Beck Read online

  “I want to check out the premises before I settle in. Sleep tight,” I said.

  Chapter Two

  Abbie

  “If you’re going out, you’ll need the keys,” I said and fished the set from my pocket. I had put them there in case I had to run.

  “Thank you,” he said. “I shouldn’t take long, and I promise not to wake you.”

  Crossing my arms over my chest, I peered out the window. It was pitch-black outside, and the street lamps weren’t bright enough to illuminate the dark driveways and enormous yards lined with trees.

  “Are you sure it’s safe to go out there? It’s so dark out.”

  He grinned, and my spine tingled, sending sensations to my toes. I don’t know what it was about him. He was not my type at all. He wasn’t bald, brawny, or had bulging muscles. I also liked men well over six feet. My kind of man was very tall, aggressive, and muscled from his neck to his ankles. He had to be everything my father would hate in a man, except abusive, a liar, and a cheater. Those things I wouldn’t tolerate.

  Beck—I believed he’d said that was his name—was tall but not nearly as tall as I liked a man, and he came off as polite, not aggressive. But by golly, he was handsome.

  His luscious black hair was neatly trimmed, and so was the dark scruff on his face. He had dark eyes also. I couldn’t tell if they were black or really dark blue. The foyer was lit by low recess lighting instead of the large crystal chandelier. And the family room only had the light of the television flickering from it.

  The aura around Beck suggested he’d broken a heart or two since he’d reached puberty. I scanned his hands—no ring. Though the absence of a token of love didn’t mean he wasn’t taken.

  Oh man, what was I doing? A relationship with any man was out of the question. Eddie was the love of my life. When I’d moved up in my career as an on-air reporter for Channel 7 News, Eddie put me through the wringer. He claimed I was abandoning him and our relationship for my job.

  I’d worked hard to land a job as a television reporter, and opportunities weren’t handed to me because of my father’s status as a renowned surgeon. I had to work my behind off to get where I was. When the hiring manager reached out to me, I took the job not to spite Eddie or our relationship, but to help my career as a journalist.

  Working for a network that in the beginning, sent me around town to taste the food, interview interesting people, and attend events was everything I had imagined it’d be. And to be chosen from hundreds of applicants wasn’t something to thumb my nose at; this was right up my alley.

  Although Eddie had refused to take my calls after I quit my job as a journalist for an online newspaper, he came around after four months of separation. Our conversations were stressed in the beginning, and he hadn’t asked me to rekindle our relationship outright. But Eddie was a smooth operator and did things to benefit him. I just had to figure out what he wanted from me.

  Plus, I hadn’t seen him in weeks. We talked through text messages and made plans that always fell through at the last minute, but I wouldn’t give up trying, though he made no real effort to keep the ball rolling.

  After four years together and hints from friends about him being unfaithful, I almost doubted we would happen. But we had. I loved Eddie, and wouldn’t give him up because of rumors. I had no proof Eddie had cheated, and I wasn’t looking to start any fights with him about it.

  I shook off the chill stalking through my body to listen to Beck.

  “I’ll be fine,” Beck said. “The rain has stopped, so it won’t take me long to look around.”

  “Are you sure it’s okay for you to be out there without backup? Can’t you call your partner to walk with you?”

  He smiled again. “Don’t worry; I’m a big boy and can handle myself.”

  “Of course you can. I didn’t mean to insinuate you couldn’t.”

  He raised his hand to quiet me. “Ms. Parker, if you’re afraid to stay alone until I get back, I won’t go out; I get it.”

  I had to bite my lip to keep the scream of joy inside. I was afraid to stay alone after what had happened, even with him posted downstairs. I was scared of the five empty bedrooms upstairs, and a glass patio door that a brick could sail through with ease. Then there was the basement that was accessible from outside. The basement was incredibly large, with space for a person to stay hidden for days.

  How could I tell him at my age that I was scared of things that go bump in the night? “I’m not scared.”

