Vinny: Alvarez Security Series (5 page)

“You could have told me,” Vinny said.

“No, I really needed your head in the game. This girl’s got talent, but seems to be surrounded by people that push her one way and another. I wanted you there, without any predisposed ideas about the players. Yes, I need you to escort her and the harp back tomorrow, but more than that…I thought you’d be the right man for making sure that both the harp and
the harpist
were safe.”

Vinny nodded, smiling to himself. Tony had always been the best leader he had ever served under. He knew his missions. He knew his men. And Tony never had a problem matching up the two.

“You anticipate any problems?” Tony queried.

“Not at all, boss. I’ll be with Annalissa and her harp until we have it checked at baggage. Everything will go like clockwork, Tony. No worries on this end.”

“I knew you were the man for the job,” Tony added. “Safe travels and I’ll see you when you get in.”

Vinny’s mind went to the beautiful woman lying in a bed not twenty feet from his. He tried not to think of her.
She’s a mission. An intriguing, talented, musical, beautiful, totally charming in the most innocent way mission.

Shifting over in his bed, he wanted to ignore the call of the wild as his dick pressed against his boxers.
Down boy. She’s not even my type. I like ’em blonde, tall with long legs, curvy hips, and big tits. Loud and brassy for me. Not petite, dark-haired, green-eyed, women who looked like they would run away if someone said ‘Boo’ one minute and the next minute protecting a named harp.
His mind went back to the change in her when she realized that she did not know where Easnadh was. Suddenly the mouse could roar.

And what would it feel like to take that untapped passion and teach it, tame it, turn it toward him?
Groaning, he knew that if he kept this up he would need a cold shower. Sighing once again, he thought of the mission.
It doesn’t matter how much I’m noticing her as a woman, I’ve got to tamp that down.
Ruefully he realized, even if she was not a mission, her purity was not for him. He would protect. Care for. See safely home. But nothing more.

Then he heard the soft music drifting from her room. The tinkling sound of the harp drifted over him, calming his mind. But stirring his heart. Running his hand over his face, he tried to block out the memories.
There’s nothing fuckin’ the same between this music and the unfamiliar sounds of a woman singing in the middle of a goddamn war. So why the fuck does it make me crazy? That Army psychologist told me that I now associated it with the loss of control. Fuck that. No way I’m not in control now.

The music finally stopped and the quiet of the night once again penetrated his mind. He laid in bed a few more minutes, running through the needs of tomorrow trying to take his mind off of the woman in the connecting room. He had already checked on the limo service that would take him and Annalissa to the airport, as well as ordered breakfast from room service to be delivered to them. It would be a tight fit, but since her harp was a smaller Celtic harp, it would be able to travel in the limo with them. Then it would be checked for the flight. And they had a non-stop flight to Dulles International Airport in the D.C. area. Then another limo ride to Richland.

Perfectly planned. All those years of Special Forces training taught them to plan extensively for every mission…and then be prepared when things go wrong. But what could possibly go wrong?

A
nnalissa woke to
the sound of knocking on her door. Sitting up on the bed, she pushed her sleep-tousled hair from her face as she tried to remember where she was and who would be knocking. Suddenly, the connecting door to her room opened and in stalked Vinny. He winked at her as he walked to her main door and opened it to the tantalizing smells of breakfast.

After tipping the server, he set the tray on her table and nodded at the food. “I ordered some breakfast for you. It may be a while before we get to the airport and their food is sometimes less than desirable.” Giving her another wink, he walked back through the connecting door and closed it.

Stunned, she ate quickly before heading into the shower. Thirty minutes later as she emerged from the bathroom, hair washed and a touch of makeup applied, she walked over to the door and knocked. Her hand shook as her nerves gave out on her. Turning, she started to walk away when the door opened and Vinny filled the doorframe.

“You need something, Annalissa?” he asked, the deep timbre of his voice sliding over her.

She looked down, seeing his cowboy boots first. Legs, encased in well-fitting jeans, were long and muscular. As her eyes traveled upwards in curiosity, his waist was narrow but his chest and arms were just as powerfully built as his legs. The square jaw with the tiny chin dimple had her suck in her breath. Then her eyes reached his. They were twinkling with mirth as she had been caught ogling the man in front of her.

Suddenly unsure of herself, she realized her hand was still lifted in a knocking position. “Uh, I was just…it was…breakfast. You really shouldn’t…um…”

“Annalissa,” he said softly. “You don’t have to be afraid of me.”

Her gaze shot back up to his and he noticed that with a tiny lift of her chin, she drew herself up, defiance in her eyes.

“I’m not afraid. I was just wondering…” she began to falter again.
Dammit, it shouldn’t be so hard to just say what I’m thinking.
Trying again, she said, “I wanted to thank you for breakfast, but it was…um…kind of…presumptuous. But nice. Um…I didn’t know this door was…open…or rather…unlocked.”

Sighing, she looked back down.
God, I’m such a wimp. He must think I’m a stupid child who can’t even speak.

Vinny watched in fascination the woman standing in front of him, struggling to ask him why he barged into her room.
Fuck! She has everyone taking over her life and I just fell right in with the rest of them.

He reached out and lifted her chin with his fingers, hoping she would not be afraid. “Annalissa,” he said softly. “You’re right. It was very presumptuous of me and I apologize.”

Her eyes widened, sending shock waves through him. Looking into her large, green eyes, he felt a punch to his gut.
Stop looking at her as though she were a woman. She’s the mission.
The internal struggle was in full swing and he knew it was still early in the day. He had to get through the entire day, keeping his hands to himself.

