The Breakdown (Tortured Hearts)

1. Luke

ONE

LUKE

“Have you ever heard of Calla James?” my best friend and boss Cody asks me from across his big mahogany desk in his flashy New York City office.

I wince a little because, no, I hadn’t heard of Calla James, but by the look he’s currently giving me, it seems as if I should have.

“The name sounds familiar,” I lie.

He rolls his eyes. “Sounds familiar? Christ, Luke. Have you been living under a rock?”

I don’t know if I would call it living under a rock, but when I went from the military straight into my new career as an executive protection agent, a.k.a bodyguard, there was no time to know about random women. And if I had heard of her, I don’t remember.

“Sorry. Been busy,” I say with a shrug.

He sighs. “Well, you’re going to get to know her real well. She’s your next client.”

Lovely.

He slides a file across the desk to me, and I pick it up, quickly flipping through but not really reading any of the details. I’ll do that later when Cody isn’t glaring at me from behind his desk.

“What’s so special about this woman that she needs an EPA?” My last client was a high-profile politician. Now that the election was over, he only needed security for certain events, so Cody pulled me from that detail. Since I have nothing tying me to one particular city (i.e., a wife, girlfriend, or children), it’s easier to send me on long-term assignments. But I don’t mind. It’s nice to get a change of scenery every now and then.

“She’s America’s Sweetheart. The biggest pop star of her generation. Millions, probably billions, of fans around the world. Talan is her normal security guard, but he’s about to go on paternity leave. Calla James is going on tour soon, which you’ll join her on since Talan will want to be in L.A. with his kid. You’ll be with her day and night. At her home. At events. At practice. Wherever she goes, you go. Got it?”

Great. A pop star. That doesn’t sound like fun at all. I’d rather be watching out for snipers than fending off screaming teenagers.

“There’s no one else that can be her EPA?” I ask. Cody has to know I wouldn’t like this assignment so I can only assume he put me on here for a reason, but I still have to ask.

Cody shakes his head. “She’s our biggest paying client, Luke. Her team wants the best, and you’re the best. I’d trust you with my life, which is why I’m trusting you with hers.”

I sigh loudly so he knows I’m not exactly happy about this. But a job is a job, I guess.

“It’s not forever, Luke. Talan will be back after the tour ends, and I’ll let you pick your next assignment.”

“Alright. What are the threats against her? Anything I need to be on the lookout for?” I’m assuming it’s in the file, but I might as well ask while I’m here.

Cody looks at his computer screen. “She has a few stalkers, but most of them are harmless. Just obsessed.”

“Why does she need an EPA, then?” I ask. Most of the time, celebrities hired us for events or specific outings. Not to be their 24/7 shadow.

“I don’t know, man. But her team wants her protected, and with the money they’re paying, I’m not going to question it.”

“Fair enough.”

“So you’re good?”

I run my hand through my hair. It doesn’t sound like I really have a choice. Cody wants me on this job, and I’m not going to let him down. He’s my best friend. Really, my only friend. We met in high school before we enlisted together. He got out years before I did and started up this protection agency. When I told him I was leaving the military, he offered me a job. No questions asked.

“Yeah. I’m good. When do I leave?”

“Tomorrow morning, you’ll fly out to California. You’ll spend a full day with Talan before he leaves. His wife is due any day now.”

I nod. “Alright.”

“You need any help packing or anything?” Cody offers, but he knows I’ll say no. I like to be alone and don’t own enough to make packing very difficult. I’m currently living in a studio apartment in New York, but since I’m not home much, there’s not much in it.

“Nah, I’m good.” I stand as Cody does the same.

“I’ll send you everything in that file via email so you have it on hand. Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do.”

And then I’m walking out of the office to get ready for my new assignment: Calla James.

The next morning, I’m on the earliest flight out of New York. I’ve never been a huge fan of flying, but I had to get over that real fast in the military.

The two suitcases with me are basically everything I own. I’ve never needed or wanted a lot of things. My mom couldn’t afford much when I was growing up, so when I finally made my own money, it was already ingrained in me to be frugal with it. I’ll never understand why people waste their money buying the same shirt in three different colors or other stupid shit like that.

For most of the flight, I look over the files Cody emailed me. I also did a quick internet search of my new client. It appears I have been living under a rock because Calla James is indeed everywhere. Just googling her name brings up thousands of articles, websites, fan pages, and social media accounts dedicated to her. It’s… a lot.

Of course, I had my favorite bands growing up. I even had a favorite Power Ranger for a few years. But it never occurred to me to search them on the internet or write made-up stories about them. Although, I didn’t really use the internet unless I was at school.

Calla James fans are intense and very, very dedicated.

I scroll through some of the pictures. There’s no denying that she’s beautiful with long blonde hair and big blue eyes, and she definitely gives off girl-next-door vibes. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of that type, but it doesn’t matter if I’m her fan as long as I keep her safe.

I don’t bother listening to any of her music; I can already tell it’s not my style. It’s safe to assume she’s talented based on all the articles recounting her several Grammy wins and multiple number-one songs at only twenty-six. Good for her.

When the plane lands in California, I quickly change out of my sweats and into my black suit. I get several looks when I walk out of the bathroom. Cody likes to tease that I’m every woman’s walking wet dream. I can’t lie and say I haven’t taken advantage of that sometimes, but for the most part, I’d rather go unnoticed. I’m here for a job, not for a random hookup. There’s a time and a place for everything.

The car waiting for me outside of the airport takes me to my hotel, where I drop my luggage before heading straight to Talan’s location, which is apparently a studio outside of the city center.

