AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Woman troubles?” Jimmy smirks.
Harvey has never had a problem with the ladies, but it’s pretty evident to all of us lately that he’s not only grown tired of a revolving door of models, but apparently his new neighbor has caught his eye—a shy woman I’m sure is more intimidated than anything by his imposing stature.
“Speaking of women,” I say, kicking my feet up onto my desk, “I’m meeting with the home security guys today to install the system at Juliette Pierce’s house. I did quite a bit of my own recon—mapped out the areas where we should put the cameras, and emailed everything over to Paul and his team. I also think they need to put a few inside as well.”
“How’s that going otherwise?” Jimmy asks. “She cooperating?”
I hesitate, considering telling him that it’s going fine, but he knows me better. I’m sure frustration is written all over my face.
“I wouldn’t say cooperating . . . more like I had to strong-arm her into it.”
“Meaning?” Jimmy prods, adjusting the cuff of his meticulously pressed button-down. The man is always dressed like he’s going to the bank, when in reality he could kick your ass six ways from Sunday and not even scuff his shoes.
“Meaning she pissed him off and he lost his cool,” Luka interjects.
“No.” I drop my feet onto the floor and sit up in my chair, ready to defend myself. “Well, yeah, actually, that’s pretty much it,” I say in defeat when I realize there really isn’t any other explanation.
“Told ya.” Luka smiles confidently.
“Dammit, Alex, I told you to be gentle with her.” Jimmy shakes his head in exasperation.
“I tried, seriously. The damn woman is so obstinate that if I didn’t put my foot down, she wasn’t going to let me do my job.”
“Aww, is a delicate little lady getting in your way?” Harvey teases me. I ignore him, not wanting to get more frustrated than I already am.
“I get that she doesn’t want her daughter freaked out by all of this, but at the same time, she’s 10, not four. It’s not like the kid isn’t going to see me at some point or wonder why I keep stopping by the house. And if you ask me, it’s pretty fucked up to come crying to you about how she’s scared, then when you offer to help and actually give her your opinion on it, she thinks she knows better.”
“Jesus, Alex, relax,” Jimmy says in a calming voice. “Seriously, it’s not a big deal. She was frightened and I think once she calmed down, she did realize how scary all of this is, which is why she’s pretending to not want help, or rather, fighting it. Besides, I have a secret weapon we can send in to calm the rough seas.” He smiles and I give him a questioning look. “My wife, Blaire. As her best friend, I know Blaire only wants the best for her, and trust me, she’s worried for Juliette and Chloe. I think if they have a girls’ night and talk about things, you’ll find her much more amicable. Hell, she might even learn to appreciate you.”
“Psh,” I roll my eyes, “I wouldn’t go shooting for the moon. That woman is tough, I’ll give her that. What’s her story, by the way?” I drop my gaze to my foot, bouncing it nervously.
“Uh-oh, does someone have a little crush?” Luka says and Harvey laughs.
“Seriously? Because I asked about a woman I’m being paid to possibly take a bullet for, I have a crush? Grow up.”
“Last time I checked, we never once asked about who we were rescuing or protecting in the Special Forces outside of the information given to us,” Harvey replies.
“Yeah, that was back when we were property of the government. Now I can afford to be nosy about who I’m putting my life on the line for.”
“Truthfully, Alex,” Jimmy says, “I don’t know her full story. I know what Blaire has told me, and it’s that Jules has been through hell and back, and I don’t just mean with the father of her kid. She hasn’t had it easy from the jump. On that note, I have to go meet with the CEO of AmeriBank. He’s in need of some private security for this massive merger he’s working on. Luka, you’re running tactical on the project with me, and Harvey, you’re running that workshop for the Secret Service all next month, right?”
“Roger that,” Harvey says, handing over a massive three-ring binder to Jimmy. “This is the curriculum we’re going over. I’ve already had copies sent over to the recruits to get a head start.”
“Perfect. And Luka?”
“Already have the gear ready to go and in the cargo hangar.”
I glance at my watch. “I have to head over to Miss Pierce’s house. Meeting the security team in 15.”
I make my way over to Juliette’s house just as the team is pulling up. It’s just after 1 p.m., so with my help, the guys should be able to finish everything today.
“Hey, Paul,” I wave at him as I jog across the street, “let’s knock this out.”
I’m crouched down, running a wire beneath the small back porch, when I hear the door open and a small voice.
“Are you the guy I saw in the backyard last night?”
I push off with my hands, rising up from my belly as I see two dirty sneakers staring me in the face. I finish standing up, wiping off my hands as I look down at Chloe.
