Chapter 20

Kathy was tapping her fingers impatiently. She had contacted the local security company, and requested the eight guards as Mr. Crane had directed. However, the two captains that were to meet with her to discuss the assignment were late, and she was none too pleased.

"I hope this isn't an indication of their work ethic," she huffed. "Better late than never doesn't apply to their line of work."

A knock sounded at the door, and she gave a small sigh of relief. It was about time!

"Finally," she muttered, getting up and walking towards the door. Upon opening, she stared in shock. "May I help you?"

Two women, indentically dressed in black , gazed right back at her. One had medium brown hair, the other a darker chestnut brown--but both taller than her. And considerably more muscular-looking.

And both had the same stern expression.

"We're from the agency," the woman with the medium brown hair told her. "I'm Captain Karen Wilkes, and this is Captain Ally Morgan." She indicated her companion, who merely nodded at Kathy.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting women."Kathy opened the door wider. "Please, come in."

The guards entered, and seated themselves in chairs facing Kathy's desk. Kathy sat down, and tried to smile pleasantly, but the stonefaced expressions of the guards were making her feel uncomfortable.

"I was assured by the director of your agency that you both had vast experience," Kathy began nervously.

"Yes, we do. Ally and I are both former Secret Service agents. We both have, as you put it,'vast experience' in this business." Karen crossed her arms. "Even women can be effective bodyguards, Ms. Lyons."

"Very effective," added Ally. Her blue eyes coolly pierced Kathy's.

"Again, I apologize, I did not mean to cast any doubts." Kathy was getting a little irritated. These two were intimidating, but she was determined not to let them get to her.

"Good, now we understand each other."

Kathy sighed. "I'll be glad to tell Mr. Crane that you and Captain Morgan are more than qualified to protect Dr. Johnson," she said. Arrogant, she thought to herself. Glad I don't have to deal with them too much.

"The others are already in place at Dr. Johnson's house and the Crane Estate--and we need to be going, ourselves," Ally told her as she and Karen both stood up.

Kathy remained at her desk. "Very well then--you can see yourselves out," she said, glad to dismss them.

Karen gave a half smile to Ally as the two women walked out. "Why would Julian hire someone so nervous is beyond me," she whispered. "He's changed since I've known him."

Nervous, but with excellent hearing, Kathy was seething. "Julian? How is she on a first name basis with him?" Kathy vowed to find out what was going on.
 

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"Bodyguards?" Eve stared at Julian. "What do you mean, you've hired bodyguards for me?"

"My dear, to protect you, why else? With your madman ex-husband on the loose, it's better to take all precautions. I won't have you harmed." Julian's tone was determined.

"I don't want to live like that, Julian. That is no kind of life, always having someone around you, watching you like a hawk every waking moment."

"I wouldn't mind watching you --I've never seen more enticing 'prey'."

"I'm serious. I don't want to surrounded by people I do not know, prying into my private life."

"Eve, they will be discreet. Please let me do this for you--"

"NO, Julian. I mean it--I will not have strangers spying on me!" Eve was adamant, and Julian saw the uselessness of pursuing it with her.

He was fearful for her safety however, and decided to go ahead with his plan without her knowledge.

"As you wish, my dear," he pretended to agree. He would have to contact Kathy to make certain she understood that Eve was not to have any knowledge of the presence of her soon-to-be protectors.

"Thank you, Julian. I did appreciate the thought behind it, though." Eve smiled gratefully. "You really want to help me, don't you?"

"Why do you seem so surprised? I love you, Eve."

"I know you do....and I do love you too.' She saw Julian's eyes fill with desire, and laughed. "Don't start, Julian."

"I'm not doing anything." Julian's eyes were wide with affected innocence. "Can't I admire you, my darling?"

"Admire--that must be the new word, for it." Eve began to back away, though her eyes sparkled merrily at him.

"You don't have to run, Eve, I promise to leave you alone. What would you like to do today? You are still on "special assignment" for Crane Industries, so that frees up several days for us to play."

"Hmmm......so it's up to me, is it?"

"Yes, whatever you desire, as long as we are together--I am at your service." Julian walked towards her, and lifted her hand to place a kiss upon it.

"It's funny--after all these years, I can really trust you again, Julian. I never thought this day would come again." Her beautiful brown eyes were full of love for him.

Julian hugged her to him, so she would not see the guilt on his face.
 

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TC Russell was seated in his hotel room, his laptop in front of him, and a glass of whiskey in his hand. He had been digging up all the information he could about the Cranes from the internet, and he was sickened that Eve was having an affair with one of them, Julian Crane.

"A no-good rich SOB, who doesn't care about her at all. He probably thinks he can get anyone with his billionare bucks lining his pockets," he fumed.

The thought of that arrogant, smiling face kissing Eve made his blood boil. He imagined him making love to Eve, and the glass he was holding smashed to the floor.

"Enjoy her while you can, Crane....you won't have her for long..!"