Page 1 of The Soldier

CHAPTER ONE

MARSHALL

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I eye the tray of hors d'oeuvres that passes by me and ignore the rumble in my tummy. My gaze drifts back to Savannah and Ryder—or rather Savannah—because Ryder is fucking Delta Force so I don’t know why I need to be standing so close to his wife in this penguin suit when he could eliminate any threat just as fast as I could.

Well, almost.

I smirk to myself.

The truth is, I do know why I’m glued to Savannah. She’s the hottest thing in Hollywood right now and it’s the after party for her movie premiere. I’m one of Savannah’s private security details tonight— one of them—so it’s my job to be glued to her while over five hundred celebrities mingle around, sparkling and smiling like the rich fuckers they are.

My stomach gurgles again.

Damn it, I should’ve had that extra fish taco.

I have no issues with obscenely rich and overpaid actors...except for the guy who is currently running his hand over Trina Thomas’s ass.

Speaking ofhottest.

The corner of my lip quirks when she grabs his wrist and gives him her death stare. One I’m extremely familiar with.

“I’m paying you to watch Savannah not Trina, asshole.” Ryder hisses.

“I’m doing both. We learned to multitask in the Special Forces.” I drag my eyes from the long-legged brunette and grin at Ryder.

He’s not smiling back. Nor was I expecting it, which makes my dig even more enjoyable.

“Necesitas que cuide de tu mujer?” I smirk harder.

Ryder’s eyes narrow.

I know he doesn’t speak Spanish and when I start throwing around one of the four languages I speak it makes my friend and coworker very irritable. And me, very entertained.

“What did you say about my wife?” Ryder growls.

So, he picked up one word. Lucky me. I asked Ryder if he needed me to take care of his wife. If hewasable to translate the entire thing, I’d be on my ass bleeding right about now.

Ryder pulls out his phone and swipes angrily.

“Say it again.” He demands, pushing the phone into my face.

“Tienes una esposa encantadora.”I grin.

“Fuck you, that’s not what you said. You’re fired.”

I laugh, but my focus remains on the job around me. Every single person has gone through a metal detector and had a pat down before stepping inside the party.

Despite our banter, Ryder knows I’m doing my job. Just as I know he’s doing my job for me. He might be Savannah’s husband, but he will always be the best bodyguard she can ever have.

He also can’t fire me.

I’m employed, like him, by Black Hawke Security, and the two men standing with the long-legged sexy woman I’m trying not to focus on, are the only people who can fire my ass.

They might, but I highly doubt it.

Josh, who is married to Cassy, and Aidan, who is engaged to Briar, look about as thrilled as I am to be here.

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