Buch lesen: «Suspicious Activities»

Chapter One

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Nikki Waters turned away from the image on her computer screen and shook her head at the man standing across from her.

“When you said this one was a little rough around the edges, I thought you were warning me about—I don’t know—about his lack of tact or maybe his hair was a little too shaggy.” She motioned to the screen. “Not a rap sheet that was so long I had to scroll to read it all.”

The man in the doorway chuckled. He shrugged. “Does it help that his hair is a little too shaggy?”

Jonathan Carmichael was trying to be cute, trying to be funny, but Nikki didn’t have time for his playful mood. Not tonight.

Tonight she, for once, had plans.

“A few drunken fights when he was young and stupid,” he said. “Nothing to write home to Mom about.”

Nikki felt a headache brewing just behind her eyes. She loved her job and loved the tall, dark-haired man in front of her like a brother, but the stress of her plans combined with the man Jonathan was trying to sell her on was starting to create a monster headache.

“I trust you—you know that—but I run a security agency here,” she tried. “Our clients come to us for help, for protection, and hope—expect—that we do our due diligence with our agents. From what I can tell about this man based on your write-up, he is hotheaded, impulsive and, if I had to guess, your classic lone wolf. In other words, a questionable fit for Orion Security Group.”

Nikki laced her fingers together over the top of the desk. As she spoke, she felt the change in her demeanor from Nikki the friend to Nikki the boss. Jonathan, along with a handful of other Orion employees who doubled as her closest friends, often joked about that change. When Nikki was firm, it was hard to shake her resolve.

“Listen, you know how important this place is to me,” Jonathan said, sobering. “I wouldn’t personally be vouching for someone I didn’t think would benefit Orion and its clients. He has a past, yeah, but you read what happened to him. What happened when he was young.” He paused so she had time to recall what he was talking about.

The stall wasn’t needed. As soon as she’d read the small yet monumental line about his past, she’d known she wouldn’t forget it. Probably couldn’t if she’d tried. Nikki looked back at the man on the screen.

Jonathan must have taken that as a sign to drive his point home. “He’s rough around the edges, but after what he’s been through, after all the excuses he could use—what happened, how people have most likely treated him up until this point—he didn’t once make any excuse or try to sell me a sob story.”

Jonathan gave her a small smile. “You asked me to vet potential recruits and I vetted the hell out of him. He’s a man with drive, focus and raw talent. He can deal out a punch and he can take one, too. I’m not saying we throw him into fieldwork next week, but with time and training I think he could be one of the best.”

Nikki was surprised at that opinion. When she’d started Orion five years ago, Jonathan and his team of Oliver Quinn and Mark Tranton were her first bodyguards as well as first-anything employees. Even though Orion had expanded in the years that followed, hiring more agents and staff, Jonathan and his team were still the best. So, for the most quiet of the three to be standing in front of her now, vouching for a man who was potentially better... Well, that made her pause. She looked at the once-bodyguard, now full-time trainer in front of her. Jonathan was tall, lean and undoubtedly in shape. His hair was dark and short and his face was open and calm. Of the original three, he was the most responsible. Not to mention he was also fiercely loyal to Orion. Maybe, at times, even more so than Nikki.

Orion was his family. One they had all created when they needed one most.

He’d never jeopardize that.

Nikki let out a long, pointed breath. “When did he say he could start?”

Jonathan cracked a smile.

“Today,” he said. “In fact, he’s still in the training room.”

Nikki felt Boss Nikki switch gears to Friend Nikki. She laughed.

“And if I’d said no?” she asked.

“Then this would have been really awkward.”

“Well, I’m glad we can avoid that, then. Now go forth and impart to him all of your unending wisdom and experience,” Nikki said with a flourish. “And I’ll be in there with a contract after I’m done getting ready.”

Jonathan nodded and started to leave.

“But, Mr. Carmichael? If he makes one wrong move, I will exercise my right to terminate him.”

Jonathan didn’t break his stride. “I wouldn’t have expected anything less.”

She watched the trainer walk out of her office and into the heart of Orion. While they’d had continuing success in the last few years, Nikki had decided to keep the main office in Dallas, Texas, the only office. It was important to her to have one fixed place to come back home to. Not just for her, but for all the agents.

There was only one exception, and that was the freelance division, headed by Oliver Quinn out of his and his wife’s home in Maine, but they operated through conference calls and video chats almost daily. Everything else that made up Orion—and Nikki’s life—was within the brick walls of the one-story building. It was within that building, within her office, that she now stared at a bag in the corner. Thoughts of the new recruit, his questionable past and how handsome his picture had been, fizzled out. Instead they were replaced by a nervousness she didn’t often feel.

I hope I don’t blow it tonight.

* * *

JACKSON FIELDS WAS DRENCHED. From head to toe, his clothes were soaked in sweat. They were cold against skin that burned from exertion. His muscles vibrated still, even after they’d taken a break. What had gone from a job offer to talking about the basics had turned into a sparring match with a man surprisingly well experienced.

