“So fill me in,” I say pointedly.
“As you know Rodger has been hired full-time and I’ve weeded out bodyguard options to three. They’ll be here at four for you to interview, Karl cleared your schedule.” He stops like that’s the end of his explanation.
“Finn, I want to know what’s going on,” I chide. “Why is this necessary? What did you find out this weekend?” He sighs and sits forward in the chair, running his fingers through his hair, a tension reliever.
“Butch’s dates have been set for December sixteenth.” I know this already and indicate as much with my look at him. “His attorney is requesting bail and my sources think it’s likely he’ll get it. Mia is the only person still alive from that night, Kid. I don’t know if he’ll go after her but it’s a possibility. If she can’t wake up and identify him, then there are no witnesses to the attack. Kellerman’s dad is dead so they’ll try to suppress his previous testimony. The physical evidence is all fucked up and it looks like it was tampered with. The CSI lead in charge of Butch’s case is facing tampering charges in yet another case. This doesn’t look good.”
He’s right about the case. I’ve been combing through it for weeks trying to find something or someone to pin this on Butch, but it’s not there. With the forensic evidence possibly out, there’s nothing that puts Kathy’s murder, or Mia’s attack on Butch. He has always sworn he didn’t do this and that he walked in on it after the fact but didn’t see the perpetrator. All the evidence pointed at him though, footprints, fingerprints, hair, blood spatter, everything pointed a Butch. His job as a meth distributor just added fuel to the fire. Now with the physical evidence in question, the whole case becomes circumstantial. Why would he hurt Mia now though? That play seems odd. It would put him under the microscope more and he’d have more blood on his hands, another murder rap to try and beat. I’m not going to argue with Finn, he’s worried so I’ll play along but this doesn’t add up for me. The retrial should be over before the New Year and I can go back to my normal life.
“I know the obstacles this case is up against. Why do you think I’m in danger? I worry about Mia’s safety if Butch is released, but me?” I’m puzzled.
“You keep Mia safe, Kid,” he chides. “You’re the barrier between her and the real world. If she wakes up, you’re her attorney and while she’s in a coma you’re her voice to the courts. If you’re gone, a new guardian ad litem isn’t going to fight for Mia like you. Butch could make a request to take away her support and let her starve to death or God knows what else if you’re not standing in the way.” I wince at the thought but I know Finn is right.
“Okay, case won Mr. Callaghan.” I smirk. He does too. “So, what about these guys comin’ in to interview—”
Knock, knock.
“Sorry Shannon but we need to get movin’ over to the courthouse,” Karl interrupts. I jump up and grab my bag. I need to leave my gun here since I can’t take it in the courthouse. Once it’s stored in the safe in the bottom of my desk, I head out with Karl. Finn is waiting by the elevators with security guard Thomas again. I don’t have time for introductions so I hop on the elevator with Thomas and Karl.
Once we’re riding down I stick my hand out. “Shannon Kelly, thanks for taking the time to do this today,” I smile. He grasps my hand firmly…I like that.
“Caleb Thomas, Ma’am.” He’s dead fucking serious and his voice is deep like Michael Duncan Clark’s. “I was happy to help.” Thomas is a big boy, like he could be a lineman for the Chiefs big, maybe he’s related to Michael Duncan Clark. I would not want to get in his way. We get down to the lobby and I see Rodger waiting, love him. Karl and I jump in the back while Thomas rides shot gun. I feel a little like the A-Team, a sad version, but a version no less. We’re only driving a few blocks, that I would normally just walk, but I know that’s not an option. We pull up at the courthouse and roll out…okay so we’re no A-Team, but a girl can dream. I realize Thomas isn’t leaving us. He’s my bodyguard today, or at least the brick wall someone will have to get through to get to me.
My day is spent in the courthouse bouncing around from office to office, courtroom to courtroom it feels like. The Butch case is totally screwed, and I’m pretty sure he’s getting out tomorrow based on the conversations I have with colleagues throughout the day. I’ve got KCPD informed and they’ll have someone with Mia around the clock. I inhale a salad of some sort for lunch and keep at it for the day.
