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In addition to Marlee, Grace Winslow-McBride, Hailey Knight, Claire Harkin, Julie Carson, and even Laura Clarke, who owned the bistro Salt & Sea, were here, as well as Maddie O’Rourke, the latest addition to their group.
The girls tried to get together at least once a month to catch up as a group. In between, they held parties and barbecues with their significant others. Significant others who worked for KnightGuard Security and who just happened to be providing security to the women when they fell in love. Funny, that.
Thankfully, she never needed KnightGuard Security’s services. Kindergarten teachers didn’t get themselves in trouble. She hoped.
* * *
Killian slapped his cards on the table. Crap. He lost another hand. He was the last to fold, and it rubbed him Ben Green was so ecstatic about winning.
The guys were at Hank Peterman’s condo with the promise his wife, Laura Clarke, was providing the appetizers.
Tonight was Killian’s first poker game with the guys. He had no idea why they were so excited about the food since he was okay with beer and chips. Killian heard Laura was a chef at the popular Salt & Sea bistro, and the food at Hank’s would be over and above.
So far, they had sampled spicy jalapeño poppers and barbecue chicken wings with a promise of more good food to come.
Killian wasn’t sure how much more food there was, but he liked what they’d eaten so far.
He and Joe Harkin had driven together since Killian didn’t know where Hank lived. Although he’d been to several of the guys’ places, he wasn’t prepared for the luxurious penthouse suite Hank and Laura shared.
The huge living room was painted various shades of grays, blues, and brown and had a great view of the Riverwalk. Plus, be still my heart, Hank had a big-ass TV on one wall. He hoped Hank enjoyed watching games and would invite the guys over.
The sliding doors to the balcony were open. Killian could hear voices in the distance and see the flickering street lights through the light fog settling over the water.
He’d peeked into the kitchen when they arrived, and it was to die for if you were into gourmet cooking.
In comparison, his fourth-floor condo, which also was within walking distance of the Riverwalk, had no view, balcony or gourmet kitchen. It was basic and suited him just fine, especially since it was also the first home he’d ever owned.
This penthouse unit must have cost Hank a pretty penny, but Joe had hinted Hank came from a lot of money and owned the entire building.
No skin off his nose. Winning from someone, whether rich or poor, made no difference to him. Killian liked to win.
Besides, he sure wasn’t mentioning Hank had a tell when he had a winning hand, although Killian suspected all the guys knew except Hank.
“Killian, I heard you went on your first security detail last week.” Killian turned to look at Danny Knight. Danny was part owner of KnightGuard Security. Unlike his sister, Sam, who was intense even when she was relaxed, Danny was laid back and funny. “How did it go?”
“It went fine. The CEO was easygoing, no problems,” Killian replied. “Hope all the security details are that easy.”
“Don’t we all,” said Luke McBride. Killian knew Luke was a former detective who came to work for KnightGuard Security and met his wife, Grace, a reporter, when a crazy man stalked her.
Come to think of it, Killian remembered Ben hinting that some of the guys who worked at KnightGuard had met their significant others while on duty.
He hoped there was nothing crazy in the water like Ben teased, because he sure didn’t need or want anyone in his life—no commitment, no crazy, no nothing.
He had enough drama in his life growing up.
CHAPTER NINE
Early Saturday night, Killian parked his car at the side of the road near Luke’s house.
He hated parties, but when your co-worker threw one and all the employees were going, one had to do what one did—go, pretend to enjoy, and leave early.
Dusk hadn’t yet arrived, so the sky was a combination of red and blue with streaks of yellow. The party was outside. Thankfully, the weather was on the cool side.
The drive over to the house was interesting. Luke’s home was located in what Killian considered “old Florida.” He passed several horse and cattle farms. But he saw no sidewalks or streetlights and only a few cars. There was a wildness about the trees and bushes the darkness emphasized. It was quiet. Killian relished the quiet.
Luke and Grace were throwing a party for the KnightGuard Security team and friends. It looked like half the town was parked on the grass and road. He could hear voices and music coming from the back of the small ranch just outside town.
He reached over to grab the bag with beer and wine in it. Suggestions for contributions had been sent around, and liquor was the easiest. No way was he going to bake brownies or bring a salad—that wasn’t in his DNA.
