Claiming Felicity (Ace Security #4)(15)

“Yeah. My guess is anywhere from five to ten years.”

“Her name?”

“Felicity Jones.”

“That her real name?” Gray asked.

Ryder sighed. He loved Felicity’s name . . . hated to think that it might be made up. But now that he thought about it, Felicity probably wasn’t her birth name. “Not sure, but probably fake.”

“I’ll talk to Meat. See what we can come up with. You need backup? Should I call Rex? Arrow and Ball are here playing pool with me. They could come up if you needed extra eyes or ears.”

Ryder shook his head even though his friend couldn’t see it. “No, I’m good for now. You heard of Ace Security?”

“Of course. They’re those brothers who single-handedly took down the Inca Boyz. They’re new in town, right? Just started last year?”

“Yeah, that’s them.”

“Wait . . . Ace . . . Ace Security . . . what aren’t you saying?”

“They’re my half brothers.”

“No shit?”

“No shit.”

“Damn,” Gray breathed. “You weren’t kidding when you said you didn’t need backup. From what I’ve read, they’re pretty badass.”

Ryder chuckled. “They can hold their own . . . but they aren’t like us.”

“It sounds like you’ve got a lot to tell us,” Gray said.

“I do.”

“You bring Miss Felicity down here soon. I want to meet her.”

“Not sure that’s the best idea.”

“Actually, it’s a great idea. If this Joseph guy knows where she is, the best place for her to be is smack-dab in the middle of a bunch of mercenaries who can protect her.”

“I can protect her. No matter where she is,” Ryder growled.

“Easy, Ace. I didn’t mean nothin’.”

Ryder took a deep breath. He knew he was overreacting, but the mere thought that his good friend didn’t think Felicity was safe didn’t sit well.

“Yeah, sorry. I’m a little sensitive when it comes to her.”

“She’s it for you, huh?”

“Yup.”

“She know about what you do?”

“Some.”

“And she didn’t freak?”

“No.”

Gray whistled low. “Hang tight and don’t let her go, Ace. Any woman who knows our background and doesn’t immediately run is a keeper.”

“I’m not letting her go,” Ryder told his friend.

“Good,” was Gray’s simple response. “I’ll talk to Meat, put out some feelers. See what we can find. Stay in touch.”

“I will. Thanks, Gray.”

“No thanks necessary. You want me to talk to Rex about your future availability?”

“Not yet,” Ryder told him. If things worked out with Felicity and he needed to step away from the jobs, he’d tell their handler himself.

“Later.”

“Bye, Gray.” Ryder clicked off the phone and put his cell back into his pocket. He’d spent the night at the hotel last night, but no more. Felicity was in danger, and he wasn’t letting her out of his sight for another night. She was freaked. Way freaked. Which meant she probably had a reason.

He shut the door to the hotel room and swung his duffel bag over his shoulder. He needed to spend more time with her, get her to trust him more. The more she realized he wasn’t going anywhere and would protect her with his life, the more she’d open up to him . . . at least he hoped so. He didn’t need information in order to protect her, but it would make his job a hell of a lot easier.



Ryder strode into Rock Hard Gym and lifted his chin at Cole, who was manning the front desk.

Cole eyed him for a beat, then asked, “You find out what’s bothering Felicity?”

It wasn’t the place to talk with all the people walking around, but Ryder needed to give him something. He’d seen the way Cole and Felicity acted around each other. They were friends, which was a good thing. If the other man had showed any inclination to want Felicity as more than a friend, he would’ve had to set him straight. Ryder wouldn’t let anyone get between him and the woman he wanted to make his. But since it was obvious they were just friends, Cole could be a powerful ally to help keep Felicity safe.

“She’s scared. Petrified.”

“Felicity?” Cole asked. “That woman isn’t scared of anything or anyone.”

Ryder was getting tired of people not seeing the real Felicity. “She’s tough, I’ll give you that, but I’m telling you, she’s on the verge of bolting even if you don’t give her the money. It’s clear as day if you take the time to look.”

Ryder knew he’d crossed a line when Cole’s eyes narrowed and his lips pressed together. “You’ve been here, what . . . a week? I’ve known her for five years, man. Five years. We’re best friends. If she was scared of something, she would’ve told me.”

Ryder mentally shrugged. Looked like this would be the place to talk to Cole, after all, since he wasn’t going to let it go. “Look at her,” Ryder ordered, using his head to indicate the wall of windows where Felicity was standing. She was in the room with the weight and cardio machines. It was a busy morning—most of the treadmills and half of the ellipticals were occupied. Members roamed the room using the various weight machines and doing sit-ups on the pads strewn around the area.