Page 1 of Watch Over Me

CHAPTER ONE

Friday nights were never James's idea of fun, not even when he was younger, but the dislike towards them only grew when he started working as a personal security detail, since they created some of the most unpredictable situations.

And since he lived and worked in Washington-fucking-DC, the levels of unpredictability could get really outrageous.

"Tell us how you really feel," Ryan muttered with a blank face as he observed the mingling crowd on the other side of the room. The two of them had been partners for three years now and James had never seen him crack even a small smile while out on an assignment.

A warm chuckle in his earpiece sidetracked James's thoughts before he could find a witty enough comeback.

"Don't encourage him, Ryan."

Eddie, their comms guy and all-around lifesaver, was the third member of their team whenever they were out on the job, and James was so used to having Eddie's voice in his ear that he'd caught himself more than once wishing he also had it with him outside of work.

And yet, he never dared to call Eddie off the clock.

"As if he needs any prompting from us," Ryan said without even glancing James's way.

"Ha-ha, you're both very funny," James told them before returning to watch as Senator Corner's husband continued to embarrass himself and his wife by trying to flirt with yet another young female staffer. Senator Corner wasn't watching it happen, at least, busy conversing with the DC's mayor and the police chief on the other side of the room, but it hardly made the situation easier to stomach.

"He's not the first cheater we've ever seen," Ryan pointed out, obviously guessing what was pissing James off. "He won't be the last."

James resisted slumping against the wall. "I know."

If it was a one-off, he would be able to handle it much better, but seeing the same thing over and over again made him both tired and pissed off.

"You'd think the cheaters of DC would warn each other about not hiring us, or at least requesting somebody who's not you." James didn't have to see Eddie to know he was smiling that half-smile of his, where one corner of his lips turned up just enough for a shadow of a dimple to appear. "Your cockblocking ways must have made some rounds by now."

"Maybe I'm stealthier about it than you think."

A snort came through his earpiece. "You keep telling yourself that."

"It's been a while since anyone complained, I'll give you that one," Ryan said. "But I don't think it's about your stealth."

"More about the look Kalei gives them when someone is getting stupid with him."

Ryan hummed in agreement and James found himself doing it, too. Their boss didn't suffer fools lightly and while he had to put up a good front for their clients, he had a way of looking at a person that made them regret their life choices.

Or at least regret complaining about their bodyguard interrupting their extra-marital shenanigans.

"Maybe it's also that the cheaters aren't always the ones footing the bill," Ryan pointed out.

James nodded. Senator Corner was still standing in the same place, but the group expanded now, adding in two more women he didn't recognize. This assignment had started last week, and so far, Senator Corner was easygoing and mindful of where it was okay to push back and where it was importantto follow their expertise. She'd contacted them because of an influx of threats she'd received after her recent gun control ballot initiative, and while she'd been obviously talked into hiring them by her staff, she was gracious about it, at least.

"Here we go," Ryan muttered with a sigh, and James turned right in time to see Albert Corner leading the young woman towards the closest doorway that would take themfurther into the building.

"Damn it. You want to do this?"

Ryan shook his head. "That's not our purview, only your own personal crusade, so by all means, have at it. I'll keep an eye on the senator."

James headed after the pair, wishing the evening could be over already.

He really did hate Friday nights.

* * *

A few hours later, they stopped in front of the senator's house, and she leaned closer to the front seat.

"Thank you, gentlemen. Good night."

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