Page 4 of Snowed in with My Protector

The remnants of my dream, which I had been desperately trying to dispel, begins to encroach on me again. I know the bite of the cold air isn’t going to chase it away, not this time. Not again.

“Hutch,” there’s understanding in Blake’s voice, “I know it’s unconventional and not something I’ve ever asked of you before. If it weren’t important, if I didn’t believe that this is the safest thing for the client then I would never ask this of you. I understand the importance of your space, but this is life or death.”

“Life and death isn’t uncommon,” I grumble.

“You’re not wrong,” there’s a hint of amusement in his voice even with the seriousness of the conversation. He sighs and I can almost see his shoulders slump in my mind’s eye. “The woman who called me was on a bus leaving Seattle. Have you seen the news coverage about Luxe Notes?”

The hair on the back of my neck stands up. “I saw the coverage. A whistleblower employee came forward, right?”

“She did,” there’s a knowing in his voice. “The reporter she went to when she discovered the reports and communication about the lies the company had been hiding for years recommended for her to stay at a hotel. She didn’t want to at first, not realizing the danger she was in.” My blood freezes because I know greed is a motivator of violence. “It’s a damn good thing too because last night she got an alert on her phone from her security company.”

I growl, “How many?”

“Three,” there’s a bite in his words and I know they have nothing to do with me. Blake Higgins is pissed that someone went after this woman. I am too.

No one should feel helpless, especially when they’ve done the right thing. From what I’ve seen, Luxe Notes has been fooling the public since it began. Their entire brand was built on being against animal testing and sourcing materials ethically, but they’ve been doing the opposite.

The thought of this woman calling out the company on their lies and then have three men, three fucking men, break into her place? That has to be scary as hell.

“You know they weren’t there for a conversation,” I grit out through my teeth.

Blake grunts before informing me, “No. They were armed and they dismantled her security in less than ten seconds. They were there to take her out.”

While it might not matter, something is niggling at me about the situation. The question is out of my mouth before I can stop it, “Why did she call you?”

“Because Higgins Security is the best.”

“No,” I scoff, “there has to be more to it. You said she was already on a bus toward Denver. How did she know you’d be able or willing to help? There’s something you’re not telling me.”

“This is why I know she’ll be safe with you.” It’s not a dig, but it feels a little like one. “Her brother is overseas but told her before a deployment that if she ever needed help then to call me.”

“Shit,” I breathe out.

I glance around my cabin, and I know my answer before I even say it. Hell, he probably knows my answer too.

Like I’m really going to say no to this?

This woman did a brave fucking thing without any clue as to what the consequences could be if the reporter was the one who had to tell her to stay at a hotel. The thought of the men sent after her finding her at home makes my stomach clench.

“Bring her here,” I grit out as I fight off my anger. Before he can say anything, the thought of her being alone out there on a bus has me seeing red and I bark, “Who did you send?”

He chuckles softly. “How did you know I sent anyone to her?”

“Oh please,” I scoff, “there’s no way you would leave her out in the cold.”

“I sent Ellington and Duncan,” he informs me.

“Oh, her rock star let her go out on a job?” I’m joking, kind of.

When Higgins provided security through the guise of a fake girlfriend to a rock star, Hayes Jennings, Ellington was the one he sent out. Working with the artist signed to White Picket Fences Records isn’t uncommon since the guys of SuburbanOutcasts, who own the label, are part of the same huge family Higgins and his team are included in.

What no one could have known, at least I don’t think they could have foreseen it, was how hard and fast Hayes would fall for Ellington. The rock star went from a stereotype, going through women like water, to being a one-woman man, but only for Ellington. Considering Ellington’s service record and having met the woman, I’m sure she didn’t make it easy on him.

“Wait,” I snarl, “didn’t she just have her son?”

Higgins sighs, “Yes. They named him Davis,” he informs me. “It wasn’t like I wanted to send her out, but I thought her presence might make this easier. Since they’ve gone on the jet to intercept her instead of riding the bus all the way here, she’ll only be away from the baby for a matter of hours.” He pauses and I can hear the smile in his voice, “Hayes told me that after she gets home to lose their number for a little while.”

I chuckle and shake my head, knowing how deeply in love the men of this strange extended family can be about their women. It’s like it’s a requirement to be part of the inner circle or some shit. Not that I can’t understand it, but I’ve certainly never felt that way about a woman before.

---