Men of Maddox Security Series by Logan Chance – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read

Men of Maddox Security Series by Logan Chance – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:08:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 http://www.books2020.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Men of Maddox Security Series by Logan Chance – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.books2020.com 32 32 Defending What’s Mine (Men of Maddox Security #5) Read Online Logan Chance http://www.books2020.com/defending-whats-mine-men-of-maddox-security-5-read-online-logan-chance Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:08:53 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/defending-whats-mine-men-of-maddox-security-5-read-online-logan-chance Genre: Alpha Male, Crime, Suspense Authors: Logan Chance Series: Men of Maddox Security Series by Logan Chance
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >77

Asher Hawke thought his latest assignment would be routine—play the role of devoted fiancé to Charlotte Lane, the glamorous, headstrong socialite caught in a web of high-society schemes. But what he didn’t expect was the whirlwind of danger, deception, and undeniable attraction that would come with it.

Charlotte’s father is being pressured to marry her off to the son of a powerful tycoon—a union that would spell disaster for the Lane family. Desperate to protect her father, Charlotte needs a fiancé, fast. Enter Asher, her gruff yet charming security specialist, who’s tasked with pretending they’re madly in love during a high-stakes, week-long family retreat.

As they navigate luxury dinners, whispered threats, and suspicious glances, the line between pretend and real begins to blur. With secrets at every turn, and someone determined to see this fake engagement fail, Asher must keep Charlotte safe—while also fighting the growing feelings he swore he’d never let happen.

In this suspenseful, heart-pounding romcom, love might just be the most dangerous game of all!

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

1

Asher

I’m cutting it close. It’s a rookie mistake. I push through the revolving doors of the downtown Saint Pierce high-rise, stepping from blistering asphalt into chilled marble. The temperature drop is a welcome punch. One breath to reset. I straighten my tie, smooth my jacket, and scan the lobby for threats and choke points. It’s a habit.

Elevator to thirty. I post against the side panel, tracking every floor ding like a metronome. When the doors part, I move with a purposeful gait, soft heel-strikes, eyes sweeping the corridor. The conference room’s ahead. I spot the frosted glass with silhouettes inside the room, already seated. Late is unacceptable, but dead last is better than hovering outside like dead weight, so I slip in and claim the final chair, back to the wall, sightline on the door.

Dean stands at the head. Broad shoulders, suit impeccable, but there’s fatigue in the set of his jaw. It tells its own story. Our gazes lock for half a beat; he registers my presence, files it, continues.

“Thanks for being here,” he begins. Voice steady with a commanding frequency. “I know the past year hasn’t been easy with me searching for Bishop. I’d like to thank all of you for the hand you played in finding him.”

He shuffles briefing folders. He’s crisp, methodical. I clock the micro-tremor in his left hand: adrenaline hangover, nothing fatal. The table air is chunky with spent tension; these men wore themselves hollow to close that target. I wasn’t on the op, but I respect the mileage etched on their faces.

Dean exhales, softer. “Hopefully we can finally have some peace.” The room nods as one unit. Professionals.

I stay silent, absorbing. Profiles around the table read like dossiers—eyes alert, posture disciplined, scars visible and otherwise. This is the bench you want when things go sideways. My objective is simple: earn a spot, hold the line, never be the breach.

I catalog the exit routes, the angle of sunlight on the windows, the cadence of each man’s breathing. Mission begins long before boots move. And late or not, I’m here now—ready to prove I belong.

Dean plants his palms on the head-table, the room settling under his command presence. “I know Isabel has been helping a ton and I’m lucky to have such an awesome sister,” he says, nodding toward the empty administrative desk. “I have some assignments that need urgent attention, and I wanted to hand out each one personally.”

First real rotation since Dean promoted me from training detail. I force my knee to stay still, posture neutral, but adrenaline hums in my veins.

