The next few emails were from Maestro, running suggestions by his First Chair. Addison wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and gave the emails her complete focus for the next hour and a half. She was just as invested as the Maestro in making the orchestra the best it could be. They made a good pair, equally investing in the music, the administration and the politics. Addison smirked as she hit ‘return’ on the last email. If only she was a little more willing to show up and pimp herself out to the investors, she would make the Maestro a perfect work wife.
Addison arched her back on the stool where she sat, working the kinks out of her muscles. She had one email left to to check. She stood up to clean her breakfast as she listened to her electronic reader. She froze in place stomach plummeting as the subject line was read: YOUR BIGGEST FAN.
She knew she should stop the reader from continuing, but her feet remained frozen to the floor, her limbs too stiff to carry her the few feet to the laptop where she could snap it closed. The normally cheerful electronic voice, now eerie and unpleasant, filled her kitchen.
I WANT YOUR FINGERS TO WRAP AROUND ME
LIKE YOUR MUSIC WINDS AROUND ME
ADDISON, YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL,
SO FULL OF LIFE, SO PERFECT,
SO BREAKABLE.
I WANT YOU, ADDISON.
IF I CAN’T HAVE YOU
NO ONE CAN.
Daniel’s eyes traced over Claudia’s face with cool, professional interest. She was attempting to keep the bruised left side away from King’s vision and tilt her head in a way that would swing her blond hair forward to cover the swelling. She sat curled up on the couch, enveloped in a thick blanket where she had clearly been tucked for safe keeping. Her billionaire boyfriend was currently pacing around her like a caged tiger in need of fresh prey.
Each darkening bruise brought a fresh wave of rage crashing over the giant man. The juxtaposition between the two men was not lost on Daniel. Daniel Mercer was not controlled by rage and fire, but ruled himself with rigid control and icy deliberation. It was part of the reason they made such an effective team. Tyson built his empire with cunning and power, while Daniel protected their assets with icy, ruthless skill. He never failed.
Until yesterday. When Claudia had nearly been lost. If Tyson King had lost his queen, the empire would have crumbled under his rage and despair. Mercer had failed.
“You have my resignation,” Daniel said quietly.
King’s head snapped up. Confusion clouded his eyes for a split second before he understood. His eyes drilled into Daniel’s until Daniel understood without words that King bore him no ill will. It still pissed Daniel off to no end that someone got past his supposedly impenetrable defences.
“I was the one that insisted the building have a way in for emergencies. You argued against it,” King said gruffly. “We couldn’t’ve known they would get to Spencer’s family.”
Daniel nodded shortly. King was referring to Oscar Spencer, the now deceased concierge of King Tower. He had been carefully vetted by Daniel and had come with impeccable references. The man had been untouchable. Except for his family. All of which were now dead at the hands of Dante Marquez with the backing of Franco Delgado and his men. Oscar had gotten Dante onto the penthouse floor where Claudia’s Cuban ex-boyfriend had been able to confront her without her usual armed escort.
“If you don’t intend to accept my resignation then I’ve outlined several new security measures that will prevent future leaks in the system,” Daniel said.
King nodded his agreement. “You have my go ahead for all of them except Claudia’s personal detail. She wants to choose her own personal bodyguard and would prefer a woman, if possible.”
Daniel’s eyes went to Claudia, searching out the bruises on her pale skin. She ducked her head and crossed her arms over her chest protectively. Daniel shook his head. “No, I hire all security and I don’t want any women.”
Claudia’s head snapped up and a sound of protest passed her lips. King placed a large, gentle hand on her shoulder soothingly. She glared at Daniel but he ignored her. It was her spoiled pain in the ass that got him shot at anyway. He really didn’t care what she wanted.
King considered his words before he spoke in a deep firm voice. “Claudia needs someone she can trust. This might come as a surprise to you Mercer, but after yesterday she trusts you.”
Daniel was surprised. He had no idea Claudia was that stupid, with such a poorly honed sense of self preservation. He nodded slightly.
Claudia looked up at King and touched his hand before speaking to Daniel directly. Her voice was hoarse from either crying or strangulation, or both. King tensed in anger at the sound. “Daniel, I appreciate what you did for me yesterday. I know you did it for Tyson, but you saved my life. I think if you could follow me around forever I would feel utterly safe for the rest of my life.”
Daniel continued to stare at her without changing expression.
She seemed to be waiting for some kind of response from him. When she didn’t receive anything she continued, her voice hesitant. “I know you can’t babysit me every second of the day, not when your main job is to secure Tyson and his holdings. It would be far easier on you and his peace of mind if I had my own bodyguard.”
Daniel nodded. “I don’t have a problem with you having your own security personnel, Ms. Cantore.”
Claudia rolled her eyes. “Just with my bodyguard being a woman.”
Daniel didn’t say anything.
