Behind the Shield of Protection

Protection Series:

#6 ~ Behind the Shield of Protection

(each Novel in this series does stand-alone, but they also relate to each other)

By Andie Renee

Copyright 2014 Andie Renee

Smashwords Edition

In regards to my Protection Series:

I have more than surpassed the required waiting years, in regards to writing, which I had agreed upon at the time of my resignation from the United States Secret Service. I have not divulged any top secret, classified, or sensitive information regarding the government, nor any government agency, nor have my books revealed any specific names. They are not meant to disrespect any particular person, agency, or representatives. They are fictional characters involved in fictional and imaginary, life-changing events. I am hoping that you enjoy the unique family bond that this agency actually has amongst its agents. This set of books may be really different from what you normally read, but I am hoping that you can enjoy the uniqueness and interesting situations that they all find themselves in and how Jesus heals their ways and works in each of their lives.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

eBook Cover Designer~Andie Renee

Waterfall photo: CanStockPhotoInc./ revoc9 (csp 12651065)

Eagle photo: CanStockPhotoInc./ mtruchon (csp 8384516)

Star Image Designer~Andie Renee: Panther: CanStockPhotoInc./ dagadu (csp7909419); White House: CanStockPhotoInc./ Alperium (csp1845848)

When you read this book you will be experiencing...

Behind the Shield of Protection, a novel about Former United States Secret Service Special Agent Rilen Brandt. Her very long healing journey with Jesus continues: slow step by slow step. Although the steps have become less painful, the memory that she thought was healed, of why she was hidden away years ago, begins to torment her anew, and is sharply attempting to penetrate her peace of mind. But it is happening because Jesus is personally healing every tiny particle of grief that has shattered her life, and He is lovingly conditioning her and strengthening her to remain faithful to Him by actively strengthening her self-discipline and patience in waiting on Him, and His healing. Isn’t He? Rilen is positive that is what is happening, and is even more positive in knowing that she doesn’t need anyone anymore, nor does she want to have anyone to help fill her days, nights, holidays, nor any other aspect of her life. She wants to continue simply living a solitary life in Jesus. Her Savior is enough for her.

But when she boldly asks the all-masculine, exotically handsome prince, that has effectively disrupted her safe haven, why he is suddenly and quite persistently always present, or always righting her when she stumbles, Prince Malkin Megalos simply shrugs and states that he is making sure his future princess is protected and secure, while his unique eyes keep intently looking her way. What is she supposed to do now? Okay, so maybe she really is only positive about one thing, her consummate love of Jesus. And that is all that matters as she clings to Him and steps forward in blind faith.

Chapter 1

No soft touch glided across her, no whispering words filled her, and no tender, hesitant embrace surrounded her.

That wasn’t him.

He had been something else entirely different, and the more she had been around him, the more she had wanted to stay near him, and the more she had found that she didn’t need those things because she had just needed him.

Rilen rolled over and looked to her ceiling while in her mind Tristan again leaned down and looked ready to devour her.

"You had better marry me, Rilen."

She tenderly smiled while her soft lips had purposefully grazed across his rigid wrist right next to her head, never once losing eye contact with him. Even her eyes felt delectably feminine whenever they had meshed with his.

He had an overpowering presence that she was sure had made many criminals shudder the moment he had walked into the room to interview them. And when that strong, manly voice had lovingly commanded her to do something that she had already dreamt of doing, it had sealed her world with an incomparable happiness. To hear him utter those words, in that exact way, had been perfect for her, and exactly what she had needed.

He had commanded her, and that had revealed his overpowering need for her like nothing else could have. She could still feel the results of that surprising day when he had told her that she had to marry him.

Her heart had wildly beat in her chest, and a deeply embedded contentment had settled within her. She had been right where she had wanted to be, and she hadn’t wanted anything else. She had only wanted him. Her Tristan.

Silently, Rilen focused on the ceiling in her darkened room trying to take stock of how she felt. The numbness was gone, the harshness of the unbearable grief was physically and emotionally easier to handle now, but even after all of these years of him being gone, Rilen could still barely believe that he had even desired her.

Her throat thickened with emotion. There was such power and strength in him, and he had actually wanted her.

