Page 2 of Broken Bodyguard

“Trojan is best friends with Seven, who heads our family’s security detail,” Trace told Nash. “They’re old military buddies turned security experts.”

“Why haven’t you joined your friend’s business?” Nash asked quickly. The question almost caused me to take a step back. I could sense the awareness behind the question. Astute, this one.

“Seven has his own firm,” I explained, “which is New York-focused. I, on the other hand, want to keep traveling the world while skirting complicated tax returns.”

Nash grinned, nodding. “So traveling is important to you?”

“Among other things.”

“Very diplomatic way of saying he’s going to need a very high salary,” Axel added. I was ready to elbow Axel—not because he was wrong, but because it thrust us into salary talks when our appetizers were just about to arriveandI could barely pry my mind off what I might learn about Maddie at the other end of the table. But this was how business deals worked in Manhattan. It was breakneck or nothing.

“A high salary will be no problem,” Nash said smoothly. His white-toothed grin and understated but expensive-as-hell rings struck me as right on par for the elite circles I’d heard about through Seven. But Nash also had a rough edge that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Like he wasn’t from here, or if he was, he hadn’t come from wealth.

“As long as the work ethic is there and long hours aren’t an issue,” Nash went on. “I’ll be honest, I don’t want to hire anyone that doesn’t come with a recommendation like you’ve gotten from the Fairchilds. Close protection officers are a dime a dozen, but the good ones are harder to find. And I haven’t come across a single CPO with a recommendation like yours.”

Nash’s words hung in the air, and for a moment, the entire restaurant shrank away. Somehow, I was on the cusp of a job offer. Ten minutes ago, I’d been debating between red or cream sauce. The time was right, though. I was nearing the end of my current short-term gig here in the city, which meant I needed to figure out where I was heading next. This was the life of a qualified CPO who didn’t like to stay in one place for too long.

“What sort of protection are you looking for?” I noticed Trace, Damian, and Axel had quietly faded away, leaving Nash and me to negotiate on our own. I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my khakis. If I had to negotiate a new contract while waiting for lasagna, so be it.Wall Street, I’ll play the game your way.

Nash took a step closer, his ice-blue gaze darting around as though searching for spies. When he spoke, his voice had dropped a few decibels. “My brother and I have experienced a…change in income. We’re eager to hire someone who can come along for the ride and be okay with a slightly more unconventional approach than what’s typical in Manhattan. We’re not looking for protection from the paparazzi. We need protection from…haters. The occasional kidnapper. Things like that.”

Something clicked inside with the use of the word ‘hater’. The Fairchilds were the kings of unconventional on Wall Street and had garnered their own set of enemies. From the sound of it, Nash Nightingale was new money, much like the Fairchilds had been when they came onto the scene a decade ago. It only made sense they’d befriend someone like this. And as for the occasional kidnapper…that was par for the course with most wealthy people. They were usually targets for thieves, whether for robbery, or a well-timed hostage situation that led to a hefty ransom.

Nash needed an outsider. Like he was. Like the Fairchilds were. Like I was.

“Trust me, I have no allegiance to how things are done in Manhattan,” I told him. “My last gig was in California, and before that, Paris. I’ve worked in ten countries over the last five years. Consider me a neutral party.”

Nash’s dental ad grin grew even wider. “Good. I’m a little tired of the rules here, and I’d like to find somebody that has a broader perspective.”

“Broad and willing,” I cracked.

“How do you feel about a trial run?” Nash’s dark brow lifted imperceptibly. “A few weeks in Ecuador. We’re leaving next week. You come with us, get to know me and my brother, and then we can see how we feel about terms moving forward.”

Ecuador. A few weeks. Equal likelihood of this turning out to be a drug deal or investment opportunity, but either way, I was down for the adventure. “Sounds like a plan.” I fished out a business card from my wallet, handing it to Nash. “Send me the travel info, where we should meet, all the details. Plus your salary offer. I’ll be there.”

Nash pocketed the card, offering me a final handshake just as the server appeared with a steaming tray of food. “Enjoy your meal, Trojan. It was great to meet you.”

Nash strode further into the restaurant, and I returned to my seat to a round of cheers from the brothers.

“Done deal or what?” Damian asked as he slung his arm around his girlfriend Jessa.

“We’re going to South America together.” I laid my napkin back in my lap, watching as the server set out small platters of oysters, scallops, and crabcakes. “Feels pretty done to me.”

“Sounds like you guys are already end game,” Axel said.

“Things happen fast in the Fairchild world, I’ve learned.” I forked a scallop as the plate made its way to me. “And here I thought we were just going to enjoy dinner together.”

“There’s no such thing as downtime with these guys,” Seven murmured, grabbing a piece of bread from the bowl being passed.

“South America sounds exciting,” Mercedes said with a grin. “Trace and I went to Chile last year for a wine tour. It was incredible.”

“Only drank Petit Verdot for four days,” Trace chimed in.

I took a quick sip of beer, more than ready to return to the most pressing matter at hand: what Mercedes had been about to tell me. “That sounds fancy. Mercedes, what were you in the middle of telling me before Nash showed up?”

She shook her head, waving it off. “It was nothing. If you’re going to be starting something with the Nightingales, I don’t want to interfere—”

“It’s no bother,” I reassured her, even though I had no idea what she’d been about to suggest. I just knew that it was attached to Maddie. “Is everything okay?”

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