Her Broken Bodyguard: Lockwood Industries, #6

By Laura Ann

He came back from war a different man,
and doesn't feel worthy of love.
She's never been more determined to prove him wrong.



Cora Sanderson has loved Harlan Lockwood since she was in her teens. As a close family friend, she watched him change from a boy to a man and waved goodbye as he left for the military. After Harlan was imprisoned for several months by the enemy, Cora was there when he was released and again when he started a personal security firm. In fact, she works as his secretary and the time spent with him is a strange combination of elation and torture. If only she could do something to break through the dark cloud he's carried ever since he arrived home.

Harlan Lockwood has always been duty focused, but the one bright spot in his life was Cora, his little sister's good friend. He fell in love with her right before he left home, but kept it to himself, not willing to ask her to wait for a soldier. Now that's he home for good, he feels too broken to pursue the relationship he always wanted. His time as a prisoner changed him in ways that no woman should ever have to deal with and Harlan is determined to keep Cora from experiencing his nightmares.

When Cora witnesses a murder, Harlan is the only one who can protect her and together they go into hiding. Now that it's just the two of them, Cora is dead set on helping Harlan see that he doesn't have to go through life alone. Can she break through his barriers to the wounded heart underneath? Or will he continue to push her away, too focused on protecting her to let her in?



Her Broken Bodyguard is the sixth and final standalone book in the "Lockwood Industries" sweet, contemporary romance series. If you like swoon-worthy men, determined women, and feel-good HEA's, then you'll adore Laura Ann's charming tale.

Grab your copy of Her Broken Bodyguard and read the highly anticipated conclusion to the Lockwood Industries series!



Check out all the Lockwood employess in this best selling series!

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

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angel Music
• Release date: Apr 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201624453

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Cora Sanderson made a face as she chewed the strong mint tablet. Gah... She fanned her mouth as the strength of it hit her. Water. Need water. Leaning down to the sink, she hurriedly directed a small stream into her mouth, washing down as much of the bitter mint as she could through the now freezing sensation in her mouth.

Ohhh... She put her hands on the bathroom counter and gasped for air. That was terrible! Grabbing the small metal tin, she looked at it with skepticism. You’re supposed to help me be more confident, not turn me into a salivating mess.

Glancing in the mirror, she groaned. Her pale skin was blotchy and her lipstick was completely washed away. Grumbling under her breath, she grabbed some paper towels and went to work fixing the problem. Five minutes later, she was feeling much better. There. She looked at her red hair, laying in curls around her shoulders, and her green eyes, which she thought looked too big for her face. The soft lipstick she had reapplied helped downplay her pouty lips. Well...it’s as good as it’s gonna get.

She threw back her shoulders and marched out of the bathroom. She headed toward the front desk and sat carefully at her computer. She kept her back straight and her legs crossed just right to show off her calves. Her eyes were focused on her computer, but her attention was on the hallway to her left. Most of the workers at Lockwood Industries, the personal security firm she worked for, had already left for the night, but Cora was waiting for a very specific person. A very specific man.

Harlan Lockwood.

Her boss.

And the love of her life.

Cora had grown up with the Lockwoods. The identical triplet brothers had a younger sister Cora’s age named Goldie, whom Cora had been good friends with. She had spent many happy hours in the Lockwood home during her younger years. As she grew into a teenager, Cora had realized that the triplets were fantastically handsome, but it wasn’t until she was visiting during college and they were home on their first break from the military that she knew something had changed...at least when it came to Harlan.

She closed her eyes as she pictured that December afternoon. She’d been sitting with Goldie, next to a roaring fireplace, sipping hot cocoa and catching up on their time spent apart, when Harlan had swaggered into the room. A small grin tugged at Cora’s mouth as she thought about his walk. He really did swagger. All that bravado and confidence. He was everything a girl could want.

She’d had to snap her mouth shut as butterflies erupted in her stomach and her heart rate picked up like she was running a marathon. Everything Goldie was saying went in one ear and out the other as Cora’s attention was completely arrested by the handsome arrival.

What are you two gossiping about now? Harlan had drawled, leaning his massive shoulder against the doorframe and folding his arms over his chest.

