Her Shield (The Uncut Series Book 1) Read online

  She heard him laugh at what the response had been before he paused.

  “Yeah, uh...I don't think I'm going to be able to make it,” he said into the phone. “I know I promised but something has come up.”

  Isis lifted a brow.

  “I'm sorry sweetheart. You know I would do anything for you, but I'm on an assignment.”

  Isis folded her arms and waited.

  “Remember I told you about her yesterday?” he asked and Isis frowned. “It's not like that. She's a...friend.”

  Isis turned and walked back into the kitchen retrieving her food. She sat at the table with steam rising from her ears. Marcus Graham was an ass, plain and simple. Last night they'd had dinner and he'd been almost sweet and charming towards her. He'd walked her to her door and stood staring down at her as they'd said goodnight, he'd stroked her cheek and said 'goodnight Princess', before waiting for her to go inside the room.

  Isis stabbed at her breakfast. She didn't know what kind of game he was playing but she no longer wanted to participate. He could go be with his woman on the phone. She didn't need him here with her anyway. Another agent would do just fine.

  She looked up as he joined her at the table interrupting her thoughts.

  “Good morning Isis. I hope I didn't wake you,” he said looking across the table at her.

  Isis looked away. “No, you didn't,” she said frostily.

  He nodded. “I guess I'm Agent Graham again.”

  She stared at her plate. “I don't know who you are.”

  They sat in silence as Isis began eating her food. “By the way, thank you for the breakfast.”

  “I took note of the things you're allergic to,” he told her.

  She glanced up at him. “Thank you.”

  Marc watched her while she ate noting how she used her utensils. She was extremely proper in her eating and demeanor.

  “I have a prior engagement that I committed to today before I knew we would be here. I'd like you to come somewhere with me,” he said holding her gaze.

  “Where?” Isis asked remembering the phone conversation she had overheard.

  “A party,” he answered.

  She sat her fork down. “You want me to go to a party with you?”

  “Yes, it's important,” he told her. “I'll still be protecting you. I won't let you out of my sight, I promise.”

  Isis knew she should say no, but she wanted to see this woman who had Marc so obviously wrapped around her finger.

  “What should I wear?” she asked.

  “It's a dressy affair.”

  She stared at him for a moment. A dressy affair huh? Interesting.

  “Sure, I have plenty of dresses here.”

  He nodded. “Thank you Isis. If I could have gotten out of it, I would have.”

  “No worries Marcus. I owe you for saving my life.”

  “You don't owe me anything. I would always save you,” he said getting to his feet. “We'll leave around noon.”

  Isis watched as he walked back to the outdoor deck. “I wish you would have saved me from you, Marcus Graham,” she said as she cleared her dishes away.

  At noon Marc emerged from his room in an expertly tailor designer suit ensemble with his Patek Philippe watch and Italian shoes. His signature sunglasses were in place and Isis watched from the sofa as he checked his weapon then placed it on his hip.

  He looked over at her. “Ready?”

  She stood and his eyes raked over her behind the dark glasses. She wore a burnt orange sheath dress that accentuated every one of her body's curves. On her feet were strappy high-heeled sandals. She'd added matching jewelry and accessories. Her hair was pinned up in an intricate twist and her makeup was flawless.

  “You look beautiful, Princess,” Marc said quietly. Isis Martin may be a handful but she could do it up like no other, he thought.

  Isis knew she had pulled out all the stops this afternoon. Her hair, makeup and dress all shouted that she was that deal and nobody could touch it, no matter how hard they tried. At twenty-two, she was in excellent physical shape with a body full of soft curves. Her long dark hair that was now in an elaborate knot atop her head was full and soft. The high heels accentuated her firm legs and the dress wrapped around her body showing just enough cleavage to be tantalizingly sexy. Yes, Agent Graham...take it all in then eat your heart out, she thought.

  She smiled slowly. “Thank you. I'm glad I passed inspection.”

  “You're always beautiful,” he said heading toward the door with her following.