Her all-too familiar, exhilarating goose bumps rose and spread through her at just remembering how he had made her feel. Those precious months and days as his girlfriend, and then fiancée had been what physical, girlish dreams had been made of. At the time, her experience with him had been beyond anything in her life, his touch had been fully encompassing, and she had relished every last moment of his domineering embraces, which had always greedily left her with wanting more.

Protection, security, and strength had been physically wrapped around her each and every time he was near her.

Rilen heavily sighed and closed her eyes. Oh, to be able to physically feel that again.

Once those words slipped out, her jaws locked and she angrily sat up in bed.

It would never happen again.

Swinging her legs around, she firmly looked to the floor. It could never happen again because she couldn’t let another man touch her, nor kiss her. What would be the point? There was no other man for her, there was no other man like Tristan Daniels.

A tear escaped and she looked to the ceiling unable to stem the flow of memories.

Rilen securely grasped onto them as they again rolled through her mind like a movie being played. Tristan’s dark brown hair always glistened after a powerful workout, and her heart had completely stopped that first time he had walked out of their office gym and had accidentally collided with her. Then among his mumbled apologies he began ordering her to go out with him.

Oh Tristan, you were so different from what I had always been around.

Sighing, she again remembered how his light brown eyes always brightened at the thought of a problem or dispute he could tackle. Life pulsated from his unnerving countenance, which had been what she had craved from the moment she had first laid eyes on him. She will never forget that Monday morning so many, many years ago, when she had first reported to the field office and had walked in on the office meeting.

Their eyes met, and time stood still. Her heart was pounding with such strength that she swayed on her feet, becoming dizzy. And then when he spoke...

A gunshot resonated and echoed down a long, dark corridor and in an instant his face gave way to a gray tombstone simply engraved with his name, birthdate and date of death on it.

Rilen aggressively wiped her eyes while looking upwards.

Why, Tristan? Why couldn’t your eyes have lit up more with me than it had with the thrill of busting in the doors, cracking a case, or the thrill of the chase? Maybe then you would have listened to reason, or would have been more cautious and waited.

Covering her face, Rilen’s heart broke for the countless time.

Jesus, why can’t I just hold that picture of him in my mind without having to remember the brutal ending? I have gone years without thinking on it, but recently it only seems to be getting worse when I try to relive those delightful memories of him and experience those amazing feelings all over again. Will I ever be completely healed from the painful memories?

Her body cringed from her pleading prayer and she leaned back, Oh Jesus, I’m so tired. So very, very tired. Help me. Teach me the way, help me to move on in you.

Rilen tiredly stood up from her small bed and walked to the other side of her room to start her daily routine by flipping on the light switch and starting her coffee before she opened up her laptop.

Sitting down in her worn out business chair, she sighed. I need to strengthen my self-discipline. I cannot allow my mind to wander. Forgive me, Jesus. I’m fine, content, and your inner joy is so deeply within me, and it heals me just knowing that you will never leave me. I may not be able to see it, but I know I’m being thoroughly healed. You are amazing Jesus. You are all I need.

Looking back to her computer screen, she smiled as she read a funny note from her mom. But as she read the added personal note, a tear escaped and she glided her finger across the screen where her mom had typed ‘I love you, and miss you. I want to see you soon, and be with you so badly. Love, Mom’

The hidden, heart wrenching plea drove straight to her heart. I’m sorry that I pushed you both away, Mom.

Ten years, three months, thirty days, and... She wiped a tear while her eyes helplessly glided to the clock in the lower right corner of her laptop screen, six hours, forty minutes.

The exact time she had received Tristan’s last call, and the exact time her life, as she knew it, seemed frozen in time because she had not wanted to go on without him.

Rilen loudly groaned as the awful memories of that gunshot came slamming against her mind, I’ve got to stop this. Jesus, please help me to stop this. Give me strength to wait on your complete and very thorough healing. Only then will I be able to finally be with my parents.

She sat there and looked around her simple one room place like she was seeing it for the first time. Her closet.

There was no other name for it, that’s all it is, and that’s all that she had needed it to be.

Shock reverberated through her, and Rilen’s hand froze over her mouse, Had needed.

Past tense.

Rilen heavily sighed. You are preparing me for a change, Lord. She closed her eyes, raised her arms and inwardly hid her face against her Savior’s chest, Only in your strength, in your timing, and by your leading can I go forward. Wherever you go, I will follow, my Jesus.

