Page 89 of Oddly Fine

“Of course not—but we operate in similar circles, nonetheless.”

“Yeah? What circles would those be? The hoity-toity rich people circle jerk?” Beckett snarled contemptuously. He hated everything about this situation. The set-up, the job, the fucking lead crystal glass in his hand—it all felt wrong and dirty from the start, regardless of what angle he approached it from.

Matthew snorted and then shook his head.

“Charities, fundraisers, board meetings—” He gestured towards Hayes. “As a Monroe, I’m sure your partner could tell you all about life in those circles.”

At that, Beckett did raise an eyebrow. He didn’t like to show surprise at anything that Matthew said, but this remark about Hayes’ family background rattled him.

“I’m afraid you are incorrect on that point,” Hayes contested with a shake of his head. “My uncle inherited most of the businesses and the bulk of the family estate when my parents died. I’m a Monroe in name only,” he stated brusquely, his face tightening, as if someone had just stepped on his foot.

“Hayes—please, I can see the Rolex peeking around the edge of the sleeve of your Cuccinelli jacket,” Matthew said, rolling his eyes like he was being personally insulted.

“Inherited,” Hayes replied coldly.

Beckett strongly resisted looking at Hayes, not wanting him to read what was going through his mind right then: Have you been a rich bitch the whole time?

“Whatever you say, Agent. My point still stands. It would not be at all suspicious for me to hire bodyguards with such glowing recommendations from Mr. Kent. Especially since my old bodyguard is on extended paternity leave,” he shrugged, the casual tone selling his explanation quite well.

“Extended paternity leave—is that mob talk for sleeping-with-the-fishes?” Beckett asked with a sneer.

Matthew sighed, as if he found Beckett thoroughly ridiculous, and reached for his phone. A few taps later, he slid it across the counter towards Beckett, the display showing a large black man holding a newborn wearing a bright pink hat, swaddled in a jade green blanket.

“Tyson’s wife gave birth a few weeks ago. He’s been with me for years, and I thought it was only fair to recognize his service by offering a full year of paternity leave. Of course, since Tyson is nearly 7 feet tall, a former Green Beret, and a champion MMA fighter, replacing him would take two men—but that’s a compromise I was willing to make for such a loyal employee.” Obviously this bullshit story was well rehearsed so he could repeat it as needed to the rest of his organisation.

“Plausible, if a little eccentric,” Hayes said, with a shrug.

“Well—you know us millionaires,” he said, winking at Hayes conspiratorially, as if this was a commonly-shared mentality.

Beckett didn’t like the parallels Matthew was trying to draw between his lifestyle and that of Hayes. If Matthew was doing it on purpose, then he wasn’t quite as clever as he thought he was. Beckett didn’t think there were too many things that Matthew had done in life that were accidental.

“Fine,” Beckett said, after a few minutes of thinking it over. “With a few conditions.”

“Very well,” Matthew said, spreading his arms wide in invitation, indicating that he was listening.

“I’ll assume we’ll be staying with you, since we have to ensure your safety.”

Matthew gave a brief nod of confirmation.

“I won’t stay at your house. Find another location—this place even, but not your primary residence,” Beckett stated resolutely, crossing his arms over his chest.

Hayes shot him a confused look, wondering why Beckett was making this particular demand, but Beckett ignored him.

“And Nickel stays with us.”

“The dog?” Matthew asked, voice a little high-pitched. “Why would we—”

“My mother thinks my brother’s dead—I’m not dumping a dog on her on top of everything else she’s dealing with right now,” he said firmly, leaving no room for discussion.

“I—suppose,” Matthew shrugged. “It’s harmless enough.”

“It was you—at the apartment,” Hayes said, like it had just dawned on him.

Matthew gave a sharp nod.

“The last time we spoke, your brother told me what was about to happen—he asked me to look after the dog until you two came to the condo. I was getting a little worried you never would, and then I found the door unlocked and I should have turned around, but I was worried that maybe it wasn’t you two who had shown up, so I stuck around.”

“But why not just take the dog? No one knew of his existence until we found him.” Hayes looked perplexed.