  Marc led her to the waiting car and held the door open as she entered. He began driving and she quietly stared out of the window. Marc wondered why she was so quiet today. Normally she would have hit him with two or three shots by now.

  “Are you okay?” he asked glancing over and looking at her bare thighs where her dress had ridden up.

  “Yes, I'm fine.” Isis continued to look at the passing scenery.

  He looked back at the road. “You know, if you don't want to go, that's fine.”

  “We're going now. I didn't get dressed for nothing,” she told him still turned away.

  They drove a few more miles in silence before he reached for her hand. “You're angry with me. Why?”

  She turned to him removing her hand. “I don't want to play games with you.”

  He looked confused. “What games?”

  “The 'I want to kiss you and hold your hand while I have another woman' games,” she told him.

  Marc applauded her honesty and nodded. “Okay Isis, I know I may be sending you mixed signals.”

  “You think?” she asked.

  He continued to drive. “You know that we can't become involved.”

  She turned back to the window.

  “I'm protecting you. I'm investigating your father and you're Ray's sister-in-law,” he explained.

  Isis didn't budge. “Just don't make me think you want me when there's someone else. I've already done that.”

  Marc turned to her frowning. “Is this about Trent?” he asked.

  She nodded slowly, clutching her bag.

  He took her hand again holding it tightly this time. “I'm not a boy. I'm a grown man and I wouldn't lead you on. Not intentionally.”

  She looked at him again as he held her hand. “Then what is this?” she whispered confused.

  Marc sighed. “I can't lie to you Isis. You're a very beautiful woman and I'm very attracted to you but because of the circumstances I've described, I can't...I won't...I'm trying not to act on that attraction.”

  She removed her hand again. “Then don't.” Isis turned back to the window and Marc continued driving.

  As they continued their journey, Isis wondered where they were going. They had driven out of the city a while ago and seemed to be headed north. This area was filled with mega mansions owned by the extremely affluent and reclusive. She watched as they pulled into an estate where a group of valets were waiting to park cars.

  Marc exited the car and Isis stepped out after an attendant had opened her door. She glanced up at the home in awe. She had grown up in a large home but compared to this it might as well have been a bungalow. Marc appeared at her side and placed a hand on her back as he led her to the door.

  Isis wondered who this woman was that lived in such a palace. Marcus called her Princess so he must call this woman Queen. The door was thrown open and a beautiful, vivacious woman around Isis' age ran out throwing her arms around Marc. Isis stood to the side as he hugged the woman kissing her cheek.

  “Hello handsome!” she exclaimed happily.

  He smiled down at her. The first real smile Isis had ever seen from him and it was magnificent. “Hello gorgeous!” he responded.

  The woman then turned to Isis before looking back at Marc. “Is this your friend you told me about yesterday?”

  Marc nodded. “Yes, this is Isis...”

  The woman quickly turned to her. “Isis, that is such a beautiful name! Marc told me he's protectin
g you.”

  She turned back to him and beamed as he smiled at her again. “You're in the best hands ever.”

  Isis watched the pair now wondering why she was here. This had definitely not been a good idea.

  “My brother is a Super Special Agent. Isn't that right Marc?”

  Isis froze for a moment. Brother? Wait...did she say brother? Isis looked at the pair again and now noticed the resemblance. While the woman didn't have his platinum eyes, she possessed the same skin tone and regal features.

  “Isis this is my sister, Tasha.” He introduced. “And as you can tell she's completely unbiased.”

  Tasha laughed then whispered. “Marc is my favorite, but don't tell Jeremiah.”

  “Tasha what are you doing with this door open?” a cultured feminine voice asked as it came closer.

  When she appeared, Isis knew this was Marcus' mother. She was the mature version of Tasha and the love she had in her eyes when they landed on her son was obvious.

  “Marcus,” she opened her arms to him. “I'm so glad you came.”

  “I promised Tasha I would.” He returned her embrace warmly.

