3

The next morning, Will's jacket was crumpled and his shirt had a coffee stain just below the collar. It was the same suit he wore last night. He sipped coffee, leaning back in his chair while I paced. "So, I take it the meeting with Rodriguez didn't go well?"

I scoffed. "He said I will never work in this city, not as long as he's commissioner."

"Are you sure that's what he said?" He set his coffee cup next to his keyboard.

I sighed. "Yes, Will. That's exactly what he said. Word for word."

"Well, that sucks."

I tilted my head and stared at him. His blithe tone wasn't something I wanted to hear right now. "I've got to do something. But I don't know what."

I rubbed my forehead while continuing to pace.

I could ask one of the other guys in the office to file requests for me. But they had their own assignments and I wouldn't want to add more work onto their plates.

What if…

"You're burning a hole in the carpet," Will drawled.

I crossed my arms and was about to tell Will to take the situation more seriously when Christian walked into the office.

"Gentlemen." He took a seat in front of Will's desk and crossed one ankle over his knee. "An important case has come across my desk. I just got off the phone with Governor Adams."

This piqued my attention. We've had some celebrity assignments and one British diplomat so far, but this would be the first state official.

"Well, what did the governor want?" asked Will.

"It appears she's received some disturbing emails threatening her safety. She wants around-the-clock protection."

Will pursed his lips. "Jager's busy working with City Bank on their hacker issues. So that leaves me and you, Christian."

I stepped back with my hands on my hips.

"What?" Will asked. "The commissioner tied you up. You can't work the case."

I knew Will was right. I hated that I couldn't do my job. I paced the office again.

Christian straightened in his seat. "I'll protect the governor. I've already started working on her case. I know you have a lot going on right now, Will."

Will grunted, but I didn't pay attention to anything else he said because an idea wormed its way through my mind. "Hold up," I said when Christian turned to leave Will's office.

"I will take the case."

Will groaned. "We just talked about this, Jake. Don't—"

"Who's Rodriguez's boss, Will?" I asked.

He raised his hand flippantly. "I don't know. The mayor, I guess."

"That's right. And who is the mayor's boss?"

Christian smiled and pounded on the office door with his fist. "The governor. You're fucking brilliant, Jake."

Will shook his head. "What are you saying? You're going to threaten Rodriguez through Governor Adams?"

"It's not a threat. It'll be a condition for us to work with the governor. We will take on the case, including around-the-clock service, plus eyes on her email, but she will need to get me taken off Rodriguez's blacklist."

"Do you think she'll do that?" Christian asked.

"She came to us, which means she knows we're good. It's not like we advertise or anything. To secure the best protection, I'm sure she won't bat an eye."

Christian nodded. "He's right, Will. This could work."

"It has to," I said. "Or I'll lose this job."

Will rolled his eyes. "You don't need this job. None of us do."

I stood in front of Will's desk and planted my palms in front of him. "I know. Then why are we here? We joined the army because it's in our DNA to protect people. Because we need each other and a purpose. Give me a chance to keep both."

Christian walked over and slapped me on the shoulder. "You'll always have us, brother."

I nodded, but stared at Will. We had to be unanimous on this. There was a chance the governor could refuse my condition.

"All right. Go talk to the governor. Make sure she understands what needs to be done."

A smile spread across my face. "I will. I'll head over there now."

Christian handed me his file as soon as I reached the door, then turned to Will and asked, "Isn't that the suit you wore yesterday?"

I didn't stick around for Will's answer. That would have to wait for another time. I was on a mission to get my career back on track.

***

Christian had arranged the first meeting at the governor's home in Manhattan that morning. She lived in one of the luxury towers on Park Avenue. I gave the concierge my details, and he pointed me towards an elevator to my left. The white marble floors gleamed as I walked down the narrow hallway. Several people loitered in the foyer behind me, but there was no one else in this section. I sized up the situation and wondered if this was the best place to keep the governor safe. I planned to discuss my concerns with the team later to decide if any additional measures needed to be implemented. First, I had to get us the job.

The sixteenth floor only had two doors that I could see, and only one door had a suite number next to it: 1601. I knocked, then cleared my throat, waiting for the governor to answer. It didn't take very long.

A handsome woman with short, stiff blonde hair wearing a blue pinstripe suit opened the door.

"Christian Machado, I presume?"

I smiled. "No, ma'am. My name is Jacob Devereux. You can call me Jake. Christian is my partner." I extended my hand, and she shook it.

"Please come inside. I've been expecting you. Well, I've been expecting Christian, but you know what I mean."

"I do." As I stepped inside, I surveyed the room. Floor-to-ceiling windows covered two sides of the great room. The rest of the apartment included a dining area and a full-size kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The bedroom wasn't visible, but I assumed it was one of the two doors that remained closed down a small hallway. I couldn't spot any other exits or entrances other than the front door. That was good.

"So, will you be starting today?" she asked.

"We can ma'am. But first, we need to finalize a few details."

"Yes, of course. Please take a seat in the dining room."

She ushered me to the upholstered beige chairs and mahogany table. I pulled a chair out for the governor before taking one for myself across from her. She smiled and tucked in her hair.

Leaning forward, she placed both arms on the table. "Christian already emailed me the paperwork and I've signed and emailed it back to him this morning. What else do we need to discuss?"

"Well," I began and cleared my throat. "There's just one other issue I'd like to have your agreement on before we begin."

