Nothing Left to Lose (Guarded Hearts 1)

I smiled. “Actually, I’m bringing my girlfriend with me.”

“WHAT?” he almost screamed down the phone.

“Whoa! Take it down an octave there, Nate,” I joked, laughing at his surprise. Nate knew nothing of my undercover assignment with Anna, as far as he was concerned, I was working in Washington somewhere. I’d told him I met a girl on a night out with the boys.

“You’re really serious about this one? When you kept talking about her, I thought it was just a phase you were going through,” he said.

I rolled my eyes. “It’s not a phase. I’m crazy about her, so you’d better warn the guys to stay the hell away from her,” I frowned, thinking of Seth hitting on her or trying to touch her, not that she couldn’t set him straight on that.

“Seriously? This is it then? Ashton Taylor, settled down, in a relationship? You’re totally serious? Not bullshitting me or anything?” he asked, sounding like he didn’t believe me.

I laughed. “I’m totally serious. Anna’s incredible, and I guarantee you’ll be in love with her too by the end of the weekend,” I stated confidently. She just had a power over men that made them fall for her. It wasn’t her looks either; she just had something else, an inner beauty – a charm – that you just wanted to be around.

“In love with her too? Are you in love with her?” he cried, sounding shocked again.

I grinned, nodding to myself. “I’m totally in love with her. So tell the guys to keep their distance.”

“Wow, possessive. Must be love then,” he teased, chuckling. I sighed; I didn’t care how much the guys teased me, I was in love with Anna and that was all there was to it.

“Listen, just make sure the apartment looks okay, will ya? Have a bit of a clean-up,” I winced. Nate wasn’t exactly the best housekeeper, I could just imagine the dirty plates in the sink, and the dirty clothes over the floor.

“Taylor, I’m not a freaking maid!” he retorted.

I chuckled, rolling my eyes. “For me? Please? It doesn’t have to be spotless, she won’t care. Just no used condoms down the toilet, or dirty plates in the lounge, that kind of thing,” I suggested.

He sighed dramatically. “Fine, I’ll have a clean-up,” he agreed, somewhat reluctantly. “I won’t be here tomorrow at six though, I’m working until twelve. I’m covering for one of the guys and pulling a double shift.”

“Okay, well I’ll see you Saturday then.” I slid my phone back into my pocket and couldn’t keep the ecstatic grin off my face.

Chapter Twenty-One

Once the plane had touched down and the seatbelt sign had finally been turned off, she twisted in her seat and smiled up at me. “Hey, have a nice sleep?” she teased, reaching up and wiping something from the corner of my eye.

I smiled sheepishly. Admittedly, I had dozed off during the flight. It wasn’t really my fault though; the first class seating was extremely luxurious and comfortable, and it was made even better by the fact that she’d been leaning all over me and snuggling into my side while she read her magazine. Plus, I’d barely slept the night before because I was so excited to take her home with me and show her off to my friends. I’d lain awake most of the night, watching her sleep peacefully in my arms. I couldn’t imagine an angel would look more beautiful than her.

“Yeah I did. Sorry I didn’t talk to you for the whole way,” I winced, hoping she didn’t mind. She was still smiling so I couldn’t have annoyed her too much.

She shrugged casually, shoving the last of her candy wrappers into her inflight bag. “Least you weren’t snoring.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t answer. I didn’t snore, but she was always trying to make me believe that I did.

As soon as we disembarked the aeroplane, we were ushered through the airport like royalty. Dean was with us because there always had to be two guards with her, but Peter had already started his weekend off. The helicopter was waiting for us a short car ride away and half an hour later, we arrived at the lake house.

I raised one eyebrow in awe as I looked up at the building. It looked even bigger than I remembered. Practically as soon as we were out of the chopper, Anna’s parents both hurried out of the house to greet us. In a seemingly unconscious move, she stepped closer to me and my heart leapt in my chest because she obviously needed my support. I smiled reassuringly and put my hand on the small of her back.

As they stopped in front of us, both grinning happily, Anna plastered on what seemed like a fake smile as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her mother. I watched as her mother’s eyes widened in surprise before her whole body relaxed and she threw her arms around her daughter and hugged her back like she was a long lost child. Anna’s dad was watching them both with his mouth hanging open and tears glistening in his eyes. When she broke the hug and engulfed her father in a hug too, his whole face showed his elation.

As soon as the embrace broke, she stepped back to my side again. I smiled and stuck out my hand towards her father. “It’s nice to see you again, sir.”

He cleared his throat, finally dragging his bewildered eyes away from Anna. “You too, Agent Taylor,” he replied, shaking my hand firmly in greeting. He turned to Dean who was standing slightly behind. “Agent Michaels, you have plans for this weekend?”

“Yes, sir, I’m going to visit my mother,” Dean answered.