Chapter 2
ALEX
Jared was beyond exhausted. I was too, but I was used to going without sleep.
Between my military training and my security work in the private sector, long days and longer nights were the norm.
But I was worried about Jared. He seemed more tense than usual.
Between his hectic filming schedule and his lack of a social life, I noticed a change in him. He was more introspective, withdrawn.
Everyone needed an outlet and Jared’s usual—sex—was non-existent lately.
Not like the first few months I’d been in his employ. But for the past year, there had been no one. It was none of my business, really, but I was concerned about what was going on with him.
No doubt it was the stalker situation.
A threat to safety was enough to rattle even the most confident person and make you question everything.
The upcoming case wasn’t helping either. Aiden was starting discovery, and that meant Jared’s filing would be part of the public record. The media chaos would ramp up.
Being away from California for two months was more than welcome.
And after that phone call, it wasn’t just Jared I was worried about, but Aiden too.
I read the email he’d forwarded to me, and the tone was telling.
The stalker was getting bolder with his threats, going into specific detail about what he would do when he finally got Jared and Aiden alone.
I’d seen a lot in my military missions overseas, but even I was shaken by the vicious intent of these notes.
I’d forwarded the email, as I had with each one Jared had received, to our police contact back in L.A. There was nothing more they could do except continue to try and trace the sender.
I wasn’t holding my breath.
Unbeknownst to Jared, I’d started my own investigation, examining the people in his life and their possible motives.
Professionally he’d ruffled a lot of Hollywood feathers lately.
Not only had he shed a spotlight on one of the studios’ dark secrets in his last movie, but there was also the lawsuit.
There were several people that wanted to silence Jared Elwood.
Now I’d have to look at connections between him and Aiden.
The list would grow again.
Aiden didn’t sound scared when I had talked to him, and that didn’t surprise me at all.
The London-based barrister crashed into Jared’s life—and mine—like a blazing comet, brash and bold. He was outgoing, witty, and one of the most intuitive people I’d ever met. He skillfully anticipated his opponents’ movements, and that made him a conqueror in the courtroom.
Probably in other rooms too.
Despite snarky comments about Jared’s work, I saw the way Aiden looked at him. Like the director was a prize Aiden wasn’t worthy of.
I knew the feeling intimately.
Jared was special, and not just because of his talent for making movies. He had a big heart and a tender soul that few people recognized. He kept his philanthropy work as private as possible and preferred to spend quality time with people rather than just writing a check.
He was generous, not just with his money, but with his time.
Our SUV came to an abrupt stop and so too did my wayward thoughts. I had no business ruminating about Jared unless it involved his security.
I stepped out of the vehicle and was hit by a wall of thick humidity and the smell of diesel and brine.
Surveying our surroundings, I spotted Now, Voyager . The superyacht was one of the largest ships in the port.
I recognized Captain George Bernard as he stood on the bridge deck aft with his crew. The only time I ever saw the stern-faced man smile was when his husband, Rafe Carter, was around.
I recognized myself in George’s quiet demeanor. His brisk British manner was familiar and put me at ease. Which was a good thing, since I rarely felt at ease around anyone.
Except Jared, but I’d been his security lead for a year and a half now. But not for much longer.
This trip would be my last.
Before I met Jared, I’d only worked with clients for short term gigs. High risk situations that, once resolved, forced me to move on to something else.
Keeping moving was vital, it didn’t allow me to stop and angst. About the past, about my mistakes.
I was doing a lot of thinking—and feeling—lately which meant it was time for me to move on.
Getting too close to a client was the biggest mistake a bodyguard could make.
And I wouldn’t let my weakness endanger Jared’s safety.
I turned to Jared and motioned for him to exit the vehicle. I held out my hand and then, too late, realized my error.
I looked away as Jared’s warm hand slid into mine.
It felt entirely too natural, and my heart stuttered.
I let go as soon as Jared stepped out of the SUV and took up my usual position flanking him.
George walked down the plank and greeted us.
“Jared, Alex, a pleasure to welcome you aboard again.”
George held out his hand and I shook it.
