But I needed to head over to the office for a bit, take care of a few things, since I wouldn’t be pulling office hours for the foreseeable future. I figured I’d slip over there this morning, once Maddox and his guys arrived to install the new alarm system and change out the locks on Summer’s house.
I’d been over it, repeatedly, and any way I looked at it, this assignment was going to need my full attention. At least until I felt certain that Summer was completely safe.
And the deeper I delved here, the more I was unsure of that.
From what I’d learned so far, Summer’s band, the Players, were a newly formed rock band. Brody had signed a contract as their manager only two months ago. He had a lot to take care of in that capacity, and he also managed Dirty, who were a hugely successful band.
Since the Players were just coming together and wouldn’t actually be working together as a band until sometime next year—after their bassist, Matt Brohmer, who was currently touring with Dirty, came off the road at the end of that tour—Brody and Jude had put the Players’ security concerns on the long-ass to-do list, but it wasn’t exactly a pressing issue.
Until now.
Ashley Player’s part-time bodyguard, Hayden, or Hazard/“Haz,” as his brothers in the Kings MC called him, was at least licensed, which security professionals needed to be, legally, to work in this province. And like Brody and Jude had said in our meeting yesterday, we’d offered Haz the full-time gig. He’d accepted. If he ever changed his mind about that, I had many guys who’d be happy to take that assignment.
Xander Rush had a buddy of his, Lucas, playing bodyguard on a casual basis. He wasn’t licensed, but Xander liked him and Jude had insisted on offering him the same deal as Haz was getting, if he wanted it—as long as he also got licensed asap.
Matt Brohmer, since he was on the road, had his own guy on tour with him, and we’d leave well enough alone there until the tour was done.
As for Summer…
If you’d prefer someone else as your bodyguard, we can make other arrangements.
Riiiight.
Not sure why I’d even bothered making her that offer—fucking twice now—because it was total bullshit.
Was I testing her? Fishing for fucking compliments?
Hoping she’d gasp in horror and insist no man but me could possibly protect her?
I wasn’t putting anyone on this assignment besides me. That much I knew for sure.
My guys were completely solid. I’d trust them with my own life or with that of a loved one, no hesitation.
But why would I assign any of my guys to Summer’s security detail when I could assign myself?
It was better that I was here, on the frontlines, for now. Best vantage point from which to evaluate things.
And keep an eye on her.
Yeah, so, the scenery was better than staring at my office wall. Way fucking better.
I’d admit that.
It didn’t mean that was a factor in my decision making. As soon as I’d determined that the threat had passed and the client was safe, I’d pass off the bodyguard position to the next guy and move on.
My retirement from bodyguard duty was still imminent. It was just on hold for the time being.
At nine a.m., Maddox and two guys from his brother’s company arrived, right on time. They brought the work van again, and Maddox arrived on his Harley.
I went to open the door for them.
Summer hadn’t yet emerged from the back hall, so I assumed she was still in her room.
Punctual and professional, the guys from Triple X all shook my hand, looked me in the eye and introduced themselves when I let them in. They also removed their footwear when they stepped into the house.
Maybe Maddox had briefed them on who I was.
I definitely knew who they were. I’d had my team run a quick check on all three of them, including Maddox. The other two weren’t members of the Kings MC, but that still didn’t tell me everything I needed to know.
As they got to work, I pulled Maddox aside.
“You carrying?” I asked him.
“No.”
“Any of your guys carrying?”
“No, man.”
“Good. No one carries in Summer’s house or while working security for her in any capacity, unless I say. Got it?”
“Yeah,” Maddox said, “I got it.”
“I’m heading over to my office in a bit. I’ll be gone about three hours, max. No one enters this house without your approval, and don’t feel like you need to be nice about it.”
He smirked. “Not a problem.”
“Good. Do your best to work around Summer. Stay out of whatever room she’s in. Leave her alone when she’s in her bedroom upstairs.”
“Can do.”
I nodded and left him do his thing. Besides the security check I’d run on him, I knew Jude wouldn’t put anyone on the job who hadn’t earned it. Maddox was licensed, and obviously someone—Brody or Jude—had briefed him that I was in charge here.
I didn’t sense any ego battles or bullshit.
He headed out to the sunroom, where one of his guys was starting to drill into the shared wall to the kitchen. The other guy was already changing out the locks in the door to the garage.
I headed upstairs to find Summer’s bedroom door closed.
There was no sound from inside.
I knocked on the door, softly. I could’ve texted her, but in case she wasn’t awake yet or didn’t see the text, I didn’t want her to be alarmed at the sound of men going in and out of her house and drilling into her walls.
“Summer?”
I heard her voice from deep inside the room. Something like, Just a minute. She sounded… sleepy.
And suddenly I pictured her completely naked.
Not that I’d seen her naked, but I had an imagination. Those curvy, toned legs in her yoga pants. That fantastic, round ass. Full breasts. Soft, pale skin… I could envision her, climbing out of that big bed of hers, stretching a
