Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
In the past few years, there had been several attempts on my life since the first one in my home.
I’d gone through two security teams. Firing each and every one because they couldn’t keep an eye out for the fucker who had a price on my head.
Of course, everyone sent was dealt with accordingly.
No witnesses and no evidence. I wasn’t proud of the things I had done; however, they were necessary.
No one knew better than me the toll of having someone’s blood on your hands.
I had my way of dealing with that stress, hence the scars on my knuckles.
Transient Technologies was my legitimate means of making money. Since I was young, I’d been into computers. Taking them apart, seeing how they worked. In our teens, Joshua and I built our own computer from salvaged parts, but that was a hobby.
Our neighborhood was one of the toughest around.
Josh and I watched each other’s backs, but it was because of my smarts I became a person who got things done.
You wanted information? I was the guy. Who would suspect a sixteen-year-old kid hanging around?
I realized selling information was a way to make a quick buck.
I got really good at it. Along with that quick buck came the danger.
So, I took up fighting. Not just street fighting, but boxing, kickboxing, and Tae Kwon Do.
I hung out by the windows of the local practice facility, mimicking what I saw the master do inside since we couldn’t afford lessons, then when I could, I paid for Joshua and me to take them.
“So, what’s on the books for today?” I asked my personal assistant Donavon Brown.
Donavon had been with me for a few years now.
My last assistant quit on me with the last attempt on my life.
I didn’t blame her. I don’t tell my assistants about my extracurricular activities, but Donavon was intelligent.
He knew something, if not the complete truth.
And he was carrying secrets of his own, ones I had to confront him on if I needed to.
I wasn’t a slow leak. I couldn’t have the one person who knew all the ins and outs of my day-to-day life being a danger to me.
There was something about Donavon that screamed money, so I checked into him.
I found out Donavon was the sole heir to Brown Enterprises, a multi-million-dollar conglomerate.
It was none of my business as to why he deviated from taking over the family business to becoming a personal assistant.
I suspected it had something to do with forging his own path, which I could respect.
And when I asked, he told me the truth, which was why he was still in my employment.
“Do you think you’ll ever take over your family company? Grab your destiny and shit?” I questioned.
Coming from nothing, I was sure there was no way I’d walk away from all that wealth, but Donavon and I are two different people.
“No, I don’t think I will.” He shook his head.
“I have other siblings who enjoy the family business. It just honestly never appealed to me. I don’t really care about that life, although I’ve been in the limelight all my life.
I take great pains, though, to remain in the shadows unless it requires me not to be. ”
“I understand,” I said and left the conversation at that.
“You need to get to Chatman Security for a new team. I didn’t make an appointment because I know how you like to be spontaneous with your movements, but I do ask that you make sure you’re back before your two o’clock meeting,” he informed, typing away on his phone.
That thing seemed to be a part of his hand.
“That’s it for today?” I rose from my chair. “If so, then I’ve got private business to attend to.”
“That’s it for the day,” he hesitated, finally looking up from his phone. “Do what you need to do.”
He turned to leave my office. I chuckled as he opened the door. I liked Donavon, he had guts. I could see his disdain for the things I did, or at least those he thought I did.
“That I will,” I promised as he stepped over the threshold.
I retrieved my phone from my desk and called Joshua.
He’d become my driver over the years because he insisted on going with me everywhere once the hits on my life started happening, and I preferred someone I could trust to have my back.
I tapped the speaker on, laying the phone back on the desk.
I made my way to the bar in the corner while I waited for Josh to answer.
Taking a deep breath, I poured a tumbler of whiskey.
“Hello.” Josh’s voice filled the room.
“Josh, I have to go pick out my new security team today. Meet me in ten.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
He hung up, not giving me the chance to reprimand him about calling me “boss.” I shook my head and plopped down in my seat. I sipped the amber liquid, which trickled down my throat, but the burn was soothing.
This office over the years had become my peace.
Its forest-green walls were the keepers of my secrets.