Cora had actually touched the corner of her mouth to be sure she wasn’t drooling. No man should look that good. Especially one that’s always been like a brother to me.

Mind your own business, Goldie had snapped back.

You’re my business, Harlan said easily. He and the other two triplets had always been protective of Goldie, but when their mom and dad had died in a car accident during Goldie’s senior year, they’d basically taken over the role of parents. His bright blue eyes had lazily wandered to Cora, where he winked, spiking her heart rate even further.

Goldie had rolled her eyes. Yeah, yeah. I’m a grown woman, Har. You guys can back off a bit.

Harlan pushed off the wall and wandered over to the girls, leaning over Cora, whose tiny body shrunk to half its normal size. Do you think I should butt out? he whispered, raising an attractive eyebrow. One of his curls hung over his forehead and Cora found herself fascinated with it. She wanted to touch it, she wanted to tug on it, she wanted to pull his head down to hers and—

Cora! Goldie had yelled, snapping Cora out of her trance.

W-what? Cora stammered, turning from the Adonis in front of her to look at her best friend.

Tell him to get lost! Goldie said with a laugh, waving her brother away. The triplets only bring trouble.

Harlan put his hand over his chest. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Liar, Goldie said, but her wide smile gave away her amusement. Get out of here. She threw a pillow at him and Harlan easily caught it.

I’m going, I’m going, he said with a chuckle. Reaching down, he grabbed Cora’s hot chocolate. I just need to satisfy a little craving. Taking a long drink, he handed her back the mug. Ahh... He winked again. Just what I needed. Turning, he swaggered back out of the room, taking Cora’s heart with him.

Coming back to the present, Cora’s eyes burst open when she heard a door close down the hall. Her chest began to heave up and down rapidly as she waited to see who was leaving. She wanted it to be Harlan, but she was equally as terrified that it was him.

Night, Cora, Val, one of the employees and only female bodyguard at the firm, said.

Night! Cora said brightly. See ya on Monday. She let out a long breath and put her hand on her racing heart. She eyed the quiet hallway. Harlan was still down there. She knew he was. She also knew he preferred to leave when the place was quiet and he wouldn’t have to interact with anyone.

She had only seen him a few times over the last decade. He’d spent most of that time in the military, often overseas. But it wasn’t until Harlan had been captured during a mission that life had been turned upside down.

Cora had already been living back in Colorado by that time, and when Goldie had given her the news of Harlan’s situation, she’d come running. His subsequent rescue and release from the military had brought all his family together, along with several people he’d grown close to during his time in the service, most of whom were now employees at Lockwood Industries.

Seeing Harlan for the first time after his imprisonment had broken Cora’s heart. His once bright blue eyes were dull and haunted, the bags under his eyes were a testament to the fact that he didn’t sleep well, and the constant stubble on his chin looked rough, rather than debonair.

None of those things mattered to Cora. She still loved him, and now, after working for him for over a year, she had decided it was time to come clean. Tonight...she would confess her feelings to Harlan and do her best to help him heal.

HARLAN PUSHED A HAND through his hair in frustration. I used to command men and lead dangerous missions, and now look at me. Peeking around corners trying to avoid a beautiful woman. I’m a pathetic coward. He shook his head. There are so many things wrong with this picture, I don’t know where to start.

He peered around the corner, then quickly ducked back. Cora was still at her desk. He had no idea why she was still there so late, but one thing Harlan did know: he didn’t have the strength to walk past her.

He wasn’t sure when it had all started. Maybe it was clear back during his early days in the military. Maybe it was when they were children, but either way, Cora Sanderson had somehow weaseled her way into Harlan’s heart and he was head over heels in love with her. It had been easy to keep his distance at first. She was at college, he was in the military. He knew he would never make a move as long as he continued to serve. It wouldn’t be fair to her. So he’d never acknowledged his feelings. But now...now she was right in front of him everyday, and his defenses were wearing down.

And yet now that I’m actually home for good, I still can’t have her.

