Guarded Desires Read online

  GUARDED DESIRES

  ANNA STONE

  © 2021 Anna Stone

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be replicated, reproduced, or redistributed in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover by Kasmit Covers

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  series novella!

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Epilogue

  Also by Anna Stone

  About the Author

  C H A P T E R 1

  Carmen scanned the ballroom from her vantage point at the back of the room, keeping a lookout for any signs of trouble. The charity auction was about to start, and the guests were trickling in. Dressed in tuxedos and evening gowns, diamonds and pearls, they were the city’s elite, the richest and most influential.

  But Carmen’s job tonight wasn’t to protect these people, or even the millions of dollars of valuables to be auctioned off at the event. She was part of a different elite, part of a team of professional bodyguards tasked with protecting a single woman—Amber Pryce.

  The Pryces were one of the wealthiest, most powerful families in the country, and Amber was the sole Pryce heir.

  The night’s auction was just one of the many charitable events she ran for her company. But despite her wealth, she wasn’t another spoiled socialite. She was a powerhouse of a woman, one whose domineering nature had earned her a formidable reputation.

  But Carmen hadn’t met her yet. Everything she knew of Amber Pryce came from rumors and gossip.

  She focused her attention on the room before her. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down. Tonight’s job was about more than just the auction. It was a trial run, an audition of sorts, for a more permanent contract as part of

  Amber’s personal bodyguard team. Amber had fired her old security team, apparently out of dissatisfaction. That told Carmen all she needed to know about her client’s expectations.

  As she stood by, one of her colleagues approached.

  Hudson. The dark-haired man was almost 30, a few years older than her. Not that he acted like it.

  He gave her a nod before taking his place beside her.

  “Hey, Torres.”

  “Hudson,” she replied.

  He adjusted the jacket of his tuxedo. “Whose idea was it to put us in these stupid suits? It’s like wearing a straitjacket.”

  “Stop fidgeting,” she said. “You’re going to draw attention.”

  Amber wanted a full security detail, but she wanted everyone to blend in, so the entire team was dressed in suits, just like the servers and staff. It all seemed like overkill. Was it just the paranoia of another rich client, or something else?

  But it wasn’t Carmen’s job to question orders. It was her job to protect her client. And she took that job seriously.

  Hudson gave her a nudge and nodded toward an older woman dressed in a gaudy, diamond-encrusted gown.

  “You’d look good in one of those dresses. Some high heels too.”

  “Probably.” When she wasn’t on a job, Carmen wore dresses as easily as she wore suits. “And even in a dress and heels, I could still kick your ass.”

  Hudson smirked. “Is that humor? Looks like someone’s finally starting to loosen up.”

  “I wasn’t joking.” She’d joined the team years ago, and everyone she worked with still gave her a hard time about her serious attitude.

  But it was nothing more than friendly ribbing, the kind that was a sign she’d been accepted as one of them. It had

  taken her some time to infiltrate the boys’ club that the team was, but once she’d proved she could hold her own, she’d been quickly accepted.

  And hold her own she could. She was strong for her size, and what she lacked in strength she made up for in physical and mental agility. She could take down a man twice her size before he even knew what was happening.

  Demonstrating this on a skeptical Hudson in front of all their colleagues was exactly how she’d proved that she was as capable as the rest of them, if not more.

  After all, she was a Marine. She’d served four years, enlisting right out of high school. She’d planned to reenlist after her initial term, but after the death of her grandmother, she’d left to take over as her sister’s guardian.

  It had been a difficult decision to make. But her sister had needed her. Their parents had been killed when they were young, and she had no one else. So the past few years of Carmen’s life had been spent raising her teenage sister, sacrificing not only her career in the Marines, but her personal life.

  However, it was a small sacrifice to make. And soon after leaving the Marines, she’d been recruited to join the elite bodyguard team she was part of. Her job gave her a similar sense of purpose as the Marines had.

  Their boss approached them. Wheeler was older, and an Army veteran, but the only sign of his age was the specks of gray in his black hair.

  “Hudson, I need you at the entrance,” he said. “I want more eyes on the new arrivals.”

  Hudson nodded. “Yes, boss.”

  As he marched off, Wheeler turned to Carmen. “I want you on Pryce, personally. Don’t let her out of your sight, but keep your distance. These old-money types, they don’t want an entourage following them around like they’re celebrities. They want us grunts to be invisible. So don’t

  get too close. Pryce is one woman you do not want to piss off.”

  Carmen nodded. “Got it.”

  Wheeler wasn’t big on formality, despite the fact that most of the team had a military background. It had taken Carmen a long time to get out of the habit of speaking to him like a superior officer. She’d had trouble adjusting to civilian life, initially. She’d always liked the structure and discipline of the Marines.

  “Speak of the devil,” he said.

