“Well, two things,” Max says. “One: there were plenty of single boys there. Two: you need to find yourself a Little. Seriously. It’s time, man.”
I shake my head wearily.
Prior to meeting their own boys, both Cole and Max were the same as me. They enjoyed their single life, always maintained that they would ride solo. The thought of settling down was about as alien to them as anything you could imagine—they were Guards and that was the sum total of their lives.
But that all changed when they met their boys.
And I don’t blame them, and I’m certainly not resentful or jealous either. I can see how happy they are with Richie and Billie. Part of me wishes that I could have the same thing. But I’m just not the kind of guy who wants to meet his boy in a club or via a dating app… so all these invites to club nights and Daddy & Little cafes just aren’t going to wash.
To be fair to Cole and Max, I think they know this about me too…
“Thanks guys,” I say. “But you know me.”
“We sure do,” Cole laughs. “But if you ever do change your mind about coming out with us, then the invitation is always open.”
“Got it,” I say, a wry smile on my face. “But, listen. About this mission…”
As the waitress brings over a round of coffee, plus two milkshakes with extra toppings for the boys, I explain to Cole and Max how I’m going to lure Miles into a trap, a trick that he won’t see coming but will give me definitive proof as to his intentions.
“He’s not dangerous like our other targets,” I say. “I mean, you saw him on your way in. He’s no automatic rifle expert or sniper-trained cartel assassin. But he’s got the one thing that none of those others do… he actually thinks he’s fighting for justice. Well, Ithinkthat’s what he thinks. Without firing a single bullet, he could bring us down. And that’s a scary fucking thought. But, like I said… I’ve got a plan.”
“Yup, that’s why Mr. G chose you for this one,” Max smiles, a knowing look on his face. “But enough business talk. Boys, comeover here. Your milkshakes are ready. Don’t make me steal all the toppings!”
“Daddy! No way!” Billie protests, sliding across the booth and taking his place next to Max. “Stealing isbad!”
I smile and watch as Max puts his arm around Billie.
Cole and Richie have got two straws to drink from his shake.
And here I am… alone with an espresso and a plan to bring down quite possibly the most dangerous boy I’ve ever come across in my time as a Guard.
Chapter 3
Miles
“Bleurgh. What the…” I mutter, half-asleep. “W-w-w-why so late…”
The sharp ping of my phone jolts me awake, heart pounding as I fumble in the dark.
Bean, my trusty bestie, tumbles off the couch where I’d fallen asleep, still clutching my coloring book. The room’s a cozy blur, lit only by the glow of my laptop screen, left open from earlier.
I squint at the clock on the wall. 4:47 AM.
Who’s messaging me now? Andwhy?
I grab my phone, the notification glaring:Security Alert: Unauthorized Access Detected.
My pulse quickens.
It’s from the backdoor program I planted in the Night Ops Guard’s encrypted server—a risky move, but one I’ve been monitoring for weeks. I haven’t had any luck with it, until now. This could be huge.
I swipe open the alert, and my breath catches.
A data breach.
Not just any breach—a leaked file detailing a high-level Night Ops Guard meeting. Location, time, even a partial list of attendees.
This is huge.
