Chapter 8
Dalton
ME AND SOME OF THE other guys had been called in late last night. We didn’t know what it was about until we showed up at Trenton’s home and found the girls hunched over on the couch, fighting sleep. Trenton had been pacing the floor, phone in hand, waiting on a call.
Trenton was too busy and Mae was too wrapped up in her thoughts to tell us what happened. Luckily, the voice of reason, Raleigh, was able to fill us in. I had chills listening to her relive what happened. They are so, so lucky things didn’t go further and that there were no other men with him.
From there, Mitch took over the communication with police and Trenton carried Mae off to bed.
Raleigh sat beside Mitch and me well into the early morning hours helping us but also getting her own ducks in a row.
She told us passersbys had seen what happened and that it was all over the internet already.
Eventually, the police phoned, telling us that they had caught the suspect and there was nothing more to do for the time being.
That was good enough for Raleigh; she enlisted Mitch to drive her home, insisting she’d see us all tomorrow at a meeting that was inevitable.
Hours later, we’re reconvening at headquarters for the same large meeting Raleigh warned us of, even the higher ups want in on this one.
As a member of security, I’ve never had to be a part of something like this, but the label’s queen was threatened and the king is furious about it.
Hopefully we’re being court martialed to offer advice.
Mae has really needed a security detail for a year or two, but no one wanted to put that money down.
It’s sad that something like this had to happen before they took the idea seriously.
As we all take a seat around the table, I notice that Raleigh is missing. I’m not the only one who has seen the obvious.
“Where’s Raleigh?” Mitch asks.
Some executive raises his eyes to the empty seat next to Mae before his eyes go back to the report in front of him. “She’s busy handling her mess.”
“Her mess?” Mitch asks, only loud enough for me to hear. I have to bite my tongue before making a comment I’d regret. Mae has also become uncomfortable by the comment, but she can only bury her face in her hands. Unfortunately, no one makes any moves to comfort her and the meeting goes on.
Mae can’t even get a word in as they argue back and forth about her safety and how to not let something like this happen again. It’s as if no one cares about what the victims have to say, one isn’t even in the room to voice her opinion.
Minutes tick by, and we are no closer to coming up with a solution. Money, resources, and overall image come up over and over again. I’m sick of it.
“Why don’t I just run a new detail?” I throw the comment into the ring, half-assed and not expecting anyone to bite.
I realize what I’ve done only after Mae raises her head from the table and Trenton doesn’t look sickened by the idea.
The silence that follows urges me to share more details.
“It wouldn’t be hard, just two or three other guys.
I don’t need to take a pay raise or anything like that. It could be a trial basis.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Mae says, the tiredness in her eyes doing her in. “I’ll pay you more. Raleigh and I can be a handful.” Compared to Trenton, I seriously doubt it.
The same stuffy executive that completely dismissed Raleigh’s absence speaks up. “It’s up to you, Trenton.”
I have no idea why any of this should be up to him, but the usually icy country star has been caught on a good day. “I’m good with it,” he says with a nod. “Only until we can find Mae her own team.”
“Well that settles that,” another man at the head of the table says. He stacks his papers and is the first one out the door, completely unbothered.
Trenton leaves Mae with a kiss on the head before coming over to me.
“I hate letting you go, but I suppose what’s done is done.
” He sticks out his hand, and I shake it.
“You can still report to me, though.” He winks, insinuating that I’ll be a little spy for him.
He’s never been more wrong. I forgot that I won’t just be protecting the girls from strangers, I might also have to keep my eye on him.
The rest of the room empties; Mitch pats my shoulder in passing. “I wish I’d have thought about that. I can’t believe you’re leaving me alone with that toddler.”
“Not alone,” I laugh. Mitch and I are good friends, but there are still plenty of others he could vent to about Trenton.
I have to rub my forehead when the realization of what I’ve done hits me.
Setting up a new team, running a detail, it’s going to be ridiculously hard work.
Hard work but easily the right thing to do.
Not to mention I spared everyone from having to be in that boardroom for a few more hours while the people with money argued about nothing.
Finally pushing myself to my feet, I round the corner into the hallway.
Meaning to go find some peace and quiet to plan, I’m stopped in my tracks when a flash of red catches my eye through an open door.
I don’t want to eavesdrop as she’s speaking at a lower tone, but the door is cracked.
She has her phone up to her ear and is speaking to… another man?
The conversation is muffled but I can still hear it all. “I saw it on the news,” the voice from the phone chokes out.
“I wasn’t the target,” Raleigh grumbles.
“You could have been. Raleigh, it was really scary to find this out, not having heard from you.” Raleigh looks to the sky as if someone being worried over her is nothing but an annoyance. She’s going to love the news I have for her.
“Tell my parents it’s alright. I’m sure I’ll be pretty busy today cleaning all this up.”
Raleigh moves further away so I only partially overhear what the mystery man says next. “Hey, love you.”
She hesitates, “Love…love you too.”
She hangs up, and I feel like a total douche bag for listening to what was clearly meant to be a private conversation.
Knocking softly, I enter without permission.
Raleigh is unfazed by my appearance, I suppose she’s used to people barging in on her personal space.
I make a note to not make it a common thing.
“Hey,” I begin, making sure to keep my hands clasped in front of me. No movement is necessary, even though I really want to hug her. Mae has Trenton in all of this, but who does she have?
“How did the good ole boys club meeting go?” she asks, tossing her phone onto her desk with a clatter.
I duck my head for a moment, trying to figure out what to say. I was no better than all of them, making plans for her and her client without her input. “I’m volunteering to head a team for you and M—”
“I don’t need one,” she says firmly.
I shift, suddenly uncomfortable under her gaze. “Maybe not, but I’ve heard that you and Mae are a package deal, non negotiable.”
She scrunches up her nose as if she’s disgusted by the whole idea.
“Well, jeez, Raleigh. I’m not that bad.” I don’t want my demeanor to turn cold, but she’s not budging an inch. “I’m doing you a favor, I came here to talk details because I wanted your opinion, but clearly I should talk to Mae. I’m sure she’ll be more appreciative.”
Her face falls, and I instantly regret getting harsh. Her timidity lasts only seconds. Her fire returns. She straightens and looks me dead in the eye. “Well forgive me for not being particularly kind to men today.”
Her comment leaves me frozen. This is not how I wanted this conversation to go.
“Is there anything else, Mr. Cosgrove?”
I can’t seem to form a sentence.
“No? I’ll have an assistant get your information for me.” When I still can’t move, she looks up from the work she’d already set to. “You can leave now.”
Dumbfounded, I back out of her office and tear through the building. I’ve had enough of prickly white collar folks for a lifetime.