6. Chapter 6
Chapter six
Galen
Not every day ya get to meet a god. Bring him a cuppa, Joe. Maybe he won’t smite me on mah first day .
Galen hoped Professor Lieth was a down-to-earth bloke, unlike some of the wankers on the board. He chuckled to himself as he stood in the queue at the coffee shop. Usually, he’d wait until later in the morning for his first cuppa, but today, he wanted to make a good impression. Galen had been secretly following Professor Lieth for weeks, and today would be first contact.
Galen had only worked with the company for a year. Hell, he had only provided security for Ms. Dea on one occasion, and it was the night she vanished. He was usually security for the other board members, and nothing much happened. The security crew had their favorites and would assign each “asset” a codename. Ms. Dea was “Venus,” which Galen thought was lazy and shite, but it had been in place for decades. Among the bodyguards, they had a lottery to name Professor Lieth. After suggesting “the Unicorn,” Galen had won the pool. He was being cheeky, but the codename stuck, so now Galen was assigned to Operation Unicorn.
Climbing into the limo, Galen secured the coffee in the cup holder before reviewing Professor Lieth’s file again. Crikey––twenty-five and already holds two doctorates from Yale in twentieth-century literature and anthropology. Galen had always struggled in school. He only made it through with the help of his twin sister Amara, who was the brains in the family. He’d dreamed of attending university alongside Amara, but rugby was his way out of their wop-wops hometown, achieving stardom on the New Zealand All Blacks national rugby team. At age eighteen, he was on his way to becoming a national hero. He missed playing, and it was his first love. Once a rugger, always a rugger! He’d tried to watch American football but found it grotty. He could do without the dancing and celebrations after making minor plays.
He’d hoped to make rugby his career, but life had other plans for him––including the military at age twenty-three in the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment. Special Forces training and four tours in Afghanistan didn’t prepare him for many jobs except to be a mercenary or private security for posh clientele. The exceptional pay PGC offered was mint, which helped him pay for Amara’s care. Galen understood his job was to be a blunt instrument that protected the Unicorn at all costs. Lethal force was always an option. Contrary to the recruiting slogans, the military didn’t train its recruits to be peacekeepers. His training had given him the skills to identify, target, and eliminate threats. He was an excellent marksman, proficient in hand-to-hand combat, and skilled with various weapons.
Looking at Professor Lieth’s picture stirred jealousy and pity in Galen. The Unicorn was skux—a handsome, stylish, determined, and goal-oriented bloke who made his dreams a reality. The bloke wakes up one day and is a god. Who has such luck? Unlike the uber-wealthy Ms. Dea, whom everyone feared, the Unicorn had lived a life built on hard work. Galen respected this, but the Unicorn was as innocent as a lamb in the lion’s den. Ignorance may be bliss, but it could get the Unicorn killed––and Galen had to ensure he survived.
He envied Professor Lieth for having a partner to share his life. A fit bloke, if truth be told. Galen had observed Danyal and the Unicorn together. A blind man could see they loved each other, but relationships complicated Galen’s job. If his high-profile clients weren’t divas, their partners undoubtedly could be. Galen had no illusions; keeping Danyal safe was only secondary.
Relationships while in the military and private security were rare. All the moving around, odd shifts, secrets, and last-minute trips would take their toll on any couple. Galen had no time for relationships as he was to shadow the Unicorn during all waking hours, usually sixteen-hour days. Another security crew member, Templeton, covered the night shift. Galen liked the day shift because it allowed him to see unfamiliar places, and the premium pay certainly didn’t hurt.
Galen had mapped out the Unicorn’s daily routine, looking for potential vulnerabilities. His job as Adjunct Professor at Starling University provided his biggest concern. The punters were out in full force on campus; crowds of hundreds of students made it more challenging to observe and intervene. Galen snickered at the thought of getting the Unicorn his own Popemobile to shuttle him around campus, waving to the masses. Galen would have to negotiate with Professor Lieth about how close he wanted him to be during lectures, office hours, and staff meetings. Keeping the Unicorn safe in the university environment was going to be a monumental feat.
Galen’s planning was interrupted by the limo stopping at their destination. Taking a deep breath, he exited the limo and entered the three-story, baby blue-colored apartment building. Stopping at the lift to check the security code, Galen shook his head as the lift keypad was broken. That meant the place was wide open to hostiles to enter with no resistance, and would have to be fixed. Otherwise, he might as well hang a sign on the door with his schedule and the best times to be assaulted.
Galen sprinted up the stairs, checking for blind spots and security risks. Fifteen seconds was all it took to storm the third floor; fifteen seconds too quick for Galen. The stair doors at least needed to be locked to delay access. He walked out of the entrance to the third floor and looked at his watch. Cripes, he’d arrived early. Don’t be the prat that disturbs a god. Walk it off. Don’t get smited on yur first day! Galen stepped past the door to 3A to ensure the hallway was secure, and to survey the surroundings. Turning back towards the elevator, the Unicorn and Danyal exited the apartment hurriedly.
“Gidday, Professor Lieth and Mr. Sarif. It’s a cracker of a day outside,” said Galen. He immediately recognized his greeting had startled the unsuspecting pair. “Sorry, mates, didn’t mean to startle ya. Mah name is Galen Tucker. Leader of yur security detail.”
“Good day indeed, Mr. Tucker,” said the Unicorn hesitantly. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to be waiting for us.”
“Mah bad, sir.”
“I told Mr. Brynmor I wanted nothing to do with PGC. That also includes not wanting any security skulking around after me,” said the Unicorn.
