“I take it that’s your daughter?”
“Yes, that is Eliana. She may seem like a hellcat, but she was almost killed the other night. Please take a seat.”
“Which is why I’m here, Mr. Hernandez?”
“Just Diego. And yes. Eliana is starting a new job in a few days, and if she insists on defying me, she will do so under my protection. I’ve heard great things about you, and when it comes to my daughter, I want the best.”
I take a seat in an armchair opposite Diego Hernandez. He is as tall as I am, but leaner with salt and pepper hair, steely eyes, and a stoic expression on his face.
“Well, I can assure you, Sir, your daughter will be in good hands.”
“Okay, so I’ll have you set up in an apartment in the same building as Eliana, all expenses paid in addition to your fee.” He stands, handing me a folder.
The figure he’s paying is more than generous, double what I usually get paid. I close the folder and stand, reaching to shake his hand.
“I’ll be in touch, at least once a week, sooner if it’s necessary.”
“Oh, and Mr. Hayes. Touch my daughter, and all bets are off.”
I frown. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem. She’s not my type,” I grin, leaving his office.
* * *
Every muscle aches as I push myself forward, “Lose Yourself” by Eminem screaming in my ears. I cut through the park, my feet pounding the ground, my chest burning from the exertion. I reach the clearing and stop when I get to the gate that leads to the cemetery. I haven’t had the courage to pass through the steel structure in years. I stand outside like the bystander I have always been, the wind spreading chills over my sweat covered skin. I peek through the bars the way I always do, to the place that holds so much of me. I turn and make my way back the way I came from.
* * *
The apartment is small, but comfortably furnished, tidy. The living area’s bay windows look out onto a park, and I’m glad I’ll be able to keep up my daily runs. Otherwise, central Los Angeles is a concrete jungle of sorts.
The one-bedroom unit has a queen size bed, a desk, and a bookshelf. I place my suitcase on the bed and sit at the edge of it. I feel like a giant in this room, it’s that snug. I have seen and lived in much worse, spent my life roughing it out, so this doesn’t bother me. I remember the time I used the hollow of a tree as a shelter, a bulk of a man like me inside that hollow is hilarious in hindsight, but it wasn’t then. I shake away the memory.
Eliana Hernandez is settling into her own apartment next door. I imagine this is quite the contrast from the opulence she’s used to. I did my research and know enough to make that assumption.
I look around the room again, deciding it’s a step up from dealing with celebrities and groupies. I pull out my phone and search the nearest Chinese restaurant, finding one a few minutes away. Calling in, I order chicken chow mien.
The restaurant is a small hole in the wall, the scent of Asian cuisine that fills the air making my mouth water. I walk in and grin when I see the woman at the counter paying for her order. She turns, and a scowl forms on her face.
“Great minds, hey?” I smirk.
“You expect me to believe this is a coincidence?” she mutters, pushing past me. I watch as she storms out of the restaurant then collect my order and jog to catch up with her.
“Come on, you might as well get used to me being around,” I say.
“I won’t,” she snaps back.
“It’ll make life so much easier for both of us,” I tell her.
She stops. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize how significant you were to my life.”
I groan. “You could try to look at this differently, like maybe I’m a guardian angel, stalking your every move, making sure you don’t get into trouble,” I grin.
“Wow!” she continues walking toward our apartment building then halts again. “Are you following me?”
“Not at all. I live here.”
“You do-” She lets out a snicker, her face twisted in anger. “He wouldn’t.”
I shrug. “We’re neighbors, princess,” I announce.
