by Laura Ann
“The Heiress’s Bodyguard”
Lockwood Industries #3
By Laura Ann
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
THE HEIRESS'S BODYGUARD
First edition. February 18, 2020.
Copyright © 2020 Laura Ann.
Written by Laura Ann.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NEWSLETTER
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
EPILOGUE
CHAPTER
GET YOUR COPY HERE!
DEDICATION
To my running partner.
I’m so grateful you put up with me!
Our early morning chats are the perfect start to my day.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
No author works alone. Thank you, Victorine.
You and your sister make it Christmas every time
I get a new cover. And thank you to my Beta Team and editor.
Truly, your help with my stories is immeasurable.
NEWSLETTER
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CHAPTER 1
Andrew ushered the police officer out the front door with a profusion of thanks and closed the latch firmly. He groaned and rested his forehead against the hand-carved wood grain for a moment. Taking a fortifying breath, he turned and stormed back into the main family room. “Grams! You can’t just keep giving money to every person you meet on the street!” He turned around and splayed his hands, pleading with her to understand. “Can’t you see what a riot you caused?”
Lola McPherson sniffed and smoothed the non-existent wrinkles from her dress. “It’s my money. I can do whatever I want with it. If I wanted to give it to a stray dog, I could!” She lifted her chin into the air. “That’s part of being an heiress. We have the ability to throw money at whatever we want.”
“Grams!” Andrew pushed his hands through his hair and walked to the couch, flopping awkwardly onto its cushions.
“You have no right to talk to me like I’m a child,” she scolded. “I’m far more experienced at life than you are.” She leaned forward. “In all aspects.”
Andrew fought the desire to roll his eyes. His grandmother had been harping on him for years to find a woman and get married. Two things Andrew was not the least bit opposed to. What he was opposed to was any woman he was actually acquainted with. Running in the upper economic circles meant he mostly had access to women who were simply looking to continue the lifestyle their parents provided for them. Andrew was only a means to an end.
“Having kids is certainly living, all right,” Andrew muttered.
Grams scowled and stood from her seat. She walked to the large window, gazing at the beautiful lake outside. “You’ll never understand what life truly has to offer until you have someone to share it with,” she said softly.
Andrew’s shoulders sagged. His grandfather had passed away nearly a decade ago and a few years later, his parents had settled in Europe, perfectly content to hobnob with the wealthy elite across the pond, leaving America to the uncouth and uncultured. In other words, he was all his grandmother had left. Standing, he walked over and stopped right behind her. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I just don’t like seeing you in danger.”
Lola sniffed and delicately wiped her nose on a lace handkerchief. “I just want to see you happy, Andrew. Only heaven knows how many years I have left. What will happen to you once I’m dead and gone?” She spun, her eyes wide and teary.
Please give me patience, Lord. We both know she’s not going anywhere anytime soon. She’s far too stubborn. “We aren’t talking about me, Grams. We were talking about the fact that you’re handing out money like candy on Halloween.”
“Oh, that.” Lola waved the argument away with her handkerchief as if it were nothing more than a pesky gnat.
“Yes, that!” Andrew argued. “Someone is seriously going to take advantage of you, or hurt you if you keep waving it around for everyone to see.”
Lola huffed and put her hands on her hips, a sure sign she was beginning to get ticked off. “Andrew Michael McPherson. Stop treating me like a child!”
“Then stop acting like one!” Andrew shot back before he thought better of it. To his surprise, his grandmother began to crack up.
“Where are the teenagers when we need them?” she said between her giggles. “You might not be ready to have a wife, but you’re certainly ready for kids.”
“Oh, my word.” Andrew scrubbed his hands down his face and walked back to his seat. “Grams, how many times do I have to tell you that I’ll get married when I meet the right woman? I’m not opposed to marriage. I’m opposed to the brainless girls who think the only important thing is landing a rich husband who can pay for all their plastic surgery.”
“No one’s asking you to take on one of those nitwits,” Lola said with a scowl.
Andrew shot her a look, and his grandmother feigned innocence.
“But you have to start somewhere,” she continued.
“I know, Grams. But right now we need to start with you not walking down the street, handing out hundred dollar bills.” He raised an eyebrow at her.
Lola stuck her nose in the air and looked away. “I can’t make any promises,” she stated loftily.
“Are you serious right now?”
“Are you going to stop with all those martial arts competitions you go to?” Lola argued back.
“What do they have to do with anything?” Andrew threw his hands in the air.
“Maybe if you spent less time beating up sweaty men, you’d have more time to keep me out of trouble and find a wife.” She plopped down in a seat.
“Keeping you out of trouble is a full-time job,” Andrew muttered. “Ow!” he whined when a shoe hit the side of his head. “Who knew a lady like you had such good aim?”
