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FIVE YEARS LATER

The plane took off from the Richmond International Airport an hour late, causing Vincent Malloy to continually check his watch. Having turned off his cell phone, he anxiously wondered if he was going to make his connecting flight to Los Angeles. Rubbing a hand over his face, he settled back into his first-class seat, knowing there was nothing he could do about it now.

Sitting in the window seat, he glanced at his row partner, a businessman having to be reminded for the third time to turn off his phone and shut down his computer. Jesus, man, I know you fly all the time. Turn your shit off.

The man barely glanced at him before looking around the cabin and calling over the flight attendant to ask if he could move to another empty seat. Her eyes darted over to Vinny, but what flashed through her expression was lust. Vinny smirked, knowing he looked a little rough. Six feet four inches tall and over two hundred twenty pounds of muscle, with tats showing on his arms, he knew he was intimidating to other men. And interesting to women.

The attendant helped the other man settle into a different seat, giving Vinny the opportunity to stretch his legs out the way he wanted. He watched her as she winked while moving back toward the front. A moment later she came by with his coffee, bending low to place it on his armrest holder. While her uniform was not overly revealing, he noticed that she had unbuttoned the next two buttons on her tight blouse, allowing a tantalizing view of her breasts.

“Sir, if you need anything at all on this flight, please don’t hesitate to call for me. Or if you happen to be near the attendant’s station,” she said, nodding toward the front where the bathrooms were, “just ask for me. I’ll be happy to see to your every need.”

Vinny just nodded, wondering for a second if he would take her up on her blatant invitation. Maybe if I hadn’t just partied like hell last night. Even though he was only going to be gone for two nights, his buddies had given him a send-off. Or maybe I gave myself a send-off. Whatever, it was fun and I wouldn’t mind finding that blonde again for a repeat performance. As he leaned his head against the headrest, his mind went back to the previous evening’s fun.

He and some friends had gone to a bar and the sound of loud, hard rock music with a deafening beat pulsated through him, firing his blood. It did not take long for several women to begin circling the group of tall, muscled, tatted men. Rubbing his hand over his face, he realized his interest was waning for the same old, same old. He had spared a glance at Gabe, who had no problem fending off the ladies, letting them know he was definitely off the market. His brother’s wife was a dynamite little lady…beautiful and a real sweetheart as well. Glad for his twin, he sure as hell had not found anyone like that. Where had that come from? I’ve got no interest in being tied to one woman now. Startled at where his musings had taken him, he reached for the tall, stacked blonde who had been trying to get his attention for the past thirty minutes.

Taking her down to the dance floor, he pulled her into his body feeling her ass grind into his crotch. As tall as she was, her ass hit just the right spot. Oh yeah, it’s time to quit this joint. She turned to face him, pressing her enormous breasts into his chest.

“You want to go back to your place, sweetie?” she cooed.

“Nope. Not my place. You in the mood, we go to yours. I’m a one-night, one-stop kind of guy.”

Her heavily made-up eyes lit with desire. “I’m totally good with that,” she agreed, pulling him off the dance floor.

Several hours later, he moved from her bed knowing he needed to go back to his place to get ready for the trip. Looking down, he stared at her body sprawled out naked on the bed. She was pretty, he had to admit. Long legs that had wrapped around his hips. A full ass that gave him something to grab when taking her from behind. And those breasts. He knew they were real because of the feel of them, but the size? Fuck. Enormous handfuls, with large dark nipples, that swayed back and forth with each pounding. She leaned up in the bed, her face slack with a hangover and makeup smeared around her eyes .

“You going, sugar?” she asked, rubbing her hand over her chest. “You don’t want more?”

“Gotta go, but thanks. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime,” he said, noncommittally. Standard line. Always meant the same thing. Once I’ve tasted, I don’t come back.

A flash of irritation flew through her eyes, but he walked out nonetheless. He had to get ready for work.

“Will you be in Los Angeles for long?” she purred once again.

Startled, Vinny jerked his eyes open seeing the flight attendant leaning over him again. Shaking his head, he replied, “No. Just for the night. I’ll be flying back tomorrow.”

“Then you’ll definitely have to try to get in as much as you can as quickly as you can,” she smiled.

Chuckling at her invitation, he shook his head saying, “The coffee’ll do me for now.”

