Her Shield (The Uncut Series Book 1) (3 page)

  “I know goddess. I promise I will take care of her.”

Isabelle held him tightly. “Who are you going to have guarding her?” she inquired.

  “I have an entire force. Did you have a preference?” he asked.

Isabelle smiled to herself. “I think she feels safe with Agent Graham.”

Ray pulled back and studied his brilliant wife. “You're plotting.”

  “I'm helping my sister,” she corrected.

Ray lifted a brow. “Marc?”

Isabelle nodded. “Yes, Agent Marcus Graham. I've been watching them both.”

Ray shrugged. “So what do you want goddess?”

  Isabelle smiled. “I want Agent Marcus Graham to shield my sister both from this danger and our father.”

  “You know that he's a Special Agent with the FBI? He does have a job,” Ray reminded her.

She touched his face. “If you ask him, he will do it.”

Ray frowned. “What if this backfires and he hurts her?” he asked.

  “Agent Graham is a lot like my Sun God. He will go out of his way not to hurt Isis but she has to grow up and move out of Daddy's shadow,” Isabelle explained.

  “You're sure this is what you want?” he asked and she nodded.

He smiled at her. “Okay beautiful, I'll handle it.”

Isabelle took her husband into her arms again, loving the feel of his body. “I love you.”

  “I never stood a chance against that mind of yours,” Ray said slowing undressing her.

Isabelle laid back on the bed. “I never stood a chance against the incredible Sun God.”

*********

  The next day Marc showed up at Ray's office. He stepped inside and stopped at the reception desk to greet Callie Jones. Both Trent and Callie worked in Ray's office. Callie had assisted Marc on the mission in Colombia a few months ago and her boyfriend, Trent had assisted him a short while ago in Detroit. Trent and Marc also had their own history with one another and some parts weren't pretty. Callie smiled as he approached.

  “Hey Marc, how's it going?” she asked.

Marc reached the desk and leaned on it. “Good. I'm here to see Ray.”

  “He's in with Trent but they should be out in a minute,” she explained.

  Marc nodded watching her behind his dark glasses. “How have you been since Colombia?” he asked.

Callie looked up. “Everything's been good. I've transferred over to USC with Trent.”

  “You're two peas in a pod now?”

She smiled softly. “Trent is my baby, always has been and always will be.”

  “Yeah, he basically said the same thing when we were in Detroit together,” Marc told her.

Callie studied Marc for a moment. “I understand you hooked up in Detroit.”

Marc shook his head. “You and Trent need to stay out of grown folks' business.”

  Callie shrugged. “I guess it's surprising since you and Wonder Woman were all hugged up at Ray's wedding party.”

  “Wonder Woman?” Marc asked confused.

Callie laughed. “My bad, that used to be Trent's name for Isis.”

Marc lifted a brow. “Trent and Isis?”

  She sat back in her chair. “Trent had a crush on her when he got to LA. She tried to act like she didn't like him then got all in her feelings when I came into the picture. She came to see him when we were in Colombia, but she has enough sense to not even try it now that I'm back.”

  Marc shook his head. Trent and Isis? He could never imagine that in a million years, but then again he still didn't understand Trent and Callie. That young dude had some kind of black magic working for him with the women, it seemed.

The object of his current thoughts appeared along with Ray.

  “What's up Marc?” Trent greeted him with a brother handshake.

Marc responded in kind with a brief pat on the back. “Good job in Detroit.”

  Trent nodded and glanced over at Callie before the two of them smiled at each other. Ray looked between the pair, since these two had a history of making out at work.

  “Don't forget what I told you two. This is a damn office. Understand?”

Trent laughed looking at Ray. “We got you Ray.” He turned back to Callie. “See you later.”

She grinned. “Yeah, you will.”

  Ray watched as Trent disappeared into his office then turned to Marc shaking his head. “Let's go into my office.”

  Marc followed Ray and they entered his office taking seats inside. Marc unbuttoned the jacket of his designer suit and placed a foot over his knee displaying expensive Italian shoes. Ray looked him over and shook his head. Marc was the most fashionable FBI agent on the force and always dressed as though he was walking a runway.

  “I see your wardrobe is still growing,” Ray told him.

Marc shrugged. “I'm stylish.”

  “I see.” Ray picked up a file on his desk and handed it to Marc who took it curiously.

  “What's this?”