The side of Lola’s mouth pulled up into a small grin. “I used to play baseball with the boys when I was younger.”
“Did Grandpa know this?” Andrew continued to rub the offended spot.
She raised her eyebrows. “He might have been the recipient of a shoe now and then.” Lola glared at her grandson. “Most men need a good whack upside the head once in awhile.”
Andrew stood and walked over to sit beside his grandmother on the sofa. Taking her hands in his, he dropped the banter and became serious. “Look, Grams. We have a big problem here. I can’t keep getting calls from the police station, saying you’re causing a riot by handing out money.” He gently squeezed her delicate fingers. “Can’t you understand how dangerous that is?” Lola’s bottom lip began to tremble, and Andrew felt his stomach clench. He hated upsetting her.
“Can’t you just come with me? Help keep me safe? I’m bored here!” She waved her arm around her mansion. “I want to go out and do something. I want to meet and interact with people! I’m tired of being a cooped-up old lady who has nothing better to do
than decide how to have her eggs prepared each morning.”
Andrew felt shame well up inside him. “Grams...I can’t. I have a job and other responsibilities and can’t spend all my time following you around.”
“Bah!” She pulled her hands out of his. “What good is all that money you make if you don’t take time to enjoy it or the people you love?”
Andrew hung his head. “I’m sorry, Grams. I just can’t. I don’t want to be a freeloader. I want to earn my place.” He looked up. “That’s something you taught me. Would you have me throw it all away so I can be a little puppy dog at your heels?”
“No,” she admitted, her shoulders drooping.
“But...” Andrew scrunched his nose. “If I can’t follow you around, maybe we can get someone who can.”
Lola frowned and leaned back. “What do you mean?”
“What if we got you a bodyguard?” Andrew asked excitedly, the idea taking root in his mind.
“Bodyguard?” Lola looked disgusted at the very thought, but Andrew pushed on.
“Yeah. We could get you someone you enjoy spending time with, and they could protect you when you decide to go off and do your crazy stuff!”
“Crazy stuff!” She whacked his shoulder. “Stop saying things like that. You make me sound like a broken old coot!”
Andrew gave her a pointed look for a split second before they both broke down and laughed.
“I don’t know how I feel about a bodyguard,” Lola said as she wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye.
“We can make sure to get someone you’re happy with. We could even get a woman if you want,” Andrew insisted. A very specific woman came to mind. Only a few weeks ago, he had been duped by an associate into helping rescue the guy’s girlfriend, who actually didn’t need rescuing at all. Except from Sick Nick. Andrew shook his head. He had thought he was being heroic, but it turned out he was hindering the good guys who were trying to keep Nick from attacking his ex. Guess I’m just a sucker, Andrew thought glumly.
But the night hadn’t been all bad. He’d ended up fighting with a female security worker, who was amazing. Neither had been able to pin the other, and even in the dark, Andrew had been able to see she was stunning. Lean body, long hair, full lips. If only Grams would be willing to have her as a bodyguard.
“Andrew?” Lola put her hand on his arm, bringing Andrew out of his reverie.
“Oh...yeah...sorry.” Andrew cleared his throat. “What were we talking about?”
“You were going to help me find a woman bodyguard,” Grams stated matter-of-factly.
“Oh...yeah.” He rubbed the back of his heated neck. “You decided you liked the idea?”
“Perhaps. I don’t want some muscley man walking in my shadow. But a woman...” Lola smiled a little too sweetly. “A woman could be a companion as well as provide security.” She patted his hand and stood. “I’m sure you know just where we can find one.”
The dark-headed woman flashed through Andrew’s mind once more. “Uh, yeah. I think I can handle that.”
VALENTINA USED THE back of her hand to wipe the sweat from her eyes. Gritting her teeth, she leaned into her punch and began blasting the heavy bag in front of her. A low whistle interrupted her workout and she spun to see who it was.
“Who’re you trying to kill?” Sawyer asked with a grin as he sauntered into the workout room.
Val smirked. “I can’t decide. There’s three faces that just keep coming to mind. Or maybe it’s one face but three bodies.”
Sawyer rolled his eyes, but chuckled. “Must be Ridge. What’d he do this time?” Sawyer asked, referring to one of his triplet brothers.
Val laughed and wiped at her forehead again. “Nothing. Just working out some excess energy.”
“Wish I had your energy,” Sawyer muttered, causing Val to laugh again.
“Well, you are getting pretty old,” she teased. “I’ve heard that energy starts to dim after you cross that great three-oh mark.”
“Ha! You wanna see what an old man can do?” Sawyer scowled and marched over to the mat in the middle of the room. “Bring it!” he demanded, pointing to the center of the mat. “We’ll see if you’re still talking smack when I pin your face to the floor.”
