Elliot
ELLIOT
As with every morning, rose with the sun. He kept an alarm out of habit but inevitably woke up before it went off. rolled toward the edge of his massive bed, grabbing his phone and canceling the alarm. Just as he always woke early, he also woke quickly and didn’t need the jarring shriek of his alarm to get him going.
He stood tall and, with a pleased groan, stretched his arms above his head and felt his shoulders and back muscles pull pleasantly. Rolling his head, he bent forward, letting his lower back and upper legs stretch. Standing straight once more, he swung his arms, loosening the muscles and encouraging the blood to flow before finally leaving his bedroom.
The hallway was dark but grew brighter as he approached the far end. Bright red and orange light poured in from the windows that made up the east wall of his living room. One of his favorite things about the place was that so much was open. The living room blended seamlessly into the hallway and into what was supposed to be the dining room. It wasn’t like he had enough people over for him to need a dining room, but it felt right to have one.
Walking into the kitchen, he grabbed the bottle of water left on the counter. As much as he loved ice-cold water during the day, his morning water had to be room temperature. Cracking open the bottle, he drained its contents and stared at the rising sun. In truth, he preferred the hazy purples and blues of twilight, but the rising sun did give him a feeling of boldness. The day had started, and so should he.
There was plenty of time before he had to leave for his interview. It had been weeks since he left his last job, and he’d grown restless. Although he had plenty of money stowed away that could have lasted him months, would prefer not to touch it. He kept his savings account bloated in case he ever needed to depend on it in an emergency, not just because he couldn’t find work.
His shower was as quick and efficient as his waking. Within minutes he was out and drying himself off. Just like his ability to sleep anywhere and wake up completely alert, had never shaken the military’s habit of quick showers. Then again, his months overseas hadn’t helped, where water wasn’t exactly plentiful, and you had to be quick so others had the chance to wash away the sand and blood.
He’d just stepped into his room when his phone rang. Only one person he knew would call him at such an early hour, and he didn’t bother looking at the display before swiping to answer.
“Good morning, Ana,” he said, tucking the phone between his face and shoulder.
“Good morning, little brother,” she replied.
He snorted at the affectionate and not altogether accurate title. At almost six-foot-five and two hundred and seventy-five pounds, was a giant compared to the slight, five-foot woman. He was also nearly four years older than her, adding to the irony. It was a joke she’d adopted after the first few weeks in their shared foster home. Though they hadn’t continued to live with one another, they had never lost contact, and she’d never dropped the title.
“You’re calling earlier than usual,” he noted.
“Probably because I didn’t want to catch you on your daily run. I beat you by about...what, ten minutes?”
glanced at the pile of clean clothes folded neatly on the chair next to his bed. “Five.”
“And you’re no fun when you’re out for your jog.”
“Hey, I talk to you.”
“Right, until you reach that weird state where you zone out, and I have to yell at you to get your attention again.”
chuckled, snatching the pair of running shorts off the top of the pile. “My deepest apologies.”
“Don’t lie to me. You’re not sorry at all.”
“Not in the slightest.”
Ana snorted. “Anyway. You have that interview today, don’t you?”
“I do indeed. Apparently, some rich shit wants me specifically.”
“Is this a real contract, or like that last guy who wanted you to fuck him like there was no tomorrow?”
frowned at the reminder. “I looked him up this time. He’s legit.”
“Yeah, so was the last one. Right up until he started talking ‘fees’ and ‘private protection times’ or whatever the hell it was.”
didn’t need reminding. Working as an independent contractor was tricky enough, depending on the field. When what he did amounted to ‘bodyguard,’ no matter how he might spruce it up with fancy words, it could get even trickier. His last potential client, Horace Sanders, had skimmed over every one of ’s listed qualifications and skills and seen only a personal escort service. While wasn’t opposed to a roll in the hay with someone when he needed to let off steam, he wasn’t in the business of whoring himself out literally.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” muttered.
“I mean, he was offering three times your going rate,” Ana continued, mischief in her voice.
“He wanted me to spank him and make him call me Daddy,” said deadpan.
Ana cackled. “And from a guy who was old enough to be your dad.”
“Again, don’t want to talk about it.”
“Yeah, but I do.”
“Because you’re evil.”
“Oh, , when will you learn? I’m not evil, but I do like a bit of chaos,” Ana told him.
“This from a woman in law school.”
