Page 2 of Body Heat

But I wasn’t happy that he’d sprung this appointment on me at the last minute, knowing damn well I’d think he was going overboard. He could be over the top sometimes, and it definitely felt like this was one of them.

His office was only a mile down the street, but he’d had an SUV with blacked-out windows pick us up at the back door his employees used. Even though nobody was in the parking lot, he shoved a cap and glasses at me to help disguise my identity. It must’ve worked because the guard at the front desk barely glanced my way before waving us through to the elevators. The receptionist also didn’t react when Carl gave her his name, and we were quickly ushered into a corner office.

After spotting the security team he’d hired, I was struck by the knowledge that I wouldn’t be able to take any of them in a fight. I was a big guy who was paid millions of dollars to keep his body in peak physical shape, but they had an air of lethalness that I couldn’t match—including the hot as fuck woman who was perched on the far corner of the desk.

The lean muscles in her calves and biceps made me think that she might just be as serious about her workouts as I was. But it was her unflinching gaze that set her apart from any other female I’d ever met before. This woman not only knew herself but she was also comfortable in her own skin. Her confidence was one hell of a turn-on.

The man sitting behind the desk stood as we walked toward him. He reached his hand out to shake Carl’s.

“Thanks for meeting with us so quickly, Brecken.” Carl turned to me, and added, “This is my client, Rowan Charles.”

“My client too now.” The man’s focus shifted to me, and he stretched his arm out again. “I’m sorry it isn’t under better circumstances.”

“It never is,” one of the guys to my left mumbled. He was sitting with his legs stretched out. The other one reached over and slapped him upside the head, earning himself a glare.

“That’s Whit and Devon.” Brecken pointed at each man as he said their name. “They, along with Sera”—he jerked his chin in the woman’s direction—“make up the team I’ve assigned to you.”

“Nice to meet you.” My greeting was meant for all of them, but my focus remained on Sera.

“Carl tells me you have a stalker.” All our heads swung back in Brecken’s direction.

“Yeah,” I confirmed with a shrug. “It's not the first time I've had one, but Carl is concerned that my retirement announcement triggered this guy and is taking his interest in me to a new level.”

“I don't just think it; I know it,” Carl argued. He pulled out copies of the notes I’d received from his briefcase and set them on the desk in front of us. “This guy has been writing to him ever since he was drafted. For years, he’s talked about how he’s Rowan’s biggest fan. That all changed when he announced his retirement. The cops agree the tone of the letters is different now, and the risk level to Rowan has increased. They’re the ones who suggested I hire him some private security.”

Brecken read the notes and handed them over to Sera. “It's my understanding that you want one of my operatives to go in with a cover so nobody knows they're on close protection detail. Is that correct?”

“Absolutely,” Carl confirmed. “The last thing we need right now is a scandal. It could hurt Rowan's chances of locking down a gig after retirement, as well as put some of his endorsements at risk. We can’t afford for that to happen.”

Maybe he couldn’t, but I sure as fuck could. If I ever ended up having a family, they’d be set for generations to come even if I didn’t work another day after this season ended. But now wasn’t the time to argue with Carl over my plans for the future.

“We’ve had similar cases where protecting the client from scrutiny was second only to their safety.” Brecken gestured to Sera. “In your case, utilizing one of my female operatives for your close protection detail seems the wisest course of action because her presence can easily be explained away.”

“Whoa, wait.” Carl gave Brecken an incredulous look. “Are you trying to tell us that she”—he pointed at Sera—“is going to be responsible for Rowan’s safety?”

Brecken leaned back in his chair and nodded. “If you want to keep the situation under wraps and avoid questions from the media, she’s your best bet.”

“No. No way. Not a chance in hell.” Carl shook his head. “He's not going to have some chick on his arm pretending to be a badass when the danger is real. Rowan needs someone who can actually do something about this guy if he escalates to violence.”

Whit and Devon snorted, but they bit back their laughter when Brecken shifted his gaze their way. Sera’s eyes gleamed with humor, but she didn't say a word in her defense. I was intrigued by her lack of response. Most women would’ve lost their shit, but she seemed completely unbothered by the trash talk Carl was flinging in her direction.

I wouldn't be nearly as set financially without his hard work, but that didn't mean I wasn't aware Carl could be a bit of a prick at times. Normally, his attitude meant good things for me because it was why he was such a great negotiator. But not today. Not with this woman.

“Back off,” I ordered him. “You said these guys are the best in the business, and they’re giving us exactly what you wanted.”

Carl’s eyes widened in shock. “You're really okay with having this bit of fluff in charge of your safety?”

“Bit of fluff?” Whit echoed in disbelief.

“Dude, they really don't know her at all,” Devon added.

Sera slid off the desk and looked at the Whit. Some form of unspoken communication passed between them, and he jumped up and moved toward her. When he got within two feet of her, his arm whipped out in a jab aimed straight for her head. She deftly blocked the blow and countered with a hit of her own.

What followed next was a shock to Carl…and maybe me a little bit, too. Within the small confines of the office and without coming close to where we sat, they went full force at each other. I’d never seen anything like it before. The two co-workers sparred as though their lives were on the line, the man holding nothing back just because Sera was a woman.

Brecken let it continue for a minute or two before he barked, “Enough.” Then his gaze swung to Carl and me. “My employees don't need to prove themselves to you. They’ve more than proven themselves to me, on the battlefield and off. If that's not good enough for you, then you can hire another firm.”

After glaring at Carl, I turned to Brecken. “It’s my decision to make, and I’m comfortable with the team you've assigned me.”

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