Page 10 of Locked Down

“I see. So what is it I can do for you then?”

“I have some security-related questions and I will need copies of house keys, office keys, vehicle keys, etc.”

She looked affronted.“You will have to speak to Don Lazlo about that. He’s Senator Davis’s head of security.”

Might as well get it out there from the get-go.“I am the new head of security for Mr. Davis. At least for the foreseeable future. Where can I find Lazlo?”

She frowned but glanced at her watch.“He usually comes in just before lunch to take the Senator to his lunch date.”

Ryker frowned.“He’s not in the building?”He knew it but he wanted to drive the point home.“Is any of Davis’s security detail in the building?”He’d noted the assistant adhered to the proper respect for a man of Davis’s standing, a freaking US Senator, but Ryker himself wasn’t tied to that same ideal.

Joyce’s eyebrows drew together, and her lips compressed even further.“Not at this time.”

“Jesus H… that’s a bit problematic. Can you please give me Mr. Lazlo’s number?”

Her fingers clicked away on the keyboard and then she read it off to him.“Is there anything else you need?”

There was a host of things but now wasn’t the time. He needed to get a better read on the situation first. He moved Joyce into the hostile category in his mind. He always sorted people, friend, foe, or neutral. Joyce did not like him one bit. Probably because it meant she was losing a bit of her control. Corporate America reminded him of a playground. Everyone wanted to rule their square of it completely, and if someone did something they didn’t like, they’d take their toys and go home.

“Can you send me Mr. Davis’s calendar for the rest of the week? I need to do some planning.”

Joyce glared at him as she pounded on her keyboard without looking at the keys. A few moments later an email arrived, and he had what he needed. He strolled over and settled on a chair outside Davis’s door. It was going to be a long day.

SIX

Ryker stood outside of Davis’s house and took a last look around. So many changes needed to be made. He would start working on them tomorrow, but tonight he was bushed. It had been a long day of working on a laptop outside of Davis’s office, trying to get things lined up so that Davis was secure for his meetings this week. Sorting different vehicles, checking floor plans, and talking to building security. Providing security for a prominent political figure involved a lot of effort.

He’d also had a contest of wills with Joyce. The woman had almost thrown a tantrum when he said he needed a desk outside of Davis’s office and that they would have to share her space. Finally, when Davis agreed to it, she had to acquiesce. It hadn’t been pretty, but Joyce ended up looking like a spoiled brat. Ryker didn’t need a degree in rocket science to know Joyce was going to be a major pain in his behind.

Don Lazlo, Davis’s security chief, had had a bit of a fit earlier too, but Ryker had expected that. No one liked being usurped. Ryker couldn’t blame him. Still, if Lazlo had done a better job, he wouldn’t be in this mess. Ryker knew a showdown with Floyd Armstrong was still likely to happen as well, but thankfully, that wouldn’t be this evening. Ryker made a few more mental notes as to where he wanted to add some cameras and perhaps move others.

As he was exiting the building, he was hailed from behind.“Mr. Sterling?”

He turned and Invicta came down the steps towards him.“Thank you,”she said.“I know it couldn’t have been easy to convince my uncle to let you on his team.”

“No problem. You were correct. His security needs an overhaul. It won’t take long before I get things in place.”

She nodded but seemed to hesitate.“I know that this won’t be easy, working with Joyce and the others, but for what it’s worth, you’ve taken the weight of the world off my shoulders. I truly appreciate it.”

He offered her a small smile.“I’ll do my best to keep him safe, Ms. Carlyle.”

“Vic, please.”

“Ryker,”he countered.“Did you need a ride home?”

She hesitated again.“If you wouldn’t mind, that would be great. I don’t love taking public transportation this late at night.”

“Your uncle makes you take public transportation?”Did he not care about his niece’s safety? Was the man that much of a dick with ears? Why was he even surprised? Davis was the king of all pricks. He, and his partner in crime, Eli Fisher.

“Er, no, well yes but he’s so busy I just don’t want to disturb him.”

She offered another quick smile, but Ryker saw through it. Fear lurked in her gaze. What kind of messed up family was this? His protective instincts kicked into high gear.“I see, and Don or one of the other guys don’t volunteer to escort you?”

She licked her lips and looked around but didn’t meet his gaze.“They…That is, I’m sure they’re busy as well.”

Then it hit him.“You’re not comfortable around them.”Had they made a pass at her? Jesus. This was worse than he imagined. He’d throttle any man who laid a hand on her without her permission.

She looked around some more and then finally at him. She huffed out a quiet sigh.“No, I’m not. It’s nothing they’ve done,”she said quickly.“I’m just not…”

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