It wasn’t that he thought he was invincible, but he knew his business—and that business was the protection of others. Over the years, he’d built a network of allies and he never thought twice about calling in favors. And now that it was Lennox’s well-being at stake, he’d use every avenue open to him.
Did Roland expect to be in this position? No. But after last night, when she’d raced across the room to his arms and buried her face in his chest, he didn’t have any choice. He’d never forget the look on her face. She had held onto him so tight. In that moment, he’d felt connected to her in a way he hadn’t with any woman since Becca.
That very thought should have shaken him to the core…but it didn’t. He figured it was just his protective instincts kicking in. And right now, Lennox desperately needed his protection. Just the thought of what she’d endured over the last twenty-four hours made his blood boil.
“So, now you understand. Can you please deprogram this car or take me somewhere I can pick up a rental.”
Pick up a rental?Did she not know how easily traceable that was? He looked into those gorgeous—innocent--whiskey brown eyes. Nope, she didn’t. In fact, he didn’t think she had any idea of what she’d truly gotten herself into. So he simply opened the car door and pulled her out.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked when he swept her up into his arms.
“Protecting you.”
She twisted around. “Did you hear what I said? I don’t want you for my bodyguard.”
He looked down at her. “I heard you.”
“And?”
“And it’s not up to you.”
“Why not?”
He put her on her feet in front of the three men. “The four of us are the best my company has to offer. And in this situation, you’re going to need the best. Would you prefer that one of these men take my place in protecting you?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s too dangerous for them as well. They have families.” She shook her head. “I can protect myself. I don’t want anyone else getting hurt—not because of me.”
Rolling his eyes, Roland said, “Now you are acting emotionalandvery illogical, Lennox.”
Roland decided to take another approach. “Summers Security Firm doesn’t turn down any business, no matter the risk. We tailor our staff to meet our clients’ specific needs. I am the most experienced in the company, which is why you’re still alive. And I intend to keep you that way. But just so you know, the rare times that I do engage in fieldwork, I don’t come cheap.”
She glared at him. “Fine. I’ll pay you whatever you charge for your services.”
He hid a smile. That little ruse had worked according to plan. Glancing over at Stonewall, he asked, “Have you heard from Joy?”
Roland knew Stonewall, Quasar and Striker were fighting back grins at the way he’d managed to calm Lennox’s ruffled feathers. They knew as well as he did that what he’d told her about what he earned was utter bullshit. “Yes. Five men are dead, including the two you left to fry in the car that hit the building.”
“What about the other three?” Lennox asked, placing her hand to her chest. “I hope none were federal agents protecting me.”
“No agents. All bad guys pretending to be cops.”
“Any arrests?” Roland asked.
“Yes, three. Of course, the Feds swooped right in to pick them up.” Stonewall glanced at Lennox. “Joy gave mea message to pass along to you. She said to tell you a Special Agent Warner regrets what happened and intends to find out who leaked the route you were taking.”
“He can take his regrets and shove them,” Roland said, displaying no pretense and stating how he really felt.
“And Agent Warner also wanted you to know he would keep his word about the decoy,” Stonewall finished.
Roland looked over at the three men. “From here on out, any contact between us will be done on Cleo.”
“What’s Cleo?” Lennox asked.
“A special phone that’s high-tech, untraceable and can’t get hacked,” Roland said. There was no need to further explain that Cleo was a communication program created by Dak’s company and that a similar program, also created by Dak, was being used by the CIA and military forces involved in covert operations.
He glanced at Striker. “Let Margo and Frazier know I’m alright, but I’ll be gone for a couple of weeks, working on an assignment.”
Striker nodded. “Will do.”