The Bodyguard and the Bombshell

Masters and Mercenaries Book 28.5, Sanctum Nights Book 15

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About the book

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake comes a new story in her Masters and Mercenaries series…

The Bodyguard…

Nate Carter left Australia’s elite SASR unit after a tragic accident. Shattered by the experience, he thought taking a job in the States might be a good way to start over. His father’s former employer, McKay-Taggart, has a position for him in the bodyguard unit. He never imagined himself risking his life for celebrities and the wealthy, but it will do for now. It will also give him a chance to reconnect with old friends, including the girl who’d been like a little sis to him ten years before.

These days, however, his feelings for Daisy O’Donnell are anything but brotherly.

The Bombshell…

Daisy O’Donnell is a girl on a mission, and it does not include falling for one of her brother’s best friends. She has plans, and while chaos always seems to follow her, she’s determined to see this through. Daisy finds herself in need of a bodyguard when a job goes terribly wrong. She’s sure her dad will find someone suitable, but she didn’t expect a big, gloriously masculine Aussie to show up ready to take a bullet for her. Maybe spending some time with Nate Carter won’t be so bad after all.

An explosive match…

Thrown together by danger, Nate and Daisy can’t resist the insane chemistry between them. But when his past and her present collide, they must decide if they can hold it together or go their separate ways forever.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

Excerpt

Chapter One

Australia

Nate Carter stood on the big lawn of the house he’d spent his teenaged years in and wondered why it no longer felt like home. It wasn’t like he didn’t love the big ranch house, didn’t have fond memories of riding horses across the rambling station with his sister, Elodie, or spending evenings with his parents watching movies.

His parents weren’t the problem. His sister was still the same obnoxious, loving woman she’d always been.

He was the problem.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” a deep voice asked.

He turned and saw his father standing on the big wraparound porch where he would sit with his sister, swinging and talking about what was going on in their lives.

He’d been home for six months and he made excuse after excuse why he wouldn’t sit there with Elodie. He was busy. There was work to be done.

He never once told her the real reason. He was scared he would sit there and have absolutely nothing to say. 

Elodie had known what she wanted to do with her life since she was five years old. He was twenty-six and had no idea where his place was in the world.

Which was why he was changing things up. “Moving to the States or working for Big Tag?”

His father wore his normal uniform of jeans and a T-shirt and looked more like a cowboy than the soldier he’d been in his younger years. Brody Carter was a legend in the security business. He’d gone from Aussie Special Forces to working for an international security company. He’d married a woman he’d met on what he would call an “op” but what Nate kind of thought was really fate. All of his life he’d looked up to this man, and Nate was so worried he was letting him down. “Both, I suppose. You know Damon would love to have you.”

Before they’d moved back to Australia, his family had been based in London. Elodie barely remembered living in the place called The Garden, but Nate did. Nate remembered growing up with Damon Knight’s kids and all the others.

“I need something new.” It was nothing less than the truth. Since he’d left the military, he’d been drifting. Nothing had been able to shake this sense of… He hesitated to use the word ennui. Ennui sounded like something that happened to way smarter people than him.

“Are you sure you’re not following one of the Taggart girls?” His father’s brows had risen. “Because I worry you would be making a mistake, son. Tasha’s getting married and the twins… Well, I don’t know how any man handles those twins of Tag’s.”

Nate laughed. It felt good to laugh. He’d been kind of numb for the last couple of months. “Absolutely not. And I’m not trailing after Lou, either. There is no woman involved in this decision of mine. I’m doing this for me.”

He wasn’t going to mention he’d been thinking a lot about Daisy O’Donnell lately. He wouldn’t pursue her or anything. When they’d been kids, she’d followed him around and he’d known about her crush. He hadn’t minded, though he also hadn’t touched her. It made him wonder what she was up to these days.

His father nodded and stepped down, joining him on the lawn. “I suppose my question is what you’re going to get out of the experience. You told me you didn’t think you wanted to work security.”

“It seems to be the only thing I’m halfway good at.” Which was precisely the problem.

