Page 171 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

“Yes. Xander needs more than standard coverage. Men I’d trust with his life.” His gaze held theirs. “And I do.”

“What about the rest of our team?” Green asked.

Cassidy seemed to have been waiting for that question. “God, if they were on your team, male or female, they can have a leadership role in the company. As I mentioned, there’s a huge contract on the table in Atlanta.”

Day’s smile had faded into something serious. “That’s a lot of trust for men you’ve only known a couple weeks.”

Cassidy leaned back. “Wesley and Lawson said you were the best.”

Ruxs grunted. “Wes and Law are biased.”

“They are,” Cassidy said. “That’s why I watched for myself.”

God stared Cassidy right in his eyes, unblinking.

“I watched you keep your men controlled. You respected the authority in this jurisdiction despite them not being as capable as you. I watched you and your husband communicate with each other and my staff with respect. Your men are all in relationships and I didn’t even know it. That’s a testament to your professionalism. And I watched you fight with regard for human life; you’re not showoffs.

“If they were on your squad, they’re the best. And I only wanna work with the best. And I only want the best protecting Lane…um, Xander.”

Day laughed.

God glanced back at Day.

His eyes were bright, but steady. Not because of the money, though the numbers were good. Better than good. Better than any wages, pension, or 401k the department could ever offer. No, his husband appeared relieved that their lives would still have purpose. That they’d still be doing what they were meant to do.

Protecting lives, keeping people safe.

Their family didn’t have to scatter after all.

God rested his hand over Day’s under the table and gave it a tight squeeze.

Ruxs pointed at the folder. “And this salary number is real?”

Cassidy looked at him with all seriousness. “Yes.”

“Plus benefits?”

“Yes.”

“Health?”

“Yes.”

“Vision and dental?”

Green pfft’d. “Seriously. You’re worried about dental…now?”

Cassidy’s smile was brief but real. “Dental and vision included.”

“Xander agreed to this?” Green asked.

“Xander doesn’t know yet,” Cassidy said. “This decision has to be yours first. But he trusts both of you. I think he’ll be relieved. Because like it or not—and he’s too humble to admit it—he’s about to be one of the biggest movie stars in the world. He needs a good security team.”

Day sat back, his eyes on Cassidy.

God concentrated on the papers.

Equal partners.