying to determine if he was telling the truth. According to Braylee, he was the money behind the politicians. That meant he had to have a lot of it. Maybe his intentions weren’t good, but they most likely weren’t deadly either. I made a quick decision to take him up on his offer.

  If all else fails and I was wrong, the Capital Police had given me back my gun.

  *****

  Getting into Brody’s home was like getting into Fort Knox. He also had a team of security patrolling his sprawling property.

  I was already exhausted, but words couldn’t begin to explain how deliriously tired I was after the adrenaline began to wear off.

  “You look dead on your feet. Would you like a drink?”

  “That wasn’t the best analogy, but yes, I’d love one.”

  “Good point. Why don’t you head into my study, and I’ll be there shortly? It’s the first door on your right.”

  I followed the directions of his eyes as I made mental notes of the details of his home. The place was entirely too big for one person. Powerful men seemed to have a need for the biggest, and the most of everything. As large as his home was, it didn’t feel cold. Warm throw rugs were covering highly polished hardwood floors and pictures lined the walls. The first photo I noticed was an older couple in a loving embrace smiling from ear to ear. The resemblance was strong, so maybe they could have been his parents. They seemed . . . happy.

  I continued to look at the pictures, and there were children of all ages from tots to teenagers. I wondered if any of them were his. There were also a few photos sprinkled throughout of women who may or may not have been related. My eyes rested on the last picture. It was a young man who was the spitting image of Brody.

  “That’s my brother, Michael.”

  I nearly jumped at the sound of his voice. “Jeez. You almost gave me a heart-attack.”

  “You’re still jumpy.”

  I didn’t like it when people scrutinized me. It might seem like it from time to time, but I wasn’t a circus animal. “Why aren’t you? Unless getting shot at is normal for you.”

  “No. Can’t say that it’s ever happened before, but there is a first time for everything. It also helps that I try to keep my shenanigans confined to a board room or a bedroom. I also sleep well at night knowing my home is more secure than the White House. You’re safe here.”

  “Good to know.” I wanted to change the subject before he started asking more probing questions. “Your brother is very handsome. Are those your parents?”

  A warm light brightened his eyes. “Yes. They’ve been married fifty-two years. I have no idea how they managed that.”

  “They seemed to have done the impossible. Are any of those children yours?”

  “Interested, huh?” He chuckled just a bit and handed me a drink. “No children.”

  “Not to burst your bubble, but I’m not interested. Just a bit curious.”

  “Just a bit curious means you’re interested even if it’s only a little. I’m sure I can increase your interest.”

  The look on his face wasn’t smug; it was confident. I hated smugness, but confidence was sexy as hell.

  “Follow me. You can make your calls in here.” I walked blindly behind him into his study.

  It was just as I’d expect it not too different from Chang’s old office. The dark leather chairs, cherry wood furniture, and a vanity portrait on the wall except it was a photo of his parents not himself. Was it possible that I’d met someone who wasn’t too self-abs
orbed? I doubted it.

  I didn’t wait for him to offer me a seat. I took it upon myself to plop down on the sofa before I fell down. Then, I took a long swig of my drink.

  He studied me intently. “Better?”

  “Much better.”

  “Now, tell me who is trying to kill you.”

  I couldn’t help the skeptical look on my face. “All the faux concern. Why? You never really did answer my questions, but yours keep coming.”

  Brody ran his hand across his face. “I’ve only asked one, and you keep dodging it. For the record, I did answer your question. You just don’t seem to believe it. Look, if you tell me what’s going on maybe, I can help you.”

  “What do you have to gain from helping me?”

  “Is it always this difficult for you to accept help? If you tell me the real deal, I have allies in places that might be able to get you out of whatever fix you’re in.”

  “People don’t just help people out of the kindness of their hearts. There is always an angle—an ulterior motive.”

