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Chapter Eleven
Remington was frustratedand the back of her neck was crawling. For the first time on a security detail, she was ready to leave a client high and dry. She’d never even considered it before, but this guy had all her senses screaming that nothing was as it seemed. Bear was currently walking the perimeter and checking exits for the second time tonight. They’d come to this location after the client had changed plans on them. They’d argued it would be harder to protect him at a location they hadn’t previously vetted, but he’d insisted. Their contract didn’t specifically prohibit the client requesting a change of venue, but he was the first. She’d vetoed his request to not have one of them within the penthouse. The little vein pulsing in his forehead let her know how displeased he was along with his screaming. Their contract did specify the client had to allow them within their personal space. Once she was done with this asshat, she’d be speaking to their attorney and having the language added for a change of venue only at the protection details’ approval.
She wasn’t sure what could have been missed. Each client went through a vetting process. He’d passed without any red flags. They had filled a couple positions in that department but with their screening process, they didn’t usually miss things. She’d trained to notice the details and none of what she was seeing was adding up. She and Bear had traded glances multiple times. He was feeling it, too. Something was rotten, though they didn’t have enough info to know what. The client had said he was getting threats. He was a political official at the state level with aspirations for a higher office supposedly home to campaign in his hometown but at this point, she was skeptical. They’d reviewed his threats and approved him for protection. She didn’t get involved in politics besides voting but if this guy was ever on a higher office ballot, she might change her mind. The thought of him in charge of anything substantial for the country was frightening.
Due to his office, they were dressed in suits to blend in with his group. She texted Bear to grab their vests from the monitoring room when he came up. The longer she thought this through the more her skin crawled, screaming at her the danger was high. Their monitoring room was set up next door because although the asshat had given in on them having one of them within the room, he’d refused to allow their equipment in. Most clients jumped at the added protection. Just another tic for her what the fuck column.
She opened the door at Bear’s radio announcement, he was outside the door. She yanked off her jacket, strapping the vest on, situating her holsters for easy access. Most protection details, she wore her single holster, but every minute was making her more anxious. She was always calm and collected whether it was security or skips. Sure, her adrenaline spiked during jobs, but she’d never felt this overwhelming dread.
“Thoughts?”
She and Bear weren’t on their first detail. His demeanor when he walked in was telling her he was right there with her. Something was rotten in Dodge City tonight.
“He calls us because he’s getting threats but then doesn’t follow our requests. We move to a second venue, which has even less security, yet he seems happy to be here. Plus, he’s stopped his conversation multiple times when I walk in the room like he’s hiding something. The contract states everything we hear is confidential unless it’s illegal so why be so scared to let us hear what he’s saying?”
She agreed. Nothing made sense.
“Okay. I think we need to both be in here with him. I’m considering calling in extra manpower.”
“I agree. I think if nothing else, you need to notify HQ something’s off, so they’ll be ready. He can kiss my ass if he thinks he’s throwing me out.”
She nodded and waited until Bear had walked in with the client. She texted into their detail text.
Code Phoebe – Client and detail at secondary location.
Confirmed. After previous change, backup was moved to your location. Holding on main floor of your location unless directed otherwise. ETA 4 minutes if you request help.
She’d notified them earlier when they changed the location but hadn’t felt the need to state how off everything felt. Obviously, her sisters had heard something. She and Bear were the only detail who was supposed to be in Dodge City tonight. They must have moved backup closer in the last two hours. She clicked into her app which gave her camera views from their equipment. She had views off all entrances to this floor. One of the reasons she hadn’t wanted to move to this hotel is their penthouse wasn’t a secure floor with the elevator only going to that level with a key. The penthouse floor also allowed access to anyone because the stairs to an outdoor patio were on the same floor.
She clicked through the feeds again, pausing on the door to the outdoor patio.
“Bear, Code Ross. Three imminent.”
Her security app picked up her voice with their distress call of Code Ross which notified her base everything’s not fine, imminent danger, but she hit her distress button just in case. You couldn’t have too much backup. Her distress button would notify local law enforcement in addition to her team.
Bear moved their client to the place they’d deemed the most secure, which was the bathroom. She moved back to a protected place where she had line of sight. She clicked to their balcony. At least they were only assaulting from one direction. Grabbing her bag, she pulled out her secondary guns. She hoped and prayed they wouldn’t be needed but she’d be prepared for anything.
A loud bang heralded the lock being blown. These weren’t your average guys if they had access to explosives to blow the door. She waited until the door opened then started firing from behind cover. She ducked, closed her eyes and covered her ears as a flash bang was thrown in. Then, she popped out from the side, firing toward the door.
Her detail text beeped, andCode Chandlerappeared on her watch. Friendlies coming in and backup imminent. She caught a glimpse of one of the intruders in the mirror over the bar, coming toward her position. She paused, waiting for him to come a little closer, then slid around the end of the couch, popping up and shooting until he fell. She slid over to check he was down permanently, staying behind the couch, then checked the room. No one was in the room with her, so they’d already made it to the bedroom.
~**~
WAR SIPPED HIS ICEDtea while watching Winnie and Scoop watching a computer. Two hours ago, Sarah had notified War that she wanted him and at least three of the guys hanging out at a bar with Winnie and Beth in Dodge City. When he’d questioned her, she’d said she had a bad feeling and wanted backup close by. Winnie, along with a couple of security employees, would meet them there. If everything was fine, they could return to town or spend the night in the hotel. Protocols were no cuts, just blend in at the bar.
They’d been hanging out for about a half hour, and he had to admit, something felt off. He had the same feeling tonight that he’d had the night of the fire, which had spurred his decision to quit the department. He walked over to Scoop and Winnie. Flick was hanging near the door, leaning against the wall watching the parking lot. For once, he wasn’t quoting any movies. He was feeling it, too. He was focused on what was next. Cannon had been cracking his knuckles and neck almost continuously. Everyone knew something was rotten.
“Anything?”
Winnie shook her head. “No, but everything inside me is screaming something’s off. Let’s move next door to the bar in the hotel. I want to be closer.”
