Jax blinks at me, then shakes his head and mumbles something under his breath, before continuing.
“I have two lunches during the week that I will need to be accompanied to. Also, I have one dinner, with a,” he hesitates, “client. And four business meetings, two inside this building, two at other locations. The other nights I will be spending at my apartment. I trust you both have the full layout of my apartment, as well as these offices?”
We both nod.
“Good,” he mutters. “This elevator takes me down to the underground car park, and that’s where I will be traveling from. I prefer leaving from a secure location, instead of getting into a car parked on the street.”
“We’ll have all of that covered, Mr. Shields, I assure you,” Kyle says, finally letting go of my arm.
It was taking all my effort not to jerk my arm away and hiss at him.
“Fine,” Jax grunts. “Today I have a meeting downtown in about an hour, then I’m here for the rest of the day. Tonight I’ll be at my apartment.”
Kyle stands. “Good, I’ll go down and secure the car for your departure in an hour. Delaney, you will stay with Mr. Shields while I do that.”
Jax looks like he wants to strangle Kyle for leaving me in here with him, but he says nothing. Kyle shoots me a warning look, then disappears out the door. I turn to Jax. He ignores me, flicking open his laptop computer and staring at the screen, his expression blank.
I don’t know what I’m supposed to do, so I go with common sense and scan the room, looking for any ways someone could harm Jax while he’s under my supervision. “You have poor desk positioning,” I say suddenly, realizing that his desk is right in front of the massive windows.
His head jerks up and he spits, “Did I ask you to speak?”
“I’m your security, Mr. Shields, and I feel you are in a dangerous position with your desk in front of a window.”
“We’re at the top of the damned building.”
I walk over to the window, and he swivels his chair around to watch me. I point to the line of buildings across the street. “A person with a gun could stand on any one of those buildings and take a shot in here.”
Jax doesn’t say anything, so I stare at him. He’s looking at the buildings.
“My windows are tinted.”
“Sir, with all due respect, snipers have high-end technology that can look through simple tinting.”
He flinches. Then, before I can say any more, he stands. He puts both his big hands on his desk and pushes it, causing cords to be yanked out of the wall as he moves the massive desk to the left, where there’s a big, empty space away from the window. He positions the desk, and then turns and stares out the window again, to make sure he can’t see any buildings. I stand there blinking, shocked he actually took my advice seriously.
I watch as he picks up all his things and just like that, he’s rearranged his office. He doesn’t look at me as he gets back to work as if nothing happened. I’m stunned for a moment, but quickly walk across the room, staring out the window, scouring the buildings and then walking through the massive floor to do a basic check.
When I return, my radio crackles and Kyle’s voice comes across the speaker in my ear. “Delaney, we’ve got a bit of an issue down here. I’ll be back up in about half an hour. Stay with Mr. Shields, and until I give the all clear, don’t let him leave the room.”
I quickly respond, the way I’ve been taught. “Copy that, all is well up here.”
I want to ask what is happening, but we have strict instructions to keep the radio lines as clear as possible by only passing on essential information. They’re not “cell phones,” as Nak often drilled into us. My heart rate kicks up as I join Jax again, and see he’s still tapping away at his laptop, his face tight. I’m supposed to just stand quietly by a door, but I really want to ask him questions.
Like, what happened? How does he feel about me being here? How did he become so important? How did he manage to build such a huge business at a young age? Is he truly a manwhore? Are the magazines right? Is he scared? What does he do for fun? I ask none of this, and instead take my place by the door and stare out the window, occasionally glancing at Jax.
“Just fucking ask,” he suddenly says and I flinch, turning towards him to see he’s studying me.
“Ask what?”
“You’re fidgeting, and you keep fucking staring at me. Obviously you want to ask something, so just do it so I can get back to work.”
I wish I could, but I have strict instructions to be professional and only answer questions when I need to.
“It’s fine, Mr. Shields,” I say, keeping my voice monotone.
“Call me Jax or sir, but not Mr. Shields,” he demands and I nod. “Now ask the damned questions.”
“I don’t want to ask questions,” I say, trying to keep my calm.
“You think I’m stupid, girl?”
“No I do not, boy,” I drawl.
He crosses his arms and leans back in his chair. “Are you always so smart?”
I smile sweetly. “Of course. I didn’t get this job by being stupid.”
I’m inwardly laughing, because I know that’s not what he meant.
His eyes narrow into slits and god, he looks even better when he’s impatient. “You’re practically squirming to open up all that sass onto me. It’s killing you to have to be professional, isn’t it?” He grunts, and I try to ignore how his biceps flex beneath his suit.
I keep my face straight. “No, sir, it isn’t.”
A flicker of amusement crosses his face, before he asks again, “Are you going to ask me what it is you need to know?”
“I don’t need to know anything.” I shrug, staring out the window.
“No, I don’t like having a bodyguard,” he says, and I narrow my eyes but don’t look at him. “Yes, I could take down a man on my own, but not a man with a gun, from a distance, so I don’t have much choice in having you here. Yes, everything you read in the magazines is true.”
My eyes flick to him, surprised he is basically reading my mind, and he grins, but it’s cocky.
