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A lot of clients thrive on it. They've had a close call or two, survived, and some part of them begins to think they're invincible. They take risks they shouldn't, all in a psychotic bid to recapture the adrenaline rush that comes with feeling as if they're untouchable.
They aren't. I'm a walking, talking example of what flying too close to the sun can do to a person. But far too often, they need to learn it the hard way for reality to sink in. Until they're knocked on their ass because they got a little too cocky, there's no getting through to them.
I was just like them until my world blew up in Syria five years ago. You couldn't tell me anything. I knew it all. And that arrogance damn near got me killed. It's the reason I'll wear a hearing aid for the rest of my life.
"What's the situation?" I ask, already knowing I won't turn Madden down, even if this chick is a pain in the ass. Call me old-fashioned—hell, call me a sucker if you want—but I've got a thing about a woman in trouble. I can't say no. Ma would kick my ass if I even thought about it. And if Lula Banks with a riding crop is scary, Ma with an axe to grind is downright terrifying.
"When Olive and I got married, Kenzie got swept along for the ride. I don't think she intended to become Insta-famous, but it happened anyway since she's always with my wife." He grimaces as if he feels bad about it. "She's been doing some modeling for the last year."
"She has a stalker."
"Ex-partner who thinks she owes him more than she's willing to give," Madden says with a dark scowl. "She was partners with this talent scout fucker for a while. She handled social media management for some of his clients. Now that she's got her own thing going on, he's become a pushy son of a bitch. He thinks he made her or some bullshit. He wants his cut."
I snatch up a pen to jot a few quick notes. "What's his name?"
"Lyle Taggert."
I arch a brow. Lyle Taggert is a well-known talent scout in the area. He's also a prick. The bastard thinks he can bully whoever he wants because he's made a few bucks and a few friends. Sounds like he's decided to try the same thing with this girl.
"Judging by the look on your face, you already know why I'm sitting in front of you."
"He has a reputation."
"That's one way of putting it." Madden leans back in his chair, arms crossed over his broad chest. "The motherfucker is about as slimy as they come. I wouldn't put anything past him. He's already followed her home once."
"You want twenty-four-seven protection?"
"She rides hard for my wife. We're riding hard for her. We want you on her until he's handled."
"You handling him?"
Madden jerks his chin in a nod. "I've got people working on it. Shouldn't take more than a few days to dig up enough dirt to bury him under a nice little landslide of consequences."
"I'll call my brothers and get one of them on it." I pause, eyeing him across the desk. "She going to be pissed when we show up on her doorstep?"
"Shit, probably," he laughs loudly. "She's independent, likes to think she can handle everything herself. She'll probably be mad as hell when you show up at her door. But she'll be mad as hell at me, so at least there's that."
I grunt, knowing damn well it doesn't work that way. Doesn't matter who hires us on their behalf. They're always pissed at us when we show up to invade their lives without their input. We're convenient targets when lashing out at the universe isn't really a feasible option.
"Do me a favor?"
"Whatever you need."
"At least warn her that you hired us. Listening to my brothers bitch for the next few days when she throws a holy fucking fit is a headache I don't want."
Madden laughs like he thinks I'm joking, but I'm not. I really,reallydon't want to listen to them bitch for three days straight. A motherfucker can only turn his hearing aid off so many times before he gets caught.
"What are you doing?"
"Stalking Emma," Zayne answers without hesitation.
Jesus Christ.
"Why do I bother asking you questions when I know damn well you're going to tell me the truth?" I mutter into the phone, truly mystified why I do this to myself. It never ends well for me. "I refuse to be your accomplice, motherfucker."
"Don't worry, I'm not doing anything illegal."
"Except stalking," Gideon says.
