Free Necessary Risk (Bodyguard) by Tara Wyatt Page A

but it was negatively affecting her day-to-day life. All because she felt that women should be allowed to decide what happened to their bodies.
    Assholes.
    *  *  *
    He watched as Jonathan Fairfax circled him, stalking closer like a wolf hunting its prey.
    “What do you mean, you don’t have the money?” Fairfax batted at the overhead light, sending it swinging back and forth in an arc of light and shadow, adding to his dizziness. He shifted in his chair, the wood hard and unforgiving underneath him. It creaked slightly, and he cleared his throat.
    “I don’t have it right now. But I’ll get it.”
    “You have no fucking clue who you’re messing with, do you?” Fairfax’s voice was quiet and menacing, the words spoken with deadly precision.
    A chill ran across his skin, the hairs on the back of his neck standing at attention, because he knew exactly who he was messing with. A bead of sweat rolled down his back, and he clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the tremor threatening to shake his skin free of his bones. “I’ll get you the money. I swear.”
    Fairfax frowned, looking both unconvinced and unimpressed. “Let me ask you a question. Do you think it’s fair that we held up our end of the deal and got you exactly what you wanted, and now you can’t pay us for services rendered?” He nodded at someone behind the chair, and suddenly a plastic bag came down over his head, clamped in place with strong, immovable hands. He struggled for air, kicking out his feet as his lungs burned, his vision blurring around the edges. After a moment the bag lifted, and he sucked in a lungful of air, sputtering and gasping as his pulse thundered in his ears.
    “Answer me. Do you think that’s fair?”
    He shook his head rapidly, spots dancing across his field of vision. “No.”
    Fairfax smiled, all tanned skin and white teeth. “I’m so glad we agree.” The smile still in place, he leaned down, his hands braced on the arms of the chair, his face inches away. “You will pay me every cent you owe me with interest, you fucking worm, or I will end you, slowly and painfully. The next time I set eyes on you, you better have my money. Don’t make me break your fingers. I hate resorting to clichés.”
    He nodded. “I’ll have it. I promise.”
    And he knew exactly where he was going to get it.

Chapter 7
    S ierra stepped into the restaurant with Sean and Jamie at her back, a sea of customers enjoying their lunches before her. She glanced over her shoulder at Sean, who sent her a reassuring smile. Not only was she not looking forward to the meeting with her agent, but she suddenly felt open and exposed. Her eyes darted around the restaurant, looking for…something. Anything out of place. Her shoulders stiffened as she realized how right Sean had been about the potential danger in public spaces right now. She didn’t even know who or what to look for, or what they’d do next. Fear mingled with anger, and she gripped her purse a little tighter.
    “Relax. You’re fine. Jamie and I have got you.” Sean’s deep voice was quiet, and it washed over her, unknotting the tense muscles in her back and shoulders. He laid a hand on her lower back and guided her farther into the restaurant. “I’ll be at a table nearby, and Jamie will be watching the doors. If it wasn’t safe, I wouldn’t have let you come.” She glanced back at him again, and his hand pressed a bit more firmly into her back, warmth radiating out from his touch and relaxing her even further. She nodded, gratitude that he was here and trust in his ability to keep her safe extinguishing the anxiety eating at her chest.
    She caught Linda’s eye and waved, weaving her way through the maze of square tables, each topped with a pristine white tablecloth. The sun streaming in the front windows reflected off the wine bar on the opposite wall, illuminating the elegant space done in shades of cream and tan. Nearly every table was full, mostly with industry types