Taming the SEAL

Chapter 2

"Well now Grant, I've never seen you make a mistake before," Julian chuckled, "but she sure is a fine one. Sam. Find out who she is and where she's staying. I'd like to know more about the fiery lady who turned me down."

The smaller man nodded. "Yes sir."

Grant bristled at the reference to his mistake as he watched the high strung brunette disappear through the casino with her small group of girlfriends. There was no such thing when it came to security. Given Julian Marino's history with women, one could never be too careful. One of the very reasons he was here was because of a wronged husband. A very rich, influential husband.

It took no more than a moment to determine that the lithe brunette wasn't a true threat. She appeared from nowhere when they entered the hotel, sending him into immediate action. Not wanting to make a scene, Grant had cushioned his hold a split second before slamming her into the wall. Giving the girl a concussion would have definitely drawn attention. The pat down was more of a habit than out of any real concern. And if put under oath, he would've had to admit that running his hands over a few of her luscious curves was far from the worst experience of his life.

Once Sam was out of sight, they proceeded to the elevator across the lobby. Julian was immediately on his phone, surround by Grant and three other men. They had all worked together before. Wherever the money was the others followed. He liked to think he was more selective. But the truth was, he was bored in retirement. Not much to keep an old Navy SEAL occupied except security work. And who needed protecting more than rich men with too much time on their hands?

"Change of plans for tonight, boys."

Grant kept his face carefully blank. It was a rare occasion that events actually progressed as planned. The entire thing irritated him more than he cared to admit. But as long as it didn't involve Julian and a certain graceful brunette then he would be happy to go along with whatever it was. He could only hope the young woman had enough sense to stay as far away from his boss as she could.

"We'll be meeting Lawrence and Riorden at the Bellagio for dinner. They are being joined by several famous entertainers and have invited me to attend. I expect you to be invisible as always."

The large man in the front corner of the elevator grunted. "Of course, Mr. Marino."

Grant caught his friend's eyes. Suck up.

The hulking, bald man wiggled his eyebrows. Tim was always one to lighten the mood.

The metal doors slid open to reveal the penthouse level. Thankfully there was an actual hallway outside the door to the suite. Grant preferred guarding the man from outside. The less he knew about the personal habits of Julian Marino the better he could sleep at night. Marino slid the electronic card to unlock the door and stepped aside. Grant and Tim headed into the room while Carl stayed outside. No words were needed as the pair investigated each room. Working in unison for the last twenty years had its benefits.

"All clear." Grant announced.

"Clear on this side." Tim joined him in the living room.

Marino joined them inside, indicating their time to vacate the premises. The door closed sending Tim into chuckles. "Did you honestly think Ms. Uptight was a stalker?"

Grant punched him in the shoulder. "It was a split decision. But it wouldn't be the first time we were deceived by a pretty face."

Carl grunted in agreement. "Nothing but trouble. All of them."

"Is that your official stance?" Tim shook his head, a grin covering most of his face.

Silence answered.

Grant paced the hallway. He was more than a bit concerned about Sam following the brunette and her friends. Unlike Tim and Carl, Sam was nothing more than a hired thug. Honor was a four letter word that he was pretty sure was forbidden in Sam's house. Let it go, man. No use worrying over something that's none of your business.

"Don't let her in your head." Tim nudged his shoulder. "Sam will keep his hands to himself as long as Marino's interested. He won't cross the boss."

"And what do we do if she turns him down?" Why do I care?

Pfft. "We've been at this for almost six months. No woman has ever said no to Marino. He's the epitome of those romance heroes they fall all over themselves for."

Only he's no hero. "If that were true then he wouldn't need us to protect him from Carlisle. If you do a woman right, she isn't married and she doesn't commit suicide when you break up."

Tim unfolded a tan baseball cap from his back pocket and pulled it on his head. "Point taken."

"Are there really women in the world who determine their entire self-worth based on what a man thinks of them?" Carl made a face. "And it wasn't even about the money, right? Her old man was rich. So what does Marino have that made him so irresistible? And, hell, worth dying over?"

Grant rubbed his forehead. "All I know is they spent most of their time in bed together and when he found a new playmate he dumped her. She made the mistake of falling in love with the man. Women are nothing more than objects to be used and discarded in Marino's book."

"Yeah well turnabout is fair play in my book." Carl leaned against the wall, "How many wives screwed around their husbands while they were deployed? Man half way across the world, protecting our country and woman can't just find a battery powered toy to keep her company."

He exchanged a knowing look with Tim. The divorce rate for active military was much higher than for the average couple. Carl's wife had sent him a 'dear John' letter only 3 months into their year-long tour in Iraq. The man hadn't been the same since. Grant was thankful his own wife had waited until he came back to the states before serving him with divorce papers. Of course, that was close to fifteen years ago and he hadn't been tempted into marriage since.

"Contemplating the opposite sex and why they do what they do is counter-productive." Tim checked the time on his phone. "We'll never understand them. So we just get what we can and move on."

Yeah, but some of us want more. An image of the curvy brunette from the lobby teased him. She's off limits man. Just let it go. But the memories of her soft flesh pressed against him was going to take a little more than just a 'don't touch' sign.

--- Thanks for reading! I love feedback so let me know what you think. I will be posting new parts several times per week.