Dani didn’t even want to consider that possibility. Wouldn’t consider it. Even so, a shiver of fear ran through her. “I’ll get it.”
“Sure you will. Anyway, back to why we’re here. Apparently, the last screenplay Zach produced annoyed a number of people.”
“Like who?”
“The movie linked particular motorcycle gangs with organized crime. Apparently, Zach did a lot of research with one of the New York gangs and they had no problem with the film—thought it was a hoot. Unfortunately, a few of their associates lacked a sense of humor, and some of them have decided to make an example of him.”
“He’s received threats?”
“Yup.”
“Are they serious?”
“Totally. There’s already been one attempt on his life—in New York. A letter bomb—these guys aren’t playing around. You know Zach and Jake are friends, right? Climbing buddies. They did the Eiger last year.” Jake was their mutual boss and no, she hadn’t known he and Zachary Hunter were close. But that explained the physique—the Eiger took strength and stamina. She nodded for Gary to continue. “Well, Zach refused police protection, but Jake persuaded him to hire us while they track down whoever it is. He also suggested this place. Zach’s got houses in LA and New York as well, but Jake reckoned this would be easier to guard, and even you have to admit that staying here will be no hardship.”
Looking around, Dani had to agree. Maybe Jake strong-arming her into this job wasn’t such a bad thing after all. They’d served in the army together for many years, and Jake knew her better than just about anyone. He seemed to think that Dani needed something to occupy her time. “Something to prevent her from wallowing in self-pity” was actually the way he had put it.
Now, she was glad. London had been cold and gray, not conducive to convalescence. Especially in contrast to the hot, dry heat of Afghanistan, and she had been listless, unable to feel optimistic about her uncertain future.
But with the heat of the Spanish sun warming her, she experienced a first, faint lifting of her spirits. The villa nestled in the hills between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The views were spectacular and the grounds enormous, running rampant with glorious pink and orange bougainvillea and hibiscus that scented the warm air with tropical flowers. Taking a deep breath, she let the atmosphere soothe her. It had been a hard six months, and on top of that, she felt drained from the flight and then the long car ride. Her leg ached, and she rubbed at it absently.
“Are you okay?” Gary asked.
She tried not to be irked by the concern in his voice. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem fine. You seem tense.”
Dani rolled her shoulders, easing the tightness, and forced a smile. Though she knew Gary wouldn’t be fooled—she looked a mess. She’d always been slight, but now she was positively scrawny. “Maybe a little tense,” she admitted. “I just want to get back and do some real work. Not protecting some playboy.”
He cast her a glance of disapproval.
“Sorry,” she muttered. “Some writer.”
But Gary was right to disapprove; she’d accepted this job, so now she had a duty to give it her all, whatever her opinion of Zachary Hunter. She needed to pull herself together. And it was probably only jealousy. She had a tendency to go for everything full-steam-ahead, and she kind of envied people like him who could laze away a day in a pool…naked. Anyway, she’d probably hardly even see the man—it wasn’t as though she’d be protecting him personally.
“Come on,” Gary said. “We’ll get you to the guesthouse and off that leg. Jake’s given strict instructions that you don’t put any strain on it yet.”
“Jake’s not my doctor, and it’s no problem,” she said, making an effort not to limp.
Thankfully, Gary knew better than to offer a helping hand. She hated feeling weak.
Instead, without saying anything else on the subject, he slowed his pace to allow her shorter legs to keep up, and she fell into step beside him.
…
Zach woke to a soft hand stroking down the length of his bare back. He groaned and burrowed his head deeper into the pillows.
“Darling, I have to leave for the airport.”
He squinted up at the woman hovering above him and sighed with relief when he saw Lauren was fully dressed; he didn’t like to disappoint, but he really didn’t think he could manage any more right now.
At thirty-two, he was obviously getting old. Or drinking too much. Or both.
Rolling onto his back, he stretched. “What time is it?”