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do you mean?”
    Garrett crossed his arms over his chest. “You really are the last to know. Carl already hired two bodyguards from LaGruder. They’ll be with you until Liberty takes over.”
    â€œSo I’ve got two fuckin’ babysitters?”
    â€œI wouldn’t use that term around security specialists,” Garrett said dryly, “as it tends to piss them off. But, yeah, LaGruder is the big dog in this town in the personal-protection business. That’s why Carl picked them sight unseen.”
    Devin changed the subject when they stepped into the elevator. “How’s Tanna? I haven’t had a chance to talk to her much.”
    Garrett’s eyes warmed slightly. “Happy. Busy. She’s still runnin’ the circuit, but she’s struggling to stay in the top fifteen. I know she has her heart set on back-to-back world titles. But she and Fletch are tryin’ to start a family, and she wants that even more.” He paused. “And don’t worry that I’ll tell Tanna anything. I don’t fuck around when I promise my clients confidentiality. I have the same policy for those who work for me. No one in Wyoming knows that Liberty is on my payroll.”
    â€œHow’s that possible?”
    â€œTanna mentioned to me that her friend Harper’s sister was lookin’ for work after bein’ discharged from the military. I contacted Liberty and interviewed her.”
    â€œI get it. I’m sold on her.” Mostly. If he had to be saddled with a babysitter, he’d prefer someone with a personality—even an abrasive one—to humorless goons.
    They stopped outside a large window that looked into a workout room with weight machines, heavy bags, speed bags, and training dummies. Two people in full gear were sparring on the mat. Even through the glass, Devin could hear the sound of the gloves striking against flesh and the safety gear. Neither one held back.
    â€œDo they always train this hard?”
    â€œYes, if they want to be employed here.”
    â€œHow long will they go at it?” Devin asked.
    â€œUntil one falls.”
    â€œWhy’d they pair up like that? Seems the bigger guy has a huge advantage over the smaller guy.”
    â€œBecause threats come in all shapes and sizes. My employees trainagainst each other, but I also bring in other specialists in different martial arts disciplines so they don’t get complacent with their skills.”
    â€œWith a setup like this, and your employees being mostly ex-military, I’d suspect you were running a private black ops group and not just a personal security company.”
    For the first time ever, Garrett Barker smiled. It wasn’t a friendly smile. And the man neither confirmed nor denied Devin’s comment.
    Scary shit.
    Devin refocused on the fighters, watching as the smaller guy landed a punch to his opponent’s gut and then swept his legs out from under him.
    â€œAnd we have a winner,” Garrett murmured.
    The victor offered a hand to the loser to help him up. Then they removed their gloves and helmets.
    The smaller “guy” wasn’t a guy after all, but Liberty. And her opponent was big Joe. The man was actually limping as they walked off the mat.
    Devin knew why Garrett had suggested a tour—to show him Liberty in action.
    â€œNever underestimate her,” Garrett said softly.
    He didn’t respond. He watched Liberty and Joe peel off their protective gear as they continued their conversation—an intense and intimate one, if the familiar way Joe touched her cheek was any indication. When she smiled at Joe, her face full of joy and her eyes shining, it didn’t matter that she was soaked in sweat or what she wore; Liberty Masterson was the most compelling woman he’d ever seen.
    Not attracted to her at all? Bullshit. Maybe
that’s
your problem. You are attracted to her and she’s not your usual type.
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