  There was something in his eyes, and since I didn’t know him, there was no way to determine if he was terrible at hiding what he was thinking or if it was his way of letting a person know they were lying. Either way, the expression that crept across his face told me he had read me like a book.

  He closed the door. “There’s probably no one out there. It has been a few hours, and if he had a buddy, he’s long gone now. If you’re ready to hit the sack, I’ll be in the family room getting some work done.”

  His staying indoors made me feel better, but there was still the matter of going upstairs alone. A lot of my fears were self-inflicted; I shouldn’t have watched “The Shining” while in the house alone. But I loved horror movies.

  When I was younger, my mother and I would curl up on the sofa and watch scary movies on weekends she wasn’t traveling for work. We’d pig out on junk food in front of the television and try to figure who was the culprit or the next one to get slashed. Dad wouldn’t dare watch with us. He claimed he wasn’t afraid, and complained that the acting was horrible and the storylines were unbelievable. Mom and I knew better, though.

  Those were the days I remembered fondly before everything went to hell.

  I gave Beck my patented smile. “I am a little tired. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He nodded. “Goodnight.”

  A flush of warmth showered me as he looked me over. “Goodnight,” I said.

  *****

  Later that morning, we arrived at the office of GDB Security. It was nothing like I was expecting. I didn’t know what to expect actually. Maybe a place that resembled a police station with men and women walking around in uniform. Instead, the offices were elegant and the people dressed professionally.

  As we sat in a conference room and discussed a case I wasn’t sure was necessary, my father was on speakerphone stating his reasons for wanting protection for me. If I had known a home invasion attempt would’ve escalated to this, I could have easily packed my suitcases and gone to a hotel. My condo was being repaired, thanks to the unit above me. The owner let a water leak go unattended until the pipe burst, flooding my kitchen and guest bathroom.

  “Dr. Parker, do you have any idea who would want to harm you?” Davonte Hawkins asked.

  I listened to Mr. Hawkins question my father. He seemed to take the lead of the conversation, while another man, Declan Briggs sat in on the meeting. He was introduced as a partner in GDB and would assist Beck if needed.

  “Not that I can name off the top of my head,” my father replied. “I don’t have any enemies in my personal life, but as a doctor, that could be a different story.”

  “Right. Do you recall having any harsh encounters with a patient, present, or past?” Mr. Hawkins asked. “I mean, sometimes we see disagreements as what they are, but some people can take it a step further.”

  “I understand what you’re saying, Mr. Hawkins. As a doctor, I can’t always predict the outcome of a patient’s care. There have been instances I expected a patient to make a full recovery only to have something go wrong, and the patient dies. I will check my caseload and see if I’ve had an encounter with the family of a patient that this has happened to lately.”

  “Don’t just look at current cases, Dr. Parker,” Mr. Briggs said. “Go back a few years. For a family member of a patient who died unexpectedly, the grief could’ve slowly simmered. The best-laid plans take time to organize.”

  “I’ll have my secretary start pulling records. Once I’m back in the countr
y, I’ll start sifting through them and get you what you need. Until then, can I depend on you to keep my daughter safe? She’s all I have, and obviously, this person knows that.”

  “Dad, I’ll be fine,” I interjected. “I really think you’re blowing this out of proportion. It was probably just a home invasion that went bad.”

  “Abbie, please let me do this for my peace of mind. If they can determine that’s all it was, then of course I’ll drop the bodyguard. Until then, just placate me.”

  I rolled my eyes. As the only female in a room full of testosterone, I was outnumbered. This was their business, and of course they wouldn’t say anything to dissuade my father from hiring them.

  I didn’t want a strange man hanging around me everywhere I went. I had a job and friends. It would be cool if he were a boyfriend and not a stranger who would judge me while I shopped or turn up his nose at my choices in food. And what if I wanted to hang out with my girls? He’d have to do that with me too? This wasn’t sounding like fun at all.

  “I feel it is unnecessary, Dad, but it is your money,” I said. “Plus, I’ll be going home in a few days, then what? What about my assignments at work? Nothing about this will be fun for him.”