Watching her walk back to the attendant station, it was hard to keep his eyes off of her ass. The rear view of her was almost as good as the front.

Once in the air, he leaned his head back again. He felt like he should be reading up on his security escort case, but Tony had purposefully kept him in the dark. Tony Alvarez, his former Captain, had opened up his own Security Agency once out of the Army. Several of their squad were being discharged at the same time and gladly joined him in his growing business, filling it with his brothers-in-arms who had left the Special Forces as well. Men from their squad. Men they trusted. Men whose skills were unparalleled. Tony’s agency now handled not only installing state-of-the-art security systems, providing security to any number of dignitaries or functions in the area, but also helped the Richmond Police Department on a number of cases where their budget constraints did not allow for the equipment that he had.

Closing his eyes once again, he thought back to the conversation between them a few weeks ago.

Gabe and I were in the main Alvarez area working on a new security system when BJ walked by, calling out to me.

“Boss wants to see you. He’s in his office.”

I immediately headed to Tony’s office, finding him at his desk with files spread in front of him. “You called for me, sir?”

Tony looked up at me, staring for a moment before saying, “Business has been steady and we’ve got a good reputation in Richmond and now in Virginia. But I’ve got a new request for someone who travels in and out of the state. That kind of recognition has come from hard work and dedication and I’d like you to take it. This could take our company to a whole new level.”

My interest piqued, I waited to hear more about it.

“Got a request for a security detail to escort someone from Los Angeles to Richmond.” My face must have shown interest…and concern. Gabe had gotten tangled up with a diva actress on an assignment before meeting his fiancé, Jennifer, and it had turned out to be a cocked-up situation.

“Nope, not an actress. A musician,” Tony clarified .

“Just an escort detail?” I asked, willing to take any mission assigned, but curiosity getting the better of me.

“Yes, they’ll have a concert in LA where you will meet them. You’ll escort them on their flight to Richmond.”

“Concert?” I was definitely interested at the idea of spending a couple of days with a female musician, preferably a beautiful rock star. “Who is it?”

Tony sat quietly for a moment, staring at the file in front of him. Rubbing his chin in thought, he finally looked up at me and said succinctly, “Not saying.”

“Not…saying? Sir?”

Tony looked deeply at me before continuing. “Vincent, you’re one of my best. Ever since the first time I laid eyes on you and your twin, I couldn’t have asked for better. One thing about you was that when you were on a mission, you gave me one-hundred percent. Off mission, if you thought with your dick it didn’t matter. You still work just as hard for me as when we were in the Special Forces, but I need your head on this mission and not thinking with your dick.”

I started to protest, but Tony put up his hand. “I want you on this mission, regardless of who it is.”

Understanding what was at stake, I agreed. Male, female, old, young…it did not matter to the mission. Standing, I nodded to the leader I trusted with my life. “When do I leave?”

“I’ll have the details by the end of the week and you need to be ready to fly to California next week.”

Looking at his watch as they landed in Chicago, he knew he missed the connecting flight. Hurrying to the ticket counter, he waited impatiently as they managed to get him on the next flight to LA. Nodding his thanks, he made his way to the gate.

There was no need to pull out the assignment instructions again. He had them memorized. He was originally going to check into the hotel and have time to change before taking a taxi to the concert hall. Given backstage access, he would be there for the concert. He would meet the manager, the agent, and then after the concert…the artist. Escort them back to the hotel, where they would be staying, and then to the airport the next day for their flight back.

Tony had been specifically obtuse about the identification of the musician. The realization that his boss and friend was unsure of his professionalism with a hot rocker had Vinny grimacing. Vinny decided against checking concerts in the LA area, wanting to maintain complete control over the mission regardless of who he was escorting. It did not matter to him if she was a big name or not—he was taking this mission as seriously as all his other missions. He knew there was no danger involved or Tony would have briefed him completely. This was purely an official escort mission. What’s the worst that can happen? I have to scare a few paparazzi?

Hearing his flight being called, he made his way on board for the last leg of the trip. Settling down, he checked his watch one more time. I’ll have just enough time to get to the hotel and change before heading to the concert hall.

