Protecting Her Life: (Rescue Me Book 2) Read online

  Protecting Her Life

  REMI GREY

  Copyright © 2019 Remi Grey – All Rights Reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Cover Created By Embrace the Pace Designs

  The following story contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for mature readers.

  Contents

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  EPILOGUE

  MORE BOOKS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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  About the Book

  An Alpha Hero Steamy Romance

  Haley:

  My life has been a complete disaster since I met Kevin Clark, the charismatic psychopath that I married over a decade ago.

  He and his horrible family ruled over me with an iron fist, that is, until I found out their dirty little secrets.

  Secrets that almost got me killed.

  Now, I need someone to protect me, someone strong, someone loyal, someone like Officer Darren Phillips.

  A hot ginger who will stop at nothing to keep this witness safe, or is it more than that?

  Is it just me that he would lay down his life to protect?

  A man like him can’t fall for a broken woman like me, I’m no good for him, it would never work.

  Or could we be just what the both of us need?

  Darren:

  I’ve always lived in my mother’s shadow.

  The prodigal son of the great Captain Phillips, but I'm so much more.

  Being a cop is hard work and proving yourself in this line of work is even harder.

  So, when you get an order, you follow it even if it's an order to protect some spoiled little trophy wife with domestic issues.

  At least that’s the way it seemed until I met her.

  The intelligent and challenging Haley Clark.

  She was the type of woman who any man in their right mind would want to protect.

  So why would anyone want to threaten her life?

  My gut told me that I’d find out soon enough.

  I’ll be damned if they hurt her, not on my watch.

  Not without a fight.

  Protecting Her Life is part of the Rescue Me series but can be read as a standalone steamy alpha romance. No Cliffhanger. It's the perfect little quickie read when you're on the go or just need a bit of heat to satisfy your romantic appetite. If you love a broken man who falls for a broken woman, a hero to the rescue contemporary romance, this is the amazon kindle read for you.

  Chapter 1

  Darren

  I always knew that I wanted to be a cop. I never imagined my life any other way that is until my mom died. That was the only time that I contemplated living without my badge.

  Having a gun and handcuffs strapped to my hip is my norm, and I'm proud of that, but sometimes I think that my life could be so much more than just the police officer whose mother died in the line of duty.

  I want something more, something fantastic before some criminal on a rampage or a stray bullet takes me out like it did my mom. Each day I wake up, get into the shower, and put on my uniform is another day that I'm living on borrowed time.

  “Earth to officer Phillips, dreaming of some hot piece of ass, I hope.”

  My partner Bruce always had a way with words, and no one would ever mistake him for being subtle.

  "Good morning to you too, Bruce,” I say less than amused by his choice of words.

  “I can already tell that you’re in a mood, what going on with you, man?" He probes.

  "I'm not in a mood," I say, throwing my hands up and using my fingers to make air quotations. "I was just thinking about some things."

  “Thinking about your mom again?”

  “It’s not important man, I’m hungry let’s go get something to eat,” I walked towards the squad car hoping that the talk of food would help to change the subject.

  I wasn't in the mood for idle chitchat, nor was I in the mood for long heartfelt talks about my mom and how honorable her death was.

  I would rather people not say anything to me at all than to hear those words spoken to me yet again.

  We returned to our vehicle after having a good meal, and the subject successfully changed. I'm feeling ready to go on just as I do every day.

  Not long after settling into our routine ride, a call comes in over the two-way requesting back up for a domestic dispute.

  It’s too damn early in the day for this crap.

  Siren's on and all systems ready to go, we head towards the address provided.

  Once we arrive, I notice that we're definitely not the only ones on the scene. The area is surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a neighborhood full of civilians. All here witnessing what seems more like a crime scene on the five-o-clock news than a simple domestic violence situation.

  The huge crowd parted like the red sea as they observed us head towards all the action. I notice the crime scene markers on the ground and forensics hard at work.

  "What the hell is all this?" I ask Joel, a fellow cop from our precinct. “I thought this was a domestic violence call, what’s with all the commotion?”

  It literally looked like they called in every cop from all the nearby precincts.

  "You boys got here just in time," Joel commented sarcastically. I knew then that we were in for a not so special treat.