Talan is waiting just inside the door when I arrive. I’ve only met the guy enough to know who I’m looking for, but not enough to call him a friend.

“Luke. Good to see you.” He shakes my hand.

“You too.”

I follow him down a narrow hallway. “Calla is a really great client. I’ve been with her for years and barely had any issues. She’s really sweet.”

America’s Sweetheart. “Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard.”

The music gets louder and louder the further we get down the hallway. “The only bad part is, the poor girl is busy. Like, really busy. I don’t think she’s had a full day off in months. So that means you’ve got to be with her all day, every day. Her manager will email you her schedule for the next day, the night before. Calla is good about following the schedule, so just make sure you’re ready to go when she is.”

I nod. All pretty standard details there. I like being on a structured schedule anyway.

We enter a large rehearsal space. There’s a full band and dancers. So many dancers. Calla is front and center, holding a microphone. She’s in hot pink workout leggings and a matching sports bra with her hair braided down her back. Even with no makeup on, she looks exactly like her pictures.

She doesn’t stop her performance when Talan and I walk in. I don’t even think she notices us. Her voice blares from the speakers.

“She’s rehearsing for the upcoming tour,” Talan explains. “Have you ever seen a Calla James show?”

I shake my head. I’m not going to tell him that I had no idea who Calla James was before twenty-four hours ago.

“It’s not my type of music either, man, but she puts on a helluva show.”

After a few more songs, Calla finally takes a break, and Talan beckons her over. She chugs her water bottle as she walks over to us.

“Ms. James,” he says, and she rolls her eyes.

“Talan. How many times do I have to tell you to call me Calla?”

“A few more, it seems.” She laughs. “This is your new protection agent, Luke Pierson.”

I stick my hand out to her. “Ms. James. Pleasure to meet you. Do you prefer Calla?”

“Please.” She shakes my hand. Her hand is small and soft. “You got some big shoes to fill, Luke. Talan is like the big brother I never had.”

The two of them smile at each other.

“I’m not here to be your big brother. I’m here to keep you safe.”

The smile on her pretty face falters, but only slightly. “I understand that. But we’ll be spending a lot of time together. I’d rather us not act like strangers.”

“It’s hard to maintain safety protocols if I’m off gossiping with you, is it not? My job is to keep you safe, so that’s what I’ll be doing.”

Calla and Talan exchange a look, clearly saying something between the two of them that I’m not privy to. That’s fine by me.

She smiles and nods. “Alright. Mr. Pierson. We’ll do it your way.”

“You know I’m only a phone call away if you need anything,” Talan says quietly to Calla. Talan is local to the area, which explains how he manages this job with a pregnant wife at home.

“I would never interrupt your precious time with your family,” she states and then shoots me a glare. “Just make sure you come back to me when you’re ready to.”

“Don’t worry about that,” he tells her with a laugh. “I’ll be back once your tour is over. Luke is one of the best we have. You’ll be safe with him.”

She takes another sip of her water. “Mhm. Certainly seems that way. Safety is key.”

I don’t respond to her, but I do keep eye contact.

“I’ve got to get back to practice. We’ll talk soon.” She directs the statement to the both of us, but her smile is for Talan. She walks back to where her dancers are getting into a formation.

“Dude, you don’t need to be a jerk to her. She hardly has any true friends these days because everyone wants something from her. You don’t have to be buddy-buddy, but don’t be rude,” Talan says after the music starts back up.

“I don’t tell you how to do your job; don’t tell me how to do mine.” He sighs and shakes his head.

I stick my hands in my pockets and survey the room, taking a mental inventory of everyone here and memorizing their faces. I’m always surveying my surroundings. It’s one thing I learned in the military that I definitely brought to this new job.

After another hour of Calla practicing, we’re finally ready to leave. She throws on a jacket and grabs a bag from the ground. Talan and I flank her as we walk to the black SUV waiting by the door.

The ride to Calla’s house is quiet while she does something on her phone. She lives in a house exactly like I expected in a gated community filled with mostly other celebrities. Her house is all white and very modern, overlooking the city. It’s what you would imagine from a celebrity with too much money. Maybe that’s judgmental of me. I barely know the woman, but I’ve never been a fan of celebrities.

When we get inside, Calla runs upstairs while Talan gives me a tour of the place. There are more bedrooms than one person could possibly need, and every room is impeccably decorated. One of the bathrooms even has a fucking chandelier in it. Who needs a chandelier for their bathroom?

After I’ve been through every room except for Calla’s main bedroom, Talan shows me the security room. Cameras are set up all around the house, and this room plays out the footage on multiple TVs where we can watch. He points out the controls and gets my phone set up for any motion sensor alerts.

“Does she live here alone? Seems like a lot of space for one person,” I ask.

“Yeah, mostly. Her boyfriend, Thompson Sledge, comes over some, but he doesn’t live here. There are a lot of people in and out of her house every day, though. You’ll start to recognize them pretty quick. Her mom and dad are here from time to time. They’re very involved with the business side of everything. Her agent, Brayden, comes by often, and her manager, Ashley, is here almost daily. She works for Brayden and keeps track of Calla’s schedule. She just happens to be off today.”

He goes through a list of more people like a personal chef, hair and makeup artists, and housekeepers who will be around the house.

“I already gave Calla your number, and I’m guessing you have hers from the file. There haven’t been incidents with her stalkers for a few months now, and since she’ll be on the road soon, I doubt you’ll have many issues other than people trying to get pictures with her.”

Talan goes over a few other things he thinks I need to know, and then… we sit and watch.