  Mr. Hawkins said, “We can provide her services wherever she goes, Dr. Parker. Beck Pavlov is assigned to her case and is available to travel. If needed, he’ll be provided backup through our network of trained men and women. I promise you’ll have nothing to worry about in your absence.”

  “Well, I’ve heard about you and Mr. Briggs, and I’ve had contact with Beck. He is professional and proficient in his duties as a security guard, but is he of your caliber as a bodyguard?”

  I glanced over at Beck, who sat quietly as my father questioned his abilities to protect me. His expression had not changed. It was as if he’d expected his skills to be challenged.

  Davonte gave Beck a reassuring glance. “I can assure you, Mr. Pavlov is highly qualified to protect your daughter. We were waiting for an opening to place him as a bodyguard—you provided that opening for him. And he is the one that single-handedly took down the perpetrator at your residence.”

  There was a pause before my father spoke again. He could be judgmental and sometimes looked down at others from the high tower he perched upon. It irritated me how he’d forgotten his humble beginnings. He wasn’t always a successful doctor. It took years to build his reputation as he sat in the shadows of the doctors who had groomed him.

  Now that he had a stellar reputation, it went to his head at times—now being one of them. But I was his only child, and I guessed it was his nature as a parent to want to protect me. Or he could be attempting to make up for the wrongs he’d done in my life.

  “All right,” my father said. “You’re hired. I expect Mr. Pavlov to be on Abbie’s heels every step she takes until I return home. If one hair on her head is harmed, I’ll have his. Do you understand, Mr. Pavlov—do all of you understand what I’m saying?”

  Beck leaned forward in his chair to make sure my father heard him clearly. “I won’t let her out of my sight, Dr. Parker. And trust, I understand what you’re saying.”

  “We do too,” Davonte added. “I’ll send you the documents to sign electronically. This will give us permission to be on your premises and for Beck to move in temporarily with your daughter. It’ll also give him permission to make the best judgments for your daughter’s safety in case she tries to ditch him. We’ve had this happen with clients’ kids who don’t care for the hovering.”

  My brows pinched. I lifted my finger to each of the men in the room and raised my voice so my father could feel my wrath, since he couldn’t see me. “First, I will not be disrespected or treated like an adolescent. I’m a grown woman with a mind of my own; please be cognizant of that. Second, I only agree with this to appease my father’s fears. And Dad, I don’t need your permission to walk away from this if I feel it necessary, and you know why.”

  I hadn’t meant to sound mean, but our relationship was strained, and he was well aware of why.

  Silence filled the air before my father groaned. “As you see, Abbie will not be an easy task. I apologize in advance, Mr. Pavlov.”

  Beck cleared his throat. “No apologies are necessary, Dr. Parker. I’ll respect Ms. Parker’s wishes and not step on her toes.”

  Davonte and Briggs shook their heads. It was as if they had a secret Beck wasn’t aware of but soon would find out. Whatever.

  I wouldn’t be difficult or give Beck a hard time doing his job; I just refused to cower to a crazy person. We’re only given one life, and I intended on living mine on my terms and not that of a bully.

  Davonte stacked the papers in his hands and slid them inside a red folder. “Okay, gentlemen, this concludes our meeting. Dr. Parker, expect the electronic paperwork as soon as my secretary can forward it to you. Thank you for choosing GDB Security to protect your person and family.”

  “Thank you, gentlemen. You especially, Beck. I know I don’t usually praise what you do for our snobby little community, but we need to be nicer to those watching over us, and I respect you and what you do.”

  Beck nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

  I started to stand when I was asked to stay seated for a minute by Mr. Briggs. “Ms. Parker, we need a few minutes with Beck. Do you mind waiting here?”

  I shook my head. “Take your time,” I replied. Taking my phone from my purse, I swiped it open to text my mother.

