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Chapter One
Vacationcouldn’tcomesoonenough. At four o’clock, Gavin would be free for two full weeks. He planned to visit a friend in Northeastern Pennsylvania before heading to Philadelphia to see his baby sister.
He lifted his mug to his lips and fought the urge to spit out the lukewarm coffee. He’d just finished his tenth phone call in less than an hour. It seemed every one of the bodyguards in his employ was having some kind of crisis. Grace’s teenage charge, Victoria Mae, had slipped her security detail, and Brandon was dealing with a cantankerous old man who treated him like an errand boy. A frown formed as he mulled over his conversation with Kenneth. Gavin’s sister Cate informed him that she’d call the police if he didn’t stop following her around. The text she’d followed up with confirmed the threat though he doubted she’d follow through. He’d reassigned Kenneth to help Grace in her quest to locate her charge. Then he’d called Scott and assigned him to Cate instructing him to be discreet so she wouldn’t know he was there.
Juggling personnel wasn’t his favorite part of the job. He preferred to be hands on working in the field.
He spun his chair to look out over the city. If it had been up to him alone, he would’ve chosen to live somewhere less populated where the air was clean and the people friendlier, but Grayson chose New York City for their headquarters while Gavin had been serving overseas. Gavin took the path of least resistance and went along with his brother’s plans. But there were days when he thought he’d go mad living a stuffy life in an office and spending his weeknights locked inside a penthouse suite. Fresh air was non-existent in his so-called life of luxury.
On rare occasions, he took cases himself instead of assigning them to capable security agents simply to get out of the office. But most times the real reason he took on a job personally had more to do with a client request. And then there were friends or family members. He refused to entrust their security to anyone else. He’d learned the hard way what could happen when he made a poor choice. Not very long ago, he’d taken a job protecting his best friend’s girlfriend, Emily. His gut clenched at the memory of the case where he’d failed Sandra.
His assistant’s voice came through the intercom. “Cate’s on line three.”
“Thanks, Ben.”
“Cate, to what do I owe the pleasure of a phone call?”
“You know why I’m calling. Is there a reason you’re having me tailed by some goon?”
“Kenneth is not a goon.”
“Any grown man who goes by Kenneth instead of Ken is a goon, but avoiding the question is not going to deter me”
“Just wanted to make sure you stayed safe. I know U of P is a great school, but it’s a dangerous city. Kenneth was there to protect you.”
“He was here to make sure I didn’t go to parties or spend time with guys.”
“That’s not true, but you should be focusing on your studies anyway.”
“I have a father. I don’t need my brother to act like him.”
“That’s not going to change, so deal with it.”
“Did you call him off?”
“I reassigned Kenneth.” He wouldn’t mention that Scott would be close if she needed him. It would just raise her ire. “I’m sure Grayson isn’t going to be thrilled to hear you’re refusing your security detail.”
“I should’ve known he was in on it.” She sighed. “I’ll stay safe.”
“Make sure you do.” Philadelphia was teeming with riots, and the anti law-enforcement sentiment was pervasive which made it harder for the cops to step in when called upon. Being the daughter of a billionaire put a target on her back, so it made zero sense that she’d refuse protection. “I’m going to stop to visit Wade and Emily before heading down to Philly to see you.”
“No mission trip?” she asked.
“Not this year.”
Samadjustedthestrapson her backpack and drew in a breath of crisp, cool air. The snow covered trees lining the road added a quiet beauty to the landscape. In another month, it would be bustling with tourists, and she’d be too busy to take the time to take in the beauty of her surroundings.
Her phone dinged with a text message.
Emily: You off tomorrow?
Sam: I am.
Emily: Hike at Hickory?
Sam: Sounds like a plan. Pick you up at your place?
Emily: Come to Wade’s house. My mom is staying in his guest room.
