TooDangeroustoLove Read online

  “Do you want me to beg? If that is what it will take, then so be it. I’ll do whatever you ask of me.” His tone broke with emotion as he continued, “I’m so sorry for how I let things play out before. I should have known to trust you.”

  “Yes, you should have. That still doesn’t explain why you want me. I know you have females that work in your business. Why me? Why Raven, for that matter?”

  “As I said before, you are the best. We need Raven’s abilities.”

  * * * *

  Her gut churned. There was so much more to this than he was letting on, and she’d bet anything there was something personal at stake to him.

  Dylan called it her abilities, but he wasn’t aware of what she truly could do. He hadn’t any clue she could hear the thundering of his heart, the rapidness of his breaths, or the pungent smell of sweat that had begun to form on his head, despite the coolness of the night.

  “What makes you think that he is going to want me around him any more than the others?”

  “He probably won’t. But he wouldn’t be able to evade you.” His tone chimed with confidence. “Whatever skills you picked up from the Marines have made you the best. Even the others that were also Marines don’t have the same skills that you do. I still don’t know what you faced when you were lost deep in the jungle for those two years, but it made you who you are. It made you, as Raven Dare, the one-woman army that I need. You are more than just a bodyguard. We both know that. I need you, Serenity.”

  He paused and looked directly at her.

  “I need you to become Raven Dare one last time. Do this for me and I will never bother you again.”

  “What it did was turn me into a ruthless killer and teach me to keep my conscious quiet while I did what I had to do. What I was ordered to do.” There was more than disdain coloring her tone. “Why is this man so important to you? Why does it matter to you so much?”

  “The admiral is after me to make sure his godson stays alive.”

  “The admiral, huh? He still sounds like a dick to me.” She rose from the swing in one smooth motion and headed for the door. “Come inside and we will discuss this some more.”

  The dogs followed him in. Dylan looked up and around at the huge house. She knew he was shocked at the opulence inside the home. She understood it wasn’t what people expected to see if they had known her as Raven. She didn’t care, this was her sanctuary, not theirs. All the artifacts and artwork. The massive skylight in the center of the ceiling allowed her to view the northern lights. A set of polished wood stairs led to the second floor and a balcony that went three-quarters of the way around the house.

  Swinging doors led into the kitchen. Overstuffed couches and chairs filled the living room. The floors shone with polish and the faint scent of winter mint filled the air. It was beautiful, enhanced by the large windows that looked out on all sides. She had a 360˚ panoramic view of the mountainous terrain and the Alaskan wilderness.

  “Looks like you finally got your dream home. It is beautiful, Serenity.”

  “Thanks.” True pleasure filled her voice for that one word before it became flat and totally businesslike. “Where does this guy live? Where would I have to go? What does he do? Fill me in on all the details, Dylan.”

  So he did. It took the rest of the night. But when the sun finally rose over the mountains to bathe her valley with its golden glow he had gotten what he had come for. Serenity had agreed to become Raven Dare one last time.

  As she packed her two bags she mulled it over. It had been over two years since she had done this type of work. Maybe she’d lost her edge. Maybe her confidence was gone.

  Every time she became Raven Dare something happened to her soul. A small bit of the goodness that was Serenity died, and it became harder and harder for her to reclaim her rightful place in life. Someone who was happy and content with their lot in life.

  She lifted her bags, two for her and one for the dogs.

  Her dogs sat beside him as they also watched her descent. Silent, he went to the door and opened it, not even offering to take one of her bags for her. She didn’t follow him, instead going to the garage. She typed in a code and the door soundlessly opened to expose two vehicles: one a charcoal gray, full-size quad cab Dodge truck with a 5.7 liter Hemi and the other a black Subaru Outback sedan.

  She headed for the car and climbed in. The car came to life and she drove it out of the garage, lowering the windows as she went.

  Serenity stopped beside his Suburban and signaled to her dogs, causing them both to jump in, through the open back windows, not touching any part of the paint on the doors as they cleared them. “Climb in and let’s go.”

  “What about this?” he asked, pointing to his temporary vehicle even as he was getting into her car.

  “I’ll have someone come for it. Don’t worry.” She expertly got them on the road and headed for the abandoned airport strip where a military cargo plane waited that would take them to their destination.

  She drove fast, the car hugging the road as they flew through the mountains. Halfway there, her phone rang and she answered as she drifted the car around a tight turn. The maneuver brought about a shortness of breath to Dylan. She smiled, knowing how he hated fast driving.

  “Talk to me. Good, have the bike there. Yes, tell her I have their stuff with me. I will be there soon.” She ended the call seconds before she whipped the car sharply to the left and took them off the main road onto a small dirt road.

  As she stopped, the dogs jumped out of the windows and ran to the people, tails wagging. Serenity followed, picking up the bag that had toys for the dogs in it and her own two bags. Dylan got out but stayed by the car.

  “Take care of them. I will come for them as soon as I can. Or send for them.”

  “I know you will.” Seth crossed his arms. “Your car is waiting for you and the bike will be waiting at the airstrip. Your phone is in your car. Stay safe, Serenity.”

