Just in Time (Steel Security #3)

Chapter One

Backstage at any music awards show was always a wild time.

Various bands and artists bounced from place to place while frazzled interns and workers herded cats.

People like German popped antacids and eyed every face for possible threats.

German didn’t have a particular client tonight.

The owner of Steel Security and German’s boss, Steel, had asked him to do a general sweep of the building and play backup for several of the company’s employees.

German had worked for Steel for a long time.

He knew how to keep his colleagues and clientele safe.

In fact, he excelled at spotting threats before anyone else.

Tonight, he felt a hell of a lot like a bouncer.

He had already thwarted four different drunken stalkers, stopped two celebs from ruining their reputations, and kept one extremely sexy drummer from causing a stampede when he accidentally stepped into a fan holding area.

German hadn’t stopped smiling and shaking his head after that one.

Of course, Blaze Journey always seemed to leave him with a story to tell.

Now his eyes wouldn’t stop finding the guy in the crowd.

He was young. Way too young for German. His bouncy blond hair just looked like youth.

Meanwhile, his light green eyes danced with a wickedness that would stop anyone in their tracks.

He took German’s breath away, but it was more of an admiration of perfection—like a world-renowned piece of art.

It was impossible to tear the eyes away from such beauty. That was where it stopped.

Blake’s band, Backlash, moved between backstage and the stage several times.

Once for a performance and the rest to accept awards.

German couldn’t stop himself from looking Marc, another guard’s, way, when the band’s name was announced again, this time as winner for a song the lead singer had written for him.

Marc was Valon’s husband. The love song had become an instant hit and had won a couple of times tonight.

Marc’s smile was huge as he watched Valon walk onto the stage alone to accept his award as songwriter of the year for Marc’s song.

German didn’t hear a word of Valon’s speech.

He couldn’t look away from Marc. German didn’t see pure love often.

Marc;s face screamed pride and affection.

A twinge squeezed inside German’s chest. Marc had started as Valon’s bodyguard and ended up as his husband.

While loads of the rich and famous fucked their security, those guards didn’t find what Marc had. German would know.

“How is it, among all these people who paid thousands to look their best tonight, you outshine them all?”

German shook off his jealous musings at the interrogation. His heart skipped a beat as his gaze landed on Blaze. His sparkling green eyes immediately captivated German.

“I’m taller than everyone here.”

Blaze snorted. “You’re incapable of taking a compliment. What is this? Like the twelfth time we’ve run into each other since we met. Not once have you simply acknowledged my praise and thanked me.”

“Thank you.” Before Blaze could throw some sarcasm his way, German kept going. “You look amazing. Did you spend thousands?”

Blaze glanced down at himself. “I guess it depends on how you look at things. This getup cost a small fortune, but this is nowhere near the first time I’ve worn this fancy outfit.

So, in that sense, I spent thousands, but I’ve gotten my money’s worth.

When it comes to everything else, I just look like this. ”

Without thinking, German ran his fingers through Blaze’s soft mop of curls. “I’m guessing there’s no taming these curls.”

Blaze shrugged. “We all work with what we have. Who are you keeping safe tonight? I’ll invite them to the after-party so you can come.”

Lord, forgive him. German swore the word ‘come’ sounded wicked falling from such sexy lips. He had to stop. This fantasy served no one. It only left his bed cold. “I’m not assigned to anyone. Steel asked me to keep an extra eye on all our clients tonight.”

Blaze never broke eye contact. “Good. That means you’ll be there tonight. Everyone’s leaving straight from here and meeting at Raze.”

Raze was the club to be seen and people below a certain pay grade didn’t make it inside.

If a person wasn’t already known or with someone who was someone, they didn’t get inside.

“No thanks. Like I said, I’m not in charge of anyone in particular.

I have no desire to stand in line outside for hours just to be turned away. ”

The way Blaze still held his stare wasn’t entirely comfortable.

Everyone else had disappeared. All German saw was the blond miscreant in front of him.

It was almost eerie the way Blaze looked at him, as if no one else mattered.

German couldn’t think that way. Yet it was like Blaze gave him no other choice.

“That’s a non-issue. You’ll be with me.”

