Page 10 of Hide and Keep

A document I’m all too familiar with in his hand, he says, “Your résumé is…colorful. You were a straight-A student, yet didn’t further your education beyond high school.”

I don’t make a sound, waiting to see if he’ll ask why.

“It also says you have experience in martial arts and combat. Is that how you got that scar?”

“Um…” I hesitate, his directness catching me off guard. Most people focus on it while acting like they’re not. No one usually asks me about it. They don’t really have to. It’s pretty well known how I got it. “I was a wrestler,” I say, not exactly answering his question. If he doesn’t know, that’s on him for not doing his research. Or more accurately, making someone he pays do theirs.

He sets down my résumé, giving me his undivided attention.

“Any good?”

“State champ.”

“You’ve worked security at a lot of places, yet you’ve never been let go, so you jumping from job to job is your own doing…”

Finally lifting my head enough to meet his eyes directly, I tell him honestly, “I like to be challenged.”

“You’ll be challenged here. All day, every day.”

“Allday?”

Sitting forward, his gaze narrows on mine. “The position I’m looking to fill, it’s around the clock, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. From the moment you’re hired, your shift begins and you get no breaks. And I mean none.” His flattened hand makes a chopping motion. “And that’s not for everyone, especially someone with a wife and kids to go home to every night. You got any rugrats running around?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

He huffs out something like a half-laugh before focusing on my scar again.

“Married?”

“No.”

“Girlfriend?”

“No.”

“Good, because there is no going home. This will be your home for the foreseeable future. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.” Spotting the device on the window behind him, I add, “But if you were to make some upgrades to your home’s defense system, even just installing cameras outside, I’m not sure you’d need a full-time guard.”

Arthur sits back. “You won’t be guarding the house. You’ll be guarding my daughter.”

“So, you’re looking for a bodyguard?”

“That’s such a crude term. It implies a meathead with very little skill. I prefer executive protection agent. Someone smarter, faster, able to blend in a little easier.”

I consider his words, my head beginning to move into a shake. I’ve never done that kind of work. It sounds…public, at least more than the security jobs I’m used to. It also sounds like babysitting.

The motorcycle mogul holds up a hand. “Before you decline, let’s talk numbers. Once moved in, all living expenses will becovered, making your salary of fifty thousand a month more than sufficient.”

Fifty thousand? A month? Damn. I could do a lot with that much money.

As far as I know—as far aseveryonein Sea Haven knows—Arthur Munreaux only has one daughter.

“It’d be for Ever?”

“You know her?”

“Not personally.” Luckily, I’ve never met the princess of Sea Haven. I’ve heard plenty about her though. And like I said,luckilyI’ve never met her.

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