And it’s my week for walk-in duty.“I’ll be right out.”
“Actually, there’s no one else out here now. I can show her back if you’d like.”
“Works for me.” Archer grinned as the line went dead, and the red light vanished.
He liked Hannah. At twenty-six, she was young enough to have the energy to keep up with all of them but intelligent enough—and thankfully, mature enough—to tighten in the reins when needed.
Most importantly, she was great with their clients, great at her job, and she seemed to genuinely enjoy it. Just like he enjoyed his.
What’s not to like?
He and his teammates got to use their SEAL training to protect the innocent but without all the government red-tape B.S. getting in the way. The money was better than anything Uncle Sam ever bothered to pay, and they hadn’t been away from home for a job for more than a couple weeks at a time.
So hell yeah, Archer loved this new gig. And he was pretty damn good at it. They all were, which was why their business was booming.
A few months ago, after their team leader and the man’s now-wife were nearly killed by a high-profile corporate god blinded by greed, the couple decided to use their massive settlements they’d received as a result to start up Eagle’s Nest Securities. They brought the idea to Archer and the other members of his former SEAL team, and once they started up, news of their existence spread like wildfire.
When the public learned that Archer and the guys had already worked together as one of the most successful SEAL teams on record, business exploded. And as of now, it didn’t show any signs of stopping.
Speaking of business…
Archer stood and made his way around the edge of his desk. He straightened the material of his light gray button-down as he went, making it halfway between his desk and the door before a soft knock sounded from the other side.
“Come in,” he announced, continuing on his current path.
The door opened, and Hannah’s smiling face appeared. She began speaking to the woman standing behind her as she opened the door wider. “This is Mr. Nash. He’s one of the firm’s five security specialists.”
Hannah moved to the side, giving him his first glance at the woman seeking help…
Blonde. Sharp features. Big, blue, incredible eyes.
Holy. Shit.
It was her. The woman from the news. The Black Widow Lawyer who’d allegedly poisoned her estranged husband in the home they’d once shared was standing two feet away, and damn if Archer could bring himself to stop staring.
Cassandra Montgomery was wearing that same cream colored, wool dress coat she’d worn while leaving the courthouse. In the hours since, she’d pulled her long, thick hair back into a wavy ponytail. But unlike on T.V., Archer could see every silky shade of blonde in God’s creation from where he stood.
The color wheel of golds reminding him of a wheat field that’s been kissed by the sun. His fingers itched with the urge to rake through it. His pulse spiked with an unexpected shot of arousal.
This woman wasn’t just pretty like he’d thought the first time he’d seen her on the news. She was…
Fucking gorgeous.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she greeted him with a slight raspy voice that made him think of sex.
Not just any sex, mind you. Slow, hot, sensual sex that would last well into the night and leave him totally spent yet begging for more.
What the hell is the matter with you? The woman’s a potential client. And probably a murderer. And you’re staring like an idiot.
And…she was still holding up her proffered hand.
Shit.“Archer Nash.” He finally got his head out of his ass and shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Montgomery.”
“Cassie.” A set of full lips curved into a guarded smile. “You can call me Cassie.”
An unexpected jolt of electricity shot from her palm into his, and it was all he could do not to jerk his hand free from the searing heat. Schooling his expression—barely—Archer released his grip at a slow, natural pace, flashing her the same friendly smile he used with all Eagle’s Nest clients upon their initial meeting.
Warm. Welcoming. And guarded in its own right.