“Please do.”
We chatted a bit more. I asked most of the questions, exploring details of her training and specific examples of how she’d handled various situations. Dawna chipped in a little, but for the most part she let me take the lead. As we wrapped up, I told Talia I would call her in a few days, after I’d had the opportunity to check references.
She rose, shook hands with both Dawna and me, then left, closing the door behind her.
“Well?” I asked my partner.
“I … I don’t know. Like she said, it’s been fifteen years. She’s changed.”
I started ticking off positive points. “Well, I like to support the military. She seems to have credentials. I’m assuming she knows how to follow orders, and she was smart enough to come in wearing a charm. That earns her a few points. We need a mage. I was hoping for a six, but with enough training, a four can do pretty much everything we’re likely to need, and she definitely has the intimidation factor that’s important for a lot of the simple bodyguarding work.”
“We do need another female bodyguard. You’re going to be tied up in administrative stuff a good part of the time.”
Oh, God, I hoped not. But she was probably right. Damn it.
“So what’s the problem?”
“When we were kids she was kind of a bully, really aggressive and mean. I mean, she’s probably outgrown it…” Her voice trailed off.
“But it may be her basic nature, which might make her too aggressive for what we need.”
Dawna nodded.
“Okay. Why don’t you do the calls? You’re better at subtle than I am. See if you can find out if she’s got it under control or if there’s still a problem. Check around with the family, too, if you think you can without causing a problem. We’ll hold off on a decision until we know more. Does that work?”
“It works fine.”
We had a few minutes until the next scheduled interview. I cracked open the bottle of water in front of me and took a pull as I hastily racked my brain for something to talk about. Dawna’s one of my best friends. It shouldn’t have been difficult. But I heaved a huge sigh of relief when I was saved by a light knock on the conference room door. I called, “Come in,” and the person outside opened the door.
“Kevin?” I was startled to see him. Kevin Landingham was Emma’s brother and he’d worked at the university—until the day he gave the college president a shove. Happily, he hadn’t killed President Lackley, and Lackley had decided not to press charges, since he knew about Kevin’s PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a real bitch to deal with. People can have bouts of rage that are difficult to control.
Thankfully, Kevin hadn’t totally lost it that day. If he had, Lackley would be maimed or dead. Werewolves are strong, with or without the full moon. President Lackley didn’t know Kevin was a shifter—most people didn’t—so he didn’t realize just how lucky he’d been. In the end, Kevin still got fired. Since then, he’s put in a lot of time remodeling his sister’s new house, gotten himself a service animal, and is doing better. But he still has a haunted look in his eyes.
Standing in the doorway, Kevin looked uncertain but gorgeous in a navy suit that was just a hair too big for him. He was still big, blond, and strikingly good-looking, but despite working on Emma’s house, he wasn’t quite as ripped as he had been once upon a time. He was carrying a briefcase, and Paulie, his assistance dog, stood at his side, groomed to within an inch of her life, her work jacket strapped into place.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Emma told me you’re hiring. I wanted to submit an application.”
I blinked … twice, slowly. Wow. This … this was unexpected. “Well, come in. Sit down.” He nodded and stepped into the room. Setting the case on the table, he withdrew two copies of his resume, passing one to Dawna and one to me, before sitting down. Paulie settled onto the floor beside him.
It was an impressive resume. Of course I knew it would be. Kevin has a background in both black ops and tech. More to the point, I’d worked with him before. He’s a good man to have in your corner, smart, skilled. I’d love to have him on board. But I wasn’t sure our company would be the best fit for him.
“What type of position are you looking for?” Dawna asked.
“I’m hoping to start out doing mostly tech support, but I’m capable of installing security systems and doing basic bodyguarding. I’m not up to going into military confrontations at this point. I may never be again.” He said it calmly, but I thought I could see a little strain around his eyes.
“What would you consider a military confrontation?” Dawna asked.
“The situation Celia wound up in in Mexico would be a good example. There might not be a declared war going on down there, but it’s still a war zone.”
“Yes, it is,” I agreed.
“I also am not certain how well I’d be able to handle anything demonic,” he admitted, his expression haunted. “On the other hand, I know you’re going to be setting up new offices. I could be a big asset with regard to the security systems and tech.” He spoke with confidence, but his eyes were still dark from memories he’d rather not think too hard about. I understood that feeling all too well.
“There’s no question in my mind that you have the skills,” I assured him. “I’m only worried about one thing…”
“The thing with Lackley?” He sighed, his shoulders slumping a bit.
“No.” I gave him a rueful grin. “I’ve wanted to pop him in the mouth more than once myself. I can totally understand the urge.” Yes, his loss of control worried me. But I knew Kevin had gotten better in the past nine months. I was willing to give him a chance. “What worries me is this. In Mexico, I was working with an experienced crew that included some very alpha personalities. One of the men knew me personally. Even though I was in charge, he wasn’t able to behave professionally and follow orders because of our prior relationship. That undermined my authority with the other men and made me look bad to the clients, to the point where I had to fire him. We’ve known each other a long time, Kevin. Can you follow my lead?”
To give him credit, he thought about the question before he answered. When he spoke, his voice was calm and confident. “There was a time when I couldn’t have,” he admitted, “but that was before I actually saw you in action, during the situation at the Zoo. You work hard. You’re willing to invest in good equipment. You prepare as much as you can, you’re good at strategy and tactics, and you’re able to change your plans on the fly when things go wrong. You don’t ask anything from anybody that you wouldn’t do or haven’t done yourself. I respect that, respect you. So yes, I believe I can.”
“What are your salary requirements?” Dawna asked.
“I’m willing to negotiate,” Kevin said. “I have extensive experience, but I also have a couple of black marks on my record.”
I smiled at him as I sent a thought to Dawna. My siren telepathy still isn’t perfect, but I keep working on it, and with the ring my cousin gave me, I’m much better than I used to be.
Dawna gave a minuscule shrug; apparently it was my choice.
“Assuming we can work out salary issues, I’d like to start with a ninety-day probationary period. Would that work for you? I know I’ve worked with you before, and I like and respect you. But I need to know that you’re going to be able to handle the stress. You’re free to bring Paulie to work with you.”
He smiled and it was like the sun coming out from behind clouds. I heard Paulie’s tail thump gently against the floor. She could sense he was happy.
“You won’t regret this.” He rose and leaned over to shake my hand and then Dawna’s before gathering up his things and leaving, with Paulie at his side.
God, how I hoped he was right. Because if he wasn’t, it was going to be such a mess.
Dawna waited until she was sure Kevin was gone, going to the door and peeking out to make sure before she said, “I guess you’ve finally forgiven him.”
I knew what she was talking about. Some while back, Kevin and his father, Warren, had betrayed me. They’d done it to save Emma’s life and soul. What had pissed me off was that I’d have willingly helped if they’d asked. I mean,
