Brutal Obsession (The Safeguard Series, Book One) by Kennedy Layne Page A

Jarod appeared firm in his stance on contracting out her protection away from the office. Ashlyn could hear his cell phone rattle once more and wondered if he ever got tired of being at the end of that leash. “You and I both know it’s most likely some momma’s boy who has a thing for women in power because his mother never cut the apron strings. Maybe he saw you in court or he sweeps up the grass clippings around your apartment complex. Either way, he’s taken things a step too far and will most likely run for the hills the moment he realizes the feds are nipping at his heels.”
    “A step too far?” Ashlyn repeated in complete disgust, leaning back in her chair and wishing she could take the tight clip out of her hair. The throbbing in her temples had only gotten worse as the child pornography case currently on her docket came to a close. If only they could send these scumbags away forever and never have to worry about them seeing the light of day again. Add in the stress of not knowing how far this fanatic was willing to take things had her one step away from snapping Jarod’s head clean off. “Are you paying attention at all? Let me explain to you in detail why we aren’t just dealing with some random lawn care guy who’s taken things a step too far . Sending me complimentary emails on my looks and clothing were nonthreatening. Sending me small gifts in the mail to my office were nonthreatening. The moment this guy started leaving notes on my vehicle saying he’d find a way for us to be together changed the tone of what we’re dealing with. He’s delusional and believes we have a relationship. He’s only escalated from there and now he knows where I live, watching me in the privacy of my own home. That wasn’t a step too far, Jarod. What this guy did was commit a felony and it isn’t a sporting event where he can be forgiven for committing a foul.”
    “Which is why I called Townes Calvert,” Jarod replied, confident in his decision to recruit outside assistance. He rested an ankle over his leg as he settled in to explain his reasoning. His confidence didn’t bolster hers in the least. “He’s an old friend from my military days who recently went into business for himself. As I said earlier, the firm’s name is Safeguard Security & Investigations. SSI is now one of our new first-line contractors. Every hire Calvert employs has a military background with experience on a high-priority protective detail, a solid reputation, and a security clearance the government will maintain during their time working for SSI. The company will provide you protection until Agent Coulter can resolve this problem of ours. Calvert is sending someone to watch over you twenty-four seven until this is resolved. His gentleman should be here within the hour.”
    “There’s no way in hell I’m allowing someone to shadow my every move, Jarod,” Ashlyn warned off, looking past him to see Victor Wright standing in her doorway. She waved him in, grateful for the interruption and a chance to make Jarod see that she didn’t need round-the-clock security when all of this was going to be over in the next day or so. “This child pornography case is closed from any media coverage and I won’t take the chance of any information being leaked until a verdict is handed down. Victor, tell Jarod you’ll make it so that my apartment is more secure than Fort Knox. You’ll make it impossible for this guy to have the capability to watch me in the privacy of my own home.”
    “You’re assuming we’re looking for a man. And I wish it were that simple,” Victor said somewhat regretfully with a slow shake of his head. Ashlyn’s headache was now on the verge of a full-blown migraine. “Whoever hacked into your security feeds and private network is damned good at covering his or her tracks. I know this has been handed off to the FBI, but I had a few spare minutes today. This perp has no traceable digital footprint that we can track down to