Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
It seemed simple enough. But he knew that things rarely worked out like that.
“How old is she?” Hayes asked.
“Twenty-five.”
“And she’s agreed to all this?” Corbin asked.
“Yes, I asked him that. He assured me that she has. Apparently, people either loved her or hated her on that show. And she hasn’t done anything on-screen since. I found a tabloid article about a guy she was dating who was only using her for her connections. He said as much on camera. And then her mother played that back for her. Which was also shown on the show.”
Wow. That was some motherly love for you.
Awesome.
“Some crazy shit goes on in the TV and film industry,” Corbin muttered. “I was just reading about how Rhodes Ripley had a stalker who turned out to be his sister’s personal assistant. The personal assistant killed Rip’s agent. Somehow, his ex-girlfriend was involved too. But that part seems to be hush-hush.”
“Lots of crazy stuff happening everywhere,” Kent muttered. “That’s what keeps us in business.”
“So there’s been a few threats against her,” Hayes said. “Some people wrote some awful things about this girl back when she did a shitty reality TV show, and her parents are worried that while they’re out of town, she’ll be attacked?”
“About sums it up,” Kent said. “And try to be discreet about it all. We don’t need the press catching on that there might be a story here.”
“Doesn’t sound like much of a story,” Hayes muttered.
“Our job is to keep Bluebelle safe.”
“This sounds like a fun job. Glad I left the SEALs for this. I’ll go pack.” Hayes stormed out.
Kent sighed.
“I don’t know about this,” Corbin said. “Are you sure about me going? About him?”
“Zeke is worried about Hayes. He thought . . . well, after leaving the SEALs, he was worried that he wouldn’t have anything to keep him going. Grounded. That he might become increasingly reckless. And he’ll be good at this job. He’s got the skills; it’s just that he . . . well, his people skills aren’t quite there. That’s why you’ll be good for him.” Kent grinned at him.
Corbin rolled his eyes. “Yeah? Sure you don’t want to send him out with Jed?”
Kent grimaced. “God, could you imagine the two of them together? No. Lennox would be better, but he’s on another job with Dominic in New York.”
Dominic didn’t like to be away from Gwen anymore, but she’d gone with him to New York for this job so she could see her best friend, Reuben.
Lennox had worked for JSI for about six months. He was quiet and secretive but still had more social adeptness than Hayes.
“And if I sent him to Zander . . . well, either they’d kill each other or become the best of friends.”
Corbin had to grin.
“Zeke said it’s best he doesn’t go out with him. Hayes claims Zeke is trying to smother him. Bain and Donovan are in Colorado. So . . . you’re it. Or me. And it’s not me. I own the company, so I get to decide shit like this.” Kent grinned at him.
Corbin ran his hand over his face. “I never wanted to go back out on a job like this.”
“What happened with Lindsay wasn’t your fault. She became infatuated with you. You didn’t lead her on. It’s not unusual for clients to become . . . attached to their bodyguard. It’s that whole Whitney Houston-Kevin Costner thing.”
“Showing your age.”
Kent sent him a scowl. “You’re not that much younger than me.”
“Hmm, tell that to your gray hairs.”
“You know there’s still time for me to kick your butt in the ring before you leave.”
“Dream on, old man.” Corbin grinned.
“Seriously, though. It wasn’t your fault. And she took it to an extreme. That sort of thing isn’t normal. Just . . . keep an eye on him for me, okay? I’m not as worried about what he says to the clients as I am about him.”
And that was why Corbin could look at himself in the mirror now. He was a better man because he had such a good man to look up to. Kent took care of everyone who worked for him. And Corbin used him as a role model. Even though they weren’t that far apart in age.
“I will. This job sounds a bit off, though.”
Kent grimaced. “I know. And if something is fishy, pull back. I told Benton we are there for the month and that’s it. If it turns out they want babysitters rather than bodyguards, let me know. I feel like I owe him something, but I don’t owe him everything. And I know you’d rather be here. So I’ll get you back as quick as I can.”
Shit. Kent was making him sound like he never left this place.
“I leave the Ranch sometimes.”
“And you hate it.”
That was true. His last away job had sucked. And this place? This was his home.