“You’re fast,” Jonathan said, refilling his cup at the water fountain just outside the training room. “Not as fast as me, but that’ll take some time.”

The man smirked as he said it, cueing Jackson in not to take offense. He was joking with him, something he wasn’t used to from relative strangers.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” Jackson admitted. “Definitely have some potential.”

Jonathan laughed. “I’m glad you think so.” They both finished their water and refilled. Jackson hadn’t worked that hard in a while. Not with a partner at least. It was a welcome feeling.

“So, what happens now?” he asked, wiping the sweat off his brow. “Another round?”

Jonathan looked at the watch on his wrist. “As much as I like your enthusiasm not only to stay late on a Friday night but to keep working, I’m going to have to pass. I promised the lady a home-cooked meal and a night of binge-watching The Blacklist.” His eyes narrowed. “And believe me, you don’t want to anger Kate. She’s got resources.”

There was no ring on his finger, but Jackson didn’t miss the obvious affection in Jonathan’s words.

“Let me go give her a call and then we can hand that contract over to the boss and head out.”

Jackson nodded and drained the rest of his cup. He eyed the bench next to the gym’s door. On it were papers that he hadn’t expected to receive. Within their legal jargon was a job offer he hadn’t thought would come.

With a past like his, he didn’t often catch a break. At least not once his name was heard and the recognition that normally always followed connected. While he was more than willing to show he could work hard by staying even later, he also was anxious to meet the head honcho. Since Jonathan had met Jackson at a bar less than a week earlier and the two had gotten to talking, landing Jackson an informal interview in the process, he hadn’t had the chance to meet the boss. He actually hadn’t even looked him up. Not when a big part of him had thought landing a job with a company in security would never pan out. He’d had too many opportunities go south when they did background checks.

Now that he’d been given an opportunity, he didn’t want to mess anything up.

Jackson looked around the “grazing area” as Jonathan called it, taking in the large common room most agents lounged in from time to time. It was after six on a Friday, so as far as he knew not many people were still inside. An agent named Thomas was locked in his office, poring over papers, and a woman named Jillian had said hello before retreating into her office to do some “security reinforcement,” but beyond that the place was mostly empty. Jackson couldn’t deny he preferred it that way. While he liked Jonathan for his vote of confidence, he wasn’t about to ask the guy to pal around.

He threw away his paper cup and went over to his exercise bag, already picturing the black shirt he was about to change into. Jonathan had suggested he bring a change of clothes if they ended up doing some training. At the time Jackson had thought that was a bit presumptuous, but now he was grateful for the optimistic move. His gray shirt wasn’t hiding any of his perspiration. If he was about to meet the main boss, then he’d at least try to keep his top half somewhat presentable. He stripped off his shirt and grabbed the clean one from his bag. He was holding it in hand when the sound of clicking echoed behind him. He turned, confused.

And then promptly stared.

The clicking was caused by a pair of high heels moving across the hardwood through the grazing area and straight toward him. In those high heels were long legs wrapped in black that attached to a woman not at all looking like she should have been standing in a bodyguard agency. Along with her heels and leather pants, she wore a white blouse that jutted down in a V, partially showing off a chest that wasn’t large but was still generous. She wore a dark red blazer that had no doubt been intended to play off her dark red hair, which fell in large, loose waves and looked absolutely soft to the touch. He didn’t wonder if her hair was natural or not. Her skin was on the pale side and, even though she wore full makeup, he could see a few freckles splashed atop her cheeks. These small details coupled with her high cheekbones, sharp jaw and thin—yet not in a bad way—lips created the image of a confident, beautiful woman. Jackson knew he took in all the details quickly, but as he looked into the green-eyed, unending stare of the absolutely attractive woman in front of him, he wondered if he really had been staring for too long.

The woman cleared her throat, and her eyes flicked downward quickly before coming back up. Her cheeks, rosy already, seemed to take on another shade of blush. Jackson realized he was still standing without his shirt.

“Sorry,” he said, hurriedly throwing on his spare. The woman smiled and waved her hand, dismissive.

“You’d be surprised how many shirtless men I run into while in here,” she said. “I suppose it’s an occupational hazard, especially since we had the gym put in.”

Jackson’s brow rose as he lowered his shirt.

“You work here?” he asked, confused. Dressed as she was, he’d assumed maybe she had come in as one of Jillian’s friends or maybe even Thomas’s girlfriend. Certainly not an employee.

The woman smirked. “You could say that.”

She stuck out her hand. He noted a silver band on her thumb and pristine fingernails and polish. Whoever she was, he’d bet her attention to detail always erred on the side of meticulous. Jackson shook and was surprised at how firm her grip was.

“You’re Jackson Fields, right?”

Jackson nodded.

“Jonathan speaks highly of you. I see you’ve probably been sparring.”

“Yeah, it’s been a while since I had a good match,” he admitted. “He’s good.”

The woman nodded.

“He’s smart, too,” she added. “He knows how to handle difficult situations with objective thinking and rarely acts impulsively. He’s a smart kind of brawn and one of the best examples of knowing how to fight smart versus flying off the hinges.”

