Chapter 5 #2
Edward dropped his arms as he stepped over to Alex. “I want you and your men for full-time security. As many you can spare for the job.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Oh, is that all?”
“The theater and practice buildings are a significant area to cover. The main theater has a pretty large underground area beneath the stage where we store props and old costuming. I’d want twenty-four-hour surveillance detail. One to three months, depending on how the case progresses.”
“Sounds doable.” Alex tilted his head. “I’m getting a new guy sometime this week. I’ll make do with who isn’t assigned to a current client. Maybe five or six men, including myself.”
Edward walked over and put his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I’d like you to personally watch over Scarlet.”
Alex’s body went cold as a shudder rose up from the base of his spine.
“Me? Why?” Alex asked.
“I trust you,” Edward said. “Not only will Scarlet have rehearsals, but she has parties to attend. We have a big gala next Saturday to kick off the season. I need her at her best to gain favor with financial backers. I need her to perform flawlessly for this ballet season. If she’s scared, her head won’t be in the game. Her work will suffer.”
“Sounds…” Alex glanced up to the ceiling. “A little selfish.”
He locked eyes with Edward. “I mean, I get it. You have a business to run, but this woman was attacked. She’s vulnerable, scared, who knows what else, and all you want to do is shove her into some pretty clothes and parade her around to high bidders.”
Edward inhaled sharply. “I realize you don’t know much about?—”
“I don’t need to know about ballet to know you’re not understanding trauma,” Alex interjected. “I know you tend to focus on your own feelings at the expense of others.”
“Jesus Christ,” Edward swore. “I didn’t bring you here to fight. I need you to do a job. Are you in or out?”
Alex clenched his fists to keep his anger at bay. He shrugged. “That’s a lengthy babysitting contract.”
He could think of a lot more he could be doing with his time. He preferred not to jump from one impossible diva client to another.
“I’ll make it worth your time,” Edward insisted. “I’ll pay you triple overtime.”
Alex’s lip twitched as he fought to say no, but Edward’s face made him hesitate. It’s money. Easy money.
“One month,” Alex answered. “I’ll give you one month of personal protection for your prima. Then we reassess.”
Edward looked relieved at the words. “Thank you.”
Alex nodded, still unsure of the situation.
“We want this kept as low key as possible,” Lyn spoke up. “We’d like to keep any bad publicity out of the news. We need more investors, and we would like to keep the ones we have. Anyone on this job will sign a confidentiality contract. You understand?”
Alex cast a glance over at Edward, who nodded. “Yeah,” he said sarcastically. “I understand.”
Lyn nodded before excusing herself. “I’ll see you gentlemen tomorrow. Try to get some rest, Ed.”
Alex watched the tall woman leave. Once the door closed behind her, a wave of exhaustion hit him hard. He widened his eyes to wake up.
“I’m sorry I snapped at you.” Edward placed a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “I have a lot riding on this upcoming season. It’s hard not to act selfish.”
Alex shrugged. “I’m sorry you’re so stressed.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to do this if it weren’t important,” Edward said. “I can’t shake that something is horribly wrong. Scarlet doesn’t deserve to be the target of my mistakes.”
“You must care about her,” Alex commented.
Edward nodded. “I care about all my dancers, but my prima will always deserve my full attention. I gave her this promotion, so it’s my job to keep her safe. Since I can’t do that myself, I called you.”
Something in Edward’s voice pushed at Alex.
It faltered more than usual, just enough to let him know Edward was genuinely rattled.
Edward prided himself on keeping a calm, cool exterior, and Alex knew how hard it was for him to admit fear.
Even after all this time, even without knowing much about Edward’s life anymore, Alex still cared. He wanted to help.
“I’ll look forward to meeting her,” Alex said.
“Good,” Edward replied, motioning to the door. “Because you’re about to.”
“Now?” Alex blinked.
“Well,” Edward said. “Doctor said she’d be ready for release soon pending her x-rays. You’ll be a big part of her ballet life, so I want to make sure she’s comfortable with everything.”
Edward led Alex down the hall, stopping at a door marked “Room 110.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Alex fought back the urge to yawn. “I guess I should start to acquaint myself with your world.”
Edward chuckled. “I think it’s better than you imagine it to be. Maybe by the end of this you’ll come to opening night.”
“Don’t count on it.” Alex made a face. “Give me tickets to a Giants game, and maybe we’ll talk.”
Edward returned his comment with an eye roll before gesturing to the door in front of him. “Here we go.”
Alex uncrossed his arms and glanced into the room.
The woman was sitting in the hospital bed, hugging her arms to her chest. A doctor spoke to her, and she hazily nodded her head.
Alex’s body tensed as she looked up at him.
Her eyes were a striking blue that stood out against her sun-bronzed skin and reddish brown hair.
He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but it wasn’t the perplexing beauty that stared back at him.
Her photo didn’t do her justice. Scarlet didn’t look defeated or weak—nothing that signified she just escaped from an assault.
Her faintly chiseled arms indicated a good amount of upper body strength.
There was dried blood on her neck, and one of her wrists was bruised. She was a fighter, all right.
Still, there was a familiar sadness in her expression. It reminded Alex of the pain he hid from the world.
Scarlet’s lips tightened a little as she turned her gaze away.
Alex let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding in. Maybe a month, he thought. Maybe a few months.
It didn’t matter. Alex knew he needed to protect this woman… even if she could take care of herself.
The feeling was so sudden he trusted it.