Finally, after a mad day I’m back in the elevator with Thomas climbing to meet my potential bodyguards. I’m a little excited. Finn had sent me their resumes while I was out and I had hastily gone over them throughout breaks in my day…once being on the toilet. I have a former Marine, a former cop, and a former MMA fighter. They all have identical guard experience, are professional, and have good references. I’m going to have to come up with some good questions to separate them. If I had had time to plan for this that wouldn’t be a problem, since I’ve had twenty-four hours and a life full of crazy, not so much.
We’re doing the interviews in conference room five across from my office. Kavanagh Law is situated on half of the fortieth floor and the corridors are set up like a horseshoe from the elevators, offices on the outside of the shoe and various conference, presentation, break, and storage rooms in the middle. It has a nice flow and gives me an opportunity to walk past the conference room and gaze through the glass windows at my potential…employee? Unfortunately the blinds are drawn.
I move past Karl who’s at his desk typing away. He had left me about an hour ago to catch up on some work and meet the potentials. I quickly run in my office to drop my shit on my desk, pull my gun out, put it in my bag, and head into the conference room. Thomas stays with me the whole time like an invisible shadow. I don’t know how he does it at his size, but I hardly notice him. He follows me to the conference room. I open the door and stop in my tracks as my eyes fall on him. Kellerman.
Kel is standing in the fucking conference room…wearing a suit, talking to Kavy. He looks like a Hugo Boss ad. Holy SHIT! Keep it together, Kid. I try to act normal and scan the rest of the room. Kel notices I’ve walked in the room and makes his way to me. He stops when he sees my sizeable shadow.
“Thomas, thank you for your help today, I really appreciate you taking the time,” I say turning to him with my hand out.
“It was my pleasure, Shannon. You ever need anything you call me at the number I gave you,” he says in a soft deep roll of the tongue while grasping my hand. I wish he was interviewing for the job. I nod at him and he turns, moving back into the corridor.
Kel approaches me after Thomas closes the door and I turn around. He slips his arm around my waist and kisses my forehead.
“Hi,” he says softly before straightening and dropping his hand.
“Hey.” I sound fucking breathy as shit. Smooth. “What are you doing here?” More normal tone that time.
“I’m here for your interviews,” he says matter-of-factly, like I’m an idiot for asking.
“Oh.” What the hell do I say to that?
Everyone takes their seats around the table, three potentials on one side, me and all my boys on the other. I feel bad for them…we look like a death squad. A-Team? Nope.
“Good afternoon gentleman,” Finn starts. “As you know you’ve been asked here today to interview with Miss Kelly. You have already been debriefed on this case and have agreed to the terms that are required. Miss Kelly will assess who she feels will be the best fit for her needs, and make the final decision regarding who earns the post. My colleagues and I are here to assist her in this process. Are there any questions before we begin?” Silence. “Miss Kelly,” Finn gestures toward me. He’s all business right now.
“Thank you, Mr. Callaghan.” I nod at Finn and look across the table. These men are stoic. “I must apologize off the bat gentleman. I was not given much notice of this meeting today and don’t really have anything prepared—” Kavy butts in.
“Sergeant Barnes,”
Kavy is addressing the marine who looks like a commercial for the Marines: his hair high and tight, his face smooth and chiseled, his clothing impeccable. “Why did you leave the service and enter into the personal protection business?”
“Sir, after completing four tours in the Middle East I had served my country to the best of my ability, and felt I was ready for a new direction in life.” He’s to the point, super cold. Not my style at all.
“Officer Taylor,” Kavy’s running the show apparently, “same question.”
Officer Taylor is younger than I expected. He’s older than me but not by much. He’s a really good looking man (as good as Kel in fact), dark and mysterious. He has dark brown hair cut short and styled messy yet professional, caramel eyes, a strong nose, wide square jaw…yeah he’s sexy.
“I was injured in the line of duty, told I could ride a desk for the rest of my career. I felt that I could do more, so here I am.” I like that, a go getter. He doesn’t look injured to me.
“Mr. Andrews,” this is Kavy’s last one, “tell me how you ended up with Security Services.”
