Her Covert Protector (Rogue Protectors Book 4)

Garrison could do this stare-down all day.

“I need more bacon,” Nadia announced and left the three of them standing by the doorway.

Meanwhile Gabby pointed two fingers to her eyes and then turned them on him, letting John know that she was watching his every move.

“That’s right,” Kelso added and leaned in to him. “Watch yourself, Garrison.”

“Get out of here.” He gave a shake of his head, feeling more annoyance than intimidation from Nadia’s team.

“Just saying …” Gabby backed up to the outside, before shooting him a smirk and swiveling on her heel to leave. John and Kelso remained laser-locked in their gazes for a second longer before the other man followed his partner’s exit.

He promptly let the door swing shut.

When he turned to face the woman who was at the center of contention, she was busy stuffing bacon into her mouth.

“They’re overprotective,” Nadia told him. “And it’s irritating the hell out of me.”

“That’s fine.”

“It’s not fine if we’re still trying to figure out what’s going on between us. We don’t need them sticking their noses in it.”

“Agreed. However, it’s another hurdle I’m prepared for. Besides, I think they’re the least of our concerns.”

Her head tilted in question.

“Your father and his friends.”

Nadia groaned, but she gave a breathy laugh that John felt straight to his dick. Damn, her face was already gorgeous, but when she laughed like that, it transformed to a beauty that mesmerized him. He knew exactly why she wore glasses. She didn’t have a vision problem. It was part of a disguise since she was twelve. She hid behind her jeweled frames and trendy shoes, using them as a form of expression. But when she lit up like that? Her genuine Nadia smile was blinding, and he absolutely adored the sound of her laughter.

“Why are you even smiling?” she asked. “If you think Kelso and Gabby are annoying, wait until you meet the MoMoS.”

“MoMoS?”

“The merry old men of SkyeLark apartments.”

He crossed his arms. “Oh, I know everything about them, down to their favorite takeout restaurants.”

“Seriously? Stop pulling files on people around me. That’s blatant invasion of privacy that has nothing to do with your job.”

John uncrossed his arms and advanced on her. Nadia took a step back, but she was trapped by the counter bar. He braced a hand against either side of it, boxing her in.

“I disagree. You’re right smack in the middle of a case I’m working on. But, more than anything, I intend to focus my time and attention on you.”

“When did you decide that?”

“I had a lot of free time on my hands to stop and ponder my priorities.”

Her eyes clouded, but John didn’t want to get into his epiphany during his time in captivity. “No, Nadia. I’m not going to give you a play-by-play of my journey into self-enlightenment.” He smiled faintly. “I’d rather show you.

“Stop making light of your abduction.”

He leaned in. “I’m not. But if you’re going to use it as an excuse to drive a wedge between us, I’d rather not discuss this here. I still need to pack a few things.”

“You’re leaving again?”

“No. I’m moving in with you.”

John relished seeing the shock on her face. Nadia’s mouth formed an “Oh,” so of course he kissed it. Actually, he could think about several other things to do with those lips, but John was a fan of working for things.

“Are you insane?”

“You need my secure Wi-Fi,” he told her.

“I have one at home.”

“Not as secure as my portable one.”

That made her pause. “True, especially since we’re dealing with hackers …hmm…” she tapped her fingers on her lips as if weighing the pros and cons.

“We could stay here—but,” he quickly added when he saw the mutiny in her eyes—“I know you wouldn’t want to be separated from your dad. And I don’t think Stephen would appreciate me sequestering his daughter.”

“You got that right, buddy, but I’m not stupid either. Is it going to be safe for me to stay where I am after what happened with Maxim?”

“You know their MO. If these motherfuckers can’t get to you, they’ll go after the ones you love, and most of the time, that’s worse.” Which was why men like John rarely formed attachments. It was a lonely life, but he thought he was good with it. Apparently, this smart and beautiful crime analyst was his downfall. “We keep up with the whereabouts of your dad and the other guys. I doubt they’ll agree to a safe house.”

“Oh, God, no,” Nadia snorted a laugh. “They’re great friends but I don’t doubt they’d start killing each other if they lived in the same house.”

John chuckled. “I figured that.” He started backing away because her freshly showered scent was an unholy temptation to dirtying her up. “I’ll be a minute.”

