Bec wasn’t thrilled about having me as a bodyguard, but I had learned she was against the idea ofanybodyguard. I had wanted to expand her security team countless times, but she adamantly refused. Bec wasn’t against the additional protection, but the additional people who would be required. Shewasn’ta people-person.
She could command a boardroom like no one’s business. I had seen it myself on numerous occasions over the last three months. But when it came to interpersonal communications, she was abysmal. She tended to stick to facts over feelings, whichwas beneficial for business, but not necessarily for the more personal side.
One of the accountants, Stacy, recently threw a baby shower. We had all been invited, and it was one of the first work events Bec had decided to attend. Unfortunately, her less-than-stellar interpersonal skills really made themselves known during the party.
While I did agree with Bec’s sentiment that every newborn either looked like a potato or an alien, I also knew that you didn’t share those details with an eight-month pregnant mom-to-be… in front of the entire team… at her own baby shower.
The driver pulled the car in front of the building, and as I expected, there were a few members of the paparazzi waiting outside. I heard Bec sigh. She hated them. I wasn’t positive she liked anyone.
I helped her out of the car and followed behind her into the office building as questions were screamed her way.
“Rebecca Bly, over here.”
“Rebecca, any comments on the new investment in Singapore?”
“Rebecca, any comment on Jackie James’ recent article?”
It was an interesting life I lived these days. By day, the wealthiest people in the world surrounded me. I overheard conversations about major trades that could result in the creation of hundreds of jobs or the loss of even more, and was always surrounded by luxury. At night, I was in my family’s brownstone, surrounded by my sisters, and helping my mom and her husband prepare food for their restaurant. The dichotomy was jaw-dropping.
My life before this—before my military retirement—had also been vastly different. Here, I had my pick of luxury cars and catered meals. In the Army, I spent many nights on desert floors,cuddling up to the members of my team for warmth, and eating MREs we were forced to pack out of locations to leave no trace.
In this world, I barely opened my own doors. There was a doorman and even an elevator attendant in the office building. It was a bit ridiculous that these people assumed that if you hit a certain level of wealth, you couldn’t push your own elevator buttons.
“Executive floor,” Bec mumbled as we entered the elevator. The attendant, an older man in his sixties, dutifully listened to her command, and up we went—to the land of luxury and inability to press buttons.
Ihad managed to get the updated schedule for the week without having to talk to Andi. Did it involve me sneaking onto her computer while she was donating blood? Maybe. But I also learned her password was her own name, which was concerning. I was going to update all password requirements by the end of the week. I also donated my blood to make amends for my behavior. You know…giving back and all.
My days at Bly Enterprises were usually quite boring. Bec had minor control issues, meaning she and Andi still managed certain security practices that should have been passed to me months ago. I wasn’t complaining. I spent most days reading and working out in the onsite gym. And today I had even gotten to meet Stacy’s new baby when she stopped by this morning.
The majority of the team on the executive floor had taken to me quickly. The floor was made up of C-suite executives, vicepresidents, and their direct support staff. I went out with the support team once a week for drinks and played golf every other week with a couple of the board members.
My family and the friends I had made here kept me busy most days. My life now, compared to my time in the Army, was night and day. For the years I had been on active duty, I could admit I was a playboy. I was a dumb kid in my twenties, seeing the world, and away from my parents for the first time.
Did I fuck my way through most of the cities I was stationed in? Yes.
But I was turning over a new leaf. I had stopped dating and sleeping around when I moved back three months ago. My life outside of work was rather dull. Tonight was sourdough night with my sister, Aria. She was an elementary school teacher, but helped with the baked goods at the family restaurant. I had promised to help her, and it helped keep me busy.
I didn’t enjoy downtime. I was convinced that’s why I had my playboy years. It was a distraction…and something to do when life got boring. Being busy was easier than stopping and thinking about everything that had happened to me over the years.
“Rome!” Bec called from outside her office.
I held in a sarcastic retort, knowing it would only piss her off. We were nearing the end of the day, and I had only managed to make her mad at me three times. That was far below average.
I stood and wandered out, leaning in her doorway. It was after seven o’clock, and I was hoping she was finally ending her day. “Ready to go?”
She rolled her eyes, looking down at herself and back at me with a glare, “I have my coat on, my purse, and the lights are off. Yes, I’m ready to go.”
I laughed despite myself and grabbed my suit coat from the hook on the back of my office door. “You could have asked nicely.”
She rolled her eyes again. I guess I was up to four times.
I followed her out dutifully, actively avoiding Andi’s gaze, but I could feel it on my back as she waved us out. I pressed the elevator button, and we waited side by side in uncomfortable silence for it to arrive. It had been three months of this same routine.
I pick her up, she’s bothered by me, we spend the day at the office, she’s annoyed by me, we head to her penthouse or any random events she has, she rolls her eyes at me, I head home, and then we do it all again. It was starting to feel like Groundhog Day.
Chapter Two
BEC