  “I’m a jaded man, but that’s a pretty cynical way to think about things.” His voice was a bit firmer as if he was tired of the BS. “Who’s trying to kill you, Gina?”

  Sarcastic laughter bubbled up from deep within my chest.

  Brody gazed at me as if I was losing my mind.

  “I’m not crazy. I just think that question is funny. The shorter list might be who isn’t trying to kill me. I have enemies everywhere.”

  “I don’t believe that.”

  “Didn’t you say you researched me on the internet? If so, you should be shaking in your shoes.”

  That sexy lop-sided grin appeared again. “If you haven’t figured it out yet. I don’t scare easily.”

  “The jury is still out on that.”

  “I almost took a bullet to help you, yet you still have doubts?”

  “No one does anything just for the hell of it. That’s what I believe, and if you give me some time, I’ll figure out what you’re really after.”

  As if the lightbulb finally went off in his head, Brody nodded slowly then pointed to the telephone on his desk. “You can use my phone to make your calls. I’m sure you’re aware from watching television that it’s probably not a good idea to use your cell phone. In the meantime, I’ll give you some privacy. If you need me, just call.”

  When he walked out of the room and closed the door all I could think was, I don’t need anybody. I haven’t for a very long time.

  Chapter 12

  “Mr. Windham, you asked to see me?”

  “Yes, Anita. I’m going to have a houseguest for the night, and I’d like put her in the bedroom across the hall from mine.”

  “A woman? You’re letting a woman stay overnight in your home?” My housekeeper of twelve years was more than surprised. “And she is sleeping across the hall?”

  “She’s in a bind, and I want to help her out.”

  Her lips twisted to let me know she wasn’t buying that story completely. “This isn’t romantic?”

  I smiled. “You’re terribly nosey.”

  “I’ve seen you through the best and worst of times. Forgive me for being curious about any woman you bring here that is not family. You’ve done it so rarely that it’s a bit surprising.”

  Anita was like a second mother, and she and my mom were the best of friends. Unlike my other employees, she took liberties that weren’t allowed by others. I rubbed my thumb back and forth over my eyebrow. “I’m not sure if it’s going to be a romantic evening or not.”

  “Ah . . . so you want it to be romantic, and she’s not having it.”

  “I’m pretty persuasive when I want to be. If I decide I want it to be romantic, it will be. In the meantime, can you to do a couple of things for me? Number one, call Carl, my private investigator, and have him look into her background. Here is her name.” I handed Anita a small piece of paper, with what I knew about Gina. “I need something ASAP. I don’t want any other crazy surprises popping up on me. And, number two, pull a couple bottles of my favorite wine out of the cellar.”

  “Mmmhmm . . . I know that look. I’m guessing there isn’t much of an internal debate at all, Mr. Windham. Poor woman doesn’t have a chance.”

  I chuckled to myself and winked at Anita. No. She really didn’t stand a chance.

  *****

  I snapped to attention and reached for my purse when the door to Brody’s office opened. I must have dozed off to sleep. My gun was in my purse, so I kept it close—just in case.

  “Did you get all of your calls made?”

  I was still waking up and probably appeared more wary of him than I really was. “Most of them, yes. I’m still working on sleeping and travel arrangements.”

  “I’m having a room prepared for you. Stay here.”

  “You’re going to let a perfect stranger sleep over in your house? Tell me that’s not crazy?”

  “We’re not alone. I have staff everywhere and cameras too. For as much as you’ve attempted to scare me, as if that would actually work, I can handle you.”

  The way the words flowed from his lips, I wasn’t sure if he was talking about me and my situation or if he was talking about me in the bedroom. I couldn’t lie to myself, Brody was very attractive and created a buzz deep within the pit of my stomach. A feeling I hadn’t experienced in a very long time, not since Alexandro.

  “Why don’t I show you up to the bedroom? You can take a shower and grab a quick nap. By then, I’ll have figured out what to do about dinner.”

