Page 33 of Soul of Discretion

CHAPTER TEN

Nick shut the door behind him, walked the few feet to Officer Jeffries and stared him down. “I’ve been called into the office. As you’re the only one available, I need you to stay here and protect Mr Bridgeworth by all means possible. Nothing is to happen to him. Do you understand?”

Jeffries sneered, which was typical. “I’m sure I can’t possibly protect him as well as you, considering all the ‘extra’ steps you’ve taken to ensure his comfort.”

“Listen, you dim-witted asshole. That man is helping us with this case and needs protection, which is your job. Either do it to the best of your ability or I can call and request a replacement officer.” Nick was done playing with this jerk.

Jeffries tried to stare Nick down but soon gave in and looked away. “I’ll do my fucking job.”

“You’d better,” Nick ordered before turning and heading for the elevator. “I’ll be back soon to relieve you.”

Ten minutes later Nick walked into Inspector McKenzie’s small office as his cell phone vibrated in his hand for what had to be the tenth time. McKenzie hung up his desk phone and looked at Nick in exasperation.

“Nice of you to join me, Sergeant Cooper. Please come in,” the inspector said in a tone that brooked no arguments.

Nick hung his head slightly; he never liked disappointing the inspector. The man was more of a friend to Nick than his boss. He didn’t try to make an excuse, he simply apologized, “Sorry, sir.”

McKenzie looked Nick over critically before nodding his head and saying, “Sit.”

Nick did as ordered and waited for the inspector to begin. Files lay open on his desk and what looked like a plane ticket for Air Canada. Shit. That’s never good. The inspector’s next words confirmed it.

“I need you to take a little trip and follow up on a new lead we have in Montreal. Apparently, one of the Baronnes’ cousins is in custody and wants to work a deal. We need to find out how much he knows about the smuggling through the Toronto Airport. You’ll be gone for a couple days, pack accordingly.”

“Sir, who will guard Mr Bridgeworth while I’m gone?” No way he was leaving Simon unprotected. “He has his valet with him now, but I’m not sure Peter is equipped to be a bodyguard.”

“I’m sure Officer Jeffries can handle it. Take the file and get up to speed before you land, there’ll be an officer waiting for you. Now if you intend to catch your flight, you’d better go pack,” Inspector McKenzie advised before returning his attention to the other files.

“Yes sir,” Nick responded as he stood and left the office with a file and plane ticket in his hand.

When he got back out to his truck, Nick looked at his watch. Fifteen minutes. That’s all it had taken to shorten his time with Simon by days. He knew that on top of everything they were going through, there was a time limit to his relationship with Simon. He’d signed up for this, eyes wide open, but somewhere along the line his ground rules had gotten lost. The most important rule, never fall for your hook-up, had pretty much been thrown out the window by now. Shit.

It didn’t take him long to get back to the Hilton. A large portion of his clothing had been moved into the suite so he’d have to pack from there. More importantly, he had to tell Simon he would be leaving and hoped that Simon hadn’t left for the office yet. When Nick reached the top floor and found Jeffries standing outside Simon’s suite door, he had his answer.

“You can go take a break, I’ll be here for the next thirty minutes,” Nick advised as he walked past Jeffries on his way to Suite 1002.

“What, come back for a quickie?” he snarked as he turned toward the elevator.

Nick didn’t have time for his shit and brushed it aside as he walked into his suite. Instead of grabbing his duffle bag, he walked through the adjoining door and into Simon’s suite. The handsome man sat at the dining table looking over paperwork and seemed so immersed in what he was reading that he didn’t notice Nick standing there.

Simon’s blond hair shone in the sunlight pouring through the large windows and gave his pale skin a golden glow. All Nick needed were to have those golden eyes turn his way and he was positive he’d be worshipping at the man’s feet. No way in hell Simon would ever find that out.

“Simon,” Nick called in a soft voice, not wanting to scare him.

Immediately, Simon looked up and the slight panic he wore turned to happiness in an instant. Nick could get used to that. “What are you doing back so soon, meeting over?”

Nick’s emotions must have shown on his face because the next thing he knew Simon was up out of his chair and holding Nick. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing serious. I have to leave for a few days.” Though it felt serious to Nick. He trusted nobody but himself to keep Simon safe.

“Leave? Why?”

Nick sat down on the couch and Simon squeezed in beside him. “Well, a cousin of the Baronnes has been arrested and I have to travel to Montreal to question him about this case. Officer Jeffries will be staying to protect you while I’m gone, but I need you to promise me to keep your eyes open. If something doesn’t look or feel right, tell Jeffries. They’ll keep an eye on Peter too.”

Simon sighed. “I’ve tried to get him to go home where he’s safer, but the man is a damn terrier. He refuses. I’ve sent him off to a tailor to get some suits made and gave him a whole load of errands to run. I’ll find stuff to keep him busy until I can convince him to leave.” Simon squinted at Nick, worry in his blue eyes. “Are you unsure of how well your fellow officer can protect me?”

“No, he’s a good officer.” Although he can be a dick. “He will protect you with his own life if necessary. The RCMP are a strong group. It’s only that I won’t be here.”

“I’ll be safe,” Simon assured. “Nothing wild is planned over the next couple days. Other than my skydiving trip to Niagara Falls.” He grinned. “Peter will be the one in the barrel.”