Chapter 76
CHAPTER
Billionaires were definitely not like the rest of humanity.
When Nash stepped out of his car he buttoned the jacket of his new, tailored, sleek black suit courtesy of his employer.
Nash’s white shirt gleamed against the sharp sunlight.
The bump under his jacket heralded the presence of his Glock in a shoulder holster.
The backup Beretta rode snugly on his ankle under his flared pantleg.
A man dressed in butler’s livery answered the door, introduced himself as Colin, and led Nash up to the top floor, where Rhett was seated behind a desk in his father’s former office.
In a chair in front of him was Mindy, her sleeping daughter in her lap.
The butler withdrew, and Rhett introduced Nash to his stepmother.
Nash looked at the baby and said, “What’s her name?”
Rhett answered. “Amanda, Mandy for short. Your idea, right, Min?”
Nash knew that Amanda had been the name of Rhett’s mother, to whom the man had been very close before her untimely death.
“Yes, it was,” said Mindy in basically a mumble. She eyed Nash. “Rhett said you’re here to protect us?”
“Well, me mostly,” said Rhett. “Trouble seems to follow me.”
“Your father had a team of four,” she pointed out.
“And they still couldn’t stop him from killing himself, could they?
” replied Rhett, drawing a dark look from her.
“So for me it’s quality over quantity, and Dillon here has proven himself in that regard.
When he’s staying here, he’ll be in the room across from yours.
I gave you his cell number. Anything seems off, call him.
Or just knock on his door,” he added with a smile.
“Is there some specific threat?” Mindy asked. “Should I be worried?”
Nash spoke up. “Anyone with your level of wealth needs to be aware of the threat potential, Mrs. Temple.”
“Just make it Mindy. I’m not formal.”
“Actually I would prefer Mrs. Temple, if you don’t mind, ma’am.”
“O-kay,” said Mindy.
“Man’s a straight-up pro,” said Rhett. “We’re lucky to have him.”
Mindy stared at the tats on Nash’s head, but didn’t comment. “Is that all?” she said instead. “I want to put Mandy down.”
“Sure, go right ahead with the little cutie,” said Rhett distractedly.
She rose, looked at Nash, and said, “Nice to meet you.”
“You too, Mrs. Temple. And I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” She shot a glance at Rhett before hurrying off.
Rhett pointed to the French doors behind him.
“My father walked out those doors and jumped off the balcony. Ended his life on the pavers. He was terminal with a nasty cancer. Wanted to go out his way. It was probably impulsive. Think it and then do it.” Rhett added in a resigned tone, “I tend to be a little impulsive, too. Knee-jerk. Maybe it’s in the genes. ”
“Can I make an observation, Mr. Temple?”
“Waiting with bated breath,” quipped Rhett.
“If someone really wants to kill you, and they’re willing to die to do it, there’s not much that I or anyone else can do to truly stop that person.”
“Then why am I paying you?” barked Rhett.
“You’re paying me to keep you out of situations where someone like that can kill you. It’s all odds and percentages, sir. So the more ‘knee-jerk’ you are, the more opportunities you give suicidal lone wolves to end your life.” Nash said all of this slowly and calmly.
Rhett sat back, all contrite now. “I get that, Dillon. Good call. Okay, I’ll ride with that.”
“Yes sir. Me too.”