Her Quiet Bodyguard: Lockwood Industries, #2

By Laura Ann

She fell for the wrong man, he has a soft spot for women in distress...
Will an abusive ex keep them from finding love with each other?

Roman grew up learning to be quiet and stay under the radar of his abusive father. Determined to be his own man, he joined the army straight out of high school, only to leave it when his military brothers retired and created a personal security business. Being a bodyguard/fake boyfriend had never been in Roman's plans, but any chance to be close to the beautiful Rose Logan is proving too hard to resist.

Rose never thought she'd need a personal security expert at her beck and call, but when her ex refuses to back off, she finds herself face to face with a man who steals her breath. Roman is big enough to be intimidating, but gentle enough to melt her heart. She finds the combination intoxicating, and quickly falls for the gentle giant.

Soon the lines between reality and pretend become blurred and Roman struggles to know the right move. But before he can figure it out, he needs to discover why Rose's ex-boyfriend went from suave to dangerous and how to get rid of him for good.

If you enjoy sweet romance with a flare of suspense, you'll LOVE "Her Quiet Bodyguard", the second in the "Lockwood Industries" series. The stories can be read in any order and all have an HEA. Grab your copy and join in the fun!

Check out the whole series!

Lockwood Industries

Her Bodyguard Swap
Her Quiet Bodyguard
Her Champion Bodyguard
The Heiress's Bodyguard
Her Loyal Bodyguard
Her Broken Bodyguard
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angel Music
• Release date: Apr 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201998165

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Rose leaned into her trunk to grab another bag of groceries, humming the new pop song which had been on the radio. The hot sun, which had been beating on her back, suddenly disappeared and a shadow crossed over her.

Hello, my lovely Rose, a smooth voice said from right behind her.

Rose squealed and jerked upright, upending a couple of the bags she had been picking up. Her surprise quickly turned to frustration when she saw who was standing far too close for comfort. Nick, she said through clenched teeth. What are you doing here?

He raised an eyebrow. Is that really the tone you want to use with me? He stepped forward slightly, closing the already small space between them.

Rose knew it was best to stand her ground with a bully, but she couldn’t help her reaction to his nearness. She found herself leaning back over her open trunk, desperate to escape the heavy feeling that accompanied her ex-boyfriend. You shouldn’t be here, she said, ignoring his question. We’ve been through for nearly six months. You’ve got to stop coming by like this.

What if I’m not ready for us to be through? His cultured tones used to warm Rose. His voice was an even baritone and oh, so smooth, but now she realized it was just as false as the rest of him.

How did I never see it? Hindsight truly is twenty-twenty, I guess. His slicked back hair and ironed pants used to make her think he was polished and attractive, but now he reminded her of an oily used car salesman. Need to lighten up on the starch a little, dude.

When she didn’t respond to his question, Nick raised his hand and started to move toward Rose’s cheek.

No! she shouted, batting his hand away and shoving her way out of the cage he had put her in. You don’t have the right to touch me. You lost that privilege when you decided it was all right to touch every woman who crossed your path. Now go away. I don’t want to see you anymore. Rose’s fists were clenched and she could feel her heart beating against her ribcage. She wasn’t normally quite so forceful with people, but she’d been trying to tell Nick to get lost for months without any success. Her patience with his refusal to listen was waning.

Nick tsked his tongue and shook his head. I’m disappointed that you still refuse to believe that your information is false, dear Rose.

She flung her hands in the air. "Are you kidding me? I saw you. When I caught you taking a woman out the first time, I was ridiculous to believe that she was just a coworker. She laughed sarcastically. I mean seriously, who dresses up like that to go to a work dinner...at eight p.m.! Rose shook her head. I’ve always tried to give people the benefit of the doubt, Nick, and I’ll admit that you’re good. You know exactly how to manipulate people into believing what you want them to believe. But there’s no way to explain to me the woman leaving your apartment at five a.m. in nothing but your dress shirt." She folded her arms over her chest.

Nick shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. You know...I wouldn’t have had to look anywhere else for company if you had been willing to give it to me. He kept his chin down and looked up from under his thick, dark lashes.

He knows exactly what he’s doing, she thought in frustration. He knows that look makes him appear innocent and I used to fall for it all the time. Well, I’ve learned my lesson and I will NOT be pulled in by a smooth talker ever again. Then I guess that just goes to prove that we’re not right for each other, Rose said calmly. The man for me won’t ask me to sacrifice my morals for his own desires. She sighed, suddenly exhausted from the conversation. Please, Nick. Leave. We’re through, and no matter how many times you show up here, I won’t be taking you back.

Look, sweetheart—

Rose held up a hand to hold him off. No. I mean it, Nick. Go away. If you don’t, I’ll call the police.

The smooth, handsome lines of his face hardened and Rose felt warning bells begin to sound in her head. Nick began to move toward her, his body language screaming menace and anger.

Rose found her breathing picking up speed and she began to back away, but he lunged and grabbed her arm before she could get very far.

Nick, she said in a forced, calm voice. You’re hurting me. Please, let go.

The edge of his lip curled into a sneer and he tightened his grip, causing Rose to whimper in pain. "I’m afraid you have things mixed up...sweetheart. You don’t get to tell me when things are over. I will leave when I’m ready and I will come back when I want. No one, he shook her hard, walks away from me."

Rose cried out when he jerked her into his chest, still holding onto her now bruised arm.

You. Are. Mine. And will continue to be mine until I’ve gotten what I want. Understand?

Rose kept her eyes on the ground, terrified of this side of him she had never seen. He had always been slightly possessive in their relationship, but she had found his small bouts of jealousy sweet. They were just proof that he cared for her. Now that she was outside her little bubble of love, however, she could see that they were really red flags. Truth be told, there had been red flags the whole time, but she had shoved them aside, blissfully ignorant in her supposed relationship with this high-powered businessman who could talk a squirrel into giving up its acorns.