  He stepped back and introduced Isis, watching his mother's delight. “Oh my, aren't you lovely.” She smiled taking Isis' hand. “I'm Marcus' mother, Alice.”

  Marc shook his head at the obvious direction his mother's thoughts were taking. “Isis is a friend, Mother. She's doing me a favor by agreeing to allow me to escort her today,” he said looking over at Isis.

  “Well then you are a lucky man today.” Still holding Isis' hand, she turned to walk inside. “Come Isis, let's have girl talk.”

  Tasha smiled. “Oooooh....I love girl talk.”

  “Isis isn't here for that,” he informed them and both women looked at Isis.

  She smiled. “Sure, I'd love some girl talk. I've been stuck with Marcus for the last two days.”

  Marc frowned as the three women walked away leaving him standing at the door. As he felt someone approaching, he turned quickly.

  “Don't shoot FBI man!” his brother said throwing his hands in the air.

  “Jeremiah.”

  His brother smiled. “The prodigal son has returned. Has Father ordered the fatted calf to be killed?” He laughed. “Oh I forgot, you do the killing.”

  “Not today Jeremiah, I'm here for Tasha,” Marc told him.

  Jeremiah smirked. “Of course you are. You two act like you're the only two siblings.”

  “Stay away from me or we will be.” Marc walked into the house looking to see where Isis had headed.

  He began down a hall when he heard his name called and he froze. He turned and stared into platinum eyes identical to his own.

  “Hello Marcus,” his father said stopping in front of him.

  Marc nodded. “Father.”

  “Tasha said you were coming but I didn't believe it. I thought you'd come up with another excuse not to show up.”

  “It's her birthday. I wouldn't disappoint her,” Marc told him.

  His father frowned. “Unlike how you've disappointed me, but it's your life. You can ruin it anyway you like and we both know, you have certainly tried.”

  The women laughed loudly from another room and Marc turned to head in that direction. When he entered, he found the three huddled together sharing secrets. Isis looked up and saw him but her attention was captured by the man standing behind him.

  His platinum eyes told her this was Marcus' father but the thing that struck her most was that she knew this man. She stood to her feet and walked over to where both men were standing.

  “You're Gregory Graham. Oh my god!” she said excitedly. “You've won an Oscar and a Tony Award.”

  His father beamed as Isis turned to Marc. “You never said your father was an actor.”

  Marc looked at his father. “That was a role he never got an award for.”

  “Marcus!” his mother shouted and his father's smile turned into a frown as his brother showed up in the doorway.

  “Let the show begin,” he said looking between his father and brother.

  “There is no show. I came to celebrate Tasha's day,” Marc glanced at his sister. “Nothing more.”

  Tasha smiled at the big brother she loved more than anything then Marc took Isis' hand. “Let's go outside.”

  Marc quietly walked her outdoors where everything was set up for a party. He led her to a secluded area before turning to stare down into her dark brown eyes filled with questions.

  “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring you into my family circus,” he told her.

  “Well if this is a circus, I guess I live in a family zoo.”

  Marc continued to silently study her face.

  “I owe you another apology,” she said quietly watching him in return.

  “For what?”

  She smiled ruefully. “For assuming you were talking to a girlfriend on the phone yesterday. It was your sister, wasn't it?”

  “Yes, it was.”

  Isis shook her head. “Why didn't you just say so?”

  “Because it was better if you thought it was a woman I was involved with,” he explained.

  “Better for whom?”

  “The situation,” he answered honestly.

  She looked away. “I don't know what you want.”

  “I thought I did.”

  She turned back to him. “Why did you bring me here?” she asked.

  He paused for a moment. “Because you wanted me to be Marcus.”

  “I think I'll like him much better than that rude and arrogant Agent Graham,” she told him.

  Marc removed his glasses and stepped closer. “If Marcus kissed you, would you slap him?”

  “If he's as dangerous as Agent Graham, he'd take his chances,” she whispered pressing even closer.

