Page 35 of The Specialist

She’d given me much more than a chance, but I kept that to myself. “Yes.”

“Congrats. You make a great couple.”

“So, who is this new client?”

“I’ve only spoken to his assistant, which isn’t unusual. He’s in town for meetings and needs security. Your name was brought up.”

I looked at the file. The name Roman Brock meant nothing to me. “What kind of business?”

“Import/export, according to the assistant. I looked it up. Not much to see. Started overseas. Has a warehouse here for distribution. According to what I could find, he makes trips here often. In fact, he does a lot of traveling.”

“Has he used security before?”

“He has his own, but according to his assistant, he usually adds a local.”

I shook my head. “So basically a hired gun for a day?”

He pushed a contract my way. “An expensive one.”

I whistled at the dollar figure. “That’s what you quoted them?”

“That was their offer. I’m not going to argue with the client.”

I crossed my legs, frowning. “Seems awfully high for a day of me standing close. Why not just add another member to his team? He must trust his security leader. Why a stranger?” I pushed at the contract. “And why so much? Is he worried about an attack? Has he been threatened?”

“I asked the same questions. He said this is Mr. Brock’s usual protocol. He prefers an unknown bodyguard. Someone not involved with him or his business added to his team during a trip. He explained that we had been recommended and to ask for you specifically. He assures me although this man is wealthy, there are no threats. Mr. Brock is cautious and always brings extra security to meetings with new clients as a precaution. It’s only one day. You’d be on the clock from six a.m. to eleven p.m. His last meeting is at nine and in his hotel. Once he is safely back in his room, you’re done. You’ll go with him to five different meetings. The fee is higher because it is short notice and they assumed I would be pulling you from another job.” He pushed a file my way. “I ran him through our system. He is legit.”

“Well, it would certainly add to the bottom line.”

“So, you’ll do it?”

I pursed my lips. It all appeared straightforward, although over the top. Three security guards for one man who didn’t expect any trouble, traveled often, and ran an import/export business? It seemed odd, but Leo had checked him out and he was legitimate. I scanned the file Leo handed me. Brock’s business was very successful, and he always had security around him. It all checked out. I had to admit, I found most wealthy people hard to understand at times. I thought many of them had unusual quirks, and perhaps added security was his. Still, it was only a day, a shit-ton of money, and it would be different. I could dress in a suit, wear dark glasses, and enjoy being a tough guy for a day. Listen to a rich man talk business. Maybe I could learn a thing or two.

“Sure.”

* * *

I dropped by the hospital on Friday on my way to the birthday party. I double-parked my car and went into the ER, waving at some staff I recognized. It wasn’t the first time I had dropped off food for Sofia.

I spotted her at the nurses’ station, busy jotting down something. I snuck up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist, dropping a kiss to her neck.

“Dr. Mitchell,” she scolded. “How many times must I tell you, not at the nurses’ station?”

I growled deep in my chest. “Who the hell is Dr. Mitchell, and why would he be kissing you?”

Sofia began to laugh, turning her head with a droll wink. “Gotcha.” Then she indicated the wall in front of her. A glass cabinet showed our reflection. She had been teasing me.

“You will pay for that, woman,” I whispered into her ear.

She turned with a shake of her head. “What are you doing here, Egan? Don’t you have a job…” Her voice trailed off. “What are you wearing?”

I looked down. “Iona asked that the bodyguards dressed casually to blend in more. Her father agreed. So, I am casual.”

She grabbed my hand and led me to the staff room, which was empty. “You look anything but casual,” she said, then flung her arms around my neck, kissing me. “You look so hot.”

I highly doubted jeans and a black T-shirt with a jacket was hot, but if she thought so and wanted to kiss me to prove it, I was good with that. I yanked her tight to my chest and kissed her back, wrapping her long ponytail around my fist and tugging on her hair so I could kiss down the column of her neck. She whimpered then pulled away, running her hands down her white coat and shaking her head.

“I get carried away with you.”