Wiping her tears away, she went to fill her mug up and then turned back to her computer and pushed all personal issues away, as in every morning, it was time to move on in Jesus.

Opening up her other secure email account, she sadly looked at the long list of names, and was not at all surprised by all of the many new names added to her list. Shuffling a few files over, she moved her cursor and strategically rested it upon the small dot in the little ‘i’ and after a few security maneuvers with her mouse, the updated files popped open.

Yes! Excitedly printing the long list out, her heart leapt for joy.

Thank you Jesus for your answered prayers. May the Holy Spirit guide each one of these people so that they may recognize your healing presence and truly experience a deeper relationship with you. Teach them to cling to you in all things. And for those that we don’t physically see the healing, I know you are right there working in their lives and may they put themselves in a position to receive all realms of your healing. May they find that spiritual healing is so much greater and rewarding than physical healing, and deeply learn that sometimes the greater miracle is living with you through the trials because there is such faith and confidence built in us as you carry us through them.

Over and over again she continued to praise Jesus while she cut the specific names off of her larger list and then pasted them into another document to be sent back through to Monica.

After rearranging a few more documents, Rilen closed down her computer and refilled her coffee mug before walking out of her tiny, one room apartment and down the short hallway to the thick metal door. Sliding her card through the small section on the security panel that scanned it, her heart accelerated as she heard the click and then crossed the threshold. As in every morning, she was instantly greeted by all of the dogs and puppies.

She smiled and surveyed the room. It amazes me every day, it’s like they wait all night long for that door to open up, and for me to come through it.

She stood even straighter as her past instantly faded and she stepped forward into a new day. The door behind her was not only special to her dogs and puppies, it was also special to her.

Rilen took a deep breath, My privately painful past is behind me and I look only to you, my Lord. May I serve you in the best possible way today, and please guide my hands and thoughts because only you are Lord of my life and only you lead me.

Chapter 2

A loud thud sounded, and unable to stop the widening tear from taking over, dog food came rushing out.

Let Dropping Day continue!

Rilen fell back to the floor with the empty bag in her hands, seemingly giving up while a huge pile of dog food laid all around her. This is the third bag she has dropped today, and if that wasn’t bad enough, she had already spilled two buckets of water all over herself.

And it was still only late morning.

Closing her eyes, she thought on what it would be like to just let the dogs climb all over her to get their food, and after the morning she was having that was probably exactly what she should do. She groaned at the uncomfortableness of being completely drenched and covered in dog food. At least there is wonderful heat on in here, or I would definitely be a dog food popsicle by now.

Knowing that she wasn’t getting anything accomplished by wallowing in her spills, Rilen sat up and rallied herself for another round of cleaning up. She smiled, Today is still a good day because you are in the midst of it, Lord. I will not be discouraged, nor swayed from following you.

A movement snagged her peripheral vision and she swiveled to look at the doorway, her stomach dropped and dread slammed against her. Oh, this cannot be happening!

Five men stood there blandly staring at her.

Her eyes helplessly took in everything about their black BDU uniforms, which seemed to painstakingly draw her personal pain back to the forefront. Shifting slightly, Rilen gasped when she saw that there was another man amongst them. His dark green uniform, and patch over his heart boldly stood out, and his island tan was unmistakable. Especially during this time of year on the east coast in America.

Unable to stop herself, Rilen’s green eyes searched upwards and her breath caught when she saw his easily recognizable eyes, and features.

Oh no. Please, not him.

Looking back to her mess, she started to jerkily clean it up, which only made matters worse.

For a moment she squeezed her eyes shut. It couldn’t just be regular workers, nor the usual ones that filter in and out of here periodically.

Nope, not at all.

She ground her teeth together, and glared to the bag as she muttered, It just had to be the CAT guys.

What business did they have here? And why had they brought him with them? It didn’t matter if he was a dog man or not, nor that his brother’s new brother-in-law was Roger McDonald, the Assistant CAT boss. And that by no means explained why he had to walk into the Secret Service K-9 raising kennels.

Her breath became erratic as she vividly recalled the picture of him laughing and smiling while a few puppies were lovingly attacking him. The lush, tropical green grass in the background and all around him had made his one green eye clash even more with his brown one. Her stomach dropped, making her nauseous.