  She took a deep breath as she patted the heads of her dogs one last time. In a voice loud enough for Dylan to hear, she said, “Serenity is no more, I am Raven.” Her words carried a hint of danger to them, her mental transformation was complete. She had become a warrior once again. The warrior.

  She spun around and jogged to another garage, bag in hand. Within seconds the door slid up and out rolled a shiny black Mitsubishi Spyder ragtop. The top was down and she pulled up beside Dylan and stopped. “Get in,” were the only words she uttered.

  * * * *

  Dylan slid onto the leather seat beside her and took in the interior of her six-speed sports car. With a wave of her hand she was driving back down the makeshift road for the pavement. Once they were back on the blacktop she opened up the car.

  If Dylan had thought they had gone fast before, he was sorely mistaken. She careened down the narrow roads, the trees whipped by them in a blur. He held on tight and shut his eyes. She, Raven, knew that he hated speed and he knew that she loved it.

  The car screeched to a stop and he slowly opened his eyes to see the strip. There were four men waiting for them. The ramp of the plane rested on the ground so she drove right up into it and saw with satisfaction her bike sat secured there, and in one piece. She turned off the engine and got out.

  All four men were staring at her. He understood why. She had dressed in black jeans and a dark green tee shirt with hiking boots on her feet. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail again and, like usual, her face was wiped clean of any and all expression.

  “Let’s go.” She strode over to a seat along the wall and buckled herself in.

  Without even looking at him, the two pilots climbed up and started up the plane. If it hadn’t worked like this in the past, he would have been upset those men didn’t even check with him. The other two men secured themselves in as well after they secured her car. Both still looked at her and one of them, the blond one, said, “Thanks for coming, Serenity.”

  Harsh eyes glanced at him. “My name is Raven.” Then she fixed her e
yes on the other side of the plane. It was true; she was a completely different person when she had an assignment.

  The flight took eight hours and she never spoke another word. She spent time sleeping and reading up on Brandt Fowler—his file and ones on the members of the household.

  * * * *

  Somewhere in Kentucky

  The plane taxied to a stop and the men lowered the ramp. She climbed back into her car. No words were necessary as she knew that her bike would be delivered to her next destination.

  She backed her car down the ramp and, with a sharp salute to the five men that stood there looking at her, she whipped her car around and drove off.

  This time she drove slowly. Well, at least, not much over the speed limit. The top was down on her car and she totally enjoyed the feel of sunshine on her face.

  Kentucky was beautiful. With a quick glance at her speedometer she adjusted her dark shades back over her eyes. She turned onto the paved drive that led up past large sections of grassland and white stained fenced-in pastures, each containing small herds of horses. Typical rich Kentucky home.

  Raven shut off the engine, then leaned on her car as she stared at the house.

  As her eyes moved over the building, her analytical brain was busy processing the possible ways of getting inside and what could be used as defense. The old familiar thrum she got from working had returned to her body. She had missed this. At least this part.

  * * * *

  Brandt stared out from behind the curtain at the woman standing against her black car. He couldn’t explain why his heart skipped a beat. She appeared right at home, which was something he never had. While he didn’t want to look away, he had to go down there to find out what she wanted.

  * * * *

  As the curtain moved back into place Raven pushed away from her car and walked to the door. Whoever had looked at her had satisfied their curiosity and now it was time to get to work.

  She rang the doorbell. A dour-faced man opened it and, at the sight of her standing there, grew arrogant. “Deliveries are to go to the back.”

  “Good for them. I’m here to see Brandt Fowler.”

  “Do you have an appointment?” The butler sneered.

  “Would I be standing here if I didn’t?” Damn old money homes. Again, there wasn’t a hint of emotion in her voice, she kept it monotone.

  “Who is it, Butters?” A deep, smooth drawl reached them both, causing the butler to show contempt for a moment before he got himself back under control.

  Well, the butler was going to have to be watched. He obviously had no love lost for the prodigal son. The man that belonged to the voice shouldered his way into view and her breath hitched. Only her ability to conceal her feelings kept it from crossing her face. Oh boy, this would be bad. He was far too handsome for her own good.

  He had the body of a working man, strong and fit. His clothes covered him like a second skin and she could easily see the muscles rippling beneath the material of his white shirt and blue jeans. She wanted to put her hands under the clothes and feel his skin on hers. Never had she felt an attraction this strong based on a first meeting.

  Those intense yet intriguing pale, glacial blue eyes raked over her form. One black eyebrow rose as he spoke, “Who are you?”

  “Brandt Fowler?” Not that she had any doubt, for he fit the picture that she had been shown of him. At his nod she continued, “I need a word with you.”

  “You heard the woman, Butters, leave us.” He had the arrogant part down. Her dark shades hid eyes that took in every diminutive emotion that flashed across the butler’s face. When the servant had made himself scarce her assignment moved his gaze blatantly across her body again, setting off sparks the whole way.

  “Outside.” She spun around and walked away from the tall door, just assuming that he would follow. He did.