The fighter is hot…he’s a bad boy and trouble for sure. Blond hair buzzed short, light green eyes, nose that’s been broken but makes him hotter, a body to fucking die for…he’s my type for sure. This is bad.
“I was scouted at the gym I trained at. This guy approached me and asked if I’d be interested, and I was. It was good way to make money and train at the same time while I was still fighting.” That was honest. Maybe not the best sales job, but honest.
“Thank you Mr. Kavanagh.” I give Kavy a look that says shut the fuck up and put those goddamn questions away. “Gentleman I appreciate your answers but I’m afraid nothing any of you say is going to help me decide. Your résumés are almost identical and I’m convinced you’re all more than qualified.” My boys are staring at me in shock and so are the potentials. I feel powerful. Rawr!
“So we’ll be taking a field trip to decide.” I stand up and so does the rest of the room. I’m tempted to sit down just to watch them follow, but I don’t…I’m a grown-up. Uh huh.
“We’re going to the gun range. Whoever can out shoot me gets the job.” The potentials are still stoic but I can sense confusion. My boys are silently freaking out. “I’ll meet you gentleman in the lobby,” I say to the potentials and they all leave the conference room.
“What the fuck, Kid?” Sully’s out of the blocks first.
“Kid, this isn’t a good idea. You need to know more about them than their shooting abilities,” Finn implores. Cally’s just shaking his head at the ground.
“I’m gonna bring them back,” Kavy says as he makes for the door.
“STOP!” I yell and they all do.
“This is my goddamn life Sully, so back off,” I glare at him. “Finn you did all the background on them. Is there anything I can ask them that you don’t already know the answer to?” I take his silence as a no.
“Okay then,” I sigh, “this is what I know guys. If someone is going to have my back they better be able to do a better job than I can do myself or this is pointless. Right?”
“I agree with her guys,” Prince Charming (Kel) says, coming to my rescue. “What’s the point in them protectin’ her if they can’t do what she can? I don’t want someone watchin’ her that she can take. Do you?”
“Nah man,” Cally’s on my team, “it’s a good idea, Kid. Just talk to ’em too, okay?”
“Okay Cally,” I relent. It’s not like I was going to be silent the rest of the night. I’m never silent.
“Boys?” I wait for the peanut gallery.
“Yeah, let’s go,” Kavy breaks. Sully and Finn nod.
“You guys go down and give them the address to Crosshairs. I’ll meet you there.” They all leave Kel and I in the conference room. I turn to him and wrap my arms around his neck perched up on my tiptoes. I pull his mouth to mine and his hands slip around my waist, pulling me into him. He tastes like spearmint and Kel, yummy. Tongues get involved and we moan and groan a bit before we slow down and pull away.
“Thanks for havin’ my back earlier.” I’m breathy.
“Always.” He’s breathy too. He pats my ass two times. “We better get goin’. Time to see what my woman can really do.” His what?!
“Okie dokie.” What am I, an eighty-year-old? He intertwines our fingers and we make our way past my office and Karl, whose eyes are twinkling with questions.
I snicker, “Night Karl,” and wiggle my fingers at him. Kel winks at him and I think I hear him gasp. I don’t blame him, Kel’s magnificent and apparently “my man”. We’ll have to talk about that one later. To the gun range!
“That was fucking EPIC!!” Sully bellows once we’re all in the kitchen. “Kellerman if you didn’t have dibs I’d be all over her right now!” He’s full of shit, but I still laugh.
“What?” I question Sully. “Dibs didn’t stop you when I was seventeen. I’m not good enough for you anymore?” I coo coyly at him.
He scoops me up over his shoulder and starts to make a dash for the stairs. I feel myself being snatched from his shoulder. Kel is cradling me in his arms and I’m laughing like a mad woman.
“You’ll have to be faster than that O’Sullivan,” Kel chides. Kel puts me back on the floor, and kisses my cheek. The guys are all laughing and giving Sully shit about his lack of kidnapping skills.
“So, Officer Taylor it is?” Kavy asks, smiling my smile at me.
“He won,” I state emphatically.
