Chapter 2 #2
The company installed custom security systems and provided personal protection to the wealthy around West Oaks. Their clientele was elite and filthy rich, so Bennett must’ve been making a mint off the fees. As his swanky headquarters showed.
If Devon hadn’t known, he wouldn’t have guessed his boss had been Army Special Forces.
“Yes,” Bennett said into the phone, “make sure she has a detail twenty-four-seven. If West Oaks PD can’t provide it, I want to know. If anyone from the Syndicate so much as farts in her direction, I want to know.” A pause. “Of course, I’m being demanding. Who do you think I am?”
Bennett said goodbye and ended his phone call. Then he came around to the front of his desk and leaned against it.
Devon sat up straighter. “What can I do for you, sir?”
Bennett regarded him for a moment. “I like you, Whitestone. You seem like the sort of man I can trust with something sensitive. Do you think that’s fair?”
“Yes, sir. Of course.”
Bennett nodded. “You remind me of myself when I was younger. You want to prove yourself. And you want to take care of the people close to you.”
Bennett knew a little about his personal history and his family situation. Though Devon doubted that Bennett could truly understand the financial pressure he was under.
“I hope so.”
He’d been lucky to get this job in the first place. The commanding officer of Devon’s unit of Army Rangers had also been an old friend of Bennett’s. When Devon got his discharge, his commander passed on a strong reference.
A lot of former military worked for this office, which was a sensible move on Bennett’s part. With those who had their level of training, Bennett would know what to expect, and he’d know that the job would get done.
“You also have a sister, correct?” Bennett asked.
“Yes, Ruby is my younger sister. And I have a niece as well. Haley.” She was six months old.
“Of course, I remember. I called you in today to ask a favor. For me, personally. My own younger sister is in trouble, and I’d do anything to ensure her safety. I need someone close by, someone I can count on. I think that person is you.”
Devon opened his mouth, but Bennett held up his hand. “Before you accept this assignment, I need to make a few things…explicit. You heard about the murder at The Lighthouse Club last night? A young woman witnessed it.”
“That was your sister? A witness to some mob hit?” Devon blurted without thinking. He clamped his jaw shut. Damn, he really was tired. He wasn’t in top form today.
But Bennett didn’t seem to hold the outburst against him. “That’s right. My sister Aurora was the witness. She’d tried to text me, and I missed it at first. Thank god she triggered the silent alarm. I don’t want to think about what could’ve happened otherwise.”
He rubbed the skin between his eyes. “Turns out, the people she saw take out Brandon Wolfson came in from LA. The Silverlake Syndicate. They’re organized crime, and they don’t fool around.
I need to know that Aurora is protected at all times.
I was just on the phone with the Assistant District Attorney about a police detail for her.
They’ve promised that her identity will remain sealed for as long as possible.
But it’s entirely feasible this will get out.
And if that happens, I don’t want those thugs anywhere near her. ”
So, this would be a bodyguard assignment. Not Devon’s usual role. In fact, it was a promotion. He felt pride that Bennett would choose him. Excitement made his nerves sing.
But Devon’s mother wouldn’t like it. She’d freak if she found out. Maybe Ruby would, too.
He wanted this assignment, though. For the first time in weeks, he felt completely awake.
“Would your family be okay with that?” Bennett probably saw the uncertainty on Devon’s face.
“I could make it work. May I ask for more details?”
“Of course. You shouldn’t take this decision lightly.
You would be staying close to my sister until the DA is able to make an arrest and get my sister’s testimony on the record.
I don’t know how long exactly that would take.
It could be a week or two. It could be a month.
Perhaps even longer if we think the Syndicate plans to retaliate.
I’ll have a remote team here at the office watching the cameras twenty-four-seven, and you would have time off whenever I can arrange suitable backup for you. But I’m talking about extended hours.”
Which would mean extra pay. Devon was already thinking about his savings account balance and how much this could add to the nest egg he was building up for his mom’s new house.
“But that’s not all,” Bennett went on. “My sister is… How can I put this? Spirited. She’s much younger than me, not far out of college.
She doesn’t like me getting involved in her business, even though she clearly needs my help.
So, until I can convince her otherwise, she can’t know that you’re working for me.
She can’t know that you’re there to protect her at all.
You’ll have a cover story. She’s never met you before, so that helps. ”
“But how close are we talking? To be frank, I’m not the best liar. That’s what the other guys tell me, at least.” His Ranger buddies had loved to give him hell about how uptight he was.
His boss laughed. “And that’s what I like about you. You’re a straight shooter. Just what I need. But don’t worry. You would be staying in the apartment next door to hers. Close enough to keep an eye on her, but there would be no need for a lot of conversation.”
“But why me? If you don’t mind me asking, sir. I’ve been warming a desk lately.” Devon didn’t want to lose this opportunity, but he didn’t feel that he was the best fit, from what his boss had explained so far.
Send him into a war zone to help seize an enemy airfield? He’d know what to do. This was an undercover operation among civilians. He was no spy.
“You’re up on your training, though? You’ve put in your time at the range?”
“Yes.”
Bennett crossed his legs at the ankles, gazing into the distance for a moment. “Like I said, you remind me of myself. You keep a cool head under pressure. You care about your family more than anything else.”
“Yes, sir,” Devon responded softly.
“And you’re not a womanizer. Yes, I’ve noticed. I pay attention to my employees. In fact, that leads into my last requirement—that you keep a certain distance. I need to know, with absolute certainty, that you can keep things completely professional around Aurora.”
“Professional? I’m not sure what you mean.”
Actually, Devon was pretty sure he did know what Bennett meant. But he was a little shocked that Bennett was even suggesting it.
The man’s keen eyes said that he sensed Devon’s thoughts and didn’t give a shit about causing offense.
“Let me be clear, Whitestone. Unless you’re actively shielding her from an assailant, you’d better keep your hands off my sister.
That goes for every other part of you, too.
Unless you want to lose them.” The man’s eyes bored into his. “I assume that won’t be a problem?”
“No, sir. No problem whatsoever.”
Devon thought the secrecy was a little weird, and that his boss didn’t need to worry about his professionalism. But in Bennet’s shoes, he might’ve been asking for the same thing where Ruby was concerned. Especially after that piece of shit ex had left Ruby pregnant and in the lurch.
“Excellent. I expected no less. If you handle this job well, you’ll have a very bright future with Bennett Security. Fuck it up?”
The rest went unsaid. His ass would be toast.
But Devon was, through and through, a man who believed in duty. He would sooner cut off his own balls than mess around with his commanding officer’s sister.
Bennett extended his hand, and they shook.