  * * * *

  Brandt followed the woman down the stone steps until they were closer to her car, his gaze raking over her tight denim clad butt as it moved with each step she took. The fresh scent of peaches wafted unswervingly from her to his nose, and never had a peach enticed him more. He wanted to see just how much of her luscious body smelled like that succulent fruit.

  He figured her to be about five-seven and he had no doubt she would fit perfectly against him in bed. For a moment, he was lost in the mental sight of their skin touching, limbs entwined, no clothing at all on either of them.

  “So, pretty lady, what is it that I can do for you?”

  “Cooperate, and hopefully we will get through this with the minimal amount of problems.”

  “Now I’m intrigued.” He prowled closer to her, crowding her, but she didn’t move. In fact, he didn’t get any response out of her at all. “What should I be cooperating with? Does it have something to do with a darkened room and our clothes on the floor?”

  “You wish, but no. More like the fact that I am your new bodyguard.”

  Fuck no. “What the hell is this?” he yelled, right in her face.

  She didn’t back down, never even blinked. Nor did she look impressed by his hollering.

  “Well, apparently they say you don’t want your bodyguards around and you lose them. So they brought me in.” Her tone never modulated, just stayed even and calm.

  “You. You can’t be a bodyguard. You’re a woman. I don’t want one. If my father wants a bodyguard so bad, then fine, go to him. I don’t want you. I don’t need you. I can take care of myself. Get off this property.”

  “Sorry, you can’t fire me. You didn’t hire me. Let’s get one thing straight, Brandt Fowler, I don’t care what you want. It is my job to stick with you and I will be there whether you like it or not. Whether you can see me or not, know that I will be there. Your pissing and moaning is wasted on me. Just go along with this and hopefully I will be able to leave shortly. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

  “I have gotten rid of four already. Four men. I will just do the same to you.” He narrowed his eyes in rage.

  “Tell people that we knew each other in school if they ask about me. See you around.” With that she hopped into her car and drove toward the garage.

  Chapter Two

  “This is going to be your room while you are here.”

  “Where is Brandt’s room from here?” The room was nice and it felt comfortable to her. Very open, and there were large potted plants spread around. The blue and peach hues melded together in a beautiful marriage. Warm southern light spilled in through the large windows.

  The bed sat on a raised platform in the middle of the far wall, its peach swags strung from the iron crown at the head, stretching to each bedpost.

  “Two doors down on the same side. If you need anything, just pull the rope and someone will come.”

  “Very well.”

  That was it. She stepped inside and shut the door in the butler’s face. Raven walked through all parts of the room before she stood back in the main part. She observed the room as she headed for the balcony that overlooked the grounds.

  As she stood there, she glanced over to his room. It was the next balcony over. Within moments she figured out how he slipped the other guards at night. The scuff marks on his balcony gave that away.

  She faced the other way yet knew the second he stepped onto his balcony and his eyes found her. He was going to fight this the whole way.

  “What am I supposed to do about dates if I have you tagging along? Or are you into those ménage a trois?” he yelled over to her, causing the gardeners below to look up and laugh.

  Raven walked back into her room, exited, and walked to his door. She opened it and strode in without knocking and went to the balcony, where he was still laughing to himself. Mumbling about how she couldn’t even take a joke.

  “Do you have something you wish to say to me?” Her words were flat, unimpressed, as if this were all beneath her and a waste of her time.

  He jumped with surprise, but he recovered quickly. “I just asked a question. I m
ean, I am a man and I have needs. What am I supposed to do if I have you tagging along?”

  “Should have thought about that before you ran off the other men. I don’t really care what you do about it. I don’t plan on interfering in your dating. My job, my only job, is to keep you alive. Nothing more. Nothing less. Are there any more questions you wish to ask me or are you going to continue to act like a spoiled brat?”

  “You sure have a mouth on you.” He moved towards her slowly, prowling in the same way the jungle cat did. And as she would a jungle cat, Raven watched his every move with caution. “Take off your glasses,” he commanded. She didn’t move a muscle and when he reached his hand out to do it for her she spoke.

  “Don’t.”

  “Who are you?” he asked as he lowered his hand.

  “My name is Raven. Raven Dare. We met at school, which is all you need to know.” She turned and walked out of his room in silence.

  Back in her room, Raven finished setting up her things and putting in all her own security devices. When she was satisfied with it, she headed downstairs, ignored the mistrustful look the butler gave her and headed for the garage to make sure her car was alright. That and to get a few more things from it.

  Raven headed back to her room and as soon as she entered she realized that something was different. Brandt was in the room, somewhere. She kept her face expressionless as she opened her laptop. Moments later she knew exactly where he was.

  For two hours she did nothing more than play solitaire, anything to give him a chance to reveal himself to her. She knew exactly where he was, she could smell his soap and hear his breathing. Heightened hearing and smell, another benefit of surviving her escapades in the jungle. After the two hours passed she rose and headed for her closet, which was where he hid. She stopped at the chair beside it, took out a book of the bag, sat right there and began to read.

  * * * *

  “So Brandt, how are you and Raven getting along?” his father asked.