Page 3 of Echoes of Temptation
“How do you know I’ve been slowing down my client list, brother?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
I can’t help but chuckle when his face turns red, and he looks down to hide his guilt.
“I’ve been keeping an eye on you,” he says softly. “I didn’t do anything that would put anyone in danger. I just wanted to make sure you were safe.”
“Damnit, Knox,” Steel grumps. “Have you been on the deep web again?”
“I plead the fifth,” he says. “Besides, the deep web isn’t where people go to hire King. It’s the dark web. The deep end of the dark web, to be precise.”
He’s not wrong.
“Damnit, Knox,” Brick echoes his twin. “You’re going to get yourself killed.”
“Oh, please,” he says. “First off, I’m a coward, remember? I would never intentionally put myself in a situation where I’m going to get myself or any of you harmed. It’s fine. Secondly, I’ve trained with some of the best Ethical Hackers in the entire world. I went to college for this exact thing.”
“Don’t forget that our little Knox works for more higher-ups than the Obsidian’s,” Ghost says. “I think a little dark web browsing isn’t going to hurt anything.”
“Thank you, Pres,” Knox smiles.
I place Hope on my shoulder and pat her back. It only takes a few seconds for her to release a burb way too big for her little body followed by an equally powerful fart.
“Yep, she’s my daughter,” Venom laughs.
The phone in my pocket vibrates and I groan. I haven’t turned on my personal phone yet so that can only mean one thing.
An offer.
“Damnit,” I say, placing Hope on the floor so she can roll around.
Hello, I require your services.
My name is Ben Burton, and my daughter is Madeline (Maddy) Burton. For the past year, she has been threatened by someone who claims she owes him money. She doesn’t. She’s never met the man. I need someone to protect my daughter and find the person responsible for these threats. I’ve attached an image of the letters she’s received. Please, can you help us?
Ben Burton.
“Another job already?” Jax asks. “You just got home.”
“I’m not going to take it,” I admit. “Not only because you’re right but because it’s a bodyguard job. Not my thing.”
I’m sorry to inform you that I don’t work as a bodyguard. I’m also not taking on any new clients at the moment. I can forward your contact information to another if you would like.
I hit send and pocket my phone.
“Back to the whole you quitting thing,” Ghost says. “Is there a reason?”
I open my mouth to answer but my phone buzzes once more.
“Mother fucker,” I growl, and unlock the screen. A new message blinks on the private server I set up for people looking to hire me.
I will triple your asking price.
That’s all it says. My eyes widen as I do the math.
“What’s up?” Venom asks. “Is it the bodyguard client?”
“Yeah,” I admit. “He wants me to protect his daughter while simultaneously dealing with the person or people responsible for her threats. But he’s offering to pay triple my normal rate.”
“Which would end up being close to a hundred grand,” Knox says.