Page 13 of Knight Watch

Chapter Seven

As he watchedMercy and Caitlin disappear into the female locker room, Kingsley smiled to himself. Those two took some handling, but he had a feeling Sydney was up to it, and it might even take her mind off what had happened.

Killian was sitting at his feet as he waited for his mistress to come back. The beast tilted his head and looked at the door when he heard laughter. The look on his face was as bemused as Kingsley felt as he listened to the lyrical laugh he instinctively knew was Sydney’s.

“Stop loitering. She’s perfectly safe.”

“Nah, I promised I would stay here, and I will.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal.

“Fine, then make yourself useful and start filling this in.” Cleo handed him a bunch of forms.

“What is it?” He picked up the form and began to scan it.

“It is one of the million forms the IRS needs to sort out your 401K,” she replied with an eye roll.

“Fine, chuck us a pen.”

Cleo threw the pen at his head. “You Brits have no manners.” She smirked as it hit him in the side of the head.

“I have impeccable manners.” He chuckled as he picked up the pen.

“Well, use them, King.”

“Sorry, Cleo. You’re absolutely right. I was a douchebag, and I apologize. Forgive me?” he asked with a sexy grin and sad eyes which usually guaranteed him an out with the ladies.

“Don’t give me those eyes, big guy; it takes more than a handsome face to get around me.”

“Him? Handsome? Are you blind, beautiful Cleo?” James joked as he walked in the door before leaning against the reception desk, his arms crossed to show his muscles, the dimple in his cheek on show to full effect, his green eyes twinkling.

“Hey, women love me, it’s the accent,” Kingsley smirked when Cleo nodded her agreement.

“Whatever. When are you gonna let me take you out on a date, Cleo?”

James was a former USAF pilot and always had women throwing themselves at him, but never seemed to have any luck with Cleo.

Cleo smiled and leaned in close to James suggestively. “When Beyoncé becomes president.”

She laughed as he frowned. “That could happen, you know. I’m gonna get right on starting her campaign.”

“Stop harassing the staff, James,” Mason, their close protection specialist said with a growl, his English accent showing his irritation.

James turned to look at him. “Always so serious, Mason. You need to get laid. I hear blue balls can make you a grumpy bastard. Not that I’ve ever had that problem.” He winked at Cleo as Kingsley looked on, proud at the bonds of friendship that were already forming between the group.

“Eww! Too much info. Go! Everyone out of my reception! I have work to do even if you don’t.” Cleo shooed them out as James and Mason continued their discussion.

Kingsley heard the door open behind him and turned to see Sydney. She smiled tentatively, relief evident on her face that he had kept his word. She moved closer to him, and he was glad to see the small show of trust from her.

“Ready to get some food and have a chat about the plan from here on out?”

She nodded as she ran her hands down the front of the yellow shirt with white daisies on it. He recognized it as a nervous gesture and knew he still had a lot of work to do before she trusted him, but they were making headway. He didn’t understand why it was so important to him that she trusted him, but it was.

* * *

Sydney tookthe coffee that Cleo passed her with a grateful smile. She sipped the rich brew before adding some sugar. She had never been one of those people who drank it black with no sweetener. She felt the caffeine hit her blood and practically purred with contentment.

“Here. Eat this. You must be starving.”

Kingsley placed a chicken and avocado salad in front of her along with a large slice of apple pie. Even though it was still early, her mouth watered as she looked at it with the faintest hesitation before she dug in.