the victims were favorites to earn one of nine spots at the PPO’s Main Event.” When it looked as if she didn’t understand how huge that was, he continued. “The PPO is to poker what the Super Bowl is to football. Each year, individuals compete for a seat at the final table. Three of the nine people favored for this year are out of commission and unable to compete.”
Understanding showed in Trinity’s eyes and she stopped twirling the pen in her hand. “I assume you’re one of the favorites?”
Gunner met her gaze and nodded. “I am. Assuming someone doesn’t take me out first.”
* * *
Silence fell between Trinity and Gunner. She had recently read about the PPO, not fully understanding how it worked. What she did remember though, was that the fee to enter the tournament was over ten thousand dollars with a multimillion-dollar cash prize. She had also learned that Gunner had participated in the PPO every year since he was twenty-one and had won the main event five times. Despite his laid-back attitude and disinterested demeanor, Gunner Brooks was worth an obscene amount of money.
Trinity stood and unplugged her laptop. “Let’s go over to the round table so that I can show you what I’m working with.” When she glanced up to find him with an amused expression on his face, she realized what she’d said. “Uh, I mean so that I can show you the security specialists that you can choose from.”
He followed her to the table and waited until she sat before he took the chair next to hers. Trinity quickly realized that suggesting they move to the table might not have been a good idea. Not only did he smell divine, if he sat any closer to her, they could share the same seat.
Moving her chair over without making it too obvious, she hurried and pulled up the computer file that contained portfolios of all of her bodyguards.
“All of our security specialists are highly qualified.” She glanced at him before returning her attention back to the computer. “Would you prefer a male or a female bodyguard?”
“Female,” he said simply. He’d always been a man of few words and Trinity wasn’t surprised that he would want a woman protecting him. Men like him typically chose a woman, not wanting people around them knowing they had a bodyguard.
“How long will you need our security specialist?”
“I want someone who is available 24/7 for the next two, two-and-a-half, months. They’ll need to be willing to travel to tournaments, as well as other events during the PPO.”
Trinity mentally calculated the amount of money she would make with this contract and did a happy dance in her head. With the payment plan she had in place for her clients, the down payment alone would more than cover the back taxes. She’d also be able to save some money. She was going to owe her brother big for referring Gunner.
Trinity opened the computer file and the faces of ten women of varied nationalities appeared on the screen. Gunner stirred next to her, but he said nothing.
“Okay, let’s start with Diamond. She’s a certified stunt woman and a martial arts instructor who works at one of the dojos here in town. She’s available for the assignment and has no problem with spending a couple of months traveling to tournaments with you.”
Trinity went through all of the women’s profiles, but was pretty sure Gunner would pick Willow. She looked like a beauty queen and had a degree in finance, but most important, she was a weapons specialist with a black belt in tae kwon do. Any man of his caliber would love to have a woman like her by his side.
When Gunner clicked through the choices again and arrived at the end without responding, she wondered if she might have misunderstood exactly what he was looking for.
“If you would prefer someone different or have changed your mind and would rather go with a male bodyguard, that can easily be arranged.” She turned the laptop slightly toward her and started to pull up a different set of specialists, but Gunner placed his hand over hers, halting her fingers on the keyboard.
Trinity’s heart lurched in her chest and she stared down at his large hand that covered hers. Heat from his touch soared though her body. She couldn’t end this meeting fast enough.
She eased her hand from beneath his and placed it in her lap as Gunner said, “You don’t have to show me anymore. I’ve decided.”
Gunner pushed back from the table and stretched out his legs. Scratching his head, he kept his gaze on the computer screen. He had taken an early commuter flight to meet with Trinity this morning, hoping to set everything in place before flying back to Vegas for a tournament that evening. But right now, he was so exhausted and attracted to Trinity, he could barely think straight.
He twisted his upper body from side to side, trying to work out a few kinks in his back before he leaned back and stretched his arms above his head. Resettling in his seat, he lifted the tepid cup of coffee to his lips and glanced at Trinity over the rim of the cup. He couldn’t get over how gorgeous she was. A Gabrielle Union lookalike, he had no doubt that she turned heads wherever she went. He zeroed in on her left hand, checking her ring finger. Max had never mentioned her being in a serious relationship or being married, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t. And if she wasn’t, he wondered why not. A woman like her would be a welcomed addition to any man’s life. Who knows, maybe even his life.
“Okay, so who’s it going to be?” Trinity folded her hands on top of the table. “I assume you saw someone you like?”
A slow smile spread across Gunner’s lips. I definitely see something I like. Only it isn’t on the computer screen. “Where did you find these women? Their skills and accomplishments are very impressive and they look as if they should be strutting their stuff on some runway, modeling the latest fashions. You have an awesome team.”
Trinity smiled, which was something she hadn’t done much of since he had arrived. Her whole face lit up and he liked it.
“Thank you. It wasn’t easy finding them,” she said. “I wanted to recruit people who could easily blend in with my clientele. The women I have just shown you are refined, but won’t have a problem kicking someone’s butt if necessary.”
Gunner nodded, his gaze steady on Trinity. The longer he stared at her, the more he could sense her cool, calm demeanor slipping. She was trying to be professional, but he’d known years ago that there was a mutual attraction between the two of them. And he had every intention of confirming that the attraction was now stronger than ever.
She scooted back in her seat and her fresh lavender scent sailed into his space. Never one for holding back on going after what he wanted, he nevertheless resisted the urge to touch her since it seemed to make her uncomfortable. Enchanting eyes, a smile that could light up the darkest room, and a do-me-baby body that had him adjusting himself every few minutes. Oh, yeah, he definitely wanted her. He could still remember how it felt when he found out she was Max’s baby sister. It was like having ice-cold water dumped on his head. He couldn’t believe that this Nubian princess, this love-at-first-sight woman, was related to his roomie. He’d made the right decision in not pursuing her all those years ago, but now all bets were off. She was all grown up and he planned to get to know the woman she had become.
“So?” Trinity’s voice invaded his musings. She crossed her long leg over the opposite knee, her high-heel-clad foot swinging back and forth. “Which one is it going