An hour later, he was seething as the plane was just taking off. Mechanical difficulties, the pilot had said. Re-running his schedule through his mind, he knew he would have to take his luggage with him and catch a taxi directly to where he was meeting the musician. Glancing down at his attire, he was traveling for comfort. His jeans, while clean, were slightly worn. His black t-shirt stretched tightly across his chest, only partially hiding the Malloy tattoo on his arm. His hair was trimmed neatly, but still long enough that it was standing on end from all of the times he had run his hand through it in frustration.

Sucking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he settled back. It’ll be fine for a musician. In fact, I’ll probably fit right in with the crew.

Several hours later, he jogged to the line of taxis outside of the LA airport. Rattling off the name of the concert hall, he hopped into the back. The concert had already started, but that would be all right. He was there on a job, not to listen to some chick sing. That was just going to be a bonus!

The taxi driver pulled up to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, then looked at Vinny in the rear-view mirror. “You say you needed to go to the backstage door?”

Vinny replied in the affirmative, but leaned over looking at the large hall with the sign Los Angeles Philharmonic . “Are you sure this is the right place?”

The driver nodded, saying, “Oh yeah, man. LA’s finest orchestra.”

Vinny chuckled at Tony letting him think he was escorting some young, female rocker. You got me, Captain, he thought. Knowing that he would be working with an older lady, he knew he would have to charm her a bit to get past his outer appearance. No worries. I got this.

Paying the taxi driver, he pulled his bag out of the back and jogged up to the door, passing security once he showed his identification. The hall’s security guard showed him where he could stow his bag and then pointed him in the direction of the backstage area. Moving through the people milling around, he heard the sounds of the orchestra growing louder as he approached. The guard had radioed ahead and he saw a man coming toward him, dressed in a tuxedo. Looking at his own casual attire... Shit.

He walked over to shake the man’s hand.

“Mr. Malloy?”

“Yes, sir. Vinny,” he replied.

The man nodded, then added, “Good to have you on board. I’m her agent, Gordon Fisher. If you’ll follow me, you’ll be able to watch the last part of the concert from the wings and then we’ll head back to Ms. O’Brian’s room afterward.”

Vinny followed the young man and as they moved into the wings, he could see the large orchestra on the stage. The women all in long, black dresses and the men in tuxedos. Glancing out toward the audience, he saw that the house was full.

The orchestra was playing and Vinny shifted uncomfortably in his stance. It had been a long time since he had listened to anything without a strong heavy beat and the harmonious sounds reminded him of times better left forgotten. The orchestra built to a climax and then fell silent as the soloist continued to play. The harp. The melodious chords filtered through the concert hall and resonated deep within Vinny’s chest. His eyes sought out the woman in the center of the stage with the harp gently resting on her shoulder. His breath caught in his throat as his gaze took her in.

Long, thick, dark hair that curled down her back. A porcelain, heart-shaped face, eyes closed as though in prayer as her fingers nimbly moved quickly across the strings. Her slim body encased in a sky blue evening gown, setting her apart from the others dressed in all black.

The tones moved through him as no other music had in years—not forcing him to remember a time of sand and death, but taking him to a place of respite and peace. Entranced, he watched her face in quiet repose as her fingers connected to his soul. The last time he allowed his being to be carried away by the enchantment of the music… Nope, not going there. Shaking himself out of his reverie, he tore his eyes away from the beautiful harpist and gazed across the rest of the orchestra wondering who he would be escorting back to Richmond.

Gordon touched his arm and Vinny followed the man to a hall backstage. Multiple doors opened into the hall, but they headed to one near the far end. “They’re on the last song. After they take their bows, the orchestra will release and I will have Ms. O’Brian’s manager bring her straight back here.”

The agent left the room, leaving Vinny in the small space looking around. A small settee was against one wall, with a chair facing the mirror on the other. A garment bag hung on a hook on the wall and a cosmetic travel bag sat on the floor nearby. Hearing voices coming down the hall, he straightened, awaiting to meet his mission.

Annalissa O’Brian was being pushed along with the crowd as usual. She hated being bounced around and wished for the umpteenth time that she were taller…or bigger. Then I’d push back , she thought. Todd Levine, her manager, on one side and Gordon Fisher, her agent, on the other. Both talking to her at the same time, trying to move her through the crowd toward her room.

Finally bursting through the door, she was propelled forward.