Dean flips the first dossier—blue cover, intel stamp. He slides it to Ranger. “Ranger I’ll start with you first. The G20 Summit Meeting is soon, and this is Tory Ann Malser. She’s yours to protect.”

“This assignment is critical. The G20 Summit attracts a lot of attention, and not all of it good. Your job is to ensure her safety at all times.” Dean flicks a fingertip on the file.

“Is she attending the summit?” Ranger asks.

“No, she isn’t. Her father is Fredrick Malser, a world-renowned scientist. He’ll be a keynote speaker and will have his own personal security watching over him.”

“Why not have her own security watch over his daughter?” Ranger asks.

Dean’s expression doesn’t shift. “Fredrick has received death threats about speaking at the Summit. And he doesn’t trust some members of his own security detail. He wants his daughter kept under the radar. We need to ensure her safety without attracting attention.”

Dean shifts. “You’ll take her to the safe house near the ocean and hold her until the Summit is over.”

Ranger nods once, already scanning routes in his head. “Sounds good.”

Dean’s gaze shifts to Orion. His head’s down, doodling kill-boxes in his notebook. Boone taps Orion’s chair with a boot heel; Orion sits straighter, eyes sharpening.

“Orion, you’ve got the daughter of a socialite, Minnie Gree. Briar Green,” Dean says, sliding the second folder across. “She’s got an ex-boyfriend stalking her, and her mother wants security to follow her to-and-from work.”

Orion flips the file open, skims photos of Briar in a khaki bird-handler uniform, bright smile. “Ex-boyfriend,” he mutters. “Can’t I just scare the shit out of him, make him think twice, and call it a day?.”

“It’s not that simple,” Dean answers, tone flat. “We need to ensure she’s safe without escalating the situation.”

Orion smirks. “It never is.”

Laughter ripples, tension relief. Dean closes the assignment ledger, eyes landing on me last. I sit tall, ready.

Dean finishes handing out files. “Lincoln’s already got his assignment.” I watched Lincoln tuck his dossier under one arm like it weighs nothing. Boone gets the next folder—thick, color-coded blue for stalker detail.

“Boone, here’s your assignment.” Dean pushes it across the table. “I briefed you on it last week.”

Boone cracks it open, low whistle. “Wow. Who’s this?”

“Name’s Aubree Ryan,” Dean answers, tone all business. “And she’s got a stalker too. We’re still in the dark about the identity, but she needs to get out of Nashville.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >77

Advertisement Taking What’s Mine (Men of Maddox Security #4) Read Online Logan Chance http://www.books2020.com/taking-whats-mine-men-of-maddox-security-4-read-online-logan-chance Mon, 21 Apr 2025 22:19:43 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/taking-whats-mine-men-of-maddox-security-4-read-online-logan-chance Genre: Alpha Male, Crime, Suspense Authors: Logan Chance Series: Men of Maddox Security Series by Logan Chance
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >87

Lincoln Zane has faced dangerous assignments before, but none quite like this. His newest mission? Protect Isabel Maddox, his boss’s fiery, fiercely independent sister, from a faceless threat. When the situation gets too hot to handle, Lincoln does what any good security specialist would—he takes her to a safe house.

But Isabel isn’t exactly the damsel in distress type, and she's not thrilled about being cooped up with Mr. Tough-and-Taciturn. Sparks fly (and not just from the danger) as they work together to figure out who's after her. Between trying to crack the case and keeping their growing chemistry in check, Lincoln realizes that keeping Isabel safe might be the easiest part of the job—keeping his heart out of it is another story entirely.

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter 1

Lincoln

“I know she’s my sister, but you’re the only one I trust to keep her safe,” Dean says, his gray eyes practically begging me to understand.

When he first asked me to attend this month’s Maddox Security meeting, I assumed it was to talk about my hard work—maybe even a promotion. I was prepared for a conversation about stepping into a management role, overseeing the operations instead of always being in the field. After all, I love security work. I served in the military, and when I retired, I wanted nothing more than to protect people using the skills I’d honed in special forces.

