Page 34 of The Specialist

“Friday. I am dreading it.”

“Who is the new client?”

“No idea. Apparently another bigwig needing our services. Leo is hiring a few more bodies since the bookings are climbing.”

“Are they dangerous? Damien always said no, but I wondered if he was trying to protect me again.”

“Dangerous? No. Celebrities hire us because they are concerned about their safety, usually because of overzealous fans getting too close. Political people need us to get them from point A to point B and keep the harassers out of their face. Businessmen get hit on for money and, yes, threatened at times, but usually by people fairly harmless, more annoying than anything. Sometimes it’s more intense than others. This party is for a girl who’s father is a rich tycoon. He worries about her safety—about her being kidnapped. She has a bodyguard for everyday, but she wants her birthday to be at a public theater. To go bowling with her friends and have pizza. Again in a public place. So I’ll stick close, make sure nothing happens to her. Her regular bodyguard will be there as well. Our guys will sweep the perimeter and check on the guests. Make sure no one gets in who shouldn’t be there.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier if her father just rented the whole theater and restaurant? Sounds as if he could afford it.”

“That is exactly what he wanted to do. But she wants to do a normal birthday like her other friends. Go to the theater and sit with everyone. Eat pizza with other parties going on around her. ‘Be normal,’ she told her father. Luckily, it’s only a dozen kids. We prebought the seats in the theater, including those around her, made sure the lanes beside hers are being used by our people, and booked the party room at the bowling alley for the pizza and dancing. That was as far as her dad was willing to go, and she accepted it. She gets out, and he has a little peace of mind. At least as much as he can have with a teenager.”

Sofia smiled. “Sounds like a good party. Nothing extravagant.”

“No, nothing over the top. She is amazingly grounded for someone who could be spoiled. But it is what she wanted. Her friends won’t know that some of the other people around them are bodyguards. Or that they’re being watched as carefully as they are. The parents do, but we agreed to keep it on the down-low so Iona—the daughter—and her friends can have a fun time.”

“Will you watch the movie? Bowl? Eat pizza?”

I shook my head. “I’ll watch her and the crowd in the theater. The same at the bowling alley. I’ll always be on my guard, keeping an eye on her. Not eating popcorn or pizza and not bowling.”

“What if she wanted you to?”

I frowned. “I highly doubt that. She is used to bodyguards, so she wouldn’t expect me to join in the fun.” I shuddered. “I hope.”

Sofia laughed at my discomfort. “What if I wanted to go to a movie and out for pizza? Or go bowling?” she asked, looking mischievous.

I leaned close. “I would take you in a heartbeat. But I warn you, I am an excellent bowler, and just because I love you, I won’t give you special treatment. I play to win. And I wouldn’t share my popcorn.”

“Even if I asked nicely?” she whispered.

I groaned, leaning my forehead to hers. “Dammit, woman, you know I would. I would give you anything you asked me for.”

“I thought so. So a movie and bowling night?”

“I would prefer to dress up and go to dinner. Somewhere I can show you off and then take you dancing. Hold you in my arms.”

“We can do both. Some fun nights, some dress-up nights.”

“Perfect.” I paused. “But…”

“I know, you want to be cautious until you’re sure that gangster guy is gone.”

“Damien will probably have something for me in a couple of days.”

“Then we can just hang out here.” She nudged my leg with her foot. “I’m sure you can come up with something to keep us busy, Egan.”

I grabbed her leg, pulling her close. She squealed and giggled as I tugged her onto my lap. I covered her mouth with mine.

“I’m sure I can.”

* * *

Leo grinned at me. “You look happy.”

I grinned back. “I am.”

“Finally convinced Sofia to give you a chance?”