Harlan had come back from his imprisonment a changed man. He’d seen things that still haunted his dreams. He’d experienced pain that no human being should ever experience, and he’d seen men purposely hurt others in the most degrading and horrific ways imaginable.

He pressed against his temples and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to rid himself of the images that were flashing through his mind at the thought. This is why you can’t have her, he whispered to himself. You’re broken. Cora is vibrant and beautiful. She deserves someone who can give her the world, not someone who ducks at the sound of a firework going off.

He heard shuffling, so he peered around the corner again. Why isn’t she leaving? He stiffened. Is she waiting for me? Crap, he grumbled, rubbing his hands up and down his face. What now? He momentarily debated sneaking back to his office and going out the window, but if he knew anything about the vivacious, little secretary out front, it was that she would know exactly what he’d done.

Harlan shook his head. Lord...help me make it through this. We both know I can’t give her what she wants. It’s selfish of me to think otherwise. I have to give her up because I love her. Give me the strength I need to help her see that.

He took in a deep breath through his nose, expanding his chest, and held it for a count of ten. Then, with a final nod, he stood straight and walked around the corner.

Harlan! Cora called out, nearly falling out of her chair in her hurry to catch his attention.

Harlan resisted the urge to chuckle. She was one of the most detail-oriented people he knew, which made her a perfect secretary, but for all her skills, she had always been slightly accident prone. It was one of the things he adored about her.

What are you doing here so late? he snapped. Anger had become his friend when dealing with the beautiful redhead. It helped him keep her at a distance when he wanted to do anything but.

Cora’s jaw clenched and he could practically see her pushing a nasty response out of her head. After a moment, she relaxed. I needed to talk to you, she answered softly.

About what?

About us.

Harlan reared back. No, no, no. This can’t be happening. Anything but this. There’s nothing to talk about, Cora. Unless you mean the company?

Cora shook her head and stepped closer. She was within just a couple feet now, and Harlan could smell her flowery perfume. It was messing with his equilibrium, and he stepped back to be free of its influence. When her face fell, he knew she took it as a direct rejection. He didn’t correct her.

It’s better this way.

Her sadness didn’t last, however, as Cora threw back her shoulders and marched straight into Harlan’s personal bubble. I’m not as blind as you think, she said through clenched teeth. I know you have feelings for me, just like I have feelings for you. What I don’t understand is why you keep trying to prove otherwise. Her face softened and she tilted her head to the side. Why won’t you just speak to me, Har? You’ve had my heart since that first Christmas home from college. Why are you fighting this so hard?

Harlan swallowed what felt like a tack and it landed heavy in his stomach. His hands were trembling with the desire to grab her in his arms and show how he truly felt, but his mind was screaming that it would never work. She deserves better. She deserves better. She deserves better. The chant was on repeat in his head, like a broken record. Clearing his throat, he stepped back once again. I’m sorry if I’ve given you the wrong impression, he said stoically. I never meant to hurt you.

Cora scoffed and her eyes widened as she comprehended the words coming from his mouth.

You’re an old family friend and I’ve truly been grateful for your help in getting this company up and running. However, I don’t feel that way about you. I’m sorry. He forced his stiff legs into submission and began to walk past her, but Cora grabbed his arm.

Her beautiful green eyes were teary as she looked up at him. You’re lying, she said thickly.

Harlan continued to fight his emotions, but managed to shake his head. I’m not. He made sure to keep eye contact, praying desperately she would buy the absolute untruths slipping from his lips.

She shook her head, causing a couple of the tears to break loose and trickle down her porcelain cheeks. I don’t believe you.

Harlan opened his mouth to respond, but never got the chance.

Cora stepped forward, grabbed the back of his neck, and brought their mouths together in an explosion of overly wound tension and natural chemistry.

CHAPTER 2

I’m kissing Harlan Lockwood, Cora thought with a dreamy sigh. I’M KISSING HARLAN LOCKWOOD!!! His lips were just as perfect as she’d imagined, and when she wrapped her other arm around his neck, she nearly died of happiness when he began to return the kiss. For a split second, he took control, sending her soaring into the heavens, until he grabbed her arms and wrenched her away from his body.

Harlan’s large, muscular chest was heaving as he