“When you live a big part of your life upholding order and structure, some part of you will always want to cause a little chaos and bask in the anarchy.”
looked around his bedroom, eyebrow raised. The only thing in his room that wasn’t put away was the pile of folded clothes on his chair. Yet even that would be stowed away in his closet before he left for his morning jog. He was a creature of habit and lived by schedules and routines. When you arranged your life in the minutest detail, you controlled what happened to you. Anything outside your control was something you had to accept, but everything within had to be structured and maintained.
“As someone who’s lived most of their adult life in order, I don’t agree,” told her.
“Yes, well, I’ve already had to tell you you’re a freak of nature,” Ana said.
“Oh, thanks so much, Ana. You really know how to make someone feel special and loved.”
“It’s a gift.”
Hearing her voice, he could picture the playful smile on her face. They had met almost two decades before when he’d been a scrawny teenager, yet to reach his full height, and she an impish preteen. Even as a child, he’d been serious, prone to keeping his toys organized and his thoughts in line. Ana was quick and clever, ready with a joke or quip, and always willing to stir things up just for fun. Yet it was her warm heart and fierce loyalty that had ultimately won him over, and for reasons neither of them had figured out, they had bonded.
“Speaking of love interests,” Ana began.
closed his eyes. “Ana, please.”
“Which confirms that your silence after you were supposed to have your date tells me it didn’t go well.”
“No, it did not go well at all.”
“She not your type?”
“I wasn’t hers.”
“I’m totally speaking from a position of bias here, but how the hell did she figure that?”
“Apparently, she wanted someone with energy who was interesting. I didn’t fit either criteria.”
“Gross, what a bitch. She does know you’ve been in actual gunfights before, right? A war? You know, things that are all flash and bang.”
“Apparently, I didn’t act like it.”
“Well, no, I guess you don’t.”
shrugged at the disappointment in her voice. It wasn’t the first time someone heard ‘former Marine and current bodyguard’ and expected something he wasn’t. He supposed people like that expected someone more like Ana, throwing themselves into the fire and fighting their way out—someone with passion and vigor. wasn’t like that, though, preferring to avoid a fight if it wasn’t necessary and thinking things through rather than throwing himself into the fray. His measured, analytical ways kept himself and others alive in moments of stress and danger. Maybe it wasn’t all that exciting, but that wasn’t his problem.
Ana hummed thoughtfully. “I do have a friend up that way.”
’s eyes widened. “Ana, no.”
“Who has a brother.”
“No.”
“Who saw you, heard about you, and is very interested in meeting you.”
sighed. “No, Ana. No matchmaking. No dates. You know the rules.”
Ana grunted. “I could find you someone if you let me! I mean, for God’s sake, , you have a bigger dating pool than I do. I could manage.”
“Being into both men and women doesn’t mean my chances of success are higher. It just means I have to wade through more people, and you know my feelings on that.”
“Ugh, such a romantic.”
“Not really.”
“That was sarcasm!”
“How’s the wedding planning going?” asked, purposefully changing the subject.
Ana hummed knowingly but took the bait. “Good. Nick and I are set up for next year. Just have to...do everything.”
“Not much help, is he?”
“No. Whenever I ask him to pick something, he tells me to go with whatever I want.”
snatched up a tank top and tried to pull it on as he talked. “Well, maybe he just wants you to be happy. Doesn’t sound like wedding planning is his thing.”
“Well, it’d be nice if he gave some sort of opinion. This is supposed to be our day.”
“Try telling him that instead of hinting at it by repeatedly asking him questions.”
“Now you sound like Mary.”
“Almost like your brother and your best friend know you.”
“Fine,” Ana grumbled. “I’ll talk to him.”
“Good, now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a run to take before I go for the interview,” told her.
“Yeah, yeah, go get sweaty and put on a show for the neighbors.”
frowned, snatching his headphones off the bedside table. “I do not put on a show.”
“The last time I was up there, I watched, three mornings in a row, everything remotely interested in dick made sure to come out of their house or peek when you went out.”
“My neighbors are friendly.”
“Uh-huh.”
walked out of his room. “Tell Nick I said hi.”
“Don’t want to admit I’m right, huh?”
“Bye, Ana, love you.”
“Brat. Love you too.”
Shaking his head, plugged his headphones in and started the music. He was still shaking his head as he pulled on his running shoes. Ana might be several hundred miles away while she finished law school, but she diligently called him several times a week. She hadn’t been a fan of his time in the Marines, especially when he’d been deployed and unable to talk to her for weeks. suspected her frequent calls were a way to make up for it or maybe just to poke fun at him before he started his day.