  She turned, following his line of sight. Striding toward them was a woman, the crowd parting before her as she passed through it. She was tall, with a crown of golden blonde hair pinned up on her head. Her dark blue evening gown was embroidered with silver, and her diamond necklace and glittering heels sparkled in the chandelier light.

  Amber Pryce. Carmen had seen her before, in magazines, on the news. But in person, she was breathtaking. Every part of her was flawless, from her glacial blue eyes to her sculpted cheekbones, her hourglass figure carved out of ice. She had this boldness about her, this undeniable confidence that dominated the room.

  The women of the Pryce family had a reputation for their fierceness. Rumor had it that several generations ago, the wife of the Pryce patriarch had murdered her abusive husband before making off with all his wealth. On her deathbed, she’d made her daughter pledge to never let a man get his hands on the family money, beginning the tradition of a long line of Pryce matriarchs
ruling the family.

  It was just a rumor. But it fit the image that the Pryce women held, and Amber was no exception. She was a picture of feminine strength and beauty.

  A queen.

  Amber stopped before them. “Wheeler, was it?” Her tone was polite but firm.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied. “What can I do for you?”

  “Send someone to check the courtyard,” she ordered.

  “We can’t have anyone unsavory sneaking in. And the auction is about to start, so be on your guard.”

  Wheeler nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Carmen had never seen her boss behave so deferentially.

  And what did Amber mean by ‘unsavory’? Was there a more serious threat at play here than Carmen knew?

  Suddenly, Amber turned to her, her eyes meeting Carmen’s for the first time.

  A shiver went through her. There was something in Amber’s gaze, something cool and commanding, that made her heart race. Those eyes, piercing and blue, seemed to want something from her. Those lips, ruby red, seemed to whisper something to her. Her unwavering expression, it demanded something of her…

  Carmen drew in a breath, trying to settle her pulse. Why was Amber making her feel this way? She wasn’t the kind of woman to be intimidated by anyone.

  But intimidated wasn’t what she was feeling.

  “Torres?” Wheeler interjected. “You all right?”

  Carmen snapped out of her trance, nodding. “I’m fine.”

  She glanced at her boss, then back at Amber. But now, the cool fire in the woman’s eyes was gone, replaced by her earlier haughtiness.

  “I’ll send some men to watch the courtyard,” Wheeler said. “And Torres here is going to be keeping an eye on you personally tonight. She’s one of our best.”

  Amber looked Carmen up and down. “Torres. Do you have a first name?”

  “It’s Carmen,” she said.

  “Keep your eyes open, Carmen. I can’t afford to have any trouble tonight.”

  Carmen nodded, her mouth suddenly too dry to form words. What was wrong with her? She should have been more annoyed about Amber’s presumptuousness than she was. Keep your eyes open? She knew how to do her job.

  She was a professional.

  So why was she acting like a bumbling idiot who could barely speak?

  Amber huffed. “I need to go prepare for the auction.”

  With that, she turned and walked away, parting the crowd before her once more.

  Carmen’s boss barked in her ear. “What are you gaping at her for? Follow her.”

  Carmen shook her head. “Yes. Right away.”

  He frowned. “I told that woman you’re one of the best because it’s true. Don’t let me down.”

  “I won’t.”

  With a nod to Wheeler, she followed in Amber’s wake.

  Carmen stood in the wings, just out of view, watching the crowd as Amber spoke on stage. The auction was wrapping up, and according to Amber’s speech, it had been a rousing success.

  “I’d like to thank everyone who contributed tonight,”

  Amber said. “Your generous contributions will go a long way toward funding programs for the youth of our city.”

  The audience watched her, captivated. While Carmen had no interest in Amber’s talk of foundations and funding, there was something mesmerizing about the way Amber spoke. She commanded the crowd, held them in sway with her velvet-smooth voice, seduced them with her hypnotic gaze…

  Carmen pried her eyes away from her, focusing instead on their surroundings. She had a job to do. But the night

  had been uneventful in that regard. She’d spent the last few hours trailing Amber while she shook hands and made small talk. It was dull, but no duller than Carmen’s usual jobs. And she’d spent plenty of time in the Marines doing nothing.

  “And finally,” Amber said. “I’d like to thank those who worked so hard tonight to make this event possible. The catering staff, the decorators, security…”

  Carmen suppressed a scoff. How nice of her to thank us servants.

  Amber finished off her speech to rousing applause. She left the stage, where she was immediately accosted by a local politician, who she greeted with a smile and a firm handshake. Carmen had to hand it to the woman. She knew how to work a room. No, how to own it.

  Soon, a photographer appeared beside Amber, taking her aside and gesturing toward the doors to the ballroom.

  From what Carmen could make out, Amber was needed outside for photos.

  Amber gave the man a nod before following him toward the doors. Carmen edged her way through the crowd in their wake, taking care to stay an appropriate distance away while still keeping her client in sight.