“Ah, so you’re feeling the pressure, are you?” his father asked.

“Pressure? No one puts pressure on me. I come home and tell you I’ve left SASR and Mum simply gets my old room ready and you put me on the schedule. I thought the military was going to be my career.”

His father shrugged. “There’s no pressure from me or your mum. You want to help me around the station, I’m happy to have you. You want to go work at Mum’s clinic, she would love it. Your uncle’s business is the only one I’m going to ask you to stay out of, and you know damn well why.”

Because Uncle Alfi worked on the outer edges of morality. He’d been a fun guy to have around, but he could get into the wildest scrapes. “I don’t think he’s looking for a partner.”

His father snorted. “He’s always looking for a partner. I suppose I’m just wishing you didn’t have to go so far away to find yourself. This is the pressure I’m talking about.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Ah, but I do understand you,” his father said with a sigh. “I was you, son. I was the rather normal man madly in love with a brilliant woman who I couldn’t believe I deserved.”

His parents were some of the most solid people he’d ever known. While his friends’ folks were splitting up or taking breaks, his parents were obnoxiously in love.

He’d never felt romantic love either. Elodie fell in and out of love so easily, and he’d never felt more than some affection for the women he’d been with. Friendship and good sex had been the height of his relationships. “I think Mum would disagree.”

“Oh, she did, and I was a stubborn arse for a long time,” his dad admitted. “I let my insecurities put you and Mum in a very bad position. This is why I talk about pressure. You have been raised around extraordinary women. Women who have sparks of talent they can’t deny.”

His mother was a doctor. She was driven and practically glowed with purpose.

His sister had started dancing at the age of five. Most kids outgrew it, but not Elodie. She was attending a prestigious university and expected to join a company when she graduated.

He’d had his shot at the career he’d thought he’d been destined for, and it hadn’t worked out. “I’m very proud of them both.”

“But you wish you had that spark,” his father prompted.

Nate shook his head. “No, I wish I knew where I belong. Don’t think I’m not grateful, Dad. I love my family, but I don’t belong here anymore. At least when I was working with the team I felt some sense of purpose.”

He’d been called in to help with an op Tag’s daughters and their team had been running in Sydney. Naturally it had all gone to hell, but it had been the one thing in months that made him feel like he mattered.

“You won’t be working with the Agency,” his father pointed out. “You’re going into the bodyguard unit. It’s not the same. Do you want to be an investigator? Because Damon probably has more room for you to move around.”

“I’ve lived in London. I want something new. I want to try this. Like I said, I don’t mean to hurt you or Mum.”

“We’ll be fine. I simply want to make sure you’re not running away for the wrong reasons.”

“I don’t think I’m running away at all. I’ve been drifting. I don’t want to work the station the rest of my life,” Nate admitted.

His father’s arms crossed over his chest as he looked out across the lawn. “I don’t have a problem with you wanting out. Your sister wants another life, too. We came back to help your grandmother. She’s gone now, and we’ll probably sell the place. Your mum has a hankering to travel again.”

His mother’s version of travel would be to go to the world’s forgotten places and try to make them better. His father would be right beside her. “She wants to open another clinic?”

He’d been born in a clinic his mother had run outside of Sierra Leone.

“Her kids are grown and I think she wants to do more good in the world. And I’ll be honest, I’m looking forward to having time with her, but I worry what happens if we’re out wandering the world and you need us. Am I wrong to not keep a place for you to come home to?”

Damn, but he loved this man. “You and Mum and Elodie are my home. Not some space. I know if I ever need you, you’ll be there. I’m trying to be brave, Dad. It would be easy to stay here and work this station and marry someone from town, but it’s not what’s in my heart.”

“Then you have to go into the world and figure it out,” his father said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Find your passion and don’t let it go. But I want you to consider what I’m about to say to you. Sometimes the passion we need isn’t a career. It’s a person. It’s a family. I’m not ever going to be as smart as your mum, but I learned my place long ago. It’s to love her and build this family with her. To support her and you and your sister. I wouldn’t take it back for anything in the world. Certainly not for some high-powered career. It’s the best job for me. Be open to what the universe offers you. And know no matter where we are, we’re here for you.”