Plenty of companies courted me because of that background, but Maddox Security offered the best compensation by far. Over the years, Dean and I have become friends, and I’ve enjoyed seeing the firm grow into one of the most successful security outfits in the world. We deal with clients from every walk of life, and there’s no limit to what we’ll do to keep them safe.

I glance at the glittering Atlantic Ocean visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows, taking a moment to process what Dean’s asking. “You want me to do what exactly?”

“Just take her to the safe house,” he explains. “Keep her safe while a few of my men and I look into who’s been threatening her.”

The idea of Isabel Maddox—someone I’ve known for years—being targeted makes my blood boil. She’s essentially my second boss around here, especially since Dean was off chasing Bishop Blackstone. She keeps the entire operation running in his absence, which is no easy feat.

“What does she think about this plan?” I ask, narrowing my gaze at Dean.

He shifts his eyes toward the ocean. “Uh, well...” he starts, then trails off.

I fold my arms. “You did tell her, right?”

He exhales. “Not exactly.”

I sigh, running my hand through my hair as I pin Dean with a questioning look. “What exactly did you tell her?”

Dean winces, almost like he’s bracing for impact—and knowing Isabel Maddox, it’s no wonder. She’s a real firestarter when she’s angry. I’ve seen her flare up once, and I’d advise anyone to avoid winding her up. “I, uh…texted her that she needs to stay with you for a while.”

“Texted her?” I shake my head in disbelief. His sister is a partner in this company, and he chose texting to deliver this kind of news?

Dean holds his hands up defensively. “Listen, whether she likes it or not, she needs you to keep her safe. You’re the best man for the job.”

A row of thick, manila folders sits on the table in front of Dean, each stamped with the Maddox Security logo. I stare at them for a moment, letting the full weight of the request settle in. I can’t stand the thought of Isabel being threatened, and I know Dean’s right—she needs protection until we figure out who’s after her.

It shouldn’t matter that I’ve had a thing for her ever since she started working here. Every time I look into her deep gray eyes, my brain stalls out like a broken engine. I’ve always kept things strictly professional, though it’s been a struggle not to dwell on the taste of her lips or the warmth of her skin. But that’s not what this job is about.

I straighten and meet Dean’s gaze. “I’m the man for the job,” I say, gripping his outstretched hand. The moment I do, the conference room doors swing open, and Ranger steps through.

“Hello,” he drawls in a casual greeting. Dean and I exchange nods, and then Boone appears behind Ranger, strolling in with his usual confident swagger.

“I’m here. The meeting can begin now,” Boone announces, taking the seat beside me and running a hand over his beard. He glances at Ranger. “Sorry to hear about your sister.”

Ranger only shrugs. “It’s fine.”

Boone cracks his knuckles, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “If you need me to knock out the motherfucker, you just say the word.” Fighting is Boone’s favorite pastime.

I frown. “Knock who out?”

Ranger sighs. “My sister had a rough time with her ex. The guy cheated on her—really shattered her confidence. She’s been a wreck ever since. It’s probably why I’ll never fall in love.”

Dean cracks a smile. “Love isn’t all bad.”

Boone smirks at Dean. “I’m surprised you’re even here today.”

Dean shrugs like he’s heard it a hundred times. “What can I say? I’m not sorry I fell in love. Sophia’s everything to me. We had to pretend to be married to catch Bishop Blackstone, and it wasn’t easy. But when you know, you know.” His gaze flicks to the paperwork on the table. “Funny enough, this job I’m giving Asher is a little similar: high stakes, forced proximity...”