“You as well, George.”
“My apologies for the late hour,” Jared whispered, as he rubbed one hand over his scruff.
“No worries at all. I’m used to night watch. Charlie and Jana will help you get settled in.”
George motioned to Charlie, the first officer, and Jana, the chief steward.
“Your team members will have to double up in the staff quarters. Use the intercom as needed. And of course, the door to my wheelhouse is always open.”
“Thanks, George,” I replied as he turned and led us onto the ship.
Jared was unsteady on his feet, so I took hold of his arm and guided him up over the plank until we reached the deck.
George said goodnight and headed upstairs, while Charlie took care of the luggage.
“Jason, Cahill, you’re on shift until 7,” I instructed. “Xavier, Deke, get some sleep and report to me at 6:30. Text or call as needed.”
All four of my staff nodded their acknowledgement and helped Charlie load up.
I turned my attention back to Jared and the paleness of his face concerned me.
“I’ll show you to your suite so you can get some rest,” Jana said as we followed her inside. “Alex, you’re in the room directly across the hall from Jared. Please let me know if either of you need anything during your time aboard.”
The air conditioning was welcoming as we padded down a long hallway to a circular staircase.
Up one flight and down another hallway and we reached the end, the main suite.
Jana said goodnight and I did a run-through of Jared’s room.
Jared kicked off his shoes and silently walked over to the California king bed.
Without a word, he lay down and closed his eyes, his dark hair sliding over the pillow.
He’d cut it before we left L.A. and now it just touched his shoulders. Still long enough for him to wear in a bun or a braid, which I found to be the sexiest thing ever.
“Idiot,” I mumbled to myself.
I shouldn’t be thinking about my primary that way at all. Hence the reason why I needed to recuse myself from this job. And soon.
Shaking away my dirty thoughts, I turned off the lights, slipped the duvet up over Jared’s body, and quietly left the room.
My suite across the hall was just as luxurious.
It was half the size of Jared’s but still bigger than my flat in L.A. The place I rarely visited.
I’d moved into Jared’s house in West Hollywood when the threats against him had escalated. He had a beautiful sprawling ranch house. Modern, but done in warm tones with colorful accents. Filled with antiques and art from all different eras, the house was as eclectic as the man himself.
I’d come to think of it as home.
Another warning sign that I’d ignored. With Jared, I was always fighting the urge to run to him. Crazy.
I tapped my mobile and sent a text to the Doyle brothers.
Kiernan and Korry Doyle had worked for my security firm for the past two years, based out of London. Korry was retired military like me, and Kiernan was a former MMA fighter. I trusted both men implicitly.
One of them would be heading over to guard Aiden for the foreseeable future. Good luck with that.
My mobile pinged with a response.
Kiernan: I’m on it.
Then it rang, startling me.
Aiden calling.
My heart began to race again. With Aiden, I also struggled with the urge to run. Towards him or far away, I still wasn’t sure.
“What?” I answered in my usual sharp tone.
“Hello again to you too, Alex,” Aiden replied in his deep voice.
“I’m tired as fuck, Aiden. Say what you have to say and then let me get some bloody sleep.”
I could hear Aiden’s sharp inhale on the other end of the line.
“I’m sorry to call you back, but I needed to tell you something. Is Jared with you?”
“No, he’s asleep in his room.”
“That’s good.”
Then he paused. The seriousness of his tone coupled with the hesitation wasn’t like Aiden at all. He barreled forward no matter what.
“What is it? Something’s wrong,” I replied, all the hair on my body standing on end.
“You’re far too observant,” Aiden chuckled, and the sound brought me measured relief.
I slipped off my trainers, and sat down on the bed, leaning against the headboard. Waiting for him to continue.
“The private investigator has an update on Delaney Seuter.”
Seuter was the man Jared was suing, the studio executive who had assaulted and harassed him. I didn’t know all the details, but just the thought of Jared in distress made my anxious heartbeat pound even faster.
“That’s normal for cases like this, right?”
I closed my eyes and willed myself to calm.
