“No. You’ll let me help you, and I don’t want your money. It’s the least I can do.”
Chapter 5
Troy
Glancing around at all the boxes cluttering the floor in the new office space, I sighed. I seriously needed an assistant to help me get situated, considering how chaotic it was in here. I knew how to operate the copy and fax machines, but there was a lot of other work that had to be done as well. Until I hired a crew, I would have to do everything on my own.
The office supply store had delivered desks and computers, along with a couch for the lobby. It would take a while to organize the place, but a feeling of anticipation washed over me, filling me with a sense of pride. I was finally head of the new division, and I had worked hard to get here. Once I got things in order, I would start the hiring process, and I knew exactly who I wanted on my team. Well, one or two guys at least.
My phone rang, and I saw it was Will at the corporate office. “Hey, Will.”
“How are you settling in?”
“It’s crazy right now, but I’ve got it handled.”
“Good, because I need a favor.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
He chuckled. “You won’t sound so gung-ho when you hear what it is.”
I sat on top of a desk and leaned back on one arm, blowing out a breath. “What is it?”
“We need you to take on a client—”
“Hold on. You promised I’d have time to get situated and hire new employees. How am I supposed to be the manager of this office if I’m assigned to a case?”
“It’s only for a few weeks. Burt was initially assigned, but he hurt himself and now he needs a knee replacement. He’ll be taking some time off.”
Burt was ex-military like me. He was a big guy in his fifties with a sturdy frame and an easygoing disposition. I’d asked him to be on my team when I first found out I would get this promotion, but he didn’t want to move, and I understood that. His kids were settled in their schools and he had to do what was best for them.
“Isn’t there someone else who can do it?”
“Nope. This came straight from the top. Ansel Williams said if Burt can’t provide the service, he wants you.”
Ansel Williams was the CEO of Bad Boy Bodyguards, and if he was ordering me to do this, there was no getting out of it. “I see.”
“He knows the client from a business conference and wants to make sure he has the best. He knew you’d be tied up so he scheduled Burt, but now that Burt can’t do it…”
“There are other capable men and women able to provide—”
“The most experienced have other clients right now. It’ll only be for a little while until someone else is available.”
I grit my teeth and closed my eyes, frustration racing through me. Every time I took a step forward, there was always something in the way, sending me back to square one. It had taken a while for the company to gather funds to start a new division and even longer for me to get the promotion.
“All right. What do I need to know?”
He spent a few minutes giving me the details and then hung up. I shook my head and clenched my jaw. I was supposed to guard some country singer. Apparently, she wasn’t a notable celebrity yet, but she had a situation with a crazed fan that had shaken her up. Will promised to send the intake info once I set up my computer, and that would need to happen today. I wasn’t excited about taking on a client right now, but I figured patience was a virtue. God was obviously teaching me to wait.
My cell phone rang, and I smiled when I saw it was my friend, Shane. “Hey, bro, thanks for calling me back.”
“No problem. I always have time for a friend. Went surfing this morning and now I’m lying on the beach, catching some rays.”
“Nice. When do you think you’ll be back? I want to hire you.” I grinned because we’d already had this conversation before, and Shane wasn’t in a hurry to return.
Shane let out an easygoing laugh. “Man, stop trying to get me to work. I’m taking it easy.”
Shane’s family came from money, so he didn’t have to work if he didn’t want to. We were in the Marines together years ago and bonded over some crazy stuff overseas. He was in the FBI for a while, but he recently left the agency so he could travel the world. There was no one I wanted more on my team, but I would have to convince him to leave Bali first, and that might take a while.
“Get it out of your system so you can come work for me.”
Shane laughed. “We’ll see.” He paused, and I heard the sound of the breeze in the background. It made me want to pull out a towel and lay by the beach. He cleared his throat. “You have a girlfriend yet?”
“What do you think?”
He snickered. “I’m guessing that’s a no. You’d better get with it if you ever want to start a family.”
“I know. Just haven’t found the right woman yet.”
“That’s what you always say.”
“What about you? When was the last time you dated anyone?”
“We’re not talking about me.”
I grinned. “That means you don’t have anyone either.”
“Don’t have time.”
“Looks like you have all the time in the world at the moment.”
We both laughed at that because it was true, but Shane’s biggest roadblock was his family. They wanted him to