Jackson tilted his head slightly. The woman’s tone had shifted into that of a parent talking about someone else when really she was trying to teach her kid the lesson. A passively pointed conversation. One directed at him. He crossed his arms over his chest and gave the woman a long look. He didn’t care how attractive she was; he didn’t like being lectured.

“Some would argue that thinking too much can sometimes complicate a situation more than acting impulsively,” he shot back, tone matching.

“And most of those people find themselves on the wrong end of those situations when all they needed to have done was take a beat and think logically.”

Any trace of a smile had been wiped from her lips. Jackson knew he’d met his match.

“Acting on impulse suggests passion,” he said. “When you have passion as your driving force, you are harder to slow down. To stop. To beat. Taking the time to overthink everything suggests that that person doesn’t really care what he’s fighting for.” He shrugged. “And, in my opinion, I would bet that person doesn’t even know what passion is.” The last part was, of course, meant for the woman in front of him. The one judging him like all the others had done before and still did. He raised his eyebrow at her just in case she missed his jab. She wasn’t the only one who could be passive.

The woman’s jaw set hard, her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned slightly. She looked like she was rearing for a comeback when Jonathan walked in from the hallway. He smiled at the two of them and walked over.

“I see you’ve already met the boss, then,” Jonathan greeted.

Jackson’s eyes widened.

Of course she was the boss.

Nikki Waters.

She cut eye contact with him when she answered the man. “We were just having a pleasant conversation in which I think Mr. Fields was implying I needed more passion in my life.”

Jonathan burst into laughter.

“Rough around the edges, remember?” he said.

Nikki held out her hand in response.

“Your contract, please,” she said to Jackson. He handed it to her without a word. Not because he was intimidated or embarrassed, but because he didn’t just want this job. He needed it. Unless he’d already shot himself in the foot. Instead of tearing up the papers like he was afraid she might, Nikki put the folder beneath her arm and fixed him with a fierce stare. “Now, if you two will excuse me, I have an important meeting.”

Jonathan seemed to sober a bit.

“Good luck,” he said. She nodded, turning on her heel. She paused long enough to say something to the trainer.

“And his hair is too shaggy.”

Then she was gone.

* * *

NIKKI TAPPED HER heel against the ceramic tile and desperately wanted not one but several more drinks. She didn’t often indulge in alcohol, but tonight of all nights she found her nerves craved it. Looking at the people around her, all in varying physical descriptors, ethnicities, ages and interests, she questioned why she was even there.

Was there not another way?

Was this her last option?

Would this even work?

“—so I have to stay in perfect shape all the time,” the man across the table from her said, obviously proud. “How could I help people sculpt the perfect bodies if their fitness instructor didn’t have one, too?”

Nikki’s need for another drink was almost as great as the mass of the man’s biceps. She gave him a polite smile that she hoped wouldn’t be construed as romantic interest. The man might have been attractive, but in the two minutes they’d had to talk he hadn’t once asked her a question. If Nikki had wanted to sit in silence, she would have stayed at home instead of coming out to a speed-dating event.

“I actually had a woman come up to me after class and say I changed her life with my w—”

A bell went off and Nikki nearly clapped. The man seemed upset he couldn’t finish his “stories of me,” but she had no doubt he’d continue them with the woman at the next table. He didn’t say goodbye as he stood up and started to leave. Nikki took the opportunity to pull her phone out of her purse and check the time.

Her thoughts jumped to the man back at Orion who had clearly made the accusation that she didn’t know what passion was. Even though she’d known Jackson Fields probably wasn’t the best conversationalist, she’d been surprised at his quickness to undercut her subtle accusation with one of his own. Those blue-gray eyes hadn’t backed down and hadn’t submitted. In his short rebuttal about “passion” he’d been passionate.

Nikki sighed.

He’d also been right about his assumption of her lacking passion.

But maybe, just maybe, tonight would help with that side of her life.

Before she could leave thoughts of him behind, she pictured him again. Even though he’d been shirtless, showcasing a tan and a toned chest, it was his smile that had first caught her attention. Despite his past, it had been strong, showing a man who looked confident, even if his dirty blond hair shagged out over his ears and his cut jaw had sported a little more than a five o’clock shadow. She’d bet he hadn’t been expecting to actually get offered the job. Or else, hopefully, he would have tried to look a bit more kempt. Though she hadn’t necessarily been put off by his appearance, either, shirt or not.

Nikki shook her head, trying to sling off the snapshots of his body. Tonight wasn’t about him or work. It was about Nikki and trying to find someone she could laugh with, share some quality time with. Someone compatible who didn’t scare easily when she told him she ran an agency of muscled men who had protected hundreds of people over the years.

She put her phone back in her purse and pasted on a smile as someone cleared his throat, bringing her attention to the new man in front of her.

She froze.

This man was definitely not the one she was looking for.

“I know we’re supposed to tell each other good things about ourselves in the hope of making a meaningful connection in the next two minutes,” he started. “But how about instead I use that time to tell you about all the things wrong with you?” He gave a smile. It sent ice through her. “What do you say to that, Miss Waters?”