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Deleted Scene From Protect Me!!
Deleted Scene
From: Protect Me
Book #1 of The Protected Love Series
By Jennifer Culbreth
Location: Chapter Twelve, Page 204
She
leaned back in his chair as she flipped open the top to the pizza box. She
wasn’t hungry, and food would just make her more tired at this point. She
unlocked her phone screen and hit her contacts button scrolling down until she
saw the newly updated picture of her and Ryan next to his contact name. She had
taken it the afternoon they had gone to the chocolatier. She smiled at the
thought of how much fun they had. She was too tired to fight at this point. She
really just wanted to be home, with Ryan. She pressed the dial button as she
put the phone to her ear.
It
rang twice “Babe, are you ok?” His voice came through the receiver.
“Yeah,
I’m fine. I’m just really tired and I don’t think I am going to make it until
closing. Is there any way you could come and get me?” She could hear the
exhaustion in her own voice.
“Of
course I can, I will be there in just a few minutes. What do you say you come
back and stay at my house tonight? I can have anything you need brought over,
or picked up and delivered.” He sounded hopeful that she would say yes.
“Um,
sure. I would love that.” She smiled into the phone as it reflected through her
voice.
“Ok,
I will see you in a just a few minutes.”
“Ok,
see you soon.”
She
pressed end on the screen, and was startled when she saw the door open to
Trent’s office. At first she thought that maybe he had left something and was
returning to get it before he went to his meeting. When she looked up to the
man in front of her, she realized it wasn’t Trent. To her surprise Mr. Wilcox came
in through the office door dressed in a designer suit and shoes. She
immediately shot up out of the chair. The invasion of privacy immediately
making her feel uneasy.
“Excuse
me, I didn’t mean to startle you, Ms. Hastings” He held his hand up as if to
excuse himself for barging in. “I was looking for Mr. Williams but apparently
he is not in this evening.” His familiar southern accent rang out through her
ears.
“Uh,
no. Trent isn’t here. He left for a business meeting.” Her eyes darted around
the room in search of something to protect herself with. “Mr. Wilcox, what are
you doing here in LA?”
“Well you see, Abbi, I happen to be a pretty
well-known business man out here. I happen to do business with your boss as
well; meaning I do a lot of traveling from Atlanta to Los Angeles, mostly for
the weather though.” He regarded her coyly before stepping closer. She could
feel her body immediately tense. Causing the aches through her body to sing
out. “Mr. Williams has explained that the two of you are particularly close
aside from your working relationship. You can imagine my surprise when he
mentioned your name.” He smiled over at her before continuing, “Now, seeing as
how I helped with your father’s estate maybe you could tell me who might he be
meeting with tonight? I didn’t realize that Mr. Williams had any other
associates aside from myself.”
“Oh,
no Trent and I aren’t in a relationship.” She stepped back and shook her head.
Where on earth would he have gotten that idea? Why is Trent telling people they
were together? Why was Mr. Wilcox here in LA? All of the questions began piling
into her head. He’d seemed harmless when she’d first met him but something in
her gut was telling her that he wasn’t the most honorable man.
“No
need to explain anything to me, I pass no judgment on how he runs the business.
I can assure you I won’t report it back to HR.” He gave her a sideways grin as
he stepped closer to the desk.
She
felt the sudden urge to get out of there. She wasn’t sure what he was here for,
but she could tell that it wasn’t anything that she wanted to be involved in.
“Listen,
Mr. Wilcox, I really have no idea why you’re here. I also have no idea where
Trent is or who he is meeting. So I should just be on my way.” She made a step
towards the door.
“By
all means, I understand you have a very important job to do. However I would
like for you to pass along some information for me, I want my money. And I
don’t like having to wait.” His tone suddenly turned very serious.
“Listen,
I have about twenty dollars in my wallet. If that will cover it than I will go
get it right now. If not, then I think you’re talking to the wrong person.” She
edged her way a little closer to the exit at the side of the room.
“You’re
very funny, Ms. Hastings. I would hate to have to break that funny bone of
yours because of your boyfriend’s misjudgment in my patience.” He reached
towards her and she flinched back. He recoiled his hand, “Please pass the
message on to him, and let him know that I will be back, soon.” With that he
turned and headed towards the door.
An
eerie silence transcended throughout the office. It was so quite her ears were
ringing. She needed to get out of here. She didn’t give a damn if she had to
wait outside for Ryan she was not going to stay in this building any longer
tonight. She found herself very jumpy as she made her way out of the office and
down the hallway, checking over her shoulder every few steps. The feeling that
someone was going to jump out from behind a door caused her to almost run.
Relief flooded through her body as she made her way out of the door and down
towards the bar counter. She nudged her way through the crowd as she found Judy
standing just towards the end of the bar.