“You were fabulous, darling,” Todd was saying. “I told you this concert would take you places.”

“Todd, I don’t care about going pla—” she tried to interject.

“Of course you do,” Gordon interrupted. “Todd, we need to talk tomorrow to see what we can get set up next.”

“I’m thinking a trip to Chicago, then possibly Dallas. See what you can get worked up.”

“Annalissa, what a show. Honey, you look marvelous and your playing? Oh my God, I absolutely cried,” came the voice of her hair stylist, Parker, behind her.

Sharon barged into the room, grabbing the cosmetic bag. “I knew your makeup would hold up under those hot lights. I’m telling you, I know my shit. ”

“Gordon, I want you to check on the Hall in New York. See what they have next year,” Todd’s voice cut over the cacophony of others.

“Sirs, are you ready to allow any of the VIPs to have entrance to Ms. O’Brian?”

The room grew small and Annalissa could feel the noose tightening around her neck. Closing her eyes, she tried to block out the sounds, but could feel her breath coming in spurts. Everyone was speaking at once and she could feel the panic rising. Please, not now. Don’t let me fall apart now. She had suffered from panic attacks for years, but only in unfamiliar crowds—never on the stage. Her father considered it a sign of weakness and she had tried to hide them for years.

Numerous hands came forward, all connected to voices clawing for her attention. Until one clear voice in the crowd spoke out.

“Quiet!” came the bark from…her eyes widened as she looked to see who had managed to shut everyone up. Her gaze landed on him. She had no idea who he was, but he looked like a god. Tall, muscular, with the bottom of a Celtic tattoo showing below the arm of his t-shirt. The only man in the room not dressed for a symphony concert and yet the only man in the room that appeared to be completely at ease with himself.

Blinking back the tears as they threatened to fall, she watched as the crowd parted instantly for him as he stalked over. Stopping directly in front of her, she leaned her head way back to hold his gaze. He bent down to whisper, “Breathe, darlin’.”

Gasping in air, she realized that she had indeed been holding her breath. He took her hand in his much larger one, bringing it to his lips. A barely there kiss was placed on the back of her fingers and then he said, “Ms. O’Brian? It’s my honor to meet you. I’m Vincent. Vinny Malloy. And I’ll be your security escort back to Richmond.”

The room had grown strangely quiet, but before chaos could once again ensue, Vinny’s voice carried out. “I’ve just met Ms. O’Brian, but it’s obvious to me that she’s exhausted. As of this moment, she’s under my care and my protection. I and I alone will determine who may be let in to see her and when we will leave.”

Annalissa’s eyes darted around quickly, awaiting the uproar that was sure to follow. Todd’s mouth hung open while Gordon’s face grew red and his eyes narrowed. But she noticed he did not argue with the large man still holding her hand. Still holding my hand? Pulling her fingers out of his soft grip, she immediately felt regret at the loss of his touch.

Suddenly remembering the reason her father wanted to hire a security escort, she glanced around quickly, “Where’s Easnadh?”

Todd immediately answered, “The stage crew is bringing it here.”

Visibly relaxing, she turned her eyes once more to the man still standing a few inches away from her, a questioning look in his eyes.

Vinny had watched with curiosity as the group pushed through the door, all talking at once. Then stunned, he stared at the exquisite woman they were crowded around. The harpist. The Celtic beauty whose playing had him entranced just thirty minutes earlier.

Well played, Tony. No wonder you kept this one a secret, he thought, his eyes never leaving the woman. Expecting a diva personality, he was again stunned when she appeared to be completely overrun by the noise and confusion of her entourage. He watched her eyes, once again tightly closed, but this time as though trying to push out the uproar around her, then saw the tell-tale signs of her chin slightly wiggling, as she fought to keep from crying.

Before he knew what he was doing, he barked out, “Quiet!” and walked over to her. Her eyes flew open as they found his and they were…green. They drew him in as he reached to kiss her fingers. The same delicate fingers that played the most amazing music.

After almost falling apart, he watched as she suddenly came to life and with the only forcefulness he had seen from her, she questioned the whereabouts of someone named Easnadh. Hearing the response, he assumed that was the name of her harp.

She had pulled her hand away from his and he immediately missed her touch. Of course, the last thing she probably wants is someone holding her fingers in a grip that could crush them.

