Bowie

By Adrienne Bell

Bowie Tamatoa is used to flying solo. After an infamous Special Forces career, he’s far more comfortable keeping his emotions under wraps and letting his fists do the talking. But every fortress has a weak spot, and Bowie is no different.

IT genius, Charlie Keswick might be the heart and soul of Macmillan Security, but she’s also the only woman who’s dared to look past Bowie’s beastly façade to the man underneath. So one night when Charlie arrives on Bowie’s doorstep after being chased by government-sponsored assassins, Bowie knows that he’ll do anything to keep her safe...no matter how uncomfortable it might make him.

But as the danger around them grows, Bowie and Charlie are forced closer than ever, and Bowie finds himself facing a difficult choice--bare his soul and fight for a future with Charlie, or protect his heart and take his secrets to the grave.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adrienne Bell
• Release date: May 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310575761

Adrienne Bell

Adrienne Bell has lived her whole life in Northern California. She now resides on the far edge of the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and kids. You can follow the minutia of her life on Twitter, or see the pictures she likes to share on Facebook, or check out the exciting topics that she decides to dedicate a few hundred words to on her blog. Oh, and she thanks you for reading.

Book preview

1

C harlene ?

Charlie Keswick’s spine stiffened at the sound of her formal name—her real name as her mother loved to remind her. There were only three people in the whole world who still insisted on calling her by it—her mother, her father, and her brother, Henry.

And the person saying it behind her now was most definitely not on that list.

Still, the voice was familiar.

Too familiar.

Sure, it might have been years since she’d heard it, but there were some things that stuck with a person, and, unfortunately, it seemed the condescending tone of her brother’s childhood best friend was one of them.

Charlene Keswick? the voice called out again.

Charlie silently cursed as she cringed. She’d known this was going to happen. After all, she couldn’t expect to get through the long list of events and parties that her mother had planned in the week leading up to her brother’s wedding without running into at least a few old faces, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.

To be fair, it wasn’t as if she was a fan favorite among the crowd currently filling up her parents’ dining room either. It was already twenty minutes into the welcome cocktail party, and so far no one had given her anything but tight smiles and awkward head nods.

Until now.

Well, it looked like her dream of spending a quiet night alone with a whole buffet of hors d’oeuvres had been dashed. She drew in a deep breath, and pasted on her most polite smile…but not before grabbing one last cocoa-dusted truffle off the table.

Trevor Bishop, Charlie said before popping the chocolate in her mouth. The sweet taste soured a little when she turned around to find a smug set of cold blue eyes slowly sweeping her up and down. It took an unusual amount of effort to force the bite down her throat.

I thought I might find you hiding in the corner, he said.

Charlie shook her head. I’m not hiding.

Trevor went on as if he hadn’t heard her, or, more likely, didn’t care. You look so different than the last time I saw you, he said. You’ve dyed your hair a different color. Bright red.

Copper, she corrected him.

I think it was purple the last time I saw you.

That was a long time ago, Charlie said. You, on the other hand, look exactly the same.

And he did.

The Trevor Bishop standing before her was a near carbon copy to the one that she’d last seen eight years ago at her brother Henry’s college graduation. He had the same model-worthy haircut, the same perfectly tailored suit, the same fake snake oil salesman grin plastered on his face. The only evidence of the passage of time came from the tiny lines that were starting to feather out from the corners of his eyes.

And maybe from the eyes themselves…

Charlie caught a hard gleam that she was pretty sure hadn’t been there when they were kids. Back then, there had been a carefree quality to Trevor’s arrogance, the kind that naturally sprung from being the spoiled child of one of San Francisco’s most wealthy and influential families.

It was an attitude Charlie knew well. Unfortunately, it ran through her own family like wildfire.

But looking into Trevor’s eyes now, she couldn’t help but feeling time had morphed his usual sense of entitlement into something darker…something dangerous.

Charlie pushed down the roiling sensation in her gut. Trevor might be a slimy pain in the ass, but he had never been any kind of real threat.

So, did you just get into town? she asked, trying her best to make polite small talk since it was obvious that he hadn’t wandered over just to grab a few canapés before going back to the party.

Actually, I flew in a couple of days ago.

You’re out in D.C. these days, right? she said, desperately trying to remember the last time Henry had brought him up in conversation.

That’s right. His brows arched, but not in surprise. Charlie couldn’t help the feeling that he was well practiced in turning on this kind of fake charm. You’ve been asking about me.

Nope. Without turning around, Charlie reached behind her for another chocolate. Her hand came back with three. Thank God. She had a feeling she was going to need them.

What a shame, Trevor said, leaning a little closer. Because I’ve been asking about you.

Charlie shuffled a step back. Excuse me?

Imagine my surprise when I realized that the hottie standing all by herself was actually my best friend’s geeky little sister.

Charlie’s eyes went wide. Wait. Did you just call me hot?

Crazy, right? Trevor said, inching closer. But it looks like you’ve changed a lot in the past few years.

This couldn’t be happening. Charlie looked down at the chocolates melting in her palm as her stomach turned over. Just like that, she lost her appetite. She reached over and grabbed a napkin. She deposited the clump of truffles into the middle.