His eyes were something else, and only added to the exoticness of him.

She fiercely clenched her eyelids shut, but even that could not stop the clarity of the image before her. The deeply embedded joy that had emanated from his face had been so powerful and so different from all of the other rare pictures that had successfully been snapped of him and had found themselves out on the web for all the world to see.

Her fingers tightened their hold on the scoop.

Had he worn that same exact uniform in that picture? Sarcastically rolling her eyes, Rilen firmly shut the door on the aching tenderness that had robbed her of breath. It had probably just been another photo op strategically designed to make women’s hearts melt at seeing a full grown, manly, all-too masculine prince wrestling around with adorable puppies in a lush green environment.

Her inner turmoil continued while the truth pierced the falseness of that thought. Okay, so she knew enough about his family to know that they didn’t do such things. Especially not him, the quiet one that always seemed to stand in the shadows as much as he could. Prince Malkin Megalos had just been in his element. With his dogs.

Rilen took a shaky breath, and continuing to ignore the obnoxiously gawking men off to the left of her, she renewed her efforts with a vengeance while her mind helplessly recalled the very unwelcomed effect his picture had once had on her. The unanswered questions of why, how, or what are you thinking again stormed through her. It made no sense to her. Why had it been just that one picture, of him, that had firmly and irrevocably revealed to her that she wasn’t as immune, nor deadened to the world as she would have liked to be? And why had she been instantly teased with that slight glimmer of need lightly streaming through her?

Why must that still exist within me? Why couldn’t have that need been buried with Tristan?

Her fist tightened...and now he was here in the flesh!

Maybe she should print out that picture and smugly hand it to him. That would irrevocably get the staring men to cease. Squeezing her eyes shut, she fiercely growled, and that would also, of course, be the dumbest move she has ever made!

Malkin stood there transfixed, and further shocked when the restlessness that had been hounding him for a while quickly ceased. Oh Jesus, she is so beautiful. He had difficulty swallowing and his gaze again looked to her, you led me here Lord. I’m not here for the dogs, I’m here for her, aren’t I? Blinking to clear his head, more than his vision, it suddenly dawned on him what he was doing, and what he was not doing!

Quickly rushing to her side he stooped down, Here, let us help you.

Her shoulder twitched. Get away, and stop standing so close. And I must say, don’t bother. Your request is coming just a tad too late. His accent was just a little too much to deal with after the morning she has been having, but that still was no excuse for bad behavior. Sorry. I don’t mean to be so rude. Jesus please help me here. A silent helpless tear threatened to escape as the unfamiliar, quivering excitement raced through her at his nearness. His exotically delicious cologne mixed with the fresh, cold air from outside had her at a great disadvantage. Her throat thickened and her hands shook. Oh, this cannot be happening!

Jesus, I look only to you. I’m not vulnerable, I’m strong in you. I have given all of myself to you, and I follow you. Please, lead me out of here, Jesus.

Hurrying up, she almost tripped when she went to move the bag, but thankfully one of the CAT guys helped out instead of him.

Thank you. Closing the lid on the food bin, she turned to rush through the doorway, but only got as far as two feet into the main room before his voice spoke and stopped her from retreating.

Are you Miss Rilen Brandt?

Looking directly at the pen across from her, Rilen didn’t even bother to turn, Yes, I am.

Malkin’s eyes slowly looked to the gorgeous woman before him, his heart accelerated. He could almost feel her soft skin, and although she was adorably covered in water and dog food, she was breathtaking. Her hair was so light and next to his skin? A powerful need drove through him. Clearing his throat, he smiled, I’m here to go over a few things regarding your kennels. You and I need to privately speak about them.

What? Jerking around, she frowned at his chest, not once missing the authoritative quality of his voice, Why? Is there a problem?

No, not at all. I would just like for you to give me a tour of your facility. The Secret Service has asked me to come here and see if there is any advancements, or updated changes that may need to take place in order for this facility to be run more efficiently then it currently is.

Rilen’s eyes narrowed at the exact same time she heard various, hilarious sounds of air being sucked in-between teeth and a few murmurings of ouch.

She outwardly flinched from his untactful words, however from their continued responses and the uncomfortable bodies shifting, it seemed everyone around her knew it...but him!