“We need to stop at the pharmacy to pick up Dad’s meds,” Nadia said. She texted her father before they left John’s house and she volunteered to pick up his prescription. Stephen was healthy except for his elevated blood pressure which was manageable with medication.

She told John where to go. He grunted in acknowledgement but kept on driving.

It was a bit weird to come home with John in broad daylight. She usually expected him to sneak about in dark alleyways, behind a bank of elevators in an underground garage, or emergency stairs of a building. Not here riding side by side like a couple.

Wait. They were a couple, right?

Well, not a couple-couple, but two people trying to figure things out. She could give him that chance at least, but her confidence that anything but a rollercoaster awaited them was not encouraging. Sure, John had a reason for breaking his promise, but it was that exact reason why a stable relationship with him was not possible. And he seemed like the hornet in a nest of vipers that could bring danger to her and her dad. And, yet, he alluded that he was ready to make a change.

Was that a tiny niggle of hope in her heart? Or was that niggle a fear of heartbreak?

“Might pick up a few of those pee sticks,” he said suddenly when the sign for DTS pharmacy came into view. He cast her a quick glance. “How soon can you try it?”

She shrugged. “My period is tomorrow. So, day after is the soonest? We can wait a few more days.”

John wheeled the Escalade into a parking spot. “We can try one day after.”

“I’ll just be a sec.” She unbuckled her seatbelt.

“I’m coming with.” John unharnessed himself from the seat.

She frowned. “You don’t have to.”

“Listen, babe. I wouldn’t want to miss a thing.”

Nadia hopped down from the vehicle and slammed the door, meeting John at the back of the vehicle. “You’re taking this to the extreme.”

He grinned. “I don’t want to be accused of not being hands-on.”

“I guess not. Come on then.” The sliding doors to the convenience store opened. This particular pharmacy was one of the few in LA that was piloting automated medication dispensers that were already in use at several hospitals around the country. The margin of accuracy of the unit was ninety-nine percent, better compared to the higher rate of errors by humans. Trained professionals still performed quality checks.

She approached the counter. “Hi, Rosa.”

“Nadia.” The tiny Hispanic pharmacist with a short bob and a round face smiled.

“How’s Dr. Powell?” Rosa asked as she scanned the QR code on Nadia’s phone.

“He’s well. Blood pressure has been good, though he can’t resist the salt.”

The pharmacist gave a tsk sound. “Same with my husband. He said I’d be prying the salt shaker from his cold dead fingers. I’ll just be a minute, honey.”

Nadia glanced behind her wondering where John was. Good heavens, he better not be in the feminine care aisle picking up pregnancy tests. She craned her neck to search for him but the robotic arm of the RX auto dispenser distracted her. A light tendril of fear wrapped around her heart. This was another vulnerability that could be hacked.

In the past decade, hospitals had embraced digital information in a big way. Computerizing records made it easier for sharing patient history between hospital systems. But what if their medical records were hacked? What if a rogue state decided to change medication requirements and allergies for a demographic. That would be a disaster on so many levels.

Many people would die.

“Nadia?”

She realized that Rosa had been calling her name.

“I’m sorry,” Nadia said. “You know I’m always fascinated with Mr. Roboto.”

Rosa’s grin faded as her eyes narrowed at the person behind Nadia. Somehow, she knew who it was.

“If you step back, sir, I’ll be with you in a minute,” she told him sternly. What the pharmacist lacked in height, she sure made up in attitude.

“I’m with her.” Boxes of pregnancy tests were dumped on the counter followed by three crisp hundred-dollar bills.

“Jesus, John, how many women do you have on the maybe-impregnated list?” she sassed.

“Only you,” he deadpanned.

There were eight boxes on the counter.

“I’m a fan of backup,” he added. “Trust one, but verify with another. And you said we might have to try several times. I’d say we try one tonight.”

Nadia turned to Rosa whose earlier scowl had transformed into a wide grin.

“Believe me I told him that it’s better to test after my missed period which is supposed to be arriving tomorrow.”

“He’s anxious, honey,” Rosa said.

“Hmm,” she turned to John. “Are you anxious in a good way or anxious in a bad way?”

