by Aden Lowe
"Okay, I'll check back maybe in a couple weeks, if that's okay." I turned to go, then turned back. "Oh, one more thing. You might want to let the owner know the guy tailing potential employees sucks. I got his picture four times, and then just quit, out of embarrassment for him."
She waited until my hand started opening the door. "Wait. Let me see the pictures."
I held back my smile, and showed her the images on my phone.
"Wait here, please." She rose from her chair and went into the back, where there were presumably private offices. A moment later, she came back. "How soon can you start?"
Victory quickened my pulse. "When do you need me?"
"For shift change in three hours. Can you do that?"
I shrugged, trying to remain nonchalant. "Sure. Dress code?"
She made a funny face, as if she figured I wouldn't like the answer. "Jacket and tie. Sorry about that. We might be able to come up with something if you don't have anything suitable right now. We'll provide the weapons and ammo. If you'll head on back, Mr. McKinley will brief you while I get your paperwork in order."
I chuckled. "I'm good, as long as dark gray is okay. That's what my last client wanted."
"Oh, good! I was worried where we might find a jacket to fit your shoulders." She laughed a little and sent me through the door to the rear offices.
Mr. McKinley turned out to be the guy who tailed me earlier. Shit. Leave it to me to insult the boss before I even got the job.
He was cool about it though, and laughed. "Either you're really good, or it's been too fucking long since I got out of this office." He shook my hand. "Eric McKinley."
"Mike Ross. To be fair, one of my former clients was paranoid as fuck about being followed, and with good reason. I got really good at spotting anyone watching him."
He gestured for me to sit. "It's a little unusual to put a new guy right on an important client, but I don't have much choice right now, and all your references check out. You okay with being thrown into the deep end straight off?"
"Sure." Probing for information had plenty of pitfalls, so I had to be cautious, but I also had to show normal curiosity about my new job. "Someone leave you in a lurch?"
"Nothing like that. This particular client already has us stretched pretty thin, and he called a couple hours ago to double the detail on his fiancée, effective immediately. I had to call in my extra guys to cover right now, and I don't have anyone to pull from other jobs." He passed a small vinyl pouch over the desk. "This is your comm unit, already set to secure transmission. You'll bring it in every forty-eight hours and trade out with a new unit."
I unzipped the pouch, took a quick look at the contents, then pocketed the unit and left the pouch on the desk. "The lady out front mentioned weapons."
He took a box from a safe behind the desk. "Yeah. Ruger 9mm. Ammo is in the box, too. I have access to a closed range so you can get acquainted with it, but we're cutting it short on time today."
"No big deal. If it's all the same, I'd prefer to carry my own piece, at least until I've had a chance to put some rounds through this one." I knew I was pushing it, but I hated trusting my life to another man's weapons. "I've got it in my car, if you need the serial number, and I'll carry your ammo if you like. I'm just wary of trusting a weapon I haven't even fired."
He hesitated a moment, then nodded. "Okay, grab it and we'll get the info off it. This is an unusual circumstance, or I wouldn't consider it."
Relieved, I hurried to grab the 9mm registered to Mike Ross from the trunk of my car, along with the permits in the same name. Rufus had been a lifesaver, throwing the identity together so quickly. He kept any number of fakes set up, just waiting to be needed, and luckily for me, all he had to do was plug in the details necessary for the job.
Eric McKinley, and the blonde, seemed relieved at having found someone already trained and experienced, so all I had to do was wait and hope the client was the one I needed. If not, I would have to find a way to get put on her detail.
Finally, with all the paperwork finished, Eric passed me a card with an address on it. "You're on Lauren Johnson, Senator Jared Richardson's fiancée."
"Richardson. The candidate?"
"Very same. Until now, he hasn't had anyone on her unless she's out. As of today, he wants a man on her even when she's at home." He paused a second. "And Ross, she's not some jaded starlet or gold-digging whore. She's not even a spoiled princess."