He checked the clock one more time before tucking his phone away. still had a couple of hours before his meeting, more than enough time to get a good run in, take another shower, and leave.
* * *
Two hours later, he entered the front office of the Howell & Rhymes Charity Foundation. His eyes swept the small waiting room, noting the luxurious carpet leading from the door to the front desk. The dark wood paneling didn’t appear fake, and he could hear soft music coming from hidden speakers. It was a cursory glance, but the decor struck him as opulent for a charity foundation. Though he would admit, it did have a warm and inviting feel, as though all it was missing was a fireplace to drink and talk around.
The woman behind the counter raised her head from the computer and smiled broadly at him. “Good morning, welcome to the Howell & Rhymes Charity Foundation. How may I be of assistance?”
resisted the urge to fiddle with his tie. While some interviews he attended were casual enough to allow him less formal wear, this one did not. Just glancing at the inside of the building told him that wearing one of his best suits was a good call. It was just a shame he hated the damn things.
tucked his tablet under his arm. “Yes, I have an appointment with Anthony Howell.”
She nodded, her gaze sweeping over him. “Name?”
“ Remus.”
Her eyes lingered a moment longer before turning back to the computer. It still struck him as odd that philanthropists like Anthony Howell needed personal protection. Those were supposed to be the type of guys who were untouchable and loved by everyone. didn’t deal with charities, but he’d worked in the Port Dale area long enough to know the guy’s name. If it was a charity, Anthony Howell’s fingers were dipped into that pie.
The woman nodded. “Mr. Remus, it appears you’re a bit early.”
chuckled. “Better early than on time.”
That earned him a wink. “I think Mr. Howell will appreciate that attitude. You’re in luck, however, as his last appointment ended earlier than expected. He can see you now.”
“Being early pays off,” said.
She stood up walking around the desk. “If you follow me, I can take you to his office.”
When she turned and walked off, followed. In a manner born of both professional habit and personal interest, his eyes swept over her. Her outfit, a knee-length skirt with a jacket, was just professional enough to fit the surroundings. Yet her skirt was a little too tight, and he noticed her blouse was too low cut. Her desk had been immaculate, but he’d noticed little figurines pushed to one corner, colorful cartoon characters. It left him with the impression that she was a woman who followed the rules but preferred to do so on her own terms.
They stopped at the end of the hall, and she pushed open the door after a light knock. Much like the waiting room, the office they entered was richly decorated. While the waiting room had been warm and friendly, the office was flashy and obvious. The plants hanging near the large window brought some life to the room, but the chandelier and the small, probably marble, tables were overbearing. Like the woman’s, Anthony Howell’s desk was immaculate, the top of the solid piece of furniture organized carefully between paperwork and his computer.
Anthony Howell himself stood behind the desk, his smile wide. This was a man who was not afraid to buy an expensive, tailor-made suit and was more than comfortable in it. He stood about half a foot shorter than , and while he was certainly thinner, his broad shoulders filled out the suit well. could see his bright eyes were hazel as he approached. They were curious and crinkled at the corners when he smiled.
“Mr. Remus to see you, sir,” the woman told him.
Anthony smirked. “Trying to rush me through my appointments today, Miss Stein?”
“No, sir, Mr. Remus showed up only a minute ago.”
Anthony turned his attention to , winking. “Well, a punctual man and a lucky one. I’ve been cooling my heels waiting for our appointment for the past ten minutes.”
“That’s what Miss Stein was telling me,” said with a glance toward the woman.
“I’ll leave you to it. If you need anything, give me a ring,” she said, glancing between the two men before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind her.
Howell smiled in the direction of the door. “She’s wonderful, isn’t she? Only had her here for six months, and she’s honestly one of the best people I’ve worked with. Rare to find a woman so organized.”
“I’ve known a few organized women in my lifetime,” told him.
Howell blinked and let out a laugh. “Ah, my apologies. That was exceptionally poor phrasing on my part. I should have said ‘person.’ Not often you find someone detail-oriented, meticulous, and as organized as she is. The poor woman spent the first three months here organizing my digital files. Giving her a raise after that was no question.”
was comforted by that. He’d begun to suspect Howell’s attitude toward women might be old-fashioned. Not that it would stop taking the contract, but he liked to be prepared for whatever sort of client he was dealing with.