Before he can finish, the conference room door swings open again, and Orion stumbles in looking like he had zero hours of sleep. He narrows his eyes at Dean.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >87

Advertisement Guarding What’s Mine (Men of Maddox Security #3) Read Online Logan Chance http://www.books2020.com/guarding-whats-mine-men-of-maddox-security-3-read-online-logan-chance Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:57:59 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/guarding-whats-mine-men-of-maddox-security-3-read-online-logan-chance Genre: Alpha Male Authors: Logan Chance Series: Men of Maddox Security Series by Logan Chance
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >84

Protected by desire, hunted by danger—will love be enough to keep them safe?

Aubree Ryan is living her dream as the proud owner of Slice, Slice Baby, the quirkiest pizza joint in town. But when mysterious threats start piling up and sabotage threatens to topple her beloved shop, she needs more than just extra pepperoni to fix the problem. Meet Boone Wilder—a brooding, no-nonsense security specialist with a love for the great outdoors and a talent for making bad guys disappear.

Aubree expected a bodyguard, but she didn’t expect Boone to whisk her away to his secluded cabin in the mountains for “safety.” Now, she’s swapping pizza dough for campfires, bears, and one very gruff mountain man who, despite his best efforts, can’t hide that spark of attraction between them.

As Boone tries to shield her from the danger lurking in the shadows, Aubree finds herself Is the biggest threat her business... or her growing feelings for Boone?

In this laugh-out-loud romcom, get ready for mountain escapes, pizza disasters, and a slow-burn romance that’s hotter than a wood-fired oven

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter 1

Boone

Today promises to be a good day. Not only do I get to travel for work—a perk I’m always excited about—but I’ll also have a chance to escape to my cabin tucked away in the Tennessee woods just outside of Nashville. That place has been my sanctuary since I left the military. Something about the pine-scented air, the hush of the forest, and the satisfaction of chopping your own firewood speaks to a part of me that Saint Pierce’s salty breeze never quite reaches.

This upcoming job is exactly what I need. Dean hinted last week there might be an assignment near Nashville, and he knew I’d be perfect for it—maybe because I’m ex-military and more than capable of handling tough situations, or maybe it’s because I look the part. My beard’s grown in thick and full lately, and I have to say, even though I’m more used to deserts and jungles than mountains, I’ve embraced the rugged look. The grizzly mountain man look.

I flash a quick grin to the blonde receptionist behind the front desk in the gleaming lobby of Maddox Securities, perched on the thirtieth floor of one of the tallest buildings in Saint Pierce. Then I step into the elevator. As I ride up, I can’t stop myself from picturing the Tennessee wilderness, the crisp air, and the logs stacked neatly beside my cabin’s porch. It’s exactly what I need—a reprieve from Saint Pierce’s relentless heat and an excuse to indulge in the kind of hands-on work that makes me feel alive.

When the elevator doors glide open, I stroll into the sleek, glass-walled conference room. “I’m here,” I announce, rubbing a hand over my beard, letting a slow grin spread across my face. “The meeting can begin now.”

A few of the guys chuckle, and I drop into a seat, nodding at Ranger. His expression is tight, like something’s weighing him down. I remember what he told me last week—about his sister—and my tone shifts as I murmur, “Sorry to hear about your sister.”

He gives me a brusque nod. “It’s fine.”

But I can see from the tense line of his jaw that it’s anything but fine. Greta’s a good woman. The thought of her hurting over some scumbag’s betrayal sets my teeth on edge. I fold my arms over my chest, the protective instinct I honed in the Marines kicking up a notch. “If you need me to knock that motherfucker out,” I offer, letting my voice go cold, “just say the word.”

Ranger’s gaze flicks to mine, appreciation in his eyes. “Thanks, Boone. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Across the table, Lincoln raises an eyebrow. “Knock who out?”

Ranger explains how his sister’s long-term boyfriend cheated on her, leaving her heartbroken—and with little faith left in men. The reminder pulls at a part of me that’s hardwired to protect the people I care about. Greta’s off-limits when it comes to heartbreak, at least if I have a say in the matter.