Ray leaned back in his chair. “The next assignment I need you on.”

  Marc slowly opened the folder and scanned the information before raising his shielded eyes to Ray.

  “You can't be serious.”

  “On the contrary, I've never been more serious.” Ray stood to his feet. “My wife is concerned about her baby sister. It's my job to make sure that my wife and unborn child feel safe and secure.” He pinned Marc with a stare.

  “Now it's going to be your job to make sure my wife's sister is safe and secure,” he finished.

Marc got to his feet. “I'm an FBI agent Ray, not a bodyguard.”

Ray raised a brow. “So you're not going to do it?”

  Marc took a deep breath. “Look Ray, all that you've done for me; you know I would walk through fire for you...”

Ray folded his arms. “But...”

  “But you need to assign someone else,” Marc told him firmly.

  “Why? What's the problem?” Ray asked watching Marc closely.

  Marc looked across at Ray. “Isis Martin and I don't see eye to eye on things. Plus I'm still investigating her father.”

  “This won't hinder your investigation. In fact, while you're guarding Isis, I'll be finding out who is after her, which will help your case against Milton.”

Marc looked away.

  “Unless there's some other reason that you can't guard my sister?” Ray questioned.

Marc glanced up. “What are you saying?”

  Ray shrugged. “I'm not saying anything Bruh, I'm just asking questions. You've never had a problem helping me out before.”

  “I never said there was a problem,” Marc told him.

  Ray moved back to his desk and took his seat. “Then we're cool. You'll take Isis to our house in the mountains and keep her there until I get things under control here. My wife will know that her sister is safe and in good hands.”

Ray gave Marc a look. “She is in good hands, right?”

  “Of course,” Marc snapped before grabbing the folder. He exited Ray's office and closed the door behind him.

  Ray watched him go with a smile on his face. “You're going down Bruh. Those Martin women are irresistible.”

“You want me to do what!” Isis asked her sister incredulously.

  Isabelle calmly sat at the table where her sister was having breakfast. Isabelle herself, had eaten with her husband this morning before he'd left to go to the office. She looked over at the beautiful young woman across from her and wished her all the happiness in the world. Isis may be angry with her now, but she knew that in the future her little sister would thank her.

  Isis continued, “That's not necessary Isabelle. Daddy's getting me a new apartment and also some security.”

  “Isis, it's been discovered that there are more people out there who want to get to Daddy. We want you to be safe until Ray can uncover where all the threats are coming from,” Isabelle explained.

Isis shrugged. “I can just stay here with you and Ray then. No one can get to me here.”

  Isabelle smiled to herself. Under other circumstances that would have been her thought as well but there were other factors involved. Isabelle was going to isolate the pair then let nature take its course.

  “I would love for you to stay here Isis, but that puts both of us in danger. Ray feels that if you're tucked, away we'll both be safer.”

  Isis stared at her sister. Of course, she didn't want to put Isabelle and her baby in jeopardy but going off to stay with Agent Graham affected her in more ways than one. She couldn't admit to her sister that the thought of being alone with him in the mountains made her tingle in places that she shouldn't.

  Isis knew she would be safe physically with Agent Graham, emotionally was another story. He did something to her, without even trying. If he actually focused all of that manhood on her she didn't know what she would do. He'd touched and kissed her in a way that no man ever had before and it made her secretly want more.

  “Agent Graham has a job. He can't take me away and babysit me,” Isis told her sister. “Besides, he doesn't care if they kill Daddy.”

  Isabelle had watched the emotions play over her sister's face while she had been thinking and she was assured that she was doing the right thing. “Daddy's safety isn't his concern. He's protecting you, so don't give him a hard time Isis.”

Isis looked away. “You should tell him the same thing.”

  Isabelle smiled. “Ray feels that he should have a handle on things in a week or two. Agent Graham has instructions on everything and is on his way to pick you up.”

Isis turned quickly back to Isabelle. “What about my job?”

  “This is why you have an understudy. Your life is in danger Isis and no job is more important than your safety.”

  Isabelle looked at the unfinished plate in front of Isis. “You should finish that since Agent Graham will be here shortly. I've had some of your clothes picked up from your apartment and taken to the house in the mountains.”

Isis frowned. “I don't want to do this Isabelle.”

  Isabelle reached over and took her sister's hand. “Isis, this may very well be the best decision you've ever made in your life.”