The door opened and his mother stepped out. “We should get on the road if we’re going to make it to the airport in time.” She strode down the steps and joined them. “Oh, I’m going to miss you. All my babies are flying out of the nest. You should know I’ve already called Avery, and she’s going to make sure you have everything you need. Are you sure you don’t want to wait until you find an apartment?”

He was staying with friends. Well, with people he knew back when he was a kid. He’d known Aidan O’Donnell since they were babies. Their parents were friends who would get together every couple of years.

“I want to get a feel for the city,” he explained. He would be living with Aidan and two of his friends. Their extra room would work until he decided where he wanted to live.

The fact the room was also close to a BDSM club Aidan and his friends ran was a plus. He’d been raised around lifestylers, but the clubs were few and far between here in the outback, and he hadn’t had occasion to play during his time in the military. Unless he went to Sydney, he didn’t play, and Sydney was so far away.

But that wouldn’t be a problem in Dallas. There were several clubs he would have easy access to. He would go and figure his life out. And maybe spend some time with a pretty sub or two.

“Let’s get going then,” his father said.

He took his mum’s hand and moved to the truck so he could start his future.

* * * *

Dallas, TX

One week later

Daisy O’Donnell was ready.

Real estate hadn’t worked out for her, but she was all right. She wasn’t meant for the restaurant world either. The fifth time she’d dropped a platter of five-star food had proven she was not a perfect server. She’d never actually seen her Uncle Sean cry before. The man was serious about food.

She’d moved through a series of jobs, but nothing had stuck yet.

Until today.

“So you think you know how to use the phone system?” Her brand spanking new boss was named Harlow Dawson, and she was twelve kinds of awesome. She ran the Dawson-Lockwood Agency along with her business partner, Ruby Lockwood.

Harlow handled the rough stuff while Ruby was the kickass hacker who no firewall could keep out.

An all-women private investigation firm. Yes, this was right where she belonged. After all, her beloved Da was one of the world’s best investigators, so it was probably in her genes.

“I think I got it.” She sat down behind the desk. Her desk. The small space consisted of a reception area, two offices for the founders, a baby break room, and a single bathroom she was apparently responsible for as well.

She could handle it. Her mother had always kept a neat house. That was in her genes, too.

Harlow was roughly the same age as Daisy, though she seemed older since she was tough as nails and had some way cool scars Daisy had only seen because she played at The Hideout, a club Daisy belonged to. Although she hadn’t had any fun there lately. It was tough when all the Doms considered her a little sister.

“Are you sure? It can be tricky,” Harlow said, tucking back a strand of electric blue hair.

“It’s not tricky.” Ruby walked out of her office. “You’re terrible with tech. Daisy, the right button puts the call on hold, and then you send the caller to either of our offices. I’m one and Harlow’s two. When you go to lunch, you put the whole thing in away mode which sends the caller to our voice mail box. When you get back, check the voice mail and send us any messages we need to reply to. When the system is in answer, the button goes red. Easy-peasy.”

Totally easy. “I can handle it. I’m so grateful to you both for this opportunity. I was surprised when the boutique I was working at went under so quickly. I appreciate the job. The last thing I want to do is move back in with my parents. I love them, but my da can be a lot to handle. He has an unrealistic vision of me.”

Her sweet da firmly believed she could do no wrong. Not true. She could fuck up majorly—re: that time she was helping a friend with a demo of her condo and accidently took down a load-bearing wall…and then the condo—but everyone got out and insurance paid for some of it. Also, he didn’t think she understood the word fuck or its many uses. Despite actually using the word around him.

Her mom had asked her to clean up the potty mouth, but where did her mom think she’d first heard the word from?

“As a woman whose dad is up my ass twenty-four seven, I’m happy to save you from a terrible fate.” Harlow looked down at her watch. “Speaking of, he usually comes around right before lunch. You want to grab something before we meet with the client?”

