Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Wouldn’t it be easier if her father just rented the whole theater and restaurant? Sounds as if he could afford it.”
“That is exactly what he wanted to do. But she wants to do a normal birthday like her other friends. Go to the theater and sit with everyone. Eat pizza with other parties going on around her. ‘Be normal,’ she told her father. Luckily, it’s only a dozen kids. We prebought the seats in the theater, including those around her, made sure the lanes beside hers are being used by our people, and booked the party room at the bowling alley for the pizza and dancing. That was as far as her dad was willing to go, and she accepted it. She gets out, and he has a little peace of mind. At least as much as he can have with a teenager.”
Sofia smiled. “Sounds like a good party. Nothing extravagant.”
“No, nothing over the top. She is amazingly grounded for someone who could be spoiled. But it is what she wanted. Her friends won’t know that some of the other people around them are bodyguards. Or that they’re being watched as carefully as they are. The parents do, but we agreed to keep it on the down-low so Iona—the daughter—and her friends can have a fun time.”
“Will you watch the movie? Bowl? Eat pizza?”
I shook my head. “I’ll watch her and the crowd in the theater. The same at the bowling alley. I’ll always be on my guard, keeping an eye on her. Not eating popcorn or pizza and not bowling.”
“What if she wanted you to?”
I frowned. “I highly doubt that. She is used to bodyguards, so she wouldn’t expect me to join in the fun.” I shuddered. “I hope.”
Sofia laughed at my discomfort. “What if I wanted to go to a movie and out for pizza? Or go bowling?” she asked, looking mischievous.
I leaned close. “I would take you in a heartbeat. But I warn you, I am an excellent bowler, and just because I love you, I won’t give you special treatment. I play to win. And I wouldn’t share my popcorn.”
“Even if I asked nicely?” she whispered.
I groaned, leaning my forehead to hers. “Dammit, woman, you know I would. I would give you anything you asked me for.”
“I thought so. So a movie and bowling night?”
“I would prefer to dress up and go to dinner. Somewhere I can show you off and then take you dancing. Hold you in my arms.”
“We can do both. Some fun nights, some dress-up nights.”
“Perfect.” I paused. “But…”
“I know, you want to be cautious until you’re sure that gangster guy is gone.”
“Damien will probably have something for me in a couple of days.”
“Then we can just hang out here.” She nudged my leg with her foot. “I’m sure you can come up with something to keep us busy, Egan.”
I grabbed her leg, pulling her close. She squealed and giggled as I tugged her onto my lap. I covered her mouth with mine.
“I’m sure I can.”
Leo grinned at me. “You look happy.”
I grinned back. “I am.”
“Finally convinced Sofia to give you a chance?”
She’d given me much more than a chance, but I kept that to myself. “Yes.”
“Congrats. You make a great couple.”
“So, who is this new client?”
“I’ve only spoken to his assistant, which isn’t unusual. He’s in town for meetings and needs security. Your name was brought up.”
I looked at the file. The name Roman Brock meant nothing to me. “What kind of business?”
“Import/export, according to the assistant. I looked it up. Not much to see. Started overseas. Has a warehouse here for distribution. According to what I could find, he makes trips here often. In fact, he does a lot of traveling.”
“Has he used security before?”
“He has his own, but according to his assistant, he usually adds a local.”
I shook my head. “So basically a hired gun for a day?”
He pushed a contract my way. “An expensive one.”
I whistled at the dollar figure. “That’s what you quoted them?”
“That was their offer. I’m not going to argue with the client.”
I crossed my legs, frowning. “Seems awfully high for a day of me standing close. Why not just add another member to his team? He must trust his security leader. Why a stranger?” I pushed at the contract. “And why so much? Is he worried about an attack? Has he been threatened?”
“I asked the same questions. He said this is Mr. Brock’s usual protocol. He prefers an unknown bodyguard. Someone not involved with him or his business added to his team during a trip. He explained that we had been recommended and to ask for you specifically. He assures me although this man is wealthy, there are no threats. Mr. Brock is cautious and always brings extra security to meetings with new clients as a precaution. It’s only one day. You’d be on the clock from six a.m. to eleven p.m. His last meeting is at nine and in his hotel. Once he is safely back in his room, you’re done. You’ll go with him to five different meetings. The fee is higher because it is short notice and they assumed I would be pulling you from another job.” He pushed a file my way. “I ran him through our system. He is legit.”