Isis removed her hand and pushed away from the table. “I'm going to get dressed.”

  Isabelle nodded then watched her sister walk slowly from the room. She took out her phone and dialed her husband.

  “Hello goddess,” he answered.

  “She's ready,” Isabelle announced.

Ray laughed. “No she's not, but you don't care.”

  “No, I don't. She likes him a lot more than she wants to admit.”

  “Same for him, I have to admit you were right.”

Isabelle smiled. “I'm a champion remember?”

  “The most beautiful one in the world,” he agreed.

  “And I won the most magnificent prize,” she whispered.

  “Hmmmmm...I think that someone wants to be blessed by the Sun God.”

  Isabelle looked around at the home her husband had provided for her then placed her hand over her rounded belly. “I am...every day.”

  The alarm sounded then security announced Marc's arrival. Isabelle ended her call and greeted him in the foyer. She looked up at the handsome man in dark glasses and tailored dark suit.

  “Agent Graham, hello.” Isabelle extended her hand.

Marc accepted her hand greeting her in return. “How are you Isabelle?”

  “I'm well, much more so because I know that you will be taking care of my sister. I can't thank you enough for rescuing her yesterday and agreeing to guard her.” She smiled at him as she removed her hand.

  Marc looked down at the beautiful woman and understood how Ray was unable to say no to her. Isabelle was one of the sweetest and kindest women Marc had ever met. Standing here, even he couldn't deny her request, not that he'd any choice because Marc owed Ray too much and would never turn down a personal request from him.

  “I'll make sure she's taken care of,” he assured Isabelle.

  “Oh, I have no doubt Agent Graham.”

  “Please call me Marc.”

  “Of course, I mean we're practically family already,” she told him before adding, “Ray claims you as a brother.”

  Marc felt he'd heard a different meaning in her words but shook it off. “Yes, I look up to Ray. I wouldn't be where I am without him.”

  Both Marc and Isabelle turned as Isis entered the foyer. Isis felt her heart leap as she looked at Agent Graham in his full agent attire and she stopped abruptly staring at him.

  Marc, for his part was much better at hiding his emotions, as he looked her over from head to toe before turning back to her sister.

  “You have my word that I'll take care of everything,” Marc told Isabelle before stepping over to where Isis was standing. He looked down into her worried eyes.

  “Hello Miss Martin. You have my word that the only thing I'm going to do is protect you,” he assured her.

Isis nodded very slowly. “Thank you Agent Graham.”

  “Shall we?” he asked stepping aside to clear the path to the door.

Isis walked over and hugged her sister. “I'll call you.”

Isabelle nodded. “I'll be right here.”

  The pair headed to the car where Marc held the door open for Isis who glanced back at her sister before entering the vehicle. He walked around to the driver's seat and climbed inside. After they had departed, Isabelle stepped back inside her home wondering what had already transpired between her sister and Marc, because clearly something had.

  “Okay Marc, handle it...” Isabelle went to get her purse to leave for work at the museum.

  Marc glanced over at Isis who sat stiffly in her seat. Turning back to the road he sighed, this was going to be a long assignment.

  “Miss Martin, I'm sorry this is happening.”

  She continued to stare straight ahead. “I guess you think if my father wasn't such a criminal, I wouldn't be in this situation?”

  “I think we should declare your father off limits if we're going to survive these next couple of days,” he told her.

She turned to him. “I think we should also declare kissing off limits as well.”

  Marc turned to her. “I've already stated that the only thing I'm going to do is make sure you're safe.”

Isis folded her arms and turned away. “Do you kiss every woman you rescue?” she asked.

Looking at the road Marc answered, “Only those who talk too much.”

She turned to him quickly with her eyes narrowed. “You can be very rude.”

  “It's not rude, it's the truth. Something you have a hard time accepting apparently.”

  Isis shook her head turning away from him again. “Don't you have a job? Why are you here?” she asked.

  “Not because I volunteered.”

  “Well neither did I, so don't think you're doing me any favors.  I don't want to be here anymore than you do,” she snapped.

  Marc frowned and pulled the car to the side. He whipped off his glasses and turned to her. “Listen to me, I'm not your Daddy and I'm not about to babysit a spoiled ass brat for the next week, so if we can't say anything civil to each other, we will both shut the hell up. Got it?”

