CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE #2
I point to the screen on the wall and start going through the event with my team and what I expect of them. “Most of you are aware of our current client. Cassy Cartwright, daughter of Blaze Cartwright.”
Toby and Elliot, from Ryder’s team, start singing one of his classic songs.
“Ouch. Lucky you’re better with a weapon,” Thomas moans as everyone laughs.
“Rude.” Elliot deadpans.
“Shoot him.” Toby nods to Elliot.
“Before you do”—Thomas holds up his hands—“just know my death will trigger the total collapse of the payroll system.”
Toby is a giant with a dry sense of humor. Three inches taller than me, he’s also bulkier. His size began to work against him in the forces, but as one of Ryder’s bodyguards, he’s perfect.
I’m on the fence about whether Thomas has in fact rigged the payroll system. He’s in charge of all things technical at BHS, so I wouldn’t put it past him. Given he’s the smallest guy in the room, he has to work to his strengths.
Today, though, I don’t have time for the banter.
“Focus. Cassy is under our protection while the man who stalked her a decade ago is on the run. He’s escaped prison, and it's likely he will be in Los Angeles tomorrow night.”
“Or by this evening, if my calculations are correct,” Ford, who works with Thomas, says as he balances his laptop on his knee.
“Cassy is attending an event at the Dufort Hotel tomorrow night,” I continue and point to the appropriate people.
“I need you guys listening to airwaves and online chatter, and a team to sweep the hotel. Inside and out. I’ll lay out a security plan working with Barrett Security, who is in charge there. ”
“We’ll need access to their cameras,” Thomas says.
“You’ll have it in under an hour,” I reply, then glance around the room at each of their faces as I hold back the words, this girl is important, don’t fuck it up.
They won’t.
They wouldn’t be working for me if they weren’t the best. These men have been handpicked from the top ranks in the United States military.
By me and Aidan.
Speaking of the devil, the man himself appears in the doorway at the back of the room and leans against the back wall. He’s still got his sunglasses on and his arms crossed.
“Any questions?”
“Business as usual,” Thomas says, tapping his screen, then standing up and shutting the laptop. He glances around at everyone else still sitting. “Are we done?”
He’s such a fucking nerd. But he’s one of the best at what he does, including hacking, so we put up with his direct personality and quirkiness.
I nod to Penny, who shuts off the screen. “We’re done. I want to be kept in the loop about anything and everything.”
My phone starts ringing as chairs and boots scrape the floor and everyone files out.
I grin when I see the name, then head toward my office as I answer.
“The fuck, Josh. You can’t vaguebook the Dufort’s like that,” Mack growls.
I should have known he’d call me. Mack is a pro and would’ve sniffed out the potential danger in seconds after receiving Fletcher’s call.
“I told them everything they need to know,” I reply.
“How dangerous is this Miller guy? Do I need to cancel the event? Give me the fucking details,” he demands.
Fuck no.
Cassy would kill me.
“He’s...yeah, he’s dangerous, but only to her. I don’t see him letting loose with a shotgun in a public place. He’s a stalker,” I reply.
I hear him moan.
“Tell her to cancel and update her fucking Instagram or something,” Mack says as I close the office door behind me and stand wide legged looking out my window at the view across Los Angeles.
“Wish she fucking would, buddy,” I reply. “But you know as well as I do, you can’t tell a woman what to do.”
He’s quiet. Then he asks, “This your girl?”
Is she?
She sure damn feels like it. Knowing she’s with Ryder is slowly driving me fucking insane. There are few men I would trust with a woman I love. Aidan, Ryder, the man I’m speaking to on the phone. Maybe his boss Connor Barrett. Both are US Marines.
But do I love Cassy?
Jesus.
Have I let my guard down that much that I’ve fallen in love with her while having mind blowing sex and protecting her?
If so, I failed both her and me, because my heart is not open for business. My life is dangerous. Of all the women I could have fallen for, Cassy is the last person who deserves to be loved by me.
At any time I could die.
I could put her life in danger.
I won’t.
I can’t.
“No. She’s not mine,” I finally reply.
“My spidey senses tell me you're lying,” Mack says, and I can hear his grin.
Dick.
“Then maybe change out of your Spiderman panties into your Superman ones.” I shake my head and walk to my desk as he barks out his laugh.
“No one is getting hurt tomorrow. You have my word. My team is on the way there now. We’ll do the sweep and collab with your guys. If I think the risk is too high because something changes, I’ll call you.”
Mack sighs. “Fuck. All right. I’ll update the team leader over there. His name is Bobby.”
“Got it.”
“Josh,” Mack says, his tone heavy. “Keep your girl safe.”
Damn him.
“Hurry up and quit so you can join my team,” I say, then hang up. I toss the phone on the desk and glance at the clock.
Midday.
Twenty more fucking hours until I return to Cassy. I contemplate messaging Ryder, but don’t. I trust him. I even trust Cassy.
I just don’t trust myself to stay away from her.
So, I do what I haven’t done in a very long time. I open my wallet and pull out a photo of Finn and Kaylee, then sit my ass down and remind myself why I need to not fall in love with Cassy Cartwright.