  “Please don’t mention what is going on, Ms. Parker,” Davonte said. “It is best that no one knows Beck is a bodyguard. We want to flush this guy out, not drive him away.”

  My shoulders slumped. “I can’t tell my mother or close friends what’s going on? How am I supposed to explain him hanging around?”

  Briggs rubbed his neatly trimmed beard. He was stunning with his ginger good looks and masculine body. Actually, both men were gorgeous. Davonte Hawkins was tall, with dark chocolate skin, and low-cut hair brushed into waves. He was muscular, too. As handsome as they both were, I didn’t like either of them right now.

  Briggs continued, “You can introduce him as a friend from college or your childhood. How you handle that story is up to you and him to decide. We just ask you don’t compromise his position. That could be dangerous for both of you.”

  I dropped the phone into my purse and sat back. “Fine, I won’t say anything.”

  Chapter Three

  Beck

  I walked into Davonte’s office behind Briggs. The three top guys hung out together but didn’t ignore the lower guys on the totem pole. They offered nights out at a favorite pizza joint that offered karaoke, game nights, and other fun activities GDB sponsored for their employees.

  I hadn’t always participated in those events. I had my own demons to deal with, and my mood didn’t fit the partying crowd. Not doing so put me at a disadvantage with the bosses. I didn’t know them on a buddy level, but we were friends, and they insisted I not be so formal with them.

  From what I knew about them, I didn’t want to land on their bad side: three badass men who’d transformed themselves and built a business worth millions.

  Davonte motioned me to a seat in front of his desk. I sat and crossed a knee over my leg. Briggs took the chair next to me. I wasn’t nervous but curious about why I was separated from Abbie. If I needed new credentials, those could’ve been given to me in the conference room.

  Davonte lifted his head from the computer he’d been staring at intently. “Okay. I don’t have to go over many rules with you. Basically, the same rules apply to bodyguards as to security guards. Put the client first, but protect yourself in the process. If you find yourself backed in a corner, call us. Don’t try to defuse a difficult situation on your own; that’s why we’re here.”

  I nodded. “Got it.”

  “Last, I know it doesn’t seem like many of us follow this rule, but try to keep it professional with the client.” Davonte rolled his eyes at Briggs.

  “Hey! Don’t point
fingers at me,” Briggs snapped. “What happened with Randi took me by surprise. I was not looking to fall in love with a client.”

  Davonte laughed. “Dude, chill. I was kidding.”

  I wasn’t sure if Davonte was kidding or not, but I got the message he was relaying. “I get it, Davonte. No fraternizing with Ms. Parker. That won’t be a problem, since I don’t, um…”

  Briggs narrowed his eyes. “You don’t what? Date women? Or date in general?”

  Davonte leaned back in his chair and rubbed a finger across his upper lip. “Nah, I know what he’s saying. He doesn’t date outside his race. That’s cool, bro; I just ask you don’t disrespect her. She is a public figure, as well as a client, and we show all our clients respect.”

  Whoa. What did they think about me? I sat up in the chair. “Wait. I have nothing against Ms. Parker’s race. I think she is a nice person and would never disrespect her or GDB. Guys, I’m not like my former partner.”

  “I’m not saying you’re like your former partner, Beck. If that were the case, you wouldn’t be working for us,” Briggs said. “What I am saying is there are couples in interracial relationships and marriages that work here. If that isn’t for you, fine, but it can be a sensitive subject. Around here, we want our employees to feel comfortable, no matter what their race, creed, or religion. We don’t cross those barriers.”

  “I don’t have anything against what other people do,” I said. “And love is about the heart and supposed to be color-blind. I don’t have a problem with any of it.”

  “Good,” Briggs said.

  “Don’t feel we’re singling you out,” Davonte said. “We have this conversation with every new bodyguard. If there is any discomfort with clients because of their race or background, we make the change early, so there aren’t any problems later.”

  I relaxed in my chair. “To be honest, I did feel I was being singled out, so—thanks for clearing that up.” I released a breath. “There is more to this job than I thought.”