So he is a manwhore, interesting.
“No, I’m not happy about you being a woman, but I don’t have a choice about that either, so I deal.”
I say nothing but our eyes are locked.
“Yes, I spend my life in an office that has a bedroom because I work harder than I live—I’ve been the same since I finished high school.”
I swallow, but make no move to show any interest.
“No, I don’t have a criminal past that put me in the position of needing security. It was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
I want to say something to that, desperate to know how he got into this situation, but once again I keep my mouth closed.
“Yes, I’m only thirty and built my business up with hard work and effort, and nothing more. I was determined and got what I wanted.”
I blink.
“That’s all you’re going to get from me unless you open your mouth and ask, which I’m giving you a matter of seconds to do before I close you down and don’t speak to you unless I need to. Oh, and let me tell you one more thing … I’m impatient and I’m short tempered. Do your job, and stay out of my way—that’s all that really matters in the scheme of things.”
“Like I didn’t figure that out on my own,” I mumble under my breath.
“I also don’t like people who don’t speak their minds, but instead hide it behind a mumble or gossip.”
I jerk and glare at him. “Forgive me, sir, but you need to understand that speaking my mind isn’t part of my job.”
“I didn’t peg you as being someone who was scared.”
I raise my brows. “Then you’re wrong, my job is far more important than telling you what I truly think of you.”
He uncrosses his arms and opens his mouth to answer, but the door opens and Kyle enters. He looks to me, then to Jax and his rearranged desk, and suspicion fill
s his features. “Everything okay in here?”
I shrug. “Fine, I just made the suggestion that Mr. Shields here shouldn’t have his desk by the window.”
I don’t miss Jax flinch at my use of his professional name. Kyle, on the other hand, stares at me with an impressed look on his face. “Good call.”
Inside I’m bursting with pride.
“Thanks.”
He turns back to Jax. “We’re ready to escort you out, when you’re good to go.”
Jax grunts and shoots another look in my direction, but I keep my eyes to the window with a sly smile on my face. He takes a few minutes to get ready and while he does, Kyle turns to me. “We had a slight incident downstairs.”
My brows go up and I step forward. “What was it?”
“There was a car driving past, it did so about five times and it was suspicious. I couldn’t see in the windows, but it was definitely a concern. We have secured Mr. Shields’ car in the lot underground, with two men watching it while we escort him down. We’ll need to keep our eyes peeled. It could be nothing but we can’t take that chance.”
“I understand.”
“When we arrive at the meeting, I’m handing you the reins. You get out of the car while I take Jax’s side. You go inside, you scan the areas he will be, including the men’s bathrooms if need be. You make sure all is clear before calling for me to bring him in.”
My heart kicks up a notch. He’s giving me the chance to do my job. I’m terrified, worried I might miss something, but at the same time I can’t wait to prove my worth. I give Kyle a nod and he studies my face, before walking towards the door to wait. I follow his lead and the minute Jax is ready, we escort him down to the car.
I take in all of Kyle’s actions, watching and learning from his every move. He’s a smart man, and he knows what he’s doing when it comes to protecting someone. I’m not stupid enough to pretend that he can’t help me be a better bodyguard. I take in everything he does, from stepping through doors last, keeping his body behind Jax’s, scanning every space and keeping his eyes on people approaching, watching any fast movements. I copy his lead, doing the same thing where I can. There’s a lot to look for, and it’s daunting.
When we reach the parking lot, Kyle and I scan Jax’s car once more, even though Kyle already did it, just to be doubly certain he’s safe. When we decide it’s safe, Jax gets in, sitting in the middle seat. Kyle says it’s safest for him to be there. Both of us slide in on either side of him, then the driver gets in and we pull out.
I scan every car that goes past us, even though the windows are tinted so no one can see inside. I watch for any following us and catch Kyle doing the same thing. It’s a roomy car, but I can still feel Jax’s thigh touching mine. I try to ignore how it warms my skin beneath my pants, but I fail.
Instead I’m fighting the urge to move closer.
None of us say anything during the ride and when we stop at the hotel where Jax is having his meeting, I reach for the door handle. Before I can pull it and start my scouring, which I’m desperate to begin, Jax turns to Kyle and demands, “You’re not trusting her to check for threats, are you?”
I stiffen and turn to shoot an angry scowl in Jax’s direction. Kyle stares at him, then his eyes flick to me. “If that makes you uncomfortable,” he begins, but I don’t let him finish.
I pull the door handle and shoot Jax a look. “I’m not incapable of protecting your life, Mr. Shields. I’ve had the same training as Kyle and will do everything in my power to keep you safe. Now, if you’ll excuse me.…”
I move to get out of the car, but before my feet even hit the ground, Jax curls his fingers around my wrist and tugs me back in. “No offense, sweetheart, but you’re new and you don’t have the same training as Kyle.”
“It has nothing to do with training, does it, sir,” I say through gritted teeth. “But it does have to do with what’s between my legs.”
Jax’s eyes widen and Kyle clears his throat to argue, but I don’t let either of them speak.
“If you wish to discriminate against me, do it on your own time, sir. Right now, I am going to make sure you’re protected,” I say in a stiff voice. “Now release me, before I make you.”
