It’s nothing like the jobs I went on with the Adler Squad.
They were mostly exterminators… ‘enforcers’. Anyone who stole money or broke the rules, that was when you called Christian’s team.
‘Bodyguard protection’ on the other hand... It’s cute... but it’s not the magnificent end I envisioned. Not at all.
I don't see how it contributes to extending Christian’s legacy.
“You’re so much more polite than that airhead Reuben,” Camille’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “I ask him to hold something for me and it’s like beating a dead dog. There’s nothing wrong with helping a girl out.”
I'm sure there's an unspoken rule about using your bodyguard as a hanger, Miss Dayton.
“Maybe Reuben doesn’t want to risk any distractions while he’s working,” I guess, but she only scoffs.
“Oh, please.”
She stands from adjusting her shoes and passes her hands along her dress to brush out the creases, a violet material that wraps around her body tightly before flaring out at her heels, with matching long gloves and white hair accessories.
All the guests on the deck of the ship are dressed similarly, in the finest gowns and suits I’ve ever seen, but the moment I allow myself to linger on theirforms, a familiar sensation pulls at me. One I can’t realize fully… but by instinct I know that it is both familiar and unwelcome.
So I drag it deep down inside me and shut into a box where it doesn’t exist.
“He charged me $150,000 for holding my purse last time, you know,” Camille’s voice breaks my gaze away from the guests.
I blink.
“I know you’re new to the team, so let me tell you now,” Camille huffs, “Reuben won’t do a single thing unless it’s for money. He’d sell his soul, buy it back cheap, and flip it for profit.”
I tilt my head. I haven’t had enough contact with him to realize it, but maybe if he hadn’t started to avoid me, I would’ve noticed it sooner.
It’s a different feeling having heard it from someone else, instead of seeing it for myself.
“Does your grandfather hire Reuben often to protect you?” I don’t know why I’m asking.
“Only once every few months.” Camille combs her hair behind her shoulders. “Grandfather rotates all of my bodyguards for the events in high society. He’s somehow deluded himself into thinking that someone will hurt his family to get to him. Everyone knows our net worth isn’t that high, but he gets so proud.” A gentle smile lights up her face, “There’s nothing wrong with leaving him to his delusions for a little while.”
It's cute.
Still, all it does is confirm that this job is a complete waste of my time.
“You’re polite but you’re not much of a talker, are you?” Camille tilts her head to look up at me curiously and I shuffle my feet uncomfortably.
Christian was a talker.
I admit, I haven’t been emulating him very well in that regard, but I’m 100% certain that if any conversation goes on too long, they’ll notice I don’t know anything.
Short conversations are the only way to keep up the act as Christian.
The sadness I usually keep boxed up, breaks out of its cage momentarily to prick painfully at my heart.
In the new legacy I’m trying to create for Christian, no one will ever know how easy he was to get along with. How natural his smiles were. How easy it was to lower your guard and feel safe.
Have I ever smiled as Christian?
I try it now, relaxing my shoulders and releasing my tension. Emulating the smile in the mirror I’d been selfishly keeping to myself in an attempt to keep Christian close, “It’s my first mission as part of Reuben’s squad. I don’t want anyone to say I lowered my guard too much for a Dayton beauty.” I throw in Christian’s wink and a piece of the sorrow inside me lightens when Camille chuckles with genuine joy.
Yes, that was the effect Christian had on others.
“Camille, your guests are waiting,” Reuben’s voice cuts through the air so suddenly it leaves me staggering mentally, and the impassiveness has returned to my face once more in an attempt to hide it.
