Page 65 of Volatile Vice

I hope she can.

I sure as heck can’t.

I go outside, get in my car, and drive the few minutes to my place.

Falcon’s car is already there when I arrive, along with a car I don’t recognize. A black Suburban.

I walk up to my door, enter the code, and go into my house.

Falcon sits in my kitchen along with a very large man. He’s tall, at least six foot six, with dark skin and the build of about three linebackers.

“Raven, this is Jared. Jared Tucker. Your new bodyguard.”

Jared stands—and he’s even bigger than I thought he was. “Ms. Bellamy, it’s a pleasure.” He walks toward me and holds out his hand.

I take his hand, letting it dwarf my own. “Mr. Tucker.”

“Call me Jared, ma’am.”

“Sure.” I let go of his hand. “And you may call me Raven. I don’t like Ms. Bellamy, or God forbid”—I shudder—“ma’am.”

He cracks a small smile. “Whatever you say, Raven.”

“We were lucky to find Jared,” Falcon says. “Leif knows him from the Navy.”

“Oh, did you serve with Leif?”

Jared shakes his head. “Not in the way you mean. I was a SEAL, but Phoenix and I were with different companies. Everybody knew the Phoenix, though. He could get out of any trouble.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“He’s a good man.”

“Leif vouches for Jared also,” Falcon adds. “And his word is as good as gold.”

“I’m sure you’re a perfectly nice man,” I say to Jared. “And thank you for what you’re doing for me.”

He nods. “Thank you for the job. I will do my best to keep any harm from coming to you.”

“I know.”

I don’t ask how much he’s being paid. I’m sure it’s a ton. I’ll talk to Falcon about it later and make sure it comes out of my trust fund.

“I’ve arranged for Jared to stay in the room right next to yours,” Falcon says.

“Sure, that’s fine.”

“You have nothing to fear from having me here,” Jared says.

“I don’t fear you.”

“You don’t want to fear me,” he says, “but it’s clear on your face when you look at me. I know what I look like, how large I am. I’m used to the stares.”

I drop my gaze to the floor. “I apologize.”

“Don’t. There’s no need for that. Your brother and Leif have apprised me of the situation. Any person would have their guard up after what you and your family have been through. I would be shocked if you didn’t.” He gestures out the kitchen window toward my driveway. “I’ll be your driver as well. You saw my SUV outside. Where you go, I go.”

I turn to my brother. “Falcon…”