Educate Me

All kinds of thoughts are running through my head as I flit through the file Colin has given me. What if the attack has nothing to do with Jarrod and everything to do with his daughter? Sometimes these things weren’t always as they first appear, and even though I haven’t met Jarrod and Gia Carrington something doesn’t sit right with me. Call it a gut feeling but something just doesn’t add up.

Hopefully by the time I arrive there will be more to go on. Maybe one of them will feel like talking and give me something more to go on than just a note.

“What about her mother? There’s no mention of her in here,” I suddenly ask, looking up at Colin.

“She died giving birth to Gia. And before you ask Jarrod and Lucia dated briefly in college and had broken up when he discovered she was carrying his child. Even though we were only kids he wanted to do the right thing so he moved Lucia in with us. We shared an apartment, and I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead but she was a raving bitch and made both our lives a living hell while she was there.” He reclines in his seat before he continues, “Jarrod, I think was close to finding her somewhere else to live when she went into premature labor. We managed to get her to the hospital but they couldn’t stop the bleeding. Jarrod lived with a lot of guilt over her death because he didn’t love her, although he loved Gia from the minute he saw her. We both did. I’m her godfather and she has us both wrapped around her finger.” Colin smiles and clears his throat before his eyes narrow. “So that being said just remember you’re there as her bodyguard and although this is off record as a favor to me the same rules apply—you hearing me?”

For once I’m not quick enough to hide my shock and Colin’s smile turns smug. Never in my years as a US Marshal have I broken the rules. At least the ones that state any kind of relationship between a Marshal and anyone involved in a case are strictly prohibited. Other rules maybe—but what the fuck!

“I’m hearing you. But did I need to?”

“You don’t know Gia, but in all honesty you’re the only one I know who won’t take advantage of her. She’s a beauty and she doesn’t have a problem using that to get what she wants. Just remember to use the brain in your head and you’ll survive. You better get a move on.”

And with that I’m dismissed as Colin starts to shuffle the paperwork aro

und on his desk. I hesitate, wanting more information but there isn’t any point, I’ll learn more when I get there.

As I walk out of the office, and then the building the unease I was feeling while I listened to my boss has stayed. My gut has saved my life on more than one occasion and this time it’s telling me that something is off.

Settling into the back of the cab, I start to read the file on Jacob Carrington and his daughter more thoroughly than I did back at the office. And this time, I open the flap with their photographs pinned to the back.

I whistle. Gia Carrington is one gorgeous babe with her dark curls resting over her shoulders leading down to her breasts. Back up and her blue eyes sparkle with a hint of defiance. Breathtaking is an understatement but it’s that sparkle in her eyes that has, not only my gut feeling going off in all directions but a twitch in my jeans. Both of the feelings are making me damn uncomfortable.

Even without Colin’s warning, I’ll be keeping my zipper fastened. Never in my ten years with the Marshal’s office have I broken the no touch rule. I’ve broken other rules—some more times than I care to admit—but the no touch one I’ve stuck to. I also know I’ve found it easier sticking to that rule because my usual assignments tend to veer toward the drug and human trafficking trade more than anything else.

Pulling myself out of my dark thoughts, I glance at the picture of Jarrod and come up short. Flicking back through the file for Jarrod’s details, I realize he is only seven years older than me, which makes him forty-two years old. I should have realized he’d be young, but when I’d heard Jarrod was a judge, I automatically presumed he would be someone older. I’m obviously wrong and I just hope he agrees to how I think his daughter needs protecting. I never do anything by half and if I’m going to be protecting Gia then any changes I make will be happening, and it will be a lot easier on my part if I have free reign.

After paying the cab driver, I climb out at the airport while palming my phone. It might be wise to have some back up with me. Dialing, I hope Julian is still state side.