Page 5 of Once a Killer

He approached more cautiously this time. But when he tried to use his leg to sweep her feet out from under her, she jumped over his leg, grabbed it and used it to throw him on the floor.

He tried several more times, growing more and more frustrated. Finally, landing hard on his back, the wind knocked out of him, he lay with his arms and legs splayed, stared at the ceiling and caught his breath.

Finally he climbed slowly to his feet. Peered down at her, his eyes narrowed as his gaze traveled slowly from her head to her toes. Back up to her head. Frowned, as if he couldn’t believe what he saw. “How the hell did you pull off those moves?”

“Training. Practice. Repetition.” She shrugged. “Protecting people, knowing how to defend them, is my job, Mr. Ford. Just like writing computer programs is your job. How doyoudothat?”

His gaze swept over her again. Lingered this time. He sucked in a breath. “Fine. I get it. I apologize,” he muttered, surprising her. “I honestly didn’t think you’d kick my ass the way you did.”

“You still want to call Mel and ask for a different bodyguard?”

“Hell, no,” he said immediately. “Anyone who wants to come after me will look at you and think the same thing I did. ‘Piece of cake’.” His mouth curled into a smile. “In fact, I look forward to witnessing that at some point.”

Her smile vanished. “Donotwish for someone to attack you,” she said, shaking her head at him. “Most attackers carry a knife or a gun. Or both. They’re not going to run at me and try to take me down. They’ll just try to shoot me. Or gut me. Then they’ll get started on you.”

“That’s a cheery thought,” he said.

She exhaled slowly. Forced herself to relax. Okay, then. “Now, can you tell me about the threats you’ve perceived? The incidents you’ve had?”

“I can do that, but not on an empty stomach. You hungry?”

“I’m always hungry.”

“How does Thai food sound?”

“Not a lot of Thai restaurants in the wilds of Montana, but I’m game to try it. Order me anything without meat. Seafood is okay, though.”

“I’ll put in an order, then we can talk.” He nodded at her suitcase and briefcase, both sitting beside the door. “That all you have?”

“That’s it.”

“I’ll show you the spare bedroom.” He started down the hall toward the dining room, then stopped. “Sorry, I assumed you’d be staying here.”

“You assumed correctly. Twenty-four hour protection means just that. I’ll be with you all day and all night.”

He nodded. “Good. That’s what I want.” He turned and continued down the hall. Turned left, then left again. “This is your room. Sorry it doesn’t have its own bathroom. These three-flats were built in the 1920’s and 30’s. There wasn’t room for extra bathrooms. We’ll be sharing the one between this bedroom and mine.”

“Works for me,” she said, setting her bags on the floor.

Ford pulled out his phone and tapped an icon. Clearly, he ordered food from this Thai place often. “Hi,” he said. “Jameson Ford here. I’d like to order pad see ew with veggies, red curry with shrimp, eggplant basil and papaya salad. Enough for two.”

He listened for a moment, nodding. Finally he said, “Can you have Davy deliver it?”

“Thanks,” he said after another moment, and disconnected.

“You must order from them a lot if you have a favorite delivery guy,” she said, leaning against the wall as she studied Jameson Ford.

He shook his head. “Davy’s one of two delivery guys they use. I ask for him because I know him. I don’t want anyone I don’t know and recognize coming to my apartment.”

Bree studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. That’s why he’d hired a bodyguard. “Smart.”

“I thought so,” he said coolly. “Even though some people might say I was paranoid.”

She wondered who’d said that. Because clearly, based on his clenched jaw and curled fists, someone had. It’d be good to know who, and she’d ask him later. “It’s not paranoid if someone’s out to get you,” she said.

“You’ve got an interesting world view,” he said, sliding his phone into his pocket.

“Comes with the territory,” she answered. “While we’re waiting on the food, you want to fill me in on what’s been going on?”

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