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“Well, technically,I amthe police,” replies Todd with a smirk.
Ignoring him, I rub her upper arm. “For now, only Todd.”
A little color returns to her face, and the tears stop falling. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. My only concern is keeping you safe. We’ll get through this.” Athena throws her arms around me, and I rub her back. “No one messes with my wife. No. One.”
***
The next day, Todd, Athena, and I are all dressed and ready for my security detail. The sun hasn’t even come up when the buzzer sounds, announcing them at the front gate. When they knock on the door, Todd holds up a hand and goes to see them in. He’s wearing a handgun under a black jacket and matching pants. He looks very much like a bodyguard.
Charles walks in alone with Todd behind him.
“You on your own, Charles?” I ask.
“No, Mr. Livingston, the boys are outside. We’re in two cars, so no one will know which one you’re in.” He looks Todd up and down. “Is there something I should be aware of?”
Smiling, I say, “Todd is a family friend. He’s a little overprotective of Athena and wants to tag along. That’s not a problem, is it? And call me Kris.”
Charles gives me a tight smile. “No, no problem at all, Mr.” He frowns. “Kris.”
“Good. Let’s get going.”
“I’ll travel in the other car so you and Athena can be together.” He looks up at the much taller Charles. “I look forward to getting to know the others a little better.”
“You’re carrying?”
Todd smiles at the other man. “Yes, I’m in law enforcement… force of habit. It’s not a problem, is it?”
“If Mr., I mean, if Kris doesn’t mind, then it’s fine by me.”
Todd slaps Charles on the upper arm and gestures for him to lead the way. Todd winks at me, and I entwine my fingers with Athena’s.
“You ready for today? It’s going to be boring for you.”
Holding up her laptop bag with one hand, she says, “I’ve got work to do, so boring is good. It’s Todd who’s going to be bored. What’s he going to do, watch me all day?”
“Icould watch you all day.”
Athena giggles. “Ditto. But seriously, is this necessary?” She points at Charles’ retreating figure. “Surely, your security detail is enough?”
Walking hand in hand toward the cars, I say, “Key words in that sentence aremy security detail. I feel safer having someone who’s only watchingyou.”
Athena climbs into the back of the car and shuffles across so I can sit beside her. Todd waits until we’re both inside before he enters the other car.
When we arrive at the studio, Todd and Athena are given lanyards with keycards attached to them so they can move around freely. The set is buzzing with people, so many are running around, all seemingly in a hurry to get to wherever they need to be.
Kissing Athena on the forehead, I ask, “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
She looks at all the people and then back at me. “Yep. Where’s your trailer? I think I’ll camp out in there today.”
Todd moves to stand next to her. “Tell me it’s stocked with food.”
Athena laughs. “Really? That’s all you care about?”
“You forget, I’ve been with you when you’re writing. You forget to eat and drink. I can’t survive on air alone.”
Laughing, I grab Athena’s hand and gesture for Todd to follow. “There’s always a fruit basket and water in the mini-fridge. Around this corner, there should be a food table.”