She wasn’t simply disgusted by the thought of Trevor Bishop coming on to her. She was confused…and more than a little suspicious.

She’d practically grown up with the guy. Trevor and Henry had been inseparable as children. They’d gone to school together, played together, and tormented her together. As long as she had known him, the guy had never once missed an opportunity to let her know that she was a freak.

And she was a freak…at least as far as her family was concerned. She might have grown up in the upper crust of San Francisco high society, but it had been obvious, even back when she was a child, that she was never going to fit in. And that was fine by her.

She’d worked hard to create a life for herself that she loved. One where she never had to apologize for who she was. One where she didn’t have to waste her energy on being polite to jerks who were trying to mess with her.

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and pulled her brows down low. What the hell do you think you’re doing, Trevor?

His smile faltered for a fraction of a second, giving Charlie a glimpse beyond the polished mask to a hard, predatory sneer beneath. The sight was enough to make her shuffle back another step.

But in the next heartbeat, the perfect, practiced smile was back…just in time for Charlie’s mother to walk up beside him.

Trevor, her mom said, a pleased grin lifting the corner of her lips. I see that you finally found Charlene.

So, he wasn’t lying. He had been asking about her. But why?

I did, he said. I was just telling her how lovely she looked tonight.

Charlie glanced down at the outfit she was wearing. Sure, the black cardigan and red checked skirt combo she’d pulled off the rack at the mall was one of her favorites, but everyone else here was wearing couture. She had no idea who Trevor thought he was fooling.

Her mother, apparently. Charlie glanced over to see her mom’s smile widen. Our Charlene has always had her own unique style.

Charlie gnashed her back teeth together at her mother’s underhanded compliment.

She certainly stands out in a crowd, Trevor said.

Funny, Charlie said. I can’t remember either one of you finding that an admirable character trait.

A lot has changed in the last few years, Trevor said, turning fully toward her. I’m not as superficial as I used to be. Looks aren’t the only reason I date women anymore.

What a lovely sentiment, her mother said.

Charlie couldn’t resist the overwhelming urge to roll her eyes. Why was her mother buying this BS? What in the world was she hoping was going to happ—

Oh, hell no.

Charlie had to bite deep into the side of her tongue to keep the thought from slipping out of her mouth, as the realization hit her full in the face.

Her mother was trying to set her up with Trevor Bishop.

She should have realized it the second that her mother had come over. She shouldn’t have been surprised. Trevor was rich, successful, influential—exactly the kind of man her mother wanted for her. The kind she’d been trying to set her up with for years.

Charlie didn’t bother trying to hide the groan that burst out from between her lips. She’d known it was a mistake to come to this party tonight. She wasn’t even a member of her brother’s wedding party. No one would have missed her if she’d stayed home and watched a movie instead.

But her mother had been insistent.

You might not be in the wedding, Charlene, but you are a member of this family. As it is, your father and I see your brother, who lives four hundred miles away, more than we see you.

Her mom certainly knew how to work the guilt…and now Charlie knew why. Of course, understanding her mother’s motivations was one thing, figuring out Trevor’s was another.

Maybe he’d lost a bet. Maybe he’d had a few too many at the bar. Who cared? All Charlie really wanted to do was escape out the back door, go home, and slip into her pajamas.

Well, look at the time, Charlie said, tossing her crumpled napkin over her shoulder and trying to slide away. Her mother clasped a hand around her shoulder before she’d taken a single step.

Don’t be ridiculous, Charlene, she said. It’s early, and you don’t want to be rude to your brother’s guests, do you?

Actually… Charlie said, giving Trevor some serious side eye.

Her mother pressed on before Charlie could say another word. Besides, you and Trevor have so much to talk about.

Is that right? she asked, sarcasm practically dripping off every word.

It is, her mother said. After all, you’re both in the same line of work.

Charlie instantly stopped trying to pull away and straightened her back. The corners of her eyes narrowed.

We are? she and Trevor said at the same time.

It’s true, her mother said, turning toward Trevor. We don’t talk about it much, but Charlene heads the IT department for a small security firm here in the city.

Is that right? Trevor asked. Which one?

Macmillan Security, Charlie said.

Not even a flicker of shock showed on his face. Charlie worked around too many human lie detectors not to know what that meant.

He wasn’t surprised because he already knew.

So why was he pretending otherwise?

I know that name, he said. Wasn’t that the firm responsible for blowing up half of downtown Sacramento?

A little sigh slipped from her mother’s throat. That would be one of the many reasons we don’t bring it up.

Charlie ignored her mother’s disappointed tone. God knew, she was used to the sound.

It was only one floor of one office building, Charlie clarified. "And we weren’t responsible for it. The traitorous Congressman that we put in jail for life was."

I see that you have a lot of pride in your employer, Trevor said.

He had no idea. Working at Macmillan Security had changed her life. She helped put criminals in jail. She saved lives. Helped bring people together. Not to mention the friends she’d made. The ones so close to her heart that she thought of them more as brothers and sisters than mere coworkers.

And what about you? she asked, her eyes narrowing even more. Where do you work?

Trevor met her gaze head on. He didn’t even blink.

