Finding Shelter (Steel Security #1)

Chapter One

It had to be a concert. That was all Kash could think as he pushed his way through the massive crowd.

Kash’s cousin, Steel, had offered Kash this gig.

Steel owned a chain of security offices around the country, supplying bodyguards and various other security services to people in need.

Since Steel was a cousin from his dad’s side of the family, they really hadn’t gotten to know each other before Kash went looking for any family he might have when he turned eighteen.

But when Steel had called, saying he was shorthanded and needed Kash’s help, Kash accepted.

Family helped family. Since Kash needed to get out of sight for a while anyhow, the opportunity had come at the perfect time.

Kash couldn’t claim Steel hadn’t warned him ahead of time.

Bodyguard for a rockstar’s dad hadn’t sounded horrible, except for the part where said rockstar was Kash’s ex.

Still, Kash hadn’t expected to see Valon this soon, if at all.

Valon’s band Backlash was currently on tour.

Since they were in their hometown, it made sense for Valon’s father, Ledger, to be here.

At Valon’s concert. Backstage. Fuck his life.

He hoped with all his being that Ledger wanted to head out before the crowd dispersed and made traffic a nightmare. Preferably before Valon left the stage.

The venue’s security escorted him through the mob of people toward where Ledger hid to watch the show.

Kash’s feet slowed as he neared the stage.

He couldn’t stop himself from pausing to stare.

There he was. Valon had really done it. He was a star.

Kash’s throat swelled as he listened to the crowd singing along.

Wow. Valon had to be on top of the world with thousands of people here just for him.

Even though it had cost him everything, Kash had wanted this for him.

He supposed they kind of hated each other now.

Valon’s eyes slid his way. He stopped dead, going completely silent. The band stopped playing ten seconds behind him. Confused chatter rolled through the building.

A bright smile lit Valon’s face. “Holy shit. Is it really you?”

The crowd followed Valon’s line of sight. All heads turned his way along with a spotlight. Goddamn it. So much for slipping quietly away from his old life.

Now wasn’t the time to rage. A microphone was shoved in his face. Kash smiled and spoke through gritted teeth. “Yeah.”

Valon moved to the edge of the stage and sat, forcing security to pool in one place and work double time to hold back the crowd.

Valon’s gaze never wavered from Kash. He pointed at Kash while turning his attention to the crowd. “This was my best friend all through high school, Kash. Say hi, Kash.” He focused on Kash again with an evil-looking smile stretching his lips.

Wanting to throttle Valon wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling, but he hadn’t missed it. “Hi.”

Valon shook his head. “I’m blown away to see you here. How have you been?”

Kash had to pry his back teeth apart to answer. He saw the wicked glint in Valon’s eyes. He enjoyed Kash’s irritation. “Good. Looks as if you have been too.” There, they could stop this, and Valon could get back to what everyone paid him to do.

Valon glanced around, speaking to the crowd again. “Did you guys know this is who convinced me to drop out of college and pursue my dreams?”

Whistles and cheers nearly stole Kash’s hearing.

Valon stood. “That’s why I’m stupid. Good seeing you.” Valon burst into song, picking up right where he had left off as he danced away.

Kash shook his head and let security lead the way. Maybe Steel had known what he was doing after all. First reunion complete, saving Kash from drama. He supposed it could have gone worse. With any luck, he wouldn’t have to talk to him again.

Kash had thought way too much about seeing Ledger again.

He was almost shocked speechless as Ledger came into sight.

The salt and pepper hair Kash remembered was now solid white.

His white beard was neatly trimmed. Ledger’s shirt strained at the biceps, fighting for its life against Ledger’s bulging muscles.

While Ledger had always kept in shape, this was a whole new level.

Kash’s surprise turned him dumb. “Why do you need me? Look at you.” He spoke as loudly as he could to be heard while simultaneously hoping Ledger didn’t hear.

Ledger turned at the statement. The first moment of surprise—hopefully—gave away his true feelings.

Happiness lit his navy eyes before immediately turning baffled.

“Hey!” He met Kash halfway, out of sight of the stage, and hugged Kash.

The way he slapped Kash across the back felt exactly like a grown man trying to burp another grown man.

Kash had all sorts of dumb thoughts, hoping to stop the huge, super-idiotic one from coming through—like how it felt a little too amazing in Ledger’s arms. He might have had a few daddy issues in his life. Kash wasn’t ashamed.

Ledger pulled away, but he didn’t let go of Kash. He held Kash’s shoulders and studied him. “Damn. You’ve changed.”

Kash couldn’t deny it. The last time Ledger saw him, Kash had thirty pounds less muscle and only two tattoos. Now that ink covered his entire torso and arms. “I’ve changed? Look at you.”

Ledger took a step back. “Yeah, well.” He cleared his throat. “Why are you back here? That sounded rude, but you know what I mean. Obviously, I heard Valon talking to you just now, but I thought maybe you were just here to see the show.”

It was as if a smile had been permanently etched on his face.

Kash made a dismissive gesture. “I get what you mean. I’m not easily offended, but I’m surprised Steel didn’t give you a heads-up.

He’s assigned me to be your bodyguard.” He had to yell every word to be heard.

It was loud as hell backstage. Kash watched the horror and confusion grow in Ledger’s expression as Kash’s words sank in before an uncomfortable-looking smile took over.

Kash couldn’t take it. He rushed to fix things.

“If you’re not okay with me, you absolutely can ask for someone else.

I’ll call Steel and tell him to make the switch.

Hell, I don’t even know why I was sent here. It looks like you can handle yourself.”

The discomfort vanished. Ledger became the man Kash remembered.

“No. You caught me off guard, but this is actually perfect. I fought pretty hard against Valon on the whole bodyguard thing. I mean, I’m just some old man.

But I know you, and that makes things a lot more comfortable for me.

It’ll just be like it used to be with you always under my roof. ”

Ledger did not sound comfortable, nor had it been comfortable under Ledger’s roof.

At least not toward the end there, but Ledger looked determined.

Kash didn’t know what to do next, but calling Steel made the most sense.

Ledger had always gone above and beyond for him.

Kash wouldn’t put him in this position. Not again.

Goddamn. That was all Ledger could think.

Kash looked amazing and bitter as hell. Damn.

Ledger had truly hoped Kash disappearing into the world meant he was somewhere healed from all this.

Considering everything about Kash screamed angry bad boy, it didn’t seem as if time had changed anything.

Surely Valon had to know Steel Security planned to send Kash.

Maybe he had even arranged for that, considering how angry Ledger had been over the guard thing.

No matter how many angles he looked at things, he couldn’t imagine this being a good idea.

He motioned for Kash to come sit with him in the chairs set up on the side stage, where they could watch out of sight from the crowd.

Ledger shouted over his shoulder as he went.

“Come on. The show is almost over.” What would happen then?

He had been told his bodyguard would live with him.

At least until some shit died down. The plan was that new guards would come in on rotation to give his personal guard a break, but Steel hadn’t said shit about that full-time guard being his son’s ex.

Of course, it was very likely Steel hadn’t known they knew each other.

Either way, Ledger needed the excuse of watching the concert to take a moment to process.

Kash had offered to get someone else. The suggestion had immediately punched Ledger in the chest. Then Kash had nervously rambled, certain Ledger wanted nothing to do with him, and he couldn’t let Kash walk away thinking Ledger hated him.

He didn’t. While it was Ledger’s job to always take Valon’s side, this was one place where utter confusion existed alongside so much gray area he couldn’t see.