Securing Willow

By Brenda Ford

Willow

I would never ever fall for Luke's deep blue eyes and that chiselled face

The tattoos on his chest will soon be covered in blood.

Luke

Willow wants me dead

She thinks I pulled the trigger on her boyfriend

And now I have to pay

I am a navy SEAL

Tough situations never scare me

But this one's more complicated

Her life is on the line

And I need to secure her & keep her safe

But I'm fighting against time

Can I win her heart before she pulls the trigger on me?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brenda Ford
• Release date: Nov 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393392347

Book preview

Chapter One

Willow

Growing up, I always dreamed of being invited to those wonderfully decadent and extravagant parties I'd see in the movies. I'd always wanted to be in a grand room filled with beautiful, rich guests who were all wearing exotic, designer gowns. And of course, in my dreams, I'd be the centre of attention in my own beautiful gown made by some Italian or French designer who had a name I couldn't even begin to pronounce.

But now that I was there, living that life, I found it unsettling, to say the least.

The host of the party – my boyfriend, Vincent – was a natural at this. He smiled, talked and made socializing amongst the upper echelons of society look easy. Except, it wasn't actually all that easy. Not for someone like me. I grew up in an entirely different world from this – one without oysters and champagne.

Don't get me wrong – I loved the life. I loved every minute of it. Well, maybe not every minute – it sometimes became overwhelming after the first half hour or so. And I was just about that thirty minute mark. So, when that familiar feeling of being overwhelmed began to creep in, I excused myself, telling Vincent I needed to catch my breath.

Would you like me to join you? he asked, pulling himself out of the deep conversation he'd been having with a business partner of his.

No, dear, I said, kissing him on the cheek, Stay here and talk. I'll only be a minute.

And I meant it, of course. I wanted to mingle with Vincent's friends and business associates – once I'd managed to compose myself. After all, this was my life now. And it was one that came with many more advantages than disadvantages, that's for sure.

I left the ballroom and walked down the hallway. The entire lower level was open to guests, and many were congregating in the back, near the pool and the outdoor bar. So I avoided that area. But there were people everywhere and it almost felt like I couldn't get away from anyone. At least, not until I came across the library. There was a private reading room, one that opened to a private garden, and I assumed no one would be hanging out there, making it seem like a safe space to me.

As I slipped into the room, I kicked off my super high heels and let out a long sigh of relief. 

Thank you, Jesus, I said and chuckled to myself.

It was such a relief to feel the soft carpet beneath my feet instead of those heels. They made my legs look sexy as hell, but they were killing my ankles.

I walked over to the private patio area when I froze – someone was sitting out there too. I was just about to turn and walk away, but he'd already seen me. I grimaced inwardly, but put on a smile for show, and introduced myself – ever the dutiful and appropriate girlfriend.

Sorry, I didn't know anyone would be in here, I said, offering him my hand. I'm Willow.

The man stood up and faced me, making my heart skip a beat. I stared at him with surprise not only because he was gorgeous – which he was – but because he seemed so out of place amongst Vincent's friends, that for a moment, I feared he might be an intruder. Still, I couldn't stop staring at those deep, blue eyes, his chiselled face and that sandy blonde hair that fell over his shoulders.

Luke. Luke Nichols, he said, shaking my hand. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Drool – he had a Southern drawl to go along with those movie star good looks. It was just a subtle one, but it was still there, and very unusual to hear in Southern California.

Something tells me you're not from around here, I said, giving him a cock-eyed look.

It wasn't just the accent, but the rugged jeans and t-shirt he wore to such a formal affair – while everyone else wore suits and ball gowns.

The accent give me away? he said, shooting me an adorable, crooked smile.

That and your attire, I said. But who am I to judge?

Well, you're the beautiful girlfriend of the host of this little soiree, he said. And in case you were wondering, yes, I am a friend of Vincent's. He and I go way back. I actually didn't know about this shindig when I decided to stop by though. I happened to be in the area, thought we'd meet up for a beer. Obviously, timing has never been my strong suit.

Which explains why you're hiding away in the library, I said with a chuckle.

And why I'm not dressed for the occasion either, miss, he said. So please, excuse my appearance.

You're excused, I said with a laugh, Not like you need anything from me, though.

Luke smiled and I noticed the adorable dimple in his left cheek. He was an attractive man, just not the type I usually went for. He had rugged good looks and the tattoos up and down his arm and that wasn't the type of guy I usually dated.

Nor was he the type of person I'd associate with Vincent either, which brought the question – So how do the two of you know each other?

I sat down in one of the comfy chaise lounges on the patio, savouring the cool night air. Luke sat down beside me.

We went to high school together, believe it or not, Luke said. Before Vincent was the rich and powerful man he is today, we played football together, actually.

Football? Vincent played football? I could hardly imagine my clean-cut, businessman boyfriend out on a football field.

