The first time I went into the coffee shop, I only went in that early because I was restless and needed a pick me up before I went in to work.
I had every intention of grabbing a cup of coffee and leaving, but I just couldn’t. I wanted to be around her. Study her. So, from then on, I brought my laptop under the guise of getting stuff done for work, and I do sometimes, but mostly I play solitaire and watch Jordan from the corner of my eye.
The rest of my morning is pretty normal. There haven't been any more secret meetings on Emmett's part, and Conner has barely left his office. I’ve at least seen him take bathroom breaks or the occasional coffee break over the last six weeks but not this past week. Not since the meeting with the mysterious man.
This has made it hard to try and get closer to him. Every time I try to talk to him, he scurries by like his ass is on fire. Plus, he has a permanent scowl on his face that has yet to go away.
Today is different though. Conner is beaming as he comes out of his office toward the elevator. This is my chance to talk to him. “You look happy, what gives?” I ask, opening the line of communication.
He turns to me, his smile still in place. “I have a lunch date with my daughter.”
“I didn’t know you had a daughter. You two must be close.” I scan my brain for the information I found on him, and I think I saw that he had a kid but I thought it was a son.
His smile falters.
Shit.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
He shakes his head. “No. It’s ok. Jay and Iwereclose. She pretty much hates me now, but I only have myself to blame.”
I nod my head like I know what he’s talking about. “Lunch seems promising though, right? It can’t be all that bad.”
“I screwed up big time. I have a lot to make up for. She won’t forgive me anytime soon but at least I get to see her face to face once a month.”
“Just give it some time. I’m sure she’ll come around,” I tell him and put a steady hand on his shoulder.
“Thanks,” he says and steps into the waiting elevator.
I give him one last nod and wait for the elevator to close. If I can get him to open up about his personal life, there’s a possibility he’ll slip and tell me something about work. I’m hopeful Conner will be the key to getting some of the information we need since Emmett seems keen on keeping things a secret.
~ ~ ~
When Emmett takes his lunch, it’s usually a two-hour affair. Being his bodyguard, I stay with him at all times, and I don’t usually eat until we’re back at the office.
Today is different though. And it has me on high alert.
“Why don’t you go get something to eat,” he says, looking up from his phone to make eye contact with me. Something he rarely does.
“My job is to stay with you, sir,” I argue.
“It’s the same old guys I usually meet up with. Go. I’ll be fine.”
It sounds fishy but I need him to trust me, so I say, “Yes, sir.” And walk away.
I swear I hear him mutter, “Fucking bodyguards are too fucking nosey.”
Dick.
I step out into the warm October air. The weather is still nice, but the temperature is dropping each day, which bodes well for me in this stuffy suit Emmett requires me to wear.
Emmett is in a private section at the back of the restaurant, and no one has shown up yet. It’s my job to protect him, but for him to not want me around means something’s going down.
I need to keep watch of the entrance without him seeing me, so I cross the street and post up on the side of a brick building where I can see who is coming and going. I pull my phone out so I don’t look suspicious and wait. Not five minutes later the same man I saw him meet up with down in Chula Vista arrives.
I need to figure out who this guy is.
I’m still anticipating a call from Captain Miller to see what he’s found out about the diner we were at, but until then, it’s a waiting game. I have no idea what these men are up to but I’m on high alert now, seeing as this man has been around twice in less than two weeks.
