SEAL's RESOLVE - Rebecca Deel Page 0,56
in my life, my wife and daughter.”
“I’ll review the quote and get back to you.”
“Rafe, look at the proposal with her. I included a diagram. If you think of something else you want, we’ll include it.”
“Yes, sir. Any information on my other request?” The information might not be enough to point a finger at Stewart or Ward. Both men used Ward Security. Did one of them persuade a WS employee to fire a shot through Kristi’s window? Would Stewart risk Kristi’s life? The gunman might have hit Kristi by accident. Firing through glass was dicey.
“Waiting on confirmation. Zane will contact you soon.” Brent ended the call.
Jon slid the computer toward Rafe. “Pull up your email. Let’s see what he and Zane have in mind for Kristi.”
Rafe logged into his Fortress email account and opened the proposal. He scanned the document, then opened the diagram.
He whistled. Rafe glanced at Jon. “Did you know Brent had all this in his system?”
“He added more security measures when he married Rowan. We have enemies, and Brent’s a target. He won’t take chances with his family.” He looked at Kristi. “This is an excellent system. You’ll be safe, and Fortress monitors the system 24 hours a day. If anything happens, they’ll know and send a response team and contact the local police.”
“What do you think, Rafe?”
“Take it. Your safety is paramount. If price is an issue, Brent will work something out.” When Kristi sat beside him, Rafe scooted the computer toward her. “I’ll be glad to explain anything you don’t understand.”
While she read the proposal, Eli and Jon stepped outside to talk to their wives. Rafe sipped his coffee, hoping that Kristi would agree to the new system.
When she finished reading, Kristi said, “Call Brent. Tell him I want the system installed today if possible.”
He stilled. “All of it?”
“Every bit and anything else that you think should be added.”
Relief swept over him in a tidal wave. “You won’t be sorry, Kristi. You’ll be safe.”
“And you will have peace of mind. Two-way street, remember? I saw a small glimpse of what you do on missions when we were on Hart Mountain. I don’t want you distracted while you’re deployed. It’s my way of helping you return home safe.”
An invisible band tightened around his chest. His own family didn’t understand his driving need to protect those he loved and cared about. This woman, however, understood and went out of her way to assuage his fears.
Rafe cupped her cheek and kissed her, slow and sweet. “Thank you.”
“I need to change clothes. Jill will arrive soon.” After brushing her lips over his, Kristi walked upstairs.
Rafe called Brent. “Kristi accepted the proposal. How soon can the install team start?”
“Two hours. I asked the install team to gather equipment after we spoke.”
“You knew she would take the system.”
“I knew she needed the system, and you needed her to have it, even if Fortress had to absorb the cost of the equipment.”
“Thanks, boss.”
“The install team will pick up a window to replace the one shattered by the bullet and bring it with them.”
“You worked miracles. I owe you.”
“Yes, you do. I will collect, Torres.”
Rafe chuckled.
“Zane just came in. Hold.” A short, muffled conversation later, Brent returned. “You’re on speaker, Rafe. Zane, go ahead.”
“Heard you had a close call,” the former SEAL said.
“No damage except that I added to Kristi’s bruises when I tackled her.”
“Bruises heal faster than bullet wounds. I looked into Stewart’s and Ward’s locations when the shot was fired. Stewart hasn’t left his office since he arrived at 5:00 a.m., and Ward is in a breakfast meeting at Bakerhill Bistro with four men. The bistro is across town from Kristi’s Bridal. Ward is pitching his hedge fund. These men are serious investors with big bucks in their bank accounts and impressive portfolios.”
Rafe rubbed his jaw, disappointed that the information didn’t resolve some of his questions. “If Stewart or Ward is behind the attack, he doesn’t have to do his own dirty work.”
“Learn something new?” Brent asked.
“The shooter wore tactical boots with a Ward Security logo stitched on the side. WS is Kristi’s former security provider. The same company handles security for Stewart Group as well as Alan Stewart and is a division of Ward Industries.”
The Fortress CEO grunted. “Third-rate company with a lousy reputation in the business. If either Stewart or Ward hired someone from Ward Security to execute the op, he wouldn’t have to break into her home to get to her. He’d have all the information needed to