I push a breath through my nose, cracking my knuckles as I consider the possibilities. Nothing makes my blood boil like someone who preys on a woman’s trust. Moments like this take me back to my military days—guarding bases, escorting civilians through danger zones. I’ve seen enough ugliness in the world to know you can’t stand by when someone you care about is in trouble.

“She’s been devastated ever since,” Ranger mutters, his voice low and pained. He laces his fingers together on the table, as though trying to keep himself calm. “It’s probably why I’ll never fall in love.”

I feel a pang of sympathy twist in my chest for his sister, but I also get where Ranger’s coming from. If I had a drink in hand, I’d raise it to toast that sentiment. I’m about to agree when Dean clears his throat.

“Love isn’t all bad,” he says, in that confident way he has of looking on the bright side.

A laugh escapes me. “I’m surprised you’re even here, Dean,” I tease, my tone lighter than the tension in the room. “Figured you’d still be holed up with your girl.”

Dean’s expression softens immediately. He starts talking about Sophia—this woman who turned his entire life upside down. The story is wild, even by our standards: the job was supposed to be a simple extraction, kidnap one of the Four Families’ daughters, only for him to discover Sophia in her place at the last moment. Suddenly, he found himself pretending to be married to her, all so he could lure out Bishop Blackstone, a notorious mob boss. And now here Dean is, grinning like a fool because he’s clearly head over heels.

“I’ve never seen him like this,” Ranger whispers, nudging me. And he’s right. Dean’s happiness is so obvious it practically fills the room.

Then the door bangs open, interrupting the moment. Orion staggers in, his hair disheveled like he just tumbled out of bed. Honestly, knowing him, he probably did. He yawns, settles into a chair, and props his feet up on the table—unapologetically Orion.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >84

Advertisement Saving What’s Mine (Men of Maddox Security #2) Read Online Logan Chance http://www.books2020.com/saving-whats-mine-men-of-maddox-security-2-read-online-logan-chance Sun, 02 Mar 2025 13:36:07 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/saving-whats-mine-men-of-maddox-security-2-read-online-logan-chance Genre: Action, Alpha Male Authors: Logan Chance Series: Men of Maddox Security Series by Logan Chance
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >84

When life hands Orion Locke a new assignment, it’s not just any routine security detail—he’s tasked with protecting Briar Green, a quirky bird handler with an even quirkier pet bird named Jeb. Between dodging the advances of a persistent stalker and Jeb’s constant chaos (seriously, who knew a bird could have that much attitude?), Orion’s life takes a nosedive into feathers, flirty banter, and flying distractions.

Briar isn’t your typical damsel in distress. She’s independent, headstrong, and far too comfortable with letting Jeb run wild. Orion’s job was supposed to be protect her from the shadows and maintain a professional distance. But as danger gets closer, so do they, and suddenly keeping his heart safe becomes harder than dodging Jeb’s random flying attacks.

Will Orion be able to save Briar from her stalker before she drives him completely bananas? Or will the real challenge be keeping his feelings caged?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter 1

Orion

I smack the snooze button again, the soft thud of it echoing in my dimly lit room.

Shut the fuck up, motherfucker.

Seriously, who in their right mind thinks nine a.m. meetings are a good idea? Certainly not me. My body feels like lead, weighed down by the exhaustion from yet another late night spent indulging in my secret obsession—magic tricks.

Yeah, I’d never tell anyone I’m into sleight of hand tricks. Especially the men I work with at Maddox Security. I’m sure the guys would love to rag on me for that. I’d probably never hear the end of it, and listen… I’d rather keep this shit to myself.

However, my fingers have a natural agility. They move with a kind of fluidity over the cards, shuffling and flipping them effortlessly. It’s not just a party trick; it’s skill, discipline, finesse. Few people can handle a deck the way I do. There’s only two things I’m really, really good at. Fucking and cards.

The alarm shrieks again, more demanding this time, yanking me out of my daydream. I groan, throwing my rumpled dark-blue comforter to the floor in frustration.

