AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Mind if I get a drag?” I asked.
The closest one handed me his vape pen. I took a long pull from it, allowing the nicotine to settle into my lungs. The vape flavor was too fruity for my taste, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. The three guys watched me carefully as I let the smoke out between my pursed lips.
“Thanks,” I said, handing it back to him.
“Where you headed?” he asked, looking me up and down. Admiring my frame. “And wherever it is, can I join you?”
I smiled. “Not in this lifetime, pal.”
“Aww, come on,” he insisted, smiling a little easier now. “Give me one good reason not to let me buy you a drink.”
I tapped him on the chest. “Here’s a good reason: I’m not intodudes.”
The three of them made surprised noises as I turned around. It was a lie I had been using my entire life to keep guys from hitting on me, or to shut down those who did. Nowadays it would have been easier to just wear a wedding ring, but back when I was in boot camp I didn’t have as many options.
When I returned to Kaylyn, she was smiling triumphantly. “They lookreallypissed. What did you tell them?”
“You were right,” I said. “They’ve been stalking you all night. I told the ringleader that if he comes any closer to you, I’ll break both his arms, and his friends will have to jack him off.”
Kaylyn giggled happily, and then we got into our Uber. I didn’t mind lying to a client. Especially when lying was easier than telling the truth.
We went back to her place, and I made a final sweep of the perimeter before saying goodnight. Kaylyn didn’t pay for overnight protection. Probably because she realized she wasn’t actually in any real danger. On the drive back to my place, I put on a Podcast and allowed my mind to wander.
I was five minutes into the drive when my phone rang. It was my boss at the security agency. “You’re calling awfully late,” I said. “Miss the sound of my voice, Bobby?”
He laughed. “You know what? I kind of do. Everyone else in the office is afraid to call me out on my shit.”
“I thought you hated when I did that.”
“I’m beginning to see the value in a blunt opinion.” He paused. “I wanted to talk about your assignment. How are you liking it?”
“It’s about as fun as visiting my gyno, except the money flows in the opposite direction. This kid’s a real brat. I’ll never get used to having clients who areyoungerthan me.”
“How would you feel about a new assignment?”
I gave a start. “You’d better not be fucking with me, Bobby.”
“It’s long-distance,” he said. “I know you said you prefer staying close to Los Angeles, but when I saw this job, I instantly thought of you.”
“Right now, I’ll take an assignment on Mars if it means doing real work.”
“It’s real. Might be tougher than what you’ve got now.”
My fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “Even better. I’ll take it.”
“You haven’t heard where it is, yet.”
“I just told you I’d take a job on Mars. Is it on Mars, Bobby? Protecting Elon Musk from all his fanboys?”
“Slightly better than that. Salt Lake City.”
“Really? Who’s in Salt Lake City that needs protecting? Mitt Romney’s wife?”
Bobby chuckled on the line. “You’re a Minnesota fan, right?”
“Skol Vikings.”
“That’s what I thought.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “You might have to put your football fandom aside for this one. You’re being assigned to a Stallions player.”