“Oh, Vinny,” she exclaimed. “You shouldn’t apologize. The breakfast was lovely.” Looking down at her feet, she could not help but notice his large boots standing in front of her tiny, pink-tipped toes. Sucking in a huge breath, she lifted her gaze back to his smiling one. “How did you know I liked scrambled eggs and bacon?”

Laughing, he confessed, “Of everyone around you yesterday, Parker seemed to be the one most in tune with you, so I asked him.”

Her mouth dropped opened at his simple act of kindness. Giggling, she said, “Todd usually orders what he likes and then fusses when I don’t eat.” Leaning forward as though sharing a secret, she added, “I hate poached eggs.”

“Duly noted,” he smiled. “I’m glad Parker got it right.”

Smiling shyly, she backed up and turned to move over to her suitcase. He watched her every movement. Delicate, and yet with purpose. He realized she was painfully shy, but not standoffish.
And obviously tired of everyone around her taking over.
They only had today together, but he found himself wishing for more.
I wonder if I could see her when we get back to Richland? Friends, maybe?
Looking at the talented musician who would soon be traveling the world, he scoffed to himself.
Yeah, right. What would she need a friend with a womanizing reputation like mine for?
Filled with a strange sense of recrimination, he wished he had more to offer her, but felt lacking.

Watching as she walked over lovingly caressing her harp case, he pulled himself up to his full height, determined to offer them both his protection as long as they needed it.

“We’ll head to the limo in about fifteen minutes,” he said, as she turned and graced him with a full smile. It rocketed straight to his heart.

*

Finally settling into
the first class seats on the straight flight from Los Angeles to Dulles, Vinny and Annalissa both heaved a sigh of relief at the same time. Looking at each other, smiling, they acknowledged hating the crowds and security lines.

“I always dread that, don’t you?” she asked. “Just trying to push through the crowds.”

“With my size, I usually just glare and people move away,” he admitted.

She looked over at the man filling his seat and the long legs stretched in front of him. “Come to think of it, you did manage to get us through the crowds without me getting squished. I don’t think that’s ever happened before,” she grinned.

“Then maybe you should keep me around as your crowd mover,” he joked.

Her smile reached her eyes, as she admitted, “I’d like that. I’ve never had that before. Usually Todd and Gordon are either meanly pushing people away or they walk ahead talking which leaves me to find my own way.”

He forced his smile to stay on his face, but what he wanted to do was get up, go back to the hotel, and punch those two.

She sat in the window seat, nervously wiping her hands on her jeans. She had worn her nice jeans, slip on shoes to make it easy to get through security and a lightweight sweater, not knowing if she would be chilly on the plane. She should have known that being a few inches away from Vinny would have her warm. Way beyond warm.

“Nervous?” he asked.

“Not too much. Just take off and landing,” she said, looking over at him. Looking down, she saw that he had turned his hand over, palm up, and gave her a questioning look. He was offering his hand. Not grabbing hers. Letting it be her choice.

Reaching out hesitantly, she placed her left hand on top of his upturned right one. He closed his fingers around hers gently. Not squeezing. Smiling, she looked back out of the window as the plane taxied to the runway.

“Don’t worry,” he assured. “Nothing’s going to happen. I’m sure this flight will be as uneventful as all my other flights.”

He felt the slight pressure of her fingers as her grip increased during takeoff. Aware of her delicacy, he was also aware of the strength in those fingers.
Of course. She uses her fingers every day as she plays the harp.
Like her. Delicate and yet with strength underneath.

Hearing a deep sigh as they were airborne, he turned to see her smiling at him again. Releasing her hand regretfully, he asked, “Why Easnadh? Do all harpist name their instruments?”

Immediately her eyes sparkled as she spoke, “The Celtic name for music or musical sound is Easnadh. It’s pronounced
As na
.” Giving a little shrug, she added, “Not all harpist name their instruments, but I suppose I’m sentimental. She’s a beautiful instrument and when I play her, it’s as though I’m a part of her sound. Her music.” Looking back up at him, she blushed. “I’m sure that sounds silly to you, doesn’t it?”

He wanted to tell her that some soldiers name their weapons, but assumed her world would never understand that piece of information when all she brings is joy from her instrument. Instead he just said, “I think the name and the harp are beautiful, but not nearly as much as the player that brings out the music.”

Annalissa was used to compliments. About her talent. Her music. Even the way she looked when all made up for a concert. But it had been a really long time since a man told her she was beautiful as though he really meant it just for her. Blushing, she looked back out of the window, unable to keep the smile off of her face.

A female voice from the side broke the moment. “Mr. Malloy, how nice to see you again. Is there anything I can get for you? Anything at all?”

The seductive purr had Annalissa’s head swinging around quickly. The flight attendant was bending over Vinny’s seat, her breasts straining at the navy blouse that was unbuttoned a couple of buttons below what was surely regulation. The woman’s face held a sensual expression, her mouth opened slightly as her tongue slipped out to moisten her already glossy lips. Annalissa’s gaze flew to Vinny’s face and she could not help but notice his eyes drop to the woman’s chest before lifting back to the attendant’s face.

The attendant leaned closer, whispering to Vinny but in a voice loud enough for Annalissa to hear. “I don’t know if you remember, but we met the last time you took a flight out to California. We had a very good time the night you were there.”

Annalissa thought,
Of course. That would be exactly what a man like him would want. Worldly. Sophisticated. Ready to jump into bed at his panty-melting smile.
She started to turn her head back to the window, refusing to see the interest flare in his eyes, when his hand came to rest on her arm.

He leaned over to her and asked, “Do you want anything to drink? It’s going to be a long flight, do you want some coffee or juice?”

Her gaze shifted back to his, seeing him looking directly at her and not the attendant, who still had a smile on her face that now did not reach her eyes. “Some juice would be nice,” she answered. “If it’s not too much trouble.”