I nodded. "Understood."
"She's also not all that concerned for her own safety. Richardson said he's making her move to a more secure residence tomorrow, but for tonight, you're on her door in a shitty neighborhood."
"You have digital surveillance in place on her current residence? Or am I hanging out in the wind?"
Eric laughed. "We have digital, outside only. She refused to invade her neighbors' privacy and pitched a fit about installing cameras in the building."
I scowled. "Wonderful." It made my actual mission of getting her away from Richardson easier, but even I knew how risky that sort of respect for others could be in a position like hers.
The meeting wrapped up in time for me to grab a shower at the hotel, and get changed into the nondescript dark gray suit I picked up earlier. Right on time, I checked in with the office, completed comm checks, and took over my post.
The man on shift before me briefed me on the day, and the plans for the evening. "She just arrived home. She's planning to stay put, but the Senator usually has something else in mind."
And just like that, I had my target.
Chapter five
Relieved to have the day finished, I kicked off my heels the instant the door closed behind me. My little apartment welcomed me like a safe cocoon, closing out the world of politics and social climbing. The phone rang before I managed to get out of my dress.
I answered, still fussing with the zipper. "Hi, Jared. How was your day?" He called every day when he made it home from the office. The habit charmed me in the beginning. Now, it normally just served as a way for him to make some fresh demand.
"Hello, darling. I trust your meetings with Mrs. Tulley went well?" Same old Jared, always getting right down to business.
I swallowed a sigh. Just once, it would be nice to hear he missed me, or something like that. Anything but just business. "Yes, it went very well. We were able to decide on all the focal pieces, and chose most of the accent works, as well."
"Excellent. I'll be over in an hour to pick you up. Wear the pale blue cocktail dress."
This time I didn't hide the sigh. "Jared, I told you I was going to have a quiet evening at home."
His half-snort said exactly how much value he placed on my plans. "Nonsense, darling. We've been invited to an impromptu gathering. Several of the senior party leaders will be there, and a Supreme Court Justice. I can't miss this opportunity. Be ready in an hour." He ended the call before I had a chance to object.
The urge to throw the phone nearly overpowered my better judgement, but at the last instant, I laid it carefully on the counter and went on toward my room. The zipper finally gave, and I managed to slip out of my dress. Yoga pants and an oversized tee sounded like absolute heaven right now, but I had to take a rain check. Again.
All too aware of Jared's habit of being ten minutes early for everything, I rushed to freshen up in the bathroom, and reapplied my makeup. My hair was a lost cause. I ended up just brushing it out, and went for a very simple bun. Jared preferred I wear it in a more elaborate style, but he would just have to deal.
Luckily, the dress Jared wanted me to wear just came back from the cleaners. As I struggled to pull the dress on, the doorbell buzzed. If he were going to be so early, the least he could do was help get the darn thing fastened.
"Since you're early, help me with this…" The words trailed off as my brain registered the man standing in my door. Not Jared. Definitely not Jared. Cobalt blue eyes raked over my body and heat flared instantly through my body. Oh. Shit! I spun around. "Oh, my G
od!"
He cleared his throat. "Um, Miss Johnson? I'm Mike Ross, from McKinley Security. Just wanted to let you know I'm right outside if you need anything."
I took a deep shuddering breath, absolutely certain I was going to self-combust from sheer embarrassment. "I am so sorry! I was expecting my fiancé, Senator Richardson."
A low chuckle rumbled behind me, before he cut if off abruptly. "You certainly have nothing to apologize for, Miss Johnson. I'll, uh, just be outside."
"Wait!" I needed to be ready by the time Jared arrived. "Would you mind? I can't reach the zipper, and the hooks are impossible." Good Lord, what was I thinking, asking some strange man to help me dress? Well, he was from the security people.
"Of course. Just let me know when you're ready." That voice, silk over gravel, did something to my pulse I couldn't think about.