“I’d like to see you try,” Jax says gruffly, and that sends an odd shiver right through my spine.
I stare into his eyes. “I believe I’ve already tried, and won.”
His jaw tics.
I jerk my wrist free and climb out of the car before he can get another word in.
CHAPTER SEVEN
I hold my head high and keep my expression blank as I enter the hotel. I scan the streets before pushing the door open and entering. I keep my eye on every single person, including the receptionist who points me towards the meeting room when I show her my identification. I walk carefully down the halls until I reach a door at the end of the first floor, right near the elevator.
I push the door open and step inside. There are five men sitting around the table and I instantly freeze. I’ve not thought of the fact that other people would be here, I mean of course they would, it’s a damned meeting. I quickly clear my expression as best I can and give a curt nod, introducing myself.
“My name is Delaney. I’m Mr. Shields’ security.”
They nod, some of them giving me long looks, suspicious even. They’re no doubt wondering why Jaxson needs security. When they all turn away, I wonder what my next move is. Am I supposed to ask them if they’re carrying weapons? I mean what if one of them is, and they take a shot? My heart pounds and I quickly step out of the room, taking a deep breath. I decide to call in to Kyle. I lift my radio and press the button.
“I’ve checked the area and all seems clear. I’m in the meeting room, there are five men. What is the protocol when it comes to them? Over.”
Kyle replies immediately. “You need to ask them to lift their jackets, you won’t miss a gun. Ask them to turn, look to make sure there are no specific bulges that don’t look right. Radio in when you’re done. Over and out.”
I take a deep shaky breath. Great, I now have to go in there and ask every one of them to lift their jackets. I push the door open and step back inside, squaring my shoulders and using my loudest voice to call, “Gentlemen, if you would be so kind, please stand and remove your jackets, so I can be assured you have no weapons.”
They stand, as if this is something they’ve done before. One speaks, however. He’s older than the rest in the group, with wispy grey hair and angry brown eyes. He’s tall and super lean. “What’s the little bastard done now?”
I don’t answer, even though I’m shocked he would speak about Jax like that, and he shoots me a look.
“Did he knock one of his whores up and now she’s after revenge?”
I grind my jaw. What a pig—he has no right to speak about another person that way, even if he doesn’t like Jax.
“Or maybe he’s been up to no good in the criminal world and it backfired?”
He stares at me expectantly, but I simply remain quiet even though I want to go over and punch him right in the nose.
“Let me guess, you’re not allowed to tell us why you’re asking us to strip down.”
“No disrespect, sir,” I say through clenched teeth. “But I’m simply asking you to remove your jacket.”
He grunts at me and the other four men in the room drop their jackets on the table. Finally, he does too. I go around, feeling their jackets and then giving them a once-over with my eyes. None of them are packing, at least, they aren’t packing in the usual places. I’m sure if one of them has a gun squeezed between their butt cheeks, we’ll know well before they manage to get it out.
“Thank you all for your cooperation. Mr. Shields will be right with you.”
Ten minutes later, Jax successfully and safely joins his meeting.
Maybe this is going to work out after all.
* * *
I’m busy drowning in my own thoughts when the meeting door opens and Jax steps out.
I jerk and turn, hating that he caught me off guard. Already I’m not as alert as I should be. Jax turns his angry grey eyes to me and then flicks them from left to right. “Where’s Kyle?”
“He had to go assist another team member.”
Jax’s jaw tightens. “So now I’m left with you? Are they fucking serious?”
I want to reach over and strangle him, but I don’t. I understand his frustration, I really do. He probably feels unsafe with a woman protecting him. My protector role goes against everything he’s been taught to believe about men and women.
“I assure you that you will be safe with me, Jaxson. I’ve been trained extensively for this.”
He looks to me, and then sighs. “I have to use the bathroom.”
Oh god. Seriously?
I had never thought of bathroom breaks. Of course the man has to relieve himself, which means I have to go and scan the space before he can go in.
“Let’s go then,” I say, my cheeks heating.
Jax notices and his eyebrows shoot up. “Scared of men’s bathrooms, are you, kitten?”
He did not just call me kitten.
“Please don’t ever call me that again, and no, I’m not scared. If you’ll follow me…”
I turn and when Jax steps in front of me I walk slightly behind him until we reach the restroom. I push the door open and then gasp and scrunch my nose up. “Good lord, what the hell!”
Jax steps in beside me and makes a choking sound. The smell in this room is so bad, I want to vomit but I’m too scared to, because that would mean I have to go towards the toilets and that is never going to happen.
“What do you men do in here? Kill animals and let them decay? Sweet Jesus,” I cry out, holding my nose as I walk to each stall and push the door open to make sure no danger lurks for Jax.
“Fuck me,” Jax grunts. “That’s wrong.”
“Ugh, I’m waiting by the door.”
I walk towards the door and Jax looks over to me. “Scared you might see something you like?”
My eyebrows shoot up. “In a smelly bathroom? I don’t think so. It kind of ruins the mood, wouldn’t you say?”
His eyes scan my face. “You’re supposed to protect me, if you go outside then you’re not doing that.”