Howell approached him, holding a hand out. “But my inability to speak well aside, I’m Anthony Howell.”
took his hand, shaking it. “ Remus.”
“Well, come in, have a seat. No need for formality while we talk business. Would you like something to drink?” Anthony asked as he rounded the desk.
approached one of the two plush chairs in front of the desk. “No, thank you.”
Anthony sat down smoothly, motioning to a steaming cup beside him. “I wish I could say the same, but if I don’t have my daily requirement of coffee, I begin to fizzle out by the afternoon.”
“Have you considered sleep?” asked as he too sat down.
Anthony chuckled. “That’s what my doctor has told me more than a few times, and even Miss Stein has chided me for working far too late. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to fit my schedule.”
sat comfortably, elbows on the armrest with his hands in his lap. “Can’t say I know very much about charity work. I didn’t realize it was so demanding.”
Howell smiled. “Well, when you try to keep yourself as busy as I do, it’s inevitable. Some might say I try to do too much, but the people this foundation helps would probably disagree.”
“It’s a little vague, isn’t it? The name of the foundation,” said.
“Ah, well, while a few organizations are born directly from this foundation, many of the charities we work with are independent. We work with them, consulting and helping connect them with resources and providing some of our own,” Howell explained.
“I see, so you’re more of a command center or helpline for these charities.”
“Something along those lines. That doesn’t mean we don’t have our own charities. I’ve recently put my time into another project as we try to get our latest charity up and running.”
“Busy man,” noted.
Anthony’s smile flickered. “Yes, and apparently, I’ve made a few enemies along the way.”
“Wouldn’t think charity was a dangerous business to get into.”
“You wouldn’t think so, would you? But I suppose there will always be people who like to stand in the way of progress. It’s recently come to my attention that at least one group or person, with enough resources at their disposal, would like to see me dead or at least out of the equation.”
nodded. “Hence why you’ve contacted me.”
Anthony turned to his computer, clicking something. “According to your own words, you served in the military, Marines specifically, for eight years.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Special Force’s work, as well as some rather vague mention of working with international groups.”
smiled at that. “Things I can mention but can’t detail.”
“Confidential?”
“More or less.”
Anthony spun his mouse’s wheel. “And a rather impressive list of combat, weapon, and investigative skills at your disposal. It seems Uncle Sam was rather generous regarding training you.”
Less so when a bullet to the right thigh required not only medical attention but weeks of physical therapy. Apparently, the higher-ups had decided the injury was enough to take him out of active duty. Rather than get parked behind a desk for the rest of what he’d hoped would be a long career, had let his contract end. The joke was on them, though. He’d recovered completely and was able to ply his skills to those who wanted them.
“Didn’t want to stay with Uncle Sam?” Anthony asked.
gave a light shrug. “I was getting to the age where you either move up toward command or find something else to do. I chose the second option.”
Howell grunted. “And with this impressive lineup of skills, you could have had a foot in the door of any mercenary group. If even half of what you put down here is true, or there’s more you didn’t write, I’m sure more than one group was looking you up.”
“Mercenary work wasn’t to my taste,” told him.
In ’s opinion, it was all too easy to go from ‘mercenary’ to ‘war crimes.’ There were a few who at least pretended or tried not to violate every moral and legal code in the book, but he didn’t trust how far that would last. He might have more or less chosen the same job, but he was doing it on his terms, with his requirements in place. had yet to meet or know of a mercenary group that was discerning in who they’d take work from.
Anthony turned away from the computer with a smirk. “And instead, you took the country up on its offer to all military men, went back to school, got yourself a degree in business, and here you are.”
“That’s correct,” said.
Anthony Howell looked him over, though what question he was trying to answer, didn’t know. suspected this was the moment where Anthony would either ask the question, which would determine if was getting the contract, or the man was making up his mind.
“All that military work and decided you didn’t want to go merc but decided to go to school for business. Does the company have you as its sole employee?” Howell asked.
tilted his head slightly to the left, refusing to frown. “Yes, sir. I’ve thought about bringing more on, but that requires time and money before I’m completely sure about who I’d be working with. In the meantime, if the contract needs more, I’ll subcontract. Only had to do that twice.”
“You seem rather confident in your abilities,” Anthony noted.
“I am.”
Anthony smiled at that, and knew he’d won.
“Well, then let’s you and I have a little conversation about the sort of plan you’d like to put into action to keep my butt above ground,” Anthony said.
drew his tablet out, unlocking the screen. “It would be my pleasure.”