It was a tough fought war but Officer Andrew Taylor beat me in the end. Barely, but he did hit the target closer to the center than me, by two millimeters. I’m trying not to be a sore loser. So tomorrow Taylor starts his post, and my life is now his to maintain. It’s a weird feeling and I’m not sure how to feel safe with someone I don’t know, let alone trust. This will be a learning experience. I grab Kel’s hand and head toward the stairs, I’m beat and in need of a cuddle.
“I’m off guys,” I say to the group, “thanks for your help today. Love you guys.”
“Kavanagh, try to stay on your side of the bed tonight,” Kel yells over his shoulder. Everyone bursts into laughter. When we get to my room I lock it. No more sleep wandering Kavy.
When Kel hears the lock click he cocks his eyebrow at me. “In need of some privacy Miss Kelly?” he has a flirty tone.
“I didn’t want anyone to walk in on you while you were changing, I know what a modest girl you are,” I snark it up.
“Did you just call me a girl?” He has a devilish grin on his face.
“Yup.” I pop the p. “Whatcha gonna do about it?” He flies at me across the bed and I run into the bathroom locking the door.
“Come out, Kid,” he mumbles through the door, “I’ll be gentle I promise.” His voice sounds like sex. Quiver.
“Promise?” I make my voice small.
“Promise.”
I unlatch the lock and slowly pull the door open. He’s standing with his arms spread, leaning against the door frame. I smile seductively at him. He shakes his finger at me “ah, ah, ah” style. Before I have the chance to defend myself he’s on me. I’m up over his shoulder and then immediately crashing back down on my bed, squealing like a little girl the whole time. He’s hovering over me and the squeals stop.
He’s hungry for me and I’m ready to be devoured. And devour me he does. His mouth is all over me: my eyes, cheeks, chin, neck, ears, collarbone, mouth, any sliver of skin he can get his mouth on he does. I’m moaning and working my hand through his soft hair. I tug at it a little and he groans into my mouth. I reach around and start unbuttoning his shirt. It’s taking too long and I can’t see what I’m doing because of his relentless assault on my mouth. I grasp it and rip it apart, buttons flying everywhere. He smiles in my mouth and keeps working his tongue across mine vigorously. I push his ruined shirt off his shoulders and move him to his back.
I start to explore his neck and collarbone with my mouth. I kiss my way down his breas
tbone and over to his nipple. His chest is smooth like silk and rock hard. I pull his nipple between my teeth and bite down ever so softly, he growls at the back of his throat. He grabs me under my arms and pushes me onto my back. Slowly, Kel starts to work the buttons on my shirt while gazing into my eyes. His look is intense and asking for permission. Permission granted! I reach up and pull his face to mine. This kiss in softer and less ravenous, it’s sweet and passionate. He gets my last button free and pulls back from my mouth. Looking down at my body he shudders and lets out a deep breath.
“You’re perfection,” he whispers. I sit up and he follows. He brushes my shirt gently off my shoulders and down my arms, watching it fall away. He runs his hands back up my arms, tracing my collarbone and up my chin until he’s cupping my cheeks. He’s staring into my eyes and I swear it takes my breath away. I see love in his eyes. I’ve never seen that before and my breath definitely stops. He’s known me for two days. How can he look at me like that? I take it in anyway; I may never see that again.
He gently presses his lips to my forehead and lays me back down. I run may hands over his glorious back and shoulders, up through his hair and back down again as he kisses his way across the tops of my breasts. Kel reaches between the cups and unclasps my bra. He kisses his way over to my nipple, just as I had done to him, and suckles it gently. His hand kneads and massages my other breast and I arch into him, moaning and hissing. His fingers pull and roll my nipple as his teeth graze the other. Goosebumps cover my body and I shiver. He kisses around my breasts and down my stomach, dipping his tongue in my bellybutton. I giggle.
Kel starts to undo my pants. I’m anxious…really anxious, like a teenager, like my first time. He makes quick work of the button and zipper, guiding my pants down my hips and off my legs. I’m lying there in only a tiny green lace thong. Kel’s studying my body, like he did Shelby, memorizing every curve. I sit up and grab the waist of his pants; he helps me push them down his legs. His excitement is apparent and abundant beneath his boxer briefs. He lowers me back on the pillows and kisses me just under my ear.
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