Straightening to her full height, she strategically lifted one eyebrow, while narrowing her eyes into slits. Her most domineering look arose and she personally stared him down as her head tilted back. It certainly didn’t matter to her that he still stood a great deal taller, she was in no way intimidated by him! "Sir, I would suggest that you speak with Mack about all of that. Trust me, I am not the one you would want to deal with because you see, this is my ‘baby,’ so any harsh, negative comments you may have may just not be appropriately accepted by me, and I in no way would like to disrespect you although you do not seem to have that same type of remorse because you seem unmoved by openly disrespecting me. And since you apparently lack the proper way in which to explain yourself to me, I think Mack would be better suited as an interpreter and would better be able to handle you. She pointed down the hallway to her left. You will find Mack down in the front office."

I’m sor...

She firmly cut him off, holding her hand up, No, please save your breath. You do not need to apologize to me. I’m sure you meant nothing by it, just head towards the office and speak with Mack.

Seething with anger, Rilen fairly growled to the man that instantly blocked her way and wouldn’t let her through. Her hands flew to her hips and she looked directly up and into his stormy dark blue eyes. "Yes?"

He meant nothing by that.

She lifted her chin a notch higher, not in any way intimidated by him either. Do I not speak clearly enough? I just explained that I understood that. I do not want any apologies. However, it would be in everyone’s best interest for him to speak with Mack. Because although Jesus fiercely guards me and protects me, I still may have a lack of self-control moment where I throw something at him, or one of you, as he nitpicks everything about my beloved facility.

Tiger frowned, this pretty lady sure had an edge to her. He looked to Malkin who was motioning for him to stop.

Tiger inwardly chuckled and would have loved to divulge to her just who Malkin really was. His eyes examined hers for a moment. Then again, that just might not have an effect on this one.

Malkin smiled, I wholeheartedly apologize Miss Brandt. I meant no disrespect. We will go back to speak with Mack. Thank you for your time.

When the man blocking her path refused to budge, Rilen haughtily lifted her eyebrow, You may go now.

What!? I may go? Tiger shook his head laughing, I think you missed your calling, you should have been an agent.

Her stomach churned and her posture stiffened even more. It was time to give this one a little to think on. Bumping into his shoulder with extra force and slightly turning her hands and arms at just the right angle because of his size, Rilen very easily, and quite aggressively, pushed him aside before storming around him.

And if it hadn’t been for the chaotic thoughts running through her mind, she surely would have had trouble biting back her laughter at the highly amusing, shocked expression on his face at the very precise, tactical move that she had just expertly used. A move that her beloved Tristan had drilled into her head should she come against a man that was bigger than her and would not allow her to leave.

Her heart clenched at the reminder of how Tristan had gruelingly trained her over and over again to be prepared for anything. She painfully swallowed around the emotional lump in her throat, and continued walking straight ahead. Her arms ached so much to hold him, her fingers ached to touch him, but nothing he could have done would have ever prepared her for his death. She secretly wiped her eyes, but how sweet he had been because he still could protect her even when he wasn’t there.

Normal men just didn’t do that. He had been someone else entirely different, and she would never experience that again.

A unique set of eyes, that really didn’t match, rose in her mind and she aggressively shoved it out of her vision.

Nope, never again. There would never be anyone else for her.

Chapter 3

An hour later, Rilen’s nerves of steel were unbelievably and quite unexpectedly stretched to the limit. She should have went right back into her private room until after they had left. She shook her head and locked the pen that she had just spent a few extra minutes in.

Softly smiling, she knelt and kissed one of her precious little guys through the door. You can’t follow me out today. Look at you, you are getting so big. She playfully tapped his nose, then began to tease him around his face making him growl. I’ll be back later to play with you.

Straightening up, she determinedly went in the opposite direction from where Mack and the other men were engaged in conversation. However, not even that was to happen. Rolling her eyes, she conceded that there really was no place far enough away from the expressively talking man. His voice carried down all corridors of the facility and continued to grate on her already thinned nerves.

"It would be better this way... Yes, but we have found that if you do this instead..."

On, and on, and on! Did this man never quit? And what made him an expert anyway?

So what if he was supposed to be a Dog Security Specialist, which I highly doubt! Although he apparently knows about dogs, his uniform and his position were all fake. He probably had a lot of men working under him and they just checked