  As Amber reached the doors, she glanced backward at Carmen, just for a moment. Was it simply to confirm that Carmen was still there guarding her? More than once, she had caught Amber looking at her with an intensity that sent heat rising through her…

  Carmen shook her head. Other than their brief exchange at the start of the event, Amber hadn’t spoken a single word to her. Considering how she seemed to render Carmen unable to speak, that was probably a good thing.

  Outside, on the circular driveway leading up to the hall, a group of guests were gathered before a huddle of photographers from different media outlets. Carmen recognized a few of the guests as the women Amber owned

  her company with, along with other prominent local figures.

  As Amber joined them, Carmen exchanged a brief nod with Wheeler and Hudson by the entrance before returning her attention to Amber, who was being directed to pose with the others. Everyone at the event, from the guests to the staff, had been thoroughly vetted. They were unlikely to pose any threat to Amber. However, out here in the open, she was much more exposed. Carmen needed to stay alert.

  Finally, the photographers dismissed the group. The crowd dispersed, most of the guests remaining outside to converse in the cool night air.

  As Carmen stood by, waiting for Amber, the sound of a car engine reached her ears. She turned toward it, peering down the dimly lit driveway. A car was approaching, but it didn’t have its headlights on.

  She took a few steps toward where Amber stood, just a couple of feet from the edge of the driveway. She hadn’t reacted to the car. Neither had anyone else.

  But something wasn’t right. There shouldn’t have been any cars on the driveway at all right now. And the car wasn’t slowing down. It was picking up speed.

  The hairs on the back of Carmen’s neck stood up. At the same time, Amber turned toward the car, finally noticing it.

  If it continued to follow the path of the circular driveway, it would drive right past them.

  But it was coming at them too fast, too erratically.

  And Amber was right in its path.

  The car’s engine roared. A surge of adrenaline shot through Carmen’s veins. She had less than a second to act.

  She moved on instinct, crashing against Amber as she tackled her to the ground. Behind her, the car’s wheels screeched, drowning out the gasps of the onlooking crowd.

  Shielding Amber with her body, Carmen turned her head toward the car. It swerved back onto the driveway, continuing down it until it disappeared into the night.

  She let out a breath. Pulse thundering in her ears, she looked down at Amber. The woman’s face had gone pale.

  And for the first time that night, she saw Amber’s composure slip away, only to be replaced by something else.

  Fear.

  Suddenly, Carmen was blinded by a series of flashes.

  Cameras. She blinked, her surroundings coalescing around her. Here she was, practically lying on top of Amber Pryce, looking down into her eyes in front of a watching crowd.

  She scrambled off her client and crouched down beside her. “Are you all right?”

  Amber nodded and sat up, brushing herself off. As she did, Carmen noticed a long, jagged tear in the skirt of her evening gown. Carmen winced. The dress looked like it c
ost more than her entire salary.

  Amber gave her a sharp look. “A hand, if you will?”

  “Sure.” Carmen held out her hand. Amber took it, a spark of electricity arcing between them.

  She pulled Amber to her feet carefully, holding her free hand out to support her in case she was unsteady. But Amber wasn’t unsteady. Her usual composure had returned. It was as if nothing had happened at all.

  Had Carmen imagined the fear in her eyes just moments ago? Now, she was looking at Carmen with that same piercing gaze as before. And Carmen still had a hold of her hand. When she’d pulled Amber to her feet, they’d ended up standing close, barely a foot from each other, and Carmen could feel her heat, could breathe her scent, a cool, sweet fragrance with an intoxicating tinge of spice—

  “Ms. Pryce!”

  That was Wheeler’s voice. Carmen turned to see him rushing toward them. She dropped Amber’s hand, stepping back to a more respectable distance.

  Wheeler swooped in to check that Amber was unharmed, offering repeated apologies. He turned to

  Hudson nearby. “Did you get the license plate?”

  Hudson shook his head. “It was too dark. It was probably just a guest who had too many drinks.”

  Carmen retreated to the side quietly. The adrenaline had dissipated, but she still felt something smoldering inside, that fire that had sparked when her hand had touched Amber’s.

  Or maybe it was just embarrassment. After all, she’d tackled her client and torn her gown in front of two dozen people. Maybe she’d been a little overzealous.

  Hudson appeared beside her, his expression confirming her doubts. “What was that?” he said. “That car wasn’t anywhere near her.”

  Was he right? Had it just been a drunk guest? Someone distracted, who had forgotten to turn on their headlights?

  Perhaps the car hadn’t been coming for Amber after all.

  She glanced toward Amber. Her heart skipped a beat.

  The woman was looking back at her, arms crossed. Carmen couldn’t read her expression, but she didn’t need to.

  Amber Pryce was not happy.

  Had Carmen just screwed up the job for the entire team?

  C H A P T E R 2

  Amber entered the Mistress Media offices. It was early in the morning, so the sprawling sea of glass and desks on the top floor of the high-rise building was empty.