Explanation:
In
this deleted scene you see that Mr. Wilcox, the attorney from Atlanta who
helped her with her father’s estate in the beginning chapter of Protect Me, is
actually used as the villain. I read over this scene many times before deciding
to change. I felt as though Abbi had entrusted too many less than honorable
people by this point in the book. I wanted some of the people she had relied on
to actually have good intentions.
The
other reason I decided to change Mr. Wilcox as being the villain to Mr.
Hernandez is because I felt it would flow easier. I knew that certain
characters wouldn’t be continuing on to the next book and I wanted to keep the
threat of retaliation alive. So instead I re wrote this scene and introduced
Mr. Hernandez. Other scenes earlier in the book, i.e. when Abbi is eaves
dropping on Trent’s conversation with the “mystery man” were added to
incorporate this scene into the book.
Cherish Me Playlist!
Summertime Sadness
[Lana Del Rey vs. Cedric Gervais] (Cedric Gervais Remix)
Lana Del Rey
Little Lion Man
Mumford & Sons
Young And Beautiful
Lana Del Rey
Madness
Muse
I Will Wait
Mumford & Sons
Safe and Sound
Capital Cities
Demons
Imagine Dragons
Wildfire
John Mayer
Blurred Lines
featuring T.I., Pharrell
Robin Thicke
When I Was Your Man
Bruno Mars
Radioactive (The
Dirty Tees Mix)
Imagine Dragons
It's Time (JailBreaks
Remix)
Imagine Dragons
Closer (Presets
Remix)
Kings of Leon
Pistol Of Fire (Mark
Ronson Remix)
Kings of Leon
On Top of the World
Imagine Dragons
Round and Round
Imagine Dragons
Radioactive
Imagine Dragons
Save the World (Zedd
Remix)
Swedish House Mafia
Don't You Worry Child
(Promise Land Remix) [feat. John Martin]
Swedish House Mafia
Sail
Awolnation
Hurricane
Thirty Seconds To Mars
Mirrors
Justin Timberlake
Come & Get It
Selena Gomez
Feel This Moment
Pitbull
Not Your Fault
Awolnation
All I Need
Awolnation
Crystallize
Lindsey Stirling
Promises (Skrillex
& Nero Remix)
Nero
I Can't Stop
Flux Pavilion
Your Woman
White Town
Eyes on Fire (Zeds
Dead RMX)
Blue Foundation
Home
Phillip Phillips
It's Time
Imagine Dragons
Cracks (Flux Pavilion
Remix)
Freestylers
Steady As She Goes
The Raconteurs
Intro
The xx
Big Parade
The Lumineers
Flower
Moby
Fortune Days
The Glitch Mob
Extreme Ways
(Bourne's Ultimatum)
Moby
Butterfly
Bassnectar
Crave You (Adventure
Club Remix)
Flight Facilities
Where Have You Been
(The Calvin Harris Extended Remix)
Rihanna
Where Have You Been
Rihanna
Radioactive
(Grouplove & Captain Cuts Remix)
Imagine Dragons
Talking To The Moon
Bruno Mars
Lost Without U
Robin Thicke
Pretty Lil' Heart
featuring Lil Wayne
Robin Thicke
Wanna Love You Girl
(Main)
Robin Thicke
S&M
Rihanna
Rude Boy (Explicit
Version)
Rihanna
Unfaithful
Rihanna
Russian Roulette
(Explicit Version)
Rihanna
Raining Men featuring
Nicki Minaj
Rihanna
Where Have You Been
Us
The Drift
Blackmill
Let It Be (feat.
Veela)
Blackmill
Closer
Nine Inch Nails
Gorilla
Bruno Mars
Character Interview:
Jennifer: Ok kitties, you asked and you received. I just so
happen to have some pull over at VIP Bodyguard Services and was able to get the
guys and their lovely ladies over for an interview. Hi everyone and thanks for
coming by today!
Ryan: Hi everyone, we are happy to be here.
Abbi: Yes, thank you for having us, Jennifer. You know we
love your hair so much that we couldn’t say no.
Jennifer: Yes, I do have fabulous hair don’t I? **Smiles
sarcastically**
Jace: Smokin’ hot boss lady.
**Judy slaps his arm.**
Jace: Ow! What was that for?
Judy: Don’t oogle. *Judy giggles**
Jennifer: Now do y’all see what I have to deal with, with
this group? Ok let’s get down to business. I have some questions for you all
sent in by the readers. Everyone ready?
Judy: Yes, they are real.
**Jennifer cuts her eyes as a slight smile crosses her face.
**
Jace: I can second that.
Jennifer: Jace, I will cut you if you interrupt again.
Jace: Sounds familiar…
**Jace covertly point over to Judy.**
Jennifer: Ok first question is for Jace from one of our
lovely readers. Jace do you happen to be
looking for a new assistant? I’m qualified.