I watched her expression, deciding how to best approach the subject with the governor. She sat straight in her chair, all business. I got the feeling she was the no-nonsense sort, so I took the direct approach. "There's a problem in the Commissioner's office. The police chiefs are denying my requests on the Commissioner's orders. For us to fully protect you, I need you to make it clear to the Commissioner and his chiefs that my requests will be granted."

The Governor tilted her head and squinted her eyes. "Why would the Commissioner blacklist you?" She pushed away from the table. "I'm starting to wonder if going with your company was the right decision. I think—"

"We are the best, ma'am. That's why you chose us. This is just a small technical issue we need to iron out, and the rest will be smooth from here on in."

She crossed her arms. "You haven't answered my question, though. What have you done to the Commissioner?"

I inhaled but kept my eyes on the Governor. I didn't want her to doubt my sincerity. "I did nothing to the Commissioner, ma'am. I simply broke it off with his sister. I swore an oath to my country and I will swear one to you now. You will have my unwavering protection. I promise no harm will come to you." My voice remained even, but my fingernails dug into my palms as I waited for her to decide.

I held the governor's gaze; her brown eyes bore into mine. "I'm sure my assistance with this will reflect the final bill as well?"

"Absolutely."

She pursed her lips. "Since you are amending the contract, there's one more thing I would like to add."

"Anything."

"I'd like to have protection for my daughter. She's new in town and while the email was directed at me, one can never be too careful."

"No problem. I'll call Christian to let him know. He can get started on working with her."

She shook her head. "No, you're here now and she's already on her way. I hope," she whispered the last part. "Besides, there's something in your eyes that tells me you're the right man to protect her. She can be a little difficult."

"Difficult is not a problem. I can handle that. Do you agree then? You will speak to the Commissioner?"

She waved her hand flippantly. "Rodriguez can be temperamental," she said and flicked her hair. "I'll speak to him today and handle it."

"You won't regret it, ma'am."

"I don't think I will. Your firm was highly recommended to me by people in Washington. This is a fair negotiation."

I closed my eyes as relief washed over me. I did it. I saved my career and my pride. I wouldn't have to take a backseat on cases. I could continue working with my brothers as we'd been doing since our first mission.

"Thank you," I said just as a knock pulled our attention to the door.

The governor smiled. "She's right on time."

I smiled, eager to begin my next assignment. But when the governor opened the door, my smile fell and my pulse pounded at my temples.

It was her.

She stood at the doorway in her gray wool coat. She wasn't shivering like the last time I'd seen her, but she wore the same smile on her face.

Until she saw me.

Then her smile wavered, and her brow furrowed. I wondered if she wouldn't recognize me. We'd only laid eyes on each other for a second, maybe two. What if it had been too dark and she hadn't seen me? What if—

Her eyes narrowed and recognition illuminated her face. Crossing her arms, she glared at me and asked her mother, "What's he doing here? Did Sarah call you? I swear if she did—"

"Sarah?" her mother asked. "Why would she call me? Isn't that your friend from school?"

She finally diverted her glare to aim it at her mother. "What's going on?"

Her mother tucked a thick strand of hair behind her ear. "Don't just stand there, come inside. There's a lot I need to talk to you about."

With a hand on her coat sleeve, her mother dragged her into the apartment.

Oh crap, this was bad. What the hell was I going to say to explain myself? Could I say I got an urgent call or that I had to go to the bathroom and then she was gone? But what if she had stayed? Lord knows I didn't stick around long enough to find out.

Nikole continued to stare. It was almost as if I were an apparition and she didn't know what to do with me.

"Take off your coat, sweetheart. This will take some time. We have a lot to go through."

Without breaking her concentration on my face, she unhooked one button of her coat at a time and handed her mother her checkered scarf as well.

She wore a short black skirt with black stockings and a white blouse. Her black leather boots reached her shapely calves and her blazer covered most of her curves. But I noticed them.

Her long brown hair snaked down her back in soft curls, the kind that looked like they took no effort at all, but because I had a sister, I knew she had put in time to make herself look good.

"Mother, tell me what this is about," she said, crossing her legs and arms. Judging from her body language and tone, she liked her mother only marginally better than me.

Interesting.

"Nikole, I've hired a bodyguard for you. This is Jacob Devereux." Her mother didn't smile, but her stern face did show concern.

"A bodyguard. For me?" she asked so slowly that I wondered if she was mocking her mother.

"That's right."

She inhaled sharply and folded her hands on the table. Nodding her head and staring out into the room at no one in particular, she didn't say a word.

I looked between her and her mother and wondered if this was a normal conversation between them. Was there always this much tension?

"I thank you, Mother. But I do not need a bodyguard." She stood up to leave, and my body automatically followed her movements.

"Nikole, sit back down," the governor called out.

"I will not." She turned to grab her coat.

"You have no choice in the matter." Her mother threw back at her.

Nikole smiled sweetly, but her eyes burned. "Oh, yes, I do. Just watch me."

I stood to follow her, and she caught my gaze once again. "Jacob? Is that your name?"

"Yes."

"Nice to finally meet you, Jacob," she said with that same controlled smile.

"It's nice—"

She put up her hand to stop me. "That's not necessary," she said. "Because we won't be speaking for much longer. You're fired. Good day."

She turned, opened the door, and left.

The silence that followed her exit was deafening. It was followed by the shouting in my head.

Fuck.

Did she just leave me standing here?

Yes, just like I had done to her. The irony was not lost on me. Well, she would definitely be a challenge. But I was ready for her.