Galen was instantly annoyed. He was merely the messenger. If the Unicorn had his knickers in a bind, he should call customer service and complain. He was starting to feel more like a babysitter to the Unicorn, rather than security for a god.
Galen took a deep breath before responding, “Only the messenger, sir. Gotta job to do. Will be following for yur safety with or without yur consent.”
The Unicorn was built, but he didn’t pose a physical threat to Galen. He could see that behind the Unicorn’s eyes lurked a brain that was locked and loaded with intelligence. Galen was ill-equipped for a battle of wits today. From the scowl on Danyal’s face, Galen could tell he was being sized up. He knew he needed to be careful around Danyal––an alpha never likes a new threat in their territory.
Danyal responded, “I’ll protect Alex. I suggest you find somewhere else to be, Mr. Tucker. I’ll call the authorities if you don’t back off.”
Galen laughed internally, not acknowledging Danyal’s remarks. The Unicorn was his client. Galen quickly weighed his options in order to defuse the situation.
“Yur transportation service has arrived, mates.” Maybe being useful was a more tactical approach than getting into an argument.
“Transportation service?” asked the Unicorn.
“Yah. My job is always to shadow ya when yu’re out in public. Sorting a ride for ya is included.”
“We’re running behind today, but the bus will be fine,” said the Unicorn.
Galen rolled with the resistance; he knew he needed to make it seem like the Unicorn’s idea.
“10/4, sir. I’ll ride the bus with ya.”
The Unicorn looked at Danyal and said, “Can you get us both to work on time, Mr. Tucker?”
“Route is already mapped out. Driver ready to go.”
“I wish there was time to get coffee on the way. I rarely drink it, but I must admit I need some liquid inspiration today,” said the Unicorn.
“Coffee is waiting for ya. Mocha latte, grande, extra hot, and extra whipped cream. Mr. Sarif, there’s a traditional Turkish brew for ya.”
“Mr. Tucker, I’m not sure if I should be impressed or concerned,” said the Unicorn.
“No need, sir. Social media keeps no secrets.”
Danyal continued to glare intensely at Galen without speaking. Galen chuckled inside again as he watched Danyal mark his territory. Down, boy, no one here is interested in your property.
“Please ignore him, Mr. Tucker. He’s a little grumpy this morning. He tells me often that in Turkey, they have a saying––a cup of coffee commits one to forty years of friendship.”
Score!
“Looking forward to our professional relationship, sir,” said Galen as he motioned towards the stairs. He was amused. Danyal placed himself between the Unicorn and Galen as they descended the stairs.
Walking out the front door to the apartment building, Galen could see by the look of surprise on the Unicorn’s and Danyal’s faces that the shiny black stretch limo was a new experience for them. The limo hadn’t been Galen’s choice. Too flashy and painted a target for inquiring eyes in this neighborhood. But PGC had demanded it, trying to lure the Unicorn in with honey. After Galen opened the door for them, the three men stepped inside and sipped their coffees.
Galen turned to the driver and said they were all secured and ready to leave for the university and Excalibur Café.
“Excellent coffee,” said Danyal reluctantly. “It’s hard to find good Turkish coffee in Boston.”
“Cheers!” said Galen as he raised his coffee. “First time in a limo?” Small talk was hard for Galen, but he wanted to make a good impression.
“Yes, I’ve only seen them up close at charity functions at Starling University,” said the Unicorn.
“Is it everything ya imagined?” asked Galen.
The Unicorn chuckled and placed his hand on Danyal’s knee before leaning over and giving him a peck on the cheek, and then asked if Galen could give them some privacy on their way home.
Galen’s face flushed at the suggestion, but the Unicorn had potentially committed to another ride––a minor victory. He turned to look out the window to prevent his fellow passengers from seeing his embarrassment. Public displays of affection had always made him uncomfortable. It was best to keep private lives behind closed doors. But apparently the Unicorn was comfortable with PDAs. Gummon! Get a room, mates.
Galen was relieved it was a short drive to their first destination: Starling University. Exiting the limo, Galen observed the Unicorn kiss Danyal. He could feel Danyal’s eyes burning a hole through him as he closed the limo door. Galen and the Unicorn walked in silence across the Starling University campus. The number of people around concerned Galen; combatants could launch an attack from any angle in the crowd.
Trying to establish the rules of engagement, Galen asked, “There a problem with me sitting in the back of yur class?”
The Unicorn took a lengthy pause before responding.
“I’m not agreeing to anything permanent, Mr. Tucker. But I’ll get you the syllabus and reading list if you want to follow along for the lecture today.”
“That’d be choice, sir,” responded Galen, even though he doubted the Unicorn’s conviction.
“I’ll lend you the books––but promise me you won’t call me ‘sir’ in front of a room full of hormonal nineteen-year-old students.”
“Noted, sir. Don’t embarrass the professor on mah first day at university. That’s mah promise, scout’s honor.”
“Your accent and dialect are fascinating. Is it Australian?” asked the Unicorn.
“No, New Zealand.” Fuckin’ idiot. Americans were always clueless about Kiwis being different from Aussies.
“New Zealand was my second guess. I bet you’re a hit with the ladies.”
“No time for relationships, sir. Job keeps me busy.”
“I apologize, Mr. Tucker, for being too personal so soon after meeting. Please feel free to tell me when I’m being intrusive.”
Galen nodded curtly. “All good, sir.”
Mind yur own frigging business, mate. Not everyone wants to put their business out on display like ya. Stop being a dickhead.