relate to. “The gang’s all here. We thought you’d be here an hour ago.”
“My plane was delayed by weather over Vegas or I would have been here sooner.”
“No worries. I kept your dinner warm.” She waved a hand. “Come inside. Everyone is waiting for you.”
“Everyone?” Dix halted with one foot on the bottom step. “I was told to meet my contact here.” After quitting the MMA circuit, Dix had no desire to step in front of a crowd of people ever again. Whether it was a throng of three thousand or a party of five, she wouldn’t perform like a trained monkey to the delight of others. In her mind, being a bodyguard was being invisible until she needed to step forward to protect her client. She’d actually looked forward to being invisible. No celebrity status. No paparazzi. After dropping out of the MMA, she never wanted to be in the public eye again.
“The entire West Coast office of SOS agents is in attendance tonight. You’ll get a chance to meet all of them.” Molly grinned. “Don’t worry—they won’t bite. Unless you try to take their clam chowder. I managed to save a bowl for you.”
“If it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer to meet my contact out here, get my marching orders and go on to my client.”
Molly’s smile slipped. “Oh, okay. But your client is inside, as well. He’s having clam chowder, too.” The woman’s smile returned. “You might as well have dinner with us. I think your client gave his housekeeper the night off from cooking.”
Dix squared her shoulders and continued up the steps. She wasn’t getting out of the dog and pony show. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m here to work, not socialize.”
“Is that our newest SOS agent?” A dark-skinned man, with brown-black eyes, a full, sensual mouth and a slight Hispanic accent, stepped through the front door behind Molly and slipped his arm around the redhead’s waist. He frowned, his head tilting to one side. “Dix Reeves? The Dix Reeves?” His face split into a wide smile. “Are you a guest of the bed-and-breakfast?”
So much for being invisible. Dix sighed. “No, I’m not here to stay. I’m here on work-related business.”
“Dix, this is Casanova Valdez. Or Nova for short.” Molly turned to the man. “Nova, this is the agent Royce sent.”
Nova’s frown deepened. “I don’t understand.” He flicked a hand toward Dix. “That’s Dix Reeves, one of the most talented MMA fighters ever.”
“MMA?” Molly asked, her brows rising. “I’m sorry—is that another one of your military acronyms?”
Nova laughed out loud. “No. It stands for Mixed Martial Arts. Dix, here, is at the top of her game.” He reached out a hand. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
Dix held out her hand and, with a firm grip, shook Nova’s.
“Wait—what did you say?” Nova didn’t release her hand. “You’re the agent Fontaine sent?”
With a nod, Dix extracted her hand. “That’s me.”
“But you’re with the MMA.”
“Not anymore. I quit a week ago.”
“That’s a shame. I watched your last fight against Peggy Pounder. You threw some wicked punches and kicks. I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite that intense.”
Her lips thinned. Intense was one way to describe the fight. Insane was closer to the truth. She’d had a particularly bad night’s sleep, plagued by nightmares from her time as a guest of the Taliban. She’d gone into the ring, not to claim a championship, but to beat the demons out of her head.
She’d nearly killed her opponent.
Molly touched Nova’s arm. “Was that the fight you were watching last weekend?”
Nova nodded. “Incredible.”
Molly’s brows knit, her smile fading. “Didn’t that woman end up in the hospital?”
Dix’s belly clenched. “Yes. She’s still in a coma. It’s not one of my prouder moments.” Dix stared at Nova. “Are you one of Fontaine’s agents?”
With a grave nod, Nova answered, “I am. But I’m not your contact. That would be Tazer. She’s inside.”
“Good. I’d like to get on to my assignment.”
“Well, that’s the place to start.” Nova held open the door. “Just follow Molly. And don’t forget to try her amazing clam chowder. It’s muy bueno.”
Molly entered the manor first. “Everyone is in the dining room.”
Dix followed, bracing herself for more questions than she was ready to answer. If Nova recognized her, she hadn’t done a good job of blending in. She’d have to buy some hair dye and go from blonde to brunette to hide her identity. In the meantime, she squared her shoulders and turned toward the sea of faces in front of her.
The men pushed back from the table and stood.
Molly turned to her. “Everyone, this is D. Reeves. Otherwise known as Dixie Reeves or—”
“I’ll be damned.” A woman sitting at the other end of the table stood. “Dix Reeves. Mixed Martial Arts World Champion.” The woman had long blond hair, combed straight and hanging in a soft curtain down her back. In tan slacks and a cool, white-cotton blouse, she could have been a model for one of the fashion magazines. She stepped away from her seat and rounded the table, a smile quirking the corners of her lips. “Fontaine sure knows how to pick them.” She stopped in front of Dix and held out her hand. “Nicole Steele. But my friends call me Tazer.”
Dix shook the woman’s hand, surprised at the firmness of her grip. “Sounds like an MMA call sign.”
Tazer shrugged. “Suits me. I guess you could say I earned it.” She raked her gaze over Dix. “So, you’re going to be Andrew Stratford’s bodyguard.” She let the smile spread a little wider. “Makes sense.”
Dix pulled her hand free of Tazer’s grip. “I’d like to get on to my assigned duties, if that’s possible.”
Tazer grinned. “More than possible.”
Dix glanced around at the faces all staring at her. Which one was the rich man she was supposed to protect?
Tazer chuckled. “It’s none of the men at the table. Mr. Stratford stepped out to take a call. He’ll be back in a minute. As far as I know, you start your assignment immediately.”
“In the meantime—” Molly pulled out a chair “—have a seat and a bowl of chowder. I won’t take no for an answer.”
The pretty redhead might be smiling and sunny, but Dix suspected she was as tough as the muscular men seated around the table. “Yes, ma’am.” Before she could sink into the chair, a deep, resonant voice spoke from behind her.
“I’m sorry. I need to leave. Leigha isn’t feeling well. If you could send the bodyguard over when he gets here, I’d appreciate it.”
“As