  His silver eyes sparkled. “He's very dangerous, even more than Agent Graham.”

  “How so?” she asked caught in the spell.

  He looked down at her mouth. “Special Agent Graham rescues daughters...Marcus takes Princesses.”

  “Where does he take them?” she asked slowly.

  Marc lifted a hand and touched her lips. “Come with him and find out.”

  Isis placed a hand on his wrist halting his touch. “What if he finds another Princess along the way?”

  “Then he's a fool who didn't deserve such a beautiful Princess in the first place.”

  Isis stepped back and stared up at him. “I don't want to go through this a-”

  Her words were cut off as Marc tightened his hand and pulled her face to his. He lowered his mouth robbing her of all her breath. All Isis could do was hold on to his muscled arms as he claimed her lips and tasted her tongue.

  Marc finally lifted his head and looked down into her dazed eyes.

  “I'm coming to take you Isis...”

  Chapter 5

  Later that evening, Marc stood in the shadows watching Isis from a distance as she charmed his parents and sister. He walked over to where she was sitting and asked her to dance. Looking up at him, she smiled slowly and accepted.

  Marc led her to the crowded dance floor before gently taking her into his arms and Isis looked up into his glasses.

  “My family has adopted you,” he commented staring down at her.

  She smiled. “They're very nice. Thank you for bringing me to meet them.”

  “Thank you for coming with me. It's out of the ordinary to take your assignment to meet your family,” he commented and she looked away at his words. Marc paused and turned her face back to his.

  “But we've established that you're not just an assignment and honestly, I don't think you ever were.”

  He pulled her closer. “This is going to be very difficult Isis.”

  Isis felt his body close to hers and laid her head against his chest. “I know Marcus.”

  They continued to dance slowly with Marc rubbing a hand along her back, while his family watched from a distance. Marc and Isis both knew of the danger that await
ed them, but neither knew that danger was watching them at this very moment.

  Marc felt someone approaching and turned to find his brother smiling at the couple. “Can I cut in little brother?” he asked looking over Isis. “The rest of the family has taken all of her attention today. I'd like some for myself.”

  Marc felt Isis stiffen at his brother's words. “Move away Jeremiah before I ruin Tasha's party,” Marc warned.

  Jeremiah smiled at Isis. “Another time then.”

  Marc stepped to his brother and leaned down to his ear. “There won't be another time and you know not to fuck with me Jeremiah. Don't forget what happened the last time you tried.”

  His brother's eyes widened as Marc straightened and looked at him with a grim expression on his face. Jeremiah walked away with Marc watching until he was out of sight.

  As he turned back to Isis, his sister appeared grabbing her arm. “Come on Isis! All the girls are having shots.”

  Isis looked worried. “What kind of shots?”

  Tasha smiled. “Jello-O.”

  She paused. “I'm allergic to strawberry.”

  “We have all flavors. Come on!” Tasha looked at her brother. “I'm stealing her but I'll give her back later.”

  “Have you considered that she doesn't want to be stolen?” Marc asked.

  Tasha grinned. “You'll have her all to yourself again when you leave and I'll make sure to keep an eye on her.”

  Marc looked at Isis. “It's up to you Princess.”

  Isis had felt a bond with Marc's sister since she'd opened the door and greeted her. She found that she did want to spend more time with the happy young woman her age. Honestly, she had never done shots before but thought this was a great opportunity to try something new, just like with her tattoo. Hesitantly she turned to Marcus.

  “You'll stay close?” she asked thinking about the encounter with his brother. “If I need you?”

  “You know I'm not going anywhere without you.”

  She smiled. “Okay.” Turning to his sister she said, “Let's do it.”

  The two women headed in the direction of the bar and Marc followed slowly giving them enough distance to have their fun but close enough for him to spring into action, if need be. He checked his phone for any messages from Ray letting him know the status of identifying potential threats against Isis. As he scrolled through his messages, he paused at one from Khayla. She had written that she was just checking on him to see if everything was okay and for him to call when he was free.