Ruby was slightly older, but she fit right in with the twenty-somethings in her chicly ripped jeans and a concert T-shirt. She obviously hadn’t gotten the memo explaining she must look professional at all times. Daisy’s da still wore a suit and tie when meeting with clients.

Ruby looked way more comfy.

“Let’s do it,” Ruby said. “Daisy, feel free to take a nice long lunch. We won’t be back this afternoon. Close up when you leave, and make sure the security system is on. I put the code and instructions on your desk. Call if you have any questions, but seriously, this shouldn’t be hard for you. Unless you’re here when her dad comes by. Then you’ll get a full dose of paranoid.”

“Only one of them,” Harlow corrected. “Dad One is great. Dad Two got a double dose of weirdo.”

Harlow came from an alternative-lifestyle family, but Daisy was used to that. She’d figured out pretty early on her da and mom’s Friday night meetings weren’t about playing canasta but doing the nasty. Actually, she still wasn’t sure what canasta was, but she did understand BDSM. Not in Da’s version of reality, though.

And wasn’t that kind of sexist? He’d sent Aidan to a club for training, but had anyone thought to get her a corset and heels and teach her how to submit to a Dominant partner in exchange for a bunch of orgasms and a deeply intimate relationship? No. She’d had to wait until after college and take the course The Hideout offered.

“It’s in the eyes,” Ruby was saying. “That’s how you know. Ben Dawson has normal dad eyes. You can totally see the rage of paranoia in Chase’s.”

Because Harlow’s dads were twins who shared her mom.

Maybe she should consider a threesome. It would make rent easier.

“So you know what you’re doing?” Harlow didn’t seem entirely certain.

The good news was, Daisy always looked on the positive side. She would figure it out. “Absolutely. I’m ready to handle this. You have a great afternoon.”

Ruby slung her big bag over her shoulder. “Come on. We can grab a sandwich at the café. It’s close to the meeting spot. Daisy, we’ll see you in the morning.”

Harlow still looked reluctant but followed her business partner out.

Thus began her first day as a private investigator. Well, receptionist to a private investigation firm, but this was it. This was going to be her calling.

She managed to answer the phones and deal with Harlow’s Dad Two—because she was right. The man was intense. It was easy because she’d told him they were grabbing sandwiches at a café. She’d learned it was important to stick as close to the truth as possible when lying. It threw the person she was lying to off. Dad Two had totally bought it because it was super true. Surely there were a lot of cafés around. The man couldn’t check all of them.

Right before she was about to head to lunch, a chiming sound rang through the office as the door opened and a young woman walked in. She was petite, with long blonde hair and tears in her eyes.

Daisy’s heart immediately melted. There was a woman in trouble. This was what her new firm did. They helped. “Welcome to the Dawson-Lockwood Agency. We’re here for you.”

She should write that down. It might be a good slogan. It had more heart than the current: New investigations for a new age.

“Hi, I need a private investigator. I think…” She sniffled. “I think my boyfriend is cheating on me, but I’m too scared to go check all by myself. It’s happening right now, I think. Once a month he goes to this building, and I’m sure he’s seeing someone there. It’s like clockwork. He should be there now. I’m supposed to marry him in six weeks. I don’t know what to do.”

Daisy stood. Ruby and Harlow would be gone all afternoon, and this woman would have to wait another month to find out if her honey had another honey? It wasn’t happening. Not on Daisy’s watch.

“I’ll go with you.” Daisy got her purse and made sure her cell phone was fully charged. The camera on her cell would have to do for today. She would need to invest in more sophisticated equipment as she moved more heavily into her new career. The good news? Her birthday was coming up.

“You’re a detective?” the young woman asked.

She was now. Besides, this was an easy job, and she was here to make life easy for her bosses. She set the phone system to away mode. At least she thought she did. She was pretty sure. Then she set the alarm system. The light went green. Green was the universal sign for go. Well, at least it was here in America.

“Absolutely. Now let’s go find your fiancé and put your mind at ease.” She followed the woman out, using her keys to lock the door. “I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding. He’s probably not cheating on you.”

He wasn’t. It was far, far worse.

Copyright 2024 Lexi Blake