Judy: Well, I can answer that one for you. **Cuts eyes
towards Jace**
Jace: Fortunately I have found an assistant that both Judy
and I agree on. His name is Romel and he makes an amazing cappuccino. **Smiles
proudly over at Judy**
Jennifer: Ok, next question is for Jace again. What do you
think would have happened if you’d met Abbi
before Ryan had?
Abbi: I can answer that one for you! **Laughs playfully.**
Jace: Abbi would have kicked my ass to the curb a long time
ago. No, but seriously I needed a woman who could roll with the punches and
wouldn’t be afraid to put me in my place. No offense Abbi, you do a great job
keeping Ryan in line, but I think the only woman on Earth I would ever want is
sitting right here next to me. **Leans over and kisses Judy.**
Ryan: Aww. Look at you two love birds.
Jennifer: Ok next one is for Ryan. If you were stranded on a
desert island what 5 things would you want with you?
Ryan: You thought you were gonna throw me off didn’t you?
You see, I avidly watch Bear Grylls so I know that I need a container for
water, a lighter, blanket, an entire box of Zebra Cakes, and of course my
woman.
Abbi: Hell no I am not going to a deserted island with you.
Ryan: Aww come on! What if I exchange my box of Zebra Cakes
for S’mores Pop Tarts.
Abbi: Ok, I’m game.
Jennifer: Ok, next up is Judy. What did it feel like the
first time you and Jace kissed?
Judy: Well, the first night we kissed was a week or so after
we had first met. Contrary to popular belief I don’t kiss on the first date.
Jace: Technically it was our first official date.
Judy: Ok contrary to popular belief I only kiss on the first
date when I am shit faced. We were both smashed so the first kiss was sloppy
and wet. But I could feel the sparks flying.
Jennifer: Aww, aren’t you precious. ** Smiles playfully** Ok
next one is for Abbi. It’s date night, but at home, what’s on the menu and what’s
prepped on the DVR?
Abbi: Easy. Chinese take-out and anything with Adam Sandler
in it. I love funny movies and he is by far my favorite actor.
Jennifer: Short and to the point; I like it. Up next to bat
is Ryan. If you hadn’t had to fill in the night you had met Abbi, do you think
you would have found each other?
Ryan: Hell, if I hadn’t filled in that night I can tell you
I would probably be at the office right now plowing through paperwork and files
on upcoming jobs. However I think we would have eventually found each other.
**Reaches over and grabs Abbi’s hand.** Probably at the bakery because we both
eat there at least once a week.
Jennifer: Ok this one is for the group. What are your
Halloween costumes this year?
Abbi; This has become the debate lately. I think we should
all dress up like the Super Mario characters. However, someone. **Ahem, points
over at Judy** doesn’t want to be the mushroom.
Judy: I think we should dress up as Crayola Crayons.
Jace: No way I am going to be a crayon for Halloween. I think we should go as a BLT.
**Everyone looks over at Jace.**
Jennifer: A BLT?
Jace: Yeah. You know I can be a piece of bread, Ryan can be
a piece of bread, Abbi can be a piece of bacon, the baby can be a piece of
lettuce, and Judy can be a tomato slice.
Jennifer: That’s eerily planned out.
Jace: I have been waiting on this since last year.
Jennifer: Ryan, you weighing in on this?
Ryan: I think we should be the cast from Walker Texas
Ranger.
**The room goes quiet.**
Ryan: Oh come on! I can be Walker, Jace you can be C.D.
Parker, Abbi can be Alex Cahill, and Judy can play Sydney Cooke.
Abbi: No way. You lose.
Jennifer: I agree, Ryan you lose. At least Jace’s is cool,
who doesn’t like a BLT?
Jace: My thoughts exactly.
Jennifer: Ok, last question and this is again to the group.
If you were to get tattoo’s signifying your significant other what would it be?
Ryan: A .357 revolver. The first time we had breakfast I
thought Abbi was going to pull it out when I mentioned Trish without explaining
who exactly Trish was.
Abbi: Ha! That’s what you get.
Jennifer: Abbi, what are you inking on you?
Abbi: I think if I were to add to my collection it would be
a lion head down my arm. He’s kind of the leader of our pack and so it’s kinda
fitting.
Judy: I would get do not enter right on my ass cheek. Just a
friendly reminder for Mr. Rico Suave over here.
Jennifer: Holy Moses, too much info.
Jace: I would get an angel, because Judy is just a perfect
sweet beautiful angel.
Jennifer: **Props hand against chin while looking at Jace
and thinking.** Yeah, Judy you got anything to follow up to that.
Judy: No. He’s couldn’t be more right. **Smiles widely over
at Jace.**
Jennifer: Ok! Well that’s it folks. I want to thank you for stopping
by and I hope that your followers have had as much fun as I have. Never a dull
moment.
Judy: Not when I’m around!
Abbi: Don’t forget Cherish Me is released October 26th!
Make sure you get your copy to see what happens in Jace and Judy’s story! You
won’t be sorry!
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