“Why don’t you try to get some sleep? You’ve got to be exhausted. Tomorrow, you can think about your next move. I’ll be right in the front room. If you need anything, just call out.” Charlie gave her what she thought of as her ‘professional smile’ and stood to leave.
“Thanks, Charlie,” Shelly called after her. “You’re very honorable.”
That did put a genuine smile on Charlie’s face.
Shelly decided that morning to take up her friend’s offer to stay with her, and George and Kyle’s offer to collect the last of her things from Morrison’s house. Charlie dropped Shelly off at her friend’s place and refused any money from Shelly.
Her phone buzzed ad she picked it up, irrationally hoping that Ben was somehow texting her. But it was just Kyle, letting her know that her client would be there in half an hour. She texted back a thumbs up, and returned to her favorite book.
My favorite…and Ben’s.
FIVE
Charlie satwith Kyle in the conference room after lunch, waiting for her new client to arrive. Flo lay at her feet, the Malinois’s calm presence grounding her even as her mind raced.
Don’t get excited. It’s just another protection detail.
But it wasn’t just another detail. This was the job of a lifetime.
The fact that Kyle had chosen her—over all the other bodyguards at Watchdog—meant something. Kyle didn’t do favorites. He matched people based on skillset and temperament.
He trusts you with this.
Watchdog was no stranger to protecting celebrities, especially the home office in Los Angeles, and Charlie had guarded plenty. She’d had the honor of protecting Annalie Givens on the Colorado leg of her book tour. Annalie was being stalked by a serial killer who had used her terrifying books as a blueprint. Charlie had worked with Kyle to keep her safe from a mob of fans and paparazzi.
This assignment was similar, but it was also extremely personal for Charlie.
The front door chimed. Jodie’s cheerful voice carried down the hall, followed by deeper voices responding. Charlie stood up, her hand instinctively checking that her sidearm was secure.
“That’s them,” Kyle said. “You ready?”
“Always, Boss.”
He opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Charlie followed, Flo heeling perfectly at her left side.
Three people walked toward them and Charlie had to push her excitement down deep. The man leading the way was Rowan McCrae, the actor currently playing Aldric Thorne in theLegends of BattleLorestreaming series. He absolutely fit the role—he was tall, broad-shouldered, and moved with the easy confidence of someone comfortable in his own skin. His eyes were sharp, scanning the hallway the way operators did.
Beside him walked a woman in her mid-thirties with short, platinum hair and bright red lipstick, wearing jeans and a punk band t-shirt that read Fish Tank Doxy under a black blazer. She had a sparkling energy about her—creative, intense, like she was constantly thinking three steps ahead. Charlie liked her immediately.
Vivienne Cross. The director.
And trailing slightly behind her was a young woman who couldn’t be more than twenty-three, clutching a tablet and a leather portfolio bag. She had that eager, slightly overwhelmed look of someone fresh out of school and desperate to prove herself.
That must be her assistant.
Vivienne smiled warmly at Charlie as Kyle made introductions. Rowan’s face broke into a genuine smile as he extended his hand. “Good to meet you.”
Kyle shook his hand, then gestured to Charlie. “This is Charlie King, one of our best.”
“Charlie.” Rowan’s handshake was firm but not aggressive. “Heard good things about you.”
“Likewise.” She’d heard plenty about Rowan McCrae over the past year and had studied everything she could about both him and Vivianne the moment Kyle told her she’d be guarding them. Rowan was famously a lifelong fan of the books and had done some actual jousting with a Renaissance Faire in college.
Absolutely perfect choice to play Aldric.
Rowan stepped aside slightly so that Vivienne could shake hands. His posture remained tense and all his attention immediately went to the director. His protective body language wasn’t lost on Charlie.
Interesting.