Darktide.

Charlie pressed her lips together. She pulled her shoulders back.

Darktide Security—the single largest private military contractor for the last two decades.

She should have known. Of course, Trevor Bishop worked for Darktide. A paramilitary organization operating with carte blanche was the perfect place for a spoiled brat with a god complex.

The news only bolstered Charlie’s suspicions. After all, it was one thing for her brother’s creepy friend to come on to her after a couple glasses of wine. It was quite another for an agent from a rival company to be asking questions in order to get closer to her.

And what do you do there? she asked.

Let’s just say that I work in Human Resources, he said. Recruitment mostly.

Charlie narrowed her eyes. That’s pretty vague.

Most of my work is classified. A smug grin twisted Trevor’s lips.

Charlie rolled her eyes. Was he trying to impress her? She didn’t bother telling him that all she needed was five minutes and an Internet connection, and she could uncover every secret he had.

Charlie is always telling me the same thing, her mother said with a hint of forced laughter.

No, Mom, Charlie said. "I tell you that you don’t want to know what I do."

Same thing, her mother said with a wave of her hand. The point is that you two have so much in common.

No, they really didn’t.

It would be a real shame if you didn’t spend some time getting reacquainted while Trevor is back in town, she continued.

No, it really wouldn’t.

I’d like that, Trevor said, his pale blue eyes locking gazes with her.

Charlie was sure that there were scores of women out there who would fall over themselves for a chance to have a tall, rich, handsome man like Trevor Bishop staring at them like that. Thankfully, she wasn’t one of them. After all, it’s been years since I’ve been back in San Francisco. I can hardly remember where anything is anymore.

Charlie cocked her chin to the side. I’m sure it will all come back to you.

I’d hate to get lost out there.

That’s why they put maps on phones now.

A hint of annoyance flashed in his cold eyes. It seemed Mr. Chiseled Cheekbones wasn’t used to getting shot down. Well, that was too damn bad. Besides, rejection built character…and she should know.

And here I was hoping we could help each other out, he said, his permanent smile taking on a steely edge. After all, your mother told me that you couldn’t find a date for your brother’s wedding.

Is that right? Charlie slipped her mother a glare out of the corner of her eye. How helpful of her.

It is, he said. And since both of our calendars are free I can’t imagine there’s any harm in us wasting a little time together.

Oh, but that was the problem. Charlie’s mind was swirling with all the crap that a Darktide bastard like Trevor could have planned.

Well, I hate to be the one to tell you, but you heard wrong, she said.

Excuse me? Trevor said, straightening up. For the first time in their conversation, honest surprise showed on his face.

"I do have a date for Henry’s wedding." Somehow Charlie managed to get the lie out with a straight face.

You do? her mother asked.

You bet, Charlie said, trying her best not to be offended by the shrill note of amazement in her mother’s voice.

Who? Trevor asked.

You wouldn’t know him.

Oh, for heaven’s sake, Charlene. Stop being coy, her mother said.

Charlie bit into her lips for a moment. She needed a second to think. All she’d wanted to do was get away from Trevor…maybe scrub that smug smirk off his face, but now she needed to come up with a name.

Not just a name, but someone who would actually agree to show up to her brother’s wedding with her. Someone she knew well. Maybe someone from work.

But who? Just about everyone there was already in a relationship.

All except one.

But there was no way that Bow—

Charlene, her mother demanded.

Bowie. The name slipped out of her mouth before she could stop it.

Bowie? Her mother said the name like it left a bad taste in her mouth. Like the late pop star?

Charlie closed her eyes as she clenched her teeth. "Yeah, Mom. Just like him."

Bowie Tamatoa? Trevor said.

Charlie’s eyes snapped open, the implications of her lie suddenly taking a back seat to the warning light flashing in her mind.

Wait. You know Bowie? she asked.

For a brief moment, every muscle in Trevor’s face tightened, as though he was desperately trying to wrestle back control of his expression.

"I know of him, he said after a long second passed. The man has quite the reputation in the private security world."

The hair on the back of Charlie’s neck stood up. There was no way that could be true. Bowie’s assignments were notoriously hush-hush. Not even she could dig up information on them, and that was saying something. If Trevor knew Bowie’s name there was definitely something going on…something that went beyond a couple of bad pickup lines and her brother’s wedding.

Her fears were confirmed a moment later when Trevor seemed to double down on his bet. He inched in closer to her side. Charlie tried to move away, but was blocked on the other side by her mom.

So, you’ve called in a favor and managed to get a co-worker to agree to be your plus one, Trevor said, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice. That doesn’t mean that you can’t spend the week showing me the local bar scene.

Charlie drew in a deep breath. She wasn’t sure if she was about to make the biggest mistake of her life. Hell, the only thing she knew for certain was that if Darktide was keeping tabs on Macmillan Security, she needed to figure out why. And that meant seizing the opening right in front of her.

Actually, it does, she said. Bowie Tamatoa’s not just my date for Henry’s wedding. We’re also seeing each other…romantically.

Deep furrows dug into Trevor’s brows. He didn’t seem shocked anymore…just skeptical. Her mother, on