Not that he wasn't fit – he was. Very much so. Just in a leaner sort of way than Luke. Not that I knew much about football, but needless to say, Vincent just didn't give off an athlete vibe to me. He took care of himself, but he wasn't exactly – sporty. 

Yeah, he's a different man today, Luke said, staring longingly into the garden. Much different. The life he's built for himself, I can't even imagine –

Tell me about it, I said with a smile.

Come on, a girl like you? You look like you came from a pretty high-class family, he said. You kinda have that air about you.

Nah, born and bred in Indiana to working-class parents. We were pretty poor actually, I said.

I wasn't sure why I felt the need to say so much to Luke – he was a stranger after all. There was just something about him that made me want to talk though. And for the first time in a long time, I felt comfortable opening up about where I came from. It wasn't something I'd share with just anyone. To most of Vincent's friends, I was the model. The pretty girl on his arm. Not some working-glass girl from Indiana who grew up poor.

I don't buy it, he said.

I have no reason to lie to you, I said with a laugh. Vincent found me working as a waitress at a club in Los Angeles. He thought I was attractive and we connected – and the rest is history. He's the one who rescued me from the life of slinging drinks, avoiding all the drunk, handsy men, and plopped me down here, in Beverly Hills. Crazy, isn't it?

Very crazy, Luke said, licking his lips as he looked around. So do you know much about Vincent's business? What he does for a living?

I shrugged. Not really. I don't ask a lot of questions. And he doesn't seem all that keen to share much about it.

Probably wise, he said quietly.

I looked over at him, surprised by what he'd said – and the surge of anger that flashed through me because of it. The casualness with which he'd made that remark had hit me wrong and put me on the defensive.

And why is that? Think I'm just supposed to be a pretty girl on his arm? Maybe I'm too stupid to know much about business, huh?

Not what I meant. Not at all, he said. It's just, well, Vincent is pretty secretive about how he made his money.

As he should be, I said, my temper flaring as I stood up to leave. Because too many people show up with their hands out. They want this life for themselves, and not everyone can be trusted.

My gaze narrowed and suddenly, I wasn't so sure I liked Luke all that much. For a so-called friend, he seemed to be pretty judgmental about Vincent's new life – a life that included me.

Listen, I don't know where you came from or what sort of life you live, I said quietly, But I'm sorry your friend was the one who made it big while you did whatever the hell it is you do –

I'm a Navy SEAL, Luke said as a matter-of-fact.

Suddenly, I felt like an ass for insulting a member of our military. Listen, I said, trying to keep my cool, I didn't mean any disrespect, Luke. I come from a family of military vets and I'd never think lesser of you for it –

He rolled his eyes as if he didn't believe me. Sure, go on back to your party, princess, he said. And remember, don't ask Vincent any questions. Because questions could get you into trouble.

Picking up my shoes, I fought the urge to hurl them at his face and the smug smirk he had on it. Instead, I slipped them back onto my feet and exited the library without another word. Don't ask any questions? What the hell was that supposed to mean? It sounded like a threat to me, and I wasn't the type of girl who took kindly to threats.

I might be pretty and dressed in a designer gown, but I still grew up in a working-class world. No one threatened me, and if Luke thought I was some sort of joke – well, he could eat a bag of dicks for all I cared.

Chapter Two

VINCENT

When Willow walked into a room, people would stop and stare wide-eyed and open-mouthed. And the best part of it was that she had absolutely no idea she had that power over others. This time, when she walked into the ballroom, it was no different. I watched as men and women stared at her, admiring her beauty, as she rushed into the room with a scowl upon that pretty, pale face of hers.

Willow dear, is everything okay? I asked, calling her over to me.

She walked over to me immediately, and replaced that scowl with a smile. Yes, sweetie, she said, kissing my cheek. Everything is fine.

You didn't look too happy for a moment, I said. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.

She looked to be mulling something over, but she didn't say anything. No, it's fine. I sometimes have resting bitch face, but I swear, everything is good, she said, looking around. What did I miss?

Oh, nothing interesting, I said, brushing off her question. Just talking business, nothing interesting to you.

Willow smiled at me, showcasing perfect, her pearly white teeth behind those luscious ruby red lips. Everything about her – from her hair to her makeup – was impeccable. She did a fine job cleaning up and looking magnificent – partially with my help, of course. Her auburn hair flowed over her bare shoulders in soft waves, bringing out the green in her eyes. I'd always had a thing for Irish girls, and Willow Monaghan was everything I'd wanted in a woman – and I knew that the moment I'd first laid eyes on her at the club. Sure, I put her in some designer clothes and paid for her to get her hair and nails done, which only made her stand out even more. She was a work of art to begin with, nothing more than some fancy clothes and professional make up, I'd managed to make her even better.

Oh yeah? How do you know I wouldn't be interested? she teased me, playfully punching me in the gut. "Because I'm a girl? You don't think I know a