  "This is not only the most popular domestic violence case I've seen in a long time, but it’s also the most cut and dry.”

  "Cut and dry; if that's the case, then why are we even here?" Bruce said, sounding a little more annoyed than usual.

  "I meant just what I said, cut and dry just take a look around you."

  I took a moment to stop and take everything in. The home we entered was beautiful, large, and decorated to the nine. I see scattered papers and books inside the room where paramedics were attending to a young woman whose face I couldn't quite make out. She was bombarded by cops taking statements and facts.

  To the right of her was a completely overturned desk of solid mahogany with glass shattered next to it. The closer I get to where what appears to be the victim is sitting, I can smell the faint hint of expensive brandy and bad cologne. No doubt just as costly as the spilled liquor on the carpet.

  “It’s a classic case of a spoiled rich man beating up and threating his trophy wife,” he said smugly.

  Somehow, I know deep down that this story isn’t as simple as everyone thinks.

  "Then why are there so many blues and forensics around if it's such a simple case of a woman beater?" I ask, generally curious now that I've seen what I’ve seen.

  “They say the husband is some big-time golden boy, born with a silver spoon if you know what I mean,” he blurted out self-assured. “Word is that because his family has all these connections, he's been stealing from all these clients at the investment firm he works at, and the wife found out.”

  I just knew there had to be more to this case.

  "So,
I guess the guy flipped out on her by the looks of this scene," Bruce said, waving his hand towards what we all saw to be true.

  “Yeah, he did a real number on the wife. If her neighbors weren't around to hear her screaming, she might not have made it," admitted Joel. "It's a shame. She really is a beauty; what a waste."

  Bruce and I decided not to hang around much longer after Joel disappeared, but I had a feeling in my gut that this wouldn't be the last time that this incident would affect my life. I found out sooner than I thought how very true that statement was when Bruce and I walked into the station several days later.

  “Officer Phillips, can I see you in my office?” Everyone knew that when the boss asks if he can see you in his office, it's not really a question, It’s an order.

  "Welcome, Phillips, have a seat,” Chief Duncan insisted, motioning towards the open seat in front of his desk. “I have a job for you.”

  “What can I do for you boss,” I respond sarcastically.

  "Don't think I can't hear your sarcasm Officer Phillips, be careful," he warned me sternly.

  “Yes sir, excuse me, please continue," I answer, knowing by the look in his eye that whatever this is about its big business.

  “I need you on a special case, a case of the utmost discretion.” I take a long hard look at the chief, wondering what other cliché statements would be coming out of his mouth next.

  It felt like I was in a bad CIA movie, so I couldn't help but chuckle a bit to myself at the thought of what the chief would consider a case like that, and why would he choose me to handle it?

  My guess is it’s some kind of babysitting gig; he never liked me much although he had respect for my mother when she was alive.

  “Why me?" I asked, not willing to wait to get to the point.

  "I always admired your directness Darren, to be honest, I've never liked you much, but I've come to know you over the years, and I see that you have a way with people." This can’t be headed in a good direction.

  “Okay, so what does that have to do with anything?”

  "I want you to handle an important part of a very sensitive matter," he answered, allusively giving nothing away.

  “Sensitive matter, okay, can you give me a little more to go on?”

  “Remember the domestic violence case that’s been causing such an uproar?”

  “Of course, what does that have to do with me?”

  “It has everything to do with you, and the reason why I called you in to talk, I want you to keep watch over the trophy wife.”

  "What for, I thought it was simple, cut and dry."

  “She's a witness Darren. She found evidence that proves that the golden boy of a very influential and rich family is laundering money to hide the fact that his family isn't as rich as they seem."

  I knew there had to be more to this case. No one would spill such expensive brandy just over a disagreement gone bad.

  "So, you want me to watch over her or to protect her?"

  "She's already been beaten almost to a bloody pulp by her soon to be ex-husband. Since then she's received several death threats via text message from an unknown caller, what do you think?"

  “With all due respect chief, I’m not a baby sitter, and I didn't work hard to get as far as I've gotten to spend my days hanging out with some spoiled housewife."

  "She's a key witness in this investigation, and she's not just some housewife," he explained, walking towards me. "I picked you for a reason, Darren, because you have a keen eye, and I trust you to do what's right, protect and serve just like your mom."