Fuck. He was so fucking sure of himself, as he should be, but still. German didn’t want this. Blaze was too young, and German had been down this road before. Still, his voice wouldn’t work to deny him.

A sinful grin stretched Blaze’s lips. “Yeah. You’ll come.” The words had barely died on Blaze’s lips before his bandmates swept him away for interviews.

German watched him go. Still, as Blaze’s band stood in a group, awaiting their turn to answer questions, German didn’t get back to work.

As if he felt the way German still stared, Blaze’s head turned his way.

Blaze’s heated look made the breath catch in the back of German’s throat.

It wasn’t until Blaze’s expression turned playful as he went back to being the star did German find the will to look away.

He had to find somewhere to hide. German couldn’t leave here tonight with Blaze.

It was more possible than not that nothing would happen between them.

After all, Blaze was someone, and German wasn’t.

Plus, German was old. He flattered himself by thinking Blaze was in any way attracted to him.

Tension eased from German’s chest. That was what German needed to remember.

Blaze likely saw him as extra security, and everything else was in German’s head.

He had to tell himself that. They were nothing. Just like they always would be.

Raze was packed, as usual. Every direction Blaze looked, he saw the same faces.

The entourage surrounding him was full of nothing but familiar leeches with a smattering of friends.

Of course, no one was genuinely anyone’s friend in this business.

His bandmates were the only exception. That was why he couldn’t stop looking around, searching every face for one: German.

The band’s manager, Bond, emerged from the crowd.

He was all smiles as he approached Blaze. Still no sign of German.

Blaze had to shout to be heard over the music. “Where’s my guest?”

Bond’s hands lifted and fell. “I told him you sent me to fetch him and bring him to the club. He said, and I quote, ‘No thanks. I only agreed to go because he asked. It looks like the offer wasn’t a serious one. I’ll let the young enjoy their fun’ or something along those lines.”

Disappointed didn’t begin to cover his emotions.

Blaze had met German at Valon and Marc’s wedding.

They had ended up spending most of the night hanging out.

Blaze hadn’t thought about much else since.

Even though they kept crossing paths, Blaze hadn’t found a good way to recreate that night.

Tonight had been his best shot, and he had let himself get scooped up and carried from the ceremony by the usual crowd.

Blaze hadn’t considered German would reject Bond’s offer.

Now Blaze had to go back to the drawing board.

“Thanks for trying.”

Bond dipped his chin in what appeared to be an absentminded acknowledgment as he looked at something over Blaze’s shoulder. “Sure. No problem. I’ll catch you later.” Without another word, Bond stepped around him and vanished into the crowd.

Blaze’s gaze landed on Diesel. The giant blond, who looked more like a Hollywood star than any celebrity surrounding them, held his stare.

Blaze might have laughed at the way his bodyguard ignored the myriad of people vying for his attention, but Blaze was used to that.

He supposed Diesel was too. The guy got a lot of practice while guarding Blaze.

Blaze partied a lot. Tonight, he wasn’t feeling it, and it was obvious Diesel knew it.

Blaze tilted his head toward the door. Diesel immediately went to work blocking Blaze from sight as he ushered Blaze through the crowd.

The moment they stepped outside, Blaze took a deep breath, pulling fresh air into his lungs. He flashed Diesel a grateful smile. “Thanks for that.”

The Hollywood smile that matched his perfect face made an appearance. “I can see you’re not feeling it tonight. So where we headed? Home or German’s place?”

A tiny part of Blaze wanted to be pissed over the assumption. He was too damn excited at the prospect of Diesel knowing where he could find German. “Do you know where German lives?”

One of Diesel’s huge shoulders lifted in a half shrug.

His eyes darted in every direction, watching for possible threats.

“German doesn’t live anywhere. Steel shuffles him around too much for that, but I know where he’s staying.

He’s crashing at Valon and Marc’s place right now.

I think he said he’s sleeping in their pool house, or some shit, until he gets his next assignment. ”

Blaze’s heart sped a little. He could easily go there. Valon and he loved each other. They were like brothers. Things had changed some since Valon married. Valon didn’t really party with the band any longer, but Blaze knew he was always welcome at Valon’s place.

His car pulled up to the curb.

