Page 52 of The Sniper
“How’s things going with Ms.Stallone?”Ryder asks, arranging his phone so I can see him, Liam and Aidan.
“The team is set for tonight, by the way.”Aidan takes a swig of his water bottle.
“Hey dude,” Liam’s mug is in the corner of the screen.
“What’s up!”I grin.“I got your email with all the details, thanks Aidan.Something has come up.”I hold up the envelope.
“Fan mail,” Liam nods.
“Yeah.Fucked up stuff.”I shake my head.
“It comes with the territory,” Ryder shrugs, but it’s not so much nonchalant as accepting of the situation.That makes sense, given his wife is one of the most famous women on the planet.“Does LAPD have copies?”
I toss it onto the table in front of me and send the email.“Just sent it over.This one from Messy-Bob463 is very concerning.”
“Messy fucking Bob.What did he have to say?”Aidan shakes his head.
“He references her underwear and the correct color.There is a photo.”
“That wasn’t shared in the media.”Ryder sits up a little straighter.
I shake my head as Liam rubs his jaw.
“Get it over to the cops,” Ryder starts tapping his keyboard, and I figure he’s reading the letter when a look of disgust appears on his face.“Jesus, yeah, this could be a lead.”
“Get Jake to take a look.”Aidan says, then explains.“Former Marshal.He’s good to run things past.”
“Noted.”
“Could just be a sicko who saw her wear the lingerie in a video, or he might be our guy.”Liam leans forward.
I hate that he’s right—that Tiffany wears outfits that are revealing on her social media for the fucking world to see.A world that includes people who are dangerous.
She doesn’t belong to me, but I’m feeling all kinds of possessive right now.I falter for a moment, wondering if I should raise my concerns; that I want to fuck my charge, that there’s a possibility I may not be suitable to protect her.
If Messy-Bob463 or anyone tries to harm Tiffany, I may not be able to protect her.That’s a serious consideration.
When I was taking this job on, it was all about the numbers, paying my mortgage and not setting myself up for criticism from Dad.
Now...now there is personal.
Now, I could put Tiffany in a position where she doesn’t have the right man to protect her.As a former Air Force Captain that pisses me off.
As a man, that makes me feel like a piece of shit.
Perhaps that is why I need to prove to myself that I can.
Liam must notice my hesitation because suddenly he’s asking to be rostered tonight.
“I know Noah would love my company.”He laughs, and I can’t help but do the same.
Liam and Noah had an altercation over my sister at Ryder's beach party several weeks back.The two of them brushed it off soon after, especially when it came out Liam was actually in love with Jessie.
“Love is a strong word,” Aidan frowns at Liam.“Thought you were busy tonight and couldn’t work.”
“Change of plans.”
Liam can be as cool as a cucumber when I’m almost certain he saw the concern in my expression.We’ve known each other since we were young boys.We trained together and served together before I became a sniper.I trust him more than anyone on the planet.