  “I’m not my mom.”

  "I'm well aware of that, Darren. That's not what I meant, and you know it."

  "Sorry, my mom is just a touchy subject for me," I say, looking him straight in the eyes.

  "I understand, but this case needs you. I know you're the right man for the job." For this woman's sake, I hope that he's right.

  Chapter 2

  Haley

  I can't believe that Kevin has sunk so low that he would have someone threaten my life by text. That is even pitiful for him. Does he think that would stop me from taking him down? He should have just killed me right then and there in the house we once shared because that would be the only way he could ever stop me from putting his lying ass in prison.

  I've finally got him where I want him, by the balls, and I'm not letting go. He's put me through enough, and now I can finally prove what kind of people he and his family really are. The thieving, manipulative cowards who only care for themselves.

  When I married Kevin, I thought I was the luckiest woman in the world. He was kind, supportive, and we both loved numbers. After I got accepted into the firm, I had this dream of us working side by side, the power couple with our whole lives ahead of us, but I was wrong.

  It wasn't long after we started working together that I noticed the hold Kevin's family had on him and the hold they soon had over me. It began with small suggestions on what I should wear, how I should eat, how I should act, and then it escalated to verbal abuse and neglect.

  He became jealous of my accomplishments at work, and every opportunity he could get, he downplayed them to make me feel small and worthless. He began to cheat, but I turned a blind eye and accepted it because I was too afraid to admit that my marriage was over.

  I also didn't want to end a career I had worked so hard to prove I deserved. I knew he had the upper hand even after I divorced him.

  I knew that it wouldn’t be long after we both signed on the dotted line before he would find a way to use his family's influence to get me and kick me out on my ass with nothing.

  So, I kept quiet.

  I kept up the pretense of us working on our marriage no matter what the truth was. Praying for the opportunity for me to one day be able to set myself free.

  I just didn't imagine it would be this intense. Me, stuck in a hotel room safe house held up by the law being watched on twenty-four-hour surveillance afraid of being murdered by my ex-husband.

  I haven't slept in days, and I keep having this reoccurring nightmare of Kevin beating me repeatedly each time more brutal than the other.

  If it weren't for my nosey neighbor Sandra, I probably wouldn't be alive today.

  Thank you, Sandra.

  Suddenly I hear a knock on the door, I jump startled. It's loud and forceful. It must be another cop.

  I'm not too nervous about checking who it is, being that I have my own personal set of boys in blue at either side of my hotel room door.

  "Come in," I fidget, trying to fix myself and clean off the mess I had made on the table from lunch earlier.

  "Mrs. Clark, it's chief Duncan and Officer Phillips may we come in?"

  Polite, I can get used to this.

  "Of course, Chief Duncan, come on into my humble abode."

  They both enter the room, but I don't see them entirely at first, as I was busying myself with my cleanup.

  "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Clark, I'm Officer Phillips. I'll be the main officer on the team that is protecting you from now on."

  "Nice to meet you I'm Hal---”

  Holy crap I completely stop in my tracks, he's gorgeous, tall and built, but slender and lean.

  He was a ginger, which I've always had a secret thing for since college. I used to have a crush on my teacher's aide who happened to be the sexiest red-headed man I had ever seen; however, that has changed today. I lost my footing a little trying to regain my equilibrium.

  "Are you okay?" he asks, touching my arm slightly and looking at me directly.

  His eyes are such a piercing shade of blue. It's unnerving, so I look away, almost unable to answer or concentrate.

  "Yes,” I answer as quickly as I can. “I’m perfectly fine.”

  But really was I fine?

  "That's good to hear," Officer Phillips consoled.

  "Haley,” Chief Duncan interrupted. “I’ve assigned Officer Phillips with the task of protecting you throughout the investigation until this is brought
to trial.”

  "I don't think you know who you're dealing with Chief Duncan, the Clark family has connections everywhere,” I warn. “Trust me when I say this will never make it to court.”

  "So little faith, rest easy, we will get our man," he gloated. "Until then, Officer Phillips will be here to keep you safe."

  Taking one good long look at the expression on Ginger's face, I had the feeling that he wasn't exactly thrilled about his new post.

  I don't blame him. I wouldn't want to be put on babysitting duty either, which is what this basically is, adult babysitting.