  I honestly didn’t know what to say. The man had just been in a shoot-out with me. It was pretty obvious that I was the intended target, yet he was the very definition of calm—composed. Brody wasn’t rattled in the least. I didn’t know if that should raise a red flag or it were something to be commended. Stop it, Gina.

  Either way, it shouldn’t matter. I needed a shower and a nap. He’s offering the basics, and it’s a very tempting thought. “Even if I wanted to take you up on your offer, I don’t have a change of clothing.”

  “Stop the fight that’s going on in that pretty little head of yours. As beautiful as you are I can see the stress of today’s episode all over your face. Maybe if I can get you to relax, you can lose the attitude, and we can actually talk.” Reaching out, he took my hand and placed it in his.

  I didn’t like how his touch made me feel. My entire arm tingled. I used men for what I needed and discarded them when they served their purpose. Brody was different, at least the physical attraction was different. Physically, parts of me that have lain dormant were waking up. That made him dangerous.

  Brody was trying to get through the wall I’d erected to protect myself. And, covering me when bullets were flying was pretty impressive even if it was a foolish thing to do. Here I was, staring at a man I’d known for less than a day, and already I felt safer in his presence than with anyone else.

  Getting caught up in lust with anyone right now was the last thing I needed. Considering I was attracted to him, I would need to tread carefully. For now, I needed some rest so that I could think clearly. I adeptly removed my hand from his. “I don’t have an attitude as you call it. What you see is what you get. However, think I will take you up on your offer.”

  “Good. There was no real point in arguing with me. You’ll learn pretty quickly that it’ll only a matter of time before you start seeing things my way.”

  “You’ll learn pretty quickly that I’ll only do what I want to do.”

  “I have no problem convincing you of what you want.”

  I lifted an eyebrow as if to say excuse me?

  He laughed. “I meant the nap and bath. At least for now, I meant the nap and bath; I promise the list will grow.”

  *****

  Several hours had passed since I’d shown Gina up to her room. I sat in my office looking up at the ceiling thinking and waiting.

  The smart man in me whispered that I should have left her at the Capital Police station once w
e were finished with questioning. I didn’t listen to him. I listened to that other instinct that calls to me when I was about to make a risky investment. Rarely, had it led me in the wrong direction. I hope it doesn’t this time either. Considering I left common sense back at the station, to do what exactly I wasn’t sure, my moves were based purely on instinct.

  It wasn’t a total lie that I wanted to keep her safe, but for all I know, those people shooting at her might have been doing the world a favor. Still, something about Gina called out to me, and that’s why I wanted to help. No, not when we first met in Congress. Then it had been all about those sexy full lips, and legs long enough to wrap around me in a couple of different ways. She was curvy just like I like my women. Granted, she was attractive, but I live in a sea of beautiful women who are more than eager to please.

  It was her eyes. Those dark, exotic-looking eyes caught me like a deer in headlights. When she trained them on me, examining every inch of my body, my stomach tightened. That immediate attraction was purely physical. It gave me a hard-on in the worst way to watch her trying to determine if she wanted me. It’s always the other way around. I couldn’t determine what decision she’d made as she walked away. Of course, Gina didn’t know it, but she’d thrown down the gauntlet, and that was a challenge too sweet to pass up.

  Ms. Gina Lee-Xiou was now front and center on my radar. I had my people find out her name, and then did a quick internet search on her. Nothing too crazy came up. Her father had recently died, there weren’t any known siblings, except for a deceased twin, and there was nothing about her mother. That might explain a lot of her edge. She was now responsible for running Xiou Incorporated and was in the United States to ward off a RICO inquiry with Congress due to business her father had been engaged in. Gina wasn’t a mass murderer or liked to kill puppies. That’s always a good start.

  A flip was switched from my interest being only physical when we were in that parking garage, and everything was crazy. I didn’t see fear in those eyes, I saw a quick flash of vulnerability. That called to me.