He had no idea why her father had requested an escort from Alvarez Agency and while he would have fulfilled his mission to the letter, from the moment she looked up at him with trust in her eyes, he knew he would do anything and everything to ease her trip back. And if that included keeping her own entourage at bay, then he had no problem doing just that.

The noise in the room stayed subdued for just a moment and then people began to talk again. Vinny noticed that Todd and Gordon moved closer to each other and began to speak in low tones. The man who had raved about Annalissa’s hair smiled at him and then gently pulled her over to the chair in front of the mirror.

Vinny could hear the young man talking to her in low, soothing tones as he carefully took all the pins out of her hair and began brushing it.

“Ms. O’Brian,” Vinny addressed her, watching as her gaze darted up to his in the mirror. “Do you want to meet anyone tonight?”

“I…um…,” she faltered as she looked over to Todd and Gordon. “I’m not sure what they’ve agreed to.”

Already taking a dislike to her agent and manager, he turned to them. “Gentleman, does Ms. O’Brian have a contractual obligation after the concert?”

Todd stiffened at the tone. “No, not in her contract. But it’s considered?—”

“Then I suggest we allow Ms. O’Brian to get her things and then I’ll escort her to the hotel.”

Just then a noise sounded from the door and a man, wearing a stage crew identifying t-shirt, walked in carrying a harp case.

“Here you go, safe and sound,” he said.

The harp case was not as large as Vinny had expected, then realized that when she was on stage she was not dwarfed by a large harp.

“It’s a Celtic harp,” came her soft voice from beside him. He glanced down at her, seeing her smile as she walked over and placed her hands on the case. As she was getting ready to open it, another man pushed his way into the room. An older gentleman, tall and reed-thin, he made his way directly toward Annalissa.

“Mr. Feinstein,” she cried, rushing to the man’s outstretched arms. “I wasn’t sure you’d be able to get back here.”

“Oh my dear, I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. You were superb.”

Annalissa felt a presence come up behind her. Glancing upwards, she saw the tight look on Vinny’s face. Rushing to explain, she said, “This is my teacher, Mr. Maurice Feinstein.”

Vinny shook the older man’s hand and then moved back allowing them to visit.

Annalissa opened up the harp case and she and Mr. Feinstein looked over the harp carefully, checking to make sure it was well protected. Todd moved over next to Vinny and said, “We haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Todd Levine, her manager. I knew her father was hiring someone to escort her back to Richmond, but you should know that his priority is Easnadh. The harp. It’s an antique Celtic harp and worth quite a bit of money.”

Vinny’s gaze cut sharply to the man next to him. Todd exuded an air of importance that rubbed Vinny the wrong way. Short, with dark hair neatly trimmed, wearing an expensive suit, he managed to look down his nose at everyone in the room despite his height.

“You’re telling me that her father wants the harp escorted more than his daughter?” Vinny bit out.

Gordon walked over, hearing the end of their conversation. “No, no, you mustn’t misunderstand Todd. Her father does want her protected, but the harp is well…very valuable.”

The more the two men talked, the more Vinny disliked them. Turning back to Annalissa, he spoke again to the assembly. “I’m calling it a night for Ms. O’Brian.” Turning to Todd, he asked, “Does she have transportation?”

“Oh yes, we have two limousines to take us to the hotel. We’ll all go together and then Easnadh will be transported over by a hired company.”

“Fine,” Vinny growled. “Ms. O’Brian goes with me in one limousine and the rest of you go in the other.”

The group erupted in complaints, but were silenced quickly by the look on Vinny’s face. Hell, you people are sucking the patience out of me and I’ve only been around you for an hour. Sparing a look over at Annalissa, he saw her wide green eyes taking in the scene in front of her. But what he especially noticed…she did not seem upset in the least with him being in charge.

The group quickly dispersed and he gently took her by the arm as they left the room. The others trailed, carrying their various parcels. Parker had the garment bag, Sharon had the cosmetic case, and Todd and Gordon were following with a crew member carrying the harp case .

Maurice kissed her goodbye and told her that he would see her in Richmond. He planned on staying in Los Angeles for a couple of days visiting old friends.

Outside, there was a small crowd waiting and she offered a genuine smile to them as Vinny assisted her into the limousine.