“Ooh, the senior citizen still knows how to throw a challenge,” Val taunted back. She slowly walked over, unravelling the tape from her hands as she went. When she stood opposite of Sawyer, she threw the gloves on a bench and began stretching.
“What’s the matter? Need to warm up before I take you out?” Sawyer asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Uh, no,” Val said with a deadpan expression. “I just don’t want to accidentally hurt you or something. Thought I’d give you a chance to back out.”
Sawyer took off his shoes and walked onto the blue workout mat. “Not a chance,” he growled.
Here we go, Val thought inwardly. However, on the outside, she smirked and took her own shoes off before joining him. She loved working at Lockwood Industries. I mean, where else can I beat up one of my bosses and get away with it? She and Sawyer began to circle each other slowly, each sizing up their competition.
They had spent many hours sparring, but Sawyer was offering Val her specialty. She adored martial arts and had used her extensive background to take down guys who thought girls were small and weak.
Sawyer was one of three Lockwood brothers, identical triplets, who had all gone into the military after high school. However, about a year ago, Harlan, one of the triplets, had been captured in a mission and spent time as a POW. When he was finally released, his brothers Sawyer and Ridge had been able to get out of their contracts and leave with him.
Three others, Val, Archer and Roman, had all become close with the brothers during their service, and as soon as their own contracts ended, they also retired and came searching for the Lockwoods. Harlan had changed after his imprisonment and they all wanted to support him, though none were sure how. For the first few months together, they had closed ranks and spent time simply being there, offering support without pushing anything. But when Harlan had stepped up and said he wanted to open a personal security business, they all jumped at the opportunity.
Val had been grateful to have something to do and a way to use the skills she had developed over the years. As a woman in the military, she was a fighter. She didn’t put up with anyone’s guff and definitely didn’t allow men to push her around. I can hold my own, thank you very much, she reminded herself as she watched Sawyer.
She noticed a possible opening, and just as her muscles coiled to take the first strike, the door opened.
“Val! Sawyer! Meeting in Harlan’s office!” Archer called from the doorway.
Val huffed and turned to scowl at Archer. “What the heck kind of rotten timing is that? I was just about to wipe the floor with his pretty-boy face!”
Sawyer once again rolled his eyes. “Dreams, dreams, dreams. Might I remind you who won last time we fought?”
“Yeah.” Val put her hands on her hips. “Me.”
“You wish.”
“You mean, I did.”
“Did not!” Sawyer insisted. “I had you in a headlock!”
“Which I got out of!” Val argued, pointing a finger at him.
“Oh, my word, SHUT UP!” Archer called from the doorway. “You two are worse than siblings! I don’t think I ever fought with my sister this much.”
“Your sister couldn’t win a fight if her life depended on it,” Val shot back.
“I don’t know...” Archer scratched his chin thoughtfully. “You’ve never seen her after she broke a nail.” He widened his eyes for emphasis.
Val and Sawyer burst out laughing. “Whatever. We’re coming,” Val said through her chuckles.
Archer grinned and let the door slam behind him.
Sawyer walked up and slapped her on the back extra hard, forcing Val to lock her knees to keep from being pushed forward. Nope. Not giving him an inch!
“You better clean up a bit
,” Sawyer said with a wrinkled nose. “If a client is here, I’m pretty sure you’re not going to want them to see you drenched in sweat.”
Val stuck her nose in the air. “If it’s in Harlan’s office, it’s probably not a client. Besides, good clean sweat never hurt anybody. I earn my stink!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
While he was feigning offense, Val shoved Sawyer hard in the ribcage, then took off for the door. “Guess you’ll be the rotten egg!” She laughed breathlessly as she slipped out the door and took off down the hall, knowing Sawyer would be right on her heels. Her grin widened as she heard him cursing under his breath and his bare footsteps began to pound on the tile floor.
Valentina knew she was being childish, but she loved that her workplace gave her the opportunity to be silly once in awhile. The Lockwoods were like the brothers she’d never had, and she would follow them to the ends of the Earth. Not to mention her job wasn’t exactly stress-free. It was moments like this that made the day-to-day grind of taking down bad guys worth it.
With a “Whoop,” she skidded into Harlan’s office, slamming the door in Sawyer’s frustrated face. Still laughing, she turned to look at the room and gulped. Oops.
Every employee of Lockwood Industries was glaring at her, along with two other sets of eyes. One set was obviously amused and the smirk on the older woman’s face only added to her emotion. The other set...the other set was a cool blue and they looked the exact opposite of amused.
Val narrowed her gaze, ignoring Sawyer when he came through the door and bumped into the back of her. I know that face. She studied the handsome visage of the young man, his chiseled jaw and lean, athletic physique. Blinking rapidly, Val scoured her mind for where she had seen him before, and when the revelation came, she was anything but thrilled.
“YOU!” she shouted, pointing a finger at the visitor. “What are you doing here?”