  Isis' eyes widened as she stared into angry platinum ones. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly as she recovered from his words. No one spoke to her in that manner...ever. She blinked a few times before realizing her was waiting for an answer.

  Isis moved her head up and down slowly before he replaced his glasses then turned back to the wheel and began driving again. The rest of the trip was made in silence with Isis wondering why she found herself remembering what it felt like to be in his arms with his lips on her.

  They arrived at the house and Isis waited until Marc came around and opened the door for her. He left it open as he went to retrieve his bags from the trunk. He slammed the rear closed and headed towards the door with one bag over his shoulder and one in his hand.

  Isis waited near the door of the beautiful home as Marc joined her. He punched in a code then opened the door stepping back to allow her to enter first. When they both were inside he closed the door behind him and Isis turned quickly.

  “Ray says there are plenty of bedrooms so pick anyone that you want. Whatever you pick, I'll take the one next to you.” He walked inside and sat his bags down. “He also said that Isabelle sent your clothing here already.”

  “Uh, I know. She told me,” Isis said quietly.

  He nodded and walked to the door leading to the outdoor deck opening it and stepping out into the afternoon sunshine. Isis joined him taking in the outdoor bed, infinity pool and lounging area. She turned back to him and studied his profile, sable skin that was smooth to the eye with a broad nose and full sensual lips, and jet black eyebrows that slashed over those shining eyes.

Isis swallowed and stepped closer. “Agent Graham?” she called.

He didn't turn. “This won't be easy if we continue at each other's throats.”

  “I apologize for being ungrateful,” Isis told him. “We had a truce before, can we again?”

Marc turned to her then. “I know I broke the truce in the car yesterday...”

Isis smile slowly. “Well, I did slap you.”

Marc nodded remembering. “Yes, you did.”

  “Isabelle told me not to give you a hard time,” she said softly.

Marc shook his head. “You apparently decided not to take her advice.”

  She stepped closer until a hair's breadth separated them. “We should make another truce,” she whispered staring up at him.

  Marc looked down at her firm breasts almost touching his chest. “What kind of truce Miss Martin?”

  “You won't be Agent Graham and I won't be Milton Martin's daughter,” she told him.

He lifted a brow. “Who will we be then?”

She smiled softly. “Isis and Marcus.”

  “What are Isis and Marcus going to do?” he asked.

Isis bit her lip gently. “Be friends?” she asked hesitantly.

  There was a pause while he looked down at her and Isis felt a jolt as he touched her cheek. “Of course we can be friends Princess.” 

  She felt rather than saw his gaze on her lips. Isis anticipated him kissing her again and closed her eyes while tilting her face against his hand.

His phone began to ring and she opened her eyes to see him retrieving it from his breast pocket. He glanced at the screen and smiled.

  “Hello gorgeous,” he answered. “No, I'm just with a friend. Hold on a minute.”

Marc glanced back at Isis. “I'm going to change, so stay close.”

He walked away returning to his call. “Hey sweetheart, yeah, yesterday was crazy...”

  Isis stood and watched him leave, wondering what had just happened and who he was talking to.

  Isis selected the room where her clothes were already put away. Each bedroom in the home had its own bathroom attached so she didn't have to worry about running into Marc. She decided to take a swim to help her relax. Putting her hair in a ponytail, she found one of her bikinis and headed out to the clear blue infinity pool.

  She hadn't seen Marc anywhere around so she assumed he was still on the phone with his 'sweetheart'. How dare he kiss her when he was involved with a woman? Marcus Graham was apparently like every other guy, only caring about his own wants.

  Isis sat on the edge of the pool in the black bikini and sunglasses. She placed her feet in the water and stared at the bottom. What had she been thinking anyway? She didn't want Agent Graham. He wasn't her type. What her type was, she still didn't know but it surely wasn't a womanizing man. She frowned as the sun kissed her skin. She should have known that he had a woman. Men that looked and dressed like Marcus Graham probably had them lined up a mile long.

  Isis wondered how long she would be here with him. She'd called her director and explained the situation. He'd assured her he'd hold her spot. Isis had recently landed a leading part in an urban remake of Moulin Rouge that would start playing in a few weeks at the Pantages Theater. This was her first gig away from the University and she was proud to have landed it. However, she still needed a lot of rehearsing to nail her part. Leaning back on her elbows she lifted her face and allowed the warmth to fall on her.