Page 6 of The Rough Ride (Sanctuary, Inc. #3)

N ick leaned back in his office chair.

Ever.

Hmmm. Derek would blend right in with the children.

Nick needed nine security personnel to fully staff a week with the Richardson family. Extended out, he was looking at well over a million a year for bodyguard services, and that didn’t include the new security systems in all three homes.

There was nothing like family money, and Richardson was swimming in it. Nick had arranged to meet the wife tomorrow morning and install the new system in the DC home. According to Richardson, there was no time to waste. He wanted his family safe. Yesterday.

Nick’s phone pinged with messages, and he remembered Liz’s text from earlier. Some doofus sent her flowers. Not good. It was time to get her talking. He’d given her plenty of space and time to heal.

And he’d tolerated her request to keep their relationship open.

He’d been stateside three months and had seen her only four times. She’d looked more beautiful than ever a few weeks ago. She’d put on a little weight. Not so military lean anymore. It looked damn good on her. Accentuated her curves.

He entered Liz’s mother’s address into his phone and scanned the directions.

Well, he’d been at the right place yesterday when nobody was home.

Maybe he’d try again today. He could buy a spectacular bunch of flowers and personally deliver them.

Don’t bother calling first. She’d only try to meet in a restaurant, or on a Saturday at some park.

He’d been patient long enough. There was no way he’d let some dude move in on the lieutenant he’d loved since high school. He glanced at the clock. The traffic would be easing soon. It was only seventeen miles from his place to hers, but in rush hour, it could take him the better part of an hour.

He’d take a shower first and wear something casual. On second thought, he’d wear a fresh suit. His girl never could resist him in his dress blues. A suit would really grab her attention.

The last time he’d seen her during that Sanctuary, Inc.

rescue, she’d worn a wetsuit. It’d been like perusing the latest hot-off-the-press swimsuit issue.

His johnson had spent the evening bouncing between half-chub and full salute.

A rather pleasant experience until he realized she’d left without saying goodbye.

He chuckled to himself. He’d do his damnedest to get her attention tonight.