“Yes, it is. But it’s what my PI has uncovered to date that’s disturbing. I’ve emailed you a secure file. There are instructions on what to do after you’ve read it. I want to get your thoughts before I talk to Jared.”
“Why?”
Aiden paused again.
“There’s evidence that links Seuter to a suspected human trafficker based in California.
The trafficker is a man by the name of Jeja Simone.
The FBI has an ongoing investigation, so it’s difficult to get information, but I do have a source there that claims Seuter’s phone records were requested and they’re about to issue search warrants for his homes.
This Simone person runs a highly secretive underground service for access to underage youth, predominantly males. ”
My stomach heaved and it had nothing to do with the motion of the ship.
Flashbacks of my time as a soldier and a peacekeeper brought with it horrific memories I’d tried—but never succeeded—to forget.
“So, the stakes for Jared’s lawsuit are higher than you originally thought?”
“Yes and no. The FBI investigation is ongoing, and I won’t be able to refer to it at all. It’s inadmissible because it doesn’t pertain directly to Jared’s case.”
“But Seuter’s got to know you’re digging into his life. Information like this could be leaked to the press in advance. It would ruin him.”
I paused and ran a hand over my face.
Fuck, this was bad.
“Exactly. He has a very good reason to want to silence Jared. And he’s got friends in high places, including law enforcement and the government. He’s got one of the best lawyers in California representing him. And he donates to the police foundation in L.A.”
“What a fucking disaster.”
“Indeed.”
“This puts Seuter at the top of my suspect list when it comes to these death threats. And it makes sense, given that you’re now being targeted as well. He’s getting nervous.”
“My thoughts exactly. I wanted to alert you as soon as possible.”
“Maybe Jared was right,” I whispered, more to myself than to Aiden.
“About what?”
“Maybe you should pass his case on to someone else.”
“I’ve never dropped a client and I won’t start now,” Aiden snapped. “Don’t ever suggest that to me.”
“Calm down, Aiden. I’m thinking of your safety as well as Jared’s.”
“Fuck that. I don’t need your concern.”
I felt the hot sting of his backlash, so I tried another tactic.
“Jared’s worried about you.”
“Why? I’m his legal representative. Apart from a few social gatherings, we’re hardly the best of friends.”
“You can say whatever you want, but your bravado doesn’t fool me. I can tell that you not only respect Jared, but you like him as a person.”
“I’m dedicated to my job. That’s all,” he replied.
The circular end to this conversation was going nowhere.
“Is there anything else?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Look over the file I sent and delete it promptly as per the instructions. By the way, where are you staying?” Aiden asked.
“On Now, Voyager . We’re docked in the port of Bangkok.”
“Perfect. I’m flying out there and arriving the day after tomorrow. Is there room for me to stay on board?”
Suddenly, I was wide awake.
“Yes. But why are you coming here ?” I asked.
“The deposition is scheduled for June 19. That means I have only five weeks to finish discovery and get Jared ready. I have questions for him that can’t wait. Is Dylan staying with you?”
“He arrives tomorrow.”
“That works out. I need to interview him as well.”
“Can’t you do this over the phone?”
I rubbed my free hand over my now throbbing head.
“No. A lot of the work involves prepping him for Seuter’s attorneys. I need to see how he reacts to intense, and sometimes brutal, questioning. It takes time and trust.”
“Send me your itinerary. Kiernan Doyle is heading over to cover you. I’m forwarding his details to you now.”
“Sounds good, thanks.”
Aiden hung up and I sat on the bed, staring at my phone.
I sent another text to Kiernan to coordinate travel with Aiden and our office. Then I opened the file Aiden sent and read through it.
My stomach flipped over again, but I managed to avoid throwing up. Barely.
I looked at the time—2 a.m.—and suddenly remembered my medication. Fuck, I was supposed to take it hours ago.
I searched my backpack for the antidepressants and popped one in my mouth. Reaching for the carafe of water on the nightstand, I poured a tall glass and emptied it.
I turned off the light but, despite my exhaustion, sleep didn’t come.
Like so many of my nights, I faced the empty darkness alone. Counting down the minutes until the relief of daylight.