The painting of the old neighborhood hanging to my left was a stark reminder of where I came from and what I had done to come out of the mud to make the connections and contacts I’d made over the years.
I’d even renovated the office to hold a full bedroom behind the bookcase.
I wasn’t a big reader of the classics, so it didn’t hold books by Shakespeare or Edgar Allan Poe, but technical manuals and the latest computer engineering journals. The perfect place for my late-night transactions, among other things.
A knock at the door brought me out of my thoughts.
“Come in!”
I straightened my suit jacket as Josh opened the door.
“Are you ready to go?”
I nodded, and then we were on our way.
Chatman Security was located right on the Magnificent Mile. A great business move for the owner. Location was everything in this city. I eyed the building as Josh pulled over to the sidewalk, putting the car in park.
The front was unassuming, with slightly tinted vast bay windows to block out the sun but not impede anyone’s vision.
The receptionist sat at her desk, and a few other people stood or sat in the open lobby.
I didn’t wait for Josh to open my door before I stepped out of the car.
I despised being treated like some sort of celebrity by my own cousin.
It was bad enough that he insisted on driving me everywhere.
Joshua joined me on the sidewalk. He hated me being out in the open, and nervous energy rolled off him in waves.
He adjusted his gun at his side. He wore a suit, as I did, with the holstered gun hidden underneath.
Josh acted as my bodyguard, but I was far from weak.
I could handle myself when I needed to. It wasn’t often someone tried me, which was why these attempts on my life were getting on my damn nerves.
“Go ahead,” Joshua said. “I got your back.”
“I know you do.”
I stepped forward, pushed the door open, and cleared my throat to announce myself as I scanned the room.
My eyes stopped on one of the most exquisite women I’d ever seen in my life.
She was about five-seven with smooth tawny skin and curves for days.
Her hair was thrown up in a haphazard ponytail, and she was dressed in tactical gear that hid nothing of her body.
My eyes perused her from head to toe. And while she looked younger than me, I didn’t even try to hide the interest or fire coursing through my veins.
Damn, she’s fine.
“May I help you?” A voice to my left pulled my gaze from the woman. I shook myself, giving the older lady my full attention.
“Yes, you can.” I stood in front of her desk. “Tell Mr. Chatman that Steven Smith is here to see him.”
The woman’s eyes went wide. She shot up from her chair, not bothering to ask if I had an appointment, even though I did.
The cacophony in the room ceased from the beauty and the three men she chatted with.
Instantly, I wanted to beat the crap out of all three of them for being in her presence.
A stupid reaction to someone I didn’t know.
While the receptionist high-tailed it to one of the offices, I walked to the chairs by the window.
When I was settled, the group huddled together with the beauty and moved toward the back of the office, out of hearing range.
“Mr. Smith.” A strong, authoritative voice boomed through the room. Joshua and I stood, and I took the outstretched hand of an older man. “I’m Mr. Chatman. What can we do for you today?”
“I need a new security team,” I announced, my gaze straying to the woman every now and then.
“Well, I’m sure we can help you. I have a few teams here.” He pointed to his office. “Why don’t you follow me?”
I shook my head. I didn’t need to follow him. I knew exactly what I wanted, and it was her. From the way her eyes kept cutting to me, I was sure she knew it, too.
“I don’t need to think about it,” I assured him. “I want her.”
“Yes, sir, follow me, and we can get the paperwork started.”
Chatman walked toward his office again, but I wasn’t going with him. If I did, I’d lose sight of the gorgeous woman standing in front of me, taking in every inch of my body as we stood in the middle of the room. As much as I enjoyed the reaction, I needed to get back to the office for this meeting.
“No, need. Send the paperwork to my assistant. I don’t care who else is on the team as long as I have her,” I called over my shoulder as I walked out the door behind Joshua.
I meant what I said. I didn’t care who else was on the team. Normally, I was a stickler for verifying my employees. Who could blame me when someone was trying to kill me?