Page 2 of Protecting What's Mine
He’s the exception to the rule. There’s no denying the happiness in his silvery eyes. He met his girl, Sophia, on a job, and she’s been smitten with him ever since. The way he talks about her, the way his eyes light up, you can tell she’s changed his world.
“I’m surprised you’re even here today,” Boone says to Dean with a smirk. “I thought that’s why your sister was helping run things so you could traipse around the globe, holding hands with Sophia.”
Dean doesn’t bat an eye at his teasing. “Isabel’s doing a terrific job, but I wanted to hand out today’s assignments.” He smooths a hand down his red tie and winks. “Sophia will get a reward later for our time apart.”
Dean launches into the sordid tale of his happily ever after, recounting the details with a mix of amusement and nostalgia. I already know how they pretended to be married to enter the world of Humphrey Hollingsworth, infiltrating the circles of one of the most notorious men we’ve ever encountered. I’ve heard of Humphrey’s late-night parties and the lascivious activities thattake place. Not my scene. Not Dean’s scene either, so I know it must have been a shock to bring along a woman he barely knew.
As Dean talks, I find myself half-listening, my thoughts drifting back to Greta and the mess she’s in. Love may not be all bad, as Dean claims, but it sure as hell isn’t easy. And sometimes, it’s downright painful. That’s why I’ve vowed never to fall in love.
“Actually, the pretending to be in a relationship goes along the same lines as the job I’m giving Asher today.” Dean shuffles through the papers on the table, the rustling sound adding to the anticipation in the room.
The door opens, and Orion Locke walks in with a deep frown etched on his face. I’ve known Orion for years, and he’s been an angry bastard the entire time. His presence is imposing, with his tall, muscular frame and perpetually brooding expression.
“Why do you have the meetings so early in the morning?” His dark eyes appear tired, shadows under them suggesting lack of sleep.
“It’s nine a.m. I wouldn’t call that early,” Dean says, his tone firm yet understanding.
Orion slides into a chair with a heavy sigh, his movements slow and deliberate.
“Someone had a rough night,” Boone comments, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
Orion only grunts in response, a typical reaction for him when he’s not in the mood to engage.
Asher is the last to arrive. He’s younger than the rest of us, fresh-faced and eager to prove himself. As the newest employee on the team, he’s still learning the ropes but shows a lot of promise. Herushes into a seat and stares at Dean, waiting for the meeting to begin, his eyes wide with anticipation.
“Thanks for being here,” Dean begins, his voice carrying a tone of gratitude. “I know the past year hasn’t been easy with me searching for Bishop. I’d like to thank all of you for the hand you played in finding him.” He shuffles through the papers in front of him once more. “Hopefully, we can finally have some peace.”
I nod, knowing although I wasn’t much help in taking down Bishop Blackstone, I helped keep things running smoothly for Maddox Security. It was a team effort, and every role played was crucial.
“I know Isabel has been helping a ton, and I’m lucky to have such an awesome sister,” Dean says, his voice softening with pride. Lincoln and Dean share a look before Dean continues, “I have some assignments that need urgent attention, and I wanted to hand out each one personally.”
I shift in my seat, always leery about what assignment he’ll toss my way.
“Ranger, I’ll start with you first. The G20 Summit Meeting is soon, and this is Tory Ann Malser,” he says, handing me a file. “She’s yours to protect.”
I take the file, flipping it open to see a picture of a young woman with striking features and a poised demeanor.Tory.
Dean’s gaze meets mine, his expression serious. “This assignment is critical. The G20 Summit attracts a lot of attention, and not all of it good. Your job is to ensure her safety at all times.”
I nod, the weight of the responsibility settling in. Protecting someone at a high-profile event like the G20 Summit requires precision, vigilance, and a keen sense of awareness.
I stare into the wild blue eyes of the blonde woman in the photo. “Is she attending the summit?”
Dean shakes his head, his gray eyes meeting mine with a serious gaze. “No, she isn’t. Her father is Fredrick Malser, a world-renowned scientist. He’ll be a keynote speaker and will have his own personal security watching over him.”
“Why not have his security watch over his daughter?”
Dean leans back in his chair, fingers tapping thoughtfully on the polished surface of the table. “Fredrick has received death threats about speaking at the Summit, and he doesn’t trust some members of his own security detail. He wants his daughter kept under the radar. We need to ensure her safety without attracting attention.”
I glance at the photo again as Dean continues giving me instructions. Tory’s expression in the picture is composed, her features betraying none of the potential danger surrounding her. “You’ll take her to the safe house near the ocean and hold her until the Summit is over.”
I scan Tory’s details, noting she’s studying to be a scientist, following in her father’s footsteps. This should be a straightforward job. “Sounds good.”
Dean’s focus shifts to Orion, who sits with a brooding expression. “Orion, you’ve got the daughter of socialite Minnie Green. She’s got an ex-boyfriend stalking her, and her mother wants security to follow her to-and-from work.”
“Ex-boyfriend?” Orion scoffs, his voice carrying a hint of restrained anger. “Can’t I just scare the shit out of him, make him think twice, and call it a day?”
Dean hands a folder to Orion, his expression stern. “It’s not that simple. We need to ensure she’s safe without escalating the situation.”