Page 4 of Covert Affair

I could killmy big brother right about now. I’ve studied everything about my latest assignment on my way here. I know all her dirty secrets. And the fact that Grady, country music’s biggest star, has a massive hard-on for her. Or so they say, if the rumors are true.

Doesn’t help that he’s also a long time client of ours, too. I don’t know how the hell he got our contact information but the next thing I knew, I was on my way to his Nashville compound to set up one of our state of the art security systems. We hit it off and now he requests me whenever there is an issue, or he wants an upgrade.

Hell, he’s the reason Stacey hired Cole Security for protection detail. Since she’s been with us for a while now, and everyone already knows our regular guys, big brother thought it would be hilarious to send me out here to LA and play her fake boyfriend for the weekend. Still, I never thought I’d be the guy rubbing elbows with celebrities.

I’ve been working for Cole since he retired from the Marines and started his own company. Hand trained by him and his elite team of military vets and former first responders. Ran his company solo how many times in the past when he needed time off? This is the reward for my hardwork and knowledge. Glorified babysitter to a country music princess.

I have to admit that Stacey’s client file and the magazine photos I’ve seen of her do not do her justice. At least if I’m stuck babysitting, I can enjoy the view.

Walking up to her at the pool I had to count backward at least a dozen times so that our first introduction didn’t include a wave hello from another appendage. If her looks weren’t enough, she smells like honey and vanilla—a deadly combination.

“How was your flight?” Stacey goes for small talk as we walk hand in hand back to her room.

During my perimeter scan of the pool area when I arrived, I spotted a young guy hanging in the corner with his phone pointed right at Stacey. He didn’t fit the stalker boy look, but it didn’t matter. Paparazzi or stalker, it was time to get her out of there. After all, that was part of my job this weekend.

I’ve worked undercover on short stints for Cole before. This should be a cake walk. I could even have a little fun with it, if I didn’t already know that Stacey has a reputation for being cold-hearted and ruthless. Plus…I do have a strict rule about not mixing business with pleasure.

It’s all for show. I remind myself.

I give a casual shrug. “It wasn’t bad. No crying babies. Would have been better if we could have flown out together.”

“Quite the charmer,” she mumbles sarcastically under her breath.

“How was the rehearsal? I caught some of those interviews on my way here.”

Her eyes widen slightly.

That’s right, I did all my homework, Miss Stacey.

“Good. I’m nervous about performing the set live tomorrow night. But rehearsals have been great. Everyone’s looking forward to it.”

“And Grady managed to keep his hands to himself?” I fake the jealous boyfriend attitude and pin her against the wall. Invading her space, I lean in and pretend to kiss her again. “We’ve got eyes on us,” I whisper instead.

She arches into me and lets out a breathy sigh.

I let her go once they pass us and she fans her face as we start walking again.

Stacey stops outside her hotel room door. “Never pinned you for the jealous type,” she hip-checks me playfully before sliding her key card in the lock. It’s unexpected and way more lighthearted than I anticipated.

When the door unlocks, I open it and hold it for Stacey, waiting for her to step inside before following behind her.

“Guess I don’t need to ask if you want to come inside,” she deadpans before taking stock of my open suitcase laying across the bed, “You’re not staying in my room are you?”

“Wasn’t my idea. Boss’s orders,” I grunt, relaxing out of my role as her lover while I can.

I’ve been in town since early this morning and had plans to relax at a nearby hotel. Work out at the gym, watch the latest “Game of Thrones” on-demand, and order room service. But then I got the call to bring my ass over here. I was given a room number and told our team had already checked it out.

Of course, I did my own search of the room before heading up to the pool deck. If Cole taught me anything, it was never to be too sure.

Stacey chuckles. “My boss or yours?”

“Both. Seems Grady’s comments put a target on your back. Since I was already assigned to accompany you tomorrow evening, your PR rep decided that it was best that I show up early. Try to put the rumors to rest. Since you had eyes on you at the pool, I’m now the distraction and the protection.”

“Shit,” she hisses. “Who do you think was watching us at the pool?”

I can’t tell if she's being sarcastic or if she’s concerned.

Pulling my cell phone from my pocket, I check my messages. “The person at the pool is confirmed as paparazzi. My team hacked his phone remotely, and while we’ve made headlines, he’s been watching all the celebrities coming in and out of the hotel.”

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