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“This everything?” Benny asked.
Everyone confirmed.
Benny said, “I’ll head down and load these onto the bus.”
“Thanks, Benny,” Ryker said.
Benny nodded, wheeled the cart out of the room, and closed the door behind him.
Ryker stood and said, “There are about a dozen paparazzi and around thirty fans outside this morning. We have temporary ribbon barriers set up to wrangle the crowd, which your guys Jake, Max, and Tyler are monitoring now. Once we arrive downstairs, Roark, Drake, Diesel, and I will position in a diamond formation around your group. Roark will lead the way. Stay in the middle and follow him.
“The bus is parked about 30 feet from the entrance. The crew’s bus is parked behind yours. They are already loaded and ready to roll. We will exit the rear door of the facility and head straight to your bus. Any questions?”
“We usually sign autographs and take pictures with our fans,” Bex said. “Is that off the table for now?”
“Yes, for now,” Ryker said. “The stalker situation is serious enough to warrant this private VIP security detail. It could escalate anytime. Limiting the band’s contact with the public is essential right now. Don’t stop, stay inside the formation, and get onto the bus. Understood?”
Answers of yes and Jade’s “aye aye, captain” echoed around the room.
Ryker smiled and shook his head.
“We’ll take two elevators. Tawny, Polly, Bex — you go with Drake and Diesel. Jade, Lyra, Maggie — you’re with me and Roark. The first group should wait by the elevator on the ground floor until the rest of us arrive.”
“Everyone got the essentials?” Tawny asked. “Cell phones, chargers, IDs, wallets, purses, and whatever you can’t live without?”
“Yes, ma’am. Manny’s in my bag. No man or toy left behind,” Jade teased.
The band laughed, and Ryker gave her a quizzical look.
Vibrator, she mouthed at him.
He tipped his chin up in acknowledgment and smiled. He gave his head a small shake.
“All right then, let’s head out,” he said.
Everyone filed out of the room. That early, no one else walked the hallway and they had it to themselves.
Two elevators stood at the end of the hall. Drake pressed the call button. Soon, the first elevator arrived.
Jade’s group waited by the elevator doors as the other group shuffled inside. Ryker pressed the call button, and the second arrived about 30 seconds later.
They filed in, and once the doors closed, Lyra asked, “How long have you guys been working security?”
Ryker answered, “Roark and I were SEALs together for eight years. When I got out of the service, I started the security firm. It’s been about five years since.”
Roark pointed at Ryker with a grin. “This guy’s still a hardass. Don’t let him tell you otherwise.”
“Who was your favorite client?” Jade asked.
“Besides you?” Roark teased.
“Are you flirting with me?” she asked.
“Maybe.” He winked.
“Oh, okay. Sorry, but it was such a pitiful attempt, I had to ask.”
Ryker, Roark, Lyra, and Maggie all burst out laughing. Roark clapped Ryker on the back and pointed to Jade. “Dude, I like her.”