Fine, I’m getting up.

I rub my eyes, the clock flashing an accusatory 8:20 a.m. Ten minutes to get out the door. Fantastic.

I leap out of bed and stumble through my morning routine like a man possessed. A wrinkled t-shirt is the first thing I grab from the pile of semi-clean clothes on the chair in the corner of my room. Not ideal, but it’ll have to do. At least Dean, my boss, doesn't believe in suits and ties for these meetings. It’s one of the few things I appreciate about him.

However, what I don’t appreciate… Dean’s obsession with holding early-morning meetings. He’s one of those “stick to a schedule” types, convinced that knocking out meetings at the crack of dawn somehow frees up the rest of the day for productivity. Maybe for him, but for me? I’d prefer an extra hour of sleep.

I guess it also goes to say the majority of the men who work for Maddox Security are ex-military. They’re used to this shit, and sure, when I worked SWAT, I got up early for work… but it’s been a while.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand, a text from Boone popping up. “Don’t be late. You know Dean will notice.” Great, just what I need. As if the anxiety about the meeting wasn’t enough, I now have Boone in my ear reminding me of Dean’s eagle-eye for tardiness. I throw on some jeans, grab my keys, and dash out the door, hoping I can make it downtown in record time.

Dean Maddox is the head of one of the world’s largest security firms—though calling it a "security company" hardly does it justice—and has a reputation for taking on the most challenging cases, the ones other firms shy away from. It’s also how he met his wife, Sophia. They had to pretend to be married for a case, and somewhere along the way, Dean fell hopelessly in love with her. Their unconventional love story is one for the books, but right now, I need to focus on making it to that early meeting.

I race across town in my SUV, tires screeching as I speed through the traffic lights. Bursting into the conference room, I’m a groggy mess, barely able to keep my eyes open.

“Why do you schedule these meetings so early in the morning?” I grumble, collapsing into the nearest chair.

Dean, Boone, Ranger, and Lincoln turn to look at me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and amusement. It’s as if I’m some peculiar artifact they can’t quite place. Maybe they’ve never been this tired before.

“It’s nine a.m. I wouldn’t exactly call this early,” Dean chuckles, his gray eyes assessing me.

“Someone had a rough night,” Boone observes, his grin widening as he leans back in his chair.

If he only knew. I let out a groan and rest my head on my arms, desperately trying to stay awake while I wait for the last person to arrive.

A few minutes later, Asher, the newest member of our team, strides into the room, clearly apologetic. “Sorry I’m late,” he says, offering Dean a quick nod.

“Thanks for being here, everyone,” Dean begins, flipping through a stack of papers with practiced efficiency. “I know the past couple of months have been challenging with my search for Bishop Blackstone. I want to extend my gratitude to each of you for your invaluable contributions in locating him.”

As Dean speaks, I stifle another yawn, wishing more than anything for this meeting to be over so I can crawl back into bed and catch up on some much-needed sleep. The room’s early morning light feels harsh, and the comfort of my bed seems like a distant dream.

“I know Isabel has been a tremendous help, and I’m incredibly lucky to have such an awesome sister,” Dean says, his tone filled with genuine appreciation. He glances at Lincoln, who’s watching him, before continuing, “Now, I have some assignments that have come up, and I want to assign each one.”

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >84

Advertisement Protecting What’s Mine (Men of Maddox Security #1) Read Online Logan Chance http://www.books2020.com/protecting-whats-mine-men-of-maddox-security-1-read-online-logan-chance Sun, 02 Feb 2025 19:14:44 +0000 http://www.books2020.com/protecting-whats-mine-men-of-maddox-security-1-read-online-logan-chance Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary Authors: Logan Chance Series: Men of Maddox Security Series by Logan Chance
Advertisement

Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >49

Bound by duty. Driven by passion. Unstoppable in love.