He only shot her an enigmatic smile.

The pharmacy was a short distance from the apartment complex. There was a section for visitor parking behind the buildings and was usually empty by late morning. Unfortunately, it made it conspicuous if someone pulled into the spot. Also, unfortunately, it was a spot that Clyde’s balcony was facing, and her neighbor was currently sitting in his favorite porch recliner having what he called his second breakfast.

Nadia’s eyes dipped to her outfit, thankful she wasn’t doing the walk of shame.

Clyde surged to his feet when she exited the vehicle. She and John hadn’t even rehearsed how to introduce him.

She ducked her head back into the SUV as John was getting out. “Shit, how do I introduce you?”

“Your dad knows me as John Garrison. I’m sure Clyde has seen me around so just introduce me as your bodyguard slash tech support. Let’s play the facts close to the truth.” John grinned. “Relax.”

Grrr… easy for him to say—he did this for a living. She shut the door and slung the backpack on one shoulder while her fingers clasped the bulging paper bags in one hand that contained the eight pregnancy tests and her father’s meds.

“Morning, Clyde.”

“Morning? It’s almost noon.”

Technically it was ten forty-five, but okay. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Chocolate beignets.”

“Yum. Did the Rivoli food truck come by?”

“Yup. I got you some, doll.”

“You’re a sweetheart. I’ll come grab it on the way up.” She didn’t wait for Clyde to answer. She’d rather not holler and introduce John in an apartment parking lot … because he was CIA and shit, you know.

Holy crap. He is the CIA and shit.

Nadia was contemplating a relationship with a spy.

Beset with a thrilling and frightening thought that threatened apoplexy, she didn’t notice John coming up beside her until he was unhooking the backpack from her shoulder. “Go on.” The strap of his giant duffel was fixed across his chest while the majority of it was supported by his back. Her gym bag was emptied of its contents and folded into his things. He’d slipped on a navy-blue Henley over a white crew neck, sported threadbare jeans and military boots. He appeared to be a normal guy, albeit a hot normal guy.

Still, her legs were uncoordinated because a fizz of anxiety shot down from her throat to the pit of her stomach as they negotiated the staircase.

She was processing what to tell Clyde.

The Clyde who was already waiting at his front door with a Styrofoam container holding her chocolate indulgence. “Do you have chicory coffee to go with this?” he asked.

“I’m good.” She accepted the beignets with the hand not holding the paper bag. To her horror, the pharmacy bag was ripping at the edge where the staples were holding the fold. “Thanks again, we’ll see you—”

Nadia knew better than to think she could escape the busy body of the apartment complex, but she wasn’t expecting John to make the first move.

“Name’s John Garrison,” he said smoothly, extending a hand. “I’m sure you’ve seen me around the top floor.”

“Yes.” The old man acknowledged the handshake. “I see you either very early in the morning or late at night.”

“I like the Late Show,” John said. The Late Show was the midnight shift for the LAPD.

Clyde being Clyde, understood this of course. “I see. So what brings you here?”

“Okay, stop interrogating my co-worker,” Nadia cut in.

“And bodyguard,” her fake co-worker added.

“I thought I heard you, sonyashnyk.”

Nadia groaned. Of all the times for Stephen to show up.

“Did I hear you say bodyguard?” her father asked. “So what happened last night isn’t resolved? Under control?”

“What happened last night?” Clyde asked.

She turned around to see Stephen glaring at John. Arthur stood behind her father and was giving John a dubious look as well.

Nadia glanced at Clyde. “We can’t talk about an ongoing investigation.”

“Well, at least tell me if my daughter is safe,” Stephen said, still directing his ire at John.

“Dad,” she butted in. “I’m right here. Let’s just take this upstairs.”

“But I wanna know,” Clyde protested.

“Is that my prescription?” Stephen nodded to the paper bag in her hand and her grip instinctively tightened on it.

“Yes, but I have other things in there.” A sense of foreboding paralyzed her limbs. “I’ll give it to you—”

“Here. Let me help you,” Stephen offered. “It’s about to rip.”

“No, Dad!” she panicked as he reached for the paper bag that she instinctively jerked away.

The horrific sound of tearing and the clattering boxes on the concrete flooring played out like one of her worst nightmares.