Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Ink crossed his arms over his chest. “You want me to tell Rip that I can’t do the job?”
“Yes, you understand. Good.”
“Even though it’s obvious we just flew hours to get here? Changed our schedules? Uprooted my men from their homes?” Ink added.
“Uh, well, I’m sure you can come up with a reason.”
“Who are you?” Brody asked, peering at the guy.
“Oh, I’m Rip’s agent. Kevin Knightly.”
Kevin Knightly? No way that was his real name.
“Here’s the thing, Kevin,” Ink said, repeating the other man’s words. “Rip asked for my help and that’s what he’s getting. Now, you need to stop preventing us from doing our job and get out of our way.”
“Fine, fine. If you’re not going to pull out, I guess we can work together.” Kevin gave Brody a skeptical look.
To be fair, Brody did look like he was in a state. He’d met them at the airport. Ethan didn’t know how he’d even gotten to Los Angeles, but he looked like he’d fallen asleep at some stage during the trip. His hair was standing up on one side and there was a curious stain on his T-shirt.
“One other thing I need to talk to you about before you go in.”
Ink sighed.
This guy was gonna be a problem.
“What is it?” Ink asked.
“It’s about Rip’s sister. She’s a bit, uh, odd.”
“Are you implying that there is something wrong with Cate?” Ink asked in a low voice.
Kevin held his hands up. “No, no. Not at all. I’m telling you because I don’t want you to make her uncomfortable.”
Uh-huh.
Ethan wasn’t so sure about that.
“Just don’t try to touch her. She hates that. Or mess with her routine. All right?” Kevin laughed weakly.
“My men have been briefed,” Ink told him.
“Good, good. The other thing is, well, Rip will want you to protect her too. But she rarely goes anywhere, so she won’t need much. Rip is the main focus.”
“We know how to do our jobs,” Ink replied. “Even though we’re simple country folk.”
Ink stepped past Kevin and into the house. Ethan quickly followed him.
Yep. The house was definitely an illusion.
The entrance opened out into a huge great room with wooden beams and white walls. He stared out of the large accordion doors to the infinity pool and the view of the ocean beyond.
Now, that view was something he could get used to.
“Ink!”
Ethan turned as Rhodes Ripley strode into the room and hugged Ink close. “Man, it’s good to see you. It’s been too long.”
Ethan continued to look around the room as the two men greeted each other. Brody had already sat down and was pulling out his laptop while Seth kept close to Kevin.
So it was Ethan who first spotted her. He froze as he took her in.
Her photo didn’t do her justice.
Because she was stunning. Hair so pale it was almost white, blue eyes, pink, perfect lips.
Fuck.
Was it possible to fall for someone at first sight?
No. That was ridiculous, right?
He needed to get hold of himself. He was here to protect her.
Nothing more.
A small scar that ran through her upper lip. Which was just as well because otherwise she would have been too perfect to look at.
She wore a pair of black pants and a thick cowl neck sweater. Which was surprising when it was quite warm in here.
“Cate.” Ink walked over to the vision standing in the doorway.
A small smile flickered over her face as Ink reached her, whispering something to her.
She nodded and then moved over to Rhodes, who wrapped his arm around her.
“Let me introduce you guys to everyone,” Ink said. “This is Rhodes, or Rip and his sister, Cate. Rip and Cate, this is my tech guy, Brody. He’s only here for a couple of days to set up the cameras and security. Then he and I will leave you with Ethan and Seth.”
Brody glanced up briefly and waved before staring at his computer once more.
Ethan waited for Rhodes or Cate to show annoyance or discomfort at his anti-social behavior. But Rhodes just nodded, and Cate’s expression never changed.
“This is Seth Blue. One of your bodyguards.”
Seth grinned, rocking back on his heels. “Nice to meet you both. Rip, I’m a big fan. And darlin’, lovely to meet you too.”
Cate’s expression stayed even. Hmm. There weren’t many women who were immune to Seth’s charms.
“And lastly, this is Ethan Stone. Your other bodyguard.”
After nodding to Rhodes, Ethan moved toward Cate slowly, trying to soften the look on his face. He knew he could come across as hard and gruff. “Hello Ms. Ripley.”
“Please, call me Cate.” She glanced up at Rhodes, who winked at her. Then, she seemed to relax slightly.
Brody cleared his throat. “I’m going to need a few things from you, Rip.” He rattled off stuff that Ethan didn’t understand.
To his surprise, Cate stepped toward Brody. “I can help you with all of that.”