With a sharp nod, Blaze dug out his phone. “Let’s go. You drive. I’ll text Valon and let him know I’m on the way.”

Diesel didn’t hesitate. He kept Blaze safe the entire conversation and into the car before climbing behind the wheel.

Blaze didn’t even notice the fans waiting to get into the club trying to push their way past club security to get to him.

He didn’t hear the people calling his name.

His mind was completely locked on his task. He texted Valon.

Blaze: I know you’re likely busy enjoying your celebratory fuck, but I hear German is staying with you.

He didn’t feel even the smallest hint of embarrassment. Blaze could be friends with whoever the fuck he wanted.

Valon: LOL! He’s set up in the pool house. You could’ve at least pretended you wanted to swing by to see me.

Blaze: Nah. I know you too well. You’ll invite me if you want to hang out. It’s still the honeymoon stage of things. I won’t stand in the way of you enjoying your husband.

Valon: Thanks for that. We’ll let security know you’re on your way. They’ll let you in.

Blaze: Thanks. Get back to your fun.

Valon: Who said I ever stopped?

A laugh barked from Blaze as he read the message. Knowing Valon, he wasn’t joking.

“I take it Valon is okay with us stopping by.”

Blaze twisted the phone in his lap as he answered. “Yeah. Valon doesn’t know how to say no. That’s why I told him we’re swinging by to see German so he could keep his plans with Marc. He said German is staying in the pool house and he’d let security know.”

Diesel nodded along as he listened, keeping his gaze locked on the road.

Blaze eyed his profile. The guy always looked serene as hell. He was the perfect bodyguard for Blaze. Diesel stayed chill through every antic Blaze could muster. Yet he also didn’t act like he was only an employee. Blaze appreciated that. He wanted to be comfortable with whoever was stuck with him.

“Do you think this is weird?”

Diesel quickly glanced his way. “What?”

Blaze shrugged even though Diesel wasn’t looking at him. “Leaving a celebration meant for me to go see German?”

“No.” He visibly hesitated. “Do you want my full, honest opinion?”

“Sure.”

Diesel tossed another glance his way. “Are you sure? I’m not trying to get fired here.”

Blaze laughed. “Dude, seriously, you’re good.”

“I’m not trying to lecture you.”

Damn. It kind of sounded like he wound up to lecture him

Finally, Diesel spit it out. “I think you’ve made the right choice. You have a lot of fake people hanging on and leeching from you. German might not be the type of guy people think of hanging out with celebrities, but at least he’s real.”

“I get that impression.”

Diesel nodded. “There’s a reason German doesn’t get many long-term assignments. He’s Steel’s go-to guy. Steel knows he can trust him with any situation. It makes a hell of a lot more sense for you to hang out with German than Cheese or whatever that guy calls himself.”

A laugh burst from Blaze. “Brie? He’s French,” Blaze explained through his laughter.

“Yeah. That’s the one.”

Blaze shrugged. “People like him are simple. I’m not guessing at his intentions. Sometimes that’s easier. I thought you were Steel’s favorite. He told me he assigned me his most requested guard.”

For the first time, Diesel looked uncomfortable. “Yeah.”

Something squeezed inside Blaze’s chest. He knew that tone. Blaze used it more than he liked. “I’m hoping I can keep you for as long as you’re willing. You can tell me whatever you’re thinking. In fact, I prefer it that way.”

Diesel’s shoulders fell a hair, making Blaze realize he had been holding himself rigid. He hated that.

Diesel cleared his throat. “I don’t think most people request me due to anything I’m doing right. If anyone knows I’m not special, it’s me. But I fit a certain aesthetic.” He cleared his throat again, and Blaze’s heart sank.

“And people think if they’re paying you, then they own you for whatever purpose they choose,” Blaze finished for him.

A sad smile appeared on Diesel’s lips for half a second. “Yeah. Something like that.”

“Damn, dude. That blows. You don’t have to worry about that with me. Nothing personal.”

Diesel laughed. “I know. You have way too many people already willing.”

Blaze chuckled softly before turning serious. “Nah. That’s not it. You’re honest and chill. I couldn’t have custom-ordered a better guard.”

The way Diesel smiled brightened Blaze’s mood. At least there was one person who saw the real him. That was more than he had a month ago.