Ranger Cole is used to high-stakes missions, but babysitting a scientist's daughter for a week? That's a new kind of challenge. Tory's smart, sassy, and completely off-limits. From the moment Ranger locks eyes with her, the tension is undeniable—and not just because someone’s out to get her.

Between late-night stakeouts and heated banter, keeping Tory safe starts feeling personal. And the more time they spend together, the more sparks fly. Until it’s not just Tory’s safety Ranger’s worried about, but his own heart. Can Ranger keep his emotions in check while protecting the one person he’s not supposed to fall for? Or will Tory prove to be the mission that changes everything?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

Chapter 1

Ranger

The blue water of the Atlantic Ocean waves at me as I stare out the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Maddox Security conference room, waiting impatiently for the guys I work with to arrive for our monthly meeting. The room is perched high above the bustling streets of downtown Saint Pierce, offering a panoramic view of the city and the vast ocean beyond. Dean Maddox owns the entire twentieth floor of this sleek sky rise. The view is stunning, but my attention is on the ticking clock. I’m a man who doesn’t like to be kept waiting.

Dean is very particular about keeping a schedule, and so am I. Punctuality is a virtue in our line of work, where precision and timing can mean the difference between success and failure. My patience wears thin as I tap my fingers on the polished mahogany table, the rhythmic sound echoing in the spacious, modern room.

I glance at my watch for the third time in five minutes, the ticking seconds feeling like an eternity. The soft hum of the air conditioning does little to soothe my growing frustration. My thoughts drift between the ocean outside and the urgency of the tasks that lie ahead.

The door finally creaks open, and Lincoln trickles in, his casual demeanor clashing with the urgency I feel. I suppress a sigh and straighten in my chair, ready to dive into the agenda. Dean strides in after him, his presence commanding the room. He takes his seat at the head of the table.

"What’s taking so long?” I ask, resting my forearms on the glossy, polished conference room table, its surface so reflective I can almost see my own impatience staring back at me.

The room is large, too large, for a group of six men. The high ceilings and expansive floor space amplify the emptiness. Dean once said it takes this much space to hold all our personalities, and I guess that’s true.

Lincoln, the only other one here besides our boss, Dean, glances at the world time clock on the wall, its multiple faces displaying times from London to Tokyo. “They’re only two minutes late.”

“But still late,” I say, arching a brow and feeling the familiar annoyance prickling at the edge of my patience.

“The other guys are on their way up,” Dean says from his seat at the head of the table. He sits with an air of authority, his eyes flicking to the wall of televisions surveilling every nook and cranny of the building. Each screen shows a different angle, capturing the continuous activity within our fortress. “Patience is a virtue, Ranger.”

I lean back, stretching my legs under the table, and cross my boots at the ankle. The chair creaks slightly, the only sound in the otherwise silent room. “Mhm. I’ve been told,” I mutter, my tone a mix of resignation and stubbornness. My eyes wander back to the ocean view.

The silence stretches on, the weight of our anticipation palpable. Every second feels like an eternity, each tick of the clock a reminder of the punctuality I value.

I've known Dean for years, worked here for years as well, so he knows I’m just busting his balls. We go way back. With a military background, it was only right that I joined his team as a security specialist after I retired. Maddox Security is one of the largest security companies in the world. I use the term ‘security’ lightly because sometimes we’re asked to do more than protect; sometimes, we’re enforcers, investigators, and even rescuers.

The hours are great. The work is always busy, with no two days ever the same. And I like the men I work with… even if they’re late. They’re like family to me. I don’t have a lot of family, so I appreciate them. I’m the type of man who keeps his circle small, preferring quality over quantity. When you do what we do, you surround yourself with people you can trust implicitly.

Lincoln’s blue eyes meet mine, and he shakes his head with a wry smile. He’s a quiet guy, for the most part, always sitting back, watching instead of speaking. He’s got a way of assessing a situation with just a glance, a skill that’s saved our asses more than once.

<<<<1 2 3 11 21 >49