Do you understand? he shouted in her face.

Appease him and get him out of here. Just agree and let him leave. She nodded meekly, praying he wouldn’t see her true feelings in her eyes.

For a split second, he squeezed a little tighter and Rose had to fight the urge to cry out in pain. Her eyes were already full of tears and it would take very little for them to begin pouring down her cheeks. Then, as if flipping a switch, he released her, stepping back. His face went back to its pleasant look as he straightened his tie and shirt. I’m glad we understand each other, he said in his usual silky tones. When you’re more yourself, I’ll be back and we can pick up where we left off.

Rose wrapped her arms around her stomach and squeezed her eyes tight as he bent down to kiss her cheek. The sensation of his lips on her skin was revolting and she wanted to vomit. Between the throbbing in her arm and the menacing aura hanging around him, she nearly lost her lunch all over his expensive leather shoes.

Rose found herself fighting a completely inappropriate laugh as she imagined his face if she were to let her body react the way it wanted to. Luckily, she managed to hold it in until she heard his fancy sports car kick up gravel as he sped out of the residential neighborhood.

His presence gone, Rose found herself unable to contain her emotions any longer. Tears began to slip unheeded down her cheeks. A short giggle slipped through her lips and she brought up trembling fingers to stop it. As the laughter died down, Rose found herself breaking into sobs. She sunk to the concrete of her driveway, her groceries forgotten in her trunk as she drew her knees to her chest, her body beginning to shake with all the emotions of the moment.

Something hard was digging into her backside. Once she had a decent handle on herself, Rose reached back to grab her phone. She stared at it blankly for a moment before punching in the first number on speed dial.

Hey, little sista! How are all those sweet kinders of yours? Lilly, Rose’s older sister, was just as sweet and happy as Rose usually was, but today, something had been broken inside Rose and she didn’t know who else to call.

Rose? Lilly called out when Rose didn’t speak. What’s going on? Are you there?

Lilly, Rose croaked. He hurt me, she whimpered, burying her head in her knees again.

What are you— A low growl came from the other side of the line. Was that sleazeball there again?

Rose nodded, then remembered she was on the phone. Yes, she whispered, her eyes darting to the street as if he would hear her and come back.

Rose, listen to me. Lilly’s voice had gone into ‘mother mode’. I’m coming over, but I want you to hang up and call the police. He can’t get away with this, but you’re not alone. Okay? I’ll be there in an hour. Call the police and make a harassment report. Do you understand?

Rose bit her trembling bottom lip. Yeah.

Okay. I love you and I’m coming. Hang on, and call the police. Remember, call the police.

Rose nodded and hung up the phone. She blinked heavily several times before Lilly’s words penetrated enough for her to act.

Midtown Police. How may I help you?

I... Rose swallowed hard and tried again. I’d like to report a harassment.

ROMAN TWISTED THE JOYSTICK in his hand, watching the video footage on his computer move smoothly in the same direction as his movements. A small smile tugged at his lips. New equipment is sooo much better.

Since Lockwood Industries, the private security firm that he worked for, had only been up and running a few months, they were still a little low on the funding side of things and Roman had been making do with used or older security devices that were driving him crazy.

However, they had recently had a few paychecks come in from cases and Harlan, the head honcho, had agreed to let Roman buy a few new pieces that would be useful in future work.

As if his very thoughts had come to life, Harlan poked his head into Roman’s space. Hey, big guy, would you come into my office, please?

Roman paused, then set down the joystick and nodded. Wonder what’s going on. We just wrapped up that case with the singer last week. Has something else come onto the docket?

As he stepped out of his door and headed toward Harlan’s, Roman noticed all the other major employees also walking in. Three blond heads—Harlan and his two brothers, Sawyer and Ridge, who were identical triplets—and Archer and Valentina, who had served with them in the military and were now co-workers, were also walking into the office.

As Roman stepped inside Harlan’s space, he was struck once again by a feeling of home and family. All six of them had served in the military together, although not necessarily on the same teams. Roman had actually worked with Ridge, who also had some IT in his background, even though his main focus had been explosives.

Ridge had left the military after Harlan had been captured, held prisoner and then finally rescued. Having worked with Ridge, Roman had come to know all the Lockwood brothers and had formed a brotherhood with them he had never found anywhere else. So when Harlan was discharged, all the brothers and their loyal comrades, Roman, Archer and Valentina, came together as their contracts ended.

Thank you for coming, Harlan said from behind his desk. I know we don’t usually meet in here, but I have people waiting in the conference room, and I wanted to give you all a brief overview before those of us who are needed, go in and talk to them.

Roman glanced around, noting that everyone was paying close attention to their leader.

Harlan clicked on his laptop for a moment before continuing. The Midtown Police called me this afternoon with a harassment case.

Sawyer frowned. Why are they calling us? They deal with harassment all the time.

Harlan sighed and leaned back in his chair. This one is a little more high profile and they feel like their hands are tied. He pushed a hand through his short curls. A woman named Rose Logan came to them today after having a confrontation with an ex-boyfriend. He came to her home and threatened her, all while leaving a bruise in the shape of his hand on her arm.

Roman felt his muscles tightening. He knew all too well what it was like to see an abused woman. His father had never been what any person would mistake as loving. He had ruled his household with an iron fist and a leather belt and Roman had a few scars to prove it. His mother had spent her life protecting her son as best she could and, in the end, had given her life for it when his father had come home in a drunken rage one night.

Now his mother was gone, but free, and his father was behind bars. Roman had joined the military as a last resort, having no where else to go, but had found