I pulled the stupid dress into place, this time making sure my breasts were actually covered. "Okay." The sheer stupidity of the situation struck me, but I forced it out of my mind. Jared would be pleased to find me entirely ready for a change. It would help me avoid an argument, or at the very least, snide remarks.
Warm fingers skated over the skin of my lower back, raising goosebumps. I suppressed a shiver and stood patiently while he inched the zipper up. And then, oh my God, he brushed between my shoulder blades and fastened the first hook. Six more times. By the time he finished, my face was flushed, and not from embarrassment anymore.
"I think that's got it. Can I help with anything else?" The timbre of his voice was decidedly lower.
I already missed the warmth of his touch, as I turned back to face him. "I'm good now. Thank you, Mr. Ross." Jared's hands were always cold. I fought the urge to compare any further. Nothing good could come from that.
"You can call me Trick." A quick smile flashed across his face, gone almost too soon to see it. "Glad to help. I'm right outside." He left, closing my door behind him, and leaving me standing there, wondering what kind of craziness had overcome me.
Curiosity flared. What kind of name was Trick? I tried to come up with possibilities as I found the shoes that went with the dress. Maybe he wanted to be a magician as a kid? Or he had a short career as a trick rider in a circus? Okay, that exhausted my list of why someone might be called Trick. I probably shouldn't refer to him by a nickname, even in my thoughts, but it seemed more fitting than his real name.
Male voices rumbled outside my door as I put my earrings on. I quickly picked out Jared's harder, more demanding tone, and mentally braced myself. It seemed he'd met the new bodyguard, and he didn't sound exactly thrilled.
My door buzzed, and I grabbed my purse and opened it, ready to leave.
"Just a moment, darling. Ross, I know you're new on this assignment, but you can take my word for it. I will guarantee Miss Johnson's safety for the rest of the evening. You may…go do whatever it is that you do." Jared's imperious tone grated on my nerves.
Trick's cobalt gaze flicked to me, then back to Jared, and his mouth tightened. "With all due respect, Senator Richardson, I wouldn't presume to tell you how to be a Senator. I'm new on this detail, but not in this business. If things go badly, your man will be all over you. You won't have the opportunity to worry about Miss Johnson's safety. That's what you're paying McKinley Security for. I stay."
Jared's lip lifted in an ugly sneer, one I'd come to recognize as a warning, right before he lost his temper. "How dare you? Leave, or I'll have you pulled off this cushy job so fast your head will spin."
Torn between defending Trick, and making sure I didn't take the brunt of Jared's anger, I stood in nervous silence.
Trick raised one dark brow. "Sir, have you ever worked private security? Covering a target that comes under fire?" He paused, as if to wait for an answer, then went on. "I didn't think so. Well, I have. How about you just trust me when I say it gets crazy? Or ask your own man. Here's the thing. She's a target, just by virtue of her relationship to you. If anyone wants to hurt you, not kill you, they're going to come after her. I will stop anything that tries to reach her. Nothing gets through me. I'm staying."
Jared's face went dark red with the force of his anger, and his fists clenched at his sides. He looked even angrier than after some of our arguments. "Do you have any clue the kind of power I have?"
Trick grinned. "I sure do. Do you have any clue the kind of power I have? I know men who make things that go bump in the night look like dust bunnies. And most of them owe me."
"Is that a threat?" Jared practically vibrated, probably with the need to hit something.
How could Trick stand there, smiling, in the face of such rage? "Not at all. It's simply for your information. It's important for elected officials to make informed decisions, don't you think? And by the way, your man downstairs just let me know you were due to leave five minutes ago. I'd hate for you to be late to an important event."
Jared fumed a moment longer, then suddenly calmed, and turned to me. "Ready, darling?"
I held back my sigh of relief. "Yes, dear." I took his arm, and let him lead me out. As I passed Trick at the door, he winked at me!
