Page 11 of Deadly Peril

He rang the bell and waited. The wooden door appeared heavy and thick, so he didn’t expect to hear any noise from inside. Then the door opened, and Eva grinned at him. “Come inside, Thaddeus. You’re right on time.”

The woman looked as well groomed and lovely as she had at the office the other day. Her greeting was welcoming and gave assurance that she hadn’t changed her mind.

Eva was sharp as a whip, something he’d do well to remember. The gleam in her eyes said it all. A young woman stood behind her but didn’t speak or make a move to shake his hand. He recognized her from her photos.

“Pleasure to see you again, Eva.” After greeting his employer, Thaddeus waited. He didn’t want to be overbearing. Often his size and demeanor made him appear intimidating. That wasn’t how he wished to start off with the client.

Jana was fit and lovely. Her photos didn’t do her justice. Under the sweater and jeans, the outline of her toned body was evident, a result of many years of competitive snow sports. He steeled himself not to study her too close, lest she get the wrong idea. Her light brown hair flowed to just below her shoulders.

And her green eyes bored into him.

He’d predicted that Jana might not be glad about her grandmother’s decision. He’d have to play it cool until she got used to the idea. He let Eva take the lead.

Eva waved her hand. “This is my granddaughter Jana.” She glanced at the woman behind her, who still hadn’t moved. “There’s no need to stand in the foyer. Please, come in. We can talk in the sitting room.”

She ushered Thaddeus into another room, and Jana followed. There was a massive stone fireplace, wooden floors, and a padded area rug. The tall windows covered one entire wall, making it appear that they’d stepped into the forest.

Eva motioned to a chair, so Thaddeus sat down but didn’t relax. Social situations weren’t his forte. He was uncertain how to behave. The meeting seemed more like a personal visit than a new assignment. He removed his parka and draped it over the arm of the chair.

Jana sat on the edge of a chair, as far away from Thaddeus as was possible. She folded her hands in her lap but didn’t offer any comment. Her grandmother smiled at her, without appearing to be thrown off by the unfriendly behavior.

“This is Thaddeus Jonsson,” Eva said to her granddaughter. “He is the bodyguard that I was telling you about. He works for a company in Los Angeles called Stealth Security.”

At that, Jana’s eyes widened, but she didn’t voice her surprise at the choice of employee from so far away.

“I met his boss, a family man.” That seemed to satisfy Eva. “He hires former SEALs, so I was assured that their qualifications and dependability are beyond question.”

Jana blinked.

“Thaddeus is an Icelander, like us. Well, he was born in this country, but his family is from a place near Reykjavik.” Eva seemed pleased with herself.

A knowing look came into Jana’s eyes. That last revelation had explained her grandmother’s choice of bodyguard.

Silence descended, and Eva looked from her granddaughter to the new bodyguard.

Jana sighed. “Listen…I need to—”

Eva went over to her and grasped her hands. “I’ll leave you two to discuss things. Your bodyguard can have the guest suite. So, when you’re done, why don’t you show him where he’ll be staying?”

Then Eva turned to Thaddeus. With a nod toward her granddaughter and a roll of her eyes, she left the room, finished with the introduction.

Thaddeus took his cue and looked at Jana, prepared to give her some guidelines about staying safe. If he was to protect her, then she’d have to do her part.

“You can’t stay here,” Jana said, and waved toward the door. “My grandmother means well, but she’s made a mistake. I apologize that you’ve come all this way.”

Thaddeus was at a loss for words. Physical encounters he understood—verbal, not so much. He wished for a suave vocabulary that he didn’t have. He tried to think of the right thing to say, and of how to assure Jana that he would do his job, that she could count on him.

The words escaped him. He stared at Jana, hesitating for only a moment. “I won’t be leaving.”

****

Silence filled the room. Jana stared at her new bodyguard. He looked like a modern-day Viking. The man was taller than she was, and she guessed he was a touch over six three. He had long blond hair tied back in a manly style.

She looked into his blue eyes, trying to read him. He wore faded blue jeans and a sweater that draped over his broad shoulders. His chest and arms filled out the garment, and his muscular thighs stretched the denim of his pants. The outfit was completed by snow boots.

Staring up at him, Jana was struck with the notion of his power. All he needed was the prow of an old wooden ship to stand on, and he’d be a real Viking. She would have found it sexy if she hadn’t been so annoyed.

To top it off, the bodyguard was of Icelandic heritage. Her grandmother must have had quite a challenge finding such a man, but she’d managed. And now, Jana was expected to accept him without question.

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