Page 5 of ELITE Protection
The sound of tapping computer keys over the phone line had stopped. “Ma’am, I see you are at—”
When the man in Atlanta spoke her address, fear shot through Hannah. They knew exactly where she was. Her eyes immediately darted to the back door. It took thirty-five seconds to reach the vehicle she had parked a block away. Everything she needed was in the duffel bag that lay unzipped on the dining table.
“Is this Hannah Kader?”
She jerked at the sound of her name.
“Ms. Kader. Are you still there?”
She looked at the phone in her hand as though it was about to bite her.
“Ms. Kader. Hannah Kader. Please respond or I will call the local police and direct them to your home.”
No. Sirens and flashing blue lights would be a beacon for anyone searching for her, not to mention the call over open airwaves.
Taking a deep breath, she exhaled slowly, wrestling her fears under control. “I’m here. Thank you, but police are unnecessary.” At least she hoped. “Is the man outside my door one of yours?”
Her phone dinged indicating a text.
“I have just sent you a picture of Isaac Snow, your personal protection arranged for by your parents. Please check your text.” Efficient and calm would be the words Hannah would use to describe the man on the other end of the line.
Glancing down at the picture, Hannah smiled then lifted her gaze to the man standing on the porch. It was the selfie he had taken less than a minute ago.
Damn, these guys were good. She suddenly felt better about the entire situation.
Lifting the phone back to her ear, Hannah replied, “Yes, it’s him. Thank you so much.” She ended the call and slid the phone into her back pocket.
After releasing the chain, Hannah opened the door. “Mr. Snow, won’t you come in, please.”
As he stepped inside, he removed the knit cap and ran long fingers through nearly black hair, removing any remnants of hat head. Then he took off the reflective sunglasses and tucked them into the collar of his sweater. When his gaze met hers, Hannah took a step back. Those deep brown eyes were decades older than the face of the man who stood only three feet away.
“Hannah Kader, I presume?” There was a hint of annoyance in his voice. His gaze scanned her body and stopped on the gun in her hand which she held next to her thigh.
“Yes.” She waggled the business card. “Isaac Snow, I’d like to take a good look at that identification, please.”
With his gaze still pinned on the gun, he slid off one glove and reached into the parka pocket. He held out his corporate identification. Maintaining her distance, she scrutinized the picture, glancing between the man and the photograph several times. ID pictures never did anyone justice. He was much more handsome in real life. Or maybe it was just the testosterone-enriched aura he exuded.
“Thank you.” Hannah shifted her weight, putting even more space between the two of them. “I’ve never had a bodyguard before.” She’d never needed one. She knew how to kick ass and take names all on her own. She didn’t need some man to take care of her.
A year of training by some of the fiercest fighters in the world, the Kurdish Peshmerga, had taught Hannah how to protect herself. Fighting in the all-female YPJ Battalion of the Syrian People’s Protection Unit the following year had shown her how to protect those weaker than her in ISIS-claimed areas of Syria and Iraq.
Hannah wondered how much Isaac Snow knew about her. “So, where do we start?”
“You can start by handing me that gun.” His gaze glanced down then right back to meet hers.
There was no way in hell she was going to let go of her Sig. It had saved her life multiple times. “Not happening, big boy.”
The right side of his lips twitched. “I take it you know how to use that P220?”
She grinned. “It’s a P320, and yes. Would you like me to give you a skills demonstration, or perhaps you need a handgun lesson?” During her time in the Middle East, Hannah had taught hundreds of young women how to use pistols, rifles, submachine guns, and even rocket launchers. But the look in his eyes told her he could pick up any weapon and use it efficiently.
Isaac slid out of his boots. “Just don’t point it toward me. You’ll find one looking right back at you. I’d appreciate it if you’d put that thing away. I’m here to protect you. Not kill you.”
Hannah slid the gun into the holster at the small of her back. “Satisfied?”
Without acknowledgment, he announced, “We need to secure the house and then we’ll talk.” He started with the window next to the front door, checking the locks and the area he could see outside. He then lowered the blackout shades, encasing them in near darkness.
She followed him, turning on lamps. Hannah had preferred to sit in the shadows and be able to see out, but Isaac’s concern was obviously the opposite. He didn’t want anyone to be able to see in.
