Page 37 of Unexpected Trouble

“It’s not what you think,” I hissed.

“I don’t care what the fuck it is, Blaire. She raised valid points, and she had a fantastic idea. We’ll get this contract back on track, and if it requires her traveling with us, then so be it. I can assign you to watch over her pretty ass.”

“Don’t do that to me,” I told him, my mind in a whirlwind.

“Why? You afraid you might get caught up on those sexy blue eyes and fall again? Well, let me tell you what. I think that might be a good idea.”

“What?” I barked as I stepped back. “Last night, you told me to stay the hell away from commitment. Now you’re telling me to get involved with someone—her.”

“Yeah,her, not someone. That woman is willing to travel. She wants to write articles about what is happening behind the curtains with civilian contractors. She wants to see the world and help educate people. Do you know what that means? She won’t care if you travel, because she will want to go with you. She won’t want you to stay home and keep safe. She’s getting too old to have babies, and she doesn’t seem all that maternal anyway.”

“Are you fucking crazy!” I said and winced as I realized how loud my voice was. “You want to let a woman travel with us? You have lost your damn mind, Jake.”

“Not off the bat, I wouldn’t. I would expect Maggie to go through our training, and if she isn’t cut out for it, then we’d tell her it won’t work. We should give her a chance, though.” He stopped and shook his head. “No, not we; this is my company. I am going to give her a chance. I think it would be fantastic to have a reporter with us that can cover our stories, and maybe help us with locals in different parts of the world. Just imagine what this could do for our company.”

“You really have lost your damn mind, Jake.”

“Actually, I haven’t, Blaire. I’m pretty focused on this, and I think it’s one of the best ideas I have had in a while.”

“Did she put you up to this?”

“No, I mean, Maggie suggested doing the transport, but I’m thinking long term here.”

“Jake, don’t do this to me, man.”

“Do what? Put someone that you care about in harm’s way, or put temptation before you?”

“Either! Both!”

“Suck it up, buttercup. Maggie is going on that mission if we get that contract back, and she’s your strap.” Jake slapped me on my shoulder and walked away, grinning.

Chapter Fourteen

Maggie

After Greg left last night, and I got my mother settled back in her room, I dwelled over what Greg had said regarding the proposal and client. I jumped online and did some research on the company he worked for, Safety Zone Security, and read the bios on the employees, the mission statements, and reviews from other clients. I searched for more on the internet and decided that what they were doing was a good thing, and I wanted to help.

Greg had called me from his boss’ cellphone, so it was easy for me to hit the call button and get in touch with him. I just hoped he didn’t get upset that I was calling so late. I believed that once I got him on the line and told him my idea, he might be willing to talk to me and let me see what I could do.

He had been groggy when he answered, but after a few minutes of conversation, he woke up and listened intently. A couple of minutes later, he was asking questions. Within fifteen minutes, he was sharing information with me. By the time we hung up, he had sent me the proposal and all the information that he had on the clients and organizations involved.

I was up until two researching, and then I grabbed a few hours of sleep before I sat down with a strong cup of coffee and began to read the proposal. It outlined the materials it would be transporting, the number of people involved, the route that would be taken, and every other conceivable bit of information down to alternate routes and possible tactical disadvantages that they might have. Some of it I didn’t understand, but most of it I did. It was a good proposal, a damn good proposal.

As I prepared myself to meet with Jake and the rest of his team, I tried to rein in my nerves. I had to come across as tough and knowledgeable, with the ability to do what I had planned. I could not react to Greg—at all.

I closed my eyes as the elevator began to rise. Since Greg had left last night, I had been trying to fight back the memory of that kiss. Holy crap, I did not want to think about that kiss.

That minute of passion had been more intense than any other moment of my life, and I knew that I had pushed Greg into it. I didn’t want to have to push him into it. I wanted him to want it too. It had been incredible, and it made me realize that I was not over Greg—not by a long shot. I would never be over Greg.

Which sucked.

I didn’t want to have feelings for him, just like he didn’t want to have them for me. I knew he thought that he couldn’t give me what I wanted, desired—deserved. I knew better, though. what could I do to prove to him that I was worth it?

The doors opened, and I stepped out, taking a deep breath as I recalled the thoughts that I’d had last night. I’d woken up this morning with the answer. I’d show him that I could live in his world. I might not be a trained tactical warrior like he was, but I could do some of what he did. I wanted to do it; I wanted to travel to the places that he went to and report the news. Share what these contractors were doing to better our country and other countries around the world.

Maybe they would let me do this one; perhaps they wouldn’t. All I could do was ask, and when I spoke with Jake at ten that morning, he seemed on board with the idea. In fact, he seemed excited about the possibility; now, if I could only get Greg on board.

When he asked to speak to Jake alone, I grew nervous. So far, I thought that things had gone well, but would Greg have the pull to get Jake to change his mind?

---