Operation 10 Principal Starlight #2
LA law enforcement wasn’t going to provide twenty-four-hour private protection for a movie star, no matter how beloved he was, and the studio’s security had failed him twice.
Morrison didn’t have enough reliable manpower to cover both the production lot and Xander’s private detail at the level this threat required.
That left God’s team.
When they needed Wes and Law in Atlanta, those two reckless pyrotechnic maniacs had come through for the task force in a way few men would’ve, risking their lives and careers to help him and his team.
It made them brothers, and God honored brotherhood above everything.
Wes and Law had asked them to protect their friend, so Xander Vale was their responsibility now.
Morrison stood close behind him. A little too close for standard protective spacing. His position blocked half the room from Xander’s back, his body angled in a way that shielded him completely.
Tipping his head down so his mouth was near the rim of Xander’s ear, Morrison spoke in a rough, but quiet voice, as though a loud sound might startle him.
“Xander, these are Wes and Law’s friends from Atlanta.”
Xander’s gaze moved around the room, landing on each of them for a second before flicking back to Morrison.
“Lieutenants Godfrey and Day head-up an elite task force in Atlanta. They protect a very big city from a lot of dangerous people. I checked them out.” Morrison’s eyes shifted briefly to God. “They’re good…better than good.”
Morrison’s hand rested at the small of Xander’s back, and Xander leaned into the contact.
Interesting.
Neither of them seemed aware of what their bodies were doing.
God stood from where he’d been leaning against the back of the couch, and Xander’s eyes widened when he rose to his full height.
Six-four had a way of changing the dimensions of a room.
Xander pushed back half a step into Morrison’s chest.
God softened his approach, stopping at a respectable distance before extending his hand.
Xander blinked at it for a second before he took it.
His grip surprised him. It was firm, strong, despite the tremors.
“Xander,” God said. “I’m sorry for what happened tonight. But I can promise you this. It won’t happen again.”
Xander swallowed, then nodded, but he didn’t look convinced.
God couldn’t blame him.
Promises didn’t mean a damn thing when fear was still breathing down his neck.
“This is my husband,” God said, as Day stepped up beside him. “Lieutenant Leonidis Day. We head up the task force together.”
Xander’s eyes widened again, bouncing between them.
He usually just introduced Day as his partner and left it at that. But he wanted no uncertainty regarding his ability to do this job.
Xander had enough anxiety plaguing him without wondering whether the men protecting him cared that he was gay.
Day gave Xander a small nod. “We’re glad you’re okay.”
“Thank you,” Xander said, voice raw.
God gestured toward Tech.
“This is Detective Murphy. We call him Tech. He’s one of our intelligence and systems specialists, also one of my enforcers. He’ll be assigned to your personal detail.” God huffed. “Don’t let the preppy shit he wears fool you. He’s no one to fuck with.”
Tech straightened and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“And this is Free,” God said. “My department’s genius. He’s the reason your neighbor’s alarm went off tonight. We’d hoped to catch the intruder, not scare him off, but Morrison made him aware of your immediate danger, and Free decided to be better safe than sorry.”
Xander blinked at him before he whispered a shaky, “Thank you so much.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for you tonight,” Free said.
Xander shook his head. “No. Please don’t say that. You saved my life.” His voice cracked over the last word.
Free came forward with a small black ring box in his hand.
“I have something for you.”
Xander’s eyes widened.
Free laughed softly. “Calm down, superstar. I’m not proposing, I’m already spoken for.”
A tiny sound escaped Xander. Not quite a laugh, but close.
“This is a panic button,” Free explained, taking out the ring. “I’ve disguised it as a class ring. You went to NYU School of the Arts, and their colors are violet and white, so I used a tanzanite stone. It’s personal, stylish and expensive enough that nobody’ll question you wearing it.”
The stone caught the light, reflecting flashes of violet-blue against his skin. Set inside a masculine white gold band, it looked like a really nice class ring.
“How’d you know I graduated from there?” Xander asked.
Free shrugged. “Because I know everything.”
“That’s annoyingly true,” Ruxs grumbled.
Xander smiled a little—which was a relief to see—then slid the ring onto his right ring finger.
Xander blinked at the perfect fit. “Wow. How did you—”
Free lifted one hand. “Everything.”
“Never take it off,” God said firmly. “Not when you sleep. Not even in the shower. Only time you should remove it is if you’re filming and wardrobe requires it. The same second your director calls ‘cut’, it goes back on.”
Xander looked down at the ring. “How does it work?”
Free grinned. “Push it.”
Xander hesitated, then pressed the stone.
Seven watches buzzed at once. The sharp sound tore through the suite in one well-synched chorus.
Xander jerked his hand back as if he’d done something wrong.
Free turned his tablet toward him. On the screen was a map with a pulsing point labeled S.
“S is you. Starlight is your principal call sign,” Free explained.
Beneath it were more active readings—location, pulse, oxygen saturation—things that would baffle him if he asked how it all worked.
Xander stared at it, appearing stunned.