We rode in silence, allowing me time to think. What kind of man had the audacity to play games with someone like Jared? Or was Trick simply not smart enough to realize the danger? No, I didn't think that for a second. Sharp intelligence flashed in those striking blue eyes. That man knew exactly what he was doing. The question was, why? I wasn't sure I liked it, but seeing someone get the better of Jared made for a nice change. Few people dared tell him no.
The DC evening slid past the windows in a blur. When I first came to town, I could hardly contain my wonder at all the historical sites and monuments, especially lit up for the night. Maybe I had become jaded in the two years since, but it no longer held the same sense of awe for me.
In the front seat, the man who was apparently on duty for Jared tonight drove, while Trick sat in the passenger seat, alert and coiled with tension. I had the distinct impression this man was even more dangerous than he'd implied in his warning to Jared. Once more, I wondered what warranted having someone guard me all the time.
"Jared, I meant to ask, has there been some sort of threat? I know you wanted someone with me when I'm out, but surely I'm safe at home?"
Jared sighed, as if it were the last thing he wanted to discuss. "I wasn't going to worry you with it, but it seems someone has been watching you recently."
My stomach flipped over and my heart jumped into my throat. "How do you know?"
"Someone sent me a photo of you. You were walking down the street, unaware of the photographer." He patted my hand. "It's really just a precaution. I don't think anyone would harm you."
"Well, obviously you thought enough of it to have me watched more. It would have been nice to know so I could be more aware of my surroundings." My voice rose a little with the last few syllables, betraying my fear.
"Now, calm down, darling." He patted my hand again, as if I were a child, or an idiot.
"Jared! You just said someone is watching me, taking pictures! Normal people do not do that." I leaned forward a little, to speak directly to Trick. "Thank you for insisting on staying. I feel much safer knowing someone is protecting me." I fought to still the tremor in my limbs.
Trick inclined his head slightly in my direction. "You're very welcome, Miss Johnson."
"You're overreacting, Darling. That's exactly why I didn't tell you to begin with. I'm sure it's nothing." Jared's tone, probably meant to soothe me, set my teeth on edge instead.
"Don't be condescending, Jared. If it were nothing, you would have done nothing." Alarm coursed through me, stronger with each thought.
"I take your safety seriously. Even though an actual threat is extremely unlikely, I didn't want to take chances." He patted my hand, yet again, threatening my ability to control myself. "Any real threat will be directed towards me. You're perfectly safe, even without this man's dubious skills, especially when you're with me. I will keep you safe."
Mild confusion furrowed his brow. "Trick? Who is that?"
In my panic, I'd referred to my bodyguard by his nickname, exactly as I'd feared I might.
"I am." He turned in his seat. "I use a call name with my clients, so if they need me, I have no doubt who's speaking. I asked Miss Johnson to use that name instead of my real one. And she is absolutely correct." He glanced to the other guard, who nodded confirmation, even though he remained silent. He'd been around Jared long enough to know nothing good came from opposing him.
Jared made an exasperated noise. "This is just perfect. I'm trying to calm her down, you idiot. I don't appreciate you asking my fiancée to call you by some cutesy nickname, either."
Trick grinned. "If you think it's cute, I won't tell you how I earned it, then. Lying to her about the threat is not doing her any favors. She needs to be aware of the danger, so she can be alert and ready to respond in an emergency."
"Oh, great. Suddenly, you're not only a meathead intended to put yourself in front of a bullet meant for someone else, you're an expert on women." Jared's anger had reached the boiling point, but I was too frightened to really care.
"Leave him alone. At least he actually knows how to speak to me respectfully." The sharp crack of Jared's hand across my cheek stunned me to silence.
"You're hysterical, darling. Take a deep breath, and get hold of yourself."
Tears of pain filled my eyes and blurred my vision. He was right. I tried to follow his orders. When my sight cleared a little, the anger on Trick's face took my breath. He stared at Jared, as if waiting for him to make another move to harm me. In that moment, I had no doubt, I could trust Trick with my life.
Chapter six
