Innocent People's Lives

Summary: It's been ten years since a fateful flight brought a handsome stranger into her life. Then Lisa Reisert learned the truth – he was sent to "manage" her and get her to help him assassinate the Deputy Director of Homeland Security.

Now Charles Keefe is running for President of the United States and Lisa is working on his team as a secretary/personal assistant. It's a normal, busy life and perfect for a workaholic. Then an attack leaves Mrs. Keefe dead and Lisa running for life. And one of the men hired to kill her is none other than Jackson Rippner…

Can the former foes work together to unravel the truth behind the attack? Or will Lisa finally finish what she started on the plane?

Chapter One

Late. She was going to be late. If her shoe heel hadn't snapped off in her hand this morning while dressing, everything would have gone according to plan. Her plan.

She wrote the schedules these days. She helped make the appointments, set the venues, and arrange transportation. She ran their very busy routine instead of a hotel.

Lisa Reisert hurried through the hotel lobby with her ever-present tablet tucked under her arm. She wanted to run, but settled for a fast walk instead, lest she rip her pencil skirt's seams. She'd done that by accident the previous week and spent the rest of the meeting trying to hide the tear up her thigh.

She had given them plenty of time to get across town. They would only lose about five minutes. She had budgeted an extra thirty in case of traffic. It wouldn't do to be late for today's speech. Not when they were getting so close to the primaries.

Lisa approached the waiting convey of black SUVs just outside the hotel. One of the security team members went to open the door of the first car as he saw her rounding the corner. She could make out Sarah Keefe's blonde head just inside.

Walking faster, she was about to say hello to one of the black-suited agents, when there was a loud boom.

The ground shook, glass shattered, and alarms shrieked as the middle SUV erupted into flames. Lisa was thrown backward by the blast. Her tablet skittered across the ground as her head smacked into the brick exterior of the hotel.

Spots danced before her eyes as she took in the wreckage of the SUVs. The metal frame was twisted and flames had engulfed the middle car. The first and third cars showed signs of damage as well and she could vaguely hear shouting along with the ringing in her ears.

Darkness pulled her under.

"An explosion in front of a local Marriott has resulted in three confirmed deaths and multiple injuries. Among those injured in the blast are Sarah Keefe, wife of presidential candidate, Charles Keefe. Keefe, former Director of Homeland Security, made headlines ten years ago when an attempt was made on his life. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation..." a news reporter said on the waiting room's small TV.

He pocketed his sunglasses, exposing light blue eyes, as he approached the second floor nurse's station.

Like most hospitals, chaos reigned. This of course worked in his favor.

Jackson Rippner waited for the nurse on duty to dash off with a chart before he slipped behind the desk and into the computer system. A quick glance gave him all the information he needed. She had been too busy to properly log off.

Just as fast and seamless, as he had slipped into the station, he pulled an abandoned white lab coat over his suit and wound a stethoscope over the back of his neck. No one would give him a second glance. That was just the way he liked it.

He turned the corner, glancing around at the room numbers as made his way to 237. Just as he had suspected, there were no guards on duty. Security would be preoccupied with protecting the front doors and the other priority patients. A chair had been pulled up outside the room, but it was vacant. He was just in time.

Jackson eased open the door and glanced in. Sure enough, she was still asleep.

He shut the door gently and crossed to the other side. He brushed a curl away from her eyes, marveling how even after all these years, she still looked and smelled the same. Nothing had changed except her hair was a bit longer and more layered.

She made a small sound and he moved away. There was an empty bed and two sets of privacy curtains further in the room. He got to work pulling both curtains a bit, giving him cover from the doorway. Now all Jackson had to do was wait.

The guard had been distracted—most likely paid off—and wouldn't be back until it was too late. That's how he would've done it. That's how he had done it before.

But that wouldn't happen here. Not today. Not to his Leese.

Almost on cue, the door opened again. He could hear shoes on the linoleum floors.

He grinned to himself. This was almost too easy.

Jackson could see him around the curtain. He didn't bother to clear the room and was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Amateur.

The killer had a syringe in his hand. From his vantage point, he could see a clear fluid, probably a drug to stop her heart, filling it.

As he moved toward the sleeping Lisa, Jackson slipped out of his hiding spot. He didn't make a sound as he slipped an arm around him from behind, putting him in a headlock with his left arm as he used his right to guide the syringe into the would-be killer's leg. The man dropped without a sound.

Jackson stepped over the body and touched her bare arm. The boxy hospital gown swallowed her petite frame.

"Leese, time to get up."

She shifted a bit, making a mumbling sound.

He shook her arm. "Now."

Eyelids fluttered for a moment before those green eyes focused on his face.

He couldn't resist a smile. "Hello, Leese. Miss me?"

Author's Note:

Should have the second chapter up soon. Not sure how long it will be, but I have a rough outline in my head.